Anadolu Agency: News in English, 99-05-24

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AA Daily

24 May 1999 Monday

CONTENTS

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

[02] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT: ''WE HAVE NO LACK OF CONFIDENCE TO EXISTING MHP ADMINISTRATION. MY BELIEF THAT THERE WILL NOT BE ANY PROBLEM, INCREASES EVERYDAY''

[03] PROFILE OF EXPORTS FROM GAP REGION - IN FIRST FOUR MONTHS, 57.1 MILLION U.S. DOLLARS OF THREAD EXPORTED

[04] RESTORATION WORKS BEGIN IN NEMRUT

[05] INTERNATIONAL FOLK DANCES FESTIVAL - THE GEORGIAN IVANA JAVAKHISHVILI UNIVERSITY BECOMES THE FIRST

[06] TOURISM SEASON TO BEGIN IN EASTERN BLACK SEA REGION

[07] NATO'S AIR OPERATION AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA - TURKISH F-16 WAR PLANES ACCUMULATE A TOTAL OF 1,566 FLIGHT HOURS

[08] NUMBER OF KOSOVAR REFUGEES IN TURKEY INCREASES TO 16,524

[09] RED CRESCENT SENDS HUMANITARIAN AID TO BANGLADESH

[10] TURKMENISTAN NATURAL GAS - TURKMEN NATURAL GAS PIPELINE IS ENVISAGED TO BE ACTIVATED IN THE YEAR 2002

[11] FOREIGN TRADE STATISTICS

[12] CULTURE MINISTERS OF TURKISH REPUBLICS TO CONVENE IN BISHKEK TOMORROW

[13] A 14-METRE SHALLOW AREA IN INTERNATIONAL WATERS BETWEEN TURKEY AND CYPRUS ATTRACTS OCEANOLOGISTS

[14] JONES, U.S. CONSUL IN ADANA: ''WE BELIEVE THAT TURKISH JOURNALISM HAS GREAT DYNAMISM''

[15] TUYGAN, TURKISH AMBASSADOR TO ATHENS, GIVES DINNER IN HONOUR OF PATRIARCH BARTHOLOMEOS

[16] FOREIGN TRADE STATISTICS

[17] PRESIDENT DEMIREL SENDS A CONGRATULATORY MESSAGE TO RAU, WHO WAS ELECTED AS PRESIDENT OF FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY

[18] BSEC WORKING GROUP MEETING ON COOPERATION IN STRUGGLE AGAINST ORGANIZED CRIME

[19] EFES-99 AND IMBAT 3/99 MILITARY EXERCISES START

[20] CAMAS, CHAIRMAN OF TURSAB: - ''WE CAN MAKE 1.8 MILLION PEOPLE IN GERMANY WHO HAVE NOT DECIDED WHERE TO SPEND THEIR HOLIDAY, COME TO TURKEY''

[21] PANEL ON ''LABOUR UNIONS AND RELATIONS WITH EU'' - CEM, FM: ''IMPORTANT PROGRESS HAS BEEN ACHIEVED IN RELATIONS BETWEEN TURKEY AND EU''

[22] CAKIR, GOVERNOR OF ISTANBUL: - ''EFFORTS TO COMPLETE LEGAL ECONOMIC INFRASTRUCTURE OF TURKISH-ISRAELI RELATIONS HAVE BEEN CONCLUDED'' - OZENER, TURKISH AMBASSADOR TO TEL AVIV: - ''ISRAEL DESIRES TO CARRY AND DISTRIBUTE WATER IN GAP REGION'' - YILDIRIM, CHAIRMAN OF ITO: - ''ONLY WAY TO ENTER INTO U.S. MARKET IS DIALOGUE AND FRIENDSHIP WE WILL SET UP WITH ISRAEL''

[23] AKBULUT, PARLIAMENT SPEAKER: ''PRESTIGE OF PARLIAMENT IS PROVIDED BY TRANSFERRING AGENDA OF PUBLIC TO PARLIAMENT''

[24] GERMAN DELEGATION IN IZTO - DEMIRTAS, CHAIRMAN OF IZTO: ''OUR COMMERCIAL RELATIONS WITH GERMANY IS NOT AT DESIRED LEVEL''

[25] PRESIDENT DEMIREL: ''TURKEY IS A WORLD STATE''

[26] IS TURKISH REPRESENTATION TO FAO BEING CLOSED? - ERDIL AKAY, AMBASSADOR: ''IN PRINCIPLE, CLOSURE OF REPRESENTATION AT THE END OF NOVEMBER IS AT AGENDA''

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

SECOND TERM TO DEMIREL
Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit, addressing the ''Pulse of the Politics'' program in TRT-1, reiterated that extending the mandate of President Suleyman Demirel may come to the agenda. Ecevit said ''I have the doubt that Presidential elections may be problem. Demirel has given a good exam in Presidency. Presidential system is not right but it may be done two terms instead of one term.''

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

SABAH (LIBERAL)

DEMONTRATION IN YEMEN IN KAVAKCI'S FAVOUR
Demonstrations took place in Yemeni capital Sana to support Merve Kavakci, Istanbul Deputy of Virtue Party (FP) who was denaturalized. Nearly one thousand women wearing Islamic style headscarves and religious cloths, held a demonstration in favour of Kavakci who created chaos in opening ceremony of parliament by wearing a headscarf.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

OCALAN CONFESSION OF SIMITIS
Kostas Simitis, Prime Minister of Greece, said they were not successful on the issue of Ocalan, terrorist chief, adding that they accepted their responsibility to this end. Claiming that they wanted to hide Ocalan due to humanitarian means, Simitis said Greece was the only country that Ocalan could not settle. Ocalan came to Greece for special reasons. Several special people played important roles in his coming.

RADIKAL (LEFT)

LAST SCANDAL OF CHP
Supporters of Deniz Baykal, former leader of Republican People's Party (CHP), sabotaged election of Parliamentary Assembly and supreme discipline board with a ''pirate list'' during the extraordinary assembly of CHP. Altan Oymen, newly elected leader, will bring the party to the congress again within 45 days.

YENİ YÜZYIL (LIBERAL)

ALIYEV EXTENDS SUPPORT FOR BAKU-CEYHAN
President Haydar Aliyev of Azerbaijan said that the main route is the Baku- Ceyhan for them to transport Caspian oil into the Western markets, adding, ''We have no problems with the Baku-Ceyhan route. The project will start soon.'' President Suleyman Demirel hosted a luncheon in honour of his Azeri counterpart Aliyev.

TÜRKİYE (RIGHT)

FP: KAVAKCI CANNOT BE DEPRIVED OF HER DEPUTYSHIP
Jurist deputies of the Virtue Party (FP) claimed that it is impossible to deprive Merve Kavakci, the Istanbul Deputy of FP who created an Islamic- style headscarf crisis, of her deputyship in accordance with the 84th Article of the Turkish Constitution.

STORM CREATES TERROR IN GAZIANTEP
A storm broke out suddenly in Gaziantep province overnight. The storm damaged the roof of a wedding-hall, creating panic among more than 200 guest. 15 people were injured in uproar. The injured guests were later taken to the State Hospital.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

[02] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT: ''WE HAVE NO LACK OF CONFIDENCE TO EXISTING MHP ADMINISTRATION. MY BELIEF THAT THERE WILL NOT BE ANY PROBLEM, INCREASES EVERYDAY''

Responding to the questions of journalists in ''Pulse of the Politics'' program in TRT, Ecevit said results of April 18 elections was different from the expected, adding that they had difficulty in formation of the new government to this end. Ecevit said they had left all these problems in the past and noted that his party have relations with MHP and ANAP which gradually become warmer.

''I have the hope that the government can be formed within this week if an unexpected unfortunate incident does not erupt. If this government can be formed and can provide an harmony within itself and in the Parliament, it may have beneficial services'' Ecevit said, and noted that ''number of Parliamentarians of these three parties in the parliament is 351. Number of votes required to make constitutional changes without referendum is 367. I mean the difference is very small here. This government can make constitutional changes with the contribution of several deputies from the parliament. This will be a great chance for Turkey. Several Constitutional Changes are required to overcome deficiences of our democracy and to harmonize with the changing economic conditions of the world.''

Ecevit said, ''also, a constitutional change is required to overcome several obtacles in functioning of judgement power. Constitutional change is required to provide representation of non-governmental organizations in the Parliament. This government is a very big chance for all of these.''

DSP leader Ecevit said he hoped and wished that his government may reach such a success, ''I am an optimistic person. Otherwise, it is not easy to make politics in Turkey. Yet, generally, I was not mistaken in my optimism.''

Ecevit, who wished the government to be long lived, said short, medium, and long term measures should be taken to save Turkey from the bottleneck which it was dragged into because of the world crisis. Ecevit said a sound and long term government is required to this end. ''I hope that we may meet this requirement,'' he said.

Pointing out that there was a problem related with the State Security Courts (DGM), Ecevit said no other constitutional change, that is so urgent, waits in the agenda at the moment. He said there were several laws which should be issued speedily apart from these, and listed them as 1999 budget, Banks Law and Repentance Law.

Responding to a question, Ecevit said government talks have started and that he got the confirmation of Mesut Yilmaz, leader of the Motherland Party (ANAP) on Sunday evering. Ecevit said Chairmanship Council of ANAP will convene on Monday and that he will hold a meeting with Devlet Bahceli, leader of MHP, following ANAP's decision.

''In my opinion, two commissions should be formed. One of them related with the structure of the government and the other is related with coalition protocol. I hope that an agreement could be reached soon after this,'' Ecevit said and pointed out that ''we should put this to the coalition protocol to provide confidence building measures in internal policy. We had worked in full harmony in 55th government period and this yielded in positive outcomes. It has been seen that a compromise could be reached in Turkish policy. I hope that this government can show the same harmonization. Reciprocal confidence may be increased as we know each other well. I attribute importance to democracy, dialogue, and harmonization. To this end, I always say for years that we should not be afraid of the coalitions.''

Responding to a question, Ecevit said exclusion of Mesut Yilmaz, leader of ANAP, from the government will not spoil the coordination between deputy prime ministers ''coalition partners may come together to provide coordination.''

[03] PROFILE OF EXPORTS FROM GAP REGION - IN FIRST FOUR MONTHS, 57.1 MILLION U.S. DOLLARS OF THREAD EXPORTED

In the same period last year, the region exported 34 million 31 thousand U.S. dollars of thread.

Officials at the Southeastern Anatolia Exporters' Union told the A.A correspondent that in the first four months of the year, they exported 26 million 737 thousand U.S. dollars in cotton thread, and 30 million 434 thousand U.S. dollars in synthetic thread.

The majority of the goods were exported to Syria, Saudi Arabia, Belgium, Italy, Jordan, Spain, France, Lebanon, the U.S., Israel, Portugal, Romania, and Greece.

[04] RESTORATION WORKS BEGIN IN NEMRUT

The works will be realized in the Nemrut within the scope of a protocol signed between the Directorate General of Foundations and the Culture Ministry.

The restoration of Nemrut will be concluded within five years.

Meanwhile, Bulent Akarcali, the Chairman of Turkish Democracy Foundation; Teyfik Ketencioglu, the Deputy Undersecretary of Culture Ministry, and the Chairman of the Protection and Improvement of Natural Inheritance Foundation; Maurice Crijns, the Chairperson of the International Nemrut Foundation; Kemal Soyer, the Director General of Protection of Cultural and Natural Inheritance; a number of Turkish and foreign journalists visited the Nemrut Ruins.

[05] INTERNATIONAL FOLK DANCES FESTIVAL - THE GEORGIAN IVANA JAVAKHISHVILI UNIVERSITY BECOMES THE FIRST

Folk dance groups of the Sofia University (Bulgaria), the Abilay Khan University (Kazakhstan), the State and the Comrat universities (Moldovo), the Bucharest University (Romania), the Sochi University (Russia), the Ivana Javakhishvili University (Georgia), the Odesa State and the Odessa 2nd Mechinov Universities (Ukraine), and the Black Sea Technical University (Turkey) joined the festival which lasted for four days.

Meanwhile, Ukranian Odessa 2nd Mechinov University won the best stage organization award while Moldovian State University was given the best music award.

The best costume award was given the Moldovian Comrat University, and the best dance award was given to the Black Sea Technical University.

[06] TOURISM SEASON TO BEGIN IN EASTERN BLACK SEA REGION

Responding to questions of A.A correspondent, Volkan Canalioglu, the Director General of Provincial Tourism, said that they have taken all necessary measures for a successful tourism season.

Reminding that infrastructure works were concluded to provide Turkish and foreign tourists to come to the region which is known with its natural assets, Canalioglu stressed, ''we will accelerate promotion of the region with mountain and plateau festivals. We maintain promotion activities both in Turkey and abroad. Meanwhile, in addition to the existing tourism facilities, the Hidirnebi Yaylakent will start to host guests this year.''

Noting that their slogan is ''Tourism for Four Season and Twelve Months'', Canalioglu added, ''we are able to make culture, business, health, congress, sports, youth, cave, and trade tourisms in the region. Eastern Black Sea region will become one of the most ideal tourism centers of the world in coming years.''

[07] NATO'S AIR OPERATION AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA - TURKISH F-16 WAR PLANES ACCUMULATE A TOTAL OF 1,566 FLIGHT HOURS

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 36 hours on May 23.

Meanwhile, a total of 881,377 Kosovar people were displaced so far as a result of ethnic cleansing campaign in Kosovo. According to the latest figures, there are 16,524 refugees in Turkey; 50 thousand in Serbia; 64,400 in Montenegro; 430 thousand in Albania; 236,500 thousand in Macedonia; 18, 500 in Bosnia-Herzegovina, and 46,257 in other countries.

A total of 16,524 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 7,179 Kosovar refugees have been provided shelters in the Gaziosmanpasa Refugee Camp in Kirklareli province.

Turkey has provided shelters for a total of 11,314 Kosovar refugees in camps in Macedonia and Albania. Both camps have capacity to host 20 thousand refugees.

[08] NUMBER OF KOSOVAR REFUGEES IN TURKEY INCREASES TO 16,524

The Interior Ministry issued a statement saying that a total of 7,484 Kosovar refugees have arrived at the Corlu Airport in Tekirdag; 7,085 refugees have entered Turkey from the Kapikule Border Gate in Edirne, and 1, 955 others have arrived at the Ataturk Airport in Istanbul as of 10:00 local time on Monday.

The statement noted that 7,179 Kosovar refugees have been provided shelters in the Gaziosmanpasa Refugee Camp in Kirklareli province.

[09] RED CRESCENT SENDS HUMANITARIAN AID TO BANGLADESH

The Directorate General of Red Crescent issued a statement saying that 24 tonnes of humanitarian aid was sent to Bangladesh by two military planes in March 2-3.

The humanitarian aid worth of 12 billion Turkish Liras, includes 20 tonnes of flour, 10 tonnes of sugar, 10 tonnes of rice, 15 tonnes of lentil, and 5 tonnes of vegetal oil.

President Suleyman Demirel who paid an official visit to this country, gave directives to send humanitarian aid to Bangladesh in order to meet urgent food need of people who were effected by the flood disasted in Bangladesh.

[10] TURKMENISTAN NATURAL GAS - TURKMEN NATURAL GAS PIPELINE IS ENVISAGED TO BE ACTIVATED IN THE YEAR 2002

Pricing issue of the project, which is the most important aspect of the project and Natural Gas Trade Agreement, that was signed between Ziya Aktas, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources and Sapharmurad Turkmenbasi, Turkmen President, was solved.

Under the agreement, ''flexible pricing'' system was brought which will take into consideration interests of the two countries. Price of Turkmen natural gas will be reviewed in every six months.

Within the framework of pipeline project, which will have a total length of 2,000 kilometers, nearly 300 kilometers pipeline, which will pass under the sea, will be installed from Turkmenbasi city of Turkemenistan to Azeri capital Baku.

The pipeline which will pass under the Caspian sea, will extend from Baku to Tbilisi than to eastern Erzurum province. The natural gas will be transported to regions with the help of Turkey's existing pipelines.

Meanwhile, it was reported that a transit country agreement will be signed between Azerbaijan and Georgia to activate Turkmen natural gas pipeline project.

Azeri side said it will confirm passage of Turkmenistan natural gas pipeline from its country.

Other partners of the consortium and study program is expected to be clarified during a meeting which will be staged on July 14.

The cost of the pipeline, which will be constructed by the consortium, is foreseen to be 2-2.3 billion U.S. dollars.

If everything takes place according to the program, at the beginning or middle of the year 2002, five billion cubic meters natural gas will be transported to Turkey, which will take Turkmen natural gas in Georgian border.

Within the scope of the agreement which envisages transportation of Turkmen natural gas into European markets via Turkey, Turkey will purchase 16 billion cubic metres of natural gas annually within a period of 30 years.

Meanwhile, a total of 14 billion cubic metres of natural gas will be trasported into the western markets via Turkey through a 2000 km pipeline which is expected to be operational in 2002.

[11] FOREIGN TRADE STATISTICS

The State Institute of Statistics (DIE) released on Monday a statement saying that Turkey realized 6 billion 35 million U.S. dollars in exports and 7 billion 871.1 million U.S. dollars in imports in the first quarter of 1998.

The exports dropped 10.4 percent and the decrease in imports reached 20.6 percent compared to same period last year.

In parallel to the rapid decrease in imports, the foreign trade deficit in the first three months of the year fell 60.2 percent to 1 billion 836.1 million U.S. dollars.

In the January-March 1998 period, the exports were 6 billion 735.2 million U.S. dollars and the imports were 11 billion 344.3 milion U.S. dollars, and the foreign trade deficit became 4 billion 609.1 million U.S. dollars.

According to the DIE data, the realizations in foreign trade as of March 1998 and 1999 are as follows: (million U.S. dollars) . MARCH DIFFERENCE JAN- MARCH DIFFERENCE
. 1998 1999 PERCENT 1998 1999 PERCENT
. ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Exports 2.477.4 2.147.4 -13.3 6.735.2 6.035.1 -10.4

Imports 4.363.7 2.882.1 -34.0 11.344.3 7.871.1 -30.6

Deficit -1.886.2 - 734.7 -61.1 -4.609.1 -1.836.1 -60.2

</PRE>

[12] CULTURE MINISTERS OF TURKISH REPUBLICS TO CONVENE IN BISHKEK TOMORROW

Culture ministers of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), Tatarstan, Bashkortostan, Khakassia, and Tuva Autonomous Republic will join the meeting where Istemihan Talay, the Culture Minister, and Tekin Aybas, the Undersecretary of Culture Ministry, will represent Turkey.

The TURKSOY aims at setting up cultural bridges among the Turkish Republics in Central Asia, promoting Turkish culture worldwide, and contributing to peace in the world.

Talay is expected to arrive in Bishkek tomorrow.

He will return to Turkey on May 27.

[13] A 14-METRE SHALLOW AREA IN INTERNATIONAL WATERS BETWEEN TURKEY AND CYPRUS ATTRACTS OCEANOLOGISTS

The oceaologists started to dive in this shallow area which is considered to be full of ecological varieties.

A team from the Underwater Researches Association, including some experts from the Middle East Technical University (METU), started pre-studies in this shallow area which is 10 to 15 miles away from the shore.

The divers could not find any shallow area in the point which is shown in the maps in their first dives. The Underwater Researches Association enlarged their initiatives to find the exact place of the shallow area.

The officials said that many important information can be gained from the initiatives held in this shallow area in the Mediterranean.

The officials noted that after the exact place and the width of the shallow area are determined, the oceanologists will be more interested in the area and the number of dives can increase.

The lecturers in the Physics Department of the METU said that most of the sea maps of Turkey were drawn in 1950 by the vessels of the Naval Forces Commandership or the vessels of some other institutions; adding that the shallow area is seen in these maps.

[14] JONES, U.S. CONSUL IN ADANA: ''WE BELIEVE THAT TURKISH JOURNALISM HAS GREAT DYNAMISM''

Visiting Regional Office of Anadolu Ajansı, Jones gave information about the meeting and invited A.A staff to participate in the meeting.

Noting that the meeting which is held by the contributions of Association of Cukurova Journalists, U.S. Consulate and U.S. Embassy's Centre of Press and Culture will take place in Cukurova University, Jones said that the important issues which journalists face in Turkey will be taken up at the meeting.

Noting that two famous American journalists and Metin Munir from Yeni Yuzyul newspaper will participate in the meeting, Jones said that the participants will also have the opportunity to get information about press and television broadcasting in Turkey and the U.S. during the reception they'll host in Adana Consulate.

Americans have many things to learn from the local television channels in Turkey, said Jones, adding that he had earlier invited one representative from each local television channels from Diyarbakır, Batman, and Iskenderun provinces to the U.S. They are in the U.S. at the moment and they will stay there for three weeks, said Jones.

Volkan Sevenler, the A.A Regional Director informed Jones about the activities of A.A, stressing that news and photos are transmitted to subscribers through satellite in a short period of time.

[15] TUYGAN, TURKISH AMBASSADOR TO ATHENS, GIVES DINNER IN HONOUR OF PATRIARCH BARTHOLOMEOS

Bartholomeos, who is currently paying a 17-day visit to Athens, wanted to pay a courtesy visit to Tuygan. Tuygan then gave a dinner in the honour of Bartholomeos.

Ambassador Tuygan is also attending the meetings between the Patriarch and the high-level Greek officials.

Meanwhile, Patriarch Bartholomeos met on Sunday with Nicholas Burns, the U.S. Ambassador to Athens.

The Greek press said Burns conveyed the U.S. Bill Clinton's and his wife Hillary Clinton's messages stressing that they support the Patriarch's initiatives about the environment.

The Greek dailies also said that Burns promised to do his best for the opening of a clergy school on Heybeliada island.

[16] FOREIGN TRADE STATISTICS

According to the State Institute of Statistics (DIE) data, the imports of capital goods, which were 2 billion 320.6 million U.S. dollars in the first quarter of 1998, decreased to 1 billion 545.3 million U.S. dollars. The imports of intermediate goods reduced from 7 billion 739.7 million U.S. dollars to 5 billion 351.6 million U.S. dollars.

In the same period, the imports of consumer goods decreased from 1 billion 231.9 million U.S. dollars to 904.6 million U.S. dollars. The imports of consumer goods reduced by 26.6 percent and its share in total imports became 11.5 percent.

In March 1999, the imports of capital goods fell 38.9 percent; the imports of intermediate goods decreased 34.5 percent and the imports of consumer goods reduced 24.4 percent.

The imports of agricultural and forestry products decrease 16.6 percent, the imports of mining and quarry products reduced 22.3 percent and imports of manufacturing industry goods dropped 32.3 percent in the first three months of 1999.

Meanwhile, the imports of fishery products increased 51.5 percent to 492 thousand U.S. dollars.

In the January-March 1999 period, the imports of crude oil decreased from 584.4 million U.S. dollars to 481.9 million U.S. dollars while the imports of cereals increased from 93.1 million U.S. dollars to 143.8 million U.S. dollars.

As of the January-March 1999 period, the exports of agricultural and forestry products decreased 5.5 percent, the exports of mining and quarry products fell 38.9 percent and the exports of manufacturing sector products dropped 10.6 percent while tyhe exports of fishery products increased 20.1 percent to 10 million 31 thousand U.S. dollars.

In the first quarter of the year, the exports of capital goods 10.8 percent to 357.7 million U.S. dollars while the exports of intermediate goods dropped 13.6 percent and the exports of consumer goods decreased 9.8 percent.

Turkey's exports to the European Union (EU) countries increased 1.4 percent to 3 billion 302.7 million U.S. dollars in the first three monthe of 1999. Her exports to the European Free Trade Area (EFTA) countries climbed 12.7 percent to 101 million U.S. dollars.

Turkey's exports to the European and Commonwealth of Indipendent States (CIS) countries, which are not OECD members, decreased 44.5 percent to 603.5 million U.S. dollars while her exports to the African countries increased 21.1 percent to 411.1 million U.S. dollars.

In the January-March 1999 period, Turkey's imports from the EU member countries decreased 30.3; her imports from the EFTA countries fell 35.6 percent and her imports from the European and the CIS countries, which are not the OECD members, decreased 22.5 percent.

As of the January-March 1999 peirod, Turkey's exports to Russia decreased 70 petrcent to 137.7 million U.S. dollars.

The share of Russia in Turkey's total exports was 6.9 percent last year with 461.7 million U.S. dollars of export goods while it decreased to 2.3 percent this year.

As of March 1999, Turkey's exports to Russia dropped 71 percent to 44.8 million U.S. dollars.

[17] PRESIDENT DEMIREL SENDS A CONGRATULATORY MESSAGE TO RAU, WHO WAS ELECTED AS PRESIDENT OF FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY

A Presidential Press Center statement said that Demirel congratulated Rau for being elected as the new President of Germany and wished him success in his office.

Stressing that the relations between Turkey and Germany depends on a deep history, Demirel noted that he thinks that there are many cooperation opportunities to improve Turkish-German relations and that he believes that the friendship and cooperation between the two countries will improve in the new century.

Demirel stressed that he believes that their cooperation, as being the presidents of the two friendly countries which have efficient roles in the enhancement of peace and security in Europe, will be very useful.

Demirel also invited Rau to Turkey to improve the cooperation between the two countries.

[18] BSEC WORKING GROUP MEETING ON COOPERATION IN STRUGGLE AGAINST ORGANIZED CRIME

The first meeting of the BSEC Working Group on Cooperation in Struggle with Organized Crime started in Belek county of southern Antalya province the same day.

Addressing the opening of the meeting, Necati Bilican gave information about the activities of the BSEC. Noting that BSEC also functions as a platform in which various officials of BSEC member countries come together, Bilican said that ''the existence of certain states among these member states which have even conflicts with each other shows that this organization can both ensure economic security and also contribute to regional stability and peace.''

Stressing that BSEC attracts many countries with its structure of being open to outside, Bilican said that ''the BSEC is not a rival to the European Union (EU), but rather a formation which completes the general architecture of Europe. Giving observor status to Austria, Italy, Tunisia, France, and Germany has proven that BSEC has acquired great importance in the international platform. Moreover, nearly 20 working groups within the structure of BSEC continue their activities in the fields from transportation to energy, from trade to tourism.''

''In struggle with crime and criminals, national efforts are not enough, there should be bilateral and even multilateral cooperation among countries. BSEC decided to take effective measures in the struggle against organized crime, smuggling of drug, weapon, and radioactive matters, and terrorism,'' said Bilican, pointing out that organized crime groups use all kinds of technological opportunities and provide a speedy communication among themselves.

''Security forces have to be organized better. Turkey proposed member countries to install a cooperation among police organizations of member countries through her project namely Blackseapol,'' said Bilican, adding that this organization will not be an alternative to institutions such as Interpol and Europol.

Stressing that the cooperation in the struggle against drug trafficking carries importance, Bilican said that ''I can clearly say that our country has achieved important success in this struggle.''

[19] EFES-99 AND IMBAT 3/99 MILITARY EXERCISES START

The General Staff issued a statement saying that the ''Efes-99 Military Exercise'' will be performed in the international air space and waters of the Aegean Sea, and in the Doganbey-Seferihisar manoeuvres region with the participation of the Land, Naval, and Air Forces' elements and in connection with the Seawolf-99 manouevres.

The coordination and cooperation principles among the Land, Naval, and Air Forces, and several defense tactics will be experienced in the Efes-99 which will continue till June 11 and at which also real munitions will be used.

More than 30 foreign observers from the NATO, Partnership for Peace, and other countries will also participate in the military exercise. The ''observer day'', which will be performed in Doganbey on June 10, will be open to press and public.

Meanwhile, the Imbat 3/99 will be carried out in the Izmir region.

The manoeuvres, at which operation kinds targeting regional defense plans will be experienced, will conclude on May 28.

The statement said one destroyer, six assault boats, one landing ship, three patrol boats, four mine sweepers, one submarine and planes, which were allocated by the the Air Forces, will participate in the manoeuvres.

[20] CAMAS, CHAIRMAN OF TURSAB: - ''WE CAN MAKE 1.8 MILLION PEOPLE IN GERMANY WHO HAVE NOT DECIDED WHERE TO SPEND THEIR HOLIDAY, COME TO TURKEY''

Camas proposed a joint initiative to direct the last minute sells of the tour operators to Turkey in a meeting which was held by the Union of German Travelling Agencies (DRV) and in which many famous tour operators participated.

Evaluating the present situation in tourism in the second half of 1999 to the A.A correspondent, Camas noted that at this stage, they should immediately take action rather than evaluating the losses and that by taking action, they can increase tourism income in the second half of 1999.

Camas said, ''Turkey is in a bottleneck in tourism which can be easily seen. Turkey has lost the first half of 1999. Now, we should think of how to save the second half of this year.''

''To this end, we participated in the International Federation of Tour Operators (IFTO) meeting in Rome on May 11, 1999 and in the Union of German Travelling Agencies (DRV) meeting in Frankfurt on May 18, 1999,'' Camas added.

Stressing that the high-ranking representatives of the leading tour operators and the airline companies in Europe including TUI, Neckermann, LTU, DER, FTI, Hapag LLoyd and Condor also participated in these two meetings, Camas stated that the tour operators told that they want to have cooperation with Turkey in reviving demands to Turkey.

Stating that this is a very pleasing development, Camas stressed that they saw that the tour operators feel uneasy about not selling ticket to Turkey, which they consider as an important destination, rather than trying to collapse the Turkish tourism.

Emphasizing that this opportunity should not be lost, Camas requested President Suleyman Demirel to deal with this issue and that the necessary resource worth of 5 million German marks for the promotion campaign should be allocated before the new government is formed and the budget of 1999 is prepared.

[21] PANEL ON ''LABOUR UNIONS AND RELATIONS WITH EU'' - CEM, FM: ''IMPORTANT PROGRESS HAS BEEN ACHIEVED IN RELATIONS BETWEEN TURKEY AND EU''

Addressing a panel on ''Labour Unions and Relations between Turkey and the EU'' Ismail Cem said that the issue of labour has not been spoken by the EU up to now, adding this issue has many problems.

Noting that the dimension of labour in the EU has also been neglected by Turkey, Cem stated that the capital class has been integrated, however the working class couldn't integrate in the EU. Stressing that there is need for the cooperation of labour unions in various countries in order to speed up the integration of working class, Cem said ''the integration of working class in the EU and the solidarity among international labour unions is very important.''

Stressing that the labour unions in Turkey complete useful work with the EU, Ismail Cem said that the message which couldn't be given by the government and the political side has been given by labour unions to the EU.

Cem said that the membership of Turkey to the EU is a target, adding ''Turkey says that EU membership is a target for her, but not an obsession.''

Emilio Gabaglio, the Secretary General of ETUC (European Trade Union Confederation) said in his part that the relations between Turkey and the EU are not the desired level, adding that these relations have to be improved.

Noting that they supported Turkey's entrance into the customs union, Gabaglio said that the membership of customs union has made Turkish economy more dynamic.

Gabaglio pointed out that the most important problem Turkey faces regarding her membership to the EU stems from the political dimension particularly social and labour union rights.

Pointing out that the restrictions brought to the democratic rights have to be lifted, Gabaglio said that ''the progress recorded in this area has to be explained well to the European public opinion.''

Semsi Denizer, the Secretary General of Turk-Is (Confederation of

Turkish Workers' Unions) said in his part that the customs union formed among Turkey and the EU works in favour of the EU which ignores the full membership wish of Turkey.

Noting that commencement of full membership negotiations with the Greek Cypriot side means violation of principles of international law, Denizer said ''Turkey wishes to be a full member of the EU, but if the price of that is breaking of a country we don't want such a membership.''

[22] CAKIR, GOVERNOR OF ISTANBUL: - ''EFFORTS TO COMPLETE LEGAL ECONOMIC INFRASTRUCTURE OF TURKISH-ISRAELI RELATIONS HAVE BEEN CONCLUDED'' - OZENER, TURKISH AMBASSADOR TO TEL AVIV: - ''ISRAEL DESIRES TO CARRY AND DISTRIBUTE WATER IN GAP REGION'' - YILDIRIM, CHAIRMAN OF ITO: - ''ONLY WAY TO ENTER INTO U.S. MARKET IS DIALOGUE AND FRIENDSHIP WE WILL SET UP WITH ISRAEL''

Evaluating the working visit to Israel, Governor Cakir said the atmosphere which is necessary for the improvement of economic relations, was created.

Pointing out that the two countries have similar cultural values and security threats, Cakir said, ''setting up relations with Israel which is beneficial has become a state policy. Now initiatives should be launched to enable the Turkish businessmen to know Israel and the Israeli businessmen to visit Turkey. The visit was very beneficial and it contributed to Turkish-Israeli economic relations.''

Barlas Ozener, the Turkish Ambassador to Tel Aviv, stressed that the trade volume between Turkey and Israel is rapidly increasing.

Noting that the trade volume, which was 300 million U.S. dollars in 1995, increased to 800 million U.S dollars last year, Ozener said, ''the Israeli market can easily be satisfied. Finding an opportunity to reach the U.S. market via Israel and Jordan is more important.''

Ambassador called the Turkish firms to participate in fairs and promote themselves.

Recalling that the Israeli companies are interested in the Southeastern Anatolia project (GAP), Ozener said, ''Israel desires to carry and distribute water in the GAP region. She says she'll find credit if she wins tender.''

Mehmet Yildirim, the Chairman of the executive Board of the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce, said that there is a financing problem in Turkey.

''We have to reach the world financial circles to overcome this problem. These financial circles, which are based in London, Zurich and the U.S., are in the hand of Jews. For Turkey, the U.S. market became more important than the European Union (EU) market. The way to enter into these markets is the dialogue and friendship we will set up with Israel,'' he said.

Pointing out that Turkey did not leave alone Israel in the Middle East, Yildirim said, ''we, as Turkey, are obliged to carry on the Middle Eastern policy with Israel.''

Yildirim added that he believes the trade volume between Turkey and Israel will increase to five billion U.S. dollars in next decade.

Responding to a question, Necati Tayyar Tas, the Mufti of Istanbul, said he attended the visit upon an invitation of the ITO.

Stressing that rabbis, priests, muftis and imams live together in Jerusalem including mosques, synagogues and churches, Tas said that Jerusalem has an important place also for Moslems.

[23] AKBULUT, PARLIAMENT SPEAKER: ''PRESTIGE OF PARLIAMENT IS PROVIDED BY TRANSFERRING AGENDA OF PUBLIC TO PARLIAMENT''

Receiving the A.A correspondents in the parliament, Akbulut noted that the country lost a lot of time in the last months and that the government should be formed as soon as possible and start to solve the problems of the public.

Akbulut emphasized the importance of having a compromise between the members of the coalition government which will provide welfare and happiness in the country.

Akbulut said, ''the measures to overcome the stagnation in the market, the unemployment and high rate of inflation should be taken as soon as possible. A new government should be formed and these measures should be taken. I believe that Turkey will be in welfare and security as the new government realizes some reforms by taking into consideration the opinions of the press and the non-governmental organizations.''

Stressing that he will launch initiatives to change the articles of the Parliamentary By-Law which causes some deficiencies and problems but that the reconciliation of the parties should be provided for this initiative, Akbulut stated that they should make the necessary amendments in the By- Law.

[24] GERMAN DELEGATION IN IZTO - DEMIRTAS, CHAIRMAN OF IZTO: ''OUR COMMERCIAL RELATIONS WITH GERMANY IS NOT AT DESIRED LEVEL''

Addressing a speech when a delegation from German Daimler-Chrysler company visited IZTO, Demirtas noted that the trading volume between the two countries inreased by three times in the last three years.

Pointing out that the trading volume between Turkey and Germany decreased in 1998 due to the global crisis, Demirtas stated that despite this decrease, the trading volume between the two countries was 12.7 in 1998.

Stating that the commercial products can be varified and the investments can be increased, Demirtas stressed that the two countries can have cooperation in energy sector which is an important commercial sector and that it can be possible to create profitable partnerships in energy sector by using the labour force of Turkey and German technology.

[25] PRESIDENT DEMIREL: ''TURKEY IS A WORLD STATE''

Addressing a speech in Istanbul Technical University (ITU) Day, Demirel noted that Turkey today became a country, the people of which can have a purchase power of 6,000 U.S. dollars per person.

Stressing that Turkey became very successful today and that she reached a development rate of 5 percent in 30 years, Demirel stated that the number of students which was nearly 300,000 in the first years of the Turkish Republic, increased to 15 million today.

Stating that a total of only 12,000 teachers were employed in Turkey in the first years of the Republic, Demirel stressed that 650,000 teachers are employed today.

Demirel said, ''this is a civilization competition, a development competition. A competition for the welfare and happiness of the nation. A competition for the existence of Turkey until eternity. A competition of transferring the flag of democratic and secular Turkish Republic to the eternity. I thank everybody who carry out efforts in this competition.''

''Distinguished engineers, architects! I request that you work harder in the new century. I request this as a graduate of this institution and as the President of Turkey.''

[26] IS TURKISH REPRESENTATION TO FAO BEING CLOSED? - ERDIL AKAY, AMBASSADOR: ''IN PRINCIPLE, CLOSURE OF REPRESENTATION AT THE END OF NOVEMBER IS AT AGENDA''

The closure of the Turkish representation is foreseen according to the statements issued last July which say that several representations abroad can be closed.

In FAO which has 188 member countries, 43 countries have permanent representations, while 21 countries are represented at the level of embassy. Turkey which is a member of the FAO since the organization's foundation, started to be represented at the level of embassy since 1996.

Erdil Akay, who has been carrying out the post of Turkey's Ambassador to the FAO for three years confirmed the news saying ''I received a notice saying that the closure of the representation has been accepted in principle, but I didn't receive an official notice saying that it will be closed. The cabinet hasn't adopted a decision regarding the closure of the representation yet.''

Noting that the decision regarding the closure of the FAO Embassy has to be reviewed, Atay pointed out that ''we don't only monitor the FAO, but also the National Programme of Agricultural Usage and the World Food Programme from here. For an agricultural country like Turkey, these programmes are important. Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry also opposes to closure of the representation and President Suleyman Demirel is closely interested in FAO.''

Stressing that initiatives have also been taken up at the level of Ministry of Finance, Akay said that ''as it is claimed, not one million dollar, but 110,000 dollars were spent to set up here. This place does not have that much expenditures. If Turkey closes here, she will only gain 200,000 dollars.''

Noting that the decision of closure will come out within the coming days, but this decision can change due to new circumstances, Akay said if the representation is closed, Turkish Embassy in Rome will represent Turkey in FAO, but this won't be useful for Turkey.

A.A

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