Anadolu Agency: News in English, 99-09-17

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AA Daily

17 Sept 1999 Friday

CONTENTS

[01] TURKEY-EU RELATIONS - GERMAN FOREIGN MINISTER FISCHER:''WE CANNOT GIVE UP TURKEY''

[02] ECEVIT-DEMIREL MEETING ENDS - PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT: ''I HAD THE CHANCE TO TELL TRNC PRESIDENT DENKTAS THAT TURKISH GOVERNMENT AND PEOPLE FULLY SUPPORT THEIR CAUSE''

[03] ITALIAN FOREIGN MINISTER LAMBERTO DINI LEAVES ANKARA

[04] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

[05] PRESIDENT DEMIREL: ''TURKEY TOOK REQUIRED STEPS TO JOIN EU, HOWEVER EU FAILED TO FULFIL ITS TASK IN THIS RESPECT''

[06] JAPANESE OECF TO GIVE 402 MILLION U.S. DOLLAR CREDIT TO TURKEY FOR STRAIT TUBE PASSAGE AND BOZUYUK-MEKECE HIGHWAY IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS

[07] TRNC PRESIDENT DENKTAS: ''IF TURKEY IS ACCEPTED AS A CANDIDATE, A SOLUTION TO CYPRUS PROBLEM WOULD BE FOUND MORE EASILY''

[08] TURKEY THANKS U.S. PEOPLE THROUGH AD IN THE WASHINGTON TIMES

[09] DIFFERENT TREATMENT FOR TURKEY AND GREECE AFTER EARTHQUAKE DISASTER FROM EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

[10] TRNC PRESIDENT DENKTAS: ''TURKEY WILL NOT MAKE ANY CONCESSIONS ON CYPRUS''

[11] CHINESE VILLAGE ARTISTS EXHIBITION OPENS IN ISTANBUL STATE FINE ARTS GALLERY

[12] FOREIGN AID TO QUAKE REGION - GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL FORMS 400- MILLION U.S. DOLLARS FUND FOR QUAKE VICTIMS

[13] TURKISH-SWEDISH ''ECONOMIC AND TRADE COOPERATION JOINT COMMITTEE'' ESTABLISHED

[14] JAPAN TO SEND 500 PREFABRICATED HOUSES TO TURKEY

[15] TURKEY-OMAN - IMPROVEMENT OF COOPERATION TO BE TAKEN UP DURING TURKISH- OMAN SECOND TERM JEC MEETING

[16] EFFORTS TO IMPROVE SOCIAL SECURITY SYSTEM

[17] PREMIERSHIP STATEMENT: ''PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT GIVES INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE DESIGNATION OF A DELEGATION COMPOSING OF PRIME MINISTRY AND HEALTH MINISTRY INSPECTORS RELATED WITH THE ALLEGATIONS THAT ORGANS ARE STOLEN FROM THE DEAD BODIES''

[18] DINI WANTS PRODI TO ATTRIBUTE IMPORTANCE TO TURKISH-EU RELATIONS

[19] TURKEY-PAKISTAN DEFENSE COOPERATION - A MILITARY DELEGATION FROM PAKISTAN DUE IN TURKEY

[20] PLAQUE TO THE ONES WHO SENT AID TO TURKEY - FOREIGN MINISTER CEM: ''WE WILL NEVER FORGET YOUR AID AND SUPPORT''

[21] TURKEY-EU JOINT CONSULTATION COMMITTEE MEETING - AMBASSADOR KAREN FOGG SAYS TURKEY WILL NOT GO THROUGH THE TROUBLES THAT OTHER COUNTRIES WILL EXPERIENCE DURING INTEGRATION TO EU MARKET

[22] SWEDISH BUSINESSMEN VISIT GAP

[01] TURKEY-EU RELATIONS - GERMAN FOREIGN MINISTER FISCHER:''WE CANNOT GIVE UP TURKEY''

Fischer said the EU Commission's Chairman Romano Prodi's announcement of a detailed calender about EU expansion was a positive development and warned that ''postponements in membership could have negative consequences in domestic politics of candidate countries''.

Regarding Turkey-EU relations, Fischer stressed that the EU could not give up Turkey. There is no alternative other than approving Turkey's membership, he stated and added that Turkey would be gradually excluded even more if it is not considered a part of Europe.

Fischer asked the EU to be realistic in its relations with Turkey and said the EU should not obstruct Turkey's membership.

Gunter Verheugen, the member of EU Commission who is in charge of EU expansion and who also spoke at the General Council said their target was to unite Europe politically and geographically. Verheugen who had to leave his post as Undersecretary at Foreign Ministry because of his recent appointment in the EU Commission, in his farewell speech said ''Serbs, Croatians and Albanians must also be included in Europe''.

Verheugen stressed that Turkey would be applied the same criteria with other candidate countries and said any country which wants to belong to the EU must have democracy and respect human rights.

On the other hand, opposition parties criticized Fischer's views on Turkey. Karl Lamers, the foreign politics spokesman of the Christian Democrat Union (CDU) Party said Fischer's ''method could be right but also risky''. ''I hope Fischer sees all dimensions of this risk he is getting into,'' he noted. Lamers claimed that the Constitution and human rights violations in Turkey constituted barriers against Turkey's membership to the EU.

[02] ECEVIT-DEMIREL MEETING ENDS - PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT: ''I HAD THE CHANCE TO TELL TRNC PRESIDENT DENKTAS THAT TURKISH GOVERNMENT AND PEOPLE FULLY SUPPORT THEIR CAUSE''

Following a 45 minute meeting with President Demirel, Ecevit told reporters that ''the TRNC reality must be accepted''. ''This is a national and a state policy. It depends on truths and defended by all political parties. The truth is that the TRNC proved itself as an independent state despite all obstructions. There could be a dialogue between two societies if this fact is accepted. We are in a total agreement with TRNC on this matter. One more time, I had the chance to tell Mr. Denktas that Turkish government and people fully support their cause,'' Ecevit said.

Ecevit and Demirel also evaluated aid and services needed in disaster areas during their talks.

Prime Minister Ecevit reminded that he will go to the U.S. next week and said he discussed his schedule with President Demirel.

Responding to a question on Turkish-Italian relations, Ecevit said Ocalan issue was not mentioned during the visit of Italian Foreign Ministser Dini. ''It was a very fruitful meeting'' he added.

Ecevit stated that Dini said Italy sincerely supported Turkey's membership to the EU and that it would do its best to help Turkey on this matter. ''Also, Dini expressed one more time that he accepted the fact that TRNC exists. This is very important for us. If other countries also adopt this approach, a dialogue could start between two communities,'' Ecevit explained.

''Our relations with Italy revived after a short break. Italy is a valuable ally for us. Our interests converge on many subjects, therefore a warming in relations is useful. We repeated our invitation to Italian Prime Minister D'Alema to Turkey. It was a very fruitful meeting,'' Ecevit said.

[03] ITALIAN FOREIGN MINISTER LAMBERTO DINI LEAVES ANKARA

Necati Utkan, the Turkish Ambassador in Rome, Vittorio Claudio, the Italian Ambassador in Ankara and other officials participated in departure ceremony at Ankara's Esenboga airport.

Dini and his 35 people delegation left the airport with a 20 minute delay when the passports of those who were in his delegation could not be located for a short period of time.

During Dini's visit in Ankara, he focused on reviving relations between Turkey and Italy and also discussed regional and global developments.

[04] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

TWO BIG SUPPORTS FROM ROME TO ANKARA
Lamberto Dini, Italian Foreign Minister, who visited Ankara on Thursday, extended two big supports to Turkey in the adjustment process of relations which were earlier soured because of Abdullah Ocalan, the head of the terrorist organization. The first one is that Italy would extend every kind of effort and support to disclose Turkey's candidacy in EU Summit that will take place in Helsinki in December. Dini also said the reality of the two separate communities in Cyprus can not be ignored. The U.N. and Greece should look for a solution by taking this fact into consideration.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL) SOME MORE EFFORT
Winter is coming. Turkey will not leave the quake victims in the streets. The citizens, the institutions and businessmen initiated housing mobilization. Turkish Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges (TOBB) targets 5,000 houses. A total of 1000 houses will be built at the first stage. Italian Merloni Grop will set up Ariston Village in Adapazari region that will cost for one million U.S. dollars.

DANGER PASSED OVER THE BRIDGE
A reinforcement project will be prepared for the two straits that were proved to be resistant to the quake. Minister of Settlement and Public Works made Japans to examine Bogazici, Fatih and Halic Bridges. The Japans said their bridges were destroyed during the Kobe quake. Those bridges are proved to be more resistant. Minister Aydin pointed out that that was a good news, adding that they decided to reinforce the three bridges by taking into consideration the future.

SABAH (LIBERAL)

500 BILLION U.S. DOLLARS FROM THE IMF
Selcuk Demiralp, the Undersecretary of the Treasury, said on Thursday that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) had decided to increase Turkey's emergency quota from 25 to 37.5 percent which equals to nearly 500 million U.S. dollars.

Staging a press conference with Carlo Cottarelli, the IMF's Turkey Desk Chief, Demiralp said, ''taking into account the high level of damage due to the earthquake, our emergency aid level was set at some 37.5 percent of our quota. This amounts to some 500 million U.S. dollars.''

Demiralp said foreign quake aid to Turkey, from various sources, amounted to more than 3 billion U.S. dollars which proved the trust in the Turkish economy.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

THREE MORE TENT SITES TO GOLCUK
Efforts are under way for the sheltering of quake victims following the disaster. Final damage assessment work was concluded in Golcuk. A total of 3,095 residences were demolished, and heavy damage recorded in 649 work places in Bolu province and its counties. Three mega tent sites, resistant to winter, will be set up in Golcuk.

RADIKAL (LEFT)

CYPRUS PRESSURE OF THE U.S.
Contacts of Marc Grossman proved that Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit will receive Cyprus pressure during his scheduled visit to Washington. Meanwhile, Devlet Bahceli, Deputy Prime Minister, said there can not be a step back in Cyprus.

TÜRKİYE (RIGHT)

''WE WILL NOT GIVE CONCESSION''
Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit pointed out that Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) will remain as an independent state. Stating that Turkish side was open to dialgue, Ecevit said ''yet, existence of TRNC should be accepted for this.'' Ecevit stressed that policy of the government on Cyprus issue would not change, adding that ''this is a state policy, both the ruling and the opposition share the same views in this respect.''

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE) TRANSPARENCY IS A CONDITION
Response can not be found to the question which asks if the promises were kept. Amount of the aid can not be determined as the insitutions which collect or extend aid fail to give information. Hundreds of accounts were opened yet, it is not known how much money was collected in the bank accounts and to where they were transferred.

WITHDRAWAL IS A TRICK
General Staff said on Thursday that withdrawal of several PKK militants to Northern Iraq was an activity which the terrorist organization did every year before winter period, adding that the only condition to put an end to terrorism was that either all the terrorists should lay down their arms and make use of Anti-terrorism Law, or they should be made ineffective.

The ''Struggle Against Terrorism Evaluation for August 1999'' of the General Staff pointed out that ''stable success'' recorded in struggle against terrorism continued in August.

Stressing that terrorist acts decreased very much and that the number of terrorists who were rendered ineffective increased, the evaluation said the casualties of Turkish Armed Forces in this period decreased to a large extend.

[05] PRESIDENT DEMIREL: ''TURKEY TOOK REQUIRED STEPS TO JOIN EU, HOWEVER EU FAILED TO FULFIL ITS TASK IN THIS RESPECT''

Demirel reminded that Turkey signed a partnership agreement with the EU in 1963 and acquired full membership to the Customs Union three years ago. ''Italy gave full suppport to Turkey on Customs Union, however the EU failed to do its duty. We fulfiled our task towards the EU fully,'' Demirel stressed.

Speaking about democracy in Turkey, President Demirel noted that the democracy in Turkey was closer to the EU democracy than other candidate countries. ''By saying this, we are not against any other countries. The decision taken at Luxembourg Summit was wrong and it has to be corrected. Therefore, we are hoping that the Helsinki Summit would give a positive result,'' Demirel said.

Demirel also mentioned the reforms Turkey will undergo in human rights field, but stressed that it would do it ''not for the EU but for its own people.''

''Now our greatest problem is the next two months. Because in two months winter will be here and it will be a very big problem for people who have to live in tents. Therefore we have to act quickly to construct temporary housing for these people. We have enough time to build permanent housing. The land on which these residences will be built has to be examined thoroughly,'' Demirel said. Dini reminded that Italy was ready to offer any kind of help for the reconstruction of disaster areas.

Dini said ''he didn't even want to imagine the results if Turkey had not continued and strengthened its relations with the EU''. Both the EU and Turkey have mutual interest in developing these relations, Dini noted.

The EU worked with Turkey in order to maintain stability in the Balkans, Dini said and mentioned Turkey's joining to the Kosovo Peace Force.

Dini stressed that Italy supported Turkey's cause and said he was happy that Turkey always confirmed that it was a part of the EU. ''I would like to state that Italy supports Turkey's wish to be close to the EU,'' he said.

''We know that some countries might have oppositions against Turkey's membership, but it is obvious that Turkey entered a new era in its relations with the EU. Of course, this doesn't mean that the EU will make consessions on Copenhagen criteria. This criteria applies to all countries, '' Dini said.

[06] JAPANESE OECF TO GIVE 402 MILLION U.S. DOLLAR CREDIT TO TURKEY FOR STRAIT TUBE PASSAGE AND BOZUYUK-MEKECE HIGHWAY IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS

The related agreements will be signed on Friday between Aydin Karagoz, General Director of Foreign Economic Relations of Treasury Undersecretariat and Kyusuke Shinozawa, the OECF President.

The total cost of Strait Tube Passage project is 2.8 billion U.S. dollars. OECF will finance its construction which will cost about 870 million U.S. dollars and its counseling services. Thursday's agreement will bring the first part of the credit which is 120 million U.S. dollars.

OECF will also provide 80 percent (282 million U.S. dollars) of Bozuyuk- Mekece Highway Development project whose total cost of 353 million U.S. dollars.

[07] TRNC PRESIDENT DENKTAS: ''IF TURKEY IS ACCEPTED AS A CANDIDATE, A SOLUTION TO CYPRUS PROBLEM WOULD BE FOUND MORE EASILY''

Denktas told Reuters that he was not optimistic following intensive diplomatic activities that were run recently to restart talks on Cyprus and said ''there was no common grounds right now'' for a dialogue.

The warming of relations between Turkey and Greece after the quake disaster was a positive development however it would not have an influence on Cyprus problem, he pointed out.

''If Turkey is accepted as a candidate country to the EU, this would make things easier. Once Turkey becomes a candidate, the EU will have more to say about Turkey and Cyprus. Right now it doesn't have anything to say,'' Denktas said.

[08] TURKEY THANKS U.S. PEOPLE THROUGH AD IN THE WASHINGTON TIMES

''Turkish people are grateful for material and moral support you have given. Your generous gesture during our most difficult time will always be remembered,'' the aid said.

The ad also stated that Turkey was trying to heal the wounds and provide shelter for thousands of people before the winter arrives. ''We are confident that you will continue to support us,'' it was said.

The Washington Times indirectly made a contribution to the campaign by printing the ad for free. The rate for a quarter page ad is 11,000 U.S. dollars.

[09] DIFFERENT TREATMENT FOR TURKEY AND GREECE AFTER EARTHQUAKE DISASTER FROM EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

The European Parliament asked the EU Commission and Council to extend all kinds of help to meet the loss of Greek quake survivors, but did not mention the financial aid that was going to be given to Turkey.

The European Parliament, in its message it sent to those who lost their families in Turkey, pointed out that a European Reserach Institute should be set up to follow land shifts and develop an early warning system against possible earthquke disasters.

The European Parliament asked the EU Commission to start necessary practices to create a more effective rescue system against any possible disasters that might occur within or outside the EU.

Certain political groups in the EU underlined the financial aid that would be given to Turkey in their own proposals, however these items were removed from the final proposal at the last minute.

On the other hand, British Neil Kinnock who spoke on behalf of the EU Commission, briefed about contributions the EU Council wants to make for Turkey. Kinnock noted that some of these contributions needed European Parliament's approval and stressed that the aid should not be delayed any further.

The EU Council, at the end of Monday's meeting in Brussels, showed approval for the 150 million euro that is planned to be given to Turkey and asked the European Investment Bank to give Turkey a credit of 600 million euro's with a low interest rate. The EU Council had released 34 million euro after the earthquake disaster to be used for urgent needs.

[10] TRNC PRESIDENT DENKTAS: ''TURKEY WILL NOT MAKE ANY CONCESSIONS ON CYPRUS''

Upon his arrival in TRNC, Denktas said Turkey deserved to be a full member to the EU. The EU could tell its conditions to Turkey for membership, however it could not negotiate on Cyprus issue, Denktas stressed and said Cyprus was a problem between Turkey and Greece, not between Turkey and the EU.

''It would be the biggest mistake to say 'make consessions on Cyprus, otherwise we will not take you', instead of warning the guilty side, Greece. Turkey will make no concessions on Cyprus,'' the TRNC President said.

''It is the Greek and Greek Cypriot side who started the problem and the whole world is expecting Turkey to make a concession,'' he went on.

''During Wednesday's meetings, Turkey gave full support to confederation proposal and stressed one more time that it would not make a concession on Cyprus for EU membership or any other thing. There cannot be a better message to the public,'' Denktas said.

The TRNC President stated that his contacts in the U.S. were positive. ''Our people have been treated unfairly for 36 years. We want this to stop. You cannot build realities on lies,'' he said.

[11] CHINESE VILLAGE ARTISTS EXHIBITION OPENS IN ISTANBUL STATE FINE ARTS GALLERY

Necdet Gurgen, Istanbul Cultural Director, who spoke at the exhibition's opening said art was a common language of nations. ''This exhibition which reflects the traditional Chinese style also gives us an opportunity to get to know Chinese rural life and folklore better,'' Gurgen said.

Art is the most important language that brings nations together, Gurgen noted and said he hoped the friendship between the two countries would continue.

Che Zhao He, the Cultural Undersecretary of the Embassy of the Chine People's Republic, who also spoke at the opening, said the exhibition was a successful example of cultural exchange between Turkey and China. ''We are hoping that this exhibition would have a contribution for the mutual respect and friendship between the two countries,'' Zhao He stated.

Chinese Village Artists Exhibition can be visited in Istanbul until September 23, 1999. The same exhibition will move to Ankara Painting and Sculpture Museum after September 27.

[12] FOREIGN AID TO QUAKE REGION - GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL FORMS 400- MILLION U.S. DOLLARS FUND FOR QUAKE VICTIMS

A statement of Foreign Ministry pointed out that the fund formed by the member countries within the framework of the program in question, will be used for reconstruction in quake devastated regions and to finance development projects.

It was reported that this decision of GCC, which was taken during its meeting held in Cidde between September 10-11, was conveyed to Foreign Minister Ismail Cem with a letter by Ibrahim Al-Huceylan, Secretary General of GCC.

Foreign Ministry said a technical delegation, that will be jointly established by the GCC members, will come to Turkey soon to hold a coordination work with the concerned authorities regarding the usage of the fund and to assess the projects in question.

The statement said Turkey appreciated the solidarity shown by the GCC member friendly countries in healing the wounds of this heavy disaster which Turkey had to expose.

''This help extended in the hardest day proved the strength of the historical ties and warm feelings between Turkish and Arab peoples and will also form a source of power for further improvement of our relations. Turkey thanks to GCC member countries to this end,'' the statement pointed out.

[13] TURKISH-SWEDISH ''ECONOMIC AND TRADE COOPERATION JOINT COMMITTEE'' ESTABLISHED

A statement of Foreign Ministry pointed out that the first meeting of the committee which will be attended by public and private sectors of Turkey and Sweden, is expected to have a positive contribution on economic and trade relations of the two countries.

Establishment of the Joint Committee had been agreed during the visit of Yavuz Ege, then-Prime Ministry Foreign Trade Undersecretariat, to Sweden. The Joint Committee has been agreed to improve trade and economic relations between the two countries and to discuss the problems in this field in a more regular way.

Required authority regarding the establishment of the committee had been given to the Council of Ministers.

[14] JAPAN TO SEND 500 PREFABRICATED HOUSES TO TURKEY

Japanese Kyodo News Agency said Hosei Norota, the Defense Agency, has sent an official direction to Maritime Defense Force (MSDF) and wanted the prefabricated houses used after great Hansin quake in 1995 to be sent to Turkey.

Japanese ships namely Osumi, Tokiwa, and Bungo will ferry the 500 prefabricated houses together with 430 MSDF personnel from the Kobe Harbour on Monday. The ships are expected to arrive Turkey on October 19.

Japanese Government also plans to send additional prefabricated houses to Turkey with private ships.

An expect team is also expected to be sent to Turkey to help the setting up of the prefabricated houses.

[15] TURKEY-OMAN - IMPROVEMENT OF COOPERATION TO BE TAKEN UP DURING TURKISH- OMAN SECOND TERM JEC MEETING

A written statement of State Ministry said Prevention of Double Taxation, Reciprocal Prevention and Protection of Investments, Maritime Transportation, Land Transportation, Customs Cooperation, Agricultural Cooperation, and updating Civil Aviation Agreement signed on June 9, 1998, would be discussed during Turkish-Oman JPC meeting which will take place in Muskat, capital city of Oman.

Improvement of cooperation between the two countries in the fields of industry, energy, land, sea, and air transportation, agriculture, tourism, and environment protection will be discussed.

Activities and measures that will be taken to increase bilateral trade will also be determined during JPC meetings.

Meanwhile, it was reported that Kececiler, Minister of State, will be received by Qaboos bin Said, Sultan of Oman, and will hold bilateral talks with the Ministers of Agriculture, Fishing, Transportation, National Heritage and Culture Ministers of Oman.

Kececiler is expected to return to Turkey on September 22 after wrapping up his contacts in Oman.

[16] EFFORTS TO IMPROVE SOCIAL SECURITY SYSTEM

Bringing Individual Retirment Fund and General Health System, gathering social security institutions together by providing a standard and norm among them and establishment of Social Service and Social Aid Institution are targetted in efforts carried out by four separate commissions.

The first stage which included increasing retirment age in Social Security Authority (SSK) and unemployment insurance was completed after the issuing of the law related with this.

Another important essential issue of the second stage efforts is the re- structing of SSK. Separation of health and insurance services of SSK is adopted in restructing of SSK.

The commission works forwarded to the establishment of ''General Health System'' aim at overcoming existing problems in the health system and making health reform.

Another part of the efforts carried out in the body of the ministry plans establishment of ''Social Security and Social Aid Institution.''

[17] PREMIERSHIP STATEMENT: ''PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT GIVES INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE DESIGNATION OF A DELEGATION COMPOSING OF PRIME MINISTRY AND HEALTH MINISTRY INSPECTORS RELATED WITH THE ALLEGATIONS THAT ORGANS ARE STOLEN FROM THE DEAD BODIES''

The statement of Premiership Press Center said:

''Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit has given instructions to Premiership Inspection Committee Chairmanship to investigate the news reports which appeared in several press organs that 670 tents sent by Norwegian government and two field toilets sent to the quake region were lost, and that organ mafia steal organs from the dead bodies.''

It said Prime Minister Ecevit wanted a Prime Ministry inspector to be assigned to investigate the allegations regarding the aid since their entrance from Ataturk Airport and a delegation composing of Health Ministry inspectors regarding the allegations that organs are stolen.

[18] DINI WANTS PRODI TO ATTRIBUTE IMPORTANCE TO TURKISH-EU RELATIONS

Dini, who met Prodi on Friday morning, wished success for him in his new post and said they will work together for the implementation of reform activities and study programs submitted to European Parliament.

Dini, who briefed Prodi regarding his talks in Turkey, wanted him to attribute importance to relations between Turkey and EU while mentioning about EU's enlargement process.

[19] TURKEY-PAKISTAN DEFENSE COOPERATION - A MILITARY DELEGATION FROM PAKISTAN DUE IN TURKEY

A statement of Pakistani Embassy said contacts of the delegation, which will come to Turkey on September 19, will last for four days.

The statement said, ''improvement of defense cooperation between the armed forces of the two friendly countries'' will be taken up during the meeting of the Turkish-Pakistani military delegations.

The statement said the visit was a part of annual consultation meetings between the armed forces of the two countries.

[20] PLAQUE TO THE ONES WHO SENT AID TO TURKEY - FOREIGN MINISTER CEM: ''WE WILL NEVER FORGET YOUR AID AND SUPPORT''

Foreign Minister Ismail Cem, addressing the ceremony, expressed gratitude of Turkish people and noted that the ceremony was an indication of the gratitude which Turkey felt towards the peoples of those countries.

Cem said, ''you have expended an effective and generous support after the quake. Your people searched for survivors beneath the debris together with us and sometimes they jeopardized their lives for our people.''

Noting that all the countries exhibited a great example of solidarity with Turkey, Cem said, ''we will never forget your aid and support.''

Briefing about the casualties and the area that was devastated by the quake, Cem said nearly 400,000 people were left homeless.

Cem said efforts are under way to overcome basic needs of the quake victims, adding that they tried to provide a sheltering before winter. Cem noted that Turkey needs cooperation of the international comunity during these works.

Later, Cem presented the plaque to Mehmed Aliyev, Azerbaijan's Ambassador to Ankara, who represented the countries that extended aid to Turkey.

Speaking on behalf of representatives of other countries and institutions, Aliyev expressed the deep sorrow they felt for the ones who lost their lives during this disaster and also expressed belief that international community will continue to extend aid to Turkey.

The countries who sent aid to Turkey and who were given the plaque are as follows:

Algeria, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Chili, China, Croatia, Cuba, TRNC, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Kyrgzstan, Lithuania, Lebanon, Macedonia, Malaysia, Mexico, Moldova, Mongolia, Morocco, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Umman, Pakistan, Philippines, Poland, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sudan, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Thailand, Tunusia, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, Britain, the U.S., Uzbekistan, Venezuela, Yemen, United Nations Development Program, UNICEF, World Bank, UNCHR, World Food Program, UNFPA, SESRTCIC, and European Commission.

Plaques of Latvia, Nigeria, Singapore, Armenia, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, and Bahrein will be given through Turkey's representations in abroad.

Plaques of institutions like Gulf Cooperation Council, Islamic Development Bank, Council of Europe Social Development Fund, IMF, WHO, UNESCO, and NATO will be given in the cities where these insitutions are based.

[21] TURKEY-EU JOINT CONSULTATION COMMITTEE MEETING - AMBASSADOR KAREN FOGG SAYS TURKEY WILL NOT GO THROUGH THE TROUBLES THAT OTHER COUNTRIES WILL EXPERIENCE DURING INTEGRATION TO EU MARKET

Fogg who spoke at Turkey-EU Joint Consultation Committee's 8th meeting in Trabzon expressed grief over the quake disaster in Turkey and said they would like to contribute to reconstruction works.

This sad event showed us that the EU might have some demands from ally countries, but still it will support them during difficult times, Ambassador Fogg said.

Moreover, Turkey adopted the EU's foreign trade policy, therefore it is dependent on the EU for the future of its economy, she said, adding that the influence of the Customs Union should not be viewed only in commercial field.

Fogg said that Turkey's getting used to open market is very positive, and this helped to create a competitive market in Turkey. She said, therefore, Turkey will not go through the problems that other candidates will experience during its integration to the EU markets.

Fogg stressed that they always saw Turkey as a candidate. Fogg also said they were preparing annual evaluation reports on Turkey, Cyprus and Malta. Those who want to know how far Turkey can go can use these reports as a reference, she added.

Stating that there are also 10 Eastern European countries in these reports, and they have varying adjustment levels to the EU membership criteria, she said that some of them display a surprisingly positive development while others show negative indications. All criteria is included in these reports, Fogg said.

[22] SWEDISH BUSINESSMEN VISIT GAP

Göran Hamne, head of the Swedish delegation and representative of Exportradet Firm told A.A that they were impressed by GAP's magnitude and found built-operate-transfer model very interesting. Hamne said they they will take a more active role in the constructions of dams and hydroelectric centrals, especially on Tigris river.

The Swedish delegation exchanged views on latest developments with Turkish construction and mining firms in Ankara for two weeks before they came to Sanliurfa.

Hamne said they were happy to see Birecik Dam, Hyroelectric Central and Ataturk Dam which were built with built-operate-transfer model.

''We found built-operate-transfer model very interesting. We will inform our firms about this model once we return to Sweden. I hope that Swedish firms will take a more active role in the construction of centrals that will be built on Tigris river. I think seeing GAP here is very important for Swedish businessmen because we met with something quite different than what was told us about GAP,'' he noted.

Hamne also reminded that the Swedish Scasca firm was in the consortium which will built the Ilisu Dam and Hydroelectric Central.

The Swedish delegation was briefed by authorities from State Water Works about GAP. Swedish businessmen also made observations at Hydroelectric Central. The delegation will visit the historical site in Harran before they go to Gaziantep.

A.A

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