Anadolu Agency: News in English, 00-05-27

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27 May 2000 Saturday

CONTENTS

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

[02] QUAKE SHAKES CANKIRI

[03] GOOD WILL MEASURES OF TRNC BECOME U.N. DOCUMENT

[04] WORLD BANK PRESIDENT WOLFENSOHN SAYS HE SEES GOVERNMENT

[05] WORLD BANK PRESIDENT WOLFENSOHN IN MALATYA

[06] U.S. TOURS TO CAPPADOCIA PLEASE REGIONAL TOURISM SECTOR WORKERS

[07] REENACTMENT OF THREE MEMBERS OF TERRORIST

[08] ''MALAZGIRT OPERATION''

[09] TWO BRIDGES DEMOLISHED IN SAMSUN DUE TO TORRENTIAL RAINS

[10] TESEV PREPARES FOR A CORRUPTION SURVEY

[11] TRNC PRESIDENT DENKTAS:

[12] PREMIER ECEVIT:''TOBB CONTRIBUTES TO

[13] POSTAL SERVICE PREPARES DRAFT AGREEMENT FOR EURASIA POSTAL UNION

[14] TOBB GENERAL COUNCIL MEETING

[15] TURKISH AND GREEK JOURNALISTS MEET IN RHODES

[16] 14 HEZBOLLAH SUSPECTS QUESTIONED BY ISTANBUL DGM

[17] EARTHQUAKE OFFSHORE ISKENDERUN BAY

[18] TURKEY BECOMES OFFICIAL SPONSOR OF OFFSHORE CHAMPIONSHIPS

[19] GENERAL DIRECTOR OF SECURITY GENC:

[20] CONSTITUTIONAL COURT CHAIRMANSHIP ELECTIONS TO BE HELD NEXT WEEK

[21] ENVIRONMENT MINISTRY LAUNCHES TWO PROJECTS TO SAVE MANYAS LAKE

[22] GREECE'S XANTHI MAYOR SENDS SISTER CITY PLATE TO BIGA

[23] ISTANBUL SECURITY DIRECTORATE SAYS 14 PERSONS

[24] CUBAN AGRICULTURE MINISTER MEETS ZIRAAT BANK GENERAL DIRECTOR

[25] TRNC INTERNATIONAL DENTISTRY SEMINAR STARTS

[26] WORLD BANK PRESIDENT WOLFENSOHN SAYS

[27] BELGIUM DECIDES NOT TO EXTRADITE FEHRIYE ERDAL

[28] FORMER AZERBAIJANI PRESIDENT ELCIBEY IN ISTANBUL

[29] BELGIUM DECIDES NOT TO EXTRADITE FEHRIYE ERDAL (2)

[30] HUNGARIAN PRIME MINISTER ORBAN SAYS THE MOST IMPORTANT REASON

[31] 35 PEOPLE INJURED IN TRAFFIC ACCIDENT IN SIRNAK

[32] FOREIGN MINISTRY:

[33] ELECTRONICAL SYSTEMS BREAK DOWN AND AIRPORT CLOSED TO TRAFFIC

[34] STATE MINISTER YUCELEN: -''CRIPPLING INFLATION IS IMPORTANT''

[35] DEPUTY PREMIER BAHCELI: ''TURKEY NEEDS FORMING A NEW CONSTITUTIONAL

[36] ANAP DEPUTY LEADER TASAR:

[37] HEALTH MINISTER DURMUS:

[38] PRESIDENT SEZER RECEIVES WORLD BANK PRESIDENT

[39] TURKEY TO JOIN EUROPEAN BOWLING TOURNAMENT FOR FIRST TIME

[40] ANIKO LEVAI, HUNGARIAN PM'S WIFE, SAYS THEY

[41] PARLIAMENT SPEAKER AKBULUT:''TURKEY'S ECONOMY IMPROVES

[42] ''UMUT OPERATION'' -ONE SUSPECT ARRESTED, ANOTHER ONE RELEASED

[43] PREMIER ECEVIT:''I DON'T KNOW WHY

[44] TRANSPORTATION MINISTER OKSUZ:

[45] FOREIGN MINISTER CEM VISITS DEMIREL

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

WILL WE SET UP CIGAR FACTORY?
Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit told State Minister Rustu Kazım Yucelen who said in the cabinet meeting that cigar will be jointly produced with Cuba, ''I didn't see anybody other than Gunes Taner who smokes cigar. For whom we will produce cigar?''

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

DEMIREL COMMUNICATION OFFICE IN ALL PROVINCES
Former President Suleyman Demirel didn't take a clear attitude regarding the issue of returning back to politics. However many famous politicians who have always supported Demirel, started to open offices of ''Demirel'' in many provinces.

SABAH (LIBERAL)

ADDITIONAL LETTER OF INTEND ON THE WAY
Carlo Cottarelli, the International Monetary Fund's (IMF) Turkey Desk Chief, met with Selcuk Demiralp, the Treasury Undersecretary. Demiralp and Cottarelli discussed the Draft Additional Letter of Intend. The Additional Letter of Intend will be about the economic performances between December 1999 and May 2000 and the measures that can be taken until July. The IMF Executive Board is expected to discuss the Additional Letter of Intend in its meeting which is scheduled to be held in July.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

HUNGARIAN PRIME MINISTER: ''TURKEY SHOULD TAKE ITS PLACE IN EUROPE''
Victor Orban, the Hungarian Prime Minister, said that Turkey and Hungary have common interests in the Balkans. Orban told Cumhuriyet that Hungary supports Turkey's attitude in European Security and Defense Initiative (ESDI). Orban said that if Europe wants to have a defense initiative, Turkey should be included in this initiative. Orban

also said that Hungary supports Turkey's European Union (EU)

RADIKAL (LEFT)

LINN:TURKEY TO BE THE MOST POWERFUL IN ITS REGION
Deputy President of the World Bank Linn said that they will continue to support Turkey, adding ''if the economic government is continued to be pursued, Turkey will be the most powerful country of the region.'' Wolfensohn, the President of the World Bank said after his meeting with Premier Bulent Ecevit that ''we are in consensus of opinion with Premier Bulent Ecevit and think that the coming period is very important for Turkey. The government does a good job.''

YENİ BİNYIL (LIBERAL)

ECEVIT 76 YEARS OLD
Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit has his birthday on Sunday. Ecevit who was born in Istanbul on May 28, 1925 doesn't celebrate his birthdays. Ecevit will be 76 years old tomorrow.

TURKIYE (RIGHT)

PIPELINE IS AT THE LAST STAGE
Turkish, Azerbaijani and Georgian parliaments will say the last word for the Baku-Ceyhan Oil Pipeline Project. Azerbaijani Parliament ratified the agreements concerning the project. The Council of Ministers discussed this issue in details in the meeting it held on Friday. The Parliament will discuss the project on June 7. Georgian Parliament will take up the Baku-Ceyhan Oil Pipeline Project on June 30.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

''HOW DID WINTER PASS BY?''
James Wolfensohn, the World Bank President, visited Golcuk's Kavakli region of which some buildings and sports centers remained under the sea on massive August 17 quake. Wolfenshon later proceeded to Degirmendere, where 3500 permanent houses will be built up with the financial support of World Bank, and visited tent site of the Red Crescent. Wolfensohn met with the residents of tent site, and asked how they passed the winter.

[02] QUAKE SHAKES CANKIRI

Officials of the Bogazici University Kandilli Observatory Center and Seismology Institute said that the earthquake was centered in Ilgaz township of Cankiri province.

The officials added that the earthquake which jolted Ilgaz township at 9.05 a.m., was measuring 3.8 on the Richter scale.

[03] GOOD WILL MEASURES OF TRNC BECOME U.N. DOCUMENT

The measures were conveyed to the U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan in a letter written by TRNC President Rauf Denktas.

The mentioned measures are as follows:

''-A part of the visa fees which were paid when one enters or leaves TRNC is lifted and the amount of fees is decreased.

-When Greek Cypriots and Melungeons visit their relatives in TRNC, they can stay in TRNC for some time upon the permission of TRNC Foreign Ministry.

-The limit of age implemented for Greek Cypriot children who want to visit their families in the north and who continue their education in Southern Cyprus was lifted. However these children should bring a document with them confirming their age and their being students.

-When a Greek Cypriot or Melungeon, who resides in TRNC, marries somebody from Southern Cyprus, he/she can bring his spouse to TRNC. But in this occasision, the couples should abide by TRNC laws.

-The freedom to act within TRNC territories for Greek Cypriots was recognized on the principle of reciprocity.

-Greek Cypriots and Melungeons who live in TRNC can apply to get TRNC citizenship.''

TRNC added that the mentioned measures can be lifted anytime due to security reasons.

[04] WORLD BANK PRESIDENT WOLFENSOHN SAYS HE SEES GOVERNMENT

Wolfensohn told A.A correspondent that Turkey will become an example country if it fully implements the structural reforms.

He held fruitful contacts in Istanbul and Ankara, and he saw that Turkey can reach its economic targets, Wolfensohn noted.

Wolfensohn also said that they will support Turkey in reaching its economic targets following his contacts with Premier Bulent Ecevit and his contacts in the Parliament.

Turkey has a significant economic potential, Wolfensohn stated.

[05] WORLD BANK PRESIDENT WOLFENSOHN IN MALATYA

Mustafa Yildirim, the Malatya Governor, welcomed Wolfensohn at the airport.

Wolfensohn will visit Eastern Anatolia Basin Project which is supported by the World Bank, and be briefed on the project.

James Wolfensohn will return to Ankara on Saturday afternoon.

Selcuk Demiralp, the Treasury Undersecretary, is accompanying Wolfensohn during his visit.

[06] U.S. TOURS TO CAPPADOCIA PLEASE REGIONAL TOURISM SECTOR WORKERS

The tourists fill 40 or 50 percent of the rooms of the hotels in Cappadocia.

Veleddin Birsoz, the Tourism Provincial Director, said on Saturday that the U.S. and Far Eastern countries are organizing tours to Cappadocia, which are more than the expected.

Birsoz also said that they are holding many traditional activities to please the tourists.

The belief tourism also contributes to the tourism in Cappadocia, Birsoz noted.

Birsoz added that there are more than 400 churches, chapels and monastries in the region and that the tourists are also visiting these places.

[07] REENACTMENT OF THREE MEMBERS OF TERRORIST

The reenactment of Haci Inan, one of the leading names of terrorist Hezbollah organization, and Sabahattin Alkan, Abdulsettar Yildizbakan ve Mehmet Bayram, three members of the Hezbollah's death squad, lasted for five and a half hours.

The Hezbollah terrorists did reenactment in eleven hide-outs in Meram Askan, Meram Yaka, Huzurevi, Aydinlikevler, Sakarya and 500 Evler districts of Konya.

Also, the Hezbollah terrorists were brought to Haci Inan's hide-out, two houses from where 12 dead bodies were unearthed, and other hide-outs of the terrorist Hezbollah organization.

Following the reenactment, Inan and the other three terrorists were brought to Konya Police Organization.

Nadi Turkaslan, the Konya Republican Prosecutor, said that it was understood that Inan and the other three members of the terrorist Hezbollah organization did not have any connection with the murders committed in Konya.

Turkaslan noted that they did not receive any important evidence from the testimony of these persons but that the connection between these persons and the terrorist Hezbollah organization were revealed.

''These persons did not commit murders in Konya but they committed murders in Adana and Istanbul,'' Turkaslan said.

Turkaslan stated that the investigation into terrorist Hezbollah organization held in Konya was concluded.

Turkaslan added that four members of the terrorist Hezbollah organization would be sent to Istanbul on Saturday.

[08] ''MALAZGIRT OPERATION''

Hacı Inan, who is responsible for Hezbollah activities in southern Turkey and Sebahattin Alkan, Abdulsettar Yıldızbakan and Mehmet Bayram were sent to Istanbul by plane.

Later they were transferred to Istanbul State Security Court (DGM).

The suspects who were captured on May 19 night in an operation staged by Istanbul Security, were sent to Istanbul DGM in two separate minibuses under tight security.

[09] TWO BRIDGES DEMOLISHED IN SAMSUN DUE TO TORRENTIAL RAINS

Sources told A.A correspondent that torrential rains which start at 3.00 a.m. on Saturday, paralyzed daily life in Carsamba, Salipazari and Ayvacik townships of Samsun.

The sources said that many houses and workplaces were inundated due to the torrential rains while Avut Bridge in Salipazari and Yenice Bridge in Ayvacik were demolished.

Metin Ilyas Aksoy, the Samsun Governor who visited Carsamba and Ayvacik, told A.A correspondent that no deaths have been recorded until today.

Aksoy continued, ''many houses and workplaces were inundated in Salipazarı, Ayvacik and Carsamba due to torrential rains. Two bridges were demolished. Traffic paralyzed in Carsamba-Ayvacik highway due to the landslide. The State Water Works (DSI), Rural S ervices and Municipality teams are exerting efforts to discharge the water in the houses and workplaces.''

Aksoy added that damage assessment works have been launched in the region.

[10] TESEV PREPARES FOR A CORRUPTION SURVEY

Addressing to American people in Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), Sanberk said that Turkey will realize its biggest corruption survey by getting finance from the World Bank.

Sanberk noted that the project will be independent from the Turkish state although a protocol was signed with the Ministry of Interior on May 11.

The public survey will include 3,000 people from all sectors of the society, said Sanberk.

The aim of TESEV is to contribute to increasing the awareness of the Turkish public opinion against corruption, he said adding they don't have any political aim.

Sanberk, who is also a former ambassador said that the survey will last for six months.

Responding to questions about foreign policy, Sanberk said that it is not easy to improve the relations between Turkey and Greece, yet the rapprochement that appeared recently must be supported.

[11] TRNC PRESIDENT DENKTAS:

Denktas spoke in the BMC-OMPAS Branches' Meeting held in TRNC.

The Turkish Cypriots continued their struggle under very hard conditions, but they were trusting Turkey as they continued their struggle, Denktas noted.

Denktas stated that Cyprus has geopolitical importance for the southern part of Turkey.

Turkey contributes to the efforts exerted to establish a lasting peace on Cyprus, and Turkey will not grant Cyprus to anybody in the name of peace, Denktas stressed.

Denktas said that the Greeks and Greek Cypriots are trying to gain what they could not gain by weapons in the past, by embargoes and European Union (EU) membership.

Turkey and TRNC proposed confederation which is ''state to state'' model, to prevent this, Denktas noted.

Denktas stated that the confederation will not give harm to Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot nations.

Denktas emphasized that they want an agreement which will not be put aside and that their cause is a national and rightful one.

Despite the expectations of some circles, Turkey will not make concessions on Cyprus to integrate with the EU, Denktas added.

[12] PREMIER ECEVIT:''TOBB CONTRIBUTES TO

Ecevit sent a message to the 55th general council meeting of TOBB and said that TOBB offers realistic proposals to solve the problems of Turkey.

''TOBB, which consolidates the secular republic, also speeded up social struggle against inflation and it is deeply respected by the public opinion. I believe that the 55th general council will take good decisions for our nation,'' he added.

[13] POSTAL SERVICE PREPARES DRAFT AGREEMENT FOR EURASIA POSTAL UNION

In accordance with the draft agreement, the union will work to improve and facilitate the postal services among the member countries.

The union aims at providing rapid and regular postal services among the member countries, improving the quality of the postal service, and reaching a level in which it can compete with the private courier companies.

Below listed other purposes of the union:

- Launching the international private postal services and quick postal services in the countries which do not have these services at the moment,

- Contributing to the exchange of culture among member countries by decreasing the postal fees,

- Having cooperation in using the national airline companies in the international postal services,

- Making Turkey a transit country in the transfer of letters or parcels due to its geographical position,

- Issuing common stamps among member countries, and organizing stamp exhibitions,

- Exchanging information among the postal services of member countries, training the officials by organizing meetings, courses and seminars,

- Behaving as a whole in international congresses and meetings, and having power in global platform.

A meeting will be held in southern Antalya province between June 20 and 25 to discuss the draft agreement.

Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Bulgaria, Macedonia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, and Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) are expected to join the meeting.

[14] TOBB GENERAL COUNCIL MEETING

A multivision show on economic, social and political developments in Turkey and in the world was watched before the speeches.

State Ministers and Deputy Premiers Devlet Bahceli and Husamettin Ozkan; State Ministers Recep Onal and Rustu Kazım Yucelen; Justice Minister Hikmet Sami Turk; Finance Minister Sumer Oral; Industry and Trade Minister Kenan Tanrıkulu; Minister of Labour and Social Security Yasar Okuyan; Virtue Party (FP) leader Recai Kut an and other officials participated in the meeting.

The members of the General Council will be elected on Sunday.

On May 31, the members of the TOBB Executive Board will be elected.

[15] TURKISH AND GREEK JOURNALISTS MEET IN RHODES

''First Turkish-Greek Journalists' Meeting'' was held by the Rhodes Municipality.

Oktay Eksi, the Chairman of the Press Council, said that as the journalists of two countries started to recognize each other and as the Permanent Contact Group was estabhished, the news which hurt two countries, are not issued in the newspapers or brodcast in the television channels.

Eksi also said that the bridge set up by two nations, will lay the groundwork of the friendship.

Ioannis Canetakos, the General Director of the Greek State Radio, said that the Turkish and Greek foreign ministers determined their own routes to overcome the problems in the Aegean.

Canetakos noted that the state radios of two countries launched rapproachement initiatives before the massive earthquakes but that some circles in Greece misunderstood this initiative and had doubts those days.

Costas Skandalidis, the General Secretary of the PASOK Central Committee, said that journalists contribute to peace and democracy in the region.

Georgeos Yannopulos, the Rhodes Mayor, said that he is in favour of the improvement of the dialogue between the two countries.

Besides the journalists, the representatives of political parties, and trade and tourism sectors joined the meeting.

[16] 14 HEZBOLLAH SUSPECTS QUESTIONED BY ISTANBUL DGM

The 14 suspects including two women having their children with them were brought to Istanbul DGM around 10.30 local time.

Before giving their testimonies to the Prosecutor, the suspects had health examination at Forensic Medicine.

They started to be questioned one by one as of 11.30 local time.

[17] EARTHQUAKE OFFSHORE ISKENDERUN BAY

Bogazici University Kandilli Observatory and Seismology Centre said that the quake which took place at 10.49 local time measured 4.3 on the Richter scale.

[18] TURKEY BECOMES OFFICIAL SPONSOR OF OFFSHORE CHAMPIONSHIPS

Officials of the Tourism Ministry told A.A correspondent on Saturday that the championships will be live broadcast in the Eurosport channel.

Thus, Turkey logo which will be reflected on the lap of the race, will be seen by the people who will watch the championships, the officials said.

The officials also said that the official name of the championships was determined as ''Go Turkey.''

The officials noted that the race will be staged in Turkey, Italy, Germany, Norway and United Arab Emirates (UAE) and that the first part of the race will start in Italy on Saturday.

The race will continue until November 10, the officials stated.

The officials stressed that Turkey's logo will be on the screens as a television serial is shown in 17 countries and that this logo will be shown as the programme starts and ends and in the commercial times.

Turkey's logo will also be put on the flags, billboards and award rostrum, the uniforms, yachts, and trailers, the officials emphasized.

The officials said that the Tourism Ministry will open a stand in each of the race points and distribute booklets which introduce and promote Turkey.

Turkey will also be introduced in the web-site of the championship, the officials noted.

The officials stated that Turkey will host the winners of the races free of charge.

The places and dates of the races are listed below:

May 27-28 ............... Italy/Trieste

June 10-11 ............... Italy/Anzio

July 8-9 ............... Germany/Kiel

July 15-16 ............... Norway/Arendal

August 5-8 ............... Norway/Oslo

Sept. 1-3 ............... Turkey/Istanbul

Sept. 9-10 ............... Turkey/Bodrum

Nov. 2-3 ............... UAE/Fujairah

Nov. 9-10 ............... UAE/Dubai

[19] GENERAL DIRECTOR OF SECURITY GENC:

Responding to questions of journalists, Genc said that ''we thank for the report prepared by the Parliamentary Human Rights Commission. Every institution can have deficiencies and mistakes. We are trying to correct our mistakes. We are against torture before anybody. Torture means committing a serious offence. We never tell our personnel to commit torture on people in order to make them tell the realities. If we say that, this means we incite them to commit crime.''

[20] CONSTITUTIONAL COURT CHAIRMANSHIP ELECTIONS TO BE HELD NEXT WEEK

A new Constitutional Court Chairman will be elected after Ahmet Necdet Sezer, the former chairman, was elected as the President.

Ali Huner, the Permanent Member of the Constitutional Court and the Chairman of the Court of Jurisdictional Disputes; Fulya Kantarcioglu, Yalcin Acargun, and Mustafa Bumin, the Permament Members of the Constitutional Court; are considered among the names which can become the new Constitutional Court Chairman.

Those who want to run their candidacy for the Chairmanship elections, do not make a written application for candidacy.

When the Constitutional Court Delegation convenes to elect the new Chairman, the members announce their candidacies in the meeting and 11 members in the delegation cast their votes.

Since the Supreme Court of Appeals could not nominate three candidates for the permanent membership which became vacant as Sezer was elected as the President, ten permanent members and Samia Akbulut, the alternate member, are expected to participate in the chairmanship elections.

A candidate has to obtain six votes, which is the absolute majority of the total of the members, to become the new Constitutional Court Chairman.

[21] ENVIRONMENT MINISTRY LAUNCHES TWO PROJECTS TO SAVE MANYAS LAKE

Sources told A.A correspondent that the Environment Ministry launched efforts to combat the pollution which threatens the fauna of the birds in Kuscenneti (Bird Heaven).

The sources said that within this framework, the Environment Ministry started to implement ''Ecological Risk Analysis and Management Program in Manyas Lake'' and ''Manyas Lake Basin Waste Products and Waste Water Management Program.''

Both projects aims at determining the alternatives which will provide the usage of optimal land, preparing water management plan to protect the natural water regime, rehabilitating the incubation areas of the birds, and solving the waste water problem, the officials added.

[22] GREECE'S XANTHI MAYOR SENDS SISTER CITY PLATE TO BIGA

Stiliandis sent a letter to Sukru Kemerli, the Biga Mayor, in which he said that they attribute importance to the friendship of the residents of sister cities.

Stiliandis also said that they want to visit Biga in June to improve the friendship and that they will review the economic and cultural initiatives which can jointly be launched by two municipalities.

Kemerli said that they are waiting for their Greek friends and that they will sign the second part of the sister city agreement during the Greek delegation's visit.

A delegation including the members of the Biga Municipality Assembly and businessmen, visited Xanthi last month and signed the sister city agreement.

[23] ISTANBUL SECURITY DIRECTORATE SAYS 14 PERSONS

The statement noted that 14 suspects including two women and Hacı Inan, a top-member were captured in the operation.

Mahmut Kaya, a Hezbollah terorist died in the operation and an officer was slightly wounded on his hand.

The statement noted that the 14 members of the terrorist Hezbollah organization confessed the police that they were involved in the kidnappings of 47 persons and then killing them upon the instructions of Huseyin Velioglu, the chief of the terrorist organization who was killed in a cell house on January 17, 2000 in Beykoz, Istanbul.

The statement added that the operations against the terrorist organization Hezbollah continue.

[24] CUBAN AGRICULTURE MINISTER MEETS ZIRAAT BANK GENERAL DIRECTOR

Following the meeting, Morales told A.A correspondent that they exchanged ideas about the improvement of the financial and commercial relations between two countries during the meeting.

Morales said that he submitted a comprehensive report on the Cuban banking system to Tunaboylu and that he drew the attention to the significant business opportunities between the two countries.

Two countries can have cooperation in every field, and especially there is giant cooperation potential in machinery, irrigation, animal breeding and cotton production, Morales noted.

Morales stated that they also talked about the products which both countries can sell to each other.

Sources said that Morales requested loan for the agricultural projects in his country.

The sources noted that Tunaboylu told Morales that he does not know about Cuba and its economy and he can visit this country if a concrete project is put forward.

The sources added that Morales invited Tunaboylu to his country.

Morales later visited La Kasa del Habano, a shop selling cigars, in Levent district of Istanbul.

Morales said that the cigar factory which is being established in accordance with the agreement that was signed between state-run tobacco and liquor administration Tekel and Cuban cigar producer Catec, will start production in the end of 2000.

Alfredo Jordan Morales will depart from Turkey on Saturday evening.

[25] TRNC INTERNATIONAL DENTISTRY SEMINAR STARTS

Experts from Turkey, Switzerland, Qatar and Syria join the seminar held in Girne city of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC).

The seminar will last for two days.

The Greek Cypriot Church prevented the Greek Cypriot dentists from participating in the seminar.

[26] WORLD BANK PRESIDENT WOLFENSOHN SAYS

Wolfensohn and the accompanying delegation visited the Eastern Anatolia Basin Project which is supported by the World Bank.

The delegation headed by Wolfensohn later proceeded to Yaygin hamlet and joined the luncheon given in Wolfensohn's honour by Yaygin Mayor.

Speaking to the citizens, Wolfensohn asked if they are pleased about the project. The citizens said that they are pleased and that they want the project to be continued.

Following the luncheon, Wolfensohn said that they are bringing the projects and the methods but it is the citizens who implement these projects and methods.

After he wrapped up his contacts in Malatya, Wolfensohn left for Ankara at 12.45 p.m.

[27] BELGIUM DECIDES NOT TO EXTRADITE FEHRIYE ERDAL

The lawyers try to take her from the prison on bail to be tried without detention.

Lawyers who talk about a ''political victory against Turkey,'' told the press that they will pay 100,000 francs (approximately 1,5 billion Turkish liras) for extradition of Erdal in the beginning of next week. They will also meet with officials from the Belgian Foreigners Police.

Lawyers are optimistic about the release of Erdal, who is jailed in Bruges prison, on bail on Tuesday at the latest.

[28] FORMER AZERBAIJANI PRESIDENT ELCIBEY IN ISTANBUL

At the Ataturk Airport, Elcibey, who joined the ''Turkish Day Parade'' in New York and spoke in the U.S. Congress, told reporters that his visit to the U.S. was very fruitful.

Elcibey said that he took up Azerbaijani-Caucasus, Azerbaijani-Turkish, and U.S.-Azerbaijani relaitons during his contacts with the officials of the U.S. Department of State.

When asked how he evaluates the developments regarding the natural gas agreement between Turkmenistan and Russian Federation, Elcibey claimed that Turkey becomes late in its relations with Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan regarding the natural gas and oil pipeline projects.

[29] BELGIUM DECIDES NOT TO EXTRADITE FEHRIYE ERDAL (2)

Responding to questions of journalists, Turk said that ''the studies on the Turkish Penal Code continues. We want to re-discuss the draft law on Turkish Penal Code which was submitted to the parliament last term and we want to evaluate the issue within the integrity of the system.''

When asked whether the issue can be submitted to the parliament till the end of June or not, Turk said that ''it can't be that quick. We think of amending all the provisions of the Turkish Penal Code.''

[30] HUNGARIAN PRIME MINISTER ORBAN SAYS THE MOST IMPORTANT REASON

Orban went to northwestern Tekirdag province following his contacts in Ankara and Tekirdag.

Visiting Cemalettin Sevim, the Tekirdag Governor, Orban said that he is visiting Turkey to improve the friendship between the two countries.

Orban noted that one of the best example of the good relations between the two countries is the Rakoczi Museum, the house where the Hungarian freedom fighter lived in Tekirdag and which was later converted into a museum.

They will fortify the friendship between the two countries, with the agreements that will be signed, Orban stated.

Sevim said that Hungary is a friendly country and that this friendship was once more put forward with Orban's visit.

Two friendly countries give good examples in Europe's defense by having cooperation within the framework of NATO, Sevim also said.

Sevim noted that as two countries integrate with the European Union (EU), they will also give good service.

This friendship, peace and freedom will continue, Sevim stated.

Sevim stressed that Tekirdag is important for Hungary since the Hungarian Prince stayed in this city.

''Rakoczi spent the years between 1720 and 1735 in Tekirdag. Turkey built a museum in the name of Rakoczi,'' Sevim said.

Following his contacts in the Tekirdag Governorship, Orban visited the house where Rakoczi lived.

Orban will leave for Istanbul after he stages a press conference.

Victor Orban is being accompanied by Hungarian State Minister in charge of economy Gyorgy Matolcsy, Hungarian Education Minister Zoltan Pokorni, Hungarian Government Spokesman Gabor Uorokai, and Hungarian Chief of Genaral Staff Lajos Podor.

[31] 35 PEOPLE INJURED IN TRAFFIC ACCIDENT IN SIRNAK

Sources told A.A correspondent that a lorry carrying villagers who were going to Balveren hamlet, overturned since it was carrying excess number of people.

The sources said that 35 people, seven of whose condition was serious, were injured in the accident.

The injured people were taken under medical treatment in Sirnak but the seriously injured were transferred to the hospitals in Diyarbakir and Mardin provinces, the sources added.

[32] FOREIGN MINISTRY:

A Foreign Ministry statement noted that the confirmation of the U.N. which said that Israel returned to the international border is also very important.

The withdrawal is an important step taken in the way to peace, noted the statement adding that ''we wish the end of the incidents which claimed the lives and properties of many people for years.''

The statement also expressed hope saying that all the sides should contribute to the permanent peace in the Middle East by strengthening the cooperation with the U.N.

[33] ELECTRONICAL SYSTEMS BREAK DOWN AND AIRPORT CLOSED TO TRAFFIC

Sources told A.A correspondent that the electronical systems of the airport broke down and the airport was closed to traffic since the Abdal River overflew its banks.

The sources said that many houses around the Abdal River were evacuated, fearing inundation.

Samsun Governor Metin Ilyas Aksoy visited the Samsun-Carsamba Airport and briefed on the measures taken.

Aksoy told A.A correspondent that damage assessment works continue and that the State Water Works (DSI), Rural Affairs, Highways, and the Municipality teams took the necessary measures in the region.

Two bridges were demolished and many houses and workplaces were inundated due to torrential rains which started at 3.00 a.m. on Saturday.

[34] STATE MINISTER YUCELEN: -''CRIPPLING INFLATION IS IMPORTANT''

Speaking in the 55th General Council meeting of the Turkish Union of Chambers and Stock Exchanges (TOBB), Yucelen said that the anti-inflation programme of the government bears its fruit in the first four months of 2000 and the pyschological resistance of some circles were crippled.

Yucelen noted that the most important incident for Turkey was terrorisms in recent years and that Turkey has spent its 20 years and 100 billion U.S. dollars in struggling against terrorism.

Some circles try to bring terrorism into the agenda by different methods and in different times, Yucelen stated.

Yucelen continued, ''from now on, people cannot bring new kinds of terrorism into the agenda of Turkey. We should firstly tell all the world about the lesson we took from this.''

Turkey was late in seizing the industrialization process of the world in the last century, Yucelen stressed.

Yucelen said that now, the world enters into an information era and that Turkey has to compensate the time it lost in the industrialization process, in this new era.

Yucelen also said that 100 percent increase in the consolidated budget revenues in 2000 inspires hopes and that crippling the inflation is important.

As long as the confidence in the anti-inflation program continues, it will not be difficult to reach the 25 percent inflation target in the end of 2000, Yucelen noted.

Yucelen emphasized that the only condition to reach this target is the continuation of the secure and stable atmosphere.

[35] DEPUTY PREMIER BAHCELI: ''TURKEY NEEDS FORMING A NEW CONSTITUTIONAL

Speaking in the 55th General Council meeting of the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB), Devlet Bahceli said that some circles are uneasy about the success Turkey has achieved in its struggle with terrorism.

''Democratization carries importance, we must also give priority to the legal state and fight with those circles. We need a radical social compromise and democratization for that,'' said Bahceli.

Bahceli said that ''those who support terrorism, try to prevent Turkey from becoming a regional power, as they are afraid of the fact that Turkey can also turn into a global power.''

''Our most important problem is inflation and the government put into enforcement a radical stability programme to prevent the high inflation. Due to the four-month results of our three-year stability programme, the real interest rates entered into a tendecy of decreasing and the inflation started to reduce. Everybody started to accept the view that Turkey will win its struggle against inflation,'' said Bahceli.

Referring to privatization, Bahceli stressed that Turkey will reach its privatization target of 7.6 billion dollars which is foreseen for 2000.

[36] ANAP DEPUTY LEADER TASAR:

Staging a press briefing together with Cavit Kavak and Emre Kocaoglu, two ANAP deputies in ANAP Istanbul office, Tasar said that the aim of ANAP is to continue working on new projects for Turkey.

''The structural defects in economy started to be removed gradually,'' he noted.

When journalists asked him whether ANAP Deputy leader Ersin Taranoglu would resign, Mustafa Tasar said this was out of question.

[37] HEALTH MINISTER DURMUS:

Durmus noted that 380 people in Tuzkoy and 270 people in Karain hamlets were diagnosed ''mesothelioma'' which is caused by a kind of zeolite group minerals in the rocks.

Mesothelioma is a tumor derived from mesothelial tissue. The malignant tumors are often the result of excesive exposure to asbestos.

People living in 190 houses in Tuzkoy and Karain should evacuate these houses as soon as possible, Durmus stated.

Durmus stressed that after people were transferred to other places, they will close the ores with soil and then cover the soil with a permanent flora.

They will do their best to transfer the people living in these hamlets to some other places, in six months, Durmus added.

A total of 128 people died of lung cancer in Tuzkoy town and 133 people died of the same cancer in Karain village in the last 20 years.

The Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization (WHO) determined that 98 percent of the deaths in Tuzkoy were due to long cancer.

The region was declared as ''disaster area'' in 1980.

[38] PRESIDENT SEZER RECEIVES WORLD BANK PRESIDENT

The meeting lasted for nearly half an hour.

Wolfensohn will join the signature ceremony of the Economic Reform Loan, which the World Bank will grant to Turkey.

Following the ceremony, Wolfensohn will stage a press conference.

[39] TURKEY TO JOIN EUROPEAN BOWLING TOURNAMENT FOR FIRST TIME

Turkey will join the tournament which will be held in Israel between May 29 and June 6 by the European Bowling Federation.

Turkish male and female bowling teams will leave for Israel on May 29.

Murat Aydinli, the Secretary General of the ''Sports Federation for Everybody,'' said on Saturday that their target is to come among the first 16 teams in the end of the tournament.

[40] ANIKO LEVAI, HUNGARIAN PM'S WIFE, SAYS THEY

Levai told A.A correspondent that their Turkey visit has been very beneficial.

They visited the historical places and received new information, Levai noted.

Levai stated that the last time she visited Turkey was 17 years ago.

Levai added that she saw that Turkey has changed a lot and developed since her last visit.

[41] PARLIAMENT SPEAKER AKBULUT:''TURKEY'S ECONOMY IMPROVES

Sending a message to the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB) for its 55th general council meeting, Akbulut said that TOBB is a rooted organization.

The contributions of tradesmen to development of Turkey will make the latter solve its inflation problem and decrease unemployment, said Akbulut and added that ''we must act together to solve the country's problems.''

[42] ''UMUT OPERATION'' -ONE SUSPECT ARRESTED, ANOTHER ONE RELEASED

Adil Aydın and Murat Nazlı, who were questioned by Ankara Security Directorate's Anti-Terrorism officers, had a health examination at Kecioren Forensic Medicine the same morning.

Hamza Keles, Ankara DGM Prosecutor questioned the two for nearly 2.5 hours.Keles transferred Aydın and Nazlı to DGM No. 2 on duty to be arrested. Ramazan Aksan, the alternate judge of Ankara DGM No. 2 arrested Aydın and released Nazlı.

Aydın will be sent to Ankara Central Prison once the proceedings about him are finished. Aydın will later transferred to Eskisehir Special Type Prison.

[43] PREMIER ECEVIT:''I DON'T KNOW WHY

When asked his views about the reason of the Belgian officials' decision not to extradite Erdal, Ecevit said ''I don't know the reason yet.''

[44] TRANSPORTATION MINISTER OKSUZ:

Oksuz told A.A correspondent that the tender for the consultancy and engineering services of the project will be concluded within a few weeks.

Oksuz noted that the project will cost 1.6-1.7 billion U.S. dollars.

A total of 860 million U.S. dollars will be used for the construction of the tube tunnel which will pass from 58 metres deep in the sea, and the rest of the money will be spent on the 13-kilometre tunnel passages, Oksuz stated.

Oksuz stressed that the tunnel will start to operate after four years.

When this tunnel works full capacity, 100,000 people can pass from Asia to Europe and 100,000 people can pass from Europe to Asia in an hour, Oksuz emphasized.

Oksuz said that four consortia joined the Strait Tube Tunnel Tender, adding that the result of the tender will be announced in the following days.

[45] FOREIGN MINISTER CEM VISITS DEMIREL

After visiting Demirel in his house in Guniz Street, Ankara; Cem told reporters that he paid a courtesy visit to Demirel.

''I've always benefitted from the views of Mr. Demirel,'' said Cem.

When reporters told Cem whether Mr. Demirel made an evaluation about his visit to Azerbaijan, Cem didn't want to make any comment.

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