Anadolu Agency: News in English, 00-06-02

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CONTENTS

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

[02] PARLIAMENT ADOPTS TWO PROVISIONS OF

[03] KAREN FOGG, TURKEY REPRESENTATIVE OF EU:

[04] MINISTER OF ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES ERSUMER:

[05] ''PARACHUTE OPERATION''

[06] TOURIST INFLUX FROM U.S TO TURKEY INCREASES BY 32,5 PERCENT

[07] SALONICA TRADE CHAMBER CHAIRMAN BAKATSELOS:

[08] TRILATERAL ENERGY AGREEMENT

[09] JUSTICE MINISTER TURK TO LEAVE FOR BRITAIN ON JUNE 4

[10] U.S AMBASSADOR PARRIS VISITS BATMAN

[11] INVESTIGATION COMMISSION DECIDES TO REFER FORMER

[12] PARLIAMENTARY INVESTIGATION COMMISSION'S

[13] FOREGN AFFAIRS COMMISSION ADOPTS DRAFT LAW ON BAKU-CEYHAN

[14] PARLIAMENTARY INVESTIGATION COMMISSION DECIDES NOT TO

[15] TURKEY-EU JPC TO CONVENE IN BRUSSELS BETWEEN JUNE 5-6

[16] TAFLAN MAYOR AND HIS WIFE SHOT DEAD

[17] PARRIS, U.S. AMBASSADOR TO TURKEY, IN BATMAN (2):

[18] NATIONAL DEFENSE MINISTRY'S FOREIGN SUPPLY TENDERS

[19] U.S. PRESIDENT CLINTON:

[20] TREASURY CASH PREJECTIONS AND BORROWING PROGRAMME

[21] FOREIGN MINISTRY UNDERSECRETARY LOGOGLU DUE TO IRAQ AND JORDAN

[22] TURKISH-ITALIAN COOPERATION IN TOURISM

[23] SOCCER TEAMS OF GAZIANTEP AND SYRIA TO PLAY FRIENDLY MATCH

[24] YILMAZ OF ANAP MEETS WITH HIS SENIOR AIDES

[25] PRESIDENT DENKTAS OF TRNC:

[26] EXPORTS INCREASE 10.5 PERCENT ON MAY

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

HISTORIC SIGNATURE
Fatih Terim, the UEFA Cup winning Galatasaray's Technical Director signed a one year contract with Italy's Fiorentina Football Club, and became the first Turkish techical director in Italian football history. Terim signed the contract on Thursday at Rome's Parco De Principi Hotel at 15.30 hours local time at a 2 hour 15 minute signing ceremony, and officially became the technical director of the Italian team.

OKUYAN: UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE IS A REVOLUTION
The unemployemnt insurance, introduced to the Turkish labor life with Social Security law no. 4447, was enforced as of June 1, Thursday. Minister of Labor and Social Security Yasar Okuyan, who held a press conference yesterday on the occasion said that the implementation of the unemployment insurance system was a revolution in Turkey's labor history, and expressed contentment on the ruling government's success in fulfilling a long desired wish of the laborers.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

EFES TO PRODUCE MILLER
Efes Beverage Group announced that it signed a licence agreement with Miller Brewing company to produce Miller Geniune Draft at its Erciyas Brewing installations. The second most popular beer of the United States will be produced and distributed by Efes. Miller Brewing officials say that the agreement is part of the company's new expansion strategies.

SABAH (LIBERAL)

HERE IS HISTORICAL SIGNATURE
Fatih Terim, who is the first Turkish coach who went to Italy, signed a one-year contract with Italian Fiorentina soccer team. Three million dollars will be paid to Terim for one year. Besides a Toyoto car and a villa have been given to him.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

PARRIS: SOUTH EAST ANATOLIA HAS GREAT
POTENTIALS FOR BUSINESSMEN
Mark Parris, the U.S Ambassador in Ankara said that South East Anatolia had a great economic potential, and that his office was in an effort to attract American businessmen to the region.Parris, who visited Sirnak on Thursday within the framework of his tour around South East Anatolia said the U.S gave full support to Turkey in her fight against terrorism, also pledging further support in the future. Parris was accompanied by Agriculture Attache Susan Schayer, Trade Attache John Breidenstine, and Consul General in Adana Stuart James in his visit to Sirnak.

RADIKAL (LEFT)

STRICT INSPECTIONS TO ORGAN TRANSPLANTATION
The Ministry of Health is setting up a National Organ and Tissue Transplant Coordination System to digitally inspect transplant operations. Unlicensed institutions will not be able to carry out such operations, and the Ministry's authorisation will be a legal obligation. The pertaining resolution of the Ministry of Health was issued in today's edition of the Official Gazette.

YENİ BİNYIL (LIBERAL)

VAKIFBANK TO BE PRIVATIZED
Yuksel Yalova, the State Minister for Privatization, said yesterday that under an amendment of Vakifbank's regulations, firstly 20 percent of its Group B shares would be offered to public and later 55 percent of Group A shares would be sold. Staging a press conferrence, Yalova explained works on privatization of Vakifbank.

TURKIYE (RIGHT)

DEATH IN BED
Mayor of Samsun's Taflan hamlet Ali Ozturk and his wife Muzeyyen Ozturk were shot dead while they were sleeping in their bedrooms early on Thursday morning by unknown assailants. It was later understood that the killers entered the bedroom of the mayor from outside by ladder and later escaped from the house from the doorway.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

nnection between Altınbas Holding and Yaprak television channel that broadcasts in Gaziantep.'' Salk added that 10-12 of the suspects who are under custody will stand trial at DGM on Friday and the remaining on Saturday.

I WON'T BE POLICING TV SCREEN
Sedat Nuri Kayıs, who was elected as the Chairman of the Supreme Board of Television and Radio (RTUK) said that he won't prohibit the broadcasts of televisions channels and radios in cases of small mistakes. ''RTUK should not be policing the television sc

reens and radio programmes,'' Kayıs noted.

[02] PARLIAMENT ADOPTS TWO PROVISIONS OF

The Project foresees the transfer of 16 billion cubic meters of Russian natural gas to Turkey till 2007 by a pipeline that will be constructed beneath the Black Sea. People in Samsun, Corum, Kırıkkale, Amasya, Cankırı and Yozgat will also start to use natural gas once the project is undertaken.

The provision on the validity of the draft law will be taken up in the parliament on Friday.

[03] KAREN FOGG, TURKEY REPRESENTATIVE OF EU:

Fogg and Mouchiroud, who are in the East Anatolian province of Van within the framework of a tour organised by the Turkish Family Health and Planning Foundation (TAP), visited the carpet workshop in the Yalim Erez district, and received information from officials about the region.

Fogg said the aim of their visit was to get to know the region, detect any needs or problems, and seek means of cooperation, and added that the Council of Europe wanted to know what was going on in Turkey.

Noting that it was her first visit to Van, Fogg said that a 55 million ECU program on women's health and reproduction would be launched in Turkey by the Council, which would be executed on behalf of the Ministry of Health, and in collaboration with the TAP, local authorities, and NGO's.

Mouchiroud said the region had a dense population, and that mother and child health was not at a satisfactory level. He said that the united Nattions Population Fund was planning to provide aid to the region.

Karen Fogg and Alaain Mouchiroud are accompanied by Yasar Yaser, General Coordinator of TAP Foundation, and 9 journalists.

The delegation spent the night in Van, and were to proceed to Hakkari eraly Friday.

[04] MINISTER OF ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES ERSUMER:

Ersumer responded to criticisms about the draft law on the ratification of the Additional Protocol on the Blue Stream Project in the parliament.

Ersumer said that Turkey's being an energy corridor between East-West is on the agenda for the last 10 years. A meeting was held in Azerbaijan related to Baku-Ceyhan Project a short time ago and the project was supported by oil companies, said Ersumer, adding the parliament will discuss the issue soon.

They are resolved to bring Turkmen natural gas to Turkey as soon as possible, said Ersumer and pointed out that Russia will lower the cost while transporting the Turkmen natural gas to Turkey, as Russia has a present pipeline.

Noting that there is a problem between the firm that will construct the natural gas pipeline and Turkmenbası, Ersumer said that the contract between them has not been renewed since February 19, 2000. The consultants of both him and the U.S. President Bill Clinton take initiatives for the solution of the issue.

When Turkey started to purchase natural gas from Russia first in 1987, Turkey was dependent on Russia by 100 percent, but now the ratio has decreased to 69 percent; Ersumer added.

''We'll decrease our dependency to Russia to 54 percent by our work. We are trying to diversify both the countries and gas,'' said Ersumer and noted that the Blue Stream Project is a project of 2.7 billion dollars.

''This project has been developed only for Turkey,'' said Ersumer and stressed that Turkey needs 7 billion cubic meters of natural gas for the operation of four power stations, which will produce half of the electricity need of Turkey.

The announcement of the details of the agreement is detrimental both for Turkey and Russia, he added.

[05] ''PARACHUTE OPERATION''

The 19 suspects, who first had medical examination at Kecioren Forensic Medicine, were transferred to Ankara DGM.

Talat Salk, the DGM Prosecutor, who carries out the investigation, will question the suspects.

[06] TOURIST INFLUX FROM U.S TO TURKEY INCREASES BY 32,5 PERCENT

According to the information given by the Turkish Tourism Attache in New York, 98 thousand American tourists visited Turkey in the first four months of the year. The 1998 figure for the same period had been 70 thousand, and 74 thousand in 1999.

1998 figures showed that a total of 483 thousand tourists visited Turkey throughout that year.

Meanwhile, American Tourism Authors are to attend a meeting and a cocktail, marking the opening of the touristic season, to be held by Turkey's Consul General in New York, Mehmet N. Ezen at the Turkish Community House.

[07] SALONICA TRADE CHAMBER CHAIRMAN BAKATSELOS:

''Membership of Turkey to the EU brings stability to the Middle East,'' he told A.A correspondent, adding they are ready to make cooperation with Turkish enterpreneurs in various fields.

Turkey must speed up its efforts for making its laws concordant with those of the EU, he added.

Greece wants to see Turkey in the EU, Bakatselos said, adding ''Turkey is a giant market of 67 million. This is enough for it to be attractive. But more important than that is the fact that Turkey is safer than other countries of the region in respect of investment. Turkey's membership to the EU will bring stability to the Middle East.''

Criticizing Greek businessmen for making business only with the west or north, Bakatselos said, ''time has come to turn ourselves to the east.''

Dimitrios Bakatselos said that they realized the potential in eastern countries late, adding Turkey and Greece which are the principal countries of the region, can complement each other.

''Turkey is the door of Greece opening to the east, Greece is the door of Turkey opening to the west,'' he said.

The guest Chairman Bakatselos said in his part that the existing trade volume between the two countries which is around one billion dollars can increase 10 folds in 10 years.

[08] TRILATERAL ENERGY AGREEMENT

Ersumer told the A.A correspondent that a ten-condition agreement had come out at the end of the meeting, adding that they nad also determined the criteria for Treasury guarantee for certain Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) projects.

According to the criteria determined by officials, those BOT projects, which have received all the necessary approvals, which are able to have started production by 2001, and which are at the stage of financing, will have a priority against the others in receiving Treasury's financing guarantee.

The Treasury Undersecretariat had been refraining from giving financing guarantees to BOT projects due to certain hardships it faced within the framework of its guarantorship capacity. Later on, at the end of talks with World Bank officials, the Treasury had announced that it would provide financing guarantee to only 4 or 5 BOT projects.

According to World Bank officials, Turkey will be faced with serious problems in the energy sector in 2001 and 2002; and this will, most probably, force the Treasury to provide financing guarantee to one or two more projects to meet the demand. It estimates an energy surplus for the year 2003.

The Treasury, DPT, and the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources are preparing a minutes of accord these days, which is soon to be submitted to either the Supreme Planning Council or the Council of Ministers.

[09] JUSTICE MINISTER TURK TO LEAVE FOR BRITAIN ON JUNE 4

Turk will meet with British officials before that meeting which will be held between 7-9 June. Turk will come together with British Secretary of State for European Affairs on June 6 and Secretary of State for the Home Department on June 7.

Turk will get information about the measures that will taken against British hooligans before the European Football Championship in his contacts. Turk will also get information about the extradition of Gulay Aslıturk, the former Sisli mayor, to Turkey.

Turk will discuss the issue of Fehriye Erdal, one of the suspects of Sabancı murder, in the meeting with his Belgian counterpart and remind him that Turkey does not execute death penalty for long years.

In his meeting with Belgian and the Dutch justice ministers, Turk will explain his views about the necessity of providing security of Turkish spectators and the Turkish national soccer team in the European Football Championship.

Turk will return to Turkey on June 10.

[10] U.S AMBASSADOR PARRIS VISITS BATMAN

Parris and the delegation accompanying him, who proceeded from Midyat township of Mardin to Batman late Thursday night, paid a visit on Friday to Governor of Batman Isa Parlak.

Following a one hour meeting with the U.S Ambassador, Parlak presented Parris with a blanket, and Parris presented Parlak with a silver belt and a painting.

Later on, Parris proceeded to meet with Mayor Abdullah Akin. Parris told Akin that Batman was the final stop of his tour around East and South East Anatolia, and thanked everyone for the warm welcome he received.

Akin told Parris that his visit had been a morale boost for them.

[11] INVESTIGATION COMMISSION DECIDES TO REFER FORMER

The land, which was in north-western province of Izmit, belonged to SEKA, Turkish Cellulose and Paper Factories Enterprises.

Responding to questions of journalists after the Investigation Commission meeting, Ibrahim Yasar Dedelek, the chairman of the Commission said that 15 deputies, who are the members of the Commission, were present in the meeting.

Dedelek said that the Commission decided to refer Yılmaz and Erez to the Constitutional Court for prosecution by 9 votes to 6.

[12] PARLIAMENTARY INVESTIGATION COMMISSION'S

A total of 276 votes, which is the absolute majority of the members in the parliament are necessary to refer prime ministers and ministers to the Constitutional Court.

Under Article 112 of the Parliament's regulations, the reports of the investigation commissions will be published by the prime ministry and distributed to deputies whose prosecution is requested.

The report will be taken to the agenda of the session to be held seven days after the distribution, and have priority in discussion.

In this session, the commission, six deputies and former Prime Minister or former Minister against whom the decision of recommendation to refer to the Constitutional Court will address the Parliament. There will be no time limit for their addressing the Parliament. Later, the Parliament will make a decision on the commission's report.

The decision to refer the former ministers to the Constitutional Court can be taken by the votes of at least 276 deputies in 550-seat Parliament.

If the Parliament decides to refer them to the Constitutional Court, the file should be sent to the Constitutional Court in seven days at the latest.

The political party groups can't discuss the parliamentray investigation in their meetings.

[13] FOREGN AFFAIRS COMMISSION ADOPTS DRAFT LAW ON BAKU-CEYHAN

Energy and Natural Resources Minister Cumhur Ersumer and Pipeline Oil Transportation Inc (Botas) officials briefed the commission on the pipeline in its meeting the same day.

Addressing the commission, Ersumer said all costs of the pipeline's part in Turkish territories would be met by the investor consortium.

Noting that the pipeline was expectd to cost 1.3 billion U.S. dollars, Ersumer said Botas would accredit the first 300 million U.S. dollars part if the cost increased.

Ersumer said the investor consortium would use its financial facilities in case the cost increased over to 1.6 billion U.S. dollars but the increase in question would be cut from the operation revenues that the Botas would obtain from the pipeline.

Stressing that Turkey's creating an incitement for the pipeline was in question, Ersumer said Turkey extended fixed price guarantee to the investor consortium for the field allocation.

[14] PARLIAMENTARY INVESTIGATION COMMISSION DECIDES NOT TO

The commission convened under chairmanship of Ali Gungor, Icel deputy of the the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP).

At the meeting, nine members from the Democratic Left Party (DSP), the ANAP and the True Path Party (DYP) voted in favor of not transferring Yilmaz to the Constitutional Court while five members from Virtue Party (FP) and the MHP voted for transferring him to the Court.

In the vote for Asik, 11 members of the DSP, ANAP, FP, and DYP voted in favor of not transferring Asik to the Constitutional Court while three members from the MHP voted in favor of transferring him to the court.

Meanwhile, all members decided that there was no need to tranfer Topcu to the Constitutional Court.

The Parliamentary Investigation Commission's report will be submitted to the Parliamentary General Assembly till June 15.

[15] TURKEY-EU JPC TO CONVENE IN BRUSSELS BETWEEN JUNE 5-6

Kursat Eser, the Co-Chairman of the Turkey-EU JPC, recalled that the meeting in question had earlier been planned to be held in Ankara between February 22-23, 2000 but it had been postponed when the European Parliament side had not wanted to join the meeting.

''Due to this postponement, we couldn't discuss the issues which are very improtatnt for the Turkey-EU relations. Within this framework, the Turkish side made the necessary reaction in several platforms, and stated that postponement of the meeting in question was not beneficial for each side,'' he said.

Kursat Eser said the issues that would be discussed in the meeting in Brussles were cooperation before EU full-membership and its financial dimension, constitutional reform, progress recorded in Turkey concerning human rights, visa problems that the Turkish citizens encounter in entrance to EU, problems of the Turkish citizens living in EU member countries and adjustments of the JPC's activities to the new atmosphere created after declaration of Turkey's EU candidacy.

[16] TAFLAN MAYOR AND HIS WIFE SHOT DEAD

Releasing a statement, Metin Ilyas Aksoy, the Governor of Samsun, said that a full investigation into the incident was underway.

He stressed that murderers would be brought to justice sooner or later.

Aksoy noted that killings of Ozturk and his wife created profound sorrow among residents of Samsun province.

Unidentified assailants shot dead Ozturk and his wife in their house at about 03:30 a.m. on Thursday.

Ozturk who had three children, was elected as the Taflan Mayor in general and local elections on April 18, 1999 as the candidate of the True Path Party (DYP).

[17] PARRIS, U.S. AMBASSADOR TO TURKEY, IN BATMAN (2):

Parris visited Muzaffer Erkan, Director of Batman Security Department.

At the meeting, Erkan briefed Parris on terrorist organizations PKK and Hezbollah.

Later, Parris partook in a luncheon hosted in honor of him by the Batman Bar Association.

Addressing the luncheon, Parris said, ''as you know, I arrived in this region last Sunday. I have covered a lot of ground since, both literally and figuratively. I have spent a couple of days in Van. I have been in Hakkari, part of Bitlis and Sirnak. In every community I have visited, I have had the opportunity to meet with governors, mayors, business people, university professors, students, soldiers, displaced persons, and occasionally lawyers. It has been a very intense and informative week. I will not even try to sort out definitively all the impressions I have gathered, all the things I have seen, all the stories I have heard.''

''This trip would not have been possible a year ago. In all honesty, my security people probably would have objected had I even suggested it. What I have seen since arriving in Van last Sunday is that the security situation has changed dramatically in the southeast in a very short time. It is possible for the first time in many years to hope that this region's nightmare of terror is drawing to a close,'' he said.

Parris noted, ''with that hope comes the opportunity to reestablish conditions under which, as President Bill Clinton said in his historic address to Turkish Parliament last November, it will be possible for the citizens of the southeast to reclaim what he called 'that most basic birthrights, a normal life'. I am therefore encouraged by indications that appropriate elements of the Turkish government are beginning to consider what the improvement in the security situation here should mean for this region and the way it is administered. ''

He said, ''this review of the Emergency Rule Region (OHAL) regime comes, as you know, in the context of important steps by Turkey's 57th government over the past year to address long-standing issues relating to the expansion of democracy and individual liberties. This process is important in terms of Turkey's own identity, and its prospects for reconciling definitively the tensions arising from its turbulent history.''

Parris added, ''as Turkey's friend of 50 years' standing, a country that was with Turkey in its long battle against terror, and as Turkey's strategic partner today, the U.S. wants to support in any way we can your country's efforts to put behind you the divisions of the past and to move into the next century in circumstances under which all Turkey's citizens can enjoy the benefits of peace, and of the rights guaranteed them under Turkish Law. We cannot tell you how to do that. This is something that Turkey's citizens and their elected representatives will have to work out. But our own democratic experience convinces us that organizations like this one, other bar associations throughout Turkey, and NGO's focusing on various relevant issues, can and should play an important role in the debate.''

[18] NATIONAL DEFENSE MINISTRY'S FOREIGN SUPPLY TENDERS

The notice for the tender in question was published in Friday's Official Gazette.

In accordance with the notice, the tender will take place at 02:00 p.m. on July 12, 2000 at the Ministry's building in Ankara.

The companies interested in the tender can obtain the specifications at the Ministry's bureaus in Ankara, Istanbul and Izmir, and Armed Forces Attache's Office in Washington, London, Paris, Rome, Tokyo, Ottowa, Madrid, Budapest and Koblenz.

The deadline for submitting bids is July 12, 2000.

The equipment demanded by the Ministry is as follows:

''3 Engine T 701C (2840-01-284-4011/6071T24G01),

2 Cold Section Mdl.(2840-01-284-4013/6071T25G01),

3 Hot Section Mdl.(2840-01-284-2661/5066T45G01),

3 Turbine Rotor Assy (2840-01-444-7756/6082T04G03),

1 Air Cleaner Intake (2945-01-304-4306/6071T53G01),

1 Blower, Air Barrier (4140-01-128-6846/6034T62P13),

2 Bushing, Sleeve (3120-01-312-4857/4082T91P02),

2 Clamp (5340-01-092-3563/4042T36P02),

1 Power Turbine (2840-01-286-1909/6071T26G01)''

[19] U.S. PRESIDENT CLINTON:

President Clinton who is currently in Germany on an official visit, received the Charlemagne Prize for his contributions to European peace and unity.

Addressing the award ceremony, President Clinton stressed that all democratic countries should be included in unification of Europe.

Emphasizing that Turkey's membership would be beneficial for Southeastern Europe, President Clinton noted that it would also make an important contribution to solutions of the Cyprus question and problems between Turkey and Greece.

Stressing that there were still unsolved problems in Europe, President Clinton added that Southeastern Europe should become a permanent part of Europe and that Russia should be included in the EU.

[20] TREASURY CASH PREJECTIONS AND BORROWING PROGRAMME

According to the Treasury Undersecretariat's Cash Projections and Borrowing Programme, the total revenues on cash-basis in May was 2 quadrillion 759.3 trillion TL while the non-interest spendings totalled 1 quadrillion 802 trillion TL according to temporary statistics, and the non-interest surplus became 957.3 trillion TL.

The deficit in cash balance became 1 quadrillion 103.6 trillion TL after an interest payment of 2 quadrillion 60.8 trillion TL (2 quadrillion 236.1 trillion TL including interest tax).

Meanwhile, the total principal payment in May became 2 quadrillion 684.5 trillion TL including 195.3 trillion TL external debt and 2 quadrillion 489.2 trillion TL domestic debt.

The total external and domestic debt service became 4 quadrillion 745.3 trillion TL (4 quadrillion 920.6 trillion TL including interest tax).

The total borrwing in May through tenders became 2 quadrillion 720.1 trillion TL.

Meanwhile, the cash balance deficit in April-May 2000 period was 3 quadrillion 430.7 trillion TL, and had been 7 quadrillion 977.4 trillion TL in the first five months of the year.

[21] FOREIGN MINISTRY UNDERSECRETARY LOGOGLU DUE TO IRAQ AND JORDAN

Issuing a written statement, the Foreign Ministry said on Friday that Logoglu would pay an official visit to Iraq between June 4-7 as guest of Nuri Ismail Alweis, the Senior Undersecretary of Iraqi Foreign Ministry.

Logoglu will visit Jordan between June 8 and 10 as the official guest of Shaher Bak, the Secretary General of Jordanese Foreign Ministry.

His contacts are expected to focus on bilateral relations, regional and international issues.

[22] TURKISH-ITALIAN COOPERATION IN TOURISM

TUSIAD issued a statement on Friday, saying that the representatives of TUSIAD, Turkish Tourism Associations, CONFINDUSTRIA and Italian Tourism Associations had held a meeting in Italy on May 30 within framework of the ''Turkey-Italy New Bridge'' project.

The sides discussed strengthening of tourism relations between Turkey and Italy, investment projects in tourism and encouragement of joint initiatives were discussed in the meeting during which the tourism associations presented their projects to this end.

The sides stressed the importance of development of economic relations between Turkey and Italy and improvement of dialogue among the sectors including especially tourism.

The representatives will convene again in autumn in Istanbul.

[23] SOCCER TEAMS OF GAZIANTEP AND SYRIA TO PLAY FRIENDLY MATCH

Staging a press conference, Gaziantep Deputy Governor Ahmet Buyukcelik said there was a sincere cooperation between Turkey and Syria, two neighboring countries which shared same history, geography and culture.

Stressing that the ''Adana Agreement'' which had been signed on October 20, 1998 was a turning point for development of relations between Turkey and Syria, Buyukcelik said, ''a 50-person Syrian group will enter Turkey on June 5 from Kilis Oncupinar. At the border gate, we will receive our guests and bring them to historical and touristic sites in Gaziantep. The Syrian football team and our team comprising of professional players of Gaziantep will play a friendly match on June 6. Our guests will leave Turkey on June 7.''

[24] YILMAZ OF ANAP MEETS WITH HIS SENIOR AIDES

Yilmaz met with his senior aides.

Addressing journalists following the meeting, Yilmaz recalled that the Parliamentary Investigation Commission decided not to refer him to the Constitutional Court.

He told reporters, ''I will be pleased to do whatever necessary if I am asked to give testimony. I defend that every state officials should account for their deeds. I am obliged to accont for all my deeds.''

[25] PRESIDENT DENKTAS OF TRNC:

Issuing a written statement, President Denktas criticized Greece and Greek Cypriot side for their insistence on referring to some U.N. resolutions.

Stressing that the Turkish side did not accept most of the United Nations resolutions which recognize the Greek Cypriot side as the legal Cypriot government, President Denktas said, ''the Greek Cypriot administration is not the legal Cypriot government. There has been no legal government representing the whole island, on Cyprus for 37 years.''

''The legal Cypriot government was formed as a partnership government in 1960. But it was destroyed as a result of massacres carried out by Greece and the Greek Cypriot side under the title of Enosis. Both communities on the island have been administering themselves for 37 years. The Greek Cypriot side's tricks, its claims to be the legal Cypriot government, might be deceiving the world. But this cannot make them the government. They cannot reach anywhere by using resolutions we have never accepted,'' Denktas added.

[26] EXPORTS INCREASE 10.5 PERCENT ON MAY

According to the data of the Assembly of Turkish Exporters (TIM), the amount of exports was 2 billion 292.4 million U.S. dollars in May.

The total exports in May 1999 had been 2 billion 75.4 million U.S. dollars.

The total exports in January-May 2000 period increased 4.2 percent to 11 billion 90.9 million U.S. dollars compared to same period in 1999.

The total exports in the first five months of 1999 had been 10 billion 642.2 million U.S. dollars.

The sectoral breakdown of exports in May 1999 and 2000 according to the TIM statistics are as follows:

MAY

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