Anadolu Agency: News in English, 00-07-27

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ANADOLU AGENCY

NEWS

27 JULY 2000

Thursday

CONTENTS

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

[02] IN FIRST SIX MONTHS, 15.1 MILLION U.S. DOLLARS OF FRESH FRUITS AND VEGETABLES EXPORTED FROM GAP REGION

[03] NATIONAL DEFENSE MINISTER CAKMAKOGLU TO ATTEND FARMBOROUGH AVIATION AND ARMS FAIR IN BRITAIN

[04] SPORTS - SOCCER -EUROPEAN CHAMPIONS LEAGUE -SECOND QUALIFYING ROUND MATCHES FINALIZED

[05] STATE MINISTER ONAL SAYS THEY WANT TO MAKE BANKS UNDER TMSF PART OF FINANCIAL SYSTEM AGAIN

[06] SECURITY FORCES IMPOUND 89.5 KG OF HEROIN IN BASKALE

[07] TUNNEL AT BERGAMA PRISON -JUSTICE MINISTER TURK: ''I HOPE THOSE 75 INMATES WOULD NOT PERSIST IN THEIR MEANINGLESS RESISTANCE''

[08] 3,5 MILLION TURKS LIVE ABROAD

[09] SECURITY FORCES CAPTURE 93 ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS

[10] KAYSERI FIRM SELLS 3,000 KILOS OF POWDERED DRINK-MIX TO TAHITI

[11] SECOND ROUND OF PEACE MONITORING MEETING HELD IN ANKARA

[12] BERLIN STATE PRIME MINISTER DIEPGEN HOLDS MEETING OVER DONATION TO GOLYAKA MUNICIPALITY FOR QUAKE SURVIVORS

[13] ISRAEL FINANCE AND INFRASTRUCTURE MINISTRIES PUT OUT AD ON INTERNET TO FORM LIST OF FIRMS INTERESTED IN WATER PURCHASE FROM TURKEY

[14] ECEVIT RECEIVES REPRESENTATIVES OF KOSOVO TURKISH REPRESENTATIVE COUNCIL

[15] JUSTICE MINISTER TURK SAYS PERSONAL RIGHTS OF JUDGES, PROSECUTORS AND PRISON PERSONNEL WILL BE RECOVERED AS OF JANUARY 1, 2001

[16] TURKEY REPAYS 571.7 MILLION U.S. DOLLARS IN FOREIGN DEBT BETWEEN JULY 3-26

[17] FOREIGN EXCHANGE RESERVES OF CENTRAL BANK DECREASE BY 589 MILLION U.S. DOLLARS

[18] FOREIGN MINISTER CEM: -''WE ARE NOT PLEASED WITH SOME DEVOLEPMENTS IN KOSOVO AFTER THE UNITED NATIONS MISSION WAS FORMED''

[19] TURKISH TEAM WIN THREE SILVER AND ONE BRONZE MEDALS AT INTERNATIONAL MATHEMATICS OLYMPIAD

[20] MEETINGS BETWEEN WORLD BANK AND PRIVATIZATION ADMINISTRATION DIRECTORATE CONTINUES

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

ISRAEL TAKES CONCRETE STEP FOR MANAVGAT
Israel intensified works to purchase water from Turkey. Following the collapse of Middle East peace talks in Camp David, Israel focused all its attention on the barganing it will have with Turkey in the coming days. Israel Finance and Infrastructure Ministry called on the Israeli firms to propose biddings for the project. In the annoncement made on the internet, it was stated that Israel wants to make a list of the firms which will run the project which includes purchase of the water, its transfer to Israel and its distribution in the country.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

IMPORT TO MISS ITS TARGET BY 2 BILLION U.S. DOLLARS
Noting that the economic programme had a negative effect on foreign trade, State Minister Tunca Toskay said priority should be given to export in 2001. Toskay said they had earlier targeted export rate as 28.3 and the import as 46 billion U.S. dollars. Toskay stated that Turkey will reach its targeted export rate but the import, by the end of 2001, will be over 48 billion U.S. dollars.

SABAH (LIBERAL)

DARK NIGHTS AHEAD
The government after suspending the nuclear energy, has taken some economy measures. The government is targeting to save 5 billion kwh of electricity as a part of these measures. Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit prepared a circular for government offices asking them to use electricity more economically. The Energy Ministry is also trying to lead people and the private sector to economize.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

FEMALE STUDENTS MORE SUCCESSFUL AT UNIVERSITY EXAMS
According to the results of the University Entrance Exam (OSS), 74.6 percent of the female students who took the test achieved to pass the test. Buket Avci, a female student, also got the highest score at the test. The rate is 66.5 percent in male students. The test papers of 55 candidates were declared invalid for cheating or violating examination rules.

RADIKAL (LEFT)

YENI BINYIL (LIBERAL)

GOVERNMENT TO ASSIST TRNC
Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said, ''recently, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) has encountered some economic difficulties because of the unjust embargo imposed on the TRNC. State Ministers Recep Onal and Sukru Sina Gurel have launched the necessary initiatives. The Central Bank is also interested in the TRNC's economic problems. In fact, the TRNC has a dynamic economy as a result of Turkey's contributions. I believe that the TRNC would overcome these distressing difficulties.''

UNITED NATIONS ''COCKTAIL'' FOR CYPRUS
The second phase of the third round of Cyprus proximity talks are continuing in Geneva, Switzerland. The United Nations officials are evaluating responses of President Rauf Denktas of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) and by Glafcos Clerides, the leader of the Greek Cypriot administration, to proposals submitted by Alvaro de Soto, the Special Representative of United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan to Cyprus, during the first phase of the third round of proximity talks. Officials said that the United Nations' evaluation was expected to be conveyed to President Denktas and Clerides on Thursday. Meanwhile, the Greek press claimed that the United Nations was working on a plan that could be described as a ''cocktail''.

TURKIYE (RIGHT)

PRESIDENT SEZER RECEIVES ZEUGMA DELEGATION
President Ahmet Necdet Sezer received 15-member Zeugma Initiative Group delegation including Erkan Mumcu, the Tourism Minister. At the meeting, President Sezer pledged to expend support for the completion of works aiming at saving historical artifacts in ancient Zeugma site which will remain under waters of Briceki Dam in coming months.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

[02] IN FIRST SIX MONTHS, 15.1 MILLION U.S. DOLLARS OF FRESH FRUITS AND VEGETABLES EXPORTED FROM GAP REGION

In the same period last year, the region exported 12 million 719 thousand U.S. dollars of fresh fruits and vegetables.

Officials at the Southeastern Anatolia Exporters' Union, told the A.A correspondent on Thursday that the majority of the goods were exported to the European Union (EU) member countries, Iraq, Azerbaijan, Romania and Turkmenistan.

[03] NATIONAL DEFENSE MINISTER CAKMAKOGLU TO ATTEND FARMBOROUGH AVIATION AND ARMS FAIR IN BRITAIN

Cakmakoglu landed at Heathrow Airport at 9.15 p.m. and he was met by a representative of the British Defense Ministry and Turkish Embassy Undersecretary Mehmet Aktan and other authorities at the airport.

On Thursday, Cakmakoglu will visit International Aviation and Arms Fair at Farmborough town which is two hours away from London. Farmborough is considered to be the birth place of British aviation.

Cakmakoglu will have a meeting with his British counterpart Geoff Hoon at the fair. Later, he will attend the meeting where A400, which is called ''the plane of the future'', will be promoted.

He is also expected to get together with the defense ministers of countries who are represented at A400 meeting.

Cakmakoglu will return home on July 28, Friday.

[04] SPORTS - SOCCER -EUROPEAN CHAMPIONS LEAGUE -SECOND QUALIFYING ROUND MATCHES FINALIZED

The second leg matches will be played on August 2.

Results of the first leg matches of the second qualifying round area as follows:

BESIKTAS (Turkey) v PFC Levski Sofia (Bulgaria): 1-0

Shaktar Donetsk (Ukraine) v Levadia Maardu (Estonia): 4-1

SK Slavia Prague (Czech Republic) v FC Shamkir (Azerbaijan): 1-0

Brondby IF (Denmark) v KR Reykjavik (Iceland): 3-1

Zimbru Kisinev (Moldova) v NK Maribor Banik (Slovenia): 2-0

Helsinborgs IF (Sweden) v Bate Borisov (Belarus): 0-0

Haka Valkeakoska (Finland) v ASK Inter Bratislava (Slovakia): 0-0

Glasgow Rangers (Scotland) v FBK Kaunas (Lithuania): 4-1

FC Shelbourne (Ireland) v Rosenborg BK Torndheim (Norway): 1-3

Anderlecht (Belgium) v Anorthosis Famagusta (Greek Cypriot side): 4-2

FK Kizilyildiz Belgrad (Yugoslavia) v Torpedo Kutaisi (Georgia): 4-0

HNK Hajduk Split (Croatia) v Dunaferr SE (Hungary): 0-2

SK Sturm Graz (Austria) v Hapoel Tel-Aviv (Israel): 3-0

Dinamo Bucharest (Romania) v KP Polonia Warsaw (Poland): 3-4

[05] STATE MINISTER ONAL SAYS THEY WANT TO MAKE BANKS UNDER TMSF PART OF FINANCIAL SYSTEM AGAIN

Onal noted that counseling firm McKinsey prepared a pre-report on the banks. ''We will get the definite report by the beginning of August,'' he said. ''Later, we will discuss it with the Treasury and the Central bank. We want to agree on a proposal which we can present to the Ministers Council. The findings in the report will constitute the base for our studies. After receiving the report's results, we will arrive at a solution. Right now we are not considering to unite or privatize all three of htem. It is more likely to bring a few of these banks together which have similar structures and introduce them back to the system.''

Onal said their efforts to restructure the insurance system are continuing.

Dwelling on the banking crisis in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), Onal said such problems are likely to happen until a new banking law is passed in the TRNC.

''Cyprus is important for us. It is important to make the financial system operating in the TRNC. We are doing our best. But the legal infrastructure regarding the inspection and regulations of the financial sector in TRNC should be better formed. The administration should also need better organization. When all these take place, the banking in the TRNC will be very different than what it is today.''

The global economic crisis in 1998 had a negative effect on Turkish economy, Onal noted. ''But all these have been left behind. There is a revitalization in the real sector.''

''There are big developments in export and tourism. With or without the disinflation programme, Turkey's expectations depend on two major sources; tourism and export. What is important is to produce good quality products with reasonable prices and introduce them into the export markets. The third point is to draw foreign currency to Turkey.''

[06] SECURITY FORCES IMPOUND 89.5 KG OF HEROIN IN BASKALE

Acting on a tip-off, security forces launched an operation in Guroluk village in Baskale township, and raided several houses in the village.

They confiscated 89.5 kg of heroin, one Kalashnikow rifle and a hand gun.

A total of four people were taken into custody in the operation.

Meanwhile, gendarmerie units confiscated 2,328 roots of indian hemp in Kayabogazi Yapili hamlet in Catak township of Van province.

The indians hemps were incinerated.

Investigations into the drugs are underway.

[07] TUNNEL AT BERGAMA PRISON -JUSTICE MINISTER TURK: ''I HOPE THOSE 75 INMATES WOULD NOT PERSIST IN THEIR MEANINGLESS RESISTANCE''

Turk visited Fatih Sinanyagsal, the Acting Governor of Bolu.

Sinanyagsal briefed Turk on the latest situation in the province in the wake of the massive earthquake which hit the region on November 12, 1999.

Addressing journalists following the meeting, Turk said, ''as you know, a 105-meter tunnel at the Bergama prison. 75 inmates who are members of an illegal organization, gathered in a ward at the prison. A general search has not been carried out yet at Bergama prison after discovery of the tunnel. I hope those 75 inmates would not persist in their meaningless resistance. We have to carry out the general search. Inmates damaged the prison building. The prison also suffered damage during the intervention of the security forces. We want problems to be solved without unpleasant developments.''

When recalled that the illegal Revolutionary People's Liberation Party- Front (DHKP-C) had sent statements to some deputies, Turk told reporters, ''I have not received such a statement. But these organizations send such statements frequently both from Turkey and abroad.''

Responding to another question, Turk said that such statements were coming mainly from Belgium and Britain.

[08] 3,5 MILLION TURKS LIVE ABROAD

According to the data provided by the State Planning Organization, there are 3 million 462,000 Turks who are living abroad including the duel citizens. 3 million 131,000 of them which is 90 percent are living in European countries. A total of 131,000 Turks are living in the Middle Eastern or in North African countries while the rest reside in Russia, Turkish Republics, the United States, Canada, Japan and other countries.

The figures of the United Nations show that the number of Turkish citizens living abroad is over the populations of 58 countries such as Lebanon, Kuwait, Letonia, Macedonia, Slovenia and Panama. It is equal to the populations of Singapore and Armenia.

The number of Turks living abroad is more than the total populations of Iceland, Luxembourg, Malta, Bahrain, Brunei, Komor Islands and Qatar.

[09] SECURITY FORCES CAPTURE 93 ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS

The immigrants including 74 Iraqis and 19 Afghans, were taken into custody for violating the Turkish borders and the passport law.

Officials told the A.A correspondent that the illegal immigrants would be deported once the legal proceedings are completed.

[10] KAYSERI FIRM SELLS 3,000 KILOS OF POWDERED DRINK-MIX TO TAHITI

Meysan Foreign Trade Director Haci Buyukyilmaz told A.A correspondent that Meysan produces 25 different types of powdered drink-mix every year and exports ten percent of it.

He noted that firms which aim to increase their shares in the foreign markets discover many new countries on the internet.

''During January-July period we exported 100,000 kilos of powdered drink- mix with fruit aroma to Greece, Germany, Britain, Norway, Bulgaria, the United States, Canada, Suudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Yemen, and Algeria which is worth of 200,000 U.S. dollars. We are targeting to increase our yearly export to 250,000 kilos by the end of this year.''

''We recently sold 3,000 kilos of powdered drink-mix to Tahiti and we had a contract with them to sell 15,000 kilos by the end of this year,'' he stated.

[11] SECOND ROUND OF PEACE MONITORING MEETING HELD IN ANKARA

Feridun Sinirlioglu, the Deputy Director General of the Middle East Department of Foreign Ministry; Mustafa Ziya, the Representative of the Turcoman Front to Ankara; Safeen Dizai from KDP; Shazad Saib from PUK; and representatives of British and the U.S. embassies were in attendance at the meeting.

Addressing journalists following the meeting, Saib said that the talks had focused on the issue ''free transit''.

He noted that the problem was solved in a short period.

The Peace Monitoring Group had convened last week.

At the meeting, it was decided to redeploy the Peace Monitoring Force in Koysancak region that is under control of Jalal Talabani, the leader of KDP.

The Group was scheduled to reconvene on Tuesday, but the meeting was postponed due to Talabani's visit to Turkey.

The group meetings were attributed importance in regard to revival of the Ankara Process.

[12] BERLIN STATE PRIME MINISTER DIEPGEN HOLDS MEETING OVER DONATION TO GOLYAKA MUNICIPALITY FOR QUAKE SURVIVORS

Noting that people in Berlin started a big aid campaign following last year's disastrous earthquake, Diepgen said the Berlin Interior Ministry and the Turkish Consulate together started the ''Berlin helps Golyaka'' campaign. Berlin fire and police departments, Berlin Turkish Community (TGB), and many firms and hospitals played an important role in this initiative, he added. Diepgen said they have sent rescue teams right after the earthquake and saved lives and tried to ease people's pain by sending medicine and other equipment.

Turkish Ambassador in Germany Tugay Ulucevik who also spoke at the meeting said they are grateful to Germany for the financial assistance they provided for quake survivors. He noted that Germany has the biggest share in the foreign donations sent to Turkey.

[13] ISRAEL FINANCE AND INFRASTRUCTURE MINISTRIES PUT OUT AD ON INTERNET TO FORM LIST OF FIRMS INTERESTED IN WATER PURCHASE FROM TURKEY

In the ad, the interested firms were asked to provide the necessary information about the number of tankers they have, and prices they require for the purchase, transfer and unloading of the water. The ad included no statement about a possible tender.

The ad stressed that Israel is experiencing a water shortage and different solutions are being considered to solve the problem. ''One of them is to import water from Manavgat river'', it was stated. ''The ministries are considering the possibility of potable water import from Turkey. The firms will purchase water from Turkey, load it in Manavgat, transfer and unload it in Israel. This process will be based on the conditions and the rules of a declaration which will be signed between the Turkish and Israeli governments.'' One or more than one firm might participate in the process.

The amount of water which Israel will buy from Turkey was announced as 50 million cubicmeters. It was also stated that this amount might increase 40 million cubicmeters or decrease 25 million cubicmeters depending on the developments.

''The purchase will start in July 2001 and it will last for five years and it can be extended,'' it was stated.

The firms were asked to present their bids latest by August 15.

A high level delegation from Israel had had meetings with the Turkish Energy and Natural Resources Ministry about the water purchase in July.

[14] ECEVIT RECEIVES REPRESENTATIVES OF KOSOVO TURKISH REPRESENTATIVE COUNCIL

During the meeting at the Prime Ministry building, the representatives asked for Turkey's support to overcome the difficulties faced in usage of Turkish.

Ferhat Dervis from the Kosovo Turkish Representative Council told reporters that they have received the support they needed from Ecevit. ''There is a lot we can do through Turkey's support,'' he added.

[15] JUSTICE MINISTER TURK SAYS PERSONAL RIGHTS OF JUDGES, PROSECUTORS AND PRISON PERSONNEL WILL BE RECOVERED AS OF JANUARY 1, 2001

Turk who is visiting Duzce had a meeting with governor Fikret Guven who briefed him about Duzce's problems. Guven said Duzce has recently upgraded from township to the status of province and said they need the government's support to solve problems which were results of this change and also problems which the earthquake has caused. Turk responded by saying that the government will continue to work to ease the difficulties.

Turk also noted that they will add an article to the Turkish Penal Code to clarify the responsibility and punishment of those who cause deaths during natural disasters such as earthquakes.

When asked about the draft law foreseeing an increase in wages of judges, prosecutors and prison personnel, Turk said they will present the draft to the Prime Ministry as a decree having the power of law and it will take effect as of January 1, 2001.

[16] TURKEY REPAYS 571.7 MILLION U.S. DOLLARS IN FOREIGN DEBT BETWEEN JULY 3-26

The Central Bank data shows that the Treasury repaid 374.7 million U.S. dollars; the Central Bank repaid 123.4 million U.S. dollars; the administrations with general and annexed budgets repaid 57.8 million U.S. dollars in foreign debt between July 3-26.

Meanwhile, a total of 5 billion 796.4 million U.S. dollars of foreign debt has been repaid since the beginning of the year.

[17] FOREIGN EXCHANGE RESERVES OF CENTRAL BANK DECREASE BY 589 MILLION U.S. DOLLARS

The Central Bank data shows that the foreign exchange reserves, which fell by 589 million U.S. dollars between July 14 and 21, decreased to 24 billion 114 million U.S. dollars on July 21.

The Central Bank's foreign exchange reserves were 24 billion 703 million U.S. dollars on July 14.

Meanwhile, according to the June 7-based statistics, Turkey's total international gross reserves decreased 4 million U.S. dollars to 38 billion 793 million U.S. dollars between June 30 and July 7.

The international gross reserves of Turkey were 38 billion 797 million U.S. dollars on June 30.

As of June 30, Turkey's international reserves were composed of 1 billion 10 million U.S. dollars in gold reserves; 24 billion 336 million U.S. dollars in the Central Bank's foreign exchange reserves; and 13 billion 446 million U.S. dollars in the commercial banks' foreign exchange reserves.

-4TH EURASIA ISLAM COUNCIL'S MEETING -BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA CARDINAL
POLIC:''ISLAM SHOULD BE ADJUSTED ACCORDING TO THE TIME''
SARAJEVO - Bosnia-Herzegovina cardinal Linka Polic said Islam should be adjusted according to the time. ''Islam cannot meet today's needs with its earliest state,'' he said.

At the 4th Eurasia Islam Council's meeting, the attendees discussed the ways that need to be followed to create dialogue and atmosphere of tolerance among religions.

Prof. Niyazi Oktem from Bilgi University who spoke at the meeting said in this dialogue there will be no effort to invite people of different faiths to your religion or to melt all religions in one pot. ''Dialogue among different religions is an effort to speak, discuss and search for cooperation while preserving all differences. During this process, the common points rather than the differences should be emphasized and clergymen have important responsibilities to realize this.''

Bosnia-Herzegovina cardinal Linka Polic said their biggest goal is to increase dialogue among different religions, and maintain peace and stability in Bosnia-Herzegovina. ''In this geography, many Muslims and Christians have lived together for years and they respected to each other's believes.''

Drawing attention to the war which took place in the region a few years ago, Polic said the war was not caused by religion. Other countries sent military forces to maintain peace in the area, Polic said and added that there is no longer need for these forces as the people living in the region can achieve peace through dialogue.

Expressing his views on Islam, Polic said Islam should be adjusted according to the needs of the time. ''Islam, with its first state, cannot meet today's needs.''

Hemenja Drazic Bosnia-Herzegovina Orthodox Church who spoke after Polic said the technology has developed and the world has shrunk facilitating dialogue among religions.

Yakop Finci who spoke on behalf of the Jewish Community in Bosnia- Herzegovina said both sides lost the war and all television channels broadcast it as a ''war of religions'' a few years ago. Finci said the war had nothing to do with religion and added that religion has always been used as a tool by politics all throughout the history.

Islam Association Chairman Muammer Zukorlic also said religion should be kept apart from politics. He also noted that increasing of dialogue among Muslims in the Balkans was very important.

Religious Affairs Directorate Chairman Mehmet Nuri Yilmaz will hold a press conference about the meeting on Friday.

[18] FOREIGN MINISTER CEM: -''WE ARE NOT PLEASED WITH SOME DEVOLEPMENTS IN KOSOVO AFTER THE UNITED NATIONS MISSION WAS FORMED''

Cem received representatives of Kosovo Turkish Representative Council and Turkish Democratic Association.

Addressing journalists following the meeting, Cem said, ''we held a very positive meeting. We exchanged views about future of Turkish population in Kosovo.''

Cem said, ''necessary attention is not been paying for rights of Turkish population in Kosovo. We are concerned that this might affect negatively the future of Kosovo.''

Noting that a considerable part of the population had already been excluded, Cem said, ''such developments may cause Kosovo to turn back into the previous negative atmophere from a place in which people with different ethnic background live in peace.''

Cem told reporters, ''we have done everything necessary. We held talks with the United Nations, the NATO and all relevant countries.''

He noted, ''I invited Bernard Kouchner, the Representative of United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan to Kosovo and Chairman of United Nations Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK), to Turkey. He will come to Turkey on Monday. We expect to reach a satisfactory result at the meetings with Kouchner.''

He added, ''Turkey has done its utmost against the ethnic cleansing campaign in Kosovo. It will continue to do its utmost in the future. The Foreign Ministry has two communication bureaus in Pristina and Prizren. I paid a visit to Kosovo previously. In coming days, I will go To Kosovo again.''

[19] TURKISH TEAM WIN THREE SILVER AND ONE BRONZE MEDALS AT INTERNATIONAL MATHEMATICS OLYMPIAD

Releasing a statement, the Scientific and Technical Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK) said on Thursday that Ahmet Cetintas from Private Samanyolu Scientific High School, Alp Simsek from Izmir Scientific High School, and Mehmet Bumin Yenmez from Private Yamanlar High School won silver medals while Serhat Sevki Dincer from Kayseri Scientific High School won bronze medal.

Students from 82 countries participated in the 41st International Mathematics Olympiad.

-NATIONAL DEFENSE MINISTER CAKMAKOGLU IN FARNBOROUGH -''TURKEY'S INTENTION
TO PARTICIPATE IN A-400 TRANSPORTATION PLANE PROJECT AS A JOINT PRODUCER
WILL BE ANNOUNCED TODAY''
LONDON - National Defense Minister Sabahattin Cakmakoglu said that Turkey will announce its intention to participate in the A-400 transportation plane project as a joint producer on Thursday.

Cakmakoglu started his two day contacts in Farnborough aviation fair in Britain on Thursday morning. Cakmakoglu had a meeting with British Defense Minister Geoff Hoon during which they discussed possibilities in defense cooperation and the principles which need to be considered in cooperation.

Cakmakoglu said he and Hoon agreed that Turkey, besides being a buyer, Turkey is capable of participating in common initiatives with other countries.

One of the points of discussion during his meeting with Hoon was European Security and Defense Identity. Hoon said he found Turkey's views reasonable and added that they will always adopt a constructive attitude on this matter.

Speaking about ''Plane of the Future A-400'' project which constitutes the main reason for Cakmakoglu's visit, he said Turkey's intention to be one of the seven producers of the plane will be announced on Thursday in the common declaration of the countries.

Turkey's participation with a certain amount of share in the consortium formed by France, Italy, Britain, Germany, Spain and Belgium is pivotal, Cakmakoglu said and noted that 26 A-400 planes will join the Turkish Air Forces Fleet.

Some parts of the plane will be manufactured at Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) facilities, Cakmakoglu said and added that they hoped it will be a successful joint production. Turkey, by manufacturing these parts at TAI, will decrease the cost of 26 planes which it will buy.

Besides its financial profitability, Cakmakoglu noted, the project will help the Turkish plane industry to develop and it will also create employment.

[20] MEETINGS BETWEEN WORLD BANK AND PRIVATIZATION ADMINISTRATION DIRECTORATE CONTINUES

World Bank authorities held various meetings with Turkish authorities since July 20.

During a meeting at the Treasury on Thursday, it was stated that the World Bank will provide 70 percent of the financial support necessary for the project while Turkey supports it by 30 percent. World Bank authorities asked the Turkish side to take concrete steps to provide the 30 percent financial support expected from her.

The project is aiming to find employment and provide training for people who were negatively affected by the disinflation programme and in the agriculture field.

The meetings will continue next week.

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