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ANADOLU AGENCY

NEWS

22 NOVEMBER 2000 Wednesday

CONTENTS

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

[02] AMNESTY ISSUE BROUGHT ONTO THE AGENDA DURING 46TH JPC MEETING

[03] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT ADDRESSES HIS PARTY GROUP MEETING

[04] DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ RECEIVES ROTH

[05] IN FIRST TEN MONTHS, 114 MILLION U.S. DOLLARS

[06] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT: ''OUR ECONOMIC PROGRAMME

[07] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT:

[08] TEAR GAS GRENADES AND SPENT BULLETS FOUND IN BAGGAGE OF

[09] 46TH JPC MEETING ENDS

[10] 46TH JPC MEETING ENDS (2)

[11] TURKISH-RUSSIAN BUSINESS COUNCIL'S MEETING

[12] FOREIGN MINISTER CEM MEETS WITH HIS ISRAELI COUNTERPART BEN-AMI

[13] IMPORTANCE OF CONTINUATION OF TURKEY-EP DIALOGUE

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

TUSIAD SAYS IF WE GRANT AMNESTY FOR PEOPLE WHO EMPTIED BANKS'
COFFERS, ETHICAL VALUES OF SOCIETY WILL BE DAMAGED
Erkut Yucaoglu, the Chairman of the Turkish Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association (TUSIAD), said that they were against granting amnesty for the people who emptied the banks' coffers. ''The people who intervened in corruption cases shouldn't be sentenced to fine. We shouldn't make arrangements that encourage the corruption cases in Turkey,'' Yucaoglu stressed.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

LIFE TO STOP ON DECEMBER 1
All the workers and civil servants will go on strike throughout Turkey on December 1, the last day of the discussions on the budget of 2001. The Labour Platform asked all the civil servants and workers to go on strike on December 1. The Labour Platform Chairmanship Council will decide the type of the strike in the meeting it will hold in Ankara today.

SABAH (LIBERAL)

ALVIN TOFFLER SAYS TURKEY COULD BECOME A SILICON VALLEY
Alvin Toffler, prominent futurist, said Turkey could also become a silicon valley, adding that the key word for the future was producing information technologies. Toffler, who attended the Ninth Meeting of the National Quality Congress, noted that Turkey could become another Silicon Valley if it implemented the necessary reforms in the education system. New economic systems should be taught in the schools, said Toffler, adding that the curriculum of Turkish schools should be changed.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

OHAL FOR THE 41ST TIME
The Rule of Emergency (OHAL) in southeastern provinces of Diyarbakir, Hakkari, Sirnak and eastern Tunceli province was extended for four more months. The Parliamentary General Assembly adopted for the 41th time to extend the rule of emergency in Diyarbakir, Hakkari, Sirnak and Tunceli.

RADIKAL (LEFT)

GALATASARAY WINS ONE POINT
Galatasaray soccer club of Turkey which had qualified to the second tour in the European Champions League, drew with AC Milan soccer club of Italy 2-2. Jardel and Hasan Sas scored the goals of Galatasaray in the away match. The last minutes of the match were very tense.

YENİ BİNYIL (LIBERAL)

OCALAN'S SUPPORTERS STAGE PROTEST
The supporters of Abdullah Ocalan, the head of the terrorist organization, also attended the hearing that was held in Strasbourg, France, on Tuesday. The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) examined the application of lawyers of Ocalan in the hearing. Former members of the Democracy Party (DEP), Remzi Kartal, Zubeyir Aydar, Ali Yigit, Yasar Kaya, Nizamettin Toguc, former Diyarbakir Mayor Mehdi Zana, and Fatma Ocalan, the sister of Abdullah Ocalan, watched the hearing. The supporters of Ocalan staged a protest near the court hall.

TURKIYE (RIGHT)

ZIRAAT BANKASI TO BE PRIVATIZED
Osman Tunaboylu, the General Director of Ziraat Bankasi, said that the Ziraat Bankasi would be privatized in the coming four years. Tunaboylu noted they were aiming at restructuring the bank, and thus Ziraat Bankasi would be able to operate within the market conditions. Tunaboylu added that they prepared the necessary programmes for the privatization and the reconstruction process.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

CEM REACTS HARSHLY TO EU
Foreign Minister Ismail Cem said that the European Union (EU) behaves totally against the issues and statements it officially conveyed to Turkey. Cem noted that this situation leads to ''the breach of confidence'' in the EU. Noting that the EU membership is among the foreign policy priorities of Turkey, Cem said that the problems stemmed from presentation of some issues as ''political criteria'' today in spite of the fact that they had been accepted in Helsinki summit as part of a ''political dialogue''.

-EARTHQUAKE SHAKES CINARCIK
BURSA - Earthquake shook on Wednesday Cinarcik township in the Marmara Region.

The Bogazici University Kandilli Observatory Center and Seismology Institute said that the earthquake which was centered on Cinarcik township had a magnitude of 3.6 on the Richter scale.

The earthquake was also felt in Yalova and Gemlik and Orhangazi townships of Bursa province.

-FOREIGN MINISTER CEM LEAVES FOR ISRAEL
ANKARA - Foreign Minister Ismail Cem left on Wednesday for Israel.

Cem will pay a one-day visit to Israel upon the invitation of Israeli Foreign Minister Shlomo Ben-Ami.

Cem will exchange views about the developments regarding the Middle East peace process, and the latest situation in the region within the framework of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, during his contacts in Israel.

-TURKEY-EU 46TH JOINT COMMISSION MEETING CONTINUES IN ANTALYA
ANTALYA - The 46th meeting of Turkey-European Union(EU) Joint Parliamentary Comission (JPC) continues in southern Antalya province on Wednesday.

The technical and financial cooperation between Turkey and the EU and European Security and Defense Identity (ESDI) issues will be taken up in the second day of the meeting.

Adressing the meeting, Yasar Eryilmaz, a deputy of Motherland Party(ANAP), stressed that they demanded EU to demonstrate same level of generosity to Turkey with the other candidate countries, and said both sides would benefit from the accession of Turkey to the EU.

Eryilmaz added they were expecting to receive financial and technical support from the EU.

Eryilmaz who also pointed to the Cyprus issue which was included in the short term expectations part of the Accession Partnership Accord of Turkey, said the relations between Turkey and the EU couldn't improve with last minute changes.

Geoffrey Van Orden, the British parliamenter, and Mustafa Yaman, a deputy of Nationalist Movement Party(MHP) made presentations on ESDI.

Stressing that the rate of the old population in Europe was increasing, Yaman said Europe would be in need of the support of the Turkish army.

The JPC meeting will end on Wednesday with the press conferences of Kursat Eser, and Daniel Cohn-Bendit, the Co-Chairmans of the JPC.

-MIDDLE EAST PEACE PROCESS
-FOREIGN MINISTRY: ''AT THIS STAGE, TURKEY'S EFFORTS
TARGET AT STOPPING ONGOING VIOLENCE IN PALESTINE''
ANKARA - The Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday that at this stage, Turkey's efforts target at stopping the ongoing violence in Palestine. A statement of the Foreign Ministry regarding the Middle East peace process said that Turkey's efforts are intensified on the ensurement of an atmosphere which will enable starting of peace talks between the sides.

The statement noted that the press organs published or broadcast some news items saying that Turkey had a secret plan regarding the Middle East peace process in recent days.

The statement said, ''it is observed that some speculative publications and broadcastings regarding Jerusalem and Haram as Sharif are made in recent days.''

Turkey has several views and ideas about the Middle East peace process, the statement said.

The statement continued, ''at this stage, Turkey's efforts target at stopping the ongoing violence in Palestine and at ensuring an atmosphere which will enable starting of the peace talks between the sides. The contacts held with the Palestinian officials and other concerned countries during the 9th Organization for Islamic Conference (ICO) Summit in Doha, and Foreign Minister Ismail Cem's contacts with Israeli Foreign Minister and some European participants in the EUROMED meeting held in Marseille, served the same target.''

The statement added that one-day visit of Cem to Israel is the continuation of these efforts.

[02] AMNESTY ISSUE BROUGHT ONTO THE AGENDA DURING 46TH JPC MEETING

Ali Tekin, the Democratic Left Party (DSP) deputy to Adana, responded to the questions of Greek parliamentarians about the amnesty and Kurdish television broadcastings in Turkey on the second-day meetings, which was expected to focus on technical and financial cooperation and European Security and Defense Identity (ESDI).

Tekin said these two issues were on the agenda of Turkey, adding some changes that are in harmony with the EU standards are under discussion, yet they were not clarified.

Daniel Cohn-Bendit, the chairman of the European group of the JPC, claimed that amnesty law would not be influential enough unless its fails to cover articles 169 and 312.

Cohn-Bendit said it would not be meaningful if he forgives his friends, adding it would be meaningful if he forgives his enemies. Cohn-Bendit said an amnesty law, which will be issued without covering articles 169 and 312 may create new problems between Turkey and the European Parliament.

Referring to the speech of Foreign Minister Ismail Cem which he made on Tuesday during the opening of the JPC meeting, Cohn-Bendit said he could not know if he was a colony governor, adding he thought he was thinking universal.

Cohn-Bendit wanted Kursat Eser, the Co-Chairman of the Turkey group of the JPC, to convey his views about amnesty issue, regarding inclusion of articles 169 and 312 within the scope of amnesty law, to Devlet Bahceli, the leader of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) and the Deputy Prime Minister.

Eser, who responded to the statements of Cohn-Bendit, underlined that there was a confidence crisis between Turkey and the European Parliament, and noted that, ''where does the allegations regarding so-called genocide on Armenians take place in Turkish-EU relations? If those are simple and non- binding statements, then these should not be brought in front of us with some documents.''

Recalling that Turkey has important efforts on reforms, Eser said Bahceli, the MHP leader and Deputy Prime Minister, exerted efforts to improve Turkey and to open its ways.

[03] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT ADDRESSES HIS PARTY GROUP MEETING

Addressing his party group meeting, Ecevit said policy understanding of Turkish nation was based on honesty, and noted that reliability criterion was more valuable than Copenhagen criteria in international relations. Ecevit said Accession Partnership Accord, which the European Commission announced on November 8, created deep disappointment in him.

Ecevit said with this document, the EU violated the promise it gave to Turkey on Cyprus and the Aegean issue while granting the EU candidacy to Turkey during the Helsinki summit.

''This means that the EU deceived us. Moreover, both of these issues have vital importance for Turkey. There are concessions in both of these issues which we can never made. Our sensitivity on these issues are known by all the EU countries,'' he said.

Recalling his statement that it would be inevitable for Turkey to review its relations if the EU Commission and the Council fail to consider this sensitivity of Turkey, Ecevit said, ''as it began to realize this, the EU felt the need to postpone the talks regarding our Accession Partnership during the General Affairs Council meeting the previous day.''

Ecevit said, ''I hope the Council, which will convene again in the coming days, will reach a conclusion that is appropriate to Turkey's expectations on Cyprus and the Aegean issues. If they fail to do this, Turkey's reactions will not remain in words. However, I would like to point out that Turkey will not suspend its candidacy or give up its full membership by itself. If there are those who wish this, they should not dream in vain.''

[04] DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ RECEIVES ROTH

Yilmaz received Claudia Roth, the Chairman of German Parliamentary Human Rights Humanitarian Aid Commission, and accompanying delegation.

Yilmaz responded to questions of Journalists prior to the meeting.

When asked whether or not the letter of intent was discussed in yesterday's leaders summit, Yilmaz told reporters, ''we did not discuss letter of intent during yesterday's leaders summit. We assessed economy in general. Selcuk Demiralp, the Undersecretary of Treasury, and Gazi Ercel, the Governor of Central Bank, informed us on the recent developments in economy. We also discussed measures to be taken in economy.''

Responding to a question about amnesty, Yilmaz said, ''we are still assessing the draft prepared by the Justice Ministry. We did not take up the draft during the leaders summit.''

When asked, ''what are the issues in the draft that did not satisfy you?'' Yilmaz said, ''we have not satisfied with the issue of amnesty from the very beginning. We have always been reluctant on the issue. After other two coalitions partners agreed that the amnesty was necessary, we supported it not to damage harmony in the coalition government. Having regard to general expectations in the society, and harmony in the coalition, we maintain our support. In our point of view, forming gangs, bribery and corruption should be kept outside from amnesty. We do not oppose implementation of amnesty in the form of reduction of penalties.''

Yilmaz added that Roth and accompanying delegation came to Turkey to receive information about recent developments in Turkey in human rights.

-TURKISH-RUSSIAN BUSINESS COUNCIL'S EIGHTH JOINT MEETING
-STATE MINISTER CAY: ''TURKEY AND RUSSIA SHOULD NOT COMPETE WITH EACH
OTHER BUT THEY SHOULD ACT WITH A CONSENSUS WHICH AIMS AT JOINT
DEVELOPMENT''
ISTANBUL - State Minister Abdulhaluk Mehmet Cay said on Wednesday that Turkey and Russia should not compete with each other, but they should act with a consensus aimed at joint development. Making the opening remarks of the Turkish-Russian Business Council's Eighth Joint Meeting in Istanbul, Cay said that Turkey's policy towards the region was based on protection of interests and peace.

Recalling that Turkey was the first country that recognized the regional countries that were restructured after dissolution of the Soviet Union, Cay said that Turkey's political, social and economic relations had always been based on mutual respect and principle of equality.

State Minister Cay stressed that Turkey was ready to enter the Turkish Republics market together with Russia, and they wanted to see the same cooperation in the Turkish states' entering the Russian market. Cay said that this would contribute to efforts to bring the cooperation among the regional regions to the highest level.

Later, State Minister Rustu Kazim Yucelen, as the Co-Chairman of the Turkish-Russian Joint Economic Commission, gave information about the fifth term meeting that had been held between October 20-23.

Yucelen said that the most important issue foreseen by the protocol was that the mechanism for providing goods and service in return for purchase of natural gas from Russia would be re-activated.

Yucelen said that he believed a balanced increase in trade between Turkey and Russia would be provided with implementation of this decision.

Stating that the protocol also included Russia's ban on imports of leather from Turkey due to foot-and-mouth disease, Yucelen said that they had decided to hold a meeting between the Turkish and Russian officials to this end.

Yucelen added that the protocol also foresaw Turkey and Russia to extent every support and expend every effort for the opening of a Turkish Trade Center in Moscow in 2001.

Stating that talks on collection of overdue parts of the loans extended by the Turkish Eximbank to Russia with purchase of good and service would start in near future, Yucelen said that new loan sources would be extended as a result of rapid collection of overdue receivables.

Yucelen said that the protocol also included transportation issues which directly affected the commercial relations, and that they had requested the Russian side to lift restrictions on entrance documents at the Russian border gates.

Stressing that the economic infrastructures of Turkey and Russia were complementary, Yucelen said that this situation clearly proved that almost every sector had important potential to develop bilateral relations.

Yucelen stated that Turkey and Russia should focus on joint investments which could enable lasting and stable development in accordance with a long- term perspective instead of short-term commercial profits .

State Minister Yucelen added that in parallel to rapidly increasing commercial relations, the Turkish and Russian officials should immediately take necessary measures to ease the commercial relations by focusing on especially development of land and sea transportation and alternative transportation methods.

[05] IN FIRST TEN MONTHS, 114 MILLION U.S. DOLLARS

Officials at the Southeastern Anatolia Exporters' Union, told the A.A correspondent on Wedneday that in the first ten months of the year, they exported 38 million 952 thousand U.S. dollars in cotton thread; and 75 million 598 thousand U.S. dollars in synthetic thread.

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

[06] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT: ''OUR ECONOMIC PROGRAMME

Stating that the programme was supported by powerful financial sources, Ecevit said that these were the most concrete indicators of the reliance on the programme and the government's determination.

Ecevit said that the necessary decisions within framework of the programme would continue to be taken on time and without any deviation from the programme's target.

''The Banking and Regulatory and Supervision Board has taken necessary decisions for sound operation of the financial system. The banking system is going to have a sound financial structure that will serve the Turkish economy. With this respect, rumors stem from totally personal purposes of some circles should not be taken into consideration,'' he said.

Stressing that the entrepreneurs who had good intentions should not feel concern about the sanctions imposed on some corruptions, Ecevit added that the government had always supported those entrepreneurs and it would continue to do so.

[07] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT:

Pointing out that Turks were European for nearly 600 years, Ecevit said, ''Turkey has been a member of the Council of Europe since 1949, a member of NATO since 1952, and an associate member of the EU since 1963. It has been an associate member of the Western European Union since 1955. Turkey has Customs Union relations with the EU since March 6, 1995. It has been a candidate for the EU full membership since December 10, 1999. As Turkey is in multi-lateral and multi-dimensional relations with the EU, no force can separate or isolate Turkey from Europe or Europeanism.''

Stressing that the way of compromise which the EU wants on Cyprus would not be putting Turkish Cypriots under pressure and drag them under the sovereignty of Greek Cypriots, Ecevit said accepting the fact that there are two separate independent states on Cyprus would be the way for compromise.

Ecevit said the way to reach a fair solution for the Aegean problem would not be ''to bow to the caprices of Greece, but to direct them to a civilized dialogue with Turkey.''

Stressing that Turkey's history, today, and future could not be isolated from Europe or Europeanism, Ecevit said, ''Europe can not take Turkey under its control or frigthen it by tricks, pressures, impositions, or by supporting ethnic lobbies or separatist movements.''

Ecevit said ignorant statements were made in the European Parliament against Turkey, and noted they dared to accuse Turkish Army, which is the guarantee of peace on Cyprus as ''occupiers''.

He said some of the spokespersons of the European Parliament dare to make Corsica and Basque resemblances in respect of Turkey as they failed to understand that Turks and Kurds are an inseparable whole. Ecevit said they were in an effort to show our citizens, who are inseparable elements of the majority, as minority.

Prime Minister Ecevit said Turkish nation have their ears closed to such kind of nonsense, and stressed, ''Europeanism of the Turks does not have such nonsense.''

[08] TEAR GAS GRENADES AND SPENT BULLETS FOUND IN BAGGAGE OF

The X-ray machine detected spent tear gas grenades and spent bullets in the baggage of two Turkish journalists.

The journalists who were taken into custody for questioning, were later released.

Cem's arrival was delayed on instructions of the Israeli Shin Bet security service, and security measures were taken in premiership building.

Israeli Prime Ministry officials told A.A correspondent that they understood that the journalists did not target a terrorist attack, but that they aimed at showing the tear gas grenades and spent bullets to Foreign Minister Cem to say that, ''Israel uses those against Palestinians.''

Devrim Gurkan and Salih Yazici, the reporters of the TRT, and Hakan Denker, the journalist of the Hurriyet Daily, were the journalists.

Israeli officials apologized from the journalists saying the incident stemmed from a misunderstanding.

The journalists said they got the tear gas grenade and the spent bullets as a memento, adding there was panic although they gave information to security officials before they entered the Prime Ministry.

The journalists also denied the statement of the Israeli Prime Ministry regarding their testimony which alleged that ''they got the tear gas grenades and the spent bullets to show FM Cem what Israel used against the Palestinians.''

Cem-Barak meeting will take place in the evening.

Meanwhile, an Israeli official told A.A correspondent that they found Turkey's policy toward the peace process as extremely positive and balanced.

Foreign Minister Cem will exchange views about the developments in the Middle East peace process and the recent situation in the region within the framework of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

[09] 46TH JPC MEETING ENDS

Underlining that the concept of 'national sovereignty' changed during integration process in Europe, Cohn-Bendit said that democratic governments could make necessary changes.

Cohn-Bendit stressed that soldiers, an undemocratic group which was not elected, could not rule policies and changes.

Noting that the army's role had been withdrawn gradually, Cohn-Bendit said that this process would take time.

Referring to the issue of amnesty, Cohn-Bendit said that the amnesty law which Turkey planned to adopt, should include everyone.

Noting that Turkey had experienced difficult years in its struggle against terrorism, Cohn-Bendit told reporters that it was time to meet in a common ground after eradication of terrorism.

Cohn-Bendit said that the first of this meeting would be amnesty draft law, and gave the example of France's amnesty model in Algeria.

Referring to Foreign Minister Ismail Cem's speech at the meeting, Cohn- Bendit said that there were certain reasons for understandings saying that Europe had assumed a colonist attitude.

Noting that a number of countries had applied to the EU to become a full member, Cohn-Bendit said that the EU did have a framework including thousands of definitions.

''I realized how we offended Foreign Minister Cem and Turkish MPs with the issue of genocide on Armenians. I do apologize on behalf of our delegation. We did not aim at offending you. Most of the European Parliament thinks that a genocide on Armenians took place. Maybe we are right, maybe not. I want to reiterate my proposal to hold a symposium on genocide on Armenians with the participation of members of Turkish parliament, Armenian parliament and European Parliament,'' he said.

Referring to ''cultural rights'', Cohn-Bendit said that the European Parliament's opinions on the issue were clear.

He stressed that all minorities should protect their cultural identities.

Noting that they had assumed the same attitude not only for Kurds, but for minorities in everywhere, Cohn-Bendit said that all minorities should have the right to broadcast and publish in their own languages.

Cohn-Bendit asked what can be negative consequences of performing a theatre play in Kurdish language, stating that he could not understand this.''

Cohn-Bendit stressed that they wanted to see the National Plan which would be prepared by Turkey, and framework of reforms in Turkey.

Pointing out that they were welcomed by the Turkish delegation, Cohn-Bendit said that 'dialogue culture' had been developing between Turkey and the EU.

Noting that Turkey would become a full member of the EU in a way, Cohn- Bendit stressed that Turkey should make necessary reforms as soon as possible to shorten the process.

(To be continued)

[10] 46TH JPC MEETING ENDS (2)

Eser said there was an anti-Turkish atmosphere in the European Parliament since September 4, 2000, the time when the EP started its new legislation period. He said the JPC meeting was beneficial despite the negative atmosphere.

Mentioning the Morillon Report that was approved in the EP, Eser stressed that some elements included in the report cannot be accepted by Turkey.

Eser said, ''we do not accept the views regarded with the so-called genocide on Armenians, and inclusion of Cyprus in short-term objectives of the Accession Partnership Accord.'' Eser said Turkish-EU relations should be arranged in line with the decisions of Helsinki summit.

Responding to the views of Cohn-Bendit about the cultural rights, Eser said Turkey was exerting efforts for some reforms, and added, ''we favor individual rights and freedoms within the framework of Turkey's unitary structure.''

Eser said Turkey should get financial support like the other candidate countries during the EU membership process, and pointed out that financial facilities provided to Turkey was less when compared with the other candidate countries.

Disclosing his views about the European Security and Defense Indentity (ESDI), which was one of the agenda items of the JPC, Eser said Turkey supported the works on ESDI, yet noted that Turkey wants to preserve the acquisitions which it got before within the body of the NATO.

Recalling that Western European Union (WEU) would be abrogated next year, Eser said, ''thus, Turkey's acquisitions in WEU would end. We want to preserve our acquisitions in NATO.''

Eser said the 47th JPC meeting will take place in Brussels on May 1, 2001.

[11] TURKISH-RUSSIAN BUSINESS COUNCIL'S MEETING

Recalling that 350 billion cubic meters natural gas would be transported to Turkey in a 25-year period with the Blue Stream project, Klebanov said that the financial infrastructure was being formed.

Klebanov said that they welcomed the payment of natural gas delivery with goods and services.

''Turkey is one of the important partners of Russia. Our trade volume had reached ten billion U.S. dollars in early 1990s. However, a temporary decrease occurred later. Today, our trade is increasing as a result of mutual cooperation. However, the share of the Turkish investors in total foreign investments in Russia is still one percent,'' he said.

Stating that problems had occurred in the past regarding the repayment of the Eximbank loans, the Russian Deputy Prime Minister said that bilateral talks were under way and that he hoped it would be solved in the shortest time frame.

Stressing that energy sector was one of the important fields in which the Turkish-Russian cooperation could develop, Klebanov said that the existing cooperation volume could be doubled in seven years on the basis of the existing agreements.

Stating that Turkey and Russia could cooperate also in high technology field, Klebanov said that Russia was experienced in construction of quake- resistnt buildings.

Russian Ambassador to Turkey Aleksander Lebedev said in his part that Turkey and Russia should not compete with each other, but they should cooperate.

Lebedev said that they had prepared the necessary political ground and they had taken important steps with this objective.

Stressing that the confidence between the two countries in economic field had increased, Lebedev said that the confidence had been consolidated as the Turkish businessmen did not withdraw from Russia due to crisis in 1998.

Noting that Turkey wanted to be the transit country regarding transportation of Eurasian oil and natural gas, Lebedev said that they could cooperate also in this field, and develop specific policies.

''The Blue Stream is not an opponent of the pipelines like Baku-Tbilisi- Ceyhan. Let's cooperate altogether instead of competing with each other in transfer of energy. We can trade with the Commonwealth of Independent States together with Turkey,'' he added.

Meanwhile, an agreement was signed on foundation of Turkey-Sverdlovsk Region Business Committee.

[12] FOREIGN MINISTER CEM MEETS WITH HIS ISRAELI COUNTERPART BEN-AMI

Cem, whose meeting with Israeli Prime Minister was postponed because of the incident, had a working lunch with Israeli Foreign Minister Ben-Ami.

Efforts of Turkey to put the peace process on the right track again, and to put an end to violence were discussed during the meeting. Ankara's sensitivity to end the violence was once again stressed.

Cem will also share his views, which he formed after meeting with his Israeli and Palestinian interlocutors on various occasions, with Israeli President Moshe Katsav and Prime Minister Ehud Barak.

Speaking after his meeting with Ben-Ami, Cem said, ''I have come to exchange views on the issue upon the invitation of my friend Ben-Ami. It was a friendly meeting. We are looking for ways if we can have a humble help.''

Ben-Ami in his part said they exchanged views on what could be done to form better conditions to improve the situation, and noted that they attributed importance to Turkey's efforts. He said Cem's visit was important both for Palestine and for them.

Responding to a question, Ben-Ami said Israel thought that a solution could be found to the problem with the full implementation of Sharm Al-Sheikh.

Israeli Minister stressed that Turkey could play an important role due to its positive relations with both sides.

Meanwhile, it was reported that sale of Manavgat river waters was brought to the agenda, and that Ben-Ami said they would purchase the water.

An Israeli delegation is expected to go to Ankara within 10 days within this framework.

[13] IMPORTANCE OF CONTINUATION OF TURKEY-EP DIALOGUE

Responding to the criticisms of the JPC Turkish group that ''we can not adequately benefit from the financial opportunities,'' the European parliamentarians demanded detailed and concrete information regarding Turkey's reform efforts.

Meanwhile, it was observed that the European parliamentarians often spoke about the expression of ''colonial governor,'' made by FM Cem.

Daniel Cohn-Bendit, the European group Co-Chairman of the JPC referred to this expression various times during his speech, and said ''I don't know if I am colonial governor, but I think I am universal.''

A French official, who spoke to A.A correspondent, described the decision of Turkey to attend the meeting, even at a period when tension escalated in relations as a ''turning point'' in Turkish-EP dialogue.

The French official pointed out that he shared the views that Turkey has a more serious dialogue problem with the EP when compared with the EU Commission and the Council, and noted Turkey's lobby activities were in insufficient level.

The official recalled that the EP was the representative of the European peoples apart from the Commission and the Council. He said Turkey has well- equipped diplomats in the member countries, yet noted that the diplomats can not be expected to be more effective than the pressure groups.

The French official said Turkey should exert efforts to convey its views to the EU member countries without making discrimination like ''small country - big country.''

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