Anadolu Agency: News in English, 00-12-15

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ANADOLU AGENCY

NEWS

15 DECEMBER 2000

Friday

CONTENTS

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

[02] GAP REGION EXPORTS GOODS WORTH OF 43.5 MILLION U.S. DOLLARS TO EASTERN EUROPEAN COUNTRIES

[03] TUSIAD EXECUTIVE BOARD CHAIRMAN YUCAOGLU:

[04] ECHR FINDS ADMISSIBLE APPLICATION OF HEAD TERRORIST OCALAN'S LAWYERS

[05] BRIEFING IN CANKAYA PALACE

[06] EUROPEAN SPACE AGENCY SAYS TURKISH SPACE INDUSTRY CAN

[07] EXCLUSION OF TURKEY FROM ESDI

[08] FOREIGN CAPITAL INFLOW

[09] KAZAKHSTAN DONATES ONE BILLION TURKISH LIRAS FOR CHILDREN

[10] MILITARY HELICOPTER CRASHES KILLING TWO

[11] ILDEM, THE PRESIDENTIAL CABINET CHIEF:

[12] JUSTICE MINISTER TURK SAYS 1110 INMATES ON HUNGER STRIKE AND

[13] JUSTICE MINISTER TURK SAYS THEY CAN'T ACCEPT

[14] CEM: ''NO COMPROMISE COULD BE REACHED ON ESDI.

[15] FOREIGN MINISTRY UNDERSECRETARY LOGOGLU SAYS

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

VETO SIGNAL FOR AMNESTY LAW
President Ahmet Necdet Sezer told Justice Minister Hikmet Sami Turk during their meeting that he saw that some parts of the amnesty law is against the Constitution and that to this end, he is examining it. These words were interpreted as a signal for veto.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

MANY BANKS WANT TO PURCHASE BANKS TRANSFERRED TO TMSF
The official application date for the purchase of eight banks which were transfered to the Savings Deposit Insurance Fund (TMSF) is ending today. The Kocbank, Disbank, Finansbank and two foreign banks have applied to purchase the banks in the TMSF.

SABAH (LIBERAL)

In the reception he hosted upon the August 30 Victory Day, Kivrikoglu had said, ''there are thousands of civil servants who want to topple the state. These people have even infiltrated in the key points of the states.'' Kivrikoglu had noted that such civil servants had to be separated from the others. Tantan also made a similar statement. When evaluating the death fasts, police protests and the other protests, Tantan said, ''there are people who have benefits from these conflicts. There are people who want to dynamite the state.''

GALATASARAY TO REPRESENT EUROPE
Galatasaray soccer club and Real Madrid soccer club of Spain will represent Europe in the World Inter-Club Football Championship. The tournament will be hosted by Deportivo La Coruna club of Spain between July 29 and August 12, 2001. Twelve soccer clubs from five continents will attend the tournament.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

LAST MINUTE STROKE ON VIRTUE PARTY
After the Constitutional Court had cancelled the second paragraph of the Article 103 of the Political Parties Law which is related with the closure case of the Virtue Party (FP), the discussions on the constitutional amendment package including the amendment to Article 69 were postponed. The announcement of the Constitutional Court's reasoned verdict will be waited to discuss the Article 69 of the Constitution which makes it harder to close a political party.

RADIKAL (LEFT)

APPROVAL FROM ECHR TO OCALAN
The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) decided to examine the application of Abdullah Ocalan, the head of the the terrorist organization. It was said that Ocalan will explain the Palme killing in his defense.

YENİ BİNYIL (LIBERAL)

INMATES WHO ARE MEMBERS OF PKK, END DEATH FAST
Forty inmates who were the members of the terrorist organization PKK and who had gone on hunger strike on December 3, wrote a petition to the Justice Ministry in which they said that they ended their hunger strike. Meanwhile, 24 inmates at Aydin Prison, ended their protest.

TURKIYE (RIGHT)

AYDIN ROCKED THREE TIMES
Three minor earthquakes shook Aegean Aydin province early on Thursday. The Bogazici University Kandilli Observatory Center and Seismology Institute said that the first earthquake measuring 2.9 on the Richter scale was recorded in Germencik township at 00.58 a.m. Two more earthquakes rocked Aydin an Tire at 1.03 a.m. and 1.07 a.m. These two earthquakes were measuring 3.4 and 3.0 on the Richter scales. There were no report of casulties in the earthquakes but they caused panic among citizens.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

[02] GAP REGION EXPORTS GOODS WORTH OF 43.5 MILLION U.S. DOLLARS TO EASTERN EUROPEAN COUNTRIES

This indicates an increase of 37.8 percent when compared to the same period of last year.

Goods worth of 31 million 621 thousand U.S. dollars were exported to the Eastern European countries between January and November of 1999.

The data of Association of Southeastern Exporters show that cereals, grain cereals, seeds and its products worth of 336 thousand U.S. dollars; dried fruit worth of two million 150 thousand U.S. dollars; and textiles products worth of 41 million 105 thousand U.S. dollars were exported from GAP region to the Eastern European countries between January and November 2000.

Romania lead the Eastern European countries in the exportation of GAP region, with 22 million 688 thousand U.S. dollars.

Dried apricot, cotton yarn, synthetic yarn, machine carpet, knitted textiles, and plastic sack were the main products that were exported from the region to the Eastern European countries.

[03] TUSIAD EXECUTIVE BOARD CHAIRMAN YUCAOGLU:

The TUSIAD Supreme Consultation Board meeting started in Ankara.

Speaking in the meeting, Yucaoglu said that ensuring the continuity of the confidence in global markets is the main duty of the governments.

Yucaoglu said, ''the determination which will be shown to keep the promises given, the consistency in implementation, and the political and administrative stability will build this confidence.''

The state should increase its spendings on education, health, infrastructure and regional development, and create an atmosphere which will enable increase in employment in the market mechanism by opening the canals of a healthy growth, Yucaoglu noted.

Yucaoglu stated that these two factors will help a better distribution of income.

The acceleration of structural changes in economy carries importance for a better distribution of income, Yucaoglu said.

Yucaoglu noted that a zero or negative figure in the growth rate of 2001 has become inevitable.

''It is impossible to reach 4.5 percent growth target in 2001. The government will have difficulty in keeping the budget and program targets for 2001,'' Yucaoglu added.

[04] ECHR FINDS ADMISSIBLE APPLICATION OF HEAD TERRORIST OCALAN'S LAWYERS

Issuing a written statement, the First Section of the ECHR declared Ocalan's lawyers' complaints admissible with the exception of two complaints under Article 5 (5/2, the right to be informed of the reasons for his arrest and of any charge and 5/5 the right to compensation for a breach of the provisions of Article 5).

The lawyers of the head terrorist had complained of violations of the following Articles of the European Convention on Human Rights: Article 2 (right to life), Article 3 (prohibition of ill-treatment) Article 5 (right to liberty and security) Article 6 (right to a fair trial) Article 7 (no punishment without law), Article 8 (right to respect for private and family life) Article 9 (freedom of thought, conscience and religion) Article 10 (freedom of expression), Article 13 (right to an effective remedy) Article 14 (prohibition of discrimination) Article 18 (limitation on use of restrictions on rights) and Article 34 (right of individual application).

The First Section of the European Court of Human Rights decided to send the case to the Grand Chamber which is composed of 17 judges under Article 30 of the European Convention on Human Rights. Article 30 of the Convention says that ''where a case pending before a Chamber raises a serious question of interpertation of the Convention or the protocols thereto..., the Chamber may, at any time before it has rendered its judgement, relinquish jurisdiction in favour of the Grand Chamber, unless one of the parties object.''

The lawyers of Turkey and the head terrorist have been given a month in which to indicate to the Chamber whether they object to relinquishment.

Turkey is expected to object to this decision of sending to case to the Grand Chamber.

On Nov. 21, ECHR listened to the defense of the lawyers of the Turkish government and the head of the terorrist organization PKK in the court session.

The ECHR requested Turkey last year to postpone its court verdict of death sentence given for Ocalan till the application of the head terrorist's lawyers to the ECHR was finalized.

The ECHR can result the case in one or two years.

[05] BRIEFING IN CANKAYA PALACE

President's Press Advisor Metin Yalman staged a weekly news conference in Cankaya palace and disclosed the views of President Sezer about ''death fasts,'' and ''police protests.''

Speaking about the death fasts, Yalman said, ''the president met with the justice minister on Wednesday and got information. The government carries out the required efforts to put an end to the death fasts. The president wants the death fasts to be ended soon.''

Yalman said, ''however, trying to impose conditions with the threat to put an end to right to live, is unacceptable. This is the view of the president regarded with death fasts.''

Relating the views of President Sezer about the police protests made in Istanbul and some other provinces, Yalman said, ''the president, in all his speeches, stresses that supremacy of law and abiding by the principles of law are sine qua non principle of our democracy. Thus, all the actions should be within the principles of law.''

Yalman said, ''this is a general principle which all our citizens should consider carefully. Concerned institutions of the state initiated required investigation regarded with the protests in question.''

Speaking about Draft Law on Conditional Release, Yalman said President Sezer continues to examine the law.

[06] EUROPEAN SPACE AGENCY SAYS TURKISH SPACE INDUSTRY CAN

Prof. Cemal Saydam, the Co-Chairman of Scientific and Technical Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK) told A.A. correspondent on Friday that following Turkey's proposal for cooperation, an ESA delegation visited Turkey.

Saydam noted the delegation searched whether or not Turkey had the industrial capacity directed at the space industry, by observing various Turkish companies, universities, and research institutions.

Noting that the delegation stayed in Turkey for one week, Saydam said the delegation confirmed that the technological infrastructure of Turkish space industry was ready to become a member of ESA.

''The delegation noted that the space industry of Turkey was more developed than some ESA member countries. Turkish space industry is developed. We have confidence in Turkish space industry; that's why, we invited ESA to Turkey. The Turkish space industry can easily compete with the space industry of Europe and ESA delegation had also confirmed this,'' said Saydam.

Saydam noted they were exerting efforts to sign a five year cooperation agreement with ESA, adding that TUBITAK was carrying out the mediator services on behalf of Turkey.

Saydam added full membership status was given to the countries in five years time following the signing of the agreement.

[07] EXCLUSION OF TURKEY FROM ESDI

Prime Minister Ecevit said the U.S. President Bill Clinton sent him a letter a few days ago and had telephoned him on Thursday night from his plane. Ecevit said, ''I hope the Americans will assess our case better. There is no change in our position at all.''

[08] FOREIGN CAPITAL INFLOW

The Treasury Undersecretariat issued a written statement on Friday and said that this amount exceeded the highest annual amount of foreign capital which was 953 million dollars in 1998.

The Treasury added that the direct foreign capital amount is expected to be 1.5 billion dollars as of end of 2000.

The Treasury reminded about the foreign capital inflow to Turkey which was 813 million dollars throughout the year in 1999.

Meanwhile, the foreign capital permissions reached 2,4 billion dollars as of November this year. This amount was 1,7 billion dollars last year. There has been an increase of 41.9 percent in the foreign capital that was permitted to enter Turkey in January-November 2000 when compared to the whole year in 1999.

The Treasury listed the main permissions given for foreign capital inlow to Turkey as follows:

Name of Company Amount (dollar) Aim

---------------- ------------- -------
Is-Tim Telekom. Hiz. Inc. 603 million New investment

Iskenderun Energy Inc. 360 million New investment

ToyotaSa Inc. 109 million Partnership

Izmir Elekt. Pro. Inc. 90 million New Investment

Gebze Elekt. Production Inc. 88 million New Investment

Hyundaı-Assan Inc. 88 million Modernization

Sup.Onl.Ulus.Elekt.Bil.Hizm.Inc. 70 milyon Partnership

Karamko Im. Zir. End. Inc. 51 milyon Capital increase

Adapazarı Elek. Prod. Inc. 49 milyon New Investment

The foreign capital inflows to Turkey in the last 11 years are as follows:

YEARS MILLION DOLLARS
------- ----------------
1990 684
1991 907
1992 911
1993 746
1994 636
1995 934
1996 914
1997 852
1998 953
1999 813
2000* 1.182

(*) First Nine Months.

[09] KAZAKHSTAN DONATES ONE BILLION TURKISH LIRAS FOR CHILDREN

Kayrat Sarybay, the ambassador of Kazakhstan to Turkey, gave the cheque to Abdulhaluk Cay, the minister of state in a ceremony held in Kazakhstan Embassy on Friday.

Speaking at the ceremony, Cay said Kazakhstan had extended support to Turkey following the earthquake disasters of 12 November and 17 August 1999.

Noting that Kazakhstan was donating some amount of money to the homeless children who lost their families in the earthquake, Cay said the money would be given to the Kocaeli Governor's Office.

Cay pointed out this donation would contribute to the relations between Turkey and Kazakhstan and thanked to Kazakhstan for extending support to the children of the region.

Stressing that Turkey and Kazakhstan had the same tradition, language, history and belief, Cay said Turkey would exert utmost effort to support Kazakhstan which became the member of the United Nations (U.N.) and took place in the political arena quite recently.

Kayrat Sarybay, the Ambassador of Kazakhstan, in his part said the relations of Kazakhstan and Turkey were very good, adding that the will of the nations played an important role in these relations.

Sarybay said Kazakhstan which became independent nine years ago had aimed at becoming a modern state and setting up a new economic system, adding that Kazakhstan reached its targets in a short period of time.

Following the speeches, Sarybay gave the cheque donated by the Kazakhstan for the children rehabilitation centre to State Minister Cay.

[10] MILITARY HELICOPTER CRASHES KILLING TWO

The military helicopter which took off from Sixth Armoured Brigade Commandership in Tatvan around 13.30 local time, crashed due to a technical failure near Kıyıduzu village on Tatvan-Ahlat highway while trying to land.

The condition of one of the wounded soldiers is critical. All the injured soldiers were taken to Tatvan Military Hospital.

Bitlis Governor Ugur Boran continues to examine the region where the accident took place.

[11] ILDEM, THE PRESIDENTIAL CABINET CHIEF:

Ildem staged a weekly press briefing and responded to the questions of reporters regarded with the views of President Ahmet Necdet Sezer about foreign policy.

Responding to a question about the U.S. elections, Ildem said relations between the countries develop on the basis of mutual interests and depending on the national interests of the countries one by one. Ildem stressed that this was a valid principle for the Turkish-EU relations.

Pointing out that cooperation between Turkey and the U.S., which was called as ''strategic partnership,'' became mature in time and during the administrations of different goverments. He said, ''change of governments of officials, who were in the administration, did not change Turkish-U.S. relations in this or that way.''

When asked if the messages of the U.S. President Bill Clinton, related with the European Security and Defense Identity (ESDI), were pressure or not, Ildem said it would not be right to describe the statements like pressure. He said it was natural for the allies to exchange views continuously.

Recalling the decisions taken during NATO Summit in Washington in 1999, Ildem said, ''the most important thing at this point is how the European Union would reach assured access in NATO's joint defense and planning. Here, position of countries like Turkey, which are not full members of the EU, have speciality.''

Ildem said Turkey had very important contributions to NATO since 1952, adding that, ''we believe that while the EU may reach to a stronger position by taking the contributions of Turkey while putting its new plan into practice.''

Ildem said, ''participation to decision making mechanism'' is important for Turkey, and recalled that talks related with the issue are underway during ongoing NATO Foreign Ministers meeting in Brussels.

''What Turkey wants is not something beyond the Washington decisions. We want the requirements of the Washington decisions to be fulfilled. President Sezer favors this issue to reach a joint solution in a way that will satisfy the expectations of all the allies. He supports the efforts, and wishes a mutual understanding, which will also include Turkey, to be reached in NATO Ministers meeting.''

Responding to a question, Ildem said President Sezer had discussed these issues in the past during his meetings with the Western leaders.

Ildem said consensus was fundamental in functioning of NATO, adding that, ''thus, if a consensus could not be reached, then a joint statement, related with the issue under discussion, can not be shared with the public. Efforts are underway to reach a consensus on the joint statement that is expected to be issued today.''

''What is important here is that an understanding should be reached which will consider Turkey's national interests and security needs, and will facilitate Turkey's meaningful and concrete contributions. The understanding should also fulfil the decisions which NATO had taken during the Washington Summit,'' Ildem said, adding that, ''Turkey has been defending these views so far, and shares these views with its allies. So, the policy which Turkey has been pursuing in this respect is consistent. I don't think think none of our allies is in a position to investigate this consistency. We wish a solution to be reached on the issue.''

Ildem said, ''if the European Union (EU) can say that a satisfactory solution would be reached for Turkey regarding the European Security and Defense Identity (ESDI) at the end of a process, then the same situation is also valid for the assured access of the EU to NATO capabilities.''

''I mean, if they fail to make an arrangement that will meet the expectations of the European allies of the NATO, which are not the EU members, like Turkey, in satisfactory means, it would be impossible for the EU to get an assured access to the NATO capabilities.''

When journalists asked if this meant the ''veto'' of Turkey, Ildem said, ''If you want to use the word 'veto' its your choice. I say consensus is fundamental in NATO. We wish that a consensus can be reached today. Turkey exhibits a constructive attitude, its not obstructive.''

Ildem said a solution should be brought to the ''participation'' problem, adding that in case an arragement is issued that will not satisfy Turkey, this would mean ''security of Europe was separated.''

[12] JUSTICE MINISTER TURK SAYS 1110 INMATES ON HUNGER STRIKE AND

Staging a press briefing, Turk said that the demands of the inmates who protest the F type prisons are as follows:

-Delaying the transfer of inmates to F type prisons can't be accepted in conditions of Turkey, F type prisons should be completely removed.

-The places where the inmates will stay should be for 20 persons and inmates should have facilities of sports, culture and similar activities.

-Articles 2,8, 16 and 17 of the Anti-Terrorism Law should be lifted.

-Assurance has to be given for lifting the State Security Courts (DGMs).

-Follow-up committees have to be set up to inspect the practices in prisons and to find solutions.

-The persons who are responsible for the incidents that had previously took place in prisons should be tried.

-Assurance has to be given for trying the state officials who tortured persons.

-Those inmates who became disabled due to the death fast of 1996 should have medical treatment.

Justice Minister Turk said that those who became disabled due to the hunger strike in 1996 had medical treatment, adding that the suspension and lifting the sentences given to those who are still in prison can also be in question.

Turk said that there is an administrative and judicial investigation about the persons who were involved in the incidents that took place in prisons and the cases continue, adding that the cases which are related to the state officials who were involved in torture, are being heard.

Turk stressed that the F type prisons were built in line with the rules of the U.N. and the Council of Europe, adding that Article 16 of the Anti- Terrorism Act will be amended for usage of those prisons in line with human rights.

Turk said that the draft law on executive judge and monitoring boards is also ready.

Turk reminded about his earlier statement saying that the F type prisons would not be opened without adopting these laws.

Turk said that they are ready to evaluate constructive proposals, adding that the European Committee for Prevention of Torture visited Bayrampasa prison and met with those inmates who directed this hunger strikes.

Turk said that the F type prisons will be re-evaluated by the participation of various professional organizations, adding that but all of their initiatives are ignored and the strike continues.

[13] JUSTICE MINISTER TURK SAYS THEY CAN'T ACCEPT

''We can't accept any proposal which will make invalid room system in our prison reform project,'' said Turk in a press briefing.

Turk indicated that prisoners who are on hunger strike and death fast want rooms for 18-20 persons, stressing that the problems of prisons can't be solved by the continuation of the ward system in Turkey.

Turk recounted that he earlier issued a statement saying that the opening of the F type prisons was postponed and criticisms and proposals will be taken into consideration in this postponement process. Turk said that a suitable solution will be reached in a scientific and technical way in this period, adding that everybody should contribute to the solution.

''One prisoner's becoming disabled or his/her death due to hunger strike will make all of us sad,'' Turk said and noted that the hunger strikes and death fasts in prisons are no longer incidents that take place within the context of prisons, but they are acts directed at disturbing the order. Turk stressed that this can't be tolerated.

''I once again call everybody to end hunger strikes and death fasts,'' said Turk and stressed that if the strikes end, the prisoners will be immediately taken under medical treatment.

When asked if there were any inmates who is close to the brink of death, Hikmet Sami Turk said number of inmates who were on death fast is 34 on the 57th day of the death fast. Turk said 59 inmates started death fast today.

Recalling that inmates from the terrorist PKK organization case ended hunger strike on Thursday, Turk said, ''we expect this common sense from everybody.''

When asked, ''do you totally refuse the 20-people ward system during the talks,'' Turk said, ''I have clearly pointed out. The government will never accept a proposal that will mean ward system. Continuation of ward system will mean continuation of problems in prisons.''

Recalling that talks in Bayrampasa Prison stalled with those who guided the hunger strikes from Turkey, Turk said, ''those withdraw from the talks saying they would not have any more contributions to the talks.''

Turk said the talks were meaningless as the inmates were insistent on their demands, adding that he considered the demands of the inmates, apart from the 20-people wards, as a ''political program.''

Responding to a question, ''is intervention in question as the talks stalled,'' Turk said, ''there is bottleneck, however our republican prosecutors are on duty. Every kind of preparations have been made for their medical treatment if they put an end to the action.''

When asked, ''you don't accept the 20-people wards, then what is your proposal as the ministry,'' Turk said this required scientific and technical works.

Turk said, ''determining a number in haste would not be right. Pronunciating a number at this stage will endanger reform works on prisons.''

When asked if the decision of the Istanbul State Security Court (DGM) to to ban publications reflecting propaganda of terrorist organizations in regard to death fasts in prisons, was a censure, Turk said, ''I can not examine the decision of the court decision.''

Turk said there were weight loses in the inmates who were on death fast, adding that death may occur at any time in those who filled the 57th day.

[14] CEM: ''NO COMPROMISE COULD BE REACHED ON ESDI.

Addressing a news conference staged in Brussels, Cem accused the European Union (EU) countries with strong expressions, saying what they had done was contrary to mentality, morals, and conscience.

Cem said it was impossible to accept the discriminative approach of the EU which wants to utilize NATO capabilities.

''We don't have enmity against the EU. Our relations are not so bad as they are reflected in the press,'' Cem said, adding that the claims saying Turkey wants to enter the EU from the back door by making use of NATO trump card were totally wrong. Cem said, ''if we are to enter the EU, we will enter from the main door proudly, or we will not enter at all.''

Meanwhile, it was reported that works on the joint statement, which should be issued at the end of the North Atlantic Council, continue.

[15] FOREIGN MINISTRY UNDERSECRETARY LOGOGLU SAYS

Speaking in the opening of the Turkey-EU Journalists Conference which will last for two days, Logoglu said that the concept of security has a different meaning today compared to previous years.

Logoglu stressed that countries face new security threats like political instability, human rights violations, fundamentalism and terrorism today.

Logoglu pointed out that these threats are no longer the problems of one country, adding that they have international dimensions.

''Problems of security can't be solved by traditional methods,'' said Logoglu and noted that media and non-governmental organizations should further contribute to the security issue.

Logoglu stressed that Turkey contributed a lot to the security of Europe, remarking that ''Turkey is a EU candidate, there may be persons from each side who have doubts about the membership of Turkey to the EU. I admit that these are not easy issues, but no difficulty can change the reality that Turkey will be a member of the EU.''

Pointing out that Turkey supports the initiative of European Security and Defense Identity (ESDI), Logoglu said that even if Turkey is not a member of the EU, it should be a part of ESDI.

''We can wait for full membership, but countries should not be kept in waiting process regarding security issues,'' said Logoglu.

He stressed that Turkey has the will and power to fulfil the requirements that are wanted from it as a candidate to the EU, adding that ''Turkey will have advantages from EU membership, but I believe that the EU will also have many advantages due to our presence in the Union. EU will be richer, safer and more stable by the membership of Turkey and it will strengethen its claim of global leadership.''

Responding to questions, Logoglu said that ''EU wants to benefit from the NATO's planning capabilities, Turkey accepts that, but it also wants to be included in all the stages of EU decisions in an equal way. This is important for the interests of Turkey. EU couldn't give this to Turkey. The accession EU mentioned in Nice Summit only foresees consultation. Turkey finds this insufficient. The conditions are not very hopeful for the moment, but this is a continuing process.''

Logoglu pointed out they expect the negotiations between NATO and the EU to result by an agreement which Turkey will also accept in the near future.

Upon another question about the approach of the U.S. administration about the issue, Logoglu said that the protection of NATO's key role in European security depends on the protection of the ties between the EU and NATO.

Logoglu said that if the EU takes initiatives about its own security in an independent way, this will weaken the power of NATO.

He indicated that he does not believe the new administration in the U.S. will change the relations between Turkey and the U.S. in backwards, adding ''the U.S. tries to protect the tie between the NATO and the EU. We share this aim and we are backed by the understanding and support of the U.S.''

Responding to questions of journalists after the conference about the NATO foreign ministers meeting in Brussels and ESDI, Logoglu said that ''both sides maintain their position, the rigid attitude of the EU disappointed Turkey.''

Logoglu said that they hoped for a balance to be found between the issues of ''assured access and participation'' adding that the U.S. President Bill Clinton called Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit last night and asked ''flexibility'' from the Turkish side.

Karen Fogg, the EU Commission's Representative to Turkey said in her part in the conference that such kind of conferences are important for improving mutual trust.

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