Anadolu Agency: News in English, 01-08-15

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ANADOLU AGENCY

NEWS

15 AUGUST 2001 Wednesday

CONTENTS

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

[02] TRAESURY TO SELL STATE BONDS BY PUBLIC OFFERING

[03] STATE MINISTER TOSKAY AND FOREIGN TRADE UNDERSECRETARY TUZMEN DUE TO SYRIA

[04] GAP REGION EXPORTS 107.4 MILLION U.S. DOLLARS OF GOODS TO MIDDLE EAST

[05] THIRTY-TWO INDEPENDENT DEPUTIES JOIN AK PARTY

[06] CHINA APPLIES FOR PASSAGE OF VARYAG THROUGH STRAITS FOR FOUR TIMES

[07] MOLDAVIAN DEFENSE MINISTER VISITS CAKMAKOGLU

[08] GENERAL STAFF PERMITS CONDITIONAL PASSAGE OF VARYAG SHIP FROM STRAITS

[09] INTERIOR MINISTER BRIEFS REPORTERS ABOUT HIS 70 DAYS IN OFFICE - YUCELEN SAYS IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO APPROVE INCIDENTS IN AKKISE

[10] TRAFFIC CONTROLS

[11] OPERATIONS OF COAST GUARD, GENDARME AND POLICE

[12] OPERATIONS AGAINST PKK

[13] OCALAN TRIAL IN ECHR

[14] OPERATIONS AGAINST HEZBOLLAH ORGANIZATION

[15] PERSONNEL RIGHTS

[16] AMENDMENTS IN REGULATIONS

[17] MERNIS PROJECT

[18] INCIDENTS IN AKKISE

[19] PROTOCOL CRISIS IN MANISA

[20] INVESTIGATION INTO ENERGY CORRUPTION-

[21] CLAIMS OF SOCIAL EXPLOSION

[22] THREATS

[23] GENDARME INTERCEPT 55 FOREIGNERS WHO ENTER TURKEY ILLEGALLY

[24] TURKEY SAYS ISRAEL HAS TO GIVE BACK ORIENT HOUSE

[25] ANKARA TO BEGIN A PERIOD OF HEAVY DIPLOMACY TRAFFIC

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

EMBLEM BAD, SPELLING WRONG
The Justice and Development Party (AK) was founded under the leadership of Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The AK Party chose an electric bulb as its emblem. Experts claimed that the emblem was designed inexperiencedly. Meanwhile, party's name was written incorrectly.

FITCH: ''INVESTOR AND PUBLIC CONFIDENCE HAS YET TO RETURN''
Fitch, the international rating agency, said, ''despite increased financial backing from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank, investor and public confidence in the sustainability of public finances and the Turkish lira has yet to return.'' Fitch issued a sovereign comment outlining the rationale behind downgrading Turkey's long-term foreign and local currency ratings to 'B' and 'B-' from 'B+' and 'B', respectively, and the decision to place them on Negative Outlook. Fitch noted, ''forced to borrow at punitive interest rates and against the backdrop of a global economic downturn, rising risk aversion and potential contagion effects from a further worsening of the crisis in Argentina, the government risks falling into a domestic debt trap.''

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

HSBC PRESIDENT COMING TO SIGN CONTRACT
The contract for the sale of Demirbank to HSBC will be signed before the scheduled date by the participation of HSBC President Sir John Bond. The exact date of Bond's visit to Turkey has not been set yet while the ceremony to sign the contract which was scheduled for September 20, will be held earlier than this date. Bond became the chairman of the HSBC Executive Board in 1998. Banking Regulatory and Supervisory Board Chairman Engin Akcakoca had earlier said that the contract was scheduled to be signed on September 20 but that he guessed that it would be signed on September 5 or 6.

SABAH (LIBERAL)

PASSAGE OF VARYAG SHIP THROUGH STRAITS PERMITTED
The Office of Chief of General Staff permitted the passage of Ukraininan- flagged Varyag ship through the straits which caused a problem between China and Turkey on condition that all the measures would be taken during the passage. This decision angered Ramazan Mirzaoglu, the State Minister for Maritime.

SYMBOL IS ELECTRIC BULB WHILE INSPIRATION IS VOLTAIRE!
Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his friends founded the Justice and Development Party (AK Party). The symbol of the party is an electric bulb. Erdogan said that they accepted the famous word of French intellectual Voltaire as their principle: ''I do not agree with your views but I am ready to sacrifice myself to enable you express your views.''

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

ISTANBUL DGM STARTS HEARING CASE ON OCCUPATION OF SWISSHOTEL
Trial of 13 suspects, including Mehmet Emin Tokcan, who had occupied Swisshotel and kept the clients hostage for 12 hours, started in Istanbul State Security Court (DGM) no:5. During the hearing, Tokcan claimed that they did not plan to stage an action in Turkey. He defended that they had entered the hotel building by mistake. He added, ''we are trying to do our utmost for the sake of our country.'' The suspects are under trial on charges of ''forming armed gang aiming to commit crime,'' ''restricting freedom of more than one person,'' ''carrying weapon having grave characteristic,'' and ''firing at inhabited place in a way that will create panic.''

BILGE KAGAN'S TREASURY UNEARTHED
In an archaeological excavation carried out in Mongolia by the Turkish Cooperation and Development Agency (TIKA), a treasury which is believed to have belonged to Bilge Kagan, one of the rulers of Gokturks, was unearthed. State Minister Abdulhaluk Mehmet Cay held a press conference, and introduced the ancient treasury. The most precious item is a gold crown decorated with a bird which probably carried a precious stone in its mouth. The treasure also contains numerous gold pins and hooks worn on garments, cups, decanters, plates and bowls and nearly 2,000 silver ornaments including two model deer.

GUREL DUE TO CHINA AND AUSTRALIA
State Minister Sukru Sina Gurel for citizens living abroad and relations with the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) and the European Union (EU), will pay official visits to the People's Republic of China and Australia. His tour will last for ten days.

FOREIGN MINISTRY: ''TURKEY DID NOT STEP BACK''
The Foreign Affairs Ministry said, ''Turkey did not step back from the demands required by its national interests regarding European Security and Defense Policy (ESDP). Turkey's needs and national security are fundamental.'' Noting that some news stories in media pertaining to Turkey's attitude on ESDP included some wrong elements, the Foreign Affairs Ministry said, ''a meeting was held on the issue last week at the Prime Ministry Office with the participation of Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit; General Yasar Buyukanit, the Deputy Chief of General Staff; Foreign Minister Ismail Cem and Foreign Affairs Ministry Undersecretary Faruk Logoglu. Turkey's views and expectations regarded with ESDP are clear and rightful. Turkey expects its allies and partners to abide by those decisions.''

RADIKAL (LEFT)

INTERIOR MINISTRY: ''SOLDIERS PROTECTED THEMSELVES''
Inspectors who have been charged by the Interior Ministry to investigate the incidents in Akkise village in Ahirli township of central province of Konya on August 10 in which one person lost his life and three civilians and 25 gendarmerie personnel were injured, concluded their pre-assessment. In their report, the inspectors said that the gendarme had to use arms in order to save its personnel from an attack of villagers.

IMF: ''TURKEY WILL BE ABLE TO MEET ALL OF ITS DEBT OBLIGATIONS''
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) expressed optimism that Turkey will be able to meet all of its debt obligations. In a letter published on the Financial Times website, IMF European Department Director Michael Deppler said that Turkey would be able to meet all of its debt obligations, despite concerns among some investors that the country could face continued problems. Deppler noted that Turkey's tough fiscal adjustment programme and the structure of the 15.7 billion U.S. dollars IMF and World Bank loan package signed in May would ensure debt ratios declined. ''It may well be just a matter of time for the markets to appreciate Turkey's stronger fundamentals,'' he said, noting that inflation was slowing and the current account was swinging into surplus.

TURKIYE (RIGHT)

TURKISH SOLDIERS DUE TO MACEDONIA
Turkey decided to take part in the international army of 3,500 soldier, which is planned to be sent to Macedonia following the signing of the peace agreement by the NATO, with 150 soldiers. A group of soldiers from the Turkish brigade which is currently on mission in Bosnia-Herzegovina, will go to Macedonia.

TWO YEARS NOT ENOUGH
There are still many problems in the quake zone since the massive earthquake hit the region. Tens of thousands of people died and thousands of others were injured in the devastating earthquake which hit Turkey two years ago. All the wounds have not been healed yet. Thousands of quake survivors are still living in tents and unhealthy places.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

ANKARA PLEASED WITH PEACE
Ankara was pleased with the peace agreement reached in Macedonia. The Foreign Ministry said that Turkey hoped that clashes in Macedonia which disturbed all the communities would end.

ONE MORE DEAD IN F TYPE PRISON PROTEST
Osman Osmanagaoglu, who continued its death foast in a house in Sariyer district of Istanbul after he was released from the prison, died. Osmanagaoglu died on the 299th day of his death fasting. Osmanoglu was discharged from hospital a month ago.

[02] TRAESURY TO SELL STATE BONDS BY PUBLIC OFFERING

A statement of the Treasury Undersecretariat said on Wednesday that two types of state domestic borrowing bonds will be sold by public offering, including a one-year dollar-indexed bond paying 2.75 percent quarterly and a 58-day Turkish lira (TL)-bill at an annual compound rate of 92.5 percent and a 58-day rate of 11 percent.

Both types of bonds will be put to sale for the mentioned three days.

[03] STATE MINISTER TOSKAY AND FOREIGN TRADE UNDERSECRETARY TUZMEN DUE TO SYRIA

Sources told A.A correspondent on Wednesday that a total of 26 Turkish firms would take part in the fair to be organized between August 28 and September 7.

Turkish firms will display their products in the sectors of foodstuff, ready-made clothing, cement, lime, agricultural bag, shelf, installation equipment, electrical utensil, domestic utensil and pump.

Meanwhile, Tuzmen will proceed to Iraqi capital Baghdad on August 29 after wrapping up his contacts in Damascus.

Many Turkish businessmen are expected to join the visit to be organized in cooperation between the Ankara Chamber of Industry and the Foreign Economic Relations Board (DEIK) under coordination of the Foreign Trade Undedsecretariat.

Tuzmen's contacts in Baghdad are expected to focus on tender in the tenth phase of the oil for food program between the United Nations and Iraq.

Meanwhile, flight services between Turkey and Iraq which could not be given since the Gulf War, will start again with charter flights on August 29.

The flight services aim at increasing Turkey's exports to Iraq.

[04] GAP REGION EXPORTS 107.4 MILLION U.S. DOLLARS OF GOODS TO MIDDLE EAST

In the same period last year, the region exported 77 million 804 thousand U.S. dollars of agricultural, animal and industrial products to the Middle East.

Officials at the Southeast Anatolian Exporters' Unions told the A.A on Wednesday that they exported 5 million 984 thousand U.S. dollars in animal products; 3 million 33 thousand U.S. dollars in dried fruits; 50 million 421 thousand U.S. dollars in grain-cereals; and 47 million 996 thousand U.S. dollars in textiles.

Most of the goods were exported to Iraq, Syria and Saudi Arabia.

[05] THIRTY-TWO INDEPENDENT DEPUTIES JOIN AK PARTY

Besides some deputies who became independent after the Virtue Party (FP) was closed down by the Constitutional Court, Sadik Yakut, who resigned from the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), and Necati Cetinkaya, who resigned from the True Path Party (DYP), joined the AK Party.

The AK Party will hold its first group meeting on Friday.

The recent distribution of seats at the parliament is as follows:

Democratic Left Party (DSP) ........: 132

Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) ...: 126

Motherland Party (ANAP) ............: 86

True Path Party (DYP) ..............: 80

Felicity Party (SP) ................: 48

Ak Party ...........................: 32

Independent ........................: 38

Vacant .............................: 8

[06] CHINA APPLIES FOR PASSAGE OF VARYAG THROUGH STRAITS FOR FOUR TIMES

Officials at the Maritime Undersecretariat told the A.A correspondent on Wednesday that the People's Republic of China applied for passage of Varyag through the Straits for four times.

They noted that the People's Republic of China proposed Turkey to make computer simulation in a laboratory in the Netherlands for passage of the Varyag which has not been allowed to pass through the Straits for more than a year.

Chinese officials noted that they were aiming at finding a passage plan that would remove all concerns of the Turkish side.

Maritime Undersecretariat officials emphasized that the Varyag was an incomplete platform that has not passed through the Straits since 1988 when it was put on the stocks.

They noted that they had rejected the People's Republic of China's request for passage of Varyag through the Straits for four times on the basis of technical delegation reports.

''Such a request for passage through the Straits does not depend on time, but it is regarded with physical conditions of the Turkish Straits and with technical conditions and dimensions of the Varyag. Turkish Straits' having an appropriate condition for passage of the Varyag in the course of time is totally unrealistic. Therefore, it is extremely wrong to connect the issue with time,'' they said.

Referring to the People's Republic of China's proposal, the same officials noted, ''it is an extremely dangerous proposal that can reach to the level of demanding to examine and lift the passage regime and Turkey's rules about the passage through the Straits which have been under sovereignty of Republic of Turkey since 1936 when Montreux Treaty was signed.''

They said, ''when Turkey put into practice the Turkish Straits Regulations in 1994 on the basis of the rights stemmed from the Montreux Treaty, some countries, including Russian Federation and Greece, said that they would accept Turkey's putting forward some rules for passage through the Straits. They stressed that these rules should be put forward in accordance with data of a simulation work at the international level instead of arbitrary criteria.''

Officials at the Undersecretariat said that a proposal to put forward a passage regime by taking into consideration only a given data disregarding the statistics and figures based on painful experiences that Turkey has had due to the accidents and disasters since 1936, means dictating a passage regime which Turkey has no right to delay the passage of a ship from the straits, and will be kept responsible for the delay.

The officials continued, ''in such a case, Turkey's right to determine the maximum dimensions of a ship that would pass through the straits and the passage conditions for that ship would be de facto taken out of its hands and the 'Straits Commission' composed of people as mentioned in Lausanne Treaty would be replaced with a cyber straits commission. Turkey strictly opposed to these proposals and put to implementation the Regulation on Turkish Straits under the criteria it had determined.''

The officials emphasized that to this end, the assessment of demand for passage of Varyag by simulation and even its discussion would mean de facto end of Turkey's rule and control over the straits.

''In such a case, Turkey will have to accept or reject the passage demands of other ships in accordance with the positive or negative results obtained from the computers rather than technical commissions composed of experts, and try to convince the other side that the simulation is unbiased,'' the officials warned.

The officials stated that the simulation work which was defined as a passage model in the cyber world was not similar to the structure of the Turkish straits and went on saying, ''Istanbul Strait is 18 miles (31 kilometres) in length and the narrowest part in the Strait is 700 metres. The widest part is 1,500 metres. There are certain parts in the strait which requires 12 changes in the course direction of the ship. It has some very narrow and curled parts. There is heavy fog in springs and autumns while there is rain, snow and strong winds in winter.''

''The strait has an oceanographical structure which has two-way current system up to 6-8 miles from time to time. Generally, current from the location of the sun together with strong southern winds can lead to adverse currents which may have negative impact on maneuvers of the ships. Also, approximately 45 thousand ships are passing through the strait every year. Meanwhile, 2,500 ships are carrying more than one million people from one side to the other every day. On the other hand, 41 thousand 561 ships passed through the Canakkale Strait last year,'' the officials said.

The officials added that simulation model can be applied in waterways which is straight, which does not have any curves, around which there are not any settlements like the Suez Canal.

[07] MOLDAVIAN DEFENSE MINISTER VISITS CAKMAKOGLU

Cakmakoglu, during the visit, pointed to the historical, military, cultural and social relations between Turkey and Moldova. He remarked that Turkey was one of the first nations which recognized Moldova after this country declared its independence in 1991, adding that economic and social relations between the two countries increased steadily after this date.

Cakmakoglu said there were many Moldovian citizens working in service sector in Istanbul and there were people of Turkish origin in Moldova.

The defense minister said he had signed a Defense Industry Cooperation Agreement when he visited Moldova last year and added that this time he would sign a Military Training Cooperation Agreement with Gaiciuc.

''We have no geographical borders with Moldova, but we share a lot of common values,'' Cakmakoglu commented. He said Turkey was pleased to see the progress Moldova was making in its democracy and free market fields. Cakmakoglu told reporters that he and his Moldovan counterpart would chiefly tackle military and defense industry cooperation between Turkey and Moldova.

Gaiciuc said he agreed with Cakmakoglu in all fields and stressed that his country attached great importance to Turkey. He thanked Cakmakoglu for Turkey's support to Moldova. He remarked that Moldavian Constitution prevents them from participating in any military pact but they would develop military relations with countries which are interested.

The Moldavian defense minister also remarked that developing relations with the Turkish National Defense Ministry would strengthen Moldavia's future in the European Stability Pact.

[08] GENERAL STAFF PERMITS CONDITIONAL PASSAGE OF VARYAG SHIP FROM STRAITS

Maritime Undersecretariat will take a step to solve the issue in line with the suggestions of Foreign Ministry, Premier Bulent Ecevit, Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahceli, who think the ship has to pass from the Straits and of the General Staff which re-evaluated the issue and permitted conditional passage of the ship.

The Undersecretariat which considered the passage of the giant platform which is 306 meters from the Straits detrimental technically, had earlier conveyed its views to the Prime Ministry and the General Staff and warned that permitting the passage of Varyag would contradict with the interests of the country.

The Undersecretariat sent a note to the General Staff when the latter displayed an attitude which was contrary to the view that the passage was detrimental and asked the General Staff to express clearly its views.

General Staff's response which was received by the Undersecretariat on Tuesday evening, sheds green light to the passage of the ship, but underlines that the passage can only come true with ''minimum risk and under certain conditions.''

Varyag, which does not have an engine and rudder, can pass from the Straits by decreasing to the minimum its possible risks on lives of persons, environment and property, said General Staff and added that ''the ship has to have a pilot captain, the visage has to be at least 5 sea miles, five tugboats have to accompany the ship, the two straits have to be closed to the traffic and there should not be fuel or explosive materials in the ship.''

The final decision about the passage of the ship belongs to the Maritime Undersecretariat in this process which continues since December last year.

Undersecretariat which defends the view that the passage of the ship carries a great risk both for Istanbul and for Turkey as Varyag's lenght will reach 550 meters with the tugboats that will be put to the ship as the latter does not have rudder. However, the Maritime Undersecretariat has a softer stance about the passage of the ship now, noting that the conditions put forward by the General Staff have to be fulfilled.

Undersecretariat which noted that it fought for the implementation of the Regulation on Turkish Straits Sea Traffic Order for seven years, had earlier proposed China to either divide the ship into two or to rig it in the Black Sea before passing through the Straits, and added that its views were not taken into consideration.

The Undersecretariat also pointed out to the fact that Varyag is in fact an aircraft carrier and it claims that the ship can be used against Turkey as it will help in the armament of China.

The ship which was purchased by a small tourism firm in an autonomous island namely ''Santone'' to be turned into an entertainment ship, is believed to bring military and technological superiority to China.

[09] INTERIOR MINISTER BRIEFS REPORTERS ABOUT HIS 70 DAYS IN OFFICE - YUCELEN SAYS IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO APPROVE INCIDENTS IN AKKISE

Yucelen briefed reporters about the 70 days that have passed since he was appointed as the Interior Minister.

He stressed that his ministry's fight against the separatist terrorist organizations and organized crime groups were continuing and that he was having regular meetings with security and gendarmerie officials about the developments.

[10] TRAFFIC CONTROLS

He stressed that everybody will have to obey the rules including the traffic police.

[11] OPERATIONS OF COAST GUARD, GENDARME AND POLICE

''We are giving special importance to Istanbul because 13 out of 100 families in Turkey are living in this city,'' Yucelen said. He explained that 3,991 policemen were added to the Istanbul police teams and they were also given more police cars. In the last 70 days, these teams caught 12,000 people who were wanted. Yucelen remarked that 37 security officials who were involved in illegal affairs were also caught in the operations. ''Unfortunately, these policemen were involved in illegal acts but remember that those who caught them were also policemen,'' he commented.

Yucelen said Security General Directorate launched 913 operations in Truva, Mumya, Siyah Lale and Yakamoz and captured 194 kilos of drugs.

[12] OPERATIONS AGAINST PKK

[13] OCALAN TRIAL IN ECHR

Yucelen said that the terrorist organization PKK focused on the case of Ocalan at the ECHR, and commented that the case is tried to be turned into an ethnic case. Yucelen indicated that members of the terrorist organization PKK applied to judiciary organs and informed them about their identities in Germany, Italy, France, Britain, the Netherlands, Switzerland and similar countries. Noting that the terrorist members apply to such organs as if they carry out a national liberation movement, Yucelen said that ''I would like to remind that such kind of an act is certainly a crime in our country in these days when certain associations and institutions apply for legal activities. If such an application takes place in our country and if one says that he is a member of a terrorist organization, he/she will immeditiately be arrested.''

[14] OPERATIONS AGAINST HEZBOLLAH ORGANIZATION

Yucelen said that 117 members of other organizations which manipulate religion were also captured.

[15] PERSONNEL RIGHTS

[16] AMENDMENTS IN REGULATIONS

[17] MERNIS PROJECT

[18] INCIDENTS IN AKKISE

Noting that civil service and gendarme inspectors were carrying out investigations into the incident and that the preliminary report had been publicly announced yesterday, Yucelen said, ''it is an isolated incident. It might have caused due to a commanding failure at one point.''

[19] PROTOCOL CRISIS IN MANISA

[20] INVESTIGATION INTO ENERGY CORRUPTION-

[21] CLAIMS OF SOCIAL EXPLOSION

''Some provocateurs can spread rumors, of course. These can be propagandas of terrorist groups. None of the intelligence reports I have received so far do not mention a possible social explosion,'' he said.

Yucelen said that governors had the authority to give permission to activities held by non-governmental organizations on September 1, the World Peace Day.

[22] THREATS

When recalled of discussions on National Security Political Document, Yucelen said that as a member of the National Security Council, he should express his opinion at the NSC meeting which was a secret meeting.

''Here, I am making a statement as the Interior Minister. I can only say that we can make every discussion which does not make concession from the secular Republic and destroy our unitary state structure. However, constructive opinions should be put forward during discussions,'' he said.

Responding to a question about secret surveillance of telephone conversations, Yucelen said that inspectors were continuing their investigations and that any secret surveillance of telephone conversations so far was out of question.

[23] GENDARME INTERCEPT 55 FOREIGNERS WHO ENTER TURKEY ILLEGALLY

Sources said on Wednesday that Gendarme forces had stopped a lorry for control, capturing 23 Pakistanis, 26 Iraqis, 3 Sri Lankans, 2 Iranians, 1 Afghan who had entered Turkey illegally.

Officials said those foreigners would be deported.

[24] TURKEY SAYS ISRAEL HAS TO GIVE BACK ORIENT HOUSE

A Foreign Ministry statement noted that the occupation and closing of Orient House in East Jerusalem and other Palestinian institutions by Israel does not coincide with the assurance Israel gave in 1993 telling that it would not impede the activities of the Palestinian institutions.

The statement noted that there is need for decreasing the tension, adding that ''it is clear that such kind of acts won't serve efforts to form trust between the two sides.''

Turkey expressed its belief that Orient House has to be returned back as soon as possible and favourable conditions have to be formed to allow Palestinian institutions to re-start working again in East Jerusalem. Turkey also called the sides to do their best to prevent the occurance of such situations which will cause Israeli and Palestinian people further lose their hope for peace.

Ministry also said that the proposals covered by Mitchel report should be put into practice without any delay.

[25] ANKARA TO BEGIN A PERIOD OF HEAVY DIPLOMACY TRAFFIC

After the visit of Israeli government officials last month, Ankara is continuing to have telephone conversations with the Palestinian side to maintain the balance.

Foreign Ministry authorities had a telephone conversation with Palestinian International Cooperation Minister Nabeel Shaath and briefed him about the visit of Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon. The ministry authorities told Shaath that Turkey wanted to see violence decreasing and stressed that Israel should also act with wisdom.

Chief negotiator of Palestine Saib Erakat and Turkish Foreign Ministry officials spoke on the phone a number of times recently and exchanged views on what should be done to reach an agreement.

Diplomatic sources said they were not expecting any high level visits from the Palestinian side after Sharon's visit.

Jordanian Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Shahir Bak will pay a three-day visit to Ankara which will start on Thursday. Jordanian and Turkish delegations headed by Bak and Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Faruk Logoglu will tackle bilateral relations and the latest developments in the Middle East.

The Jordanian side will emphasize that ''bringing Israel to the right track'' would positively influence Jordanian-Turkish relations and it would also help Turkey's position in the Middle East. During the talks, the two sides are also expected to discuss new ideas to bring peace to the Middle East.

Turkey and Jordan which share similar views regarding the smart sanctions against Iraq, want these sanctions to be reorganized in a way that would not hurt the Iraqi people. Turkey and Jordan also don't want Iraq's neighbors to be negatively affced by these sanctions.

Bak will be accompanied by a trade and economy delegation during his visit in Turkey. Bak and the accompanying delegation will visit South East Anatolia Development Project (GAP) Administration Directorate during their visit. He will also have a meeting with Foreign Trade Undersecretary Kursad Tuzmen. Increasing trade volume between Turkey and Jordan, transportation of Egyptian oil and natural gas to Turkey and highway transportation will be the main topics of the meetings.

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