Anadolu Agency: News in English, 98-01-21

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From: The Anadolu Agency Home Page at <http://www.anadoluajansi.gov.tr/>

21 JAN 1998

CONTENTS

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

[02] TURKEY-CROATIA - PARLIAMENT SPEAKER CETIN MEETS CROATIAN PARLIAMENT SPEAKER PAVLETIC - CETIN: ''TURKEY HAS ALWAYS ATTRIBUTED IMPORTANCE TO TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY OF CROTIA''

[03] TURKEY-BOSNIA - BOSNIAN COUNCIL OF MINISTERS CO-PRESIDENTS IN ANKARA

[04] TURKEY-TEKEL-BAT - TEKEL AND BAT SIGN JOINT VENTURE AGREEMENT

[05] TURKEY-US - TURKEY AND US SIGN MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING

[06] TRNC-HUMAN RIGHTS - EUROPEAN COMMISSION OF HUMAN RIGHTS DECLARES APPLICATION OF EIGHT TURKISH CYPRIOT CITIZENS AGAINST GREEK CYPRIOT SIDE AS ADMISSIBLE

[07] TURKEY-RUSSIA - TURKEY AND RUSSIA EXPECT FURTHER IMPROVEMENT IN POLITICAL DIALOGUE

[08] TURKEY-FOREIGN POLICY - TURKISH AMBASSADOR TO US KANDEMIR: ''NOW BALL IS IN EU'S FIELD'' ''US SHOULD PUT PRESSURE ON SYRIA WHICH SUPPORTS TERRORISM''

[09] TURKEY-BRITAIN - TURKISH-BRITISH PARLIAMENTARIAN GROUP REESTABLISHED

[10] TURKISH PRESS REVIEW (1)

[11] TURKISH PRESS REVIEW (2)

[12] TURKEY-MIDDLE EAST - PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ HOSTS A DINNER IN HONOUR OF ISLAMIC COUNTRIES' AMBASSADORS IN TURKEY - YILMAZ: ''WE DO NOT SUPPORT SETTLEMENT POLICIES OF ISRAEL''

[13] TURKEY IN BRIEF - JANUARY 21, 1998

[14] TURKEY-OPERATION - 45 TERRORISTS KILLED IN SOUTHEASTERN ANATOLIA - EIGHT SECURITY OFFICIALS DIED

[15] TURKEY-BRITAIN - SUPRISE VISIT FROM BRITAIN - CYPRUS SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE HANNEY IN ANKARA ON THURSDAY

[16] TURKEY-PARTY - PURSUIT CONCERNING RP'S ASSETS ABROAD - ACCORDING TO THE NOTICE, INSPECTORS TO PROBE RP'S ASSETS BOTH WITHIN TURKEY AND ABROAD

[17] TURKEY-PARTY - CLOSURE OF THE WELFARE PARTY - FOREIGN MINISTRY: ''FOREIGN REPRESENTATIONS BRIEFED ONLY ABOUT THE ARTICLES OF THE RELATED LAW TO COUNTRIES WHO DEMANDED INFORMATION''

[18] TURKEY-INTERNAL - CONSTITUTIONAL COURT UPHOLDS CLOSURE OF CASINOS IN TURKEY

[19] TURKEY-SUSURLUK REPORT - FOREIGN MINISTRY: ''WE HAVE NOT RECEIVED INFORMATION''

[20] TURKEY-GERMANY - FOREIGN MINISTER CEM TO LEAVE FOR GERMANY

[21] TURKEY-ISRAEL - ISRAELI SPEAKER OF THE PARLIAMENT TO COME TO TURKEY IN FEBRUARY

[22] TURKEY-ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS - FOREIGN MINISTRY: ''MEASURES TAKEN BY TURKEY ARE EFFECTIVE''

[23] TURKEY-BRITAIN - BRITAIN'S VISA IMPLEMENTATION FOR TRNC CITIZENS - FOREIGN MINISTRY DEPUTY UNDERSECRETARY BATU CONVEYS TURKEY'S DISSAPOINTMENT ON THE ISSUE TO THE BRITISH AMBASSADOR

[24] TURKEY-SCHENGEN VISA - SCHENGEN VISA AND ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION WAVE - FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESMAN UTKAN: ''THERE IS AN INTERACTION BETWEEN THE TWO ISSUES''

[25] TURKEY-UKRAINE - UKRAINIAN DEPUTY FM'S CONTACTS IN TURKEY

[26] TURKEY-BOSNIA - CONTACTS OF BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA CO-CHAIRMEN - INTERDELEGATION TALKS START BETWEEN TURKEY AND BOSNIA

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

HÜRRİYET (LIBERAL)

YILMAZ HOLDS A BRIEFING TO DEMIREL
Prime Minister Mesut Yılmaz informed President Demirel about Susurluk report last night. Yılmaz will submit the report to President Demirel this morning and parts of the report are expected to be disclosed today. The report will be taken up by National Security Council (MGK) meeting tomorrow.

MİLLİYET (LIBERAL)

SABAH (LIBERAL)

CUMHURİYET (LEFT)

TÜRKİYE (RIGHT)

RADİKAL (LEFT)

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

YENİ YÜZYIL (LIBERAL)

1- Justice will be empowered with super competences and a special penal law will be adopted against mafia and gangs.

2-Special Team will be reformed.

3-Village guardian system will be rearranged and the number of village guards will decrease.

4-The function of gendarme will be determined again.

5-A new system will be set up to prevent the conflicts between intelligence units.

FİNANSAL FORUM (ECONOMY)

[02] TURKEY-CROATIA - PARLIAMENT SPEAKER CETIN MEETS CROATIAN PARLIAMENT SPEAKER PAVLETIC - CETIN: ''TURKEY HAS ALWAYS ATTRIBUTED IMPORTANCE TO TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY OF CROTIA''

Addressing a statement before the meeting, Hikmet Cetin said that Turkey has always attributed importance to the territorial integrity of Croatia and welcomed peaceful integration of Eastern Slovenia with Croatia in this regard.

Noting that Turkey proposed the expansion of NATO to southeastern Mediterranean, but this was not succeeded in Madrid NATO Summit, Cetin pointed out that Turkey extends support to participation of CroAtia in NATO Partnership for Peace Program.

Cetin stressed that there should be an independent state in Bosnia which includes many different people having different religion and culture.

''We believe that the triple solidarity mechanism between Turkey, Croatia and Bosnia had been useful to prevent the expansionism of Serbia in the past. The cooperation between Bosnian and Croatian people will also contribute to install peace in the region today. Dayton Agreement reached success in the field of military, yet it was not that successful in the civilian field. The federation process should be successful for lasting peace in Bosnia,'' said Cetin.

Cetin pointed out that Turkey is one of the big countries which recognized Croatian independence, adding that Turkish-Croatian economic and parliamentary relations have to be improved and he proposed establishment of a friendship group between the two parliaments.

Croatian Parliament Speaker Vlatko Pavletic in his part said that they closely watch the developments in Turkey and they are resolved to cooperate with Turkey in the field of economy and defense.

Pavletic stressed that the two countries will support each other regarding European Union (EU) issue, adding that ''Turkey will gain its place in EU soon.''

[03] TURKEY-BOSNIA - BOSNIAN COUNCIL OF MINISTERS CO-PRESIDENTS IN ANKARA

Developments regarding the peace process in Bosna, bilateral relations and regional developments are expected to be taken up during the first contacts between prime ministers of the two countries since Dayton Peace Agreement was signed in 1995.

Turkey and Bosnia will sign Agreement on Reciprocal Protection and Encouragement of Investments and Agreement on International Motorway Transportation after the official contacts on Wednesday.

Bosnian Co-Presidents Sladzic, Bosic and Deputy Co-President Tomic will also meet President Suleyman Demirel, Prime Minister Mesut Yılmaz, Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit and Foreign Minister Ismail Cem.

The guests will proceed to Istanbul after wrapping up their contacts in Ankara on Wednesday.

[04] TURKEY-TEKEL-BAT - TEKEL AND BAT SIGN JOINT VENTURE AGREEMENT

State Minister Eyup Asik responsible for TEKEL said after the signing ceremony that TEKEL had realized 300 million dollars of exportation last year and tobacco exportation took the first place.

Asik said that BAT would contribute 145.6 million dollars cash in return for an initial 52 percent stake while TEKEL would give 134.4 million dollars in the form of a partly-completed Akhisar Cigarette Factory and working capital in return for a 48 percent stake.

Asik stated that the partly-completed cigarette factory at Akhisar would eventually be equipped to a capacity of over 25 billion cigarettes a year, equivalent to about 25 percent of the total cigarette market in Turkey.

Asik said that the joint stock company to be set up by TEKEL and BAT would be in service within next three months.

According to the protocol, the joint stock company will be formed with a share capital of 280 million dollars, of which 100 million dollars will be paid by the group to Tekel in return for a 49-year exclusive licence to its Samsun and Yeni Harman brands.

The joint venture deal was approved by the government earlier this month.

[05] TURKEY-US - TURKEY AND US SIGN MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING

In his speech at the signature ceremony, State Minister Celebi said that the memorandum of understanding aims to improve cooperation in various fields especially in energy and telecommunication.

Noting that the economic and commercial relations have speeded up by the visit of Prime Minister Mesut Yılmaz to US, Celebi pointed out that the visit of Daley will play an important role to lift the obstacles seen in economic and commercial fields between the two countries.

US Secretary of Commerce William Daley in his part said that

''A powerful economy means powerful person and country. Economic power walks hand in hand with military power,'' adding that they took important steps to improve commercial relations between the two countries during his productive visit to Turkey.

US Secretary of Commerce Daley proceeded to Istanbul the same day to meet leading representatives of Turkish business world.

[06] TRNC-HUMAN RIGHTS - EUROPEAN COMMISSION OF HUMAN RIGHTS DECLARES APPLICATION OF EIGHT TURKISH CYPRIOT CITIZENS AGAINST GREEK CYPRIOT SIDE AS ADMISSIBLE

Ilker Denizci and his seven Turkish friends, who lived in Greek Cypriot side, applied to European Commission and said in their application that they were taken under custody, treated badly by Greek Cypriot officials between April 7-22 and deported to Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC).
Greek Cypriot side claims that the plaintiffs passed to the Turkish side by their own will and they were beaten by Turkish police there.

[07] TURKEY-RUSSIA - TURKEY AND RUSSIA EXPECT FURTHER IMPROVEMENT IN POLITICAL DIALOGUE

Turkish Ambassador to Moscow Bilgin Unan and Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Georgi Mamedov held a meeting and covered the issues of ''bilateral political and economic relations'', ''security of Europe'' and ''disarmament''.

Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Gennadi Tarasov said in a press conference that the sides had conveyed their common anticipation concerning a new step for political and economic relations between two countries in the light of Russian Prime Minister Victor Chernomyrdin's visit to Turkey last month.

Tarasov said that the sides had reached to an agreement that there was a need for a better usage of the existing strategical and stable consultation mechanism.

Ambassador Unan and Deputy Foreign Minister Mamedov also took up the AKKA agreement, which foresees a reduction in conventional forces in Europe within the framework of disarmament and security of Europe.

[08] TURKEY-FOREIGN POLICY - TURKISH AMBASSADOR TO US KANDEMIR: ''NOW BALL IS IN EU'S FIELD'' ''US SHOULD PUT PRESSURE ON SYRIA WHICH SUPPORTS TERRORISM''

In his speech at Virginia University, Kandemir said that Turkey is an island of stability in the middle of the Balkans, the Middle East and Caucasus, which are one of the most unstable regions of the world.

Kandemir stressed that Greece should engage in a meaningful dialogue with Turkey and recalled that the proposal of Turkey to this end was rejected by Greece.

Kandemir pointed out that armament of Greek Cypriot side effects regional stability and threatens peaceful solutions in the island.

Noting that Turkish-Israeli rapproachment is not directed against any third country, Kandemir stated that ''we will further improve our cooperation with Israel, because this is to the interest of both the region and us.''

Kandemir said that Syria uses terrorism as ''a foreign policy tool,'' and Syria should stop its support not only to Hizbullah and Hamas, but also to the separatist terrorist organization PKK.

Nuzhet Kandemir stressed that Turkey does not oppose the enlargement of NATO and its support to Bulgaria and Romaina concerning this issue will continue.

Describing the EU decision taken in Luxembourg Summit regarding Turkey's membership as ''biased, unacceptable and discriminating,'' Kandemir said Turkey will not participate in European Conference and called EU to correct its mistake during term presidency of Britain.

[09] TURKEY-BRITAIN - TURKISH-BRITISH PARLIAMENTARIAN GROUP REESTABLISHED

After the meeting, the Group's Chairman and Labor Party member Ben Chapman gave a press conference to Turkish reporters. Chapman said that Turkish Ambassador to London Ozdem Sanberk and he had took the responsibility of reviving the group.

Chapman said that the group meetings would enable them to provide practical contributions to the solution of bilateral and multilateral problems.

Addressing the meeting, Ambassador Sanberk said that they targetted to revive also the legislative dimension of bilateral relations between two countries.

Sanberk said that they would try to keep open the way for dialogue through informations to be given to British cabinet members who would be invited to the meetings.

Turkish-British Parliamentary Group has 46 members from the House of Commons and eight members from the House of Lords.

[10] TURKISH PRESS REVIEW (1)

(Derived from Newsspot of Turkish Directorate of General Press and Information)

US WILL LAUNCH INVESTMENT DRIVE IN TURKEY
US Secretary of Commerce William Daley accompanied by a delegation of 60 US businessmen completed his visit to Turkey. Daley promised that US entrepreneurs will make new investments worth $50 billion in Turkey. Nevertheless, he said that the materialization of this promise depended on Turkey's willingness to accept international arbitration on the issue.

In meetings with Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz and President Suleyman Demirel yesterday, Daley dwelt on the transportation of Central Asian oil and natural gas to world markets. The US Secretary of Commerce said that Washington would not back the Iranian involvement in upcoming pipeline project. Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz in turn said that feasibility studies on the various alternatives were continuing. Yilmaz noted that the government was working on legal measures that will help overcome bottlenecks in the realization of energy projects. /Hurriyet/

FM CEM MEETS COUNCIL OF EUROPE OFFICIAL
Council of Europe Deputy Secretary General Hans Christian Kruger, paying an official visit to Turkey on the official invitation of Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Korkmaz Haktanir, met yesterday with Foreign Minister Ismail Cem and State Minister responsible for human rights Hikmet Sami Turk. Minister Turk gave Kruger details about moves to improve Turkey's human rights record, and Kruger pointed out that the Council of Europe was ready to support Turkey's efforts in this respect. /Cumhuriyet/

BAT-TEKEL PARTNERSHIP
The State-owned Tekel tobacco monopoly Tekel and the British-American Tobacco (BAT) Company signed yesterday an agreement for the establishment of a joint stock company that will operate the Akhisar factory producing "Samsun" and "Yeni Harman" brand cigarettes. Tekel's share in the new concern is 48 percent, and BAT's share is 52 percent. State Minister Eyub Asik said that the partnership will help increase further the quality of Tekel products. /Cumhuriyet/

DENKTAS PROTESTS VISA APPLICATION
President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), Rauf Denktas said that they would reevaluate their relations with Britain following Britain's recent decision to apply visa restrictions to TRNC citizens. Denktas added that European Union special envoy to Cyprus David Hannay had the responsibility of solving the problem.

Denktas noted that if Hannay wanted to contribute to solving the Cyprus issue, he would have to prevent this "unjust" application. Rauf Denktas discussed the recent decision during a weekend press briefing. /Milliyet/

ALBRIGHT VOWS TO PRESS AHEAD WITH CYPRUS EFFORTS
U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright stressed that Washington will intensify efforts for solving continuing disputes in the Aegean and Cyprus. Expressing her concern about the tensions that might develop in these areas if the conflicts remain unresolved, Albright described the region as "one of the world's power stops," adding that Dayton-broker Richard Holbrooke would continue to work on resolving Cyprus conflict. /Cumhuriyet/

IMF, TURKISH OFFICIALS DISCUSS BUDGET AND STRUCTURAL REFORMS
Turkish officials planned to explain to a delegation from the IMF their plans for structural reforms intended to fix the economy. The IMF delegation started talks with government officials on Monday. The first meeting would focus on Turkey's 1998 budget, as approved by Parliament, said Treasury Chief Yener Dincmen.

The IMF delegation was expected to spend two weeks in Turkey holding talks with various officials. A World Bank mission was in the capital, Ankara, holding separate meetings over the same issue. /Hurriyet/

(continues)

[11] TURKISH PRESS REVIEW (2)

(Derived from Newsspot of Turkish Directorate of General Press and Information)

MILLIYET: KRAMER, ''COMPLY WITH EU CONDITIONS''
Researcher from the German Science and Politics Foundation and Turkish expert, Dr. Heinz Kramer said that there was prejudice between Germany and Turkey. He added, "The European Union door is neither closed nor opened to Turkey. The Turkish economy is developed but macro-economic balances have not developed enough. Now, Turkey should understand what the EU wants. If Turkey wants to enter the EU, she should comply with their conditions." /Milliyet/

TURKISH-GERMAN JOURNALISTS' DIALOGUE SYMPOSIUM
Turkish and German jounalists convened yesterday in Istanbul for a symposium organized jointly by the Frederich Ebert Foundation and Aydin Dogan Foundation, and mostly the stance assumed by Germany during the EU meeting in Luxembourg towards Turkey was criticized. Foreign Minister Ismail Cem also participated in the symposium. Turkish and German journalists agreed during the symposium that it would be useful to develop the dialogue between the two sides. /Hurriyet/

CONTRACTORS BRING IN $2 BILLION
State Minister Mehmet Batalli said that transfers due to contracting services abroad in 1997 exceeded $2 billion. Batalli noted that contracting services abroad were among the most important sectors earning foreign exchange for Turkey. Batalli recalled that the number of countries in which Turkish firms are active had reached 39. /Hurriyet/

FIVE DISTRIBUTION TENDERS COMPLETED
The Energy and Natural Resources Ministry has announced the results of the tenders put out for the transfer of seven B group energy distribution networks to the private sector. It was reported that the tenders in the regions of Diyarbakir-Mardin and Van-Hakkari-Mus-Bitlis-Sirnak-Siirt-Batman were cancelled because there was no acceptable proposal. The total value of tenders for five regions amounted to $275 million. /Hurriyet/

TURKEY EXPORTS BONDS BASED ON GERMAN MARK
Turkey has become the first country to export bonds based on the German Mark among the developing countries. Turkey began to export bonds worth DM 1 billion with a five-year term this week. It was notable that interest was 2.84 points more than that of German state bonds. Following Turkey, Hungary began to export bonds worth DM 500 million yesterday. /Sabah/

TURKISH AIRLINES EXPANDS ITS FLEET
Representatives of Turkish Airlines(THY) , Boeing and Eximbank will sign a contract today, for the purchase of new planes for Turkish Airlines. Turkish Airlines will buy top model 737 or 800 Boeing planes in order to expand its fleet. /Cumhuriyet/

GREEK MANEUVERS IN THE AEGEAN
It was stated yesterday in Greek press that a series of maneuvers will be held by the Greek military forces in the Aegean Sea according Defence Ministry sources. /Cumhuriyet/

[12] TURKEY-MIDDLE EAST - PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ HOSTS A DINNER IN HONOUR OF ISLAMIC COUNTRIES' AMBASSADORS IN TURKEY - YILMAZ: ''WE DO NOT SUPPORT SETTLEMENT POLICIES OF ISRAEL''

In his speech at the dinner, Prime Minister Mesut Yılmaz said that Turkey wishes to develop its friendly relations with all countries in the Middle East, adding that ''Turkey believes that regional countries which do not condemn terrorists activities can not play a reliable and effective role within the framework of Middle East Peace Process.

''Turkey will continue to play an effective role between East and West, North and South and it will launch efforts to install peace and stability, '' said Yılmaz.

Criticizing the establishment of new Jewish settlement centers in Jerusalem and West Bank, Yılmaz stated that Turkey does not support these latest implementations, as they are contrary to the spirit of the Middle East Peace Process.

''Both our government and the Turkish public opinion are sensitive regarding the status of Jerusalem. The solution of this problem plays a crucial role in final solution of all problems. In this framework, we favour a rational solution in Jerusalem,'' said Yılmaz.

Prime Minister Yılmaz pointed out that appointment of ambassadors between Turkey and Iran will be realized soon.

Recalling that the embargo imposed on Iraq effected Turkey negatively, Yılmaz added that ''Turkey lost 30 billion dollars due to the embargo.''

[13] TURKEY IN BRIEF - JANUARY 21, 1998

GIRESUN - Turkey provided 563.9 million dollars of foreign exchange income from the hazelnut exportation in last four and a half months of 1997-1998 exportation season which began on September 1, 1997, it is reported on Wednesday.

Black Sea Hazelnut Exporters' Union said that Turkey exported 123.8 thousand tonnes of hazelnut during that period, adding that 114 thousand tonnes of that volume was exported to European countries.

Turkey is expected to provide nearly one billion dollars of foreign exchange income from the hazelnut exportation to 80 different countries in 1997-1998 season that will last on August 31, 1988.

BRUSSEL - Turkish primary school student Kenan Yesil (aged 9) living in Belgium won the chidren-category of a judo tournament in Belgium, it is reported on Wednesday.

Kenan Yesil attends tournaments as the judoist of the ''Judo Club Molenbeek'' in Belgium.

[14] TURKEY-OPERATION - 45 TERRORISTS KILLED IN SOUTHEASTERN ANATOLIA - EIGHT SECURITY OFFICIALS DIED

Emergency State Regional Governor's Office said that security forces killed 20 terrorists in Gabar mountain in Sırnak province, one terrorist in Hamambogazı region of Sırnak and 24 others in Kulp township of Diyarbakır.

Security Forces captured eight terrorists in Dicle and Kulp townships of Diyarbakır, Kızıltepe township of Mardin and five others surrendered to security forces in Hakkari and Sırnak provinces.

Officials said that eight security officials died during the clashes in Gabar Mountain of Sırnak.

Operations are underway in the region.

[15] TURKEY-BRITAIN - SUPRISE VISIT FROM BRITAIN - CYPRUS SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE HANNEY IN ANKARA ON THURSDAY

Addressing a news conference, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Necati Utkan said Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz will receive Haney as the ''special representative'' of Blair.

Utkan stressed that the agenda of the meeting was not Cyprus, adding that the government's statement issued following Luxembourg summit about relations with European Union (EU) was still valid. Utkan said ''meetings between Prime Minister and British representative will take place within this framework.''

Responding to a question if Hanney would proceed to Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) after concluding contacts in Turkey, Utkan said such a visit was regardless of question.

[16] TURKEY-PARTY - PURSUIT CONCERNING RP'S ASSETS ABROAD - ACCORDING TO THE NOTICE, INSPECTORS TO PROBE RP'S ASSETS BOTH WITHIN TURKEY AND ABROAD

The activities officially started on Wednesday for the elimination of the RP's assets after the issuing of the Council of Ministers decision in the Official Gazette to appoint the Ministry of Finance to carry this out.

It was reported that the Ministry of Finance has concluded pre-studies for the elimination of the RP's assets after the Constitutional Court's decision and a notice was prepared on this subject.

The Ministry of the Interior, Department of Security and if necessary the Ministry of Justice will carry out coordinated efforts to eliminate the assets.

Also probe commissions will be established in the provinces and townships under the responsiblity of the provincial governors to specify the assets. These commissions will take all the documents from the party buildings and they will write to banks to take the amount from the accounts. The commissions will prepare reports and sent them to the Ministry of Finance after the confirmation by the governors.

If the commissions find evidence that the RP has assets abroad, then the Ministry of Finance inspectors will go to these countries to eliminate them.

Article 69 of the Constitution forsees the banning of political parties which get financial aid from international organizations and people who are not Turkish.

Under the Article 66 of the Political Party Law, political parties can not get aid and donations from international organizations, associations, groups and institutions from abroad. Under Article 79 political parties can not be formed and launch activities abroad.

A high ranking official from Ministry of Finance told the A.A. correspondent that the studies forwarded to this end will be concluded within two months.

[17] TURKEY-PARTY - CLOSURE OF THE WELFARE PARTY - FOREIGN MINISTRY: ''FOREIGN REPRESENTATIONS BRIEFED ONLY ABOUT THE ARTICLES OF THE RELATED LAW TO COUNTRIES WHO DEMANDED INFORMATION''

Addressing a weekly news conference, the Foreign Ministry Spokesman Necati Utkan said that Turkey's giving information to foreign countries regarding the closure of the RP was regardless of the questions asked, adding that ''to this end only the Articles of the law regarding the closure decision are conveyed to the countries who wanted information from Turkey's foreign representations.''

Utkan stressed that it was not proper to make comments on the decisions of jurisdiction based on the principle of the separation of forces and pointed out that the information given to foreign countries in this respect has legal dimensions.

[18] TURKEY-INTERNAL - CONSTITUTIONAL COURT UPHOLDS CLOSURE OF CASINOS IN TURKEY

The High Court in its meeting concluded a request to annul the temporary Article 1 of the ''Law Regarding the Change in the Law for the Encouragement of Tourism''. The Article foresees the closure of casinos in Turkey.

Guven Dincer, the Constitutional Court Vice Prosecutor, said after the meeting that the claim of opposition to the Constitution was rejected by a majority of votes.

The casinos were shut down by the Parliament last year and the Constitutional Court's ruling on Wednesday has made it final.

[19] TURKEY-SUSURLUK REPORT - FOREIGN MINISTRY: ''WE HAVE NOT RECEIVED INFORMATION''

Necati Utkan, the Foreign Ministry Spokesman, told a weekly news conference that the Ministry has not yet received any official information regarding several incidents claimed to be in the Susurluk report prepared by Kutlu Savas, Chairman of the Prime Ministry Inspection Committee. Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz assigned Kutlu Savas to work on the issue.

Responding to a question that cooperation was undertaken with the Israeli and Syrian security services to kill the head of the separatist terrorist PKK organization and that this issue was included in Susurluk report, Utkan said that they have not received the report, adding that the Prime Ministry did not call for information from the Foreign Ministry about the allegations in question.

[20] TURKEY-GERMANY - FOREIGN MINISTER CEM TO LEAVE FOR GERMANY

Addressing a weekly news conference, Necati Utkan, the Foreign Ministry Spokesman, said that Cem who will go to Germany to hold a meeting with the Turkish consuls in several European countries may also meet with Klaus Kinkel, the German Foreign Minister.

Utkan said the aim of Cem's visit to Germany was to meet with the Turkish consuls to European countries where many Turkish citizens are living. Responding to a question if there was a possibility of Cem meeting with Kinkel, Utkan said, ''Turkey does not have a request to this end. Yet, such a meeting may take place.''

[21] TURKEY-ISRAEL - ISRAELI SPEAKER OF THE PARLIAMENT TO COME TO TURKEY IN FEBRUARY

Necati Utkan, the Foreign Ministry Spokesman told a weekly news conference that Tikhon will come to Turkey in February.

Tikhon, who attracted attention with his statements following the closure of the Welfare Party (RP) met with Barlas Ozener, Turkey's Ambassador to Tel Aviv today, adding that Tikhon said his statements during this meeting were misunderstood.

Dan Tikhon, Speaker of the Knesset, addressing a delegation composed of military attach&eacute;s who are accredited to Tel Aviv talked about the closure of the RP and said, ''there were two democracies in the Middle East. Now, there is only one, that is Israel.'' The Turkish military attach&eacute; gave the necessary response to Tikhon after this statement.

Subsequently, Tikhon apologized to Turkey saying that, ''I did not have an intention of attacking Turkey. This small statement went beyond its meaning.''

[22] TURKEY-ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS - FOREIGN MINISTRY: ''MEASURES TAKEN BY TURKEY ARE EFFECTIVE''

Necati Utkan, the Foreign Ministry Spokesman told a weekly news conference that Turkey's measures taken on the issue were effective and that other countries implemented serious measures in this respect. ''No speculative information has come to us recently regarding the illegal immigration,'' he said.

When he was reminded about Italy's proposal to take measures against the illegal immigrants in the international platforms, Utkan said that this issue had been on the agenda for a time. Utkan said that Turkey is closely following these opinions, adding that ''there are several opinions about taking up the issue in the European organizations. We are closely following the direction of the incidents. We are following the issue from all aspects by taking into consideration the regional balances.''

[23] TURKEY-BRITAIN - BRITAIN'S VISA IMPLEMENTATION FOR TRNC CITIZENS - FOREIGN MINISTRY DEPUTY UNDERSECRETARY BATU CONVEYS TURKEY'S DISSAPOINTMENT ON THE ISSUE TO THE BRITISH AMBASSADOR

Necati Utkan, the Foreign Ministry Spokesman, told a weekly news conference that Inal Batu, the Foreign Ministry Deputy Undersecretary conveyed to Logan the uneasiness Turkey felt over the implementation. Utkan said that Turkey supported the TRNC regarding the issue and summarized the messages conveyed to Logan by Batu as:

''We have stressed to the British Ambassador that the implementation of visas initiated by Britain for the TRNC citizens to prevent asylum applications are a kind of punishment for the TRNC citizens. The regrettable point of the issue is that the visa fees should be paid in Greek Cypriot currency which is not valid in the TRNC. Also hope was expressed that Britain would lift this implementation.''

Utkan said that Turkey would support measures which will be taken by the TRNC if Britain fails to lift this implementation.

[24] TURKEY-SCHENGEN VISA - SCHENGEN VISA AND ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION WAVE - FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESMAN UTKAN: ''THERE IS AN INTERACTION BETWEEN THE TWO ISSUES''

Responding to a question regarding the outcomes of a meeting which the Schengen countries will hold on Jan 15 in a weekly press briefing, Utkan said that the illegal immigration wave appeared after the Greek initiatives to control Turkish citizens applying for the Schengen visa, replacing the problem regarding the Schengen visa on the agenda.

Utkan said that the reservation of Turkey about the Schengen visa was the possibility that Turkish citizens may meet with a postponement in entering Europe and stressed that ''we have not received information that there are great losses and postponements.''

Utkan said, ''I can say that there was not a development regarding Greece's control of Turkey among the Schengen countries,'' adding that they had the impression that the issue was carried out without creating an important problem.

Utkan said that with the illegal immigration wave, Turkey was faced with two problems and stressed that what is important for Turkey is that Turkish citizens who want to go to Europe legally would not receive losses.

[25] TURKEY-UKRAINE - UKRAINIAN DEPUTY FM'S CONTACTS IN TURKEY

Necati Utkan, the Foreign Ministry Spokesman said that the sinking of a Turkish boat by the Ukrainian coastguard boats was on the agenda during Haktanir's meeting with Buteyko. Utkan said that the problem stemmed from fishing rights.

Utkan said that during the meeting joint steps that may be taken to deepen bilateral relations were discussed, adding that the two sides decided to establish a negotiation mechanism between Turkey and the Ukraine.

Utkan, the Foreign Ministry Spokesman said that Mehmet Ali Irtemcelik, the Foreign Ministry Deputy Undersecretary will go to Georgia on January 27 and Turkish-Georgian relations will be discussed during the two day meeting.

[26] TURKEY-BOSNIA - CONTACTS OF BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA CO-CHAIRMEN - INTERDELEGATION TALKS START BETWEEN TURKEY AND BOSNIA

Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz said this was the first visit from Bosnia in this level to Turkey after Dayton Peace Agreement. Bosnian Co-Chairman Haris Sladzic said, ''we feel as if we are at home.''

Speaking to press before the interdelegational talks, Yilmaz said this was the first visit from Bosnia in premiership level.

Sladzic said they were in an effort to create a new country after Dayton Peace Agreement and added that they were thankful to Turkey over its support to Bosnia.

Besides the two agreements that will be signed between the two countries, efforts will be launched to activate remaining part of a 80-million-dollar credit Turkey extended to Bosnia.

Also, contacts will take place during the meeting about the Eximbank credit that is given in return of project.

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