Anadolu Agency: News in English, 98-03-03

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CONTENTS

[01] TURKEY-IRAN - TURKEY'S NEW AMBASSADOR IN IRAN

[02] TURKEY-SPAIN - DEMIREL RESPONDS TO QUESTIONS OF SPANISH JOURNALISTS - PRESIDENT DEMIREL: ''WE BELIEVE THAT DISCRIMINATION EU MADE AGAINST TURKEY WILL BE CHANGED AT THE CARDIFF SUMMIT''

[03] TURKEY-SPAIN - PRESIDENT DEMIREL LEAVES FOR SPAIN - DEMIREL: ''WE WILL DISCUSS ALL RELATIONS BETWEEN TURKEY AND SPAIN''

[04] TURKEY-KOSOVO - CLASHES IN KOSOVO - FOREIGN MINISTRY ADVISES CONCERNED SIDES TO BE PATIENT

[05] TURKEY-CITIZENSHIP - MINISTER OF THE INTERIOR BASESKIOGLU: ''AIM OF THE STATE IS TO PROVIDE A SECURE LIFE REGARDING THE LAW FOR CITIZENS LIVING ABROAD''

[06] TURKEY-INTERNAL - COUNCIL OF MINISTERS MEETING ENDS - STATE MINISTER AND GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN ANDICAN SAYS DRAFT LAWS THAT WILL BE ISSUED PRIMARILY FROM THE PARLIAMENT ARE SPEFICIED

[07] TURKISH PRESS REVIEW (1)

[08] TURKISH PRESS REVIEW (2)

[09] TURKEY-AZERBAIJAN - MINISTER OF LABOUR AND SOCIAL SECURITY CAGAN IN BAKU

[10] TURKEY-EU - EU COMMISSION'S REPORT ON TURKEY TO BE ANNOUNCED ON WEDNESDAY

[11] TURKEY-TREASURY - TREASURY DEBT 1.3 QUADRILLION TURKISH LIRAS AND PAYS A TOTAL OF ONE QUADRILLION TURKISH LIRAS OF PRINCIPAL IN DOMESTIC AND FOREIGN DEBTS DURING JANUARY-FEBRUARY 1998 PERIOD - THE CASH DEFICIT WAS 626.1 TRILLION LIRAS IN THE SAME PERIOD - TREASURY DOES NOT USE ADVANCE PAYMENTS FOR TWO MONTHS

[12] TURKEY-SPAIN - PRESIDENT DEMIREL ARRIVES IN SPAIN

[13] TURKEY-EU - EP: ''MEMBERSHIP OF CYPRUS TO EU WITHOUT TURKEY IS DIFFICULT'' - ''SOLUTION OF CYPRUS QUESTION DEPENDS ON TURKISH-GREEK RAPPROCHEMENT''

[14] TURKEY IN BRIEF (2)- MARCH 3, 1998

[15] TURKEY-AZERBAIJAN - AZERBAIJANI PRIME MINISTER RASIZADE: ''THE BAKU- CEYHAN PIPELINE WILL FURTHER STRENGTHEN THE COOPERATION BETWEEN THE TWO COUNTRIES''

[16] TURKEY-HEROIN - SECURITY FORCES SEIZE 47 KG OF PURE HEROIN IN THE EASTERN PROVINCE OF VAN

[17] TURKEY-UN - UN SECRETARY GENERAL ANNAN SENDS A LETTER TO TRNC PRESIDENT DENKTAS: ''I AM READY TO MEET YOU IN PRINCIPLE, BUT CONSULTANT CORDOVEZ WILL VISIT CYPRUS SOON AS A FIRST STEP''

[01] TURKEY-IRAN - TURKEY'S NEW AMBASSADOR IN IRAN

Turkey's Embassy in Iran has been empty since Ambassador Osman Koruturk returned to Turkey after the political crisis caused by the statement of Ali Rıza Bagheri, Iran's former Ambassador to Turkey on the ''Jerusalem Night'' arranged by the Sincan municipality on February 1, 1997.

Ambassador Sencar Ozsoy who was born in 1942, graduated from the Ankara University Department of Politics in 1965. Ozsoy was Turkey's Ambassador to Argentina before he was appointed to Teheran.

[02] TURKEY-SPAIN - DEMIREL RESPONDS TO QUESTIONS OF SPANISH JOURNALISTS - PRESIDENT DEMIREL: ''WE BELIEVE THAT DISCRIMINATION EU MADE AGAINST TURKEY WILL BE CHANGED AT THE CARDIFF SUMMIT''

President Demirel responded to the questions of reporters' from the ''El Pais'' and ''La Vanguardia'' newspapers before his official visit to Spain.

The Presidential Press Center said in response to the questions about relations with the EU, that Demirel said he did not think Europe was afraid of Turkey. Noting that the secular and democratic Turkish state has adopted a market economy, Demirel said, ''the Europeans accepted the Ottoman Empire as a part of Europe during the 1856 Paris Conference. Then, why is Turkey isolated from Europe in 1998? If Europe is afraid of Turkey, then she should not have signed the 1963 Agreement. If Europe is afraid of Turkey, then she should not have responded to Turkey's application in 1989 saying that 'Turkey is a candidate country' and if Europe is afraid of Turkey, then she should not have accepted the Customs Union Accord in 1995.''

When asked if Turkey has another choice, Demirel said ''no'' and added, ''Turkey will become a part of the European Union. We should be patient.''

Pointing out that Europe needed Turkey which is a member of all her institutions and organizations, Demirel said decisions taken during the Luxembourg Summit were a suprise for Turkey and that there was a discrimination which should be changed.

''Our friends like Chirac, Jospin and European friends want us to participate in the Conference. They insisted on the issue in Paris a week ago. However, the Turkish people are disappointed because of the Luxembourg decisions,'' Demirel said.

When asked if Europe would give up being a Christian club, Demirel said, ''discrimination based on religions should not be allowed,'' and stressed that Europe should not be divided again. He said Europe is not merely a geography, it is a civilization project and a fan of values. ''We will never turn our back on this concept.''

Responding to the question, ''there is a problem of fundamentalism in Turkey. The Welfare Party was closed and the party leaders were banned from political activities. Do you think this is the best method for solving the problems?'' Demirel said that Turkey is a legal state. If the constitution bans something, then it cannot be done. If an Islamist party is established in a secular Republic, then this shows that it is against secularism.

When asked if a Kurdish state would be established one day, Demirel said not in Turkey, only the Republic of Turkey would exist on Turkish territory.

[03] TURKEY-SPAIN - PRESIDENT DEMIREL LEAVES FOR SPAIN - DEMIREL: ''WE WILL DISCUSS ALL RELATIONS BETWEEN TURKEY AND SPAIN''

Speaking before his departure for Spain, Demirel said that the State Minister Isin Celebi, Foreign Minister Ismail Cem, Tourism Minister Ibrahim Gurdal, Parliamentary Foreign Relations Commission Chairman Murat Karayalcin, businessmen and representatives from professional institutions and the press will accompany him during the visit.

Pointing out that this will be the first visit from Turkey to Spain at the Presidential level, Demirel said ''during the three day visit, I will meet with the Spanish King Juan Carlos, Spanish Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar and other government and administration officials to discuss bilateral relations. Thus, we will have the opportunity to further improve political, economic and cultural cooperation between the two countries. We will also have the opportunity to exchange views on regional issues in which we have a joint interest.''

Demirel stressed that there was a very big potential to improve trade and economic relations with Spain, adding, ''we are the two largest countries in the Mediterranean. We are willing to increase bilateral trade relations and investments.''

Demirel said the Turkish and Spanish businessmen will meet in Madrid and Barcelona, which is the most important center of the economy and industry in Spain.

Demirel said that Turkish-Spanish relations which have been continuing for 400 years promise a brilliant future with the Europe-Mediterranean dimension. ''I believe that my visit will contribute to the realization of this,'' he added.

[04] TURKEY-KOSOVO - CLASHES IN KOSOVO - FOREIGN MINISTRY ADVISES CONCERNED SIDES TO BE PATIENT

The Foreign Ministry written statement said that Turkey is closely following the developments in Kosovo.

Stressing that it was regrettable that the clashes in the region resulted in casualties, the statement briefed Turkey's attitude as follows:

''Turkey is of the opinion that all the basic rights and freedoms of the people living in Kosovo should be taken under guarantee within the framework of respect for human rights, the principles of the UN and OSCE without discriminating against ethnical, religious and cultural identities.''

The Foreign Ministry statement said that all kind of measures in Kosovo, including terrorism activities and violence, should be avoided and stressed that the question should be solved within the framework of the territorial integrity of the Yugoslavia Federal Republic and through negotiations.

[05] TURKEY-CITIZENSHIP - MINISTER OF THE INTERIOR BASESKIOGLU: ''AIM OF THE STATE IS TO PROVIDE A SECURE LIFE REGARDING THE LAW FOR CITIZENS LIVING ABROAD''

Baseskioglu said in a written statement that citizens living abroad wish to have the citizenship of other countries in order to have a better life and to benefit from economic, social and political rights abroad.

Noting that Germany, Austria, Sweden and Denmark do not accept dual citizenship and they ask these people to renounce Turkish citizenship, Baseskioglu pointed out that citizens living in these countries wish to renounce their citizenship rights in Turkey and therefore and they are treated like foreigners in Turkey.

Baseskioglu stressed that the state decided to recognize several rights to these people who lost their citizenship rights in Turkey, such as the right to reside, travel, work, heritage, invest and engage in commercial activities.

''The aim of the state is to provide a secure life regarding the law for Turkish citizens who live abroad,'' said Baseskioglu.

[06] TURKEY-INTERNAL - COUNCIL OF MINISTERS MEETING ENDS - STATE MINISTER AND GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN ANDICAN SAYS DRAFT LAWS THAT WILL BE ISSUED PRIMARILY FROM THE PARLIAMENT ARE SPEFICIED

Speaking after the Council of Ministers meeting Andican said several changes regarding the Tax Reform Draft Law, Social Security Administration Draft Law, Draft Law for Changes in the Capital Market Law, Local Administrations Reform Draft Law, Customs Draft Law, Draft Law to Prevent Unjust Competition in Exports, Draft Law of the Turkish Accreditation Council and several changes related to the Turkish Penal Code were discussed.

Andican said draft laws regarding the Ministry of the Interior's reorganization of residence permit for foreigners and arrangements about the Repentance Law would be discussed soon.

Andican said that students who are receiving education at the Imam-Hatip (religious) Schools for girls should not be forced to take off their head coverings or to wear head coverings.

[07] TURKISH PRESS REVIEW (1)

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

PRESIDENT DEMIREL OFF TO SPAIN
President Suleyman Demirel, started today a visit to Madrid as the guest of Spain's King Juan Carlos which was scheduled a year ago. Turkey, which is seeking full membership in the European Union (EU) wants to strengthen ties with some of the EU member countries. /Cumhuriyet/

TURKEY DISCUSSES CASPIAN OIL TRANSPORT
The Foreign Ministers of Turkey, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhistan and Turkmenistan confirmed on Monday the need for the safe transport of Caspian basin oil and gas resources to international markets at the end of a two- day Istanbul meeting held at the Ciragan Palace Hotel. "The ministers confirmed the need for of transporting these resources to international markets in safety through economically and commercially feasible multiple oil and natural gas pipelines," a comminuque issued at the end of the meeting declared. The communique added: "The ministers jointly expressed their conviction that the construction of an east-west corridor for the transportation of oil and natural gas from Central Asia, the Caspian basin and the Caucasus to the West through multiple pipelines, particularly through Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey, shall meet not only the national expectations of the energy-supplying states, but shall also address the requirements of the transit and consumer countries," the communuqie read. Foreign Minister Ismail Cem said that during the multilateral meeting held with the participation of five countries, support was given to the Baku- Ceyhan pipeline project. He added that an invitation from the Georgian Foreign Minister to hold the next foreign ministers meeting in Georgia will be evaluated. /Cumhuriyet/Milliyet/

TURKEY-SYRIA RELATIONS
Turkey said on Monday that it was seeking to launch a fresh dialogue with Syria in a bid to restore ties battered by a series of disputes. "We are hoping that we will make a new start in our relations with Syria," Foreign Ministry Spokesman Sermet Atacanli told a news briefing. Atacanli said that a Syrian delegation might visit Turkey soon, following last week's visit to Damascus by a Turkish delegation led by Foreign Ministry Deputy Undersecretary Aykut Cetirge. Atacanli said that while in Damascus Cetirge had discussed Turkey's relations with Israel. Atacanli said the Turkey's delegation had once more assured the Syrian side that the developing ties with Israel did not target any third country and that Turkey remained committed to the Middle East peace process. /Cumhuriyet/Hurriyet/

DENKTAS: "NO EU WITHOUT TURKEY"

Rauf Denktas, the President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), asserted once again on Monday that Turkish Cypriots would never agree to join a European Union (EU) which excludes Turkey. Denktas further told reporters that the TRNC does not want to be alone in the political arena. President Denktas said that the doors for negotiations will be open if Clerides invites him as the President of the TRNC. /Hurriyet/

TURKEY-LITHUANIA AGREEMENT
A "Free Trade Agreement" between Turkey and Lithuania has been accepted by the Cabinet. The agreement aims to improve trade conditions and increase cooperation between the two countries. It also seeks ways to participate actively in the Europwan economic integration process. /Cumhuriyet/

TURKISH BUSINESSMEN TO TRNC
Chairman of both the Democrat Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association (DEMSIAD) and the Turkish Exporters' and Importers' Association (TIDER), Fermani Altun, and an accompanying delegation will pay a visit to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) tomorrow. The delegation will discuss export, import and investment projects between the two countries. /Cumhuriyet/

(To be continued)

[08] TURKISH PRESS REVIEW (2)

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

FUGITIVES DETAINED
108 fugitives from eight countries, waiting to illegally cross the Greek border in efforts to reach European countries, have been detained. It is reported that Albanians, Egyptians and many Asians were among the fugitives. /Milliyet/

USD 234 MILLION FROM PRIVATIZATION
It is reported that during the first two months of 1998, privatization projects worth USD 234 million were finalized. Meanwhile, 10 more public institutions are about to be put on the block. /Milliyet/

DINI MAKES BRIEF VISIT TO TURKEY
Italian Foreign Minister Lamberto Dini visited Turkey while journeying to Iran for an official visit there. Dini met with Turkish Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Ambassador Korkmaz Haktanir. It is reported that during the meeting, initiatives taken developed by Turkey for the solution of the Iraq problem, the new Iranian administration and European Union (EU) issues were taken up. /Milliyet/

TAX NUMBER FOR EVERYONE
From now on, everyone who wants to purchase and sell vehicles will have to have a tax number. Those who do not have a tax number must apply to the tax administration with their birth certificate, when they will be given a number. Finance Minister Temizel said in a statement to Milliyet newspaper that after 1 May, tax numbers will also be required during the buying and selling of property. /Milliyet/

DEMIREL RECEIVES FP DELEGATION
Representatives of the newly established Virtue Party (FP) were received yesterday by President Suleyman Demirel. The Virtue Party was established after the Constitutional Court decision to ban the Welfare Party (RP) entered into effect. FP has managed to attract many former RP deputies, and ensured more than 130 seats in Parliament, in a short time emerging as the biggest opposition party. During his meeting with FP leader Ismail Alptekin and FP Parliamentary Group Chairman Recai Kutan, President Demirel said that from the legal point of view the FP was as a continuation of the outlawed RP. /Sabah/

COUNCIL OF MINISTERS MEETING
Following a meeting of the Turkish government coalition partners and a subsequent Council of Ministers meeting, Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz announced yesterday that girls studying at religious schools were free to wear head coverings. This statement aims to ease a recent escalation of tensions caused by Education Minister Hikmet Ulugbay's decision to stick to clothing regulations banning head scarves. /Sabah/

NEW TERM IN NATIONAL SECURITY ACADEMY
The 1998 term of the National Security Academy (MGA) started yesterday with an opening ceremony which Deputy Chief of the General Staff, General Cevik Bir, attended. Describing the purposes of the National Security Academy, General Kemal Yılmaz stressed the necessity for the preventing the growth of Islamic fundementalism by informing administrators and advancing new ideas on this issue. Yılmaz also noted that out of the 1211 individuals given special training in the academy so far, 750 were civilians. /Hurriyet/

SPECIAL STAMPS TO COMMEMORATE 75th ANNIVERSARY OF THE REPUBLIC

Celebratory stamps will be issued for the upcoming 75th anniversary of the Turkish Republic. The Directorate General of the Postal Services has arranged a competition in order to select the stamp designs. Designs must be related to the principles of Ataturk. /Cumhuriyet/

[09] TURKEY-AZERBAIJAN - MINISTER OF LABOUR AND SOCIAL SECURITY CAGAN IN BAKU

Addressing the Azerbaijani Ministry of Labour and People's Social Security, Cagan said that concrete steps have not been taken in the field of social security between the two countries although Turkey and Azerbaijan signed a protocol in 1995 and an agreement in 1997.

Noting that the Turkish side has submitted the draft law on social security to Azerbaijan, Nami Cagan proposed to set up a joint working group which will be composed of the high ranking officials of the two ministries to strengthen the relations in this field.

Ali Nagiyev, the Azerbaijani Minister of Labour and People's Security said that they would like to benefit from the rich experience of Turkey concerning the realization of reforms in the field of social security.

Stressing that Turkey is the country where many Azerbaijani people work, Nagiyev recalled that there are also many Turkish people working in Azerbaijan and providing social security for these people is of great importance concerning bilateral relations. Nagiyev pointed out that the social security of Azerbaijani people working in Turkish institutions in Azerbaijan will also be discussed.

Mentioning the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict, Nagiyev stated that there are 300,000 businesses in Azerbaijani territory which were invaded by Armenia and 6,000 Azerbaijani people became disabled due to the war.

[10] TURKEY-EU - EU COMMISSION'S REPORT ON TURKEY TO BE ANNOUNCED ON WEDNESDAY

The report aims to appease the Turkish-EU relations which became tense after the EU Luxembourg Summit held in December 1997 by confirming that ''Turkey is included in the enlargement process of the EU.''

The report also stresses that the EU has proposed to Turkey ''a strategy which prepares Turkey for full membership'' during the Luxembourg Summit.

The EU Commission points out that a part of their proposals need financial assistance and it also insists that the financial protocol should be implemented.

The report of the Commission lists measures to expand the Customs Union between the EU and Turkey and calls on the EU to start a macro-economic dialogue with Turkey by taking into account the process of the Monetary Union.

This report will be implemented if the Greek veto and problems resulting from several EU countries can be overcome in the EU Council of Ministers, which is the main decision organ of the EU.

[11] TURKEY-TREASURY - TREASURY DEBT 1.3 QUADRILLION TURKISH LIRAS AND PAYS A TOTAL OF ONE QUADRILLION TURKISH LIRAS OF PRINCIPAL IN DOMESTIC AND FOREIGN DEBTS DURING JANUARY-FEBRUARY 1998 PERIOD - THE CASH DEFICIT WAS 626.1 TRILLION LIRAS IN THE SAME PERIOD - TREASURY DOES NOT USE ADVANCE PAYMENTS FOR TWO MONTHS

The Undersecretariat of the Treasury announced the temporary results of the debt programme for February. The statistics show that the Treasury collected 1.3 quadrillion Turkish Liras in revenues and made 1.1 quadrillion Turkish Liras in expenditures excluding interest in the first two months of 1998. In the same period, the Treasury paid 930.8 trillion Turkish Liras in interest while the cash deficit was 626.1 trillion Turkish Liras.

Meanwhile, the Treasury paid 186.8 trillion Turkish Liras in foreign debts and 858.2 trillion Turkish Liras in domestic debts. Its domestic debt was 1.3 quadrillion Turkish Liras in the same period.

[12] TURKEY-SPAIN - PRESIDENT DEMIREL ARRIVES IN SPAIN

President Demirel will receive Jose Maria Aznar, the Spanish Prime Minister and several Spanish officials the same day.

Responding to the questions of journalists on the flight from Ankara to Madrid, President Demirel said that the issue of religious head covers should not be regarded as an issue of the regime or ideology.

Noting that this issue should be carefully taken up, President Demirel stated that he does not have any objections to the attitude assumed by the government regarding the head covers.

Responding to a question asked about whether progress has been recorded regarding the Susurluk scandal, President Demirel stated that ''everything is in the hands of justice, prosecutors and investigators.''

''There is no need to hold an election in Turkey at the moment. The parliament can decide on such an issue and the political parties which constitute the government said on Monday that there are no elections on their agenda,'' said Demirel responding to another question.

Evaluating his visit to Spain, President Demirel said, ''the future of Turkey is like that of Spain, which is an industrialized country. It attracts 65 million tourists, gains an income of 25 billion US dollars from tourism and it has a trade volume of 200 billion US dollars. The gross national product (GNP) of Spain is more than 15,000 dollars. We can hopefully reach that point within 10-15 years.''

[13] TURKEY-EU - EP: ''MEMBERSHIP OF CYPRUS TO EU WITHOUT TURKEY IS DIFFICULT'' - ''SOLUTION OF CYPRUS QUESTION DEPENDS ON TURKISH-GREEK RAPPROCHEMENT''

Prof. Mumtaz Soysal, who explained the views of Turkey at the panel, described the decision of the European Union (EU) to start full membership negotiations with the Greek Cypriot side as ''a big mistake.''

Noting that Turkey will not allow others to regard the Turkish people on the island as a minority, Soysal said that an attitude of this type will never obtain results, adding that the EU has to change its attitude.

The Greek and Greek Cypriot participants stressed that the Turkish side should also participate in the full membership negotiations with the EU and if this is not the case, the target will not be achieved.

The Greek and Turkish Cypriot delegations focused on a federative solution and complained of radical nationalist activities on the island.

Magda Aelvoet, the Co-President of Green Group in the EP, described the initiatives to deploy Russian missiles on the Greek Cypriot side as ''a serious mistake,'' pointing out that a region, where tension is continiously being escalated, cannot have a healthy dialogue with the EU.

Oliver Dood, who is a British expert, said that representatives of the Turkish community cannot participate in full membership negotiations with the EU, because there are not equal conditions, recalling that the EU has lost its influence on Turkey due to its wrong attitude.

At the end of the panel, it has been agreed that the solution of the Cyprus question is necessary in respect to joining the EU and full membership negotiations which will start with EU will not obtain results under these circumstances and a solution can only be realized by providing a Turkish- Greek rapprochement.

[14] TURKEY IN BRIEF (2)- MARCH 3, 1998

Talay said in a written statement that their aim is to let the Turkish people living abroad continue their relations with the Turkish culture by reading the books published in the Turkish language.

''Our Ministry will send Turkish books to 30 European libraries which have a Turkish Books Section,'' Talay said in the written statement.

The Ministry of Culture will send Turkish books to the universities in Sweden, Denmark, Britain, Austria, Germany and Macedonia.

ANKARA - The Ankara Municipal Board made a decision on Tuesday for becoming a ''sister city'' of Vietnam's capital of Hanoi.

The Ankara Municipality said in a written statement that the aim of the decision taken unanimously is to improve the relations between Turkey and Vietnam and also between Ankara and Hanoi.

The decision makes Ankara Mayor responsible for signing the sister city protocol.

ANKARA - The Parliament Constitutional and Justice Joint Commission will convene on March 5 to discuss the decisions of the preparation commissions for abolishing the immunities of the True Path Party (DYP) Elazig Deputy Mehmet Agar, the Republican People's Party (CHP) Samsun Deputy Murat Karayalcin and the DYP Isparta Deputy Omer Bilgin, it was reported on Tuesday.

The Joint Commission, which will be chaired by Atila Sav, the Chairman of the Constitutional Commission, will deal with 23 files transferred from the preparation commissions.

ANKARA - The Central Bank specified on Tuesday the variable rates of interest to be implemented in March for the loans given within the scope of the foreign credits currency exchange difference funds.

According to the Central Bank's official notice published in the Official Gazette the same day, the rate of interest for the foreign credits, which were in the scope of the currency exchange funds, will be 104,91 percent until the end of this month.

TRABZON - Turkey obtained 671 million US dollars in foreign exchange income from the export of hazelnuts in the first six months of 1997-1998 export season which began on September 1, 1997, it was reported on Tuesday.

The Black Sea Exporters' Union said that they exported 148 thousand tonnes of hazelnuts mostly to European countries.

SAMSUN - Ten students studying at the Alparslan Primary School in Samsun Province are preparing their statement that they will present at ''The Fifth World Children's Summit'' organized with the cooperation of the UNESCO and Disney Publications, it was reported on Tuesday.

The Children's Summit will take place in Paris between May 4 and 8.

ANKARA - Tansu Ciller, the leader of the True Path Party (DYP) met on Tuesday with Hüsamettin Cindoruk, leader of Democratic Turkey Party (DTP) within the framework of her talks with the party leaders.

After meeting with Ciller, DTP leader Cindoruk said that such talks will not yield a result.

Stating that they did not discuss early elections with Ciller, Cindoruk said that they were ready to contribute every political effort for democratization.

[15] TURKEY-AZERBAIJAN - AZERBAIJANI PRIME MINISTER RASIZADE: ''THE BAKU- CEYHAN PIPELINE WILL FURTHER STRENGTHEN THE COOPERATION BETWEEN THE TWO COUNTRIES''

Rasizade received on Tuesday Nami Cagan, the Minister of Labour and Social Security, who is currently holding contacts in Baku.

Speaking at the meeting, Rasizade stated that the bilateral relations have been developing since Azerbaijan gained its independence. Noting that several neighbouring states could not accept these relations, Rasizade stressed that both countries should be careful about this issue.

Artur Rasizade added that the relations between the two countries at the level of ministers are very useful regarding the cooperation between the two countries.

[16] TURKEY-HEROIN - SECURITY FORCES SEIZE 47 KG OF PURE HEROIN IN THE EASTERN PROVINCE OF VAN

Acting on a tip off, the Gendarmes staged an operation in Guzelsu-Baskale- Gurpınar triangle and wounded Mikail Karademir and Huseyin Demirhan, who did not stop when they saw the Gendarmes.

The market price of the heroin is approximately 1.3 trillion Turkish Liras.

The Gendarme officials said that Huseyin Demirhan has been taken for medical treatment and Mikail Karademir's hand was slightly scratched.

[17] TURKEY-UN - UN SECRETARY GENERAL ANNAN SENDS A LETTER TO TRNC PRESIDENT DENKTAS: ''I AM READY TO MEET YOU IN PRINCIPLE, BUT CONSULTANT CORDOVEZ WILL VISIT CYPRUS SOON AS A FIRST STEP''

''I believe that you and Clerides will launch efforts to reach an agreement concerning the need to meet face to face during your contacts with my consultant,'' said Annan.

Responding to the letter, TRNC President Denktas said that ''it is sad for Annan to think that face-to-face negotiations between the two sides, which have totally ended by the decision of the European Union (EU), can continue.''

Noting that Annan acts as if nothing has happened during this period, Denktas pointed out that he will tell Cordovez the realities.

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