Anadolu Agency: News in English, 98-03-26

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

26 MARCH 1998

CONTENTS

[01] ILLEGALLY OPERATED COAL MINE COLLAPSES IN ZONGULDAK - ONE MINE WORKER DIES

[02] A MILD QUAKE SHAKES EASTERN VAN PROVINCE

[03] STRUGGLE AGAINST THE MAFIA - DRAFT LAW REGARDING STRUGGLE AGAINST SOME ORGANIZED CRIMES PRESENTED TO THE PARLIAMENT

[04] THE US EMBASSY COMMERCIAL COUNSELOR BREIDENSTINE: ''THE US COMPANIES ATTRIBUTE IMPORTANCE TO TURKEY''

[05] WATER CRISIS IN FAO MEETING - TURKEY RAISES RESERVATIONS TO ARTICLE 26 OF THE REPORT ADOPTED AT THE CONFERENCE

[06] NEW ALLEGATIONS FROM PANGALOS - ''TURKISH-GREEK WAR TO ERUPT IF TURKEY ATTACKS THE S-300 MISSILES''

[07] INDUSTRIALISTS DISCUSS INFLATION

[08] TURKEY-PRESS REVIEW (1)

[09] TURKEY-PRESS REVIEW (2)

[10] FOREIGN MINISTER CEM IN GERMANY

[11] GREEK NATIONAL DAY RECEPTION

[12] MEETING OF THE HIGHER PLANNING COUNCIL

[13] US ADMINISTRATION: ''WE WANT THE PROBLEM OF THE TERRORIST PKK ORGANIZATION TO END''

[14] COMMANDERS' MEETING

[15] ENERGY COOPERATION AGREEMENT BETWEEN TURKEY AND RUSSIA APPROVED

[16] NSC TO CONVENE ON FRIDAY

[17] PARLIAMENTARY DECISION TO EXTEND THE STATE OF EMERGENCY FOR ANOTHER FOUR MONTHS IN SIX PROVINCES PUBLISHED IN THE OFFICIAL GAZETTE

[18] PALESTINIAN LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL CHAIRMAN QURIE IN TURKEY

[19] HARSH REACTION FROM THE TURKS IN THE US TO PANGALOS

[20] 164 DAMS CONSTRUCTED IN TURKEY IN 64 YEARS

[21] RIGHTS OF CIVIL SERVANTS TO ESTABLISH UNIONS - TWO MORE ARTICLES OF THE DRAFT APPROVED

[22] PRIME MINISTER MESUT YILMAZ TO PAY OFFICIAL VISIT TO ROMANIA BETWEEN APRIL 2 AND 3

[23] TWO MEMBERS OF HADEP TAKEN INTO CUSTODY

[24] FOREIGN MINISTER CEM LEAVES BONN - CEM: ''I AM PLEASED THAT I HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO TURKISH-GERMAN RELATIONS''

[25] TASAR, MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND RURAL AFFAIRS RETURNS TO TURKEY: ''OUR VISIT WAS BENEFICIAL FOR TURKEY AND COOPERATION WITH OTHER COUNTRIES''

[26] YILDIRIM, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE ITO: - ''ITALY INCREASES HER INVESTMENTS IN TURKEY''

[27] FREEDOM OF THOUGHT AND EXPRESSION - FILES OF THOSE WHO WERE CONVICTED UNDER ARTICLE 8 OF THE ANTI-TERRORISM ACT AND ARTICLES OF THE TURKISH PENAL CODE CONCERNING CRIMES OF THOUGHT, TO BE REHEARD

[01] ILLEGALLY OPERATED COAL MINE COLLAPSES IN ZONGULDAK - ONE MINE WORKER DIES

It was reported that the coal mine collapsed due to a landslide late on Wednesday.

Recep Yaman (aged 49), a retired mine worker from the Turkish Coal Administration (TTK), was trapped beneath the debris. The rescue teams recovered the dead body of Recep Yaman after a five-hour rescue operation.

[02] A MILD QUAKE SHAKES EASTERN VAN PROVINCE

The Bogazici University Kandilli Observatory said that the quake with a preliminary magnitude of 3.5 on the Richter scale occurred at 8:09 p.m. and that the epicenter of the quake was Van Province.

There were no reported casualties or damage.

[03] STRUGGLE AGAINST THE MAFIA - DRAFT LAW REGARDING STRUGGLE AGAINST SOME ORGANIZED CRIMES PRESENTED TO THE PARLIAMENT

In accordance with the draft, those who set up or administrate these illegal organizations with the aim of making profits and obtaining advantages and those who are working for these illegal organizations intentionally, will be sentenced to three to nine years imprisonment. Those who are the members of the Mafia type organizations, will be sentenced to two to four years imprisonment. These punishments will be nine years imprisonment if these Mafia type organizations commit crimes using weapons. The punishments will be the same if civil servants or public employees are the partners in the offense.

[04] THE US EMBASSY COMMERCIAL COUNSELOR BREIDENSTINE: ''THE US COMPANIES ATTRIBUTE IMPORTANCE TO TURKEY''

Addressing a meeting with Ekrem Demirtas, the Chairman of the Izmir Chambers of Commerce, Breidenstine said that the US companies attributed a great importance to Turkey, adding, ''the US entrepreneurs want to invest in the telecommunications and tourism sectors.''

Noting that the US companies are also interesed in the Turkish Telecom, Breidenstine said ''they are ready to cooperate in tourism apart from energy and telecommunications. The US companies want to engage in cooperation on tourism infrastructure in the coming period. We are ready to cooperate for providing for more foreign tourists coming to visit Turkey.''

Demirtas pointed out that the political relations between Turkey and the US are very positive, adding that they favoured improvement of these relations in field of commerce.

Demirtas said it was very pleasing that the US Secretary of Commerce showed Turkey among the ten newly emerging markets, adding ''we do not want a donation from the US, we expect them to improve commerce and want the US companies to invest in Turkey.''

[05] WATER CRISIS IN FAO MEETING - TURKEY RAISES RESERVATIONS TO ARTICLE 26 OF THE REPORT ADOPTED AT THE CONFERENCE

Turkey raised reservations to Article 26 of the report which was adopted at the conference. The subject Article 26 refers to ''the Agreement About the Usage of the International Waterways Apart from Transportation'' which was adopted by 103 countries in the UN, but did not go into force as it has not been confirmed by five countries. Also, it includes statements such as the sharing of waters for which a consensus of opinion couldn't be reached in international law circles.

Mustafa Tasar, the Minister of Agriculture and Village Affairs, who also heads the Turkish delegation, had Turkey's subject rejection recorded. Article 26 was proposed by Sudan and supported by Syria, Lebanon, Egypt, Iran and Iraq.

Tasar said that the FAO conference was a cooperation forum having a technical quality, adding that referral to the report, which did not have a legal validity as it still didn't go into force, cast a shadow over the credibility and seriousness of the report.

Meanwhile final communique related to the Ministers' Meeting was issued. The next meeting will take place in April 2000 in Lebanon.

[06] NEW ALLEGATIONS FROM PANGALOS - ''TURKISH-GREEK WAR TO ERUPT IF TURKEY ATTACKS THE S-300 MISSILES''

Speaking to a group of reporters before departing from Washington, D.C., Pangalos said that Greece would enter into war with Turkey if Turkey stages an attack against the S-300 missiles which the Greek Cypriot side plans to deploy on Cyprus.

Responding to a question, Pangalos said that the Kosovo question would not bring Turkey and Greece face to face. Noting that Turkey and Greece have joint interests in the region, Pangalos said that the Kosovo question formed an opportunity between Turkey and Greece to cooperate, including the military field.

Pangalos claimed that a war due to the Kosovo question would be experienced in case Turkey rediscovers her dream of an Ottoman Empire and added, ''I do not believe that anybody in Ankara is that crazy.''

The US warned the Greek Foreign Minister about the S-300 missiles and his proposal to make Cyprus a ''no flight zone'' under the control of the NATO was not welcomed by the US.

[07] INDUSTRIALISTS DISCUSS INFLATION

''Inflation is the most important reason for the unequal income distribution, terrorism, the Mafia, gangs, bribery, fundamentalism, religious exploitation, tax evasion, savings not being transformed into production, decrease in our country's international credit and decrease in our share in foreign capital movements,'' ISO Chairman Kavi said.

The ''inflation'' was discussed in the March meeting of the ISO. Kavi said in the meeting that Turkey's credit note was 4.10/10 in 1985 but decreased to 3.54/10 in 1996 and then to 3.21/10 in 1997 according to the ''1997 Corruption-Bribery'' index issued by the International Transparency Organization and that the place of Turkey decreased from 33rd to 38th country among the 52 countries according to the same index.

Pointing out that Denmark is in the first place with 9.94 points and Finland, Sweden, New Zealand and Canada follow Denmark, Kavi said, ''these countries are not the top five richest countries in the world. The less the state's share in economy and the more its role of organizer, then the higher place you gain in the index.''

Noting that Turkey is still in the first step of the struggle against inflation that has started to be discussed in the autumn of 1997, Kavi said that Turkey can't be successful in the struggle against inflation with a tax law.

Stressing that the duty of governments is to find solutions for the problems of the public and to ease the life of the public, Kavi said, ''however, it is real that there are bribers and bribees in the country. Thus, the governments should start to change their regulations and applications.''

Pointing out that Turkey is experiencing a difficult process, but every step allows Turkey to come a little bit closer to democracy, Kavi said, ''we have nearly reached a stable democracy. There is a very thick wall between us. The name of that wall is inflation.''

Meral Gezgin Eris, the member of the ISO and Chairman of the Economic Development Foundation (IKV), said in the meeting that the industrialists should make active initiatives regarding the struggle against inflation.

''We should say that we will not support the politicians, if they do not give priority to the struggle against inflation and providing an economic balance. We should demand a serious programme and undertaking,'' Eris said.

[08] TURKEY-PRESS REVIEW (1)

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

AIR FORCE TRAINING PLANE CRASHES, TWO PILOTS DEAD
A Turkish Air Force training aircraft crashed on Wednesday killing the two pilots on board, according to a statement yesterday from the General Staff headquarters.

An SF-260 training aircraft from Izmir's Cigli Military Base crashed near Menemen, Izmir, shortly after takeoff. First Lt. Yildiray Erdogdu and Lt. Yavuz Eracar lost their lives in the disaster. /Cumhuriyet/Sabah

COMMANDERS TO MEET WITH CHIEF OF STAFF
Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz and Chief of Staff Gen. Ismail Hakki Karadayi will meet today on how to combat religious extremism.

The Yilmaz-Karadayi meeting will be followed by a meeting of the military- dominated National Security Council (MGK) on Friday when campaigns against religious extremism will again be taken up between the government and the military leadership./Hurriyet/Cumhuriyet/

SAFETY SYSTEMS FOR TURKISH STRAITS READY IN 2000
The senior prime ministerial adviser and former Naval Forces commander Guven Erkaya, who is in charge of preparations for the new safety systems for vessels navigating the Turkish Straits said on Wednesday that all the systems would be ready for operation in 2000. Speaking at a conference in Istanbul, Erkaya said that six groups had been established under his chairmanship at the request of Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz in order to carry out comprehensive work for outlining the measures to secure safety of passage through the Straits.

Erkaya pointed out that the technical work would be ready before the end of April and reports submitted to the government, which would subsequently open a bidding process for implementing the projects. "Projects will be handed over to the state, ready for operation on January 1, 2000," Erkaya emphasized, adding that international standards have been taken into account during the preparatory work. /Cumhuriyet/

BIRECIK TO PRODUCE ENERGY IN 2001
Birecik will be one of the most important energy production centres in Turkey in the 2000s. The Birecik Dam, the construction of which began in 1996 on the Euphrates River within the framework of the Southeastern Anatolia Project (GAP), will be completed in 2001. The dam, which will be the fourth largest dam following the Keban, Karakaya and Ataturk dams, will produce nearly 2.5 billion kilowatt/hr of energy annually. /Hurriyet/

GESTURE TO GREECE
Gen. Cevik Bir, the Deputy Chief of the Turkish General Staff attended the Greek National Day celebrations yesterday. Dimitrios Nezeritis, the Greek Ambassador to Turkey gave a reception yesterday evening on the occasion of the Greek National Day. Gen. Bir attended the reception on behalf of the Chief of General Staff Gen. Ismail Hakki Karadayi, who is currently abroad. Gen. Bir said, "We support dialogue with Greece". /Hurriyet/

GOVERNORS TO DISCUSS FUNDAMENTALISM
Governors and security officials will convene in Ankara to discuss fundamentalism. President Suleyman Demirel, Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz and Interior Minister Murat Basesgioglu will participate in the meeting, which will be held on Monday. It is expected that important directives will be given to governors regarding the struggle against fundamentalism.

Meanwhile, eight draft laws, which constitute the 'package for the struggle against fundamentalism' as approved by the Council of Ministers were sent to the Head Office of the Turkish Parliament yesterday. /Hurriyet/

ITALY WANTS PROTESTOR RELEASED
Italy has called for the release of Damiano Frisullo, an Italian citizen arrested during the Nevruz (Spring Feast of the Vernal Equinox) celebrations in Turkey. A diplomat from the Turkish Embassy in Rome was summoned yesterday to the Italian Foreign Ministry, where he was given a demand calling for the repatriation of Damiano Frisullo, a member of the Italian Peace Association. /Cumhuriyet/

(To be continued)

[09] TURKEY-PRESS REVIEW (2)

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

DAY FOR DIALOGUE
Meral Gezgin Eris, the Chairman of the Economic Development Foundation (IKV), held a press conference yesterday and evaluated Turkey-EU relations. Eris noted that the European Union (EU) was exerting efforts to remedy the Turkey-EU relations, which deteriorated following the Luxembourg Summit and added that Turkey should evaluate these steps. Eris said, ''It is time to set up a dialogue''. Eris noted that the EU Commission has presented a package of proposals entitled the ''European Strategy for Turkey'' to the Council. /Cumhuriyet/

PKK LEADER IN DAMASCUS
The Milliyet daily newspaper gives details about a meeting between the PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan and an American researcher, Prof. Michael Gunter in the Syrian capital of Damascus. According to Prof. Gunter, Syria has provided not only shelter, but also training facilities to the PKK leader. Ocalan is said to be coordinating the PKK activities from his headquarters located at a distance of 10 km from the Syrian capital. /Milliyet/

PARLIAMENT BRIEFED ABOUT TURCO-RUSSIAN RELATIONS
Nabi Sensoy, the newly appointed Turkish Ambassador to Moscow, briefed the Parliamentary Foreign Affairs Commission yesterday about Turco-Russian relations. Sensoy stressed that Turkey has long been disturbed by Russian policies involving the PKK terrorist organization and the Cyprus issue. Murat Karayalcin, the Chairman of the Parliamentary Foreign Affairs Commission seems to be initiating a new tradition by having the newly appointed ambassadors brief the Parliament about the countries to which they have been appointed. /Milliyet/

TURKEY RETALIATES AGAINST THE EU
In retaliation against an EU decision to begin full membership discussions with Cyprus on 31 March, representatives of Turkey and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) will meet on the same day in Ankara for an Association Council meeting. Necati Utkan, the Foreign Ministry Spokesman said that measures for enhancing economic and political cooperation will be discussed during the meeting. /Cumhuriyet/

US READY TO BACK TURKISH ENERGY PROJECTS
Cumhuriyet daily newspaper reports that the US administration is ready to extend to Turkey unlimited Eximbank credits to support the materialization of various energy projects, including pipeline projects for the transports of oil and natural gas from Central Asia to the world markets. This issue was discussed on Tuesday during a meeting between Cumhur Ersumer, the Minister of Energy and Mark Parris, the US Ambassador to Turkey. /Cumhuriyet/

TWO NEW AIRPORTS PLANNED
The State Airports Administration announced yesterday that work will soon begin on two new airports. Construction of the GAP International Airport will start on May 9, and work on the Denizli-Cardak Airport will begin on March 30. The Antalya Ataturk Airport will soon have a new international terminal, the opening ceremony of which will be held on April 1. / Sabah/

MILITARY CEMETERY IMPROVEMENTS
During a meeting in Ankara yesterday, Istemihan Talay, the Minister of Culture and Nazif Gunal, the President of MNG Holding, declared that they wanted to make arrangements to improve the military cemetery in Cairo where 4,830 Turkish soldiers were buried following the Sinai Desert Battle during World War I. /Sabah/

[10] FOREIGN MINISTER CEM IN GERMANY

Cem participated in a reception at Turkey's Embassy in Bonn after attending the Contact Group meeting on the Kosovo question. Cem said that despite several differences, a consensus of opinion could be reached at the highest level.

Noting that regional countries presented a ''responsible, serious and very correct'' approach on the Kosovo question, Cem briefed about his speech made at the meeting of the Contact Group.

Cem said in his speech that he expressed concern that the outcome of the meeting may be insufficient to prevent the escalation of incidents.

Mentioning the four weeks time which the Contact Group gave to Yugoslavia, Cem said ''only God knows what will happen within this four weeks time'' and added that this result may create disappointment for the Kosovonian Albanians and that some unexpected reactions may appear.

''Turkey proposes a Balkan peace force. I told them that this force may be established under a different name and structure and that this power should be prepared beforehand so that time will not be wasted in case usage of this force is required,'' Cem said.

Evaluating Turkish-German relations, Cem said there are more than two million Turkish citizens living in Germany. ''Our primary concern is that these people should live under the best conditions,'' he said.

[11] GREEK NATIONAL DAY RECEPTION

Hikmet Cetin, the Speaker of the Parliament, Ismet Sezgin, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense and Gen. Cevik Bir, the Deputy Chief of General Staff attended the reception.

Speaking to reporters, Sezgin said that Turkey and Greece could solve their problems through dialogue. ''I believe that there is no question that we can't agree on with Greece,'' Sezgin said and evaluating the anti-Turkish statements of the Greek Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos, Sezgin said, ''we should not focus on such kind of statements. These may be statements given to satify his own public.''

Mentioning the Kosovo question, Sezgin said that this problem should be solved peacefully, otherwise, a NATO peace force will provide stability and security in Albania and Macedonia.

Cevik Bir, the Deputy Chief of General Staff, responding to questions said that Turkey was always open to dialogue with Greece.

Bir said that the policies of the government and army aimed at Greece were not different.

Meanwhile, Dimitrios Nezeritis, the Greek Ambassador to Turkey said that the attendance of Bir at the reception was a sign of ''openness, friendship and optimism.''

Nezeritis reiterated his view that the sides should apply to the international law institutions to overcome the bilateral problems.

[12] MEETING OF THE HIGHER PLANNING COUNCIL

Pointing out that they were not thinking of an election government in 1998, Celebi said that the achievement in the programme would remove the necessity of an election from the agenda.

Following the Higher Planning Council's (YPK) meeting chaired by Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz, Celebi gave information about the realizations in the first quarter of 1998 and targets for the second quarter of this year.

Stating that the budget deficit in the first quarter of this year was 1 quadrillion 170 trillion Turkish Liras, Celebi said that the achievement in the implementations in the first quarter of 1997 was an indicator that they should be more disciplined and resolved.

Celebi said that the budget deficit, which was foreseen to be 682 trillion Turkish Liras for the January-February period, was realized at 567 trillion Turkish Liras.

''A healthy cooling action in the economy has started. We will continue to implement the monetary programme to back this action. We believe the inflation target will be lower than the expected. We are resolved to decrease inflation to 50 percent by the end of this year. Our budget deficit target for the second quarter is 1.2 quadrillion Turkish Liras,'' Isin Celebi said.

Celebi stated that the budget revenues in the first quarter of this year were 1.3 quadrillion Turkish Liras, while the budget expenditures were 1.9 quadrillion Turkish Liras.

''The surplus, except interest, in the budget in the January-February 1998 period was 322 trillion Turkish Liras. There were important increases in the tax revenues excluding inflation,'' Celebi said.

''The budget discipline is working with its all elements. The domestic debt for the first quarter was foreseen to be 2.4-2.6 quadrillion Turkish Liras but it was realized at 2 quadrillion 470 trillion Turkish Liras. The domestic debt interest rates decreased from 140 percent to 110 percent. The increase in monetary reserves, which was foreseen to be 18-20 percent within the framework of the monetary programme, was 10.6 percent,'' State Minister Celebi said.

Celebi said that the increase in the Wholesale Price Index (TEFE), which was 12.2 percent in the January-February 1997 period, was 11.4 percent in the same period this year.

''There were important decreases in the prices. This declining trend will continue in March as well. The TEFE except for agriculture decreased from 11.3 percent in 1997 to 7.3 percent in 1998,'' Celebi said.

Noting that they foresaw 1.8 quadrillion Turkish Liras in revenues, 1.6 quadrillion Turkish Liras in expenditures excluding interest, 150-200 trillion Turkish Liras in surplus excluding interest and a total budget deficit of 1,3 quadrillion Turkish Liras for the first quarter, Celebi said, ''as of March 24, the ratio of realizations for the quarterly revenues was 109 percent and the surplus excluding interest was 350 trillion Turkish Liras. The borrowings also remained as foreseen in the programme. The programme activities for the second quarter of this year are continuing seriously.''

[13] US ADMINISTRATION: ''WE WANT THE PROBLEM OF THE TERRORIST PKK ORGANIZATION TO END''

Reidel who is responsible for the Middle East and Southern Asia issues at the White House stressed that the Turkish Armed Forces' operations launched in Northern Iraq from time to time were targeted at the bloody handed separatist terrorist PKK organization.

Emphasizing that Turkey is faced with the threat of the separatist terrorist organization deployed in Northern Iraq, Reidel said ''each time we request the Turkish people to conclude the operations in a limited time and show care for the lives of the civilians.''

Bruce Reidel said ''if you look at its ideology, you will see that there are not many organizations like the PKK, Marxist-Leninist terrorist organizations.''

Reidel pointed out that recent developments showed that the separatist terrorist PKK leadership had serious losses, adding that ''we want the PKK question to end.''

The US official stressed that it was Turkey's right to defend herself so long as it is under a threat of terrorism that may come from Northern Iraq.

The US Administration identifies the PKK as a ''violent terrorist organization.'' It is among the 30 organizations which the US Administration has officially declared as ''terrorist.''

[14] COMMANDERS' MEETING

Gen. Huseyin Kivirkoglu, the Commander of the Land Forces, Vice Admiral Salim Dervisoglu, the Commander of the Naval Forces, Gen. Ilhan Kilic, the Commander of the Air Forces and Gen. Fikret Ozden Boztepe, Commander of the Gendermarie participated in the meeting along with Gen. Cevik Bir, the Deputy Chief of General Staff and Ergin Celasin, the Secretary General of the National Security Council (NSC).

The commanders evaluated the situation before Gen. Karadayi's meeting with Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz.

[15] ENERGY COOPERATION AGREEMENT BETWEEN TURKEY AND RUSSIA APPROVED

In accordance with the agreement, Turkey and Russia will cooperate in the construction of electric power plants, natural gas power plants and chemical facilities based on natural gas.

Turkey and Russia will also cooperate in the construction and renewal of natural gas pipelines and underground depots; construction and modernization of oil rafineries; electric energy; transports of coal; modernization of coal industry facilities; construction of hydroelectric power plants and oil and natural gas research.

Turkey and Russia will recommend the Russian companies (RAO Gazprum) to be in the consortiums that will be set up for the construction of electric power plants working with natural gas in Turkey in accordance with the agreement.

The agreement allows the corporations of the Turkish and Russian companies to use the pipelines passing through Turkey and Russia for the transports of the oil produced in third countries.

[16] NSC TO CONVENE ON FRIDAY

The meeting will start at 3:00 p.m.

Fundamentalism and the struggle against terrorism are among the most important issues that will be discussed during the scheduled meeting.

After the evaluation of recent developments in domestic and international issues, Gen. Ergin Celasin, the NSC Secretary General will brief the council about the developments that transpired after the previous meetings including the one that was held on Feb 28.

[17] PARLIAMENTARY DECISION TO EXTEND THE STATE OF EMERGENCY FOR ANOTHER FOUR MONTHS IN SIX PROVINCES PUBLISHED IN THE OFFICIAL GAZETTE

The Prime Ministry proposal, which extends the state of emergency for four monhts in the provinces of Diyarbakir, Hakkari, Siirt, Sirnak, Tunceli and Van starting as of March 30, 1998, was adopted in the Parliament the same day.

Speaking at the Parliament on Wednesday, Murat Basesgioglu, the Minister of the Interior, stated that the state of emergency has been brought onto the agenda of the government to struggle against the separatist terrorism in a more effective manner, as it is also permitted in the Constitution.

''Our government has removed the state of emergency in Batman, Bitlis and Bingol Provinces in line with its perception of a gradual abolishment of the state of emergency,'' he said.

Recalling that the separatist terrorism has been continuing for 14 years, Basesgioglu added, ''our security forces have specialized in the struggle against terrorism and the terrorist organization is monitored closely. We want to end terrorism in the region and provide economic development for our citizens in the region as soon as possible.''

[18] PALESTINIAN LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL CHAIRMAN QURIE IN TURKEY

Quire and an accompanying delegation arrived in Turkey late on Wednesday. Kamer Genc, the Acting Speaker of the Parliament, welcomed Qurie at Ankara's Esenboga Airport. Genc said he was very pleased to see Qurie in Turkey, adding, ''we closely follow and support the efforts of the Palestinian people to get their territories back and for peace.''

Genc said ''we know that the territories of the Palestinian people were occupied by several powers'' and expressed hope that this situation will be changed by the international initiatives and this injustice will be overcome.

Genc said that Turkey hoped for peace and friendship not only for the Palestinian people but also for the entire Arab countries ''but, unfortunately most of the Arab countries fail to return our initiative. However, if they were aware that a strong Turkey will be a great opportunity for the establishment and maintenance of peace in the region and in the world.

Qurie said they were still having very difficult times and added that they knew that Turkey is their friend.

Noting that they signed many agreements to reach the desired peace in the Middle East, Qurie said ''however, peace which we are resolved to defend and establish, is scattered against a very strong wind. Knowing that Turkey is behind us in this struggle gives us courage.''

The guest Chairman and the accompanying delegation are scheduled to meet with Sukru Sina Gurel, the Minister of State, Murat Karayalcin, the Chairman of the Parliamentary Foreign Affairs Commission and will also meet with Hikmet Cetin, the Speaker of the Parliament. Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz will also receive the Palestinian delegation.

The delegation will be received by President Suleyman Demirel on March 27 and Qurie will hold a news conference at the Parliament the same day.

The guest Parliamentary delegation will proceed to Istanbul on March 28 and will depart from Turkey on Sunday after visiting the historical and touristic places of interest.

[19] HARSH REACTION FROM THE TURKS IN THE US TO PANGALOS

The American-Turkish Association (ATAA), representing more than 50 Turkish- US companies, sent a letter to Loukas Cilas, Greece's Ambassador to Washington.

The letter carrying the signature of Guler Koknar, the Executive Board Chairman of the ATAA noted that the slanders of Pangalos were protested.

Pangalos, in a meeting where many American spectators were present, claimed that women who wanted to be civil servants had to pass a virginity test in Turkey and moreover said ''can you imagine this? Turkey is not at our standards, it can't be a member of the EU.''

Guler Koknar said that Turkish laws were written according to the principle of the ''inviolability of the human body'' and that there are very severe punishments for violation of these laws without the consent of the individual. Koknar stressed that in case of a violation the security and justice authorities and the health personnel are among those who will be punished.

Koknar said that insulting slanders of a high ranking official representing the Greek government were very ''ugly.''

Meanwhile, the US administration reacted very harshly to the deployment of the S-300 missiles on Cyprus and warned, ''do not go to point of no return.''

Washington, D.C. also expressed uneasiness to Pangalos about Greece's prevention of the EU funds that should have been given to Turkey. The US also did not respond positively to the proposal of Pangalos to turn Cyprus into ''no flight zone.''

The US Administration advised Pangalos to be faithful to the spirit of Madrid. The US officials said they felt very uneasy about the attitude of Pangalos, which is full of hatred against Turkey.

[20] 164 DAMS CONSTRUCTED IN TURKEY IN 64 YEARS

There are still 78 dams and hydroelectric plants under construction. The projects of 56 dams and hydroelectric plants are ready.

Three of the dams were started operating between 1936-1941, six of them between 1950-1959, 26 of them between 1960-1969, 31 of them between 1970- 1979, 69 of them between 1980-1989 and 29 of them after 1990.

Dams and similar investments are useful for the electric energy production and facilities for irrigated agriculture as well as providing the regular flow of the rivers and for the formation of a new culture such as fishing at the rivers.

[21] RIGHTS OF CIVIL SERVANTS TO ESTABLISH UNIONS - TWO MORE ARTICLES OF THE DRAFT APPROVED

The draft's Article 10, which was approved after making a change, includes the date of the meetings of the public unions general councils, necessary votes for making a decision in those meetings and the related organization.

In accordance with this article, the first general council of a confederation and union will be held within six months following the realization of their juridical personalities and the regular general council of a confederation and union will be organized every three years.

Article 11, which was also approved by the General Council, determines the principles to conform with during union elections. If the judge annuls the elections, then the new elections should be realized within seven days after the cancellation.

[22] PRIME MINISTER MESUT YILMAZ TO PAY OFFICIAL VISIT TO ROMANIA BETWEEN APRIL 2 AND 3

The Prime Ministry Press Center said in a written statement that Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz would be accompanied by Cavit Kavak, Isin Celebi, Rifat Serdaroglu, the Ministers of State; Cumhur Ersumer, the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources; deputies, high-ranking officials and businessmen during his visit to Romania upon an official invitation from Victor Ciorbea, the Romanian Prime Minister.

Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz's visit to Romania will be the first Prime Ministerial-level official meeting in 12 years.

Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz and his Romanian counterpart are expected to exchange views on the recent developments in the Balkans and on the international issues.

[23] TWO MEMBERS OF HADEP TAKEN INTO CUSTODY

The Ankara State Security Court Prosecution brought a file against seven administrators of the party including Murat Bozlak, the leader of HADEP on February 10, 1998, by claiming that they are ''administrators of a political wing of the PKK'' and asked for the imprisonment of Bozlak for not less than 22 and one half months.

Meanwhile, the appeal case, concerning 46 members of the HADEP including Faysal Akcan, who took down the Turkish flag during a party congress, has been postponed until May due to the excuses of the lawyers of the HADEP members.

Demirel Tavil, the Prosecutor of the Court of Higher Appeals said during the court hearing on Thursday that the excuses of the lawyers have been accepted and the case has been postponed until May 14, 1998.

Akcan, who took down the Turkish flag, may be faced with a heavier punishment than 22 and one half years, if the Higher Court of Appeals takes into consideration the demand of its Prosecution, which defends the view that the accused should be tried under Article 168/1, rather than 168/2 of the Turkish Penal Code.

The Higher Court of Appeals Prosecution also said in its notificiation that 31 members of the HADEP, including the leader Murat Bozlak should be released.

[24] FOREIGN MINISTER CEM LEAVES BONN - CEM: ''I AM PLEASED THAT I HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO TURKISH-GERMAN RELATIONS''

Addressing a reception given by Volkan Vural, Turkey's Ambassador to Germany, Cem said, ''I am pleased that my visit to Bonn has contributed to the relations between Turkey and Germany.''

Cem held talks with Hans-Friedrich von Ploetz, the Foreign Ministry Undersecretary, and Rita Süssmuth, the Speaker of the Federal Parliament before his departure.

Reminding that more than two million Turkish people live in Germany, Cem said, ''We aim to develop relations between the two countries. Turkey has a great amount of exports and imports with Germany.''

Cem also added, ''Both sides want to improve relations with each other. We are trying to correct misunderstandings with other countries and to set up friendly relations.''

[25] TASAR, MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND RURAL AFFAIRS RETURNS TO TURKEY: ''OUR VISIT WAS BENEFICIAL FOR TURKEY AND COOPERATION WITH OTHER COUNTRIES''

Addressing a statement at the Esenboga Airport, Tasar stated that ''our visit was beneficial for Turkey and cooperation with countries which participate in the conference.''

Stressing that a report was prepared within the framework of the conference, Tasar added that Turkey has put reservations on several articles of the report, particularly on Article 25 of the report titled ''Administration of Waterways.''

''This article mentions the Convention concerning the misuse of international waterways, which still hasn't entered into force, because only five countries have ratified it so far. The article also mentions several expressions such as 'sharing water' on which a concensus of opinion has not yet been reached within the framework of international law. I have put a reservation onto a paragraph which is proposed by Sudan and supported by Syria, Lebanon, Egypt, Iraq and Iran,'' he said.

[26] YILDIRIM, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE ITO: - ''ITALY INCREASES HER INVESTMENTS IN TURKEY''

Yıldırım, who was in Italy for a five-day business visit, said that he held high level talks to develop the economic relations between the two countries.

Noting that Augosto Fanzozzi, the Minister of Foreign Trade, is interested in Turkey and is aware of the great opportunities in Turkey, Yıldırım also added that Italian investors have started to orient towards to Turkey.

Yıldırm said that he stressed the development of the trade volume between the two countries during his meetings with Fanzozzi, and requested support on issues such as the European Union.

[27] FREEDOM OF THOUGHT AND EXPRESSION - FILES OF THOSE WHO WERE CONVICTED UNDER ARTICLE 8 OF THE ANTI-TERRORISM ACT AND ARTICLES OF THE TURKISH PENAL CODE CONCERNING CRIMES OF THOUGHT, TO BE REHEARD

Giving information about the draft, Hikmet Sami Turk, the Minister of State said that the government decided to organize several changes in the law to further improve the freedoms of thought, expression and press in Turkey.

Recalling that a comprehensive draft had been submitted earlier to the Parliament regarding the Turkish Penal Code, Turk pointed out that the draft concerning freedom of thought and expression should be discussed as soon as possible.

''Steps will be taken to make changes which will not be contrary to the order of a democratic society, for instance propaganda against the country will not be permitted,'' he said.

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