Anadolu Agency: News in English, 98-04-03

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

03 APRIL 1998

CONTENTS

[01] TURKEY-TRNC - CETIN, THE SPEAKER OF THE PARLIAMENT, ON CYPRUS

[02] TURKEY-TRNC-RUSSIA - PRESIDENT DENKTAS MEETS WITH CIZOV, RUSSIA'S SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE TO CYPRUS

[03] HAZELNUT EXPORTS

[04] TURKEY-PAKISTAN - FOREIGN MINISTER CEM: ''WE WANT TO IMPROVE COMMERCIAL RELATIONS WITH PAKISTAN''

[05] SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR OF THE UN FOR THE STRUGGLE AGAINST TORTURE IS INVITED TO TURKEY

[06] FOREIGN MINISTER CEM IS IN TURKMENISTAN

[07] TURKISH BUSINESSMEN GREATLY INTERESTED IN DENMARK

[08] TURKEY-TRNC-UN - THE UN TRIES TO FIND A FORMULA FOR CYPRUS

[09] TURKEY-PRESS REVIEW (1)

[10] TURKEY-PRESS REVIEW (2)

[11] CASE OF THE GAZI INCIDENTS - THREE POLICE RELEASED UPON THE REQUEST OF THE PROSECUTOR

[12] TURKEY-US - COHEN, THE US SECRETARY OF DEFENSE: - ''MY ANKARA AGENDA IS INDEFINITE''

[13] TURKEY-CYPRUS-US - THE US PRESIDENT CLINTON: ''THE S-300 MISSILES ARE OBSTACLES TO THE SOLUTION OF THE CYPRUS PROBLEM''

[14] INDICTMENT AGAINST AGAR AND BUCAK

[15] THE US AND RUSSIA SPEED UP EFFORTS CONCERNING CYPRUS PROBLEM

[16] 10TH INTERNATIONAL IZMIR FILM FESTIVAL STARTS WITH THE GALA OF THE ''KILL ME MASTER''

[17] THOMAS MILLER MEETS WITH CLERIDES AND DENKTAS - MILLER: ''OUR ATTEMPTS ARE IN A CRITIC POSITION''

[18] BAKU-CEYHAN PIPELINE - EISENSTAT, US ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE: ''WE WORK TOGETHER WITH TURKEY CONCERNING THE BAKU-CEYHAN PIPELINE'' ''TURKEY UNDERTOOK THE LEADING ROLE IN PROMOTING THE BAKU-CEYHAN PIPELINE'' ''WE ACCEPT THE TRANSFER OF TURKMAN NATURAL GAS VIA A PIPELINE THROUGH THE CASPIAN SEA TO TURKEY AS A STRATEGY''

[19] AUTOMOTIVE SECTOR'S EXPORTS INCREASE 23 PERCENT IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1998

[20] TURKISH-ARAB RELATIONS SYMPOSIUM IN LONDON

[21] INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION IN FEBRUARY INCREASES BY 15.6 PERCENT

[22] FOREIGN MINISTER CEM IN TURKMENISTAN - IBRAHIMI, UN SECRETARY GENERAL'S SPECIAL ENVOY TO AFGHANISTAN SPEAKS WITH CEM

[23] PRIVATIZATION OF POAS...

[24] FOREIGN MINISTER CEM SPEAKS TO BUSINESSMEN

[25] TELEPHONE CALLS FROM TURKEY TO SPAIN - NUMBER ''9'' TO BE ADDED TO TELEPHONE NUMBERS

[26] SOLANA, NATO SECRETARY GENERAL: ''WE SUPPORT THE INITIATIVE TO ESTABLISH JOINT PEACE FORCE AMONG THE BALKAN COUNTRIES''

[27] BALANCE SHEET OF NARCOTICS IN 1997... - A TOTAL OF 10 TONNES OF HASHISH, 3.5 TONNES OF HEROIN SEIZED - 5,950 PEOPLE TAKEN INTO CUSTODY - 2.5 TONNES OF HEROIN AND 13 TONNES OF HASHISH WERE SEIZED, WHICH WERE BELONGING TO THE SEPARATIST TERRORIST PKK ORGANIZATION - 551 DRUG SMUGGLERS CAPTURED WHO WERE WORKING FOR THE PKK

[28] CETIN, SPEAKER OF THE PARLIAMENT: - ''THE TRNC WILL OVERCOME EVERY DIFFICULTY'' - ''THE EU DISREGARDED THE EQUALITY ON CYPRUS''

[29] THE AZERBAIJANI PRESIDENT ALIYEV: ''A DAY SHOULD BE DECLARED IN TURKEY AS WELL TO COMMEMORATE THE TURKS MASSACRED BY THE ARMENIANS''

[01] TURKEY-TRNC - CETIN, THE SPEAKER OF THE PARLIAMENT, ON CYPRUS

Eroglu said that the Turkish Cypriots started to be hopeful for the future with Turkey's support. He said that the joint decision of Turkey and the TRNC gave important messages to the world.

Pointing out that a new era has began on Cyprus, Cetin said that the responsibility for the possible problems will belong to Greece and the European Union. Cetin said that the EU took Cyprus gradually to this point with its decisions.

Cetin said that the TRNC is the national case of the Turkish people, and added that Turkey hopes unity and cooperation will be set up on Cyprus.

Stressing that there are two completely separate states on the island, Cetin said, ''We don't accept a solution which will carry Cyprus back to 1974. The Turkish Parliament will support the TRNC in every field.''

[02] TURKEY-TRNC-RUSSIA - PRESIDENT DENKTAS MEETS WITH CIZOV, RUSSIA'S SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE TO CYPRUS

Cizov said, ''the S-300 missiles which were bought by the Greek Cypriot side from Russia, will not hurt the Turkish Cypriots.''

He repeated in his statement after the meeting the Greek Cypriot's opinion concerning the missiles, saying that they won't come to the island on the condition of the disarmament of Cyprus.

Denktas said, ''Such words are unserious. I am very sorry that Cizov talked in this manner.''

Pointing out that the missiles can't be given to a country on the island where a cease-fire agreement has been valid for 25 years, by a country which is a member of the United Nations Security Council, Denktas said, ''after giving the missiles, to try to divert attention with saying such words is not a serious manner.'' Denktas noted that they told Cizov all the facts about the island, but he couldn't offer something new. He also said that he will hold talks with Clerides only with equal conditions.

Meanwhile Richard Holbrook, the Special US Envoy to Cyprus, is due to come to Cyprus on Friday.

Pointing out that Glafkos Clerides, the Leader of the Greek Cypriot side, reduced the distance from Greece to zero, Denktas said that they will do the same thing with Turkey to provide stability on the island.

[03] HAZELNUT EXPORTS

The Black Sea Hazelnut and Products Exporters' Union made a statement that Turkey exported 163,000 tonnes of hazelnuts within this period. A total of 150,000 tonnes of the exports was made to to the European countries at a price of 682 million US dollars.

Turkey's hazelnut exports in the same period in the previous season was realized at 139,044 tonnes and 507.5 million US dollars was obtained.

Officials noted that approximately one billion US dollars will be obtained in the season that will end on August 31.

[04] TURKEY-PAKISTAN - FOREIGN MINISTER CEM: ''WE WANT TO IMPROVE COMMERCIAL RELATIONS WITH PAKISTAN''

Addressing the Pakistani journalists before leaving Pakistan for Turkmenistan, Cem described his meeting with Ishak Dar, Pakistani Trade Minister, and added that he offered to Dar to set up direct connections by air and sea to develop trade.

Cem said that a Turkish delegation will come to Pakistan to make a research to determine what can be done for regular maritime services. He said that a joint committee should also be set up.

Responding to a question about the Kashmir problem, Cem said that Turkey supports Pakistan on the issue and the solution will be found with dialogue and with the application of the UN's decisions.

Cem said that Cyprus is very important for Turkey and they wait for positive attitudes from the friendly countries, on the question concerning Cyprus.

Gohar Eyuphan, the Pakistani Foreign Minister, said that they discussed the issues of Cyprus, Kashmir and the economy. Eyuphan also said that they will implement a wide privatization programme in Pakistan and invited the Turkish companies to join it.

[05] SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR OF THE UN FOR THE STRUGGLE AGAINST TORTURE IS INVITED TO TURKEY

It was reported that the UN Rapporteur will come to Turkey in November to make observations.

Rodley submitted a report to the Human Rights Commission including the allegations that torture was widely applied in Turkey. He also said information was coming that children were also exposed to torture.

The UN Rapporteur in a press conference said, ''I want to think that this invitation from Turkey was made with the thought of a sincere cooperation with the international public on human rights'' and expressed the hope that the officials will give him the opportunity of entering the prisons and holding face-to-face meetings with the convicts.

[06] FOREIGN MINISTER CEM IS IN TURKMENISTAN

Conveying President Suleyman Demirel's message to Turkmenbasi,

Cem said that they discussed political and economic issues between the two countries and the issue of the Caspian gas pipeline. Cem also added that he will also hold talks on these issues with Sihmuradov.

Addressing the journalists after the meeting, Cem said that his visit to Turkmenistan aim to develop friendly relations between the two countries.

Responding a question on the Caspian gas pipeline, Cem said, ''We are the biggest customer of the Turkman gas. We want the pipeline to be realized as soon as possible.''

[07] TURKISH BUSINESSMEN GREATLY INTERESTED IN DENMARK

Sebahattin Gazanfer, the General Secretary of the Aegean Exporters' Union made a written statement that representatives of companies working in the field of ready-to-wear will exhibit their products and will hold bilateral contacts with the Danish purchasers.

Gazanfer said, ''the Turkish and Danish businessmen will seek opportunities for cooperation and purchasing links through dialogue. We hope that the organization in question will contribute to the promotion of export products in the field of ready-to-wear and to the increase in exports.''

[08] TURKEY-TRNC-UN - THE UN TRIES TO FIND A FORMULA FOR CYPRUS

Addressing the journalists in New York, Cordovez who attended the meeting in Geneva of Rauf Denktas and Kofi Annan, the Secretary General of the United Nations, said that Denktas told him, ''the asymmetry which has been caused by the issue of representation between the Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot sides, is an extremely serious problem'', and added, '' this problem should be solved by the UN Security Council.''

Pointing out they are trying to find a formula for the two sides to hold talks again, Cordovez said, ''the current format concerning the negotiations has been decided by the two leaders and the UN Security Council supported it. Therefore, we can change this format only if the two sides accept it. Denktas insists on bringing the issue to the UN Security Council. Clerides also shares the same idea, but both of them hope that they will receive different answers from the Council.''

Cordovez said, ''the ideal solution is the EU full membership of a federal Republic of Cyprus. The Turkish Cypriots also get benefits from the membership.'' Cordovez added that the opposition leaders support this idea. He pointed out that an ''integration'' which will be realized in the field of economic cooperation between Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots under a federal roof, will not create a conflict.

Cordovez will come to Cyprus to meet with Denktas and Clerides.

[09] TURKEY-PRESS REVIEW (1)

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

NO NEED FOR AN URGENT GENERAL ELECTION
After a government coalition leaders summit in Ankara yesterday, Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz told a news conference that the coalition partners had agreed to suggest to Parliament that an early general election should be held in 1999. Yilmaz said that Turkey was in no urgent need of an election. ''The government's impression is that the majority of our people do not want an early election,'' he said.

Yilmaz said that the government had tackled major domestic problems for nine months and had submitted many draft reforms to Parliament with the outside support of the Republican People's Party (CHP), for which he said he was grateful. Yilmaz added that if an election date was announced as autumn 1999, many economic targets could well have been reached by then. /All papers/

FOREIGN MINISTER COMPLETES PAKISTAN VISIT
Foreign Minister Ismail Cem yesterday completed his two-day official visit to Pakistan. Cem was received by Prime Minister Nawaz Sherif, met with Foreign Minister Ishak Dar and Deputy Speaker of the Parliament Cafer Ikbal. After the meetings Cem said that there were no problems in relations between Pakistan and Turkey. Regarding the visit, Cem said that Turkey had proposed to Pakistan that direct sea and air links between the two countries should be established in order to improve trade between the two countries.

Deputy Speaker of the Pakistan Parliament Ikbal, said for his part they welcomed the support that Turkey gave to Pakistan especially in connection with the Kashmir problem and other issues, adding that the visit had reinforced the cooperation and support between the two countries. /Sabah/

IMF DELEGATION TO TURKEY
Yener Dincmen, Undersecretary of the Treasury said that they had reached concensus on many aspects of the 1998 financial programme at the end of meetings with IMF. He added: ''The basic problem is that some reforms have to be realised. These reforms are preconditions to an agreement with the IMF. Without tax and social security reforms there can be no agreement with the IMF.'' Dincmen said that there will be a meeting on 14 April in Washington and that an IMF delegation will come to Turkey on 24 April to hold a consultation meeting with Turkish representatives. /Hurriyet/

''S-300 MISSILES OBSTACLES TO PEACE''
US President Bill Clinton said that the S-300 missiles which Greek Cyprus is buying from Russia will be ''serious obstacles'' to a solution on the island. In a report on Cyprus, covering the December 1997 to January 1998 period, Clinton also said that the result of the Luxembourg Summit regarding Turkey had been a ''step backward'' within the framework of European Union integration targets. /Hurriyet/

RISK OF CYPRUS CONFLICT
Britain's ''The Guardian'' newspaper has pointed out that if Turkish-EU relations do not recover, conflict could break out in Cyprus. The newspaper said that war would not benefit anyone and added: ''Some of the problems between Turkey and the EU stem from some countries like Germany, which have fears about the results of Turkey's future full membership in the EU.'' /Milliyet/

HOLBROOKE IN CYPRUS
US President Bill Clinton's Special Cyprus Representative, Richard Holbrooke, who will visit Cyprus today, is expected to discuss the issue of Russian-made S-300 missiles to be deployed by the Greek Cypriot community. Holbrooke will meet also with President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) Rauf Denktas. Denktas is expected to tell Holbrooke that negotiations regarding Cyprus will have to be at inter-governmental levels from now on, and that he wants the US to contribute to new negotiations held within the framework of political equality. Holbrooke wants EU financial aid promised to Turkey to be released and proposed Confidence Building Measures to be approved by the two sides on the island.

Denktas also received a Turkish delegation headed by Turkish Parliament Speaker Hikmet Cetin yesterday. Denktas noted that the Turkish government's support for the TRNC further strengthened the TRNC's position on international platforms. /Milliyet/

[10] TURKEY-PRESS REVIEW (2)

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

DEMIREL WARNS YEREVAN
Participating in 80th anniversary ceremonies marking the liberation of Van, a city in the southeast of Turkey, President Suleyman Demirel spoke out harshly against the aggressive policy assumed by the newly elected President of Armenia, Robert Kocarian. Demirel also sent a warning message to Kocarian calling for the immediate withdrawal of Armenian troops from occupied territories of Azerbaijan. Demirel again stressed that Turkey will never allow any country to disrupt regional stability. /Cumhuriyet/

UN-TURKEY ALLIANCE AGAINST POVERTY
Preparations have been completed for a project on ''national dialogue for strategies in the struggle against poverty in Turkey'', to be carried out jointly by Turkey and the United Nations Improvement Programme. The General Director of the Turkish Economic and Social Studies Foundation (TESEV), responsible for the maintenance of the project, Dr.Mehmet Kabasakal, pointed out the necessity of joint action by the state, local governments and the private sector. This project, aiming to find fundamental solutions for poverty in Turkey, is determined to give priority to the cities of Ankara and Diyarbakir. /Cumhuriyet/

FOREIGN EXCHANGE RESERVES UP $836 MILLION
Central Bank foreign exchange reserves continue to increase. Foreign exchange reserves, which totalled $20.339 billion on 20 March, increased by $836 million and reached $21.175 billion on 27 March, with international reserves showing a total of $29.853 billion. /Milliyet-Sabah/

ELECTRONIC STORM COMING
Minister of Communications, Necdet Menzir, speaking at a meeting of

the Marmara Group's Strategic Studies Fund, said: ''An electronic storm is coming, and if we are late in preparing for it, it will not be unlike the arrival of the printing machine in the country 300 years after its discovery.''

Menzir added that a grave mistake had been made in Turkey by not developing the railways. Therefore the Communications Ministry was carrying out studies for 2000 kms of new tracks. The Minister also stated that a tunnel under the Bosphorus Straits would not constitute an alternative to a third bridge and should be built. /Cumhuriyet/

TURKISH SCIENTIST AWARDED
Dr.Ali Erdemir from Chicago University and a research specialist at the Argon National Laboratory attached to the Department of Energy, has been presented with a $ 2 million research award for discoveries leading to reducing the friction factor to zero. For his research into friction technology Erdemir has been honoured with the Edmond E. Bisson Award by the Engineers' Union. /Milliyet-Hurriyet/

PKK OPERATIONS
The Turkish Armed Forces have started wide ranging of operations in the Ballikaya region in the Silopi-Ulupinar-Sirnak triangle. Aircraft from Diyarbakir military base have been making observation flights over the region. Military sources have reported that operations will continue in the region and that there were clashes going on between terrorist groups and the security forces. No information about the number of wounded or dead, however, has been released. /Sabah/

[11] CASE OF THE GAZI INCIDENTS - THREE POLICE RELEASED UPON THE REQUEST OF THE PROSECUTOR

Cemal Yuce, one of the lawyers asked that the suspects who were not under arrest to be arrested on charges that they used weapons, although it was not obligatory and caused deaths.

Ilhami Yelekci, one of the lawyers of the defendants, asked for the release of all convicts saying that these people were exposed to the attacks of people who were incited by provocators, adding that they did not use weapons and did not cause the death of people.

Ahmet Kufaci, the Republic Prosecutor requested the release of Hayrullah Sisman, Sedat Ozenir and Metin Cakmaz and conveyed the view that Adem Albayrak and Metin Gundogan should remain under arrest.

Thus the number of policemen released increased to five, together with Hamdi Ozata and Hasan Yavuz, who were earlier released.

The hearing was postponed until May 7.

The court also decided to request the reports, prepared by the Parliamentary Commission and Ministry of State responsible for human rights, related to the ''Gazi Incidents.''

[12] TURKEY-US - COHEN, THE US SECRETARY OF DEFENSE: - ''MY ANKARA AGENDA IS INDEFINITE''

Addressing a press conference at the Pentagon, Cohen said that his trip will also include visits to Greece, Israel, Egypt and Jordan.

It is expected that Cohen's meetings will focus on the bilateral defense relations, the issues of Cyprus and the Aegean Sea, the situation in the Balkans and weapons selling.

Madeleine Albright, the US Secretary of State, will also come to Turkey this summer on the invitation of Ismail Cem, the Foreign Minister.

[13] TURKEY-CYPRUS-US - THE US PRESIDENT CLINTON: ''THE S-300 MISSILES ARE OBSTACLES TO THE SOLUTION OF THE CYPRUS PROBLEM''

Sending his Cyprus report to the US Congress, which includes the months of December and January months, Clinton said in the introduction to the report that Turkey perceives the European Union's decisions made at the Luxembourg Summit as a backward step in the framework of Turkey's aim to integrate with Europe. He said that negative developments took place on Cyprus in this period, and added that the Turkish Cypriot side has suspended the international meetings without a time limitation on December 27 and the Greek Cypriot side has taken over the control of the military air base at Baf. Clinton pointed out, ''the Baf base has been established for war planes.''

Clinton said that Turkey reacted with disappointment to the EU's decisions made at the Luxembourg Summit and recalled that the decision concerning the solution to the Cyprus problem can be realized only on the principle of two states.

[14] INDICTMENT AGAINST AGAR AND BUCAK

The 40-page indictment prepared by the Istanbul State Security Court Chief Prosecutor's Office said a case couldn't be opened against Agar and Bucak within the context of the Susurluk case as they were deputies having immunities. The indictment noted that the case could only be opened after the lifting of the immunities of deputies.

The indictment said Abdullah Catli, searched for in Turkey as a suspect of a massacre, Huseyin Kocadag, a high ranking security department official having the duty to capture a wanted person and Sedat Edip Bucak, a deputy, were in the same place and that this stemmed from a special purpose, adding it was revealed that those people in question established a gang.

The indictment said false identities were found prepared for Abdullah Catli with the name of ''Mehmet Ozbay'' and that those identities had the signature of Mehmet Agar. These documents revealed that the necessary investigation wasn't made by the concerned institutions to this end. The indictment said thus, it was revealed that Catli was protected by high- ranking security officials with privileges.

The indictment said those who were in the car which had an accident at Susurluk were planning an illegal activity with attack and assassination weapons.

The indictment said that Sedat Bucak wanted guards and in the petition he gave, he mentioned the names of the guards one by one, adding that when these elements are taken into consideration as a whole, the gathering of these police officials around Bucak wasn't stemming from a real necessity for protection, but to gather the members of the formation.

The indictment said that Mehmet Agar, the General Director of the Security Department at the time, exploited his post by providing green passports to people who are wanted, providing them with documents to carry weapons and equipping them with privileges that they didn't deserve and providing opportunities to those people to go abroad and return to Turkey easily.

The indictment said, ''when all the evidence and documents are taken into consideration as a whole, the suspects who are high- ranking officials and politicians in the state, several administrators and police officials established formations with people who are wanted by the state on charges of several offences and with casino owners to commit crimes.''

[15] THE US AND RUSSIA SPEED UP EFFORTS CONCERNING CYPRUS PROBLEM

Richard Holbrooke, the Special Representative of the US for Cyprus, due to come Cyprus on Friday. His visit's aim has not been explained yet, but it is expected that he will discuss the solution parameters which were taken away by the Greek Cpriot side.

Holbrooke will meet both with Rauf Denktas, the President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), and Glafcos Clerides, the Leader of the Greek Cypriot Administration, for two times. He will leave the island on Sunday after organizing a press conference.

Vladimir Cizov, the Special Representative of Russia for Cyprus, who came to Cyprus one day before from Holbrooke, has met with Denktas first. He will leave Cyprus on Saturday after meeting with Clerides.

Another American official Thomas Miller, the Special Coordinator of the US State Office for Cyprus, has came to Cyprus on Thursday.

Miller due to meet with Denktas and Clerides on Friday.

[16] 10TH INTERNATIONAL IZMIR FILM FESTIVAL STARTS WITH THE GALA OF THE ''KILL ME MASTER''

Pirhasan and Meltem Cumbul, the leading actress of the film, joined the gala.

The film will represent Turkey at the ''the Competition of the Films of the Mediterranian Countries.''

The 10th International Izmir Film Festival will end on April 5.

[17] THOMAS MILLER MEETS WITH CLERIDES AND DENKTAS - MILLER: ''OUR ATTEMPTS ARE IN A CRITIC POSITION''

The US' opinion foresees a gradual solution for the Cyprus problem.

Addressing a press conference after his meeting with Clerides, Miller said that their attempts are in a critic position, but the allegations about the attempts do not reflect the truth.

Describing his meeting with Clerides as ''productive'', Miller said, ''our attempts do not aim to bring together Denktas and Clerides.''

Denktas said that they discussed the Cyprus problem, and added that they will meet again.

Miller said they had a ''useful'' meeting with Denktas.

[18] BAKU-CEYHAN PIPELINE - EISENSTAT, US ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE: ''WE WORK TOGETHER WITH TURKEY CONCERNING THE BAKU-CEYHAN PIPELINE'' ''TURKEY UNDERTOOK THE LEADING ROLE IN PROMOTING THE BAKU-CEYHAN PIPELINE'' ''WE ACCEPT THE TRANSFER OF TURKMAN NATURAL GAS VIA A PIPELINE THROUGH THE CASPIAN SEA TO TURKEY AS A STRATEGY''

Responding to questions at the US Senate Allocations Sub-Committee on US policy concerning the Caspian Region oil and natural gas resources, Eisenstat, who is responsible for economic affairs, said that protection of the independence of the regional countries and not creating monopolies on the energy export routes, is of utmost priority.

Stating that they support the construction of more than one pipeline route to transfer oil and natural gas to the world markets without a problem, Eisenstat said that they want ''diversity'' in the world markets with Caspian oil and natural gas. He also stressed that they object as a policy to the pipeline passing through Iran.

Eisenstat emphasized that they also object to the passage via the Turkish Straits of the natural energy resources from the Caspian region. ''We share the just concerns of Turkey about the passage via the Straits. That's why it is important to find a long-term solution,'' he said.

Stating that the US developed the East-West Eurasia Energy Corridor plan, Eisenstat said that the Baku-Ceyhan pipeline route is the ''key'' element of this corridor. Eisenstat said that the Baku Ceyhan pipeline will provide a diversity in the export routes and also the resources will reach the world markets without passing through Iran.

''We are working together with Turkey to make the Baku-Ceyhan pipeline more attractive commercially for firms. Turkey undertook the leading role in promoting and presenting this route. As Turkey finishes her feasibility studies, our institutions are reviewing their roles concerning the financing of this pipeline,'' he said.

Stressing that they want regional countries to increase their cooperation, Eisenstat said that they are pleased with the meeting held in Istanbul in which the foreign ministers of Turkey, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Turkmenistan participated and the joint statement issued after the meeting which supports the East-West Corridor.

Eisenstat said that they also accept the transfer of Turkman natural gas via a pipeline through the Caspian Sea to Turkey as a strategy.

Mitch McConnell, the Chairman of Senate Allocations Sub-Committee, said ''the Turks are certainly right'' commenting on the passage via the Straits. McConnell said the passage of one of the pipeline routes via Turkey is ''desirable.''

[19] AUTOMOTIVE SECTOR'S EXPORTS INCREASE 23 PERCENT IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1998

The office of the Secretary General of the Uludag Exporters' Union (UIB) said that the exports of spare parts in the January-March 1998 period was 262 million US dollars.

While the exports of sub-industry products continued to maintain its high average in the first quarter, buses-midibuses-minibuses took the first place in the exports of motor vehicles in the same period with 59 million 902 thousand US dollars.

There was a sharp increase in the exports of automobiles compared with the figures last year. The exports of automobiles increased to 41.8 million US dollars in the first quarter of 1998. It was 24 million US dollars in the same quarter last year.

The office said that Turkey exported 2.6 million US dollars in tractors, 4.3 million US dollars in vans and lorries, 452 thousand US dollars in special purpose motor vehicles, 927 thousand US dollars in work machines, 32.4 million US dollars in ships and sailing vessels, 16.6 million US dollars in aircraft, 7.7 million US dollars in bicycles-motorcycles, 1.2 million US dollars in agricultural machinery and 2.4 million US dollars in tanks and armoured vehicles.

[20] TURKISH-ARAB RELATIONS SYMPOSIUM IN LONDON

Ozdem Sanberk, Turkey's Ambassador to the UK, made a brief evaluation at the beginning although he was not included in the list of speakers.

Sanberk pointed out that the Turks and Arabs have historical, cultural and regional partnerships, adding that it would not be accurate to concentrate only on problems and that the Turkish-Arab relations have an important potential for improvement despite regional tensions.

Prof. William Hale, one of the professors of the SOAS University said that Turkey's strategic importance was accepted after the Iraq crisis occurred.

Hale pointed out that the separatist terrorist PKK organization played a negative role in the Turkish-Syrian relations, adding that the Arab world expressed concern about the increase in Turkish- Israeli relations in the recent period.

Fethi Cazli, acting as the Egyptian Undersecretary of the Foreign Ministry said that the Arabs and Turks lived in the middle of the tense atmosphere in the Middle East which is experiencing political, economic, social and military tensions.

Cazli named the prevailing problems of the Turkish-Arab relations as the water question, the separatist terrorist PKK, national minorities, Cyprus and Turkey's cross border operations into Northern Iraq. Cazli also said he didn't regard the improving relations between Turkey and Israel as a problem.

Candan Azer, the Chairman of Foreign Ministry Political Planning Department stressed that the Turkish and Arab nations have been living together for several centuries.

Pointing out that the uneasiness Turkey felt about the support extended by several neighboring countries to international terrorism, Azer said that contrary to the general belief in the world, Turkey is not a water-rich country.

Azer said that there is not a Kurdish problem, but a terror problem in Turkey, adding, ''we are against all kinds of terrorism.''

Mentioning the meaninglessness of the concern expressed about Turkey's relations with Israel, Azer said that the military cooperation between these two countries was not a secret. Stressing that improvement of Turkish- Israeli relations was for the benefit of the region, Azer said that a joint military maneuver held between the US, Turkey and Israel had no strategic element.

[21] INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION IN FEBRUARY INCREASES BY 15.6 PERCENT

The State Institute of Statistics (DIE) announced the results of its ''Monthly Industrial Production Index''.

The production of the mining sector was 23.3 percent. The production increase in the same month last year was -3.6 percent.

In February 1998, the production increase in the manufacturing sector was 15.7 percent and 12.2 percent in the electricity, gas and water sector.

The total industrial production in the first two months of 1998 increased by 9.5 percent compared with same period last year.

In the first two months of 1998, the increase in the production of the mining sector was 20.6 percent and 8.8 percent in the manufacturing sector. The production of the electricity, gas and water sector increased by 9.7 percent in the same period.

The production in the machinery industry increased by 32.8 percent in February 1998, and the production increase in the paper and publishing sector was 31.6 percent and 26.6 percent in the food industry when compared with statistics in February 1997.

The increase in the stone and clay sector was 18.1 percent, in the metal industry 10.5 percent, in the textile sector 6.6 percent and 1.2 percent in the chemicals industry.

[22] FOREIGN MINISTER CEM IN TURKMENISTAN - IBRAHIMI, UN SECRETARY GENERAL'S SPECIAL ENVOY TO AFGHANISTAN SPEAKS WITH CEM

Cem, speaking to the A.A correspondent after the meeting which took place upon the request of the Special Envoy, said that the clashes in Afghanistan were a kind of crisis affecting the region and Turkey indirectly. Noting that Ibrahimi asked him how Turkey could contribute to the solution of the Afghanistan problem, Cem said he conveyed Turkey's approach and views to the Special Envoy.

Mentioning the Afghanistan problem, Cem said that there were different approaches and different views in neighboring countries. ''We have always favored compromise and will continue to expend efforts to this end,'' he added.

Ibrahimi said that he paid a visit of courtesy to Cem, adding that ''I know the interest of Cem in the question.'' Ibrahimi said that he had gotten information about the views of Turkey to this end.

[23] PRIVATIZATION OF POAS...

Addressing a news conference Yigit said the government brought the privatization of Petrol Ofisi Inc. onto the agenda and seemed to forget the ATAS example which was experienced in the past.

Recalling that the US and European countries imposed an ''embargo'' on Turkey due to the Peace Operation the Turkish Army launched against Cyprus in 1974, Yigit said, ''during the embargo in question, the ATAS refinery belonging to the British and US companies, stopped production of fuel oil. We are resolved to carry out the required struggle against those who want to make the strategic sources of the country dependent on the imperialistic countries.''

Yigit said Petrol-Is was against privatization from the very beginning, adding, ''privatizations are not for the benefit of countries, they will have very grave outcomes in the future.''

[24] FOREIGN MINISTER CEM SPEAKS TO BUSINESSMEN

Addressing a luncheon hosted by the Turkish businessmen after visiting a textile complex in Ashkabad which was jointly established by Turkish and Turkman entrepreneurs Cem said, ''you are contributing a lot to the representation and development of the country.''

Cem said that he focused on ''economic diplomacy'' ever since the time he was appointed to this job, adding that he expended great efforts to improve economic and trade relations on the basis of politics.

Cem briefed about his contacts in China where he visited a while ago within this framework and recalled that a promotion and trade center was opened in Shanghai, the business city of China.

Cem also said that Turkey launched initiatives to improve relations with her neighbors Iran, Iraq and Syria by taking into consideration her own interests.

[25] TELEPHONE CALLS FROM TURKEY TO SPAIN - NUMBER ''9'' TO BE ADDED TO TELEPHONE NUMBERS

The statement on the issue said that the former and new numbers will be valid until June 5, 1998, adding that only the new numbers will be used after this date.

[26] SOLANA, NATO SECRETARY GENERAL: ''WE SUPPORT THE INITIATIVE TO ESTABLISH JOINT PEACE FORCE AMONG THE BALKAN COUNTRIES''

Solana staged a news conference after concluding his visit to Bulgaria and said that the Balkan region was very important for the security of Europe, adding that they supported each step to provide lasting stability in the region.

Solana said he welcomed an initiative to establish a joint peace force among the Balkan countries within this framework, adding ''I believe that this project which seems to be a political initiative at the moment, will be realized in the shortest time.'' He also said that this force will provide important contributions to the security of the region.

[27] BALANCE SHEET OF NARCOTICS IN 1997... - A TOTAL OF 10 TONNES OF HASHISH, 3.5 TONNES OF HEROIN SEIZED - 5,950 PEOPLE TAKEN INTO CUSTODY - 2.5 TONNES OF HEROIN AND 13 TONNES OF HASHISH WERE SEIZED, WHICH WERE BELONGING TO THE SEPARATIST TERRORIST PKK ORGANIZATION - 551 DRUG SMUGGLERS CAPTURED WHO WERE WORKING FOR THE PKK

The officials from the General Directorate of Security's Department for Fighting against Smuggling and Organized Crimes said that a total of 10 tonnes 439 kg of hashish, 3 tonnes 509 kg of heroin, 662 kg of base morphine and 9.6 kg of cocaine were seized in 1997 during the operations launched throughout the country by the police, and gendarmerie, and also the security guards at the border gates.

In addition, a total of 942,580 each captagon and 21,236 each ecstasy were seized in the operations last year.

A total of 2,620 operations were launched for struggling against drugs throughout the country last year and a total of 5,950 people were taken into custody in these operations.

A total of 1 tonne 431 kg of hashish was seized in Istanbul followed by southeastern Diyarbakir Province with 666 kg of hashish.

The amount of heroin seized in Istanbul last year was 914 kg followed by eastern Van Province with 559 kg of heroin. The security officials seized 242 kg of heroin in southern Icel Province. Officials said that they seized 348 percent more ecstasy this year.

Officials stated that the majority of the haul seized in the operations was belonging to the separatist terrorist PKK organization and this revealed that the drug trafficking is one of the financing sources of terrorism.

According to the determinations of the total amount of the haul, a total of 2 tonnes 455 kg of heroin, 13 tonnes 357 kg of hashish, 4 tonnes 225 kg of base morphine and 100 grams of cocaine which have been seized since the establishment of the separatist terrorist organization up until the end of 1997, were belonging to the PKK and 551 members of the separatist organization were captured during the operations.

Officials said, ''the separatist terrorist PKK organization participates at every stage in the drug organizations' activities and cooperates with them in the transfer of the hauls to Europe. The PKK uses unemployed people or illegal immigrants in Europe as the street sellers or drug smugglers. It was reported that the PKK members, who are living in the Western European countries as refugees, are charged with these duties.''

[28] CETIN, SPEAKER OF THE PARLIAMENT: - ''THE TRNC WILL OVERCOME EVERY DIFFICULTY'' - ''THE EU DISREGARDED THE EQUALITY ON CYPRUS''

Cetin told the TRNC Parliament that the Turkish Cypriots should unite closely more than ever concerning their national case on Cyprus which is at a critical stage.

Pointing out that the EU has made an extremely mistaken and unjust decision in Luxembourg, Cetin said, ''The EU has accepted the one sided application of the Greek Cypriots which is contradictory to international law and showed that it disregards the principle of equal sovereignty, which is the most important founding parameter of the Cyprus negotiations process. The EU was not satisfied with this, and adopted an approach which considers a minority status for the Turkish Cypriots by bowing to the pressure of Greece.''

Cetin said that Theodoros Pangalos, the Greek Foreign Minister, was encouraged by all these, and revealed openly all his thoughts and ambitions in his statements to the world media. Cetin also pointed out that the Greek Cypriot leader Clerides also had the courage to show his disrespect by calling Rauf Denktas, the TRNC President, ''my citizen''.

Stressing that the Turkish Cypriots are one of the two owners of the island and that they would never accept the Greek Cypriot administration as their government, Cetin said that the Turkish Cypriots have struggled against the danger of ethnic-cleansing and never accepted the minority status.

Cetin emphasized that no power on earth could lower the status of the Turkish Cypriots to a ''minority''. ''First you, and then Turkey will not let this happen,'' he said.

Pointing out that Denktas announced that they won't sit at the negotiation table anymore as ''the representative of a community'' and the Turkish Cypriots won't take part in the ''Greek Cypriot-EU negotiation team'', Cetin said that Turkey supports the TRNC in both of these decisions.

Cetin said that Turkey and the TRNC had opposed the Greek Cypriots' one- sided application to the EU since the beginning, adding that Cyprus can be member in the EU only after a solution and together with Turkey. He warned that a wrong decision made by the EU will divide Cyprus permanently and spoil the Turkish-Greek balance, and such a situation will increase the tension on Cyprus and in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Pointing out that the Greek Cypriot side took on a road full of risks, thinking that they can realize their dream of turning all of Cyprus into a Greek island by means of the EU, Cetin said that they will understand in a very short time that this dream won't come true.

[29] THE AZERBAIJANI PRESIDENT ALIYEV: ''A DAY SHOULD BE DECLARED IN TURKEY AS WELL TO COMMEMORATE THE TURKS MASSACRED BY THE ARMENIANS''

Aliyev who received Tuncay Mutluer, the Mayor of Eastern Kars Province, recalled that Armenians, throughout the whole world, make propaganda, saying that the Turks carried out a so-called massacre of the Armenians in 1915, adding, ''in fact the Armenians massacred Turks and Azerbaijanis.''

Noting that all the cities in Turkey was important and valuable for Azerbaijan, Aliyev said that Kars played an important role in the developments which occurred in Caucasia between 1918 and 1921 and pointed out that this city is of importance for Azerbaijan.

Tuncay Mutluer said that they wouldn't open the route between Kars and Armenia until the Armenians withdraw from the Azerbaijani territory.

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