Anadolu Agency: News in English, 98-06-30

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

30 JUNE 1998

CONTENTS

[01] EARTHQUAKE IN ADANA AND SURROUNDING REGION - GERMANY TO SEND HUMANITARIAN AID OF 2 MILLION GERMAN MARKS TO THE REGION - THE US PRESIDENT CLINTON OFFERS HELP

[02] STATE MINISTER YUCELEN IN PORTUGAL - YUCELEN VISITS EXPO-98 WORLD FAIR

[03] TURKEY PREPARES TO GET INFORMATION FROM IRAQ ABOUT THE CLAIMS SAYING THAT IRAQ SUPPORTS PKK

[04] PRESIDENT DEMIREL RECEIVES BALAYOGI, SPEAKER OF THE INDIAN PARLIAMENT - DEMIREL: ''WE SHOULD TRY TO FURTHER UNDERSTAND EACH OTHER''

[05] S-300 MISSILES - KINKEL SENDS A LETTER TO KASSULIDES IN ORDER TO EXPRESS HIS WORRIES ABOUT THE MISSILES

[06] THE US DEPARTMENT OF STATE: ''THE TERRORIST PKK'S OPENING AN OFFICE IN BAGHDAD ISN'T A SURPRISE''

[07] RESEARCH TEAM OF JACQUES COUSTEAU IN ISTANBUL - TEAM TO MAKE RESEARCH IN BLACK SEA AND CASPIAN SEA

[08] PARTNERSHIP FOR PEACE TRAINING CENTER OPENED IN TURKEY - FM CEM: ''WE WANT TO CREATE A NEW ATMOSPHERE OF SECURITY TO PREVENT TRAGEDIES LIKE THE ONES SEEN IN BOSNIA OR KOSOVO''

[09] MACEDONIAN DEFENSE MINISTER VISITS TURKEY - SEZGIN, THE DEFENSE MINISTER:''TURKEY IS PLEASED AT FULFILLING HER DUTY AT INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTIONS AIMED AT PREVENTING A BOSNIA-TYPE DRAMA IN KOSOVO''

[10] CYPRUS PROBLEM - UN SECURITY COUNCIL WARNS: - ''S-300 MISSILES ACCELERATE TENSION ON THE ISLAND AND IN THE REGION'' - ''DON'T TRY TO UNIFY CYPRUS WITH OTHER COUNTRIES'' - CORDOVEZ DUE ON CYPRUS IN JULY''

[11] MULTINATIONAL PEACEKEEPING FORCE IN THE CAUCASUS - GENERAL BIR, DEPUTY CHIEF OF GENERAL STAFF: - ''WE CREATE SECURITY IN THE BALKANS AND IN THE BLACK SEA REGION'' - WE TRY TO FORM PEACE FORCES IN ORDER TO SOLVE THE PROBLEMS IN THE BALKANS, THE CAUCASUS AND THE MIDDLE EAST''

[12] TURKISH PRESS REVIEW (1)

[13] TURKISH PRESS REVIEW (2)

[14] TURKISH PRESS REVIEW (3)

[15] UNION OF BALKAN NEWS AGENCIES MEETS IN OHRID IN MACEDONIA

[16] GENERAL BIR, THE DEPUTY CHIEF OF GENERAL STAFF: ''YOU'LL SEE THAT THE S-300 MISSILES WON'T BE BROUGHT TO CYPRUS''

[17] TURKEY IN BRIEF - JUNE 30, 1998

[18] TURKISH-IRANIAN BORDER SECURITY TALKS - SARI, VAN GOVERNORi ''OUR COOPERATION WITH IRAN IN STRUGGLE AGAINST SEPARATIST PKK AND HIZBI DEMOCRAT ORGANIZATIONS WILL CONTINUE''

[19] GREEK PRESIDENT STEFANOPOULOS' VISIT TO GREEK CYPRIOT SIDE

[20] SAKIK, LEADING SEPARATIST TERRORISTS ARE TRIED - SAKIK ASKS TIME FOR DEFENSE AND THE HEARING IS POSTPONED UNTIL 3 SEPTEMBER

[01] EARTHQUAKE IN ADANA AND SURROUNDING REGION - GERMANY TO SEND HUMANITARIAN AID OF 2 MILLION GERMAN MARKS TO THE REGION - THE US PRESIDENT CLINTON OFFERS HELP

Addressing a weekly press conference in Bonn, Otto Hauser, the Spokesman of the Federal Government, stated that Carl-Dieter Spranger the German Minister of Economy, Cooperation and Development, agreed on to send urgent aid in order to meet the losses of the victims of the earthquake.

Hauser noted that aid will be used to restore the social and health facilities in the region, adding that they will also send a team of experts.

Martin Erdmann, the Spokesman of the German Foreign Ministry, quoted the words of Klaus Kinkel, the German Foreign Minister, that they are ready to give any assistance to the victims of the earthquake. He also added that they conveyed the mentioned offer to Ismail Cem, the Foreign Minister, through the German Embassy in Ankara, but received no request so far.

Meanwhile Lee McLenny, the US Acting Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs of the Department of State, said that the US President Bill Clinton offered humanitarian aid for the victims of the earthquake in Adana and the surrounding region.

Reminding that the US Consulate and the Incirlik Airbase are located in the region hit by the earthquake and 23 Americans were injured during the earthquake, McLenny stated that eight of those who were injured are military staff.

[02] STATE MINISTER YUCELEN IN PORTUGAL - YUCELEN VISITS EXPO-98 WORLD FAIR

Meanwhile Yucelen visited the EXPO-98 World Fair, that began on 22 May and will end on 30 September, with the main theme of ''The Oceans, an Inheritance for the Future Generations''. He also visited the Turkish pavilion at the fair and received information about the sultanate caique belonged to Sultan Abdulaziz that was constructed at the end of 18th century and the other historical works belonging the Turkish civilizations and the maritime objects were displayed at the Turkish pavilion.

Yucelen will take over the term presidency of the EUREKA on behalf of Turkey from Gago on Tuesday.

[03] TURKEY PREPARES TO GET INFORMATION FROM IRAQ ABOUT THE CLAIMS SAYING THAT IRAQ SUPPORTS PKK

A high ranking official from the Foreign Ministry said that the ministry investigates the claims of the Al-Hayat newspaper and they will get information from Iraq concerning the claims soon.

The same official said that Turkey is very sensitive about the relation between Iraq-PKK and she conveys her views to Iraq about this issue at every opportunity.

The Al-Hayat newspaper, which is centered in London and published in the Arab countries, had also claimed that Iraq suggested that the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and Patriotic Union for Kurdistan (PUK) support the PKK.

Recalling that Turkey is in dialogue with the KDP and PUK, the Foreign Ministry official added that these groups are aware of the sensitivity of Turkey regarding the issue.

The newspaper noted that Iraq permitted the separatist terrorist organization to open offices in Baghdad, Mosul and Kirkuk and provided weapons and logistical support to the organization.

[04] PRESIDENT DEMIREL RECEIVES BALAYOGI, SPEAKER OF THE INDIAN PARLIAMENT - DEMIREL: ''WE SHOULD TRY TO FURTHER UNDERSTAND EACH OTHER''

Addressing the meeting, Demirel expressed his satisfaction with the visit to Turkey of Balayogi. Noting that visit will be useful for the relations between Turkey and India, Demirel pointed out, ''we should try to further understand each other as two democratic states''.

Reminding that he visited India in 1995, Demirel noted that the Indian President is expected to visit Turkey next September.

Ganti Moham Chandra Balayogi said that the parliamentary democracy established by Ataturk, the founder of the Republic of Turkey, forms the foundation of modern Turkey, adding that Turkey and India share the same democratic values.

Balayogi pointed out that the bilateral and economic relations between Turkey and India have accelerated since Demirel's India visit in 1995, and added that India aims to further develop her relations with Turkey.

Mentioning the nuclear tests of India, Balayogi said, ''nuclear tests neither target a third country nor violate the international agreements. India will remain the supporter of peace and stability''.

[05] S-300 MISSILES - KINKEL SENDS A LETTER TO KASSULIDES IN ORDER TO EXPRESS HIS WORRIES ABOUT THE MISSILES

Hristos Stilyanides, the Spokesman of the Greek Cypriot Administration, confirmed that Kinkel sent a letter to Kassulides.

Stilyanides didn't give information about the content of the letter, but noted that it is related to the S-300 missiles.

[06] THE US DEPARTMENT OF STATE: ''THE TERRORIST PKK'S OPENING AN OFFICE IN BAGHDAD ISN'T A SURPRISE''

Responding to questions, Lee McLenny, the US Deputy Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs of the Department of State, said that they saw the news claiming that the PKK opened an office in Baghdad.

''The PKK is a terrorist organization. Nobody should be surprised about the protection of such an organization by the Iraqi administration. It is interesting, but not surprising,'' Lee McLenny added.

Asked about the news saying that Iraq gave advanced weapons to the separatist terrorist organization, McLenny said he didn't have any information about this issue.

The US administration describes the separatist PKK as ''a bloody and violent terrorist organization.''

The reports published by the US Department of State every year note that Iran, Syria and Iraq support the separatist terrorist organization.

[07] RESEARCH TEAM OF JACQUES COUSTEAU IN ISTANBUL - TEAM TO MAKE RESEARCH IN BLACK SEA AND CASPIAN SEA

The team will sail to the Black Sea on 1 July, and proceed to the Caspian Sea after they conclude their research studies in the Azov Sea, the Don River and the Volga River.

Addressing the journalists, experts pointed out that they will make research on the natural habitats of sturgeon in the Caspian Sea and monitor the influences of sea pollution and illegal hunting on the fish.

[08] PARTNERSHIP FOR PEACE TRAINING CENTER OPENED IN TURKEY - FM CEM: ''WE WANT TO CREATE A NEW ATMOSPHERE OF SECURITY TO PREVENT TRAGEDIES LIKE THE ONES SEEN IN BOSNIA OR KOSOVO''

A ceremony was held the same day upon the opening of the Partnership for Peace (PFP) Training Center, which was set up for the first time by the Turkish Armed Forces in Ankara.

Addressing the ceremony, Ismail Cem said that Turkey has strongly supported the PFP programme and she actively participated in establishment and strengthening of the European Atlantic Partnership Council.

Cem expressed pleasure at the functioning of the second project concerning the establishment of the Multinational Peacekeeping Force, adding ''our activities will be directed by the basic principles of the PFP, including the principle of indivisibility of security. We don't want to isolate any country and we'll welcome the participation of every country which wants to contribute.''

Noting that the participation in the PFP won't only contribute to the reinforcement of peace and stability in Bosnia, but it will also positively affect the general atmosphere of security in Southeastern Europe, Cem stressed that the Kosovo conflict constitutes a threat to regional peace and security and the necessary measures should be taken as soon as possible.

Gen. Cevik Bir, the Deputy Chief of General Staff, said that the importance of Turkey as a centre of power and an element of balance in the region has increased after the cold war.

''Turkey participated in peacekeeping operations from Somali to Albania, from Bosnia to Georgia by being aware of her responsibilities in spite of her limited monetary resources,'' Bir said.

Noting that another initiative, which has been started concerning the Black Sea region is the Black Sea Emergency Force, Bir added that it will provide concrete contributions to regional cooperation and confidence-building measures.

The PFP initiative was started in January 1994 for the former members of the Warsaw Pact.

Within the framework of the PFP Training Center, 1,555 foreign military personnel from Albania, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Macedonia, Uzbekistan, Romania and Turkmenistan -PFP countries- and from the US, Germany and France -NATO countries- will be trained by the Turkish Armed Forces. The training of 1,172 personnel is still continuing.

[09] MACEDONIAN DEFENSE MINISTER VISITS TURKEY - SEZGIN, THE DEFENSE MINISTER:''TURKEY IS PLEASED AT FULFILLING HER DUTY AT INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTIONS AIMED AT PREVENTING A BOSNIA-TYPE DRAMA IN KOSOVO''

Addressing a joint press briefing with Lazar Kitanoski, the Macedonian Minister of Defense, who arrived in Turkey to hold official contacts, Sezgin said that Macedonia has a very important position at the heart of the Balkans and they will exchange views about issues that concern the two countries and the Balkans during Kitanoski's visit to Turkey.

Recalling that Turkey is one of the first countries which recognized Macedonia with her name, Sezgin said ''our relations with Macedonia, which played an important role in the establishment of peace, security and stability in the Balkans, have accelerated in the fields of the military and defense. Measures have been taken and continue to be taken to solve the Kosovo problem, to stop the bloodshed there and to prevent the spreading of this conflict to Albania and Macedonia.''

Lazar Kitanoski, the Macedonian Minister of Defense, said ''the policy pursued by Turkey in the Balkans is very positive for us,'' adding that they will take up the recent developments in the Balkans and Kosovo during his contacts in Turkey.

Noting that Turkey has respected the territorial integrity of the Macedonian Republic from the beginning, the guest minister added that he brought a message from the Macedonian President to President Suleyman Demirel.

The guest minister will return to his country on 2 July.

[10] CYPRUS PROBLEM - UN SECURITY COUNCIL WARNS: - ''S-300 MISSILES ACCELERATE TENSION ON THE ISLAND AND IN THE REGION'' - ''DON'T TRY TO UNIFY CYPRUS WITH OTHER COUNTRIES'' - CORDOVEZ DUE ON CYPRUS IN JULY''

The Council adopted the two separate draft resolutions with an unanimous vote.

The first draft resolution emphasized that the Russian made S-300 missiles accelerate tension not only on the island, but in the whole region.

The Security Council requests the withdrawal of foreign troops and the defence expenses to be cut down, and it supports the proposal of Glafcos Clerides, the leader of the Greek Cypriot Administration, on ''disarmament of the island'' within the framework of final the solution.

The Council requested President Rauf Denktas of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), and Glafcos Clerides, to continue their dialogues, in the second draft resolution, and requested all countries to avoid actions that can cause the unification of the island with another country.

Stressing that the joint activities between the two nations living on the island, accelerate mutual confidence and respect, the Security Council expressed regret with the postponement of such activities by the Turkish Cypriot leadership.

The draft resolutions adopted by the UN Security Council, foresee: ''There are extreme military forces on the island. Within this framework, the S-300 missiles that will be deployed at Southern Cyprus, caused serious worries. All these factors accelerate tension on the island and in the region and make the peace efforts difficult. The Council requests from the related sides to cut down their defence expenses and number of foreign soldiers. The foreign forces should withdraw from the island as a first step in order to provide mutual confidence between the two sides. The status quo on the island is unacceptable. The Cyprus problem has been in deadlock for a long time. The solution should contain the elements of single sovereignty, international identity and single citizenship. There should be two equal nations on the island and a federation with two nations and two regions will be established''.

The Security Council is scheduled to meet again in order to take up the Cyprus problem on 10 December.

Meanwhile Diego Cordovez, the Special Representative to Cyprus for the United Nations Secretary General, is scheduled to visit the island on Thursday. He will hold separate talks with President Rauf Denktas of the TRNC, and Glafcos Clerides, the leader of the Greek Cypriot Adnministration.

[11] MULTINATIONAL PEACEKEEPING FORCE IN THE CAUCASUS - GENERAL BIR, DEPUTY CHIEF OF GENERAL STAFF: - ''WE CREATE SECURITY IN THE BALKANS AND IN THE BLACK SEA REGION'' - WE TRY TO FORM PEACE FORCES IN ORDER TO SOLVE THE PROBLEMS IN THE BALKANS, THE CAUCASUS AND THE MIDDLE EAST''

Addressing the journalists after the opening ceremony of the Partnership for Peace (PFP) Training Center which was established for the first time by the Turkish Armed Forces in Kirazlidere in Ankara, General Bir noted that Turkey is one of the rare countries whose importance increased after the cold war, and added this was caused by Turkey being both European and Asian.

Stressing that Turkey that has historical and cultural links with the Central Asian countries, Bir told the reporters that Turkey is in a model position, therefore she undertook the leadership mission.

Bir described Turkey's sincere initiatives towards peace as a response for the propaganda against Turkey.

Responding to a question about the headquarters of the Multinational Peacekeeping Force in the Balkans, Bir noted that they reached accord on the idea of ''periodic headquarters''. He pointed out that the headquarters will be established in Edirne first and later the other countries will host the headquarters.

Mentioning the latest developments on Cyprus, Bir pointed out that the Turkish troops in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) are the troops that bring peace to the region. He added, ''Turkey always supports peace. We defend the continuation of negotiations between the two sides living on the island''.

[12] TURKISH PRESS REVIEW (1)

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

RESCUE OPERATIONS CONTINUE IN EARTHQUAKE ZONE
Rescue teams from the National Civil Defence Organization, supported by the members of the Exploration and Evacuation Asociation (AKUT), have so far been very successful in their operations carried out in the southern city of Adana, and Ceyhan County, nearly 40 kilometres east of Adana, the epicentres of an earthquake which registered 6.3 on the Richter Scale and triggering the destruction of many building and killing at least 120 people on Saturday. One of the heads of the National Defence Organization said yesterday that the volunteers from AKUT, including renowned mountaineer Nasuh Mahruki, have been very helpful in the rescue operations with their patient labour and knowledge of techniques. A 45 year-old teacher, Hatice Eker, was rescued alive from the remains of a huge building in Ceyhan 49 hours after the earthquake.

People in the quake area aren't entering their houses after warning messages by seismologists that shocks following the quake might totally destroy houses damaged by the quake. According to the latest casualty reports, the death toll has risen 120. /Hurriyet/

PARTNERSHIP FOR PEACE CENTRE IN ANKARA
A Partnership for Peace (PFP) training centre established by the Turkish Armed Forces in the NATO's southern flank was opened in Ankara yesterday. Gen. Cevik Bir, the Deputy Chief of General Staff, delivered a speech at the opening ceremony and said that the protection of peace was harder than waging war and added that peace could be achieved through dialogue, cooperation, openness, mutual respect and goodwill. Staff Colonel Cengiz Kurkcu, the Commander of the PFP Training Centre said that the PFP consisted of 43 countries including 16 NATO member countries. Kurkcu noted that within the framework of the PFP activities, 1,555 military staff have been trained in Turkey to date and 1,172 military staff were still being trained. Ismail Cem, the Foreign Minister, Lieutenant General O.L. Kandborg, the Director of the International Military Headquarters of NATO, Major General Ton Kolsteren, the Head of the Southern European Allied Forces and generals from 16 NATO countries and 27 PFP countries attended the ceremony. /Hurriyet/

US POLITICIANS ARRIVE IN TURKEY
Representatives of the American Council of Young Political Leaders (ACYPL), an influential institution, which prepares young politicians at international levels, will arrive in Turkey today. A delegation of nine people will hold contacts in Ankara and Istanbul and will also visit the Southeastern Anatolia Project (GAP). /Hurriyet/

GARANTI BECOMES FCI MEMBER
The Garanti Bank has become a member of Factors Chain International, the largest factoring organization in the world.

According to a statement made by the Garanti Bank, the Garanti Bank, which began international factoring services in 1997, is the only Turkish bank which provides international factoring services. The FCI has 134 members from 48 countries. /Hurriyet/

TURKISH DELEGATION TO VISIT TRNC IN JULY
A delegation headed by President Suleyman Demirel will visit the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) on 20 July. The delegation will include Bulent Ecevit, the Deputy Prime Minister, Ismet Sezgin, the Minister of National Defense, the Ministers of State Husamettin Ozkan, Sukru Sina Gurel, Ismail Cem, the Foreign Minister, Gen. Cevik Bir, the Deputy Chief of General Staff and many other high-level officials. With this visit, a message will be given that Turkey will always side with the TRNC. /Hurriyet/

SYRIA CALLS FOR DIALOGUE
Adnan Omran, the Syrian Deputy Foreign Minister, will visit Ankara tomorrow to hold contacts with the Foreign Ministry officials. Omran will pay a two- day visit to Turkey as the official guest of Korkmaz Haktanir, the Undersecretary of the Foreign Ministry. /Hurriyet/

CONDOLENCES FROM ALIYEV
The Azerbaijani President Haydar Aliyev sent a message of condolence to President Suleyman Demirel yesterday following the earthquake in Adana, which has so far taken 120 lives. Aliyev noted that he shared Turkey's pain and wished recovery for those injured during the earthquake. /Hurriyet/

[13] TURKISH PRESS REVIEW (2)

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

AKMAYA-ORTEKS WINS POAS TENDER
A partnership between the Akmaya and Orteks companies has led to a 51 percent stake in the state petroleum distributor, the Petrol Ofisi Company (POAS), a key element in the government's privatization plans. The two companies made the highest bid of 1.16 billion US dollars for a share in the state-owned company at a live televised bidding session. The POAS operates 5,677 out of more than 8,000 petrol stations across Turkey and has a 51 percent market share in sales terms. /All papers/

NSC MEETING
A National Security Council (NSC) meeting, which convened early yesterday in Ankara, lasted five hours and mainly focused on foreign policy issues of major concern, such as the recent tensions with Greece over Cyprus. The NSC meeting decided that emergency rule should still be applied in six Southeastern provinces: Diyarbakir, Van, Hakkari, Siirt, Sirnak and Tunceli, and be extended for four months more starting as of 30 July, a statement from the NSC secretariat announced. The statement said that the NSC had also decided that a temporary village guards system should be implemented, that preparations for the system be completed and that the Cabinet should be kept informed of its development. /All papers/

DENKTAS: GECITKALE BASE TO BE KEPT OPERATIONAL
Rauf Denktas, the President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), said yesterday that all necessary measures were being taken to keep the Gecitkale Airport operational as a military base. ''Since a military airbase has been provided for the utilization of the Greek military aircarft in the south, the Gecitkale airbase will be used as a permanent military base ready to operate at any second,'' said Denktas.

SCHUESSEL PROMISES NEW PAGE IN TURCO-EU RELATIONS
The new European Union (EU) term president Austria's Foreign Minister Wolfgang Schuessel predicted yesterday a 'new page' in troubled EU-Turkey relations, while giving an outline of his six-month long portfolio as the new presidency holder.

Schuessel noted that the Cardiff conclusions had been well received in Ankara and that the Austrian term presidency will attach special importance to holding an early Association Council meeting between Turkey and the EU. Emphasizing that the impasse in relations should be cleared, the foreign minister said that during its term, Austria will try to bring the ''European Strategy for Turkey'' to life, enhancing Turkey's stability and its Western vocation.

RULING UBP VICTORY IN TRNC LOCAL POLLS
The centre-right National Unity Party (UBP), the major partner of the ruling coalition in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), clinched a major victory in the local elections in the country, according to unofficial results yesterday. /All papers/

YUCELEN IN PORTUGAL
Rustu Kazim Yucelen, the Minister of State, went to Lisbon on Sunday to take over the term presidency of EUREKA on 30 June on behalf of Turkey. Yucelen said that Turkey would be the new term president of the European Universities and Research Coordination Committee (EUREKA) starting 1 July, adding ''our term presidency will accelerate the transition process of Turkey to the European Union (EU).''

IZZETBEGOVIC IN ISTANBUL
The Bosnia-Herzegovinan President Alia Izzetbegovic arrived yesterday in Istanbul. Izzetbegovic will be presented today with an honorary doctorate from the Marmara University during a ceremony which President Suleyman Demirel will also attend.

/Cumhuriyet/

[14] TURKISH PRESS REVIEW (3)

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

INDIAN PARLIAMENT SPEAKER IN ANKARA
G.M.C. Balayogi, the Indian Lower Assembly Speaker of the Parliament, and an accompanying delegation arrived in Ankara yesterday as the official guests of the Parliament. Balayogi visited his Turkish counterpart Hikmet Cetin. During the visit Balayogi said that India always supported peace and wanted to improve her relations with Turkey. /Cumhuriyet/

US-TURKISH TEXTILE MEETING IN ISTANBUL
The Istanbul Textiles and Ready-to-Wear Exporters' Union (TIM) organized a seminar yesterday in Istanbul on the ''US Textiles and Ready-to-Wear Market Conditions and New Opportunities''. At the seminar ways to increase textile exports to the US, which is Turkey's second largest export market after the European Union (EU), were discussed. Okan Oguz, the Chairman of the TIM, said that the US was an important export market for Turkey, and that Turkey was looking for ways to increase her export rate to that country. Oguz added that Turkey had increased her exports to the US by 49 percent. /Cumhuriyet/

TANER IN LONDON
Immediately after he returned from America, Gunes Taner, the Minister of State, went to London yesterday. Before his departure Taner said, ''Following the agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Turkey is now looking for new sources to finance her economy''. Meanwhile, Mehmet Yildirim, the Member of the Executive Board of the Istanbul Union of Commerce, said that the recent agreement between Turkey and the IMF was a positive step forward in regard to the Turkish economy. He added that the agreement would bring relief to the domestic market. /Sabah/

RAMSTORE IN KAZAKHSTAN
The Turkish Koc Company and its Kazakh partner laid the foundations yesterday for a cultural and trade center in Almaty.

Kurtulus Taskent, the Turkish Ambassador to Kazakhstan, and Viktor Hrapunov, the Mayor of Almaty, also attended the ceremony. The project will cost almost 26 million US dollars and will be completed in six months. It will be constructed entirely by Turkish firms./Sabah/

FOUR PKK MEMBERS ARRESTED IN IZMIR
Four members of the PKK terrorist organization, already involved in three bomb attacks and who were planning to attack tourists and military targets, were arrested yesterday together with four other people who support them. The four, trained for bomb attacks in Greece were brought to Izmir illegally in Greek-owned speed boats. /Hurriyet/

[15] UNION OF BALKAN NEWS AGENCIES MEETS IN OHRID IN MACEDONIA

After Milan Stefanofsky, the General Director of the Mak-Press, Macedonian News Agency that is the term president of the union, presented the report including the 6 month activities, the ''financial aspects of dial-up and databank projects'' was discussed. The members of the Union pointed out that the national news agencies failed to convey the facts to the world concerning the latest developments occurring in the Balkans.

In the declaration issued at the end of the meeting, members stressed that they want the Kosovo problem to reach a peaceful solution and expressed their sorrow about the victims of the clashes in Kosovo.

Representatives of the Anadolu Agency (A.A), Albanian News Agency (ATA), Athens News Agency (ANA), Macedonian News Agency, Macedonia Mak-Press, Romanian News Agency and Yugoslav News Agency were in attendance at the metting. It was decided to have the Bulgarian News Agency (BTA) take over the term presidency of the union.

[16] GENERAL BIR, THE DEPUTY CHIEF OF GENERAL STAFF: ''YOU'LL SEE THAT THE S-300 MISSILES WON'T BE BROUGHT TO CYPRUS''

Responding to the questions of Turkish and foreign journalists during a reception held upon the opening of the Partnership for Peace (PFP) Training Center in Ankara, Gen. Bir said that Turkey's rightfulness about the Cyprus question should be explained at every opportunity and on every platform.

Noting that the EU has provided a political advantage to Greece with its decision concerning Turkey, General Bir said, ''we have to explain our rightfulness concerning the relations with the EU at the international field.''

[17] TURKEY IN BRIEF - JUNE 30, 1998

The meeting focused on setting up cooperation in the cultural and sports fields between the two cities.

The Bulgarian delegation also visited the Edirne Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Airush Hadgi, the Bulgarian Deputy of the Rights and Freedoms Party, Vladimir Moskov, the Mayor of Gotse Delchev, Krassimir Mounev, the Chairman of Gotse Delchev Chamber of Commerce, representatives of several parties and journalists were in the delegation.

ANKARA - President Suleyman Demirel received on Monday Robert Trausti Arnason, the Iceland Ambassador to Denmark who is accredited to Turkey.

Arnason presented his letters of credence to President Demirel.

LONDON - Gunes Taner, the Minister of State, came on Monday to London in order to hold talks with the senior British officials.

Taner will join the conference organized by the Deutsche Bank on Monday. He is sheduled to address the businessmen and bankers in a luncheon that will be given by the Bankers Union on 1 July.

Gunes Taner will meet with Helen Liddell, the British Minister of State Responsible for the Economy and the last day of his visit to Britain.

ANKARA - Alia Izzetbegovic, the Chariman of the Bosnia-Herzegovina Presidential Council, will be granted with an honorary doctorate by the Marmara University, it was reported on Tuesday.

President Suleyman Demirel will also attend the ceremony.

Demirel and Izzetbegovic will hold talks after the ceremony. The meeting will focus on the relations between Turkey and Bosnia- Herzegovina and the regional problems.

ANKARA - Jiang Zemin, the Chinese President, sent on Monday a message to President Suleyman Demirel expressing his sorrow and offering his condolences on the major earthquake which hit the southern Adana Province and the surrounding region on Saturday.

ANKARA - General Ismail Hakki Karadayi, the Chief of General Staff, went on Tuesday to Finland for an official visit.

General Karadayi will return to Turkey on 2 July.

ISTANBUL - Hikmet Ulugbay, the Minister of National Education, went on Tuesday to Albania as the official guest of his Albanian counterpart Ethem Ruka.

Addressing the journalist at the Ataturk Airport, Ulugbay said that his visit aims at increasing educational cooperation between Albania and Turkey. He added that President Recep Mejdani of Albania will receive him during his visit.

Hikmet Ulugbay will visit ''Zall-Herr Ataturk School'' in Tirane and hold talks with the rectors of the universities at the Albanian University.

Ulugbay will return to Turkey on 2 July.

[18] TURKISH-IRANIAN BORDER SECURITY TALKS - SARI, VAN GOVERNORi ''OUR COOPERATION WITH IRAN IN STRUGGLE AGAINST SEPARATIST PKK AND HIZBI DEMOCRAT ORGANIZATIONS WILL CONTINUE''

Speaking after the meeting Van Governor Sari said the meetings were held in a positive atmosphere adding that they reached to a consensus of opinion that cooperation between the two countries to struggle against separatist terrorist PKK organization and against Hizbi Democrat organizations would continue.

''Simultaneous operations will be carried out within this framework without any halt. We will reciprocally analyse the received information. We also decided to struggle against drug trafficking and other smugglings. We reached to an agreement against the issue of refugees which have been a problem both for Iran and for Turkey.

Kerimzade in his part said they would do their best for the implementation of the resolutions. Later, the Iranian delegation left for their country.

[19] GREEK PRESIDENT STEFANOPOULOS' VISIT TO GREEK CYPRIOT SIDE

Addressing a weekly news conference staged for foreign journalists, Atacanli said ''the visit again voiced the expansionist policy which Greece has carried out so far.''

Recalling the expressions of the Greek President which said ''Cyprus itself belongs to Greece'', ''Cyprus isn't closer to the Turkish coasts'', ''Greece is here because Cyprus belongs to Greece'', Atacanli said those words once again revealed the real mentality of Greece.

Atacanli also recalled that Stefanopoulos said that the Joint Defense Doctrine established between Greece and the Greek Cypriot side will be continued, adding ''those words confirmed that Greece would support armament of the Greek Cypriots in the next term which will escalate tension.''

[20] SAKIK, LEADING SEPARATIST TERRORISTS ARE TRIED - SAKIK ASKS TIME FOR DEFENSE AND THE HEARING IS POSTPONED UNTIL 3 SEPTEMBER

The Sakık brothers face the death sentence on charges of murder and treason. Semdin Sakik appeared the same day at the State Security Court in the southeastern province of Diyarbakır under tight security.

The prosecutor read the indictment against the Sakık brothers in the court and requested their death sentence because of being responsibile for the murder of 113 citizens and 125 security officers.

The prosecutor said that the separatist terrorist organization was set up in order to carry out activities aimed at dividing a part of the territory from the state's rule and establish an independent Kurdish state based on a Marxist-Leninist order.

Senturk added that Sakık actively participated in the murder of 33 soldiers, 37 teachers and six citizens at the Bingol-Elazıg motorway, murder of the district governor, prosecutor in Solhan County of Bingol Province at the Elazıg-Bingol motorway, killing of nine engineers and public servants at the Ferro Krom installations in Elazıg Province, the murder of 113 citizens including a two-year old baby and murder of 125 soldiers at Sırvan County of Siirt Province.

Yavuz Senturk, the prosecutor said that Syria, Iran, Greece, the Russian Federation, Germany, Libya and Iraq provide weapons to the separatist terrorist organization.

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