Anadolu Agency: News in English, 98-07-18

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

18 JULY 1998

CONTENTS

[01] A SLIGHT EARTHQUAKE SHAKES ADANA

[02] GENERAL KARADAYI, CHIEF OF GENERAL STAFF, LEAVES THE US

[03] INCREASE TO THE SALARIES OF CIVIL SERVANTS DISCLOSED - ECEVIT, DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER: ''DECREE TO BE OPENED TO THE SIGNATURE OF DEPUTIES TODAY''

[04] PRESIDENT DEMIREL RECEIVES NAGIEV, AZERI LABOUR AND SOCIAL SECURITY MINISTER - DEMIREL: ''TURKEY AND AZERBAIJAN ARE TWO STATES OF A NATION'' - NAGIEV ALSO MEETS WITH ECEVIT, DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER AND MINISTER OF STATE

[05] US DIPLOMAT WELCH LEAVES FOR NORTHERN IRAQ - TURKEY SENDS OBSERVER TO THE MEETINGS OF WELCH WITH KDP AND PUK

[06] INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS - AGREEMENTS WITH UKRAINE, BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA AND PAKISTAN APPROVED

[07] OPERATION IN SOUTHEASTERN ANATOLIA - 9 TERRORISTS KILLED AND ANOTHER ONE SURRENDERS

[08] 6TH BALKAN COMPUTER OLYMPIAD ENDS - TURKISH COMPETITORS WIN TWO SILVER AND ONE BRONZE MEDALS

[09] AYDINER, HATAY GOVERNOR: ''THERE IS DIFFUCULTY IN IRRIGATION AS SYRIA FAILS TO LEAVE WATER TO ASI RIVER DUE TO CONSTRUCTION OF DAM''

[10] BLUE FLAGS TO BEACHES AND MARINAS OF MUGLA

[11] PRESIDENT DEMIREL RECEIVES MEMBERS OF COORDINATION COMMITTEE OF THE CITIZENS LIVING ABROAD

[12] KDP RADIO: ''SEPARATIST TERRORIST ORGANIZATION IS NOTHING BUT A DRUG GANG''

[13] AKIN, THE TRNC AGRICULTURE MINISTER, IN BURSA - AKIN: ''PEOPLE OF ANATOLIA PAY INDIRECTLY COST OF THE S-300 MISSILES''

[14] TAI TO PRODUCE MD-900 HELICOPTER

[15] PROBLEMS OF TOURISM - UYGUN, UNDERSECRETARY OF TOURISM MINISTRY: - ''NUMBER OF TOURISTS DECREASED TO 14.7 THOUSAND, BUT REVENUE OF TOURISM INCREASED TO 103 MILLION US DOLLARS WITHIN THREE MONTHS''

[16] HOPE FOR OIL IN ISPARTA, AFYON AND BURDUR - US MC CORD PRODUCTION COMPANY TO PROSPECT OIL IN ISPARTA, AFYON AND BURDUR

[17] GURDAL, TOURISM MINISTER: - ''TOURISM BECOMES A CULTURE''

[01] A SLIGHT EARTHQUAKE SHAKES ADANA

The Bogazici University Kandilli Observatory Earthquake Research Institute officials told the A.A correspondent that the earthquake occurred at 7:51 a.m. (4:51 GMT).

The number of the earthquakes have reached 104 since the major earthquake on 27 June killing nearly 140 people and wounding many others.

[02] GENERAL KARADAYI, CHIEF OF GENERAL STAFF, LEAVES THE US

General Karadayi who came to the US at the beginning of the this week held contacts in the NATO headquarters in Norfolk (SACLANT) and in Washington D.C. He was decorated with the Medal of Merit by his American counterpart Gen. Henry Shelton due to his high services and due to the contributions of the Turkish Army to international peace, in a ceremony staged at the Pentagon.

Watching a performance of the F-15 warplanes which Turkey plans to purchase in coming days, General Karadayi met seperately with William Cohen, the US Secretary of Defence, and Samuel Berger, the Assistant to the US President for National Security.

The confidence-building measures in the Aegean, and escalatưng tension on Cyprus because of the Greek Cypriot side's plan to deploy the S-300 missiles on the island were discussed during the contacts of General Karadayi in the US.

General Karadayi stressed that the US is worried about the situation on Cyprus and added, ''confidence-building measures in the Aegean can only postpone the problems. He emphasized that steps that can provide a solution by comprehensive negotiations to the problems between Turkey and Greece, should be taken as soon as possible.''

[03] INCREASE TO THE SALARIES OF CIVIL SERVANTS DISCLOSED - ECEVIT, DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER: ''DECREE TO BE OPENED TO THE SIGNATURE OF DEPUTIES TODAY''

Addressing a news conference Ecevit said coalition partners reached to a consensus of opinion on the increase that will be given to civil servants adding that the decree will be prepared today and opened to the signature of the partners. "Under the deal, public employees will receive a 20 percent rise immediately and then a further 10 percent for the three months from October," Ecevit said.

Ecevit said according to the agreement, 20 percent increase will be given for July-August-September period and 10 percent increase will be given for the last three months covering October-November and December.

When recalled the agreement reached between the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Ecevit said that keeping the government on its feet was a greater priority. "We are not looking at the issue from the point of view of the IMF. We haven't requested any credit from the IMF anyway," he said.

Ecevit also said the problem related with the increase in salaries of the retired civil servants would be solved soon and pointed out that there was no reason to feel concern.

Ecevit said the rise would not affect government efforts to reduce annual inflation to 50 percent by the end of this year. "We are not giving up on our targets," he said.

[04] PRESIDENT DEMIREL RECEIVES NAGIEV, AZERI LABOUR AND SOCIAL SECURITY MINISTER - DEMIREL: ''TURKEY AND AZERBAIJAN ARE TWO STATES OF A NATION'' - NAGIEV ALSO MEETS WITH ECEVIT, DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER AND MINISTER OF STATE

Nami Cagan, and said, ''Turkey and Azerbaijan are the two states of a nation.''

Praising the successful administration of President Haydar Aliev,

Demirel stressed the importance of the cooperation on the law of labour.

Meanwhile, Ali Nagiev also met with Bulent Ecevit, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State.

Addressing the meeting, Ecevit emphasized that the social security agreement signed between Turkey and Azerbaijan yesterday, is very significant for the humanitarian dimension, and noted that Turkey attributes great importance to the relations with Azerbaijan.

Pointing out that the cooperation relations between the two countries is also significant for the regional stability, Ecevit said that he will visit Azerbaijan again as soon as possible.

[05] US DIPLOMAT WELCH LEAVES FOR NORTHERN IRAQ - TURKEY SENDS OBSERVER TO THE MEETINGS OF WELCH WITH KDP AND PUK

An official from Foreign Ministry said Welch's contacts were not an extension of the ''Ankara Peace Process'' started with the initiatives of Turkey, US and Britain to provide peace between the Kurdish groups.

The official said the US official will hold talks with Iraqi Kurdish Democratic Party (KDP) and Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) and that Turkey will attend the talks in observer status. The official refused the news reports that Britain also sent a representative to Northern Iraq.

[06] INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS - AGREEMENTS WITH UKRAINE, BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA AND PAKISTAN APPROVED

The first of them is the cooperation agreement on medicine and health signed between the Council of Ministers of Turkey and Ukraine. This agreement foresees exchanging experience and information. The second is the First Term meeting protocol of Turkey and Bosnia-Herzegovina Joint Economic Commission (JEC) signed in March 6, 1998.

The joint economic commission which was led by Sukru Sina Gurel, the State Minister, and Mirsad Kurtovich, the Bosnian Foreign Trade and Economic Relations Minister, had taken up the issues of commercial and economic relations, implementation of donation, joint investments, energy, transportation, telecommunication, industry, agriculture, tourism, science and technology, technical aid and education.

The last one is the 11th Term meeting protocol of Turkey-Pakistan

Economic and Technical Cooperation Inter-Ministers Joint Commission met in February 11-12, 1998 in Islamabad.

Issues such as trade, industrial cooperation, economy, infrastructure, telecommunication, energy, agriculture, education, health, science and technology were discussed by the commission.

[07] OPERATION IN SOUTHEASTERN ANATOLIA - 9 TERRORISTS KILLED AND ANOTHER ONE SURRENDERS

Officials from the Emergency Rule Region Governor's office told the A.A correspondent that one terrorist who fled from the separatist terrorist organization, has surrendered to the security forces in Sason county of Batman province.

Operations against terrorists are underway in the region.

[08] 6TH BALKAN COMPUTER OLYMPIAD ENDS - TURKISH COMPETITORS WIN TWO SILVER AND ONE BRONZE MEDALS

Addressing the ceremony, Prof. Dr. Dincer Ulku, the Chairman of the Scientific and Technical Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK), said that such olympiads help new talents to be introduced.

Sukru Tikves and Macedonian Vladica Sark were granded with bronze medals. Sinan Oz and Baris Temelkuran were awarded with silver medals.

The 7th Balkan Computer Olympiad will be organized in Yugoslavia next year.

[09] AYDINER, HATAY GOVERNOR: ''THERE IS DIFFUCULTY IN IRRIGATION AS SYRIA FAILS TO LEAVE WATER TO ASI RIVER DUE TO CONSTRUCTION OF DAM''

Speaking to reporters Aydiner said waters of river of Asi was under the control of Syria adding that reaching of the water to Hatay was prevented due to the construction of three dams.

Recalling that there was 142,000 area that may be irrigated in Hatay province, Aydiner said the farmers have diffuculty in irrigation as the water of the river is reduced.

[10] BLUE FLAGS TO BEACHES AND MARINAS OF MUGLA

Officials from the Turkel Environment Education Foundation told the A.A correspondent that 26 criterions should be fulfilled for beaches and 15 criterions for marinas in order to win the blue flag award. Quality of the sea-water, general order in beach, security services and tourism facilities take part among the criterions.

The beaches and marines awarded with the blue flag are as follows:

Turunc and Icmeler beaches in Marmaris county, See Garden, Kumbahce, Bardakci, Gumbet, Bitez, Aktur, Yahsi, Gumusluk and Torba beaches in Bodrum county and Aktur beach in Datca county, and Netsel, Albatros, Hisaronu By and Karaada marinas.

[11] PRESIDENT DEMIREL RECEIVES MEMBERS OF COORDINATION COMMITTEE OF THE CITIZENS LIVING ABROAD

Addressing a meeting with the members of the Coordination Commitee of the Turkish citizens living abroad Demirel said many Turkish citizens went abroad between the years 1960 and 1970 to work there and that those people went to 25 separate countries.

Demirel said an Article was put to the 1982 Constitution related with the issue and that the government would take necessary measures to provide social securities, education and cultural necessities of citizens living abroad and their return to Turkey.

Demirel said a Europe without Turkey and Turkey without Europe could not be thought of as there is a great interest between them. Demirel pointed out that Turkey was the only democrat and secular country of the region and warned Europe against mafia, enmity, racism and facist activities.

Demirel said Turkey has been a full member of Customs Union for two years and that Turkish economy may compete with the European economy ''although European Union (EU) failed to fulfill its obligations.''

Demirel also said Turkey was very important as a window opening to Caucasus, Central Asia, Russia, Ukraine, Balkans and to the Middle East. Demirel also said efforts were expended to suit the standarts in Europe.

[12] KDP RADIO: ''SEPARATIST TERRORIST ORGANIZATION IS NOTHING BUT A DRUG GANG''

KDP Radio which broadcast in Northern Iraq said separatist terrorist organization, which claimed that they would work for the salvation of Kurdish people, was nothing but a drug gang and that this was provided with documents.

Radio said Kurdish people should be careful against separatist terrorist PKK organization adding that they would continue to struggle against PKK.

[13] AKIN, THE TRNC AGRICULTURE MINISTER, IN BURSA - AKIN: ''PEOPLE OF ANATOLIA PAY INDIRECTLY COST OF THE S-300 MISSILES''

Addressing the meeting, Akin stressed that the TRNC that is under the embargo of the European Union, cannot export her food products to the other countries, but the Greek Cypriot side is able to realize any trade with the member states of the EU.

Emphasizing that the one of the most famous fast-food firms of the world, the McDonalds, purchases nearly all the potato crop planted in the Greek Cypriot side, Akin added, ''people of Anatolia contributes to the Greek Cypriot side as they eat the potato chips of McDonalds.''

[14] TAI TO PRODUCE MD-900 HELICOPTER

It was reported that development could be recorded in ongoing talks between the consortium and Boeing which also included Belgian Helifly company.

Boeing wants to withdraw from the field of civilian helicopter production if a final agreement could be reached. Boeing will hand over all the project to the consortium.

If the consortium takes over the project, most of the MD-900 helicopters will be produced in TAI and will be marketted to the world via Turkey.

The MD-900 helicopters is ideal for police organization and can also be used for military aims.

[15] PROBLEMS OF TOURISM - UYGUN, UNDERSECRETARY OF TOURISM MINISTRY: - ''NUMBER OF TOURISTS DECREASED TO 14.7 THOUSAND, BUT REVENUE OF TOURISM INCREASED TO 103 MILLION US DOLLARS WITHIN THREE MONTHS''

Addressing the opening speech of the meeting named ''Problems of the Tourism'' in Kemer county of Antalya province, Uygun said that a negative scene is being created against the Turkish tourism in the public opinion.

Pointing out that the Tourism Minitry works to promote Turkey worldwide, Uygun stressed, ''tourism sector comes on second places after the textile sector in Turkey, therefore we should improve the opportunities such as gulf tourism, congress tourism or religious belief tourism. We aim to provide revenue of 25 million US Dollars from tourism in coming years.''

Senior officials from the Tourism Ministry, and general directors of the touristic enterprises in Kemer were also in attendance at the meeting.

[16] HOPE FOR OIL IN ISPARTA, AFYON AND BURDUR - US MC CORD PRODUCTION COMPANY TO PROSPECT OIL IN ISPARTA, AFYON AND BURDUR

Erdogan Demirtasli, Representative of the US company, which got license of nine separate regions to prospect oil, said driling studies will start in the region within two years.

Responding to the questions of A.A correspondent on the issue Demirtasli said Houston based company will prospect oil in Turkey for the first time.

Demirtasli said ''our company prospects oil in various parts of the world. We get license to prospect oil in nine regions. We have right to prospect for oil for four years.''

Demirtasli said the company will have pre-studies in the region adding that cost of a well may increase to 10 million dollars.

[17] GURDAL, TOURISM MINISTER: - ''TOURISM BECOMES A CULTURE''

Addressing the meeting on ''Importance of the Kitchen and Cook in Tourism'' organized by the Alanya Professional Cooks Association,

Gurdal noted, ''people who invest in tourism are mostly industrialists, contractors or investors from other sectors. One should assume tourism as a personal obligation to be successful.'' Pointing out that they work tourism to be more improved next year,

Gurdal stressed, ''number of the tourists that was 4.4 million in the first seven months of last year, increased to 4.5 million in the same period of this year. There are, of course, several problems, but we work to overcome them.''

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