Anadolu Agency: News in English, 98-08-24

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

24 AUG 1998

CONTENTS

[01] 11 TERRORISTS KILLED IN SOUTHEAST

[02] NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL CONVENES

[03] SOCCER-EUROPEAN CUPS - UEFA CUP 2ND QUALIFYING ROUND 2ND LEG AND CHAMPIONS' LEAGUE QUALIFYING ROUND 2ND LEG MATCHES TO BE HELD BETWEEN 25 AND 27 AUGUST

[04] KLIMA, THE AUSTRIAN CHANCELLOR: ''NO DISCRIMINATION SHOULD BE MADE AGAINST TURKEY CONCERNING HER MEMBERSHIP IN THE EU''

[05] TURK, THE STATE MINISTER: ''LOSSES OF THE PERSONS WHO SUFFER FROM TERRORISM WILL BE COMPENSATED BY THE STATE''

[06] AFTERSHOCKS CONTINUE IN ADANA

[07] PRESIDENT DEMIREL: ''THE STATE KNOWS WHAT PERSONS DO AND LAUNCHES EFFORTS TO PREVENT ILLEGAL ACTIVITIES BY RESPECTING LAW''

[08] IMPORTANT MEETING AT NEMRUT - FIJET EXECUTIVE BOARD TO CONVENE IN KAHTA IN SEPTEMBER

[09] TURKISH PRESS REVIEW (1)

[10] TURKISH PRESS REVIEW (2)

[11] FOREIGN TRADE INDICES

[12] CARGO SHIP RUNS AGROUND AT DARDANELLES

[13] DEUTSCHE BANK EXAMINES TURKEY AND RUSSIA WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF ASIAN CRISIS - DEUTSCHE BANK: ''TURKEY AND RUSSIA HAVE MANY COMMON ECONOMIC FEATURES, HOWEVER RUSSIA ENTERED INTO A CRISIS, WHILE TURKEY CONTINUES ON HER COURSE SUCCESSFULLY''

[14] TURKISH-SLOVAKIAN JEC PROTOCOL SIGNED

[15] FOUNDATION LAYING AND PUTTING INTO OPERATION CEREMONIES IN ENERGY

[16] THE FIRST OF FIVE MINESWEEPERS DELIVERED TO FLEET BY FRANCE

[17] SUIT OF MEHMET AGAR TRANSFERRED TO COUNCIL OF STATE

[18] FIVE HADEP ADMINISTRATORS, WHO ARE ACCUSED OF SUPPORTING ''THE SEPARATIST TERRORIST ORGANIZATION,'' AT THE COURT

[19] EXPO-98 INTERNATIONAL MARITIME FAIR - STATE MINISTER KARA LEAVES FOR PORTUGAL TO ATTEND TURKISH DAY ACTIVITIES

[20] STATE MINISTER TANER LEAVES FOR RUSSIA

[01] 11 TERRORISTS KILLED IN SOUTHEAST

The Emergency Rule Governor's Office said that security forces clashed with a group of terrorists during their operations late on Sunday at the Satira Mountain region in Kozluk County.

Security forces killed eleven terrorists in the clash which concluded early on Monday.

The operations in the region are underway.

[02] NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL CONVENES

Mesut Yılmaz, the Prime Minister, Gen. Ismail Hakkı Karadayı, the Chief of General Staff, Bulent Ecevit, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State, Ismet Sezgin, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence, Kutlu Aktas, the Minister of the Interior, Ismail Cem, the Foreign Minister, Gen. Huseyin Kıvrıkoglu, the Army Forces Commander, Admiral Salim Dervisoglu, the Naval Forces Commander, Ilhan Kılıc, the Air Forces Commander, Gen. Fikret Ozden Boztepe, the Gendarmerie Commander and Gen. Ergin Celasin, the NSC Secretary General are participating at the regular meeting of the NSC.

Senkal Atasagun, the Undersecretary of the National Intelligence Service (MIT), Korkmaz Haktanır, the Undersecretary of the Foreign Ministry, Necati Bilican, the General Director of Security and Aydın Arslan, the Emergency Regional Governor are also attending the meeting.

The National Security Council will take up domestic and foreign developments at the meeting.

[03] SOCCER-EUROPEAN CUPS - UEFA CUP 2ND QUALIFYING ROUND 2ND LEG AND CHAMPIONS' LEAGUE QUALIFYING ROUND 2ND LEG MATCHES TO BE HELD BETWEEN 25 AND 27 AUGUST

Fenerbahce was beaten by the Swedish IFK Goteborg 1-2 in the first leg took place in Goteborg, Sweden. Fenerbahce and IFK Goteborg will play the second leg at the Fenerbahce Stadium in Istanbul on Tuesday.

The Polish Wisla Krakow beat Trabzonspor 5-1 in the first leg in Romania. The second leg will be played at the Husyin Avni Aker Stadium in Trabzon on 25 August.

Also, Istanbulspor lost the first leg match against the Romanian Arges Pitesti 0-2. The second leg will take place on August 27 at the BJK Inonu Stadium in Istanbul.

Although, the Turkish teams lost their first leg matches, they will try to attain the results that will enable them to go through the first round.

Meanwhile, Galatasaray and the Swiss Grasshoppers Zurich will play the Champions' League second leg in Zurich on 26 August. In the first leg in Istanbul, Galatasaray beat the Grasshoppers 2-1.

[04] KLIMA, THE AUSTRIAN CHANCELLOR: ''NO DISCRIMINATION SHOULD BE MADE AGAINST TURKEY CONCERNING HER MEMBERSHIP IN THE EU''

Responding to a question during a press briefing held after his meeting with Costas Simitis, the Greek Prime Minister in Salonika, Klima stated that Austria wishes to help in solving the problems concerning the relations of Turkey with the EU and Greece.

Noting that the postponement of the negotiations regarding the membership of the Greek Cypriot side to the EU will be beneficial, Klima added that he is sorry about the fact that the Turkish side doesn't participate in these negotiations.

Costas Simitis said that the Turkish-Greek relations were also discussed during his meeting with Klima.

[05] TURK, THE STATE MINISTER: ''LOSSES OF THE PERSONS WHO SUFFER FROM TERRORISM WILL BE COMPENSATED BY THE STATE''

Turk told the non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and citizens at the eastern province of Agrı that a draft law has been prepared after the last National Security Council meeting in order to compensate for the losses of those citizens living in the Eastern and Southeastern provinces who suffer from terrorism. ''From now on, the losses of those citizens who suffer from terrorism will be paid by the state,'' Turk added.

Hikmet Sami Turk pointed out that an additional article will be added to the draft law which will be adopted and the losses of those who had earlier suffered from terrorism will also be compensated.

[06] AFTERSHOCKS CONTINUE IN ADANA

The officials from the Kandilli Observatory Seismology Institute said that the first aftershock measuring 3.4 on the Richter scale occurred at 4:30 a.m., the second one with a preliminary magnitude of 3.9 on the Richter scale happened at 5:00 a.m. and the last aftershock measuring 3.6 on the Richter scale shook Adana at 5:06 a.m.

Officials said that the second aftershock was also felt in southern Mersin Province.

Following the major earthquake measuring 6.3 on the Richter scale in Adana on 27 June, the number of aftershocks has reached 120.

[07] PRESIDENT DEMIREL: ''THE STATE KNOWS WHAT PERSONS DO AND LAUNCHES EFFORTS TO PREVENT ILLEGAL ACTIVITIES BY RESPECTING LAW''

Responding to the questions of journalists about Alaattin Cakıcı, a Mafia boss who was arrested in France and awaiting trial, President Suleyman Demirel stated ''we can't describe this incident as another Susurluk scandal. The Mafia appeared with the interconnection between anarchy and terrorism with which the state has been struggling for a long time. A report, which has been prepared by the General Directorate of Security notes that eight gangs were found out and 669 gang members were arrested this year. The report also points out that there are 41 gang leaders in Turkey. This means that there are persons who want to violate the laws of the Republic of Turkey to acquire benefits and to get power by making various unlawful activities. This hasn't happened only today, but also in the past. The state struggles against unlawful activities, but it doesn't use the methods used by the gangs, Mafia or terrorists in its struggle against them. If the state uses such methods, then this means that the state doesn't respect the law.'' Stressing that Turkey is a legal state, President Demirel noted ''the state will use legitimate methods. If it is necessary to use force, the legitimate powers of the state will be used. The State of the Republic of Turkey has the resolution and belief to make the laws be sovereign in this country. Those who engage in unlawful activities will be punished as it is anticipated with the laws.''

[08] IMPORTANT MEETING AT NEMRUT - FIJET EXECUTIVE BOARD TO CONVENE IN KAHTA IN SEPTEMBER

Ozcan Sandikcioglu, a member of the FIJET Executive Board and the Chairman of the Union of Journalists and Editors for Tourism, said, ''we nominated the Nemrut Mountain, one of the world's important tourism assets, for the FIJET's Golden Apple award and it was accepted. Also, we got positive results from our initiatives with the UNESCO for organizing the FIJET Executive Board meeting in Kahta, the county where the Nemrut Mountain is located.''

''We are determined to introduce the Nemrut Mountain to the world. We believe that the Golden Apple will be given to Nemrut Mountain. The aim of all these activities is to intensify our confidence,'' he said.

The FIJET Executive Board, which is led by Tijani Haddat (Tunisia), is composed of eight members and the names of these members are Rene Von Hoof (Belgium), Micuel Angel Garcia Breha (Spain), Miroslav Navara (Czech Republic), Don Bonhaus (the US), Antonio Bonelli (Italy), Salah Attia (Egypt), Emile Aleksendrov (Bulgaria) and Ozcan Sandikcioglu.

Also, the famous editors and journalists for tourism, Guido Adries (Belgium), Drago Frencic (Croatia), Pierre Pons (France), Wolfgang Gruner and Ditmar Hauer (Germany), Georges Kahy (Lebanon), Hedi Zaheg (Tunisia) and Jose Luis Yzaguirre (Spain) will come to Turkey.

The meeting of the FIJET Executive Board in Turkey carries great importance as it will contribute to the promotion of the country. This meeting is evaluated as a great advantage for the promotion of the Nemrut Mountain and the Southeastern Anatolia Project (GAP).

[09] TURKISH PRESS REVIEW (1)

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

ECEVIT IN SOUTHEAST ANATOLIA
Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit visited some villages in the Southeastern Anatolia region yesterday when he attended a ceremony for handing over the keys to 41 houses constructed for persons in the village of Basbaglar near Erzincan, where the PKK terrorists attacked on 6 July 1997, killing 33 people and burning houses. Ecevit also attended a foundation-laying ceremony for constructing 50 houses in another village, 30 kms away from Basbaglar. As the ceremony was being held, a clash between the security forces and PKK terrorists in a village just 9 kms away was reported. The Governor of Erzincan told Ecevit that two terrorists had been killed so far. /Hurriyet/

TURKISH DIPLOMATS LEAVE CONGO
The Turkish officials at the Turkish Embassy in the Republic of Congo left this country last week because of internal clashes which threaten their security, the Foreign Ministry said. Rebels and the military units under the command of Laurent Desire Kabila, the Head of State, have been severely clashing in the Congo. /Hurriyet/

NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL CONVENES TODAY
The National Security Council will convene today. At the meeting, which will be chaired by President Suleyman Demirel, a report jointly prepared by the Security Administration and the Foreign Ministry on issues concerning the arrest of Alaattin Cakici, the head of a large criminal organization. Other related security issues will also be on the agenda of the meeting. /Hurriyet/

PRIME MINISTER HOLDS MEETING
Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz met with Necati Bilican, the chief of the Security Administration, and Senkal Atasagun, the Undersecretary of the National Intelligence Office (MIT), at the Prime Ministry Residence last night when they dealt with several issues ranging from the arrest of Alaattin Cakici in France to operations to be jointly carried out by MIT and the Security Administration. /Hurriyet/

GREAT INTEREST IN TURKS
During the general elections to be held at the end of September in Germany, the Social Democrat Party SPD is expected to rank first. The votes of nearly 160,000 Turks who have been conferred the right of German citizenship acquire importance, especially in the small constituencies.

According to the surveys, the parties in which Turks are mainly interested are the SPD and Greens because of the moderate policies of these parties regarding foreigners. /Cumhuriyet/

22nd HEGEL CONGRESS

The 22nd International Congress organized by the International Hegel Association based in Berlin will be held in Utrecht, the

Netherlands, between 26-29 August. A total of 157 philosophers from 26 countries including Turkey will participate at the 22nd Hegel Congress to be held with the support of the United Nations Education, Science and Culture Organization (UNESCO). /Cumhuriyet/

INDUSTRY IN GAP
With an increase in agricultural production because of the Southeastern Anatolia Project (GAP), the industrial sectors based on agricultural products also started to improve. The most attractive sector for investors, who want to make investments in the region, is textiles. /Cumhuriyet/

INVESTMENT INCENTIVE CERTIFICATES INCREASE
A total of 25,531 investment incentive certificates were given to various sectors between 1990-1997. During the same period, the manufacturing sector received the highest incentives with 16,435 certificates, while the services sector ranked second with 6,649 certificates and agricultural sector came in third with 1,915 certificates. Meanwhile, 24 investment incentive certificates with foreign capital worth 180,744 million US dollars were given in July. /Cumhuriyet/

HANDICRAFTS FESTIVAL
The Central Anatolia Region Handicrafts Festival jointly organized by the Ministry of Tourism and the Nevsehir Governor's Office will be held between 27-31 August. Ibrahim Gurdal, the Minister of Tourism and Governor Mehmet Yilmaz will host nearly 150 journalists and writers from 15 countries. Guests who will participate at the festival will visit the whole Cappadocia region until 31 August./Cumhuriyet/

[10] TURKISH PRESS REVIEW (2)

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

LOSS IN SHUTTLE TRADE
Due to an economic crisis in Russia, Turkey's loss in official export figures will total 700 million US dollars. It is estimated that the loss in the shuttle trade will amount to 1.1 billion US dollars. Turkey's exports to Russia are 2.1 billion US dollars within the registered foreign trade volume worth 4 billion US dollars between Turkey and Russia. /Milliyet/

''TURKEY WILL BE AN OIL CENTRE''
Akif Guneri, the Deputy General Director of the Turkish Petroleum Corporation (TPAO) said, ''Turkey will be an oil centre.'' Noting that Turkey was at the centre of a region where there are the greatest oil reserves in the world, Guneri stated that Turkey was the symbol of stability and confidence in the region. Stressing that the most important route for the Middle Eastern and Asian oils was the Persian Gulf and pipelines opened from Russia to the West, Guneri said that the world couldn't ignore such a stable country in the region. Guneri added that the TPAO should gain the structure of the leading oil companies in the world as soon as possible and have the opportunity for marketing. /Cumhuriyet/

''TURKEY'S DEVELOPMENT RATE IS AMAZING''
French Grouppe Schneider, one of the world's leading companies in electric distribution, industrial controls and automobile spare parts production, is going to increase its market share in Turkey. Dominique Bellot, the General Director of the company, said that Turkey was a rapidly developing giant market, adding that Turkey has been the largest market in the Middle East. Bellot noted that French-Turkish trade relations had been developing without being affected by some political issues. /Sabah/

PKK KILLS A POLICE IN MAZGIRT
A group of PKK members opened fire across from a public institution at midnight yesterday in Mazgirt County of Tunceli Province. During the clashes between the PKK members and police forces, a police stationed at the Mazgirt Police Headquarters was killed and two civilians were injured. /Sabah/

''TURKEY IS AN ATTRACTIVE PRIZE FOR EU''
Michael Lake, the former European Union (EU) Ambassador to Turkey, said in his term report in February that Turkey would be a very valuable member and even an ''attractive prize'' for the EU. The report said that Turkey was the only ''real Muslim democratic'' country in the world and Turkey's membership in the EU would bring mutual advantages. /Milliyet/

''108 ILLEGAL GANGS COLLAPSED''
According to the Office of the Security, 108 illegal gangs have been collapsed since December 1997. During the operations 669 gang members were captured. Department for the Struggle Against Smuggling and Organized Crimes prepared a report about their activities comprising the last eight months. The report said that gangs were active in 21 cities in Turkey. It was added that 10 of the 108 gangs were active at the national level, while the others were local. /Milliyet/

[11] FOREIGN TRADE INDICES

The State Institute of Statistics (DIE) said that the exports of Turkey on a value-basis decreased by 0.9 percent and her imports declined by 3.5 percent in the same month.

According to the Foreign Trade Index, the exports on an amount-basis increased by 24.2 percent, the imports inclined by 2.4 percent while the exports on a value-basis decreased by 6.5 percent and the imports reduced by 3.4 percent when May 1998 is compared with May 1997.

[12] CARGO SHIP RUNS AGROUND AT DARDANELLES

The 1,488 DWT cargo ship ''Muammer Yagci'', which was transporting 2,340 tonnes of sheet iron to the Savonna Seaport in Italy from the Constanta Harbour in Romania, went out of her course and ran aground while she was crossing the Dardanelles Straits for the Aegean Sea. The reason for the ship's losing her course hasn't been clarified yet.

Officials said that the captain of the ship didn't request any help and the ship was carrying out activities to rescue herself.

[13] DEUTSCHE BANK EXAMINES TURKEY AND RUSSIA WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF ASIAN CRISIS - DEUTSCHE BANK: ''TURKEY AND RUSSIA HAVE MANY COMMON ECONOMIC FEATURES, HOWEVER RUSSIA ENTERED INTO A CRISIS, WHILE TURKEY CONTINUES ON HER COURSE SUCCESSFULLY''

The study of the Deutsche Bank on ''The Story of Two Countries'' evaluates Turkey and Russia as two developing markets, noting that they have common economic features and they are evaluated under the same investment group.

The Deutsche Bank, which participated in negotiations with the Russian government after the declaration of moratorium in Russia, said in its study that Russia and Turkey had similar costs concerning domestic and foreign debt interests in 1997, recalling that the rating of Russia was Ba2 and BB, which was better than Turkey having B and B1.

Noting that Turkey and Russia didn't become indebted for long terms in 1997, the study pointed out that the budget deficit of Russia constituted 6.8 percent of her Gross Domestic Product (GDP), whereas the budget deficit of Turkey constituted 7.5 percent of her Gross National Product (GNP) in 1997.

The Deutsche Bank stressed that the economic indicators showed that the two countries were similar to each other until the beginning of 1998 and in this respect the international investors evaluated the two countries in the same investment group.

Stressing that the two countries followed different paths after the Asian Crisis, the Deutsche Bank stated that ''Turkey followed such an economic policy which was appropriate for the market conditions in order to overcome the negative effects of the Asian crisis. The power of Turkey regarding the collection of taxes increased, while the state income increased by realizing successful privatizations. Refraining from increasing the prices of public goods and the oil prices constituted the elements which contributed to the Turkish economy. The budget of Turkey excluding interest rates had a surplus with 2.2 billion US dollars, while the budget of Russia excluding interest rates had a deficit in the first half of 1997. The tax income of Turkey is expected to exceed 20 percent of the Gross National Product this year.''

The survey stressed that Turkey had overcome the negative effects of the Asian crisis by diversifying her exports, adding that the coalition government and the Parliament in Turkey were able to adopt reforms such as the tax reform.

The Deutsche Bank said that Russia has entered into a crisis, while Turkey continues on her course successfully due to the different policies pursued by them after the Asian Crisis.

[14] TURKISH-SLOVAKIAN JEC PROTOCOL SIGNED

Yasar Topcu, the Minister of Public Works and Housing and Jean Mraz, the Slovakian Minister of Construction and Public Works signed the protocol.

The protocol foresees cooperation between the two countries in the construction sector, production of construction equipment, exchange of information between the two countries, improvement of bilateral commercial relations and signing a free trade agreement.

Addressing the signing ceremony, Yasar Topcu said that intense relations have been established between Slovakia and Turkey in a short period of time, adding that ''we'll also cooperate in the field of construction.''

Yasar Topcu stated that a meeting will be held with the Union of Contractors the same day and the firms of the two countries will come together there.

Jean Mraz, the guest minister said that Turkey is a very important country for Slovakia, noting that there is a large cooperation potential between the two countries and this potential has to be used.

''I believe that this protocol will be an important step concerning the cooperation between the two countries,'' Mraz said.

[15] FOUNDATION LAYING AND PUTTING INTO OPERATION CEREMONIES IN ENERGY

Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz is expected to attend the ceremonies.

The TEAS said that the 380 kilovolts (kV) Yatagan-Denizli Energy Transport Line, which is 120 km in length, will be put into operation with a ceremony on 26 August.

The same day, the foundations of the 380 kV Denizli Transformer Center; the 154 kV Denizli 380-Acipayam, which is 53 km in length, and the 14 km Denizli 380-Denizli CIM. energy transport lines will be laid with ceremonies.

[16] THE FIRST OF FIVE MINESWEEPERS DELIVERED TO FLEET BY FRANCE

The TCG Edincik, which is the first minesweeper in the Turkish Fleet, was constructed in France in 1977. A total of 50 personnel will carry out their missions on the TCG Edincik, which destroys the seafloor mines after it determines the mines by scanning with electronic technology.

The other four minesweepers, ''Enez'', ''Edremit'', ''Erdemli'', and ''Erdek'', will be delivered to the Fleet by March 1999.

[17] SUIT OF MEHMET AGAR TRANSFERRED TO COUNCIL OF STATE

Ugur Onder, the lawyer of Mehmet Agar participated at the court hearing where Agar wasn't present.

Noting that the prosecutors of the State Security Court can conduct preliminary inquiries, but can't take the testimony of Agar under the Code of Procedures for Trials of Civil Servants, Onder claimed that the prosecutors who filed the suit against Agar will be responsible in legally and penally.

The lawyer of Mehmet Agar asked the court to transfer the suit to the Council of State, which has the authority to determine the crime and the place of the crime.

The court stopped the procedural proceedings under Article 253/3 of the Code of Criminal Procedure and decided to transfer the case to the Council of State.

The case of Agar will be sent to the Ministry of the Interior, which will form an ''Investigation Council'' and the latter will prepare a file and send it to the Council of State.

If the Council of State gives a decision authorising the commencement of a criminal action against Agar, then it will also determine whether he had the title of ''governor'' or ''general director of security'' concerning the claims against him.

If the Council of State accepts the title of ''governor'', then Agar will be tried before the Court of Appeals, if it accepts the title of ''general director of security,'' then he will be tried before the State Security Court in Istanbul.

[18] FIVE HADEP ADMINISTRATORS, WHO ARE ACCUSED OF SUPPORTING ''THE SEPARATIST TERRORIST ORGANIZATION,'' AT THE COURT

HADEP Office in Ankara, started to be tried on Monday at the State Security Court for ''supporting the separatist terrorist organization'' during their press statements issued on various dates.

The case was postponed as the indictment of the Prosecution wasn't notified to the suspects, who couldn't defend themselves at the court the same day.

The indictment prepared by Nuh Mete Yüksel, the Prosecutor, claims that Bulbul visited the former deputies of the Democracy Party (DEP) who were staying at the Ankara Maximum Security Prison on 2 March 1998 together with the members of the party and read a statement prepared by the HADEP press office in front of the prison.

The other suspects, namely Saize Zoroglu, Yıldız Kılınc, Serpil Salman and Gulser Aydogan, who are members of the HADEP Womens' Commission read a statement on ''To the Press and Public Opinion'' in front of the Ankara Maximum Security Prison on 7 March 1998, the indictment noted, adding that both of the statements assaulted the unitary state structure of the Republic of Turkey and extended support to the separatist terrorist organization.

The indictment requests imprisonment of the five suspects from four and a half years at the minimum to seven and a half years at the maximum under Article 169 of the Turkish Penal Code and Article 5 of the Anti-Terrorism Law.

[19] EXPO-98 INTERNATIONAL MARITIME FAIR - STATE MINISTER KARA LEAVES FOR PORTUGAL TO ATTEND TURKISH DAY ACTIVITIES

The Ministry of State said that different days were specified for each of the participating countries at the Expo-98, which was opened in Lisbon, Portugal, on 22 May 1998 and will continue for four months, and that 30 August was determined to be the Turkish Day.

On that day, which will be celebrated with several activities, the Turkish culture and art will be introduced and several modern and folkloric performances will be carried out and exhibitions will be opened on the Savarona Yacht.

Also, Cavit Kavak and Refaiddin Sahin, the Ministers of State, and Cumhur Ersumer, the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, will participate at the fair which will remain open until 30 September.

A total of 170 countries are participating at the fair at which the Turkish stand is one the first three stands drawing the most attention.

The Sultanate Caique which belonged to Sultan Abdulaziz, the 14 meters Ottoman Fleet Sanjak which belonged to Selim III and 93 historical artifacts from the Maritime Museum, the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, Museum of Islamic Works and the Bodrum Underwater Archaeology Museum are displayed at the Turkish stand which promotes the Turkish maritime tourism and reflects the traffic in the Bosphorus and the Dardanelles Straits and puts onto the agenda the security measures taken by Turkey at the Bosphorus and Dardanelles and pollution in the Black Sea.

[20] STATE MINISTER TANER LEAVES FOR RUSSIA

Prior to his departure, Taner said that there are good relations between Turkey and Russia, stressing these relations should be developed.

Emphasizing that Russia was experiencing an economic crisis, Taner said that they were launching efforts to make every assistance for Russia and that they were going to Moscow with this objective.

Taner stated that the types of Turkey's contributions will be determined during his contacts in Moscow and he will find the opportunity to closely observe the developments in Russia.

Recalling that Turkish banks had opened branch offices in Russia, Taner said, ''there are very close economic relations between Turkey and Russia. Our contractors are doing a lot of work there. These relations should be strengthened in all aspects. Within the framework of the opportunities we have, we are seeking what kind of assistance we can provide for Russia. All of these issues will be determined during my visit.''

Noting that Turkey purchases natural gas from Russia, Gunes Taner said that the development of trade will be beneficial for both sides.

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