Anadolu Agency: News in English, 98-08-28

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

28 AUG 1998

CONTENTS

[01] TERRORIST ATTACT ON MILITARY HEADQUARTERS IN EASTERN VAN PROVINCE - ONE SERGEANT DIES

[02] PRESIDENCY SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA AND STATE OPERA AND BALLET TO BEGIN THE NEW ART SEASON WITH A MEANINGFUL CONCERT IN ATATURK'S MAUSOLEUM - CSO PREPARES CHARMING SURPRISES FOR AUDIENCE IN NEW SEASON

[03] PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ'S NEWS CONFERENCE - YILMAZ DISCLOSES ECONOMIC MEASURES TAKEN TO RELIEVE FINANCIAL MARKETS

[04] ARMENIA WANTS GEORGIA TO MEDIATE HER RELATIONS WITH TURKEY AND AZERBAIJAN

[05] KDP RADIO: - ''A TOTAL OF 269 SEPARATIST TERRORISTS KILLED WITHIN EIGHT MONTHS''

[06] PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ'S NEWS CONFERENCE ... - YILMAZ: ''THESE MEASURES DON'T MEAN ANY DEVIATION FROM THE TAX REFORM REALIZED BY OUR GOVERNMENT''

[07] CELEBRATIONS FOR 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF REPUBLIC OF TURKEY - GENERAL STAFF TO ORGANIZE ACTIVITIES IN FOUR CITIES IN EUROPE

[08] LEATHER TURKEY'98 FAIR OPENED IN ISTANBUL

[09] TURKISH PRESS REVIEW (1)

[10] TURKISH PRESS REVIEW (2)

[11] TURKISH PRESS REVIEW (3)

[01] TERRORIST ATTACT ON MILITARY HEADQUARTERS IN EASTERN VAN PROVINCE - ONE SERGEANT DIES

Officials told the A.A correspondent that one terrorist was killed at the clashes between security forces and the separatist terrorists.

Operations are underway in the region in order to capture other terrorists.

[02] PRESIDENCY SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA AND STATE OPERA AND BALLET TO BEGIN THE NEW ART SEASON WITH A MEANINGFUL CONCERT IN ATATURK'S MAUSOLEUM - CSO PREPARES CHARMING SURPRISES FOR AUDIENCE IN NEW SEASON

The giant orchestra will be conducted by Hikmet Žimžek and play the compositions of the famous Turkish composers.

Responding to the questions of the A.A correspondent, Nedim Tanrikulu, the Director General of the CSO, gave informations about the new art season.

Tanrikulu noted that Turkey's second President Ismet Inonu will be commemorated in 25 December with a special concert. Suna Kan and Idil Biret who gave their first concerts to Inonu, will play for him one more time.

Describing the most pretentious work of this season as ''Canakkale Oratorio'' composed by Azeri Vasif Adiguzelof, Tanrikulu added that the oratorio will be presented to the Turkish audiences in 16 and 17 October. Yalcin Adiguzelof, the son of the composer Vasif Adiguzelof, will conduct the orchestra. All countries which took part in the war in Canakkale in 1915 have been invited to the concert. Meanwhile, CSO will greet the Azeri audience with the same work in October.

Tanrikulu stressed that they have also prepared special weeks such as Polish, Latvian and Israeli music weeks.

[03] PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ'S NEWS CONFERENCE - YILMAZ DISCLOSES ECONOMIC MEASURES TAKEN TO RELIEVE FINANCIAL MARKETS

Addressing the news conference Yilmaz pointed out that the government will continue to abide by the economic program meticulously which was disclosed earlier and that election economy will not be implemented.

Yilmaz disclosed the economic measures taken to relieve the financial markets in Turkey against the developments which happened in international markets. Yilmaz named the measures as:

-Withholding rate in interbank deposits will be reduced to zero percent from six percent

-Banking insurance and Transaction tax imposed on commerce of the public papers will be decreased to one percent from five percent.

-Ratio of banking and insurance transaction tax in transactions in Takasbank money market will be decreased to one percent from five percent.

-Limitation brought to the forward exchange transactions will be lifted

Yilmaz pointed out the the decisions in question will be implemented as of Sept 1.

Noting that the government evaluated the impacts in international money markets and its effects to Turkish economy Yilmaz said ''our government who targetted to reduce inflation to 50 percent as of the end of 1998 and to 20 percent as of the end of 1999, will meticulously abide by the economic program, which it turned to staff monitoring program with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).''

Yilmaz said giving concession from this economic program was regardless of question adding that ''our statements regarding that we will not apply to the Parliament for supplementary appropriation, is the most important guarantee of the economic program based on reducing the inflation.''

Yilmaz said election economy will not be implemented adding that they will give priority to the reformation laws, social security law and changes in laws related with the arrangement and control of financial markets. Yilmaz said these reformation laws were required to maintain the economic stability program and pointed out that they will also give priority to the legalization of them.

Yilmaz pointed out that they will rapidly take new measures in implementation of the program if necessary.

[04] ARMENIA WANTS GEORGIA TO MEDIATE HER RELATIONS WITH TURKEY AND AZERBAIJAN

Evaluting his meeting with President Eduard Shevardnadze of Georgia, Oskanian reminded that they had discussed Armenia's participation to the Eurosia Transportation Coridor.

Oskanian stressed, ''Georgia, of cource, has good relations with both Turkey and Azerbaijan. I had explained President Shevardnadze that a project without Armenia would create several difficultues, and asked Georgia to mediate because we have no active contacts with Turkey and Azerbaijan.''

Vartan Oskanian also evaluated the relations between Iran and

Armania, adding, ''Iran has followed an impartial and realistic policy since the beginning of the Karabakh problem, but Turkey, unfortunately, has not showed the same impartiality.''

Responding to a question on whether the border between Turkey and Armenia will be opened or not during the presidency term of Robert Kocharian, Oskanian noted, ''former President Levon Ter Petrosian had also followed a moderate policy, but the borders were kept closed during his term as well.''

[05] KDP RADIO: - ''A TOTAL OF 269 SEPARATIST TERRORISTS KILLED WITHIN EIGHT MONTHS''

KDP Radio, broadcasting from Northern Iraq, added that the separatist terrorists continue to attack on villages with rocket-launchers, and that forces of Massoud Barzani succeeded in defeating the terrorists during the clashes.

The radio also pointed out that Barzani's forces killed two terrorists, captured one other and injured many of them during the operations in the region. It said 20 terrorists were captured in the recent one month and 20 landmines, one rocket launcher, two authomatic weapons, 100 hand grenades and a large quantity of ammunition seized during the clashes in the region.

[06] PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ'S NEWS CONFERENCE ... - YILMAZ: ''THESE MEASURES DON'T MEAN ANY DEVIATION FROM THE TAX REFORM REALIZED BY OUR GOVERNMENT''

Addressing a news conference Yilmaz pointed out that studies related with the withholding rates imposed on incomes of public papers and deposits were underway.

Yilmaz said ''the measures which we took do not mean any deviation from the tax reform realized by our government'' adding that the government closely covers the effects of the developments in international markets to Turkish economy. Yilmaz said these measures are adjustments made by the government to prevent any negative affect of the developments in international markets to Turkish economy.

Yilmaz said ''as you all know, developments in economies of several countries, which are also widely effective on Turkish economy, have not reached to stability yet.''

Responding to the questions of reporters Yilmaz said any postponement to the privatization program is regardless of question adding that privatization transactions will continue to be implemented.

When asked if these measures will be adequate, Yilmaz said the government did not administer the economy of the world adding that ''our responsibility is to reduce the effects of the economic developments in foreign markets to Turkish economy. The measures taken are forwarded to the minimizing of the possible negative effects.''

[07] CELEBRATIONS FOR 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF REPUBLIC OF TURKEY - GENERAL STAFF TO ORGANIZE ACTIVITIES IN FOUR CITIES IN EUROPE

The General Staff stated that the activities aim at holding celebrations abroad for the 75th anniversary of the Republic of Turkey, and explaining the progress of Republic of Turkey within 75 years to the international organizations such as the NATO and the United Nations.

The Turkish Armed Forces Harmonica Band, the Military Band, Culture Ministry's Folk Dances Group and Turkish Folk Music Group will participate in the activities.

The first activity will be organized in Sarajevo, Bosnia- Herzegovina, on 1 November, the second in Zenica, Bosnia-Herzegovina in 2 November, the third in Naples, Italy in 4 November, the fifth and sixth in Mons, Belgium in 6 and 7 November.

[08] LEATHER TURKEY'98 FAIR OPENED IN ISTANBUL

Addressing a press conference, Ahmet Bahadirli, the Mayor of Bakirkoy District of Istanbul, expressed satisfaction with hosting the fair in Bakirkoy.

A total of 150 firms, 30 of them foreigners, take part in the fair in order to present their collections for autumn and winter.

Nearly 30 thousand people are expected to visit the fair that will be kept open until 30 August.

[09] TURKISH PRESS REVIEW (1)

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

DEMIREL INVITES KOCHARIAN
President Suleyman Demirel has invited Armenian President Robert Kocharian to attend celebrations for the 75th anniversary of the proclamation of the Turkish Republic. Armenia is looking positively at the invitation. However no official response has been received as yet. It is not known whether Kocharian himself will attend the celebrations or send a representative for the occasion. Demirel met with Kocharian for the first time in Yalta, Ukraine, where a Black Sea Economic Cooperation meeting was recently held. /Sabah/

TANER COMMENT ON STOCK EXCHANGE
Gunes Taner, State Minister responsible for the economy who went to Russia on Sunday, met yesterday with Yuri Lujkov, the Mayor of Moscow, when he said that Turkey wanted to exchange goods with Russia in roubles. Taner also explained his suggestions for dealing with economic problems. Taner also said yesterday that there was no need to worry about the downward trend in the Istanbul Stock Exchange (IMKB), and said that the IMKB would soon recover from the down-slide, triggered by the global impacts of the Russian crisis. /Hurriyet/

MEASURES TO LIMIT NEGATIVE EFFECTS OF RUSSIAN CRISIS
A sharp drop in Istanbul Stock Exchange trading, high interest rates which reached 130 % yesterday, and high demand for foreign exchange, have prompted the the government to take measures to limit the negative effects of the Russian economic crisis, which has caused downward trends in stock exchanges the world over. Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz and Minister of Finance are expected to announce today "measures to relieve the economy" including easing some articles of the new tax package. Meanwhile, Chairman of the IMKB, Osman Birsen said that the recent drop in the stock exchange was the result of the economic crisis that Russia has been suffering. He added that also the early election decision of the government had affected transactions in the stock exchange. /Cumhuriyet-Hurriyet/

AKBANK PLACES 42nd IN PROFIT-MAKING

According to an evaluation released by Institutional Investor, a noted finance and investment magazine, Akbank, a private

Turkish bank, places 42nd in profit-making and 178th in equity capital among the largest 500 banks of the world. /Hurriyet/

PRESIDENT DEMIREL LAYS FOUNDATION FOR EDUCATIONAL CENTER
President Suleyman Demirel laid the foundations of the Turkish Foundation for the Support and Education of Autistic People

Center in Istanbul. Demirel also attended the second anniversary meeting of the World Eye Hospital held in Ceylan Intercontinental Hotel in Istanbul. Later on Thursday, the president opened the newly restored historic Akaretler houses on the main road between Besiktas and Macka.

[10] TURKISH PRESS REVIEW (2)

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

ADVISORY AGREEMENT IN TURK TELEKOM
An agreement with the consortium which will provide mediatory and advisory services for the privatization of Turk Telekom was signed yesterday by officials from the consortium consisting of Merrill Lynch, AB-Namro Rothschild, Is Investment and Stock Exchanges Joint Stock Company and head of the Privatization Administration Ugur Bayar. /Milliyet/

CONCILIATORY MESSAGES FROM MRS.PAPANDREU
Margarita Papandreu, the first wife of former Greek Prime Minister Andreas Papandreu, has brought peaceful messages to Istanbul. Papandreu, who is the founder of the Peace Committee consisting of Turkish and Greek women, proposed that investments made in arms purchases by Greece and Turkey should be channeled to social requirements and the two countries should side by each other in the European Union (EU) to find common solutions to current problems. Attending a tourism congress jointly organized by Bogazici University and the Turkish Economic and Social History Foundation, Papandreu delivered a speech on "Effects of Peace on Tourism". She also suggested that Turkey and Greece should conduct joint programmes and added that tours starting from Athens, through the Greek islands and then to the Aegean coasts and ending in Istanbul could be organized by tourism companies. /Milliyet/

AWARD FOR KARADAYI
The first State Medal of Honour of the Turkish Republic will be given to Chief of General Staff Gen.Ismail Hakki Karadayi by President Suleyman Demirel today. Gen.Huseyin Kivrikoglu, who will assume the post of Chief of General Staff, and Gen.Karadayi will deliver speeches during the ceremony following which Demirel and Karadayi will hold a bilateral meeting at the Presidential Palace. Meanwhile, Gen.Huseyin Kivrikoglu said yesterday that the struggle against fundamentalism was essential for the security and eternal existence of Turkey. He noted they were determined to safeguard the secular Turkish Republic against every kind of danger. /Milliyet/

ARMY HANDOVER CEREMONY
Commander of the Gendarmery Forces, General Fikret O. Boztepe yesterday handed over his post to General Rasim Betir.

Speaker of the Parliament Hikmet Cetin, Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz and other high level officials attended the ceremony held in the headquarters of the Gendarmery Forces. / All papers/

PKK TERRORIST CAPTURED
Ertan Kaya, one of the PKK terrorists who killed the owner of a motel, Mustafa Akyuz, in the touristic Black Sea town of Uzungol in the Caykara district in Trabzon a few weeks ago, has been captured. Trabzon Gendarmery Commander Colonel Huseyin Guney said that operations to capture the terrorists have been continuing since 9 August. /Milliyet/

FIRST ANKARA CULTURE AND ART FESTIVAL
The First Ankara Culture and Art Festival organized jointly by the Culture Ministry and Office of the Governor of Ankara on the occasion of celebrations for the 75th anniversary of the foundation of the Turkish Republic and making Ankara the capital, will be held between 15 September and 30 October 1998. Culture Minister Istemihan Talay said that the festival, which will contribute to the integration of culture and art with the nation, will also make contributions to education. The festival is expected to cost TL 150 billion. /Cumhuriyet/

[11] TURKISH PRESS REVIEW (3)

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

SOUTHERN CYPRUS GOING AHEAD WITH S-300 MISSILES
Greece and Southern Cyprus said on Thursday that Russian-made S-300 missiles will be deployed on the island in November. There has been no decision to postpone the S-300 missiles," said the leader of the Greek Cypriot Administration Glafkos Clerides. He added that the administration of Southern Cyprus, with the support of Greece, will take the necessary measures for its defense. After meeting with Clerides, Greek Prime Minister Kostas Simitis said that Southern Cyprus would take any other action needed to defend itself. /Milliyet/

IRISH DEPUTY MINISTER IN TURKEY
Irish Trade and Labour Minister, deputy Prime Minister Mary Harney yesterday arrived in Turkey to attend the opening of the 67th Izmir Fair and hold talks with Turkish business and industry circles. Harney will meet with the administration of a Turkish Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association (TUSIAD) today and will be briefed on the current economic and political situation in Turkey. TUSIAD High Consultative Council Chairman Bulent Eczacibasi will give a luncheon in honour of Harney. Members of the Foreign Relations Committee of TUSIAD will also attend the dinner. /Sabah/

OPERATION AGAINST DRUG TRAFFICKING
Following information received from Holland that a gang was about to smuggle in heroin from Turkey, yesterday the police started watching the gang and stopped a minibus with a Netherlands licence plate in Edirne, on the northwest border of Turkey. One Turk and a Moroccan were taken into custody. In hidden sections of the minibus 33.2 kg. of heroin was found and seized. Two other members of the gang were also arrested. /Sabah/

MEETING AT THE PATRIARCHATE
Leaders and archbishops of the Fener Greek Patriarchate will meet in Istanbul today. In a statement from the Patriarchate, the meeting traditionally held every two years, will take place on August 28-September 2 this year. At the meeting recent developments concerning the patriarchate will be taken up. Following the meeting, famous singer Nana Mouskouri will give a concert in the evening at the state-owned Esma Sultan waterside summer residence along the Bosphorus. It is expected that Education Minister Hikmet Ulugbay, Culture Minister Istemihan Talay, Istanbul Governor Erol Cakir and Istanbul Mayor Recep Tayyip Erdogan will attend the concert. /Sabah/

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