Anadolu Agency: News in English, 98-08-31

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

31 AUG 1998

CONTENTS

[01] ECEVIT, THE DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER RETURNS TO TURKEY - ECEVIT: ''PROTECTION OF INTEGRITY OF BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA WITHIN PEACE CARRIES GREAT IMPORTANCE FOR THE PEACE OF THE ALL REGION''

[02] TERRORISTS WAYLAY AND BURN A COACH AND A LORRY IN A ROAD BETWEEN NIKSAR AND RESADIYE COUNTIES OF TOKAT PROVINCE - A SOLDIER DIES IN A CLASH WITH TERRORISTS IN BAYBURT PROVINCE

[03] FOREIGN MINISTER CEM IN TRNC - CEM: ''THOUGHTS OF DENKTAS WILL CONSTITUTE AN IMPORTANT BASIS FOR THE REGIONAL AND WORLD PEACE''

[04] PROFILE OF EXPORTS FROM GAP

[05] TURKISH PRESS REVIEW (1)

[06] TURKISH PRESS REVIEW (2)

[07] DENIZOLGUN, THE MINISTER OF TRANSPORTATION IN NEVSEHIR: ''NINE AIRPORTS WHICH ARE BEING CONSTRUCTED WILL BE OPENED WITHIN ONE MONTH''

[08] TURKISH-BULGARIAN JEC PROTOCOL APPROVED

[09] BALKANS JUNIORS' SOCCER CHAMPIONSHIP - NATIONAL TEAM WINS CHAMPIONSHIP BEATING ROMANIA 1-0 IN FINAL

[10] TRNC PRESIDENT DENKTAS PROPOSES A CONFEDERATION ON CYPRUS

[11] TREASURY TO ARRANGE 133-DAY BOND TENDER ON TUESDAY

[12] ILLEGAL IMMIGRANCY - 39 IRAQIS CAPTURED

[13] TRNC PRESIDENT DENKTAS PROPOSES A CONFEDERATION ON CYPRUS ... - FM CEM: ''THE PROPOSAL DOES NOT HAVE ANY CONNECTION WITH THE S-300 MISSILES''

[14] CAGAN, LABOR AND SOCIAL SECURITY MINISTER LEAVES FOR LUXEMBOURG

[15] CULTURE MINISTER TALAY LEAVES FOR BAKU

[16] ''PEACE BUS'' - POLICE TAKE INTO CUSTODY 127 PEOPLE WHO WOULD TRAVEL BY BUS TO DIYARBAKIR FOR WORLD PEACE DAY DEMONSTRATION

[17] TRNC PRESIDENT DENKTAS PROPOSES A CONFEDERATION ON CYPRUS ... - TRNC PRESIDENT DENKTAS:''NO SOLUTION CAN BE REACHED UNLESS THE SOVEREIGNTY OF TRNC IS RECOGNIZED'' - ''CLERIDES HAS TO EVALUATE THE PROPOSAL WELL'' - CEM: ''WE CAME TO TRNC TO EXTEND SUPPORT TO DENKTAS''

[18] PRESIDENT DEMIRAL SENDS A MESSAGE TO AKAYEV, THE PRESIDENT OF KYRGYZSTAN UPON THE NATIONAL DAY OF KYRGYZSTAN

[19] TURKEY-GHANA - THE FIRST TERM TURKISH-GHANAIAN JEC MEETINGS TO START IN ANKARA ON TUESDAY

[20] HSBC INVESTMENT BANKING TO MEDIATE IN PRIVATIZATION OF ERDEMIR

[01] ECEVIT, THE DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER RETURNS TO TURKEY - ECEVIT: ''PROTECTION OF INTEGRITY OF BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA WITHIN PEACE CARRIES GREAT IMPORTANCE FOR THE PEACE OF THE ALL REGION''

Addressing a statement about his visit at Ataturk Airport, Ecevit stated that Turkey has always wished to help to Bosnia-Herzegovina after the war, however this could not come true due to several reasons stemming from the structure of the ''Dayton Agreement.''

Noting that these technical difficulties have been overcome in a considerable extent after his visit to Bosnia-Herzegovina, Ecevit pointed out that ''we have started the flow of assistance composed of donations and credits from Turkey to Bosnia-Herzegovina.''

Describing the war seen between 1992-1995 as a disgraceful event of the humanity, Ecevit said that ''we've seen the painful damage of the war during our visit to the region. Our Bosnian friends have suffered a lot from that war. There are many countries which have responsibility over the war, they had to help more, but the sufficient concern has not been shown to Bosnia.''

Noting that they regard assistance to Bosnia-Herzegovina as a humanitarian and national mission, Ecevit pointed out that ''the pain they feel makes us also unhappy, every pain felt in Bosnia-Herzegovina is also felt in Turkey.''

Ecevit stressed that all the Bosnian statesmen showed great interest in him during his visit, adding that they celebrated the Victory Day together with the Turkish Mission Force in Zenica.

[02] TERRORISTS WAYLAY AND BURN A COACH AND A LORRY IN A ROAD BETWEEN NIKSAR AND RESADIYE COUNTIES OF TOKAT PROVINCE - A SOLDIER DIES IN A CLASH WITH TERRORISTS IN BAYBURT PROVINCE

A group of terrorists who are members of the illegal Revolutionary Peoples' Communist Party Front (DHKP/C) waylaid the Niksar-Resadiye motorway and stopped a passanger bus and a lorry on Sunday night.

Terrorists who forced the passangers to get out off the vehicles, propagandized for the illegal organization and ran away after burning the two vehicles.

Meanwhile, a clash erupted between gendarme and four separatist terrorists in rural areas of Goloba village of Bayburt province. One soldier died and one terrorist was injured during the clash that erupted.

Operations are underway to capture the terrorists, who ran away.

The injured terrorist was taken under medical treatment at Bayburt State Hospital.

[03] FOREIGN MINISTER CEM IN TRNC - CEM: ''THOUGHTS OF DENKTAS WILL CONSTITUTE AN IMPORTANT BASIS FOR THE REGIONAL AND WORLD PEACE''

Addressing a statement at Ercan Airport on his arrival in TRNC, Cem said that TRNC President Denktas will issue a statement the same day and he extends support to this statement.

Cem will meet with Denktas and then participate in the press briefing that will be held by TRNC President Denktas the same day.

[04] PROFILE OF EXPORTS FROM GAP

In the same period last year, the GAP Region realized 357 million 267 thousand US dollars in exports to 68 countries.

Abdulkadir Cikmaz, the Chairman of the Southeastern Anatolian Exporters' Union, told the A.A correspondent that in the January-July 1998 period, the exports of animal products decreased 69 percent to 11 million 88 thousand US dollars and the exports of grain-cereals declined 48 percent to 96 million 592 thousand US dollars while the exports of dried fruits increased nine percent to 24 million 209 thousand US dollars and the exports of textiles climbed 44 percent to 166 million 49 thousand US dollars.

Pointing out that they entered into the Irish, Northern Irish, Palestinian, Letonian, Slovenian, Namibian, Senegalese, Mexican, Bangladeshi, Pakistani, Nepalese and Hong Konger markets, Cikmaz said, ''in the same period, we couldn't export goods to South Yemen, Serbia, Sudan, South Korea, Malaysia, Thailand, and Canary Islands.''

Noting that they exported mostly rugs, synthetic threads and flour especially to Iraq, Syria and Italy, Cikmaz said, ''in the first seven months of 1998, we exported 81 million 341 thousand US dollars of products to Europe; 143 million 649 thousand US dollars of goods to Middle East; 40 million 202 thousand Us dollars of products to Turkish republics; 10 million 146 thousand US dollars of goods to Commonwealth of Independent States; 3 million 851 thousand US dollars of products to Africa; 9 million 240 thousand US dollars of goods to America; 2 million 460 thousand US dollars of goods to Asia and 7 million 49 thousand US dollars of goods to other countries.''

''The Gulf crisis, the embargo imposed on Iraq and the domestic market prices' being higher than those in foreign markets were the most important factors in the decrease in the exports from the region. The exports can't gain stability without lifting off the embargo on Iraq. However, the increase in the exports to the European countries pleased us,'' he added.

[05] TURKISH PRESS REVIEW (1)

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

VICTORY DAY CELEBRATED NATIONWIDE
Victory Day and Turkish Armed Forces Day were celebrated nationwide, in embassies abroad and in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) yesterday. The official ceremonies began yesterday with the laying of a wreath at Ataturk's Mausoleum in Anitkabir. Chief of General Staff Gen.Huseyin Kivrikoglu, Land Forces Commander Gen.Atilla Ates, Naval Forces Commander Admiral Salim Dervisoglu, Air Forces Commander Gen.Ilhan Kilic, Gendarmery Forces Commander Gen.Rasim Betir, General Secretary of the National Security Council (NSC) Gen.Ergin Celasin and other top generals and military school students attended the ceremony in Anitkabir. The Chief of General Staff and the three commanders received politicians in their offices. Parliament Speaker Hikmet Cetin, Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz, Chairman of Virtue Party (FP) Recai Kutan, Head of the Constitutional Court Necdet Sezer, chiefs of the higher judicial organs, Deputy Prime Minister Ismet Sezgin and other representatives from the political parties visited the General Staff headquarters yesterday. President Suleyman Demirel, in his Victory Day message, stated that whatever the conditions, the Turkish nation would work miracles and write the legends of history whenever the liberation, freedom and unification of its lands were in danger. Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz in his message described the August 30 victory as a monument to the freedom and sovereignty of the Turkish nation.

CEM VISITING TRNC
Foreign Minister Ismail Cem is paying a one-day official visit to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) today. Cem will take part in a joint press conference with TRNC President Rauf Denktas. Representatives of the local and foreign press will be able to cover the meeting. The Greek Cypriot press claimed that Cem's visit was closely linked to the current dispute on the island, just as political attempts to solve the dispute will intensify in the coming days. The visit follows a statement by Cem that Turkey would not change its attitude on the upcoming delivery of the Russian-made long-range anti-aircraft missiles to the Greek Cypriot Administration. Meanwhile, a ship towing a 20,000 cubic-meter water balloon set out on Sunday for the TRNC, arriving there on Monday. The water is expected to meet the drinking water needs of the city of Famagusta (Gazimagosa) as well as the Turkish section of Nicosia (Lefkosa).

TURKEY PLEDGES 29.5 MILLION DOLLARS IN LOANS, GRANTS TO BOSNIA
Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit who returned from his one-day Bosnia- Herzegovina trip on Sunday promised a total of USD 29.5 million to Bosnian authorities in loans and grants. Ecevit also attended a ceremony marking the Victory Day celebrations held by the Turkish brigade stationed in the town of Zenica as part of the multi-national peacekeeping force. Ecevit, who met in Sarajevo with President Alija Izzetbegovic and Muslim-Croat Federation President Ejup Ganic, held a press conference with co-premier Haris Sladzic over the weekend. Ecevit told reporters that Ankara prepared an aid package to help to heal the wounds of Bosnia and Herzegovina, which survived a three-year-long bloody civil war in late 1995. A USD 4 million portion of the package will be used as a loan to improve the federation's aircraft carrier, the Airbosnia. In addition, USD 10 million will be granted to the government for reconstruction of damaged buildings in various populated areas. The grant will be used to repair the Mostar Bridge, a remnant of Ottoman-era architecture that was shelled during the civil war, as well as for the repair and reconstruction of 850 residences damaged in the war. Ecevit attended Turkich Victory Day celebrations in Zenica yesterday, the last day of his trip to Bosnia and Herzegovina. The celebrations were held by the Turkish peacekeeping forces stationed in the town.

BILISIM '98 FAIR
More than 100,000 people are expected to attend one of the most exciting and challenging events to be held in Istanbul in September. It is the Bilisim '98 Fair, opening on September 2 and ending on September 6. This is an exhibition that includes displays of the latest communications products, educational seminars, speeches by leaders in the communications and cyber fields and demonstrations of the latest equipment and software. Bilisim '98 is the eighth largest information and communications technology fair in Europe and the biggest in the Middle East. /All papers/

SUPPORT FOR INVESTMENTS IN TRNC
Economy Minister of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) Erdal Onurhan said yesterday that a series of agreements signed between Turkey and the TRNC would establish structural balance in TRNC economy. Noting that half of TRNC imports were from Turkey, Onurhan noted that there was a union of monetary and trade between the two countries and added that they aimed to integrate the two markets at the first stage. He stated that an agreement signed between Turkey and the TRNC would provide state incentives for entrepreneurs, who will make investments in the TRNC. /Milliyet/

[06] TURKISH PRESS REVIEW (2)

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

KINKEL CANCELS HIS VISIT TO TURKEY
German Foreign Minister Klaus Kinkel noted that he would not be able to pay a visit to Turkey because of his intensive election campaign programme. General elections will be held on September 27 in Germany. Kinkel pointed out the importance of voters of Turkish origin living in Germany and added that they exerted great efforts to gain their votes. /Milliyet/

FOREST FIRE IN BLACK SEA REGION
130 hectares of forest near Sinop in the Western Black Sea region, burned up following a fire which started three days ago and was extinguished yesterday. /Sabah/

SECURITY FORCES CLASH WITH PKK
One soldier died over the weekend during a clash with PKK terrorists near the southeastern city of Bayburt. PKK terrorists also launched rockets into a village near Saray, a district in the eastern Anatolia the previous night, wounding two village guards. /Sabah/

BARZANI FORCES ATTACK PKK
The Voice of the Iraqi Kurdistan Democratic Party broadcast that the forces belong to Mesut Barzani had launched a cleansing operation against the PKK in northern Iraq. 15 PKK terrorists have so far been killed during the operation. /Sabah/

CIS BUSINESSMEN IN TURKEY
Solutions are searched for the recently decreasing shuttle trade which entered an uncertain period with the devaluation of ruble in Russia. Businessmen from Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) have been invited to Istanbul within the framework of a promotion campaign started by Ileri Marketing and Fair organization. The first delegation came from Kazakhstan. Bilateral meetings are being held with businessmen dealing in various fields differing from textiles to foodstuff, computers to jewelry. Ileri marketing is organizing Expo-98 Turkish Export Products' Fair in the bonded warehouses belonging to Turkish Maritime Management. /Sabah/

A DRASTIC FALL IN STOCK EXCHANGE
The Istanbul Stock Exchange index which has recently been in a downward trend is entering the week with new great losses. News coming from Russia and domestic market dynamics will determine the direction of monetary markets this week. It will be seen how effective the measures announced by the government to counter the crisis will be. The government will take additional measures if necessary, so it could be considered as a guarantee for investors. /Sabah/

GAZIANTEP FRIGATE IN PORTSMOUTH
Gaziantep Frigate which attended the International Naval Festival in Portsmouth, Britain was the centre of attention of the visitors because it was equipped with modern war technology and distinguished crew. Commander of the Royal Navy Forces Admiral Jock Slater was among those visiting the frigate. Admiral Slater praised the discipline of the crew and journalists were surprised to find all crew members speaking another language fluently other than their own. /Sabah/

UN REPORT ON 'GIVING BIRTH AT AN EARLY AGE'
A UN report on "Giving Birth at an Early Age" stated that throughout the world, birth rate among women 15-19 years of age was 0.65 percent, whereas this figure fell to 0.43 percent in Turkey. According to these figures Turkey is one of the states placing below average. /Sabah/

TURKS, ENGINE OF THE EUROPEAN ECONOMY
According to a report of the Turkish Research Centre, the total investments made by Turkish enterprises have reached DM 11.8 billion within the European Union countries. Within the borders of the EU countries their total endorsement is announced as DM 50 billion. The report revealed that Turks were the most important economic power of the union. As of the end of 1997 the number of employers working in Turkish companies have increased to 257,000. It is also reported that Turks contributed with an average of DM 33,000 to the Gross National Product (GNP) of Germany, the Netherlands, France, Britain, Belgium, Denmark, Austria and Sweden. /Hurriyet/

GERMANY TO BE OBSERVER IN BSEC
Germany wants to be an observer in the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC). According to a bulletin issued by the German Embassy in Ankara, it is reported that Turkey supported Germany's request. It is also announced that the BSEC would vote for Germany's request in October. /Hurriyet/

[07] DENIZOLGUN, THE MINISTER OF TRANSPORTATION IN NEVSEHIR: ''NINE AIRPORTS WHICH ARE BEING CONSTRUCTED WILL BE OPENED WITHIN ONE MONTH''

Getting information about the activities carried out concerning the construction of airports, Denizolgun pointed out that Tuzkoy airport which has been constructed in Nevsehir province will be opened on November 15.

Noting that Tuzkoy airport has been transformed into a conventional airport, Denizolgun said that ''construction of many airports continues in Turkey, besides our inquiries continue regarding the construction of airports in several provinces. These activities will be completed in September. Airports will be constructed either by build-operate-transfer model or by Directorate General of State Airports Management.''

[08] TURKISH-BULGARIAN JEC PROTOCOL APPROVED

In accordance with the protocol which was published in the Official Gazette the same day, the sides will cooperate in the project on transferring of natural gas to Europe from third countries via Turkey and Bulgaria.

The sides will also encourage their concerned authorities to exchange information about investment opportunities and privatization process in their countries.

In accordance with the protocol, the sides will seek for opportunities to make use of the Danube-Main-Rhine Channel in transportation to European and Middle Eastern countries and in combined transportation.

[09] BALKANS JUNIORS' SOCCER CHAMPIONSHIP - NATIONAL TEAM WINS CHAMPIONSHIP BEATING ROMANIA 1-0 IN FINAL

The national juniors' team (under 17 years of age) beat Romania's junior team 1-0 in the final of the seven-day championship that took place in Veliko Tirnova, Bulgaria with the particapation of eight teams.

Yugaslavia became the second runner-up winning a 5-4 victory over Bulgaria on pen.

Meanwhile, the next championship will be held in Antalya in Turkey.

[10] TRNC PRESIDENT DENKTAS PROPOSES A CONFEDERATION ON CYPRUS

The proposal of TRNC President Denktas which has five articles and which was announced during the joint press briefing held with Ismail Cem, the Foreign Minister is as follows:

1- A special relationship will be founded by the agreements that will be made between Turkey and TRNC.

2-A similar special relationship will be set up between Greece and the Greek Cypriot administration by the method of symmetrical agreements.

3-''Cyprus Confederation'' will be established between TRNC and the Greek Cypriot side.

4- The 1960 Guarantee System will be protected.

5- The Cyprus Confederation can pursue an accession policy to the EU, if the two sides reach an agreement concerning this issue.

All the rights and obligations that are recognized to the EU countries concerning the Cyprus Confederation will also be recognized to Turkey with a special arrangement till Turkey becomes a full member of the EU.

Denktas pointed out that the ultimate aim of the negotiations that will be held to establish the confederation is ''a partnership settlement which foresees a confederal structure composed of two peoples and two states and which is supported by symettrical agreements made between the two states on Cyprus and guarantor states.''

''All the rights and authorities which are not transferred to the confederation will remain within the authority of confederated states,'' said Denktas, adding that ''referendums will be held in both sides separately concerning the approval of any solution which will be reached by the end of negotiations. By participating in the negotiations to this end, the two sides will accept the fact that the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot sides are two sovereign and equal states, which represent the political equality and will of their people with their authority and working democratic institutions. Besides they will also accept that the official positions of one side do not represent those of the other side. We believe that the identities and security of the two sides will only be provided by such a structure. We are ready to start negotiations with the Greek Cypriot side concerning the establishment of the confederation on Cyprus if the Greek Cypriot side also accepts these ultimate principles.''

[11] TREASURY TO ARRANGE 133-DAY BOND TENDER ON TUESDAY

The issue date of bonds was specified to be 2 September 1998 while the repayment of bonds will be made on 13 January 1999.

The Treasury targets to get into a 250-450 trillion Turkish Liras (TL) of borrowing at Tuesday's tender.

Meanwhile, the Treasury will realize 633.5 trillion TL in domestic borrowing repayment on 2 September; 313.1 trillion TL on 16 September; 140 trillion TL on 25 September and 457.4 trillion TL of domestic borrowing repayment on 30 September.

[12] ILLEGAL IMMIGRANCY - 39 IRAQIS CAPTURED

The Iraqis, who were captured by the gendarme units during the road- controls following their illegal entrance without passports, were deported after the completition of legal proceedings.

[13] TRNC PRESIDENT DENKTAS PROPOSES A CONFEDERATION ON CYPRUS ... - FM CEM: ''THE PROPOSAL DOES NOT HAVE ANY CONNECTION WITH THE S-300 MISSILES''

''The issue of S-300 missiles has ended for us, we don't bargain on this issue,'' said Cem, adding that the proposal has not been prepared after any mediation initiative.

''It's wrong in respect of us to say an additional thing before seeing the respond of the Greek Cypriot side, which is the counterpart of our call,'' said Foreign Minister Cem.

[14] CAGAN, LABOR AND SOCIAL SECURITY MINISTER LEAVES FOR LUXEMBOURG

The Press Office of the Ministry of Labor and Social Security said that Cagan and Prime Minister Junker will hold meetings aiming at improving the technical cooperation between the Labor Ministries of the two countries and they will exchange opinions about several issues.

Nami Cagan will bring a proposal to Luxembourg in order to sign a social security agreement between Turkey and Luxembourg.

Cagan will return to Turkey on 2 September.

[15] CULTURE MINISTER TALAY LEAVES FOR BAKU

Prior to his departure, Talay said that they want to further improve the existing good cultural relations between Turkey and Azerbaijan.

Pointing out that Polat Bulbuloglu is also the Chairman of the ''Administration of Common Art and Cultures of Turkish Speaking Countries'' (TURKSOY), Talay said that they will review the activities of the TURKSOY for its general assembly which will take place in near future.

Noting that also Prof. Dr. Izzettin Dogan, the General Director of the Alaouite Foundation, and Cemil Karababa, a famous painter, will leave for Baku, Talay said that they will give the 10 m x 7.5 m portrait of Haydar Aliyev, the President of Azerbaijan, and the picture of Ataturk, which were painted by Karababa, to Aliyev as gifts.

Stressing that Turkey hosts also the ''Alaouite-Bektashi'' cultural heritage which extends to the Balkans from the Middle East via Anatolia, Talay said, ''Prof. Dr. Izzettin Dogan also leaves for Baku. The high-level evaluation of these relations will be carried out in Azerbaijan.''

Culture Minister Talay added that President Suleyman Demirel will pay a visit to Azerbaijan in coming days.

Talay and the accompanying delegation will return to Turkey on 2 September.

[16] ''PEACE BUS'' - POLICE TAKE INTO CUSTODY 127 PEOPLE WHO WOULD TRAVEL BY BUS TO DIYARBAKIR FOR WORLD PEACE DAY DEMONSTRATION

Security forces surrounded the passangers of the ''peace bus'', who gathered near the Union of Turkish Authors (TUYAP) in Tepebasi district in Istanbul at about 10:30 a.m. and the people who came to see them off.

Police detained 127 people including Orhan Baydemir, the Deputy Chairman of the IHD; lawyer Ercan Kanar, the Chairman of the IHD's Branch Office in Istanbul; and Mahmut Sakar, the Chairman of the People's Democracy Party (HADEP) Provincial Headquarter in Istanbul. The people, who were taken into custody, were sent to the Directorate of Security by two police buses.

[17] TRNC PRESIDENT DENKTAS PROPOSES A CONFEDERATION ON CYPRUS ... - TRNC PRESIDENT DENKTAS:''NO SOLUTION CAN BE REACHED UNLESS THE SOVEREIGNTY OF TRNC IS RECOGNIZED'' - ''CLERIDES HAS TO EVALUATE THE PROPOSAL WELL'' - CEM: ''WE CAME TO TRNC TO EXTEND SUPPORT TO DENKTAS''

Calling to Glafcos Clerides, the Greek Cypriot leader during the press briefing with Ismail Cem, the Foreign Miinster who came to the island the same day, to evaluate well his proposal, Rauf Denktas said that ''our efforts which will be exerted to build the future of the island will be based on the realities on the island, the existance of the two peoples and two states and their equal status.''

Noting that the Cyprus question needs a new approach and start due to the level it reached, Denktas said that ''we present a proposal to the Greek Cypriot administration and Greece in order to reach a realistic peace and a comprehensive and permanent solution on the island. This proposal will not only constitute a realistic solution on Cyprus, but also set up the cooperation bridges directed towards the future.''

''I call Clerides to evaluate this historical proposal well for our island, regional peace and stability and I hope he will not spoil this historical opportunity,'' said Denktas.

Responding to questions about the proposal, Denktas said that ''as Greek Cypriots abolished the federation and erased all the parameters, the thing that will be talked by state to state is a confederal umbrella. The principle to talk by state to state continues, this means we don't give concessions from our principles taken on April 23.''

''We tell the European Union (EU) that Turkey's rights on Cyprus will remain permanent and these will be recognized by the EU. The Guarantee Agreement will continue and whatever the rights of the EU on Cyprus Confederation will be the same with the ones of Turkey. If these conditions are accepted, both sides will talk about the issue of the EU and they can join the EU as a confederation.''

Noting that they can bargain the reservations concerning security at the level of state with the EU, Denktas said that these reservations are in the fields of settlement and acquiring property.

''We really take a positive step, which aims to integrate, not to separate. The missiles, bases for Greece on the island and the view saying that one dominates everything concerning Cyprus impede the unification. Our proposals are good will measures,'' added Denktas.

Foreign Minister Ismail Cem said the same day that his visit to the TRNC is to extend support to the statement of Denktas.

Responding to questions of journalists, Cem stated that the proposal was not prepared by applying to any mediator or by talking to the Greek Cypriot administration, Greece or other countries.

Noting that the issue of S-300 missiles and this proposal don't have any connection, Cem said ''the S-300 is the issue of Greece and the Greek Cypriot side, this is a trouble which they have created. When S-300 missiles arrive on the island, we'll do what is necessary.''

Cem said that S-300 missiles don't only threaten Turkey and TRNC, but countries can receive secret information about the activities of NATO and the military communication in Eastern Mediterranean by the developed radars of the missiles.

Cem also pointed out to the danger that the radars can be controlled by a country which is not member of NATO or by Russian experts.

[18] PRESIDENT DEMIRAL SENDS A MESSAGE TO AKAYEV, THE PRESIDENT OF KYRGYZSTAN UPON THE NATIONAL DAY OF KYRGYZSTAN

Presidential Press Center quoted the words of President Suleyman Demirel in his message to Akayev as follows: ''I celebrate the national day of Kyrgyz people on behalf of the Turkish nation. The friendly Kyrgyzstan has been successful in development within seven years and I appreciate the sudden advance of your country realized under the leadership of you. Turkey attributes special importance to her relations with friendly Kyrgyzstan and I believe our relations and cooperation will continue in the coming period.''

[19] TURKEY-GHANA - THE FIRST TERM TURKISH-GHANAIAN JEC MEETINGS TO START IN ANKARA ON TUESDAY

Undersecretariat for Treasury said that the JEC meetings will be headed by Mustafa Yżlmaz, the State Minister and Co-Chairman of the Turkish-Ghanaian JEC and John Frank Abu, the Ghanaian Minister of Industry and Trade.

Economic, commercial, industrial, agricultural and technical cooperation issues, construction business and consulting services will be taken up at the meetings.

The two sides will also seek for ways to increase the trade volume between the two countries.

The Union of International Contractors will give a briefing about contstruction business abroad and the sector of consultation sector to Abu, the Ghanaian Minister of Industry and Trade, who is also expected to be received by President Suleyman Demirel.

The guest minister and the accompanying delegation will leave Turkey on September 4 after signing the JEC Protocol.

[20] HSBC INVESTMENT BANKING TO MEDIATE IN PRIVATIZATION OF ERDEMIR

The Privatization Administration Board (OIB) said in a written statement that it sent letters of invitation to seven companies to give mediating and counselling services in domestic and foreign markets for the privatization of public shares in the Erdemir and they received four sealed bids on the deadline of the tender, which was 10 August 1998.

The OIB said that the HSBC Investment Banking, which includes the Midland Bank Corp. established in Turkey within its structure, won the tender following its technical and financial evaluations for four companies.

The mediating company, the HSBC Investment Banking, will be asked to choose a domestic company to act as a co-leader in the public offering on the condition of getting the final ratification from the OIB. Later, the activities related to the public offering will start rapidly.

The method, which was used in the privatization of Is Bank, will be pursued in the public offering.

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