Anadolu Agency: News in English, 98-09-09

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09 SEPT 1998

CONTENTS

[01] PRESIDENT DEMIREL RETURNS TO TURKEY

[02] SEZGIN, DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER, IN BRITAIN - SEZGIN TO MEET WITH ROBERTSON, BRITISH DEFENCE MINISTER

[03] SEPARATIST TERRORISTS ATTACK TWO VILLAGES IN TOKAT PROVINCE, KILLING ONE PERSON AND INJURING THREE OTHERS

[04] THE SECOND INTERNATIONAL CERAMICS SYMPOSIUM BEGINS IN IZMIR

[05] CEYLAN HOLDING TO CONSTRUCT A TERMINAL BUILDING AT ISRAELI AIRPORT

[06] GENERAL MEETING OF EUROPEAN POSTAL SERVICES COMMISSION TO BE HELD IN ANKARA BETWEEN 10-11 SEPTEMBER

[07] INTELLECTUAL RIGHTS AND TURKISH PEOPLE - CHANDLER, THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF NATIONAL INTELLECTUAL RIGHTS SAY THAT OTTOMAN SULTANS IMPLEMENTED INTELLECTUAL RIGHTS 1N 1880s

[08] A BOMB EXPLODES AT THE DOOR OF OFFICE OF OZDEMIR, DEPUTY OF MOTHERLAND PARTY FROM ISTANBUL, CAUSING FINANCIAL DAMAGE

[09] THE SOUTHEASTERN ANATOLIA REGION MAKES EXPORTS OF 111 MILLION US DOLLARS WITHIN FIRST EIGHT MONTHS

[10] ERBAKAN'S TRIAL AT STATE SECURITY COURT IN DIYARBAKIR

[11] PRESIDENT DEMIREL RECEIVES STALEV, BULGARIAN AMBASSADOR TO TURKEY

[12] NATIONAL DAY OF TAJIKISTAN - PRESIDENT DEMIREL CONGRATULATES HIS TAJIK COUNTERPART RAHMANOV

[13] TURKEY PRESS REVIEW (1)

[14] TURKEY PRESS REVIEW (2)

[15] MOODY'S VIEWS ABOUT THE EARLY ELECTIONS IN TURKEY - HANAN SALEM, THE MOODY'S ANALYST ON TURKEY: ''IF THERE WASN'T EARLY ELECTIONS IN TURKEY, THEN THE ATMOSPHERE OF POLITICAL AMBIGUITY WOULD DISAPPEAR''

[16] OPERATION IN SOUTHEASTERN TURKEY - SIX TERRORISTS ARE KILLED AND THREE OTHERS ARE CAPTURED

[17] EXPORTS OF HAZELNUTS - 1998-1999 EXPORT SEASON STARTS

[18] CONTACTS OF COEPA RAPPORTEURS IN TURKEY

[19] A PUK DELEGATION TO COME TO ANKARA ON WEDNESDAY - ATACANLI, THE FM DEPUTY SPOKESMAN: ''WE STAND AT AN EQUAL DISTANCE FROM KURDISH GROUPS IN NORTHERN IRAQ''

[20] SIMITIS, THE GREEK PRIME MINISTER TO VISIT TURKEY

[21] SECOND QUARTER GNP INCREASES

[22] ELECTIONS IN GERMANY - FM: ''ELECTIONS ARE INTERNAL ISSUE OF GERMANY''

[23] TURKISH-SYRIAN RELATIONS

[24] FM CEM'S VISIT TO IRAN - TURKEY WILL EXPLAIN HER CONCERN ABOUT THE SECURITY AT TURKISH-IRANIAN BORDER

[25] FOREIGN POLICY SUMMIT AT PRESIDENTIAL RESIDENCE

[26] SECOND ANKARA INTERNATIONAL AEROSPACE CONFERENCE

[27] THE IRAQI KURDISH LEADERS VISIT WASHINGTON, D.C.

[28] 82 KG OF HEROIN SEIZED IN THREE OPERATIONS

[29] CONTACTS OF COEPA RAPPORTEURS IN TURKEY ...

[01] PRESIDENT DEMIREL RETURNS TO TURKEY

Addressing the journalists at the Esenboga Airport, Demirel reminded that President Haydar Aliyev of Azerbaijan had invited him to the summit concerning the development of the international transportation on the Eurasian corridor.

Describing the summit as very successful, Demirel told the reporters that he had an opportunity to hold bilateral talks with the leaders of the countries attending the summit.

Stressing that they had signed the Agreement on the Development of the European-Asian International Transportation Corridor and four technical agreements on the subjects of maritime transports, railways, motorways and customs at the end of summit, Demirel pointed out, ''I expressed in my speech that the Baku-Ceyhan route is the most appropriate and safe way to transport the energy sources of the Caspian basin to the world's markets. The agreement that foresees new arrangements for international transportation among the parties will help the improvement of the economic and commercial relations in the markets of Europe-Black Sea-Caucasus and Asia. The revival of the historical Silk Road will provide for the development of the Samsun Motorway and construction of the Kars-Tbilisi Railway. Following the conclusion of these projects, the Turkey-TRACECA route will become the most appropriate and most economic way for connecting with the European transportation networks.''

Demirel also added, ''Turkey becomes a transportation and trade junction between the west and the east as in the past, in addition to this she also becomes an energy bridge.''

[02] SEZGIN, DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER, IN BRITAIN - SEZGIN TO MEET WITH ROBERTSON, BRITISH DEFENCE MINISTER

Sezgin is scheduled to meet with George Robertson, the British Defence Minister. He told the A.A correspondent that the meeting will focus on Robertson's visit to Turkey between 15-17 September and the details of the Turkish-British Defence Cooperation Agreement that will be signed during Robertson's visit.

Ismet Sezgin said that regional and global issues will also be discussed at the meeting.

Pointing out that he will make observations in aviation and weapons at the fair and determine the requirements of the Turkish Armed Forces, Sezgin described the Turkish Armed Forces as a well equipped and powerful army.

Reminding that the Turkish Armed Forces is an element of power and balance for the NATO, Sezgin stressed, ''our army is the largest army in Europe and it ranks in the fifth place among the world's largest armies.''

[03] SEPARATIST TERRORISTS ATTACK TWO VILLAGES IN TOKAT PROVINCE, KILLING ONE PERSON AND INJURING THREE OTHERS

Officials told the A.A correspondent that the separatist terrorists have injured Mustafa, Hilmi and Nuriye Atici in Imamli settlement unit at Kuyucak Village of Niksar County.

The injured persons were taken to the Niksar State Hospital and Tokat State Hospital.

Meanwhile terrorists who attacked Gargin Village in Turhal County, killed Hasan Bas.

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

[04] THE SECOND INTERNATIONAL CERAMICS SYMPOSIUM BEGINS IN IZMIR

Ceramicists from seven countries are participating at the symposium that will last for 16 days.

The works of the ceramicists will be displayed at the Izmir Museum of Fine Arts and one of the works of the ceramicists will be taken into the permanent collection of the symposium.

Meetings will be held and tours to the ancient settlements and traditional ceramics centers will be organized within the framework of the international symposium.

[05] CEYLAN HOLDING TO CONSTRUCT A TERMINAL BUILDING AT ISRAELI AIRPORT

Ceylan Holding competed with international firms in order to win the tender for the terminal building which was opened by Israel within the framework of the Ben Gurion 2000 Project in Tel Aviv.

Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli Prime Minister also attributes great importance to the construction of the terminal building, which is one of the largest contracts won by Turkish firms abroad.

Prime Minister Mesut Yılmaz, who was in Israel the same day, got information from officials of the Ceylan Holding by visiting the construction site at the Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv.

The airport will be one of the largest airports in the Middle East concerning volume and capacity when the project is completed. The workers who will work at the construction of the terminal building will come from Turkey.

The terminal project, which will be constructed on an area of 100,000 square meters, is foreseen to be completed in 270 days, but efforts will be exerted to finish the project sooner.

[06] GENERAL MEETING OF EUROPEAN POSTAL SERVICES COMMISSION TO BE HELD IN ANKARA BETWEEN 10-11 SEPTEMBER

A total of 49 representatives from 22 countries will take part at the meeting where Arif Ahmet Denizolgun, the Minister of Transportation and Communications will represent Turkey.

Representatives of the Universal Postal Union (UPU) and of the European Computer Network for Postal Banks and Cheque Centers (Eurogiro) will also attend the meeting.

Meanwhile, the representatives of the Postal Administration of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus will participate at the meeting as an observer.

[07] INTELLECTUAL RIGHTS AND TURKISH PEOPLE - CHANDLER, THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF NATIONAL INTELLECTUAL RIGHTS SAY THAT OTTOMAN SULTANS IMPLEMENTED INTELLECTUAL RIGHTS 1N 1880s

Addressing a conference on ''Violation of Intellectual Rights and Professional Ethics,'' in Ankara, Chandler stressed that intellectual rights are very important for all the countries which attribute importance to economic development.

''You are a country which has an excellent past. The concept of intellectual rights isn't new in Turkey. I came here not to introduce this concept to you, but to explain the developments and implementations in my country,'' Chandler said.

Noting that intellectual rights are very important for global trade and development of a country's trade, Chandler pointed out that ''the Ottoman Sultans were respecting intellectual rights in the 1880s. They were protecting the rights of the persons who created a new commercial good. This order which was set up by the Ottoman Sultans in those times was established in our country after many centuries.''

Stressing that intellectual rights have to be protected, Chandler stated that today people from many countries come to the US with their bright ideas, as they believe that their intellectual rights will be protected and respected in the US.

James Chandler added that intellectual rights constitute the key to economic success, noting ''if a creater has a perfect idea, then protect his/her rights and provide the conditions that will make him/her stay in your country.''

[08] A BOMB EXPLODES AT THE DOOR OF OFFICE OF OZDEMIR, DEPUTY OF MOTHERLAND PARTY FROM ISTANBUL, CAUSING FINANCIAL DAMAGE

No casualities were reported in the blast.

Ali Talip Ozdemir came to the apartment after the blast and told the reporters, ''the bomb has exploded one hour after I left the office. I am pleased that no one was injured in the blast.''

[09] THE SOUTHEASTERN ANATOLIA REGION MAKES EXPORTS OF 111 MILLION US DOLLARS WITHIN FIRST EIGHT MONTHS

Exports worth 203.7 million US dollars were realized in the same period of last year.

Sahin Batalli, the Chairman of the Southeastern Anatolia Union of Exporters of Grains and Pulses, told the A.A correspondent that the difficulties in the exports to Iraq caused the decrease.

Pointing out that flour worth 33.8 million US dollars, oil worth 23.3 million US dollars, sugar worth 10.6 million US dollars, candy worth 20.7 million US dollars and grains and pulses worth 22.4 million US dollars were exported within the January-August period, Batalli added that Iraq, Iran, Azerbaijan, the Turkish Republics in Central Asia, Germany, Jordan, Syria, Austria, Saudi Arabia, Romania and France are among the countries to which Turkey exports the most.

Batalli stresed that the exports of grains and pulses won't become stable unless the embargo implemented on Iraq is removed.

[10] ERBAKAN'S TRIAL AT STATE SECURITY COURT IN DIYARBAKIR

Erbakan didn't participate in the session held the same day at the State Security Court in Diyarbakır and he sent a petition of excuse to the court saying that he wanted to give testimony at the State Security Court in Ankara.

The court accepted the proposal of Erbakan and postponed the trial.

A suit was filed against Erbakan on 2 June, claiming that he ''openly provocated people for animosity and hatred by discriminating against them concerning religion, race, sect and region'' during his speech given before the 1994 elections in the eastern province of Bingol. The State Security Court decided to transfer the case to the Court in Diyarbakır.

The prosecution requests the imprisonment of Erbakan for one to three years in accordance with Article 312/2 of the Turkish Penal Code.

[11] PRESIDENT DEMIREL RECEIVES STALEV, BULGARIAN AMBASSADOR TO TURKEY

Stalev has presented his letters of credence to Demirel and introduced the embassy staff.

Korkmaz Haktanir, the Undersecretary of the Foreign Ministry, and senior officials from the Bulgarian Embassy, were also in attendance at the meeting.

[12] NATIONAL DAY OF TAJIKISTAN - PRESIDENT DEMIREL CONGRATULATES HIS TAJIK COUNTERPART RAHMANOV

The Presidential Press Center quoted Demirel as saying, ''I congratulate the seventh anniversary of independence of Tajikistan on behalf of the Turkish Nation. We watch with pleasure the rapid development of Tajikistan. I believe that the Tajik people will receive the welfare and happiness which they have deserved long ago, in near future under the leadership of Rahmanov. Turkey will continue her support for Tajikistan and do her utmost in order to develop friendly relations and cooperation between the two countries.''

[13] TURKEY PRESS REVIEW (1)

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

BAKU SUMMIT
Thirty-two European and Asian countries signed yesterday a landmark agreement in Azerbaijan's capital of Baku aimed at the establishment of a vital transportation corridor linking Europe with the Caucasus and Asia, signaling the revival of the ancient

''Silk Road'' from China to Spain. The agreement laid the foundations for the development of land, sea and rail transportation along the European- Caucasian-Asian Corridor (TRACECA). In addition, four technical addenda on customs implementations and registration were signed within this major project.

President Suleyman Demirel, accompanied by Ismail Cem, the Foreign Minister, represented Turkey at the summit. ''Today the Silk Road is one gain on the international stage bringing new hopes, opportunities and potentials for peace and welfare for the nations it connects'' Demirel said in his speech at the summit. Demirel also touched on the issue of the oil pipeline routes to carry the Caspian oil to the international markets. He emphasized that the proposed route from Baku to Turkey's Mediterranean port of Ceyhan will guarantee the energy security of the region. Referring to Russia's suggestions that the oil be carried from its Black Sea port of Novorossiysk via the Bosphorus, Demirel said that Turkey isn't against the utilization of the Black Sea, but the transportation of oil through the Turkish Straits would endanger the safety of Istanbul and the surrounding environment.

/All papers/

YILMAZ: MEDIATOR IN THE MIDDLE EAST
Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz, who met with Yasser Arafat, the Palestinian Leader, on the last leg of his three-day Middle Eastern tour, conveyed a message from Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli Prime Minister to Arafat, saying, ''we can achieve peace if we hold bilateral meetings''. Arafat said that they supported a solution within the framework of a US plan also boosted by Turkey and added that he didn't trust Netanyahu.

Yilmaz stated that Turkey would make further initiatives for the establishment of peace in the Middle East and said, ''a country which supports the PKK terrorist organization in the region is Syria''. Syria has previously described Yilmaz's visit to Israel as a ''hostile step''. ''Speaking about hostility, it is Damascus' support for the separatist terrorism that should be brought under a magnifying glass'' Yilmaz said.

Yilmaz and Arafat, who met in the West Bank city of Ram Allah, discussed various issues including Turkey's financial assistance to Palestine. The two leaders later held a joint press conference. Yilmaz stressed that the deterioration of the peace process would harm Palestine. He added that Turkey extended one million US dollars to Palestine and for the rest of the aid (49 million US dollars), a delegation headed by Nabil Saas, the Palestinian Planning and International Relations Minister will visit Turkey in the upcoming days and meet with the Turkish Eximbank officials. Yilmaz also noted that three cooperation agreements on the environment, sports and standardization were signed between Turkey and Palestine. Arafat expressed thanks to Yilmaz for the Turkish unit in Al-Halil.

/Hurriyet/

TURKISH-ISRAELI RELATIONS
It was stated that Turkey and Israel would hold the second of the ''search and rescue'' operations in November and that the participation of Egypt and Jordan would be sought in the maneuvers. Israeli Haaretz newspaper stated that the date of the operations hasn't been set as yet. Maariv newspaper stated that Samih Battihi, the Chairman of the Jordanian Intelligence Organisation, went on Sunday to Israel to attend the meeting between Jordanian,Israeli and Turkish officials aimed at establishing a strategic partnership. /Cumhuriyet/

SEZGIN GOES TO LONDON
Ismet Sezgin, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, went to London to attend the Farnborough International Space and Aviation Fair. In a statement prior to his departure Sezgin said that Turkey was taking initiatives on all platforms to secure peace and stability in the Balkans. /Cumhuriyet/

LOGAN IN SOUTHEASTERN ANATOLIA
David Logan, the British Ambassador to Turkey, visited Muammer Guler, the Governor of Gaziantep Province, and received information regarding the industrial infrastructure of the city. Logan noted that the Southeastern Anatolia Project (GAP) was one of the most attractive projects in the world and said, ''the Turkish-British relations are further developing year by year. Turkey is one of the most important 10 markets for Britain and the trade volume between Turkey and Britain totals 5 billion US dollars. /Hurriyet/

PRIVATIZATION OF ERDEMIR
The Privatization Administration Board (OIB) will hold a roadshow for the privatization of a part of the 51.66 percent public share in the Erdemir Eregli Iron-Steel Factories Corp. at the end of October 1998. The OIB officials said that the iron-steel sector gained an important position following the crisis in Russia, stressing that the markets will play a determinative role in the privatization of Erdemir.

FOREIGN MINISTRY DEPUTY UNDERSECRETARY IN TURKMENISTAN
Mehmet Ali Irtemcelik, the Deputy Undersecretary of the Foreign Ministry, who is visiting the Turkish-speaking republics in

Central Asia, arrived in Turkmenistan yesterday. Irtemcelik, who was received by Saparmurat Turkmenbasi, the Head of State, conveyed a special message from President Suleyman Demirel regarding Afghanistan. Irtemcelik also conveyed a letter of invitation from Demirel to Turkmenbasi to attend celebrations of the 75th anniversary of the Republic of Turkey. Completing his visits to the Turkish-speaking republics, Irtemcelik left Turkmenistan yesterday.

HEROIN IN VAN
It is reported that 4.1 kilograms of heroin have been seized in the Gevas District of Van Province. The market value of the heroin totals 20 billion TL. Officials noted that investigations into the incident are continuing.

TURCO-CHINESE RELATIONS
Hikmet Cetin, the Speaker of the Parliament, yesterday received administrators and members of the Turkish-Chinese Women's Friendship and Culture Association. Cetin said that there were many similarities between Turkey and China even though they are distant from each other. He noted that the relations between the two countries weren't sufficient and everyone should exert efforts for the development of these relations.

TURKISH PLANT IN GERMANY
A Turkish company, TIRSAN, which has been producing trailers, gasoline trucks and refrigerated vehicles for 20 years, started production in a plant opened in the Goch city of Germany within the framework of cooperation and advisory services. The company, which has a capital of 3, 400 million DM, plans to produce 500 trailers every year and sell them within the European Union (EU) countries. /Hurriyet/

2.3 BILLION US DOLLARS FROM TURKISH WORKERS ABROAD
During the January-June period of this year, foreign exchanges sent by Turkish workers abroad totalled 2,290 billion US dollars. According to the Central Bank data, foreign exchanges sent by these workers amounted to 348 million US dollars in January, 285 million US dollars in February, 410 million US dollars in March, 342 million US dollars in April, 424 million US dollars in May and 481 million US dollars in June. /Hurriyet/

STATEMENT BY OHAL GOVERNOR
Aydin Arslan, the Governor of the Emergency Rule Region (OHAL), has said that terrorism isn't the primary problem in the region anymore. Arslan stated that terrorism has been reduced by 40 percent and that the people in the region are dealing with their own problems. Briefing reporters in his office yesterday, Arslan stressed that last year alone 237 soldiers from the security forces died and 1,412 terrorists were killed. He said that the reason why the PKK terrorist organization declared a cease-fire, is because it needs time to reorganize and rearm itself. /All papers/

TURKEY DENIES GREEK CLAIMS OF AIRSPACE VIOLATIONS
Ankara denied yesterday allegations by Greece that Turkish military aircraft had repeatedly violated her national airspace and areas controlled by Greek civil aviation authorities. ''The allegations are totally untrue. The Turkish Air Force is carrying out routine activities within the international airspace'' Sermet Atacanli, the Spokesman of the Foreign Ministry said. /All papers/

[14] TURKEY PRESS REVIEW (2)

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

TURKEY, IRAN DISCUSS TRANSPORTATION ISSUES
The Turkish-Iranian joint transportation committee gathered in Ankara yesterday with the transportation ministers of each country participating. Arif Ahmet Denizolgun, the Minister of Transportation and Communications, and his Iranian counterpart, Mahmoud Hodjati, are co-chairing the committee talks, during which a number of bilateral problems have been addressed. The meetings will continue until 10 September.

In addition, Ismail Cem, the Foreign Minister, will be going to Teheran next week to meet with his counterpart, Kamal Kharazzi, and will probably be received by Mohammad Khatemi, the Iranian President. /All papers/

WORLD BANK GIVES A LOAN OF 11.6 MILLION US DOLLARS
Cemal Ayman, the Governor of Karabuk, said yesterday that the World Bank has provided a loan of 11.6 million US dollars in order to meet the damage caused by the flood waters.

PFP OPERATIONS
The first Partnership for Peace (PFP) Operation which will be held in Macedonia in order to protect peace within the framework of the PFP countries will start on 10 September. ''The Cooperative Best Effort-98'' is the first of the three operations that will be hosted by Turkey, Macedonia, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan.

TANER TO EVALUATE ECONOMIC CRISIS IN RUSSIA
The economic crisis in Russia will be discussed at a meeting organized by the Turkish and Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) Business Councils in Istanbul on 10 September. The Foreign Economic Relations Committee stated that the meeting will focus on the influences of the deepening economic crisis in Russia and the necessary measures to be taken in response to the crisis. Gunes Taner, the Minister of State, will give information to the businessmen about the crisis and the measures at the meeting.

NORMALIZATION PROCESS STARTS IN SOUTHEASTERN ANATOLIA
Reporters from the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly, who are preparing a report on the implementation of human rights in Turkey, started their meetings in Diyarbakir yesterday. Reporters Andras Barsony and Walter Schwimmer said that the normalization process on human rights and democratization had started in Southeastern Anatolia. The reporters who passed on to Diyarbakir following their meetings in Ankara and Istanbul met with the Governor of the State of Emergency Region and the Chairman of the Diyarbakir Bar. Schwimmer said that their aim was to see and observe the implementation of human rights, democracy and supremacy of law principles in Turkey. He added that their first impression was that the normalization process had started on these issues. /Cumhuriyet/

MEETING OF TURKISH INSTITUTE OF RESEARCH (TIR)
Upon the invitation of the Turkish Institute of Research, representatives from the embassies of the countries sending immigrant workers to Germany have met in Bonn with the officials of the organization. The officials including representatives from

Turkey, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Poland and Tunisia decided to increase the dialogue among themselves in solving the problems of immigrants living in the Rhine-Westphalia region. Faruk Sen, the Director of (TIR), said that the meeting had been very productive.

/Cumhuriyet/

TURKEY UPGRADES STATUS IN UN INDEX FOR HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
An index published annually by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), covering economic, social, educational and health data, shows that Turkey is gradually upgrading her status every year. Turkey which was 74th on the list last year, placed 69th this year. Turkey which stands above average concerning life span and per capita national income is below average on literacy. /Cumhuriyet/

UNDERSECRETARIAT OF THE TREASURY APPROVES SALE OF TURKBANK
The Undersecretariat of the Treasury has approved the sale of the Turkish Trade Bank (Turk Ticaret Bankasi), a state-owned bank, to Korkmaz Yigit, who made the highest bid in a tender opened on 4 August. The Competition Council had also approved the sale saying that it would give no harm to the sector concerning competition. /Sabah/

FOREIGN CONSULTANCIES FOR TURKEY
The Undersecretariat of the Treasury announced that it had given authority to Salomon Smith Barney and Chase Manhattan, two international finance organizations, to observe markets for the foreign borrowing of Turkey. According to a written statement by the secretariat, the two consultancies will hold a series of meetings for investors in the US and England on behalf of Turkey.

/Sabah/

RABOBANK FOUNDS BRANCH IN ISTANBUL
Rabobank, a leading Dutch bank active in the sectors of food, insurance and health, will open a branch in Istanbul. /Milliyet/

TAX COURSE STARTS
The tax course on ''Transfer Pricing'' organized together by the Ministry of Finance and the OECD started on Monday in Ankara. A total of 25 experts from 11 countries are attending the course, which was organized by the Tax Education Centre aimed at providing technical assistance to some European and Asian countries and to the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) which declared their independence following the collapse of the former Soviet Union in their period of transition to a market economy. The tax course will continue until 11 September.

[15] MOODY'S VIEWS ABOUT THE EARLY ELECTIONS IN TURKEY - HANAN SALEM, THE MOODY'S ANALYST ON TURKEY: ''IF THERE WASN'T EARLY ELECTIONS IN TURKEY, THEN THE ATMOSPHERE OF POLITICAL AMBIGUITY WOULD DISAPPEAR''

Responding to questions of the A.A correspondent, Salem, who is an analsyt on Turkey, stated that the political ambiguity which is caused by the early elections in Turkey overshadows the successful economic policies.

Noting that if the existing economic policies can be sustainable in Turkey, Salem stressed that they can increase the credit mark of Turkey.

Pointing out that the Moody's closely monitors the developments in the Turkish economy, Salem said ''there are very positive developments in the Turkish economy, the privatization rapidly continues, the tax reform was adopted and the discipline continues concerning the budget. Besides, the inflation trend has entered into a decreasing trend.''

Salem stressed that Turkey has to adopt a social security reform, however early elections may prevent the adoption of this important reform.

''In the medium-term if we see that Turkey can continue to implement her successful economic policies, then we can change the 'impression about Turkey' to positive,'' he said.

Salem said that the mark of Moody's on Turkey is one degree higher than the one given by Standard and Poor's.

Moody's gave a ''B1'' mark to Turkey on March 1997 and placed her in the position of ''Stagnant Monitoring.''

[16] OPERATION IN SOUTHEASTERN TURKEY - SIX TERRORISTS ARE KILLED AND THREE OTHERS ARE CAPTURED

Emergency Regional Governor's Office said that three terrorists were killed in the Kelaras Mountain region in Bahcesaray County of Van Province, two terrorists were killed at Gorese Mountain of Dicle County of Diyarbakır Province and one terrorist was killed in Umurmu Village at Sason County of Batman Province.

Security forces captured three terrorists in the clashes that erupted in Yuksekova County of Hakkari Province.

Operations are underway in the region.

[17] EXPORTS OF HAZELNUTS - 1998-1999 EXPORT SEASON STARTS

The officials from the Black Sea Union of Hazelnut Exporters told the A.A correspondent that they exported 8,916 tonnes of hazelnuts for 36 million 245 thousand US dollars in the first week of the 1998-1999 export season, which started on 1 September 1998.

In the same period of the previous export season, a total of 2,217 tonnes of hazelnuts were exported for 9 million 912 thousand US dollars.

Pointing out that one quintal (100 kg) of standard hazelnuts was sold for 401 US dollars in the new export season, officials said the price for the same amount in last season was 443 US dollars.

[18] CONTACTS OF COEPA RAPPORTEURS IN TURKEY

Addressing a short statement after the visit, Hasan Ozdemir said that the COEPA Rapporteurs held visits and examinations in Turkey, adding ''the issue doesn't concern the Directorate of Security in Istanbul, they check whether there is cruelty or torture in the police stations.''

The COEPA Rapporteurs also visited the Foreigner's Office, Anti-Terrorism Department and the jails.

Responding to the questions of the A.A correspondent, Walter Schwimmer said ''we had the opportunity to visit several buildings and jails which are connected to the Directorate of Security in Istanbul. The final result will be stated in the report which will be submitted to the COE Parliamentary Assembly. This is what I can say to you at this stage.''

Responding to a question asking their impressions in Turkey, Schwimmer said ''I've seen that Turkey is positive in certain issues, however we have to speak with officials concerning several issues.''

[19] A PUK DELEGATION TO COME TO ANKARA ON WEDNESDAY - ATACANLI, THE FM DEPUTY SPOKESMAN: ''WE STAND AT AN EQUAL DISTANCE FROM KURDISH GROUPS IN NORTHERN IRAQ''

Sermet Atacanlı, the Deputy Spokesman of the Foreign Ministry, said in a press briefing that Celal Talabani, the PUK leader will send a delegation to Ankara to hold consultations within the framework of Turkey's contacts with the groups in Northern Iraq.

Responding to another question, Atacanlı stated that Turkey stands at an equal distance from the Kurdish groups in Northern Iraq, adding ''the factor which determines our relations with these groups is the distance of these groups from the separatist terrorist PKK organization.''

Noting that there are concerns about the connection between the PUK and PKK, Atacanlı said that Turkey openly conveyed her concern about this issue to the PUK.

Pointing out that Turkey attributes great importance to prevention of terrorist activities which are directed against Turkey's citizens and territories, Atacanlı stated that this issue will come onto the agenda during the visit of the PUK delegation.

Stressing that the efforts concerning the establishment of a joint government in Northern Iraq can also be discussed during the PUK's visit to Ankara, Atacanlı said that Turkey isn't the decision-making body and she can only convey her views about this issue.

Mesud Barzani, the leader of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) had high ranking contacts in Ankara in recently and then proceeded to the US.

Bulent Ecevit, the Deputy Prime Minister had said that the KDP extended support to Turkey's struggle against the separatist terrorist PKK organization.

[20] SIMITIS, THE GREEK PRIME MINISTER TO VISIT TURKEY

Addressing a weekly press briefing, Atacanlı stated that Simitis, the Greek Prime Minister was invited to the summit that will be held in Antalya and Simitis accepted the invitation.

Responding to a question asking whether Simitis will hold a bilateral contact with Prime Minister Mesut Yılmaz, Atacanlı stated that ''these kinds of bilateral contacts are normal, however such a bilateral meeting hasn't been planned so far.''

Responding to another question about the meeting held between the foreign ministers of Iran, Armenia and Greece in Teheran, Atacanlı said, ''we have to understand the content and results of the meeting, we are monitoring and evaluating it.''

Atacanlı pointed out that Turkey isn't uneasy about the press statements of the three foreign ministers in Teheran, adding that ''we closely monitor the developments in our surroundings.''

[21] SECOND QUARTER GNP INCREASES

The State Institute of Statistics (DIE) data shows that the agricultural sector, with fixed prices, grew 1.6 percent in the second quarter, while there was an 11.6 percent decrease in the growth in its sub-sector, farming and animal husbandry.

The growth rate with fixed prices in the floriculture, which is a branch of the sub-sector of farming and animal husbandry, was 21.5 percent while the grains branch grew 11.6 percent and the pulses branch grew 12 percent in the second quarter.

Meanwhile, there was a 13.3 percent regression in the other pulses branch and a 6.2 percent regression in the agricultural arts gross added value.

The growth rate in the agricultural sector's sub-sector forestry was 0.1, while the fishery grew 2.1 percent.

The manufacturing sector grew 2 percent in the second quarter of 1998 compared with the same period last year, while the growth rate in the public manufacturing sector was 0.7 percent and the private manufacturing sector grew 2.4 percent.

The public manufacturing sector had a 19.3 percent share, while the private manufacturing sector had an 80.7 percent share in the total production of the manufacturing sector.

[22] ELECTIONS IN GERMANY - FM: ''ELECTIONS ARE INTERNAL ISSUE OF GERMANY''

Responding to a question during a weekly press briefing, Atacanlı said that it isn't appropriate for him to make a statement concerning the results of the German elections.

Prime Minister Mesut Yılmaz had previously requested the Turkish citizens living in Germany who would vote in the German elections to take into account the attitude of Germany concerning the membership of Turkey in the European Union (EU).

German Chancellor Helmut Kohl had harshly reacted to this statement of Prime Minister Yılmaz and accused Yılmaz of intervening with the internal issues of Germany.

[23] TURKISH-SYRIAN RELATIONS

Responding to questions in a weekly press briefing, Atacanlı stated ''we have explained how and on what conditions we can improve our relations with Syria, which has also explained her views. Now we are at the stage of evaluating the issues that are presented reciprocally. There isn't a new development.''

[24] FM CEM'S VISIT TO IRAN - TURKEY WILL EXPLAIN HER CONCERN ABOUT THE SECURITY AT TURKISH-IRANIAN BORDER

Addressing a weekly press briefing, Sermet Atacanlı, the Deputy Spokesman of the Foreign Ministry said that ''Turkey is concerned about the security at her border with Iran. We had earlier conveyed our concerns to Iran. This time, Foreign Minister Cem will convey Turkey's sensitivity about borders to Iran.''

Responding to a question asking whether or not Turkish-Israeli relations will come onto the agenda during Cem's visit to Iran, Atacanlı said ''we have many times explained the true nature of the relations between Turkey and Israel. The desire of Turkey to develop her relations with Israel isn't directed against any country in the region.''

''There isn't any official information that has been received by the Foreign Ministry,'' said Atacanlı concerning the official statement issued by the Israeli Ministry of Defense saying that a second Turkish-Israeli military exercise would be held. Atacanlı said that the Turkish-Israeli cooperation will contribute to peace and stability in the region.

Noting that sometimes tension arises between Turkey and Iran, Atacanlı said ''Iran also knows this and the relations will be revised in detail during Foreign Minister Cem's visit to Iran.''

[25] FOREIGN POLICY SUMMIT AT PRESIDENTIAL RESIDENCE

The Presidential Press Center said in a written statement that Mesut Yılmaz, the Prime Minister, General Huseyin Kıvrıkoglu, the Chief of General Staff, Bulent Ecevit, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State, Sukru Sina Gurel, the Minister of State, and Ismail Cem, the Foreign Minister, participated in the meeting, which was presided over by President Suleyman Demirel.

[26] SECOND ANKARA INTERNATIONAL AEROSPACE CONFERENCE

The ''Second Ankara International Aerospace Conference'' started the same day at the Middle East Technical University Culture and Congress Center.

Addressing the opening speech, Denizolgun said that the situation of Turkey between the Mediterranean and the Black Sea regions at a point where the international transport movements intersect brings some privileges and responsibilities particularly in the field of transportation.

''In this context, Turkey is taking all the necessary steps and making all the necessary arrangements to ensure safety, speed and efficiency at the highest level for all users in the air links from Europe to the Middle East, Central Asia and even the Far East, and will continue to do so. There is a favourable setting concerning legislation, public opinion and security besides the necessary technological acquisitions and qualified labour force for the ventures Turkey has to make in the fields of technology and infrastructure at the outset of the 21st century,'' he said.

Pointing out that Turkey has taken further steps in the sector of aircraft manufacture together with countries which today enjoy a significant market share in this sector even before some countries, by having established manufacturing and maintenance facilities back in 1925, Denizolgun said, ''however, this venture for various reasons couldn't be sustained with the same enthusiasm and had to be suspended on a large scale during the 1950s. It was in the 1970s when Turkey resumed her initiatives to re-establish and develop her suspended air and space industry. The air industry which in the 1980s began to be established and develop mainly in Ankara, Eskisehir and Kayseri Provinces continues its growth today with the support and efforts of our universities and all public entities.''

''The air transportation in our country showed a marked development particularly as of the second half of the 1980s. In parallel with the annual growing demand and passenger traffic at high rates, a marked increase is observed in the seat capacity of our national civilian aircraft fleet,'' he stressed.

''Beside the Turkish Airlines (THY) which has entered into engagements with the Boeing firm for the purchase of a significant number of aircraft, it is expected that the private sector carriers too, whose total in terms of capacity and market share matches the size of the THY, will in the years ahead buy large body aircraft in approximately the same number,'' Denizolgun mentioned.

''Turkey is rapidly making the necessary structural rearrangements and working seriously to establish the necessary institutions in parallel with the development of the sector in the world and in the country,'' he stated.

Denizolgun added that the General Directorate of Civil Aviation continues its re-structuring activities.

[27] THE IRAQI KURDISH LEADERS VISIT WASHINGTON, D.C.

The PUK Representation in Ankara stated that Talabani will meet with Madeleine Albright, the US Secretary of State, Samuel Berger, the Assistant for National Security Assistant to the US President and the members of the US Congress on 14 September. The situation and conditions in Northern Iraq and the relations between the PUK and the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) will be discussed during the meetings.

Meanwhile, James Rubin, the Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs of the US Department of State said the same day that Mesud Barzani, the KDP leader will start his visit to Washington, D.C. the same day and hold contacts there until 11 September.

[28] 82 KG OF HEROIN SEIZED IN THREE OPERATIONS

Addressing a press conference, the Security Chief Ozdemir said that as a result of their intelligence activities, they launched three operations at the Bayrampasa, Buyukcekmece and Umraniye Districts of Istanbul, aimed at struggling against criminal organizations which were determined to have relations with international drug smuggling.

Pointing out that the Narcotics units seized 30 kg of heroin in an operation they launched at Bayrampasa on 2 September; 4 kg of heroin in an operation at Buyukcekmece on 6 September and 48 kg of heroin in an operation at Umraniye on 8 September, Hasan Ozdemir said that the security units took into custody four Albanian people including one woman and seven Turkish people on charges of having relations with drug smuggling, adding that the Narcotics officials also seized two automobiles and one lorry, which were determined to be used in drug smuggling.

Noting that the drugs, which were brought to Istanbul from a neighbouring country bordering the Eastern Anatolia region, were to be sent in transit to the European countries, Ozdemir said that the market price of the heroin seized in operations was nearly two trillion TL.

Hasan Ozdemir stressed that they are resolved to eradicate the drug-gangs which act at an international level.

[29] CONTACTS OF COEPA RAPPORTEURS IN TURKEY ...

Nail Gureli, the Chairman of the Association said that ''it is known that Turkey has several deficiences concerning democracy and freedom of communications, which is an indispensable element of democracy. Progress has been recorded concerning this issue, however it isn't possible to say that Turkey has fully realized democracy and freedom of communications.''

Walter Schwimmer, the COEPA Rapporteur on Turkey said ''the points which will be taken into account while examining Turkey are based on three important principles, namely democracy, the supremacy of law and respect towards human rights, which also constitute the existence of the Council of Europe (COE).''

''In my opinion, the freedom of press and freedom of expression are the pre- conditions of democracy. We've witnessed several improvements in Turkey during the past years. The COEPA, its several recommendary decisions to Turkey and the cooperation of the Turkish parliamentarians who work in the COEPA had a great influence on the positive developments in Turkey. In our meetings with the Turkish officials we've stressed that additional measures have to be taken in several articles of the Turkish laws and regulations including Article 8 of the Anti-Terrorism Act and Articles 159, 311 and 312 of the Turkish Penal Code.''

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