Anadolu Agency: News in English, 98-09-16

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

16 SEPT 1998

CONTENTS

[01] DISPUTE IN ALBANIA - PRESIDENT DEMIREL SENDS A MESSAGE TO HIS ALBANIAN COUNTERPART MEIDANI

[02] CYPRUS - ROAD TENSION IN VILLAGE OF PILE WHERE TURKISH AND GREEK CYPRIOTS LIVE TOGETHER

[03] SECURITY COUNCIL MOBILIZATION FROM PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ

[04] PRIME MINISTER DRNOVSEK OF SLOVENIA IN TURKEY - PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ GIVES A DINNER IN HONOUR OF HIS SLOVENIAN COUNTERPART

[05] YOUNG GUITARISTS TO COMPETE WITHIN SCOPE OF THE ''II. ANTONIO LAURO GUITAR BIENNIAL'' ORGANIZED BY CULTURE AND FOREIGN MINISTRIES - GUITARIST WHO WINS THE COMPETITION, TO GIVE A CONCERT IN VENEZUELA

[06] SPEAKER OF PARLIAMENT CETIN RECEIVES PRIME MINISTER DRNOVSEK OF SLOVENIA

[07] BRITAIN SUPPORTS MORATORIUM ON CYPRUS

[08] THE FIRST INTERNATIONAL ANKARA CULTURE AND ART FESTIVAL BEGINS WITH A CONCERT GIVEN BY THE PRESIDENTIAL SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

[09] BLACK SEA DEVELOPMENT AND TRADE BANK - THE BANK WILL OPERATE FULLY AT THE BEGINNING OF 1999

[10] TOWARDS BARZANI-TALABANI RECONCILIATION IN WASHINGTON, D.C. - CONSENSUS REACHED BETWEEN TWO IRAQI KURDISH LEADERS

[11] THE UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY'S 53RD TERM ACTIVITIES - FM CEM TO HOLD MORE THAN 30 BILATERAL CONTACTS

[12] CONTACTS OF ERSUMER IN THE US - ERSUMER, MINISTER OF ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES, RECEIVES MORNINGSTAR, US PRESIDENT CLINTON'S SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE TO CASPIAN REGION

[13] ISTANBUL PREPARES FOR A NEW SUMMIT - INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ''TURKEY: A STEPPING STONE FOR THE TRADE WITH CENTRAL ASIA AND COMMONWEALTH OF INDEPENDENT STATES'' TO BE HELD IN ISTANBUL BETWEEM 18-19 NOVEMBER

[14] PRIME MINISTER DRNOVSEK OF SLOVENIA LEAVES TURKEY

[15] SEVERAL HISTORICAL WORKS AT TOPKAPI PALACE TO BE DISPLAYED IN THE US IN 2000 AND 2001 WITH COOPERATION BETWEEN CULTURE MINISTRY AND PALACE ARTS FOUNDATION

[16] TURKISH PRESS REVIEW (1)

[17] TURKISH PRESS REVIEW (2)

[18] 53RD TERM ACTIVITIES OF THE UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY - PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ'S SCHEDULE IN NEW YORK IS VERY BUSY

[19] TURKEY IS AGAINST THE POSTPONMENT OF THE DELIVERY OF THE S-300 MISSILES - UTKAN, THE FM SPOKESMAN:''NEITHER TURKEY NOR THE TRNC CAN BE EXPECTED TO BE TOLERANT ABOUT THE USE OF S-300 MISSILES AS A CONTINUOUS ELEMENT OF THREAT''

[01] DISPUTE IN ALBANIA - PRESIDENT DEMIREL SENDS A MESSAGE TO HIS ALBANIAN COUNTERPART MEIDANI

Demirel expressed deep sorrow at the assassination of Azem Hajdari, a senior leader of Albania's opposition Democratic Party who was shot dead on Saturday night by a gunman as he stepped out of the party's office in Tirane, the capital of Albania.

President Demirel described the attack as an action against the democratic forces in Albania, pointing out that Turkey monitors closely the developments in Albania.

The Presidential Press Center quoted Demirel as saying, ''we strongly condemn resorting to violence for political purposes. This will provide nothing but a deadlock in the democratic process in Albania. We are ready to support your efforts towards finding a peaceful solution to the current crisis. The political forces in Albania should cooperate on the basis of mutual respect and tolerance for the sake of Albania's future.''

[02] CYPRUS - ROAD TENSION IN VILLAGE OF PILE WHERE TURKISH AND GREEK CYPRIOTS LIVE TOGETHER

The UN Peacekeeping Forces officials, upon the opposition of the Greek Cypriots, prevented the coming of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) Highway Department vehicles to the region by putting a barricade on the road.

A meeting was held between the Turkish and Greek Headmen of the village and the UN Peacekeeping Forces officials and they decided that some parts of the road would be constructed by the Turkish Cypriots and some of them would be constructed by the Greek Cypriots.

The road which is under construction is one km long.

[03] SECURITY COUNCIL MOBILIZATION FROM PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ

Yilmaz, who will go to New York on 22 September, will address the General Committee on Thursday. Yilmaz is expected to give important messages about the problems of the world as well as Turkey's membership in the Security Council.

Voting regarding Turkey's membership in the Security Council will be held in the year 2000. Turkey, if she can get sufficient votes, will be a member in the years 2001 and 2002. Ireland and Norway also applied for candidacy these years. Two of these three countries will be elected for council membership.

Greece, which races with Turkey in every field, applied for Security Council membership for the years 1999-2000.

[04] PRIME MINISTER DRNOVSEK OF SLOVENIA IN TURKEY - PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ GIVES A DINNER IN HONOUR OF HIS SLOVENIAN COUNTERPART

Addressing the dinner, Yilmaz pointed out that Slovenia pays a prime ministry level visit to Turkey for the first time, and stressed that Slovenia's success in the democratic process is being appreciated by both Turkey and whole world.

Noting that Turkey has been attributing great importance to the improvement of the relations with Slovenia since she has gained her independence, Yilmaz emphasized that Turkey was one of the countries that have opened the first embassies in this country.

Yilmaz pointed out that the mutual visits between Turkey and Slovenia aim at developing friendly relations and cooperation.

Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz mentioned the similarities in the foreign policies and geographical situations between Turkey and Slovenia, and stressed that both countries want peace and stability in Southeastern Europe and a peaceful solution for Kosovo.

Noting that businessmen of both countries should be encouraged, Yilmaz also added that the free trade agreement signed this year, will increase the volume of trade between the two countries.

Janez Drnovsek thanked Turkey for her support towards Slovenia's membership in the NATO.

Drnovsek stressed the significance of Turkey's geographical situation and requested more economic cooperation between Turkey and Slovenia.

Reminding that Slovenia is the temporary member in the United Nations Security Council, Drnovsek added that they will use their membership effectively in order to find a peaceful solution for the Kosovo question.

Rustu Kazim Yucelen, the Minister of State, Bulent Akarcali, the Deputy of the Motherland Party (ANAP) from Istanbul and high-level officials were in attendance at the dinner.

[05] YOUNG GUITARISTS TO COMPETE WITHIN SCOPE OF THE ''II. ANTONIO LAURO GUITAR BIENNIAL'' ORGANIZED BY CULTURE AND FOREIGN MINISTRIES - GUITARIST WHO WINS THE COMPETITION, TO GIVE A CONCERT IN VENEZUELA

The Ministry of Culture, the General Directorate of Cultural Affairs of the Foreign Ministry, the Venezuelan Embassy and the Sevda-Cenap And Music Foundation will organize the ''IInd Antonio Lauro Guitar Biennial'' on behalf of the famous guitarist Antonio Lauro, between 23 and 26 October.

The winner of the competition will give a concert in Venezuela.

[06] SPEAKER OF PARLIAMENT CETIN RECEIVES PRIME MINISTER DRNOVSEK OF SLOVENIA

Addressing the meeting, Cetin stressed that Turkey and Slovenia have established good relations since Slovenia gained her independence.

Noting that Slovenia succeded in overcoming her problems in a short period of time, Cetin said that interparliamentary relations should be established between the two countries in addition to the relations at the presidential and governmental level. He also reminded that they have invited the Slovenian Speaker of Parliament to Turkey in order to realize this aim.

[07] BRITAIN SUPPORTS MORATORIUM ON CYPRUS

Robertson who signed a cooperation memorandum of understanding in the field of the defense industry together with Ismet Sezgin, the Minister of Defense, staged a news conference at the British Embassy in Ankara.

Noting that Britain supported the moratorium on Cyprus, Robertson said ''the idea of moratorium was brought onto the agenda first of all by Turkey in 1996.'' Robertson said that Turkey may have reservations as the idea of the moratorium was brought together with the S-300 missiles.

Noting that they had strong suspicions concerning the S-300 missiles, Robertson said ''we are expending efforts to postpone or to abandon the idea of the S-300 missiles. We think that they won't be good for Cyprus.'' Robertson said that he will proceed to Athens after Ankara, adding that he will reiterate these views in Athens and on Cyprus where he will visit within two weeks.

The British Minister of Defense also pointed out that Britain supported Turkey's full membership in the European Union (EU).

Robertson said that the British government clearly said it won't permit the purchase of the weapons which may be used for internal pressure or foreign aggression.

Meanwhile, the British Embassy statement said that the Memorandum of Undestanding signed between the two countries will give opportunities to the industries of the two governments in the field of industry, research, development and techniques.

It said the memorandum of understanding won't only meet the national needs, but also at the same time will provide success in the exports to the markets of the third countries and that it will promote development of industrial partnerships.

[08] THE FIRST INTERNATIONAL ANKARA CULTURE AND ART FESTIVAL BEGINS WITH A CONCERT GIVEN BY THE PRESIDENTIAL SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

The concert of the Presidential Symphony Orchestra conducted by

Antonio Prolli, was broadcast live in the Kizilay Square with a video wall system.

Hikmet Sami Turk and Hasan Gemici, the Ministers of State, Istemihan Talay, the Minister of Culture, and Erdogan Sahinoglu, the Governor of Ankara, were in attendance at the concert.

Hundreds of people watched the concert where the compositions of Verdi, Puccini, Bizet, Lehar, Cardillo, Tosti, Lara and Leoncavallo were performed.

The festival will continue with several activities between 15 and 30 September.

[09] BLACK SEA DEVELOPMENT AND TRADE BANK - THE BANK WILL OPERATE FULLY AT THE BEGINNING OF 1999

According to the statement issued by the KKTB, the bank which is directed by Ersoy Volkan, made several decisions to assure that the Bank will operate fully as of 1999.

The KKTB, based in Salonika, Greece, realized its organization with the decisions made during the Committee Meeting of the Executive Directors held at Halkidiki between September 11 and 13.

The Extraordinary Committee Meeting of the Governors of the bank will be held in the Ukraine.

The bank became official on 30 June 1994 with the signature of the Bank Main Agreement and it aims to finance projects aimed at the development and regional economic cooperation around the Black Sea and the 11 countries of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC) region.

[10] TOWARDS BARZANI-TALABANI RECONCILIATION IN WASHINGTON, D.C. - CONSENSUS REACHED BETWEEN TWO IRAQI KURDISH LEADERS

The two leaders, as an outcome of the initiatives of Washington, are expected to convene on Thursday with Madeleine Albright, the US Secretary of State.

Massoud Barzani, the leader of the Iraqi Kurdish Democratic Party (KDP) and Jalal Talabani, the leader of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) held separate meetings with the US officials.

The representatives of Turkey and Britain, who are the leading actors of the Ankara Process, which targeted a lasting peace in Northern Iraq, participated in several of the contacts held at the US Department of State.

As an outcome of the intense contacts, a consensus could be reached between Barzani and Talabani.

The US sources said that Washington, D.C., requested Barzani and Talabani to be in dialogue, to put an end to the clashes, to resume the Ankara Process and to act together against the Saddam administration.

Meanwhile, Barzani, the KDP leader, met with Baki Ilkin, Turkey's Ambassador to the United States and talked about the importance they attached to positive relations with Turkey and also requested the continuation of the support of Turkey to them.

Jalal Talabani, the leader of the PUK, is also expected to come together with Ilkin. It was also reported that Talabani denied the statements, which appeared in several press organizations, which made Turkey uneasy.

[11] THE UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY'S 53RD TERM ACTIVITIES - FM CEM TO HOLD MORE THAN 30 BILATERAL CONTACTS

Teodoros Pangalos, the Greek Foreign Minister, isn't among the politicians who will come together with Cem.

Pangalos had acted hostile against Turkey during the meetings held last year, and attacked Turkey with expressions which aren't suitable for a minister.

Cem will attend the luncheon that will be given by Kofi Annan, the Secretary General of the United Nations, in honour of the ministers on 21 September. He will meet with his Cuban and Algerian counterparts and Hans van den Broek, who is Responsible for the Foreign Affairs of the European Commission, on the same day.

On 22 September, Cem will meet with the foreign ministers of the member states in the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC) region at breakfast and later he will hold talks with his Spanish counterpart Abel Matutes.

Ismail Cem is scheduled to meet with the Kosovonian, Romanian, Bulgarian and Brazilian foreign ministers on 23 September. He will sign later the agreement banning biological weapons on behalf of Turkey.

After meeting at luncheon with the foreign ministers of the G-8, Cem will hold contacts with Pascal Milo, the Albanian Foreign Minister, and the members of the Jewish Committee in the US.

Cem will meet with Richard Holbrooke who is expected to be appointed as the US Permanent Representative to the UN, and Thomas Miller, the Special Representative to Cyprus of the US Department of State, on 24 September. He will meet with his Egyptian, Palestinian,

Bangladeshi and Yugoslavian counterparts on the same day.

Ismail Cem will attend the meeting of the Contact Group of the Organization for the Islamic Conference on 26 September, following his meetings with Wolfgang Schussel, the Foreign Minister of Austria, the term president of the European Union, and his Dutch counterpart Hans van Mierlo. He will proceed to Canada for an official visit on 27 September.

Issues such as the Cyprus question, the Middle East Peace Process, the dispute between Iraq and the UN, the disagreement between Afghanistan and Iran, Bosnia Herzegovina and Kosovo crises are expected to discussed at the UN General Assembly's meetings.

[12] CONTACTS OF ERSUMER IN THE US - ERSUMER, MINISTER OF ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES, RECEIVES MORNINGSTAR, US PRESIDENT CLINTON'S SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE TO CASPIAN REGION

Briefing the journalists about their meeting Ersumer said that they exchanged views on energy issues.

Morningstar, who identified the meeting as very successful said ''we have reiterated mutual targets and mutual decisions in the Caspian region. These targets are to meet the energy need of Turkey and the continuation of adequate economic development. We also discussed construction of pipelines towards east and west for the exports of the natural sources of the Caspian.

Morningstar expressed willingness for the construction of the Baku-Ceyhan pipelines among the other pipelines. He also said ''we also want the construction of the Trans-Caucasus Pipeline. We also want to continue the joint activities with the Turkish officials to realize our joint goals.''

Responding to a question, Morningstar said that the announcement of the starting of the construction of the Baku-Ceyhan pipeline in October was a mild probability, but that there were many other things to do.

Morningstar said that they believed that all efforts should be expended to overcome the difference of opinion between Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan for the possession of the sources of the Caspian Sea.

Noting that Bill Richarson, the new Secretary of Energy of the US Department of Energy, may do many things to overcome this conflict, Morningstar said that all the leaders of the region should expend efforts to operate the sources of the Caspian jointly.

Pointing out that conflicts will do no good to anybody, Morningstar stressed that they advised Haydar Aliyev, the Azerbaijani President and Saparmurad Niyazov, Turkmen Head of State, to construct the natural gas pipeline without considering the conflicts.

[13] ISTANBUL PREPARES FOR A NEW SUMMIT - INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ''TURKEY: A STEPPING STONE FOR THE TRADE WITH CENTRAL ASIA AND COMMONWEALTH OF INDEPENDENT STATES'' TO BE HELD IN ISTANBUL BETWEEM 18-19 NOVEMBER

The conference that is organized by the Adam Smith Institute based in Britain, will host all together the representatives of the companies that aim at making business with the Central Asian countries and the Commonwealth of Independent States, the experts and bureaucrats.

Adam Smith's evaluation concerning Turkey's economy, described Turkey, where exports have increased up to 25 billion US dollars in 1998, as a center for the trade with the Central Asian countries and the Commonwealth of Independent States. It also stressed, ''Turkey as the heir of the Silk Road, has historical and cultural connections with these countries, therefore she has significant opportunities for engaging in business with the region.''

[14] PRIME MINISTER DRNOVSEK OF SLOVENIA LEAVES TURKEY

Rustu Kazim Yucelen, the Minister of State, and Murat Yildirim, the Deputy Governor of Ankara, saw Drnovsek off at the Esenboga Airport.

The Foreign Ministries of Turkey and Slovenia signed yesterday a protocol envisaging the holding of regular consultations, within the framework of the visit of Janez Drnovsek.

[15] SEVERAL HISTORICAL WORKS AT TOPKAPI PALACE TO BE DISPLAYED IN THE US IN 2000 AND 2001 WITH COOPERATION BETWEEN CULTURE MINISTRY AND PALACE ARTS FOUNDATION

Istemihan Talay, the Minister of Culture, received Richard Barkley, the former US Ambassador to Turkey and Chairman of the Palace Arts Foundation.

Addressing the meeting, Talay expressed satisfaction at realizing such an initiative that will promote Turkey worldwide.

Reminding that the exhibition of Sakip Sabanci, the President of the Sabanci Holding, composed of 70 pieces of artifacts which reflect the period between the 15th and 20th centuries at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, evoked deep admiration in the US, Talay pointed out that the historical works will be displayed at the museums in New Orleans and San Diego.

Talay noted that they will provide financial support of one million US dollars for the exhibition and the reproductions of the works will be sold. He also added that the revenues from the exhibitions and the reproductions will be used in order to improve the museums in Turkey.

[16] TURKISH PRESS REVIEW (1)

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

SWITZERLAND SUGGESTS LAUSANNE FOR CELEBRATIONS
Andre Faivet, the Swiss Ambassador to Turkey, said yesterday that Turkey could celebrate the 75th anniversary of the foundation of the Republic of Turkey at the historical Rumine Palace in Lausanne. Faivet also said that the disapproval of the Turkish request for organizing a celebration in June was for security reasons.

CHIEF OF GENERAL STAFF IN DENMARK
Huseyin Kivrikoglu, the Chief of the General Staff, who is in the Danish capital of Copenhagen for a NATO meeting, watched a military exercise of the Danish Army in Slagelse yesterday. During a ceremony following the exercise, Kivrikoglu delivered a speech as the head of the NATO High Committee, and presented a plaque to the Danish General Jesper Helso. The Danish General also presented a plaque to Kivrikoglu. /Hurriyet/

COMMENT BY NEW REPRESENTATIVE OF EUROPEAN UNION
The European Union has appointed a British bureaucrat, Karen Fogg, as the head of its representative office in Ankara. In a commentary she wrote for the Hurriyet newspaper, she stressed the necessity of a careful observation by the EU of the changes and developments in Turkey. ''My duty is to contribute to the development of a mutual understanding,'' she stated. /Hurriyet/

WORLD ENERGY CONGRESS
In a determination to realize the east-west energy corridor, the officials in Washington, D.C. have rolled up their sleeves to clear all obstacles in the way of this major project. Bill Richardson, the newly-appointed US Secretary of Energy expressed strong commitment to solve the Caspian dispute between Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan on Monday in separate meetings with Cumhur Ersumer, the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, and Batirbey Serciyev, the Deputy Prime Minister of Turkmenistan, which was held on the sidelines of the 17th World Energy Congress in Houston. Richardson also reiterated the strong American support for the construction of the oil and natural gas pipelines that will run via Turkey to the Mediterranean. Turkey rallies for the construction of an oil pipeline from Azerbaijan's capital of Baku to Turkey's Mediterranean port of Ceyhan. /All papers/

TURKEY AND BRITAIN SIGN DEFENSE COOPERATION DEAL
Turkish and British officials yesterday signed a defense industry cooperation agreement. The agreement coincides with the arrival of George Robertson, the British Defense Secretary, for two-day official talks. Receiving his British counterpart, Ismet Sezgin, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, said that Turkey and Britain, both NATO allies, have always had friendly bilateral ties. Robertson said that Britain views Turkey as the most valuable NATO ally. Apart from Sezgin, Robertson is scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz and Ismail Cem, the Foreign Minister. /All papers/

TURKISH-ISRAELI JOURNALISTS MEET
The Turkish Journalists' Association has organized a meeting between the Turkish and Israeli journalists and intellectuals. The two-day meeting which started yesterday in Istanbul includes geopolitical and historical matters involving Turkey, Israel and the Middle East. /Sabah/

AMB. BRILL: ''PROPOSAL FOR CONFEDERATION IS POSITIVE''
Kenneth Brill, the US Ambassador to Lefkosa, commented yesterday on the proposal of President Rauf Denktas of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) for the establishment of a Cyprus Confederation as a permanent solution on Cyprus. ''It is a political and not a military proposal. That is why it is useful and positive'' Ambassador Brill said. Ambassador Brill was speaking after a meeting with Glafcos Clerides, the Greek Cypriot Leader, which took place prior to the upcoming UN General Assembly session where the Cyprus issue is expected to be high on the agenda. In a related development, President Rauf Denktas received yesterday a delegation of British deputies, headed by Peter Amery, a member of the Parliamentary Foreign Relations Committee.

GUREL RENEWS CRITICISM OF EU
Sukru Sina Gurel, the Minister of State Responsible for Relations with the European Union (EU) and Cyprus Affairs, lashed out at the EU yesterday criticizing it for not taking any action to fulfill its commitments to Turkey. In an opening speech at a meeting of the EU Coordination Council, Gurel accused the Union of being ''negligent'' concerning its promises to release the EU financial aid to Turkey, which was supposed to be released in 1995 but has been blocked by Greece since then.

Gurel also complained that Turkey wasn't associated enough to the Union activities on the proper implementation of the Customs Union between the EU and Turkey. He stressed that Turkey was expending efforts to fulfill her obligations towards the Union, but noted that the EU stance continued to be vague. /Cumhuriyet/

DENKTAS TO MEET WITH HOLBROOKE
Rauf Denktas, the President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), will meet with Richard Holbrooke, the US President Bill Clinton's former Special Representative to Cyprus, during his visit to the US to start on 29 September. President Denktas earlier announced that during his visit to New York he will meet with

Kofi Annan, the Secretary General of the UN, to brief him on the confederation proposal and the latest situation on Cyprus.

HASHISH SEIZED IN SIVEREK
A total of 1.5 kilograms of hashish were seized by security forces yesterday in the Siverek District of Sanliurfa Province. One person was taken into custody regarding the incident.

SLOVENIAN PRIME MINISTER IN TURKEY
Janez Drnovsek, the Slovenian Prime Minister, arrived in Turkey yesterday as the official guest of Prime Minister Mesut

Yilmaz. Drnovsek was welcomed by Rustu Kazim Yucelen, the Minister of State, and other officials at Ankara's Esenboga Airport. A bilateral protocol on cooperation between the Turkish and Slovenian foreign ministries was signed. Drnovsek is scheduled to meet today with Hikmet Cetin, the Speaker of the Parliament. /All papers/

[17] TURKISH PRESS REVIEW (2)

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

CAPITAL MARKETS AND INVESTMENT IN TURKEY
A meeting on the ''Capital Markets and Investments in Turkey'' will be held on 18 September in London. During the meeting organized by the Turkish- British Business Council, investment opportunities in Turkey will explained to the British and American investors. Gunes Taner, the Minister of State, Sureyya Yucel Ozden, the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications,

Gazi Ercel, the Head of the Central Bank, Cuneyt Sel, the Deputy Undersecretary of the Treasury, Ugur Bayar, the Head of the Privatization Administration, Osman Birsen, the Head of the Istanbul Stock Exchange, and Ozdem Sanberk, the Ambassador to Britain, will participate at the meeting.

SYMPOSIUM IN ISTANBUL
A symposium on the ''Problems Created by the Oil Transports in the Mediterranean and Black Sea Regions'' jointly organized by the Bogazici University and Manchester University started yesterday in Istanbul. During an opening ceremony, Dr. J.T. Turner from the Manchester University presented a plaque to Prof. Ustun Erguder, the Dean of the Bogazici University. /Cumhuriyet/

CIVILIZATIONS SYMPOSIUM
A symposium on ''Dialogue Among Civilizations'' will be held in Diyarbakir between 18-20 September. The symposium organized by the Diyarbakir Municipality will be attended by 27 scientists from Turkey, the US, Belgium, France, Britain, Egypt, Iran and Pakistan. /Cumhuriyet/

FIRES IN ISTANBUL
The fires which began in 27 separate locations in five days and burned 200 hectares of land have been brought under control.

All the fire brigade teams in Istanbul including reinforcements from the neighbouring province and districts worked without a break. The crisis desk has been created under the chairmanship of Ersin Taranoglu, the Minister of Forestry. /All papers/

TOURISM SECTOR
The number of tourists who visited Turkey in the first eight months of 1998 increased by 2.29 percent compared with the same period last year. The number of tourists from Romania, France, Britain, the US, the Netherlands and Bulgaria increased by 75.38 percent, 34.69 percent, 8.84 percent, 21.79 percent, 25.29 percent and 32.31 percent respectively, according to a press release issued by the Turkish Hotel Association. /All papers/

CLEAN START FOR UNRECORDED REVENUES HOLDERS OFFERED
A financial circular took effect yesterday when it was published in the Official Gazette. The circular aims at broadening the tax base and registering unrecorded revenues before 30 September. If previously unrecorded revenues are deposited in banks on 30 September and kept in the bank for one full day, the depositors will be given a ''tax amnesty''. Funds over 3.5 billion TL that are deposited in the bank on this date will be subject to investigation as of 1 January 1999. /All papers/

''NO AUTONOMOUS KURDISTAN STATE IN NORTHERN IRAQ''
Celal Talabani, the Leader of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), said that the Greek Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos misinformed the world public opinion. Talabani noted that they had not negotiated with Greece to establish an autonomous Kurdish state in Northern Iraq, including a region of Turkey. Accusing Pangalos of giving misinformation to the world public opinion, Talabani denied the claims about the efforts to establish a new ''Cyprus'' in Northern Iraq. /Sabah/

PKK OPERATIONS
Operations conducted by the security forces in the Farasin Region of Sirnak Province have been continuing since 11 September. During the last 24 hours eight terrorists were killed and the number of terrorists killed since the beginning of the operation has risen to 24. Military officials announced that operations would continue. /Sabah/

YILMAZ, CEM AND CILLER TO US
Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz and Ismail Cem, the Foreign Minister, will attend the new term opening session of the

United Nations General Assembly (UN) in New York. Ismail Cem will go to New York on 19 September whereas Mesut Yilmaz will go on 22 September. Yilmaz will give a speech at the Assembly on 24 September. Both Yilmaz and Cem will hold bilateral meetings with prime ministers and ministers of the countries attending the opening session of the Assembly. In his speech Yilmaz will state Turkey's foreign policy, the Cyprus issue and S-300 missiles besides other issues. On the other hand, Tansu Ciller, the leader of the True Path Party (DYP), will attend academic conferences organized by the Boston University and Princeton University in the US. /Milliyet/

''NO VISA APPLICATION FOR TURKEY''
The European Parliament Green Party requested the abolition of some visa requirements for Turkish citizens in Europe. The European Parliament will discuss today the request which asks for new arrangements to ease the travelling of Turkish families living in the EU countries when they travel within the EU borders. The request also comprises Turkish businessmen trading with the EU countries. /Milliyet/

BERISHA: ''TURKEY AND THE U.S. SHOULD HELP US'
Sali Berisha, the former President of Albania, wanted Turkey and the U.S. to help them to re-establish peace in their country. Claiming that the current government dealt in drug smuggling which was giving harm not only to the youth in Albania, but also in Europe, Berisha said, ''Turkey, the US and other friendly countries should examine the incidents of violence in Albania and help us to stabilize the negative situation in our country''. /Milliyet/

[18] 53RD TERM ACTIVITIES OF THE UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY - PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ'S SCHEDULE IN NEW YORK IS VERY BUSY

Prime Minister Yżlmaz, who will meet with Kofi Annan, the UN Secretary General, will address the UN General Assembly on 24 September and he will tell the General Assembly that Turkey is a candidate for the UN Security Council for 2001 and he will start to take diplomatic initiatives to this end.

Turkey launches great efforts both within the UN and in various capitals to this end and has started to prepare the infrastructure concerning our candidacy.

Prime Minister Mesut Yżlmaz is expected to hold bilateral contacts with Inder Kumar Gujral, the Indian Prime Minister and Nawaz Shariff, the Pakistani Prime Minister in New York.

Mohammad Khatami, the Iranian President, also wanted to see Prime Minster Yżlmaz, however this meeting won't be realized, as Yżlmaz will leave New York before Khatami reaches there.

Yżlmaz is also expected to meet with Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli Prime Minister and Thorbjorn Jagland, the Norwegian Prime Minister.

Yżlmaz will participate in an economic meeting which will be held by Gunes Taner, the Minister of State, on 23 September and explain the views of Turkey at the meeting.

Kofi Annan, the UN Secretary General and Prime Minister Yżlmaz will meet with each other on 24 September.

Prime Minister Yżlmaz, who is expected to hold a press briefing before leaving for New York, will proceed to Mexico City on 27 September to pay an official visit to Mexico upon the official invitation of Carlos Salinas de Gortari, the President of Mexico.

[19] TURKEY IS AGAINST THE POSTPONMENT OF THE DELIVERY OF THE S-300 MISSILES - UTKAN, THE FM SPOKESMAN:''NEITHER TURKEY NOR THE TRNC CAN BE EXPECTED TO BE TOLERANT ABOUT THE USE OF S-300 MISSILES AS A CONTINUOUS ELEMENT OF THREAT''

Responding to a question during a weekly press briefing, Necati Utkan said ''a possible initiative of Clerides to postpone the deployment of the missiles on the island doesn't have any other meaning than a tactical purpose which is based on wrong calculations. The postponment won't bring a solution to the existing problems, it won't change the core of the issue, in fact it will worsen the existing situation on the island.''

Noting that the proposal saying that the delivery of the missiles to the island and their protection at depots is also unacceptable, Utkan said that only the full annulment of the order of the missiles can be meaningful for Turkey as a first step.

Utkan stressed that this first step is also not enough to diffuse the tension on the island, adding that the Greek-Greek Cypriot military joint doctrine, the use of Baphos base by the Greek military aircraft should be given up and the naval base at Terazi shouldn't be used.

Utkan pointed out that a possible decision to postpone the delivery of the missiles is ''not positive, but on the contrary a negative development.''

Responding to another question concerning the statement issued in Ankara on Tuesday by George Robertson, the British Minister of Defense, Utkan said ''issues like a moratorium is concerned with security and it should be taken by the two sides for the discussion of the confederation proposal of Rauf Denktas, the TRNC President.''

Noting that the basic issues are ''property, border and security,'' Utkan said that the dangerous developments like the S-300 missiles, the use of the Baphos base and construction of the Terazi naval base should be sorted out as soon as possible.

Utkan denied the news saying that Turkey will construct a naval base in Girne.

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