Anadolu Agency: News in English, 98-09-18

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

18 SEPT 1998

CONTENTS

[01] BUS CARRYING IRANIANS, PLUNGES INTO EUPHRATES RIVER, KILLING 4 PERSONS AND INJURING 16 OTHERS

[02] FM CEM TO MEET WITH HIS ALBANIAN COUNTERPART PASCAL MILO

[03] CELEBRATIONS FOR THE 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE REPUBLIC OF TURKEY - TURKISH ART GROUP BEGINS ITS EUROPEAN TOUR

[04] NARAYANAN, INDIAN PRESIDENT IN TURKEY - PRESIDENT DEMIREL: ''TURKEY AND INDIA HAVE SHARED RESPONSIBILITIES FOR THE JOINT PROSPERITY OF THE REGION''

[05] POSITIVE MESSAGES FROM EP TO TURKEY - THE REPORT CONCERNING TURKEY CHANGED TO A CONSIDERABLE DEGREE IN FAVOUR OF TURKEY

[06] STATE MINISTER TANER IN GERMANY - TANER ASKS GERMAN BANKERS AND BUSINESSMEN TO MAKE INVESTMENTS IN TURKEY

[07] TRABZON'S TOURISM REVENUES INCREASE

[08] TURKISH PRESS REVIEW (1)

[09] TURKISH PRESS REVIEW (2)

[10] BARZANI AND TALABANI REACH A COMPROMISE IN THE US - ELECTIONS TO BE HELD IN NORTHERN IRAQ - BARZANI: ''THE PKK CAN'T HAVE ANY BASES IN OUR REGION''

[11] PREPARATIONS FOR FOREIGN BORROWING ... - ACTIVITIES OF SALOMON SMITH BARNEY AND CHASE MANNATHAN CONCERNING FOREIGN BORROWING FOR TURKEY TO END ON FRIDAY

[12] PRESIDENT NARAYANAN OF INDIA IN TURKEY ... - NARAYANAN VISITS CETIN, SPEAKER OF PARLIAMENT - CETIN: ''TURKEY AND INDIA ARE TWO IMPORTANT COUNTRIES THAT HAVE GOOD RELATIONS'' - NARAYANAN: ''THE MOST IMPORTANT LINK BETWEEN TURKEY AND INDIA IS DEMOCRACY AND SECULARISM''

[13] ANKARA STATE OPERA AND BALLET'S MODERN DANCE GROUP TO REPRESENT TURKEY AT THE 8TH LYON DANCE BIENNIAL BETWEEN 22 AND 23 SEPTEMBER

[14] HUMAN RIGHTS COORDINATOR SUPREME COUNCIL MEETING - TURK, THE STATE MINISTER SAYS THAT THEY DECIDED TO CHANGE SEVERAL PROVISIONS OF THE CODE OF CRIMINAL PROCEDURES

[15] CONTACTS OF TAJIK DELEGATION IN TURKEY ... - OSMANOV, TAJIK ECONOMY AND FOREIGN AFFAIRS MINISTER: - ''WE TAKE TURKEY AS A MODEL IN TOURISM''

[16] YILMAZ TO HOLD A PRESS BRIEFING ON SATURDAY CONCERNING THE MEASURES AGAINST ORGANIZED CRIME

[17] PRESIDENT NARAYANAN OF INDIA IN TURKEY ... - BILKENT UNIVERSITY AWARDS NARAYANAN WITH HONORARY DOCTORATE

[18] A SEMINAR ON ''CAPITAL MARKETS AND INVESTMENTS IN TURKEY'' STARTS IN LONDON

[19] LEBEDEV, RUSSIAN AMBASSADOR TO TURKEY, MEETS WITH TURKISH BUSINESSMEN - LEBEDEV: ''TURKISH BUSINESSMEN DON'T NEED TO WORRY ABOUT ECONOMIC CRISIS IN RUSSIA''

[20] TRNC PRESIDENT DENKTAS: ''CONFEDERATION ENVISAGES PREVENTION OF ENOSIS AND DIVISION ON THE ISLAND''

[01] BUS CARRYING IRANIANS, PLUNGES INTO EUPHRATES RIVER, KILLING 4 PERSONS AND INJURING 16 OTHERS

Huseyin Demir, the Director of Police in Erzincan, told the A.A correspondent that the identify of the driver of the bus that was heading from Erzincan to Erzurum, couldn't be determined yet.

Officials pointed out that torrential rains and slippery roads might have caused the accident.

The injured persons were taken to the Erzincan State Hospital and

Social Security Hospital in Erzincan.

[02] FM CEM TO MEET WITH HIS ALBANIAN COUNTERPART PASCAL MILO

The Foreign Ministry pointed out that the latest developments in Albania were scrutinized by the two foreign ministers.

Cem told Milo that Turkey wants the dispute in Albania to be solved as soon as possible.

Ismail Cem and his Albanian counterpart will meet in New York, where they will attend the United Nations General Assembly's 53rd term activities.

[03] CELEBRATIONS FOR THE 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE REPUBLIC OF TURKEY - TURKISH ART GROUP BEGINS ITS EUROPEAN TOUR

The Group will continue its performances in Ireland, Belgium,

Netherlands, Denmark, Finland, Sweden and the Czech Republic.

The Turkish Art Group is composed of a fashion show, a classical music group including a quartet, and solos of violin and a piano and a folk dances group.

[04] NARAYANAN, INDIAN PRESIDENT IN TURKEY - PRESIDENT DEMIREL: ''TURKEY AND INDIA HAVE SHARED RESPONSIBILITIES FOR THE JOINT PROSPERITY OF THE REGION''

Addressing the dinner, President Suleyman Demirel said that the relations between Turkey and India are rooted in the past, adding that Turkey appreciates the success of India, which established a secular and democratic state.

Stressing that all the nations have to respect the values, which were developed by great statesmen like Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru, Demirel said that Turkey and India have shared responsibilities for the joint prosperity of the region.

Noting that Turkey functions as a bridge in reaching the regional markets in a region where Asia and Europe intersect with each other, President Demirel asked the Indian businessmen to invest in Turkey. Pointing out that Turkey is closely interested in the liberal economy which is being implemented by India since the beginning of the 1990s, Demirel said that the Turkish businessmen are interested in the possibilites in India concerning satellites, remote sensing, biotechnology and software technologies.

Narayanan, the Indian President, said that the independence struggle of India had been affected much by the Turkish independence struggle and the views of Ataturk, the founder of the modern and secular Republic of Turkey.

Pointing out that Turkey and India are the shelter of secularism and democracy in the East, Narayanan added that not only mass destruction weapons, but also international terrorism threaten world peace. ''We are ready to come together with Turkey and the international society in order to end this problem,'' said Narayanan.

The Guest President will receive Hikmet Cetin, the Speaker of the Parliament, on Friday.

[05] POSITIVE MESSAGES FROM EP TO TURKEY - THE REPORT CONCERNING TURKEY CHANGED TO A CONSIDERABLE DEGREE IN FAVOUR OF TURKEY

The report which was prepared by Edward McMillan Scott, the British conservative deputy and which discussed the Turkish-EU relations, was adopted by the EP the same day.

With the adoption of the proposals foreseeing a change in the report, the latter was changed to a considerable extent in favour of Turkey.

The EP gave up for the first time putting forth pre-conditions concerning the liberation of financial assistance which is foreseen for Turkey.

The report pointed out that the Turkish-EU relations can't improve without the contributions of the EU budget to Turkey.

Sorrow was expressed in the EP report about the curtailment of political dialogue between Turkey and the EU and the report also called for support of the proposals of the civil society in Turkey in order to improve human rights and democracy in Turkey.

The report also requested Turkey to engage in a more effective struggle with drug trafficking and to find a political solution to the Southeastern problem.

Referring to the Cyprus question, the report said that Turkey has to contribute to the resuming of intercommunal negotiations which are held under the auspices of the UN.

[06] STATE MINISTER TANER IN GERMANY - TANER ASKS GERMAN BANKERS AND BUSINESSMEN TO MAKE INVESTMENTS IN TURKEY

Pointing out that the economic crisis which hit the Asian countries and Russia has a small impact on Turkey's economy, Taner stressed, ''we came to Germany not to request bank loans, but to ask German businessmen to make investments in Turkey.''

Taner emphasized, ''we try to introduce economic opportunities in Turkey. These are important for revealing Turkey's difference from the other countries to the investors. We aim at receiving a better share from this difference. Turkey has nothing to lose. We are trying to explain why Turkey is better and different. We trust in our country and the administration. Other countries should see this difference in the 21st century.''

Evaluating the latest developments on Turkey's stock exchange Taner stressed that stock exchanges have decreased all over the world and Turkey is affected by the decrease.

Pointing out that representatives of banks from several countries will come together at the meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank in the US in October, Taner noted that the meeting will focus on the economic situation in the world and measures against the economic crisis.

Taner will proceed to London on Friday.

[07] TRABZON'S TOURISM REVENUES INCREASE

A total of 361,174 foreign and domestic tourists visited Trabzon within the first eight months of this year.

The tourism revenues have increased to 17.3 trillion Turkish Liras in the January-August period of this year compared with the same period last year. This number was 5.7 trillion Turkish Liras last year.

[08] TURKISH PRESS REVIEW (1)

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

INDIAN PRESIDENT IN TURKEY
President Suleyman Demirel, who hosted his Indian counterpart K.R. Narayanan in Ankara yesterday, displayed an impartial attitude on the tense relations between India and Pakistan, also a close ally of Turkey, and reiterated Ankara's disapproval of the two countries' nuclear rivalry. Referring to the longstanding dispute over the province of Kashmir, Demirel stated that Turkey was ''deeply upset'' by the existence of such a problem between India and Pakistan.

The two presidents nevertheless praised efforts to develop bilateral relations and emphasized that there was no major problem between the two large, secular and liberal Asian democracies. As a result of talks between delegations from the two countries, four agreements aimed at improving Turco-Indian cooperation were signed. The four documents cover mutual protection and promotion of investments, cooperation against drug smuggling, improvement of exports and technological and scientific cooperation. /All papers/

CEM TO FLY TO CANADA ON SEPTEMBER 27
Ismail Cem, the Foreign Minister, will fly to Canada on September 27 after attending a UN General Assembly meeting in New York. In Ottowa, Cem will meet with his Canadian counterpart Lloyd Axworthy. Following Cem's trip, Rauf Denktas, the President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), will alo visit Canada. /All papers/

TANER IN GERMANY
Gunes Taner, the Minister of State, met yesterday with German businessmen and bank representatives in Frankfurt. Noting that Asia and Russia made little negative impact on the Turkish economy, Taner asked the German investors to expand into Turkey. /Hurriyet/

TURCO-TAJIK COOPERATION
A customs cooperation agreement was signed yesterday in Ankara by Rifat Serdaroglu, the Minister of State, and Rahim Karimov, the Tajik Minister Responsible for Customs. The agreement aims at developing economic and commercial relations between Turkey and Tajikistan, harmonizing customs regulations and establishing cooperation in communications and technology between the customs administrations of the two countries.

CEM TALKS WITH MILO
Ismail Cem, the Foreign Minister, had a telephone conversation yesterday with his Albanian counterpart Pascal Milo and noted that Turkey supported the constitutional order in Albania. /Cumhuriyet/

AZERBAIJANI OIL
Natik Aliyev, the Head of the Azerbaijan State Petroleum Company (SOCAR)said in a statement yesterday that despite the negative stance of Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan regarding the Baku-Ceyhan project, they aimed to initiate the project by the end of this year or at the beginning of next year. /Cumhuriyet/

ENERGY CONGRESS
Cumhur Ersumer, the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, who is currently in Houston, Texas, to attend the 17th Energy

Congress of the World Energy Council said yesterday that Turkey is a nominee to host the ''World Energy Congress'' to be held in

2003. /Cumhuriyet/

INCREASE IN FOREIGN EXCHANGE RESERVES
The Central Bank foreign exchange reserves have reached 22,015 billion US dollars. Foreign exchange reserves, which increased by 11 million US dollars between 4 and 11 September, rose to 22,015 billion US dollars on 11 September. Turkey's gold reserves totalled 1,125 billion US dollars on 28 August. /Milliyet/

KIVRIKOGLU TO VISIT BRUSSELS
Gen. Huseyin Kivrikoglu, the Chief of General Staff, who has already visited Denmark, is in Norway, where he attended the NATO military committee meetings, went to Trondheim yesterday together with other NATO chiefs of general staff. Gen. Kivrikoglu, who watched a demonstration of the Norwegian Air Forces F-16 aircraft, arrived in Stavanger yesterday evening. Gen. Kivrikoglu, who will participate in the second part of a NATO Military Committee Summit in Stavanger today, will leave Scandinavia tomorrow. Gen. Kivrikoglu will go to Brussels tomorrow and return to Ankara on Sunday. /Milliyet/

GERMAN TOURIST TO BE IMPRISONED
Eva Juhnke, a German national who was captured by the Iraqi Kurdistan Democratic Party (IKDP) during a military operation carried out by the Turkish Armed Forces in Northern Iraq, has been sentenced to 15 years jail by the Van National Security

Court for separatist, terrorist activities. It was decided that the 11 months Juhnke had already served while under arrest awaiting trial would be deducted from her prison term. Juhnke has the right to appeal the verdict.

DENKTAS: BRITISH INTERESTED IN CONFEDERATION PLANS
Rauf Denktas, the President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), said that his administration had collected evidence that the Greek Cypriots don't want a federation on the island, adding that he would hand this evidence over to the people concerned with a solution to the Cyprus problem. Denktas yesterday received David Madden, Britain's High Commissioner to Lefkosa, and Peter Rickett, the Foreign Office's South Europe Desk Director. Denktas said that his confederation proposal had attracted the interest of Britain.

[09] TURKISH PRESS REVIEW (2)

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

MENDERES, ZORLU, POLATKAN REMEMBERED
Turkey's conservative political parties commemorated the deposed and executed Prime Minister Adnan Menderes and two of his ministers at their graves in Istanbul yesterday. Senior executives from the True Path Party (DYP), the Democrat Party

(DP) and the Rebirth Party (YDP) gathered in front of the Anit Mezar Mausoleum, which holds the remains of Menderes, former

Foreign Minister Fatin Rustu Zorlu and former Finance Minister Hasan Polatkan. /All papers/

GERMAN AIR FORCE COMMANDER TO VISIT TURKEY
Gen. Rolf H. Portz, the German Air Force Commander, will visit Turkey between 20-24 September at the invitation of Gen. Ilhan Kilic, the Air Force Commander. Portz will later visit Eskisehir, Izmir and Istanbul.

EU PARLIAMENT MODERATES ATTITUDE
Signaling a desire to ameliorate the chilly relations between the European Union (EU) and Turkey, the EU Parliament endorsed yesterday a recommendation calling for the release of the EU financial aid to Turkey without preconditions. The EU Parliament discussed a report on the course of Turkey-EU relations since the signing of the Customs Union Agreement in 1995, and subsequently approved a recommendation urging the Union to fulfill its obligations toward Turkey originating from the Customs Union Agreement.

The report also referred to the Cyprus problem, asking that Turkey contribute to efforts to restart the UN-sponsored intercommunal talks. The report also requested Turkey to undertake a more effective struggle against drug trafficking.

ISTANBUL IS PREPARING FOR A NEW SUMMIT
Istanbul is preparing to host an international conference on ''Turkey: A Stepping Stone for Trade with Central Asia and the

Commonwealth of Independent States'' between 18-19 November.

BILL TO CHANGE CIVIL CODE
A bill, which includes 1,030 articles proposing changes in the Turkish Civil Code was presented to the Turkish Grand National

Assembly (TGNA) yesterday. The bill aims to provide equality between men and women, specifically in the areas of marriage and divorce. /Hurriyet/

GOVERNMENT SPENDING 7 MILLION US DOLLARS FOR CELEBRATIONS
The government will spend 7 million US dollars for celebrations which will be organized in Ankara and Istanbul on 28-29 October, marking the 75th anniversary of the foundation of the Republic of Turkey. Cavit Kavak, the Minister of State, has sent letters to private firms, asking them to contribute to the cost. The Lowe Adam Promotion Services company has been given the responsibility of organizing the two-day celebrations. /Hurriyet/

TURKISH BUSINESSMAN AWARDED IN AUSTRIA
Turkish businessman Haluk Taner was presented with the ''Great Honorary Medal of the Republic of Austria'' in a ceremony held in Vienna yesterday. Taner is currently working as the General Director of PIMAS, an ENKA Holding subsidiary. Delivering a speech during the ceremony, after noting Taner's contribution to the development of relations between the two countries, Hannes Farnleitner, the Austrian Minister of the Economy, said that stable economic development was needed within the scope of the European Union and Turkey was doing this. ''Turkey is already a part of Europe in economic terms. There are some political problems, but I believe that they will be overcome'' said Farnleitner. /Hurriyet/

[10] BARZANI AND TALABANI REACH A COMPROMISE IN THE US - ELECTIONS TO BE HELD IN NORTHERN IRAQ - BARZANI: ''THE PKK CAN'T HAVE ANY BASES IN OUR REGION''

After the negotiations which lasted for days, the Northern Iraqi Kurdish leaders told press members that they are pleased to reach a compromise in the end.

American officials said that elections will be held in Northern Iraq to establish a ''regional assembly'' after a period of time. Madeleine Albright, the US Secretary of State expressed pleasure about the compromise reached between the two Northern Iraqi leaders.

The agreement signed between Barzani and Talabani foresees the end of clashes between the Patriotic Union for Kurdistan (PUK) and Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and share of authority in the administration of the region. The agreement also includes provisions which prohibit all kinds of agressive or terrorist activities in the region which are directed against Turkey.

Responding to the questions of journalists, Massoud Barzani, the KDP leader said ''the separatist terrorist PKK organization can't have any bases in our region and this is also mentioned in the agreement. We agreed with the PUK concerning this issue.''

Jalal Talabani, the PUK leader told the A.A correspondent that ''we are determined to prevent violations of the Turkish borders.''

The contacts between the KDP and PUK will be held on a regular basis from now on. Therefore, the Ankara Process has been revived by the compromise reached between Barzani and Talabani.

A high ranking American official said that ''both of the Kurdish leaders support the security of the Turkish borders and respect the territorial integrity of Iraq.''

The same official pointed out that the future of the Northern Iraqi people lies within the integrity of Iraq and Talabani and Barzani accepted this fact.

Noting that the security of the Turkish borders are taken into consideration by the agreement reached between the two leaders, the American official said ''there won't be violations of borders in the region, here the element which has been taken as a target is the terrorist PKK. I don't think that the PKK will be pleased with this agreement. Both of the leaders wish to establish stability in the region and at the borders.''

[11] PREPARATIONS FOR FOREIGN BORROWING ... - ACTIVITIES OF SALOMON SMITH BARNEY AND CHASE MANNATHAN CONCERNING FOREIGN BORROWING FOR TURKEY TO END ON FRIDAY

The ''Road Show'' was basically held in the US and the Salomon Smith Barney and Chase Mannathan explained the recent developments in Turkey. Turkey plans to sell debenture bonds in the US.

Officials said that the institutional investors in the US can make a better analysis than the individual investors in Europe and they separate Turkey from the other developing countries as they closely monitor the developments in the Turkish economy.

The same officials stressed that Turkey, which has been affected the least by the Asian crisis and her rating point has increased in this period, has a more advantageous borrowing cost compared with the other developing countries.

Noting that investors have a positive impression about Turkey after she was supported by the IMF and Standard and Poor's positive support, the officials pointed out that the usable reserves are high in Turkey, she pays her debts regularly and pursues a rational way in economic policies. They underlined the fact that these are the positive signals in Turkey.

The Undersecretariat of the Treasury, which undertook foreign borrowing of approximately 1.9 billion US dollars as of the beginning of this year, aims to have a total foreign borrowing of three or four billion US dollars this year.

Noting that Turkey has to focus on foreign borrowing in order to decrease the interest rates and not to decrease her foreign exchange reserves, the officials added that Turkey has to open to foreign markets by the beginning of September or October.

[12] PRESIDENT NARAYANAN OF INDIA IN TURKEY ... - NARAYANAN VISITS CETIN, SPEAKER OF PARLIAMENT - CETIN: ''TURKEY AND INDIA ARE TWO IMPORTANT COUNTRIES THAT HAVE GOOD RELATIONS'' - NARAYANAN: ''THE MOST IMPORTANT LINK BETWEEN TURKEY AND INDIA IS DEMOCRACY AND SECULARISM''

Addressing the meeting, Cetin expressed satisfaction at hosting Narayanan in Turkey and reminded that Narayanan was in charge in Turkey as the Indian Ambassador to Turkey in 1970, therefore he describes Turkey as his second native country.

Cetin emphasized, ''Turkey and India are two important countries that have good relations established nearly a thousand year ago. Both countries share the joint values in one of the most significant regions of the world. One of the joint characteristics of Turkey and India is that they are both democratic and secular states.''

Stressing that both countries are determined at developing economic, commercial, cultural and political relations, Cetin added that the recent high-level visits between Turkey and India contribute to the development of the relations.

K.R. Narayanan reminded that there are many links connecting the two countries to each other, naming the most important of the links as democracy and secularism.

Narayanan stressed, ''the Hindus and Moslims living in India had collected money in order to support Turkey during the War of Independence. But as we were trying to send that money, the Turkish nation had ended the war with a great victory. Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founder of the Republic of Turkey, had used the money for the construction of the Parliament Building and the Turkish Bank building.''

[13] ANKARA STATE OPERA AND BALLET'S MODERN DANCE GROUP TO REPRESENT TURKEY AT THE 8TH LYON DANCE BIENNIAL BETWEEN 22 AND 23 SEPTEMBER

The Group will represent Turkey at the biennial known as one of the largest dance organizations in the world, with the performance named ''Post''.

The Modern Dance Group had represented Turkey successfully previously at the festival called ''Dance for Tolerance - Tanz für Toleranz'' in the Bonn and Bielefeld, and presented parts from the famous works such as ''Hars'', ''Rondo A la Turca'' and ''Post''.

The Group will greet the German audience in Berlin between 31 October and 1 November following its performances in France.

[14] HUMAN RIGHTS COORDINATOR SUPREME COUNCIL MEETING - TURK, THE STATE MINISTER SAYS THAT THEY DECIDED TO CHANGE SEVERAL PROVISIONS OF THE CODE OF CRIMINAL PROCEDURES

The Human Rights Coordinator Supreme Council meeting convened the same day under the leadership of Hikmet Sami Turk, the Minister of State Responsible for Human Rights.

Addressing a statement after the meeting, Hikmet Sami Turk said that they envisage to take protectionary measures about witnesses and to pay compensation to them in return for the time he/she loses by coming to court.

Turk stated that the changes foreseen to protect the witnesses will be transformed into one draft law.

Therefore if the announcement of the identity of the witness, his/her house or residence is dangerous for him/her or for others, then the judge may take protectionary measures for the witness.

Turk added that a compensation will be paid to all witnesses that are summoned to the court by the prosecutor or judge in proportion to the time he/she loses and if the witness has to travel to come to court, his/her travelling costs will also be met.

[15] CONTACTS OF TAJIK DELEGATION IN TURKEY ... - OSMANOV, TAJIK ECONOMY AND FOREIGN AFFAIRS MINISTER: - ''WE TAKE TURKEY AS A MODEL IN TOURISM''

Addressing the meeting, Gurdal said that the tourism potential between Turkey and Tajikistan should be increased.

Stressing that Turkey has the potential to spread tourism to the four seasons and 12 months, Gurdal pointed out that Turkey attributes great importance to yacht tourism, religious belief tourism and ecologic tourism.

Davlat Osmanov described his country as extremely suitable for tourism. He stressed that Turkey is a developed country in the field of tourism, adding, ''we take Turkey as a model in tourism.''

[16] YILMAZ TO HOLD A PRESS BRIEFING ON SATURDAY CONCERNING THE MEASURES AGAINST ORGANIZED CRIME

Prime Minister Mesut Yılmaz will explain the struggle that has been carried out by the 55th government against the crime organizations and he will also announce the results of the investigations carried out to find the members of illegal organizations.

Yılmaz will also give information about the measures the government plans to take concerning this issue.

Prime Minister Yılmaz had ordered Kutlu Savas, the former Chairman of the Prime Ministry Investigation Council to carry out an investigation about the issue of crime organizations, which had come onto the agenda of Turkey with the ''Susurluk accident.'' After announcement of this examination to the public opinion to a considerable extent, Prime Minister Yılmaz had ordered the same Council to deepen the investigation within the framework of the new developments concerning organized crimes.

Meanwhile, a draft law regarding the punishment of the members of crime organizations was submitted to the Parliament.

[17] PRESIDENT NARAYANAN OF INDIA IN TURKEY ... - BILKENT UNIVERSITY AWARDS NARAYANAN WITH HONORARY DOCTORATE

Addressing the ceremony, Narayanan reminded that he was in charge in Turkey as the Indian Ambassador to Turkey between 1973 and 1975, and stressed that Turkey has been improving rapidly in the field of education as in other fields.

Narayanan stressed that Turkey and India are similar with the principles of secularism and democracy. He noted that Turkey has reached the level in order to be able to compete with the European markets, adding that she deserves to be a member of the European Union.

[18] A SEMINAR ON ''CAPITAL MARKETS AND INVESTMENTS IN TURKEY'' STARTS IN LONDON

A seminar on the ''Capital Markets and Investments in Turkey'' started in London with the participation of foreign investors, business circles and administrators of various banks.

Addressing the morning session of the seminar, Gazi Ercel gave information to the participants about the method of decreasing the inflation rate in Turkey.

Pointing out the determination of the government to decrease the inflation rate, Ercel said that the government also tries to refrain from populist policies and continues with its privatization programme. Ercel stressed that the adoption of the Tax Law shows that the government refrains from pursuing populist policies.

Noting that Turkey fully abides by the economic programme to decrease inflation, Ercel said that the increase in the budget surplus excluding the interest rates and pursuing an exchange rate by taking into consideration the targetted inflation rate helped in the decrease of the inflation rate. Ercel also emphasized the importance of pursuing a strict monetary policy.

Osman Birsel, the Chairman of the Istanbul Stock Exchange (IMKB) explained the general pecularities of the IMKB to foreign investors and bankers at the seminar.

Noting that several investors sold their shares in Turkey in order to meet their losses in other regions of the world due to the crises in Russia and in the global economy, Birsen said that this is not a large number, adding ''we believe that when the economic crisis ends, IMKB will again be the first choice regarding investments, because it is secure and profitable.''

[19] LEBEDEV, RUSSIAN AMBASSADOR TO TURKEY, MEETS WITH TURKISH BUSINESSMEN - LEBEDEV: ''TURKISH BUSINESSMEN DON'T NEED TO WORRY ABOUT ECONOMIC CRISIS IN RUSSIA''

Addressing the meeting, Lebedev said, ''Turkish business world doesn't need to worry about the economic crisis in Russia. The crisis has hung like a black cloud over Russia, but they are still hopeful on overcoming the crisis before it causes a political crisis''.

Lebedev told the Turkish businessmen that he showed Turkey, that overcame the economic crisis in 1994 with her own efforts, to the Russian economists.

Aleksandr Lebedev stressed that the ecenomic crisis has revealed the close and positive relations between Turkey and Russia.

Yavuz Kilic, the Chairman of the Turkish-Russian Business Council, pointed out that efforts of the new Prime Minister Sergei Primakov of Russia indicate that his government will continue the reforms in the country.

Tunc Ulug, the Chairman of the Turkey-Commonwealth Independent States Business Council, and leading Turkish businessmen attended the meeting.

[20] TRNC PRESIDENT DENKTAS: ''CONFEDERATION ENVISAGES PREVENTION OF ENOSIS AND DIVISION ON THE ISLAND''

Denktas received the same day a delegation representing the Chamber of Agriculture and Tradesmen from Bursa Province.

Denktas explained the history of Cyprus and gave information about the existing situation on the island to the delegation.

Noting that the TRNC proposed to the Greek Cypriots to establish a confedertaion on the island, Denktas said ''we aren't against setting up bridges between the two states and making political cooperation.''

Pointing out that the Greek Cypriots try to transform Cyprus into a Greek island, Denktas stressed that the Turkish Cypriots are presented to the world as if they are minorities.

Recalling that Glafcos Clerides, the Greek Cypriot leader requested him to support the membership of the Greek Cypriot side in the European Union (EU), Denktas said that the Greek Cypriots want to join the EU with the name of the ''Cyprus Government.''

Denktas stated that Britain and the US consider the Greek Cypriot side as the ''legitimate government,'' ''they are trying to solve the Cyprus question by forgery and mistakes,'' he added.

Emphasizing that there is no issue of annexation between Turkey and the TRNC, Denktas pointed out ''we want the continuation of the Turkish-Greek balance on the island and we neither want enosis nor division on the island. We have given this message to the world. Greece said that if Turkey attacks Southern Cyprus, then she will accept this as an attack made to herself. Greece, which knows that Turkey won't attack Southern Cyprus, tries to give a message to the Greek Cypriot side, which is being armed, that 'if you attack the TRNC, then I can't defend you.'''

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