Anadolu Agency: News in English, 98-10-02

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

02 OCT 1998

CONTENTS

[01] PRESIDENT DEMIREL LEAVES FOR MACEDONIA - BILATERAL ISSUES AS WELL AS REGIONAL PROBLEMS INCLUDING KOSOVO QUESTION TO BE DISCUSSED DURING TWO-DAY OFFICIAL VISIT

[02] ATTACK ON TURKISH EMBASSY IN TEHERAN - ASSAULTER TEARS ATATURK POSTER

[03] TENSION WITH ITALY - TURKEY RECALLS HER AMBASSADOR TO ITALY FOR CONSULTATIONS

[04] RELATIONS WITH SYRIA - GEN. ATES, LAND FORCES COMMANDER: ''SYRIA SUPPORTS TERRORISM, SHELTERS OCALAN, CUTS WATERS OF THE ASI RIVER''

[05] MAYORSHIP OF ERDOGAN - INTERIOR MINISTRY SENDS FILE REGARDING LIFTING OF MAYORSHIP OF ERDOGAN TO COUNCIL OF STATE

[06] STATE MINISTER SERDAROGLU IN IRAN - SERDAROGLU: - ''RESOLUTIONS OF JOINT TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION WILL BE PUT INTO PRACTICE''

[07] TURKISH PRESS REVIEW (1)

[08] TURKISH PRESS REVIEW (2)

[09] RICHARDSON, THE US SECRETARY OF ENERGY, DELAYS HIS VISIT TO TURKEY

[10] GUREL, MINISTER OF STATE SPEAKS TO A.A - ''WE EXPECT AID FROM BUSINESSMEN FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF TRNC''

[11] PRESIDENT DEMIREL IN MACEDONIA - PRESIDENT GLIGOROV OF MACEDONIA WELCOMES HIS TURKISH COUNTERPART - DEMIREL MEETS WITH GLIGOROV

[12] RELATIONS WITH SYRIA - SEZGIN, DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER: ''INTERVENTION IN SYRIA IS OUT OF THE QUESTION''

[13] COMMERCIAL RELATIONS WITH SYRIA - TRADE VOLUME BETWEEN TURKEY AND SYRIA REMAINS AT 314 MILLION US DOLLARS WITHIN FIRST SEVEN MONTHS OF THIS YEAR - CIKMAZ, CHAIRMAN OF GAIB: - ''WE CANNOT EXPORT LIVESTOCK TO SYRIA BECAUSE SHE DOESN'T ALLOW THE TRANSIT ANIMAL TRANSPORTS''

[14] REFUSAL TO THE REQUEST OF ERDOGAN ''TO CORRECT DECISION''

[15] STATE MINISTER SERDAROGLU RETURNS TO TURKEY - SERDAROGLU: - ''WE HAVE NO SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH IRAN'' - ''IRAN SUPPORTS TURKEY IN EVERY FIELD''

[16] PRESIDENT DEMIREL IN MACEDONIA - DEMIREL VISITS TEFEYYUZ PRIMARY SCHOOL IN MACEDONIA

[17] PONCELET ELECTED TO FRENCH SENATE CHAIRMANSHIP - TURKEY EXPRESSES SORROW THAT FORMER CHAIRMAN MONORY LOST THE ELECTIONS AND HAS A CAUTIOUS OPTIMISM TOWARDS THE SUCCESS OF PONCELET

[01] PRESIDENT DEMIREL LEAVES FOR MACEDONIA - BILATERAL ISSUES AS WELL AS REGIONAL PROBLEMS INCLUDING KOSOVO QUESTION TO BE DISCUSSED DURING TWO-DAY OFFICIAL VISIT

Addressing a news conference before his departure Demirel said ''the peoples of Turkey and Macedonia always have close relations'' adding that the Macedonian Turks and the Turkish citizens of Macedonian orgin strengthen the base on which our relations are based and form a bridge of friendship.

Demirel said that Turkey will continue to expend efforts for the preservation of independence, sovereignity and territorial integrity of Macedonia which is situated in the very heart of Southeastern Europe, her strengthening of democracy and efforts to integrate with the international community.

Demirel said during his meetings with Gligorov, that they will seek ways to further develop cooperation in the fields of the economy, transportation, trade, culture and military and pointed out ''my visit will be a means for disclosing the joint attitudes of Turkey and Macedonia who have similar concerns regarding the Kosovo question.''

Noting that he is scheduled to meet with the Macedonian Speaker of the Parliament, the Prime Minister and representatives of the political parties, Demirel said ''my visit will be beneficial for increasing the contributions of Turkey to the development efforts of Macedonia and for determining the opportunities for cooperation and partnership.''

Demirel said, ''we will also discuss the contributions of the Turkish entrepreneurs to the road project, called the East-West Corridor which will link Varna to Durres in the Adriatic via Scopje and to the Vardar Project to which Macedonia attaches great importance.'' Demirel also said that activities for signing a free trade agreement will be brought to the last stage and that he would inform the officials with whom he is in contact that the Ziraat Bank will open a branch in Scopje in the near future.

Demirel also said that he would visit the city of Bitola (Monastir) where Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founder of the modern Republic of Turkey was educated as a young officer.

Demirel also expressed belief that his visit will contribute to the development of Turkish-Macedonian cooperation and solidarity.

The Presidential Press Center written statement recalled that this will be the second visit of Demirel to Macedonia as President, adding that this visit coincides with a time when the Kosovo problem reached a point that threatens peace and stability in southeastern Europe.

The statement said that the visit will also confirm the support Turkey expends for the membership process of Macedonia in the European-Atlantic institutions and in the NATO membership within this framework.

The statement said that two agreements will be signed between the two countries in the field of agricultural cooperation and a new protocol will be signed between the scientific organizations of the two countries.

During Demirel's visit, the situation in Kosovo will be evaluated with all its dimensions and the joint attitudes of the two countries to stop the bloodshed in Kosovo will be revealed once again.

Isin Celebi and Rustu Kazim Yucelen, the Ministers of State, Mustafa Tasar, the Minister of Agriculture and Village Affairs, Murat Karayalcin, the Chairman of the Parliamentary Foreign Affairs Commission, high-level officials, businesmen and members of the press participate in the visit of Demirel.

[02] ATTACK ON TURKISH EMBASSY IN TEHERAN - ASSAULTER TEARS ATATURK POSTER

The assaulter has been captured by the embassy staff and the Iranian security officials and handed over to the Iranian police.

The Turkish Embassy in Iran has begun an initiative just after the incident and requested the Iranian Foreign Ministry to judge the assaulter and punish him as soon as possible. Meanwhile, officials have demanded that security measures around the embassy building be tightened.

The assaulter was reported to have visited Turkey for touristic purposes 15 days ago.

[03] TENSION WITH ITALY - TURKEY RECALLS HER AMBASSADOR TO ITALY FOR CONSULTATIONS

Responding to the questions of the A.A correspondent, Batu stressed, ''the government has recalled me in order to evaluate the latest developments. I will be in Turkey on Monday.''

Mentioning the news claiming that the Italian government will also recall her ambassador to Turkey, Batu pointed out, ''I don't think that Italy would do this. If she recalls her ambassador to Turkey, then she would be escalating the tension with Turkey.''

Turkey has decided to recall Batu to Turkey following the meeting of the so- called Kurdish Parliament in exile at the Italian Parliament with the participation of several Italian deputies.

[04] RELATIONS WITH SYRIA - GEN. ATES, LAND FORCES COMMANDER: ''SYRIA SUPPORTS TERRORISM, SHELTERS OCALAN, CUTS WATERS OF THE ASI RIVER''

Responding to the questions of reporters related to the Turkish-Syrian relations and that if there was a hot clash at the border, Ates said ''there isn't such a singularity in our relations with Syria at the moment that will require a hot clash. There is a joint maneuver in the region staged with the NATO. The period of the maneuver is between 28 September and 14 October.

Ilhan Kilic, the Air Forces Commander, responding to the same question said ''no nation would like to have a war. A crisis administration, established by civilians at first will seek a solution and the head of the government will also lead this administration. We will try to overcome problems with Syria with the efforts of the crisis adminstration. If an outcome can't be reached, then they we will be responsible for it''.

[05] MAYORSHIP OF ERDOGAN - INTERIOR MINISTRY SENDS FILE REGARDING LIFTING OF MAYORSHIP OF ERDOGAN TO COUNCIL OF STATE

The Council of State will investigate the application related to the lifting of the mayorship of Erdogan and will decide for the lifting within the framework of the provisons within the related laws.

In case of the lifting of the mayorship, Erdogan has the right to object to the General Committee of the Council of State Administrative Case Departments. The decision of the General Committee will be absolute.

[06] STATE MINISTER SERDAROGLU IN IRAN - SERDAROGLU: - ''RESOLUTIONS OF JOINT TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION WILL BE PUT INTO PRACTICE''

Addressing the meeting with Mahmud Hucceti, the Iranian Transportation Minister and Co-President of the JEC, Serdaroglu pointed out that Iran will ease the transit of the Turkish registrated lorries in her country.

Describing his visit as very positive and productive, Serdaroglu stressed that several Turkish firms are participating at the Teheran Trade Fair.

Serdaroglu is expected to return to Turkey on Friday night.

[07] TURKISH PRESS REVIEW (1)

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

DEMIREL INAUGURATES NEW LEGISLATIVE YEAR
Inaugurating the new legislative term of the Parliament, President Suleyman Demirel touched upon various points ranging from the importance of democracy and secularism to other foreign policy issues. He said that Islamic fundamentalism which exploits people's religious beliefs was a serious threat against the state, adding that secularism was an indispensable principle in the state ideology. Despite current cyclic problems, relations with the European Union (EU) were still a priority for Turkey, Demirel told deputies. Turkey's aspirations to become a full EU member is Turkey's free choice, he added. ''t is an inseparable part of Turkey's strategic vision'' he went on to say. He also pointed out that having good relations with Germany, Turkey's largest trading partner, is vital for Ankara. He congratulated the German Social Democrats on their victory and expressed a desire to start a new, constructive dialogue with Germany. Demirel stated that good relations between Turkey and Greece would serve the interests of both neighbouring countries, who are also NATO allies. He called on both sides to avoid unilateral actions that could provoke disputes and to respect each other's rights in the Aegean Sea. Demirel said that the deadlock in the Middle East Peace Process brings the danger of eliminating hopes of peace in the Mideast. A peace in the Middle East has a vital importance for the stability of the eastern Mediterranean. The President said that Turkey is ready to cooperate with all relevant countries to achieve peace in the region./All papers/

DEMIREL OFF TO MACEDONIA
President Suleyman Demirel will go to Macedonia today as the official guest of Kiro Gligorov, the Macedonian President. According to the Presidential Press Office, Isin Celebi, the Minister of State, Mustafa Tasar, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs and Murat Karayalcin, the Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the Parliament, and a group of high level officials will accompany Demirel during his two-day visit to Macedonia./Cumhuriyet/

OPERATION AGAINST ILLEGAL ORGANIZATION
Teams from the Istanbul Security Administration's Struggle against Terrorism and Intelligence departments have jointly carried out operations against the illegal Turkish Communist Labour Party Leninist (TKEP-L) organization in Istanbul. Seven members of the organization have been apprehended and await trial./Hurriyet/

TEN THOUSAND TROOPS DEPLOYED IN TUNCELI
A large scale operation against the terrorist PKK organization was launched by the Turkish Armed Forces two days ago in rural areas around the southeastern city of Tunceli, where a 100 strong terrorist group is hiding. In the first day of the operation, three terrorists were killed. Backed by military aircraft and helicopters, nearly ten thousand troops are engaged in the operation. Meanwhile, five terrorists were apprehended in rural areas near the eastern county of Catak near Van. ARGK, the armed wing of the terrorist PKK organization, has declared that the PKK lost 72 members in 63 operations carried out by the Turkish Armed Forces during the past month. The ARGK also noted that the Turkish forces had continued their anti- PKK operations despite a ceasefire declared by Abdullah Ocalan, the chief of the PKK, beginning as of 1 September./Hurriyet/

NATO EXERCISES IN ISKENDERUN
The Turkish part of the ''DYNAMIC MIX '98'' NATO exercises started yesterday in Iskenderun. Military sources noted that the exercises were being carried out in a very disciplined manner and that the organization was ready to deal with every unpredicted situation. /Milliyet/

TURKEY WARNS SYRIA OF ''RIGHT TO RETALIATE''
Turkey warned Syria on Wednesday to stop provoking the Arab world, end its support for the terrorist PKK organization and reminded Damascus of Turkey's ''right to retaliate''. The strongest warning to Syria came from President Suleyman Demirel. Inaugurating the new legislative term of the Parliament, Demirel warned Syria that she should end her hostile attitude towards Turkey. He complained that despite Turkey's repeated warnings and peaceful initiatives, Damascus was trying to provoke the Arab world against Ankara using Turkey's relations with Israel as a pretext. Meanwhile, Gen. Huseyin Kivrikoglu, the Chief of General Staff, who attended a reception given yesterday by Hikmet Cetin, the Speaker of the Parliament, on the occasion of the opening of the new legislative term, also warned Syria and said, ''there is a situation of undeclared war between Turkey and Syria''. Demirel also stressed that although the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK)'s recent pledge in Washington, D.C., that the PKK wouldn't be allowed to settle in Northern Iraq or stage cross-border operations into Turkey was a welcome development, Demirel said that he would like to emphasize that the accord between the two Kurdish groups hadn't been achieved with any contribution from Turkey. /All papers/

SEZGIN: ''THERE IS A LIMIT TO TURKEY'S PATIENCE''
Ismet Sezgin, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, said yesterday that Turkey was not massing its troops at the Syrian border. He added that Turkey had ''tried hard'' through diplomatic means to get Syria to give up supporting the terrorist activities. Continuing, Sezgin said, ''Turkey has patience. We believe that the problem can be solved diplomatically, but when these diplomatic ways are blocked, we will take the necessary steps.'' /Milliyet/

[08] TURKISH PRESS REVIEW (2)

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

MILITARY OPERATIONS IN SOUTHEAST
Nine terrorists have been seized with their arms in Diyarbakir and Van. According to military sources a terrorist yielded to Turkish security forces in Sirnak. They added that operations would continue in the region. /Cumhuriyet/

BARZANI ASKS PKK TO LEAVE NORTHERN IRAQ
Necirvan Barzani, a representative of the Iraqi Kurdistan Democratic Party (IKDP), said yesterday during an interview on the the Voice of KDP that a ceasefire in the region meant nothing to the KDP. He request the PKK to leave Northern Iraq completely otherwise the KDP would continue to fight against the PKK terrorists. /Cumhuriyet/

SOUTHERN CYPRUS VIOLATES ARMS EMBARGO
It is understood that southern Cyprus has violated the arms embargo by purchasing weapons from Greece. At the end of a meeting between A. Chacopulos, the Greek Minister of Defense and Y. Omiru, the Greek Cypriot Minister of Defense in Athens it was decided that southern Cyprus can buy weapons whenever she needs from Greece. According to a report in the Greek daily Eksusia, Greece has already sent high-tech radar systems to the island, although the US and most of the arms-producing countries in the world do not sell arms to the island. It is also reported that the Greek arms sales will increase tension on the island and that diplomatic circles are anxious about Ankara's reaction to the new Greek armament programme. /Cumhuriyet/

DENKTAS SEEKS SUPPORT
Rauf Denktas, the President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), is in New York to have talks with Kofi Annan, the UN Secretary General, and to meet the president of the Security Council. He said his confederation plan for the island is a ''historic opportunity'', a plan he discussed with Annan on Wednesday. Denktas described support from the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) countries as a way of fostering discussion about the realities on the island, such as those acknowledged by Lamberto Dini, the Italian Foreign Minister and Richard Holbrooke, the US Special Envoy to Cyprus, who both admitted that there are two separate communities on the island, and that the Greek Cypriots didn't represent the Turkish Cypriot community there./All papers/

FOREIGN DEBT PAYMENTS
Turkey paid out 897.6 million US dollars in foreign debts in September. According to the Central Bank data, the Treasury paid 799.7 million US dollars, the Central Bank 23.1 million US dollars and the Defense Industry paid 40 million US dollars in foreign debts. Since the beginning of this year, 8,603 billion US dollars has been paid out in foreign debts.

Meanwhile, the Central Bank foreign exchange reserves increased by 51 million US dollars between 18-25 September and rose to 21,478 billion US dollars./Sabah/

DRUG OPERATION IN BOLU
During operations carried out by members of the Narcotics Department of the Security Office in Bolu, 22.9 kg. of hashish was seized yesterday. Two people were taken into custody following the incident. Security officials in Bolu noted that during their operations a total of 246 kg. of drugs have been confiscated in one year.

TURKISH AMBASSADOR TO ITALY WILL COME TO ANKARA
Tension in Turkish-Italian relations is increasing following a meeting of the so-called Kurdish Parliament-in-exile in Rome. Turkey, which still hasn't received a satisfactory reply from Italy, is recalling Inal Batu, the Ambassador to Italy, to Ankara. Ismail Cem, the Foreign Minister, said, ''we aren't recalling our ambassador, we are merely calling him back for consultations''. Turkey, which is waiting for a guarantee from Italy that there will be no repetition of the incident, isn't satisfied with the letter sent by Lamberto Dini, the Italian Foreign Minister, to Cem. Dini in his letter said that the meeting of the so-called Kurdish Parliament had no connection with the Italian government. Ambassador Batu made a statement yesterday evening and said that he would be in Ankara on Monday. Turkey expects Italy to openly declare that the PKK is a terrorist organization. Meanwhile, Gen. Huseyin Kivrikoglu, the Chief of General Staff, said, ''Turkey and Italy have made joint decisions to struggle against terrorism within the NATO. However, a small group in Italy supports these kinds of terrorist activities''. /Sabah/

RAHMI KOC REACTS AGAINST ITALY
Rahmi Koc, the Chairman of KOC Holding Board of Directors, stated yesterday that they were highly disturbed by the meeting of the Kurdish parliament-in- exile in the Italian Parliament. Koc sent a diplomatic letter to the representatives of their Italian partner Fiat saying that the ''incident'' was unacceptable. Koc added that a delegation of the KOC-Fiat joint venture representatives would go to Italy to hold contacts about the issue. /Milliyet/

ATTACK ON TURKISH EMBASSY IN TEHERAN
An unidentified person attacked the Turkish Embassy in Teheran two days ago. The attacker first broke the glass of a bulletin board on the wall near the entrance door to the embassy and tore into pieces a poster of Ataturk, the founder of the Republic of Turkey, hung on the board. Officials from the embassy captured the attacker and handed him over to the police. The Turkish Embassy wants the attacker to be tried and punished. /Sabah/

TURKISH-BELGIAN JOINT COMMISSION MEETS
An inter-governmental Belgian-Turkish Joint Commission for Economic, Industrial and Technological Cooperation held a meeting in Ankara yesterday. The main purpose of the meeting was to overview present bilateral economic relations between Turkey and Belgium, and to explore opportunities for future cooperation. /All papers/

YILMAZ APPROVES ASIK'S RESIGNATION
Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz yesterday said he had accepted Minister of State Eyup Asik's resignation, which the deputy submitted last week, and added that he won't appoint someone new yet. ''Another minister will fill- in for the time being'' the prime minister said, without giving any names, during a parliamentary group meeting of the Motherland Party (ANAP) in Ankara. /All papers/

[09] RICHARDSON, THE US SECRETARY OF ENERGY, DELAYS HIS VISIT TO TURKEY

The US Government is reported to have requested Richardson to hold his visit in November.

Bill Richardson is expected to discuss several energy issues including the oil and natural gas pipelines.

Cumhur Ersumer, the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, invited Richardson to Turkey during the 17th Congress of the World Energy Council in Houston, the US.

[10] GUREL, MINISTER OF STATE SPEAKS TO A.A - ''WE EXPECT AID FROM BUSINESSMEN FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF TRNC''

Speaking to the A.A correspondent, Gurel said that the Turkish government produced various projects to solve infrastructure problems of the TRNC, adding that this problem will be solved by the end of this year.

Noting that many joint economic fields were established between Turkey and the TRNC, Gurel said ''we have implemented all the incentives for the investments in the TRNC which we implemented in the developing regions in Turkey.''

He said private entrepreneurs should take reponsibility, ''we need the support of businessmen to convey the justified cause of the TRNC to the whole world.''

[11] PRESIDENT DEMIREL IN MACEDONIA - PRESIDENT GLIGOROV OF MACEDONIA WELCOMES HIS TURKISH COUNTERPART - DEMIREL MEETS WITH GLIGOROV

President Gligorov welcomed Demirel at the Skopje Airport with an official ceremony.

Tito Petkovski, the Macedonian Speaker of the Parliament, Prime Minister Branko Crvenkovski, other high-level Macedonian officials and Fazli Kesmir, the Turkish Ambassador to Macedonia, were also in attendance at the ceremony.

Following the welcoming ceremony, the two presidents held a 45 minute meeting.

No statement has been given yet about the agenda of the meeting.

Isin Celebi and Rustu Kazim Yucelen, the Ministers of State, Mustafa Tasar, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Murat Karayalcin, the Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Commission of Parliament, senior officials, businessmen and journalists accompany Demirel during his visit to Macedonia.

[12] RELATIONS WITH SYRIA - SEZGIN, DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER: ''INTERVENTION IN SYRIA IS OUT OF THE QUESTION''

Responding to the questions of reporters Sezgin said ''all the concerned people conveyed their views related to Syria. Syria extends support to terrorism and turned this into a part of her policy for 15 years.'' He said that Syria supports the separatist terrorist organization which aimed at destroying Turkish state which is an inseparable integrity with her country and nation.

Sezgin said that Syria protects the separatist terrorist organization within her borders, trains it and provides logistic support and gives facilities for the attacks of the separatist terrorist organization aimed at Turkey. ''This contradicts with the UN resolutions. This is an ugly attitude which doesn't suit with friendship and mutual history and geography.''

''Unfortunately Syria has turned terrorism into a tool in her foreign and state policy'' Sezgin said, adding ''we believed that these problems may be solved diplomatically. But, patience has a limit.''

Responding to a question if diplomacy was bottlenecked, Sezgin said ''no, diplomacy never stops. Diplomacy is a product of good will, common sense and principles of wisdom.''

[13] COMMERCIAL RELATIONS WITH SYRIA - TRADE VOLUME BETWEEN TURKEY AND SYRIA REMAINS AT 314 MILLION US DOLLARS WITHIN FIRST SEVEN MONTHS OF THIS YEAR - CIKMAZ, CHAIRMAN OF GAIB: - ''WE CANNOT EXPORT LIVESTOCK TO SYRIA BECAUSE SHE DOESN'T ALLOW THE TRANSIT ANIMAL TRANSPORTS''

Officials from the Undersecretariat of Foreign Trade told the A.A correspondent that the volume of trade between the two countries has remained at 314 million US dollars within the first seven months of this year.

This figure was 725 million US dollars in the same period of last year.

Turkey has imported goods worth 183 million US dollars from Syria in the January-July period. In the same period of last year Turkey had imported goods worth 456 million US dollars.

Responding to the questions of the A.A correspondent, Aldulkadir Cikmaz, the Chairman of the Southeast Anatolian Union of Exporters (GAIB), stressed that escalating tension between Syria and Turkey has affected the Southeastern Anatolia Region negatively.

Cikmaz pointed out, ''we cannot export livestock to Syria because she doesn't allow transit animal transports to the country with the claim that there are diseased animals in Turkey.

He added that the Southeastern Anatolia Region exports margarine, vegetable oil, pistachio nuts, plastic sacks, synthetic thread and cotton thread to Syria.

[14] REFUSAL TO THE REQUEST OF ERDOGAN ''TO CORRECT DECISION''

The article sent by Chief Prosecutor Savas to the Diyarbakir State Security Court (DGM) said ''the written objections in the petitions were investigated and rejected and that the file was returned as there is no reason requiring the correction of the decision.''

Thus, all the domestic legal means regarding the imprisonment sentence of Erdogan were exhausted.

Recep Tayyip Erdogan, evaluating the rejection of his request said ''I was not expecting any different decision. Only we wanted the legal means in Turkey to be exhausted for us''

Responding to a question related to the application to the international courts, Erdogan said ''we are studying the issue. We will apply if necessary.''

When recalled about the lifting of his Mayorship, Erdogan said that he would abide by the procedure.

When asked if he would resign, Erdogan said ''why should I resign? I will abide by the procedure if the Council of State discloses this decision.''

Meanwhile, Faik Isik, the lawyer of Erdogan, said that they would apply to the international courts as the request of Erdogan was rejected.

[15] STATE MINISTER SERDAROGLU RETURNS TO TURKEY - SERDAROGLU: - ''WE HAVE NO SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH IRAN'' - ''IRAN SUPPORTS TURKEY IN EVERY FIELD''

Addressing the journalist at the Ataturk Airport, Serdaroglu stressed, ''we have no serious problems with Iran. Relations between Turkey and Iran have been improving since the Joint Economic

Commission meeting last June.''

Serdaroglu stressed that Iran will ease the transit of the Turkish registrated lorries in her country in accordance with the agreement. He noted that this regulation will affect the relations positively, adding, ''Iran supports Turkey in every field.''

[16] PRESIDENT DEMIREL IN MACEDONIA - DEMIREL VISITS TEFEYYUZ PRIMARY SCHOOL IN MACEDONIA

Ismiye Saban, the Director of the primary school said that minorities could receive education in their own languages in Macedonia, adding that the Tefeyyuz Primary School was the first Turkish school established in 1944.

Demirel expressed pleasure at being in a school giving education in Turkish.

President Demirel also donated 10,000 US dollars to Saban to meet the needs of the school.

Demirel said ''we want Macedonia to live in peace and Turkey is ready to extend every kind of aid to Macedonia.''

[17] PONCELET ELECTED TO FRENCH SENATE CHAIRMANSHIP - TURKEY EXPRESSES SORROW THAT FORMER CHAIRMAN MONORY LOST THE ELECTIONS AND HAS A CAUTIOUS OPTIMISM TOWARDS THE SUCCESS OF PONCELET

Turkey attaches importance to the Chairmanship elections as the draft resolution related with the so-called genocide on Armenians will be discussed in the Senate in the near future. The French Senate Chairman has important authorities to take the draft resolutions onto the agenda.

Turkish political observers in France said Turkey was sorry that Rene Monory, the candidate of the French Democracy Union (UDF) and former Chairman failed to win the election. Monory knew the Armenian draft resolution file very well and at the same time held very close and positive contacts with the delegation coming from the Turkish Parliament and Turkish Embassy in Paris.

Ankara now is in a cautious optimism as Poncelet was a candidate of Chirac's party and that senators having right wing tendencies were cold towards the draft resolution.

The draft resolution which was adopted in the French Parliament and which required the confirmation of the Senate foresees the recognition in France of the so-called genocide on Armenians.

Adoption of the draft resolution in the Parliament caused tension in diplomatic relations between Turkey and France.

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