Anadolu Agency: News in English, 98-10-13

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

13 OCT 1998

CONTENTS

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

[02] TURKISH-SYRIAN TENSION - CEM, THE FOREIGN MINISTER: ''MOUSSA, THE EGYPTIAN FOREIGN MINISTER BROUGHT A MESSAGE FROM THE SYRIAN ADMINISTRATION SAYING THEY MEET OUR EXPECTATIONS''

[03] THE SUMMIT OF THE BALKAN COUNTRIES - PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ'S BILATERAL CONTACTS IN ANTALYA

[04] TURKISH-SYRIAN TENSION - PRESIDENT DEMIREL SAYS THAT AMR MOUSSA, THE EGYPTIAN FM BRINGS A CONCRETE MESSAGE

[05] WTO HOLDS A MEETING ON TURKEY

[06] MOLOTOV COCKTAIL THROWN AT A HOTEL IN ISTANBUL

[07] THE SUMMIT OF THE BALKAN COUNTRIES - SIMITIS, THE GREEK PRIME MINISTER: ''THERE IS NO PROGRESS IN SOLUTION OF PROBLEMS BETWEEN TURKEY AND GREECE''

[08] KOSOVO PROBLEM - FM: ''WE HAVEN'T MADE A DECISION TO EVACUATE THE TURKISH EMBASSY IN BELGRADE''

[09] ERSUMER, MINISTER OF ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES: - ''WE WILL INITIAL THE AGREEMENT FOR THE PIPELINE, WHICH WILL TRANSPORT THE AZERBAIJANI OIL TO THE WESTERN MARKETS, WHATEVER ANYONE SAYS''

[10] PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ RECEIVES ALBANIAN FOREIGN MINISTER MILO

[11] IMF DELEGATION STARTS ITS CONTACTS IN TURKEY

[12] AZERBAIJANI OIL - NATIK ALIYEV, CHAIRMAN OF SOCAR: ''THE DECISION REGARDING THE MAIN OIL PIPELINE WILL BE MADE BY THE END OF THE YEAR''

[13] WTO PRAISES TURKISH ECONOMY: - ''THE CUSTOMS AGREEMENT SIGNED BETWEEN TURKEY AND THE EU CAUSES DEVELOPMENT OF BUSINESS ATMOSPHERE IN TURKEY FOR FOREIGN INVESTORS''

[14] TURKEY-STOCK EXCHANGE - IMKB FIRST SESSION - NATIONAL-100 INDEX REDUCES TO 2,075.80 WITH A DECREASE OF 84.92 POINTS

[15] SOLUTION PROPOSAL FROM IMF

[16] A HAND GRENADE, WHICH WAS FOUND IN FRONT OF MILITARY RESIDENCES IN EASTERN VAN PROVINCE, DESTROYED

[17] GEORGIAN DEFENSE MINISTER IN ANKARA

[18] HIGHER PLANNING COUNCIL TO CONVENE LATE ON TUESDAY

[19] CONTACTS OF IMF DELEGATION - HARDY, CHIEF OF IMF TURKEY DESK ''WE WILL EVALUATE HOW STAFF MONITORING AGREEMENT IS BEING CARRIED OUT''

[20] CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT FOR THERMAL POWER PLANT IN CAN COUNTY OF CANAKKALE TO BE SIGNED ON 15 OCTOBER

[21] TURKEY WARNS YUGOSLAVIA - ''EVALUATE THIS CRITICIAL PERIOD AS THE LAST CHANCE''

[22] ERSUMER, MINISTER OF ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES: - ''WE WILL SIGN THE AGREEMENT FOR BAKU-CEYHAN PIPELINE PROJECT ON THE 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FOUNDING OF OUR REPUBLIC''

[23] SUMMIT OF THE BALKAN COUNTRIES - GREEK PRIME MINISTER SIMITIS: ''WE TOLD THE TURKISH PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ THAT WE ARE AGAINST AN INTERVENTION IN SYRIA''

[24] BALKAN COUNTRIES SUMMIT - PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ: ''ANTALYA SUMMIT IS SUCCESSFUL AS KOSOVO QUESTION HAS BEEN DISCUSSED IN AN ATMOSPHERE WHERE YUGOSLAVIA PARTICIPATES''

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

HURRIYET (LIBERAL) MESSAGE FROM ASSAD: NO NEED TO FIGHT FOR APO
Hafez al-Assad, the Syrian President, sent a message to Turkey saying ''there is no need to fight for Abdullah Ocalan, the chief of the separatist terrorist organization.'' The message was conveyed to President Suleyman Demirel yesterday. Turkey which is cautious about the message, responded to Syria by saying ''firstly, we want to see the concrete steps taken and to check that these steps will continue to be taken.''

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

SABAH (LIBERAL)

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

RADIKAL (LEFT) DON'T TOUCH MY STRAITS
The international oil cartels, which plan to transport oil through the Straits as it is cheaper, shouldn't be permitted to risk the security of millions of people and thousands of years of cultural and natural heritage.

YENİ YÜZYIL (LIBERAL)

TÜRKİYE (RIGHT)

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

[02] TURKISH-SYRIAN TENSION - CEM, THE FOREIGN MINISTER: ''MOUSSA, THE EGYPTIAN FOREIGN MINISTER BROUGHT A MESSAGE FROM THE SYRIAN ADMINISTRATION SAYING THEY MEET OUR EXPECTATIONS''

Responding to the questions of journalists after his arrival in the southern province of Antalya, where the Summit of the Southeastern European Countries' Heads of States and Governments is being held, Ismail Cem stated that Turkey thanked the efforts of Egypt to overcome the tension between Turkey and Syria, adding ''due to our experience with Syria in the past we have to be more cautious.''

Cem noted that if Syria takes serious initiatives within the framework of her views conveyed to Turkey by Moussa and if Turkey sees it, then the relations between the two countries will improve in the way which they should be between two neighbours.

Later, Foreign Minister Cem visited Prime Minister Yılmaz and informed him about the ''concrete messages'' brought from Syria by Moussa, the Egyptian Foreign Minister.

[03] THE SUMMIT OF THE BALKAN COUNTRIES - PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ'S BILATERAL CONTACTS IN ANTALYA

Prime Minister Yılmaz and Crvenkovski, the Macedonian Prime Minister, discussed regional problems and bilateral relations at the meeting.

Later, Prime Minister Yılmaz met with Costas Simitis, the Greek Prime Minister, and Ismail Cem, the Foreign Minister and Theodoros Pangalos, the Greek Foreign Minister, were also present at the meeting.

The same evening, Prime Minister Yılmaz took up bilateral relations and regional issues with Ivan Kostov, the Bulgarian Prime Minister.

At the end of this meeting, Prime Minister Yılmaz rewarded seven Bulgarian police officers who were successful in the operation carried out by the Turkish and Bulgarian police to capture Kursat Yılmaz, a Mafia boss.

[04] TURKISH-SYRIAN TENSION - PRESIDENT DEMIREL SAYS THAT AMR MOUSSA, THE EGYPTIAN FM BRINGS A CONCRETE MESSAGE

Responding to the questions of journalists about the Turkish-Syrian tension, Suleyman Demirel stated ''as you know, the Egyptian President earlier visited Ankara and he asked us what was the problem. We told him that Syria supported terrorism in Turkey. This support has been continuing for 15 years and the Turkish people have been suffering from terrorism. We told him the necessary things that should be done by Syria. The Egyptian officials told the Syrian state about our complaints and pain. Two days ago, the Egyptian President phoned me, today the Egyptian Foreign Minister came and he explained to us about his contacts in Syria.''

''The Egyptian President and Foreign Minister conveyed our problem to the other side with goodwill and with great understanding. The response they have received from the other side is worth being examined. The government will consider it,'' said Demirel, adding that he wrote letters to the heads of states of 55 countries which are members of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) explaining the problem of Turkey with Syria.

Responding to a question asking whether or not Syria sent a message to Turkey saying that Abdullah Ocalan, the chief of the separatist terrorist organization is outside of Syria, Demirel said ''I haven't received such a message.''

President Demirel stressed that solving all kinds of conflicts peacefully is important, adding ''we said that peaceful methods didn't end, we had earlier made peaceful attempts, but couldn't reach a result. In spite of this, it is important to apply peaceful means if there is still hope for that.''

[05] WTO HOLDS A MEETING ON TURKEY

A delegation headed by Yavuz Ege, the Undersecretary of Foreign Trade, represents Turkey at the meetings which will last for two days.

The mentioned mechanism, which examines the Turkish trade policies for the second time, examines Turkey once every four years.

A report prepared by Turkey and two separate reports prepared by the WTO Secretariat after its visit to Turkey will be discussed in detail during the mechanism meetings.

At the meeting, issues like growth, public finance, foreign exchange issues, monetary policies, inflation, interest rates, balance of payments, foreign trade structure, institutional structure, commercial relations, foreign capital policies, measures that affect imports and trade policies in agriculture, energy and industrial services will be discussed.

[06] MOLOTOV COCKTAIL THROWN AT A HOTEL IN ISTANBUL

Unknown person or persons attacked the Cenk Hotel at about 23:00 local time with a Molotov cocktail. The blast of the Molotov cocktail caused minor damage to the entrance of the hotel.

Officials said the investigation into the incident was underway.

[07] THE SUMMIT OF THE BALKAN COUNTRIES - SIMITIS, THE GREEK PRIME MINISTER: ''THERE IS NO PROGRESS IN SOLUTION OF PROBLEMS BETWEEN TURKEY AND GREECE''

Addressing a press briefing after his meeting with Prime Minister Yılmaz in the southern province of Antalya where the Summit of the Southeastern European Countries' Heads of States and Governments is being held, Simitis said that Yılmaz proposed a package solution concerning the existing problems between the two countries.

Noting that the problems can be solved at the International Court of Justice in the Hague just like all the European Union (EU) countries do, Simitis claimed ''Turkey will understand that sooner or later.''

Pointing out that the Cyprus question and the S-300 missiles haven't been discussed in detail at the meeting, Simitis claimed that this problem is a multilateral one which doesn't only concern Turkey and Greece.

Stressing that the confidence building measures which are implemented within the framework of the NATO have positive effects in the Aegean, Simitis added ''there should be no development that will cause tension in the Aegean, we have to succeed in that.''

[08] KOSOVO PROBLEM - FM: ''WE HAVEN'T MADE A DECISION TO EVACUATE THE TURKISH EMBASSY IN BELGRADE''

Sermet Atacanlı, the Deputy Spokesman of the Foreign Ministry, told the A.A correspondent ''the Turkish officials working at the Turkish Embassy in Belgrade haven't been told to leave the Yugoslavian Federation.''

Several Western countries closed their embassies in Yugoslavia in response to a possible NATO intervention in Kosovo and asked their citizens to leave Yugoslavia. Germany closed her embassy in Belgrade and warned her citizens to leave the country, while Denmark announced thet her embassy in Belgrade was temporarily closed. Britain also closed her embassy in Yugoslavia.

[09] ERSUMER, MINISTER OF ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES: - ''WE WILL INITIAL THE AGREEMENT FOR THE PIPELINE, WHICH WILL TRANSPORT THE AZERBAIJANI OIL TO THE WESTERN MARKETS, WHATEVER ANYONE SAYS''

Cumhur Ersumer attended the cocktail party, which was held at the State Guesthouse upon the 12th International Oil Congress started in Ankara on Monday.

Responding to a question of reporters regarding a New York Times' news article on the ''Baku-Ceyhan Pipeline Project is in Danger'', Ersumer said, ''the US government officials didn't make any statement or even an evaluation.''

Pointing out that the news was published in accordance with a specific aim, Ersumer said, ''the Turkish press takes this article, changes it and makes its own comment. The claims in the article are totally wrong and it is a very stale article.''

Ersumer recalled, ''during the meeting, which was held between 13-15 May 1998 in Istanbul with the participation of the Turkish, Azerbaijani and Georgian officials and at which the Baku-Ceyhan Pipeline Project issue was discussed, the sides agreed on the preparation of the agreements for the construction and operation of the pipeline within three months. We also agreed on the preparation of the agreements for the transit country and the hosting country within three months.''

Noting that the Turkish side presented the draft agreements to the Azerbaijani and Georgian sides at the end of July, Ersumer said, ''the officials from the Foreign Ministry informed that the Azerbaijani side presented the draft agreements to Turkey on Monday.''

''The thing we have to do now is to initial the agreements. Turkey constitutes an important market for the oil companies and the LNG companies. These companies are also the holders of a right on the Caspian oil. The aim of such efforts is to put pressure on Turkey and the US. These companies are in favor of the increasing support by Turkey and the US,'' he stated.

Stressing that the international consortium, which was established for the transportation of the Azerbaijani oil to the Western markets, should announce its decision this month, Ersumer said, ''we will initial the agreement with Azerbaijan in October whatever anyone says. We don't seek profit from the passage of the pipelines via Turkey. Today, Turkey doesn't need the income to be gained from the pipeline.''

[10] PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ RECEIVES ALBANIAN FOREIGN MINISTER MILO

The bilateral contacts of Prime Minister Yılmaz within the framework of the Summit of the Southeastern European Countries' Heads of States and Governments held in Antalya ended with his meeting with Milo.

[11] IMF DELEGATION STARTS ITS CONTACTS IN TURKEY

Hardy told the A.A correspondent that they will evaluate the Close Monitoring Agreement signed between Turkey and the IMF and discuss the economic programme pursued by Turkey and the Turkish budget for 1999.

Responding to the questions of journalists, Hardy stated ''you know the issues that we will discuss more than we do.''

Yener Dincmen, the Undersecretary of the Treasury, said the same day that the revision of the inflation targets won't create problems in the close monitoring agreement signed with the IMF.

Responding to the questions of journalists before the meeting with the IMF delegation, Dincmen said ''at this stage, the working programme will be discussed.''

Responding to a question asking whether or not the IMF delegation would leave a letter at the end of its meetings in Turkey, Dincmen pointed out ''there is no need for them to give us a letter, we know what we will discuss.''

[12] AZERBAIJANI OIL - NATIK ALIYEV, CHAIRMAN OF SOCAR: ''THE DECISION REGARDING THE MAIN OIL PIPELINE WILL BE MADE BY THE END OF THE YEAR''

Aliyev told the A.A correspondent that they continue their studies on all of the routes regarding the main oil pipeline and they were preparing a report including the positive and negative aspects of these routes and that the report will be submitted to the Azerbaijani President Haydar Aliyev.

When asked what his opinion is about a New York Times' news article on the ''Baku-Ceyhan Route is in Danger'', Aliyev said, ''from time to time, the press publishes several news articles concerning the issue. This also stems from political games. Whatever anyone says, we are carrying out our own business.''

Natik Aliyev said that the information about the legal, commercial and financial conditions for the intergovernmental agreements and the information about the cost of the project will also be submitted to the Azerbaijani President Aliyev.

Responding to another question about the proposals of Turkey, Natik Aliyev said, ''there are some issues to work on. In the near future, we will present to Ankara the intergovernmental draft agreement, which was prepared by the Azerbaijani side.''

Natik Aliyev added that they will discuss all Articles of the draft in a meeting in Baku with the Turkish side, and the same procedure will be realized also with the Georgian government.

[13] WTO PRAISES TURKISH ECONOMY: - ''THE CUSTOMS AGREEMENT SIGNED BETWEEN TURKEY AND THE EU CAUSES DEVELOPMENT OF BUSINESS ATMOSPHERE IN TURKEY FOR FOREIGN INVESTORS''

The report prepared by the WTO Secretariat noted that the customs agreement signed with the EU and structural and legal reforms realized in Turkey will bring great benefits to the Turkish economy, adding that the customs agreement is operating well beyond the basic expectations of the Customs Union and the Uruguay Round. The report recalled that Turkey tries to abide by the foreign trade regulations of the EU by signing the customs agreement with the EU.

The report noted that the imports of Turkey from the EU were 17 billion US dollars in 1995, but they increased to 25 billion US dollars in 1997, adding that the same success couldn't been achieved concerning the Turkish exports to the EU.

Stressing that Turkey suffers from high inflation and she has to reconstruct her social security system and banking sector, the report pointed out that the law on privatization was adopted in 1994, but privatization isn't implemented rapidly.

The conclusion of the report says that the Turkish economy displays a strong performance, adding that the reforms in the financial sector and privatization will make the Turkish economy work better.

[14] TURKEY-STOCK EXCHANGE - IMKB FIRST SESSION - NATIONAL-100 INDEX REDUCES TO 2,075.80 WITH A DECREASE OF 84.92 POINTS

At the close of the first session, the financial index decreased 111.28 points to 2,497.43, the industrial index reduced 57.22 points to 1,731.03 and the services index dropped 86.21 points to 2,920.76. The financial shares lost 4.27 percent in value, the industrial shares lost 3.20 percent in value and the services shares lost 2.87 percent in value compared to Monday's second session close.

A total of 34 of the 280 shares gained in value, 218 shares lost in value while the prices of 28 shares didn't change.

The trading volume in the morning session was 30.1 trillion Turkish Liras.

[15] SOLUTION PROPOSAL FROM IMF

The IMF issued an evaluation, which was made within the framework of its report on ''A View of the World Economy'', saying that the oil exporting countries are extremely affected by the fluctuations in the oil prices stemming from these countries' establishing their export sources only upon their oil sources.

The evaluation said that the current transactions deficit of the oil exporting countries will further increase due to the decrease in the oil prices.

According to the calculations by the IMF, Turkey's current transactions deficit in 1999 will be three percent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

The IMF, in its previous report issued following the IMF-World Bank Autumn term meetings, had mentioned that there was a recovery in Turkey's anti- inflation programme and Turkey managed to take under control the effect of the fluctations in the global financial markets as a result of the strengthening of the desire for removing the financial imbalances and as a result of the active usage of monetary policies.

However, the report had stressed that the crisis in Russia, which is one of Turkey's most important trade partners, will negatively affect Turkey's external position.

The IMF report emphasized that Turkey should protect her macroeconomic discipline; should strengthen the banking system and should pursue the reforms in the fields of tax and social security with much more determination in order to secure financial stability in Turkey.

[16] A HAND GRENADE, WHICH WAS FOUND IN FRONT OF MILITARY RESIDENCES IN EASTERN VAN PROVINCE, DESTROYED

The sentry privates guarding the military residences at the Serefiye District of the province found the hand grenade at about 21:20 local time on Monday and informed the officials of the incident.

Later, the military bomb experts destroyed the hand grenade.

The investigation is underway.

[17] GEORGIAN DEFENSE MINISTER IN ANKARA

Ismet Sezgin welcomed General Tevzadze at the Esenboga Airport and said that the visit of the Georgian Minister of Defense to Turkey is an important visit for the strengthening of the existing friendship and cooperation between Turkey and Georgia.

General Tevzadze, said that the relations between Turkey and Georgia after the cold-war period constitute an ''example'' for other states, adding that the cooperation in the military field is developing within the same framework.

Responding to a question about a possible NATO intervention in Kosovo, Ismet Sezgin recalled the decision made at the Parliament about this issue, adding ''if such an obligation comes to the Parliament, then Turkey will fulfill it.'' Sezgin stated that no country made any demands from Turkey concerning this issue, adding that a military exercise will be carried out in Southeastern Anatolia after the Dynamic Mix-98 Operation of the NATO countries which is still continuing.

Ismet Sezgin stressed that this military exercise will be carried out by land, air and naval forces at the beginning of November.

[18] HIGHER PLANNING COUNCIL TO CONVENE LATE ON TUESDAY

The decisions about the basic economic figures for 1999 including the budget, growth rate, inflation and foreign trade volume will be made during the meeting at the Prime Ministry.

After making the figures more definite, the budget draft law for 1999 is expected to be presented to the Parliament on 17 or 18 October.

Bulent Ecevit, the Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister of State, the concerned ministers and bureaucrats are expected to attend the meeting which will be presided by the Prime Minister Yilmaz.

[19] CONTACTS OF IMF DELEGATION - HARDY, CHIEF OF IMF TURKEY DESK ''WE WILL EVALUATE HOW STAFF MONITORING AGREEMENT IS BEING CARRIED OUT''

Responding to the question of the A.A. correspondent who said ''Turkey's inflation targets have changed and how will this change affect the Staff Monitoring Agreement?'' Hardy said ''we should clearly say that conditions dramatically changed due to the financial crisis throughout the world. This changed not only in Turkey but everywhere in the world. We will evaluate this issue also in our future meetings. I can only make an interpretation after these discussions.''

Hardy said that they will review the Staff Monitoring Agreement and that he will hold discussions with the high level economy bureaucrats.

[20] CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT FOR THERMAL POWER PLANT IN CAN COUNTY OF CANAKKALE TO BE SIGNED ON 15 OCTOBER

Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz is expected to attend the signing ceremony to be held at the General Directorate of the Turkish Electricity Production- Distribution Corp (TEAS).

The tender for the Can Thermal Power Plant, which will be realized by turn- key delivery, was held on 8 July 1998 with an estimated cost of nearly 350 trillion Turkish Liras (TL).

The consortium including the Turkish Teknotes firm and the French Gec Alsthom have won the tender.

The construction of the first unit of the plant will be concluded within 34 months and the construction of the second unit will finish within 36 months following the conclusion of the contract negotiations.

[21] TURKEY WARNS YUGOSLAVIA - ''EVALUATE THIS CRITICIAL PERIOD AS THE LAST CHANCE''

The Foreign Ministry statement said that Turkey held intense contacts and launched initiatives for a peaceful solution during the ongoing summit in southern Antalya Province on the ''Summit of Heads of States and Governments of the Southeastern European Countries''.

The statement said ''getting a concrete outcome from the initiatives launched on the Kosovo issue depends on Yugoslavia's attitude to meet the expectations of international community and to implement these by taking effective measures.''

The statement said that the Activation Order, which gives the required political order to the NATO military officials to start a possible military intervention, was adopted by the NATO Council on Tuesday with Turkey's participation.

[22] ERSUMER, MINISTER OF ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES: - ''WE WILL SIGN THE AGREEMENT FOR BAKU-CEYHAN PIPELINE PROJECT ON THE 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FOUNDING OF OUR REPUBLIC''

Addressing the Motherland Party (ANAP) Group meeting, Ersumer said, ''the Baku-Ceyhan project is being carried out with great sensitiveness. We are carrying out the project with concord by comprehending its sensitivity.''

Recalling that they held a meeting in May 1998 in Istanbul with the participation of the officials from the AIOC consortium, which will drill the Azerbaijani and Georgian oil and transport them to international markets, Ersumer said Turkey, in accordance with the decision made in that meeting, conveyed the commitments of the commercial agreements to the Azerbaijani and Georgian sides at the end of July 1998 and is still awaiting the responses.

Pointing out that Azerbaijan and Georgia had sent their proposals, Ersumer said they will initial these agreements on 19 October and sign the agreement on 29 October.

''The Baku-Ceyhan pipeline doesn't have any alternative. The type of contribution of the US is still not clear. We are determined for the construction of the pipeline and we have the strength to realize it,'' he added.

[23] SUMMIT OF THE BALKAN COUNTRIES - GREEK PRIME MINISTER SIMITIS: ''WE TOLD THE TURKISH PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ THAT WE ARE AGAINST AN INTERVENTION IN SYRIA''

Adressing a press conference following the conclusion of the ''Summit of the Heads of States and Governments of the Southeastern European Countries'' held in southern Antalya province, Simitis said that Greece was against a possible military intervention of Turkey in Syria.

Responding to a question, Simitis said, ''we don't expect a change in Turkey's policy for her relations with Greece while the elections in Turkey are suspended.''

[24] BALKAN COUNTRIES SUMMIT - PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ: ''ANTALYA SUMMIT IS SUCCESSFUL AS KOSOVO QUESTION HAS BEEN DISCUSSED IN AN ATMOSPHERE WHERE YUGOSLAVIA PARTICIPATES''

Addressing the closing session of the summit Yilmaz said that the Kosovo question was discused in detail during the sessions, adding that the dangers it created for the region were also discussed.

Noting that the Antalya Summit was important as the officials of Yugoslavia and Albania sat at the same table and that they put their signatures on a joint text, Yilmaz said ''countries of the region can negotiate the questions which will endanger their stability and produce joint solutions.''

Recalling that Turkey expended active efforts to create an atmosphere of cooperation and stability in the region, Yilmaz said that the ''Good Neighborhood and Cooperation Charter'' was submitted to the participating countries within this framework. Yilmaz pointed out that activities on the draft in question are planned to be carried out until 1999 and that it will be signed the same year. Yilmaz said that an agreement was signed for the establishment of a ''Balkan Trade Development Center'' in Turkey.

Responding to a question related to the Kosovo question, Yilmaz said that the aim of the intervention which NATO planned to implement in Kosovo was to provide for the implementation of the Security Council Resolution No. 1199.

Recalling that Yugoslavia accepted this decision in principle, Yilmaz said ''I don't want to make a comment as the participating countries supported this comprehensive will.'' Yilmaz said that the joint goal of all the regional countries was the solution of the Kosovo question within the framework of the UN resolutions and territorial integrity of Yugoslavia.

Responding to a question related to the NATO intervention, Yilmaz said that there is a possibility that this intervention may create a wider range of unstability. Yilmaz said ''the recent compromising attitude of Yugoslavia abolished this possibility to a great extent.''

When asked if relations between Greece and the separatist terrorist PKK organization came onto the agenda of the meeting between Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis on Monday, Yilmaz said that in all his bilateral meetings he held with the leaders, he mentioned the problem between Turkey and Syria. Yilmaz said that he briefed Simitis within this framework, adding ''I told Simitis that Turkey can't bear any more the support extended to the separatist terorist organization.''

Yilmaz said that Simitis told him that Greece was faithful to the international commitments, adding that he gave very strict orders to the security forces not to let the separatist terrorist organizations to shelter in Greece.

Responding to a question related to the solution of the problems between Turkey and Greece, Yilmaz said there were several differences of opinion related to the identificiation of these problems and methods of solution.

Noting that both of these countries were willing to solve the problems, Yilmaz said there wasn't only one problem between Turkey and Greece and that he defended that all the methods for solution should be tried, even applying to the International Court of Justice in the Hague.

Yilmaz pointed out ''the only point we agreed on is that the existing tension between the two countries shouldn't be escalated.'' He also said that within this framework, both of these countries agreed to support the Confidence Building Measures. Yilmaz also stressed, ''I am still optimistic about the solution of bilateral problems between Turkey and Greece.''

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