Anadolu Agency: News in English, 98-10-28

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

28 OCT 1998

CONTENTS

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

[02] PENTAGON: - ''WE ARE STRONGLY OPPOSED TO DEPLOYMENT OF S-300 MISSILES ON CYPRUS''

[03] LEBEDEV, RUSSIAN AMBASSADOR TO TURKEY: - ''OCALAN WON'T BE A PROBLEM BETWEEN TURKEY AND RUSSIA'' - RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTER IVANOV DUE IN ANKARA

[04] BATU, TURKISH AMBASSADOR TO ITALY, VISITS VIOLANTE, SPEAKER OF ITALIAN PARLIAMENT - BATU INVITES VIOLANTE TO TURKEY ON BEHALF OF CETIN, PARLIAMENTARY SPEAKER

[05] PRESIDENT MEIDANI OF ALBANIA IN TURKEY - PRESIDENT TURKMENBASI OF TURKMENISTAN DUE IN TURKEY

[06] 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF REPUBLIC OF TURKEY - PRESIDENT ALIYEV OF AZERBAIJAN: - ''FOUNDATION OF REPUBLIC OF TURKEY 75 YEARS AGO IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT EVENTS OF 20TH CENTURY''

[07] SEZGIN, THE NATIONAL DEFENSE MINISTER: ''THE MILITARY EXERCISE AT SYRIAN BORDER CAN BE POSTPONED DUE TO TECHNICAL REASONS'' - ''WE BELIEVE THAT SYRIA WILL ACT WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING''

[08] RESIGNATION OF EYUP ASIK - ASIK TO BE CALLED TO STATE SECURITY COURT IN ISTANBUL

[09] SOUTHEAST'98 INTERNATIONAL FAIR - KOVACS, HUNGARIAN UNDERSECRETARY OF TRADE: - ''FAIRS ARE THE WINDOWS OPENING TO THE WORLD'' - CIVU, ROMANIAN UNDERSECRETARY OF TRADE: - ''I BELIEVE THAT A GREAT COMMUNICATION WILL BE SET UP BETWEEN THE COMPANIES''

[10] PRESIDENT ALIYEV OF AZERBAIJAN REQUESTS ACCELERATION OF DECISION ACTIVITIES ON MAIN OIL PIPELINE - ALIYEV: ''WE SUPPORT BAKU-CEYHAN ROUTE''

[11] MILITARY ATTACHES OF 49 COUNTRIES VISIT ANITKABIR (MAUSOLEUM OF ATATURK)

[12] HISTORY OF THE PKK CRISIS WITH SYRIA - TURKEY WARNS SYRIA SINCE 1983 TO END HER SUPPORT TO PKK

[13] PRESIDENT SULEYMAN DEMIREL: - ''TURKEY CAN'T BEHAVE TIMIDLY IN HER RELATIONS WITH RUSSIA''

[14] 270 MILLION US DOLLARS OF HAZELNUTS EXPORTED WITHIN TWO MONTHS

[15] OIL FOUND IN ADIYAMAN - TEST PRODUCTION TO BEGIN AT THE WELL NAMED ZEYNEL/11

[16] THE CONTROL MECHANISM ENVISAGED FOR SYRIA - TURKISH AND SYRIAN OFFICIALS WHO WILL BE AT EACH END OF THE TELEPHONE LINE ARE PLANNING TO MEET BY BEGINNING OF NOVEMBER

[17] RICHARDSON, THE US SECRETARY OF ENERGY DUE IN TURKEY

[18] THE 14TH MEETING OF PERMANENT COMMITTEE OF ISLAMIC COUNTRIES FOR ECONOMIC AND COMMERCIAL COOPERATION TO BE HELD IN ISTANBUL BETWEEN 1-4 NOVEMBER

[19] COMMITTEE MEETINGS OF THE WORLD PETROLEUM CONGRESS BEGINS IN ISTANBUL

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

HURRIYET (LIBERAL) EVERYWHERE IS FULL OF FLAGS
Turkey will celebrate the Republic Day tomorrow and everywhere is full of flags. The number of flags sold within the past one month reached about five times the number of flags sold within the past one year.

NSC GIVES ONE MONTH TO SYRIA
The National Security Council (NSC) postponed the Determination-98 Military Exercise which would be staged near the Syrian border. The NSC gave one month to Syria to let her ''fulfill her commitments,'' and it decided to monitor the activities of Syria during this period. Moreover, the struggle against gangs, fundamentalism and the separatist terrorist PKK organization will continue without giving any concessions.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

MINISTER CRITICIZES
Hasan Denizkurdu, the Minister of Justice, said ''politicians don't like justice when it impedes themselves, because they regard themselves as kings who come to power through elections. This can be seen when one looks at the budget of the Republic of Turkey. The connections of the gangs with politicans should be revealed.''

SABAH (LIBERAL)

HE ESCAPES TO ISRAEL
Erol Erkohen, a key name behind the murder of Nesim Malki, a usurer, left Turkey with an Israeli passport. Erkohen was the partner of Nesim Malki and it is reported that he will proceed to the US with a new identity. Erkohen was the only person who had the list of the people who borrowed money from Malki.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

RADIKAL (LEFT)

YENİ YÜZYIL (LIBERAL)

BIRDAL'S PUNISHMENT APPROVED
The Supreme Court of Appeals approved the one year imprisonment of Akın Birdal, the Chairman of the Human Rights Association, for ''advocating hatred and animosity among people''. Birdal will be in jail for four months.

TÜRKİYE (RIGHT)

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

[02] PENTAGON: - ''WE ARE STRONGLY OPPOSED TO DEPLOYMENT OF S-300 MISSILES ON CYPRUS''

Addressing the journalists, Captain Michael Doubleday, the Spokesman of the Pentagon, noted that they can't confirm the news claiming that the Greek Cypriot side is to construct a naval base on the island.

Doubleday stressed, ''the Russian made S-300 missiles escalate the tension on Cyprus and make the efforts aimed at finding a peaceful solution to the Cyprus question, more complicated.''

[03] LEBEDEV, RUSSIAN AMBASSADOR TO TURKEY: - ''OCALAN WON'T BE A PROBLEM BETWEEN TURKEY AND RUSSIA'' - RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTER IVANOV DUE IN ANKARA

Responding to the questions of the A.A correspondent during the reception organized for the National Day of Kazakhstan, Lebedev reminded that Igor Ivanov, the Russian Foreign Minister, will come to Turkey on 29 October in order to attend the celebrations for the 75th anniversary of the Republic of Turkey.

Lebedev added that Ivanov is scheduled to hold talks with President Suleyman Demirel, Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz, Hikmet Cetin, the Speaker of the Parliament, and his Turkish counterpart Ismail Cem.

[04] BATU, TURKISH AMBASSADOR TO ITALY, VISITS VIOLANTE, SPEAKER OF ITALIAN PARLIAMENT - BATU INVITES VIOLANTE TO TURKEY ON BEHALF OF CETIN, PARLIAMENTARY SPEAKER

The Italian Chairmanship of the Parliament stated that Violante has accepted the invitation of Cetin.

The Turkish Embassy in Rome issued a statement saying that the date of Violante's official visit to Turkey will be determined in the coming days.

Batu described his meeting with Violante as very positive, noting that concrete steps are to be taken in the coming days in order to improve relations between the Parliaments of the two countries.

Pointing out that he will begin initiatives with the aim of starting official visits between the parliamentary groups, Batu stressed, ''the issue of the activities of the so-called Kurdish Parliament in exile in Italy wasn't brought onto the agenda of the meeting. We talked about the future, not the past.''

Meanwhile Batu will proceed to Assisi, Vatican, in order to receive the representative ''peace flag'' in a ceremony that will be organized by Vatican with the participation of ambassadors of several countries, to convey it to President Suleyman Demirel.

Batu will present the Turkish flag to the Vatican officials at the same ceremony.

[05] PRESIDENT MEIDANI OF ALBANIA IN TURKEY - PRESIDENT TURKMENBASI OF TURKMENISTAN DUE IN TURKEY

Acer German, the Provincial Representative of the Foreign Ministry, Saim Eskioglu, the Deputy Governor of Istanbul, and officials from the Albanian Consul General in Istanbul, welcomed Meidani at the Ataturk Airport.

Addressing the journalists at the airport, Meidani expressed gratification at being in Turkey for the celebrations of the 75th anniversary of the Republic. He stressed that every one knows Ataturk who brought Turkey to today.

Responding to a question about Kosovo, Meidani pointed out, ''we don't trust President Slobodan Milosevic of Yugoslavia. He knows nothing but beating, raping or massacring.''

Meidani also added that they will endeavor to further improve the relations between Turkey and Albania in the coming days.

Meanwhile, President Saparmurat Turkmenbasi of Turkmenistan is expected to arrive in Turkey on Wednesday in order to attend the celebrations for the 75th anniversary of the Republic of Turkey. Officials from the Chairmanship of the Information Department of the Foreign Ministry, told the A.A correspondent that Turkmenbasi will sign the agreement concerning the purchase of natural gas which was initialed in Ashkhabad last week, with Cumhur Ersumer, the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources.

[06] 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF REPUBLIC OF TURKEY - PRESIDENT ALIYEV OF AZERBAIJAN: - ''FOUNDATION OF REPUBLIC OF TURKEY 75 YEARS AGO IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT EVENTS OF 20TH CENTURY''

Pointing out that they feel Turkey's support to Azerbaijan in every point including the Armenia problem, Aliyev emphasized that the relations between the two countries have reached the summit.

Noting, ''the happiness of Turkey is the happiness of Azerbaijan'', Aliyev said that he is very proud to be attending the celebrations for the 75th anniversary of the Republic in Ankara.

Aliyev stressed that Turkey will have a significant place in Azerbaijan's policy in the future, pointing out that further improvement of the relations between the two countries is the priority of their foreign policy.

Adding that the friendly relations between the two countries will be continued forever, Aliyev ended his speech by saying, ''long live the Republic of Turkey founded by the Great Ataturk, long live the friendship between Turkey and Azerbaijan''.

[07] SEZGIN, THE NATIONAL DEFENSE MINISTER: ''THE MILITARY EXERCISE AT SYRIAN BORDER CAN BE POSTPONED DUE TO TECHNICAL REASONS'' - ''WE BELIEVE THAT SYRIA WILL ACT WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING''

Responding to the questions of journalists at a reception held upon the national day of Kazakhstan, Sezgin said ''the operation will be staged, but it can be delayed, because the preparations should finish first.''

Sezgin stated that he believes Syria will act carefully within the framework of the memorandum of understanding signed between Turkey and Syria after the Turkish-Syrian tension.

Referring to the news saying that the PKK militants infiltrated from Syria to Northern Iraq, Sezgin said ''it is very easy to enter into Northern Iraq from Syria and there is nothing that is related to the Syrian government at this point. In fact, we are expecting Syria to extradite the PKK militants to Turkey. Syria will abide by the provisions of the memorandum of understanding.''

Responding to a question asking whether or not the issue of Northern Iraq was discussed at the National Security Council meeting, Sezgin said ''this issue is always discussed''.

Sezgin pointed out that Russia won't permit the Turkish-Russian relations to be spoilt by the existence of the chief of the separatist terrorist organization in Russia.

When asked whether or not Turkey will react to the landing of Greek war aircraft at the Baphos Air Base, Sezgin said ''Turkey is a great state and she will react to that.''

[08] RESIGNATION OF EYUP ASIK - ASIK TO BE CALLED TO STATE SECURITY COURT IN ISTANBUL

Asik will be interrogated within the framework of the investigation started by the Office of the Chief Prosecutor concerning the cassette containing a telephone conversation between Asik and Alaattin Cakici, a notorious Mafia boss.

[09] SOUTHEAST'98 INTERNATIONAL FAIR - KOVACS, HUNGARIAN UNDERSECRETARY OF TRADE: - ''FAIRS ARE THE WINDOWS OPENING TO THE WORLD'' - CIVU, ROMANIAN UNDERSECRETARY OF TRADE: - ''I BELIEVE THAT A GREAT COMMUNICATION WILL BE SET UP BETWEEN THE COMPANIES''

Expressing satisfaction at the fair, Kovacs stressed, ''There are many companies that have aroused my interest. I want to see these companies at the fairs in Hungary. I have found an exteremly positive atmosphere here for joint commercial relations. Fairs are significant for commercial relations. My visit aims at providing relations between the Turkish and Hungarian companies.''

Meanwhile Dimitri Civu, the Undersecretary of Trade of the Romanian Embassy in Turkey, told the A.A correspondent that such organizations provide great communications among companies.

Civu added, ''Diyarbakir will become a more interesting place by means of such activities. I will do whatever necessary for the Romanian companies to take part in such fairs.''

[10] PRESIDENT ALIYEV OF AZERBAIJAN REQUESTS ACCELERATION OF DECISION ACTIVITIES ON MAIN OIL PIPELINE - ALIYEV: ''WE SUPPORT BAKU-CEYHAN ROUTE''

Aliyev received John Legate, the Chairman of the AIOC, operational company of the international consortium and received information about the activities.

Addressing the journalists after the meeting, Aliyev reminded that the Mega Project agreement that was signed in 1994, envisages the conclusion of the main oil pipeline within 54 or 56 weeks after it comes into force. Aliyev stressed that 42 months have passed, but the construction hasn't started yet.

Aliyev pointed out, ''we have been supporting the Baku-Ceyhan route from the very beginning,'' adding that we will leave for Turkey on Wednesday and discuss the issue in Ankara with the other presidents of the concerned countries.

Meanwhile, Legate stressed that they have held very successful talks with Turkey. He added, ''commercial and political aspects of the project should be discussed in order to choose the route. We hope that the construction of the main oil pipeline will be concluded by January 2003.''

[11] MILITARY ATTACHES OF 49 COUNTRIES VISIT ANITKABIR (MAUSOLEUM OF ATATURK)

A total of 54 military attachés from 49 countries including Iran, have laid a wreath at the Mausoleum and observed a minute of silence under the chairmenship of General Fevzi Turkeri, the Chairman of the Intelligence Department of the General Staff and General Alibek Kasimov, the Kazakh Military Attaché.

[12] HISTORY OF THE PKK CRISIS WITH SYRIA - TURKEY WARNS SYRIA SINCE 1983 TO END HER SUPPORT TO PKK

The two booklets were sent to the political institutions, foreign press, foreign representations in Turkey and to the Turkish representations abroad.

The booklets noted that Syria has always rejected the presence of the separatist terrorist organization and its chief in Syria, adding that many journalists, deputies, representatives of non-governmental organizations (NGOs), individuals from Turkey and foreign countries met with Abdullah Ocalan, the chief of the separatist terrorist organization in the Bekaa Valley and the interviews were broadcast on television channels and published in newspapers.

The booklets pointed out that Ocalan had communications with his supporters, conveyed his orders from Syria and Ocalan gave training in the Syrian territories and in the regions controlled by Syria.

The booklets explain Turkey's diplomatic initiatives concerning the support of Syria to the PKK terrorism and note that Turkey has attributed importance to diplomatic initiatives since 1983.

The booklets listed the diplomatic initiatives of Turkey towards Syria as follows:

-Ilter Turkmen, the Foreign Minister visited Syria on 30 March 1983 and conveyed the message of President Kenan Evren to the Syrian President Hafez al-Assad concerning the prevention of PKK terrorism and activities of the ASALA, an Armenian terrorist organization directed at Turkey from the Syrian territories.

-During the same period, officials from the Ministry of the Interior visited Damascus and submitted the information they have to their Syrian counterparts concerning the terrorist activities.

-Turkmen, the Foreign Minister said that if necessary, Turkey would defend herself in response to the terrorism which was escalating. After that on 19 October 1984, the PKK and ASALA militants temporarily left the Bekaa Valley, which was controlled by Syria.

-When infiltrations from Syria to Turkey increased again, President Evren sent a letter to al-Assad in December 1984 explaining Turkey's concerns and said to al-Assad that Turkey and Syria could struggle together against terrorism.

-On 16 March 1985 a technical meeting process started between the foreign ministers of the two countries.

-Abdul Rauf al-Kasım, the Syrian Foreign Minister visited Turkey on 6 March 1986. During his visit, Turgut Ozal, the ex-Prime Minister said that the thing which was important was to have the goodwill and desire to solve the problems between the two countries.

-Turgut Ozal, the Minister of the Interior and Foreign Minister visited Syria between 15-17 July 1987 and met with Syrian officials concerning the security of the Turkish-Syrian border. Ozal told al-Assad and al-Kasım that Ocalan, the chief of the separatist terrorist PKK organization lived in Syria and held meetings in Damascus and asked the Syrian officials not to permit the PKK to take shelter in Syria. Al-Kasım said that Ocalan was a political refugee in Syria, which couldn't prevent the cross border operations of the PKK, because the northern border of Syria was very long.

-A delegation headed by Vecdi Gonul, the Undersecretary of the Ministry of the Interior, visited Damascus on 3 July 1989 and discussed the terrorist activities of Syrian origin with the Syrian officials.

-Mesut Yılmaz, the Foreign Minister, visited Syria on 4 July 1989 and discussed the terrorist activities and PKK camps in Syria.

-The Ex-Prime Minister Turgut Ozal issued a statement on 1 October 1989 which said that Syria violated the security protocol between the two countries dated 1987 and invited Syria to abide by the protocol.

-Cemil al-Assad, the brother of Hafez al-Assad, said that the Syrian government would continue her political and logistic support to the separatist terrorist PKK organization. In response to this, the official visit to Syria of Abdulkadir Aksu, the Minister of the Interior, was cancelled.

-Ahmet Kurtcebe Alptemucin, the Foreign Minister, paid an official visit to Syria on 12 February 1991 and discussed the support of Syria to PKK terrorism with al-Assad and al-Shara, the Syrian Foreign Minister. The two Syrian officials said that they would launch all kinds of efforts to prevent the infiltration of terrorists from Syria to Turkey.

-Ismet Sezgin, the Minister of the Interior, visited Syria on 18 April 1992 and expressed the deep concerns of Turkey about terrorism. After a four- hour meeting between Sezgin and al-Assad, al-Assad said that they would launch all kinds of efforts in order to prevent terrorists from establishing bases and infiltrating into other countries.

-Hikmet Cetin, the Foreign Minister, visited Damascus on 1 August 1992 and said that the terrorism of Syrian origin continued and recalled the Syrian commitments concerning terrorism.

-Muhammed Harba, the Syrian Minister of the Interior, visited Turkey on 16 September 1992 and said that the Syrian government would fulfill her obligations stemming from the protocol dated April 1992.

-Prime Minister Suleyman Demirel expressed Turkey's concerns about the PKK existence in Syria during his visit to this country between 19-20 January 1993. Demirel gave the addresses and telephone numbers of the PKK members in Damascus to the Syrian officials.

-Cetin, the Foreign Minister, met with Syrian Foreign Minister in Teheran on 17 July 1993 and expressed Turkey's complaints concerning the infiltrations of the PKK terrorists to Turkey and the PKK existence in Syria.

-Tansu Ciller, the Prime Minister, sent a message to al-Assad concerning issues of security and cooperation. Ciller accused Syria of supporting the PKK in a press briefing held on 18 November 1993. -Mumtaz Soysal, the Foreign Minister, visited Damascus on 21 August 1994 and said that the PKK problem didn't only concern Turkey but also Syria.

-Erdal Inonu, the Foreign Minister, conveyed the complaints of Turkey about the PKK problem to al-Shara, his Syrian counterpart, during a terrorism summit held in Teheran on 9 September 1995.

-Turkey submitted a note to Syria on 23 January 1996 concerning Syrian support to the PKK terrorism and non-implementation of the 1992 protocol by Syria. Turkey requested in the note the deportation of Ocalan from Syria to Turkey.

-During his visit to Egypt on 25 March 1996, President Demirel informed Hosni Mubarak, the Egyptian President, about the PKK existence in Syria and in the Lebanese territory which is controlled by Syria. Speaking with the Turkish journalists, Mubarak said that he would convey Turkey's complaints to al-Assad himself.

-President Demirel told the Eighth summit of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) held in Teheran on 9 December 1997 that several countries extended support to terrorism and reiterated the demand that countries shouldn't permit terrorists to use their territories.

-Ismail Cem, the Foreign Minister, conveyed Turkey's concerns about the Syrian support to the PKK during the OIC meeting held in Doha, the capital of Qatar on 17 March 1998.

-The Turkish side proposed to issue a joint ''declaration of principles'' to the Syrian side during the visit of Adnan Omran, the Syrian Deputy Foreign Minister to Ankara on 2 July 1998, but Syria didn't respond to the proposal.

-The Syrian and Turkish delegations met in the southern province of Adana on 20 October 1998 and reached an agreement on a text.

[13] PRESIDENT SULEYMAN DEMIREL: - ''TURKEY CAN'T BEHAVE TIMIDLY IN HER RELATIONS WITH RUSSIA''

Addressing the meeting, Demirel said that Turkey cannot behave timidly in her relations with Russia.

Describing Russia as a large market, Demirel stressed that he believes that Russia will overcome her present difficulties.

Demirel noted, ''relations between Turkey and Russia are also significant for regional peace. Our relations with Russia will be continued. Trade relations with Russia and the Ukraine add 10 billion US dollars to Turkey's volume of trade which is about 30 billion US dollars currently. Turkey's relations with the other regional countries are excellent. The Caucasus, the Central Asian and the Baltic counties will attend the celebration for the 75th anniversary of the foundation of the Republic of Turkey and I will visit Turkmenistan and Kyrgyzstan between 11-12 November.

He added, ''the Commonwealth of Independent State Business Council has appeared as a result of the relations with the countries that became independent following the collapse of the Soviet Union. Turkey has realized investments of 7 billion US dollars in Central Asia and of 10 billion US dollars in Russia.''

Reminding that Turkey's foreign trade is 75 billion US dollars and this figure will be increased up to 200 billion US dollars within ten years.

[14] 270 MILLION US DOLLARS OF HAZELNUTS EXPORTED WITHIN TWO MONTHS

Officials at the Black Sea Union of Hazelnut Exporters told the A.A correspondent that Turkey exported 67.3 tonnes of hazelnuts and obtained an income of 269.9 million US dollars. Turkey exported hazelnuts mainly to the European countries.

Turkey exported 57.6 tonnes of hazelnuts and obtained an income of 256.5 million US dollars in the same period last year.

[15] OIL FOUND IN ADIYAMAN - TEST PRODUCTION TO BEGIN AT THE WELL NAMED ZEYNEL/11

Oyman Sayer, the Deputy Chairman and General Director of the company, told the A.A correspondent that the daily capacity of the well named Zeynel-11 is 3 thousand barrels of oil.

Test production at the well is expected to begin on Thursday.

[16] THE CONTROL MECHANISM ENVISAGED FOR SYRIA - TURKISH AND SYRIAN OFFICIALS WHO WILL BE AT EACH END OF THE TELEPHONE LINE ARE PLANNING TO MEET BY BEGINNING OF NOVEMBER

The high ranking officials of the security units from the two countries will have a direct telephone line among them. A similar telephone line between the two countries was established between 1992-1993 when General Esref Bitlis was the Commander of the Gendarmerie.

Meanwhile, efforts are underway concerning the other two elements of the control mechanism which have been planned to be established between Turkey and Syria. The control mechanism is composed of three elements, namely direct telephone lines, special officials who will be appointed to the representations of the two countries and inspection at appropriate locations.

Syria's sensitivity about inspection at the appropriate locations still continues.

Besides, Turkey is expected to take initiatives to include Lebanon into the agreement made between Turkey and Syria.

[17] RICHARDSON, THE US SECRETARY OF ENERGY DUE IN TURKEY

Richardson is also expected to join the signing ceremonies of the joint memorandum of understanding concerning the Baku-Ceyhan pipeline and the agreement envisaging the transport of Turkmen natural gas to Turkey.

He will leave Turkey on 30 October.

Richardson's visit to Ankara following the visit to Turkey of Richard Morningstar, the US President Bill Clinton's Special Representative to the Caspian Region, is described as the sign of the US Administration's support to the Baku-Ceyhan pipeline project.

[18] THE 14TH MEETING OF PERMANENT COMMITTEE OF ISLAMIC COUNTRIES FOR ECONOMIC AND COMMERCIAL COOPERATION TO BE HELD IN ISTANBUL BETWEEN 1-4 NOVEMBER

President Suleyman Demirel will lead the opening session of the meeting on 3 November.

The State Planning Organization said that ministers of the 56 countries who are responsible for economic affairs, the General Secretariat of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC), the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), the World Bank and international institutions will participate at the meeting which will be hosted by Turkey. A Turkish delegation headed by Isın Celebi, the Minister of State, will attend the meeting.

The high ranking experts of the organization will convene under the leadership of Orhan Guvenen, the Undersecretary of Foreign Trade, between 1- 2 November and conclude the preliminary studies concerning the issues that will be discussed by the ministers.

After the opening session, President Demirel will receive the chairmen of the delegations of the countries and directors and chairmen of the international institutions. Isın Celebi, the Minister of State, will lead the ministers' session that will be held.

The ministers of the OIC will exchange views about developments concerning the implementation of the Economic Cooperation Action Plan, relations with the World Trade Organization (WTO), Trade and Investments among Islamic Countries, Economic Stabilization and Structural Reforms.

[19] COMMITTEE MEETINGS OF THE WORLD PETROLEUM CONGRESS BEGINS IN ISTANBUL

Representatives from 34 countries participate at the meetings which will focus on the preparations for the 16th World Petroleum Congress in Calgary, Canada, in 2000.

Ziya Aksoy, the Chairman of the Planning Group of the Turkish Petroleum Corporation (TPAO) and the Secretary General of the WPC Turkey National Committee, told the A.A correspondent that such organizations are extremely significant for the promotion of Turkey.

Reminding that Turkey has officialy applied for hosting the 17th World Petroleum Congress in 2003, Aksoy noted that the representatives will vote in January in order to determine the location of the congress.

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