Anadolu Agency: News in English, 98-11-05

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

05 NOV 1998

CONTENTS

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

[02] PRESIDENT DEMIREL EVALUATES ON THE DECISION OF DUMA, THE RUSSIAN PARLIAMENT: ''THE PROBLEM OF OCALAN, THE CHIEF OF TERRORIST PKK BETWEEN TURKEY AND RUSSIA IS NOT TO THE ADVANTAGE OF RUSSIA''

[03] PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ MEETS WITH HIS BULGARIAN COUNTERPART KOSTOV

[04] RUSSIAN STATE DUMA'S DECISION ABOUT SEPARATIST TERRORIST ORGANIZATION - LEBEDEV, RUSSIAN AMBASSADOR TO ANKARA: ''I CONDEMN THE DECISION OF DUMA''

[05] EU COMMISSION'S REPORTS ON ENLARGEMENT - FM: ''THE INCLUSION OF SEVERAL BASELESS CLAIMS AGAINST TURKEY CONSTITUTE A MISLEADING FEATURE OF THE REPORT''

[06] PRESIDENT DEMIREL EVALUATES ON METIN KAPLAN, THE HEAD OF AN ILLEGAL FUNDAMENTALIST ORGANIZATION: ''THE ATTEMPT OF SUICIDE ATTACK TO MAUSOLEUM OF ATATURK WAS A CRAZY PLAN''

[07] CEM, FOREIGN MINISTER: EU COMMISSION DISTANCES ITSELF FROM UNJUSTIFIED DISCRIMINATION A LITTLE BIT. THIS IS PLEASING'' - ''TURKEY IS EVALUATED AS THE ACTUAL CANDIDATE OF FULL MEMBERSHIP. WHEN THE EU BRINGS INTO LIFE THIS APPROACH ON THE LEVEL OF THE HEADS OF STATE OR GOVERNMENTS, THE RELATIONS WILL GAIN MOMENTUM''

[08] PRESIDENT DEMIREL RECEIVES MURADOV, SPEAKER OF PARLIAMENT OF TURKMENISTAN

[09] AVDAYEV, RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTRY UNDERSECRETARY IN ANKARA - AVDAYEV: ''RUSSIAN GOVERNMENT KEEPS ITS PROMISES''

[10] PRESIDENT DEMIREL RECEIVES TRILLO, SPEAKER OF PARLIAMENT OF SPAIN

[11] EU COMMISSION REPORTS ON ENLARGEMENT

[12] TUSIAD DELEGATION RETURNS FROM VIENNA

[13] PRESIDENT DEMIREL: ''THE SEPARATIST TERRORIST PKK CAN NOT TAKE SHELTER IN NORTHERN IRAQ EASILY''

[14] INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION INCREASES FIVE PERCENT IN FIRST NINE MONTHS

[15] UN'S ''TORTURE'' RAPPORTEUR DUE IN TURKEY

[16] APPEAL OF OCALAN TO SEEK FOR POLITICAL ASYLUM FROM RUSSIA - CETIN, PARLIAMENT SPEAKER: ''I WANT TO THINK THAT YELTSIN WILL NOT APPROVE OF AN INCIDENT THAT WILL SHELTER TERRORISM ON HIS TERRITORY''

[17] THIRD BRIDGE IN ISTANBUL

[18] PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ AND HIS BULGARIAN COUNTERPART KOSTOV ATTEND OPENING CEREMONY OF EXHIBITION NAMED ''TRACES OF ATATURK IN THE BALKANS''

[19] FOGG, EUROPEAN COMMISSION REPRESENTATIVE TO TURKEY: ''THE REPORT IS A CONFIRMATION THAT TURKEY IS A CANDIDATE COUNTRY OF THE EU''

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

HURRIYET (LIBERAL) GALATASARAY BEATS ROSEMBORG
Galatasaray soccer team which aims to win its matches in the European Champions League, beat Rosenborg 3-0 in Istanbul yesterday.

RUSSIA DECEIVES US
Russian offficals who assured guarantee to Turkey by saying that ''we won't permit a killer to stay in our country,'' approved in the parliament yesterday to provide political asylum to Abdullah Ocalan, the chief of the separatist terrorist organization PKK. Duma, the Russian parliament has not only approved the request of Ocalan, who sought for asylum from Russia, but also accused Turkey of ignoring calls for peaceful solution by saying that ''it is baseless to accuse the PKK and Ocalan of being terrorist.'' Turkey reacted to the decision and Russian Ambassador to Turkey was summoned to the Foreign Ministry and he was asked for information.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

PROMISING REPORT FROM EU
The ''Development Reports'' which were prepared by the European Union (EU) for the 12 candidate countries, allocated 50 pages to Turkey. The report seems quite objective and it praised for Turkey in the economic field and concerning the steps taken for harmonization to the EU legislation.

SABAH (LIBERAL)

OCALAN CRISIS WITH RUSIA
Abdullah Ocalan, the chief of the separatist terrorist organization PKK sent a letter to Duma, the Russian parliament and said that ''I officialy ask for asylum.'' Duma convened yesterday to discuss this request and accepted the draft proposal which foresaw giving political asylum to Ocalan. The draft proposal calls on Yeltsin, the Russian President to approve the decision. Turkey did not accept the decision taken in the Russian parliament by saying that ''the Russian government had assured written guarantee to us.'' President Suleyman Demirel and Prime Minister Mesut Yılmaz warned the Russian government. Our ambassador to Russia visited Russian Foreign Ministry yesterday: and the result is that Ocalan will not stay in Russia.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

TURKEY REACTS HARSHLY
Turkey reacts harshly to the decision taken by the Russian parliament. President Suleyman Demirel said that ''the interests of Russia from Turkey are far more than the interests she will gain by protecting the chief of the separatist terrorist organization PKK.'' While Prime Minister Mesut Yılmaz stated that ''our counterpart is Russian government,'' Bulent Ecevit, the Deputy Prime Minister said that ''Ocalan will be a trouble for Russians.''

RADIKAL (LEFT)

YENİ YÜZYIL (LIBERAL)

TÜRKİYE (RIGHT)

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

[02] PRESIDENT DEMIREL EVALUATES ON THE DECISION OF DUMA, THE RUSSIAN PARLIAMENT: ''THE PROBLEM OF OCALAN, THE CHIEF OF TERRORIST PKK BETWEEN TURKEY AND RUSSIA IS NOT TO THE ADVANTAGE OF RUSSIA''

Responding to questions of journalists, President Demirel stated that ''the Russian Federation is a big state, the Russian Foreign Minister conveyed the message of Russian President Yeltsin and Prime Minister Primakov to me and to my friends. The Russian side told us that they would solve this issue in a way which would not make us uneasy. We have to wait and be patient for a while. We expect Russia to act in accordance with the friendship between Turkey and Russia. Russia has difficulties in internal politics however the officials who decide in the name of Russia should not make Turkey uneasy regarding an issue which does not concern them very much.''

When asked whether the recent developments contradict with the good will message of Primakov, the Russian Prime Minister, President Demirel said that ''he said in the message that we should not expect anything that can harm the relations between Turkey and Russia. This is not good will, but commitment.''

Responding to a question asking whether any measure was taken concerning the possibility that Ocalan could escape to other country, Demirel said, ''who will take the measures? The thing that mattered for us was his departure from Syria.''

[03] PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ MEETS WITH HIS BULGARIAN COUNTERPART KOSTOV

Speaking to reporters following the interdelegationary meetings and his meeting with Kostov, Prime Minister Yilmaz said, ''we signed and exchanged the ratification documents of the Mutludere-Rezve Agreement, which was signed during my official visit to Bulgaria in December 1997. And also this agreement entered into effect and a problem, which couldn't be solved for 50 years, was solved upon the mutual benefit basis.''

Pointing out that Kostov and he discussed in detail the bilateral cooperation issue, Yilmaz said that they took up especially the economic and commercial relations.

Yilmaz stated that he believed the trade volume between the two countries will further increase when the free trade agreement, which was signed during his officials visit to Bulgaria in July 1998, will enter into effect on 1 January 1999.

Bulgarian Prime Minister Kostov said that those agreements will bring concrete solutions for the problems of the Turkish and Bulgarian peoples.

Later, Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz gave a dinner in the honor of Bulgarian Prime Minister Ivan Kostov.

Addressing the dinner, Prime Minister Yilmaz said, ''the Turkish-Bulgarian relations have been experiencing a qualified transformation in last 1.5 years. We started to solve the problems one by one. We led the way for our relations and cooperation. Now, in our agenda, there are concrete projects, which serve for the benefits of our two countries.''

Bulgarian Prime Minister Ivan Kostov said for his part that Turkey and Bulgaria constitute an important place in the world's one of the most sensitive places, adding, ''the destiny of peace in this region has a close connection with the foreign policy activities of our two countries.''

Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz and his Bulgarian counterpart later proceeded to Istanbul.

[04] RUSSIAN STATE DUMA'S DECISION ABOUT SEPARATIST TERRORIST ORGANIZATION - LEBEDEV, RUSSIAN AMBASSADOR TO ANKARA: ''I CONDEMN THE DECISION OF DUMA''

Following the meeting at the Foreign Ministry, Alexander Lebedev told reporters, ''I condemn the decision of the State Duma. However, that decision won't have an effect over the policy, which has been pursued up until now by the Russian government concerning the issue.''

Stressing that Russian Prime Minister Yevgeny Primakov's commitments, which were conveyed to Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz by Igor Ivanov, the Foreign Minister of Russia, are still valid, Ambassador Lebedev said that Russia will not give asylum to the leader of the separatist terrorist organization.

Lebedev said his meeting with Mehmet Ali Irtemcelik, the Undersecretary of the Foreign Ministry, lasted in a friendly atmosphere and a protest or warning were out of question.

Sermet Atacanli, the Deputy Spokesman of the Foreign Ministry, said that Turkey's sensitivities about the Duma's decision was conveyed to Ambassador Lebedev.

Atacanli stated that Turkey expects Russia to fulfil her commitments and Russia has't gave a response yet.

[05] EU COMMISSION'S REPORTS ON ENLARGEMENT - FM: ''THE INCLUSION OF SEVERAL BASELESS CLAIMS AGAINST TURKEY CONSTITUTE A MISLEADING FEATURE OF THE REPORT''

The Foreign Ministry said that ''the inclusion of several baseless claims against Turkey in political evaluations of the report constitutes a misleading feature of the report,'' adding that the EU Commission has to more carefully evaluate about Turkey.

Noting that the report regards the economy of Turkey better than the economies of the other candidate countries, the statement added that ''the description of Turkey among the 12 candidate states by the EU Commission constitutes a new basis for the future of our relations.In this new framework, Turkey expects to be evaluated more correctly. The confirmation of Turkey's being a candidate state by the heads of states and governments of the EU member states and full implementation of this will constitute the last stage in normalization of our relations with the EU.''

[06] PRESIDENT DEMIREL EVALUATES ON METIN KAPLAN, THE HEAD OF AN ILLEGAL FUNDAMENTALIST ORGANIZATION: ''THE ATTEMPT OF SUICIDE ATTACK TO MAUSOLEUM OF ATATURK WAS A CRAZY PLAN''

Responding to questions of journalists, President Demirel said that ''the attempt was the plan of an insane person. The threats that can be directed to Turkey are not always planned by wise people, but also by insane person. But if a threat is directed to Turkey and if this threat comes from insane people, this won't remove that they are traitors and this won't remove their crime.''

Noting that nobody should think that Turkey exists by chance, Demirel stated that ''the units of the state knows everything that can be directed as a threat to the security of Turkey. Turkey is a state of law, it has laws and regulations to protect herself.''

Asked whether there is a threat against the Republic in Turkey, President Demirel said that ''there is always such a threat. The thing that matters is transformation of threat into a danger. The state is very careful and cautious to prevent the possibility of transformation of the threat into danger. Whenever there is a threat, the measures of the state work.''

[07] CEM, FOREIGN MINISTER: EU COMMISSION DISTANCES ITSELF FROM UNJUSTIFIED DISCRIMINATION A LITTLE BIT. THIS IS PLEASING'' - ''TURKEY IS EVALUATED AS THE ACTUAL CANDIDATE OF FULL MEMBERSHIP. WHEN THE EU BRINGS INTO LIFE THIS APPROACH ON THE LEVEL OF THE HEADS OF STATE OR GOVERNMENTS, THE RELATIONS WILL GAIN MOMENTUM''

Cem told reporters that the EU Commission distanced itself from the unjustified discrimination a little bit and this is pleasing. ''Turkey is evaluated as the actual candidate of full membership. When the EU brings into life this approach on the level of the heads of state or governments, the relations will gain momentum,'' he said.

Pointing out that Turkey was not included even in the ''enlargement process'' 16 months ago, Cem said, ''inclusion of some baseless claims and expressions in the section related with the political situation in Turkey, constitutes a misleading aspect of the report. It is very clear that the EU Commission should evaluate Turkey more carefully.''

Cem said, ''this time, the EU at least stated that there are more than one problem between Turkey and Greece which is contrary to the Greek claims, and for the first time, it pronounced the problems of ''borders of territorial waters'' and ''air space'' openly. It can be seen in this report that our efforts to refute the proclaims of Greece which are based on lies, started to give results. But, mistaken evaluations concerning Cyprus issue continue. It has been seen that it can be reached nowhere with these mistakes. Turkey's stance on this issue is clear.''

''I find some comments and proposals of the EU Commission for domestic issues of Turkey as misleading. But, the Commission has the right to mention on various issues in its evaluation of the candidates. And also, it is our right to tell the mistakes of these comments and proposals,'' he said.

[08] PRESIDENT DEMIREL RECEIVES MURADOV, SPEAKER OF PARLIAMENT OF TURKMENISTAN

President Demirel received Suhat Muradov, the Speaker of the Parliament of Turkmenistan, and the accompanying delegation.

Adressing the meeting, Demirel said he will leave for Turkmenistan on 11 November and open several facilities, which he laid foundations in previous years.

Recalling that they signed a natural gas agreement with Saparmurat Turkmenbasi, the President of Turkmenistan, during the celebrations for the 75th anniversary of the Republic, Demirel said, ''the oil producer countries Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, and the transit countries Turkey and Georgia signed a declaration and the US witnessed it. I believe the Turkmen natural gas will find the opportunity to reach the Turkish market and further markets in two years.''

Pointing out that the Turkish businessmen were ready to help Turkmenistan in the processing of Turkmen wool and in the transportation of the Turkmen natural gas, Demirel said, ''Turkey has always supported Turkmenistan and she will continue to do so.''

[09] AVDAYEV, RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTRY UNDERSECRETARY IN ANKARA - AVDAYEV: ''RUSSIAN GOVERNMENT KEEPS ITS PROMISES''

Responding to questions of journalists at the airport about the decision of Russian State Duma, lower house of the parliament, to appeal to President Boris Yeltsin to grant asylum to Abdullah Ocalan, the chief of separatist terrorist organization PKK, Avdayev said that Russian government keeps its promises.

Avdayev said that he will have talks with his Turkish collegues about the relations between the two countries, and that he can give detailed information after these talks.

Avdayev is expected to meet high level officials of the Foreign Ministry on Friday.

Igor Ivanov, Russian Foreign Minister, has earlier brought Turkey messages from Russia on Presidential and Prime Ministerial levels saying that it will not apply a method that will damage its relations with Turkey.

[10] PRESIDENT DEMIREL RECEIVES TRILLO, SPEAKER OF PARLIAMENT OF SPAIN

President Demirel received Federico Trillo, the Speaker of the Parliament of Spain, and the accompanying delegation.

Addressing the meeting, President Demirel said Turkey and Spain, the countries in the edges of Europe, don't have any political problems between them.

Pointing out that they were thankful about the support of Spain in the European issue of Turkey, Demirel said the cooperation in the Mediterranean issue will provide benefit for both Turkey and Spain and he believed the commercial and economic relations will further increase.

Spanish Parliament Speaker Trillo said that Turkey is right in her European drive and Spain supports Turkey in that issue, adding that they believe Turkey will fulfil the economic and political conditions necessary for full- membership.

Trillo said Turkey should undertake an important role in the continuation of the dialogue in the Euro-Mediterranean.

''Turkey has an agreement with Europe since 1965. In accordance with this agreement, Turkey has the right to negotiate the membership issue with the EU. The Luxembourg decisions put the issue on a reverse direction. This is wrong. We believe the EU has to include all of the countries in Europe in a specific period. There shouldn't be discrimination,'' Demirel said.

''There is a need for schedule. However, Turkey has been in this schedule since 1965. Turkey is the only country included in the customs union without having membership to the EU. We don't constitute a burden and don't want to,'' President Demirel stated.

''Turkey is a democratic and secular country which accepted the market economy. Today, Turkey's enterprising power has exceeded its limits. We constitute a bridge between Europe, Asia and Middle East. We make important contributions to peace in our region and also in Europe. Everbody knows the contributions of a NATO ally Turkey. There are lots of problems in the Balkans, Caucasus and Middle East,'' said President Demirel.

''Cardiff didn't correct the decisions taken in Luxembourg but there has been a progress. We want the EU to say 'twelve' in spite of 'eleven plus one'. The number does not change anyhow. There won't be any problem when the EU says 'twelve'. Europe has accepted Turkey for 35 years. In this period, Turkey has recorded progress in every field,'' President Demirel added.

[11] EU COMMISSION REPORTS ON ENLARGEMENT

The introduction of the EU report on Turkey notes that the EU Council of Ministers requested EU Commission to prepare a report for each candidate country during the Cardiff Summit. The report on Turkey takes the Association Agremeent signed between Turkey and the EU as the basis which foresees full membership perspective for Turkey.

Noting that ''the European Strategy for Turkey,'' aims at preparing Turkey for full membership, the report explained the historical relations between Turkey and the EU, recalling that the relations were suspended due to the military intervention in 1980 and the Fourth Financial Protocol was frozen. The relations normalized, but the Financial Protocol was not liberated till today, noted the report.

Recalling the developments after the customs union, the negative attitude of the European Parliament, the European Strategy for Turkey determined at Luxembourg Summit and the reactions of Turkey to that, the report also pointed out to the decisions taken during the Cardiff Summit concerning preparation of Turkey for full membership. The report noted the decision of the EU Commission dated October 21, 1998 concerning the financial assistance as the last development.

The report stressed that the developments in the fields of human rights and democratization were not sufficient, claiming that there is political instability in Turkey and the existing government stays in power by external support.

Stressing that the democratic, pluralist and social state structure of Turkey were determined by the Constitution, the report pointed out to the positive decisions of the parliament since 1995 which brought constitutional reforms, showing participation of institutions to politics and decreasing the age of electorate.

Pointing out that the Welfare Party (RP) was banned and the EU Term Presidency considered this as ''appropriate to the Turkish Constitution,'' the report said that the connections between the state and the organized crime have been revealed by the ''Susurluk Scandal.''

Noting that the justice system in Turkey depends on the principle of independence, the report said that the justice system works slowly in Turkey.

The report stressed that the National Security Council plays a key role, adding that efforts are needed to secure the independence of justice.

Stressing that Turkey has signed many of the international agreements aming at protection of human rights, the report said that there are torture, missing people in Turkey, although the Constitution secures fundamental rights and freedoms.

Noting that the freedom of expression in Turkey has not been fully taken under guarantee, the report stated that the freedom of the press is protected in Turkey.

The report criticized the conditions in prisons, but attributed importance to the increase in the activities of the non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in Turkey.

In its part concerning minorities, the report stated that the Constitution does not describe Kurdish people as minority and it focused on the ''terrorist methods'' of the separatist terrorist organization PKK and the negative consequences of this terrorism.

Taking up the ''Southeastern problem,'' the report stressed that ''civilian solution rather than military one'' is needed in the region.

The report said that the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) is not recognized by any country in the world except Turkey, pointing out that the EU Commission hopes a bi-communal and bi-zonal solution on the island. The report also claimed that there was a Turkish invasion on the island.

The report claimed that ''Turkey has to contribute to the efforts aiming at finding peaceful solutions to Turkey's divergence of opinions with several neighbourgs within the framework of international principles.''

In the economic part of the report, the EU Commission positively mentioned about the developments in the Turkish economy, adding that Turkey could not have fully provided the macroeconomic stability yet.

The report stressed the ''economic potential'' and competition power of Turkey, but also said that there are differences among the parts of Turkey in respect of economy.

The report added that Turkey has proved her capacity concerning harmonization of her legislation to the EU law after signing customs deal with the EU, noting that the European Strategy for Turkey will contribute to this harmony.

The Turkish and foreign experts consider the EU Commission Report as positive by saying that ''a mild language has been used in the report.''

[12] TUSIAD DELEGATION RETURNS FROM VIENNA

The eight-member businessmen delegation led by the TUSIAD Chairman Kayhan concluded its contacts in Austria and returned to Istanbul.

Speaking to the A.A correspondent, Kayhan said that they told the Austrian businessmen that the different structure of the Turkish industry was growing despite the global economic crisis and the internal economic problems.

''We conveyed to the Austrian businessmen that Turkey is growing continuously; she is carrying out several businesses abroad and seeking cooperation in the investments in the Central Asia and in the infrastructural investments in the field of energy. We had the chance to convey Turkey's expectations and to listen their expectations,'' Kayhan said.

Stressing that the Austrian businessmen support Turkey's membership to the European Union (EU), Kayhan said, ''the Austrian businessmen told us that they understood Turkey's disappointment at Luxembourg Summit. They said there were recoveries at the Cardiff Summit and there will be further recoveries at the Vienna Summit.''

[13] PRESIDENT DEMIREL: ''THE SEPARATIST TERRORIST PKK CAN NOT TAKE SHELTER IN NORTHERN IRAQ EASILY''

Responding to questions of journalists, President Demirel recalled that Turkey signed an agreement with Syria to stop the Syrian support to terrorism.

''Both Egypt and Iran are witnesses of this agreement. If Syria does not abide with this agreement, Iran and and Egypt have to warn Syria. The agremeent has to be between states. Pacta sunda servanda is the condition of being a state. If one state makes a commitment, she has to abide with that. Now Turkey expects Syria to keep her promise,'' said President Demirel.

When asked about the concerns of Turkey about Abdullah Ocalan, the chief of the separatist terrorist organization PKK in the future, Demirel said that ''the thing that matters is not what Ocalan will do in the future. 5000 soldiers and 5000 civilians people died because of terrorism.''

''Today, Turkey controls the separatist terrorism in the whole country. The separatist terrorist PKK can not easily take shelter in Northern Iraq,'' added Demirel.

Noting that Turkey closely monitors the developments in Northern Iraq, President Demirel said that they are always in contact with the leaders of Norhern Iraqi Kurdish groups.

''We don't want to keep them fighting in the region, they can be in peace with each other, but they should not violate the territorial integrity of Iraq. We defend the territorial integrity of Iraq more than Iraq. We can't accept them to be in cooperation with PKK and we can't accept Iran to use PKK,'' added Demirel.

[14] INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION INCREASES FIVE PERCENT IN FIRST NINE MONTHS

The State Institute of Statistics (DIE) data shows that the production of the food industry increased by 19 percent in September. It was followed by the electricity, gas and water sector with 7.7 percent increase and by the machinery industry and earthenware industry with eight per thousand increase.

The textiles industry's production decreased by 19 percent in September. The textiles industry was followed by the paper and publishing sector with three percent decrease; chemistry sector with 3.1 percent decrease; metal main industry with 1.5 percent and mining sector with 7.8 percent.

The total industrial production between January and September 1998 became five percent when compared to the same period in 1997.

In the first nine months of 1998, the production of electricity, gas and water sector increased by 10.3 percent, the mining sector's production rose by 9.4 percent and the manufacturing industry's production climbed 4 percent.

The production of the textiles sector decreased by 13.7 percent and the metal industry's production dropped by 1 per thousand in the first nine months of 1998.

In the January-September 1998 period, the production of machinery industry increased by 14.4 percent; the production of food industry rose by 6.8 percent; the production of paper and publishing sector climbed 5.3 percent; earthenware industry's production increased by 3.9 percent and the production of chemistry sector increased by 1.5 percent.

[15] UN'S ''TORTURE'' RAPPORTEUR DUE IN TURKEY

UN Information Center told a statement that Rodley is scheduled to meet Kutlu Aktas, Minister of Interior, Hasan Denizkurdu, Minister of Justice, Hikmet Sami Turk, Minister of State responsible for human rights, prosecutors and security officials. Rodley will also visit prisons and police stations in Ankara, Diyarbakir and Istanbul.

Rodley is planning to stage a news conference in the UN Information Center on Nov 19 in UN Information Center and will also prepare a report including observations and advises. Rodley will submit the report he prepared to 55th term meeting of Human Rights Commission which it will hold in Geneva between 22 March and 30 April.

[16] APPEAL OF OCALAN TO SEEK FOR POLITICAL ASYLUM FROM RUSSIA - CETIN, PARLIAMENT SPEAKER: ''I WANT TO THINK THAT YELTSIN WILL NOT APPROVE OF AN INCIDENT THAT WILL SHELTER TERRORISM ON HIS TERRITORY''

Responding to the questions of reporters about the recommendatory decision taken in Duma, sub-flank of Russian Parliament, to grant asylum to Ocalan, Cetin said ''we should wait and see how it will result in. Confirmation of Russian President is required at first.''

When asked how he evaluated such a decision of the Parliament, Cetin said ''I don't know their methods. This is a question of government in other countries. I don't know whether Russian Parliament has such an authority or used an authority that doesn't exist.''

[17] THIRD BRIDGE IN ISTANBUL

A tender will be opened in the coming days for the third bridge planned to be constructed with Build-Operate-Transfer model, officials of the Highways General Directorate said, adding that the bridge was included in 1998.

The bridge which will cost for 700 million US dollars will be transferred to the Highways General Directorate after being operated for 14 years.

A rail system will give service in the middle of the bridge.

Officials said the third bridge was not an alternative to the tube tunnel, which is foreseen to be constructed in Istanbul.

The third bridge will be constructed in an area between Bosphorus and Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridges. The new bridge will be constructed with the same methods like the first two bridges technically.

Officials say talks are underway with the domestic and foreign company groups for the third bridge which is expected to ease the traffic of Istanbul, adding that Italy, Japan, Germany, France, Britain, US and companies of several other countries may be interested in the construction of the bridge and bring proposals.

[18] PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ AND HIS BULGARIAN COUNTERPART KOSTOV ATTEND OPENING CEREMONY OF EXHIBITION NAMED ''TRACES OF ATATURK IN THE BALKANS''

Addressing the ceremony, Yilmaz stressed that the cultural relations are very significant for the survivability of the friendly relations between Turkey and Bulgaria.

Reminding that the agreement envisaging the giving the kinsmen who have migrated from Bulgaria to Turkey, their social rights back which they gained in Bulgaria, was signed between the two countries, Yilmaz thanked his Bulgarian counterpart to put an end to the pains of the Turkish people living in Bulgaria.

Describing the exhibition as a good model of culture relations between the two countries, Yilmaz emphasized, ''the Turkish-Bulgarian relations have been experiencing a qualified transformation in last 1.5 years. We started to solve the problems one by one. We led the way for our relations and cooperation. Now, in our agenda, there are concrete projects, which serve for the benefits of our two countries.''

Responding to a question about the presence of Abdullah Ocalan, the leader of the separatist terrorist PKK organization in Russia,

Yilmaz stressed that their initiatives for the extradition of Ocalan continue positively.

Ivan Kostov in his part expressed gratification at being in Turkey.

Noting that Ataturk, the Founder of Modern Republic of Turkey, endeavoured for his country to become a secular state, and realized a series of reforms, Kostov emphasized that these reforms have been understood not only in Turkey, but in all Balkan countries.

Kostov also added that they will sign a protocol envisaging cooperation between the two countries. He added that the protocol also comprise the electricity exportation to Turkey, and give opportunity to the Turkish businessmen to take part at the highway constructions in Bulgaria.

The exhibition composed by 60 paintings and small models of the Bulgarian artists concerning Ataturk and Turkey, will remain open until 11 November.

[19] FOGG, EUROPEAN COMMISSION REPRESENTATIVE TO TURKEY: ''THE REPORT IS A CONFIRMATION THAT TURKEY IS A CANDIDATE COUNTRY OF THE EU''

Addressing a press conference staged in European Commission's Representation, Fogg evaluated the EU Commission's report about the progress in the candidate countries recorded towards the EU full membership.

Pointing out that she was impressed by the speed of the reaction which Turkish Foreign Ministry gave to the report, Fogg said, ''this shows that Turkey attributes the required importance which the report deserves.''

Fogg said that the report revealed where the candidate countries are to fulfil their commitments on the issues of democracy, human rights and preservation of minority rights, which are determined by Copenhagen criteria.

Noting that the report also mentioned about the importance of good neighborhood relations, Fogg said according to the economic criteria, Turkey has a strong economy which is based on competition. Fogg said more reforms and development are required to cope with pressures resulting from the competition.

Fogg said they need more discussions with Turkish officials on many issues, adding that ''this report will be beneficial to Turkey and other candidate countries. Brussels tries to identify the standarts required for EU full membership. I hope that the candidates will use these reports positively.''

When asked what kind of a formula will be found for the financial obligations EU has to fulfil, Fogg said, ''this report is a confirmation of Turkey's candidacy. Technical meetings continue since September and a strategy is determined for Turkey. This report is a start.''

Fogg also said that the EU-Turkish Joint Parliamentarians Delegation will convene on Monday and Tuesday next week, adding that technical contacts were underway.

Responding to a question about the recommendations on the Southeast and Cyprus issues, Fogg said ideas and advises in the report were not new, adding that there was the required energy to improve the Turkish-EU relations despite the disappointment.

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