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Anadolu Agency: News in English, 99-02-10

Anadolu Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

AA Daily

10 February 1999 Wednesday


CONTENTS

  • [01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN
  • [02] BASQUE MEETING OF SO-CALLED ''KURDISH PARLIAMENT'' - PM ECEVIT: ''IT WILL BE AN ATTITUDE THAT WILL CONTRADICT WITH FRIENDSHIP''
  • [03] PRESIDENT DENKTAS OF THE TRNC SENDS MESSAGE OF CONDOLENCES TO NEW KING ABDULLAH OF JORDAN
  • [04] PARLIAMENT APPROVES EXTENSION OF STATE OF EMERGENCY FOR ANOTHER FOUR MONTHS
  • [05] PRESIDENT DENKTAS OF THE TRNC GIVES AN OFFICIAL DINNER IN HONOUR OF HAGA, THE NORWEGIAN DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER
  • [06] PRESIDENT DEMIREL AND PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT DISCUSS STUDIES OF ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COUNCIL AND FINAL COMMUNIQUE OF THE IMF
  • [07] PRESIDENT DEMIREL: ''WE WILL CONCLUDE THE PROJECT TO TRANSPORT WATER TO TRNC WITH PIPELINE BY THE END OF THIS YEAR OR NEXT YEAR''
  • [08] THE U.S. WARNS IRAQ: - ''DO NOT THREAT TURKEY OTHERWISE WE STRIKE YOU''
  • [09] PENTAGON SAYS THEY WILL CONTINUE THEIR PATROLLING ON NO-FLY ZONES
  • [10] PROFILE OF EXPORTS FROM GAP REGION - IN JANUARY, 23.6 MILLION U.S. DOLLARS OF TEXTILE EXPORTED FROM THE REGION
  • [11] DEMIREL RECEIVES CHAIRMEN OF PARLIAMENTARY FOREIGN AFFAIRS COMMISSION OF SOUTHEASTERN EUROPEAN COUNTRIES
  • [12] ECONOMIC RELATIONS BETWEEN TURKEY AND RUSSIA - BALKAN, DEPUTY UNDERSECRETARY OF THE FOREIGN MINISTRY: - ''TURKEY WILL PROTECT HER OWN BENEFITS BY ASSISTING RUSSIA TO OVERCOME ECONOMIC CRISIS''
  • [13] LEGAL RELATIONS BETWEEN TURKEY AND TRNC
  • [14] HAZELNUT EXPORTS - 496.5 MILLION U.S. DOLLARS OF HAZELNUTS EXPORTED SINCE SEPTEMBER 1
  • [15] TURKISH-IMF RELATIONS
  • [16] MILITARY COOPERATION WITH SENEGAL
  • [17] HIGH LEVEL INTEREST FROM WORLD BANK TO TURKEY - LINN, WORLD BANK DEPUTY CHAIRMAN, DUE IN TURKEY ON FEBRUARY 16
  • [18] TURKCELL AND ERICSSON SIGN A NEW AGREEMENT TO EXPAND GSM NETWORK
  • [19] MEETING OF SO-CALLED ''KURDISH PARLIAMENT IN EXILE'' IN BASQUE - FOREIGN MINISTRY: ''SUCH A DEVELOPMENT WON'T CONTRIBUTE POSITIVELY TO THE RELATIONS BETWEEN TURKEY AND SPAIN''
  • [20] SALES OF IMPORTED MOTOR VEHICLES IN JANUARY 1999
  • [21] TURKISH-SYRIAN RELATIONS - SYRIA REJECTS TURKEY'S PROPOSAL OF ESTABLISHMENT OF A SYSTEM WHICH WILL CONTROL THE STRUGGLE WITH TERRORIST ORGANIZATION PKK WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF ADANA AGREEMENT
  • [22] TUDJMAN, CROTIAN PRESIDENT, IN TURKEY
  • [23] DECISION FOR DEPLOYMENT OF S-300 MISSILES ON CRETE - FOREIGN MINISTRY: - ''LAST POLICY OF GREEKS AND GREEK-CYPRIOTS IS NOT RATIONALIST'' - ''TURKEY GIVES RESPONSE TO EVERY THREAT''
  • [24] PREMIER ECEVIT SIGNS THE CONDOLENCE BOOK OPENED IN JORDANIAN EMBASSY IN ANKARA
  • [25] THE SITUATION OF TERRORIST CHIEF - ATACANLI, THE FOREIGN MINISTRY DEPUTY SPOKESMAN: ''THE CONCERNED COUNTRIES ASSURED GUARANTEE SAYING THAT THEY WON'T PERMIT THE TERRORIST CHIEF TO ENTER TO THEIR TERRITORIES''
  • [26] EXPLOSION IN FRONT OF TURKISH CONSULATE IN COMOTINI
  • [27] TURKISH-FRENCH RELATIONS - FM: ''IT HAS BEEN SEEN IN POLITICAL CONSULTATIONS HELD YESTERDAY THAT THERE IS NOT A NOTEWORTHY PROBLEM BETWEEN THE TWO COUNTRIES''
  • [28] SIX FOREIGN ARCHAEOLOGISTS APPLIES TO CARRY OUT EXCAVATIONS IN THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL SETTLEMENTS WHICH WILL STAY UNDER THE WATERS OF KARKAMIS AND ILISU DAMS

  • [01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

    These are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in Turkey's press on Feb 10, 1999. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

    HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

    PROMISE TO TURKEY
    Last head of states summit of this century will take place in Turkey in November. Bill Clinton, President of the U.S., and Jacques Chirac, President of France, gave signals that they will participate in the summit. Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) decided to hold its latest summit in Turkey. Presidents and Premiers of the leading countries of the world will come to Turkey for this summit.

    DEMIREL: ELECTIONS WILL ABSOLUTELY TAKE PLACE
    President Suleyman Demirel put the last point to rumours related with the elections. Demirel said, ''nobody should feel doubt, elections will take place on April 18, otherwise there will be crisis.'' Speaking to people who talk against the army, Demirel said the army you defame is the army of nation.''

    MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

    WORDS LIKE BOMB
    Significant statements came from President Suleyman Demirel in the atmosphere in which election excitement began to increase. Demirel said campaign against army will not bring votes, it only pleases some crazy people and added that army will protect itself if state fails to protect army.

    PKK BOUGHT VILLAGE IN RUSSIA
    As information comes that Abdullah Ocalan, chief of the separatist terrorist organization, returned to Russia again, intelligence united reported that separatist terrorist organization bought a village in this country. The report sent to high ranking authorities of the state pointed out that efforts are underway to settle Ocalan to this village after Italy.

    SABAH (LIBERAL)

    THERE IS AGENT IN POLICE STATION
    Police established internal controlling organization. 155 policemen who committed crimes were sacked and a 1048 others were punished. Formerly internal controlling had been implemented when there was ''complaint''. When complaints increased especially related with Susurluk gang, a special unit, composed of expert detectives began to enter among the people to make investigation.

    REACTION FROM ECEVIT TO BASQUE
    Basque parliament gave green light to the convening of so-called kurdish parliament in its building. Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit who harsly reacted to this development said ''I don't think Basque people will support this. Spanish government also opposes to this. Realization of this will contradict with friendship and alliance.''

    CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

    PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT: OCALAN WILL APPEAR SOONER OR LATER
    Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said that Abdullah Ocalan, chief of separatist terrorist organization PKK, will appear sooner or later.

    Responding to a question about the convening of ''so-called kurdish parliament in exile'' in the local parliament building of Spain's autonomous Basque, Ecevit stressed, ''I do not think that people living in Bask will allow such an incident. The Spanish government also objects the meeting.''

    RADIKAL (LEFT)

    PKK ON ITS WAY TO BASK
    The local parliament of Spain's autonomous Basque region allowed the convening of ''so-called kurdish parliament in exile'' in its building. Gun Gur, Turkish Ambassador to Spain said that he met with the officials of Basque parliament but they have disclosed pretext of this permission as ''not to bow to the pressures of Turkey.'' Gur said they have launched informative initiatives to Basque parliament and Spanish government so far and pointed out that they will continue similar activities. Gur stressed that authority of central administration in Spain on Basque region was limited in accordance with the Spanish Constitution.

    WORKS POSTPONED TO RESCUE MOUNTAINEER
    WHO TRAPPED UNDER AVALANCHE THREE DAYS AGO
    Rescue works in Baskarci Mountain in the Western Denizli Province to rescue Mutlu Acar (20) who trapped under avalanche three days ago, were postponed due to the bad weather conditions. Nasuh Mahruki, the Chairman of the special rescue team (AKUT), stressed that the heavy snowfall prevented their works to carry on.

    BELGIUM DOEZ NOT ALLOW ILLEGAL DEMONSTRATION OF SEPARATISTS
    Belgian security forces did not allow initiative of separatist terrorists who wanted to stage an illegal demonstration in front of the U.S. Embassy in Belgian capital Brussels. Nearly 200 police, about 300 gendarme, and many armoured vehicles were deployed in front of the Embassy building after the separatist terrorists disclosed that they will stage a demonstration to expend support to the efforts of Abdullah Ocalan, chief of the separatist terrorist organization PKK to find a place to shelter and to condemn the attitude of the U.S. and Israel.

    YENİ YÜZYIL (LIBERAL)

    SPAIN DECLARES TURKEY AS A STRATEGIC PARTNER
    Eduardo Euba Aldape, the Director of the Spanish Foreign Trade Institute, said that the Spanish government declared Turkey as its strategic partner in 1999. Aldape emphasized that the Spanish government took its economic relations with Turkey among its prior trade policies.

    OPERATIONS AGAINST TERRORISM IN MUS PROVINCE
    A total of seven separatist terrorists were captured during the operations launched by the security forces in Mollakent Village in Bulanik County of Mus Province in the Eastern Anatolia Region. Acting on a tip-off, security officials captured seven terrorist who were being searched with the accusations of collecting money for the separist terrorist organization PKK and making propaganda for PKK.

    TÜRKİYE (RIGHT)

    A SEPARATIST ORGANIZATION CLAIMS
    RESPONSIBILITY OF BLAST IN KOMOTINI
    A separatist organization named as ''Support to Ocalan, the hawks of Thrace'' claimed responsibility of the bomb attack in the avenue where the Turkish Consulate General takes place. The Greek police said that an anonymous caller had telephoned the local state radio station and gave the name of the organization. The bomb disposal expert was slightly injured at the blast. Sakir Ozkan Torunlar, the Turkish Consul General in Komotini, said that the Turkish Consulate Building was not damaged at the blast.

    THE U.S. WARNS IRAQ: DO NOT THREAT
    TURKEY OTHERWISE WILL STRIKE
    The U.S. Administration warned Iraq to stop threating Turkey and other neighbouring countries. James Rubin, the Spokesman of the U.S. State Department, stressed that his country will strike Iraq in such a case.

    ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

    NINE TERRORISTS CAPTURED
    A total of nine separatist terrorists were captured during the operations launched by the security forces in Istanbul. Security forces also seized a number of rifles, weapons, hand-grenades and bullets in the operation. The terrorists who were trained in the terrorists camps in Greece, were planning to organize bomb attacks on several targets in Istanbul.

    [02] BASQUE MEETING OF SO-CALLED ''KURDISH PARLIAMENT'' - PM ECEVIT: ''IT WILL BE AN ATTITUDE THAT WILL CONTRADICT WITH FRIENDSHIP''

    ANKARA, Feb 10 (A.A) - Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said on Tuesday that allowing so-called ''kurdish parliament'' to convene in Basque region will contradict with friendship and alliance.

    When asked about his views regarding the decision of a local parliament in authonomous Basque region of Spain to allow so-called ''kurdish parliament in exile'' to convene in its building, Ecevit said ''I don't think Basque people will support this. Spanish government also opposes to this. Of course, realization of this will contradict with friendship and alliance.''

    [03] PRESIDENT DENKTAS OF THE TRNC SENDS MESSAGE OF CONDOLENCES TO NEW KING ABDULLAH OF JORDAN

    LEFKOSA, Feb 10 (A.A) - President Rauf Denktas of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) sent on Tuesday a message of condolences to new King Abdullah bin Al-Hussein of Jordan and expressed deep sorrow on the demise of King Hussein bin Talal of Jordan.

    Denktas stressed in his message that the untimely demise of King Hussein created deep sorrow among the Turkish Cypriot people, presenting his most sincere feelings to the Jordanian Parliament, the Jordanian Royal Family and Jordanian people who mourn for their beloved King Hussein.

    President Denktas also congratulated King Abdullah who was declared as the new King of Jordan, and wished peace, prosperity and happiness for the Jordanian people.

    [04] PARLIAMENT APPROVES EXTENSION OF STATE OF EMERGENCY FOR ANOTHER FOUR MONTHS

    ANKARA, Feb 10 (A.A) - State of Emergency, currently implemented in southeastern Diyarbakir, Hakkari, Siirt, Sirnak, Tunceli and Van provinces, was extended for another four months as of March 30, 1999.

    Cahit Bayar, Minister of Interior, responding to questions during the talks said ''Apo turned into a traveller''. Noting that they were following the track of terrorist chief, Bayar said his involvement in drug trafficking was a handicap for him and that no country supported him to this end.

    Bayar said there was no place for Ocalan to go, adding that they wanted to bring him to justice. Meanwhile, several deputies said ''send him to the moon.''

    Responding to Bedri Incetahtaci from the Virtue Party (FP) who claimed that state of emergency did not have a legal base, Bayar said, ''this law was issued by the parliament and decision for extension was taken in the parliament so nobody should have doubts that it is legal.'' Pointing out that they also did not support extension of state of emergency, Bayar said ''yet the threat is very big, so we are obliged to extend it.''

    Ulku Guney, speaking on behalf of the Motherland Party (ANAP) group, said this extension was needed to clear away the remainings of the separatist terrorist organization, adding that this organization came to the point of disperse, yet Turkish state should not be relaxed.

    [05] PRESIDENT DENKTAS OF THE TRNC GIVES AN OFFICIAL DINNER IN HONOUR OF HAGA, THE NORWEGIAN DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER

    LEFKOSA, Feb 10 (A.A) - President Rauf Denktas of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) gave an official dinner on Tuesday in honour of Aslagus Haga, the Norwegian Deputy Foreign Minister who pays an official visit to Cyprus.

    Ertugrul Hasipoglu, the Speaker of the TRNC Parliament, Ertugrul Apakan, the Turkish Ambassador to the TRNC, Mustafa Akinci, the TRNC Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State, Tahsin Ertugruloglu, the TRNC Defense and Foreign Affairs Minister, bureaucrats, leaders of the political parties in the TRNC, and other high level officials were also in attendance at the dinner.

    Haga held contacts with officials both in the TRNC and the Greek Cypriot side. She stressed that Norway attributes importance to contacts between the businessmen of both communities on the island. and pointed out that such contacts will help the Cyprus question to reach a peaceful solution.

    Haga also noted that her three-day-visit to Cyprus aims at further improving the relations between Norway and both communities on Cyprus.

    [06] PRESIDENT DEMIREL AND PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT DISCUSS STUDIES OF ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COUNCIL AND FINAL COMMUNIQUE OF THE IMF

    ANKARA, Feb 10 (A.A) - President Suleyman Demirel met on Tuesday with Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit and discussed studies of economic and Social Council and final communique of the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

    Ecevit, speaking after the meeting which took place in Cankaya palace, said he briefed President Demirel about the meeting of Economic and Social Council meeting. Noting that President Demirel was closely interested in the studies of the Council, Ecevit said he presented final document of the Council to Demirel.

    Pointing out that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) issued a very positive final communique, Ecevit said he hoped thus the interest of foreign investors will increase. Ecevit said he also informed Demirel on these issues.

    Ecevit said President Demirel briefed him about his contacts in Jordan where he visited due to the funeral of King Hussein.

    [07] PRESIDENT DEMIREL: ''WE WILL CONCLUDE THE PROJECT TO TRANSPORT WATER TO TRNC WITH PIPELINE BY THE END OF THIS YEAR OR NEXT YEAR''

    ANKARA, Feb 10 (A.A) - President Suleyman Demirel said on Tuesday that the project to transport water to Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) with pipeline will be concluded by the end of this year or next year.

    Addressing a meeting with Sureyya Celik, Anamur Municipality and the accompanying delegation, Demirel recalled that water was transported to TRNC with balloons earlier, adding that ''this time there will be pipeline instead of balloon.''

    [08] THE U.S. WARNS IRAQ: - ''DO NOT THREAT TURKEY OTHERWISE WE STRIKE YOU''

    WASHINGTON D.C., Feb 10 (A.A) - The U.S. Administration warned on Tuesday Iraq to stop threating Turkey and the other neighbouring countries, otherwise it will take actions against Iraq.

    Responding to questions of the journalists over the issue, James Rubin, the Spokesman of the U.S. State Department, stressed that Iraq will make a serious and big mistake by continuing to threat Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait that support the U.S. and Britain in military operation against Iraq.

    Rubin reiterated that the U.S. will be ready to take action in such case.

    Meanwhile, Pentagon denied allegations claiming that Iraq hit a Western airplane over the no-fly zone in Northern Iraq.

    James Rubin abstained from making statement about allegations claiming that the U.S. is unwilling to provide intelligence to Turkey over whereabouts of Abdullah Ocalan, chief of separatist terrorist organization.

    The U.S. has declared the PKK as a ''bloody-handed and brutal terrorist organization'' in 1996, and defended extradition of Ocalan to Turkey since he was captured in Italy.

    Rubin also refrained to reply a question on whether nearly two thousand people work illegally in the U.S. installations in Turkey or not.

    [09] PENTAGON SAYS THEY WILL CONTINUE THEIR PATROLLING ON NO-FLY ZONES

    WASHINGTON, Feb 10 (A.A) - The U.S. Defense Department (Pentagon) said on Tuesday that they will continue their patrols in no-fly zone over northern and southern parts of Iraq from the air.

    Pentagon spokesman Capt. Mike Doubleday, responding to a question that Ankara wanted change in controlling of no-flight zone in northern part of Iraq, said he did not have an information about what Turkish government wanted. He said they will continue their patrols over no-fly zones.

    Pentagon Spokesman Doubleday also denied the news reports that soldiers will be deployed in buffer zone in Cyprus, saying the U.S. did not have a plan to deploy soldiers in Cyprus.

    Michael Doubleday said Pentagon Military Sales Director Eleanor Spector sent a letter to Athens related with the decision of Greece about early warning planes. Greece earlier decided to buy early warning planes from the U.S.

    [10] PROFILE OF EXPORTS FROM GAP REGION - IN JANUARY, 23.6 MILLION U.S. DOLLARS OF TEXTILE EXPORTED FROM THE REGION

    GAZIANTEP, Feb 10 (A.A) - The exports of textile products from the Southeastern Anatolia Project (GAP) region in the first month of 1999 increased 14.8 percent to 23 million 565 thousand U.S. dollars, it was reported on Wednesday.

    In the same period last year, the region exported 20 million 518 thousand U.S. dollars of textile products.

    Abdulkadir Cikmaz, the Chairman of the Southeastern Anatolia Exporters' Union, told the A.A correspondent that they exported 6 million 217 thousand U.S. dollars in cotton thread; 8 million 893 thousand U.S. dollars in synthetic thread; 4 million 606 thousand U.S. dollars in carpets; 2 million 12 thousand us dollars in knitting and 1 million 837 thousand U.S. dollars in other textile products in January.

    ''The majority of the goods were exported to Syria, Belgium, Saudi Arabia, Italy, Jordan, Spain, France, Lebanon, the U.S., Russia, Israel, Portugal, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Romania, Azerbaijan, Iran, Greece and Algeria,'' he said.

    [11] DEMIREL RECEIVES CHAIRMEN OF PARLIAMENTARY FOREIGN AFFAIRS COMMISSION OF SOUTHEASTERN EUROPEAN COUNTRIES

    ANKARA, Feb 10 (A.A) - President Suleyman Demirel on Tuesday identified Southeastern European Countries' Parliamentary Foreign Affairs Commission Chairmen Conference, which was staged for the first time, as a very timely and fruitful initiative and noted that the conference will contribute to the formation of peace, stability and welfare atmosphere in Southeastern Europe.

    A Presidential Press Center statement said Demirel received delegations composed of the parliamentary representatives of Albania, Bulgaria, Croatia, Macedonia, Romania, Yugoslavia and Greece, who participated in the Conference that will end on Wednesday.

    The statement said, ''President Demirel, pointing out that the ideal to create a whole, united and democratic Europe which was defined as the target of 21th century, expressed belief that political and economical integration of Southeastern Europe with Europe, which is a part of Europe geographically, will be successfully concluded.''

    The statement said President Suleyman Demirel recalled that multilateral initiatives like the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC), in addition to bilateral and regional cooperation projects, will contribute to the strenghtening of peace, adding that ways for dialogue should be kept open towards peace even if regional problems continue in the future.

    Demirel said that today's problems were taken over from history, yet he added that history should be left behind and stressed the requirement of benefitting from the values that had been shared in the past instead of remembering enmity from the history.

    President Suleyman Demirel pointed out that free trade areas should be formed, academic and cultural and sportive activities should be given importance, and expressed willingness to sign similar agreements with other Southeastern European countries which Turkey signed with Romania and Bulgaria. Turkey earlier signed cooperation agreements with these two countries in the fields of struggle against terrorism, and organized crime, drug trafficking, weapon smuggling and money laundering.

    [12] ECONOMIC RELATIONS BETWEEN TURKEY AND RUSSIA - BALKAN, DEPUTY UNDERSECRETARY OF THE FOREIGN MINISTRY: - ''TURKEY WILL PROTECT HER OWN BENEFITS BY ASSISTING RUSSIA TO OVERCOME ECONOMIC CRISIS''

    ANKARA, Feb 10 (A.A) - Mithat Balkan, the Deputy Undersecretary of the Foreign Ministry, said on Tuesday that Turkey will protect her own benefits by assisting Russia to overcome economic and financial crisis.

    Addressing the evaluation meeting organized with participation with the representatives of public and private sectors within the framework of further improvement of commercial and economic relations between Turkey and Russia, Balkan stressed that Turkey aims at minimizing the negative effects of the economic crisis in the economic and commercial relations between the two countries and accelerating the relations as soon as possible.

    Describing Russia which has a large potential in every field, as an indispensable economic and commercial partner for Turkey,

    Balkan noted that the new cooperation fields should be improved. Nabi Sensoy, the Turkish Ambassador to Russia, said in his part that political and economic cooperation of Russia and Turkey will be beneficial for both countries.

    Reminding that Russia is the second biggest economic partner of Turkey, Sensoy underlined Turkey's political will towards further improving relations with Russia.

    Stressing the importance of ''Natural Gas Agreement'' signed by the two countries which envisages an income worth of 2.5 billion U.S. dollars in return of 30 billion cubic metres of natural gas, Sensoy added, ''a new acceleration should be created in economic relations between the two countries during the current crisis atmosphere in Russia. I think Turkey can purchase a great deal of weapons from Russia.''

    [13] LEGAL RELATIONS BETWEEN TURKEY AND TRNC

    ANKARA, Feb 10 (A.A) - A symposium titled ''relations between Republic of Turkey and Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC)'' was staged aiming to form legal infrastructure between Turkey and TRNC, it was reported on Wednesday.

    Selcuk Oztek, Justice Minister, will address the opening ceremony of the symposium that will last for two days.

    The symposium, which was jointly staged by Justice Ministry and Cyprus Turk Development Platform, and which Foreign Ministry contributed, targets forming legal infrastructure between the two countries.

    Leading jurists of the two countries and representatives of related institutions will discuss differences of legal systems of Turkey and TRNC. ''Juridical Mutual Aid on Legal, Trade and Penal Issues, Recognition, Extradition of Criminals and Transfer of Convicts'' signed in 1987 will be examined in the symposium.

    The views revealed in the symposium will be turned into a document and a secretariat will be formed to provide continuation of follow-up.

    [14] HAZELNUT EXPORTS - 496.5 MILLION U.S. DOLLARS OF HAZELNUTS EXPORTED SINCE SEPTEMBER 1

    TRABZON, Feb 10 (A.A) - Turkey obtained 496 million 539 thousand U.S. dollars from her exports of hazelnuts since September 1, which is the first month of the 1998-1999 export year, it was reported on Wednesday.

    Officials at the Black Sea Union of Hazelnut Exporters told the A.A correspondent that Turkey exported 121 thousand 26 tonnes of hazelnuts and obtained an income of 496 million 539 thousand U.S. dollars within five months.

    Turkey exported hazelnuts mainly to the European countries. Turkey exported 134 thousand 609 tonnes of hazelnuts and obtained an income of 611 million 609 thousand U.S. dollars in the same period last year.

    [15] TURKISH-IMF RELATIONS

    ANKARA, Feb 10 (A.A) - Repercussions of a decision taken to initiate a program, including financial source, that was given at the end of contacts of International Monetary Fund (IMF) headed by Martin Hardy, Chief of Turkey Desk, still continues.

    Fuat Miras, Chairman of the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges (TOBB), said ''the monetary program which IMF wanted, means that foreign finance circles will give green light to open credit to Turkey.'' Meanwhile, Zafer Caglayan, Chairman of Ankara Association of Industrialists, said statements of Hardy will possibly relieve glances towards Turkey in international markets.

    Caglayan urged IMF to advance money to Turkey, adding that ''IMF's financial and spiritual support will provide speedy opening to Turkey's channels which have been closed.''

    Miras said Hardy's statements included several positive signals for Turkey, adding that Turkey should issue several reforms soon. Miras pointed out that those are Social Security Reform and Banking Law stressing that election economy should not be implemented.''

    [16] MILITARY COOPERATION WITH SENEGAL

    ANKARA, Feb 10 (A.A)- The Council of Ministers approved agreement on Wednesday envisaging military cooperation between Senegal and Turkey.

    The agreement which aims at establishing an information mechanism between armed forces of the two countries, foresees:

    Military training, cooperation between gendarme forces of both countries, exchange of military observers for manoeuvres, military communication, electronic and optics, technological and scientific developments in military field, production and consumption logistics, defense industry, collective production and infrastructure, purchase of defense equipments, maintenance and modernization of the equipments.

    [17] HIGH LEVEL INTEREST FROM WORLD BANK TO TURKEY - LINN, WORLD BANK DEPUTY CHAIRMAN, DUE IN TURKEY ON FEBRUARY 16

    ANKARA, Feb 10 (A.A) - Johannes Linn, Deputy Chairman of the World Bank, responsible for European region in which Turkey is also included in, will come to Ankara on February 16, it was reported on Wednesday.

    Linn, who will stay in Turkey only for one day and hold high level offical contacts, will later leave for Russia.

    During the visit financial support which Turkey requested from the World Bank will be discussed. Linn is expected to stage news conference before departing Turkey.

    It was also reported that Ishat Hussein, Director of the World Bank responsible for Azerbaijan, Tadjikistan, and Uzbekistan, is expected to pay a visit to Istanbul between March 9 and 10.

    Officials pointed out that arrival of a World Bank offical, responsible for most of Central Asia, show the importance of Turkey of being the center of the region.

    Meanwhile, World Bank delegation who arrived in Ankara on Monday still continues contacts.

    The delegation, which is expected to meet with the Eximbank officials, will discuss the issue of sub-sectors that will receive aid in exportation.

    At the end of the talks, 200 million U.S. dollars conditional credit is expected to be received from the World bank which will be conveyed to exportation sector that is in financial difficulty.

    [18] TURKCELL AND ERICSSON SIGN A NEW AGREEMENT TO EXPAND GSM NETWORK

    ISTANBUL, Feb 10 (A.A) - The Turkcell Communications Services Corp., the operator of the Turkish telecommunications sector, signed a new agreement worth 520 million U.S. dollars with Sweden's Ericsson to extend the Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) network, it was reported on Tuesday.

    Addressing the signing ceremony held at the Turkcell Plaza, Cuneyt Turktan, the General Director of Turkcell, said that the initiative was the biggest investment, which was realized with Ericsson in the shortest period in the world.

    Turktan said, ''with this agreement including GSM system solutions aiming at broadening the subscriber basis, Turkcell targetted to increase the number of its subscribers from 2.6 million to 4.5-5 million in 1999.''

    Pointing out that within that infrastructural investment, there were more than 70 telephone exchanges, almost two thousand base stations and software infrastructural services, Turktan said, ''we established regional equipments to strengthen the infrastructure. Now, we will give regional service in ten centers including southern Antalya and Adana and southeastern Diyarbakir provinces.''

    [19] MEETING OF SO-CALLED ''KURDISH PARLIAMENT IN EXILE'' IN BASQUE - FOREIGN MINISTRY: ''SUCH A DEVELOPMENT WON'T CONTRIBUTE POSITIVELY TO THE RELATIONS BETWEEN TURKEY AND SPAIN''

    ANKARA, Feb 10 (A.A) - Sermet Atacanli, the Deputy Spokesman of the Foreign Ministry, said on Wednesday that the permission given to the meeting of so- called ''kurdish parliament in exile'' by the Basque parliament in Spain won't contribute positively to the Turkish-Spanish relations.

    Responding to questions of reporters during his weekly press conference, Atacanli said that the Basque parliament's giving permission to the convention of the so-called ''kurdish parliament in exile'' in its building was a very unpleasant development and that the inconveniences, which would be created by such a meeting, had been conveyed to the Spanish government.

    Pointing out that they, as the Foreign Ministry, had been closely following the issue from the beginning, Atacanli said that within this framework, the necessary initiatives were being launched in Ankara and Madrid. Atacanli said that the Spanish Ambassador to Ankara would be summoned to the Foreign Ministry the same day within the framework of those initiatives.

    Responding to a question, Sermet Atacanli said, ''our interlocutor is the Spanish government. Spain's internal political balances firstly concern them.''

    [20] SALES OF IMPORTED MOTOR VEHICLES IN JANUARY 1999

    ISTANBUL, Feb 10 (A.A) - The sales of imported motor vehicles in January 1999 decreased 52.88 percent compared to figures of same month in 1998, it was reported on Wednesday.

    The number of imported motor vehicles sold in January 1999 decreased to 2, 832 from 6,010 in same period in 1998.

    The data of the Association of Turkish Agents of Imported Automobiles showed that the imported motor vehicles, which were sold in January 1999, were composed of 1,994 automobiles and 838 commercial vehicles.

    The number of imported passanger cars and commercial vehicles, which were sold in the first month of 1999, and the total sales of those vehicles in January 1998 are as follows:

                       SALES OF IMPORTED MOTOR VEHICLES
        .             ---------------------------------
        .                 JANUARY 1999      JANUARY 1998
        FIRM          PASS.  COMM.   TOTAL      TOTAL
                      CAR
        ------------  ----- ------ -------- -----------
        ALFA ROMEO       10      -     10        1
        AUDI             23      -     23       22
        BMW              57      -     57      154
        CHRYSLER         26      -     26        7
        CITROEN          56     15     71      208
        DAEWOO           32      7     39      135
        DAIHATSU          -      -      -       43
        FERRARI           1      -      1        -
        FIAT             77     38    115      160
        FORD            196      -    196      496
        HONDA            13      -     13      139
        HYUNDAI          67    148    215      142
        JAGUAR            1      -      1        4
        KIA               9     95    104      450
        LADA              -      -      -        2
        MAZDA            25     49     74      245
        MASERATI          -      -      -        1
        MERCEDES         13     18     31       18
        MITSUBISHI      103      -    103        -
        NISSAN          185    122    307      614
        OPEL            331     29    360      479
        LAND ROVER        8      -      8        6
        PORSCHE           1      -      1        4
        PEUGEOT          95      -     95      310
        PROTON          135      -    135        -
        RENAULT          23     51     74      166
        ROVER             1      -      1       46
        SAAB              -      -      -        1
        SEAT             26      6     32       13
        SKODA            33     21     54      168
        SUBARU           54      -     54       44
        SUZUKI           12     45     57      123
        SSANGYONG         -      -      -        5
        TOYOTA           45     24     69      298
        VOLKSWAGEN      324    170    494     1501
        VOLVO            12      -     12        5
        ------------  ----- ------ -------- -----------
        TOTAL         1.994    838  2.832    6.010
    

    [21] TURKISH-SYRIAN RELATIONS - SYRIA REJECTS TURKEY'S PROPOSAL OF ESTABLISHMENT OF A SYSTEM WHICH WILL CONTROL THE STRUGGLE WITH TERRORIST ORGANIZATION PKK WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF ADANA AGREEMENT

    ANKARA, Feb 10 (A.A) - Syria rejected the proposal brought by Turkey which foresees confidence building measures within the framework of struggle with terrorism and establishment of a system which will control the effectivity of this struggle as foreseen by the Adana Agreement, it is reported on Wednesday.

    The Turkish-Syrian relations which became tense after the support extended by Syria to the separatist terrorist organization and its chief has improved after the Adana Agreement which was signed on October 20 1998.

    The Syrian delegation which attended the meeting in southern province of Adana had said that ''they would submit the proposal of Turkey which wished the establishment of a system to control the effectivity of the struggle carried out with terrorism to Syrian officials.'' However Syria said that she won't accept the establishment of such a mechanism.

    Meanwhile Turkey launches efforts to make cooperation with Lebanon as a tripartite security meeting is foreseen between Turkey, Lebanon and Syria by Adana Agreement. Aydan Karahan, the special representative appointed to Lebanon by the Foreign Ministry is in Lebanon to this end.

    Turkey conveyed the message to Syria saying that if the cooperation between the two countries improves at the desired level, then the friendly relations between the two countries will also develop in all fields.

    [22] TUDJMAN, CROTIAN PRESIDENT, IN TURKEY

    ANKARA, Feb 10 (A.A) - Franjo Tudjman, Crotian President, arrived in Ankara on Wednesday within the framework of a three-day official visit as the guest of President Suleyman Demirel.

    Tudjman, who came to Ankara by a private plane, was met by Aydin Tumen, the State Minister, and the high-ranking officials of the Foreign Ministry at the Esenboga Airport.

    Tudjman is accompanied by Mate Granic, Croatian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister; Bozo Bizkupic, Croatian Culture Minister; and Borislav Skegro, Croatian Finance Minister.

    The official ceremony for Tudjman will be held at the Presidential Residence in Cankaya district in the afternoon.

    [23] DECISION FOR DEPLOYMENT OF S-300 MISSILES ON CRETE - FOREIGN MINISTRY: - ''LAST POLICY OF GREEKS AND GREEK-CYPRIOTS IS NOT RATIONALIST'' - ''TURKEY GIVES RESPONSE TO EVERY THREAT''

    ANKARA, Feb 10 (A.A) - The Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday that the decision for the deployment of S-300 missiles on Crete was not a ''very rationalist policy'' and that Turkey never leaves a threat without response.

    Responding to a question during his weekly press conference, Sermet Atacanli, the Deputy Spokesman of the Foreign Ministry, recalled that Foreign Minister Ismail Cem had stressed in a press conference held through the end of December 1998 that the issue of S-300s can't be accepted as a matter of bargaining.

    ''Foreign Minister Ismail Cem had said that the solution of the issue is up to the Greek-Greek Cypriot duo, which had created the problem. The deployment of S-300 missiles on Crete will add a new problem into the existing complicated relations between Turkey and Greece. Thus it can't be accepted that this policy of Greeks and Greek-Cypriots is very accurate and rationalist,'' Atacanli emphasized.

    Pointing out that the Greek-Greek Cypriot front in recent years had entered into a continuous armament race within the framework of their military doctrines, Atacanli said that those steps would give rise to a new tense atmosphere in Eastern Mediterranean.

    ''Turkey will absolutely give response to such kind of threats against her. Such efforts of Greek-Cypriots won't bring peace on Cyprus,'' Atacanli stressed.

    [24] PREMIER ECEVIT SIGNS THE CONDOLENCE BOOK OPENED IN JORDANIAN EMBASSY IN ANKARA

    ANKARA, Feb 10 (A.A) - Premier Bulent Ecevit signed on Wednesday the condolence book opened in the Jordanian Embassy for King Hussein of Jordan, who died three days ago from cancer.

    Ecevit was met by Musa Suleyman Breyzad, Jordanian Ambassador to Ankara.

    Ecevit later signed the book and wrote, ''Turkey shares the same grief and sorrow of the friendly Jordanian people after the demise of a great leader, King Hussein. The contributions of King Hussein to the regional peace will always be remembered with gratitude. I want to present my most sincere feelings to the Jordanian Royal Family and Jordanian people who mourn for their beloved King Hussein. May you rest in peace King Hussein.''

    [25] THE SITUATION OF TERRORIST CHIEF - ATACANLI, THE FOREIGN MINISTRY DEPUTY SPOKESMAN: ''THE CONCERNED COUNTRIES ASSURED GUARANTEE SAYING THAT THEY WON'T PERMIT THE TERRORIST CHIEF TO ENTER TO THEIR TERRITORIES''

    ANKARA, Feb 10 (A.A) - Sermet Atacanlı, the Foreign Ministry Deputy Spokesman said on Wednesday that the concerned countries reassured Turkey that they won't permit the chief of the separatist terrorist organization PKK to enter and take shelter in their territories.

    Responding to questions of journalists about the whereabouts of the terrorist chief during a weekly press briefing, Atacanlı pointed out that several claims are put forward every day about the place of the terrorist chief and the Foreign Ministry evaluates all kinds of claims.

    When journalists recalled the claims saying that the terrorist chief is in Germany, Atacanlı said that this country had earlied decided not to ask for extradition of Ocalan from Italy, adding that he does not have any information confirming these claims. Atacanlı stated that he does not also have any information saying that the German Ambassador to Turkey was summoned to the Foreign Ministry.

    Responding to a question about the claims saying that Theodoros Pangalos, the Greek Foreign Minister said that they wouldn't arrest Ocalan, the chief of the separatist terrorist organization PKK if he came to Greece as there is not an international warrant of arrest against him.

    Noting that the words claimed to be said by Pangalos, the Greek Foreign Minister contradict with the international documents, Atacanlı said that ''Turkey has also launched efforts concerning the chief of the separatist terrorist organization PKK and informed the Greek officials, moreover there is the warrant of arrest of Interpol. If Pangalos said these, these are not very appropriate statements.''

    When asked about the initiatives of several Greek parliamentarians about the same issue at the level of the European Parliament (EP), Atacanlı stressed that Turkey is not represented at this institution, but she conveys her views by various channels. Atacanlı said that the European Parliament (EP) had various decisions in the past about Turkey which were not approved by her.

    ''We hope that the EP won't take a meaningless decision about a terrorist who is not wanted by any country in the world,'' added Atacanlı.

    [26] EXPLOSION IN FRONT OF TURKISH CONSULATE IN COMOTINI

    COMOTINI, Feb 10 (A.A) - Greek police disclosed on Wednesday that the explosion which occured on Monday evening in front of the Turkish Consulate building was caused by a time bomb.

    The Police Commandership in Rhodope issued a written statement saying that the bomb experts revealed that a small power time bomb had been left in front of the Turkish Consulate and the evidences had been sent to the police laboratory for investigation.

    Meanwhile, police questioned many people within the framework of its investigation into the incident, and there has not been a Turkish citizen among the questioned people up until now.

    [27] TURKISH-FRENCH RELATIONS - FM: ''IT HAS BEEN SEEN IN POLITICAL CONSULTATIONS HELD YESTERDAY THAT THERE IS NOT A NOTEWORTHY PROBLEM BETWEEN THE TWO COUNTRIES''

    ANKARA, Feb 10 (A.A) - Sermet Atacanlı, the Foreign Ministry Deputy Spokesman said on Wednesday that it has been seen in the political consultation meeting held between the two countries in Paris on Tuesday that there is not a noteworthy problem between Turkey and France.

    Addressing a weekly press briefing, Atacanlı stated that Korkmaz Haktanır, the Foreign Ministry Undersecretary and Loic Herrekinne, the French Foreign Ministry Secretary General exchanged views about global and regional problems in a comprehensive manner in the meeting in Paris.

    Noting that the two sides exchanged views about various issues particularly the Kosovo question and the Middle Eastern peace process, Atacanlı pointed out that Turkey has explained once again her principles about her application to be a full member of the EU.

    Recalling that the two countries signed a document namely ''Turkey-France 2000 Action Plan'' during President Suleyman Demirel's visit to France between February 19-20 1998 and the appendix of this document was approved in Ankara on July 30 1998, Atacanlı stressed that Turkey-France 2000 Action Plan aims at implementing concrete cooperation opportunities between the two countries as soon as possible within the framework of a calendar.

    Stressing that France is the fifth trade partner of Turkey and Turkey is the fifteenth trade partner of France, Atacanlı said that ''French investments in Turkey comes the first by 5.3 billion dollars by December 1998 and currently 221 firms with French capital act in Turkey and ten French firms work in our free zones.''

    Pointing out that activities to increase the cooperation between Turkish and French Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (KOBI) are underway, Atacanlı underlined the fact this issue is also mentioned in the action plan and in its appendix.

    [28] SIX FOREIGN ARCHAEOLOGISTS APPLIES TO CARRY OUT EXCAVATIONS IN THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL SETTLEMENTS WHICH WILL STAY UNDER THE WATERS OF KARKAMIS AND ILISU DAMS

    ANKARA, Feb 10 (A.A) - The foreign archaeologists want to carry out excavations to save the archaeological settlements in the Southeastern Anatolian region which will stay under the waters of Karkamis Dam after two years and Ilısu Dam after seven years, it is reported on Wednesday.

    Six foreign archeologists applied to carry out excavations in the archeological sights in the southeastern provinces of Turkey. One archeologist wanted to carry out excavations in Zeytinbahce Tumulus in Sanliurfa, two others in Fistikli Tumulus in Sanliurfa, one archeologist in Tiladir Tumulus, one of them in Kefri Tumulus in Gaziantep, another in Giridimse Tumulus in Diyarbakir, and one archeologist in Talavas Tepe.

    Many Turkish and foreign escavation teams began initiatives with the cooperation of State Water Works (DSI) and the Middle East Technical University (METU) to document and save the cultural sights which will stay under the waters of the mentioned dams of the Southeastern Anatolian Project.

    It is reported that the teams will carry out excavations to save 16 important archeological sights which will stay under the waters of Karkamis Dam firstly and then will head to the settlements which will stay under the waters of Ilısu Dam.

    A.A


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