Anadolu Agency: News in English, 97-12-04

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

04 DEC 1997

CONTENTS

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

[02] TURKEY-UAE - PRESIDENT DEMIREL: ''TURKEY RESOLVED NOT TO TOLARATE NESTING OF PKK IN NORTHERN IRAQ'' - ''TURKEY'S SHARING OF WATER WITH IRAQ AND SYRIA CAN NOT BE THOUGHT''

[03] TURKEY-NATO - DEFENSE MINISTER SEZGIN: ''TURKEY NOT RELAXED AFTER THE END OF COLD WAR''

[04] TURKISH PRESS REVIEW (1)

[05] TURKISH PRESS REVIEW (2)

[06] TURKEY-ECONOMY - BUDGET GIVES 594.3 TRILLION LIRA OF DEFICIT AT THE END OF OCTOBER

[07] TURKEY-ISRAEL - ''VETERINARY MEDICINE COOPERATION AGREMENT'' SIGNED BETWEEN TURKEY AND ISRAEL

[08] US-TURKEY - US EXTENDS SUPPORT TO OPERATIONS IN NORTHERN IRAQ - ''TURKEY HAS THE RIGHT TO COUNTER A THREAT FORWARDED TO ITSELF''

[09] TURKEY-IMMUNITY - PARLIAMENTARY CONSTITUTION AND JUSTICE JOINT COMMISSION DECIDES TO LIFT THE IMMUNITIES OF AGAR AND BUCAK

[10] TURKEY-US - FOREIGN MINISTER CEM: ''PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ'S SCHEDULED VISIT TO US WILL BE A SERIOUS SUCCESS FOR TURKEY''

[11] TURKEY-ECONOMY - FOREIGN TRADE STATISTICS (1) - USD 15.8 BILLION OF EXPORTATION AND USD 29.3 BILLION OF IMPORTATION REALIZED DURING JANUARY- AUGUST 1997 PERIOD

[12] TURKEY-ECONOMY - FOREIGN TRADE STATISTICS (2) - DURING JANUARY-AUGUST 1997 PERIOD, USD 14.1 BILLION OF EXPORTATION REALIZED IN MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY - TURKEY REALIZES 60 PERCENT OF EXPORTATION AND 69,1 PERCENT OF IMPORTATION WITH OECD COUNTRIES

[13] TURKEY-BULGARIA - PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ LEAVES FOR BULGARIA

[14] TURKEY-TURKMENISTAN-ENERGY - ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES MINISTER ERSUMER: - ''A NEW FIELD WILL BE ALLOCATED FOR TPAO TO RESEARCH AND PRODUCE OIL IN AMUDERYA REGION IN TURKMENISTAN''

[15] TURKEY-ECONOMY - FOREIGN DEBT PAYMENTS - TURKEY PAYS 9.3 BILLION OF FOREIGN DEBT SINCE JANUARY

[16] TURKEY-ECONOMY - CENTRAL BANK'S FOREIGN EXCHANGE RESERVE INCREASES BY 3.2 BILLION DOLLARS IN LAST 11 MONTHS

[17] TURKEY-HUMAN RIGHTS - PREMIERSHIP ISSUES HUMAN RIGHTS CIRCULAR

[18] TURKEY-AZERBAIJAN - STATE MINISTER ANDICAN: - ''AMERICAN COMPANIES, TURKEY AND AZERBAIJAN HAVE COMMON INTERESTS ON BAKU-CEYHAN PIPELINE''

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

H�RR�YET (LIBERAL)

WE WILL NEVER FORGET OUR FRIEND IN OUR HARDEST DAYS
Russian Prime Minister Victor Chernomyrdin admired Ramstore which is opened with the partnership of Koc and ENKA in Moscow. Chernomyrdin said ''we will never forget the ones who invested in Moscow in our hardest days. We are writing Turkey's name in another notebook.''

M�LL�YET (LIBERAL)

PRIME MINISTER MESUT YILMAZ HARSHLY REACTS TO CHP
Yilmaz says the government would resign if one of the ministers toppled.

SABAH (LIBERAL) CONTINUATION OF THE GOVERNMENT DEPENDS ON CHP
Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz said he would resign if the opposition could find 276 votes in the censure or if budget could not pass from the Parliament.

BOSSES DO NOT GIVE PROMISE
The Turkish Industrialists and Businessmen's Association's (TUSIAD) chairman, Muharrem Kayhan recalled that they defended market economy, adding that ''market determines the prices of private sector. We can not take binding resolutions not to make price increases.''

CUMHUR�YET (LEFT)

GET PREPARED TO RAINLY DAYS
Directorate of Meteorology said the country would enter into the effectiveness of a new rainy weather coming from the Mediterranean and called on the officials to take necessary measures.

T�RK�YE (RIGHT) ACCUSATION TO SYRIA
President Suleyman Demirel arrived in United Arab Emirates, the second stop of his visit. Addresing a news conference Demirel reiterated that Syria supported the separatist terrorist PKK organization.

GERMAN AMBASSADOR: CHANCELLOR KOHL SUPPORTS YOU
Germany's Ambassador to Ankara Hans Joachim Vergau ''German Chancellor Kohl confirmed that Turkey belonged to Europe.

RAD�KAL (LEFT) CHP: WE WILL NOT PARTICIPATE AGAIN
Republican Peoples Party (CHP) ) did not participate in a Parliament voting to hold a censure motion aimed at toppling Public Works Minister Yasar Topcu from the Motherland Party (ANAP). CHP said it would not participate in the second voting also that will take place on Wednesday. Baykal said they are uneasy over the tender games.

ZAMAN (RELIGIOUS) STRATEGIC CONTACTS WITH THE US
Foreign Minister Ismail Cem who is scheduled to meet the US State Secretary Madeleine Albright made a statement in his arrival to Washington. He said Turkey entered to a new strategic cooperation period with the US.

YEN� Y�ZYIL (LIBERAL)

WRITTEN DEFENSE
Parliament Constitution-Justice Joint Commission will take up summary of proceedings related with the lifting of immunities of the key names of Susurluk scandal, Sedat Bucak and Mehmet Agar.

F�NANSAL FORUM (ECONOMY)

[02] TURKEY-UAE - PRESIDENT DEMIREL: ''TURKEY RESOLVED NOT TO TOLARATE NESTING OF PKK IN NORTHERN IRAQ'' - ''TURKEY'S SHARING OF WATER WITH IRAQ AND SYRIA CAN NOT BE THOUGHT''

Addressing a news conference staged for foreign and Turkish journalists in United Arab Emirates (UAE) which he currently on an official visit, Demirel made evaluations regarding his visit to UAE. He said Turkey appreciated the mobilization realized in UAE under the determined ruling of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan al-Nahayam.

Demirel said improvement of good neighborhood, friendship and bilateral relations would be for the benefit of everybody. He said Turkey attributed importance to the development of bilateral relations.

Demirel said Turkey regarded UAE as a valuable and credible friend, adding that UAE was the 20th of the 40 countries which Turkey makes exportation. He also expressed Turkey's willingness to improve cooperation in cultural and military training fields.

''We have to understand eachother well in this changing world conditions,'' Demirel said, adding that very important incidents happened in the region where these two countries are located. He said recent developments in the Middle East Peace Process was one of these incidents, adding that a golden opportunity appeared for peace in the Middle East.

Stressing that Turkey respected territorial integrity and independence of Iraq, Demirel said ''Turkey's struggle carried out in Northern Iraq stemmed from its legal security concerns'' and added that Turkey was resolved not to tolarate nesting of the separatist terrorist PKK organization in Northern Iraq.

Demirel said Turkey and UAE shared the same views that Iraq should abide by the UN resolutions to re-unite with the international society.

Demirel also reiterated that Turkish-Israeli cooperation did not have objectives forwarded to a third country.

He said Turkey supported justified case of its Palestenian brothers from the beginning and added that Turkey was a country favouring peace in its region.

Reiterating that Syria supported the separatist terrorist PKK organization which aimed at Turkey's territorial integrity, Demirel said ''Syria uses its support to terrorism as a trump card, for water question in particular. Syria promised not to extend support to terrorism in its country yet failed to keep its promise.''

Demirel stated that Turkey conveyed its willingness to cooperate on security field to Syria yet could not get a response ''Turkey's sharing of its water with Syria and Iraq could not be thought of. Yet, we may think of making a cooperation for better usage of water throught scientific methods.

[03] TURKEY-NATO - DEFENSE MINISTER SEZGIN: ''TURKEY NOT RELAXED AFTER THE END OF COLD WAR''

Sezgin told reporters following a meeting with NATO Secretary General Javier Solana that he conveyed Turkey's opinions on regional problems to Solana.

''Turkey did not relax after the Cold War ended because new threats and problems emerged around the country,'' he said, ''this situation led to some problems in economy, politics and social life.''

Emphasizing that it will be a big loss for European Union (EU) if Turkey, which has an important part in European defense structure, would not be a member of EU, Sezgin said, ''I stated that we started efforts to set up an Education Center for Partnership for Peace (PFP) in Turkey and a Multinational Operation Force to Support Peace in the region,'' he said.

Concerning the new commanding control structure of Nato, Sezgin said that: ''There is neither a Rogers Plan nor Turkey gave anything to Greece in Larissa. Agreement on the new command control structure is a product of common sense. Victory or defeat of a country is not at stake.''

''We wish to solve the problems with our Greek neigbours through dialogue, but not by armament and war. We live at both sides of the Aegean sea. If we accept their claims of continental shelf, we can not swim in Kusadas�. In the world there is not any single country which accepts the Flying Information Region (FIR) as its sovereignity region,'' he said. Sezgin also stressed that Greece leads NATO member countries in spending most of its national income.

Emphasizing the importance of including the joint struggle with terrorism in the final declaration of Defense Ministers Council for the first time with the resolved attitude of Turkey, Sezgin said that such initiatives would force some countries to act more carefully.

Sezgin will leave Belgium for Turkey on Thursday.

[04] TURKISH PRESS REVIEW (1)

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

DEMIREL IN ABU DHABI
Completing his visit to Oman, President Suleyman Demirel went yesterday to United Arab Emirates (UAE). In a press conference in Abu Dhabi, President Suleyman Demirel accused Syria of extending support to terrorism. Demirel stressed that Turkey would in no way share its water resources with Syria and Iraq, but added that Ankara could consider cooperation with these countries for using rationally regional water resources. Demirel added that Turkey was ready to cooperate with Syria in security issues, and pointed that Syrian officials have not responded to Turkish calls for cooperation. /Cumhuriyet and all papers/

PRIME MINSITER YILMAZ IN BULGARIA
Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz will pay an official visit to Bulgaria today. This is the first visit to Bulgaria of a Turkish prime minister in 19 years. During the meeting, bilateral problems and issues of regional importance will be taken up. /Milliyet/

TURKEY AND BULGARIA COOPERATE AGAINST TERRORISM
Turkish Minister of the Interior Murat Basesgioglu went yesterday to Sofia for contacts with his Bulgarian counterpart Bogomil Bonev. Measures for improving cooperation against terrorism will be high on the agenda, and a special bilateral security agreement will be discussed in detail. /Milliyet/

YILMAZ TO VISIT LONDON
Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz will pay a visit to London to meet British leader Tony Blair. The visit is designed as a move to block Greek efforts to undermine Turkey's EU membership bid. Yilmaz's contacts in London have special importance because in January Britain will become EU's new term- president. /Milliyet/

CEM: "US UNDERSTANDS TURKEY"

Foreign Minister Ismail Cem, who is in Washington, said that U.S. understood Turkey's strategic importance however the European Union (EU) did not. Cem added: "Turkey is a bridge between Eastern and Western Europe. The EU cannot realise new economic and cultural dimensions that it will reach via Turkey. Also, the EU has not understood Turkey's importance. The US is more courageous than the EU." /Sabah-Milliyet/

ANKARA CONDEMNS BOMB ATTACK ON GREEK PATRIARCHATE
Ankara condemned yesterday a bomb attack at the Greek Patriarchate in Istanbul that took place midnight on Tuesday, slightly injuring one Orthodox priest, the Foreign Ministry announced. A bomb exploded at the Greek Patriarchate in Balat, Istanbul at just after midnight. The bomb, thrown over the wall of the Patriarchate on the Balat Street side, exploded with a tremendous roar. A visiting religious official of Greek origin, Nicolu Nectarius, was injured on the arm and taken to the American Hospital. The police who started an extensive search operation around the Patriarchate took some suspects into custody. The Foreign Ministry announced: "We condemn such cases of violent acts, no matter which country it takes place in. It is only natural that every effort will be made to decisively prevent the repetition of such an incident and to bring before court those responsible for this act". /All papers/

(CONTINUES)

[05] TURKISH PRESS REVIEW (2)

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

DRUG OPERATIONS
Security Chief of Istanbul, Hasan Ozdemir, has stated that between the years of 1984 and 1996, drugs connected with the PKK terrorist organization were seized comprising nearly 2.5 tons of heroin, 13 tons of hashish, 4 tons of unadulterated morphin, 2 tons of Indian hemp and 2 tons of acidhydride. /Cumhuriyet/

ERSUMER RETURNS HOME
Turkish Energy and Natural Resources Minister, Cumhur Ersumer, who returned from Turkmenistan yesterday, held a press conference and noted that a technical delegation from the Turkish Petroleum Board (TPAO) would go to Turkmenistan to carry out drilling and exploration for oil in the Amuderya region of Turkmenistan. /Cumhuriyet/

TURKEY RANKS FIFTY THIRD IN LIBERALIZATION
In research for the year 1988, The Heritage Foundation, one of the leading US research institutions, placed Turkey in 53rd rank as a country having a liberal economic system among 156 countries. In the research, Turkey took place before Greece, which ranked 66th. /Cumhuriyet/

NEW NATO COMMAND STRUCTURE
The Turkish Foreign Ministry stated that a document, which determined the new command control structure of NATO and was signed in Brussels, was not a bilateral agreement between Turkey and Greece. Foreign Ministry Deputy Spokesman, Sermet Atacanli, noted that the development was welcomed with pleasure and said: "With this document, it is foreseen that command-control problems between Turkey and Greece in the Aegean will be overcome". /Cumhuriyet/

FRANCE HOPEFUL ON TURKEY'S CANDIDACY CHANCE
French Foreign Minister Hubert Vedrine told the National Assembly that he hoped Turkish participation in the European Conference would be accepted by all during the Luxembourg summit next week. "We are working hard to convince our partners, including the Germans and the Greeks, of the fairness of the idea and I think we will achieve this at the Luxembourg summit" Vedrine said. Vedrine told the National Assembly that France wanted a European conference of all candidate countries, including Turkey. /Cumhuriyet/

MEDIA MONOPOLY LEGALIZED
The Parliament is about to pass a law that will remove legal obstacles for setting up a media monopoly. The draft will lift present limitations allowing persons to own only up to 20 percent of the shares of media establishments. The new draft opens the way to the stock exchange market and biddings for owners of radio and television channels, and lifts similar limitations presently valid for newspaper owners. /Cumhuriyet/

REVOLUTION IN PRIVATE SCHOOLS
The government is preparing for a revolution in private school charges. Massive incentives will extended to private schools, thus charges will be tried to be curbed. The Ministry of Education has designed a draft law aimed at inciting private schools. After Education Minister Mehmet Ulugbay's finishing touches, the draft will be submitted to the Council of Ministers. According to the draft, the rights acknowledged by municipalities, private provincial administrations and other institutions as belonging to public schools will be valid for private schools. Private schools and courses will not be included in the context of commercial offices any more. /Hurriyet/

NEW ECONOMIC PACKAGE FOR IMF
The Higher Advisory Council of TUSIAD, to convene in Ankara today, will discuss a proposal of Chairman Bulent Eczacibasi. Eczacibasi will call for a Turkish Maastricht. According to this proposal, initially basic economic and fiscal targets must be set. These targets must be discussed in the Economic and Social Council. The government must submit this bill to the parliament and it must be passed through the parliament as a law binding on every government to come. Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz announced that they would publicize a new programme prior to the IMF meetings scheduled for next week. /Milliyet-Cumhuriyet/

[06] TURKEY-ECONOMY - BUDGET GIVES 594.3 TRILLION LIRA OF DEFICIT AT THE END OF OCTOBER

Treasury Undersecretariat said in a written statement that the budget incomes during January-October 1997 period were 4.3 quadrillion lira while budget expenditures were 4.9 quadrillion lira.

Tax incomes constituted 83,4 percent of total budget incomes in the same period. The budget incomes in January-October 1997 period constituted of 3.6 quadrillion lira of tax incomes; 644.7 trillion lira of incomes out of tax; 1.7 trillion lira of donations and 72.7 trillion lira of added budget incomes.

In the same period, the budget expenditures were 4.9 quadrillion lira and 1.7 quadrillion lira of that total was paid to the personnel.

The budget expenditures in the same period were constituted of 335 trillion lira of other current expenditures; 379.7 trillion lira of investment expenditures; 1 quadrillion lira of domestic debt payments and 231.4 trillion lira of foreign debt interest payments.

The total interest payments in first ten moths of this year were 1.3 quadrillion lira.

In the same period, 79.1 trillion lira was transferred to Public Economic Enterprises (KIT) while 1.1 quadrillion lira was spent to other transfers.

In the same period, the due sum of domestic debt was 2 quadrillion lira.

[07] TURKEY-ISRAEL - ''VETERINARY MEDICINE COOPERATION AGREMENT'' SIGNED BETWEEN TURKEY AND ISRAEL

Tasar and the accompanying delegation met Israeli Foreign Ministry General Director Eitan Bensal before the signing ceremony.

Stressing the importance of agricultural products' role in cooperation between two countries, Bensal said in the meeting that, ''we will be proud of contributing to a huge project like Southeastern Anatolia Project (GAP)''.
Israeli Foreign Ministry International Cooperation Department officials said that they held three seminars for Turkish agriculture experts and they will continue to organize such programmes.

Pointing out that the relations between two countries had further improved after Turkish and Israeli Presidents' mutual visits, Tasar said, ''however, the trade volume between two countries has not yet reached to the estimated level.''

Noting that the increase of trade volume is very important for the benefit and interest of both contries' peoples, Tasar said, ''because there is not any problem between the two nations and will never be.''

Mustafa Tasar said that Turkey and Israel can realize joint investments in Turkish Republics in Central Asia.

''Turkish and Israeli private and public sectors are expected to invest in those countries. Also the US can be called to that cooperation. The linguistic, religious and cultural ties between Turkey and Turkish Republics will enable those investments. Besides, Turkish and Israeli private sectors can cooperate in Turkey especially in GAP region. From this perspective, I, as Agriculture Minister, am ready to give two countries' investors necessary means to accomplish those investments. Also, I support the further improvement in relations between two countries,'' he said.

Israeli Foreign Ministry General Director Eitan Bensal said in his part that they wanted to invest in Turkish Republics which declare their sovereignty.

The agreement foresees the trade and of live-stock and improvement of the cooperation in live-stock health.

The agreement foresees cooperation in vegetal production, commercial growing of vegetables and fruits, citrus fruits, agricultural research, dairy products, and culture fishery.

Mustafa Tasar was also received by Israeli President Ezer Weizman after the signing ceremony.

Meanwhile, Turkish ''Toros Gubre'' company and Israeli HAZERA company reached to an agreement regarding joint investment.

[08] US-TURKEY - US EXTENDS SUPPORT TO OPERATIONS IN NORTHERN IRAQ - ''TURKEY HAS THE RIGHT TO COUNTER A THREAT FORWARDED TO ITSELF''

Mentioning about the ceasefire reached between rival Kurdish groups in Northern Iraq, US State Department Spokesman James Rubin talked about Turkey's activities forwarded to separatist terrorism in the region.

''Our policy to this end is very open,'' said the Spokesman and recalled that separatist terrorist PKK organization had attacks forwarded to Turkey from Northern Iraq, adding that Turkey had the right to protect its security and stage operations against the separatist terrorist organization.

Rubin said: ''We say Turkey's operations should be limited in time and scope and that human rights of civilian population should be respected. Yet, terrorism threat forwarded to Turkey is a real threat and Turkey has the right to fight against this threat.''

Responding to a question about recent ceasefire between PUK and KDP, Rubin said the US was in contact with these two groups and that they called on the strengthening of ceasefire.

''The sides reiterated their commitment to the ceasefire and efforts forwarded to provide stability in the region,'' Rubin said.

The US Spokesman also said ''we support territorial integrity of Iraq, we always had.''

[09] TURKEY-IMMUNITY - PARLIAMENTARY CONSTITUTION AND JUSTICE JOINT COMMISSION DECIDES TO LIFT THE IMMUNITIES OF AGAR AND BUCAK

Agar's immunity was lifted with 27 votes to 16 and Bucak's immunity was lifted with 32 votes to six against votes.

[10] TURKEY-US - FOREIGN MINISTER CEM: ''PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ'S SCHEDULED VISIT TO US WILL BE A SERIOUS SUCCESS FOR TURKEY''

Cem met US Minister of Energy Frederico Pena, White House National Security Adviser Sandy Berger and received the US Ambassador to Ankara Mark Parris.

Briefing about his contacts, Cem said he had ''positive impressions'' regarding political infrastructure of pipeline projects which will transport oil and natural gas resources of Caspian Basin to the West.

''Pipeline projects are economic but requires a political infrastructure. There are existing conflicts between Turkmens and Azeris if it will pass over Caspian Sea. They should be solved first of all'' Cem added.

Cem said the aim of his visit to Washington was to prepare an infrastructure for Yilmaz's scheduled visit, adding that ''I hope we may expect Yilmaz's visit to bring a serious successs for Turkey and it may stress strategical importance of Turkish-US relations.''

[11] TURKEY-ECONOMY - FOREIGN TRADE STATISTICS (1) - USD 15.8 BILLION OF EXPORTATION AND USD 29.3 BILLION OF IMPORTATION REALIZED DURING JANUARY- AUGUST 1997 PERIOD

State Statistics Institution (DIE) said that the increase in exportation in first eight months of this year was 8,8 percent while importation increased by 5,9 percent.

In the same period last year, the importation was USD 14.5 billion while importation was USD 27.7 billion.

The foreign trade deficit, which was USD 13.1 billion in the same period last year, rose to USD 13.5 billion with 2,7 percent increase.

The exportation in August 1997 reached to USD 2 billion with 6,2 percent increase and importation reached to USD 4 billion with 17,4 percent increase when compared to same month averages last year.

The foreign trade deficit in August 1997 rose to USD 2 billion with 31,5 percent increase when compared to same month averages last year.

The foreign trade realizations in August 1996-1997 and as of January-August 1996-1997 according to DIE statistics are as follows (USD million):

               August      change   January-August  change
          1996      1997   percent  1996    1997    percent
         -------   ------- ------  ------  ------   ------
Export   1.939.3   2.059.4   6.2  14.511.5  15.792.6  8.8
Import   3.466.1   4.067.8  17.4  27.679.3  29.314.2  5.9
Deficit -1.526.9  -2.008.4  31.5 -13.167.8 -13.521.7  2.7

(continues)

[12] TURKEY-ECONOMY - FOREIGN TRADE STATISTICS (2) - DURING JANUARY-AUGUST 1997 PERIOD, USD 14.1 BILLION OF EXPORTATION REALIZED IN MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY - TURKEY REALIZES 60 PERCENT OF EXPORTATION AND 69,1 PERCENT OF IMPORTATION WITH OECD COUNTRIES

State Statistics Institution (DIE) stated that the exportation of manufacturing industry products during January-August 1997 period rose to USD 14.1 billion with 9,2 percent increase when compared to same period last year. The exportation of manufacturing industry products in same period last year was USD 12.9 billion.

The exportation of agriculture and forestry sectors' products, which was USD 1.3 billion in same period last year, rose to USD 1.4 billion between January and August 1997.

The exportation income from mining industry products, which was USD 239.9 million in the same period last year, increased to USD 250.6 million in first eight months of 1997.

Turkey's total importation in January-August 1997 period was USD 29.3 billion and consumption products shared 52.3 percen in that total importation.

Consumption products importation, which was USD 7.6 billion in same period last year, rose to USD 8.3 billion with 8,8 percent increase between January ahr August 1997.

Meanwhile, Turkey realized 60 percent of exportation and 69,1 percent of importation with Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) countries.

According to DIE statistics, USD 9.5 billion of products were exported to OECD countries and USD 6.3 billion of products were exported to other countries during January-August 1997 period.

The exportation to OECD countries was USD 9 billion and to other countries was USD 5.5 billion in the same period last year.

During January-August 1997 period, USD 20.3 billion of foreign exchange was paid to OECD countries and USD 9 billion of foreign exchange was paid to other coutries for imported products.

In the same period last year, USD 19.3 billion of products were imported from OECD countries and USD 8.3 billion of products were imported from other countries.

[13] TURKEY-BULGARIA - PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ LEAVES FOR BULGARIA

Prime Minister Yilmaz left for Bulgaria on Thursday as the official guest of Bulgarian Prime Minister Ivan Kostov.

Speaking before his departure from Ankara's Esenboga Airport Yilmaz recalled that no visit took place from Turkey to Bulgaria in Prime Minister level more than 19 years.

Yilmaz said he met Bulgarian Premier Kostov during his unofficial visit to Turkey in October and during Balkan summit which took place in Crete at the beginning of November.

''We have installed a sincere and healthy dialogue between our countries and nations targetting a close cooperation based on reciprocal confidence during meetings,'' he said, adding that relations between Turkey and Bulgaria gained momentum with the official visit of Bulgarian President Petar Stoyanov last year.

Yilmaz said during his visit to Bulgaria they would also sign several agreements and stressed that ''we appreciate the steps taken by new Bulgarian government to maintain political and economic reforms and integration with Europe.''

He said Turkey believed that Bulgaria would soon take its justified place in integration process with European-Atlantic structures and supports Bulgaria's NATO membership to this end.

Yilmaz said with the visit, Turkish-Bulgarian Business Council, which failed to convene for a long time, will be operated.

[14] TURKEY-TURKMENISTAN-ENERGY - ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES MINISTER ERSUMER: - ''A NEW FIELD WILL BE ALLOCATED FOR TPAO TO RESEARCH AND PRODUCE OIL IN AMUDERYA REGION IN TURKMENISTAN''

Ersumer, who returned to Turkey yesterday after concluding his official visit to Turkmenistan, said in a press briefing that they held preliminary talks regarding new field allocation during their contacts in Ashkabat and a technical delegation from TPAO will leave for Turkmenistan. Ersumer said that the delegation will seek for an opportunity to sign an agreement regarding the issue during Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz's official visit to Turkmenistan on December 25.

Minister Ersumer said they will make some observations on oil fields and refining plants which are operated by Turkmenistan Energy Ministry in Amuderya region.

TPAO officials had gave an offer for producing oil in Yerkui and Beskizil regions in Turkmenistan's Amuderya region during Minister Ersumer's meeting with Turkmenistan's President Saparmurad Turkmenbasi.

Responding to a question, Ersumer said, ''Baku-Ceyhan natural gas pipeline, and also Turkmenistan-Turkey-Europe natural gas pipeline's feasibility etudes implemented by Sofregaz and Bechtel companies will be resulted in February 1998''.

''Our policy is to set up a consensus among executive companies and countries having oil and natural gas resources. We set up working groups with Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan to provide that consensus. We will lay the foundation of working group between Turkey and Turkmenistan in the technical-level meeting between December 18 and 19,'' he said.

Pointing out that the Iran and Georgia routes, which will be used for the transfer of Turkmenistan's natural gas to Turkey and Europe, have negative and positive aspects, Ersumer said, ''Turkmenistan wants to transfer that gas to Europe via Turkey. This is a considerable consensus. Consequently, that region is a very sensitive region. However, several countries and companies still have reservations about some issues. But I hope that this construction will be realized and we will enable to meet natural gas demand as of the year 2001.''

[15] TURKEY-ECONOMY - FOREIGN DEBT PAYMENTS - TURKEY PAYS 9.3 BILLION OF FOREIGN DEBT SINCE JANUARY

According to Central Bank's statistics, Treasury paid USD 7.4 billion of foreign debt, Central Bank paid USD 496.3 million; Turkish Defense Fund paid USD 341 million and other public institutions paid USD 1.1 billion of foreign debt until December 3.

Turkey paid 173.3 million dollar of foreign debt between December 1-3.

The statistics regarding Turkey's foreign debt payments between January and November 1997 are as follows:

Foreign Debt Payment
Month		(US dollar)
---------	----------
January		  449   million
February	  668.4 million
March		1.3 billion
April		  727.1 million
May		  655.4 million
June		1.2     billion
July		  771.3 million
August		  776.9 million
September	  678.3 million
October		  744.8 million
November	1.2     billion

[16] TURKEY-ECONOMY - CENTRAL BANK'S FOREIGN EXCHANGE RESERVE INCREASES BY 3.2 BILLION DOLLARS IN LAST 11 MONTHS

According to Central Bank's statistics, the foreign exchange reserves, which increased over 20 billion dollar in early October, reduced to 19.5 billion dollars at the end of November.

Central Bank's foreign exchange reserves, which was USD 16.3 billion at the end of 1996, increased to USD 19.5 billion on November 28. Thus foreign exchange reserves increased by USD 3.2 billion when compared to same amount at the end of 1996.

Central Bank's foreign exchange reserves reached its maximum average of USD 21.5 billion on October 24.

Meanwhile, Turkey's international gross reserves was USD 30.3 billion according to November 14-based statistics. It was 31.2 billion dollars on October 31.

As of November 14, USD 1.4 billion of gold, USD 20 billion of Central Bank's foreign exchange reserves and USD 8.9 billion of commercial banks' foreign exchange reserves constituted international reserves of Turkey.

[17] TURKEY-HUMAN RIGHTS - PREMIERSHIP ISSUES HUMAN RIGHTS CIRCULAR

Under the circular which was sent to all police forces and public institutions giving the order that it should be implemented fully, legal rights will be told to the ones who were taken under custody, a doctor report will be arranged at the start and end of the period and audial and visual records will be make during interrogation.

State Minister Hikmet Sami Turk staged a news conference in the Parliament on Thursday and briefed about the circular which was issued under the signature of Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz.

Noting that respect to human rights was one of the joint issues that civilized countries are united on, Turk said Turkey was a state sharing the aim of protection and improvement of human rights with civilized countries.

''Yet, there were mistakes in Turkey about human rights and there were human rights violations from time to time,'' Turk said, adding that they were in an effort to prevent repetition of these incidents.

Turk said several changes were required in several laws and in the Constitution to prevent torture and abuse.

According to the circular which was prepared with Human Rights Coordination High Council decision and signed by Premier, legal rights will be told to detainees and forms prepared to this end would be given to them.

Detainees would be recorded and every kind of document will be recorded regarding their release and transportation.

Criminal Trial Procedure Law (CMUK) will be implemented in contact of defendants with their lawyers and informing of their relatives.

Physical conditions of custody places will be adjusted to international standarts and required needs of detainees will be met in nutrition and health issues.

Interrogation centers will be equipped with audial and visual record equipments and experienced personnel will be assigned in interrogation.

No ill-treatment will be done to any detainee whatever his crime is. Necessary investigation will be launched regarding torture and abuse allegations. Legal procedure will be implemented immediately for the officials who made torture or abuse.

State Minister Turk said everybody should be sensitive towards the issue to prevent human rights violations, adding that they have put lessons to schools to this end.

Turk said Turkey has taken important steps on human rights issue.

[18] TURKEY-AZERBAIJAN - STATE MINISTER ANDICAN: - ''AMERICAN COMPANIES, TURKEY AND AZERBAIJAN HAVE COMMON INTERESTS ON BAKU-CEYHAN PIPELINE''

Addressing the panel discussion titled ''Azerbaijani Oil'' in Bilkent University in Ankara, Andican said that the amount of oil exported from that region will increase over fifty million tons in a short time.

Pointing out that the existing pipelines in the region cannot meet that capacity, Minister Andican said that the Baku-Ceyhan pipeline is the most appropriate route economically and politically.

Emphasizing that an energy route should be set up between Turkey and the region, Andican said that route should be supported by economic and poltical integrations.

''Turkish investors play considerable role in the development of Turkish Republics. The integration with Turkey in culture and economy fields rapidly improves. Turkish block will gather an important place in the world arena in the near future,'' he said.

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