Anadolu Agency: News in English, 98-05-12

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

12 MAY 1998

CONTENTS

[01] CONTACTS OF THE IMF DELEGATION - TANER, THE MINISTER OF STATE: ''LEGAL REFORM ARRANGEMENTS SHOULD ABSOLUTELY BE MADE TO DECREASE PERMANENTLY THE INFLATION IN 1999'' - HARDY, CHIEF OF THE IMF TURKEY DESK: - ''TURKEY REQUIRES A COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAMME''

[02] DEMIREL HOLDS A PRESS BRIEFING IN KAZAKHSTAN: ''RELATIONS WITH IRAN ARE MODERATE, THEY ARE ALMOST NORMALIZED''

[03] SEA SECURITY COMMITTEE ''SHELVES'' THE REPORT OF RUSSIA

[04] WEU MEETING ON RHODES - SEZGIN, MINISTER OF DEFENSE: ''THE GREEK CYPRIOT SIDE DOESN'T REPRESENT ALL OF CYPRUS'' - ''WE ARE READY FOR DIALOGUE WITH GREECE''

[05] PRIVATIZATION REVENUES - PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ: ''WE WILL ALLOCATE THE PRIVATIZATON REVENUES TO THE CONCERNED MINISTRIES BY NOT HINDERING IMPORTANT INVESTMENTS''

[06] ISRAEL TO INVITE FM CEM - GEN. BIR, THE DEPUTY CHIEF OF GENERAL STAFF: ''THE SUPPORT OF GREECE TO THE SEPARATIST TERRORIST PKK ORGANIZATION IS REAL''

[07] PRIVATIZATION OF THY - LETTERS OF INVITATION SENT TO EIGHT COMPANIES TO BID FOR TENDER OPENED FOR SELECTION OF MEDIATOR AND COUNSELOR FOR THE PRIVATIZATION OF THY

[08] GUREL, STATE MINISTER: ''IF SYRIAN GOVERNMENT DOESN'T SHOW THE INTENTION OF SETTING UP A FRIENDLY BASIS FOR HER RELATIONS WITH TURKEY, THEN SHE WILL SUFFER THE CONSEQUENCES''

[09] CLINTON, THE US PRESIDENT, TO DISCUSS TURKEY TO KOHL AND CHIRAC

[10] FIRST ECONOMY SUMMIT OF THE TURKISH REPUBLICS TO BE HELD IN ISTANBUL BETWEEN MAY 12 AND 15

[11] US: ''ALL OF THE CONCERNED SIDES HAVE THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR NOT SOLVING THE CYPRUS QUESTION''

[12] BIRDAL, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE HUMAN RIGHTS ASSOCIATION IS SHOT AND WOUNDED

[13] TURKEY-PRESS REVIEW (1)

[14] TURKEY-PRESS REVIEW (2)

[15] TRNC PRESIDENT DENKTAS IN ISTANBUL - DENKTAS: ''BEING IN A HURRY CONCERNING THE SOLUTION OF THE CYPRUS QUESTION GIVES A CHANCE TO THE OTHER SIDE''

[16] BALIC BECOMES FENERBAHCE SOCCER CLUB'S PLAYER - BURSASPOR'S BOSNIAN FORWARD TRANSFERRED TO FENERBAHCE FOR NINE MILLION US DOLLARS

[17] MY TURKEY PARTY ESTABLISHED

[18] TURKEY IN BRIEF - MAY 12, 1998

[19] FM CEM: ''TURKEY WON'T BE CONTENTED BY BEING CONSIDERED AS A PERIPHERY COUNTRY OF EUROPE''

[20] GREAT INTEREST OF GERMANS IN TURKEY

[21] STATE MINISTER YILDIRIM IN THE US - ''THE WORLD POSSESSES THE GAP NOW''

[22] TURKISH-UAE JEC MEETINGS TO START IN ANKARA ON WEDNESDAY

[23] THE FIRST ECONOMY SUMMIT OF THE TURKISH STATES

[24] TURKEY IN BRIEF (2) - MAY 12, 1998

[25] IMF DELEGATION CONTINUES CONTACTS IN TURKEY - HARDY, THE HEAD OF IMF DELEGATION: ''THE STRONG DISCIPLINE ON PUBLIC FINANCE SHOULD CONTINUE''

[26] TURKEY RAISES RESERVATION TO AN EXPRESSION IN RHODES DOCUMENT RELATED TO THE GREEK CYPRIOT SIDE

[27] PARLIAMENT ADOPTS MOTION OPENED AGAINST PM YILMAZ

[28] ''THE CYPRUS IN AGENDA'' PANEL DISCUSSION - DENKTAS, TRNC PRESIDENT: ''CYPRUS QUESTION IS NOT A PROBLEM OF CYPRUS ISLAND'' - HARSH REACTION FROM DENKTAS TO HANS VAN DEN BROEK

[29] AFYON CRIMINAL COURT DISCLOSES REASONED VERDICT OF GOKTEPE CASE

[30] PARLIAMENT ADOPTS MOTION OPENED AGAINST TOPCU

[01] CONTACTS OF THE IMF DELEGATION - TANER, THE MINISTER OF STATE: ''LEGAL REFORM ARRANGEMENTS SHOULD ABSOLUTELY BE MADE TO DECREASE PERMANENTLY THE INFLATION IN 1999'' - HARDY, CHIEF OF THE IMF TURKEY DESK: - ''TURKEY REQUIRES A COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAMME''

Gunes Taner met with Willy Kiekens, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Director to Turkey, and with the IMF delegation led by Martin Hardy, the Chief of the Turkey Desk of the IMF, at the Undersecretariat of the Treasury. Cuneyt Sel, the Deputy Undersecretary of the Treasury, and Faik Oztrak, the Deputy Undersecretary of the State Planning Organization (DPT) also attended the meeting.

Responding to the questions of reporters after the meeting, Taner said that they discussed the economic programme which Turkey and the IMF were planning to implement next year.

''We gave the start for studies to specify the infrastructure preparations for the 1999 budget, which will be prepared to cut the inflation, and to determine the content of the programme. We are now brain storming to this end,'' State Minister Taner said.

Pointing out that the government prepared and continued to implement a programme to drop the inflation to one-digit figures within the next three years, Taner said that it had been repeatedly announced to the public that the IMF and the World Bank were pleased with the results in the first five months of this year.

Taner stressed that the government should carry on the disciplined implementations to continue the measures, which had been applied up until now to make the programme continuous and permanent. ''This discipline will be provided in 1999 with four basic steps. The first step is the 'Tax Reform', the second one is the issue of 'Social Security', the third step is 'taking under control the financial markets' and the last one is the 'agricultural sector and the subsidies in this sector','' he added.

Responding to a question, Martin Hardy, the Chief of the Turkey Desk of the IMF, said that there was a need for a comprehensive programme in Turkey and that there wasn't one simple solution.

Willy Kiekens, the IMF Director to Turkey, said that they got information about the economic programme to be implemented in Turkey in 1999.

The IMF delegation will leave Turkey on Tuesday after holding a meeting again with Gunes Taner.

[02] DEMIREL HOLDS A PRESS BRIEFING IN KAZAKHSTAN: ''RELATIONS WITH IRAN ARE MODERATE, THEY ARE ALMOST NORMALIZED''

Responding to questions of journalists during a press briefing in Kazakhstan, President Demirel recalled that he met with Mohammad Khatami, the Iranian President last December in Teheran, adding that he met him for the second time on Monday.

''What I said that time was the fact that the two countires shouldn't intervene with each other's internal affairs and should respect each other's regimes. We reciprocally exchanged ambassadors five-six monhts ago, '' said Demirel.

Noting that Iran criticizes Turkish relations with Israel, President Demirel said that Iran complains about the existence of Israel. ''We told Iran that Turkey opposed the establishment of the Israeli state. However Russia, Britain, the US and France supported the establishment of Israel. The Israeli state is a reality today and it is a de facto situation. Egypt accepted the existence of Israel 20 years ago and signed an agreement with Israel. Likewise, Palestine and Jordan have made agreements with Israel. Nobody has the right to oppose the relations of Turkey with Israel today,'' President Demirel said.

Stressing that the relations between Turkey and Israel aren't directed against any third country, Demirel said he reiterated these facts to Khatami once again.

Responding to another question about his meeting with Haydar Aliyev, the Azerbaijani President, President Demirel stated that ''Aliyev doesn't have any hesitations about the Baku-Ceyhan pipeline.''

Pointing out that the oil that will be transported by the pipeline belongs to Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan, President Demirel said that Turkey doesn't have any other interests rather than being an oil terminal with the realization of this pipeline. ''It is a matter of prestige, besides the safest route is via Baku-Ceyhan,'' he added.

''The cooperation of Russia concerning the developments in the ECO should be provided. I attribute importance to the function, role and position of Russia,'' he said.

Asked whether or not the lack of authority in Northern Iraq was discussed during his meeting with Khatami, President Demirel said

Khatami expressed pleasure about the attitude of Turkey during the recent Iraq crisis.

''I told him that Turkey didn't cause the Iraqi crisis, on the contrary, we suffered a lot from this crisis. There isn't Iraq as a state in Northern Iraq, which is used as a terrorist base. Turkey defends the territorial integrity of Iraq more than the latter. In fact, Turkey protects the territorial integrity of Iraq, because Europe launches efforts to set up a state in Northern Iraq. Syria and Iran will suffer from the establishment of such a state in Northern Iraq,'' said President Demirel, adding that Khatami pointed out that Iraq has to abide by the resolutions of the UN.

President Demirel said that the ECO isn't an alternative organization to the European Union (EU). Noting that the ECO is an economic movement within its own structure, Demirel added that regional cooperations aren't movements of competition, but they have a complementary nature.

[03] SEA SECURITY COMMITTEE ''SHELVES'' THE REPORT OF RUSSIA

The success of the Turkish delegation led by Guven Erkaya, a retired Admiral and the Chief Advisor of the Prime Ministry, and Omer Kilic, the deputy Undersecretary of Maritime Affairs, in the Committee meeting was stemming from the presentation of Guven Erkaya during the meeting and from the ''tete-a-tete'' diplomacy between the Turkish delegation members and the members of the other delegations.

The Committee in its second session discussed the report prepared by Russia, Greece, Bulgaria, the Ukraine and the Greek-Cypriot side.

Erkaya in his presentation gave detailed information about the measures Turkey took to provide security of passage, stressing that the political will was completely supporting the issue.

Later, the member countries started to convey their views regarding the issue. The US, Japan, Britain, France, Malta and the Bahamas supported the thesis of Turkey and stated that Turkey, as the only country with a shore on the Straits, sincerely took all the necessary measures to secure the passages of the ships.

The countries which had prepared the report didn't ask for a voting from Dr. Patto Fatto, the Italian Chairman of the Committee, after the support given to Turkey.

Turkey is expected to participate actively in the steps related to the Straits during the meeting of the Sub-Committee of Security of Passage between July 20-24.

[04] WEU MEETING ON RHODES - SEZGIN, MINISTER OF DEFENSE: ''THE GREEK CYPRIOT SIDE DOESN'T REPRESENT ALL OF CYPRUS'' - ''WE ARE READY FOR DIALOGUE WITH GREECE''

Addressing a press briefing, Ismet Sezgin stated that he didn't meet with Akis Cohacopulos, the Greek Minister of Defense face to face, adding ''I don't have a request to meet with him, but I am ready to meet with him. I can invite him to Ankara or ask him to invite me to Greece. We wish to discuss our problems with Greece, because we favour dialogue.''

Noting that Theodoros Pangalos, the Greek Foreign Minister had brought the application of the Greek Cypriot side to the WEU onto the agenda of the meeting, Sezgin said he told the meeting that the Greek Cypriot administration doesn't represent the entire island, particularly it doesn't represent the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC).

Sezgin said that the role and priorities of the WEU after the Amsterdam and Madrid meetings were discussed during the Rhodes meeting.

Addressing the meeting, Sezgin said that Turkey attributes great importance to the improvement of the WEU's function as a bridge between the EU and NATO.

Noting that the Kosovo problem was also taken up during the meeting, Sezgin stated that measures should be taken immediately concerning this problem.

Sezgin said that he didn't meet with Javier Solana, the NATO Secertary General, who is also on Rhodes.

Sezgin will return to the island on Tuesday afternoon when the WEU meeting ends.

Meanwhile, Pangalos, the Greek Foreign Minister said that Turkey had a constructive attitude during the Rhodes meeting.

[05] PRIVATIZATION REVENUES - PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ: ''WE WILL ALLOCATE THE PRIVATIZATON REVENUES TO THE CONCERNED MINISTRIES BY NOT HINDERING IMPORTANT INVESTMENTS''

Speaking to reporters, Prime Minister Yilmaz said, ''we previously decided to give 400 trillion Turkish Liras (TL) from the total privatization revenues for investments. Our staff will carry out a study regarding the schedule of these allocations.''

Responding to the question ''will the privatization revenues be used for settling Turkey's debts or for investments?'', Zekeriya Temizel, the Minister of Finance, said that the government can't find an opportunity to discuss this issue in the Council of Ministers.

''The privatization revenues will be transferred to those organizations in specified amounts. The largest amount was allocated to the General Directorate of Motorways,'' he said.

When reporters recalled the statements of Prime Minister Yilmaz, who said that the privatization revenues would be used to accelarate the investments in the Southeastern Anatolia Project (GAP), Temizel said, ''there are some legal limitations in the allocation of privatization revenues. It isn't possible to overcome these limitations.''

Responding to another question, Temizel said that the government was taking into consideration the world prices, the economic conditions and conjuncture and there wasn't a populist approach.

[06] ISRAEL TO INVITE FM CEM - GEN. BIR, THE DEPUTY CHIEF OF GENERAL STAFF: ''THE SUPPORT OF GREECE TO THE SEPARATIST TERRORIST PKK ORGANIZATION IS REAL''

Prime Minister Y�lmaz met with Uri Bar Ner, the Israeli Ambassador to Turkey for 10 minutes and left the reception.

Eli Saked, the Israeli Chief Consul to Istanbul said that they are planning to invite Foreign Minister Ismail Cem to Israel.

Noting that there are successful high ranking visits between Turkey and Israel, Saked added that there is no reason for Prime Minister Y�lmaz not to visit Israel.

Meanwhile, responding to a question, Gen. Cevik Bir said that the support of Greece to the separatist terrorist PKK organization is ''real.''

Evaluating any possible match between the Greek Cypriot and the Turkish military national soccer teams, Gen. Bir said that the Foreign Ministry will decide whether or not the Turkish team will play that game, because it is a political issue.

Noting that the views of General Staff about the issue were explained to the Foreign Ministry, General Bir said, ''if the Greek Cypriot team withdraws, then we will be declared as the winner with the decision of the referee.''

[07] PRIVATIZATION OF THY - LETTERS OF INVITATION SENT TO EIGHT COMPANIES TO BID FOR TENDER OPENED FOR SELECTION OF MEDIATOR AND COUNSELOR FOR THE PRIVATIZATION OF THY

The OIB gave the start for studies to privatize the THY within the framework of the decision of the Privatization Administration Board (OYK) on April 21 regarding the completion of the public offering of the total public shares of the THY or the public offering of some of these shares to be specified by the OYK in the domestic and foreign markets within the next six months.

The OIB said in a written statement that letters of invitation were sent to eight companies, which would carry out mediation and counseling services in domestic and foreign markets regarding the privatization of a 25 percent portion of the THY shares having a public share of 98.17 percent.

The statement said that the OIB asked the companies to submit their tenders by June 1 for making financial and strategical analyses and for carrying out the mediation services for the public offering in the domestic and foreign markets.

The names of the companies to which the OIB sent letters of invitation are as follows:

-ABN Amro and Rothschild

-CSFB Credit Suisse First Boston

-Deutsche Morgan Grenfell Co. Ltd.

-Goldman Sachs International

-Ing Barings

-Merril Lynch International Ltd.

-Morgan Stanley and Co. Inc.

-SBC Warburg and UBS

[08] GUREL, STATE MINISTER: ''IF SYRIAN GOVERNMENT DOESN'T SHOW THE INTENTION OF SETTING UP A FRIENDLY BASIS FOR HER RELATIONS WITH TURKEY, THEN SHE WILL SUFFER THE CONSEQUENCES''

Addressing the journalists, Gurel stated, ''there is no need to react to an ambassador concerning his statements. He issued a statement in an irresponsible manner without evaluating its results. He will be liable for his statement in the future.''

Noting that the allocation of privatization revenues was also discussed during the cabinet meeting, Gurel pointed out that ''privatization revenues will be allocated to our ministries which will make investments.''

Noting that Yucel Seckiner, the Minister of State informed the cabinet about the Black Sea Olympic Games, Gurel said that Seckiner recalled that the ministers, who participated in a sports meeting held in Istanbul on May 8 between the Black Sea countries, accepted the status of the Black Sea Olympic Games and the Black Sea Olympic Games will be held in Trabzon Province between May-September in 1999.

[09] CLINTON, THE US PRESIDENT, TO DISCUSS TURKEY TO KOHL AND CHIRAC

Sandy Berger, the White House National Security Adviser said that Clinton will discuss the future of Turkey and her relations with the European Union (EU) in his meeting with Kohl.

''I am sure that Clinton will discuss the Turkish-EU relations and the Cyprus question during his lunch with Chirac on May 15 at Birmingham,'' said Berger.

Clinton will visit Europe to participate at the G-8 and the US-EU Summits. The first summit will be held in Birmingham and the second one will be held in London. Clinton will stay in Germany for two days before the summits.

Speaking to the A.A correspondent, James Steinberg, the Assistant of Berger, had said that Bill Clinton wanted Turkey to integrate with the EU as much as possible and he would mention his views in Europe.

''Further rapprochement of Turkey to Europe will please us. Turkey is a very important country for us,'' Steinberg had said.

[10] FIRST ECONOMY SUMMIT OF THE TURKISH REPUBLICS TO BE HELD IN ISTANBUL BETWEEN MAY 12 AND 15

Akkan Suver, the Secretary General of the Marmara Group Foundation that organized the Summit, said that President Suleyman Demirel; Ismet Sezgin, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense; Isin Celebi, Gunes Taner, Cavit Kavak and Ahat Andican, the Ministers of State and high- ranking bureaucrats, and the government officials and ministers of the economy of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Azerbaijan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, and businessmen would attend the Summit.

Pointing out that the new projects, problems and proposals for the solution of these problems in the sectoral platforms to be established in the fields of finance, industry, trade, contracting, transportation, tourism and communications, Suver said that Martin Hardy, the Chief of Turkey Desk of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and the representatives of the World Bank, the UNIDO, the Council of Europe and the United Nations (UN), and high-ranking officials from the US, Russia, the Ukraine, Georgia, Britain, Israel and Bosnia-Herzegovina would participate at the Summit as observers.

Suver said that the aim of the Summit was to improve the cooperation and partnership within the Turkish business world.

President Demirel will address the opening speech of the Summit.

[11] US: ''ALL OF THE CONCERNED SIDES HAVE THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR NOT SOLVING THE CYPRUS QUESTION''

Responding to the questions of the Greek journalists, who expect him to accuse the Turkish and Turkish Cypriot sides, Rubin stated that Richard Holbrooke, the US Special Representative to Cyprus and Madeleine Albright, the US Secretary of State don't have different views about the Cyprus question.

Rubin stressed that when one carefully reads the statements of Holbrooke, who carried out a shuttle diplomacy between the two sides on Cyprus, Rubin said that the special representative didn't only accuse the TRNC or Turkey, but all sides.

Rubin, who describes Turkey as a close friend and ally, added that the US is in a series of cooperations with Turkey in important fields.

''The Turkish leadership is aware of the importance we attribute to the solution of the Cyprus question. We speak frankly as good friends and we believe that it will be to the interest of Turkey to support a solution on Cyprus,'' Rubin said.

Rubin added that the two sides on Cyprus are mainly responsible concerning the unsuccessful results of Holbrooke's contacts on Cyprus.

Thomas Miller, the US Special Coordinator to Cyprus and assistant of Holbrooke will visit the island again at the end of May.

[12] BIRDAL, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE HUMAN RIGHTS ASSOCIATION IS SHOT AND WOUNDED

Birdal, who was taken to the Sevgi Hospital, was hit in the chest and foot. Officials said that Birdal is undergoing surgery and his condition is serious.

[13] TURKEY-PRESS REVIEW (1)

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

TURKEY BLOCKS RUSSIAN PLAN
Turkey prevented yesterday a Russian attempt to change Turkey's straits policy at the International Maritime Organization's (IMO) Safety Committee meeting in London. Turkey also promoted the new safety systems to be used in the Istanbul and

Canakkale Straits. Prime Ministerial Advisor Guven Erkaya, chaired the Turkish delegation at the meeting and said that Turkey was improving its Vessel Traffic System (VTS) to ensure safety in the Straits, adding that the system will include nightvision cameras, radar, a Positioning System, direction-finders and similar measures. The IMO meeting will end on May 20. /Milliyet/

DEMIREL ADDRESSES ECO MEETING
President Suleyman Demirel yesterday addressed at the 5th summit of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) in Almaty, the capital of Kazakhstan, saying that ECO meetings confirm the real solidarity and mutual dependency between the 10 states. The summit ended with the signing of all "Almaty declaration". More focus on the fields of strategy for economic cooperation, trade, transportation, communications and energy was agreed to at the summit. The next ECO summit will be held in Bishkek in 2000. President Suleyman Demirel had the opportunity to meet with member country presidents, including Iranian President Muhammed Khatemi and Afghanistan President Burhaneddin Rabbani. /Milliyet/

ANKARA DENIES CHANGE IN S-300 POLICY
Ankara denied on Monday Greek reports that Greece had agreed to deploy controversial Russian-made S-300 missiles in Crete instead of in Greek Cyprus following talks with Turkey. Foreign Ministry spokesman Sermet Atacanli said yesterday that Turkey's stance on the issue has not changed. He also protested against remarks by Greek Foreign Minister Iannakis Cassoulides who said there was nothing suprising about the Greek position regarding PKK. Atacanli said that the Greek statement that there had been no court decision to outlaw the PKK was not true. /Milliyet/

WEU MEETING CONTINUES IN RHODES
Foreign and Defense Ministers from 28 European Countries met on the Greek island of Rhodes on Monday to discuss the turmoil in the Balkans, including Kosovo. It is expected that Turkish Defense Minister Ismet Sezgin, who participated in the meetings, will meet with his Greek counterpart. Before the meetings, Sezgin met at the Turkish Consulate with a group of Turks living on Rhodes and later visited historical sites dating from time to of the Ottoman Empire. Sezgin will return home on Tuesday. NATO Secretary- General Javier Solana will reportedly offer a new package of confidence building measures for both the Turkish and Greek sides. /Milliyet/

BEWILDERING WORDS FROM PANGALOS
Greek Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos said at a meeting of the Western European Union (WEU) in Rhodes yesterday that Turkey had assumed a "contructive stance" in the WEU. Pangalos noted that Defense Minister Ismet Sezgin, attending the meeting on behalf of Turkey, stated that he was against of an application of the Greek Cypriot Administration for becoming a WEU partner and pointed out that the Greek Cypriot Administration could not represent the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). /Sabah/

COOK TO VISIT TURKEY
British Foreign Secretary Robin Cook, whose country holds the current European Union (EU) term presidency, will visit Turkey on May 19 in order to improve the strained relations between Turkey and the EU, the Turkish Foreign Ministry announced on Monday. Foreign Ministry spokesman Sermet Atacanli said, however, that the government's decision to freeze political dialogue with the EU stands. Adding that it was up to the EU to take steps to improve relations, Atacanli said that Cyprus would be one of the many issues taken-up at the talks. Cook is also expected to try to convince Turkey to attend a regular Turkey-EU meeting, scheduled for May 25. /Milliyet/

[14] TURKEY-PRESS REVIEW (2)

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

HARDY: A COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAMME SHOULD BE IMPLEMENTED
Chief of the IMF Turkish Desk, Martin Hardy, said yesterday that there was no single way to reduce the rate of inflation in

Turkey and that a comprehensive programme had to be implemented. Turkish State Minister Isin Celebi, IMF Executive Director Willy Kiekens and Chief of the Turkish Desk Martin Hardy held a meeting yesterday. Replying to the questions of journalists following the meeting, Taner said that the materialization of a social security reform was not easy and that a new strategy should be determined initially. He added that all parties at the assembly should support a draft to be prepared to that end. Taner also noted that the agricultural sector should be opened up to world competition. /Hurriyet/

AWARD FOR SURMELI
Deputy President of Anatolian University Prof.Fevzi Surmeli has been presented with the "State Honour and Merit Medal" by Ambassador Daniel Lequertier on behalf of France for his contributions to the development of civil aviation cooperation between Turkey and France. The award ceremony was held at Anatolian University yesterday. Delivering a speech at the ceremony, Surmeli said: "I would like to thank French President Jacques Chirac and the French Ambassador wholeheartedly". /Hurriyet/

POOR TREATMENT FOR TURKISH AMBASSADOR IN US
US President Bill Clinton has still not given an appointment to Turkey's new Ambassador to Washington Baki Ilkin for the presentation of his letter of credentials. Turkey's former Ambassador to Washington Nuzhet Kandemir was also obliged to wait for nearly one month to present his letter of credentials to the then US President George Bush. /Hurriyet/

EUROPEAN QUALITY CHAMPIONS IN ISTANBUL
"Quality leaders" will come to Istanbul to participate in a "Winners Conference" organized by the European Foundation of

Quality Management (EFQM). The conference, to be attended by the winners of the 1997 European Quality Awards, will be held on May 15. /Hurriyet/

HEROIN WORTH OF TL 10 TRILLION SEIZED
The Narcotics Department of the Istanbul Security Office has seized 216 kg of heroin and 800 gr of opium found in a truck. It is reported that the market value of the drug confiscated in the truck coming from Pakistan via Turkey to Germany totals TL 10 trillion. /Sabah/

112 PKK TERRORISTS KILLED
The "Murat Operation" being carried out by the Turkish Armed Forces against the PKK terrorist organization is continuing in a region including the provinces of Diyarbakir, Bitlis, Bingol and Mus. War planes and helicopters are also supporting the operation during which 112 PKK terrorists have so far been killed. /Sabah/

RUSSIAN PRESS DISCUSSES RUSSIA'S TRICKS OVER CYPRUS
Over the last few days, Russian newspaper editorials have been suggesting that peace proposals for Cyprus made by the Russian government are in fact "tricky". Russia has been making disarmament proposals which are not acceptable in current circumstances because Russia wants to show the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus as "uncompromising" so that it can sell S-300 missiles to the Southern Cyprus Administration without being seen as responsible for the crisis. /Milliyet/

[15] TRNC PRESIDENT DENKTAS IN ISTANBUL - DENKTAS: ''BEING IN A HURRY CONCERNING THE SOLUTION OF THE CYPRUS QUESTION GIVES A CHANCE TO THE OTHER SIDE''

Addressing a statement on his arrival in Istanbul, the TRNC President Denktas stated that the Cyprus matter is a case of 65 million plus 200,000 Turkish people.

''There are two separate religions, languages, peoples and states on the island. In spite of our good will, it is the Greek-Greek Cypriot couple which has destroyed the idea of a federation on the island. From now on, the negotiations between the two sides will be carried out within the framework of good neighbour relations between the two countries,'' Denktas added.

Stressing that the consideration of the Turkish soldiers on the island as ''occupier'' by Hans Van Den Broek, the EU Commissioner for Foreign Affairs, is a big mistake, Denktas added that ''those who wish the Cyprus question to be solved, should know the fact that the question stems from the occupation of Cyprus by Greece and the Greek Cypriot side. Turkey prevented this occupation and brought peace to the island.''

Noting that Turkey has vital interests on the island and this fact has been confirmed by agreements, Denktas added, ''we are on the right path and we walk patiently.''

[16] BALIC BECOMES FENERBAHCE SOCCER CLUB'S PLAYER - BURSASPOR'S BOSNIAN FORWARD TRANSFERRED TO FENERBAHCE FOR NINE MILLION US DOLLARS

Galip Sakder, the Press Spokesman of the Bursaspor, said after the meeting of the Executive Board on late Monday that they approved unanimously the transfer of Balic to the Fenerbahce.

Sakder said that Fenerbahce would pay nine million US dollars for the transfer fee and also give Tayfun, a player from the youth team of Fenerbahce.

''We decided to transfer Balic to Fenerbahce by taking into consideration the long-term interests of Bursaspor and Balic's preference. You know, Galatasaray, Besiktas and Istanbulspor also wanted to transfer Balic. We reached agreement with Balic on every detail,'' he added.

[17] MY TURKEY PARTY ESTABLISHED

Durmus Ali Eker is the leader of the new political party.

Fehmi Ozdemir, Hamdi Erkan, Yasar Turkkorur, Kuzeyme Guzin Gocmen, Sayinur Danismant, Serafettin Tatar and Hasan Eser, the founders of the My Turkey Party, presented the petition related to the foundation of the party to the Secretariat General of the Ministry of the Interior.

The logo of the party is composed of a Turkish map and a clock showing 05.00 printed on a yellow background.

''My Turkey Party is not an opposing party for the Welfare Party (RP). The RP has already been closed. Besides, we aren't supporting the RP. We are a newly established political party that will embrace the whole country,'' said Fehmi Ozdemir, a founder of the My Turkey Party.

[18] TURKEY IN BRIEF - MAY 12, 1998

''All of the statesmen in the world, whatever their religions, races and thoughts are, should launch initiatives to secure peace and stability. Nobody should be hungary and poor in the world especially in the Middle East. All of them should make use of the social opportunities,'' Menzir said.

ANKARA - A high-level delegation will leave for Egypt to make research on the cooperation opportunities in the field of defence, it was reported on Monday.

The Foreign Ministry said in a written statement that a 20-member delegation, which would be led by a Major General, would leave for Cairo to hold meetings with their Egyptian colleagues between May 12 and 15.

ANKARA - Turkey was elected as a member to several commissions and committees that constitute the UN Economic and Social Council, it was reported on Monday.

The Foreign Ministry said in a written statement that Turkey was elected as a member to the Social Development Commission, the Statute of Women Commission, the Human Settlements Commission and the Non-Governmental Organizations' Committee.

The statement said that the memberships of Turkey in these commissions and committees would be valid between January 1, 1999 and December 31, 2002.

[19] FM CEM: ''TURKEY WON'T BE CONTENTED BY BEING CONSIDERED AS A PERIPHERY COUNTRY OF EUROPE''

The Foreign Ministry said in a written statement that Le Monde described Cem as ''fluent in French, theoretician of Turkish Social Democracy and a student of the Political Science Institute in 1980'' and covered the statements of Cem, who said that ''Turkey won't be contented by being considered as a periphery country.''

The statement noted that Mario Jego, the writer of the news, evaluated the speech of Cem as ''Turkey, which has been in Europe for seven centuries, doesn't need to confirm to the EU or others that she is European.''

Stressing that Le Monde quoted Cem as saying that Turkey is European with her geography, history and culture, the statement added, ''Cem, who condemned the attitude of the EU, which behaved unequally among Turkey and the other 11 candidate states, also pointed out the injustice, discrimination and wrong attitude against Turkey.''

[20] GREAT INTEREST OF GERMANS IN TURKEY

Stressing that the German investments in Turkey increased 45 million German marks in the last two years, Oner told the A.A correspondent, ''the investments of German companies in Turkey rose from 103 million German marks to 148 million German marks within two years.''

This development, which is based on the Investment Support Agreement signed between Turkey and Germany in 1965, revived with the Turkish-German Chamber of Trade and Industry which was set up in Istanbul in 1994 to ease the economic relations.

Ozer noted that two German groups will visit Denizli, Izmir, Mersin-Icel and Adana Provinces in November and search for the opportunities of joint investments in these regions.

Reminding that the annual investment volume in Turkey of the Turkish businessmen living in Germany varies between 500-600 million German marks, Ozer said that a strong Turkish employer group has been formed in Europe within the last decade.

Ozer pointed out that their aim is to improve cooperation not only with the Europe, but also with the Turkish Republics in Central Asia.

[21] STATE MINISTER YILDIRIM IN THE US - ''THE WORLD POSSESSES THE GAP NOW''

Yildirim who met with the officials from the World Bank, the US Organization for Supporting Investments Overseas, the American Development Agency and Eximbank in Washington, D.C., described the GAP as ''Turkey's worldwide story of success''.

State Minister Yildirim said, ''American officials told me that they want to contribute to the social and humanitarian dimensions of GAP. This development shows that the world possesses the GAP now'':

Reminding that they will present to the Parliament in a short while the draft law concerning the institutional and financial changes, Yildirim said that made studies in Tennessee, Arizona and California which have facilities similar to the GAP, and added that they had held talks with the officials from the World Bank on a project for a total of 135 million US dollars connected to the GAP.

Yildirim pointed out that the social and economic difficulties in southeasthern Turkey had given rise to terrorism, but the government lead by Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz, is working to prevent these difficulties. He added that their efforts had started to produce results and the migration from the region has stopped.

Salih Yildirim will proceed to Tennessee with the delegation acompanying him. His visit to the US will end on May 21.

[22] TURKISH-UAE JEC MEETINGS TO START IN ANKARA ON WEDNESDAY

The Undersecretariat of Foreign Trade statement said an UAE delegation, headed by Sheikh Fahem bin Sultan Al-Quassimi, the UAE Economy and Trade Minister, arrived in Turkey to participate in the meetings and to hold contacts.

The improvement of bilateral trade relations, increase of mutual investments, participation of the UAE Investment Administration's in the investments in Turkey and facilities to establish a comprehensive cooperation will be discussed during the JEC meetings that will last for two days.

The statement stressed that many infrastructure and industry projects will take effect in the coming period, adding that contribution of the Turkish construction companies to these projects will primarily be discussed during the JEC Meeting.

Also, Mutual Promotion and Preservation of Investments between the two countries, Tourism Cooperation, Agricultural Cooperation and Land Transportation Agreements will be negotiated during the talks.

Meanwhile, it was reported that Al-Qassimi is expected to be received by President Suleyman Demirel.

Al Quassimi will also meet with Metin Gurdere, the Minister of State, Isin Celebi, the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, Necdet Menzir, the Minister of Transportation and Communications, Ibrahim Gurdal, the Minister of Tourism, Yalim Erez, the Minister of Industry and Trade and Mustafa Tasar, the Minister of Agriculture and Village Affairs.

[23] THE FIRST ECONOMY SUMMIT OF THE TURKISH STATES

Representatives from Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan as well as Turkey will participate at the summit, which will be opened by President Suleyman Demirel.

Ismet Sezgin, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense; Ahat Andican, Isin Celebi, Gunes Taner and Cavit Kavak, the Ministers of State; and Ugur Bayar, the Chairman of the Privatization Administration, will represent Turkey during the summit.

Finance, industry, trade, contracting, transportation, tourism and communications platforms will be set up and new projects, problems and proposals for solution will be discussed here.

Martin Hardy, the Chairman of the Turkey Desk for the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and representatives from the World Bank, the UNIDO Council of Europe, the UN and from several international organizations will cover the summit as observers.

[24] TURKEY IN BRIEF (2) - MAY 12, 1998

Burhan Kara, the Minister of State Responsible for Maritime Affairs, will go to the TRNC on Thursday to attend the meeting.

At the meeting which has been organized by the TRNC Ministry of Settlement and Transportation, the problems of the maritime sector will be discussed.

SOFIA - A photograph exhibit on ''Ataturk and the Modern Turkey'' will be opened at the Public Library in Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria, it was reported on Tuesday.

Ismail Cem, the Foreign Minister, who will go to Bulgaria for an official visit as the guest of Nadejda Mihailova, the Bulgarian Foreign Minister, will open the exhibit tomorrow.

The exhibit is organized by the Bulgarian Ministry of Culture and the Turkish Embassy in Bulgaria.

LEFKOSA - The Eastern Mediterranean University in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) and the Canakkale 18 Mart University signed a scientific and cultural cooperation protocol on Tuesday.

The protocol was signed by Prof. Dr. Ozay Oral, the Rector of the Eastern Mediterranean Universty and Prof. Dr. Abdurrahman Guzel, the Rector of the Canakkale 18 March University.

ANKARA - Hasan Gemici, the Minister of State Responsible for Social Services, said on Tuesday that the issue of social services and cooperation is the problem of not only the states, but of all the people.

Gemici received Muhammed Mahdy Fathalla, the Egyptian Ambassador to Turkey. Fathalla invited Gemici to Egypt to hold talks on the issues of social cooperation and social services.

Noting that Egypt places great importance on Turkey, Fathalla said that they want to set up economic, social and cultural cooperation between Turkey and Egypt.

Gemici said that the Republic of Turkey is a social state and added, ''We are working to improve our social services. To improve international negotiations and relations and to profit from the experience of other countries are very significant for achieving this.''

[25] IMF DELEGATION CONTINUES CONTACTS IN TURKEY - HARDY, THE HEAD OF IMF DELEGATION: ''THE STRONG DISCIPLINE ON PUBLIC FINANCE SHOULD CONTINUE''

Responding to the questions of the A.A correspondent before his meeting with Gunes Taner, the Minister of State, Hardy said that this discipline is one of the main elements for decreasing the rate of inflation.

Noting that the IMF delegation will conclude in Turkey today its annual consultation meetings which began on April 28, Hardy said, ''we saw that Turkey has begun her efforts to pull the rate of inflation down. She should continue her efforts. The credibility of the economic programme which comprises the struggle againt inflation, should be developed''.

Pointing out that Turkey should realize the economic reforms, including social security and tax, as soon as possible, Hardy told the A.A correspondent that the continuity of the coordination of the economic policy will be neccecary.

[26] TURKEY RAISES RESERVATION TO AN EXPRESSION IN RHODES DOCUMENT RELATED TO THE GREEK CYPRIOT SIDE

Sezgin, who went to Rhodos to participate in the WEU Defense and Foreign Ministers' meeting, staged a news conference following the meeting and briefed about the developments.

Noting that the issue of the strengthening of the WEU's operational abilities was discussed and the steps taken so far were evaluated, Sezgin said ''despite the developments to this end, it isn't possible to say that the WEU provided the desired development. The WEU should be more effective and determined in the solution of crises, which we believe will create outcomes that couldn't be compensated and should prove itself.''

Sezgin said that Guner Oztek, the WEU Permanent Representative, representing the Foreign Ministry, stressed the view that Turkey considered that the influence of Europe will increase in crises management in case a joint political will is established.

When asked if the confidence building measures issue in the Aegean was discussed, Sezgin said ''this is not a new issue. We aren't the side failing to implement these measures.''

Sezgin said during the meeting he had the opportunity to meet with the Defense Ministers of Britain, Bulgaria and Romania and identified his contacts as ''positive and constructive.''

Meanwhile, responding to the questions of the Greek media, Sezgin said he hoped that Greece, being an alliance member of the NATO, didn't extend support to the separatist terrorist organization targetting the territorial integrity of another country.

Mentioning the islets and rock islands issue in the Aegean, Sezgin said there were a series of geographical formations in the Aegean having no certain status, Sezgin called on dialogue for the solution of this issue.

Speaking to the Ta Nea newspaper published in Athens, Sezgin reiterated his request for dialogue. Sezgin also mentioned the persistency of Athens to bring the problems to the International Court of Justice in the Hague and said ''this is the last place to which we should apply. First, we should try to solve the problems by negotiating.''

Sezgin also pointed out the view that the Russian made S-300 missiles, planned to be deployed at the Greek Cypriot side, would endanger peace and stability in Europe, adding ''I don't think the missiles will be deployed.''

Meanwhile, Theodoros Pangalos, the Greek Foreign Minister, said that the Greek Cypriot side didn't have the required conditions to become a member of the WEU.

Addressing a news conference, Pangalos emphasized the importance of the role of the WEU in the security of Europe and said, ''Greece is positive towards the full membership of the Greek Cypriot side in the WEU, but the required conditions are not existing. This request will be discussed at the coming meetings.''

Meanwhile, Turkey raised reservations to an expression included in the Rhodes Document and in which the participants identified the European Union's (EUs) starting of full membership negotiations with the Greek Cypriot side as positive.

Sezgin departed from the island of Rhodes after the meeting.

[27] PARLIAMENT ADOPTS MOTION OPENED AGAINST PM YILMAZ

''The motion has been passed,'' said Hasan Korkmazcan, the Acting Speaker of the Parliament, announcing the results of the vote by a show of hands.

The motion requests that a Parliamentary Investigation is opened against Yilmaz on grounds that Yilmaz abused his duty in the Istanbul-Kurtkoy airport bid.

The motion is adopted by the votes of the deputies of the Virtue Party (FP), the True Path Party (DYP), the Republican People's Party (CHP), the Great Unity Party (BBP), the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) and the Democracy Party (DP).

The political party groups will show canditates for the investigation commission that will be set up and a 15 person commission will be elected from those deputies. This commission will work for two months.

[28] ''THE CYPRUS IN AGENDA'' PANEL DISCUSSION - DENKTAS, TRNC PRESIDENT: ''CYPRUS QUESTION IS NOT A PROBLEM OF CYPRUS ISLAND'' - HARSH REACTION FROM DENKTAS TO HANS VAN DEN BROEK

Addressing a panel discussion titled ''the Cyprus in Agenda'', Denktas said, ''today, I come here to shout against injustice'' adding that ''Hans Van Den Broek, the EU Commissioner for Foreign Affairs, can claim that (there is a Turkish occupation in Cyprus) in the latest phase of a 34 years- struggle to turn Cyprus into a Greek island, disregarding the injustice, oppression, and contradiction to human rights against Turkish people and the mass graves of Turkish people. This is an intentional attack requiring opposition and uprising of Turkish population. This is an attack made to cover a shame. Their shame is the injustice made against Turkey.''

Stating that all these show that why they do not and will not trust the EU which plays and is forced to play the game with the Greek strategy, Denktas said Van Den Broek's words which identified Turkish soldiers as occupiers in Cyprus as ''unfair and cruel''.

Pointing out the massacres against Turkish people in Cyprus, Denktas said the ones who realized these massacres are known as the legal Cyprus government not only by Christian Europe, but by the Islamic countries as well.

Denktas blamed the Christian and Islamic countries with turning their backs against the Turkish Cypriots, and disregarding the facts, hiding behind the excuse that ''the UN decision tells this.''

Denktas stressed that the Republic of Cyprus was a republic of partnership, but the Greek Cypriots tried to change this republic into the Republic of Greek Cypriots. ''When we tell the Greek Cypriots that (you are not the Cyprus government), our opposition is based on international agreements, rights, justice and facts, but this is identified as rebellion and considered as intransigence and that we are punished.''

Denktas stressed that no compromise can be reached in case both sides are not treated equally, stating that Greek Cypriots are being told that ''you are the government of Cyprus'' and because of that Greek Cypriots can easily say that ''Cyprus problem is an occupation problem. Turkey should leave the island. Turkish soldiers should leave the island.''

Pointing out that the US also said that if Turkish soldiers leave the island, then the Cyprus problem is solved. ''Of course, it is solved, because there will be no Turkish soldiers in the island. There will be no claim for the strategic rights of Turkey in the island and in the region, the Greek islands will add the last chain to themselves, and all our ports in the south will be under the domination of Greek islands. We are opposing to these, and saying that 'we are not playing this game, anymore we should play this game by its rules.' The rules of the game is the equality, and balance, the balance between Turkey and Greece. It is the balance between the Turkish Cypriots and the Greek Cypriots within the island. First you should establish this balance so that the negotiations could have a meaning.''

Stating that it is very clear any more that the Greek Cypriots want to own the whole Cyprus, and Turkey will not let this happen, Denktas said, ''what I tell the World is this: Cyprus problem is not the problem of Cyprus Island. Cyprus problem is the problem of attaching the last chain around Turkey by Greece's taking Cyprus. Turkey said 'no' to this since the beginning. Do not mistaken by seeing the Cyprus problem as the problem of Turkish Cypriots, as the problem of 200,000 people.''

Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz also sent a message to the panel discussion and said the solution of Cyprus question could only be provided basing on the equality of the two communities and installation of the security of Cypriot people.

Yilmaz said that main goal of Turkey is to protect the legal rights and interests of Turkish Cypriot people and provide maintenance of required conditions for Turkish Cypriot people to live in tranquility and peace, and acceptance of the equal status. Y�lmaz stressed that bi-zonal and bi- communal structure, equal sovereignty, influencial and active Turkish quarantee are the indispensable principles of a solution to Cyprus problem.

[29] AFYON CRIMINAL COURT DISCLOSES REASONED VERDICT OF GOKTEPE CASE

The reasoned verdict mentioned about the report of Medical Jurisprudence Institution and the defenses of the claimants and defendants and said it could not be clearly understood that the defendants killed Goktepe intentionally by torture within the mass psychology of the incident.

The reasoned verdict said there was not an enmity between the defendants and Goktepe requiring the killing, adding that if the defendants wanted to kill Goktepe intentionally, they would have directly hit the head, not the parts having vital importance ''the defendant policemen hit without considering a target which meant that they acted aiming to wound not killing.''

It said Seydi Battal Kose, authorized security chief officer during the incident, was present there on the spot while the beatings took place. Eye witnesses said Kose did not oppose to the beatings on the contrary acted as if supporting the incident. He was indifferent to the beating of Goktepe and did not sent him to medical treatment and ignored the warnings to this end.

The reasoned verdict said the duty of officers, who act for the state, was to provide the tranquility of citizens and to provide the security of life and property, adding that ''nobody has the right to mistreat to people on behalf of state.''

In the final part of the reasoned verdict it was said that the defendants Suayip Mutluer, Saffet Hizarci, Fedai Korkmaz and Metin Kursat had beaten Metin Goktepe, the journalist, who was taken under custody, and that Goktepe died due to interior bleeding because of the blows he received. It said the defendants did not act deliberately to kill Goktepe and that it could not be clarified who gave the serious blow that caused the death of Goktepe.

The Afyon Penal Court convicted earlier five policemen on charges of intent to kill Metin Goktepe, while in custody, and sentenced them to 7 1/2 years each in prison.

Six other police officers were acquitted in the case due to ''lack of convincing proof.''

According to the verdict of the court, two policemen have been arrested due to their imprisonment terms, while two others in detention have been released.

[30] PARLIAMENT ADOPTS MOTION OPENED AGAINST TOPCU

The motion requests a parliamentary investigation into Topcu over graft allegations in a road tender in the Black Sea region.

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