Anadolu Agency: News in English, 98-05-27

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

27 MAY 1998

CONTENTS

[01] FM ISMAIL CEM RECEIVES JOURNALISTS FROM BALKAN COUNTRIES - CEM: ''TURKEY'S AIM FOR 21ST CENTURY IS TO BE THE CENTER OF EURASIA'' - TURKEY DUE TO HOST THE BALKAN SUMMIT''

[02] ARMENIAN CRISIS IN THE RELATIONS WITH FRANCE - THE FOREIGN AFFAIRS COMMISSION OF FRENCH PARLIAMENT ACCEPTS DRAFT LAW TO BE TAKEN ONTO THE AGENDA OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY

[03] US: ''IT IS WRONG TO DEPLOY THE S-300 MISSILES ON CYPRUS''

[04] CONTACTS OF CAGAN, THE LABOUR MINISTER, IN GERMANY - CAGAN: ''RELATIONS WITH GERMANY HAVE GREAT IMPORTANCE FOR TURKEY''

[05] CETIN, THE SPEAKER OF PARLIAMENT: ''TURKEY'S APPLICATION TO THE EU IS SIGNIFICANT BECAUSE IT IS EXTENSION OF THE HISTORICAL MISSION OF THE TURKISH REPUBLIC''

[06] ''THE STORY OF TWO SEAS'' CONFERENCE - ALPAR, FOREIGN MINISTRY MARITIME AND AVIATION DEPARTMENT DEPUTY CHAIRMAN: ''MORE THAN 50,000 SHIPS PASS THROUGH THE ISTANBUL STRAITS''

[07] URBAN RUSNAK, THE SLOVAKIAN PRESS ATTACHE TO TURKEY: - ''SLOVAKIA HAS NO CONTACT WITH MED TV''

[08] GENERAL BIR: - ''TURKEY IS DETERMINED TO DEVELOP RELATIONS WITH ISRAEL''

[09] MODERN SILK ROAD - GAZIANTEP-SANLIURFA MOTORWAY TO LINK GAP TO HARBOURS AND FREE ZONES WITH TAG

[10] DOGANOGLU, THE GENERAL DIRECTOR OF GOLDEN ORANGE CULTURE AND ART FOUNDATION: - ''35TH ANTALYA GOLDEN ORANGE FILM FESTIVAL WILL BE HELD AT INTERNATIONAL LEVEL''

[11] TURKEY'S FOREIGN TRADE FIGURES IN 1997

[12] US PRESIDENT CLINTON SENDS CYPRUS REPORT TO CONGRESS - CLINTON: ''OUR CONCERNS RELATED TO THE S-300 MISSILES CONTINUE''

[13] TURKISH-EU TRADE RELATIONS - EFFECTS OF EU'S BAN ON IMPORTS OF AQUACULTURE PRODUCTS

[14] TURKEY-PRESS REVIEW (1)

[15] TURKEY-PRESS REVIEW (2)

[16] TURKEY-PRESS REVIEW (3)

[17] TURKEY IN BRIEF - MAY 27, 1998

[18] DANGER IN THE BLACK SEA, MARMARA AND THE STRAITS

[19] BORTTSCHELLER, INTERIOR MINISTER OF BREMEN STATE OF FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY: - ''TURKISH PEOPLE LIVING IN GERMANY DON'T REFLECT THE TRUE IMAGE OF TURKEY''

[20] PRESIDENT DEMIREL PHONES SHARIF, THE PAKISTANI PRIME MINISTER AND EXPRESSES CONCERN ABOUT THE NUCLEAR TESTS IN INDIA

[21] GARANTI BANK OBTAINS LOAN OF 200 MILLION US DOLLARS

[22] TURKISH-EU TRADE RELATIONS ... - EU DECIDES TO FREEZE ADDITIONAL QUOTAS ON TURKEY'S EXPORTS OF HAZELNUTS, TOMATO SAUCE AND WATERMELONS IN RESPONSE TO TURKEY'S PROHIBITION OF EU'S EXPORTS OF MEAT AND LIVE ANIMALS

[23] CONTACTS OF SWEDISH TRADE DELEGATION IN ANKARA - EREZ, MINISTER OF INDUSTRY AND TRADE: - ''TURKEY WILL BE THE CENTER OF EUROASIA IN THE 21ST CENTURY''

[24] COMMEMORATION DAY FOR THE MARTYRS OF THE FOREIGN MINISTRY - PRESIDENT DEMIREL: ''WHILE OUR DIPLOMATS HAVE GAINED THE RESPECT OF OUR FRIENDS, THEY CAN ALSO BE TARGETS OF THOSE WHO ARE UNEASY ABOUT TURKEY'S STRENGTH''

[25] GUSTAFSSON, UNDERSECRETARY OF SWEDISH FOREIGN TRADE: - ''ECONOMIC STABILITY IS THE CONDITION FOR MORE SWEDISH INVESTMENTS IN TURKEY''

[01] FM ISMAIL CEM RECEIVES JOURNALISTS FROM BALKAN COUNTRIES - CEM: ''TURKEY'S AIM FOR 21ST CENTURY IS TO BE THE CENTER OF EURASIA'' - TURKEY DUE TO HOST THE BALKAN SUMMIT''

Pointing out that economic relations were established on the current political agreements signed with the regional countries, Cem stressed that they accept the Balkans as the focal point of Turkey's foreign policy because of the special position of the Balkans.

Cem told the reporters that the Balkan Summit of Foreign Ministers of the Balkan countries will be held in Istanbul between June 8-9, adding that the presidents and prime ministers of the Balkan countries will also come together in Turkey.

Ismail Cem noted that the meetings will focus on the issue of security in the Balkans.

[02] ARMENIAN CRISIS IN THE RELATIONS WITH FRANCE - THE FOREIGN AFFAIRS COMMISSION OF FRENCH PARLIAMENT ACCEPTS DRAFT LAW TO BE TAKEN ONTO THE AGENDA OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY

The draft law which foresees the so-called Armenian genocide to be recognized by France, will be discussed in the general assembly on Friday.

Mesut Yilmaz, the Prime Minister, sent a letter to Lionel Jospin, the French Prime Minister, and Hikmet Cetin, the Speaker of the Parliament, to his French countrepart Laurent Fabius to express Turkey's discomfort regarding the draft law.

Yilmaz and Cetin emphasized that the good relations between Turkey and France will be damaged in case of acceptance of the draft law.

[03] US: ''IT IS WRONG TO DEPLOY THE S-300 MISSILES ON CYPRUS''

James Rubin reiterated the views of Washington, D.C., the same day as Thomas Miller, the US Special Coordinator to Cyprus told the Greek Cypriots not to deploy the S-300 missiles on the island.

Rubin said that it would be a suprise if Miller didn't bring this issue onto the agenda during his contacts on Cyprus and reflected the point of view of the US administration on the issue.

Still, Rubin also said that Turkey's explanations related to how she would act in case the missiles are deployed, were also ''wrong.''

Gen. Wesley Clark, the Chief Commander of the NATO European Allied Forces, staged a news conference in Washington, D.C., last week and stressed the danger of deploying the S-300 missiles on Cyprus due to stability and pointed out that they regarded the issue with particular concern.''

The US President Bill Clinton several times said that the Russian made S- 300 missiles shouldn't be deployed on the island and added that this situation was a factor preventing the efforts for solution of the problems on the island.

[04] CONTACTS OF CAGAN, THE LABOUR MINISTER, IN GERMANY - CAGAN: ''RELATIONS WITH GERMANY HAVE GREAT IMPORTANCE FOR TURKEY''

Addressing the reception, Cagan said that the relations with Germany have great importance for Turkey. He added that more than two million Turkish people live in Germany and if the relations between Turkey and Germany are cut off, then these people will be negatively affected.

Cagan also responded to the questions about the right to vote and said,''I think the right to vote also includes the vote of parliament, just like the budget vote. The right to vote shouldn't be accepted as only voting. It is a technical, constitutional and juridical matter.''

[05] CETIN, THE SPEAKER OF PARLIAMENT: ''TURKEY'S APPLICATION TO THE EU IS SIGNIFICANT BECAUSE IT IS EXTENSION OF THE HISTORICAL MISSION OF THE TURKISH REPUBLIC''

Addressing the conference on the ''Republic'' which was organized by the Tekirdag Bar in the framework of the celebrations of the 75th anniversary of the Republic of Turkey and the 40th anniversary of the Tekirdag Bar, Cetin said, ''despite all obstacles, Turkey has been applying the principles of Ataturk, the founder of the Republic of Turkey, for 75 years.''

Noting that the Turkish people are oriented towards the European Union because they have accepted themselves as Western, Cetin said, ''Ataturk and his friends preferred the West because they saw in the West the enlightment, modernization and the standard of living which they wanted to have for the Turkish people.''

Noting that basic political developments occurred during the last 15 years, Cetin stressed ''extreme nationalism, aggressiveness, racism, terrorism and hostility against foreigners are being experienced in the Balkans and the former Soviet Union, just next to Europe. Turkey is a country of the European community whether or not they accept her.''

Even the member states of the European Union once described Turkey as the sick man of Europe, not the sick man of Asia.''

Cetin emphasized that the future of Turkey will be positive, adding, ''despite all difficulties, the private sector in Turkey works on the foreign investments of 100 billion US dollars.''

[06] ''THE STORY OF TWO SEAS'' CONFERENCE - ALPAR, FOREIGN MINISTRY MARITIME AND AVIATION DEPARTMENT DEPUTY CHAIRMAN: ''MORE THAN 50,000 SHIPS PASS THROUGH THE ISTANBUL STRAITS''

Addressing ''The Story of the Two Seas'' Conference, Alpar said that he informed about the structure of the Turkish Straits and maritime traffic. Noting that none of the existing 265 waterways of the world was like the Turkish Straits, Alpar said that the Istanbul Straits was a living area for nearly 10 million people.

Alpar said that the Istanbul and Canakkale Straits have very narrow parts and stressed that the range of vision decreased in rainy and snowy weather.

Noting that more than 50,000 tankers and warships passed from the Straits per year, Alpar said that if the traffic in the Straits intensified, then the risk of naval incidents will increase considerably.

Alpar said that the Turkish Straits aren't a natural transport route, adding that it can't become so. He said that everybody knows that the Turkish Straits won't be able to transport such a burden, adding that nobody should endanger the lives of the Turkish people.

[07] URBAN RUSNAK, THE SLOVAKIAN PRESS ATTACHE TO TURKEY: - ''SLOVAKIA HAS NO CONTACT WITH MED TV''

Addressing the dinner given by Erol Cakir, the Governor of Izmir Province in honour of Ivan Gasparovic, the Speaker of the Slovakian Parliament, and the members of the Slovakian delegation, Rusnak emphazied that the Slovakian General Director of the Telecom will visit Ankara tomorrow and hold talks with the Turkish officials on the MED TV issue.

[08] GENERAL BIR: - ''TURKEY IS DETERMINED TO DEVELOP RELATIONS WITH ISRAEL''

Addressing the reception given in his honour by Barlas Ozener, the Turkish Ambassador to Israel, Bir said, ''Turkey and Israel are two democratic countries in the region. We want to show the goodness of democracy to the other countries in the region.''

Pointing out that Turkey and Israel don't target any country, Bir invited the countries which want to contribute to regional peace, to participate in the positive relations between Turkey and Israel.

[09] MODERN SILK ROAD - GAZIANTEP-SANLIURFA MOTORWAY TO LINK GAP TO HARBOURS AND FREE ZONES WITH TAG

The Gaziantep-Sanliurfa Motorway, foreseen to be constructed with four tenders that will be given between June 8 and 15, by the General Directorate of Highways, will link the Southeastern Anatolia Project (GAP) to the harbours and free zones with the TAG.

The Gaziantep-Sanliurfa Motorway will transport products of the GAP to the Mersin and Iskenderun harbours, Mersin and Yumurtalik Free Zones and abroad.

The GAP will increase agricultural production in the region from 12 million tons to 23 million tons. Although 40 percent of the GAP is concluded, its contributions to social life have begun to be observed.

The 131 km motorway, is a very important project within this framework.

The GAP Motorway will help the rapid transports of agricultural and industrial products of the GAP to domestic and foreign markets, increase the exports and will help for the improvement of economic and social indicators in the region.

[10] DOGANOGLU, THE GENERAL DIRECTOR OF GOLDEN ORANGE CULTURE AND ART FOUNDATION: - ''35TH ANTALYA GOLDEN ORANGE FILM FESTIVAL WILL BE HELD AT INTERNATIONAL LEVEL''

Addressing the journalists, Doganoglu noted that this year an international long feature film festival will be organized in addition to the international short feature film festival.

Noting that 600 films were sent to the International Short Feature Film Festival which will be held between October 1-8, Doganoglu told the reporters that the pre-jury will select 20 films for the final contest. She said that a consultative committee including 25 people was set up for the international long feature film festival.

Doganoglu stated that a budget of 750 thousand US dollars was donated for the Golden Orange Film Festival in 1997.

Gaye Doganoglu also added, ''the US film company Golden Horn Productions is establishing film sets in Cavdir County of Antalya Province. Other famous film companies also look for places to establish sets in Antalya. Antalya's climate is appropriate for film producing.''

[11] TURKEY'S FOREIGN TRADE FIGURES IN 1997

Officials from the State Institute of Statistics told the A.A correspondent that Turkey's exports on the basis of value regressed 4 percent and imports 8.7 percent.

[12] US PRESIDENT CLINTON SENDS CYPRUS REPORT TO CONGRESS - CLINTON: ''OUR CONCERNS RELATED TO THE S-300 MISSILES CONTINUE''

Clinton sent the Cyprus report, covering the months of February-March, to the US Congress. In the letter Clinton attached to the report, he said that they supported the bicommunal, federal solution and noted that he conveyed this in the messages he sent to Rauf Denktas, the President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) and Glafcos Clerides, the Greek Cypriot leader.

In his previous report, Clinton said that the S-300 missiles shouldn't be deployed on the island and showed it as an element preventing solution of the problem on the island.

Clinton in his recent report expressed concern that the TRNC would suspend intercommunal contacts with the Greek Cypriot side.

Clinton expressed hope of recording an improvement related to the Turkish and Greek Cypriots who were lost on the island.

The US officials said that the S-300 missiles carried risks of danger which may lead to clashes in the Aegean and upset the stability in the region.

The most terrifying nightmares of the US administration were the eruption of a hot clash in the Aegean between Turkey and Greece, the two NATO member countries.

Madeleine Albright, the US Secretary of State said that they were opposed to the deployment of the S-300 missiles.

[13] TURKISH-EU TRADE RELATIONS - EFFECTS OF EU'S BAN ON IMPORTS OF AQUACULTURE PRODUCTS

Ismail Mert, the Deputy General Director of the Ministry of Agriculture and Village Affairs Protection and Control Department, said although he accepted that there were some deficiencies in the production of aquaculture products, they weren't of the nature that could lead to important health problems.

Mert said, ''if the aquaculture products sent from Turkey were of the quality to cause important health problems, then the EU would have made this decision for a ban in February. The decision for banning took place four months after the controls, and this makes us think that it stems from economic and political reasons.''

Ismail Mert said that although the companies engaged in the production of aquaculture products and their processing have several deficiences, they weren't worse than the companies of the EU member countries.

Meanwhile, the Turkish delegation which had gone to Brussels at the beginning of April to hold talks on aquaculture products following the EU delegation's controls in Turkey in February, said that production conditions in Turkey wasn't of the nature that may cause very serious health problems as was claimed, adding that so the decision to ban wouldn't be realistic.

The Committee decisions should be ratified by the EU commission for their implementation.

The Committee is expected to send an information letter to Turkey to this end. If an improvement couldn't be recorded in the conditions of production by September, then the decision to ban would include all the products.

Officials said that fish production in cages in the EU was developed, adding that this may be effective in the decision and that Greece was the rival of Turkey in the Italian market for the sale of fish.

Turkey's aquaculture products exports to the EU was 52 million US dollars in 1993, 64.2 million US dollars in 1994, 71.3 million US dollars in 1995, and 86 million US dollars in 1996. Last years' exports were at the same level.

Turkey imported 13 million US dollars in aquaculture products from the EU in 1995 and 20 million US dollars in aquaculture products in 1996.

[14] TURKEY-PRESS REVIEW (1)

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

NSC GATHERS TO DISCUSS VITAL ISSUES
The National Security Council (NSC) gathered yesterday at the Presidential Residence in Ankara to discuss issues vital to the country. The recent flooding in the western Black Sea region was one of the main topics during the meeting. The council discussed the necessary measures to be taken in an effort to cover the millions of dollars in damage. The meeting, chaired by President Suleyman Demirel, also touched on the case of Akin Birdal, who was attacked by gunmen two weeks ago. Murat Basesgioglu, the Minister of the Interior, gave a briefing on the incident.

Terrorism, the Cyprus missile threat, Greece and Cyprus were among the other issues discussed. Ties with Europe were also on the agenda. Gen. Ismail Hakki Karadayi also briefed the council about his recent visit to Russia, from which he returned with positive results. /All papers/

DENKTAS: ''NO NEW IMPROVEMENTS''
Thomas Miller, the US Special Coordinator to Cyprus, met yesterday with Rauf Denktas, the President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). Evaluating the meeting as ''fruitless'' Denktas said that if the European Union (EU) continued with its ''double standard'' attitude, then the TRNC would intensify efforts to join forces with Turkey. /Sabah/

INTERNATIONAL SUPPORT FOR CASPIAN OIL
At the ''The Tale of Two Seas: the Black Sea-Caspian Regions Conference'' in Istanbul, the proposed pipeline routes for the Caspian oil and natural gas were discussed yesterday. At the conference, Turkey stressed that she was against the transports of Caspian oil through the Turkish Straits. Robert Priddle, the Chairman of the International Energy Agency (IEA), said that they supported Turkey's proposals about a pipeline route for Caspian oil and natural gas.

Meanwhile, Jan Kalicki, the Deputy Secretary of the US Department of Commerce, stressed that they were against any pipeline route projects to transport Caspian oil and natural gas through Iran. /Cumhuriyet/

PUBLIC WORKS AND HOUSING MINISTER GIVES FLOOD DETAILS
Yasar Topcu, the Minister of Public Works and Housing announced yesterday that the towns of Bartin, Bolu, Zonguldak and Karabuk which are among the 11 cities hit by the devastating floods and landslides which occurred last week in the Western Black Sea and Eastern Mediterranean regions, will be given special attention. The floods have led to 19 deaths, while eight people are still missing. Topcu noted that his ministry has taken the necessary measures to prevent further damage and normalize peoples' lives in the disaster regions, adding that over one trillion Turkish Liras had been sent to the regional administrations. /Milliyet/

ROMANIAN PREMIER CONTINUES HIS VISIT
Romanian Prime Minister Radu Vasile is continuing his official visit in Turkey. Accompanied by Volkan Bozkir, Turkey's Ambassador to Romania, Vasile met yesterday with Osman Birsen, the Chairman of the Istanbul Stock Exchange(IMKB), who briefed him about the system used by the IMKB. /Milliyet/

US WANTS MORE TRADE WITH TURKEY
David L. Aaron, the Undersecretary for International Trade of the US Department of Commerce, during a press meeting held prior to an ''At the Crossroads of the World'' conference for the development of Turkish-US relations, said that during the conference 60 different projects, which will raise Turkish-US relations to a new level, would be discussed and added that the US wanted to make exports worth 20 billion US dollars to Turkey.

Expressing the important role which Turkey plays in the region, Aaron noted that with the implementation of the new projects, Turkey's role in the region would be strengthened. Aaron stated that following a tax reduction agreement in mutual trade signed in January, Turkish-US relations registered a significant development. He added that a decision to increase the US textile quota for Turkey taken in April also improved relations between the two countries. /Hurriyet/

[15] TURKEY-PRESS REVIEW (2)

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

10 NEW FERRY-BOATS FOR ITALIAN LINE
The Maritime Undersecretariat has given permission for a total of seven ferry-boats representing four companies, including two from Greece and two from Germany, apart from the Turkish maritime companies, to sail between Turkey and Italy. When three Turkish ferry-boats are taken into consideration, a total of 10 ferry-boats will operate this summer between Turkey and Italy. /Hurriyet/

OECD REPORT
A report has been prepared following the meetings of the ''Economic Policies Committee'', which is the highest consultation department of the the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) based in Paris. According to the report, if general elections are held in Turkey, the rate of inflation will increase. The OECD report also said that foreign exchange reserves in Turkey could total nearly 20 billion US dollars in 1998. It added that the Turkish economy was continuously growing and that privatization income was expected to amount to 4-5 billion US dollars in 1998 and 1999. /Hurriyet/

US CONCERN ABOUT THE S-300 MISSILES
The US administration, which has increased its efforts to defuse the missile crisis on Cyprus, has harshly warned the Greek Cypriot Administration regarding the deployment of the Russian-made S-300 missiles. US officials, who noted that Turkey was determined to eliminate the missiles, said that the Greek Cypriot Administration would be responsible for this. /Hurriyet/

BIR IN ISRAEL
Cevik Bir, the Deputy Chief of General Staff, met with Yitzhak Mordechai, the Israeli Minister of Defense in Tel Aviv yesterday. Gen. Bir was briefed on the current situation of the Middle East Peace Process. According to a later statement made by the Israeli Defense Ministry, Mordechai noted that he was very pleased with the cooperation between Turkey and Israel and pointed out the importance of joint exercises to be shared in by the US and other countries.

Bir said that Turkey had a balancing role in the region and that Turkey was planning to further develop Turkish-Israeli relations. Mordechai sent with Gen. Bir an invitation to Israel to Ismet Sezgin, the Turkish Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense. /Hurriyet/

THE GUARDIAN PROPOSES SATELLITE STRUGGLE AGAINST PKK
The Guardian, one of the most influential British newspapers, has noted that the PKK terrorist organization has lost its power. The same article in the newspaper noted however that due to technological developments, MED-TV was making PKK propaganda via satellite. The newspaper suggested that the Turkish Armed Forces should reinforce the struggle against the PKK by using satellites as well. /Hurriyet/

MENZIR IN COPENHAGEN
Necdet Menzir, the Turkish Minister of Transportation and Communications, who has gone to Copenhagen to attend an European Transportation Ministers' meeting, went to Malmo yesterday together with Turan Morali, the Turkish Ambassador to Denmark and Sureyya Ozden, the Undersecretary, and examined the super-fast trains which Turkey wants to purchase from Sweden. If an agreement is achieved between Turkey and Sweden, then Turkey will purchase 12 of these trains, which are produced in Sweden and travel at 200 km per hour. The trains carry 260 passengers in four carriages. /Hurriyet/

US LAWYERS' COMMITTEE VISITS TURKEY
The United States Lawyers' Committee members and professors from Fordham Law School are visiting Turkey in order to make observations on the Turkish legal system and human rights issues. After a survey in several Turkish cities, and evaluating to what extent Turkish courts practice conforms to international human rights standards, the committee members and law professors have moved on to Diyarbakir where they are focusing on the activities of the Diyarbakir State Security Court. /Milliyet/

[16] TURKEY-PRESS REVIEW (3)

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

IRANIAN PROPOSALS FOR OIL TRANSPORTS
The Wall Street Journal has reported in its recent issues that Iran has developed new projects for the transports of oil from the Caspian Sea reserves to the Persian Gulf. Oil transported through Iran will be transferred to the Mobil Oil Company which has officially applied to the US government for the realization of the project. /Milliyet/

TENSION IN FRENCH-TURCO RELATIONS
The French Parliament has approved discussion of the so-called Armenian genocide in the General Council. A draft proposal will be discussed next Friday in the French Parliament. Diplomatic circles said yesterday that the approval of the draft about the so-called Armenian genocide was the result of the lobbying activities of Armenian Prime Minister Robert Kocaryan. Regarding the Armenian lobby activities in France, Turkish Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz sent a letter to his French counterpart Lionel Jospin and Hikmet Cetin, the Speaker of the Parliament, sent a letter to his French counterpart Laurent Fabius to try to prevent the final approval of the draft proposal. /Cumhuriyet/Sabah/

TURKEY TO WAIT FOR CARDIFF SUMMIT
Turkey will wait for the Cardiff Summit to be held in June to reassess relations with the European Union (EU). Sermet Atacanli, the Foreign Ministry Spokesman said yesterday in a press conference that the expressions used in the Cardiff Summit would play an important role in evaluating Turco-EU relations. Atacanli stressed that the EU should change the Luxembourg decisions by lifting the political conditions on Turkey's full EU membership. /Cumhuriyet/Milliyet/

HIGH STANDARDS IN THE TRNC UNIVERSITIES
Universities in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) are being brought up to the same standards as those in Turkey through academic appointments, academic promotions and transfers between universities. Kemal Guruz, the Chairman of the Higher Education Board (YOK), and Gunay Caymaz, the TRNC Minister of Education, Culture and Youth, signed a protocol yesterday in Lefkosa on cooperation in higher education to improve the educational system in the TRNC universities. /Cumhuriyet/Sabah/

ENVIRONMENT AWARD TO PROF. BOYDAK
Prof. Melih Boydak, the Dean of the Forestry Faculty of the Istanbul University, has been awarded by the United Nations with the ''Global 500 Honour Merit'' award for his support for protection of the environment during his 30 years of professional life. Boydak will be presented with his award on 5 June in Moscow. /Cumhuriyet/

TRNC FLOOD DISASTER AID
The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) Flag Radio Institute (BRT) has started an aid campaign in Northern Cyprus to help victims of the flood disaster which occurred in Turkey last week. Nilgun Tumerken, responsible for BRT foreign relations said that the financial aid collected within the framework of the campaign would be sent to the victims of the disaster as soon as possible. /Sabah/

[17] TURKEY IN BRIEF - MAY 27, 1998

Officials from Governorship of the State of Emergency Region told the A.A correspondent that one soldier lost his life during the clashes with the members of the separatist terrorist PKK organization.

ANKARA - President Suleyman Demirel and Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz attended on Tuesday the reception organized for the National Day of Georgia.

Kamer Genc and Uluc Gurkan, the Acting Speakers of the Parliament, the Ministers of State, Refaiddin Sahin, Rifat Serdaroglu, Cavit Kavak, Hikmet Sami Turk, and senior officials from the Foreign Ministry also attended the reception.

SELCUK - Ivan Gasporovic, the Slovakian Speaker of the Parliament, and the accompanying delegation who are in Turkey as the official guests of Hikmet Cetin, the Speaker of the Parliament, visited the House of the Virgin Mary in Ephesus on Tuesday.

Gasparovic told the reporters during his visit that Turkey and Slovakia have good ralations and Slovakia wants to sign agreements which will permit free trade between the two countries.

IZMIR - Four people, including three Macedonians, were captured in Izmir on Wednesday with ''Captagon'' pills which are being used as drugs and stimulants.

Security Forces seized 6,960 pills worth 20 billion Turkish Liras. Officials told the A.A correspondent that the pills were brought from the Netherlands and due to be sold in Saudi Arabia for 20 German marks per pill.

The investigation regarding the incident is underway.

ANTALYA - The touristic ship voyages organized by the Turkish Maritime Enterprises (DSI), will begin on June 15, it was reported on Wednesday.

Husnu Collu, the Chairman of the Antalya Branch of the Chamber of Maritime Trade, said that the Black Sea ship's voyage will be organized on two routes, Antalya-Girne-Israel, and Girne-Fethiye-

Kusadasi-Antalya.

Collu added that the Black Sea ship provides services for 186 passengers with her 75 cabins, entertainment places and swimming pool.

The cost of the eight day tour with the Black Sea ship is varying between 490 US dollars and 1,090 US dollars.

[18] DANGER IN THE BLACK SEA, MARMARA AND THE STRAITS

Turksen Baser Kafaoglu, Chairperson of the S.O.S Environmentalists, said, ''our aim is to explain to the international public opinion that the Black Sea and Marmara Sea aren't the rubbish place of Europe and the Straits aren't the oil way and remind the government to take the necessary measures.''

Noting that the traffic of vessels loaded with oil increases continuously at the Straits, Kafaoglu said that a disaster which can occur at the Straits because of the intense sea traffic can cause damages in the industrial, commercial and social areas, not only in the Turkey, but in the countries in the region.

Kafaoglu asked people to join the activities on June 7 which will begin at the entrance to the Bosphorus Bridge on the Anatolian side.

[19] BORTTSCHELLER, INTERIOR MINISTER OF BREMEN STATE OF FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY: - ''TURKISH PEOPLE LIVING IN GERMANY DON'T REFLECT THE TRUE IMAGE OF TURKEY''

He visited Akin Gonen, the Chairman of the Internal Affairs Commission of the Turkish Parliament.

Addressing the meeting, Borttscheller noted that the third generation in Germany doesn't know the Turkish culture. Therefore, they are impressed with the fundementalist movements. He pointed out that Turkey which was founded by Ataturk, took important steps for becoming Europeanized.

Akin Gonen said that Turkey is also uneasy about the fundamentalist movement in Germany. He added that the Turkish youth living in Germany should be taught the Turkish culture, adding that fundamentalism can be prevented only through education.

[20] PRESIDENT DEMIREL PHONES SHARIF, THE PAKISTANI PRIME MINISTER AND EXPRESSES CONCERN ABOUT THE NUCLEAR TESTS IN INDIA

The Presidential Press Center said that President Demirel stated that the nuclear tests in India don't only threaten the stability in South Asia, but also hit a blow to international peace and security. Demirel said that he conveyed his concern about this issue to the Indian government.

Noting that Turkey has appreciated the calm and responsible attitude of Pakistan against this threat, President Demirel stated that this has increased the respect in the world towards Pakistan and continuation of this calm attitude will cause favourable consequences for Pakistan.

President Demirel said that he believes the international society should extend further support to Pakistan, which is under threat and Turkey will launch efforts to this end.

Nawaz Sharif, the Pakistani Prime Minister thanked President Demirel for the friendly support of Turkey to Pakistan.

[21] GARANTI BANK OBTAINS LOAN OF 200 MILLION US DOLLARS

The Garanti Bank said in a written statement that the one-year term export financing credit, which was arranged under the leadership of the Barclays Capital, Dresdner Bank Luxembourg S.A., Ing Bank N.V., Natwest Capital Markets Limited and the Sanwa Bank Limited, will be signed on May 29, 1998.

The statement said that the Garanti Bank was seeking 150 million US dollars in financing, but it increased its financing to 200 million US dollars due to the intense demand from 33 banks, adding that this syndication loan is the highest loan realized during a period in which the Turkish banks are active in the markets.

The statement stressed that the intense interest shown for the demand of the Garanti Bank is the proof of the reliability of the international markets in Turkey.

[22] TURKISH-EU TRADE RELATIONS ... - EU DECIDES TO FREEZE ADDITIONAL QUOTAS ON TURKEY'S EXPORTS OF HAZELNUTS, TOMATO SAUCE AND WATERMELONS IN RESPONSE TO TURKEY'S PROHIBITION OF EU'S EXPORTS OF MEAT AND LIVE ANIMALS

EU decided to freeze additional quotas on Turkey's exports of hazelnuts, tomato sauce and watermelons, which were foreseen to be given to Turkey by the Agricultural Agreement signed last year, in response to Turkey's prohibition of the EU's exports of meat and live animals.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs didn't give an inspection certificate concerning the imports from the EU, therefore the imports couldn't be realized. The EU sent a delegation to Turkey last year to lift the prohibition on meat and live animals.

Meanwhile, Is�n Celebi, the Minister of State sent a letter to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs two weeks ago informing,''Turkey is on the brink of losing her advantageous status in her exports of agricultural goods.''

Celebi said in his letter to Mustafa Tasar, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs that Turkey has taken the risk of losing 44 million US dollars in exports of agricultural products by not permitting the imports of 30 million US dollars of meat and live animals from the EU.

Likewise, Turkey can't import meat and live animals from Romania in spite of the free trade agreement signed with this country.

The Turkish-EU Agricultural Agreement was signed on April 29, 1997, during the Turkish-EU Association Council meeting.

Meanwhile, Turkey also withdrew from the International Olive Oil Council, an institution of EU the last week by saying that the Council took protective measures in favour of the EU countries.

[23] CONTACTS OF SWEDISH TRADE DELEGATION IN ANKARA - EREZ, MINISTER OF INDUSTRY AND TRADE: - ''TURKEY WILL BE THE CENTER OF EUROASIA IN THE 21ST CENTURY''

Erez received the same day the Swedish Trade Delegation led by Yvonnne Gustafsson, the Undersecretary of the Swedish Foreign Trade. Erez said in the meeting that the trade volume between Turkey and Sweden should be increased.

''Turkey will be the center of Eurasia in the 21st century. Thus, the countries that attach importance to the improvement of commercial relations with Turkey will receive the rewards of their initiatives,'' Yalim Erez said.

Pointing out that it isn't true to evaluate the Turkish economy by taking into consideration only the statistics, Erez said, ''you can make an evaluation from these statistics. However, there is a big difference between the statistics and the real Turkey and these differences are the factors enabling Turkey to overcome crises. Our economic problems can be shown by statistics, but our great potential can't be reflected by them. Turkey has some economic troubles, but she has a considerable potential.''

Recalling that Turkey is the only country that entered the Customs Union with the EU without being a full-member of the EU, Erez said, ''we didn't have concerns when we entered the Customs Union, because Turkey is an industrialized country where all the guidelines of free trade are being carried out.''

Noting that the investment programmes of the Swedish Trade Delegation mostly include the public sector, Erez asked the Swedish foreign trade to cooperate with the Turkish private sector.

Stressing that the full-membership in the EU is the target of Turkey as she wants to catch the contemporary values in every field, Yalim Erez said, ''full-membership in the EU is important for us, but it isn't sine qua non. I can say that the EU doesn't take into consideration the cultural cooperation. Such an understanding restricts the EU with its limits. Turkey will henceforward play open poker in her relations with the EU.''

Yvonnne Gustafsson said that Turkey has a great industrial infrastructure and a large market, adding that the Swedish private sector wants to cooperate with the Turkish private sector.

[24] COMMEMORATION DAY FOR THE MARTYRS OF THE FOREIGN MINISTRY - PRESIDENT DEMIREL: ''WHILE OUR DIPLOMATS HAVE GAINED THE RESPECT OF OUR FRIENDS, THEY CAN ALSO BE TARGETS OF THOSE WHO ARE UNEASY ABOUT TURKEY'S STRENGTH''

President Demirel published a message upon the Commemoration Day for the Martyrs of the Foreign Ministry and said ''the Turkish diplomacy will continue to serve the interests of international peace and security in spite of all the difficulties.''

President Demirel said that ''the search for security, maximization of natural resources and having an effective regional role'' had always been the main priorities of the Turkish foreign policy.

''Our diplomats serve the national interests of the Turkish state and represent their country abroad very successfully. However many of our diplomats who were representing us abroad were attacked and killed,'' said Demirel.

[25] GUSTAFSSON, UNDERSECRETARY OF SWEDISH FOREIGN TRADE: - ''ECONOMIC STABILITY IS THE CONDITION FOR MORE SWEDISH INVESTMENTS IN TURKEY''

Gustafsson, the Undersecretary of Swedish Foreign Trade and the Chairman of the Swedish Trade Delegation, who held contacts in Turkey for four days, told the A.A correspondent that there had been a considerable improvement in the commercial relations between the two countries recently.

Pointing out that they closely follow the political and economic developments in Turkey, Gustafsson said that they attach great importance to Turkey despite some negative elements in the political area.

Emphasizing the importance of economic stability, Gustafsson said that the foreign debt, budget deficit and inflation in Turkey reached high levels when compared with the European Union (EU) member countries and if these amounts are decreased to reasonable levels, then Turkey would be one of the largest economic powers in the world in the 21st century and that there would be a huge foreign capital rush into Turkey.

Noting that some important factors like the dynamism of the Turkish private sector and the young population attract the foreign capital in spite of the negativeness of the economic statistics, Gustafsson said that the leading Swedish telecommunications company Ericsson had realized an investment of 600 million US dollars in Turkey for the GSM technology.

Stressing that several Swedish companies are also interested in energy and infrastructure investments in Turkey, Gustafsson said that Sweden wants to increase the total trade volume with Turkey.

Responding to a question related to the Customs Union, Gustafsson said that the Customs Union is very important for the domestic industry in Turkey for reaching the conditions of complete competition with the EU member countries when Turkey isn't a member of the EU.

Gustafsson said that the exports of Sweden to Turkey increased by 42 percent last year and the imports increased by 43 percent.

Pointing out that the Turkish tourism sector has a great potential, in addition to the existing infrastructure investments, Gustafsson said that a total of 200 thousand Swedish tourists visited Turkey last year and that this number will increase more in the next years.

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