Anadolu Agency: News in English, 98-07-06

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

06 JULY 1998

CONTENTS

[01] FOREIGN MINISTER CEM RETURNS TO TURKEY

[02] FIRE IN TRNC TAKEN UNDER CONTROL

[03] GERMAN TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE DELEGATION IN ADANA

[04] PRIVATIZATION OF POAS - ANKARA ADMINISTRATIVE COURT NO:5 REJECTS REQUEST FOR STOPPING EXECUTION IN THE CASE OPENED FOR ANNULING THE DECISION OF OIB ON TENDER OPENED FOR PRIVATIZATION OF POAS

[05] PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ LEAVES FOR MACEDONIA - YILMAZ: ''WE, AS TURKEY, SUPPORT PROTECTION OF MACEDONIA'S INDEPENDENCE, SOVEREIGNTY AND TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY, CONTINUATION OF HER ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND HER EFFORTS TO INTEGRATE WITH INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY''

[06] TURKISH PRESS REVIEW (1)

[07] TURKEY PRESS REVIEW (2)

[08] TURKEY PRESS REVIEW (3)

[09] RAPID DEPLOYMENT FORCE VEHICLE TURNS OVER - 18 POLICEMEN INJURED

[10] SIX GUARDS, WHO TRIED TO REMOVE MINES PUT BY THE SEPARATIST TERRORISTS DIED

[11] DRUG OPERATION IN ISTANBUL - EIGHT PEOPLE CAPTURED WHILE TRYING TO SELL 30 KG OF HEROIN TO POLICEMEN, ACTING LIKE PURCHASER

[12] ''PROJECT FOR EVALUATION AND QUALITY CONTROL OF BIOLOGICAL PRODUCTS'' CONCLUDES

[13] TURKEY IN BRIEF - 6 JULY 1998

[14] FOREIGN MINISTER CEM LEAVES FOR ISRAEL - CEM: ''TURKEY PURSUES AND DEVELOPS POLICIES TO BECOME THE CENTRE OF EURASIA IN THE 21ST CENTURY''

[15] PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ IN MACEDONIA - YILMAZ MEETS WITH CRVENKOVSKI, THE MACEDONIAN PRIME MINISTER - YILMAZ: ''WE SHARE THE SAME VIEWS WITH MACEDONIA CONCERNING THE KOSOVO CRISIS''

[16] FOREST FIRE IN TRNC - TARANOGLU, MINISTER OF FORESTRY: - ''THE FOREST FIRE IN THE TRNC WAS TAKEN UNDER CONTROL. COOLING ACTIVITIES ARE CONTINUING'' - ''THE HELICOPTERS BELONGING TO GENERAL DIRECTORATE OF FORESTRY ARE HELPING IN THE EXTINGUISHING OF FOREST FIRE AT THE GREEK- CYPRIOT SIDE''

[17] MULTINATIONAL CONTROL TEAM DECIDES THAT TURKEY EFFECTIVELY AND FULLY IMPLEMENTS THE CFE AGREEMENT

[18] KSIDAS, GREEK CONSUL GENERAL TO TURKEY: ''TURKS AND GREEKS ARE IN FAVOUR OF FRIENDSHIP''

[19] WORLD BANK SUPPORTS TURKEY AGAINST THREAT OF EROSION

[01] FOREIGN MINISTER CEM RETURNS TO TURKEY

Addressing the international meeting, Ismail Cem said ''we want to have a general status for full membership in the European Union (EU).''

Responding to the questions of journalists before his departure, Foreign Minister Cem said, ''we are tired of having a special status in our relations with the EU.''

Noting that the speech of Klaus Kinkel, the German Foreign Minister about Turkey is positive, Cem said ''generally Mr. Kinkel approaches Turkey positively. The Bertelsmann meeting, where important statesmen and scientists participated was very good for Turkey. My speech was listened to seriously.''

Cem will leave for Israel and Palestinian territories for an official visit.

[02] FIRE IN TRNC TAKEN UNDER CONTROL

The Turkish helicopters and British helicopters, which tried to extinguish the fire from the air, left the region on Sunday evening after the fire was taken under control.

Two helicopters coming from Turkey were kept waiting all night at the Ercan Airport because of the possibility of the spreading of the fire.

After the fire was taken fully under control, electricity was restored at the town of Yedidalga, but not at Yesil�rmak Village.

Kenan Ak�n, the TRNC Minister of Agriculture and Forestry said that an area of 35,000 donum (approximately 8,750 acres) have burned.

[03] GERMAN TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE DELEGATION IN ADANA

The German technical delegation composed of Sabine Henschke and Prof. Dr. Saidimade also made inquiries in the town of Yakap�nar together with Tevfik K�sac�k, the German Honourary Consul to Adana.

Tevfik K�sac�k said that he will submit a report to the German government concerning the usage of the two million German marks in Adana.

''The German government will send the two million German marks to Turkey as soon as possible. The German technical delegation came to Adana in order to help the people who suffer from the earthquake,'' he added.

[04] PRIVATIZATION OF POAS - ANKARA ADMINISTRATIVE COURT NO:5 REJECTS REQUEST FOR STOPPING EXECUTION IN THE CASE OPENED FOR ANNULING THE DECISION OF OIB ON TENDER OPENED FOR PRIVATIZATION OF POAS

The contest of the claimants against this verdict will be taken up by the Ankara Regional Administrative Court.

The Akmaya-Orteks Joint Initiative Group gave the highest bid at 1 billion 160 million US dollars in the bargaining negotiations for the privatization of a 51 percent public share in the Petrol Ofisi Inc. (POAS) by the block sale method.

The sale of the 51 percent stake in the POAS will be valid after the approval of the Privatization Supreme Board.

[05] PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ LEAVES FOR MACEDONIA - YILMAZ: ''WE, AS TURKEY, SUPPORT PROTECTION OF MACEDONIA'S INDEPENDENCE, SOVEREIGNTY AND TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY, CONTINUATION OF HER ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND HER EFFORTS TO INTEGRATE WITH INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY''

Prime Minister Yilmaz is accompanied by Cavit Kavak and Rustu Kazim Yucelen, the Ministers of State; Nami Cagan, the Minister of Labour and Social Security; businessmen and reporters.

Prior to his departure, Prime Minister Yilmaz held a press conference at the Esenboga Airport in Ankara. Addressing the press conference, Yilmaz said that Turkey supports the protection of Macedonia's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, continuation of her economic development within stability and her efforts to integrate with the international community.

Prime Minister Yilmaz stated that Turkey is one of the countries that recognized Macedonia following her declaration of independence, adding that his visit will be the first visit from Turkey to Macedonia at the Prime Ministerial level.

''We appreciate Macedonia's constructive policies to solve the existing problems in the region by peaceful methods and dialogue. The bilateral relations between Turkey and Macedonia are improving on these concrete bases in a stable way. We have no problems between us. The continuing mutual high-level visits constitute the strong sign of the friendship between our two countries. The Social Security Agreement, which will be signed during my visit, will help the strengthening of bilateral relations, '' Yilmaz stated.

''I believe the meetings between the Turkish and Macedonian businessmen will contribute to the cooperation between the two countries in trade and the economy,'' Prime Minister Yilmaz added.

Yilmaz said that a Turkish Honorary Consulate General will be opened in Bitola, Macedonia.

Pointing out that Branko Crvenkovski, the Prime Minister of Macedonia, and he will exchange opinions about international issues and the issues concerning the two countries, Yilmaz emphasized that Turkey is closely interested in the Balkans as she is a regional country.

''Thus Turkey closely monitors the developments in the region. We have further developed relations with each Balkan country in every field. The common interest and target of Turkey and Macedonia is to secure peace, stability and cooperation in the Balkans. One of the most important obstacles for this goal is the situation in Kosovo. We want a solution through dialogue and within the framework of respect for the territorial integrity of Yugoslavia. Turkey, as a NATO member, will continue to launch initiatives and make efforts to protect stability in Macedonia,'' Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz stressed.

[06] TURKISH PRESS REVIEW (1)

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

TURKISH COMPANIES AMONG WORLD'S GIANTS
According to a recent issue of Business Week, one of the leading world economic publications, 10 Turkish companies are among the largest companies of the emerging markets. The Turkish Is Bank ranks 43rd among 200 companies with a market value of 5,261 billion US dollars, while Tupras ranks 64th and Akbank 75th. The other seven companies include the Sabanci Conglomorate (91), the Koc Conglomorate (92), Turkish Airlines (101), Yapi and Kredi Bank (146), Petkim (173), Petrol Ofisi (180) and Garanti Bank (186). /Hurriyet/

GERMAN MINISTER PRAISES TURKISH BUSINESSMEN
German Economy Minister Guther Rexrodt said over the weekend that Turkish companies, which contributed 45 billion DM prior to taxation to the Gross National Product (GNP), were an indispensable part of the German economy. Rexrodt noted that he wished the number of Turkish companies, which is currently at 45,000, would further increase. Rexrodt delivered a speech at a meeting on ''Economic Policy at the Threshold of the 21st Century and the Role of Turkish Companies in Germany'' organized by the Turkish-German Businessmen's Union (TDU) in Berlin. The TDU Chairman Ahmet Basbug also delivered a speech and said that Turks regarded Germany as their homeland. /Hurriyet/

CHIRAC REACTS AGAINST GENOCIDE CLAIMS
French President Jacques Chirac has reacted against the draft bill to recognize the so-called Armenian genocide by Turks which was approved by the French National Assembly, and has canceled a visit to Armenia planned for September.

French President Chirac later made a statement in support of Turkey to a correspondent of the Hurriyet daily newspaper and said, ''I wholeheartedly support Turkey's inclusion in the European Union (EU) as soon as possible''. Chirac pointed out that the Turkish Cypriots should also participate in the negotiations between the Greek Cypriots and the EU. /Hurriyet/

TURKISH F-5 TO MACEDONIA
Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz, who will pay a visit to Macedonia today, will mainly take up an agreement for the delivery of 20 F-5 war planes to that country. An agreement for the delivery of the planes was initialed during preliminary meetings between the delegations of the two countries. Yilmaz will meet with Macedonian Prime Minister Branko Crvenkovski and will finalize the agreement. /Hurriyet/

ATHENS PROPOSAL FOR CYPRUS
According to To Vima, a weekly newspaper published in Athens, Greece has sent a special document to the permanent members of the UN Security Council proposing that meetings at the military level should be initiated between Turkey and the Greek Cypriot Administration to decrease the tension stemming from the Cyprus problem. The special document notes that a very sensitive point, which endangers stability and peace in the region, had been reached. /Hurriyet/

KARADAYI SAYS THE FINAL WORD
The Turkish Armed Forces will continue considering the fight against both 'internal' and 'external' threats as their 'prime duty' and in so doing they are attaching great importance to remaining outside of party politics and within legitimacy, Turkey's top officer said. Gen.Ismail Hakki Karadayi, in a written statement, stressed that it wasn't the duty of the government alone to combat fundamentalism, but the army was responsible as well. ''It is an obligation imposed on us by the law to protect with the same sensitivity the existing constitutional system, to which we feel absolutely attached. We consider this obligation of ours to be in parallel with the activities in the same direction of the governments of the Republic', Karadayi said.

The statement of the top commander of the country came only a day after Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz told a news conference that it was primarily the duty of the government to deal with fundamentalism and urged the armed forces to stay away from party politics. He said the fight against fundamentalism was the responsibility of the whole state, not just the military, and ultimately the government must decide how it was conducted. Yesterday, however, the prime minister, when asked to comment on Karadayi's statement, said, ''I could sign it''. Karadayi said it was a fact acknowledged by the Parliament, the government, civic organizations and society in general that there was a threat to the constitutional secular order of the country and that it was the prime responsibility of the armed forces to fight any threat directed at the constitutional order of the country. /All papers/

FOREIGN MINISTER CEM TO VISIT ISRAEL
Ismail Cem, the Foreign Minister, begins a four-day long trip to Israel on Monday in an attempt to increase Turkey's role in the Middle East Peace Process. Cem, who was invited to Israel by Benjamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister and acting Foreign Minister, will spend two days of his four-day visit in official meetings with Israeli and Palestinian officials. /All papers/

[07] TURKEY PRESS REVIEW (2)

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

FIRE SPREADS ON CYPRUS
The fire that broke out on Saturday in the Greek part of the island of Cyprus passed the demarcation zone, reaching the towns of Yesilirmak and Bademlikoy at the Turkish side. The fire has so far caused a lot of damage, although no deaths have been reported. The flames were brought under control early on Sunday morning, but strong winds made the work of firefighters more difficult.

Late on Sunday afternoon firefighters were still battling the fire in cooperation with police, soldiers, the Cyprus Turkish Forces and locals. In addition to two helicopters sent from Antalya and helicopters from the United Nations Peacekeeping Forces that have joined the effort, more aid has been asked for from Turkey.

TURKEY'S STRUGGLE AGAINST BLACK MONEY APPROVED BY OECD
A report prepared by the Financial Actions Group of the OECD indicates that the struggle demonstrated by the Turkish government against black money has been officially recognized. It was also reported that the Financial Crimes Investigation Committeee is in the process of developing a computerized system, supported by a strong team of specialists, to combat black money operations.

TPAO AND AMOCO SET UP JOINT VENTURE IN KAZAKHSTAN
The Turkish Petroleum Corporation (TPAO)'s international branch, TPOC, and the American-financed international petroleum company AMOCO have set up a joint venture in Kazakhstan to explore for oil and natural gas. The new company, called TEPCO LLC, is based in Aktyubinsk, Kazakhstan, and will carry out oil and natural gas explorations in Northern Kazakhstan.

MILD TREMORS HIT SOUTH TURKEY AGAIN
Mild tremors shook southern Turkey yesterday in the latest aftershocks of a powerful earthquake that struck the area a week ago, officials said. ''There were three tremors measuring around 3.0 on the Richter scale this morning'' an official of the earthquake monitoring centre in Istanbul said. An official at the local governor's office in the southern province of Adana said there were no reports of injuries from the latest quakes. /All papers/

GREECE-GREEK CYPRIOT ADMINISTRATION MILITARY COOPERATION
According to ''Fileleftheros'', a newspaper published in the Greek Cypriot administration of Cyprus, during his visit to the Greek Cypriot administration on 20 July, the date of the 24th anniversary of the 1974 Peace Operation by the Turkish Army, Akis Cohacopulos, the Greek Minister of Defence, will seek ways to cooperate in a project to build a naval base worth 30 trillion Turkish Liras. The report also says that Greece will partially finance the project. /Cumhuriyet/

DEFENCE INDUSTRY GROWING
The Defence industry has showed rapid development over the last 15 years and has assumed an important place in the Turkish economy. Apart from military facilities, 14 private sector companies also work in this sector and total investments are running at 5 billion 59 million US dollars. The sector, established to meet the needs of the Turkish Armed Forces, is now exporting to countries like Belgium, Germany and the US. /Sabah/

NATO NOT TO INTERVENE ON CYPRUS OR THE AEGEAN
The NATO, which served as the military shield of the Western bloc during the Cold War years is redefining its role on the threshold of the 21st century. The NATO sources believe that presently there is no imminent danger, but potential threats to the security and stability of the area and point out the need to cooperate in averting these potential dangers such as terrorism, narcotics trafficking, large waves of immigrants and possible use of mass destruction weapons. Therefore within the new NATO security strategy the Aegean problem and Cyprus problems between Turkey and Greece aren't on the NATO's agenda. The NATO believes that the two neighbouring countries should solve these problems between themselves. /Sabah/

TURKEY WANTS FULL-MEMBERSHIP IN THE EU
Ismail Cem, the Foreign Minister, attending the ''International Bertelsmann Forum'' held in Berlin, answered questions yesterday put to him by members of the press. Noting German Foreign Minister Kinkel's words that the EU had prepared a ''special status'' for Turkey, Cem said that Turkey wanted a general status for full-membership, not a special one. Commenting that Kinkel's approach towards Turkey was constructive in general, Ismail Cem stated that the Bertelsmann meeting had also been beneficial for Turkey. /Sabah/

[08] TURKEY PRESS REVIEW (3)

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

CAGAN IN NAKHICHEVAN
Nami Cagan, the Minister of Labour and Social Security, said on Saturday that the relations between Turkey and the Nakhichevan Autonomous Republic will further improve, stressing, ''We have always supported you''. Cagan and the accompanying degelation were received by Vasif Talipov, the Speaker of the Upper Chamber of Nakhichevan.

TREASURES OF CROESUS IN TURKEY
The Treasures of Croesus sold abroad illegally during the years 1965, 1966 and 1967 have been returned to Turkey through the efforts of the Ministry of Culture from the Metropolitan Museum of Art in the US, and are being displayed at the Usak Museum, near Izmir. Istemihan Talay, the Minister of Culture, who officially opened the Treasures of Croesus exhibition and also attended the groundbreaking ceremonies for a new Usak Cultural Centre, stated that every piece of work in Anatolia was Turkish property. Talay added that after the Treasures of Croesus success, they were trying to bring back the ''Elmali coins'' smuggled abroad from Antalya. /Sabah/

STATE MINISTER CELEBI: ''WE ARE DETERMINED TO BEAT INFLATION''
Isin Celebi, the Minister of State Responsible for the Economy, said that they were determined to fully apply economic programmes in the struggle against inflation. He added that the results of the first six months of the year and the new agreements signed with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) were programme successes. Celebi noted that they had already taken necessary precautions against a possible increase in inflation in September or October.

Celebi continued, ''Turkey's exports have increased seven percent whereas there has been a three percent decrease worldwide. The economic stability programme will carry us to our target in the second six months of the year.'' /Milliyet/

CHAIRMAN OF US INTERNATIONAL EXPORTERS' UNION IN ISTANBUL
Dr. Philip Byrd, the Chairman of the US International Exporters' Union, has requested Turkish exporters to make a move before the quotas are lifted in 2005. Byrd, who will hold a conference tomorrow in Istanbul, said that America is an alternative export market for Turkey. In the conference Byrd will discuss current Turco-American trade relations, views on future trade relations, ways to export more Turkish goods to America, reaching world markets through the Internet and promoting the Turkish market. /Milliyet/

''EXPORTS WILL GO UP''
Yavuz Ege, the Undersecretary of Foreign Trade, said yesterday that the single currency (EURO) applications in 11 European Union member countries will have a positive effect on Turkish foreign trade, and added that the Euro monetary unit would increase Turkish exports to Europe. Ege noted that the Euro would be an advantage for Turkish firms when determining their prices. /Milliyet/

INTERNATIONAL ANTALYA JAZZ FESTIVAL
The first International Antalya Jazz Festival will begin tomorrow and last until 11 July. Many foreign and Turkish musicians will participate at the festival. /Hurriyet/

[09] RAPID DEPLOYMENT FORCE VEHICLE TURNS OVER - 18 POLICEMEN INJURED

The vehicle carrying 40 policemen turned over early on Monday on the Teleferik-Kaplikaya street in Bursa.

The policemen injured in the accident were taken for treatment at the Yuksek Ihtisas Hospital in Bursa.

[10] SIX GUARDS, WHO TRIED TO REMOVE MINES PUT BY THE SEPARATIST TERRORISTS DIED

Village guards, who controlled the road near Konur Village of Hakkari Province, died due to the explosion of the mines, when they were trying to remove the mines from the road.

A wide range operation has started in the region to capture the separatist terrorists.

[11] DRUG OPERATION IN ISTANBUL - EIGHT PEOPLE CAPTURED WHILE TRYING TO SELL 30 KG OF HEROIN TO POLICEMEN, ACTING LIKE PURCHASER

The Istanbul Narcotic Office said that acting on a tip-off, police officers, who acted as if they were purchasers, contacted the drug sellers in order to purchase the heroin, which was brought from the eastern province of Van.

Eight drug sellers and people who helped them were taken into custody, while police found 30 kilograms of heroin hidden in the houses of two sellers.

[12] ''PROJECT FOR EVALUATION AND QUALITY CONTROL OF BIOLOGICAL PRODUCTS'' CONCLUDES

Tatsuo Yonebayashi, the Local Representative of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in Turkey, told the A.A correspondent that the project for which the Turkish government and the JICA gave the start jointly, concluded sucessfully.

Pointing out that the aim of the project, which was implemented and concluded at the Ministry Health Refik Saydam Hifzissihha Center Chairmanship, was to improve the capacity in the quality control of vaccines (polio, measles, diphtheria and whooping cough), Yonebayashi said that 31 JICA experts participated in the project.

Yonebayashi stated that the JICA gave a total of 303 million 159.3 thousand Japanese yens in a donation, including mostly equipment and 16 Turkish experts were trained in Japan within the scope of the project.

Tatsuo Yonebayashi said that the JICA continues cooperation in several projects in Turkey, stressing that the most important project is the ''Project for Controlling Contagious Diseases'', which started last year and will conclude within five years.

''Within the context of this project, nine JICA experts participated in the project up until now and two Turkish experts are in now Japan for this training,'' Yonebayashi added.

[13] TURKEY IN BRIEF - 6 JULY 1998

YOZGAT/CEKEREK - Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz laid on Sunday the foundation of the Sureyyabey Dam and Hydroelectric Power Plant in Cekerek county of Yozgat Province with a ceremony.

Addressing the ceremony, Yilmaz stressed that the irrigation investments carry vital importance for the future of Turkey.

DOGANSEHIR - Narcotics officials seized on Sunday three kg of hashish in an operation they launched in Dogansehir County of central Malatya Province.

ANKARA - The Council of Ministers approved on Monday the Turkish-Austrian Joint Economic Commission's Secod Term Meeting Memorandum of Understanding within the framework of the Memorandum of Understanding signed by the two countries in Ankara on 24 June 1996.

In accordance with the memorandum of understanding, which was published in the Official Gazette the same day, Turkey and Austria decided to concentrate cooperation in the field of standardization to ease the bilateral economic and commercial relations in accordance with the international rules and arrangements.

ANTALYA - The ''First International Antalya Jazz Festival'' will start on Tuesday.

A total of 32 jazz musicians will participate in the festival.

CHICAGO - The ''Eat Smart in Turkey'' book promoting the Turkish cuisine since the Uigur Turks was published in the US, it was reported on Monday.

The book introduces the restaurants in Turkey to tourists planning to visit Turkey.

IZMIR - One of the most popular US groups ''The Blues Brothers Band'' will give a concert at the Cesme Open Air Theatre in Izmir on 8 July, it was reported on Monday.

BURSA - The ''12th International Golden Karagoz Folk Dances Tournament, which was organized within the scope of the 37th International Bursa Festival, will start on Tuesday in Bursa.

The folk dance groups of Azerbaijan, Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Brasil, Bulgaria, China, Chechnya, Georgia, Haiti, Spain, Israel, Italy, Kenya, Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), Macedonia, Mexico, Egypt, Mongolia, Poland, Russia, Sri Lanka, Slovakia, Ukraine and Yakut Autonomous Republic will participate in the tournament.

DIYARBAKIR - Security forces killed on Monday seven separatist terrorists in an operation in southeastern Sirnak Province.

One soldier died in the operation.

Two separatist terrorists, who escaped from the terrorist PKK, surrendered to security forces in southestern Hakkari and Sirnak Provinces.

The operations are underway in the region.

SOFIA - The Turkish Ziraat Bank's branch office in the Bulgarian capital of Sofia will be opened on 11 July with a ceremony at which Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz will attend.

[14] FOREIGN MINISTER CEM LEAVES FOR ISRAEL - CEM: ''TURKEY PURSUES AND DEVELOPS POLICIES TO BECOME THE CENTRE OF EURASIA IN THE 21ST CENTURY''

Addressing a press briefing before leaving for Israel as an official guest of Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, he said that Israel and Palestine are among the countries with which Turkey has important relations.

''We have made progress concerning the establishment of the political infrastructure of economic relations with many countries and we have now improved our economic relations with many countries,'' said Cem, noting that Turkey has become an active leader in the Middle East with serious and active policies pursued during the past year.

''We'll try to improve bilateral relations, regional peace and the peace process during my visit to Israel and Palestine,'' he said.

Responding to a question, Ismail Cem said that Turkey doesn't have an expansionist policy, Turkey is a model of democracy for the whole Middle East. ''She is the single and main model in the Islamic community, having a population of 1.5 billion people. This is one of our important peculiarities,'' Cem added.

Foreign Minister Cem, who will proceed to Palestine after wrapping up his contacts in Israel, will return to Turkey on 9 July.

[15] PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ IN MACEDONIA - YILMAZ MEETS WITH CRVENKOVSKI, THE MACEDONIAN PRIME MINISTER - YILMAZ: ''WE SHARE THE SAME VIEWS WITH MACEDONIA CONCERNING THE KOSOVO CRISIS''

After the meeting held between Y�lmaz and Branko Crvenkovski, the Macedonian Prime Minister, the interdelegationary meetings started.

Later the two prime ministers signed a joint statement concerning the development of trade between the two countries.

Nami Cagan, the Minister of Labour and Social Security and his Macedonian counterpart Naser Ziberi signed the Social Security Agreement and Kemal Guruz, the Chairman of the Institution of Higher Education and Vlado Naumovski, the Macedonian State Minister signed agreements concerning the equivalency of diplomas between the two countries.

Addressing a joint press briefing with the Macedonian Prime Minister, Prime Minister Mesut Y�lmaz said that they exchanged comprehensive views about bilateral relations and regional problems during his visit and they reached an agreement concerning the further development of commercial relations between the two countries.

Noting that the Social Security Agreement signed foresees citizens of the two countries having equal rights in social security, Y�lmaz pointed out the importance of the agreement for Turkish and Macedonian citizens.

Y�lmaz said that the signing of the joint statement will contribute to the realization of a free trade agreement between the two countries, adding that the agreement, which foresees the equivalency of the diplomas between the two countries, will provide for students finding jobs in both countries.

Stressing that the Turkish Airlines has started its flights from Istanbul to Skopje with his arrival in Macedonia, Y�lmaz said that the Turkish Honourary Consulate, which will be opened in Bitola, Macedonia, is very important.

Y�lmaz invited his counterpart Crvenkovski to Turkey.

The Macedonian Prime Minister said that a Turkish Prime Minister has visited his country for the first time and this visit will further develop the relations between the two countries.

Noting that Turkey has always extended support concerning the participation of Macedonia in the international institutions after she gained her independence, Crvenkovski said ''we've observed with Mr. Y�lmaz that our political, economic and cultural relations are at the highest level.''

Crvenkovski, the Macedonian Prime Minister added that the improvement of relations between Turkey and Macedonia will contribute to the establishment of peace and stability in the region.

[16] FOREST FIRE IN TRNC - TARANOGLU, MINISTER OF FORESTRY: - ''THE FOREST FIRE IN THE TRNC WAS TAKEN UNDER CONTROL. COOLING ACTIVITIES ARE CONTINUING'' - ''THE HELICOPTERS BELONGING TO GENERAL DIRECTORATE OF FORESTRY ARE HELPING IN THE EXTINGUISHING OF FOREST FIRE AT THE GREEK- CYPRIOT SIDE''

Taranoglu stated that the helicopters, which were sent to the island by the General Directorate of Forestry, were helping in the extinguishing of the forest fire that was now continuing at the Greek-Cypriot side.

Ersin Taranoglu said that the forest fire, which affected Gunebakan and Yesilirmak Villages in the TRNC, spread to Bademlikoy, Kurutepe, Omerli and Yedidalga when the wind changed its direction.

According to the first determinations, a total of 2,700 hectares of forested land, 1,000 hectares of croplands, six houses and one mill burned.

Pointing out that military units and civil teams continue their efforts to extinguish the fire, Taranoglu said that two helicopters, which took off from the British bases on the island, were helping in these activities.

Taranoglu stated that the General Directorate of Forestry sent two helicopters, one jeep, one pick-up, one trailer, one bulldozer, three engineers, one regional deputy general director, one management director, one management chief, two forest-guards and 30 firefighters to the region.

''The forest fire was taken under control. The TRNC and the 34-member Turkish units continue the cooling activities. However, the fire continues at the Greek-Cypriot side. The helicopters belonging to the General Directorate of Forestry are helping in extinguishing the fire at the Greek- Cypriot side,'' he added.

[17] MULTINATIONAL CONTROL TEAM DECIDES THAT TURKEY EFFECTIVELY AND FULLY IMPLEMENTS THE CFE AGREEMENT

The Chief of General Staff said in a written statement that Turkey exercised observation test flights over Bulgaria and the latter did the same over Turkey between 16 and 25 July within the framework of the Free Airspace Agreement.

Noting that both of the observation test flights were successful, the statement pointed out that the two countries have reached an important progress concerning the improvement of relations in the fields of training and military.

[18] KSIDAS, GREEK CONSUL GENERAL TO TURKEY: ''TURKS AND GREEKS ARE IN FAVOUR OF FRIENDSHIP''

Ksidas met with Ismail Ozay, the Mayor of Canakkale. Pointing out that the Turkish and Greek local administrators have good relations, Ksidas said, ''the local administrators in Turkey and Greece are in mutual cooperation. I support cooperative activities at the local-level rather than the general- level. The Turks and Greeks are in favour of friendship.''

Ismail Ozay said that he was pleased with the second visit of Ksidas to Canakkale, adding, ''I am sure the friendship between our two people will further improve.''

[19] WORLD BANK SUPPORTS TURKEY AGAINST THREAT OF EROSION

A Turkish delegation, which is currently in the US to make inquiries about the US experience in the struggle against erosion, visited Colorado and Wyoming states of the US, which are successful in the struggle against erosion.

Nevzat Uslucan, the Chairman of the Turkish delegation composed of 15 experts from the Ministry of Forestry and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs said, ''the US solved the problem of erosion and Turkey will use the newest methods and techniques to overcome this problem.''

Noting that the ''Basin Project'' aims to prevent erosion and to develop forests in Turkey, Uslucan said that the project includes 11 provinces, adding that when the project is over, the erosion problem will be solved in the region and the income level of people will increase to a considerable degree.

The World Bank has assigned 100 million US dollars for Turkey for the project.

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