Anadolu Agency: News in English, 98-07-27

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

27 JULY 1998

CONTENTS

[01] RELIGIOUS BELIEF TOURISM - 10 MILLION PERSONS EXPECTED TO VISIT TURKEY WITHIN FRAMEWORK OF 2000TH ANNIVERSARY OF BIRTH OF JESUS CHRIST

[02] AN AFTERSHOCK SHAKES ADANA

[03] INTERNATIONAL SUCCESS OF TURKISH SCIENTIST - DR. ERDEMIR WINS R&amp;D KNOWN AS THE NOBEL OF PRACTICAL SCIENCE

[04] EMERGENCY LANDING - A THY PLANE WITH SOCCER PLAYERS ABOARD FORCED INTO EMERGENCY LANDING

[05] YILDIRIM, THE STATE MINISTER: ''22 PERCENT OF DIESEL FUEL ENTERS INTO TURKEY FROM HABUR BORDER GATE'' - ''TURKEY LOSES 1.5 BILLION US DOLLARS ANNUALLY AT HABUR''

[06] MARIE CAVANAUGH, ANALYST FOR TURKEY OF S &amp; P RATING ORGANIZATION: - ''WE WILL MONITOR CLOSELY THE IMPLEMENTATION OF AGREEMENT SIGNED BETWEEN TURKEY AND THE IMF'' - ''POSITIVE DEVELOPMENTS ARE MORE THAN NEGATIVE DEVELOPMENTS IN TURKISH ECONOMY'' - YOSHIHIKO TAMURA, ANALYST OF JAPAN JCR RATING ORGANIZATION: - ''TURKEY HASN'T BEEN INFLUENCED BY ECONOMIC CRISIS IN ASIA, THIS SHOWS THAT TURKEY FOLLOWS A REASONABLE POLICY''

[07] TURKEY COMES IN FOURTH PLACE AT THE EUROPEAN DRAGON SAILING CHAMPIONSHIP

[08] GOOD WILL GAMES IN NEW YORK - TURKEY WINS BRONZE MEDAL IN WRESTLING

[09] PRESIDENT CONSTANTINESCU OF ROMANIA DUE IN TURKEY

[10] OIL AND NATURAL GAS RESERVES OF TURKEY - TURKEY HAS 46.3 MILLION TONNES OF OIL AND 9.3 BILLION CUBIC METERS OF NATURAL GAS

[11] TURKEY TO HOST WORLD FOOTBALL WITHIN 75TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS OF REPUBLIC OF TURKEY - THE ''A'' NATIONAL FOOTBALL TEAM TO PLAY WITH WORLD TEAM - A TENDER TO BE OPENED FOR THE BROADCASTING RIGHT OF GAMES AND CELEBRATIONS

[12] BOMB WARNING TO PLANES AT ESENBOGA AIRPORT

[13] TURKISH EXPO'99 FAIR IN BARCELONA TO OPEN ON 21 JANUARY 1999

[14] PRESIDENT DEMIREL SENDS A ''KOSOVO LETTER'' TO CONTACT GROUP COUNTRIES: ''TURKEY IS READY TO PARTICIPATE IN ALL KINDS OF MEASURES, INCLUDING CONTRIBUTION TO THE PEACE FORCE THAT WILL BE SET UP FOR THE SOLUTION OF KOSOVO PROBLEM''

[15] PROFILE OF THE EXPORTS FROM GAP - AGRICULTURAL AND ANIMAL PRODUCTS OF 253.8 MILLION US DOLLARS EXPORTED FROM SOUTHEAST TO 69 COUNTIES IN THE FIRST SIX MONTHS

[16] TURKEY WINS THREE GOLD MEDALS AT THE BALKANS HORSEBACK RIDING CHAMPIONSHIP

[17] PRIME MINISTER PRODI OF ITALY IN ISTANBUL

[18] NUMBER OF TOURISTS DECREASE, BUT INCOME GAINED FROM TOURISTS INCREASES

[19] TURKISH PRESS REVIEW (1)

[20] TURKISH PRESS REVIEW (2)

[21] GAP INCREASES THE NUMBER OF ATHLETES AND SPORTS FACILITIES IN THE REGION

[22] TWO BELGIANS WHO WERE TAKEN INTO CUSTODY IN IZMIR, DEPORTED FROM TURKEY

[23] TURKISH-US WORKING GROUP MEETING ON ENERGY - YIGITGUDEN, THE UNDERSECRETARY OF MINISTRY OF ENERGY: ''WE ARE HOPEFUL ABOUT BAKU-CEYHAN PIPELINE''

[24] WORLD MARITIME SCIENCE AWARD FOR TURKEY - ASSISTANT PROF. DR. GULDEM CERIT AWARDED AT 8TH WORLD TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH CONFERENCE

[25] TRNC PRIME MINISTER EROGLU: ''TRNC WILL LIVE AS AN INDEPENDENT AND SOVEREIGN STATE''

[26] PRESIDENT DENKTAS OF THE TRNC: - ''THE TRNC SHOULD PRINT HER OWN CURRENCY''

[27] TENDER FROM TREASURY

[28] TRUE PATH PARTY (DYP) SUBMITS A PROPOSAL FOR PARLIAMENTARY INVESTIGATION ABOUT PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ AND CENSURE MOTION AGAINST TOPCU, THE MINISTER OF PUBLIC WORKS AND SETTLEMENT

[29] TURKISH CITIZENS LIVING IN GERMANY AND OTHER EUROPEAN COUNTRIES COME TO TURKEY TO SPEND THEIR HOLIDAY

[30] SUPPORT FROM PRESIDENT CLINTON FOR BAKU-CEYHAN PIPELINE - MORNINGSTAR CONVEYS CLINTON'S MESSAGE TO PRESIDENT DEMIREL - FM CEM: ''A WORKING GROUP WAS SET UP ON ENERGY FOR TURKISH AMERICAN JOINT INITIATIVES IN CASPIAN REGION'' - ''BASKUT, DEPUTY UNDERSECRETARY OF FOREIGN MINISTRY, AND MORNINGSTAR WILL GO TO TURKMENISTAN'' - MORNINGSTAR: ''THE US IS DEFINITELY OPPOSED TO A PIPELINE VIA IRAN''

[31] STRIKE IN JOINT DEFENSE INSTALLATIONS - AN AMERICAN LIEUTENANT COLONEL IS CLAIMED TO HARRASS AND PROVOCATE THE CHAIRMAN OF TRADE UNION WHO VISITS WORKERS ON STRIKE

[01] RELIGIOUS BELIEF TOURISM - 10 MILLION PERSONS EXPECTED TO VISIT TURKEY WITHIN FRAMEWORK OF 2000TH ANNIVERSARY OF BIRTH OF JESUS CHRIST

The symposium ''Pamukkale's Role in the Religious Belief Tourism in 2000'' organized by the Denizli Governor's Office and the Polat Thermal Hotel, was held in Denizli.

Addressing the symposium, Yusuf Ziya Goksu, the Governor of Denizli, said that Turkey has a great deal of natural and historical assets. He stressed, ''among them Pamukkale has a special place with its healing waters and unique travertines. One of the seven most important churces belonging to the period of the spreading of Christianity is located in Pamukkale. We will begin to take all the necessary measures to host our guests for the religious belief tourism.''

Bulent Serim, the Deputy Undersecretary of the Ministry of Tourism, reminded that the Ministry has started the activities for the diversificatipm of tourism, adding ''the religious belief tourism is included among these activities. There are many churches in Anatolia that have important roles in the history of Christianity. The project of the religious belief tourism has been developed from the historical potential of Turkey.''

[02] AN AFTERSHOCK SHAKES ADANA

The Bogazici University Kandilli Observatory Earthquake Research Institute officials told the A.A correspondent that the aftershock occurred at 07:45 a.m.

No casualities or financial damages were reported.

[03] INTERNATIONAL SUCCESS OF TURKISH SCIENTIST - DR. ERDEMIR WINS R&amp;D KNOWN AS THE NOBEL OF PRACTICAL SCIENCE

The R&amp;D magazine which introduces annually the most important 100 scientists in the world, has included Dr. Ali Erdemir in its list for the second time.

The magazine described the invention of Erdemir as one of the most significant discoveries for the 21st century.

Dr. Erdemir who works at the Argon Laboratory of Chicago University and the US Department of Energy, has won more than 20 awards between 1997 and 1998 with his invention which reduces the coefficient of friction to zero.

Dr. Ali Erdemir was also came in second place among 42 scientists and won the Discover Award last month that is described as the Oscar of science.

[04] EMERGENCY LANDING - A THY PLANE WITH SOCCER PLAYERS ABOARD FORCED INTO EMERGENCY LANDING

All 188 passengers and crew, including the members of the Trabzonspor team returning from training in Germany, were evacuated safely. There were no injuries.

The electronic indicators failed to show that the landing gear was functioning properly, said Necdet Menzir, the Minister of Transportation and Communications.

The plane, a Boeing 727 bound for Trabzon from Istanbul, circled above the Trabzon Airport several times before it was diverted to the Esenboga Airport due to safety reasons.

[05] YILDIRIM, THE STATE MINISTER: ''22 PERCENT OF DIESEL FUEL ENTERS INTO TURKEY FROM HABUR BORDER GATE'' - ''TURKEY LOSES 1.5 BILLION US DOLLARS ANNUALLY AT HABUR''

Y�ld�r�m stated that Habur is a very important border gate from the aspect of both the border trade and also of giving an opportunity for the flow of diesel fuel.

Noting that previously 1500 vehicles per day were engaged in the diesel fuel trade, Y�ld�r�m pointed out that the number of vehicles decreased by one third when Iraq decreased the amount of diesel fuel it gives to Northern Iraq.

Stressing that Turkey wants to enable persons living in S�rnak to be involved in the border trade, which had earlier been in the monopoly of a few businessmen, Y�ld�r�m said that the state shows her tolerance towards S�rnak by permiting the diesel fuel trade to be made only through the Habur border gate.

''There is a conflict between Iraq and Northern Iraq concerning the diesel fuel. Several interest groups, which benefit from the lack of authority, increase the price of the dinar every day. One litre of diesel fuel, which is sold for eight cents in the world, is sold to our drivers for 14 cents on the black market in Northern Iraq,'' he added.

Noting that S�rnak is the only province in Turkey where there isn't any industry, Y�ld�r�m said that 78 percent of the employed persons work in animal husbandry or public institutions, whereas only 1.2 percent of the persons work in industry in S�rnak.

[06] MARIE CAVANAUGH, ANALYST FOR TURKEY OF S &amp; P RATING ORGANIZATION: - ''WE WILL MONITOR CLOSELY THE IMPLEMENTATION OF AGREEMENT SIGNED BETWEEN TURKEY AND THE IMF'' - ''POSITIVE DEVELOPMENTS ARE MORE THAN NEGATIVE DEVELOPMENTS IN TURKISH ECONOMY'' - YOSHIHIKO TAMURA, ANALYST OF JAPAN JCR RATING ORGANIZATION: - ''TURKEY HASN'T BEEN INFLUENCED BY ECONOMIC CRISIS IN ASIA, THIS SHOWS THAT TURKEY FOLLOWS A REASONABLE POLICY''

Describing the agreement as an extremely significant agreement for Turkey's credibility, Cavanaugh stressed that Turkey shouldn't make concessions on the economic policies that she has undertaken with the agreeemnt for the sake of populist policies like increases in the salaries. Cavanaugh added that inflation will be reduced in the medium and long-term in case the agreement is implemented without concessions.

Noting that the tax reform, accelerating privatization and decreasing inflation reflect the positive developments in Turkey's economy, Cavanaugh pointed out that positive developments are more than the negative developments in Turkey's economy.

Yoshihiko Tamura, the Analyst for Turkey of the Japan JCR Rating Organization, said that the only negative factor in Turkey is political uncertainty, adding, ''Turkey hasn't been influenced by the economic crisis in Asia, and this shows that Turkey follows a reasonable policy.

Tamura will come to Turkey in the autumn in order to make observations.

[07] TURKEY COMES IN FOURTH PLACE AT THE EUROPEAN DRAGON SAILING CHAMPIONSHIP

A total of 51 teams from 13 countries participated at the championship.

The Dutch team won the golden medal at the championship where the Danish team came in second place and another Dutch team came in third place.

[08] GOOD WILL GAMES IN NEW YORK - TURKEY WINS BRONZE MEDAL IN WRESTLING

The US Team was awarded with the golden medal and the Russian Team won the silver medal in wrestling at the Good Will Games.

[09] PRESIDENT CONSTANTINESCU OF ROMANIA DUE IN TURKEY

The statement of the Foreign Ministry pointed out that Constantinescu will visit Turkey within the framework of the regular negotiations set up between the Romanian and Turkish Presidents.

The opportunities for further improving the bilateral relations between Turkey and Romania will be discussed the during the contacts of the Romanian delegation formed by high level officials accompanying Constantinescu.

Officials will exchange opinions on the international issues including the latest developments in the Balkans at the meetings.

[10] OIL AND NATURAL GAS RESERVES OF TURKEY - TURKEY HAS 46.3 MILLION TONNES OF OIL AND 9.3 BILLION CUBIC METERS OF NATURAL GAS

If the amount of production remains the same this year and if new reserves can't be found, then Turkey has a crude oil reserve which will last for 12 years and a natural gas reserve which will last for 37 years.

The total existing, probable and possible oil reserves of Turkey are 978, 749 million tonnes, however only 149,699 million tonnes of this amount can be produced.

Turkey has only 46,336 million tonnes of oil reserves, as 103,362 million tonnes of this amount has already been used.

Officials said that 32,788 million tonnes of the producible oil reserves are in the areas belonging to the Turkish Petroleum Inc. (TPAO).

Meanwhile, the TPAO discovered two new oil fields last year in the southeastern province of Gaziantep, namely the Eskitas oil field and Lilan.

The total natural gas reserves are 18 billion 104 million cubic meters, but the producible reserve is calculated to be 12 billion 338 million cubic meters.

It is estimated that there are 9 billion 367 million cubic meters of natural gas in the reservoirs and the amount produced up until the present is only 2 billion 971 million cubic meters.

A total of 6 billion 786 million cubic meters of natural gas are belonging to the TPAO.

[11] TURKEY TO HOST WORLD FOOTBALL WITHIN 75TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS OF REPUBLIC OF TURKEY - THE ''A'' NATIONAL FOOTBALL TEAM TO PLAY WITH WORLD TEAM - A TENDER TO BE OPENED FOR THE BROADCASTING RIGHT OF GAMES AND CELEBRATIONS

The Federation has invited all the chairmen of the federations of the member countries in the FIFA within the 75th anniversary celebrations of the founding of it and 72 countries have accepted the invitation.

Sepp Blatter, the Chairman of the FIFA, Lennard Johansson, the Chairman of the UEFA, and unforgettable names of the football such as Pele, Cruyff, Platini, Maradona and Beckenbauer are included among the guests.

A special match will be played between the ''A'' National Football Team and the world team within the structure of the activities. Carlos Alberto Parreira who made the Fenerbahce Team champion two years ago, will come to Turkey as the technical director of the world team.

Addressing the journalists, Ismail Ozersin, the Chairman of the Celebration Committee, said that a tender will be opened on 19 August for the broadcasting rights of the match between the Turkish National Football Team and the World Team, and the other activities.

Ozersin stressed that the celebrations will be as magnificent as the France'98 World Cup.

[12] BOMB WARNING TO PLANES AT ESENBOGA AIRPORT

''Bombs were put in all the planes which will take off from the Esenboga Airport,'' said that the unidentified persons by calling the gendarme emergency service at 9:30 a.m. The necessary security measures have been taken at the airport after the warning. Officials started to hunt for bombs in the suitcases of the first plane which would leave Esenboga for Van.

All the planes which will take off from the Esenboga Airport will be examined carefully the same day and therefore there will be delays in the flights.

[13] TURKISH EXPO'99 FAIR IN BARCELONA TO OPEN ON 21 JANUARY 1999

Bilgin Aygul, the General Director of the Forum Fair and Development Corporation, pointed out that Spain is a significant market for Turkey's export products, adding, ''the trade volume between Turkey and Spain increased 21.3 percent to 522 million US dollars in 1997 compared with the figures in 1996. Turkey's exports to Spain will be further increased with the Joint Action Plan signed between Turkey and Spain, therefore the Turkish Expo'99 fair is very important for the Turkish businessmen and industrialists within this framework.''

[14] PRESIDENT DEMIREL SENDS A ''KOSOVO LETTER'' TO CONTACT GROUP COUNTRIES: ''TURKEY IS READY TO PARTICIPATE IN ALL KINDS OF MEASURES, INCLUDING CONTRIBUTION TO THE PEACE FORCE THAT WILL BE SET UP FOR THE SOLUTION OF KOSOVO PROBLEM''

The Foreign Ministry said that President Demirel sent letters to each of the heads of state of Contact Group countries after his visit to Albania.

President Demirel stressed in his letter that the international public opinion hadn't been successful in preventing the pain in Bosnia-Herzegovina and if countries can't behave ''effectively and in a resolved manner,'' then similar events will occur in Kosovo. Demirel invited the leaders to act responsibly and to protect the peace and security.

''Turkey continues to hold consultations with the regional countries,'' said President Demirel in his letter, adding that countries should react in proportion to the seriousness of the situation in Kosovo, which threatens the stability of Southeastern Europe.

Noting that the prevention of bloodshed in Kosovo is the most important priority of the regional countries, President Demirel pointed out that a constructive dialogue should be held between the Yugoslavian officials and representatives of the people living in Kosovo.

President Demirel also sent a letter to Slobodan Milosevic, the Yugoslavian President and said that negotiations should start immediately between the concerned sides in Kosovo so that the conflict can be solved permanently and peacefully.

Stressing that Turkey is against all kinds of violence and terrorist activities, President Demirel said that the withdrawal of the Yugoslavian security forces from the region could create a positive atmosphere for the commencement of negotiations and the returning of the refugees to their homes.

[15] PROFILE OF THE EXPORTS FROM GAP - AGRICULTURAL AND ANIMAL PRODUCTS OF 253.8 MILLION US DOLLARS EXPORTED FROM SOUTHEAST TO 69 COUNTIES IN THE FIRST SIX MONTHS

In the same period last year, a total of 307.6 million US dollars in exports were realized from the region.

The exporters from the region have succeeded in entering the markets of thr Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland, Palestine, Slovenia, Namibia, Senegal, Mexico, Bangladesh, Nepal and Hong Kong and lost the markets of South Yemen, Moldova, Sudan, Serbia, South

Korea, Malaysia and Sri Lanka in the first six months of 1998.

The Southeastern Anatolia Exporters' Union officials said that Turkey exported grains worth 82.6 million US dollars, dried fruit worth 22.1 million US dollars and textiles worth 139.6 million US dollars and animal products worth 9.4 million US dollars in the January-June period of 1998.

Meanwhile, it was also reported that Turkey made exports to the Middle East worth 120.2 million US dollars, to European countries worth 71.7 million US dollars and to the Turkish Republics worth 34.3 million US dollars.

[16] TURKEY WINS THREE GOLD MEDALS AT THE BALKANS HORSEBACK RIDING CHAMPIONSHIP

The Turkish National Horseback Riding Team composed of Mehmet Kozlu, Dilek Hamoglu, Bartu Nukhan ve Husnu Dinc have become the Balkan champions while the Turkish National Women's Horseback Riding Team came in the third place in the competitions.

[17] PRIME MINISTER PRODI OF ITALY IN ISTANBUL

Prodi and Yilmaz have begun their meeting at the C�ragan Palace.

The meeting is being held is closed to the members of the press.

[18] NUMBER OF TOURISTS DECREASE, BUT INCOME GAINED FROM TOURISTS INCREASES

The Cultural Directorate in Antalya said that 1,086,915 tourists visited the Antalya Museum, Ataturk House, Alanya and Side Museums and important ruins of Antalya namely Aspendos, Perge, Phaselis, Aya Nikola, Patara, Xanthos, Simena, Myra, Termessos, Selge, Karain, Olympos and Alanya Castle.

A total income of 432,49 billion Turkish Liras were gained from the tourists, who visited the museums and ruins.

Last year, 1,242,525 tourists visited the same places in the southern province of Antalya, while an income of 221,16 billion Turkish Liras was obtained.

The officials said that although the number of foreign tourists, who visited Turkey decreased by 166,265 in the first six months of 1998 compared with the same period last year, the number of domestic tourists increased.

Officials added that they expect an increase in the number of foreign tourists in the second half of this year.

[19] TURKISH PRESS REVIEW (1)

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

FORD INVESTING IN TURKEY
President Suleyman Demirel laid yesterday the foundations for a new Ford automobile plant in Yenikoy, Golcuk. Demirel said at the ceremony that the Ford's investment would be a precedent for other foreign investors. Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz said that the Ford-Otosan investment showed that protectionist policies were no longer blocking development in Turkey. Rahmi Koc, the chairman of Koc Holding and Ford's Turkish partner thanked the government for the donation of the land on which the factory will be constructed. Wayne Booker, the Chairman of the Executive Board of Ford- Otosan, said at the ceremony that the cost of construction is expected to reach 550 million US dollars. The factory itself will employ 4,000 people and about 20,000 jobs will be created. He added that the factory will also provide financial support to local schools and charitable institutions. He added that they were happy to be in Turkey. /Milliyet-Sabah/

ITALIAN PRIME MINISTER IN TURKEY
Romano Prodi, the Italian Prime Minister, scheduled to arrive in Turkey today, is expected to make an attempt to contribute to international efforts at decreasing the longstanding tension between Turkey and Greece. Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz and his Italian counterpart Prodi will meet in Istanbul to have four hours of talks. A joint press conference is expected after the meeting. It is expected that Yilmaz and Prodi will discuss Turco- Italian economic ties, the problem of illegal immigration from the Middle East to Europe via Italy and the increasing tension in the Yugoslav Province of Kosovo. /All papers/

GREEK FOREIGN MINISTER LASHES OUT AT TURKEY AND UNITED STATES
Theodoros Pangalos, the Greek Foreign Minister, yesterday accused the Turkish Consulate at Komotini of acting against the Greek interests. Pangalos claimed that the Turkish Consulate had worked systemically at creating a crisis by dividing the Christians and Moslems in the region. He added that the Turkish Consulate should stay within the boundaries of its authority recognized to it or accept the consequences of going beyond those limits. Turning on the US Consulate in Salonica, the Greek Foreign Minister stated that American diplomats were implementing double standards in the region and followed a hypocritical, unprincipled policy. He then visited the muftis appointed by the Greek government to Gumulcine (Komotini) and Iskece (Xanthi), but who aren't recognized by the Turkish minority, and declared that they would be given official civil servant status benefiting from insurance and pension rights. /Cumhuriyet/

DEMIREL MEETS WITH MORNINGSTAR
President Suleyman Demirel yesterday met with Richard Morningstar, the US President Clinton's Special Representative to the Caspian Region. Returning to Ankara following the groundbreaking ceremonies for the car plant Ford will construct in Izmit, Demirel received Morningstar and an accompanying delegation. The meeting was closed to the press. /Cumhuriyet/

A DELEGATION FROM MINISTRY OF ENERGY GOES TO UNITED STATES
A delegation led by Yurdakul Yigitguden, the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, goes today to the US to attend the fourth meeting of the Turkish-US Joint Energy Working Group. The delegation will also get in touch with international financial institutions in the US. /Cumhuriyet/

KORKUT OZAL REELECTED DEMOCRATIC PARTY CHAIRMAN
At the eighth congress of the Democratic Party (DP) Korkut Ozal, who received a total of 597 valid votes was reelected Chairman. Following the announcement of the results, Korkut Ozal gave a brief speech thanking the party members. Commenting on the elections to be held in April 1999, Ozal said that they were in favour of early general elections. /Cumhuriyet/

FOREIGN MINISTER CEM WARNS NATO ON S-300 MISSILES
Greece and the Greek Cypriot Administration have jointly planned to deploy the Russian-made S-300 missiles at the Greek Cypriot side on the island. Ismail Cem, the Foreign Minister, has again warned the NATO about the plan which is now in its final stages. Cem noted that the missiles weren't only a threat against the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), Turkey and the Eastern Mediterranean, but also would have a negative effect on the NATO regional defences. In a written statement yesterday Cem pointed out that information about the Turkish and NATO military operations in the region would be presented to the Russian Federation and the Greek Cypriot Administration both of which aren't members of the organisation, through Greece, a member of the NATO. Cem added that this information could also be given to other states in the Middle East. /Cumhuriyet/

LOCAL POLITICIAN ABDUCTED IN TUNCELI
Ultra-leftist terrorists have abducted a local politician in the eastern province of Tunceli. The Revolutionary People's Salvation Party-Front (DHKP- C) militants kidnapped Hidir Yadigaroglu, a local official of the Republican People's Party (CHP), on Saturday afternoon after stopping his car at a roadblock outside the village of Gulbahce. /Sabah/

[20] TURKISH PRESS REVIEW (2)

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

OPERATION IN SIVAS
Security forces, carrying out operations to find the separatists who set on fire a telephone exchange belonging to the

General Post Office in Kurukopru Village in Sivas and killed Haydar Iyidogan the Headman of Sancakkale Village in Zara County of Sivas on 8 July 1998, have arrested 10 persons suspected of helping the PKK terrorist organization. It is reported that operations are continuing in the region./Cumhuriyet/

15 BILLION TL FOR HASANKEYF
Initiatives to save Hasankeyf, Batman, which will soon be under the waters of Ilisu Dam artificial lake, are resuming after a seven year-interval. The Ministry of Culture will allocate appropriations worth 15 billion TL. Prof. Olus Arik, who is responsible for excavations in the region, has congratulated Istemihan Talay, the Minister of Culture, and noted that they will begin excavations with a 14-member team after they receive the money. /Cumhuriyet/

GERMAN NEWSPAPER PRAISES TURKISH BUSINESSMEN
The Berliner Morgenpost newspaper, published in Berlin, has praised Turkish businessmen pointing out that Turks working in

Berlin have contributed 5 billion DM to the German economy through the operations of more than 5,000 companies. An article written by Britta Peersen said that over 20,000 workers were working in these companies. The article stated that Turkish businessmen were active in many fields ranging from glass manufacturing to estate agencies. It added that Turkish entrepreneurs were very courageous and thought globally./Milliyet/

FOREIGN INTEREST IN DOGAN HOLDING
The ninth subsidiary of the Dogan Group is also on the way to being traded on the Istanbul Stock Exchange. A 15 percent share of the capital of Dogan Publication Holdings will be offered to the public between 29-30 July 1998. European speculators have shown much interest in the shares which have been available at the international markets for some time. The European issue of the Wall Street Journal of the US said that the Dogan Publication Holdings had offered shares worth 75 million US dollars at the international markets. The article also stated that income worth 10 million US dollars to domestic investors was expected from the sale. /Milliyet/

WORLD BANK UPGRADES STATUS OF ANKARA OFFICE
The World Bank is upgrading the status of its representative office in Ankara by making it a regional directorate. On the grounds of increasing economic activities in Turkey, the World Bank is giving a central position to Turkey. The former status of

Turkey was a ''country representation''. Ajay Chibber, who has been working as the Turkey Director in Washington, D.C., has been appointed as the Director for the World Bank's new Regional Directorate in Turkey. He will take up his new post at the end of August. /Hurriyet/

TREASURY UNDERSECRETARIAT SEEKING LOANS
A delegation is going to Japan today, headed by Cuneyt Sel, the Deputy Undersecretary of the Treasury. The Treasury officials will try to secure a 300 million US dollar loan for the Turkish Eximbank, the government-run bank for export and import activities. Ahmet K�l�coglu, the General Manager of the Turkish Eximbank, said that the bank needed the loan to give more support to exports. /Hurriyet/

[21] GAP INCREASES THE NUMBER OF ATHLETES AND SPORTS FACILITIES IN THE REGION

Sahabettin Harput, the Sanl�urfa Governor said that ''17 sports facilities started to operate together with the GAP and the number of athletes having licenses increased by 100 percent and reached 5727.''

Harput told the A.A correspondent that sports is the best way for young people to spend their energy and this has to be encouraged.

''Soccer fields, olympic swimming pools, open sports areas, basketball and volleyball fields have increased rapidly together with the Southeastern Anatolia Project. Until today, 17 facilities started to operate and we provided an additional budget of 50 billion Turkish Liras from the Special Administration budget for the opening of sports facilities. Our support will also continue in 1998,'' he added.

[22] TWO BELGIANS WHO WERE TAKEN INTO CUSTODY IN IZMIR, DEPORTED FROM TURKEY

Diana Marta Van Genenugend and Emiel Jan Geerts had come from Belgium in order to join the demonstration for the missing people to be found, organized by the Izmir Rights and Freedoms Platform, two days ago. They refused to testify at the beginning, but then they explained that they were taken into custody when they had stopped to watch the demonstration. Two Belgians were released by the Izmir Republic Attorney General's Office.

[23] TURKISH-US WORKING GROUP MEETING ON ENERGY - YIGITGUDEN, THE UNDERSECRETARY OF MINISTRY OF ENERGY: ''WE ARE HOPEFUL ABOUT BAKU-CEYHAN PIPELINE''

A delegation including officials from the Foreign Ministry and Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources headed by Yigitguden left for the US the same day to participate in the fourth meeting of the Turkish-US Joint Energy Working Group.

Addressing a statement at the Ataturk Airport before his departure, Yugitguden stated that he will meet both the US government officials and also international financial circles concerning the Baku-Ceyhan pipeline and the transport of Turkmen natural gas to Europe via Turkey during his contacts in the US.

Recalling that Turkey has launched high-ranking initiatives and proposals about the mentioned pipelines, Yigitguden said ''the most detailed work on the Baku-Ceyhan pipeline has been prepared by Turkey and it has been proved that this route is the most economic and safe route for the transport of regional oil to world markets.''

''High ranking meetings and introductory work have been realized with all the concerned countries to put the project into force as soon as possible and a memorandum of understanding was signed,'' he said.

Yigitguden underlined the importance of the meeting in the US as it will be held in a period where active developments are seen regarding the pipelines.

[24] WORLD MARITIME SCIENCE AWARD FOR TURKEY - ASSISTANT PROF. DR. GULDEM CERIT AWARDED AT 8TH WORLD TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH CONFERENCE

Cerit who researched the factors influencing the quality of the sea transport services, was praised at the symposium by the scientists.

At the conference that is described as one of the most important activities in the field of maritime transports, 893 papers on 44 main subjects were presented in 22 separate sessions between 12 and 17 July. The conference was initiated by a scientific committee lead by Prof. Dr. M. Ben-Akiva from the Massachusettes Institute of Technology (MIT).

[25] TRNC PRIME MINISTER EROGLU: ''TRNC WILL LIVE AS AN INDEPENDENT AND SOVEREIGN STATE''

Responding to a question about the issue, Eroglu said that the TRNC and Turkey carry out their relations as two states which recognize each other, adding ''the TRNC will live as an independent and sovereign state, this was also put forward by the Partnership Council and possible negotiations will be held upon the basis of these principles. In this respect the evaluation claiming that the TRNC will be integrated with Turkey and be transformed into a province aims to mislead the public opinion.''

Noting that the TRNC is only recognized by Turkey and free trade will be realized by gradually abolishing the legislation which makes the relations between the two countries difficult, Eroglu pointed out that President Demirel meant by his words that ''the credit possibilities recognized to the sector in Turkey will also be implemented in the TRNC on equal terms. President Demirel wanted to say that there will be unity in legislation, abolishment of customs and entrance of all products to the Turkish market.''

Responding to another question, Prime Minister Eroglu said that the tariff applied on the price list of drinking water, which is brought to Lefkosa and Gazimagosa in the TRNC from Turkey by balloons, won't change.

[26] PRESIDENT DENKTAS OF THE TRNC: - ''THE TRNC SHOULD PRINT HER OWN CURRENCY''

Denktas pointed out in his message to the Cyprus newspaper that the TRNC is late in printing her own currency, adding, ''Scotland and Britain use the same currency, but Scotland has her own currency. We can print ''this money belongs to the TRNC'' on the Turkish currency.

Noting that he requested having traffic drive on the right side rather than the left after the 1974 Peace Operation, Denktas pointed out that many people opposed it.

[27] TENDER FROM TREASURY

The bonds's issue date is 29 July and the repayment date of the bond is 28 July 1999.

The Treasury sold bonds worth of 527.6 trillion Turkish Liras with an annual interest of 106 percent on 16 June 1998.

Meanwhile the Treasury will make its last repayment of domestic debts of 453.1 trillion Turkish Liras on Wednesday. A 194.2 trillion Turkish Liras portion of the mentioned debt is composed of principal and a 258.9 trillion Turkish Liras portion is composed of interest.

[28] TRUE PATH PARTY (DYP) SUBMITS A PROPOSAL FOR PARLIAMENTARY INVESTIGATION ABOUT PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ AND CENSURE MOTION AGAINST TOPCU, THE MINISTER OF PUBLIC WORKS AND SETTLEMENT

The True Path Party submitted the motions to the Parliamentary Chairmanship by claiming that the Turkish state and citizens lost 500 trillion Turkish Liras from the project of the Izmit Tube Tunnel.

The DYP claimed that the VINSAN and BOUYGUES Consortium was the only one which gave a proposal in the tender opened for the project, but ENKA, which is the Turkish partner of a consortium, which didn't participate in the tender, sent a letter to the General Directorate of Highways on the last day of the tender by saying that it could enter into the tender if the bid was repeated.

The motion issued by DYP noted that the tender was renewed by the decision taken by the Prime Ministry and the General Directorate of Highways.

''The proposal of Bouygues-Vinsan group foresaw completion of the tube tunnel sooner than the proposal of ENKA. Therefore the laws and the judiciary have been ignored and the state lost 500 trillion Turkish Liras, '' the DYP added.

[29] TURKISH CITIZENS LIVING IN GERMANY AND OTHER EUROPEAN COUNTRIES COME TO TURKEY TO SPEND THEIR HOLIDAY

Within the last 24 hours, 5,395 Turks entered Turkey through the Kap�kule Border Gate.

Cemil Emre, the Chief Director of Edirne Customs told the A.A correspondent that ''we've taken the necessary measures, we complete the transactions at the customs as soon as possible with our additional personnel.''

Noting that Turks are confronted with difficulties at the Bulgarian customs, Emre added ''we took up the problems of our Turkish workers at the Bulgarian customs with the Bulgarian officials and asked them to take the necessary measures.''

[30] SUPPORT FROM PRESIDENT CLINTON FOR BAKU-CEYHAN PIPELINE - MORNINGSTAR CONVEYS CLINTON'S MESSAGE TO PRESIDENT DEMIREL - FM CEM: ''A WORKING GROUP WAS SET UP ON ENERGY FOR TURKISH AMERICAN JOINT INITIATIVES IN CASPIAN REGION'' - ''BASKUT, DEPUTY UNDERSECRETARY OF FOREIGN MINISTRY, AND MORNINGSTAR WILL GO TO TURKMENISTAN'' - MORNINGSTAR: ''THE US IS DEFINITELY OPPOSED TO A PIPELINE VIA IRAN''

Morningstar met with Ismail Cem, the Foreign Minister and conveyed the support of the US. Addressing the journalists after the meeting, he said that he conveyed the message of Clinton to President Suleyman Dmirel yesterday.

Noting that Yaman Baskut, the Deputy Undersecretary of the Foreign Ministry, and Morningstar will leave Turkey tonight for Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan in order to hold contacts with President Saparmurat Turkmenbasi of Turkmenistan and President Haydar Aliyev of Azerbaijan within the framework of the ''Turkish-American joint Caspian initiative.'' Cem added, ''this initiative was set up during our meeting with Madeleine Albright, the US Secretary of State, last October. Meanwhile, today we have established a joint working group in the field of energy with the US.''

Cem stressed that they have worked with the US on the ''transports in Eurasia and improvement of the energy corridor'', adding that they have several targets. He explained these targets as realizing the Baku-Ceyhan pipeline project, transporting the Turkmen natural gas to Turkey via the Caspian region.

Noting that the Turkmen natural gas project eases the Baku-Ceyhan project and Turkey consider it, Cem emphasized that it will be more reasonable for the cost to construct two parallel pipelines. He pointed out that the security and strategy relations among the Caucasus countries, will increase in case of the success of this initiative.

Morningstar told the reporters, ''we believe that our joint efforts with Turkey will accelerate the pipeline process.'' He also stressed that the US is definitely opposed to a pipeline via Iran. Morningstar noted that the incidents such as medium-range missile tests and 5 year imprisonment penalty given to the Mayor of Teheran show that nothing will change in Iran.

[31] STRIKE IN JOINT DEFENSE INSTALLATIONS - AN AMERICAN LIEUTENANT COLONEL IS CLAIMED TO HARRASS AND PROVOCATE THE CHAIRMAN OF TRADE UNION WHO VISITS WORKERS ON STRIKE

Ahmet Kalfa, the Chairman of the Turkish-Harb-Is Labour Union office in Izmir, protested the incident by laying a wreath in front of the Tuslog building where Thomas Snodgrass, the American Lieutenant General was working.

Kalfa said that they will apply to the Prosecutor and file a suit against the American Lieutenant Colonel, as he was attacked by Snodgrass in his car. ''The Lieutenant Colonel came to my car with a baseball bat in his hand and he swore at me,'' he added.

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