Anadolu Agency: News in English, 98-09-15

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

15 SEPT 1998

CONTENTS

[01] PRESIDENT NARAYANAN OF INDIA DUE IN TURKEY

[02] THE HIJACKED PLANE LEAVES FOR ISTANBUL - IHSAN AKYUZ, THE HIJACKER IS EXPECTED TO BE ARRAIGNED AT COURT ON TUESDAY

[03] FM CEM RETURNS TO TURKEY: - ''WE AIM AT GOOD RELATIONS WITH IRAN'' - CEM REQUESTS IRAN TO SUPPORT AZERBAIJAN FOR SAVING HER LANDS FROM ARMENIA'S OCCUPATION

[04] PRESS CONFERENCE OF JOHNSON, THE NORWEGIAN MINISTER OF INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND HUMAN RIGHTS - JOHNSON PROCEEDS TO DIYARBAKIR

[05] DRUG OPERATION IN ANKARA - NARCOTICS OFFICIALS SEIZE 14 KG OF HEROIN

[06] THE MIRROR GROUP CHOOSES ADVERTISEMENT FOR TURKISH TOURISM CONSULTATION AS ''THE MOST CREATIVE ADVERTISEMENT OF YEAR''

[07] ERSUMER, THE MINISTER OF ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES ADDRESSES THE WORLD ENERGY COUNCIL: ''TURKEY'S ENERGY NEED WILL INCREASE TO 65,000 MEGAWATTS IN 2020, THIS MEANS AN ANNUAL INVESTMENT OF 4.5 BILLION US DOLLARS''

[08] FOUR SYRIANS FISHING WITHOUT PERMISSION IN TERRITORIAL WATERS OF TRNC SENTENCED TO ONE MONTH IN PRISON

[09] A TOTAL OF 20 ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS CAPTURED IN VAN

[10] LOIZIDOU CASE BEFORE THE EUROPEAN COURT OF HUMAN RIGHTS - TURKEY REJECTS GIVING COMPENSATION TO THE GREEK CYPRIOT CITIZEN

[11] MONSTER CHIMERA'S BREATH STILL BURNS YANARTAS ... - MORE THAN 50 THOUSAND TOURISTS VISIT YANARTAS AT ANCIENT CITY OF OLYMPOS

[12] 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS - RAHMI KUMAS, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE UN TURKISH ASSOCIATION REPRESENTS TURKEY

[13] EIGHT TERRORISTS KILLED DURING ''MARTYR FIRST LIEUTENANT EVREN DONER OPERATION''

[14] FM CEM'S STATEMENT TO THE IRNA : - ''ACTIONS OF TALEBAN FORCES HAVE MADE THE REGION INSECURE''

[15] TURKISH PRESS REVIEW

[16] THE THIRD EU COORDINATION COUNCIL MEETING - GUREL, THE STATE MINISTER: ''EU CONTINUES TO PURSUE HER NEGLIGENT ATTITUDE CONCERNING FULFILLMENT OF HER OBLIGATIONS TOWARDS TURKEY''

[17] CONTACTS OF ROBERTSON, BRITISH DEFENCE MINISTER, IN TURKEY - ROBERTSON MEETS WITH SEZGIN

[18] TURKMEN NATURAL GAS - ERSUMER, THE MINISTER OF ENERGY MEETS WITH TURKMEN DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER SERCIYEV

[19] TURKISH-BRITISH DEFENSE COOPERATION AGREEMENT SIGNED

[20] OPEN SKIES AGREEMENT - TURKEY REALIZED TEST FLIGHTS RECIPROCALLY WITH SEVEN COUNTRIES SO FAR - TURKISH ARMED FORCES PERFORMED ITS RECENT TEST FLIGHT IN HUNGARY

[21] ''TRADE DEVELOPMENT CENTERS'' TO BE ESTABLISHED IN BALKANS

[22] PRIME MINISTER OF SLOVENIA ARRIVES IN TURKEY

[23] SIX-MONTH TERM BOND TENDER FROM TREASURY - TREASURY SELLS 587.4 TRILLION TURKISH LIRAS IN BONDS

[24] CONTACTS OF ROBERTSON, BRITISH DEFENSE MINISTER - SEZGIN RECEIVES BRITISH MINISTER

[25] OSMANOV, MINISTER OF ECONOMY AND FOREIGN ECONOMIC AFFAIRS OF TAJIKISTAN, VISITS ISTANBUL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE - OSMANOV: ''WE SHOULD INCREASE THE VOLUME OF TRADE''

[01] PRESIDENT NARAYANAN OF INDIA DUE IN TURKEY

The Foreign Ministry pointed out that regional and international issues that concern both countries will be discussed along with the bilateral relations during the contacts of Narayanan in Ankara.

The Indian Minister of Industry, several deputies, high-level bureaucrats, businessmen and journalists will accompany Narayanan during his four-day visit to Ankara.

[02] THE HIJACKED PLANE LEAVES FOR ISTANBUL - IHSAN AKYUZ, THE HIJACKER IS EXPECTED TO BE ARRAIGNED AT COURT ON TUESDAY

Ihsan Akyuz, who hijacked the plane, told the Anti-Terrorism Office, ''he planned to hijack the plane himself, didn't have any connection with any illegal organization and he had psychological problems.''

Akyuz added that he hijacked the plane to protest the prohibition of the religious head scarf and extend support to the Chechen incidents and Islam. Noting that he reached his goal, Akyuz said he didn't harm anyone and he had a toy pistol in his hand. Police said that Akyuz didn't have any previous conviction.

Ihsan Akyuz, the hijacker, is expected to be arraigned at court the same day.

[03] FM CEM RETURNS TO TURKEY: - ''WE AIM AT GOOD RELATIONS WITH IRAN'' - CEM REQUESTS IRAN TO SUPPORT AZERBAIJAN FOR SAVING HER LANDS FROM ARMENIA'S OCCUPATION

Addressing the journalists at the Esenboga Airport, Cem described the latest incidents in Afghanistan as ''extremely urgent'' for Iran and as ''very serious'' for Turkey.

Stressing that Iran had held manoeuvres near border with Afghanistan following the killing of the nine Iranian diplomats by the Taleban forces and hasn't withdrawn her troops from the region yet, will determine her policy on the crisis, Cem noted, ''our approach to the problem is to discuss it within framework of the United Nations and to peacefully establish a coalition government.''

Pointing out that Iran and Pakistan are consulting with each other on the issue, Cem told the reporters, ''Iran has rightful worries concerning the news about massacre and genocide in neighbouring Afghanistan. We are trying to inspire Iran for a peaceful solution.''

Noting that Turkey has security worries on the border with Iran, Cem reminded that he explained the damages of the separatist terrorist organization that uses Iran's lands, to the Iranian side. Pointing out that they have reached a consensus on many issues, Cem emphasized, ''we aim at good relations with Iran.''

Reminding that the issue of Armenia's occupation of Azerbaijan's lands was also discussed during his contacts in Iran, Cem told the reporters that 20 percent of Azerbaijan's lands have been occupied by Armenia.

Expressing Turkey's sensitiveness on the issue, Cem added ''Iran shares same opinion with us concerning the issue. We requested support from Iran to Azerbaijan on saving her lands from Armenia's occupation.''

[04] PRESS CONFERENCE OF JOHNSON, THE NORWEGIAN MINISTER OF INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND HUMAN RIGHTS - JOHNSON PROCEEDS TO DIYARBAKIR

Addressing a press conference after her meetings with Hikmet Sami Turk, the Minister of State Responsible for Human Rights, Bulent Ecevit, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State, and Sema Piskinsut, the Chairman of the Human Rights Commission of the Parliament, Johnson described her visit to Turkey as very productive. Johnson stressed that her meetings focused on cooperation between the two countries on children's rights and the human rights education.

Hilde Johnson has later proceeded to Diyarbakir.

Johnson and the accompanying delegation have visited the Human Rights Association and held talks with the officials.

[05] DRUG OPERATION IN ANKARA - NARCOTICS OFFICIALS SEIZE 14 KG OF HEROIN

Officials told the A.A correspondent that acting on a tip-off, the narcotics officials found the drugs hidden in a car belonging to Seyfi Sungurlu.

Seyfi Sungurlu was later taken into custody.

The investigation concerning the drugs is underway.

[06] THE MIRROR GROUP CHOOSES ADVERTISEMENT FOR TURKISH TOURISM CONSULTATION AS ''THE MOST CREATIVE ADVERTISEMENT OF YEAR''

Savas Kuce, the Turkish Counsellor of Tourism, has been given the award in a ceremony held at the Mirror Group's Center in Canary Wharf.

Addressing the ceremony, Kuce expressed pride with the award that coincides with the 75th anniversary of the Republic of Turkey.

Pointing out that the number of British tourists who prefer Turkey for a holiday, continue to increase, Kuce stressed that they expect a total of one million British tourists in Turkey in 1999. The Turkish Tourism Consultation was previously awarded with ''the Silver Pegasus''.

[07] ERSUMER, THE MINISTER OF ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES ADDRESSES THE WORLD ENERGY COUNCIL: ''TURKEY'S ENERGY NEED WILL INCREASE TO 65,000 MEGAWATTS IN 2020, THIS MEANS AN ANNUAL INVESTMENT OF 4.5 BILLION US DOLLARS''

Addressing the World Energy Council, Ersumer stated that the existing power capacity of Turkey, which is 22,000 megawatts has to increase as Turkey's energy need will increase to 65,000 megawatts in 2020 and this means an annual investment of nearly 4.5 billion US dollars.

Noting that the existing installations in the electricity sector are being transferred to the private sector in Turkey to meet the increase in energy demand, Ersumer pointed out that the models of build-operate-transfer and build-operate are used in the establishment of new installations.

Ersumer stressed that the agreements concerning five power stations having a capacity of 5200 megawatts, which will be constructed with the build- operate system, will be signed on 8 October. These power stations will be established in Ankara, Izmit, Gebze, Adapazar� and Izmir, he said.

Stressing that Turkey is ready to lead energy projects as the energy bridge and terminal of the future, Ersumer stated that Turkey is a key country concerning energy.

Emphasizing the fact that Turkey meets 60 percent of her energy needs with imported energy and this amount will increase to 75 percent in 2020, Ersumer added that Turkey constitutes an attractive market for foreign investments in the enegry sector.

Ersumer said that while the speed of the energy demand is expected to slow down in Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) countries, the speed of the energy demand is expected to increase in Turkey, which is developing in industry.

Cumhur Ersumer also met with Bill Richardson, the new US Secretary of Energy the same day.

After the meeting, Ersumer said that the transportation of Central Asian oil and natural gas to Turkey and Europe has been taken up at his meeting with the US Secretary of Energy.

Noting that the Caspian oil can be carried by different routes, Ersumer stressed that ''nevertheless, the main artery will be the Baku-Ceyhan line.''

Richardson said ''Turkey and the US have very close relations in the field of energy. I will visit Turkey in October and we'll continue our contacts concerning the issue of transportation of the Caspian oils and other fields of cooperation.''

[08] FOUR SYRIANS FISHING WITHOUT PERMISSION IN TERRITORIAL WATERS OF TRNC SENTENCED TO ONE MONTH IN PRISON

Mohammed Madraji, Ahmet Madraji, Usama Madraji and Rimon Huri have been sent to the Central Prison in Lefkosa.

Meanwhile, seven Syrian fishermen violating the territorial waters of the TRNC who were captured on 21 August and sentenced to one month in prison, are still under arrest at the same prison.

[09] A TOTAL OF 20 ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS CAPTURED IN VAN

The Gendarme teams acting on a tip-off, raided in Ercek Village and captured 18 Iranians and two Iraqis.

Immigrants were later taken into custody for violating the Turkish borders and the passport law.

Officials told the A.A correspondent that the immigrants will be deported once the legal proceedings are completed.

[10] LOIZIDOU CASE BEFORE THE EUROPEAN COURT OF HUMAN RIGHTS - TURKEY REJECTS GIVING COMPENSATION TO THE GREEK CYPRIOT CITIZEN

The European Court of Human Rights decided in July that Turkey should pay a monetary compensation of approximately 500,000 US dollars to Loizidou.

Addressing the Committee of Permanent Delegates of the Council of Europe (COE), Turkey said that she can't accept responsibility concerning an incident which occurred outside of her territories, thus she can't pay compensation.

Turkey also stressed that she recognized the decisions of the European Court of Human Rights after 21 January 1990, therefore the decision of the Court concerning an application against her about an incident which occurred before that date can't bind her.

Recalling that the Cyprus question is on the agenda of the UN Security Council, Turkey pointed out the fact that other international institutions can't take binding decisions that concern the Cyprus question, adding that the application has a political, rather than a legal content.

The Committee of Permanent Delegates of the COE will discuss the issue of compensation again on 27 October.

Titina Loizidou was taken into custody by the police of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) as she crossed the Green line and Buffer zone during a demonstration walk in 1989 with a group of Greek Cypriot women and the next day she was handed over to the UN officials.

Loizidou applied to the European Commission of Human Rights by claiming that her properties in the northern part of the island were taken over and her right to reside in her house was impeded.

Diplomatic sources defend the view that serious problems can occur between Turkey and COE Council of Ministers, which is the decision-making body of the COE, after the rejection of Turkey to pay compensation to the Greek Cypriot citizen.

[11] MONSTER CHIMERA'S BREATH STILL BURNS YANARTAS ... - MORE THAN 50 THOUSAND TOURISTS VISIT YANARTAS AT ANCIENT CITY OF OLYMPOS

The tourists visit Yanartas that is located at the foot of the Olympos Mountain, in order to see the natural gas flames which were described as the unfading breath of the monster Chimera, the son of Typhon and Echidna, in the Bellerophontes legend.

According to the legend, Bellerophontes, the grandson of Sisyphus, captures Pegasus with a golden bit that tames the famous horse with wings. Antenia, the Queen of Argos Kingdom, falls desperately in love with this hero who doesn't care of her and slanders him. King Proitus orders Bellerophontes to kill the monster Chimera who spews flames, in order to punish him. Bellerophontes surprisingly wins his battle against this monster and kills him. But the unfading flames that have been burning for thousands of years in Yanartas, still symbolizes the endless anger of Chimera.

More than 50 thousand domestic and foreign tourists have visited the ancient city of Olympos and Yanartas this year.

[12] 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS - RAHMI KUMAS, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE UN TURKISH ASSOCIATION REPRESENTS TURKEY

Rahmi Kumas, the Chairman of the UN Turkish Association, Kemal Y�lmaz, the Secretary General and Defne Halman, a delegate of the Association represent Turkey at the meeting.

The meeting which was inaugurated with the speeches of Didier Opertti, the Chairman of the UN General Assembly and Kofi Annan, the UN Secretary General, will last for three days.

In the first session, the speakers focused on the lack of human rights in the world and expressed their views about the measures that have to be taken concerning the improvement of human rights.

The delegates will also discuss the ''universality of human rights'', ''economic development and human rights,'' ''transcending problems concerning human rights,'' ''health and development'' and ''strengthening the mechanism which aims at improving human rights'' in other sessions.

The meeting will end on 16 September.

[13] EIGHT TERRORISTS KILLED DURING ''MARTYR FIRST LIEUTENANT EVREN DONER OPERATION''

Officials from the Governor's Office of the State of Emergency Region told the A.A correspondent that the operation which has begun on 11 September, continues in the region.

A total of 24 separatist terrorists were killed during the operation so far.

[14] FM CEM'S STATEMENT TO THE IRNA : - ''ACTIONS OF TALEBAN FORCES HAVE MADE THE REGION INSECURE''

Cem stressed that such actions can't be legal for Ankara by no means, adding, ''Ankara is opposed to the Taleban. Turkey has no border with Afghanistan, but she worries about the latest developments that have escalated tension in other countries neighbouring Afghanistan.''

Meanwhile, Cem has suggested that Bursa and Isfahan, the historical city of Iran, to become sister cities.

Cem also met with Resuy Goreyshian, the Governor of Isfahan.

[15] TURKISH PRESS REVIEW

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

TURKISH AIRLINES PLANE HIJACKED
An Airbus type plane of the Turkish Airlines (THY), flying from Ankara to Istanbul, was hijacked yesterday evening. Ihsan Akyuz, 26, forced the pilot to fly to Trabzon threatening him by directing a plastic gun at him. The plane landed at the Trabzon

Airport where the hijacker let the passengers go and then surrendered to the security forces, following a brief bargaining.

There were a crew of eight and 76 passengers aboard during the hijacking which ended in two hours. Asked by the security forces to explain his reason for the hijacking, Akyuz initially said that he protested a decision to prevent female students with a

''turban'' (a head-covering) from registering at the universities. Soon afterwards he made a contradictory statement by saying that he tried to draw attention to the Chechen problem. /Milliyet/

INDIAN PRESIDENT TO VISIT TURKEY
The ndian President K.R. Narayanan will arrive in Ankara tomorrow. During his official visit, agreements concerning the encouragement of investments, struggle against drug-trafficking and cultural fields will be signed. Raising the volume of trade to one billion US dollars and improvement of political, military and technological relations will also be on the agenda.

Prior to his visit, Narayanan, who was the Indian Ambassador to Turkey in the 1970s, was interviewed by Sami Kohen from Milliyet. He noted that the rapprochement between Pakistan and Turkey hadn't affected Indian-Turkish relations and that the Turkish stance on the issue of Kashmir was constructive. /Milliyet/

EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT TO VOTE ON REPORT ON TURKEY
The European Parliament this week is scheduled to discuss and vote on a report on Turkey and on a draft recommendation concerning the operability of the European Union's Customs Union agreement with Turkey, it was reported. The report, which was written by the Conservative British Deputy Edward McMillan Scott, will be put to a vote on 16 September. The report also expresses regret for Turkey's suspension of her political dialogue with the EU, which was Turkey's reaction to her exlusion from the list of full membership candidates at the Luxembourg Summit last December.

AKTAS TO VISIT ITALY
Kutlu Aktas, the Minister of the Interior, will visit Italy on 21 September. According to a statement made by the Ministry of the Interior, Aktas will sign an agreement for ''the Cooperation in the Struggle Against Terrorism, Organized Crimes and Drug Smuggling'' between Turkey and Italy, which was initialled on 26 June 1998. r Giorgio Napolitano, the Italian Minister of the Interior, will meet with Aktas, who will return to Turkey on 23 September.

CEM COMPLETES HIS CONTACTS IN IRAN
Ismail Cem, the Foreign Minister, completed his contacts in Iran and returned to Turkey yesterday. Meanwhile, Dimitri Reppas, the Greek Government Spokesman, suggested that Cem's statements in Teheran regarding Greece were the repetition of the known Turkish allegations. Reppas held a press conference yesterday and criticized Cem's statements regarding Greek, Armenian and Iranian cooperation. Reppas said, ''Greece supports the establishment of confidence and stability in the region. The statements of the Turkish Foreign Minister could only be described as speculations''.

Cem, who completed his contacts in Teheran, proceeded on to Isfahan. Cem met with Resul Goreysiyan, the Deputy Governor. Cem departed from Isfahan yesterday evening and returned to Turkey. /Cumhuriyet/

DRUG OPERATION IN ANKARA
According to a statement made by the Ankara Security Office, 14 kilograms of heroin were seized by members of the Ankara

Narcotics Department yesterday. Seyfi Sungurlu was arrested regarding the incident. /Cumhuriyet/

ENERGY SUMMIT IN HOUSTON
A World Energy Congress started yesterday in Houston, the US, with the participation of 5,000 people from 73 countries. A

166-person delegation headed by Cumhur Ersumer, the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, is representing Turkey at the summit. George Bush, the Former US President, delivered an opening speech and said that all governments should invest in energy. The Congress, which will last until 18 September, bears importance for Turkey from the standpoint of meetings on the Turkmen natural gas (Caspian passage) and the Baku-Ceyhan oil pipeline projects. Ersumer will meet with Bill Richardson, the US Secretary of Energy of the Department of Energy and Ambassador Richard Morningstar, the US President's envoy for energy, in addition to the representatives of many companies such as Amaco Bechtel, Unocal, Westinghouse and Pacific Corporation. /Hurriyet/

''TURKEY'S SITUATION IS GOOD''
Peter Job, the General Director of Reuters, one of the most important news agencies in the world, replied to questions of the

Hurriyet daily newspaper during his short visit to Turkey. Job said that Turkey wasn't highly affected by the global crisis.

He added that Turkey was among the industrialized countries such as Italy and Spain. /Hurriyet/

SECURITY FORCES KILL 22 PKK TERRORISTS
Sixteen members of the PKK terrorist organization have been killed in recent operations by the security forces in the southeastern province of Sirnak. According to a statement by regional officials, the operation was named after a late Gendarmerie officer whose helicopter was shot down by the PKK last year. In other provinces, the security forces are reported to have killed six more terrorists. The operations took place in the southeastern provinces of Hakkari, Diyarbakir, Batman, Tunceli and Mus.

TEMA BEGINS NEW REFORESTATION
As nearly two dozen forest fires raged on the periphery of Istanbul, Turkey's leading environmentalist group announced a new reforestation campaign. The Forestry officials said that 200 hectares of forests had been destroyed in nearly 24 separate fires in the past week. Eighteen new fires were reported on Sunday. Sudden rains Sunday night helped fire fighters extinguish the blazes.

The Turkish Foundation for Combatting Soil Erosion for the Reforestation and the Protection of Natural Habitats (TEMA) on

Sunday said it would begin a campaign to plant 10 million oak tree seeds across Turkey. /All papers/

TANER TO VISIT GERMANY
Gunes Taner, the Minister of State, accompanied by an economy delegation, will go today to Germany to meet with financial and economy circles. Taner and Cuneyt Sel, the Deputy Undersecretary of the Treasury, will give a speech at the information meetings to be organized by the Deutsche Bank and Commerzbank. The Turkish delegation headed by Taner will later go to London to attend an economy meeting. The delegation will return to Turkey on Saturday.

On the other hand, the Treasury has started meetings to inform foreign market investors in the U.S. The meetings at which the Turkish economy will be explained are being held in New York, Boston, New Jersey and Los Angeles. /Sabah/

JOHNSON-ECEVIT MEETING
Hilde Johnson, the Norwegian Minister of International Development and Human Rights, and Bulent Ecevit, the Deputy Prime Minister, met yesterday in Ankara. It was announced that Ecevit and Johnson discussed bilateral relations and recent international developments at the meeting. After visiting Hasan Denizkurdu, the Minister of the Interior, Johnson flew to Diyarbakir. /Sabah/

AWARD TO TURKISH TOURISM OFFICE
The Turkish Tourism Office in London won ''the most creative summer holiday platinum award'' of the Daily Mirror newspaper.

Mark Pritchett, the Head of the Advertisement Department of the Daily Mirror newspaper, presented the award to Savas Kuce, the Turkish Tourism Attach�, yesterday during a ceremony in London. After the ceremony, Kuce said that the Turkish Tourism Office also won the ''1998 Pegasus'' advertisement award given by the Reader's Digest. /Hurriyet/

[16] THE THIRD EU COORDINATION COUNCIL MEETING - GUREL, THE STATE MINISTER: ''EU CONTINUES TO PURSUE HER NEGLIGENT ATTITUDE CONCERNING FULFILLMENT OF HER OBLIGATIONS TOWARDS TURKEY''

Addressing the opening of the third EU Coordination Council meeting, Gurel said that concrete steps haven't still been taken regarding the financial assistance, which was foreseen to be given to Turkey by the EU, adding that the Association Council can't work in a regular and effective manner.

''Only if a strategy which is fully accepted by Turkey and the EU is implemented, the Turkish-EU relations can be improved within the framework of Turkey's membership in the EU,'' said Gurel, noting that Turkey launches efforts to fulfill her obligations aimed at improving her relations with the EU.

Recalling that the first EU Coordination Council was held on 9 October 1997 and the second one was held on 16 February 1998, Gurel stated ''the Coordination Council tries to determine the obligations that have to be fulfilled by Turkey towards the EU.''

''Our main goal is to make Turkey fully guide the Turkish-EU relations within the framework of her own realities,'' said Gurel, pointing out that they expect the response of the EU to the document prepared by the Council on the ''Strategy for Improvement of Turkish-EU Relations.''

[17] CONTACTS OF ROBERTSON, BRITISH DEFENCE MINISTER, IN TURKEY - ROBERTSON MEETS WITH SEZGIN

Addressing the meeting with George Robertson, the British Minister of Defence, Sezgin pointed out that there are good relations between Turkey and Britain, both are the member states of the NATO. Sezgin noted, ''Turkey is located in the dangerous triangle of the Balkans, the Caucasus and the Middle East. She therefore needs a powerful and well-trained armed forces. Turkey makes efforts to provide peace and security in the region and to establish good and stable relations with her neighbouring countries.''

Mentioning the confederation proposal of President Rauf Denktas of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), Sezgin stressed, ''Denktas's proposal aims at providing the beginning of dialogues again. It is totally understandable for the member countries of the NATO.''

George Robertson described Turkey and Britain as two powerful allies in the NATO.

Robertson emphasized the significance of the cooperation in Europe's defence industry.

David Logan, the British Ambassador to Turkey, was also in attendance at the meeting.

Robertson is scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz and Ismail Cem, the Foreign Minister, later today.

[18] TURKMEN NATURAL GAS - ERSUMER, THE MINISTER OF ENERGY MEETS WITH TURKMEN DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER SERCIYEV

Giving information to the press about his meeting with Serciyev, Ersumer stated that he discussed the issues of the Turkmen natural gas and its transportation to Turkey via the Caspian basin, quoting the words of Serciyev who told him, ''if you are ready, we are also ready to discuss the issues of price and amount.''

Recalling that Bill Richardson, the new US Secretary of Energy, is determined to be an active mediator to overcome the conflicts between Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan concerning the Caspian oil and natural gas, Ersumer pointed out that Serciyev also welcomed this proposal.

Noting that eight international firms are interested in the pipeline tender that was opened for the transport of the Turkmen natural gas to Turkey, Ersumer said that Turkey favours the establishment of a consortium which includes all the firms.

Ersumer stressed that the international firms which will undertake the project have to cooperate with the Turkish firms, adding that Turkey is interested in the Caspian oil and natural gas not only for its eceonomic reasons, but it will also strengthen democracy and independence in the Central Asian Republics.

[19] TURKISH-BRITISH DEFENSE COOPERATION AGREEMENT SIGNED

The Ministry of National Defense statement said that the defense industry cooperation agreement between Britain and Turkey was signed in the afternoon.

Robertson is scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz and Ismail Cem, the Foreign Minister.

[20] OPEN SKIES AGREEMENT - TURKEY REALIZED TEST FLIGHTS RECIPROCALLY WITH SEVEN COUNTRIES SO FAR - TURKISH ARMED FORCES PERFORMED ITS RECENT TEST FLIGHT IN HUNGARY

General Staff General Secretariat statement said that test flights in Hungary were held between 31 August and 4 September.

The Turkish Open Skies Agreement Observation Team established with the participation of 10 representatives from the Air Forces Commandership and one representative from the General Staff Headquarters in order to perform the test flights in Hungary, had arrived in Budapest, Hungary on 31 August and returned to Turkey after performing the flight.

It was reported that the test flight in Hungary was successful and that an important step was taken to improve training and military relations between the two countries on the issue of the Open Skies Agreement.

There are reportedly 27 countries who are a party to the Agreement. The Parliaments of 22 countreis approved the agreement so far, if the agreement is confirmed by the Parliament's of the Russian Federation, Belarus and the Ukraine, it will go into effect 60 days after the approval.

The Open Skies Agreement was approved by the Turkish Parliament on 5 April 1994 and has the attribute of an internal legal regulation.

Test flights are held between the countries who are a party to the agreement aimed at determining the deficiencies and to overcome the problems.

Turkey reciprocally performed test flights together with Germany, the Russian Federation, the US, Romania, the Czech Republic, Bulgaria and the Ukraine so far.

[21] ''TRADE DEVELOPMENT CENTERS'' TO BE ESTABLISHED IN BALKANS

Within this context, the representatives of the trade development centers of the Balkan countries will convene in Ankara on Wednesday, and Yavuz Ege, the Undersecretary of Foreign Trade, will address the opening speech of the meeting.

The IGEME will establish trade development centers in Albania, Bulgaria, Greece, Romania, Yugoslavia, Macedonia and Turkey in accordance with the study which was started withen the Balkans Cooperation process including the Balkan countries and the Eastern European countries.

The trade development centers, which will be established in accordance with an agreement to be signed among the trade development organizations of the concerned countries, will lead in the activities regarding the development of trade among the Balkan countries.

In those centers, mutual visits will be arranged by forming commercial delegations; mutual market research studies will be carried out; publications promoting the commercial potentials of the concerned countries will be published and country reports will be prepared.

The three-day meeting, which will start on Wednesday in Ankara with the participation of the representatives from the trade development organizations of the Balkan countries, will have the quality of a coordination meeting in which the articles of the founder draft agreement will be discussed.

The ''Summit of the Balkan Countries'' will be held in October with the participation of the foreign ministers of the Balkan countries. The parties will sign the agreement which will be finalized at the Summit.

[22] PRIME MINISTER OF SLOVENIA ARRIVES IN TURKEY

The guest Prime Minister Drnovsek was welcomed by Rustu Kazim Yucelen, the Minister of State, and other high-level officials at the Esenboga Airport in Ankara.

Several agreements are expected to be signed between the two countries during the Slovenian Prime Minister Drnovsek's contacts.

[23] SIX-MONTH TERM BOND TENDER FROM TREASURY - TREASURY SELLS 587.4 TRILLION TURKISH LIRAS IN BONDS

The Treasury realized a total of 587.4 trillion Turkish Liras (TL) in bond sales while the offer was 952.6 trillion TL.

The annual simple interest without withholding was 103.64 percent; the annual composite interest with withholding was 141.75 percent and the annual composite interest without withholding was specified to be 130.49 percent in the tender.

The repayment of the six-month term bonds will be made on 17 March 1999.

The Treasury sold 507 trillion 268.6 billion TL of bonds in the previous six-month term bond tender arranged on 4 August 1998.

[24] CONTACTS OF ROBERTSON, BRITISH DEFENSE MINISTER - SEZGIN RECEIVES BRITISH MINISTER

Addressing the meeting Sezgin said that Turkey and Britain carried out friendly relations as two powerful allies of the NATO.

Sezgin pointed out ''Turkey is located in the triangle of the Balkans, Caucasia and the Middle East where the bells of danger are ringing not only for the region but also for the world.'' He said that Turkey should feel the need for a well-trained armed forces.

Sezgin said Turkey expended efforts to provide peace and security in the region and also to provide friendly relations with her neighbors and stability in the region. He said ''Turkey is an exemplary model and has become the heart of Eurasia in a geography extending to Central Asia.''

Sezgin said that Turkey was trying to turn the Aegean into a sea which has no problems and to prevent mistakes that will spoil the balance in the Mediterranean. Sezgin said '' the proposal of Rauf Denktas, the President of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), for confederation is an effort to resume dialogue and to prevent the establishment of past desires and ambitions to establish a base in the Mediterranean. This became understandable by the NATO member countries.''

Robertson, the British Minister of Defense, said that Turkey and Britain were two strong allies in the NATO, adding ''we consider Turkey as the most valuable ally of the alliance.''

Pointing out that cooperation in Europe has an important role in the defense industry, Robertson said they were pleased to share the importance and scope of this role with Turkey.

Turkey has previously signed similar agreements, which it signed with Britain, together with 30 countries.

[25] OSMANOV, MINISTER OF ECONOMY AND FOREIGN ECONOMIC AFFAIRS OF TAJIKISTAN, VISITS ISTANBUL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE - OSMANOV: ''WE SHOULD INCREASE THE VOLUME OF TRADE''

Addressing the meeting, Ugur Catbas, the Acting Chairman of the Executive Board of the ITO, said that the volume of trade between Turkey and Tajikistan was 10.6 million US dollars last year but this amount wasn't sufficient.

Catbas stressed that the commercial potentials of the two countries should be evaluated at the utmost level.

Davlat Osmanov said that they had signed 20 agreements with Turkey since 1993.

Pointing out that mostly the Turkish products are still purchased in Tajikistan, Osmanov said that cotton and aluminum are the most important raw materials of Tajikistan.

''Turkey can make use of our raw material capacity. The share of Turkey in Tajikistan's 1.5 billion US dollars trade capacity is only one percent. This amount should be increased,'' said Osmanov, requesting the Turkish entrepreneurs to invest in his country.

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