Anadolu Agency: News in English, 99-01-11

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

11 JAN 1999

CONTENTS

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

[02] THE SUCCESS OF TURKEY IN FOREIGN POLICY COVERED BY THE AMERICAN PRESS

[03] ECEVIT, PRIME-MINISTER DESIGNATE: ''THE LIST OF THE CABINET WILL BE READY ON MONDAY AFTERNOON''

[04] BOMB FOUND IN A SUSPICIOUS PACKAGE

[05] ECEVIT, THE DSP LEADER: ''I AM TRYING TO CONVINCE MS. CILLER AND MR. YILMAZ TO REACH A RECONCILIATION CONCERNING THE APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT MINISTERS''

[06] ECEVIT, DSP LEADER : - ''MANY MEASURES CONCERNING FUNDAMENTALISM WERE TAKEN DURING THE 55TH GOVERNMENT'' - ''IT HAS BEEN UNDERSTOOD THAT OCALAN WILL CAUSE A PROBLEM FOR ANY COUNTRY HE GOES''

[07] THE AMERICIAN COMMANDER IN TURKEY

[08] THE 56TH GOVERNMENT FORMED - THE LIST OF THE MINISTERS

[09] US MAGAZINE, WASHINGTON QUARTERLY: - ''THE DETERRING POWER OF TURKEY AND ISRAEL IS A HOPE FOR PEACE IN THE MIDDLE EAST''

[10] TURKEY-STOCK EXCHANGE - IMKB FIRST SESSION - NATIONAL-100 INDEX REDUCES TO 2,720.42 WITH A DECREASE OF 1.09 POINTS

[11] BATU, TURKEY'S AMBASSADOR TO ROME, TO ENTER INTO POLITICS

[12] MESUT YILMAZ HANDS OVER THE PRIME MINISTRY TO ECEVIT - YILMAZ: ''I HAND OVER THE POSITION TO ECEVIT WITH CONTENTMENT'' - ECEVIT: ''WE ARE GOING TO WORK TOGETHER ALSO AFTER THIS''

[13] GOVERNMENT PROGRAMME TO BE ANNOUNCED AT PARLIAMENT ON TUESDAY - VOTE OF CONFIDENCE TO TAKE PLACE ON SUNDAY

[14] COMOTINI COURT OF APPEALS ACQUITS 12 OF WESTERN THRACIAN TURKISH PARENTS FROM ''BOOK CASE''

[15] RESIGNATION OF BATU FROM HIS POST OF TURKEY'S AMBASSADORSHIP TO ROME - MEHMET ALI IRTEMCELIK, DEPUTY UNDERSECRETARY OF THE FOREIGN MINISTRY, ALSO RESIGNS

[16] 107 ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS CAPTURED IN NORTHWESTERN EDIRNE PROVINCE

[17] PRESIDENT DEMIREL SENDS CONGRATULATORY MESSAGE TO NAZARBAYEV, KAZAKHSTAN PRESIDENT

[18] BRILL, THE U.S. AMBASSADOR TO GREEK CYPRIOT SIDE: - ''THE U.S. WILL DO ITS BEST TO SOLVE CYPRUS PROBLEM''

[19] THE US FIGHTER JETS ATTACK IRAQI MISSILE SITE - THE US: ''ENFORCEMENT OF NORTHERN NO-FLY ZONE WILL CONTINUE''

[20] PRODUCTION AT AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY IN 1998

[21] COUNCIL OF MINISTERS CONVENES - PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT: ''OUR GOVERNMENT HAS UNDERTAKEN A VERY IMPORTANT RESPONSIBILITY''

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

HURRIYET (LIBERAL) IF THE STATE WISHES, IT CAPTURES
Haluk K�rc�, one of the right hands of Abdullah Catl�, the mafia boss who died in Susurluk accident, was wanted for eight years. Istanbul police were listening to the telephone calls of K�rc�'s wife and found out that K�rc� came to Istanbul and stays in the house rented by one of his friends namely Bunyamin Adanal� in Pendik district of Istanbul. The house started to be monitored by the police, who later raided the house around 01.30 after midnight on Saturday. K�rc�, his wife, Bunyamin Adanal� and his wife were taken into custody. It has been found out that Bunyamin Adanal� was also wanted for the murder of seven members of the Turkish Worker's Party (TIP) in Bahcelievler district of Ankara.

IF HE TALKS, SUSURLUK TO BE SOLVED
Haluk K�rc� was the right hand of Abdullah Catl�, who died in an accident in Susurluk, which revealed the dark relations between the mafia, state and police. Officials say that if K�rc� talks, the secret points of Susurluk scandal can be solved.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

DEMIREL REQUESTS REFORM AGAIN
President Suleyman Demirel brought again the discussion on the system to the agenda of Turkey. ''We are afraid of a unitary state and we don't approve a state system thinking that it can give damage to the unitary state. Thus we have a centralist structure in Turkey.''

SABAH (LIBERAL)

SILENT OBSTACLE AGAINST GANGS
Bulent Ecevit, the leader of the Democratic left Party (DSP) decreased the pages of the draft on the government programme, noting that the government will be very sensitive concerning the struggle with the gangs, mafia and black money within the framework of existing law in three months. Responding to a question asking why the draft law on justice could not be adopted, Ecevit said ''there is a silent obstacle by circles which we don't know.''

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

RADIKAL (LEFT)

YEN� Y�ZYIL (LIBERAL)

ECEVIT PRESENTS THE CABINET LIST
Bulent Ecevit, the leader of the Democratic Left Party (DSP) will present the list of the cabinet to President Suleyman Demirel today. The cabinet will compose of 24 ministers including three independents and one prime minister.

T�RK�YE (RIGHT)

EIGHT PEOPLE TAKEN INTO CUSTODY
The number of people who were taken into custody due to the radiation accident that took place in Ikitelli district of Istanbul reached eight. Bayram Culha, the director of Culhalar Limited Firm, which imported the iron bar from the US was also taken into custody. Meanwhile 10 people including children who were exposed to radiation are in hospital now.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

[02] THE SUCCESS OF TURKEY IN FOREIGN POLICY COVERED BY THE AMERICAN PRESS

An article published in New York Times stressed that ''the threats of Turkey which has a great military power and which was the old American ally and Israeli's new ally, can't be regarded as unimportant.''

The article listed the successes of Turkey in foreign policy in short term as follows:

-the Greek Cypriot side decided to deploy the Russian made S-300 missiles on her territories, Turkey said that she would hit those misiles. The Greek Cypriots decided to take a step back last week.

-Last October Turkey asked Syria to deport Abdullah Ocalan, the chief of the separatist terrorist organization PKK and started to accumulate military concentration near Syrian border to show her resolution. Syria deported Ocalan in a hurry.

-The chief of the separatist terrorist organization left Syria for Russia. Turkish officials warned Russia saying that if she permits Ocalan to stay there, Turkey would request the payment of Russian debts to Turkey immediately, moreover the Turkish firms acting in Russia would stop working. After a few days Ocalan left Russia for Italy.

-Italy, which is governed by a leftist coalition, did not accept the extradition request of Turkey. Turkey warned Italy saying that she could boycott the imports from Italy and isolate her from military tenders. Turkish journalists now share the view that Italy will soon understand the mistake she has done.

-Turkey has also showed her resolved attitude concerning the transportation of the Caspian oil to the West by Baku-Ceyhan pipeline. Warning Amoco and BP, which oppose to this idea saying that it is expensive, Turkish officials told the two firms that if they insist, Turkey would cancel their authority to search for oil in Turkish territorial waters and Amoco would be taken out from the LPG terminal tender worth of 500 million dollars.

[03] ECEVIT, PRIME-MINISTER DESIGNATE: ''THE LIST OF THE CABINET WILL BE READY ON MONDAY AFTERNOON''

Responding to questions of journalists, Bulent Ecevit said that ''we have also finished our studies on the government programme. When the list of the cabinet is completed, I will firstly submit it to Mr. President and later I will announce it to you.''

When asked about the appointment of independent ministers, Ecevit said that ''we have to provide a reconciliation first, but I don't think that there will be a problem in that.''

''I haven't held a direct contact with the True Path Party (DYP) concerning the appointment of ministers,'' said Ecevit responding to another question.

Husamettin Ozkan and Hasan Gemici, the State Ministers; and Nami Cagan, the Minister of Labour and Social Security participated in the studies aiming at preparation of the government programme and the cabinet list.

[04] BOMB FOUND IN A SUSPICIOUS PACKAGE

Acting on a tip-off, the security forces determined that there was a bomb in a packet left in front of Mac Donald's restaurant in Adnan Kahveci Boulevard.

No statement has been issued concerning the type of the bomb, which was rendered ineffective by the police teams.

Investigation concerning the issue is underway.

[05] ECEVIT, THE DSP LEADER: ''I AM TRYING TO CONVINCE MS. CILLER AND MR. YILMAZ TO REACH A RECONCILIATION CONCERNING THE APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT MINISTERS''

Responding to questions in a programme in state-run TRT-1, Ecevit stated that there is not a problem regarding Hikmet Ulugbay, the Minister of National Education, adding Tansu Ciller promised to extend support to the government.

Noting that he formed a very beneficial formula concerning the new post of Ulugbay in the new government, Ecevit said that Ulugbay's beneficial works regarding education will not end.

''We definitely need Ulugbay in our foreign economic relations as he is an expert person in fields of economy, finance and trade,'' Ecevit said, adding that he is in dialogue with Mesut Y�lmaz, the leader of the Motherland Party (ANAP) and Tansu Ciller, the leader of the True Path Party (DYP) concerning the appointment of independent ministers. ''This is not an important problem and we will probably overcome it on Monday,'' he added.

''Ms. Ciller insists on to be influential concerning the appointment of independent ministers, except that she does not want to involve in anything, '' Ecevit said.

Describing the government that will be formed as a ''transition government, '' as Y�lmaz says, Ecevit said the main function of the government will be to bring Turkey to local and general elections that will be held on April 18, 1999 in security.

Noting that his party will try to be worthy of the trust shown to it, Ecevit said that they will provide the safety of votes and of people.

Ecevit stressed that the government he will form won't deal with the appointments and won't change the positions of people.

[06] ECEVIT, DSP LEADER : - ''MANY MEASURES CONCERNING FUNDAMENTALISM WERE TAKEN DURING THE 55TH GOVERNMENT'' - ''IT HAS BEEN UNDERSTOOD THAT OCALAN WILL CAUSE A PROBLEM FOR ANY COUNTRY HE GOES''

Addressing to a television programme in state-run television channel TRT-1, Bulent Ecevit said that ''it has been seen that making politics in contrary to the state won't bring any use to anyone, people should not use the religious head scarves as a tool in elections. Nobody should overshadow elections by fundamentalism as this will cause undesirable results.''

When asked whether the government's being minority could weaken the struggle carried out against gangs or not, Ecevit said ''this won't bring any weakness, but in order to effectively struggle with the gangs, the concerned laws have to be adopted and the reform on justice has to be realized.''

Responding to a question about Abdullah Ocalan, the chief of the separatist terorist organization PKK, Ocalan said that ''it has been understood that Ocalan will cause trouble for any country he goes. No country wishes to take him, even the countries that extend support to his case don't want him to take shelter in their territories.''

Noting that all the world accepts that the PKK is a terrorist organization, which does not have a head now, Ecevit said ''the PKK has entered into the proces of dissolution, but it will continue to be a trouble for us for a period of time.''

Responding to another question, Ecevit said the DSP could not get the necessary support in the parliament concerning the issue of ''amnesty.'' ''We will try to bring an appropriate amnesty, because those who cheat the state can easily become free, while those who steal a handful of almond are imprisoned.''

Pointing out that there is an ''illness'' in Turkish economy, Ecevit said that ''whenever the government gets the vote of confidence, I will convene the Economic and Social Council and try to determine the way to get the economy from the crisis together with workers and entrepreneurs and try to prevent the excessive consumption.''

Stressing that the economic crisis can not be removed with the bank system in Turkey, Ecevit said ''we have prepared a law on the banks and we wish the adoption of the drafts concerning the social security reform.''

[07] THE AMERICIAN COMMANDER IN TURKEY

25 high ranking officers from Albania, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Romania, Ukraine and Turkey participate in the course. Experts from United Nations (UN), NATO, Peace Keeping Force in Bosnia-Herzegovina, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Swedish Armed Forces Education Centre of Peace Keeping (SWEDINT) and General Secretariat of National Security Council will give the course.

Addressing the opening of the course, General Ralston said that Partnership for Peace (PFP) is very important and PFP countries contribute to peace.

Colonel Cengiz Kurkcu, the Commander of the Partnership for Peace Commandership of Education Centre in Ankara said that Turkey which has determined ''contribution to the world peace as its main target of foreign policy,'' actively takes part in PFP.

[08] THE 56TH GOVERNMENT FORMED - THE LIST OF THE MINISTERS

The list of the cabinet of the 56th government is as follows:

Prime Minister: Bulent Ecevit
Minister of State and Deputy Prime Minister: Husamettin Ozkan
Minister of State and Deputy Prime Minister: Hikmet Ulugbay
Minister of State: Sukru Sina Gurel
Minister of State: Mustafa Yilmaz
Minister of State: Hasan Gemici
Minister of State: Fikret Unlu
Minister of State: Aydin Tumen
Minister of Justice: Prof. Dr. Selcuk Oztek
Minister of National Defense: Hikmet Sami Turk
Minister of Interior: Cahit Bayar
Foreign Minister: Ismail Cem
Minister of Finance: Zekeriya Temizel
Minister of National Education: Metin Bostancioglu
Minister of Public Works and Housing: Ali Iliksoy
Minister of Health: Mustafa Guven Karahan
Minister of Transportation: Hasan Basri Aktan
Minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs: Mahmut Erdir
Minister of Labor and Social Security: Nami Cagan
Minister of Industry and Trade: Metin Sahin
Minister of Energy and Natural Resources: Ziya Aktas
Minister of Culture: Istemihan Talay
Minister of Tourism: Ahmet Tan
Minister of Forestry: Arif Sezer
Minister of Environment: Fevzi Aytekin

[09] US MAGAZINE, WASHINGTON QUARTERLY: - ''THE DETERRING POWER OF TURKEY AND ISRAEL IS A HOPE FOR PEACE IN THE MIDDLE EAST''

Dov Waxman, an expert on the Middle East said in his article that the close relations between Turkey and Israel have increased the chance of Turkey to have new friends against the lobbies that are hostile towards Turkey in the US Congress.

Defending the view that the close relations between Turkey and Israel is a rare and ''hopeful development'' in the Middle East, the magazine said that this strategic development which is also supported by the US has the potential to change the balance of power in the region.

Waxman stressed that the making of an alliance between Turkey and Israel, which are the most democratic two countries of the region will change the balance of power in the Middle East in favour of these two countries.

Meanwhile, several Arab countries particularly Syria and Iran are uneasy about these relations, yet Arab countries can't even reach an agreement among themselves, Waxman pointed out that there is not a possibility of forming a ''coalition'' against Turkey and Israel.

Attributing importance to the developing commercial and economic relations between Turkey and Israel, Waxman said that Turkey's close relations with Israel will further strengthen her prestige and status in the region and in the international arena, noting that this also easies Europe which is feared about the possibility that the Turkish foreign policy can be based on ''Islam.''

Waxmann added that the relations of Turkey with Israel can result in Turkey's having new friends in the US Congress.

[10] TURKEY-STOCK EXCHANGE - IMKB FIRST SESSION - NATIONAL-100 INDEX REDUCES TO 2,720.42 WITH A DECREASE OF 1.09 POINTS

At the close of the first session, the financial index decreased 9.91 points to 3,429.24 while the industrial index rose 3.03 points to 1,965.30 and the services index climbed 56.32 points to 4,144.44.

The financial shares lost 0.29 percent in value while the industrial shares gained 0.15 percent in value and the services shares gained 1.38 percent in value compared with Friday's second session close.

A total of 97 of the 283 shares gained in value, 107 shares lost in value while the prices of 79 shares didn't change.

The trading volume in the morning session was 22.5 trillion Turkish Liras.

[11] BATU, TURKEY'S AMBASSADOR TO ROME, TO ENTER INTO POLITICS

Batu told A.A correspondent that he is going to send his letter of resignation to the Foreign Ministry today.

[12] MESUT YILMAZ HANDS OVER THE PRIME MINISTRY TO ECEVIT - YILMAZ: ''I HAND OVER THE POSITION TO ECEVIT WITH CONTENTMENT'' - ECEVIT: ''WE ARE GOING TO WORK TOGETHER ALSO AFTER THIS''

During a ceremony held in the Prime Ministry building, Y�lmaz told reporters that they had a successful cooperation with Ecevit for 18 months.

Stating that he believed that they had significant services to the benefit of the people, Y�lmaz said that he was very pleased with the formation of a new government under the leadership of Ecevit. Y�lmaz said that he handed over his post as the Prime Minister to Bulent Ecevit with contentment.

Y�lmaz also said that he believed that Ecevit and his government will carry Turkey to elections in 18 April 1999 successfully.

Ecevit in his part said that they worked in harmony with Mesut Y�lmaz for 18 months.

Stating that they left behind a very successful government period, Ecevit said that great reforms were realized, and also the infrastructures were prepared for reforms which can be realized from now on. Ecevit thanked Y�lmaz for his support and said that they will work together also after this.

Later on, Y�lmaz and Ecevit had a tete-a-tete meeting. After the meeting, Y�lmaz left the Prime Ministry building with a civilian-plate automobile. As he was leaving the Ministry, Y�lmaz told reporters that he was leaving the Prime Ministerial position for the third time, but he will come back to this position for the fourth time.

[13] GOVERNMENT PROGRAMME TO BE ANNOUNCED AT PARLIAMENT ON TUESDAY - VOTE OF CONFIDENCE TO TAKE PLACE ON SUNDAY

Hikmet Cetin, the Speaker of Parliament, invited the Consultative Committee to hold a meeting at 15:30 local time to discuss a proposal for special agenda.

The negotiations about the government programme will take place on 15 January. The Parliament then will hold a vote of confidence for the 56th government led by Bulent Ecevit on 17 January. The 56th government will come to power if the number of confidence votes is more than no-confidence votes.

Meanwhile, the 56th government will hold its first meeting today at 18:00 local time at the Prime Ministry.

Speaking to reporters after submitting the list of cabinet to President Suleyman Demirel, Bulent Ecevit said, ''I will have the Ministers of the 56th government convene today.''

[14] COMOTINI COURT OF APPEALS ACQUITS 12 OF WESTERN THRACIAN TURKISH PARENTS FROM ''BOOK CASE''

Those 12 parents living in Comotini and the near-by villages had been sentenced to imprisonment terms between 10 and 12 months by sub-courts on charges that they carried out thievery and destroyed the public security and order by participating in the resistance in question.

The books were prepared by the Greek Ministry of Education for children of Turkish minority in Greece without taking into consideration the international agreements which arrange this issue and later distributed to the Turkish schools in 1992. But the books were then collected by the Western Thracian Turkish parents and left in front of the Greek Education Ministry building in Athens.

The protest was staged under the leadership of Dr. Sadik Ahmet, who was killed in a traffic accident. A total of 160 Turkish parents, who were claimed to attend the protest in question, were sentenced to imprisonment term reaching 900 months.

[15] RESIGNATION OF BATU FROM HIS POST OF TURKEY'S AMBASSADORSHIP TO ROME - MEHMET ALI IRTEMCELIK, DEPUTY UNDERSECRETARY OF THE FOREIGN MINISTRY, ALSO RESIGNS

Diplomatic sources said that the decision of Council of Ministers is required for the appointment of a new ambassador to Rome.

For the realization of this appointment, an indictment prepared by Ismail Cem, the Foreign Minister, should be presented to the cabinet, and then the cabinet should convey its decision concerning the issue to President Suleyman Demirel.

Diplomatic sources stressed that this process was time consuming and the appointment would not be so easy, but it was possible to accelerate the process since Abdullah Ocalan, the chief of the terrorist PKK, was still staying in a dwelling near Rome.

Meanwhile, Inal Batu said that he wanted to continue to work for the state as a member of parliament.

Speaking to the A.A correspondent, Batu said that he was planning to leave Rome during this week. When asked whether or not his resignation during a period in which the Turkish-Italian relations were very sensitive due to Ocalan issue would create hesitation, Ambassador Batu said the opinion of sending the terrorist chief to a third country was largely adopted in Italy, adding that he didn't think that an obstacle concerning this issue would be created.

Mehmet Ali Irtemcelik, the Deputy Undersecretary of the Foreign Ministry, also resigned from his post at the Foreign Ministry to be a candidate for deputyship in the general elections to be held on 18 April.

[16] 107 ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS CAPTURED IN NORTHWESTERN EDIRNE PROVINCE

The security forces captured 107 illegal immigrants, including 39 Pakistanis, 37 Iraqis, 28 Iranians, one Bulgarian, one Palestinian and one Turk, in Meric county of Edirne.

Two persons who helped these illegal immigrants were also taken into custody by the gendarme.

The foreigners will be deported while the three Turkish citizens will be handed over to Meric county prosecutor's office.

[17] PRESIDENT DEMIREL SENDS CONGRATULATORY MESSAGE TO NAZARBAYEV, KAZAKHSTAN PRESIDENT

The Presidential Press Centre stated that Demirel expressed his pleasure over the re-election of Nazarbayev as the Kazakhstan President in the 10 January 1999 elections, and congratulated Nazarbayev sincerely in his message.

Stating that he believed that Nazarbayev will continue to improve relations betwen Turkey and Kazakhstan, Demirel said that Turkey will always be besides sister Kazakstan.

Demirel also called Nazarbayev on the phone and congratulated him for his being re-elected as the President of Kazakhstan.

[18] BRILL, THE U.S. AMBASSADOR TO GREEK CYPRIOT SIDE: - ''THE U.S. WILL DO ITS BEST TO SOLVE CYPRUS PROBLEM''

Adressing a statement after his meeting with Glafcos Clerides, the Greek Cypriot leader, Brill said that the U.S. is determined to continue her efforts to solve Cyprus issue.

Stating that their efforts required more things to do, Brill said that it was not possible to determine a calender or target because of this. Brill added that they also support the efforts of the United Nations (U.N.) for finding a solution to Cyprus issue.

When he was recalled that there were comments saying that the decision to deploy the S-300 missiles on Crete will not be implemented, Brill noted that the Greek and Russian governments are responsible for settling this issue.

Brill will meet Rauf Denktas, the President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), on Tuesday.

[19] THE US FIGHTER JETS ATTACK IRAQI MISSILE SITE - THE US: ''ENFORCEMENT OF NORTHERN NO-FLY ZONE WILL CONTINUE''

The US military officials at the Incirlik Base issued a statement saying that the US coalition aircraft conducting routine enforcement of the northern no-fly zone were illuminated by multiple Iraqi surface-to-air missile systems at about 10:45 a.m Iraqi local time, near Mosul in Northern Iraq.

Pointing out that the aircrews acted in self-defense and supressed one ground-based missile launch site as it posed a threat to coalition forces, the statement said that a flight of two US 15-E planes dropped two precision guided bombs and an US F-16-C/J plane fired a high-speed anti- radiation missile (HARM).

Noting that the incidents occured near Mosul, the statement said that there was no damage to coalition aircraft and all aircrews returned safely to the Incirlik Base.

Pointing out that the damage to Iraqi forces was currently under assessment, the statement said the forces assigned to Operation Northern Watch would continue to enforce the northern fly-zone.

[20] PRODUCTION AT AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY IN 1998

The total production of automobiles and commercial vehicles was 344,502 in 1998, indicating a decrease when compared with the figures of 1997. In 1997, the total motor vehicle production was 344,532.

The Automotive Industry Association stated that automotive sector last year realized 405,002 productions including the tractors. This amount indicates one percent increase when compared with the figures of 1997.

The productions at the Turkish automotive industry in 1997 and 1998 according to the Automotive Industry Association data are as follows:

THE PRODUCTION OF THE SECTOR (PIECE)

                DECEMBER Difference 12 month-difference
TYPE          1997   1998 (Percent)  1997    1998  (Percent)
----------- ------- ------ ------- ------- -------- -------
AUTOMOBILE   25,997 14,196     -45 242,780 239,937       -1
TOWING           62     21     -66     648     618       -5
BIG LORRY     1,989    460     -77  25,064  16,600      -34
SMALL LORRY   2,040  1,220     -40  17,981  14,605      -19
PICK-UP       4,421  3,522     -20  32,435  45,517       40
BUS             283    300       6   3,449   3,040      -12
MINIBUS       1,490  1,522       2  12,935  13,910        8
MIDIBUS         802    884      10   9,060  10,275       13
TRACTOR       3,813  2,273     -40  55,565  60,500        9
TOTAL        40,897 24,398     -40 399,917 405,002        1

[21] COUNCIL OF MINISTERS CONVENES - PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT: ''OUR GOVERNMENT HAS UNDERTAKEN A VERY IMPORTANT RESPONSIBILITY''

Noting that he will not make changes and new appointments in the state personnel if it is not necessary, Ecevit told reporters, ''the primary duty of this government is to enable Turkey to hold the general elections safely, '' after the first meeting of the Council of Ministers of the 56th government.

Pointing out that the burden on the shoulders of the ministers was increased more as the number of ministers decreased from 38 to 25, Ecevit said, ''however, I believe we will overcome all of the problems by carrying out a concordant, productive and rapid performance.''

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