Anadolu Agency: News in English, 99-01-14

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AA Daily

14 January 1999 Thursday

CONTENTS

[01] 6TH INTERNATIONAL ISTANBUL BIENNIAL ARTS FESTIVAL TO BE HELD IN SEPTEMBER 17 AND NOVEMBER 8, 1999

[02] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

[03] FIRE IN SAO TOMEAN-FLAGGED CARGO VESSEL - FIREBOATS AND TUGBOATS TAKE THE FIRE UNDER CONTROL AFTER FOUR-HOUR EFFORT

[04] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT: ''OUR MAIN AIM IS TO BRING TURKEY TO THE ELECTIONS ON APRIL 18 IN SECURITY''

[05] THE CAPTAIN OF THE VESSEL WHICH POLLUTED THE SEA IN ALIAGA FINED 3.9 BILLION TURKISH LIRAS

[06] TWO FOREIGNERS EXPELLED, ONE TURK DETAINED ON CHARGES OF NOT PAYING TELEPHONE BILLS

[07] THE US DEFENSE NEWS MAGAZINE: ''S-300 MISSILES SHOULN'T BE DEPLOYED IN CRETE ISLAND OF GREECE''

[08] THE 205-YEAR-OLD CLOCK IN SAFRANBOLU RESTORATED FOR 7 BILLION TL

[09] KARDEMIR TARGETS 190-230 MILLION US DOLLARS IN SALES

[10] TBMM DELEGATION TO ATTEND A MEETING DUE IN ATHENS

[11] JOBE, GAMBIAN FM IN TURKEY

[12] TUSIAD'S 29TH GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING : - KAYHAN, THE CHAIRMAN OF TUSIAD: ''TURKEY WISHES TO BENEFIT FROM THE OPPORTUNITIES OF GLOBALIZATION AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY''

[13] SEVEN MEMBERS OF AN ILLEGAL LEFTIST ORGANIZATION CAPTURED IN ISTANBUL

[14] IMF TURKEY DESK CHIEF HARDY ADDRESSES TO A.A: - ''WE WILL APPROACH POSITIVELY TO THE PROPOSALS OF THE NEW TURKISH GOVERNMENT''

[15] TUSIAD'S 29TH GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING : - KAYHAN, THE CHAIRMAN OF TUSIAD: ''THE DECREASE IN POPULATION GROWTH RATE AND THE INCREASING LABOUR SUPPLY IN TURKEY OFFER AN OPPORTUNITY TO SPEED UP HER ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT''

[16] TURKISH TOURISM REVENUES REACH 2.4 BILLION US DOLLARS IN THE FIRST HALF OF 1998

[17] IMKB TO BE CLOSED TO TRANSACTIONS NEXT WEEK

[18] INITIATIVE OF SO-CALLED ''KURDISH PARLIAMENT IN EXILE'' TO CONVENE IN BASQUE REGION - TURKEY CLOSELY MONITORS THE MEETING WHICH IS AT THE PLANNING STAGE

[19] FORIEGN TRADE WITH INDICES

[20] FOREIGN MINISTRY ISSUES A BOOK ON ''PKK TERRORISM''

[21] FOREIGN EXCHANGE RESERVES OF CENTRAL BANK INCREASE TO 20 BILLION US DOLLARS

[22] FOREIGN DEBT PAYMENTS - 124.1 MILLION US DOLLARS PAID IN FOREIGN DEBT SINCE JANUARY 1, 1999

[01] 6TH INTERNATIONAL ISTANBUL BIENNIAL ARTS FESTIVAL TO BE HELD IN SEPTEMBER 17 AND NOVEMBER 8, 1999

Addressing a press conference in Istanbul, Colombo noted that the arts festival which will be held between September 17 and November 8 will gather together 60 artists from almost 45 countries under the theme ''Passion and Affair''.

Stating that the arts festival will be held mostly at Dolmabahce Culture Centre, Colombo stressed that the other places will be Agia Irinis Museum, Yerebatan Cistern and the city ships.

Colombo emphasized that he did not see Istanbul as only a bridge between European and Asian continents, but perceived it as a city which became bigger and bigger by extending to the north, south, east and west.

Stressing that Istanbul attracted him with its features, Colombo said, ''the concepts of passion and affair are used to emphasize Istanbul. We see that the artists want to benefit from Istanbul in their works. Istanbul Biennial Arts Festival is one of the most important festivals in the world.''

Colombo said that many panels, discussions and the performances and the exhibitions of many artists will be held within the framework of the festival.

[02] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

HURRIYET (LIBERAL) HOW WILL TURKEY BE IN 2025?
The Association of Turkish Industrialists and Businessmen (TUSIAD) requested university professors to prepare a report on Turkey answering the question of how Turkey will be in 2025. The report stressed that the population of Turkey won't exceed 100 million. The report will be announced by TUSIAD today.

A WORKING GROUP ON ECONOMY TO BE SET UP
The Politics Document which determined the priorities and threats in respect of security of Turkey will be changed after two years as economic crimes will also be included to the list of threats together with fundamentalism and terrorism. A Working Group on Economy will be set up within the structure of the General Staff to this end.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

CILLER'S SUCCESS
Three deputies who entered the parliament from the banned Welfare Party (RP) in the previous elections stated that they joined the True Path Party (DYP). Cevdet Akcali and Hasan Belhan, the independent deputies who did not join another party after the RP was closed and Kazim Ataoglu, who entered the Virtue Party (FP) after the closure of RP, joined DYP.

SABAH (LIBERAL)

A RECORD FINE
Kemal Isik, the former director general of TUPRAS (Turkish Petroleum Refineries), was fined to nine trillion Turkish liras, which accounts for the highest fine in the history of Turkish Republic, on charges of depositing the money of the company to Marmarabank and Impexbank, which went bankrupt in 1994. Isik said, ''we deposited the money to two banks which paid the most interest in the contract. All this is conspiracy.''

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

HOLIDAY FOR 23 DAYS STARTS
The primary and high schools will enter into holiday of 23 days starting from tomorrow, while civil servants will be on holiday for nine days.

RADIKAL (LEFT)

HE SPEAKS TO PUBLIC PROSECUTORS
Haluk Kirci, who was captured four days ago in Pendik district in Istanbul while he was wanted for killing seven members of the Turkish Workers' Party (TIP) in Bahcelievler district of Ankara in 1978 and in connection with Susurluk scandal, was arrested and put into the Bayrampasa Prison.

Kirci, who had been transferred to the State Security Court following a four-day questioning, was arrested and imprisoned.

Kirci said, ''I told everything to prosecutors.''

YEN� Y�ZYIL (LIBERAL)

If the crisis enlarges, Turkey can't tap into foreign borrowing markets for 3-4 months. Turkey may also face difficulty in getting the support of the IMF.

FALL IN ECONOMY
The number of companies affected by the recession is increasing. Bayindit Holding dismissed 700 workers.

A total of 2,470 people working at Sifas and Polylen, the companies of Cavit Caglar, were given one-month compulsory leave.

T�RK�YE (RIGHT)

Talking to a private TV channel, Prime Minister Ecevit said, ''I am worried about the possibility of the US's and Britain's restarting air raids after Ramadan. If this happens, we won't give permission to the use of Incirlik Base.''

THREE INDEPENDENT MPS JOIN DYP
Hasan Belhan, and Cevdet Akcali, who became an independent deputies by refusing to join the Virtue Party (FP) after the closure of the Welfare Party (RP), joined the True Path Party (DYP). Kazim Ataoglu, a deputy from Bingol province, also joined the DYP after resigning from the FP.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

[03] FIRE IN SAO TOMEAN-FLAGGED CARGO VESSEL - FIREBOATS AND TUGBOATS TAKE THE FIRE UNDER CONTROL AFTER FOUR-HOUR EFFORT

The fire in ''Kado,'' which was carrying iron sheets from Venice to Venezuella, started at about 23:40 local time on Wednesday while she was sailing two miles off-shore Ahirkapi, Zeytinburnu.

The fire was put out by firebots and tugboats at about 03:40 local time on Thursday.

The crew including seven Turks and six Azerbaijanis were rescued by Coast Guard boats.

The cargo ship was seriously damaged due to the fire which started by a failure in the electrical contact.

[04] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT: ''OUR MAIN AIM IS TO BRING TURKEY TO THE ELECTIONS ON APRIL 18 IN SECURITY''

Responding to questions in a private television channel, Ecevit said that the ministers of Justice, Interior and Transportation were appointed by compromise.

When asked whether or not the coming elections can be held in two tours, Ecevit stated that a legal change is necessary and there is not sufficient time for that and he does not understand why there are rumours saying that the elections could be postponed.

Responding to a question on February 28, 1998 when the National Security Council took some important decisions, Ecevit said that ''this process of Feb 28 did not violate the Constitution, but it took the principle of secularism under gurantee, thus there is no need to be worried thinking that the regime is under threat.''

''Today the Motherland Party (ANAP), the True Path Party (DYP) and the Democratic Left Party (DSP) act together, will this continue during the elections?'' asked the journalist to Ecevit who said it is not appropriate to say a thing now, adding ''the thing that matters is opening the doors of compromise and coalition.''

''I will not be surprised if we come up as the first party in the elections, '' said Ecevit, adding that their prior aim is to carry Turkey to the coming elections in safety and to provide the security of people's votes.

Noting that the economic crisis has negatively effected Turkish economy, Ecevit pointed out that the Economic and Social Council will convene after the Ramadan holiday, adding that they will try to solve economic and social problems by coming together with workers and employers.

Stressing that the laws on the budget and banks have to be adopted and steps should be taken in the field of social security in order to improve relations with IMF, Ecevit said ''if this is the case, the doors of IMF can be open to us.''

Explaining his views on the customs union with the EU, Ecevit said that ''we don't say that we should give up the customs deal, but the deficiences in practice should be improved.''

Responding to a question about the use of Incirlik base, Ecevit said ''the US told us that they hit some targets in Iraq as they face a threat. We have to examine this very carefully as we don't want Turkey to face problems.''

When asked whether or not relations will be established with Iraq, Ecevit said that ''we have tried that, but it disappointed me. Taha Yasin Ramazan would come to Turkey for the celebrations that were held for the 75th foundation anniversary of the Turkish Republic, but he cancelled at the last minute. Meanwhile we receive news saying that Iraq started to regard the separatist terrorist organization PKK positively, in that respect I am sorry.''

Responding to a question on the Cyprus question, Ecevit said ''if the Greek Cypriot side takes steps that uneasies Turkey, we will act in return.''

[05] THE CAPTAIN OF THE VESSEL WHICH POLLUTED THE SEA IN ALIAGA FINED 3.9 BILLION TURKISH LIRAS

The Environmental Control Unit which was set up in Aliaga county to struggle with the environmental pollution fined the captain of the vessel to 3.9 billion Turkish liras after they analysed the samples of the vessel and sea on a tip-off.

Cengiz Horozoglu, Aliaga Head Official said, ''Aliaga is an industry zone. But, this does not mean that the environment will be polluted to this end. A clean environment and an industry zone should exist together. We will never let the environment be polluted.

[06] TWO FOREIGNERS EXPELLED, ONE TURK DETAINED ON CHARGES OF NOT PAYING TELEPHONE BILLS

Officials at the Security Directorate in Karabuk told the A.A correspondent that Imtiaz Nasim (36) from Pakistan, and Mohammad Shahalp (29) from Bangladesh, who had entered into Turkey illegally, and Mustafa Tahtaci, 30, a Turkish person, had the Turkish Telekom install four different lines to a business place they hired in Karabuk.

The Turkish Telekom applied to the Public Prosecutor's Office accusing these people of not paying their telephone invoices worth 41 billion 124 million TL.

The court decided to expel the two foreigners while Mustafa Tahtaci was arrested.

[07] THE US DEFENSE NEWS MAGAZINE: ''S-300 MISSILES SHOULN'T BE DEPLOYED IN CRETE ISLAND OF GREECE''

The magazine said in an evaluation that Glafcos Clerides' giving up deploying the S-300 missiles on the island, which was a wrong decision from the beginning, needs appreciation.

The magazine pointed out that Costas Simitis, the Greek Prime Minister should show political courage and also give up the alternative plan of deploying the missiles in Crete island of Greece.

Noting that giving up deploying the missiles on the island is right and the S-300 missiles do not carry military importance that much for the Greek Cypriot side, the magazine said ''it will be another mistake of Clerides and Simitis if they transfer the missile problem to another place in Mediterranean.''

Recalling that the Greek Cypriot side and Russia signed a contract of 430 million dollars, the magazine stressed that S-300 missiles can be sent to Athens in parts and be kept in boxes there as a political solution.

''Therefore the Greek-Greek Cypriot front can put forward their argument that they have not given up the missiles which are deterring. Meanwhile Turkey can announce it as a success as the missiles won't be deployed on the island. Later all the concerned sides can return to their aim of peaceful co-existance.''

[08] THE 205-YEAR-OLD CLOCK IN SAFRANBOLU RESTORATED FOR 7 BILLION TL

An official from the Zonguldak Karaelmas University told A.A correspondent that the clock was restorated by the tutors and the students of the restoration department of the university.

Stating that the restoration of the historical clock was met by the governorship budget, the official said that it was impossible to estimate a prize for the watch which is unique in the world.

The official said, ''the historical clock which attracts the domestic and foreign tourists was constructed by Izzet Mehmet Pasha, the Grand Vizier of Selim the Third. Since the mechanical part of the clock is without a spring, it is still working. We restorated the samples of calligraphy on the inner and outer parts of the clock by preserving its original form as much as possible.''

[09] KARDEMIR TARGETS 190-230 MILLION US DOLLARS IN SALES

Speaking to the A.A correspondent, Imer said that they realized 183 million US dollars in sales last year while the total sales had been 215 million US dollars in 1997.

Pointing out that he believed the production of liquid steel would also increase in 1999, Imer said, ''the production of melted steel was increased from 770 thousand tons to 850 thousand tons in 1998. We targeted to increase it to one million tons in the year 2000. Our investments worth 150 million US dollars will be concluded until the end of the first half of this year.''

Imer said that they needed 30 million US dollars foreign loan to finance their investment projects.

[10] TBMM DELEGATION TO ATTEND A MEETING DUE IN ATHENS

The Turkish parliamentary delegation and the parliamentarians from other countries will be received by the Greek President, Speaker of the Parliament, Prime Minister and the leaders of the political parties on Friday.

The point of view of the Balkan countries and Europe, democracy and non- governmental society in the years 2000, the development and economic cooperation in the Balkan countries and in Europe will be discussed in the meeting which will be held on Saturday.

The Turkish delegation will return Turkey on Sunday.

[11] JOBE, GAMBIAN FM IN TURKEY

The Foreign Ministry said in its statement that Jobe was received by President Suleyman Demirel and met with Ismail Cem, his Turkish counterpart, on Wednesday.

The relations between Turkey and Gambia and the cooperation between the two countries are discussed in Jobe's meetings, the statement also said.

Jobe is expected to hold contacts in the National Defense Ministry, and the Undersecretariat of Defense Industry and Turkish Contractors Union.

[12] TUSIAD'S 29TH GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING : - KAYHAN, THE CHAIRMAN OF TUSIAD: ''TURKEY WISHES TO BENEFIT FROM THE OPPORTUNITIES OF GLOBALIZATION AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY''

Addressing the opening of the 29th general committee of (TUSIAD), Kayhan said that there are some structural problems for developing countries that hinder them to benefit well from these new opportunities such as ''the traditional institutional structures and their formation of strict hierarchial-bureaucratic mechanisms.''

Kayhan announced the results of the report namely ''Turkey's Opportunity Window'' prepared by the initiatives of the TUSIAD about the population structure, urban development and industry in Turkey and foreseeing the developments in these areas after 25 years as follows:

''The rate of population growth has decreased in Turkey and it has come closer to the ones in developed countries. The net rate of population increase rate will decrease to one percent towards 2005. While the share of the young population in total population decreases, the productive population (people between the ages of 15-64) and the old population and their share in the total production will continue to increase for a certain period of time. Turkey has to act by taking into consideration the searches for ''quality'' rather than ''quantity'' in order to benefit well from these opportunities.''

[13] SEVEN MEMBERS OF AN ILLEGAL LEFTIST ORGANIZATION CAPTURED IN ISTANBUL

Ozdemir said in a press conference that all the activities and members of this organization were deciphered after the interrogation of these people.

Ozdemir also stressed that these members of the outlawed organization were involved in thirty illegal activities.

[14] IMF TURKEY DESK CHIEF HARDY ADDRESSES TO A.A: - ''WE WILL APPROACH POSITIVELY TO THE PROPOSALS OF THE NEW TURKISH GOVERNMENT''

Speaking to the A.A correspondent, Martin Hardy, who will arrive in Turkey on 27 January within the framework of the staff monitoring programme, said that the formation of the new government was a positive development.

Hardy said the studies of the new government and economic expectations in 1999 would be discussed during their visit, stressing that they would approach positively to the proposals of the 56th government.

Pointing out that they would firstly observe the realizations within the framework of the staff monitoring programme, Hardy emphasized that Turkey had achieved to realize the previous targets.

Noting that Turkey and the IMF had still not held a meeting on an agreement including the financial assistance issue but there was a need for a financial aid to Turkey in accordance with the programme she was pursuing, Hardy said that Turkey had started to implement a serious anti-inflationist programme and structural programmes and such a programme should include also financial support, adding that to this end, there was a need for holding a meeting to discuss the agreement in question.

Stressing that a comprehensive economic programme, which covers structural implementations, should include several detailed measures, Hardy said, ''first of all, we want to know the proposal of the new Turkish government. We want to know how the new government can realize an agreement including financial aid till the general elections. The realization of such an agreement in a sort period is relly difficult.''

Hardy added that they were ready to give every support to Turkey if the conditions would be appropriate.

[15] TUSIAD'S 29TH GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING : - KAYHAN, THE CHAIRMAN OF TUSIAD: ''THE DECREASE IN POPULATION GROWTH RATE AND THE INCREASING LABOUR SUPPLY IN TURKEY OFFER AN OPPORTUNITY TO SPEED UP HER ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT''

Addressing the general committee of the TUSIAD, Kayhan said that the population structure of Turkey will offer an exceptional opportunity to have the human resource necessary to realize speed in economic development.

Noting that not only the mentality in state administration should change, but also the roles of the non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in society should increase, Kayhan pointed out that ''in the 21st century, Turkey's basic problem will not be economic growth anymore, but it will be the necessity to provide a more qualified life to her citizens.''

Kayhan stressed that one has to see the fact that a complete, broad and participatory democracy is a precondition of benefitting from the opportunities that are waiting for Turkey.

[16] TURKISH TOURISM REVENUES REACH 2.4 BILLION US DOLLARS IN THE FIRST HALF OF 1998

A total of 3,362,115 foreign tourists who came to Turkey in the same period purchased goods worth 1 billion 788.6 million US dollars.

The figures of the ''Foreign Tourists Survey'' indicate that 49.8 percent of the tourists came to Turkey to spend their holidays while 9.9 percent of them visited Turkey to hold business relations and 6.1 percent of them arrived in Turkey for commercial reasons.

The number of foreign tourists increased from 329,527 in January to 952,724 in June and Turkey's tourism income rose to 603.7 million US dollars from 343.8 million US dollars.

The survey also indicated that the foreign tourists spent 44.76 percent of their money on accomodation and food, while they expended 4.84 percent of their money on transportation and 50.4 percent on other kinds of goods and services.

[17] IMKB TO BE CLOSED TO TRANSACTIONS NEXT WEEK

IMKB issued a written statement saying that the exchange of transactions, which were made on 14 January, would be realized on 25 January, and the exchange of the transactions, which would be made on 15 January, would be carried out on 26 January.

The IMKB will be close next week due to religious Ramadan holiday.

[18] INITIATIVE OF SO-CALLED ''KURDISH PARLIAMENT IN EXILE'' TO CONVENE IN BASQUE REGION - TURKEY CLOSELY MONITORS THE MEETING WHICH IS AT THE PLANNING STAGE

Gun Gur, Turkey's Ambassador to Madrid, speaking to A.A correspondent said that they always expended efforts to prevent separatist terrorist organization to hold activities in Spain. Gur said although they have not received an official information regarding the initiative of the so-called ''Kurdish parliament in exile'' to convene in Basque region, they cover the issue closely.

Gur said during his meeting with Spanish Foreign Ministry which took place a while ago, he was told that ''Spain will never allow such a meeting.'' Gur also said ''yet, it will not be true to say there will not be such a meeting.''

Noting that nationalist parties won the recent region elections, Gur recalled that Spain had a very important experience on the issue of terrorism. Gur said ''high level officials, whom we talked so far, stated that they regarded separatist PKK as terrorist organization and that PKK itself knows that it will not be able to go there.''

A spokesman from Basque parliament, in a statement issued earlier, said Basque region parliament deputies will go over the application of ''representatives of so-called kurdish parliament in exile'' to hold their meeting within this year.

Last meeting of the so-called ''kurdish parliament in exile'' took place within Italian parliament last year and this situation caused a diplomatic crisis between Turkey and Italy.

Briefing about administrative structure of Spain, Gur said Spain was composed of developed autonomies and that nationalist parties call for a further developed authonomy. Gur said ''administratives of Basque region evaluated the incidents in Turkey from their point of view and that people in the Basque region form a parallelism between them and Kurdish origin Turks.'' He said they think that situation of Kurdish origin Turks is similar to the situation of Spanish people. That means all of them sit together, speak the same language and developed socially and economically, than they say why will not they form an autonomy like them.

Stressing that the situation in Turkey and Basque are not the same, Gur said he told the facts to Spanish authorities yet perceived by them as if he made propoganda. Gur also pointed out the importance of non-governmental organizations to convey these views.

Gur said they have informed Spanish Foreign Ministry about the separatist terrorist organization, and issued a bulletin to this end and sent it to the ministry.

[19] FORIEGN TRADE WITH INDICES

The State Institute of Statistics (DIE) issued a statement saying that the export price index dropped 4.2 percent and the import price index reduced 3.5 percent in the same period.

When the figures in October 1998 are compared with those in October 1997, the export-amount index rose 3.3 percent while the import-amount index decreased 15.3 percent.

Between these periods, the export price index climbed 1.7 percent while the import price index decreased 3 percent.

[20] FOREIGN MINISTRY ISSUES A BOOK ON ''PKK TERRORISM''

Responding to questions of the journalists, Sermet Atacanli, the Deputy Spokesman of the Foreign Ministry, noted that the book was sent to the Turkish embassies all over the world.

In the first chapter of the book, the written announcement of the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB), the Turkish Trade Union Workers and Employers (Turk-Is), Confederation of Revolutionary Workers' Unions (DISK), the Confederation of Turkish Employers' Unions (TISK) and the Confederation of Turkish Tradesmen and Artisans (TESK) in the Italian newspapers for the extradition of Ocalan, take place.

The announcement stressed that European countries should not shelter neither Ocalan nor the supporters of the terrorist organization both for their own security and for Europe's security. Reminding that thousands of people would have been living now, if there was no terrorism, the announcement pointed out, ''they are not with us any more. Terrorism has claimed thousands of innocent lives for past 14 years. They were our children, our sisters and brothers, our wifes and husbands... In the dark of a night, terrorist raided our houses and opened fire on them. Our people were executed by shooting by terrorists. For 14 years, we had to witness the massacre of our own relatives.''

Stressing that the terrorist organization is responsible of those homicides, the announcement summarizes the other illegal actions of the PKK as, ''Ocalan and his loyal supporters are the only responsible of drug trafficking in most of Europe. They have also abducted a number of children in order to train them as a terrorist.''

The book also comprises the letter of Mesut Yilmaz, who was serving as the prime minister then, to the heads of states and of governments of the member states to the NATO in 19 November 1998.

Yilmaz informed the member states about the terrorist actions of Ocalan in his letter. He reminded that not only Turkey, but a number of countries describe Ocalan as a ''bloody handed terrorist''.

Underlining that Ocalan killed thousands of innocent people including many women, children and even babies, Yilmaz emphasized in his letter that no one should help a terrorist to flee from the justice.

The book prepared by the Foreing Ministry also gives place to the chapters on ''What is PKK?'', ''Who is Abdullah Ocalan?'', ''Presence of the PKK in Organized Crimes'', ''Drug Trafficking and Terrorist Organizations'', ''Presence of the PKK in Drug Trafficking'', ''Is There a Kurdish Problem in Turkey?'', ''Has the Kurdish Prohibited in Turkey?'' and ''Social and Economic Development of the Southeastern Anatolia and the GAP Project''.

Statistical information about those who were killed or injured at the terrorist attacks are also included in the book.

[21] FOREIGN EXCHANGE RESERVES OF CENTRAL BANK INCREASE TO 20 BILLION US DOLLARS

The Central Bank data shows that the foreign exchange reserves, which climbed by 1 billion 372 million US dollars between 1-8 January, increased to 21 billion 90 million US dollars as of 8 January.

Meanwhile, according to the 25 December-based statistics, Turkey's total international gross reserves increased 143 million US dollars to 31 billion 372 million US dollars between 18-25 December.

The international gross reserves of Turkey were 31 billion 229 million US dollars on 25 December.

As of 25 December, Turkey's international reserves were composed of 1 billion 125 million US dollars in gold reserves; 19 billion 815 million US dollars in the Central Bank's foreign exchange reserves; and 10 billion 432 million US dollars in the commercial banks' foreign exchange reserves.

[22] FOREIGN DEBT PAYMENTS - 124.1 MILLION US DOLLARS PAID IN FOREIGN DEBT SINCE JANUARY 1, 1999

The Central Bank data shows that the Treasury paid 47.5 million US dollars; the Central Bank repaid 19.9 million US dollars and the Ministry of National Defense and the Defense Industry paid 28.7 million US dollars in foreign debt between January 1 and 13, 1999.

Turkey had repaid a total of 12 billion 494.2 million US dollars in 1998.

A.A

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