Anadolu Agency: News in English, 00-05-25

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NEWS

25 May 2000 Thursday

CONTENTS

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

[02] WORLD BANK CHAIRMAN WOLFENSOHN IN TURKEY

[03] HUNGARIAN PRIME MINISTER VISITS ATATURK'S MAUSOLEUM

[04] U.S. OFFICIALS SAY A POSTPONEMENT IN TRANS-CASPIAN NATURAL

[05] EURASIAN COUNTRIES KOBI ASSOCIATION TO BE FOUNDED

[06] TURKISH BUSINESS DELEGATION DUE TO IRAN

[07] BAKU-CEYHAN OIL PIPELINE PROJECT

[08] ECEVIT AND ORBAN STAGE JOINT NEWS CONFERENCE (1)

[09] WORLD BANK CHIEF WOLFENSOHN IN ISTANBUL

[10] TURKEY REPAYS 527.28 MILLION U.S. DOLLARS

[11] TREASURY USES 414.9 TRILLION TL SHORT-TERM ADVANCE

[12] FOREIGN EXCHANGE RESERVES OF CENTRAL BANK DECREASE BY 328 MILLION U.S. DOLLARS

[13] TOURING BOAT LEANS TO ONE SIDE

[14] ECEVIT AND ORBAN STAGE JOINT NEWS CONFERENCE (2)

[15] TURKISH-GREEK RELATIONS MAINLY DISCUSSED IN

[16] AIREX'2000 FAIR OPENED

[17] TREASURY AUTHORIZES DEUTSCHE BANK, LEHMAN BROTHERS AND NOMURA

[18] ORBAN, HUNGARIAN PRIME MINISTER, SAYS

[19] TURKEY-GREECE-SOCCER

[20] DIYARBAKIR DGM PREPARES INDICTMENT FOR HACI INAN,

[21] PRESIDENT SEZER RECEIVES HUNGARIAN PREMIER ORBAN

[22] ALLEGATIONS OF GREEK CYPRIOT SIDE FOR ''MISSING'' PEOPLE

[23] NATO MINISTERS' COUNCIL MEETING ENDS

[24] EIGHTH FIVE-YEAR DEVELOPMENT PLAN

[25] ERSUMER, MINISTER OF ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES:

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

PILOT MISSING AFTER F-16 CRASH
An F-16 fighter jet crashed into the mountainous region near the Bucak township of Burdur en route from the Band�rma 6th Main Jet Base Command Center to the Incirlik base in Adana. The pilot, Captain A�k�n Sezer, understood to have ejected himself in the last moment, is still missing. Search and rescue operations have been continuing since the plane gave a crashing signal in the radars at 15.45 hours local time, particularly in the environs of the Bucak township, but search and rescue teams could not find the pilot as yet.

CEM CAUTIOUS ABOUT IRAN
Foreign Minister Ismail Cem displayed a cautious attitude in his assessment of Turkey-Iran relations, with extra effort not to hurt Tehran's feelings. Cem pointed out that Turkey could not make any initiatives without having sufficient evidence in hand. Cem, who is attending the NATO Foreign Ministers Meeting in Florence, Italy, said that the latest operations carried out against illegal workers, in which over 200 Iranians were detained, had nothing to do with the operations carried out to find the perpetrators of the Mumcu, Ucok, and Kislali assassinations.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

ECONOMIC RAPPROCHEMENT WITH IRAN
The Foreign Ministry turned on the green light for a group of Turkish businessmen who had been planning to pay a visit to Iran, despite the suspension of relations between the two countries over the revelation of fact, proving Iran to have had involvement in terrorism against Turkey. The 110-men Turkish business delegation, to be led by Foreign Trade Undersecretary Kursad Tuzmen will leave for Iran on May 27. The visit is part of the Foreign Trade Undersecretariat's new strategy of increasing economic relations with neighboring countries.

NON-INTEREST BUDGETARY SURPLUS TOPS 3 QUADRILLION TL
Finance Minister Sumer Oral, who announced the initial results of the economic reform program, covering the January-April 2000 period, said that the non-interest budgetary surplus topped 3 quadrillion Turkish Liras with an increase by 76 percent. In the statement he made following his meeting with IMF's Turkey Desk Chief Carlo Cottarelli, Oral said that there was a 'beyond-expectations' increase in tax income rates, by 142 percent in the month of April, and added that this was a very hope inspiring development from the standpoint of the success of the economic program.

SABAH (LIBERAL)

TWO MILLION TURKS ON INTERNET
Internet subscribers in Turkey increased by 60 percent in the last five months and reached 750,000. And since every subscriber brings two or three people with him/her, the real number of internet users is about 2 million in Turkey, it was stated at a conference titled ''electronic trade in Turkey held by the Economist. An executive from IBS Research and Counseling said they expect this number to become 1,3 million by the end of the year.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

COUNTDOWN FOR SOMUNCUOGLU
The Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) is planinng to dismiss Sadi Somuncuoglu following his dismissal from his post of State Minister. The Central Executive Board is expected to convene over the weekend to discuss whether or not to transfer somuncoglu to the Disciplinary Board. The said resolution was taken at the party's parliamentary group meeting on Wednesday.

RADIKAL (LEFT)

'DEPUTIES' TO BE HANDED OVER TO JUSTICE
The Constitution and Justice Mixed Commission resolved to lift the immunities of Motherland Party Deputy from Istanbul Aydin Ayaydin, Virtue Party Deputy from Diyarbakir Omer Vehbi Hatipoglu, and Independent Deputy from Van, Mustafa Bayram. Should the Parliament approve of the Commission's decision, the three deputies will have to stand trial. The joint commission took up 38 dossiers against 33 deputies against whom summary reports were prepared to lift their political immunities.

IRANIAN AMBASSADOR: WE HAVE NO SATISFACTORY INFORMATION
Muhammed Hussein Lavasani, Iran's Ambassador to Ankara said that they had no satisfactory information about the detention of Iranian citizens by Turkish police, and that they were confused by conflicting statements made by Turkish officials. Lavasani said he had conveyed Iran's concerns to the Turkish Foreign Ministry, but that he had received no satisfactory responses in explanation of the conditions of the Iranian citizens, and the reason behind their detention.

YENI BINYIL (LIBERAL)

''INFLATION CAN BE 30 PERCENT''
Deputy Chairman of Economist Intelligence Unit, Merli Baroudi said it is difficult for the government to pull down the inflation to 20 percent and noted that 30 percent would still be a big achievement. Baroudi said she is optimistic about macro economic developments in Turkey for the first time in many years.

TURKIYE (RIGHT)

BIGGEST AID AFTER OZAL'S TIME
Ajay Chhibber noted that James Wolfensohn is the first World Bank Chairman visiting Turkey in ten years and said this proved Turkey's importance in the eyes of the international community. Chibber said Turkey's 8th president Turgut Ozal had started a reform movement during his administration which was supported by international institutions. ''Turkey has again become an important element on the World Bank's agenda and the World bank decided to provide Turkey the biggest aid since Ozal's time,'' Chibber said and also added that Turkey will draw more foreign capital after Wolfensohn's visit.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

[02] WORLD BANK CHAIRMAN WOLFENSOHN IN TURKEY

During his visit, Wolfensohn will have contacts with representatives of the private sector in Turkey as well as government authorities and discuss economic stability programme.

On Thursday, Wolfensohn will meet with representatives of Turkish finance institutions and he will be briefed about the developments in the field of banking. Following the meeting, he will attend a cocktail party which is given by the international finance company IFT, a sub-institution of the World Bank.

Wolfensohn will go to Golcuk on Friday morning and visit the earthquake stricken areas.

He will fly to Ankara on the same day where he will have meetings with Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit, some ministers and parliamentarians. Wolfensohn will leave Turkey on May 28.

[03] HUNGARIAN PRIME MINISTER VISITS ATATURK'S MAUSOLEUM

Orban who signed the special book of the mausoleum paid respect to Ataturk for his contributions to friendship between Turkish and Hungarian people. Orban and his wife Aniko Levai were also joined by Foreign Ministry authorities during their visit.

In the meantime, on Wednesday night, Orban awarded Hungarologist Prof. Hasan Eren by a medal for his contributions to the Hungarian language. Orban said Prof. Eren has been teaching Hungarian in Turkey and his academical works in this field are highly appreciated.

During the ceremony Prof. Eren read out his speech in Hungarian and a Hungarian Turkologist translated his speech into Turkish. Prof. Eren is also known as being the first person who prepared a Turkish ethimology dictionary.

[04] U.S. OFFICIALS SAY A POSTPONEMENT IN TRANS-CASPIAN NATURAL

A high-level U.S. State Department official told the A.A correspondent that the U.S. continued to give full support to the Trans-Caspian Natural Gas Pipeline Project, which involves the transportation of Azerbaijani and Turkmen natural gas to Turkey.

The official said that despite allegations appearing in the press that the project had ''died'', the project was proceeding in a much slower pace than expected, and that it was now time for Turkmenistan to decide.

Reiterating that PSG and Shell, the two companies forming the consortium had made rather attractive offers to Turkmenistan, the official said that Russian President Vladimir Putin - who had visited Turkmenistan last week to reach an accord over the gas reserves of the former Soviet Republic - and Turkmen President Saparmurad Turkmenbasi had not yet reached accord over the price.

The official said that the U.S. expected Turkey to take the necessary measures to meet her increasing gas demand in the years following 2002. He added that the United States was ready to provide Eximbank credits or a political risk insurance to Turkey within the framework of a trade agreement that Turkey and U.S. could sign.

The State Department official said there had been a considerable progress in the Baku-Ceyhan oil pipeline project in the recent months, and that the forthcoming week would stage studies on determining the arrangements to be made and financing conditions.

He said further that the framework documents of tha Baku-Ceyhan project had been completed, that the Turkish, Georgian, and Azerbaijani parliaments had to sign the necessary agreements in the shortest time possible, and added that the officials of the oil companies involved in the project would be getting together in Baku on May 29 to form the ''Main Export pipeline Company''. He reiterated that the construction of this line had to take start next year the latest, and be finished by 2004.

Touching on the environmental significance of the project, the official said that the project, once completed, would ease a heavy burden from the shoulders of the Turkish straits, also decreasing the environmental risks of tanker passages.

[05] EURASIAN COUNTRIES KOBI ASSOCIATION TO BE FOUNDED

KOSGEB Regional Development Institute Chairman Hasan Cavusoglu told A.A that they started Eurasian Countries KOBI Training Programme with the representatives of KOBI's in 29 countries at the beginning of the week in Ankara. The activities now continue in Kayseri.

Cavusoglu noted that Ataturk Small Industry Site which they set up in Krygyzstan a short time ago was a good example to all Turkish states. ''In this site, we founded 18 firms together with Krygyzes,'' he said. ''After we obtained positive results from the projects, other countries also demanded to use the same model in their own countries. These countries don't have the infrastructure to facilitate production such as small industry sites or organized industry regions. At every opportunity, they are telling us they want to benefit from Turkey's experience. As a result of these demands, we have decided to form an association titled Eurasian Countries KOBI Association. KOBI representatives of Eurasian countries are working very hard to found this association.''

Cavusoglu also noted that Eurasian Countries KOBI Association will help to develop private sector in these countries and therefore create opportunities for Turkish businessmen who are interested to make investments in these regions.

Yelda Cumalioglu who is in charge of KOBI projects of TIKA said companies in Turkish Republics and Eurasia seek for Turkish partners in every field because they feel closer to Turks.

Cumalioglu said the Association will have many positive results throughy technology transfer and communication. ''Our project will help Turkish businessmen to have investments in these countries more easily and help KOBI's in these countries to switch to a more systematic production,'' she explained.

[06] TURKISH BUSINESS DELEGATION DUE TO IRAN

According to the statement, the business delegation, which is to visit Iran between May 27 and June 1, will be led by Foreign Trade Undersecretary Kursat Tuzmen.

Within the framework of the visit, the Turkish and Iranian businessmen will attend a seminar, in which such topics as ''Turkish Economy and Expectations from the Future'', and ''Commercial Relations Between Turkey and Iran'' will be taken up.

The ''Border Trade Joint Committee Meeting'' will also be held within this framework.

The businessmen comprising the Turkish delegation are the representatives of such sectors as textile, banking, chemicals, food, mining, marble, furniture, machinery, and construction.

[07] BAKU-CEYHAN OIL PIPELINE PROJECT

Aleskerov said in a statement he made on Thursday, that the Baku-Ceyhan oil Pipeline project was the most important among all other alternatives to transport Caspian oil to world markets, and added:

''We would not have been as successful as we are now on economic and political grounds, if we had chosen one single country and one market. We believe that the Baku-Ceyhan route is superior to all the other alternatives. The project will have an annual capacity of transporting 50 million tons of Caspian oil to Ceyhan once completed.

Those, considering the Persian Gulf as an alternative must be unaware of the conditions there. About 40 percent of the oil traded from the oil rich Persian Gulf is being exported to Europe and North America.''

Noting that Turkey did not want to risk her straits more by increasing the tanker traffic, Aleskerov said that Ceyhan would be a much more suitable, and much less risky spot for oil transportation.

[08] ECEVIT AND ORBAN STAGE JOINT NEWS CONFERENCE (1)

Ecevit staged a joint news conference with Viktor Orban, Hungarian Prime Minister, after interdelegational talks.

When a Hungarian journalist asked timing of Turkey's EU membership, Ecevit said it was not possible to say something concrete in this respect, adding that Turkey had several deficiencies in economy, democratization, and human rights.

Ecevit said, ''it is a fact that we have several deficiencies in economy. Although important steps have been taken in the recent 20 years, Turkey still has high inflation. Last year, we began to take bold steps to save economy from inflation. I believe that economy will be ready for the EU within 3-4 years.''

Stressing that political stability should continue to reach this target, Ecevit said coalition government work in harmony in Turkey for some time. He said Parliament began to work rapidly.

Pointing out that Turkey had also deficiencies in democratization, Ecevit said, ''we should overcome these soon. These are not so much as they are exagerrated. Turkey is a democratic and secular country among the countries whose population is dominantly Moslem. However, it is against various very serious threats. There is terrorism supported by foreign countries, and there are organizations which want to destroy secular democratic regime. Yet, we began to overcome these. To this end, I believe that we will overcome deficiencies in this field.''

[09] WORLD BANK CHIEF WOLFENSOHN IN ISTANBUL

Wolfensohn met with several directors, businessmen, journalists and representatives of civil society early the same day.

Wolfensohn who will proceed from Istanbul to Ankara early on Friday will firstly visit Ataturk's Mausoleum.

After meeting with State Minister Recep Onal for Economic Affairs in the dinner, Wolfensohn will meet with Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit.

The World Bank Chief will visit eastern Malatya province on May 27. Wolfensohn who will return to Ankara the same day will attend a ceremony at the Sheraton Hotel during which the Economic Reform Loan agreement will be signed.

Wolfensohn will leave Turkey on May 28.

[10] TURKEY REPAYS 527.28 MILLION U.S. DOLLARS

The Central Bank data shows that the Treasury repaid 454.80 million U.S. dollars; the Central Bank repaid 24.52 million U.S. dollars; the administrations with general and added budgets repaid 47.96 million U.S. dollars in foreign debt between May 1 and 3, 2000.

Meanwhile, a total of 4 billion 263.35 million U.S. dollars of foreign debt has been repaid since the beginning of the year.

[11] TREASURY USES 414.9 TRILLION TL SHORT-TERM ADVANCE

The Central Bank said on Thursday that Treasury had used a 414.9 trillion TL short term advance last week after a long period of time.

[12] FOREIGN EXCHANGE RESERVES OF CENTRAL BANK DECREASE BY 328 MILLION U.S. DOLLARS

The Central Bank data shows that the foreign exchange reserves, which had been 23 billion 279 million U.S. dollars on May 12, decreased 328 million U.S. dollars to 22 billion 951 million U.S. dollars as of May 18.

Meanwhile, according to the May 5-based statistics, Turkey's total international gross reserves were 36 billion 627 million U.S dollars.

The international gross reserves of Turkey had been 36 billion 195 million U.S. dollars on April 28.

As of May 5, Turkey's international reserves were composed of 1 billion 11 million U.S. dollars in gold reserves; 13 billion 130 million U.S. dollars in the Central Bank's foreign exchange reserves; and 22 billion 487 million U.S. dollars in the commercial banks' foreign exchange reserves.

[13] TOURING BOAT LEANS TO ONE SIDE

Gocek Harbour Chairmanship officials said the incident happened around 12:30 local time. The daily touring boat, named ''Kayalar'', which departed from Gocek, lost balance due to heavy north-east wind, and leaned to one side.

Huseyin Sahin, one of the passengers, drowned, and 22 people were rescued by the Coast Guard teams.

The boat was towed to the shore.

Investigation has been launched into the incident.

[14] ECEVIT AND ORBAN STAGE JOINT NEWS CONFERENCE (2)

Prime Minister Ecevit and Viktor Orban, Hungarian Prime Minister, staged a joint news conference.

Ecevit said interdelegational talks were very positive, adding that point of views of the two countries, regarding the problems experienced in Europe, were similar.

Ecevit said Hungary was also interested in the problems experienced in Bosnia-Herzegovina and Kosovo, adding that existing peace in Bosnia was sensitive, and recalled that its preservation depended on conflicted balances. ''Turkey and Hungary believe that they could cooperate to facilitate Bosnia to live in peace.''

Ecevit said they have taken an important decision during the meetings in this respect, adding that the two countries were in consensus to hold regular consultations between the foreign ministries of the two countries, and to look for solution to the Europe's problems together.''

Pointing out that Hungarian economy recorded great successes in the recent 10 years, Ecevit said Hungary formed a peculiar economic model in its former regime, adding that it harmonized with the globalization easily in this respect.

Ecevit said Turkey took very important steps in the recent 20 years, and noted that economic cooperation between Turkey and Hungary could not be improved despite this. Ecevit said trade volume was around 216 million U.S. dollars.

Stressing that Turkey would make important investments in energy sector in the coming 10 years, Ecevit said Hungarian companies were very successful on the issue.

Ecevit said Turkey and Hungary could improve cooperation in fields like construction, and transportation, adding that national education ministers of the two countries would meet at 18:00 local time and will discuss exchange of students.

Ecevit said they also decided to improve cooperation to examine archieves regarded with the mutual history of the two countries. Recalling that Turkey embraced many Hungarian heroes in the past, Ecevit said they decided to turn the houses which those people lived in, into monuments.

''Hungary is one of the countries who became member of NATO recently, which Turkey has been a member for 50 years. Yet, despite this, it contributes to European peace within the scope of NATO,'' Ecevit said adding that both countries were in close cooperation within NATO.

Ecevit said, ''saying that today's talks formed an important turning point would not be exagerration.''

When a journalist recalled that both countries were the candidates of the European Union (EU), and asked if these two countries were rivals to each other, Ecevit said, ''a new dimension will be added to Turkish-Hungarian relations if they come together in the EU. This will also be for the benefit of the EU as well as the two countries. Turkey is European for 600 years, and at the same time it belongs to Middle East and Mediterranean. Turkey will contribute to the process at a time when Europe and Asia began to integrate. Becoming rivals is out of question for Turkey and Hungary, we can only be partners.''

Ecevit said some circles thought that it would take Turkey for a long time to become an EU member, adding that, ''I believe that we will overcome our deficiencies in a short period.''

Orban, Hungarian Prime Minister, in his part expressed pleasure over being in Turkey, and recalled that he met with Ecevit during OSCE summit in November.

Pointing out that he was suprized that none of the Hungarian Prime Ministers visited Turkey in the recent 10 years, Orban said they defined this as impossible when historical dimension of the two countries, their NATO memberships, and success of Turkish economy are considered. Orban said they decided to open a new era in the relations.

Orban said they determined several fields like economy, education, and culture to strengthen the relations between the countries, adding that companies of the two countries will have more joint ventures from now on.

Pointing out that Turkey and Hungary decided to improve military cooperation, Orban said they also reached a consensus to reflect this improvement in defense industry. Orban said the two countries have joint interests strategically, and defined this mutual interest as ''stability of Europe.''

When asked about the stance of Hungary regarded with European Security and Defense Identity (ESDI), Orban said they attribute importance that there should not be a conflict between ESDI and NATO. He said another thing that was important for them was security, adding that they did not want to risk their existing security.

Orban said the most stronger institution was NATO at the time being, and noted that membership of Hungary to NATO provided their independence. Orban said initiatives which weaken this power of NATO was not for their interests.

[15] TURKISH-GREEK RELATIONS MAINLY DISCUSSED IN

Diplomatic sources said Albright expressed pleasure over the Turkish-Greek rapproachment, which was recently seen in Dynamic-2000 military exercise.

Albright said the U.S. expected new developments from the two sides regarding Cyprus question. Foreign Minister Cem said, ''Rauf Denktas, President of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) has always been in a constructive attitude pertaining to the establishment of a confederation. I think this will be understood better in time.''

It was reported that the U.S. side did not oppose to this view.

Albright, speaking at the meeting which took place upon the request of the U.S. side, pointed out that they expected positive developments in Karabakh, and wanted Turkey to assist the process.

Foreign Minister Ismail Cem also held bilateral contacts with the Dutch and Spanish Foreign Ministers.

[16] AIREX'2000 FAIR OPENED

Addressing the opening ceremony, Cakmakoglu said Turkey recorded success in space and aviation in the recent years, adding that it was pleasing that the squadron which had five planes in 1933, now has nearly 700 planes.

Cakmakoglu said such fairs were very important to cover the developments in the field of aviation, adding that it was a chance as the fair took place in Turkey.

Enis Oksuz, Minister of Transportation, pointed out that aviation was improving in Turkey, and noted that aviation activities were developing in every part of Anatolia.

A total of 200 foreign and local companies attended the fair, which will remain open till May 28.

[17] TREASURY AUTHORIZES DEUTSCHE BANK, LEHMAN BROTHERS AND NOMURA

Treasury Undersecretariat issued a statement, recalling that Treasury had previously raised 26 billion Japanese yen through a three-year bond issue in Samurai on February 18, 2000, and 600 million Euro through a five-year debenture bond issue in Euro market on March 30, 2000.

[18] ORBAN, HUNGARIAN PRIME MINISTER, SAYS

Orban, currently officially in Turkey, delivered a speech in Bilkent University and evaluated Turkish-Hungarian relations and Hungary's harmonization process to the EU.

Pointing out that Turkish and Hungarian people have many common sides, Orban defined the two countries as the bridges between the East and the West in their own regions. Orban said they expected two states, which are NATO allies, would improve cooperation soon.

The guest Prime Minister said his country concluded trasition period and reached a stable economy and politics, adding that Hungary has a de facto existence in the EU.

Recalling that share of the EU in Hungary's annual trade was 78 percent, Orban said Hungary was actively within the EU, adding that he did not see need to slow down exlargement process. Orban said Hungary fulfilled all the Copenhagen criteria.

Responding to a question, Orban said political stability helped his country to fulfil Copenhagen criteria.

[19] TURKEY-GREECE-SOCCER

Kemalettin who was dismissed from the Fenerbahce squad last season said that he would discuss his transfer to Skoda Xanthia in Kesan township of northwestern Edirne province.

Sources said Kemalettin could sign contract with Skoda Xanthi if he received reasonable offer.

[20] DIYARBAKIR DGM PREPARES INDICTMENT FOR HACI INAN,

The indictment prepared by DGM Chief Prosecutors office, said Inan gave orders and got involved in acts of violence, like killing and abduction.

The indictment said Edip Gumus, member of the terrorist organization, went to southeastern Mus province upon the orders of Huseyin Velioglu, leader of the organization, to persuade Enver Aktas, Huseyin Tuncer, Ali Arslan, and Mensur Yilmaz who had decided to leave the organization. The indictment said they decided for the execution as they were unable to persuade them, adding that those four were called to southern Adana province with several pretexts.

The indictment said those in question later had been killed in central Anatolian Konya province by Edip Gumus, Haci Inan, Haci Bayancik and another terrorist having the code name Ibrahim. The indictment said Inan gave orders and joined in abduction of lawyer Fethi Tetik in Ankara, abduction of Ibrahim Sarialtin, Mucahit Evyapan, Saban Uyar, M. Serif Uprak, Bayram Ali Uprak, and Huseyin Bayburt.

The indictment said terrorist Hezbollah organization was preparing for Jihad (holy war), and noted that to this end, in 1999 it transferred its weapons, which it stored in Southeastern regions, to various regions of Turkey which it determined strategically.

[21] PRESIDENT SEZER RECEIVES HUNGARIAN PREMIER ORBAN

State Minister Sukru Sina Gurel and Hungarian Chief of General Staff General Lajos Fodor, and the accompanying delegation also attended the meeting.

The guest Prime Minister is expected to meet with Suleyman Demirel, the former President.

[22] ALLEGATIONS OF GREEK CYPRIOT SIDE FOR ''MISSING'' PEOPLE

Death of Hristos Kukularis, a sergeant assigned to a Greek troop, in clashes during Peace Operation in Cyprus in 1974, was hidden from his family for 26 years. Kukularis had been buried in Lakadamia Military Graveyard in Greek Cypriot side.

As a result of the DNA tests on the bones, it was revealed that Hristos Kukularis, was dead.

Petros Kukularis, brother of Hristos Kukularis, reacted as the facts were hidden from them. He said although it was determined in 1991 that he died, they were not informed.

Petros said ugly games were played also in Greece regarding the missing people, and noted that most of families of missing people were convinced that several missing people were seen in Turkey.

(AY-A�)

[23] NATO MINISTERS' COUNCIL MEETING ENDS

Especially situation in Balkans and Kosovo, European Security and Defense Identity (ESDI) and NATO-Russia relations were discussed in the two-day meeting in Florence, Italy.

The joint statement issued at the end of the meeting said that NATO should prepare itself against possible new threats before ESDI comes into force, stressing that the NATO was the main organization to undertake defense of European continent.

Noting that NATO's facilities could be made use of during operations launched after an European Union initiative, the joint statement asked the EU to take up participation of the six non-EU member NATO allies including Turkey in the ESDI.

Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Ismail Cem said that the joint statement was ''very positive'' for Turkey.

Cem stated that the joint statement that was approved in the meetings in Florence after the meetings in Washington and Brussels, met the demands of Turkey.

[24] EIGHTH FIVE-YEAR DEVELOPMENT PLAN

Sources said the plan estimated that the current 60 percent urban population could reach 90 percent in 2023.

The plan which foresaw the EU membership as the basic goal included construction of a nuclear power plant.

The plan which is expected to be submitted to the Council of Ministers next week will be presented to the Parliamentary Budget Planning Commission on June 7.

The talks on the development plan should be finalized by June 12.

[25] ERSUMER, MINISTER OF ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES:

Ersumer addressed Parliamentary Industry, Trade, Energy, Natural Resources, Information, and Technology Commission, and mentioned discussions on natural gas which re-started with the visit of Vladimir Putin, Russian Head of State, to Central Asia.

Ersumer said, ''the most expensive gas, which Turkey will get, will be the gas that will be purchased from Iran.''

Pointing out that Turkey did not undertake a responsibility to bring Turkmen gas to the country, Ersumer said Turkey will take the gas in Georgian border.

Ersumer said Turkey did not have any obligation in construction of pipeline, its finance, and acquire of the gas, adding that, ''yet, ninth President of Turkey, Foreign Ministry, Energy Ministry, and everybody in State Ministry worked very hard to bring the gas.''

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