Anadolu Agency: News in English, 98-06-29

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29 JUNE 1998

CONTENTS

[01] INDIAN PARLIAMENTARY DELEGATION IN ANKARA - BALAYOGI, SPEAKER OF INDIAN PARLIAMENT: ''TURKEY IS THE GUARANTOR OF PEACE IN THE REGION''

[02] EARTHQUAKE IN ADANA - THE NUMBER OF DEAD PERSONS REACHES 116

[03] TRANSPORTATION MINISTER MENZIR LEAVES FOR HONG KONG

[04] EARTHQUAKE IN SOUTHERN ADANA PROVINCE AND ITS SURROUNDINGS - KIZILAY SENDS 3,950 TENTS AND 8,291 BLANKETS TO REGION

[05] TURKEY-PRESS REVIEW (1)

[06] TURKEY-PRESS REVIEW (2)

[07] TURKEY-PRESS REVIEW (3)

[08] DEMONSTRATION HELD TO PROTEST DANGEROUS TRANSITS THROUGH THE STRAITS AND POLLUTION IN THE BLACK SEA

[09] EARTHQUAKE IN ADANA AND SURROUNDING REGION - THE US PRESIDENT CLINTON SENDS MESSAGE TO PRESIDENT DEMIREL OFFERING HIS CONDOLENCES - ISRAELI PRESIDENT WEIZMAN CALLS PRESIDENT DEMIREL OFFERING HIS CONDOLENCES

[10] BALAYOGI, THE INDIAN PARLIAMENT SPEAKER VISITS CETIN, THE PARLIAMENT SPEAKER - BALAYOGI: ''OUR NUCLEAR TESTS AREN'T AGAINST ANY COUNTRY''

[11] TERRORIST ATTACK IN CATAK - ONE SERGEANT AND FOUR SOLDIERS DIE - ONE TERRORIST KILLED

[12] EIGHT MEMBERS OF THE SEPARATIST TERRORIST ORGANIZATION CAPTURED IN IZMIR

[13] SANLIURFA GOVERNORSHIP DELEGATION'S CONTACTS IN TRNC - TRNC PRESIDENT DENKTAS: ''WE ARE UNDER TRANSPORTATION EMBARGO''

[14] DENKTAS, THE TRNC PRESIDENT CALLS UN SECURITY COUNCIL MEMBERS' AMBASSADORS TO MEET

[15] TRNC PRESIDENT DENKTAS: ''GECITKALE AIRPORT WILL BE USED AS A MILITARY BASE WHEN NECESSARY''

[16] SAKIK, ONE OF THE LEADING MEMBERS OF THE SEPARATIST TERRORIST ORGANIZATION STARTS TO BE TRIED ON TUESDAY - STATE SECURITY COURT PROSECUTION REQUESTS CAPITAL PUNISHMENT FOR SAKIK BROTHERS

[17] REPERCUSSIONS OF MONITORING AGREEMENT BETWEEN TURKEY AND IMF - MIRAS, CHAIRMAN OF TOBB: - ''WE EVALUATE THIS AGREEMENT AS A POSITIVE DEVELOPMENT STEMMING FROM SEVERAL RECOVERIES IN THE ECONOMY''

[18] CORDOVEZ, THE UN SECRETARY GENERAL'S SPECIAL CONSULTANT TO CYPRUS TO ARRIVE ON CYPRUS ON THURSDAY

[19] TURKEY IN BRIEF, JUNE 28, 1998

[20] BARGAINING NEGOTIATIONS FOR PRIVATIZATION OF POAS - AKMAYA-ORTEKS JOINT INITIATIVE GROUP GIVES THE HIGHEST BID: 1 BILLION 160 MILLION US DOLLARS

[21] GARANTI BANK BECOMES MEMBER OF FCI

[01] INDIAN PARLIAMENTARY DELEGATION IN ANKARA - BALAYOGI, SPEAKER OF INDIAN PARLIAMENT: ''TURKEY IS THE GUARANTOR OF PEACE IN THE REGION''

The guest parliamentary delegation was welcomed at the Esenboga Airport by Yasin Hatipoglu, the Acting Speaker of the Parliament.

Speaking to reporters at the airport, Hatipoglu said that the parliaments are the representatives and spokesmen of the public and that they evaluate the developments more calmly than the governments, stressing the importance and function of parliaments in democracies.

''I believe the Indian Parliament will make important contributions to peace in the world, like the Turkish Parliament which is the representative of the Turkish people. Parliaments are the guarantors of their countries and governments, because they can act objectively,'' Hatipoglu stressed.

Balayogi expressed his sorrow about the major earthquake, which hit southern Adana province, killing more than 100 people.

Pointing out that the two countries are based upon the principles of democracy and secularism, the guest Parliament Speaker Balayogi said, ''Turkey is the guarantor of democracy and peace in the region. I hope the relations between our two Parliaments will further develop.''

The Indian parliamentary delegation will meet with President Suleyman Demirel, Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz and Hikmet Cetin, the Speaker of the Parliament, on Monday. The relations between the Turkish and the Indian Parliaments will be discussed during these meetings.

[02] EARTHQUAKE IN ADANA - THE NUMBER OF DEAD PERSONS REACHES 116

Officials said that 44 persons died in the Adana city center, 50 of them died in Ceyhan County and 22 of them died in villages, adding that 12 corpses, who couldn't be identified, are at hospitals in Adana, while nine of them are at the hospitals in Ceyhan County.

Approximately 300 out of the more than 1,500 injured persons are at hospitals and they are undergoing medical treatment.

[03] TRANSPORTATION MINISTER MENZIR LEAVES FOR HONG KONG

Prior to his departure from the Ataturk Airport, Menzir said that he will attend the celebrations to be held on July 1 upon the first anniversary of Hong Kong's being returned to China and participate in the opening ceremony of the Hong Kong Airport.

Recalling that Stephan Ip, the Economic Affairs Minister of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of China, and he signed a ''Bilateral Air Transportation Agreement'' during his vist to Ankara in April, Menzir said that Hong Kong's airlines company Cathay Pacific will start its flights to Turkey by 8 August 1998.

Pointing out that an air connection should be set up between Turkey and Hong Kong for the improvement of relations, Menzir stated that the flights between Turkey and Hong Kong will cause an enlivenment in tourism and in commercial relations.

Necdet Menzir will return to Turkey on 3 July.

[04] EARTHQUAKE IN SOUTHERN ADANA PROVINCE AND ITS SURROUNDINGS - KIZILAY SENDS 3,950 TENTS AND 8,291 BLANKETS TO REGION

The General Chairmanship of the Kizilay said in a written statement that a total of four portable kitchens were now giving service in Adana and Ceyhan County.

The statement said that a total of 3,950 tents and 8,291 blankets were sent to the region up until now and that six more portable kitchens, two water tanks and more tents will be sent to the region.

Meanwhile, the Sabanci Holding transferred 250 billion Turkish Liras to the Adana Governorship to meet the losses of the victims of the earthquake.

[05] TURKEY-PRESS REVIEW (1)

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

EARTHQUAKE IN ADANA: 116 DEAD
Scores of people were believed to be still trapped under mountains of rubble yesterday, a day after a major earthquake struck southern Turkey, killing at least 116 people and injuring 1,517, officials said. Among those killed on Saturday were 37 people who lived in the downtown suburbs of Adana, a city of one million about 400 kilometres south of the capital of Ankara. The hardest hit areas were slums with poorly constructed buildings. In the nearby town of Ceyhan, about 48 kilometres east of Adana, rescue workers are using earthmoving machinery to uncover people buried under the rubble.

President Suleyman Demirel toured the area early Sunday morning and supervised rescue work. He visited local hospitals and met with the injured. Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz and Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit, accompanied by a delegation of state ministers, were also among those visiting the area. /All papers/

PKK BLOCKADES ROAD: TWO DEAD
Terrorists of the PKK terrorist organization, who blockaded the highway to Bingol over the weekend, killed one Turkish soldier and a Turkish Electricity Distribution Company (TEDAS) worker. During the conflicts in the Emergency Rule Region during the last few days, 10 PKK terrorists were killed and two security officials died. /Milliyet/

NSC MEETS TODAY
The National Security Council will hold a meeting today during which Cyprus and the French Armenian draft will mainly be discussed. President Suleyman Demirel will head the meeting which will also be attended by Sukru Sina Gurel, the Minister of State Responsible for Cyprus and EU relations. /Milliyet/

MISSILE CRISIS IN G-8 COUNTRIES
Seven members of the highly-developed G-8 countries (the US, Britain, Japan, Germany, Italy, France, Canada and Russia) have launched initiatives at the ambassadorial level in Moscow and want the Russian government to cancel the delivery of the S-300 missiles to the Greek Cypriot Administration. Seven ambassadors have stressed the decisions made for the disarmament of instable regions. On the other hand, the Russian officials have so far rejected the initiatives and claim that the balance on Cyprus won't be disrupted by the S-300 missiles. Meanwhile, Glafcos Clerides, the Greek Cypriot leader, will visit Moscow in July. Clerides is expected to meet with Boris Yeltsin, the Russian Head of State, on 13 July. /Milliyet/

''FRIENDSHIP MESSAGE'' FROM GREECE
Kostis Stephanopoulos, the Greek President, has sent a ''friendship and peace'' message to Turkey requesting that efforts be exerted to find a solution to the Cyprus problem. Completing a four-day visit to the Greek Cypriot Administration, Stephanopoulos made a statement before his departure and said, ''I convey to Turkey a message of friendship and peace, and I hope that Turkey will accept it''. He noted that the Greek Cypriot Administration wanted the Turkish Cypriots to attend negotiations with the EU and he added, ''The future of the island concerns not only the Greek Cypriots, but also the Turkish Cypriots. The prosperity of one side is connected to that of the other side''. /Cumhuriyet/

[06] TURKEY-PRESS REVIEW (2)

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

IRAQ ALLOWS TERRORIST PKK TO OPEN OFFICES IN BAGHDAD
Iraq has allowed the PKK terrorist organization to open offices in Baghdad, an Arabic newspaper reported yesterday. The London-based Al-Hayat, quoting Kurdish sources in Northern Iraq, also said that Iraq has started providing the PKK terrorist organization with weapons and logistical support. Al- Hayat also said that two other offices of the PKK have been opened in the northern cities of Mosul and Kirkuk. Iraq also urged the two Iraqi Kurdish groups controlling the north of that country, the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) and the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), to allow the PKK to operate in their areas bordering Turkey. /All papers/

ILLICIT IRAQI OIL LEGALIZED
Companies which import fuel from Northern Iraq will form a joint-stock company and rent depots from the Turkish Petroleum Corporation (TPAO) for the storing of fuel. New regulations, to be enforced by the government, aren't aimed at stopping fuel imports from Northern Iraq, but to bring it under legal control. It is reported that companies bringing fuel from Northern Iraq to Turkey have applied to the Ministry of Finance for the registration and taxation of their business. The Ministry of Finance is still continuing work for the taxing of these businesses. The companies decided to unite and form a joint-stock company, with head offices in Sirnak. The company will operate on the border and take over the TPAO reserves located at the border. /All papers/

IMF-TURKEY TALKS CONCLUDED
The Staff Monitoring Programme between Turkey and the IMF was agreed upon in Washington, D.C., on 27 June. The Programme includes the Turkish government's economic programme for the next 18 months. ''This is a sound text'' said Gunes Taner, the Minister of State, Turkey's representative at the talks, showing journalists a copy of the accord. Taner told journalists that after some technical points were agreed upon, Turkey then presented her letter to the IMF. ''The IMF will publicly explain its position on Monday or Tuesday. Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz will hold a press conference at the same time'', he added. /All papers/

FIRST TWO COUGAR CHOPPERS EXPECTED TO ARRIVE NEXT YEAR
The transfer of the first two of Eurocopter's Cougar MK1 military transport helicopters from France to Turkey will take place in June 1999. Both the Eurocopter and Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) signed a contract early this year to jointly produce 30 Cougars under the Eurocopter license.

PFP CENTRE IN ANKARA
The Turkish Armed Forces (TSK), the second largest army in the NATO, will open a Partnership for Peace (PFP) Centre in Ankara on Monday. The opening of the centre is a significant step forward in the promotion of the alliance's concept of a new strategic defense structure. The PFP Centre is the first military training school of its kind in the NATO's southern flank. It will be opened by Gen. Cevik Bir, the Deputy Chief of General Staff. /All papers/

A CENTURY-LONGING ENDS
Six artifacts and a grave stone commemorating the ''brave gladiator Klados'' stolen by amateur divers from a ship sunk in 1894 in the English Channel have been delivered to the Turkish Embassy in London a century later, following an international legal action. Thus, the artifacts stolen during the Ottoman period are being returned to Turkey for the first time. /Cumhuriyet/

[07] TURKEY-PRESS REVIEW (3)

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

INCREASE IN DOMESTIC NATURAL GAS PRODUCTION
The Turkish Petroleum Corporation (TPAO) has accelerated its studies to increase natural gas production to meet the demand of the domestic market. According to the TPAO officials, the annual production has increased from 600 million cubic meters to 1.5 billion cubic meters. They add that the total natural gas production increased from 3 percent to 10 percent after the northern Marmara natural gas facilities started operations. /Hurriyet/

BAYAR: ''PRIVATIZATION INCREASES TURKEY'S IMF CREDIBILITY''
Ugur Bayar, the Chairman of the Privatization Administration, said that the recent IMF delegation under the chairmanship of Martin Hardy had been ''very satisfied'' with the activities of the Privatization Administration. He added that the administration had met the targets determined for the first half of the year. Bayar noted that the IMF delegation had also proposed new regulations to facilitate the use of the privatization income. /Hurriyet/

CAPITAL: ''EUROPE IN BOSPHORUS''
Capital, one of the leading economy magazines of Germany, has published a report on Turkey with the title, ''Europe in Bosphorus''. The report reflected the dynamism of the Turkish private sector in trade. It discusses the disappointment of the Turkish trade and business sector with the European Union. The magazine also gives portraits of the leading Turkish businessmen, Muharrem Kayhan, Sakip Sabanci, Sarik Tara and Rahmi Koc and reports on their ideas about the Turkish economy. /Hurriyet/

FRENCH HISTORIAN SHEDS LIGHT ON ARMENIAN MASSACRE
French historian Prof. Robert Mantran, who has written books on Ottoman history, said that the meaning of the expression of ''massacre'' has been used in a very general sense. Responding to questions from the weekly Turkish Tempo magazine, Mantran said that the Turks had also been massacred in 1915 and that the Turkish government had to prove with documents that not only Armenians, but also Turks had been massacred. /Hurriyet/

KINKEL: ''WE ARE READY TO HELP TURKEY''
Klaus Kinkel, the German Foreign Minister, sent a message to his Turkish counterpart Ismail Cem reflecting his and the German people's sadness about the earthquake in Adana at the weekend. Kinkel said, ''We are ready to help Turkey to reconstruct the region''. /Hurriyet/

CLINTON AND WEIZMAN OFFER THEIR CONDOLENCES
The US President Bill Clinton sent a message to President Suleyman Demirel yesterday offering his condolences about the earthquake in Adana, saying that they were ready to help in rescue operations. Also, the Israeli President Ezer Weizman called his Turkish counterpart Suleyman Demirel yesterday to offer his condolences.

TURKEY IS A MODEL IN TOURISM
Egypt and Tunisia take the Turks as a model in touristic tour operations in order to reach their targets in Europe. Both countries would like to cooperate with Turkey in tour operations in Europe. Last week, Egyptian tourism investors came to Istanbul to meet with their Turkish counterparts to discuss cooperation opportunities in Europe and to exchange views. /Sabah/

[08] DEMONSTRATION HELD TO PROTEST DANGEROUS TRANSITS THROUGH THE STRAITS AND POLLUTION IN THE BLACK SEA

A demonstration was held the same day at the Bosphorus by various non- governmental organizations (NGOs) in order to draw the attention of the international public opinion to the dangerous transits through the Straits and the pollution in the Black Sea.

Approximately 200 boats held the demonstration, which was supported by Burhan Kara, the Minister of State.

Kara said that the government aims to protect the security of people and goods near the Straits region, adding that the Black Sea will be a dead sea, if measures aren't taken and the European countries cause 70 percent of the pollution in the Straits.

''I support this initiative held today both as a citizen and on behalf of the government which aims to rescue the Black Sea from pollution and to present the Straits as a peaceful route,'' Kara added.

Yuksel Ustun said on behalf of the NGOs that the transportation of dangerous substances can cause very serious disasters in the Black Sea and in the Straits. Ustun said they set up the International Partnership for the Black Sea among the Black Sea countries last week and these countries will cooperate.

[09] EARTHQUAKE IN ADANA AND SURROUNDING REGION - THE US PRESIDENT CLINTON SENDS MESSAGE TO PRESIDENT DEMIREL OFFERING HIS CONDOLENCES - ISRAELI PRESIDENT WEIZMAN CALLS PRESIDENT DEMIREL OFFERING HIS CONDOLENCES

The Presidential Press Center said that the US President Clinton said in his message that they were ready to help in rescue activities.

The Center said that the Israeli President Weizman called President Demirel expressing his sorrow and offereng his condolences about the earthquake.

Meanwhile, Haydar Aliyev, the President of Azerbaijan, sent a massage to President Demirel expressing his sorrow and offering condolences about the earthquake.

[10] BALAYOGI, THE INDIAN PARLIAMENT SPEAKER VISITS CETIN, THE PARLIAMENT SPEAKER - BALAYOGI: ''OUR NUCLEAR TESTS AREN'T AGAINST ANY COUNTRY''

The Indian parliamentary delegation visited Hikmet Cetin, the Speaker of the Parliament, the same day. Erdogan Toprak, the Chairman of the Turkish- Indian Interparliamentary Friendship Group and its members also participated at the meeting.

''India has always supported peace and stability and she doesn't want to upset her bilateral relations with countries, including Turkey,'' he added.

Balayogi pointed out that the friendship relations between Turkey and India will continue and be further strengthened.

Hikmet Cetin, said that the world needs peace and stability and Turkey and India can contribute to the peace by cooperating.

[11] TERRORIST ATTACK IN CATAK - ONE SERGEANT AND FOUR SOLDIERS DIE - ONE TERRORIST KILLED

A group of separatist terrorists ambushed a gendarmerie team, which would carry out its mission in the Hirsiztepe region of Narli Village at Catak County.

One sergeant and four soldiers died and one separatist terrorist was killed in the clash.

Officials said that the operations were underway ih the region.

Meanwhile, another group of terrorists attacked Sariyaprak settlement in Yoldustu Village at Gurpinar County of Van Province with rockets.

One house and the primary school building were totally destroyed during that attack. There were no reported casualties.

The separatist terrorists fled to the mountainous area.

The operations in the region are underway.

[12] EIGHT MEMBERS OF THE SEPARATIST TERRORIST ORGANIZATION CAPTURED IN IZMIR

Addressing a press briefing, Altan Yenice, the Deputy Director General of Security in Izmir said that the anti-terrorism officers captured four members of the ''bomb team,'' who carry out terroristic activities in the western province of Izmir and four other people who helped them.

The four members of the ''bomb team'' left a bomb inside a bag on 13 May 1998 at the Izmir bus station and left another bomb in a dustbin in front of a school in Izmir the same day. The same separatist terrorists threw a bomb into the garden of the Sehit Cemil Ozer police station on 5 June 1998.

[13] SANLIURFA GOVERNORSHIP DELEGATION'S CONTACTS IN TRNC - TRNC PRESIDENT DENKTAS: ''WE ARE UNDER TRANSPORTATION EMBARGO''

Denktas received the southeastern Sanliurfa Governorship delegation led by Faruk Isik, the Deputy Governor of Sanliurfa. Denkas said in the meeting that an embargo was being imposed on the TRNC in the field of transportation, as in the other fields, so they were experiencing difficulty in transportation.

''The Turkish people visiting the TRNC provide at least the circulation of economic blood. The ties between our two countries become stronger. This is exactly what we want,'' Denktas stressed.

Pointing out that he saw a vigor in every part of Anatolia during his visits and Turkey was developing despite all the negativeness, Denktas emphasized that they were aware of this improvement and development.

Deputy Governor Faruk Isik said that the goal of their visit was to observe the special administrative structure.

The delegation was also received by Hakki Atun, the Speaker of the TRNC Parliament, and by Dervis Eroglu, the Prime Minister of the TRNC.

[14] DENKTAS, THE TRNC PRESIDENT CALLS UN SECURITY COUNCIL MEMBERS' AMBASSADORS TO MEET

Denktas, who firstly met with David Madden, the British High Commissioner, will also meet with Kenneth Brill, the US Ambassador, Georgi Muradov, the Russian Ambassador and Chen Zhenyo, the Chinese Ambassador the same day.

The meeting of Denktas with Jean Bernard de Jaiure, the French Ambassador to Cyprus hasn't been determined yet.

[15] TRNC PRESIDENT DENKTAS: ''GECITKALE AIRPORT WILL BE USED AS A MILITARY BASE WHEN NECESSARY''

Responding to a question, Denktas said ''we'll keep the Gecitkale functioning. Gecitkale will be used as a military base, which will be continuously used, after a military base has been given to Greece at the Greek Cypriot side.''

Denktas added that all kinds of measures have been taken to keep the Gecitkale Airport operating as a military base.

[16] SAKIK, ONE OF THE LEADING MEMBERS OF THE SEPARATIST TERRORIST ORGANIZATION STARTS TO BE TRIED ON TUESDAY - STATE SECURITY COURT PROSECUTION REQUESTS CAPITAL PUNISHMENT FOR SAKIK BROTHERS

Intense security measures have been taken due to the hearing of Sakık at the court, who is currently in the Diyarbakır E type Prison together with his brother.

The indictment prepared by the Prosecution noted that Sakık, who gave very important information about the separatist organization after he was captured, gave orders and actively participated in the terrorist activities, the murder of 125 people including a two-day old baby between 1980-1998 and killing 113 security officers, including 33 soldiers on the Bingol-Elazıg motorway.

Sakık, who is held liable for 191 terrorist activities concerning the murder of 238 people, will be tried together with his brother with a request for the death sentence.

Meanwhile, many foreign press members are expected to visit Diyarbakır in order to watch the hearing of the Sakık brothers.

[17] REPERCUSSIONS OF MONITORING AGREEMENT BETWEEN TURKEY AND IMF - MIRAS, CHAIRMAN OF TOBB: - ''WE EVALUATE THIS AGREEMENT AS A POSITIVE DEVELOPMENT STEMMING FROM SEVERAL RECOVERIES IN THE ECONOMY''

Evaluating the agreement reached in Washington, D.C., last weekend, Miras told the A.A correspondent, ''we define the agreement with the IMF as a positive development. We evaluate this as a development stemming from several recoveries in the economy.''

Miras said that they, as the TOBB, wanted the draft laws to be legalized by the Parliament as soon as possible so a better development would be provided at the IMF Executive Directors' meeting on 23 July at which the agreement will be approved.

''Thus Turkey's foreign credit taps will be opened. I think those who opened credits will bring an atmosphere of well-being to the economy on the condition of using them for the liquidation of the foreign debt,'' he stated.

''Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz vowed that they won't implement an election policy and they will legalize the draft laws which will be effective in the struggle against inflation. The priority was for the tax draft law. Now, the Parliament is discussing this draft law. In parallel to this, the Social Security Draft Law is awaiting discussion at the Parliament. We believe this bill will be discussed by the Social Economic Council after its preparation and then will be transferred to the Parliament as soon as possible,'' he added.

[18] CORDOVEZ, THE UN SECRETARY GENERAL'S SPECIAL CONSULTANT TO CYPRUS TO ARRIVE ON CYPRUS ON THURSDAY

Cordovez will hold contacts on the island aimed at restarting the negotiations between the Turkish Cypriot and the Greek Cypriot sides and to improve the military dialogue between them.

Diego Cordovez will also meet with Rauf Denktas, the President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) and Glafcos Clerides, the leader of the Greek Cypriot administration.

The visit of the UN official will be just before the approval of two resolutions by the UN Security Council about the Cyprus question. The UN Security Council is expected to approve the resolutions on Tuesday.

[19] TURKEY IN BRIEF, JUNE 28, 1998

Yucelen will participate in a reception which will be hosted by Mariano Gago, the Portuguese Minister of Science in honour of the EUREKA ministers.

Yucelen will undertake the term presidency of EUREKA on 30 June on behalf of Turkey.

ANKARA - General Ilhan Kılıc, the Air Forces Commander, will leave for Israel on Tuesday as an official guest of Gen. Eiltan Ben Eliahu, the Israeli Air Forces Commander, it was reported on Monday.

The General Secretariat of the Air Force said that Gen. Kılıc will wrap up his contacts in Israeli on 3 July and return to Turkey.

ANKARA - The National Security Council convened on Monday under the leadership of President Suleyman Demirel.

The National Security evaluated internal and external developments during its regular meeting.

TEKIRDAG - A businessmen delegation headed by Zeki Sanal, the Governor of Tekirdag, left for Bulgaria on Monday upon the invitation of Iliyan Obretonov, the Bulgarian Governor of Lovec Province of Bulgaria.

The businessmen, who will stay in Bulgaria for four days, will return to Turkey on 2 July.

ANKARA - Bilgin Aygul, the Director General of the Forum Fair Inc. said on Monday that they will hold a Turkish-Expo 98 Fair in Barcelona, Spain in 1999, adding that the firm has contributed to the holding of 10 international fairs in the first six months of 1998 and provided for the participation of 340 Turkish firms in these fairs. Noting that they aim to encourage the Turkish firms to open to foreign markets and contribute to the exports of Turkey, Aygul said that the Turkish-Expo Baghdad, which they held last year, couldn't be held this year due to the crisis.

[20] BARGAINING NEGOTIATIONS FOR PRIVATIZATION OF POAS - AKMAYA-ORTEKS JOINT INITIATIVE GROUP GIVES THE HIGHEST BID: 1 BILLION 160 MILLION US DOLLARS

The joint initiative groups, which participated in the tender, submitted their bids in the non-elimination written tour of the final bargaining negotiations chaired by Haluk Buyukbes, the Deputy Chairman of the Privatization Administration Board.

The highest bid reached in this tour was 625 million US dollars. This amount was then increased to 728 million US dollars in the second written tour while the Selahattin Beyazit and the Cukurova Holding Inc.-Anadolu International Trade and Transportation Inc. Joint Inıtiative Group was eliminated as it gave the lowest bid.

Later, the verbal tours started at 728 million US dollars, which was defined by the commission, and the auction price was raised in segments of 10 million US dollars each.

The commission asked for an additional 15 million US dollars as a guarantee in the eighth verbal tour, so the performance bond increased to 50 million US dollars. In the 12th tour, the Akmaya-Orteks Joint Initiative Group gave the highest bid of 1 billion 160 million US dollars, while the other joint initiative gruops withdrew from the tender.

Half of the cost will be paid in advance on the date of the contract; 25 percent within one year and the remaining 25 percent within two years at the latest.

The simple interest for half of the cost will be ten percent.

The sale of the 51 percent stake in the POAS will be valid after the approval of the Privatization Supreme Board.

[21] GARANTI BANK BECOMES MEMBER OF FCI

The Garanti Bank said in a written statement that it started international factoring services with exports factoring in 1997 and that it is the only bank in Turkey giving that kind of service.

The statement said that the Garanti Bank presented to its customers the wide correspondent network and high-technology opportunities of the FCI and that their next goal is to offer new services and opportunities to its customers, with a variety of foreign trade factoring services.

The FCI has 134 members in 48 countries.

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