Anadolu Agency: News in English, 98-10-14

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

14 OCT 1998

CONTENTS

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

[02] TURKISH-SYRIAN TENSION - TURKEY CONVEYS HER RESOLUTION ABOUT THE SYRIAN ISSUE TO ANNAN, THE UN SECRETARY GENERAL

[03] THE US: ''THE INITIATIVE OF MUBARAK BETWEEN TURKEY AND SYRIA HAS GIVEN A POSITIVE RESULT'' ''WE GIVE FULL SUPPORT TO REALIZATION OF BAKU-CEYHAN PIPELINE''

[04] GENERAL KIVRIKOGLU, THE CHIEF OF THE GENERAL STAFF: ''WE HAD EARLIER SAID THAT SYRIA FIGHTS AN UNDECLARED WAR AGAINST TURKEY BY GIVING SUPPORT TO THE SEPARATIST TERRORIST PKK ORGANIZATION''

[05] PARLIAMENTARY INVESTIGATION MOTION BROUGHT AGAINST CELIK, THE FORMER MINISTER OF LABOUR AND SOCIAL SECURITY ACCEPTED IN PARLIAMENT

[06] A GREEK-CYPRIOT, WHO VIOLATED TRNC BORDER, DETAINED

[07] ZEYDAN, DEMOCRAT TURKEY PARTY DEPUTY RESIGNS FROM HIS PARTY

[08] HIGHER PLANNING COUNCIL MEETING ENDS

[09] THE PARLIAMENT ACCEPTS THE PARLIAMENTARY INVESTIGATION MOTION CLAIMING THAT PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ AND CELEBI, THE STATE MINISTER MISUSED THEIR POSITIONS ON PRIVATIZATION TENDERS OF POAS

[10] PRESIDENT DEMIREL RECEIVES MEMBERS OF THE TURKISH-GREEK FRIENDSHIP GROUP - ''PEACEFUL MEANS ARE IMPORTANT CONCERNING THE SOLUTION OF PROBLEMS''

[11] TURKEY-STOCK EXCHANGE - IMKB FIRST SESSION - NATIONAL-100 INDEX REDUCES TO 1,972.48 WITH A DECREASE OF 130.18 POINTS

[12] TURKEY IN BRIEF - 14 OCTOBER 1998

[13] TURKISH PRESS REVIEW (1)

[14] TURKISH PRESS REVIEW (2)

[15] TURKISH PRESS REVIEW (3)

[16] TURKISH PRESS REVIEW (4)

[17] BASIC ECONOMIC FIGURES FOR 1999 ANNOUNCED

[18] BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT PROJECT BETWEEN TURKEY AND EU - 17.1 MILLION ECU OF DONATION OBTAINED FROM EU MEDA FUND

[19] ''FOURTH INTERNATIONAL ART AND HANDICRAFTS FAIR'' TO BE OPENED ON 17 OCTOBER IN ANKARA

[20] TURKISH-SYRIAN TENSION - ATACANLI, FOREIGN MINISTRY DEPUTY SPOKESMAN: ''SYRIA SHOULD FULLY MEET TURKEY'S DEMANDS AND CONCERNS TO OVERCOME TENSION''

[21] BAKU-CEYHAN OIL PIPELINE - ATACANLI, FOREIGN MINISTRY DEPUTY SPOKESMAN: ''BAKU-CEYHAN IS THE MOST SECURE, ECONOMIC AND APPROPRIATE WAY FOR TRANPORTING CASPIAN OIL TO THE WORLD MARKETS''

[22] STATEMENTS OF SIMITIS IS NOT FOUND CONVINCING - ATACANLI, FM DEPUTY SPOKESMAN: ''WE HAVE COMPLAINTS ABOUT ACTIVITIES OF SEPARATIST TERRORIST ORGANIZATION IN GREECE''

[23] TURKISH-FRENCH JOINT STATEMENT SIGNED

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

HURRIYET (LIBERAL) GEN. KIVRIKOGLU: ''WE HAVE BEEN PATIENT FOR 14 YEARS''
General Kıvrıkoglu, the Chief of the General Staff, who inspected the military troops in Malatya, Diyarbakır and Adana Provinces said that Turkey has been patient for 14 years and 30,000 citizens died due to terrorism. Noting that Syria carries out an undeclared fight against Turkey since 1984, General Kıvrıkoglu said ''it's enough, we'll take the necessary measures if the problem isn't solved.''

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

SABAH (LIBERAL)

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

RADIKAL (LEFT)

YENİ YÜZYIL (LIBERAL)

TÜRKİYE (RIGHT)

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

[02] TURKISH-SYRIAN TENSION - TURKEY CONVEYS HER RESOLUTION ABOUT THE SYRIAN ISSUE TO ANNAN, THE UN SECRETARY GENERAL

Volkan Vural, the Turkish Permanent Representative to the UN explained the views of Turkey concerning the tension with Syria to Kofi Annan the same day. Last week, Vural submitted a letter to Annan explaining the views of Ismail Cem, the Foreign Minister.

Kofi Annan received on Tuesday the ambassadors of the Arab countries including the Syrian representative and suggested the peaceful solution of the Turkish-Syrian problem.

Volkan Vural told Annan that Turkey is confronted with the activities of the separatist terrorist organization which takes shelter in Syria and the chief of the separatist terrorist organization is in Syria.

''Many activities which support the PKK are determined to be on the Syrian side,'' added Vural, stressing that Turkey can't accept these activities.

''Turkey attributes great importance to diplomatic efforts for the solution of the problem,'' said Vural, adding that Turkey will be pleased if a change is seen in the Syrian attitude and if Syria helps in solution of the problem.

Kofi Annan thanked Vural concerning the attention paid by Turkey concerning the use of diplomacy.

[03] THE US: ''THE INITIATIVE OF MUBARAK BETWEEN TURKEY AND SYRIA HAS GIVEN A POSITIVE RESULT'' ''WE GIVE FULL SUPPORT TO REALIZATION OF BAKU-CEYHAN PIPELINE''

Noting that Mubarak held serious negotiations in the capitals of both countries, Rubin stated that President Demirel described the recent development as ''a concrete message from Syria which has to be taken into account.''

Pointing out that the US wants the peaceful solution of the problem, Rubin stated that they have ''clearly'' explained to Syria what should be done concerning the struggle against terrorism.

The US had warned Syria that she should permanently end her support to the separatist terrorist PKK organization.

Evaluating on several news articles which claimed that the Baku-Ceyhan pipeline can't be realized, James Rubin stated ''the US is committed to the realization of Baku-Ceyhan pipeline project and the East-West Corridor.''

''When President Demirel said that the US government was supporting the pipeline which will pass via Turkey, he was right,'' added Rubin, noting that the US administration will continue to launch efforts to this end and they are pleased with the constructive statements of Cumhur Ersumer, the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources.

The AIOC, the consortium of the Azerbaijani oil companies will decide on the transport route of the Azerbaijani oil to the West on 29 October.

[04] GENERAL KIVRIKOGLU, THE CHIEF OF THE GENERAL STAFF: ''WE HAD EARLIER SAID THAT SYRIA FIGHTS AN UNDECLARED WAR AGAINST TURKEY BY GIVING SUPPORT TO THE SEPARATIST TERRORIST PKK ORGANIZATION''

Addressing a press briefing at the Adana Airport, General Kıvrıkoglu said ''we want a diplomatic solution of the problem between Turkey and Syria. If problem isn't solved by diplomacy, then it is inevitable to take the necessary measures.''

Noting that Turkey has been suffering from terrorism for years, General Kıvrıkoglu said ''Syria is fighting an undeclared war against Turkey by supporting terrorism. Turkey has been suffering from terrorism since 1984; more than 30,000 security officials and citizens died.''

General Kıvrıkoglu said that when one takes into account the methods used by countries in order to prevent the terrorist activities against them, then it is seen that Turkey has been very patient against Syria until today and she has attributed importance to diplomatic efforts.

''This situation can't continue for a long time,'' said General Kıvrıkoglu, pointing out that the existing problem isn't a Turkish-Arab problem, but a bilateral problem between Turkey and Syria.

Stressing that the solution of the problem depends on the termination of the support extended by Syria to the separatist terrorist organization, General Kıvrıkoglu stated ''as long as that support continues, then the relations between the two countries can't improve. Turkey wants to have good relations with all countries and improve her good neighbourhood relations. We want a diplomatic solution of the problem, but if it isn't the case, then the necessary measures will be taken.''

[05] PARLIAMENTARY INVESTIGATION MOTION BROUGHT AGAINST CELIK, THE FORMER MINISTER OF LABOUR AND SOCIAL SECURITY ACCEPTED IN PARLIAMENT

Addressing the Parliament, Celik denied the claims and said that the examination held at the SSK in December 1996 was open for inspection by the public opinion and the judiciary.

[06] A GREEK-CYPRIOT, WHO VIOLATED TRNC BORDER, DETAINED

Skuriu, who illegally entered the TRNC territories with his car from the Dikelya British Bases Region, said in the questioning that he accidentally crossed the border as he didn't know the region well.

However, the officials didn't find the evidence persuasive as Skuriu, who lives in Larnaka, is one of the Greek-Cypriots who immigrated from Magusa.

Erdem Demirbag, the General Director of the TRNC Police, told the A.A correspondent that the Military Court decided to extend Skuriu's detention period by four days.

Skuriu will appear at court on Friday.

[07] ZEYDAN, DEMOCRAT TURKEY PARTY DEPUTY RESIGNS FROM HIS PARTY

Following the resignation of Mustafa Zeydan from the party, the DTP lost its required majority to establish a group in the Parliament.

After resigning from the DTP, Mustafa Zeydan joined the ranks of the True Path Party (DYP).

The number of DTP deputies decreased to 19 while the number of DYP deputies increased to 96 in the Parliament.

[08] HIGHER PLANNING COUNCIL MEETING ENDS

Some figures became more definite in the meeting at which the economic figures and targets for 1999 were being discussed.

Reyhan Atmaca, the Deputy Undersecretary of Foreign Trade, told the A.A correspondent that they expect the existing exports of 20.5 billion US dollars to reach 28 billion US dollars and the imports to be 50 billion US dollars at the end of 1998.

Atmaca added that in the meeting, the exports in 1999 were projected to be 31 billion US dollars and the imports to be 53 billion US dollars.

The meeting, which was presided by Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz, concluded at about 02:00 on Wednesday.

Bulent Ecevit, the Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister of State; Ismet Sezgin, the Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister of National Defense; Gunes Taner, the Minister of State; Isin Celebi, the Minister of State; Zekeriya Temizel, the Minister of Finance; Cumhur Ersumer, the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources; Yalim Erez, the Minister of Industry and Trade; Mustafa Tasar, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, attended the meeting.

Orhan Guvenen, the Undersecretary of the State Planning Organization; Yener Dincmen, the Undersecretary of the Treasury; Gazi Ercel, the President of the Central Bank; Nevzat Saygilioglu, the General Director of the Finance Ministry's Department of Revenues; Ugur Bayar, the Chairman of the Privatization Administration Board, and other concerned bureaucrats also participated at the meeting.

The decisions about the basic economic figures for 1999 including the budget, growth rate, inflation and foreign trade volume were envisaged to be made during the meeting at the Prime Ministry.

Isin Celebi, the Minister of State, will hold a press conference on Wednesday concerninig the Higher Planning Council meeting.

After making the figures more definite, the budget draft law for 1999 is expected to be presented to the Parliament on 17 or 18 October.

[09] THE PARLIAMENT ACCEPTS THE PARLIAMENTARY INVESTIGATION MOTION CLAIMING THAT PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ AND CELEBI, THE STATE MINISTER MISUSED THEIR POSITIONS ON PRIVATIZATION TENDERS OF POAS

Adddressing the Parliament, Celebi said that privatization is necessary for Turkey, adding that the opposition parties say yes to privatization in front of the public, but they try to prevent it behind closed doors. ''Regulations and the law were respected during the privatization of the Petrol Ofisi Corporation (POAS),'' said Celebi.

Noting that the 55th government realized 60 percent of the privatization that has been realized up until today, Celebi pointed out ''the decision to privatize the POAS was made in 1994 and we will harm Turkey by bringing such investigation motions which aim to take revenge.''

The motion was later voted and the deputies from the Republican People's Party (CHP) voted for the acceptance of the motion together with the deputies from the FP and True Path Party (DYP), while the Motherland Party (ANAP), Democratic Left Party (DSP) and Democrat Turkey Party (DTP) voted against the motion.

[10] PRESIDENT DEMIREL RECEIVES MEMBERS OF THE TURKISH-GREEK FRIENDSHIP GROUP - ''PEACEFUL MEANS ARE IMPORTANT CONCERNING THE SOLUTION OF PROBLEMS''

''There may be several conflicts between nations, but the thing which is important is to learn to live together, to refrain from making the issues worse and to exert goodwill and efforts to solve these problems,'' he added.

President Demirel received the same day the Turkish-Greek Friendship Group, which is composed of 60 Turkish parliamentarians from various parties.

Noting that peaceful means are important concerning the solution of problems, President Demirel said that the conflicts that exist between Turkey and Greece stem from the past, such as the continental shelf, the armament of the Aegean islands, Cyprus, islets and the problems of the Turkish minority in Western Thrace.

''These conflicts were discussed many times and they created tension, but Turkey and Greece were able to maintain peace,'' added President Demirel.

[11] TURKEY-STOCK EXCHANGE - IMKB FIRST SESSION - NATIONAL-100 INDEX REDUCES TO 1,972.48 WITH A DECREASE OF 130.18 POINTS

At the close of the first session, the financial index decreased 165.17 points to 2,375.97, the industrial index reduced 91.93 points to 1,642.81 and the services index dropped 167.48 points to 2,777.92. The financial shares lost 6.50 percent in value, the industrial shares lost 5.30 percent in value and the services shares lost 5.69 percent in value compared to Tuesday's second session close.

A total of 15 of the 279 shares gained in value, 254 shares lost in value while the prices of 10 shares didn't change.

The trading volume in the morning session was 26.3 trillion Turkish Liras.

[12] TURKEY IN BRIEF - 14 OCTOBER 1998

Prof. Dr. Ismail Ozaslan, the Secretary General of the ITO Executive Board, said in the meeting that many Turkish businessmen were realizing business in Romania, stressing the importance of bilateral contacts in bringing the commercial relations between two countries to the desired level.

''Turkey and Romania don't have any political problems. Bilateral contacts play important role in the trade,'' he added.

ANKARA - General David Tevzadze, the Minister of Defense of Georgia, who is paying an official visit to Turkey, visited on Tuesday Ismet Sezgin, the Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister of National Defense.

Pointing out that the citizens of Abkhazian and Georgian origins in Turkey are the friendship envoys between Turkey and Georgia, Sezgin said, ''Turkey has always felt sympathy for Georgia.''

Recalling that Turkey and Georgia had signed a military training agreement and technical and scientific cooperation agreements, Sezgin said that these constituted the legal basis for the establishment of relations in the field of the defense industry.

IZMIR - Porto Rico's world-famous pop singer Ricky Martin gave a splendid concert late on Tuesday at the Atlas Pavilion at the Izmir Fair.

Martin will continue to charm his Turkish fans in Ankara on Wednesday and in Istanbul between 16 and 17 October.

GAZIANTEP - The exports of dried fruits from the Southeastern Anatolia Project (GAP) Region in the first nine months of 1998 increased 3.4 percent to 36 million 608 thousand US dollars, it was reported on Wednesday.

Officials said that dried fruits were exported mostly to France, Britain, Australia, Germany, the US, Israel, Canada, Italy, Saudi Arabia, Syria and Romania.

TRABZON - The foreign exchange income from the exports of hazelnuts in the 1998-1999 export season, which started on 1 September, increased to over 205 million US dollars, it was reported on Wednesday.

Officials said that they exported 51 thousand 399 tonnes of hazelnuts for 205 million 890 thousand US dollars up until now.

GAZIANTEP - Dogan Altinbilek, the General Director of the State Water Works (DSI), said on Wednesday that they concluded one of the irrigation projects, which were put into the scope of the GAP, while the construction process of eight of them were continuing and they included three of them into the investment programme.

Altinbilek told the A.A correspondent, ''the project cost of 22 irrigation projects in the GAP region is 2 quadrillion 406 trillion 410 billion Turkish Liras (TL), As of the end of 1997, we spent 356.4 trillion TL for these projects. The lands which will be opened for irrigation will reach 132 thousand 330 hectares by the end of 1998. We allocated 23.86 trillion TL this year and this amount will be 237.34 trillion TL for 1999.''

[13] TURKISH PRESS REVIEW (1)

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

TURKEY'S PATIENCE WORN OUT
Turkey, while expecting Syria to take concrete steps to resolve deepening tensions, is preparing for military exercises in Southeastern Anatolia at the beginning of November. General Huseyin Kivrikoglu, the Chief of the General Staff, visiting units in the region said, ''Turkey can't allow this situation to go on any longer''. In another development Ismet Sezgin, the Minister of Defense, said that they were under the impression that Ocalan, the leader of the PKK terrorist organisation, had left Syria. The messages Syria has conveyed to the Turkish leaders through the mediation efforts of Amr Moussa, the Egytian Foreign Minister, have been received with caution by political party leaders in the Parliament. While Agah Oktay Guner, the Motherland Party (ANAP) deputy, said that Hafez al-Assad, the Syrian President, was trying to gain time, the Deniz Baykal, the leader of the CHP, said that preparations shouldn't be suspended without seeing concrete developments from the Syrian side. /Cumhuriyet/

DEMIREL: ''A CLASH IS THE LAST RESORT''
President Suleyman Demirel received Hakan Tartan, the Chairman of the Turkish-Greek Friendship Group, and some members of the group yesterday and stressed that when a situation was a ''powder-keg'' a small spark would suffice to start a war. He added that an armed clash between countries should be a ''last resort'' in conflicts between countries. Demirel said, ''if we can't improve the situation we should try at least not to worsen it''. He pointed out that in Greece harsh criticisms were directed against politicians who preferred to solve problems peacefully. /Cumhuriyet/

MOSSAD: ''APO IS IN RUSSIA''
Following claims that Abdullah Ocalan (Apo), the leader of the PKK terrorist organization, has left Syria, Israeli intelligence is evaluating claims that Apo may have gone to Russia. It is claimed that Ocalan departed from Syria three days ago and went to Russia. A high-level official from the Israeli Intelligence Service (MOSSAD) said yesterday that he had important evidence that Apo has gone from Syria to Russia. Meanwhile, it was reported by Turkish Intelligence Service officials that their own investigations are continuing. On the other hand, Arsen Gasparyan, the Spokesman of the Armenian Foreign Ministry, noted that news claiming that Ocalan is in Armenia was unfounded. /Hurriyet/

SYRIA SUMMIT IN ANKARA
The Chief of General Staff, the Foreign Ministry and the National Intelligence Service (MIT) officials held a meeting yesterday in Ankara to discuss the Turco-Syrian crisis. Hilmi Ozkok, the Deputy Chief of the General Staff, Korkmaz Haktanir, the Undersecretary of the Foreign Ministry, Senkal Atasagun, the Undersecretary of the MIT, Lt. General Yasar Buyukanit, the Chief of General Staff Action Department and other high-ranking officials attended the meeting. After the meeting it was announced that Syria's response conveyed to President Suleyman Demirel on Monday by Amr Moussa, the Egyptian Foreign Minister, and recent information about PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan's whereabouts were discussed at the meeting. It was also reported that a high-ranking Foreign Ministry official would go to the Arab countries to give briefings about the Turkish-Syrian crisis. /Sabah/

PKK LEADER ISN'T IN SYRIA
Ismet Sezgin, the Minister of National Defense, said yesterday that Abdullah Ocalan, the PKK leader, wasn't in Syrian territories. Sezgin noted that Syria had stopped the PKK camp activities in the Bekaa Valley. Sezgin added that a committee including officials from the Foreign Ministry, MIT, Office of the Chief of the General Staff and the Security Department would inquire into the PKK activities in the Syrian and Lebanese territories under the control of Syria. /Cumhuriyet/

SHARA: ''NO OBSTACLE TO AGREEMENT''
Following a meeting with Amr Moussa, the Egyptian Foreign Minister, who visited Damascus after completing his one-day visit to Ankara, Faruq al- Shara, the Syrian Foreign Minister, said that Turkey had always been a friend of Syria and other Arab countries. Shara added that since the beginning of the crisis between the two countries, they had tried to solve the problem diplomatically and didn't see any obstacle to new agreements. Amr Moussa said that they had tried to organize a meeting between the Turkish and Syrian Foreign Ministers for sometime next week. On the other hand, Ankara is very careful about the mild statements of Faruq el-Shara and diplomatic sources yesterday added that Turkey would continue her diplomatic attack supported by military determination. /Milliyet/

[14] TURKISH PRESS REVIEW (2)

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

SYRIAN OBSTACLE TO TURKISH BORDER TRADE
Syria aims to decrease the volume of trade between Turkey and Northern Iraq by opening up three border customs points. Turkish businessmen examined these customs facilities last week and found that Syria wasn't applying customs tax on any goods. The businessmen reported that this application was aimed at decreasing the volume of trade of Turkey. /Milliyet/

JORDAN SUPPORTS TURKEY'S POLICY
Jordanian Prince Hasan Bin Talal said yesterday in a special interview with the Milliyet daily newspaper that the PKK problem was a reality and that Syria should prove with concrete evidence that there were no PKK members in Syria. Turkey has long been suffering from terrorist attacks during which many people have lost their lives. Finally, Turkey's rightful stance should be well understood by international circles, said Hasan Bin Talal, adding that Jordan had always supported Turkey's struggle against terrorism. /Milliyet/

YILMAZ-SIMITIS MEETING
At the end of a meeting of the Prime Ministers of the Southeastern European Countries, Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz and his Greek counterpart Costas Simitis held a joint press conference. Yilmaz said that Turkey couldn't endure any longer the Syrian support for terrorist activities, adding that the Turkish government was determined to stop foreign support for the separatist activities. Simitis said that Greece was against terrorist activities and that Greek security units didn't tolerate PKK activities in Greece. On Turkey-Greece relations, Simitis said the authority of the Hague International Court of Justice should be accepted. /Milliyet/

75TH ANNIVERSARY OF ANKARA'S PROCLAMATION AS THE CAPITAL
The 75th anniversary of Ankara's proclamation as the capital of Turkey was celebrated yesterday. President Suleyman Demirel stated that choosing Ankara as the state capital was one of the important turning points in Turkish history and added, ''Ankara as the capital symbolizes the existence of the Republic of Turkey until eternity''. /Cumhuriyet/

[15] TURKISH PRESS REVIEW (3)

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

THE TRUTH ABOUT THE PKK WILL BE EXPLAINED TO ITALY
The Parliament is sending a set of books and booklets, including pictures of children killed during bloody attacks carried out by the PKK terrorists, to the Italian Parliament even now preparing to embrace the Armenians after opening their doors to the so-called Kurdish Parliament-in-exile. The Parliament will invite a large group of deputies from Italy to explain Turkey's position to them. /Cumhuriyet/

YUGOSLAVIA JOINS BALKAN NATIONS IN COMMON POSITION ON KOSOVO
In line with the apparent thawing of Yugoslavian President Slobodan Milosevic's position on the Kosovo conflict, the Yugoslavian delegation participating in the Balkan summit in Antalya reached a compromise with its counterparts and the summit ended yesterday with a joint declaration calling for the implementation of the UN resolutions on the issue. Although the Albanian delegation also made considerable concessions and signed the declaration, it didn't openly condemn Yugoslavia. The declaration calls on all parties in the Kosovo dispute to agree to an immediate cessation of violence, the inauguration of immediate dialogue without preconditions, a political solution based on Yugoslavia's territorial integrity and a large degree of autonomy and self-government for Kosovo. Speaking after the meeting, the Prime Minister defined the summit as a ''political and diplomatic success'' and emphasized that it had been the only international gathering in which Yugoslavia had participated on an equal footing. The Balkan countries also agreed to increase economic cooperation and signed an agreement on the establishment of a Trade Promotion Centre to be based in Ankara. /All papers/

WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION PRAISES TURKEY
A report prepared by the World Trade Organization (WTO) notes that Turkey's trade agreements with the European Union (EU) have helped the development of the business atmosphere for foreign investors. The report says that together with structural and legal reforms, the Customs Union (CU) agreement signed between Turkey and the EU created access to a more secure business atmosphere and market for all investors in Turkey. The report points out that reforms will provide important benefits for the Turkish economy. The report gives detailed technical information regarding the CU agreement and recalls that Turkey is trying to conform her own legal procedures with those of the EU. /Hurriyet/

[16] TURKISH PRESS REVIEW (4)

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

DINCMEN: ''CHANGING TARGETS DON'T AFFECT IMF AGREEMENT''
Yener Dincmen noted yesterday that the revision of inflation targets wouldn't create any problems from the standpoint of the Monitoring Agreement signed between Turkey and the IMF. An IMF delegation led by Turkey-desk chief Martin Hardy arrived in Ankara yesterday. The delegation will hold talks with high-ranking Turkish finance bureaucrats on the economic achievements of 1998 and the objectives for 1999. Before the arrival of the IMF delegation, Treasury bureaucrats announced that the objectives set for 1998 will be achieved and that the IMF is expected to express positive opinions on the performance of the Turkish economy. /All papers/

FIRST FINANCE FAIR
An International Finance, Banking and Financial Technology Fair will be opened in Istanbul on 19 November. It is reported that the first finance fair of Turkey carries great importance because it shows not only the developments achieved in the financial sector for 75 years but also demonstrates Turkey's place in the world economy and sheds light on the future of the Turkish financial sector. /Hurriyet/

ALIYEV'S GUARANTEE FOR BAKU-CEYHAN
Haydar Aliyev, the Azerbaijani President, held a press conference yesterday and said that he had always supported the Baku-Ceyhan pipeline project. Aliyev added, ''when I come to Turkey for the celebrations of the 75th anniversary of the Republic of Turkey, I would like to sign an agreement for the Baku-Ceyhan pipeline project''. Meanwhile, the US Department of State made a statement yesterday and said that the US continued to support the Baku-Ceyhan oil pipeline project. James Rubin, the Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs of the US Department of State, said ''when Turkish President Suleyman Demirel said that the US supports Turkey regarding the oil pipelines, he was absolutely right. We will continue to keep our promise on this issue''. /Hurriyet/

FOREST FIRES
A total of 50 acres of forests have been destroyed by fire in the Toprakkale County of Osmaniye Province, and the Kuzuculu and Ulucinar Counties of Hatay Province. It was reported that efforts to extinguish the fires are continuing. /Hurriyet/

FRENCH-TURKISH TRADE RELATIONS
Jacques Dondoux, the French Minister of State Responsible for Foreign Trade, yesterday evaluated Turkey's political and commercial relations with France. Noting that France was in fourth place among the countries exporting goods to Turkey Dondoux said, ''Turkey is our second client after the China-Hong Kong group among the developing markets''. Dondoux also said that they wanted to buy Turkish Telekom which is going to be privatized. /Cumhuriyet/

EXPO BUILDING FAIR OPENED
The Expo Building ''Construction and Building Equipment Fair'' to improve trade in these sectors between Turkey and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) was opened yesterday. A total of 70 firms from Turkey are participating in the fair. It is aimed at supporting the ''shuttle trade'' and erase the bad image of Turkish products in the CIS. /Cumhuriyet/

[17] BASIC ECONOMIC FIGURES FOR 1999 ANNOUNCED

The deflator indicates the inflationist pressure of all of the goods and services which are the subject of the Gross National Product (GNP).

Addressing a press conference at the Prime Ministry, Celebi announced the basic economic figures for 1999 which were envisaged at the Higher Planning Council meeting which continued until early on Wednesday morning.

According to the Celebi's announcement, the 1999 year basic economic figures, which were determined at the Council's meeting, are as follows:

-GNP: 78 quadrillion 806 trillion Turkish Liras (TL).

This is equivalent to 210.7 billion US dollars.

-Per Capita GNP: 3,273 US dollars.

-Growth Rate: 3 percent

This rate was envisaged to be one percent in agriculture; 3.2 percent in industry, and 3.5 percent in services.

-GNP Deflator: 44.4 percent.

-Inflation: annually 44.4 percent for the Wholesale Prices Index; and 25 percent at the end of 1999.

(The realization target is 58 percent at the end of 1998 for the wholesale prices)

-Foreign Currency Exchange Rate: annually 374 thousand TL.

-Exports: 30 billion US dollars; Imports: 53 billion US dollars

-Foreign Trade Balance: (minus) 23 billion US dollars

-Balance of Current Transactions: (excluding shuttle trade) (minus) 5 billion 470 million US dollars.

-Balance of Current Transactions: (including shuttle trade) 3 billion 600 million US dollars.

-Public Sector Borrowing Requirement: 6 quadrillion 759 trillion TL.

-Budget Deficit: 5 quadrillion 520 trillion TL.

-Total Public Investments: 3 quadrillion 550 trillion TL.

-General and supplementary budget investments: 1.4 quadrillion TL.

-Ratio of Budget Expenditures to GNP: 29.9 percent.

[18] BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT PROJECT BETWEEN TURKEY AND EU - 17.1 MILLION ECU OF DONATION OBTAINED FROM EU MEDA FUND

A tender will be opened in November for the election of one domestic company and one foreign company to give counseling services during the establishment process of these centers. The project is expected to start in January 1999.

Prof. Dr. Halil Sariaslan, the TOBB's Special Consultant responsible for the project, told the A.A correspondent that they obtained a donation of 17.1 million ECUs (20 million US dollars) from the EU Mediterranean Assistance (MEDA) Fund for the EU-Turkish Business Development Centers' project.

[19] ''FOURTH INTERNATIONAL ART AND HANDICRAFTS FAIR'' TO BE OPENED ON 17 OCTOBER IN ANKARA

The works of art and handicrafts of the artists from Turkey, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, the Ukraine, Russia, Slovakia, Romania, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, China, Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Kenya, South Africa, Egypt, India, Pakistan, Iran, Iraq and Palestine will be exhibited at the fair.

The fair, which will include the works of traditional arts, stone, clay, minerals, wooden, textiles, leather, glass products, jewellery, and works of graphics, photography, caricatures, sculptures and ceramics, will also host ballet, dancing and theatre activities.

The fair, at which 200 artists from 28 countries will exhibit their works at 150 stands, will remain open until 25 October.

[20] TURKISH-SYRIAN TENSION - ATACANLI, FOREIGN MINISTRY DEPUTY SPOKESMAN: ''SYRIA SHOULD FULLY MEET TURKEY'S DEMANDS AND CONCERNS TO OVERCOME TENSION''

Addressing a weekly news conference, Atacanli mentioned the statement of President Suleyman Demirel after his meeting with Amr Moussa, the Egyptian Foreign Minister, recalled that Demirel found the message which Mousa brought as ''worth observing'' and that Demirel evaluated the existing situation.

Atacanli pointed out that Turkey closely follows to what extent Syria will take into consideration Turkey's demands and concerns adding ''we are closely following the developments as they should fully satisfy us. The only way to overcome the existing tension with Syria is that this country should fully meet the concerns of Turkey.''

Atacanli noted it wouldn't be right to say something about the context of the messages brought to Ankara by the Egyptian and Iranian sides, adding that initiatives of Egypt and Iran were evaluated as ''goodwill'' initiatives and noted that other countries didn't have a similar initiative.

Responding to a question about giving time to Syria, Atacanli recalled that Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz confirmed that there wasn't such a time, adding that Ismet Sezgin, the Minister of National Defense, conveyed to the press some impressions that Abdullah Ocalan, the leader of the separatist terrorist PKK organization wasn't in Syria. Atacanli also noted that this information should be strengthened.

When asked if a meeting was planned between Foreign Minister Cem and his Syrian counterpart Faruq al-Shara, Atacanli said ''there isn't such a meeting.''

Responding to another question Atacanli said that the only issue on the agenda that can be discussed between Turkey and Syria was terrorism.

Atacanli also didn't confirm the news reports that Cem will pay visits to the Arab countries related to the Turkish-Syrian tension saying ''a visit to the Arab countries isn't on the agenda.''

Responding to a question if Cem's visits to several foreign countries would be cancelled or not, Atacanli said there wasn't such a decision.

Atacanli also said that Foreign Minister Cem will brief the party leaders related to the Turkish-Syrian tension.

[21] BAKU-CEYHAN OIL PIPELINE - ATACANLI, FOREIGN MINISTRY DEPUTY SPOKESMAN: ''BAKU-CEYHAN IS THE MOST SECURE, ECONOMIC AND APPROPRIATE WAY FOR TRANPORTING CASPIAN OIL TO THE WORLD MARKETS''

Addressing a weekly news conference, Atacanli responded to a question which said that the possibility to implement the Baku-Ceyhan project is low as its cost is very high. Atacanli said ''the Baku-Ceyhan Pipeline Project is very important. The importance we attribute to the realization of this project still continues.''

Atacanli said that Turkey expected this project to be realized.

[22] STATEMENTS OF SIMITIS IS NOT FOUND CONVINCING - ATACANLI, FM DEPUTY SPOKESMAN: ''WE HAVE COMPLAINTS ABOUT ACTIVITIES OF SEPARATIST TERRORIST ORGANIZATION IN GREECE''

Sermet Atacanli, Foreign Ministry Deputy Spokesman, told a weekly news conference that ''we have complaints about the activities of the separatist terrorist organization in Greece. We have conveyed these complaints to the public and to Greek government. We would like to say that we have different views from Simitis to this end.''

Simitis, responding to the questions of reporters in Antalya where he came to participate in the summit of the leaders of the Balkan countries, said Greek policy was against terrorism and intervention to the internal affairs of other countries, claiming that existence of military or any other illegal camp in Greece was regardless of question.

[23] TURKISH-FRENCH JOINT STATEMENT SIGNED

The joint statement was prepared and disclosed following the interdelegational talks led by Isin Celebi, Minister of State and Jacques Dondoux, French State Secretary responsible for Foreign Trade.

Isin Celebi, Minister of State said the joint statement reflected determination of the two countries to increase cooperation in the fields of trade and economy.

Celebi stressed that Turkey, the only country which participated in customs union, was determined on the issue of full membership to European Union, adding that the support which France expended and will expend for Turkey's full membership will contribute to this process.

Dondoux, French State Secretary Responsible for Foreign Trade, said his visit to Turkey was very beneficial, adding that he witnessed the success of Gec-Alsthom company who won Can Thermic Power Plant tender, adding that they wanted French companies to make more business in Turkey.

Dondoux said they held ''deep'' contacts in the fields of telecommunication, railways, dams and energy power plants to this end.

Dondoux said France was planning to stage ''Turkey activity'' next year to increase cooperation between Turkish and French committees.

French official pointed out that implementation of euro, joint money unit of Europe, next year will accelerate improvement of EU and Turkey.

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