DEMIREL TO VISIT FRANCE

President Suleyman Demirel will go to France today to attend the opening of an exhibition of the 'Treasures of the Sultan-Topkapi in Versailles' within the guidelines of the 700th anniversary of the establishment of the Ottoman Empire. Demirel will meet French President Jacques Chirac and Prime Minister Lionel Jospin tomorrow. During the meetings the Kosovo problem, developments in NATO, the EU, Iraq and in Caucasia and Turkish-French relations will be deliberated. /Aksam/

DEMIREL-ECEVIT MEETING

President Suleyman Demirel received the leaders of the parties represented in Parliament seperately yesterday. Demirel noted that the government to be established should work in harmony not only within itself but also with the Parliament. All leaders agreed that the task to establish the new government should be given to the Chairman of the Democratic Left Party (DSP) Bulent Ecevit. It is reported that Demirel will receive Ecevit at the Presidential Palace this morning and he is expected to give the mandate to Ecevit. /Aksam/

FIRST PARTY GROUP MEETINGS IN TGNA

The True Path Party (DYP) held the first party group meeting following 18 April General Elections. At the meeting, DYP Leader Tansu Ciller said that the result of the elections showed that Turkish voters had sided by an integration in the central right. She also criticised her party saying that they had lost a great amount of votes and that they would discuss the reasons of the defeat to solve their problems. At the end of the meeting, she told the members of press that they would put the 'integration in the right-wing' project on their agenda. On the other hand, the leader of the Motherland Party (ANAP), Mesut Yilmaz, said that they were ready to contribute to the establishment of a coalition government. After being received by President Suleyman Demirel yesterday, the Virtue Party (FP) leader, Recai Kutan, said that they would call the parties for a dialogue to solve the urgent problems of the country. He added that his party would work in harmony with other parties in the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TGNA) for the establishment of the new government. On the other hand, the leader of the Nationalist Action Party (MHP), Devlet Bahceli, told the members of the press after he was received by President Suleyman Demirel that his party would contribute to the initiatives in the TGNA to take Turkey to the 21st century. /Aksam/Sabah/

A TRADE DELEGATION TO VISIT CHINA

A trade delegation coordinated by the Foreign Trade Undersecretariat will pay an official visit to the People's Republic of China and Hong Kong between June 14-19, the Anatolia News Agency reports. The Foreign Trade Undersecretariat issued a written statement saying that representatives of the public and private sectors will join the programme organized by the Directorate of Central Anatolia Exporters' Unions. Bilateral business talks will be held by members of delegation who are also scheduled to attend seminars where investment and cooperation opportunities will be scrutinized.

RUSSIAN MARKET IS HOPE-INSPIRING FOR TURKISH BUSINESSMEN

The General Secretary of the Russian-Turkish Businessmen's Union (RTIB), Ibrahim Artukarslan, said that an increase in oil prices and IMF credits to Russia constituted a serious support in overcoming the Russian crisis. Artukarslan noted that those Turkish businessmen who had not left Russia during the crisis period have some advantages. He pointed out that Russian financial power was hope-inspiring and stressed that Turkish businessmen should better promote themselves in the Russian market. Artukarslan remarked that a new trade centre 'Moscow Trade Centre for Turkish Export Products' would be opened in Moscow by the Renkprom and Turkel Joint Stock Company on May 16, 1999. He added that the trade centre would serve for 156 Turkish Small and Medium-Scale Enterprises (KOBIs). /Aksam/

TECHNOLOGY CONGRESS IN JUNE

The second Technology Congress organized by the Turkish Scientific and Technical Research Institution (TUBITAK), Turkish Technology Development Foundation (TTGV) and the Turkish Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association (TUSIAD) will be held on June 1, 1999. During the Congress which will be held at the Lutfi Kirdar Congress and Exhibition Palace in Istanbul, technological developments in Turkey and in the world will be discussed. /Aksam/

TREASURY TO EXPORT BONDS

The Treasury will export 14-month (399 days) and six-month term bonds tomorrow. A net sale worth between 800 trillion and 1 quadrillion TL is expected from the export of the bonds. The repayment of the bonds will be realized on June 7, 2000, and on November 3, 1999, respectively. /Aksam/

PETKIM'S INVESTMENT TARGETS

The Petro-Chemical Holding (Petkim) stated that its investment target for 1999 is $30 million. The Head of the Executive Board of Petkim, Vehbi Dincerler, said that the Petkim will enter the 21st century with a new technology and added: "Petkim made an investment of $47.5 million in 1998. In 1999, our investment target is $30 million". /Turkiye/

'IMKB IS EXEMPLARY'

The Chief of the OECD Central Asia and Balkan Desk, Abdul Bayhan, has said that the Istanbul Stock Exchange (IMKB) is exemplary for the stock exchanges in Central Asian and Balkan countries. The OECD, which is planning to open its fifth communications office in Turkey if convenient conditions are provided, will make the IMKB a prevalent model in Central Asian and Balkan countries. Bayhan noted that the first step of the project to be jointly carried out by the IMKB and the OECD was taken at the end of March in Istanbul and stated that the two-stage project aims to establish the technical and legal infrastructure of the stock exchanges in developing countries and to form an information bank concerning these projects in these countries. /Aksam/

OSS POSTPONED

The Student Selection Examination (OSS), which was supposed to be held on May 2, has been postponed to an indefinite date because two question booklets were stolen at the Faculty of Theology of the Marmara University. Fourteen people were taken into custody regarding the incident. Police noted that an investigation into the incident was underway. /Turkiye/

TURKISH GROUND FORCES IN NATO

For a ground operation likely to be held in Kosovo, NATO demanded supplementary ground forces from Ankara. The Head of the NATO Military Committee, Klaus Naumann, who will hand over his task to Guido Venturoni during a ceremony to be held on May 6, has conveyed this request to Turkish Permanent Representative to NATO, Onur Oymen, in Brussels. It is reported that US President Bill Clinton will have additional demands from allied countries concerning the ground forces during his contacts in Germany and Brussels. /Turkiye/

KOFI ANNAN: "DO NOT EXCLUDE TURKEY"

The UN Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, and the US Deputy State Secretary, Strobe Talbott, pointed out that the EU should assume its responsibility concerning the implementation of policies which will include all the countries in Europe. Kofi Annan stated that it was unacceptable to exclude Turkey on the basis of cultural and religious differences and said that the EU should embrace everyone for the establishment of stability and security in Europe. Annan remarked that the development of economic and political dialogue between the EU and Central and Eastern European countries would positively affect the stability in the region. /Turkiye/

SPENCER'S REPORT ON GENERAL COUNCIL

A report prepared by the Head of the Foreign Relations Commission of the European Parliament, Tom Spencer, which evaluates the EU's role in the world and the common foreign policy, will be discussed at the General Council tomorrow. The report points out the importance of strategic relations between Turkey and the EU. /Turkiye/

SIAD SUMMIT IN MANAVGAT

Turkish industrialists and businessmen met at the third Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association (SIAD) Summit in Manavgat, Antalya. At the end of the Summit, they prepared a joint announcement for Turkish tourism which was endorsed by the chairmen of 50 SIAD organizations, Deputy Chairman of Tourism Investors' Association and the Chairman of the Turkish Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association. The announcement comprises urgent measures to be taken in tourism sector. The report foresees five urgent measures: a promotion campaign ought to be launched as soon as possible; an independent promotion institution ought to be established to conduct Turkey's promotion campaigns; tourism minister and representatives of the private sector have to take part in Economic and Social Council meetings; "National Tourism Council" has to be established to carry Turkish tourism to the next century; and tourism investors should be viewed as exporters to receive Eximbank credits. /Sabah/

MOST OF TOURISTS VISITING TURKEY ARE FROM GERMANY

According to the State Institute of Statistics (DIE), for the first three months of this year, 22 % of the tourists visiting Turkey was from Germany. Although there was a decrease in the number of tourists arriving in Turkey compared with the same period of last year, tourism investors are hopeful for the tourism season. /Milliyet/

"WIND POWER STATION"

Wind Energy Power Stations Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association (RESSIAD) prepared a Wind Energy Power Station Draft Bill. The bill allows producer companies to establish power stations to transform wind power into electric energy by means of build-operate-transfer model. /Milliyet/

A PKK TERRORIST KILLED IN THE NETHERLANDS

According to the Dutch 'Telegraph' newspaper dated 27 April 1999, a PKK terrorist who had forced a coffee house owner to pay taxes was killed by the owner of the coffee house. It is reported that the terrorist PKK organization is still continuing to extort money to meet the expenditures of the PKK Chief Abdullah Ocalan's lawyers, to meet the needs of the Med-TV and the members of the organization. Meanwhile, a group of PKK terrorists stopped a private car going on Bingol-Mus highyway and killed the driver, also wounding a passenger in the car. /Cumhuriyet/

PKK TERRORISTS KILL TWO PEOPLE

Members of the PKK terrorist organization who blockaded the road in the Koyunhisar district of Sivas killed two people. Officials noted that operations in the region were on-going. /Aksam/

KANI YILMAZ IN LEBANON

It is reported that PKK terrorist Kani Yilmaz, who is repsonsible for ERNK activities in Europe, is under arrest by the PKK organization in Lebanon. At the end of an investigation by the intelligence service it was learned that Yilmaz was accused of embezzling organizations' funds and having an affair with one of the staff of MED-TV. /Milliyet/

MORE THAN 40 % OF GAP PROJECTS COMPLETED

The 42.8 % of Southeastern Anatolia Project (GAP), one of the world's leading regional development projects, was completed, the Anatolia News Agency reports. In other words, $13.7 billion in public investment has already been spent for the GAP which is expected to cost a total of $32 billion. The percentage completion of projects was 97.5 % in mining, 74.1 % in energy, 40.4 % in production, 29.8 % in communications and transportation, 24.3 % in tourism and 11.9 % in agriculture. In the public sector, it was 96.4 % in health, 61.9 % in education, 34.2 % in housing and 51.3 % in other public services.

TURKEY EXPORTS 110 THOUSAND TONS OF SUGAR

Turkish Sugar Factories' General Directorate exported 100 thousand tons of sugar in the first three months of this year and the total sugar export for the whole year is expected to be around 225 thousand tons, the Anatolia News Agency reports. "The sugar export will continue until the present sugar stocks are consumed", said Selahattin Hun, the General Manager of Turkseker.

COMMANDER OF GENDARMERIE FORCES TO GO TO BAKU

The Commander of the Turkish Gendarmerie Forces, General Rasim Batur, is scheduled to fly to Baku today as an official guest of Azerbaijani Minister of Interior Affairs, Maj Gen. Ramil Usubov, reported the Anatolian News Agency. According to a statement issued by the Gendarmerie Forces Command, Batur will engage in official talks and will conduct inspections during his official visit to Azerbaijan.

TURKEY, ISRAEL NEAR F-5 UPGRADE DEAL

Ankara is preparing to close a deal with Israel to have the Turkish Air Force's 48 F-5 fighter jets upgraded. The Anatolian News Agency reported that the preparations with Israel have to come to the final stage. The jets are to be upgraded at the Turkish Air Force's facilities in Eskisehir, with the project being jointly overseen by Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) and Israeli Aviation Industries (IAI). The F-5 upgrading in Eskisehir is expected to be concluded in one year's time, with the first four jets set to arrive soon at the maintenance facilities there.

EGE: "EXPORTS TO RISE IN JUNE"

Foreign Trade Undersecretary Yavuz Ege said at a conference sponsored by the Middle East Technical University (METU) entitled "Foreign Trade and Economy" that Turkey's exports would increase starting in June. He added that Turkey's exports to many countries in February had increased by 16 % to Germany, 18 % to the European Union countries, 8 % to the US and 57 % to North Africa.

TURKISH FILMS WEEK IN NEW YORK

A New York May Festival began with a concert of the group 'Yeni Turku' yesterday. May has been declared as 'Turkish Month' by the Youth Council of the American-Turkish Women Solidarity Association. The Festival will continue with various acitivities such as concerts and exhibitions to last for one-month. A 'Turkish Films Festival' will also be held in New York within the framework of this Festival. /Turkiye/

FROM THE COLUMNS....FROM THE COLUMNS....FROM THE COLUMNS....

PAX AMERICANA -BY SUKRU ELEKDAG (MILLIYET)

In his column in "Milliyet" Sukru Elekdag comments on the latest developments in NATO. A summary of his column is as follows: "Kommersant newspaper published in Moscow, stated that the new strategy approved at the Washington Summit of NATO brought the whole world under the military intervention and scope of influence of the US, conferring NATO the right to engage in military operations regardless of the approval of the UN Security Council. It also quoted the words of German Foreign Minister Fischer saying, "America is like a sun around many satellite states - big or small- rotating in different orbits." During the summit super power America, which was under control the whole time, has settled the foundation stones of the "Pax Americana" of the 21st century in line with its vision. In fact the allies discussed the strategy in length prior to the summit. However the original plan belonged to the US and suceeded in getting approval for its plan in return for a few concessions to its European allies. The most striking aspect of the Summit was that it showed the change in world strategic balances following the collapse of the Berlin Wall. The participation in the Summit was wide, with the addition of newly independent states of the former Soviet Union and former Warsaw Pact countries to the NATO member countries. This impressive picture showed that the realization of future "American-Eurasian security architecture" was not a mere dream. According to the new strategy, far more courageous than the defence doctrine accepted in 1991, the risks NATO can face are described as such: Countries within the Euro-Atlantic region and its periphery are faced with serious economic, social and political problems. Ethnic and religious animosities can lead to territorial conflicts, the division of states, local and regional instabilities. Tensions created by these problems may result in armed conflicts and may spread to members of the alliance and affect the stability and security within the organization. The new strategy states that NATO could take measures to prevent a conflict and resort to military operations to protect the peace. Thus, the fifth article of the 1949 Washington Agreement is radically changed. According to the fifth article, NATO could use force only for defence purposes, and the military operations would be limited to the area NATO covered. The new strategy does not recognize these boundaries. NATO can resort to military intervention with the purpose of securing peace and stability even though it is not under attack".

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