<<>><<>><<>><<>>----------------------------------------<<>><<>><<>><<>>
<<>><<>><<>>.....TURKISTAN NEWSLETTER...ISSN:--1386-6265....<<>><<>><<>>
<<>><<>><<>>____________________________________________<<>><<>><<>><<>>
<<>><<>><<>>........Editor/Manager: Mehmet Tutuncu......<<>><<>><<>><<>>
<<>><<>><<>>......Business:S.Bogut,H.Savas..............<<>><<>><<>><<>>
<<>><<>><<>>...Features: I. Noyan-Izmirli,Y. Puersuen...<<>><<>><<>><<>>
<<>><<>><<>>......Technical: T. Ates, K. Cagiltay.......<<>><<>><<>><<>>
<<>><<>>......Associate Editors: A.Baguirov, A. Eren,Z.Kadir....<<>><<>>
<<>><<>>....Editorial Board:Dr.Robert M.Cutler, Dr.H.M.Hubey....<<>><<>>
<<>><<>>........Dr.T.Kocaoglu, Dr.N.Sariahmetoglu...............<<>><<>>
<<>><<>>________________________________________________________<<>><<>>
<<>><<>><<>><<>>....Volume:97-1:17---30--June--1997.....<<>><<>><<>><<>>
<<>>________________________________________________________________<<>>
<>Uze kok tengri asra yagiz yer kilintukta ekin ara kisi ogli kilinmis<>
<<>><<>>________________________________________________________<<>><<>>
<<>><<>>_______Archives of the Turkistan Newsletter are at:_____<<>><<>>
<<>><<>>___<http://www.euronet.nl/users/sota/turkistan.htm>_____<<>><<>>
<<>><<>>____________________________________________________<<>><<>><<>>
<<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>>
___________1. Kyrgyz News -- Naryn Aiyp
Statistics and Hearings on crime, new appointments, replacements,
talks with South Korea, Russian language status continued.
___________2. RFE/RL News & More -- Yanki Puersuen
Attempts at Integration of the Caucasus region, Firearms registrations
in Tatarstan, New road to be built between Cholpon-Ata and Almaty,
Alcatel wins contracts in Uzbekistan, Armenia wants cooperation
PLD-Becet in Kazakstan
___________3. Common Market for the Caucasus -- Norbert Strade
Results of meeting in Switzerland
__________4. TRH News - A. Toprak
Turkey steps up accusations against some neighors (VOA)
Armed forces agreements between Turkey and Albania
___________5. Altai Republic - Regional Profile -- Yanki Puersuen
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KYRGYZ NEWS - 27 JUNE 1997
1. Legislative Assembly of the Parliament began today hearings on the
government activity. Prime Minister Apas Joumagulov reported the session
today. He made a report on the government activity on fighting against crime
in the country. According to Joumagulov, crime level was declined in 5 months
of 1997 by 5.2%, comparing with the same period of 1996. However, number of
economical crimes is increasing. Our correspondent attended the session.
PM says 346 cases of economical crime were registered in 5 months of 1997,
which made 6.9 million som (about $400,000) damage. Lawsuits were brought
against 8,240 people in 5 months. Also, Joumagulov informed that $5.5 million
were given to the Interior ministry, $1 million to the Security ministry, $1
million to the Procurator General office and $500,000 to the Supreme court in
1997 for fight crime. Hearings will be continued tomorrow.
2. People's Assembly of Parliament ended today the hearings on the activity
of the Ministry of extraordinary situations and found it as unsatisfactory.
Hearing began on 26 June. It was determined the Ministry misused 42 million
som (about $2.5 million) in 1992-1996. Some deputies suggested to dismiss
Minister, Mambetjunus Abylov, and his first deputy, Yuri Kirakidi, but the
Assembly decided to determine their personal responsibility in following 30
days. Abylov was appointed as Minister in March 1996.
Chairman of the parliamentarian commission on the Ministry's activity,
Sooronbay Jeenbekov, told the session yesterday that Ministry gave 6,839,000
som (about $400,000) loans to non-existent 669 people in 1992-1996.
3. Deputies of the Legislative Assembly asked PM today to explain why Miroslav
Niyazov, first deputy Security minister, resigned on 11 June1997. Joumagulov
answered it was an inner ussue of the Ministry. Security minister, Felix
Kulov, told the session today that he offered Niyazov other job but he
rejected and resigned. 46-year-old Niyazov has worked 25 years in the security
service. Felix Kulov was appointed as Security minister on 21 April, 1997.
Kulov announced today at the Parliament session that Misir Ashyrkulov had been
appointed as Niyazov successor. Ashirkulov, physicist by education, had been
rector of the Management Academy before. He is replaced by Askar Kutanov,
correspondent-member of the Kyrgyz National Academy.
4. President Askar Akayev received South Korean delegation, led by Mun Hun
Chung, vice-president of the Hyunday corporation, in Bishkek today, president
press service announced. Economical cooperation was discussed. Korean
businessmen expressed their interest in constructing high-voltage electrical
lines, building hydro-power stations, export of electrical power from
Kyrgyzstan. Also, Mun Hun Chung said the Hyunday could construct
telecommunication factory in Kyrgyzstan and open an auto-salon in Bishkek.
5. President press service announced in Bishkek today that President Akayev
had appointed Kamil Bayalinov, Kyrgyz ambassador to Austria, as ambassador to
Czech Republic and to Hungary. Bayalinov had been Akayev's press-secretary
till 1996. He is Kyrgyz representative to OSCE, too.
6. Member of the Legislative Assembly, Omurbek Tekebayev, told our
correspondent in Bishkek today that the Assembly might not consider the case
of official status to the Russian in Kyrgyzstan, because the People's Assembly
rejected the decision on 24 June. Parliamentary vacation will begin on 1 July,
and to make the Russian an official language, Kyrgyz parliament would have
decided it till 1 July, in following 6 months after the Constitutional Court's
decision on it on 31 December, 1996.
7. Official from the Asaba National Revival party told our correspondent in
Bishkek today that Justice ministry had finished revising the activity of the
party. Department head of the Ministry, Mukash Kojomkulov, told our
correspondent today it was the routine procedure, not a political case. Next
party, to be revised, is Agrarian-Labor party.
8. Mukash Kojomkulov, Justice ministry official, told our correspondent in
Bishkek today that People-Labor party had handed the Ministry its documents
for registration. It will be the 16th political party in Kyrgyzstan. New party
has separated from the Bei-Bechara party.
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#2
RFE/RL News -- Yanki Puersuen
ATTEMPTED INTEGRATION IN CAUCASUS REGION. A group of parliamentary deputies
from Dagestan, Ingushetiya, Georgia, and Azerbaijan gathered on 21 June in
the Dagestani capital Makhachkala, Nezavisimaya gazeta and Segodnya
reported on 24 June. They called for instituting a common Caucasian
legislative body, analogous to the European parliament, which would promote
economic growth, political development, and the cultural revival of the
Caucasian peoples. Dagestani republican parliament member and leader of the
Avar People's Movement Gadzhi Makhachev initiated the meeting. He will also
head a working group on preparations for the Caucasian Parliament's
constituent assembly in September this year.
While the leadership of Georgia, Azerbaijan, and Ingushetiya
sanctioned the presence of their respective delegations at the meeting,
Karachaevo-Cherkesiya and Adygeya refused to send representatives to the
assembly. Additionally, the leaders of Kabardino-Balkariya and North
Osetiya are skeptical about the idea of a common parliament. Chechnya has
yet to make its position clear.
The correspondents from both Nezavisimaya gazeta and Segodnya doubt
that the plan will be realized. First, all countries in the region seek the
support of different foreign states, whose interests in the Caucasus do not
coincide. Second, several of the potential members of the new parliament
have territorial claims against each other that can jeopardize effective
cooperation. Moreover, for the parliament to be legitimate, all of the
region's ethnic groups will have to be fairly represented. Achieving such a
goal will be difficult for the country-participants because of the
conflicting territorial claims and a widespread desire to dominate the
area.
Meanwhile, the Dagestani newspaper Molodezh Dagestana published a
draft decree from Chechen President Aslan Maskhadov which seeks to transfer
the part of Dagestan which lies between the Terek and Sulak rivers to
Chechnya, Nezavisimaya gazeta reported on 25 June. Chechnya has traditional
claims on the land. While the Chechen leadership neither confirmed nor
denied the publication, Dagestani leaders denounced Chechnya's claims. -
Anna Paretskaya in Moscow - IEWS Russian Regional Report - 26 June 1997
******Date: Sun, 29 Jun 1997 11:31:36 -0200
According to the Russian newspaper "Trud", a campaign to encourage the
republic's population to turn in unregistered firearms is gaining momentum in
Tatarstan. In the article headlined "Farewell to Arms", the newspaper's
correspondent in Kazan reports that during the last month alone more than 1.5
thousand people had turned in various firearms that they had in private
possession. The Ministry of the Interior of Tatarstan pays large sums of
money to people who volunteer to give up their weapons.
>From TMG - BSabirzyan
*****Date: Sun, 29 Jun 1997 19:04:06 -0200
BUSINESS
JohnDeer has been promoting the development of agricultural equipment in
South Kazakstan. The partnership Service Center has begun to produce spare
parts for JohnDeer sowing machines. The cotton-picking machines produced in
Kazakstan are cheaper by 40 percent than the american-made.
TRANSPORTATION
Kyrgyzstan began last year the construction of a new motorway between
Cholpon-Ata and Almaty. The new road will shorten a trip by 300 kilometres.
Moreover, Kazak experts are involved in the development of another motorway
to link Almaty with Bystrovka.
*****Date: Sun, 29 Jun 1997 21:54:41 -0200
ALCATEL AWARDED TWO CONTRACTS FOR GSM NETWORK IN UZBEKISTAN
Earlier this month, Alcatel has been awarded a GSM contract by Coscom in
Uzbekistan. Coscom is a joint venture between US MCT Investors Group (51%),
Uzbekkosmos (the Uzbek Ministry of Space, 35%) and Dawr Conversion (14%).
The value of the contract is US$ 15 million.
Under this contract Alcatel will supply a GSM mobile communication network
in the Tashkent and Samarkand urban areas. The first phase of the network,
whose installation started in January this year, was recently opened for
service in the city of Samarkand.
In April, Alcatel has been awarded a major GSM contract by PT. Bakrie
Communication Corporation (BCC) in Uzbekistan. The order represents
Uzbekistan's first GSM mobile communications network. BCC is the
telecommunication arm of PT. Bakrie & Brothers (BB), a large Indonesian
conglomerate with activities in infrastructures, telecommunications,
plantations and petrochemical.
Under this US$ 60 million contract, Alcatel will supply in two phases a GSM
mobile communication network in the Tashkent and Samarkand urban areas. The
first phase of the network, whose installation started in March this year,
is scheduled to begin commercial operation in Tashkent during the second
quarter of 1997.
These contracts mark new milestones in the development of mobile
communications in Uzbekistan since the country officially joined the GSM MoU
Association, which already counts members in 107 countries worldwide.
With these contracts, Alcatel has sold cellular networks to 61 operators in
40 countries, representing a capacity for over 10 million subscribers.
Alcatel, Mobile Communication Division, supplies complete mobile
communication systems.
For further information, please contact : webmaster@www.alcatel.com and
www.alcatel.com
--------------------------------------------
Date: Sun, 29 Jun 1997 22:24:53 -0200
PLD Telekom Inc. Announces First BECET Dividend Payment
Source: PR Newswire
NEW YORK, June 25 /PRNewswire/ via Individual Inc. -- PLD Telekom Inc.
(Nasdaq: PLDI; TSE: PLD) today announced that BECET International, its cellular
venture in Kazakstan, has declared its first dividend to its joint venture
partners, PLD Telekom and Kazaktelecom. The dividend of US$400,000 relates
to the first quarter of 1997.
BECET is the exclusive provider of cellular service in Kazakstan and
operates an 800 AMPS network.
Mr. James Hatt, President and CEO of PLD Telekom Inc., said that this was a
milestone for a business which only commenced service in late 1994 and was a
testament to the quality of local and expatriate management.
PLD Telekom's strategy is to be a leading participant in the provision of
telecommunications infrastructure, products and services in the emerging
markets of the former Soviet Union, through partnerships with local, regional
and national communications companies. It is already a major provider, through
its operating ventures, of high quality local, long distance, and international
telecommunications services in the Russian Federation and Kazakstan. The three
principal business units are: PeterStar, which provides integrated local, long
distance and international telecommunications services in St. Petersburg
through a fully digital fiber optic network; Teleport-TP, which provides
international telecommunications services from Moscow and has launched a
long distance service in the first group of cities of a planned pan-Russian
network; and BECET International, which provides the only national cellular
service in Kazakstan.
SOURCE PLD Telekom Inc.
/CONTACT: In the United States: Jim O'Brien, 212-229-2222, or in the U.K.: Tim
Thompson, +44-171-730-3999, both for PLD Telekom/ (PLDI PLD.)
[06-25-97 at 09:16 EDT, PR Newswire]
-------------------------------------------
[The following text is in the "iso-8859-1" character set]
[Your display is set for the "US-ASCII" character set]
[Some characters may be displayed incorrectly]
COOPERATION
Ermenistan isbirligi istiyor
Türkiye ile Ermenistan iliskilerinin gelistirilmesi icin, öncelikle
^Äsoguklugun kaldirilmasi gerektigi^Ó beliritildi. Avrupa Konseyi'nce
Trabzon'da düzenlenen ,,Kafkasya Bölgesindeki Belediyeler, Iller ve Bölgeler
Arasi Isbirliginin Gelistirilmesi Paneli"ne, Ermenistan'in Shirak Eyaleti
Vali Yardimcisi Petros Makeian konusmaci olarak katildi. Makeian, Türkiye ve
Ermenistan'in pek cok bakimdan birbirine yakin oldugunu belirterek, ,,lki
ülke, ekonomik potansiyelini demokratik ve medeni komsular olarak
gelistirmelidir. Turkiye ile sinir ötesi isbirligi bizim icin hayati önem
tasimaktadir^Ó dedi.
Petros Makeian, Ermenistan ile Türkiye arasindaki kullanilmayan demiryolunun
100 yili geride birakacagini kaydederek, sunlari söyledi: ^ÄÜlkelerimizdeki
siyasiler, bu demiryolu ve sinir kapisi nin önemini anlayamayabilir. Bunun
icin ilk adimi bizler atmaliyiz. Birbirine cok yakin bölge mahalli
yetkilileri ve halklari bunun önemini iyi bildikleri icin caba icine
girmelidir. Bugün, Türkiye ile olan ticareti Gürcistan üzerinden
yapabiliyoruz. lsadamlarimiz, 2 bin dolar ile Türkiye'ye giderken, 500
dolari Batum üzerinden yapilan gecis nedeniyle yol parasi olarak bu ülkede
birakiyor. Kapi ve demiryolu acilirsa, aracilar ortadan kalkar ve Türkiye
milyonlarca dolar döviz kazanir.^Ó DUNYA - June 25, 97
Summary: Armenia wants cooperation with Turkey
A Council of Europe sponsored "Panel to Improve Cooperation in the Caucasus
between Cities, Provinces and Regions" was held Trabzon. Deputy Governor of
the Armenian Shirak Province, Petros Makeian, was cited saying, "Both
countries should develop the economic potential as democratic and civilized
neighbors. Crossborder cooperation is of vital interest for us."
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
#3
>From nost@POST5.TELE.DK Fri Jun 27 22:31:07 1997
From: Norbert Strade <nost@POST5.TELE.DK>
Subject: BW: Common Market Announced For Countries Of Caucasus Region
Date: Fri, 27 Jun 1997 23:18:48 +0200
Common Market Announced For Countries Of Caucasus Region
Received: June 27, 1997 09:45am EDT
From: Business Wire Business Editors
CRANS MONTANA, Switzerland--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 27, 1997--
Plans for establishing a Common Market to move towards economic
integration and political stability among the countries and nations of
the Caucasus and Central Asia were announced here Friday at the annual
international conference of the Crans Montana Forum.
While broadly based on the European Common Market, the new
Common Market of the Caucasus/Eurasia will focus on economic
cooperation and harmonization of trade and investment laws and
procedures to make the region more attractive for international
investors and corporations, according to Khozh - Ahmed Noukhaev,
president of the Caucasus International Chamber of Commerce, who
outlined the plans to an audience of several hundred international
business and political leaders, government ministers and heads of state.
The plan - which its first five years stage does not envision
political integration - has received cooperation and support from
government and business leaders throughout the region, as well as from
the World Bank and other international organizations, Noukhaev said.
Implementation of this regional Common Market initiative will not depend
on completion of an international treaty.
Noukhaev said the initial model for the Common Market would be
the six-nation European Coal and Steel Community of the early 1950s,
which progressed rapidly by pooling resources, creating a unified market
and removing unnecessary restrictions.
The plans for the Caucasus and Central Asian Common Market are
based in part on a major feasibility study prepared by an
international group of financial and industrial experts headed by French
economist Jacques Attali, former adviser to President
Mitterand of France and founding president of the European Bank for
Reconstruction and Development in London.
Plans were recently discussed in detail with the government of
Georgia to establish the first of the new Common Market
institutions, the Caucasus Investment Bank, in Tbilisi, the Georgian
capital.
The Investment Bank will play a regional role similar to the
European Bank for Reconstruction and Development but instead of
governmental control, city and local authorities will foster joint
ventures with local and foreign private sector companies.
It will help finance projects and will lead the effort to
harmonize financial procedures and settlement and payment mechanisms
throughout the region. There are also plans for a Caucasuses Regional
Arbitration Court and at the second stage for a Customs Union and
Payments Union between Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia and the Chechen
Republic of Ichkeria.
Noukhaev said the Caucasus Common Market would be developed
"from the ground up instead of from the top down" by creating the
realities and benefits of harmonization and cooperation on the ground,
city by city and industry by industry. Local governments, local
industries and banks would have the opportunity to participate as
shareholders.
The three priority industry sectors for international investment
would be energy, transportation and telecommunications. The region is
very rich in resources, Noukhaev said, and many major
international corporations have already expressed keen interest in
providing the funding, expertise and infrastructure needed to
develop them.
"By making these investments, the international business
community will enable us to turn the rich natural resources of the
region into new prosperity for all peoples of the Caucasus, as well as
bring peace and prosperity where so often in the past there have been
hostilities and conflict," he said.
Noukhaev emphasized that the Caucasus/Eurasia Common Market will be
based on the principles of co-existence and commerce and will be
inclusive, not exclusive, at both the first and second stage
of development.
--30--CF/ph*
CONTACT: Caucasus International Chamber of Commerce
by
John Adams Association
John Adams, Jennifer Berkowitz, Karru Martinson,
202/737-8400
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>Subject: TRKNWS-L
>Date: 28 Jun 1997 13:23:01 -0400
VOICE OF AMERICA
DATE=6/27/97
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-216340
TITLE=TURKEY KURDS (L-ONLY)
BYLINE=AMBERIN ZAMAN
DATELINE=DIYARBAKIR
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: TURKEY HAS STEPPED UP ACCUSATIONS AGAINST NEIGHBORING IRAN,
SYRIA, ARMENIA AND GREECE, SAYING THOSE COUNTRIES THAT THEY ARE TRAINING
AND ARMING SEPARATIST REBELS OF THE KURDISTAN WORKERS' PARTY OR P-K-K.
AMBERIN ZAMAN REPORTS FROM DIYARBAKIR IN THE MAINLY KURDISH SOUTHEAST
REGION OF TURKEY.
TEXT: WITH THEIR HEADS BOWED AND THEIR ARMS FOLDED, A ROW OF YOUNG
TEENAGE GIRLS EXPLAIN IN CHOKED VOICES HOW THEY FOUGHT AGAINST THE
TURKISH MILITARY -- THE SECOND LARGEST ARMY IN THE NATO ALLIANCE.
THESE ARE ETHNIC KURDISH AND ARAB GIRLS FROM SYRIA. THEY WERE RECRUITED
BY THE OUTLAWED KURDISTAN WORKERS PARTY, OR P-K-K, TO JOIN THE REBELS'
13-YEAR-LONG ARMED CAMPAIGN FOR AN INDEPENDENT KURDISH STATE CARVED
MAINLY OUT OF TURKEY.
CIHAN IS 16-YEAR-OLD FORMER HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT FROM THE SYRIAN TOWN OF
ALEPPO. SHE WAS RECENTLY CAPTURED BY TURKISH FORCES.
///BEGIN CIHAN ACT, IN TURKISH -- FADE UNDER, RESUME TEXT ///
CIHAN SAYS SHE JOINED THE P-K-K BECAUSE IT WAS FIGHTING AGAINST TURKEY,
A COUNTRY WHICH SHE BELIEVES IS DENYING HER OWN COUNTRY, SYRIA, OF THE
MUCH NEEDED WATER FROM THE EUPHRATES RIVER.
TURKISH MILITARY OFFICIALS HAVE LONG ACCUSED SYRIA OF USING THE P-K-K IN
ORDER TO PRESSURE TURKEY INTO INCREASING THE AMOUNT OF EUPHRATES WATER
IT RELEASES TO ITS DOWNSTREAM NEIGHBOR. DAMASCUS DENIES THE CLAIMS.
THE P-K-K LEADER ABDULLAH OCALAN IS WIDELY KNOWN TO BE LIVING IN SYRIA,
WITH THE FULL KNOWLEDGE OF SYRIAN AUTHORITIES -- A CLAIM THAT WAS ECHOED
BY OTHER CAPTURED P-K-K REBELS WHO WERE INTRODUCED TO MEMBERS OF THE
PRESS BY THE TURKISH MILITARY IN DIYARBAKIR.
DURING THE BRIEFING HELD IN A MILITARY BASE IN DIYARBAKIR, SENIOR
TURKISH MILITARY OFFICIALS TOOK TURNS TO ACCUSE TURKEY'S NEIGHBORS OF
HELPING THE REBELS. COLONEL OGUZ KALELI IS AMONG THE TURKISH OFFICERS
COORDINATING TURKEY'S LATEST CROSS-BORDER ANTI-P-K-K OFFENSIVE IN
NORTHERN IRAQ. SPEAKING THROUGH AN INTERPRETER, HE BRIEFED JOURNALISTS
ON THE ANTI-REBEL CAMPAIGN.
///KALELI ACT -- INTERPRETER///
IT IS KNOWN THAT SYRIA, IRAQ AND IRAN SUPPORT THIS TERRORIST
ORGANIZATION. HOWEVER THIS SUPPORT IS NOT LIMITED TO PROVIDING THEM WITH
MEN, BUT ALSO WITH MILITARY MATERIAL AND ARMS.
/// END ACT ///
COLONEL KALELI ALSO ACCUSED IRAN, SERBIA, SYRIA, ARMENIA, GREECE AND
CYPRUS OF PROVIDING THE P-K-K WITH RUSSIAN MADE S-A- 7
HEAT-SEEKING MISSILES. HE SAID IT WAS THESE MISSILES THAT HAD SHOT DOWN
TWO U-S-MADE SUPER COBRA ATTACK HELICOPTERS BELONGING TO THE TURKISH
AIRFORCE DURING RECENT FLIGHTS OVER NORTHERN IRAQ, KILLING 13 TURKISH
MILITARY PERSONNEL.
COLONEL KALELI ADDED THAT TURKEY HAD PROOF THAT P-K-K FIGHTERS, WOUNDED
DURING THE ONGOING TURKISH OPERATION IN NORTHERN IRAQ, WERE BEING
TREATED IN IRAN. IRAN HAS REJECTED THE CLAIMS.
//REST OPT// TURKEY SAID ON THURSDAY THAT THE SIX-WEEK-LONG OFFENSIVE
WAS DRAWING TO A CLOSE AND THAT MOST OF THEIR TROOPS HAD BEEN PULLED OUT
OF THE WESTERN PROTECTED KURDISH ENCLAVE. THE OPERATION HAS BEEN
STRONGLY CRITICIZED BY TURKEY'S ARAB NEIGHBORS, WHO SAY IT HAS
UNDERMINED IRAQ'S TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY. TURKEY DENIES THE CLAIM AND
SAYS IT WILL REPEAT THE CROSS BORDER ASSAULT AGAINST THE REBELS IF
NECESSARY. (SIGNED)
NEB/AZ/PCF
27-Jun-97 5:28 AM EDT (0928 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
--------------------------------------------------
Armed Forces Agreement Signed Between Albania and Turkey:27 June 97
TIRANE, JUNE 27 (ATA) - The Protocol of Assistance and
Cooperation for Armed Forces between the General Staff of Albania and the
General Staff of Turkey was signed in the Defence
Ministry in Tirane today.
The protocol was signed for the Albanian party by Major
General Baki Sheshi whereas for the Turkish party by Major
General Erain Yllmaz.
The signing of the Protocol of Assistance and Cooperation
for the Armed Forces is made in the context of the emergent needs for
restructuring of the Albanian Army and the Partnership for
Peace. This document is based on the agreements for cooperation
in the military fields reached between the Republic of Albania
and the Republic of Turkey.
Attending the signing ceremony also were the chief of the
Albanian Army General Staff, General Adem Copani.
The military delegation of Turkey had a meeting with the
Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Albanian Army, Major
General Armand Vincani.
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
From: Yanki Puersuen
REGIONAL PROFILE: ALTAI REPUBLIC
IEWS Russian Regional Report - 26 June 1997
Prime Minister: Valerii Chaptynov
Valerii Chaptynov was appointed republican prime minister on 30 January
1997. A week earlier, the republican parliament, the El Kurultai, which
Chaptynov had headed since February 1994, sacked the republican government,
then led by Vladimir Petrov. Officially, the government was fired because
it had not tackled the republic's severe economic and social problems.
However, political reasons are more likely to be at stake. The republic
plans to adopt a new constitution this year which will transform its
current parliamentary system into a presidential one. The parliament
apparently removed Petrov to decrease his chances in the presidential race,
in which Chaptynov is likely to be the main candidate.
Chaptynov began his career in the Komsomol, ultimately rising to the
post Komsomol first secretary for the Gorno-Altai Autonomous Oblast (the
Soviet-era name for the Altai Republic). In 1978, he graduated from the
Communist Party Academy of Social Sciences and became a full-time party
functionary. By the time he quit the party in 1991, after it was banned by
Russian President Boris Yeltsin, he had become the first secretary of the
Gorno-Altai oblast party committee.
Since 1990, Chaptynov was elected chairman of the Altai legislature
four times. In August 1991, when he supported the coup attempt, several
local deputies tried to remove him from the chairmanship, but they were not
supported by the majority of the legislature.
Other Local Leaders
Chairman of the State Council (El Kurultai) -- Vladilen Volkov, elected in
January 1997
Brief Overview
Altai Republic, with a territory of 92.6 sq km, is situated in the
southwestern part of Siberia within the Altai Mountains. It shares borders
with the republics of Tyva and Khakasiya, Kemerovo Oblast, Altai Krai,
Kazakhstan, Mongolia, and China. The highest Siberian mountain, Belukha (4,
506 meters) is located on the republic's territory. A quarter of the
territory is covered with woods, mostly cedar and larch. Flora and fauna
are very diverse due to a republic's location at the intersection of the
Kazakh steppe, Siberian taiga, and Mongolian semi-deserts. The republic has
over 7 thousand lakes, the largest and deepest (230.8 sq km and 325 meters
deep), Terletskoe Lake, is bigger than the state of Liechtenstein. Most of
the rivers in the republic are not suitable for navigation.
Though the republic is rich in raw materials, such as coal, charcoal,
mercury, marble, granite, and semi-precious stones, the extracting and
processing industries are underdeveloped. Nevertheless, the republic houses
the country's only mercury producing works, Aktash. Agriculture is the
dominant industry: 60% of GDP comes from farming which is mostly
concentrated in stock-breeding. The republic is one of the least urbanized
territories of the Russian Federation which allows it to preserve its
natural landscape and environment.
Basic Facts
1995 Population (est.): 200,000 (0.13% of Russian total)
Industrial production as percentage of all Russian production (Jan.-Aug.
1995): 0.01%
Agricultural production as percentage of all Russian production (1994):
0.18%
Average personal income index in July 1995: 68 (Russia as a whole = 100)
Price basket index in July 1995: 87 (Russia = 100)
Average back wages owed per person (September 1995): 25,700 rubles (Russian
average = 37,100)
Urban population: 23.7% (Russia overall: 73.0%)
Student population (1993): 169 per 10,000 (Russia overall: 171/10,000);
Pensioner population (1994): 21.92%
Percent of population with higher education (1989 census): 8.0% (Russia
overall: 11.3%)
Percent of population working in (1993): Industry: 10.7% (Russian average:
29.9%); Agriculture: 35.3% (12.8%); Trade: 6.5% (9.1%); Culture: 16.5% (13.
6%); Management: 4.4% (2.3%)
Number of telephones per 100 families (1993): in cities : 30.3 (Russian
average: 41.5); in villages: 16.7 (17.2)
According to a 1995 survey by Bank Austria, the krai is ranked 57th among
Russia's 89 regions in terms of investment climate.
Electoral History
1996 Presidential Election
Zyuganov: 43.61%/51.68% (first round/second round)
Yeltsin: 28.77%/40.04%
Lebed: 13.03%
Zhirinovsky: 4.83%
Yavlinskii: 3.46%
Turnout: 74.10%/70.94% (Russia overall: 69.67%/68.79%)
1995 Parliamentary Election
Communist Party of the Russian Federation: 25.95%
Agrarian Party of Russia: 11.37%
Liberal Democratic Party of Russia: 9.34%
Communists -- Workers' Russia: 7.64%
Women of Russia: 5.63%
Our Home Is Russia: 4.96%
Party of Workers' Self-Government: 3.10%
In a single-member district: 1 Russia's Democratic Choice
Turnout: 75.50% (Russia overall: 64.37%)
1993 Constitutional Referendum
"Yes" -- 54.11% "No" -- 45.89%
1993 Parliamentary Elections
Party of Russian Unity and Concord: 26.55%
Liberal Democratic Party of Russia: 17.04%
Women of Russia: 12.47%
Communist Party of the Russian Federation: 11.02%
Russia's Choice: 9.31%
Agrarian Party of Russia: 8.74%
Democratic Party of Russia: 4.83%
Yabloko: 3.16%
In a single-mandate district: 1 independent
Turnout: 66.67% (Russia overall: 54.34%)
1991 Presidential Elections
Ryzhkov: 32.03%
Tuleev: 24.36%
Yeltsin: 22.39%
Zhirinovsky: 10.21%
Makashov: 3.53%
Bakatin: 2.20%
Turnout: 81.84% (Russia overall: 76.66%)
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
Mark Hubey ---------------------------------------------------------
http://www.csam.montclair.edu/Faculty/Hubey.html
hubey@pegasus.montclair.edu hubeyh@alpha.montclair.edu
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
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