JOHANNESBURG - Turkish State Minister Kursad Tuzmen, who is currently paying a visit to South Africa, said on Thursday that Denel, one of the leading South African defense industry firms, was interested in the project to clear Turkish-Syrian border from landmines.
After meeting officials of Denel firm, Tuzmen told A.A correspondent that landmines had earlier been planted around 450 kilometers of land along Turkish-Syrian border.
Tuzmen said, ''we want to clear the landmines and start organic agriculture in this region. I asked officials of Denel firm to submit their offers (about this project). These officials said that they can clear landmines from such a big area within a year. It is important for us to complete this project as soon as possible.''
-FINDING EXACT PLACE OF LANDMINES FROM SPACE-
Tuzmen pointed out that it was difficult to clear landmines from Turkish-Syrian border since maps showing where the landmines were planted were lost, and since there might have been changes in places of landmines.
Turkish State Minister Tuzmen said that Denel firm could find the places of landmines by taking photographs from the space.
-OFFICIALS OF DENEL TO COME TO TURKEY-
Tuzmen said that officials of Denel firm would come to Turkey within three weeks, and said, ''I think that we can make a good progress (regarding this project). We are willing to start organic agriculture in this region.''
Noting that Turkey could cooperate with Denel in defense industry, Tuzmen said that not only the mine clearing project, but also other defense industry projects could contribute to Turkish-South African relations.
(BRC-ULG) 28.10.2004