Anadolu Agency: News in English, 98-11-17

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

17 NOV 1998

CONTENTS

[01] BOMB ATTACK ON TAX OFFICE IN AVCILAR DISTRICT OF ISTANBUL, CAUSING FINANCIAL DAMAGE - A GROUP OF ASSAILANTS THREW A FIRE-BOMB TO A POLICE VEHICLE

[02] FM CEM MEETS WITH GERMAN FOREIGN MINISTER - FISCHER SAYS THAT THE GERMAN GOVERNMENT HAS NOT DECIDED YET ON EXTRADITION OF OCALAN, THE TERRORIST CHIEF

[03] THE IPI CONDEMNS ATTACKS TARGETING TURKISH JOURNALISTS IN ROME

[04] STATE MINISTER SERDAROGLU: - ''DRUGS HAVING MARKET VALUE OF 27.3 TRILLION TURKISH LIRAS WERE SEIZED IN THE FIRST NINE MONTHS''

[05] FOREIGN MINISTER CEM HOLDS A PRESS BRIEFING: ''NO EVENT CAN JUSTIFY THE KILLING OF THOUSANDS OF INNOCENT PEOPLE''

[06] RUBIN, SPOKESMAN OF THE US STATE DEPARTMENT: - ''TERRORIST OCALAN SHOULD BE EXTRADITED AND BROUGHT TO JUSTICE''

[07] TURKISH JOURNALISTS WHO WERE ATTACKED IN ROME TO FILE A SUIT AGAINST THE ITALIAN GOVERNMENT

[08] A GROUP OF PEOPLE WHOSE RELATIVES KILLED BY SEPARATIST TERRORIST ORGANIZATION PKK, HOLD PROTEST DEMONSTRATIONS IN IZMIR AND SAMSUN

[09] PRESIDENT DEMIREL LEAVES FOR AUSTRIA: - ''AUSTRIA'S BEING THE EU TERM PRESIDENT ADDS SPECIAL IMPORTANCE TO THIS VISIT''

[10] ITALIAN HOSTAGE IN METRIS PRISON - LAWYER OF ITALIAN PRISONER SAYS THAT HIS CLIENT IS RELEASED

[11] TURKEY INFORMS NATO ABOUT OCALAN, THE CHIEF OF THE SEPARATIST TERRORIST ORGANIZATION PKK

[12] D'ALEMA, THE ITALIAN PREMIER:''THE ITALIAN GOVERNMENT LEARNED IN THE LETTER IT RECEIVED FROM THE TURKISH EMBASSY THAT OCALAN WOULD COME TO ITALY FROM RUSSIA'' - ''I HOPE THE ARRIVAL OF OCALAN IN ROME MEANS THAT HE WANTS TO GIVE UP TERRORISM''

[13] THE ASSOCIATION OF PRESIDENCY AND PRIME MINISTRY CORRESPONDENTS ASKS ITALIAN AUTHORITIES TO APOLOGIZE FROM THE TURKISH JOURNALISTS WHO WERE ATTACKED IN ROME, AND TO COMPENSATE THEIR LOSSES

[14] SEPARATIST TERRORIST ORGANIZATION PKK PROVIDES INCOME OF NEARLY 40 MILLION US DOLLARS ANNUALLY FROM DRUG TRAFFICKING - DRUG TRAFFICKING FOLLOWS ROUTE OF SYRIA, GREEK CYPRIOT SIDE AND EUROPE

[15] PRESIDENT DEMIREL: - ''ITALY DOES NOT PROTECT A MURDERER, SHE CANNOT''

[16] TURKISH BUSINESS WORLD CONDEMNS ITALY - BUSINESS ASSOCIATIONS SEND A LETTER TO DANILO LONGHI, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE ITALIAN UNION OF CHAMBERS

[17] PRESIDENT DEMIREL: ''ITALY IS A CIVILIZED COUNTRY. SHE WILL PAY REGARD TO THE SUPERIORITY OF LAW'' - ''SHE DOES NOT ATTEMP TO PROTECT A MURDERER RESPONSIBLE FROM THE LIVES OF 30 THOUSAND PEOPLE, SHE CANNOT'' - ''TODAY, TURKISH PUBLIC OPINION DOES NOT HAVE A TENDENCY TO ABOLISH THE CAPITAL PUNISHMENT'' - ''THE STRUGGLE AGAINST PKK AND TERRORISM TAKES A POSITIVE DIRECTION''

[18] BALANCE SHEET OF DRUG TRAFFICKING OF SEPARATIST TERRORIST ORGANIZATION PKK - SECURITY FORCES SEIZED 2.5 TONNES OF HEROIN, 21 TONNES OF HASHISH 4.5 TONNES OF BASE MORPHINE, AND 2 MILLION ROOTS OF INDIAN HEMP IN 205 SEPARATE INCIDENTS WITHIN 13 YEARS - SEPARATIST TERRORIST ORGANIZATION PKK PRODUCES DRUG IN BEKAA VALLEY AND HILLS OF NORTHERN IRAQ

[19] TURKEY SATISFIED OVER JOINT STATEMENT OF THE DAMASCUS DECLARATION STATES

[20] LA REPUBLICA, AN ITALIAN NEWSPAPER, ISSUES AN INTERVIEW WITH THE WOMAN TERRORIST TRAVELLING WITH OCALAN, CHIEF OF SEPARATIST TERRORIST ORGANIZATION

[21] TURKISH-SPANISH RELATIONS AT FULL SPEED - ''TURKISH EXPORTS PRODUCTS FAIR'' TO BE STAGED IN BARCELONA BETWEEN JAN 21 AND 24

[22] MEMBERS OF THE US SENATE IN TURKEY FOR BAKU-CEYHAN - THE US DELEGATION VISITS ERSUMER, ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES MINISTER

[01] BOMB ATTACK ON TAX OFFICE IN AVCILAR DISTRICT OF ISTANBUL, CAUSING FINANCIAL DAMAGE - A GROUP OF ASSAILANTS THREW A FIRE-BOMB TO A POLICE VEHICLE

Officials told the A.A correspondent that the tax office's dining hall, surrounding buildings and several vehicles around the buildings were damaged at the blast which occured at 20:00 p.m.

Meanwhile unidentified six assailants threw a fire-bomb to a police automobile which was patroling in Kadıkoy District of Istanbul at 21:00 p.m. The fire bomb did not reach its target, and two of the assailants were caught by the police.

Investigations regarded with the incidents are underway.

[02] FM CEM MEETS WITH GERMAN FOREIGN MINISTER - FISCHER SAYS THAT THE GERMAN GOVERNMENT HAS NOT DECIDED YET ON EXTRADITION OF OCALAN, THE TERRORIST CHIEF

Responding to questions of journalists after meeting with Ismail Cem, the Foreign Minister, Fischer stated that ''there is a legal issue and the German Ministry of Justice continues to launch efforts concerning this issue. However the German government can only give a decision after the Ministry of Justice completes its work.''

Noting that the separatist terrorist organization PKK is an illegal organization in Germany and this ban on PKK will continue, Fischer pointed out that the most important way to struggle with terrorism is improvement of human rights and democracy.

Responding to another question, Fischer said that Turkey is a candidate country to the European Union (EU), adding that the EU should take further initiatives and open its doors to Turkey.

Fischer pointed out that he informed Cem about the changes that are foreseen to be made on citizenship law by the German government, adding that this change will be very benefical for the Turkish young generations in Germany.

[03] THE IPI CONDEMNS ATTACKS TARGETING TURKISH JOURNALISTS IN ROME

In the letter, Johan P. Fritz, the Director of the IPI, expressed concern over the news stating that Italian police only watched while the Turkish journalists were beaten by the supporters of the separatist terrorist organization.

Fritz requested Italian police to take all necessary measures to prevent similar incidents and to provide security of all journalists covering the developments following the capture of Abdullah Ocalan, the chief of separatist terrorist organization PKK in Rome last week.

Pointing out that the Turkish cameramen who were trying to take pictures of the Palestrina Hospital where Ocalan stays, were detained by the Italian police, Fritz stressed, ''we as the IPI, request you to allow journalists covering the Ocalan case, to perform their jobs without being disturbed once again.''

[04] STATE MINISTER SERDAROGLU: - ''DRUGS HAVING MARKET VALUE OF 27.3 TRILLION TURKISH LIRAS WERE SEIZED IN THE FIRST NINE MONTHS''

Serdaroglu presented budget of the Prime Ministry Undersecretariat of the Customs to the Plan and Budget Commission of Parliament. As he mentioned about the activities of the Customs Undersecretariat, Serdaroglu said that customs officials also seized smuggled goods worth of 5.3 trillion Turkish Liras in 230 separate incidents in the same period.

[05] FOREIGN MINISTER CEM HOLDS A PRESS BRIEFING: ''NO EVENT CAN JUSTIFY THE KILLING OF THOUSANDS OF INNOCENT PEOPLE''

Addressing a press briefing in Rome, Ismail Cem stated that terrorism is a crime committed against humanity, adding that ''Turkey requests the extradition of a person who caused the deaths of thousands of innocent people, the leader of a terrorist movement which kills babies and who ordered the shootings of 112 primary school teachers who were teaching Turkish within the framework of the rights the international agreements give to Turkey.''

Responding to a question, Cem said that there can't be any excuse of terrorism, stressing that Turkey requests Ocalan from Italy who is also the chief of the drug trafficking.

Recalling that the separatist terrorist organization PKK has used Syrian territories as a base for itself for many years, Cem said that a heavy blow was struck on terrorism after the decision taken by Turkey and Syria to struggle together against terrorism.

Recalling that Syria officially describes PKK as a terrorist organization, Cem said ''now we expect our NATO ally Italy to show the same sensivitiy.''

Cem also put forward a question to Italian officials saying that ''if the innocent people were Italian citizens, would some Italian political circles show the same tolerance and support to the PKK?''

Responding to questions about his meetings with Italian and German counterparts, Foreign Minister Cem said that the Italian Foreign Minister noted the sensitivity conveyed by him.

Noting that the taking an Italian prisoner hostage at Metris prison in Istanbul was not correct, Cem said that the Turkish government does its best to speed up the extradition proceedings of the Italian prisoner.

''I have conveyed the concern of Turkey to Dini concerning the statement of the Italian Undersecretary of the Justice Ministry, who said that Italy would not give Ocalan to Turkey,'' said Cem, adding that everybody sees the rightfulness of Turkey in respect of politics.

Pointing out to the choice of the Italian officials, Cem said that ''the choice that will be made is not only legal, but it will also be a choice that will be made between terrorism and the victims of terrorism.''

Cem added that he also took up the attack against Turkish journalists in Rome by supporters of the separatist terrorist PKK during his meeting with Dini, adding that the Foreign Ministry is ready to help to the Turkish journalists.

Foreign Minister Cem left for Vienna the same night to participate in the three-day visit of President Suleyman Demirel to this country.

[06] RUBIN, SPOKESMAN OF THE US STATE DEPARTMENT: - ''TERRORIST OCALAN SHOULD BE EXTRADITED AND BROUGHT TO JUSTICE''

Responding to the questions of the journalists, Rubin noted, ''we welcome capture of Ocalan as an important step in the struggle against global terrorism.''

Reminding that the US has declared the PKK as a ''foreign terror organization'' as to the Anti-terrorism and Death Penalty Law in 1996, Rubin reiterated, ''we want Ocalan to be extradited and brought to justice.''

Rubin added, ''we believe the governments of Italy, Germany and Turkey, the NATO allies, should work together to bring Ocalan to justice.''

The US Government describes the PKK as a ''cruel, bloody-handed terrorist organization.''

The US President Bill Clinton had sent a harsh message to President Hafez al Assad of Syria during the crisis between Turkey and Syria saying ''cut all your relations with separatist terrorist PKK.'' Later, when Ocalan proceeded to Russia, the US State Department conveyed a message to Moscow and said ''either extradite Ocalan or expel him.''

James Rubin had called on Moscow saying that ''no country should shelter separatist terrorist Ocalan.''

[07] TURKISH JOURNALISTS WHO WERE ATTACKED IN ROME TO FILE A SUIT AGAINST THE ITALIAN GOVERNMENT

Turkish journalists who were attacked, applied to the office of Agusto Sinagra, a famous Italian professor of law and requested him to file a suit against the Italian government saying that it did not take the necessary measures for protection of the Turkish journalists.

While trying to cover the demonstrations staged by the supporters of the separatist terrorist organization PKK in Rome on Saturday, the Turkish journalists were attacked, 10 of them were injured and three of them were taken to hospital.

The ignorance of the Italian police in the event had caused reactions both in Turkey and abroad.

[08] A GROUP OF PEOPLE WHOSE RELATIVES KILLED BY SEPARATIST TERRORIST ORGANIZATION PKK, HOLD PROTEST DEMONSTRATIONS IN IZMIR AND SAMSUN

The group chanted slogans damning the PKK and called Italy to extradite Abdullah Ocalan, the chief of the separatist terrorist organization PKK who claimed nearly 30 thousand lives.

Addressing the demonstration Celal Ocal, the Chairman of the Ural-Altay Culture Cooperation Association, stressed that not to extradite Ocalan will mean becoming accomplice of the separatist terrorist organization PKK's bloody actions in future.

The group gave a bunch of flowers to Mario Levi, Italian Culture Attache, and Levi promised them that he will convey their note to the Italian officials.

The group also stressed that they believe that Italian justice will extradite Ocalan, the murderer of the innocent peoples.

Meanwhile a similar demonstration was held in Samsun province by the people whose relatives were massacred by the separatist terrorists.

[09] PRESIDENT DEMIREL LEAVES FOR AUSTRIA: - ''AUSTRIA'S BEING THE EU TERM PRESIDENT ADDS SPECIAL IMPORTANCE TO THIS VISIT''

President Demirel is accompanied by Ismail Cem, the Foreign Minister, Sukru Sina Gurel, Hikmet Sami Turk and Isın Celebi, the State Ministers; Arif Ahmet Denizolgun, the Minister of Transportation and Nami Cagan, the Minister of Labour and Social Security during his visit to Austria.

Addressing a statement at Esenboga Airport before his departure, President Demirel stated that he will meet with his Austrian counterpart Klestil, the Austrian Prime Minister Victor Klima and Dr. Heinz Fischer, the Austrian Parliament Speaker in Austria.

Noting that he will also receive the representatives of Turkish associations in Austria, President Demirel said that he will visit Salzburg city in Austria with Austrian President Klestil on November 19.

President Demirel stressed that the bilateral contacts and cooperation that is carried out with Austria, the EU Term President in all fields and levels, carry importance not only for the future of the region and Europe, but also for the prosperity of Turkish citizens living in Austria.

''I will address the members of the Foreign Policy and International Relations Society about the Turkish foreign policy and developments in the world, besides I will participate in the Turkish-Austrian business council meetings and explain my views regarding the improvement of our economic and commercial relations,'' said President Demirel.

Pointing out that he will have the oppurtunity to take up the Turkish- Austrian relations with Austrian officials during his visit, President Demirel said, ''Austria's being the EU Term President adds special importance to this visit. This means I will have the opportunity to explain the expectations of Turkey from the EU once again.''

''Our citizens living in Austria, whose number is 150,000 is very important in respect of our relations with Austria. However our citizens have various problems in the fields of social rights, education, I will discuss these issues with my counterparts,'' said President Demirel.

[10] ITALIAN HOSTAGE IN METRIS PRISON - LAWYER OF ITALIAN PRISONER SAYS THAT HIS CLIENT IS RELEASED

Burckın told A.A correspondent that the Italian prisoner was released on Monday evening, adding that his client will probably be extradited to Switzerland.

Calascıbetta was taken hostage on Sunday by a group of prisoners asking Italy for the extradition of Abdullah Ocalan, the chief of the separatist terrorist organization PKK to Turkey.

[11] TURKEY INFORMS NATO ABOUT OCALAN, THE CHIEF OF THE SEPARATIST TERRORIST ORGANIZATION PKK

Oymen informed the NATO Council composed of permanent representives of 16 NATO countries about the activities of the terrorist organization, the roles played by the chief of the terrorist organization and the initiatives taken by Turkey with Syria and Russia in order to capture the terrorist chief.

Recalling that terrorism is considered as an element of threat by NATO, Oymen expressed the concern of Turkey about the issue.

Oymen told A.A correspondent that Turkey does not have any expectations from NATO allies, but he informed in detail the NATO Council, which is the decision body of the NATO.

[12] D'ALEMA, THE ITALIAN PREMIER:''THE ITALIAN GOVERNMENT LEARNED IN THE LETTER IT RECEIVED FROM THE TURKISH EMBASSY THAT OCALAN WOULD COME TO ITALY FROM RUSSIA'' - ''I HOPE THE ARRIVAL OF OCALAN IN ROME MEANS THAT HE WANTS TO GIVE UP TERRORISM''

Addressing a press briefing, D'Alema said that ''we face with a very delicate problem in respect of our country and for other countries.''

Noting that the Italian government won't accept any threats or blackmail, D'Alema said ''this issue will be taken up by Italian laws in this country which is a legal state.''

''We are a democratic government which has to show respect to the laws, the appeal court of Rome will decide on a possible extradition. Moreover the Italian Minister of Justice has the right to decide on this issue,'' said Italian Premier.

Recalling that there is death penaty in Turkey, D'Alema said that ''we don't have any strategical interest in giving political asylum to Ocalan.''

D'Alema said that Ocalan did not have any connection with the Italian government before coming to Italy.

Massimo D'Alema pointed out that he hopes ''the arrival of Ocalan in Rome means he wants to give up terrorism and seeks for a political solution.''

Noting that Italy is against terrorism, D'Alema said that the Italian government and himself are ready to find a way to end violence and terrorism, D'Alema also read a message of Abdullah Ocalan, the PKK chief which was sent to Italian news agency ANSA.

In the message, Ocalan, the terrorist chief claimed that he is ready to do anything to stop terrorism and he came to Italy to this end. Noting that Italy is a legal state which respects his people, Ocalan claimed in the message that ''he guarantees respect to values of Italian people.''

Pointing out that the asylum request of terrorist chief will be evaluated by a commission that will be formed by the Italian Minister of Interior, D'Alema said that Italy does not look for a reason of conflict with Turkey, claiming that ''the Kurdish people who have been under pressure for years have aroused their sympathy.''

''We will solve this problem by law and principles,'' said Italian Premier, adding that ''we will either grant political asylum to him or not. We don't have the intention to transfer the issue to other countries,'' D'Alemo said, adding that their contacts with other countries will continue.

''On October 16, 1998 the Turkish Embasy warned the Italian government that Ocalan could come to Italy from Russia,'' he added.

[13] THE ASSOCIATION OF PRESIDENCY AND PRIME MINISTRY CORRESPONDENTS ASKS ITALIAN AUTHORITIES TO APOLOGIZE FROM THE TURKISH JOURNALISTS WHO WERE ATTACKED IN ROME, AND TO COMPENSATE THEIR LOSSES

Coskun Kartal, the Chairman of the CBMD, sent a letter to Massimiliano Bandini, the Italian Ambassador in Ankara, recalling that Turkish journalists who went to Italy to cover the developments related with Abdullah Ocalan, the chief of the separatist terrorist organization, were attacked by supporters of the PKK. Apart from their injuries, their cameras were broken, and they were prevented from carrying out their profession, Kartal pointed out.

Emphasizing that it is not natural that such assaults can take place in front of the police without any intervention in a democratic country like Italy, Kartal said that Turkish public felt deep anger towards Italy.

Kartal stressed that Turkish public began to see Italy as the protector of a murderer who massacred babies, and the assault on Turkish journalists increased this reaction.

Stating that Turkish public was hurt because the assailants were not caught and Italian authorities did not apologize. ''We want Italian authorities to apologize from our colleagues who were attacked in Rome and to compensate their losses. Such an attitude will help to ease the relations strained in these days between the two countries,'' he said.

[14] SEPARATIST TERRORIST ORGANIZATION PKK PROVIDES INCOME OF NEARLY 40 MILLION US DOLLARS ANNUALLY FROM DRUG TRAFFICKING - DRUG TRAFFICKING FOLLOWS ROUTE OF SYRIA, GREEK CYPRIOT SIDE AND EUROPE

Drug trafficking activities of the separatist terrorist organization were proved by evidences found out during the operations launched in the Eastern and Southeastern Anatolia regions and in Northern Iraq.

Security forces seized 2 thousand 323 kg of heroin, 13 thousand 298 kg of hashish, 3 thousand 500 kg of base morphine, and a great deal of acid anhydride and 36 million roots of Indian hemp in the caves and stores belonging to the separatist terrorists in 1997.

Turkish Armed Forces also found out many Indian hemps planted in the hills of Northern Iraq and destroyed them during the operations.

Security forces launch operations in border region time to time to prevent separatist terrorist organization's drug trafficking.

The separatist terrorist organization PKK transports the drug to the Western countries via Lazkiye Port of Syria and Greek Cypriot side. Separatist terrorists who were captured during operations or surrendered to the security forces, also mentioned about this route in their confessions.

Semdin Sakik, one of the leaders of the separatist terrorist organization PKK who was captured by the security forces and brought to Turkey, also stressed that the most important income source of the organization is drug trafficking.

Sakik described the other sources of income as money collected from the people living abroad under the name of tax and income from the commercial foundations both in Turkey and abroad.

Separatist terrorist organization is thought to have millions of US dollars in the Syrian banks.

Abdullah Ocalan, chief of the separatist terrorist organization has also an estimated one billion US dollars in his bank accounts in Syria.

[15] PRESIDENT DEMIREL: - ''ITALY DOES NOT PROTECT A MURDERER, SHE CANNOT''

Demirel told reporters aboard the plane on his way to Austria that ''Italy is a civilized country, she does not try to protect a murderer who spilled the blood of 30 thousand persons, she cannot.''

Demirel also said that Turkish public opinion does not have a tendency to abolish the capital punishment and to pardon the prisoners.

[16] TURKISH BUSINESS WORLD CONDEMNS ITALY - BUSINESS ASSOCIATIONS SEND A LETTER TO DANILO LONGHI, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE ITALIAN UNION OF CHAMBERS

Fuat Miras, the President of TOBB Executive Board sent a letter to Danilo Longhi, the Italian Chairman of the Italian Union of Chambers on behalf of TOBB, IKV, DEIK and MTO.

The letter notes that ''protection of the chief of the separatist terrorist organization PKK for political aims, which killed 30,000 people including babies, women and old people in 15 years, means to share its crimes. We would like to inform our Italian counterparts that our private sector is determined to revise its commercial and economic relations with Italy and to boycott Italian products, if Italy does not extradite the terrorist chief to Turkey.

''The Turkish public opinion and business world attribute great importance to extradition of the chief of this bloody terrorist organization,'' said the letter, adding that Italy is one of the most important commercial and economic partners of Turkey. The letter also noted that in 1997 Italy came the second country concerning imports of Turkey and she came fifth in Turkey's exports.

[17] PRESIDENT DEMIREL: ''ITALY IS A CIVILIZED COUNTRY. SHE WILL PAY REGARD TO THE SUPERIORITY OF LAW'' - ''SHE DOES NOT ATTEMP TO PROTECT A MURDERER RESPONSIBLE FROM THE LIVES OF 30 THOUSAND PEOPLE, SHE CANNOT'' - ''TODAY, TURKISH PUBLIC OPINION DOES NOT HAVE A TENDENCY TO ABOLISH THE CAPITAL PUNISHMENT'' - ''THE STRUGGLE AGAINST PKK AND TERRORISM TAKES A POSITIVE DIRECTION''

Demirel, responding to the journalists aboard the plane on his way to Austria said that Turkish public opinion does not have a tendency to abolish the capital punishment or to grant amnesty for the prisoners.

Responding to a question, Demirel said that Italy is a civilized country and she will pay regard to the superiority of law. ''She will not attempt to protect a murderer who is responsible from the deaths of 30 thousand people, she cannot. In fact, the civilized world cannot protect such a murderer. What will happen? This will be clear in the coming days. But what I say is our point of view concerning the issue,'' he said.

The other questions and Demirel's answers are as follows:

Q: Italian Prime Minister said different things yesterday?

A: It can be! Italy because.. There can be different voices in Italy. But as a result, it will be as I said.

Q: He says ''if he gives up terrorism, we can grant asylum''. There is also a kind of message to Turkey?

A: These are daily things. As a result, nobody can protect someone who is responsible from the spilled bloods of 30 thousand people.

Q: Are you planning to start more comprehensive initiative in Europe?

A: A little patience! Let's see what happens! Let's see what will happen with restraint and calm attitude. The same thing happened in Russia. Let diplomacy do its job a little.

Q: Is he arrested? Or is he sent to Italy? Because it does not seem that he is in prison. He stays in the hospital. Do you have an information?

A: He is in Italy. He is in the hands of Italian state. That's all! He is under custody. We do not know how! I mean in prison, or in hospital, or under custody. Different... But what I say is crystal clear: A little patience, a little patience...

Q: Is granting amnesty on the agenda?

A: Granting amnesty is the business of the parliament. It is not appropriate for me to interfere with the job of the parliament. But, the tendency in Turkey is against the amnesty. The tendency of the people is against the amnesty. It is also against the terrorism. The tendency is against all. We are still at the very beginning of these things. Turkey stands up. It is the headline of four newspapers in Turkey. They say ''How are you going to protect a murderer who killed babies?''

Be patient! The issue has taken a very positive direction. I mean the struggle against PKK, the struggle against terrorism has taken a very positive dimension.

Q: Does capital punishment be abolished in Turkey?

A: The tendency in Turkey is completely against this. That is, the headlines say on the one hand that how Europe can protect this man who killed so many people. But Turkish public opinion is very sensitive towards things which mean that he can come and Turkey can protect him. That's why, I'm saying that there is not a tendency in the Turkish public to abolish capital punishment.

Q: Did you have an initiative with Italian President?

A: What will Italian President do? What am I going to ask from the Italian President? Everything is developing within the framework of laws and regulations.

Q: Did you send any message to Italian President?

A: No, I did not send anything. There is not a situation which requires to send a message. Let the issue go its own way...

[18] BALANCE SHEET OF DRUG TRAFFICKING OF SEPARATIST TERRORIST ORGANIZATION PKK - SECURITY FORCES SEIZED 2.5 TONNES OF HEROIN, 21 TONNES OF HASHISH 4.5 TONNES OF BASE MORPHINE, AND 2 MILLION ROOTS OF INDIAN HEMP IN 205 SEPARATE INCIDENTS WITHIN 13 YEARS - SEPARATIST TERRORIST ORGANIZATION PKK PRODUCES DRUG IN BEKAA VALLEY AND HILLS OF NORTHERN IRAQ

Report recalled that the security forces seized 2.5 tonnes of heroin, 21 tonnes of hashish, 4.5 tonnes of base morphine, 2 million roots of Indian hemp, 22 tonnes of acid anhydride and 277 thousand tablets of amphetamine in 205 separate incidents within 13 years.

The drugs were brought to Turkey by the illegal border-crossings from the Eastern and Southeastern Anatolia regions, and transferred to the Western countries via the provinces such as Van, Diyarbakir, Gaziantep, Adana, Hatay and Icel.

The separatist terrorist organization produce most of the drugs in the Bekaa Valley, Lebanon, and hills in Northern Iraq. It is known that the separatist terrorist organization produces an estimated 60 tonnes of heroin annually.

Separatist terrorist organization PKK has many foundations in several Western countries to use in drug trafficking such as:

Germany: 178, Austria: 10, Belgium: 6, France: 23, Denmark: 9, Finland: 2, Netherlands: 12, Spain: 1, Britain: 10, Sweden: 20, Switzerland: 13, Italy: 2, Luxembourg: 1, Norway: 5, Greece: 6, Poland: 1, and the US: 13

Meanwhile some of the recorded drug smuggling incidents occured in Italy where Abdullah Ocalan, chief of the separatist terrorist organization PKK, was captured last week, are as follows:

-In 1989, Mehmet Tanrivere, Mehmet Zekeriya Uzunboy, Nazim Kelo and Halil Ozdemir, all supporters of the separatist terrorist organization, were captured in Milan with a total of 100 kg of heroin,

-In 1992, Italian police determined in Lugurian that a group of supporters of separatist terrorist organization PKK formed by 11 persons, smuggle drugs to Italy and weapons to Turkey under leadership of Fikret Gecu,

-In 1992, Rifki Demirok, a supporter of separatist terrorist organization, was captured in Italy with a great deal of heroin, -In 1993, Pasquale Marando and Michele Franco who were smuggling drugs on behalf of separatist terrorist organization, were captured in Italy with a total of 279 kg of heroin.

[19] TURKEY SATISFIED OVER JOINT STATEMENT OF THE DAMASCUS DECLARATION STATES

Foreign Ministers of Damascus Document, six Gulf countries, namely Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrein, Oman, and also Egypt and Syria, had convened in Doha, capital city of Qatar between 11-12 November and issued a joint statement.

Foreign Ministry statement said Turkey is pleased as the statement stressed that, ''any activity stemming from a country and targetting another country's stability and security will not be allowed.''

FM statement said it was a positive development that the statement calls for establishment of a strategic partnership between Turkey and Arab countries, considering mutual interests.

FM statement reiterated that relations between Turkey and Israel did not have any objectives forwarded to a third country and stressed that there was no need for concern to this end.

The statement expressed willingness to install friendly relations with Syria, adding that ''Syria's abiding by its commitments stemming from Adana agreement and taking required measures to get concrete outcomes will open ways for the positive neighborhood relations that will be installed between the two countries.''

The statement said Ankara was also pleased that expressions took place in the declaration to struggle against international terrorism, adding that Turkey supported the proposal of Hosni Mubarak, Egyptian President to stage an ''International Conference on Struggle Against Terrorism.''

[20] LA REPUBLICA, AN ITALIAN NEWSPAPER, ISSUES AN INTERVIEW WITH THE WOMAN TERRORIST TRAVELLING WITH OCALAN, CHIEF OF SEPARATIST TERRORIST ORGANIZATION

According to the newspaper the woman terrorist named Rozerin Lasher (23), studies archaeology at the Istanbul University.

Lasher told the La Repubblica that she accompanied Ocalan during his journey from Syria to Rome.

Responding to the questions, Lasher who describes herself as the responsible of the separatist terrorist organization PKK in Greece, Romania, Bulgaria and Hungary, noted that they fled from Syria as a result of Turkey's pressure on Syria.

Stressing that they planned to proceed to Greece from Russia at first and held talks with the aides of Prime Minister Costas Simitis of Greece to realize their plan, Lasher added that Simitis sent a negative response to them.

Noting that they behaved like an ordinary married couple on the plane, Lasher told the journalist, ''Italian police was already waiting for us, so we sought political asylum immediately.''

Lasher pointed out that Ocalan has heart and liver problems and is under medical treatment in Italy.

She also added that she easily completed the passport proceedings and is very comfortable in Italy.

Responding to a question whether she killed many persons in past, Lasher said, ''it is the rule of the game.''

[21] TURKISH-SPANISH RELATIONS AT FULL SPEED - ''TURKISH EXPORTS PRODUCTS FAIR'' TO BE STAGED IN BARCELONA BETWEEN JAN 21 AND 24

Turkey will open a fair next year in January in Barcelona and Spain will open a fair in Istanbul in April.

''Turkish Expo 99 Barcelona Turkish Exports Products Fair'' will be staged in January 21-22, 1999 as the first step of the Joint Action Plan signed between the two countries.

It was reported that the fair will contribute to the opening of Turkish industrialists and producers to Europe.

Bilateral trade volume between the two countries increased in the recent years. Turkey, in the first seven months of 1998, realized 771 million US dollars importation and 250 million US dollars exportation.

[22] MEMBERS OF THE US SENATE IN TURKEY FOR BAKU-CEYHAN - THE US DELEGATION VISITS ERSUMER, ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES MINISTER

The US Embassy in Ankara issued a statement saying that the meeting focused on several energy issues, including transportation of Centrail Asian and Caspian oil to the Western markets.

Meanwhile the US delegation also visited Hikmet Cetin, the Speaker of Parliament, this morning.

The US delegation is expected to leave Turkey later today.

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