Anadolu Agency: News in English, 99-03-26

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AA Daily

26 March 1999 Friday

CONTENTS

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

[02] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT: - ''IF RUSSIA PUTS PRESSURE ON, YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC MAY RELENT''

[03] TALAY, CULTURE MINISTER: - ''MONUMENTAL STATUES IN THE NEMRUT MOUNTAIN WHICH ARE BEING AFFECTED NEGATIVELY BY NATURE WILL BE SAVED IN UNDERGROUND GALLERIES''

[04] 27TH INTERNATIONAL ISTANBUL MUSIC FESTIVAL

[05] TURKEY IN BRIEF - 26 MARCH 1999

[06] TAI DELIVER 64TH F-16 WAR PLANE TO TURKISH AIR FORCES

[07] TOURISM AWARD FROM RUSSIA TO TURKEY

[08] OYMEN, TURKEY'S PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE TO NATO: ''WE ALSO MONITOR POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS''

[09] PRESIDENT DEMIREL SENDS CONGRATULATORY MESSAGE TO AHMED, BANGLADESHI PRESIDENT

[10] IMMIGRATION FROM KOSOVO - TOPRAK, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE THRACIAN TURKS CULTURE AND SOLIDARITY ASSOCIATION: - ''WE HAVE RECEIVED INFORMATION SAYING THAT THE MASSACRES OF THE SERBIANS INCREASED AFTER THE NATO AIR OPERATION'' - ''THE EVENTS CAN SPREAD OUT TO MACEDONIA AND ALBANIA''

[11] STATE SECURITY COURT IN DIYARBAKIR PREPARES INDICTMENT ABOUT FIVE SUSPECTS INCLUDING TERRORIST PKK'S SO-CALLED REPRESENTATIVE FOR GREECE - INDICTMENT: ''GREEK INTELLIGENCE SERVICE TRAINS TERRORISTS IN BOMB PRODUCTION AND HELPS IN PROVIDING MILITARY EQUIPMENT''

[12] SEN, DIRECTOR OF THE TURKISH RESEARCH CENTRE: - ''TURKEY SHOULD CARRY OUT A SERIOUS PROMOTION CAMPAIGN THIS YEAR''

[13] INVESTMENT PLANS OF REUTERS IN TURKEY - JOB, EXECUTIVE BOARD CHAIRMAN OF REUTERS: - ''WE FIND THE SITUATION IN TURKEY APPROPRIATE TO ENLARGE OUR INVESTMENTS IN TURKEY''

[14] TRNC PRESIDENT DENKTAS: ''SHOWING A FEW UNIMPORTANT TERROR EVENTS IN TELEVISION CHANNELS FOR MANY TIMES AND CREATING AN IMPRESSION AS IF TURKEY IS BURNING, IS VERY DETRIMENTAL IN RESPECT OF COUNTRY INTERESTS''

[15] ''FIRST INTERNATIONAL SWIMMING CHAMPIONSHIP'' IN TRNC TO BE HELD BETWEEN APRIL 2 AND 4

[16] NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL CONVENES

[17] THE NUMBER OF THE KOSOVARS COMING TO TURKEY REACHES TO 2,637

[18] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT SAYS THERE IS NO PROBLEM ABOUT PEOPLE COMING FROM KOSOVO

[19] CALL FROM ABNA TO MASS MEDIA AND BALKAN COUNTRIES - ABNA CALLS JOURNALISTS TO EXERCISE SELF-STRAINT

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

HURRIYET (LIBERAL) TURKEY IN WAR TOO
Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said that 10 Turkish F-16 war planes and one Turkish tanker plane participated in the air defense role successfully at the NATO's air operation against Yugoslavia. President Suleyman Demirel said that Turkey is a member state to the NATO and she extends support to its decisions. Demirel said, ''Europe had witnessed the massacre committed against innocent people in Bosnia. Thus, nobody can defend the view that such an incident should continue in Kosovo. The events taking place in Kosovo are the continuation of the events that occured in the past in Bosnia.'' Meanwhile, the U.S. President Bill Clinton thanked Turkey for her support.

AZNAR: I AM A FRIEND OF TURKEY
Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar of Spain said that Turkey and Spain carry out a strategic and political cooperation, adding that Turkey should trust Spanish friendship as long as he is the Prime Minister of Spain. Aznar received the Turkish businessmen who are in Madrid for the introduction of Expotecnia'99 Fair which will be held in Turkey. Addressing the meeting, Aznar said that the commercial relations between Turkey and Spain is improving, but that the two countries should make more investments in the territory of the other.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

SABAH (LIBERAL)

KANI YILMAZ EXECUTED
Faysal Dumlayıcı, code-named as Kani Yılmaz who was one of the high level members of terrorist organization PKK in Europe, was thought to be executed by the instruction of Abdullah Ocalan, the chief of the terrorist PKK, before he was arrested. It was claimed that Yilmaz was called to join the 6th congress of terrorist organization held in Iran last month and was executed by terrorists.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

NARCOTICS OFFICIALS SEIZE 40 TONNES OF ACID ANHYDRIDE
Narcotics officials found out 36 container full of 40 tonnes of acid anhydride which is being used in heroin production, hidden in a truck that was on its way to the Netherlands, in an operation they launched in Istanbul. A total of 6 people were taken into custody.

TURKISH PEOPLE LIVING ABROAD START TO VOTE AT CUSTOM GATES
Turkish people living abroad started to vote at the custom gates for the upcoming general elections on April 18, 1999. A total of 276 people voted at the Ataturk Airport of Istanbul in an hour. Citizens can vote at nine custom gates namely Hopa-Sarp, Reyhanlı-Cilvegozu, Edirne-Kapıkule, Silopi- Habur highway custom gates and Antalya, Izmir-Adana Menderes, Ankara- Esenboga, Istanbul-Ataturk, and Adana-Sakirpasa airport custom gates. According to the latest data, there are 3 million 455 thousand and 402 Turkish people living in 33 countries and approximately two million and 360 thousand of them are electors.

RADIKAL (LEFT)

ALLEGATIONS CLAIMING THAT PKK EXUCUTED YILMAZ, CANSIZ AND KAYTAN
It was claimed that Faysal Dumlayıcı, code-named as Kani Yılmaz who was one of the high level members of terrorist organization PKK in Europe, and ERNK members Sakine Cansız, and Ali Haydar Kaytan code-named as Fuat, were killed by the instruction of Abdullah Ocalan, the chief of the terrorist PKK, before he was arrested.

Reliable sources in Belgium said that these three who were called to join the 6th congress of terrorist organization held in Iran last month were caught by the terrorists. And they were killed after they have been accused of ''being faulty in the plot against the leader (Ocalan)'', the sources said.

YENİ YÜZYIL (LIBERAL)

PARLIAMENT GO ON RECESS
The parliament that was called for an extraordinary meeting by the ''disgruntled desputies'' in order to cancel general elections, decided to go on recess following 13 days of dispute. The motion to recess parliament submitted by the Motherland Party (ANAP), the True Path Party (DYP) and the Democratic Left Part (DSP) was adopted by the parliament.

TÜRKİYE (RIGHT)

AN AIRPLANE MAKES EMERGENCY LANDING AT ATATURK AIRPORT
An airplane belonging to the Istanbul Airlines, was forced to make an emergency landing at the Ataturk Airport due to technical failure. The landing gear of the Boeing 737, carrying 164 passengers aboard on a flight from Basel, Switzerland, to Istanbul, did not work. There were no immediate reports of injuries on the plane.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

THEY HAVE NOWHERE TO GO
Number of Kosovon Muslims who entered Turkey from the Kapikule Border Gate in Edirne, increased up to 2 thousand within the last 3 days. Meanwhile, a number of vehicles are waiting at the Kapikule border gate to enter Turkey. They will be hosted by relatives in different part of Turkey.

[02] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT: - ''IF RUSSIA PUTS PRESSURE ON, YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC MAY RELENT''

Addressing a television programme, Ecevit reminded that the Kosovo crisis has come to an extremely critical point, and said, ''countries having Slav and Orthodox populations such as the Russian Federation and Greece are the real scenes of ethnic polarization. An attitude to take back the rights given to Kosovon people during former Yugoslavia period, has incited separatist tendencies in the region. European countries have done their utmost to dissuade Serbia from genocide on Kosovon people, but unfortunately, President Milosevic refused overall reasonable solutions. I fear if this war spreads to whole Balkans. It can create serious problems in the Balkan countries.''

Underlining that tens of thousands of people were forced to migrate to an unknown future, Prime Minister Ecevit pointed out, ''if Russia puts pressure on the Serbian administration, reconciliation in the region will be much easier. Russia's attitude encourages Serbians. Russia is a big state, if she puts pressure on, President Milosevic may relent relatively.''

Stressing that NATO's air operation aims at limiting Yugoslavia's offensive capacity, Ecevit noted that there may be civilian casualties although the real target of war planes are military bases.

Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit recalled that the Turkish F-16 war planes served perpetually for 6 hours for air defense purposes at the first day of the NATO operation, adding that a military troop in Mamak district of Ankara, is ready to be sent if NATO decides to set up an international peace keeping force.

Ecevit also expressed concern over the possibility that Bosnia Herzegovina may encounter with several problems.

Stressing that the European countries abandoned putting pressure on the trial process of Abdullah Ocalan, the chief of terrorist organization PKK, Ecevit noted that several foreigners will be able to attend the hearing as spectators.

Emphasizing that Greece has begun to reveal her own sins during the developments occured in the wake of the capture of Ocalan, Ecevit said, ''Greece was not officialy included in the list of countries aiding and abetting terrorism, her support towards terrorist organization is known to every one in the world and we maintain to recall this fact to whole world on every occasion.''

Calling western countries not to interfere to the relations between Turkey and Greece, Ecevit reminded that as a result of Turkey's effective activities, MED-TV's broadcast has been suspended for a period of 21 days by the British Independent Television Commission (ITC), and Metin Kaplan was arrested.

When asked about arrest of Metin Kaplan, the son of Celalettin Kaplan who was known by the public as the ''Black Voice'', in Germany on Thursday, Ecevit remarked, ''Germany's attitude towards the issue, is pleasing. It is not a religious movement, but simply a terrorist campaign. It is certainly a positive development that Germany arrested Metin Kaplan on charges of making a terrorist call against Turkey. I hope this will be a model for the other European countries.''

[03] TALAY, CULTURE MINISTER: - ''MONUMENTAL STATUES IN THE NEMRUT MOUNTAIN WHICH ARE BEING AFFECTED NEGATIVELY BY NATURE WILL BE SAVED IN UNDERGROUND GALLERIES''

A protocol envisaging cooperation among the Culture Ministry, the Nemrut Foundation and the Protection and Development of the Cultural and Natural Heritages Foundation, for the restoration and protection of monumental statues in Nemrut Mountain, was signed.

Addressing the signing ceremony, Talay stressed that the Nemrut Mountain is one of the most significant cultural and archeological sites of the world.

Recalling that the statues are being affected negatively by nature, Talay stressed that these works will be taken under protection in underground galleries that will be constructed in the mountain, and imitations will be placed in the mountain in order to save general view of Nemrut.

Talay also added that the project which is expected to cost about 60 billion Turkish Liras, will be put out to tender.

[04] 27TH INTERNATIONAL ISTANBUL MUSIC FESTIVAL

A total of 850 artists from the U.S., Russia, Germany, Spain, Denmark, Uzbekistan, Italy, Austria, India, Poland, Albania, Norway, Britain, Czech Republic, and Turkey will participate at the festival.

There are 33 activities in this year's programme of the festival including resitals, operas, and ballet performances.

The activities will be held in the Ataturk Culture Center, the Aya Irini Museum, the Lutfu Kirdar International Congress and Exhibition Palace, and the Saint Antoine Church.

The festival will begin with the concert of Istanbul State Symphony Orchestra &amp; Kamran Ince Music Band on June 9, 1999.

Meanwhile, the 700th anniversary of the foundation of Ottoman Empire will be celebrated in two separate activities during the festival.

Within the scope of the celebrations, Vivaldi's Bayezid Opera coordinated by Leyla Gencer, will be performed at the Aya Irini Museum on June 11 and 13.

Meanwhile, Istanbul State Classical Turkish Music Chorus will give a concert under the title of ''700th Year Concert from Ottoman Empire to Republic of Turkey'' on June 14.

The Chezh Philharmonic Orchestra, the Il Giordano Armonico, the Concerto İtaliano, the Kremerata Baltica, the La Staigone Frankfurt, Jan Garbarek, Hiliard Ensemble, the Arcadi Volodos, Ralp Kirshbaum, Erden Bilgen, Paolo Crivellaro, Rinaldo Alessandrini, Tedi Papavrami, Galina Gorcakova, Larissa Gergiova, the Peter Schaufuss Ballet, the Navo Band, Melihat Gulses, Kudsi Erguner, Burhan Ocal, and Istanbul Oriental Society, and the Mustafa Doğan Dikmen Society are among the performers.

[05] TURKEY IN BRIEF - 26 MARCH 1999

The traditions and customs of Kyrgyzstan are being displayed in the tent.

ANKARA - The National Lottery's annual net profit in 1998 worth of 19 trillion 694 billion Turkish Liras was allocated to the Undersecretariat of Defense Industry on Thursday.

Yalcin Burcak, the Undersecretary of Defense Industry, pointed out that this financial aid will be used for the modernization of the Turkish Armed Forces.

CHICAGO - A total of 13 Turkish companies take part in the Luxury Food Fair in Chicago, the U.S., it was reported on Thursday.

American people showed great interest in Turkey's olive oil of good quality, jams, grain-cereals products and dringking waters. Meanwhile the Pinar Company producing milk and milk products, has launched an initiative to establish a factory in New York.

Murat Hocalar who makes observations in the fair on behalf of the Pinar Company, said that the factory in question will produce cheese, yoghurt and ayran, a drink made of yoghurt and water.

ANKARA - A monument is being constructed in memoir of the Turkish soldiers who lost their lives during the foundation of Azerbaijan, in Baku, it was reported on Thursday.

Construction of the monument will be completed before President Suleyman Demirel's official visit to Azerbaijan in June.

A total of 1,300 Turkish soldier lost their lives during the foundation of Azerbaijan.

ISTANBUL - President Rauf Denktas of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) arrived in Turkey on Friday morning in order to spend his holiday during Feast of Sacrifice.

Saim Eskioglu, the Deputy Governor of Istanbul, and other senior officials welcomed President Denktas at the Ataturk Airport.

President Denktas is expected to return to the TRNC on March 31.

SANLIURFA - Businessmen and journalists from all over the world show great interest in the Southeastern Anatolia Project (GAP), the biggest project of Turkey and one of the most significant integrated development projects of the world, it was reported on Friday.

The weekly Stern magazine based in Germany, will promote the GAP to its readers in its edition that will be issued on April 15, 1999. The Stern Magazine will sent a delegation formed by Tilman Muller Volker Kramer and Metin Yilmaz, to Sanliurfa on March 31, 1999 in order to make observations in the GAP region.

At the first day of their visit, the delegation is scheduled to attend a meeting of the GAP Administration and make observations in the Ataturk Dam.

The delegation will visit the irrigated fields and historical sites in Harran Plain on April 1 and leave Turkey for Germany on April 2.

[06] TAI DELIVER 64TH F-16 WAR PLANE TO TURKISH AIR FORCES

The TAI has delivered the 64th F-16 war plane to the Turkish Air Forces within the framework of the ''Second Predecessor Project'' envisaging production of a total of 80 F-16 war plane.

Delivery of the rest of the F-16 war planes will be completed until the end of this year.

The TAI has produced a total of 213 F-16 war planes so far.

Meanwhile, the TAI has produced a total of 40 F-16 war planes upon an order of the Egyptian government and delivered planes to Egypt.

[07] TOURISM AWARD FROM RUSSIA TO TURKEY

Ahmet Tan, the Tourism Minister was given the award by Alexander Sakalov, the Chairman of the Tourism Committee in a ceremony organized overnight.

Addressing the ceremony, Tan said, ''this the happiest moment of my ministry period of three months, because I am receiving a very precious award on behalf of Turkish nation.''

Reminding that Turkey has been launching initiatives to promote natural, historical and cultural assets of Turkey in more than 40 countries since 1980, Tan stressed, ''the number of Russian tourists who prefer Turkey for holiday has increased 30 times in short period of time. Russian people have a special place in improvement of the Turkey's tourism.''

Officials from the Russian Tourism Ministry and from the Moscow Municipality, were also in attendance at the ceremony.

Turkey is the first country awarded with the Tourism Symphaty Prize by Russia.

Responding to questions of the A.A correspondent, Tan said that recent terrorist propaganda and negative campaing aiming at preventing tourists to come to Turkey, has failed.

Tan is expected to return to Turkey later today after completing his contacts in Russian capital Moscow.

[08] OYMEN, TURKEY'S PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE TO NATO: ''WE ALSO MONITOR POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS''

''We monitor the developments everyday as being the NATO Council. We think that the air operation has been successful up to now. We also monitor the political developments. The air operation is foreseen to continue unless the Yugoslavian side gives positive response to the expectation of the international society meaning they stop attacking Kosovan Albanians, withdraw their excessive military troops in the region by abiding with the agreement they signed with NATO last October and they sign the draft agreement signed by Kosovan Albanians,'' said Oymen.

''The negotiations were held, but the Yugoslavian side accepted neither the political or military side of the draft agreement prepared by the international society. They also rejected the deployment of a force under the leadership of NATO for the implementation of the agreement. Thus the NATO Council has to evaluate well whether or not various messages coming from Yugoslavia are in line with NATO's expectations. Until today, Yugoslavia didn't issue any statement that necessiates the ending of the NATO operation,'' he added.

NATO Council continues to hold extraordinary meetings every day.

[09] PRESIDENT DEMIREL SENDS CONGRATULATORY MESSAGE TO AHMED, BANGLADESHI PRESIDENT

Presidential Press Centre said in its statement that President Demirel congratulated the National Day of Bangladesh nation on behalf of the Turkish nation and himself and he also invited Ahmed to Turkey.

Stating that Bangladeshi's marking significant developments in many fields since she gained independence 28 years ago is the guarantee of a bright future for the country, Demirel said, ''I believe that the present relations between Turkey and Bangladesh will improve in a way which will be useful for the sake of our nations.''

[10] IMMIGRATION FROM KOSOVO - TOPRAK, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE THRACIAN TURKS CULTURE AND SOLIDARITY ASSOCIATION: - ''WE HAVE RECEIVED INFORMATION SAYING THAT THE MASSACRES OF THE SERBIANS INCREASED AFTER THE NATO AIR OPERATION'' - ''THE EVENTS CAN SPREAD OUT TO MACEDONIA AND ALBANIA''

Toprak told A.A correspondent on the phone that the Serbians staged demonstrations to protest NATO and set fire the cars which belonged to the foreigners in Skopje, the capital of Macedonia.

Stating that the border gates of Macedonia were closed and the refugees were not let to enter Macedonia in the second day of the NATO operation on the decision of the Macedonian Parliament, Toprak noted that the gates were re-opened following the ''resignment'' threats of the parliamentarians with Turkish and Albanian origins.

Toprak stated that many Kosovars went to Macedonia by buses and private cars and that they expect that 4,000 of these people would come to Turkey, adding that most of the refuguees coming to Skopje are being hosted by the Moslem Albanians and by Turks.

Toprak said that the Serbians usurped the freedom of having education and working of the people living in Kosovo and posed a threat against the life and wealth security of these people although 95 percent of the Kosovar population is formed by Turks and Albanians.

Stressing his worry that the events in Kosovo can spread to Macedonia and Albania, Toprak said, ''seperating Macedonia, Kosovo, and Albania is not possible. The Serbians will later want to spread the spark to the other regions in the Balkans. The world countries should be careful about this.''

''A friend in Pristina told me on the phone that the Serbians increased their massacres without regarding whether they are elderly or young. We continuously receive news that the Serbians increased their massacres after the NATO air operation,'' Toprak said, adding that they expect a land operation after the air strikes.

Toprak stressed that they will host the kinsmen who come to Bursa as well as they can.

[11] STATE SECURITY COURT IN DIYARBAKIR PREPARES INDICTMENT ABOUT FIVE SUSPECTS INCLUDING TERRORIST PKK'S SO-CALLED REPRESENTATIVE FOR GREECE - INDICTMENT: ''GREEK INTELLIGENCE SERVICE TRAINS TERRORISTS IN BOMB PRODUCTION AND HELPS IN PROVIDING MILITARY EQUIPMENT''

While Fethi Demir, the suspect was studying in the Istanbul Yıldız Technical University, he joined the PKK terrorist organization in 1993, was trained in several camps in Northern Iraq and proceeded to Greece after completing his military and political training in Damasucs, Syria.

The suspect Demir lived in a flat allocated to him in Athens and he was also given the mission of being the representive of the terrorist PKK for Greece. He also witnessed that some Greek ministers and deputies helped the terrorist PKK in various ways.

''The suspect claims in his defense that the Greek intelligence service trains PKK terrorists in Greece in bomb production and provides military equipment to them. He also said that similar organizational activities are carried out in Southern Cyprus and Bulgaria, the terrorists can act freely in Romania as there is no need for visa to enter there and PKK collects money from persons who are involved in illegal business and drug trafficking in Romania,'' the indictment notes, adding that Greek rich businessmen gave money to the terrorist PKK to buy missiles to be used against helicopters and the missiles were brought from Yugoslavia.

''It is understood that training was given by Serbian officers, the trained PKK terrorists were sent to Damascus by planes, and the weapons were transferred to Northern Iraq via Beirut by sea. Besides Greek retired Colonel Andonis Naksakis deals with activities such as collection of money within the PKK and its being kept safely,'' the indictment notes.

The indictment accuses Demir and other suspects namely Firaz Turgan, Fatma Engin, Sevgi Demir, and Umran Turan of being involved in many murders, including massacre of 30 people in a village of Erzurum in November 1993.

The indictment asks death sentence of the five suspects under Article 125.

[12] SEN, DIRECTOR OF THE TURKISH RESEARCH CENTRE: - ''TURKEY SHOULD CARRY OUT A SERIOUS PROMOTION CAMPAIGN THIS YEAR''

Addressing a press conference within the framework of Essen Tourism and Camping Fair in which Turkey was chosen as the guest country, Sen said, ''Turkey should carry out serious efforts to catch up with its tourism performance in the earlier years.''

Stressing that he considers this fair as another opportunity which Turkey could not benefit from, Sen said, ''Turkish tourism will be in a bottleneck in case she does not carry out a promotion campaign as quickly as she can. This bottleneck will make the tour operators in Germany, especially the ones with Turkish origin, come face to face with bankruptcy. Such development cannot be overcome quickly in the long term.''

[13] INVESTMENT PLANS OF REUTERS IN TURKEY - JOB, EXECUTIVE BOARD CHAIRMAN OF REUTERS: - ''WE FIND THE SITUATION IN TURKEY APPROPRIATE TO ENLARGE OUR INVESTMENTS IN TURKEY''

Job told A.A correspondent that he comes to Turkey regularly due to his business contacts and that they find the situation of the Turkish economy appropriate to increase their investment.

Stating that a more appropriate situation will be formed for the foreign investors in Turkey in case the inflation continues to decrease, Job noted that they observed that Turkey came out of the economic crisis in Russia with the minimum damages.

Stressing that they want to continue to make investments in education and capital field in Turkey, Job stated that they have an intention to set up new centres in the Anatolian cities, including Konya, Adana, and Bursa.

Job stressed that he met with the officials of the Ziraat and Turkish Central Banks in Ankara and Rahmi Koc, a famous Turkish businessman in Istanbul, and that they exchanged views in their contacts.

Job said that he will leave Turkey today.

[14] TRNC PRESIDENT DENKTAS: ''SHOWING A FEW UNIMPORTANT TERROR EVENTS IN TELEVISION CHANNELS FOR MANY TIMES AND CREATING AN IMPRESSION AS IF TURKEY IS BURNING, IS VERY DETRIMENTAL IN RESPECT OF COUNTRY INTERESTS''

Visiting Erol Cakır, the governor of Istanbul, TRNC President Denktas said that Istanbul lives in different days due to the recent terrorist events, adding these difficulties will disappear soon.

''It is the mission of the media to show events. However, the negative image created for Turkey prevents foreigners from coming to Turkey, this is the aim of hurling three-four molotov cocktails. Acting like this, the media serves these goals,'' said Denktas.

''The supporters of the terrorist PKK started to launch terrorist activities in Turkey, particulary in Istanbul, after the capture of Abdullah Ocalan, the chief terrorist in Kenya. Fortunately, these terrorist activities have decreased to the minumum level by the efforts of security officials,'' said Erol Cakır, the governor of Istanbul.

[15] ''FIRST INTERNATIONAL SWIMMING CHAMPIONSHIP'' IN TRNC TO BE HELD BETWEEN APRIL 2 AND 4

Six Turkish swimming teams, and one German swimming club will join the championship which will be held within the cooperation of the TRNC Water Sports Federation and Near East University (YDU).

Tansel Doratli, the TRNC Youth and Sports Minister, drew the attention to the embargo imposed on sports to TRNC and said that this embargo is a very serious problem and that all parts of the nation should carry out efforts to overcome this problem.

Recalling that there were some individual initiatives before to overcome this embargo, Doratli noted that this problem can be overcome by the help of the international organizations and that there are some lobbying activities by the help of Turkey.

[16] NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL CONVENES

Bulent Ecevit, the Prime Minister; General Huseyin Kıvrıkoglu, the Chief of General Staff; Husamettin Ozkan and Hikmet Ulugbay, the State Ministers and Deputies of Prime Minister; Hikmet Sami Turk, The National Defense Minister; Ismail Cem, the Foreign Minister; Cahit Bayar, the Minister of Interior; General Attilla Ates, the Land Forces Commander, Admiral Salim Dervisoglu, the Naval Forces Commander; General Ilhan Kılıc, the Air Forces Commander; General Rasim Betir, the Commander of Gendarmerie; General Ergin Celasin, the Secretary General of National Security Council; Senkal Atasagun, the Undersecretary of the National Intelligence Service (MIT); Necati Bilican, the Director General of Security; and Aydın Arslan, the Emergency Regional Governor, participated in the meeting.

The NSC evaluates internal and external developments.

[17] THE NUMBER OF THE KOSOVARS COMING TO TURKEY REACHES TO 2,637

Necati Senturk, the Governor of northwestern Edirne province, told A.A correspondent that a total of 2,637 Kosovars, including 922 children, 883 women, and 832 men entered into Turkey from the Kapikule Border Gate since March 22.

Stating that the Kosovars who come to Turkey want to stay with their relatives in Turkey, Senturk said, ''nobody who does not have a place to shelter in Turkey has arrived to Turkey until today. The ones who came to Turkey until today were sent to Istanbul, Bursa, Izmir, Tekirdag, Ankara, Adapazari, Antalya, Edirne, Kutahya, and Yalova.''

Stressing that a fully equipped ambulance and health teams are ready in the border gate to deal with possible health problems, Senturk noted that there are enough customs officials and security forces in the border to fulfil the necessary procedures.

[18] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT SAYS THERE IS NO PROBLEM ABOUT PEOPLE COMING FROM KOSOVO

Responding to questions of journalists, Bulent Ecevit stated that the General Staff will issue statements about Turkey's contributions to the NATO intervention against Serbia from now on.

''For those Kosovonian people who need special care, there is an appropriate place for approximately 3000 people in Kırklareli province, thus we don't have any problems,'' said Premier Ecevit, adding that the Red Crescent launches efforts in order to meet their demands,'' said Bulent Ecevit.

Responding to another question, Ecevit said that a study is being prepared in order to find out the problems in implementation of the Tax Law and it will be announced to public opinion in a few days.

Premier Ecevit added that effective traffic measures are taken in order to prevent traffic accidents during the Feast of Sacrifice.

[19] CALL FROM ABNA TO MASS MEDIA AND BALKAN COUNTRIES - ABNA CALLS JOURNALISTS TO EXERCISE SELF-STRAINT

ABNA issued a statement calling on its members, mass media and the journalistic world in general to abide by the principles of ethics, objectivity and truth avoiding to blow events out of proportion and excesses contributing this way to the efforts for the return of calm, stability and security to south-eastern Europe, for a Balkan region without nationalism, chauvinism and away from the use of force.

The statement said that ABNA repeats the appeal it had made in the Seventh General Assembly in Sofia last November calling on the governments of the Balkan states and the rest of the world not to raise obstacles to the work of the representatives of the mass media but instead assist them in their mission safeguarding their freedom of movement from one country to the other as well as their free access to information.

A.A

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