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Anadolu Agency: News in English, 99-04-03

Anadolu Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

AA Daily

03 April 1999 Saturday


CONTENTS

  • [01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN
  • [02] PENG, CHAIRMAN OF NATIONAL PEOPLE'S CONGRESS OF CHINA, IN TURKEY - PENG: ''EVERYBODY SHOULD CONTRIBUTE TO THE GLOBAL PEACE''
  • [03] PRESIDENT DEMIREL'S CONTACTS IN QATAR - ATACANLI, FM SPOKESMAN GIVES INFORMATION ABOUT DEMIREL-AL THANI MEETING
  • [04] PREMIER ECEVIT: ''THERE IS NOT A DECREASE BUT AN INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF TOURISTS COMING TO TURKEY'' - ''WE SHOULD WAIT WITH MORE PATIENCE TO HAVE A POSITIVE SOLUTION IN NATO OPERATION IN YUGOSLAVIA''
  • [05] PRESIDENT DEMIREL CONTACTS' IN QATAR - DEMIREL RESPONDS TO QUESTIONS OF AL JAZIRAH TV CHANNEL: - ''TURKEY WON'T ALLOW SUPERVISION OF CHIEF TERRORIST'S TRIAL PROCESS''
  • [06] TURKISH GOVERNMENT TAKES MEASURES DUE TO IMMIGRATION FROM KOSOVO - RED CRESCENT TO SET UP TWO TENT-SITES IN MACEDONIA AND ALBANIA
  • [07] NUMBER OF KOSOVARS COMING TO TURKEY REACHES 5,036 - NUMBER OF KOSOVARS STAYING IN KIRKLARELI IMMIGRANTS GUEST-HOUSE REACHES 181
  • [08] GERMAN COMPANIES REALIZE 8.1 PERCENT OF TRADE VOLUME IN TURKISH FREE ZONES IN 1998 - SHARE OF EU COUNRIES IN TRADING VOLUME OF THESE ZONES REACHES 25 PERCENT IN 1998
  • [09] PRESIDENT DEMIREL'S CONTACTS IN QATAR - ''ONLY CONSTITUTIONAL COURT CAN CLOSE A POLITICAL PARTY IN TURKEY, GOVERNMENT CAN'T CLOSE POLITICAL PARTIES''
  • [10] PRESIDENT DEMIREL'S CONTACTS IN QATAR : ''TURKEY'S RELATIONS WITH ISRAEL ARE NOT DIFFERENT FROM HER RELATIONS WITH OTHER COUNTRIES''
  • [11] PRESIDENT DEMIREL'S CONTACTS IN QATAR - DEMIREL RECEIVES REPRESENTATIVES OF TURKISH SOCIETY
  • [12] ILHAM ALIEV, DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF SOCAR: - ''TURKEY IS READY TO GUARANTEE MEETING EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF EXPENDITURES IN THE BAKU-CEYHAN PIPELINE PROJECT''
  • [13] PRESIDENT DEMIREL LEAVES QATAR FOR BAHRAIN - DEMIREL: ''THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IN KOSOVO IS IMMIGRATION PROBLEM RIGHT NOW''
  • [14] DENKTAS, TRNC PRESIDENT: - ''LET'S SHELTER KOSOVAR IMMIGRANTS TO MARAS TEMPORARILY''
  • [15] PRESIDENT DEMIREL IN BAHRAIN
  • [16] SEVEN OUT OF TWELVE PEOPLE WHO HELPED TERRORIST WHO STAGED BOMB ATTACK AGAINST BLUE MARKET IN ISTANBUL ON MARCH 13 ARRESTED
  • [17] ENVIRONMENTAL SUPPORT FROM SPAIN TO TURKEY
  • [18] PREMIER ECEVIT: ''NATO'S TASK IS DIFFICULT IN KOSOVO IN MILITARY RESPECT''

  • [01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

    These are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in Turkey's press on April 3, 1998. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

    HURRIYET (LIBERAL) DEATH VALLEY
    Serbs throw bombs to kill 10,000 Kosovonians including women and children who try to save their lives by walking to reach Pagarusa Valley.

    WITNESSES:YES HE IS THE ONE WHO BURN THE BLUE MARKET
    Four witnesses who rescued themselves from the bomb attack that took place in ''Blue Market'' in Goztepe district of Istanbul a time ago killing 13 people, identified one of the ''monsters'' yesterday. The name of the monster is ''Metin Yamalak'' and the witnesses said immediately when they saw him that ''he was one of the bombers.''

    MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

    LAND FORCE PREPARATION
    Onur Oymen, Turkey's Permanent Representative to NATO said that ''Milosevic will give account for the genocide in Kosovo. Giving information about the NATO air operation against Yugoslavia, Oymen said that ''first the Serb air defense systems were hit, now it is land targets' turn.''

    GREECE'S CRIME FILE
    Turkey officialy complained about Greece to the U.N. which does not hide her support to the terrorist organization PKK. Addressing the U.N. Human Rights Commission, Murat Sungar, Turkey's Representative to the U.N. said that Greece deserved to be included in the category of terrorist states due to her support to the terrorist organization. Sungar stressed that Greece, which violated human rights, has completely lost her right to speak about human rights and principles of state of law.

    SABAH (LIBERAL)

    PRESIDENT DEMIREL COMPLAINS ABOUT FP
    President Suleyman Demirel hinted that the Virtue Party (FP) can be closed after the latest initiatives taken by this party. President Demirel said that people and parties should act in accordance with laws.

    ECEVIT:VIRTUE PARTY TO DISSOLVE
    Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit evaluated the words of Necmettin Erbakan, the former leader of the banned Welfare Party (RP) about the Virtue Party (FP) by saying that ''he fights with his own party. In that respect, the party can dissolve. The Virtue Party (FP) does not have the claim of being the first party in Turkey.''

    CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

    PRESIDENT DEMIREL:NATO HAS TO WIN THE WAR
    President Suleyman Demirel said that NATO should solve the problem in Kosovo, adding ''if this is not the case, violence will win. This means a shame on humanity while entering the 21st century. At the time being, the shame belongs to Serbs, but if the world is not successful to solve problems, this will be a shame on the whole world.''

    OCALAN BROTHERS MEET
    Mehmet Ocalan, the brother and Havva Keser, the sister of Abdullah Ocalan, the chief of the terrorist organization PKK, applied to the State Security Court Prosecution in Ankara to see Ocalan. The two accompanied by two lawyers left for Imralı island, where the chief terrorist is kept in prison.

    RADIKAL (LEFT)

    RUSSIANS TO PASS THROUGH THE STRAITS
    Russia, which declared that she would send eight vessels to Mediterrenean to protest NATO operation, sent its first vessels to Turkey on Friday. The Russian vessel named ''Leman'' will arrive at the Istanbul Strait today. The military experts said that the Russian vessels cannot get involved in clashes due to the fuel problem.

    A TOTAL OF 5000 PEOPLE IN TURKEY
    A total of 5000 people came from Kosovo to Turkey while the number of people waiting at the Blatze border gate to enter Macedonia is increasing.

    ONE MORE DIED IN ALADAGLAR MOUNTAINS
    A French tourist who was skiing in the foots of Aladaglar Mountains died due to avalanche and one injured. Five other people among the French group were rescued.

    YENİ YÜZYIL (LIBERAL)

    RUSSIAN SHIPS ON THE WAY
    ''Leman'' the first ship of Russia that will sail to Mediterranean by passing through the Staits left Ukraine at 08.30 local time yesterday. The ship which is expected to pass through the Straits today, will probably reach Adriatic Sea after two days.

    RED CRESCENT SETS UP TENT CITY
    Fatih Evren, the Director General of Red Crescent said that preparations are underway to set up ''tent cities'' for Kosovars who were forced to migrate to Albania and Macedonia by Serbs, adding the preparations will conclude within three or four days.

    AUTOMOTIVE AND TOURISM SECTORS PLEASED
    The decision of the government to decrease the tax on purchase of additional vehicles pleased the automotive sector. Ahmet Tan, the Minister of Tourism said that the measures taken by the government in the field of tourism are important steps taken in the right and resolved direction.

    TÜRKİYE (RIGHT)

    DEMIREL ASKS FOR A SOLUTION TO END SERBIAN MASSACRE
    President Suleyman Demirel reqested that the operation which was launched against Yugoslavia should not be left over. Demirel said, ''NATO cannot get out of this situation as it is now. It cannot get out of this situation by exposing people to cruelty. NATO should get out of the situation by finding a solution to the problem.''

    ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

    TSK CONTRIBUTION TO PEACE
    The Partnership for Peace Training Centre (BIOEM) which was set up within the structure of Turkish Armed Forces in order to contribute to NATO's Partnership for Peace (PFP) initiative, has become a center which also carries out international coordination activities in its field.

    BIOEM held 16 courses within the framework of PFP since its foundation 10 months ago and 313 people from 28 countries, including Turkey, Albania, Romania, Bulgaria, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, Ukraine, the U.S. and the Russian Federation participated in these courses.

    CHINESE CHAIRMAN IN TURKEY
    Peng Li, the Chairman of the National People's Congress in China who is paying a visit to Turkey, said that the peace is in danger today but that Turkish nation is in favour of peace. Li was welcomed by Hikmet Cetin, the Speaker of the parliament, and then they held a meeting in Istanbul.

    [02] PENG, CHAIRMAN OF NATIONAL PEOPLE'S CONGRESS OF CHINA, IN TURKEY - PENG: ''EVERYBODY SHOULD CONTRIBUTE TO THE GLOBAL PEACE''

    ISTANBUL, April 3 (A.A) - The Chinese parliamentarian delegation which is headed by Li Peng, the Chairman of the National People's Congress in China, arrived in Turkey on Friday night.

    Peng and his delegation was welcomed by Hikmet Cetin, the Speaker of the Parliament, and Istanbul Governor and other related officials at the Ataturk Airport of Istanbul.

    Addressing a statement, Peng said that he was very pleased to be in Turkey and that he believed that his contacts will improve the relations between China and Turkey.

    Stating that Turkey has an important situation between Asia and Europe, Peng noted that he will have comprehensive meetings on many regional and international issues in his official contacts in Ankara.

    Stressing that the global peace was in danger, Peng said that everybody should contribute to the global peace.

    Cetin said that Turkish and Chinese relations are in good situation and that they want to enhance the present relations, adding that he believed that the two countries will make significant contributions to the regional and global peace.

    Emphasizing the importance of the high-ranking relations between the two countries, Cetin stated that the visit of Peng will be useful to improve the inter-parliamentary cooperation.

    Cetin stressed that many regional issues including Kosovo and Iraq, will be discussed during the meetings, adding he hopes that these meetings will contribute to the peace for Kosovo.

    [03] PRESIDENT DEMIREL'S CONTACTS IN QATAR - ATACANLI, FM SPOKESMAN GIVES INFORMATION ABOUT DEMIREL-AL THANI MEETING

    DOHA, April 3 (A.A) - President Suleyman Demirel, who is currently paying an official visit to Qatar, met on Friday with Qatar President Emir Al- Thani and exchanged views with him about regional and world issues.

    Sermet Atacanlı, the Foreign Ministry Spokesman informed journalists about the meeting.

    Recalling that he came to Qatar for the first time as the Prime Minister in 1993, President Demirel told Al-Thani that there aren't any problems between the two countries, but the relations have to be speeded up.

    Al-Thani said in his part that President Demirel's visit to Qatar will contribute to improvement of bilateral relations.

    Evaluating the developments in Kosovo, the two leaders expressed concern over them. President Demirel stressed that the NATO air operation in the region should continue.

    Referring to the gulf issue, President Demirel recalled that the problems stemmed from the gulf crisis in 1991. Pointing out to the material loss of Turkey due to the crisis, President Demirel said that Turkey faced terrorism due to the lack of authority in the region. Noting that Iraq has to abide with the U.N. Resolutions, President Demirel also referred to Turkish-Syrian relations upon the will of Al-Thani.

    Pointing out to the issue of water, President Demirel stressed that Turkey does not have the intention of not giving water to her neighbours, adding sufficient water is given to Syria. Demirel said Turkey is ready to discuss water issue with Syria within the framework of a three-stage plan.

    Explaining Turkey's point of view on the Middle East, President Demirel referred to the developments in Caucasus, the tension between Armenia and Azerbaijan and relations with Central Asian Republics.

    [04] PREMIER ECEVIT: ''THERE IS NOT A DECREASE BUT AN INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF TOURISTS COMING TO TURKEY'' - ''WE SHOULD WAIT WITH MORE PATIENCE TO HAVE A POSITIVE SOLUTION IN NATO OPERATION IN YUGOSLAVIA''

    ANTALYA, April 3 (A.A) - Premier Bulent Ecevit said on Friday evening that there is not a decrease but an increase in the number of tourists coming to Turkey.

    Addressing a statement at Antalya Airport, Ecevit drew attention to the fact that some persons launch a bad campaign to deter the tourists to come to Turkey and said, ''there is not a decrease but an increase in the number of tourists coming to Turkey. The reason of this is Turkey's carrying out a good promotion campaign. Besides, millions of tourists coming to Turkey know that the negative news about Turkey are wrong and they tell the truth to their citizens.''

    Responding a question of a journalist on the solution of the Kosovo crisis, Ecevit said that we should wait with more patience to have a positive solution in the NATO operation in Kosovo, Ecevit said he wished Russia to take action concerning this crisis from the beginning in order to have a solution in Kosovo crisis.

    When asked whether or not he had contacts with Russian officials in this context, Ecevit said, ''I did not have a personal contact with them. It is obvious that there has not come up a positive and comprehensive result in Primakov's meetings in Belgrade. Of course, the operation in Kosovo is a difficult one. We should wait with more patience to have a positive solution.''

    [05] PRESIDENT DEMIREL CONTACTS' IN QATAR - DEMIREL RESPONDS TO QUESTIONS OF AL JAZIRAH TV CHANNEL: - ''TURKEY WON'T ALLOW SUPERVISION OF CHIEF TERRORIST'S TRIAL PROCESS''

    DOHA, April 3 (A.A) - President Suleyman Demirel, who is currently paying an official visit to Qatar, said on Friday night that Turkey won't allow the supervision of the case of Abdullah Ocalan, the chief of the terrorist organization PKK, adding ''there has always been fair courts in Turkey, no body should doubt about it and the court proceedings will be transparent and open.''

    Responding to questions of Al Jazirah, a television channel in Qatar about various issues, President Demirel said that a massacre is going on in Kosovo. Noting that 90 percent of the people in Kosovo are muslim, President Demirel said that Serbs kill this people. ''They killed many muslim people, the world stood against that. Today, no country can kill its citizens saying that they are its citizens. If it attempts, the world intervenes. This is a thing done in the name of humanity and it aims to rescue one people who is victim of massacre. NATO took its step, meaning it decided to rescue those people and it will be successful in that,'' President Demirel said.

    ''We wished an autonomous Kosovo within the territorial integrity of Serbia. However the conditions can change from now on, the world has started to speak about an independent Kosovo,'' he added.

    Responding to a question asking whether one can compare giving autonomy to Kosovars with giving autonomy to Kurds in Turkey, President Demirel said ''there is no connection between the two. The people you call Kurds are the ones who established the Turkish Republic together with others, they are the owners of the country and the state. The State of Turkish Republic has taken measures in order to protect her own people.''

    Asked about the trial process of Abdullah Ocalan, the chief terrorist, President Demirel said that ''Turkey can't give permission to supervision of its courts and cases. Turkey is an independent state and it has independent justice.''

    ''After the trial of the chief terrorist, will the Kurdish problem in Turkey end?'' asked the journalist to President Demirel who said that ''there is not a Kurdish problem, but a terrorism problem in Turkey. Those citizens who call themselves Kurds don't have any problem with the people and the state. But there is a terrorist movement which wishes to divide Turkey. However Turkey will end terrorist movement and do what is necessary to his end.''

    [06] TURKISH GOVERNMENT TAKES MEASURES DUE TO IMMIGRATION FROM KOSOVO - RED CRESCENT TO SET UP TWO TENT-SITES IN MACEDONIA AND ALBANIA

    ANKARA, April 3 (A.A) - The Turkish government took some measures for the immigration from Kosovo to Turkey, it was reported on Friday.

    The Prime Ministry Press Centre statement said that the developments in Kosovo are carefully monitored and that some measures are taken concerning the immigration from Kosovo to Turkey.

    Stressing that the Red Crescent will set up two tent-sites which will be formed by 2,000 tents and which will host ten thousand people in Macedonia and Albania at the first stage, the statement noted that the Red Crescent will also send sleeping bags, blankets and food to the region.

    The statement emphasized that ten thousand people can be hosted in the two tent-sites after they are set up and that this number will gradually be doubled.

    The statement said, ''the Foreign Ministry launched initiatives in the related countries to get permission to set up the tent-sites. Once the permission is got, the Red Crescent will send tents, blankets, sleeping bags and food to Macedonia and Albania by planes and Trans-International Routes (TIR) as soon as possible. Red Crescent will also send health personnel, ambulance, medical equipments and medicine to the region.''

    The statement pointed out that this aid will exceed two million U.S. dollars and that the government will finance the aid.

    Noting that the Health Ministry issued a circular noting that the medical services for the ones coming from Kosovo to Turkey should be free of charge, the statement said, ''our citizens who would like to contribute to the humanitarian aid can deposit money in the bank account which was opened to this end.''

    Stressing that the aid of Red Crescent exceeded 24.4 million U.S. dollars in the last years, the statement said ''the aid of Turkey reached 5.5 million U.S. dollars, including 4.5 U.S. dollar humanitarian aid of our government and one million U.S. dollar monetary aid of the Religious Foundation in this last crisis. The humanitarian aid of the Red Crescent will reach 7.5 million U.S. dollars by the last humanitarian aid package which will be sent this weekend. The total of the aids reached 31.9 million U.S. dollars after the crisis occured. A total of 26 million U.S. dollar of this will be provided by the Red Crescent.''

    [07] NUMBER OF KOSOVARS COMING TO TURKEY REACHES 5,036 - NUMBER OF KOSOVARS STAYING IN KIRKLARELI IMMIGRANTS GUEST-HOUSE REACHES 181

    EDIRNE/KIRKLARELI, April 3 (A.A) - The number of the Kosovars coming to Turkey reached 5,036 on Friday evening and 181 of the Kosovars started to shelter in the Immigrants Guest-House in northwestern Kirklareli province.

    The officials from Kapikule Police Organization told A.A correspondent that a total of 5,036 Kosovars including 1863 children, 1743 women and 1430 men entered in Turkey from Kapikule Border Gate since March 22.

    Kemal Onal, Kirklareli Governor who visited Kirklareli Guest-House, said that a total of 181 Kosovars including 76 children, 56 women and 49 men are staying in the guest-House.

    Onal said, ''we meet all the needs of the Kosovars. We distributed 41 kinds of goods including tooth pastes, tooth brushes, sleepers, buckets and blankets. We also cook food for them. We sent necessary amount of health personnel to the health centre. We have not faced a serious health problem up to now. The ones who want to have contacts with their relatives can phone their country and talk with them on the phone from the communication centre.''

    Stressing that Kirklareli Governorship launched an aid campaign for the Kosovars on the demand of its citizens, Onal noted that the ones who want to contribute to the aid campaign can deposit money in the account which was opened in the Ziraat Bank.

    Onal stressed that the efforts to overcome the problems in the guest house are underway.

    [08] GERMAN COMPANIES REALIZE 8.1 PERCENT OF TRADE VOLUME IN TURKISH FREE ZONES IN 1998 - SHARE OF EU COUNRIES IN TRADING VOLUME OF THESE ZONES REACHES 25 PERCENT IN 1998

    ANKARA, April 3 (A.A) - The German companies realized 8.1 percent of the trade volume worth of 7.7 million U.S. dollars in the free zones in 1998, it is reported on Saturday.

    The estimations of A.A correspondent which depend on the Foreign Trade Undersecretariat indicated that the Turkish companies realized almost 50 percent of the trade volume in the mentioned zones.

    German companies standed at the top of the countries which had shares in the trading volume of the Turkish free zones with 625 million U.S. dollar trading volume, Japan followed Germany with 336 million U.S. dollar trading volume and British companies became the third in the list with 302 mililon trading volume.

    The countries which are the members of the European Union (EU) are in the first place in the distribution of trade according to the group countries with 1.9 billion U.S. dollars and with a percentage of 24.8.

    The countries which are the members of the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) followed EU countries with 776 million U.S. dollar trading volume and with 10 percent while the other European countries became the third with 391 million U.S dollar trading volume and with 5 percent and the Islamic countries, the Turkish republics and the countries which were outside the former Soviet Republics were the other group of countries which realized trading volume in the free zones of Turkey in 1998.

    [09] PRESIDENT DEMIREL'S CONTACTS IN QATAR - ''ONLY CONSTITUTIONAL COURT CAN CLOSE A POLITICAL PARTY IN TURKEY, GOVERNMENT CAN'T CLOSE POLITICAL PARTIES''

    DOHA, April 3 (A.A) - President Suleyman Demirel said on Friday night that the political ban imposed on politicians after the military coup in 1980 and the political ban on the Welfare Party by the Constitutional Court can't be compared.

    Responding to questions in Al Jazirah television channel, President Demirel stated that Turkey is a democratic country and a state of law at the same time.

    ''Only Constitutional Court can close a political party in Turkey. The political parties can't be barred from politics by governments. The chief prosecutor of the state showed that the Welfare Party (RP) acted in contradiction to law, applied to court and the Constitututional Court closed the party. This didn't happen for the first time in Turkey,'' said President Demirel, adding that the rules drawn by the democracy in one country should be abided.

    ''On the one hand, democracy recognizes rights, freedoms, one the other hand it tries to protect rights, freedoms and internal peace,'' President Demirel added.

    [10] PRESIDENT DEMIREL'S CONTACTS IN QATAR : ''TURKEY'S RELATIONS WITH ISRAEL ARE NOT DIFFERENT FROM HER RELATIONS WITH OTHER COUNTRIES''

    DOHA, April 3 (A.A) - President Suleyman Demirel said on Friday night that Turkey's relations with Israel are not different from her relations with other countries, adding these relations are not directed against third countries.

    Responding to questions in Al Jazirah TV channel, President Demirel stressed that Turkey's relations with Israel are not directed against an Arab country. ''Turkey does not need Israel if she wants to take a stance against an Arab country, which can be Syria. Turkey is one of the countries of the world having the most powerful armed forces. But Turkey is a peace- loving country.''

    Noting that Turkey has good relations with all Arab countries, President Demirel stated that Turkey comes the first among the countries which defend the territorial integrity of Iraq. Stressing that Iraq has to abide with the rules of United Nations, Demirel said Turkey does not have any problem with Iraq, the problem is between Iraq and world states.

    Pointing out that Turkey suffers from the embargo imposed on Iraq, President Demirel said that ''the planes that take off from Turkey don't have any connection with the South, they fly over upper parts of the 36th parrellel. They perform reconnaissance flights. The conflict of Iraq with the world continues, because she doesn't accept the U.N. resolutions.''

    Recalling that the chief terrorist stayed in Syria for a long time, President Demirel said that an agreement was reached between Turkish and Syrian officials in Adana, Turkey, adding ''if Syria continues to abide with this agreement as she does now, many problems between the two countries will be solved.''

    Pointing out that there is not an issue of water between Turkey and her neighbours at the moment, President Demirel said that Turkey gives sufficient water to Syria, meaning a water amount which can irrigate Syria for five times.

    ''Let's prepare a program based on just and equitable use of water for the future,'' said President Demirel, adding that Turkey, Syria and Iraq have to come together to discuss this issue.

    [11] PRESIDENT DEMIREL'S CONTACTS IN QATAR - DEMIREL RECEIVES REPRESENTATIVES OF TURKISH SOCIETY

    DOHA, April 3 (A.A) - President Suleyman Demirel said on Saturday that there is not a similarity between the incidents in Kosovo and the terrorist organization PKK.

    Demirel joined a reception held by Ugur Ergun, Turkish Ambassador to Qatar, and met with the delegation formed from the representatives of the Turkish society in Qatar.

    When reminded that a similarity is set up between the incidents in Kosovo and the terrorist organization PKK, Demirel said, ''There is mis- information, deviation of the truth and an attempt to turn the minds into another direction. There is a state living on our lands for a thousand years, there is no other state and this state is the state of all the people living on these lands. There is not a distinction among people. Nobody asks each other whether or not he comes from Kurdish origin or the Circassian origin. Because we are the people who love each other. We are the people of a common history and culture.''

    Demirel added, ''can there be a state which slaughters its own citizens? That is Serbia. I mobilized my 300,000 soldiers in order to prevent the massacre of the terrorists. A total of 5,000 soldiers died to protect my lands and my people. On one side there is the Turkish Republic which tries to protect its own people against the terrorism and on the other side there is the Serbia which slaughters its own nation. It is very wrong and misleading to find a similarity between the two incidents.''

    Stating that there can be complaints about the expensive life, poverty and injustice in Turkey but there cannot be any complains about the state, Demirel said, ''there is equality in our country. 150 of the 550 deputies are Turkish citizens of Kurdish origin. The Turkish people did not choose these deputies because they are Kurdish. There is not a second class citizenship in Turkey. Our citizens who are saying that they are of Kurdish origin do not only live in three or four cities but everywhere in Turkey. Two million people with eastern origin are living in Istanbul.''

    Demirel continued, ''a global empire collapsed and a new country was set up. This is Turkey. Turkey is very strong and nobody can be successful in collapsing Turkey. But they caused the trouble of terrorism in Turkey and the nearby countries and Europe supported it. They thought that Kurds are the second class people and that Turkish Republic took their country out of their hands and took their lands out of their hands. They also think that a liberator came out and tried to save these people, which is not true.''

    ''A total of 100,000 village guards of Kurdish origin carried out efforts with the Turkish security forces to fight against the terrorists. My nation wants unity and solidarity and welfare. It wants order, wealth and happiness. We are trying to provide that, but there are some persons who feel uneasy abot the development of Turkey,'', Demirel added.

    Pointing out to the economic development of Turkey, Demirel gave examples about the foreign investments in Turkey and said that there were some persons who are jealous of Turkey's strength.

    Listening to the complaints about the representatives of the Turkish society, Demirel stated that Turkey wants to improve her relations with Qatar and that some obstacles are trying to be removed by the new agreements.

    Responding a question on the Cyprus issue, Demirel noted that a political solution cannot still be found and that the security of Cyprus is under the guarantee of Turkey.

    [12] ILHAM ALIEV, DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF SOCAR: - ''TURKEY IS READY TO GUARANTEE MEETING EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF EXPENDITURES IN THE BAKU-CEYHAN PIPELINE PROJECT''

    BAKU, April 3 (A.A) - Ilham Aliev, the Deputy Director of Azerbaijani National Oil Company (SOCAR) and the son of Azerbaijani President Haydar Aliev, said that Turkey is ready to guarantee meeting the necessary expenditures in case the parties exceed the foreseen cost in the realization of the Baku-Ceyhan pipeline project.

    Addressing a statement to Azer-Press, Aliev noted that the meetings between the Turkish and Azerbaijani working groups continue and that they try to come to an agreement about some details in the project.

    Aliev said that he hopes that Turkey and his country can sign an agreement this month.

    An agreement is expected in the end of the meetings which are held in Ankara and in which the issue on the cost of the pipeline project is discussed.

    [13] PRESIDENT DEMIREL LEAVES QATAR FOR BAHRAIN - DEMIREL: ''THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IN KOSOVO IS IMMIGRATION PROBLEM RIGHT NOW''

    DOHA, April 3 (A.A) - President Suleyman Demirel, who paid an official visit to Qatar left this country and proceeded to Bahrain on Saturday.

    During his contacts in Qatar, President Demirel received the same day two Qatari ministers within the framework of bilateral relations between Turkey and Qatar.

    Besides a protocol on political consultations was signed between Turkish Foreign Ministry and Qatari Foreign Ministry the same day. Ugur Ergun, the Turkish Ambassador to Qatar signed the protocol on behalf of Turkey.

    Later, the interdelegationary meetings were held under the leadership of President Suleyman Demirel and Al-Thani, the Qatari Emir, who hosted an official lunch in the honour of President Suleyman Demirel.

    Responding to questions of journalists in Qatar, President Demirel said that the most important thing in Kosovo right now is immigration problem.

    Noting that people are under risk of life in Kosovo, President Demirel said that everybody tries to escape from that hell.

    Stressing that a suitable solution upon which concerned sides reach an agreement and which is in line with international law will be found in Kosovo, President Demirel said that Russia's sending ships to the region can't be considered as very normal.

    Pointing out that he doesn't share the comments saying that the incidents in Kosovo can lead to a third world war, President Demirel stressed that setting up a connection between the situation in Kosovo and the Southeastern Turkey is madness.

    ''We have historical links with Qatar and Bahrain, because they have been under the power the Ottoman Empire for a long time,'' said Demirel, adding the existing commercial relations with these countries should further increase.

    Recalling that Qatar produces oil and natural gas, President Demirel said that Turkey is an attractive county for Qatar in respect of natural gas.

    Responding to a question about the possibility of a meeting with Syria about water issue, President Demirel said that Turkey is always open to negotiations. ''We don't divide, but allocate water and we are ready to meet with Iraqi and Syrian officials,'' he said.

    [14] DENKTAS, TRNC PRESIDENT: - ''LET'S SHELTER KOSOVAR IMMIGRANTS TO MARAS TEMPORARILY''

    LEFKOSA, April 3 (A.A) - Rauf Denktas, the President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), said on Saturday that 3000 to 5000 Kosovars who had to leave their homes can be sheltered in Maras.

    Addressing a statement to a local daily, Denktas noted that two or three hotels in Maras which are closed since 1974 can be repaired immediately and that three to five thousand Moslems coming from Kosovo can be placed in these buildings temporarily.

    Stating that the Turkish Cypriot government should evaluate this issue, Denktas said, ''this is a thing that can be possible. Let's do it, and let's do it by informing the United Nations (UN). Let's say that we repair and open these buildings to temporarily shelter the ones who are left in the streets in winter. Let's see whether or not they will say -no, you cannot open them-'' Meanwhile, an aid campaign for the Moslems coming from Kosovo started in the TRNC.

    [15] PRESIDENT DEMIREL IN BAHRAIN

    MANAMA, April 3 (A.A) - President Suleyman Demirel arrived on Saturday afternoon in Manama, the capital of Bahrain, after his short visit to Qatar.

    Demirel and his delegation was welcomed by Sheikh Mohammed Bin Mobarak Al Khalifa, the Bahraini Foreign Minister, and then went to Turkish Embassy in Manama.

    Demirel will meet with the directors of the Turkish banks which work in Bahrain and with some Turkish lecturers working in the universities of Bahrain.

    Demirel will later express the condolences of Turkish nation to Sheikh Hamad Bin Isa Al Khalifa, Bahraini Emir, due to the death of the former Emir Sheikh Isa Bin Salman Al Khalifa and will congratulate him for his new office.

    Demirel is expected to leave Manama in the evening.

    [16] SEVEN OUT OF TWELVE PEOPLE WHO HELPED TERRORIST WHO STAGED BOMB ATTACK AGAINST BLUE MARKET IN ISTANBUL ON MARCH 13 ARRESTED

    MERSIN, April 3 (A.A) - Seven out of twelve people who helped the terrorist who staged molotov coktail attack against ''Blue Market'' in Goztepe district of Istanbul on March 13, 1999 killing 13 people, were arrested in southern province of Icel province on Saturday.

    The court arrested seven of them who were captured by Anti-Terrorism Police Teams in Icel province as they are believed to be the members of the terrorist organization and helped Metin Yamalak, one of the terrorists who hurled molotov cocktail to ''Blue Market.''

    The Security officials said that Hayrettin Yıldız and Ferhat Kandar, who sheltered Metin Yamalak in their flats, Resat Baydar, Abdulkadir Genc, Cuma Turgut and Fevzi Alacatay who staged illegal demonstrations and Muhammet Aktug, who was captured in a clash in rural area, were arrested.

    [17] ENVIRONMENTAL SUPPORT FROM SPAIN TO TURKEY

    ANKARA, April 3 (A.A) - Nine Spanish high technology companies including Idon, Iberinsa, Inclam, Tecnoma, Inima, Cadagua, Imabe, Iberica, Tecniberia and Tecnicas Reunidas, will cooperate with Turkey in the projects like refining the Tuz Golu (Salt Lake), cleaning of Iznik Lake and other kinds of water and sewage projects; it is reported on Saturday.

    Expo Tecnia Company said in its statement that Spain will support the environmental development projects in Turkey with 374 million Euros between 1998 and 2001 in accordance with the protocol signed between Turkey and Spain in 1998.

    This cooperation will mainly cover the environmental protection and cleaning projects and the Southeastern Anatolia Project (GAP).

    [18] PREMIER ECEVIT: ''NATO'S TASK IS DIFFICULT IN KOSOVO IN MILITARY RESPECT''

    ANKARA, April 3 (A.A) - Premier Bulent Ecevit said on Saturday that the task of NATO is difficult in Kosovo in military respect, adding time is needed to get concrete and positive results.

    Responding to questions of journalists, Premier Ecevit said that Serbs commit genocide in Kosovo and aims at eradicating Kosovars in Kosovo. ''I am very worried, such kind of violence had not been seen or had hardly been seen in history till today, all the world has to take a common stance against it,'' Ecevit said.

    ''A different process can start if Russia takes steps and seriously warns the Serbian administration. There are responsibilities stemming from being a big state,'' said Ecevit.

    ''Sometimes secrecy is very important in wars. However the air operations of NATO can not be kept secret, because these are decisions taken in collective way and declared days before. So Serbs take counter measures,'' said Premier, adding that the whole world has to help Albanians and Turks who had to leave Kosovo.

    A.A


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