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

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

AA Daily

04 April 1999 Sunday

CONTENTS

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

[02] TURKEY SENDS HUMANITARIAN AID PACKAGE TO ALBANIA AND MACEDONIA

[03] PRESIDENT DEMIREL RETURNS TO TURKEY - DEMIREL MEETS WITH BAHRAINI EMIR SHEIKH HAMAD

[04] SUPPORT OF DENKTAS TO ''AID TO KOSOVO'' CAMPAIGN - DENKTAS: ''TURKISH CYPRIOTS LIVED THE SAME TRAGEDY WHICH KOSOVAR MOSLEMS ARE FACING''

[05] PRESIDENT DEMIREL RETURNS TO TURKEY - DEMIREL: ''WE'VE TAKEN UP RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN MIDDLE EAST PEACE PROCESS AND INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION AGAINST TERRORISM''

[06] 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF NATO - BAYULKEN, CHAIRMAN OF THE TURKISH ATLANTIC COUNCIL: - ''NATO SHOULD BE SUCCESSFUL IN APPLING ITS DECISION ABOUT KOSOVO''

[07] TURKES COMMEMORATED IN SECOND YEAR FOLLOWING HIS DEATH - PRESIDENT DEMIREL: ''THE DEATH OF TURKES WAS A BIG LOSS FOR OUR POLITICAL LIFE''

[08] TURKISH TRADE DELEGATION DUE IN RUSSIA

[09] MAY TO BE CELEBRATED AS ''TURKISH MONTH'' IN NEW YORK - CONCERTS, EXHIBITION AND ''TURKISH FILMS WEEK'' TO BE HELD

[10] RED CRESCENT SENDS 250 TENTS AND 2,500 BLANKETS TO SKOPJE

[11] 50TH FOUNDATION ANNIVERSARY OF NATO - PRESIDENT DEMIREL: ''NATO CONTINUES TO EXIST NOT BY BEING AGAINST A CERTAIN COUNTRY OR BLOCK, BUT FOR PEACE AND STABILITY IN EUROPEAN-ATLANTIC REGION''

[12] PREMIER ECEVIT: ''OUR TWO CARGO PLANES WHICH WERE CARRYING AID TO KOSOVARS ARE MADE TO TURN BACK FROM BULGARIAN AIR SPACE''

[13] NATIONAL REVENUE ON DOLLAR BASIS - GNP INCREASES 6.33 PERCENT TO 204.5 BILLION U.S. DOLLARS IN 1998

[14] PREMIER ECEVIT: ''MACEDONIA DIDN'T PERMIT US TO SET UP TWO TENT-SITES FOR 20,000 PEOPLE''

[15] TARTAN, MINISTER OF LABOUR AND SOCIAL SECURITY: ''THE HUMAN TRAGEDY IN KOSOVO WILL BE THE MAIN ARTICLE OF CABINET'S AGENDA TODAY''

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

HURRIYET (LIBERAL) ALPASLAN TURKES COMMEMORATED
Alpaslan Turkes, the former leader of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) was commemorated on his death two years ago on April 4. The first ceremony was held in Anıtkabir, the mausoleum of Ataturk and the second ceremony was held near his grave.

PRESIDENT DEMIREL RETURNS FROM GULF
President Demirel wrapped up his two-day official visit to Qatar and Bahrain and returned to Turkey. Addressing a statement at the Esenboga Airport, President Demirel said that he held contacts with his counterparts regarding the recent developments in the Middle East Peace Process, international terrorism and economic cooperation issues.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

TURKISH AID TO ALBANIA
Turkish citizens living in Tirana, the capital of Albania extended assistance to Kosovars in Mullet Military Camp near Tirana. Turks who convened within the structure of Mehmet Akif Turkish College, give food to refugees every evening and also give clothes and medicine to them. Meanwhile the assistance of Turkey by highway and airway have been handed over to Albanian officials to be given to Kosovar refugees.

SABAH (LIBERAL)

TURKISH AND SPANISH COOPERATION IN TOURISM SECTOR
''D and E Turizm'', a company which runs seven hotels and holiday resorts in Bodrum county of Aegean Mugla province, united with Group Barcelo, a Spanish hotel chain. The two companies said that they will make more investments. D and E - Barcelo Hotels parthnership plans setting up hotels in Antalya, Istanbul, Marmaris and Bodrum and increasing their bed capacity to 5,000.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

FRENCH SKIER WHO WAS TRAPPED UNDER SNOW IN HOSPITAL
The French skier who was trapped under snow when an avalanche occured in a mountain near central Nigde province was hospitalized in central Kayseri province. The doctors said that the life of the skier is still under risk since he was trapped under snow lacking of oxygen.

RADIKAL (LEFT)

BLAST IN HAKKARI
A bomb exploded in a bakery factory belonging to the municipality in eastern province of Hatay. No casualties were reported. The windows of the factory and the bulidigns nearby were broken. Officials said that the bomb was a time-bomb.

YENİ YÜZYIL (LIBERAL)

SEVEN AND A HALF MILLION U.S. DOLLAR AID FROM TURKEY
The Foreign Ministry applied to Macedonian and Albanian governments and said that Turkey wants to set up two tent-sites in these countries for the Kosovars. The Red Crescent will send sleeping bags, blankets, food and health personnel for the Kosovars. The total of the aid sent from Turkey to Kosovo will be seven and a half million U.S. dollars, including 4.5 million U.S. dollar monetary aid of the government, one million U.S. dollar humanitarian aid of the Religious Foundation and two million U.S. dollar aid of the Red Crescent.

TÜRKİYE (RIGHT)

ARAFAT, PALESTINIAN HEAD OF STATE, DUE IN ANKARA ON MONDAY
Yasser Arafat, the Palestinian Head of State will come to Ankara on Monday. Foreign Ministry said in a written statement that Arafat will pay a working visit to Turkey. The Palestinian leader will meet with President Suleyman Demirel and Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit and take up bilateral relations and the Middle East Peace Process with them.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

[02] TURKEY SENDS HUMANITARIAN AID PACKAGE TO ALBANIA AND MACEDONIA

The General Staff said in its statement that the air operation of NATO against Yugoslavia on April 3 and 4, 1999 were successful and that eleven Turkish aircrafts which were deployed in Ghedi city of Italy successfully completed their air defense patrolling mission, adding that one Turkish frigate continues its mission in Adriatic Sea.

Recalling that the Russian ship named ''Liman'' passed through the Istanbul Strait on Saturday, the statement noted that Turkey will send the humanitarian aid to Albania and Macedonia.

The statement added that the number of the Kosovars coming to Turkey reached 5,319 on Saturday.

[03] PRESIDENT DEMIREL RETURNS TO TURKEY - DEMIREL MEETS WITH BAHRAINI EMIR SHEIKH HAMAD

Before visiting Bahraini Emir, President Demirel met with representatives of Turkish banks acting in Bahrain and Turkish university lecturers working in Bahrain University.

Engin Turker, the Turkish Ambassador to Bahrain responded to the questions of President Demirel about the status of Bahrain in the region and working conditions in that country.

Noting that Bahrain is an important trade centre of the region, Turker said that Turkish firms have to come to this country.

President Demirel said that he is pleased to see seven Turkish banks in Bahrain, adding Turkey has to further improve relations with the Middle East and Caucasus.

President Demirel said that he had postponed his visit to Bahrain twice due to his heavy schedule, adding he visited Bahrain this time in order to express Turkey's condolences for the death of former Bahraini Emir.

[04] SUPPORT OF DENKTAS TO ''AID TO KOSOVO'' CAMPAIGN - DENKTAS: ''TURKISH CYPRIOTS LIVED THE SAME TRAGEDY WHICH KOSOVAR MOSLEMS ARE FACING''

Addressing a statement in the aid collection centre, Denktas said that the Turkish Cypriots lived the same tragedy which the Kosovar Moslems are facing at the moment, adding that their aid will increase day by day.

Denktas said, ''the Serbs and the Kosovars should reach an agreement as two equal parties. The efforts to make these people live together after all the things the Serbians did, will cause new threats.''

When reminded his words saying that one part of Maras should be opened temporarily to shelter the Kosovar Moslems, Denktas noted that some part of Maras will be opened to shelter the Moslems who face genocide of the Serbs in Kosovo and that the TRNC government will give the final decision about this issue.

Emphasizing that he will support any kind of initiatives which aim at sheltering the immigrants in Maras, Denktas stated that he is ready to defend his opinion everywhere in the world.

Denktas said, ''I do not recognize an authority which will say 'no' to this. These people are living in the streets. Nobody has a right to let these people live in streets. The United Nations (UN) and the Security Council do not have this right. There are empty spaces in Maras and they should be re-opened to settlement after they are repaired as soon as possible.''

[05] PRESIDENT DEMIREL RETURNS TO TURKEY - DEMIREL: ''WE'VE TAKEN UP RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN MIDDLE EAST PEACE PROCESS AND INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION AGAINST TERRORISM''

Addressing a statement at Esenboga Airport, President Demirel said that they evaluated opportunities to further improve relations and cooperation between Turkey and Qatar with Qatari Emir and other Qatari officials.

''Within the framework of the importance attributed to installation of peace, security and stability in the Middle East and Gulf region by our countries, we've taken up the recent developments regarding the Middle East Peace Process and international cooperation against terrorism which crosses borders. In this regard, I informed my counterpart about our struggle with the terrorist PKK and the aim and scope of our operations staged against the terrorist PKK organization in Northern Iraq, besides we've explained once again the views of Turkey about waters that cross borders,'' said President Demirel.

President Demirel stressed that protocols foreseeing regular political consultations between Turkish and Qatari Foreign Ministries were signed, adding they have reached a consensus of opinion upon convening the Turkish- Qatari Joint Economic Commission soon and speeding up efforts to sign agreements on reciprocal investments and prevention of double-taxation.

''Positive and constructive steps have been taken in respect of strengthening both our relations with Qatar and the regional peace and stability,'' said Demirel.

President Demirel said that he also proceeded to Bahrain in order to express his condolences for the death of former Bahraini Emir Sheikh Isa Bin Salman Al Khalifa and congratulate the new Emir Sheikh Hamad Bin Isa Al Khalifa.

President Demirel added that he also exchanged views with Bahraini Emir about bilateral relations and regional issues.

[06] 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF NATO - BAYULKEN, CHAIRMAN OF THE TURKISH ATLANTIC COUNCIL: - ''NATO SHOULD BE SUCCESSFUL IN APPLING ITS DECISION ABOUT KOSOVO''

Addressing a statement to A.A for the 50th anniversary of NATO, Bayulken noted that the alliance protected all its members from the armed attacks since it was set up.

Stating that the members developed their economic and social level under the most effective and most protective umbrella of the history and that thus the world did not face a general war trouble by the efforts of this alliance, Bayulken stressed that the alliance took a right decision about the Kosovo issue.

Bayulken stated that the effect of NATO's determination and will in putting an end to the clashes in Bosnia-Herzegovina by the Dayton Agreement is not disputable.

Drawing the attention that similar determination and will should be shown in Kosovo issue, Bayulken said, ''NATO's being successful in this issue is unavoidable. Even thinking of an opposite possibility will mean a big and irreperable loss not only for NATO but for the peace and security of Europe.''

Emphasizing that the alliance should maintain its prior and main tasks to continue to be convincing and dissuasive, Bayulken said that the first commitment of NATO is protecting its quality of being a collective defense organization for its allies.

Stressing that the alliance is very successful in adapting to the new conditions following the cold war era, Bayulken said, ''since the United Nations (U.N) cannot be successful in protecting the peace in the new conditions, the alliance should undertake effective measures and tasks in the application of peace.''

Bayulken added that the alliance should take necessary steps to fight against new threats like terorism and should be in solidarity with its allies about this issue.

[07] TURKES COMMEMORATED IN SECOND YEAR FOLLOWING HIS DEATH - PRESIDENT DEMIREL: ''THE DEATH OF TURKES WAS A BIG LOSS FOR OUR POLITICAL LIFE''

Issuing a message, President Demirel said that he commemorates Turkes with mercy in the second year following his death.

[08] TURKISH TRADE DELEGATION DUE IN RUSSIA

The officials from the Foreign Trade Undersecretariat (DTM) said that the meetings between the delegations of Turkey and Russia will be a continuation of the technical meetings which were held between the two countries before.

The issues like removing the problems which occured after the economic crisis and the decreasing amount of the trade volume in the latest days are expected to be discussed in the meetings.

Turkish delegation will return to Turkey on April 8, 1999.

[09] MAY TO BE CELEBRATED AS ''TURKISH MONTH'' IN NEW YORK - CONCERTS, EXHIBITION AND ''TURKISH FILMS WEEK'' TO BE HELD

The traditional Turkish day march which is held every year by the Turkish- American Associations Federation (TADF) will be held on May 15, 1999 in Madison Avenue.

The TADF also planned to arrange a ''Turkish Week'' between May 14 and 21, 1999 in New York city of the U.S.

In accordance with the programme of BTAD, Turkish groups which will come from Turkey will give concerts, a ''Turkish films week'', music shows will be held and exhibitions will be opened.

Cem Yilmaz, the famous stand-up comedian, Yeni Turku, a Turkish pop music band, Hoy-Tur Halk Dans Toplulugu, a folklore dancing team, and Yasar, a Turkish pop music singer, are among the artists who will participate in the ''Turkish Month'' shows in the U.S.

An oil paint picture exhibition in which the works of Turkish, U.S., French, Japanese, Korean and Iranian artists will be displayed and a photography exhibition will be held in which the photographs of Guler Ugur will be shown.

[10] RED CRESCENT SENDS 250 TENTS AND 2,500 BLANKETS TO SKOPJE

Red Crescent said in its statement that 400 tents and 2,500 blankets were loaded in other military planes and that the planes will take off for Tiran, the capital of Albania, after the air corridor is opened.

The statement noted that all the preparations for two tent-sites in Macedonia and Albania which will be set up to shelter the Kosovars are completed and that the Red Crescent is waiting for the permission of the mentioned countries.

[11] 50TH FOUNDATION ANNIVERSARY OF NATO - PRESIDENT DEMIREL: ''NATO CONTINUES TO EXIST NOT BY BEING AGAINST A CERTAIN COUNTRY OR BLOCK, BUT FOR PEACE AND STABILITY IN EUROPEAN-ATLANTIC REGION''

Issuing a message upon the 50th foundation of NATO, President Demirel said that ''the importance of this vital role assumed by the Alliance regarding peace and stability, is once again revealed in Kosovo after Bosnia.''

Noting that NATO has been the basic guarantee of member states' common security and defense for half a century, President Demirel said that Turkey shares the success of NATO as being one of the distinguished members of this society of democracies.

''The adaptation process for NATO after the end of the cold war will be completed by the NATO Summit that will be held in Washington D.C., the US between April 23-25, 1999. At the summit, basic documents that will determine the alliance's point of view about the coming century and strategy will be adopted,'' President Demirel said.

Pointing out that Turkey is pleased about the participation of Poland, Hungary, Check Republic to the NATO, President Demirel said that Turkey will continue to extend support to Bulgaria and Romania, which wish to join NATO.

''We completely believe that NATO will continue to do its mission in order to realize the ideal of a more secure, integrated, democratic, prosperous and peaceful Europe. Turkey will not refrain from doing her obligations as she does since 1952, when she joined the Alliance'' he added.

[12] PREMIER ECEVIT: ''OUR TWO CARGO PLANES WHICH WERE CARRYING AID TO KOSOVARS ARE MADE TO TURN BACK FROM BULGARIAN AIR SPACE''

Addressing a statement to the journalists following his phone talk with Husamettin Ozkan, the Deputy Prime Minister and the State Minister, Ecevit noted that Bulgaria did not give permission to the two Turkish cargo planes which took off this morning carrying aid materials for the Kosovars in Macedonia, to pass through the Bulgarian air space and that the planes were made to turn back from Bulgarian air space.

[13] NATIONAL REVENUE ON DOLLAR BASIS - GNP INCREASES 6.33 PERCENT TO 204.5 BILLION U.S. DOLLARS IN 1998

The figures of the State Statistics Institute (DIE) indicated that Turkey realized a national revenue worth of 204.5 billion U.S. dollars in 1998, including 46.1 billion U.S dollars from industrial sector, 39.9 billion U.S. dollars from commercial sector, 34.5 billion U.S. dollars from agricultural sector, 27.7 billion U.S. dollars from transportation and commmunication sector, 18.4 billion dollar from governmental services.

Industrial revenues decreased by 3.33 percent and the export tax recessed by 6.27 percent on U.S. dollar basis in 1998 while the revenues from agriculture, financial institutions and net foreign world increased.

The revenues from agricultural sector increased by 26.51 percent and the revenues from financial institutions increased by 27.61 percent while the revenues from net foreign world increased by 46.78 percent.

The national income per person increased from 3,080 U.S. dollars to 3,224 U.S. dollars in 1998.

[14] PREMIER ECEVIT: ''MACEDONIA DIDN'T PERMIT US TO SET UP TWO TENT-SITES FOR 20,000 PEOPLE''

Addressing a statement to journalists, Bulent Ecevit said that the Serb violence continues and Albanians and Turks are forced to leave Kosovo.

''Meanwhile, Macedonia closed her border gates to Kosovars due to their increasing number. In fact we were preparing to set up two tent-sites and we were expecting Macedonian officials to give us the permission to transfer them to their country. However they didn't permit us to do that. We are ready to set up these sites on our own territory,'' said Premier Ecevit, adding they will discuss the issue at the Council of Ministers meeting this evening.

''We have to solve the problem of source, this is an humanitarian mission. Kosovar Albanians are our brothers and relatives. Many of their relatives live in Turkey. I wish the attitude of Turkey and the U.S. will be axmples for other NATO states. They have to contribute to this aid, because the operation which is underway is a collective one,'' said Ecevit, adding Turkey extended 5,5 million dollars of assistance to Kosovars since the beginning of the crisis. ''Of course the amount of our aid will be more than that by the tent-sites for 20,000 people,'' he added.

[15] TARTAN, MINISTER OF LABOUR AND SOCIAL SECURITY: ''THE HUMAN TRAGEDY IN KOSOVO WILL BE THE MAIN ARTICLE OF CABINET'S AGENDA TODAY''

In his speech in Buca county of Izmir, Tartan said that Turkey's humanitarian aid to Kosovar Albanians who escape from Serb violence will increase.

Noting that a big human tragedy is seen in Kosovo, Tartan said that ''in spite of the reaction by Europe and the U.S., the bloodshed and violence continues in Kosovo. Turkey couldn't stay indifferent to these events. The Council of Ministers was called to convene. I suppose the main article of the meeting's agenda will be the tragedy in Kosovo.''

A.A

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