Anadolu Agency: News in English, 99-04-20

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

AA Daily

20 April 1999 Tuesday

CONTENTS

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

[02] PRESIDENT DEMIREL LEAVES FOR THE U.S.

[03] ALARKO HOLDING'S INVESTMENT IN UZBEKISTAN

[04] TURKISH LORRY DRIVERS SUFFER DUE TO WAR IN YUGOSLAVIA

[05] SECOND TURKISH SUGAR FACTORY ABROAD TO BE BUILT IN UZBEKISTAN

[06] TURKISH PLANES FLEW 752 HOURS SINCE BEGINNING OF NATO'S AIR STRIKE

[07] TREASURY SELLS 746.7 TRILLION LIRAS NOMINAL-VALUED BONDS

[08] ANTALYA EXPO CENTER TO OPEN WEDNESDAY

[09] ECEVIT: ''EVERYONE DECIDES HIMSELF WHETHER HE SHOULD WITHDRAW FROM POLITICS OR NOT''

[10] DOMESTIC BORROWING STOCK REACHES 14.2 QUADRILLION LIRAS

[11] TURKEY HOSTS 9,764 REFUGEES

[12] INTERROGATION OF OCALAN, TERRORIST CHIEF, COMPLETED

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

NEW STAR OF POLITICS
Devlet Bahceli, the leader of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), the second party of the elections, told Hurriyet newspaper that he does not intent to enter into a coalition with the True Path Party (DYP) and the Virtue Party (FP). ''Several intellectual circles describe us as a marginal party, this is not true. MHP is at the centre of politics,'' he added.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

SEARCH FOR WITHDRAWAL
Recai Kutan, the leader of the Virtue Party (FP), Tansu Ciller, the leader of the True Path Party (DYP) and Mesut Yılmaz, the leader of the Motherland Party (ANAP) whose votes decreased in the general and local elections held on Sunday, ask themselves the question of ''should I withdraw?''

SABAH (LIBERAL)

13 PEOPLE DIE, 125 OTHERS INJURED
More than 100 incidents took place on April 18 when the general and local elections were held on Sunday. Totally 13 people, including two soldiers, died in the events and 125 people were wounded. Police and gendermerie took into custody 324 people in whole Turkey.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

ECEVIT: MHP CHANGED A LOT
Bulent Ecevit, the leader of the Democratic Left Party (DSP) said that the Nationalist Movement Paty (MHP) was successful in the elections, as it has changed itself a lot. Noting that only those parties which adjust to changes survive, Ecevit pointed out that the possibility of forming a coalition with MHP will be taken up within the framework of the evaluations of the public opinion. Meanwhile, Ecevit submitted his resignation to President Suleyman Demirel yesteday.

RADIKAL (LEFT)

YENİ YÜZYIL (LIBERAL)

OCALAN HOLDS TALKS WITH HIS LAWYERS
Mahmut Sakar, Fehim Gunes, Niyazi Bulgan and Hatice Korkut, the lawyers of Abdullah Ocalan, the chief of terrorist organization PKK, visited Imrali Island where Ocalan is being kept in prison, and held talks with their client.

TÜRKİYE (RIGHT)

THE 2ND INTERNATIONAL ISTANBUL BOOK FAIR
The 2nd International Istanbul Book Fair will be organized by the Publishers Union of Turkey between April 23 and May 2. Leading names in Turkish literature will come together with their readers within the framework of the fair.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

[02] PRESIDENT DEMIREL LEAVES FOR THE U.S.

Addressing journalists at the Esenboga Airport before his departure, President Demirel stressed that the NATO has been the base of the Europe- Atlantic security system for 50 years.

Demirel underlined, ''success of the Alliance for the permanence of peace and stability in Europe, assure us for its future successes. NATO's determination first in Bosnia-Hersegovina and now in Kosovo, is very significant to this end.''

Reminding that the Washington Summit will be held with the participation of the head of states and governments of the member countries to the NATO, the NATO-Ukraine Commission and the Europe-Atlantic Partnership Council. President Demirel pointed out that the leaders of the ally countries will exchange opinion over the future of the Alliance and setting up lasting peace and stability in Europe. He added that a new strategical concept which will reflect NATO's approach to the next century, will also be admitted during the summit.

President Demirel told reporters that he will hold bilateral contacts with some of the leaders.

Recalling that he is scheduled to make a speech at the Pittsburgh University, Demirel noted that he will also come together with the representatives of the Turkish community living in the U.S., and with the representatives of the U.S press organs.

Emphasizing that Turkey attributes great importance to existing friendship and alliance relations with the U.S., Demirel remarked, ''We see with great pleasure that our relations with the U.S develope day by day. We are determined to further improve these relations. I hope that my visit to the U.S. will be useful for both cooperation within the Alliance and further improvement of the partnership relations with the U.S.''

Ismail Cem, the Foreign Minister, Hikmet Sami Turk, the National Defense Minister, and a delegation formed by the high-level officials will accompany President Demirel during his visit to the U.S.

[03] ALARKO HOLDING'S INVESTMENT IN UZBEKISTAN

Addressing the ceremony, Turkish Ambassador to Uzbekistan said that Turkish businessmen contribute to the development of Turkey by making investments in Uzbekistan, adding this last consortium is a good example of the friendship between Turkey and Uzbekistan.

Alper Kaptanoglu, the Deputy Coordinator of Alarko Holding company said in his part that the construction of the cigarette factory in Semerqand was completed at the right time, adding that they will complete constructing the three airports on time.

An international passangers terminal, air control towers will be constructed and lightening will be installed in the airports of Semerqand, Bukhara and Urganc.

Nearly 500 Turkish workmen work in the construction of the airports.

[04] TURKISH LORRY DRIVERS SUFFER DUE TO WAR IN YUGOSLAVIA

Mithat Karabiyik, the International Transporters' Association representative to Hungary, told the A.A correspondent that the Turkish lorry drivers were obliged to travel to Europe via Romania as the Yugoslavian border gates were closed due to war, creating accumulation in Romania.

''When the number of lorries passing through Romania was increased, the Romanian customs officials and police started to accept bribes again; and they fine the drivers who refused to bribe with 1,000 to 1,500 German Marks. Our lorry drivers were fed up with this arbitrary treatment of Romanians,'' Karabiyik said.

[05] SECOND TURKISH SUGAR FACTORY ABROAD TO BE BUILT IN UZBEKISTAN

Yekta Ergul, the Project Director of Harezm Sugar Factory, said that Turkey submitted two proposals to the concerned authorities. The two proposals are for processing of three and six thousand tons of sugar cane.

Turkey's first sugar factory abroad was built in a consortium with Yuksel Construction between March 1996 and July 1998. More than 98 million U.S. dollars have been spent for the factory so far.

Last year, 90 thousand tons of sugar cane was processed in a 60 day period starting from September 28 and 11 thousand tons of sugar was produced. The targeted sugar production this year is 45 thousand tons. The factory operates entirely with Turkish technology and processes three thousand tons of sugar cane daily. The Uzbeks, who are happy with the production want to add an unprocessed sugar production unit to the factory. The estimated cost of this unit is 25 million U.S. dollars.

Uzbekistan has annually 500 tons of sugar need and trying to cover its need by processing the sugar it imports.

The factory which has 120 Turkish experts and personnel, will be run by only Uzbek staff starting next year.

[06] TURKISH PLANES FLEW 752 HOURS SINCE BEGINNING OF NATO'S AIR STRIKE

The fuel storages in Novi Sad and Smedereva as well as ammunition production and storage facilities in Paracin, Bogutovac, and Pristina were hit during the air strike.

Serbs had difficulties in obtaining and distributing fuel after the 70 percent of the fuel storages were hit by NATO planes.

The Turkish F-16 planes which were deployed in Italy flew a total of 26 hours on April 19 and 20. The Turkish F-16's which spent 752 hours in the air returned to their bases without encountering any problems.

According to the updated figures, there are 9 thousand 799 refugees in Turkey, 60 thousand in Serbia, 74 thousand in Karadag, 365 thousand in Albania, 132 thousand in Macedonia, 32 thousand in Bosna-Herzegovina, 9 thousand in Germany and 3 thousand in other countries. Around 280 thousand people were forced out of their homes in Kosova by Serbs since the beginning of NATO's air strike. Three thousand 463 Kosovars are currently staying at Gaziosmanpasa Refugee Camp.

[07] TREASURY SELLS 746.7 TRILLION LIRAS NOMINAL-VALUED BONDS

The net sale was 370 trillion 452 billion TL while the offer was 2 quadrillion 178 trillion 880 billion TL.

The annual composite interest rate was specified to be 91.74 percent. The annual minimum composite interest rate became 90.86 percent and the annual maximum composite interest rate became 94.76 percent.

The annual simple interest rate was 94.33 percent. The annual minimum simple interest rate became 93.41 percent and the annual maximum simple interest rate became 94.76 percent.

Meanwhile, a total of 201.4 trillion TL bonds were sold to public organizations.

The maturity for 392-day bonds is 17 May 2000.

[08] ANTALYA EXPO CENTER TO OPEN WEDNESDAY

Sadik Badak, ANFAS Administration Council Chairman said that Antalya which is Turkey's leading agriculture and tourism city, is also becoming a city of fairs.

The construction of Antalya Expo Center started last year and was completed in a very short time, Badak stated. The Expo Fair Center is situated on 60 thousand meter square and its one third is indoors.

''AEC will become the biggest fair center of the Mediterranean Turkey and will have big contributions to the regions' economy. The fair will accelerate the social and business life in the region. It will bring variety to tourism,'' he added.

The Fair Center which costed 10 million U.S. dollars, will bring 10 million U.S. dollars from every fair to Antalya's economy.

[09] ECEVIT: ''EVERYONE DECIDES HIMSELF WHETHER HE SHOULD WITHDRAW FROM POLITICS OR NOT''

Responding to a question about the Republican People's Party's (CHP) failure to pass the threshold, the Prime Minister said, ''there are differences between leftist parties. We have a special leftist understanding which is suitable for Turkey's nature. That distinguishes us from other parties who claim themselves leftist. Therefore, we all shouldn't be regarded the same.''

Ecevit said he phoned Devlet Bahceli, the leader of the Nationalist Movement Party and congratulated him for his success in the elections and also received a similar call from Mesut Yilmaz, leader of the Motherland Party (ANAP).

Ecevit said they did not discuss any coalition possibilities with Bahceli during their phone conversation.

[10] DOMESTIC BORROWING STOCK REACHES 14.2 QUADRILLION LIRAS

The Treasury Undersecretariat issued a statement saying that the domestic borrowing stock, which was 11 quadrillion 612 trillion 885 billion TL while entering 1999, increased to 12 quadrillion 507 trillion 502 billion TL at the end of January 1999; to 13 quadrillion 125 trillion 592 billion TL at the end of February 1999, and to 14 quadrillion 223 trillion 209 billion TL at the end of the first quarter of the year.

Thus the domestic borrowing stock increased by 2 quadrillion 610 trillion 324 billion TL in the first quarter.

The total domestic borrowing stock at the end of March 1999 was composed of 9 quadrillion 669 trillion 743 billion TL of debenture bonds and 4 quadrillion 553 trillion 466 billion TL of bonds.

[11] TURKEY HOSTS 9,764 REFUGEES

A plane carrying 157 Kosovars landed at Corlu Airport at 13.10 on Tuesday. With the recent arrivals, the number of refugees who are hosted at Kirklareli's Gaziosmanpasa Refugee Camp became 3,479.

All needs of the refugees are met by the Turkish Red Crescent which is also offering health services at the camp. The Red Crescent sent 39 refugees with serious conditions to hospitals after examining 2,660 Kosovars.

Meanwhile, Kirklareli Youth and Sports Directorate started various sports activities among the young refugees.

[12] INTERROGATION OF OCALAN, TERRORIST CHIEF, COMPLETED

Sources told A.A that the interrogation carried out by Talat Salk, the acting chief prosecutor of DGM, and prosecutors Nuh Mete Yuksel and Hamze Keles in Imrali island has been completed.

Sources said that Ocalan is held responsible for all activities of the PKK and the prosecutors are asking for capital punishment in accordance with the 125th article of the Turkish Criminal Code concerning the crimes against the country and sovereignty of the state and treason.

The history and activities of the terrorist organization PKK is given in detail in the supplementary indictment which also stresses that PKK also deals with drug trafficking.

The supplementary indictment also states that Ocalan ordered the terrorist attacks against teachers, policemen, and civilians in Turkey.

The supplementary indictment will be reviewed once again and then be sent to the Ankara State Security Court no 2 in which Ocalan is currently being tried on charges of treason and committing crime against the country and sovereignty of the state due to the murders committed in Adana and Erzurum by the PKK and a speech he delivered at Med-tv, the mouthpiece of PKK.

In the hearing which will be held on 30 April, the Ankara DGM no 2 will decide to combine the case with which it is dealing and the case which is opened by the supplementary indictment. The court will also decide on the date which Ocalan will be tried in Imrali island.

A.A

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