Anadolu Agency: News in English, 99-04-28

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AA Daily

28 April 1999 Wednesday

CONTENTS

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

[02] PRESIDENT DEMIREL WARNS GREECE - CONSTRUCTION OF BAKU-CEYHAN OIL PIPELINE TO START NEXT YEAR

[03] ITKIB HOSTS EXPORTING COMPANIES

[04] TURKEY APPLIES HER ''HOLIDAY FACILITATING PROJECT'' FOR THE TURKS LIVING IN WEST EUROPE AGAIN THIS YEAR

[05] THOMAS MILLER: ''CYPRUS IS NOT KOSOVO''

[06] DEMIREL: ''IF NATO ASKS FOR LAND TROOPS, TURKEY WILL CONTRIBUTE''

[07] TUSIAD CHAIRMAN: ''TURKISH ECONOMY IS AMONG WORLD'S 20 BIGGEST ECONOMIES, BUT WE MUST GO FURTHER''

[08] DEMIREL: ''THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO RESEMBLANCE BETWEEN WHAT IS GOING ON IN KOSOVO AND SOUTH EAST TURKEY''

[09] STATE MINISTER GUREL: ''TRNC IS BEST POLITICAL FORMULA''

[10] PROMOTION IN TOURISM STARTS TO GIVE ITS RESULTS

[11] OPPRESSION IN KOSOVO - SAVASAN, CHAIRMAN OF KOSOVAR-RUMELIAN CULTURE AND ART ASSOCIATION: ''THE PEOPLE OF KOSOVO EXPECT MATERIAL AND MORAL SUPPORT OF WORLD MOSLEMS'' - ''THE BRUTALITY WILL BE STOPPED IN TWO MONTHS IF THE NATO STAGES LAND OPERATION'' - ''IT IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR MOSLEMS TO LIVE TOGETHER WITH SERBS FROM NOW ON. BECAUSE EACH INDIVIDUAL IN EVERY HOUSE FEELS GRIEF''

[12] TDSYMB ACCEPTED TO MEMBERSHIP OF EUROPEAN HOLSTEIN UNION

[13] PRESIDENT DEMIREL RETURNS TO TURKEY - DEMIREL: ''IT HAS BEEN PUT FORWARD WITH STRONG STATEMENTS THAT THE NATO WILL ABSOLUTELY FINALIZE THE MISSION IT STARTED'' - ''THE NATO SUMMIT HAS BEEN VERY SUCCESSFUL CONCERNING THE TARGETS''

[14] PREMIER ECEVIT IN TRNC: - ECEVIT: ''THERE ARE STILL SOME UNKNOWN THINGS'' - ECEVIT TO RETURN TO TURKEY ON THURSDAY

[15] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT IN TRNC - ECEVIT: ''THERE ISN'T ANY WORRYING DEVELOPMENT REGARDING CYPRUS, BUT WE HAVE TO BE VERY CAREFUL''

[16] TURKEY'S 1997 AND 1998 FIGURES

[17] ALANYA PRAISED BY HUNGARIAN PRESS

[18] EU'S EFFORTS FOR A STABILITY PACT IN THE BALKANS - TURKEY TO PARTICIPATE IN PETERSBERG CONFERENCE

[19] TURKISH SOLDIERS ALL READY FOR KOSOVO

[20] INDICTMENT ABOUT CHIEF TERRORIST - FROM THE INDICTMENT: ''HADEP ASSUMED THE FUNCTIONS OF ERNK WITH THE ORDER OF DEFENDANT OCALAN''

[21] HUMAN RIGHTS DECISION ADOPTED BY THE U.N. AFTER THE INTIATIVES OF TURKEY - FOREIGN MINISTRY: ''THE DECISION FORMS A NOTEWORTHY STAGE IN IMPROVING INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION AGAINST TERRORISM''

[22] INDICTMENT ABOUT TERRORIST CHIEF - THE INDICTMENT SAYS TERRORIST ORGANIZATION KILLS 9.818 PEOPLE AND WOUNDED 16.372 OTHERS IN ITS TERRORIST ACTIVITIES SINCE 1984

[23] TURKEY'S OPENING POLICY TOWARDS AFRICA

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

IMF ASKS QUESTIONS ABOUT MHP TO ULUGBAY
Hikmet Ulugbay, the Deputy Prime Minister and the State Minister, who is paying a visit to the U.S. to participate in the meetings with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank, had to respond the questions about the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP). Both the IMF and the World Bank asked what kind of policy will be applied in Turkey in the near future.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

SIX CANDIDATES FOR LEADERSHIP OF CHP
The efforts carried out before the convention of the Republican People's Party (CHP) gained speed. The CHP circles disclosed the names of six people for the leadership of the CHP, including Murat Karayalcin, Fikri Saglar, Hikmet Cetin, Ercan Karakas, Celal Dogan and Fehmi Gunes.

SABAH (LIBERAL)

MIGROS IN BULGARIA
The Migros, a gross-market company in Turkey, will open a market in Bulgaria. The Executive Board of the company decided to open a market in Bulgaria and charged its Directorate General for the initiatives in Bulgaria.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

It was claimed that the money obtained by corruption was transferred to the personal accounts of Necmettin Erbakan and Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and it was named ''Tayyip Fund''.

Police is investigating whether the administrators of the company have relation with fundamentalists.

EYES ON CENTER-RIGHT
The possible developments in the center-right, brought into agenda new government scenarios in Ankara.

It is mentioned that the Motherland Party (ANAP), Democratic Left Party (DSP), and True Path Party (DYP) can form a coalition if Tansu Ciller of the DYP can be taken away from the leadership, excluding the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) from the government.

RADIKAL (LEFT)

RESULTS OF ELECTIONS BECOME DEFINITE
The Supreme Board of Elections (YSK) declared the definite results of the April 18 elections. Thus, the number of deputies of the Democratic Left Party (DSP) is 136, that of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) is 129 and that of the Virtue Party (FP) is 111. The Motherland Party (ANAP) gained 86 seats in the parliament whereas the True Path Party (DYP) gained 85 seats in the parliament. Three independent candidates were elected as deputies in the April 18 elections.

YENİ YÜZYIL (LIBERAL)

This model was taken up at the meeting in Washington D.C. between Hikmet Ulugbay, the Deputy Prime Minister, and Carlo Coterelli, the IMF Turkey Desk Chief.

TURKISH WORLD AGAINST EU
The Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), which foresees the unity of world Turks, now seeks joint market.

The MHP wants to set up a Turkish community joint market with the Turkish Republics as an alternative to the EU.

The MHP, which prepares itself for partnership in the power, longed to possess the Turkish Republics market having 200 billion U.S. dollars trade volume.

This region attracts the attention of the world as it has four trillion U.S. dollars Caspian oil and natural gas reserves.

TÜRKİYE (RIGHT)

Demirel said Turkey will absolutely do the necessary if the NATO asks her to send land forces to Kosovo.

504 MPS ARE UNIVERSITY GRADUATES
The Parliament will host this term a total of 504 university graduate deputies.

The number of MPs graduated from middle schools is 40 while there are only six primary school graduates.

IT IS EARLY FOR COALITION
The Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) evaluated the latest developments at its Leadership Council meeting yesterday.

Tunca Toskay, a senior-aide of Devlet Bahceli of the MHP, said they didn't discuss the formulas for coalition, adding, ''it is early for coalition.''

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

KOC HOLDING REALIZES A JOINT VENTURE WITH MICHELIN
Koc Holding, a giant Turkish company, realized a joint venture with Michelin, a big French company which works in tyre sector, within the framework of its strategy of opening to outside and globalization. Koc Holding and Michelin will export rims to European, Turkish Republics, Russian, and Middle Eastern markets.

[02] PRESIDENT DEMIREL WARNS GREECE - CONSTRUCTION OF BAKU-CEYHAN OIL PIPELINE TO START NEXT YEAR

Addressing the ''Washington Middle Eastern Institute of Politics'', President Demirel announced that the construction of the ''Baku-Ceyhan oil and natural gas pipeline'', which will bring peace, stability, and prosperity into the Eurasian region, will start early in the year 2000.

Stressing that terrorists absolutely target at last the countries supporting them, Demirel said, ''I want to call the attention of everybody, especially our Greek neighbors, to this reality.''

Recalling that Syria, Iraq, Bulgaria, and Greece one upon a time were the parts of the Ottoman Empire, President Demirel said there are still some people in those countries who hope to claim territories from Turkey.

Noting that the Eurasia reality emerged following the collapse of Communism, Demirel said Turkey is situated in the center of this formation and more important, the ''East-West Corridor'', which will carry Caspian basin oil and natural gas to western countries, will pass via Turkey.

Pointing out that Turkey became the economically and politically focal point in her region as a result of her seculer and democratic system, President Suleyman Demirel said, ''the membership to the European Union (EU) is our rihgt stemming from the 1963 Ankara Agreement and it constitutes the motive force of our foreign politics.''

President Suleyman Demirel added that the superiority of law, security and inseparable integrity of Turkey continue to be important than everything for the Turkish nation.

[03] ITKIB HOSTS EXPORTING COMPANIES

A statement of ITKIB said that these foreign exporting companies were holding contacts with the Turkish companies which export textile, ready- made clothes, shoes, underwear, leather, carpet, souvenirs, food, and iron and steel.

The statement noted that the representatives of the foreign exporting companies will visit the factories of the Turkish exporting companies, the representatives of which they held bilateral meetings at their hotel, as of Thursday.

The representatives of the exporting companies in Norway, Canada, France, Denmark, Finland, Hong Kong, and Singapore came to Turkey to hold meetings with Turkish companies.

[04] TURKEY APPLIES HER ''HOLIDAY FACILITATING PROJECT'' FOR THE TURKS LIVING IN WEST EUROPE AGAIN THIS YEAR

A Foreign Ministry statement said that the aim of the journeys to Turks living in the West European countries was visiting relatives and friends before, but that this aim changed into spending a holiday in Turkey.

The statement noted that the project which was applied last year to facilitate the journeys of the Turks living abroad and to make them have peaceful holidays in Turkey, will also be applied this year after it was updated.

The Foreign Ministry statement recalled that these journeys not only contribute to the Turkish tourism but also help the Turks living abroad have strong ties with Turkey.

The statement stressed that the project covers the things to be taken into consideration prior to the holiday, the information which will be necessary during their journey, the solution for possible problems which can occur during their journey or in Turkey.

Within this framework, the Holiday Consultation services which are re- established in the Turkish Culture Center in Ankara and Koln within the auspices of the Foreign Ministry will work from May 3, 1999 to August 31, 1999; including the weekends and opening at 9.00 a.m. and closing at 6.00 p.m.

The special system phone number of the Holiday Consultation Service in Ankara is 90-312-212 27 00 and the phone number of the one in Koln is 49- 2233-5976.
The Foreign Ministry also opened the web site which was also used last year under the title ''Hand Guide'' in the internet. The web site address of the Ministry is ''http://www.mfa.gov.tr/turkce/konsolos/default.htm''.

[05] THOMAS MILLER: ''CYPRUS IS NOT KOSOVO''

''This is not a problem that cannot be solved,'' he stressed and asked for Russia's cooperation for a reconciliation between Turkish and Greek sides on the island.

Miller who spoke in Washington DC said that the US acts under the UN's umbrella and had no independent undertakings so far over the Cyprus issue, according to a Greek Cypriot radio channel.

As long as conflicts between Turkey and Greece continues, the solution of Cyprus question will be difficult, he pointed out and said Turkish-Greek disagreements and Cyprus question could be worked out in one package.

Miller repeated that the US was defending a bi-zonal, bi-communal federal solution in Cyprus, and added that both sides had understandable demands.

[06] DEMIREL: ''IF NATO ASKS FOR LAND TROOPS, TURKEY WILL CONTRIBUTE''

In a press meeting in the Washington Institute, when he was asked what he will do once his term is over next year, Demirel quoted former British Prime Minister Harold Wilson and said ''One week is a long time in politics and there are 52 weeks in one year.'' Then he continued, ''I came through an election to every post that I had. I would not want any post without the support of my country. First, I will complete things that I must do for my country and people, then we will see.''

Speaking of the Kosovars, the President said ''Today, a crime against humanity is going on Kosovo. There is genocide and ethnic cleansing. People are forced out of their homes. In this situation, NATO's task is to be successful. If NATO thinks a land force is necessary, then that should be done. If it wants land troops from Turkey, Turkey will provide it. Turkey is a good member of NATO. Nothing else could be done.''

[07] TUSIAD CHAIRMAN: ''TURKISH ECONOMY IS AMONG WORLD'S 20 BIGGEST ECONOMIES, BUT WE MUST GO FURTHER''

The ''Business World-Youth Dialogue'' meeting organized by Aeagean Industrialists and Businessmen's Association (ESIAD) was held at Dokuz Eylul University's Faculty of Social Sciences on Tuesday.

There is a serious competition in Turkey, and as a result of this, customer satisfaction became very important, Yucaoglu pointed out. ''Turkey is very strong in 5 or 6 sectors in the World. We are weak in financement, but creativity, cost and technology does not scare our industrialists,'' he added.

Yucaoglu said the second urgent reform after reducing inflation is the social security reform.

Yucaoglu described the state of Turkish banking as ''in an incredible collapse'' and said this is because all savings are under the state's guarantee.

If Turkey's growth rate drops below five percent, this will unable Turkey to compete with the rest of the world, he said, adding that ''therefore, the growth rate must not suffer from the struggle against inflation.''

Turkey cannot give up privatization, stated Yucaoglu and reminded that privatization should go along with serious vocational training programs and unemployment insurance. Without privatization, Turkey will be left behind in the global competition, he added.

''We have confidence in ourselves in the European market. Despite the recession in the world economy, our export to Europe increased by six percent in 1998. Agricultural products should also be included in the Customs Union,'' Yucaoglu pointed out.

On the human rights issue, he said, regulations must be brought to protect Turkey's unity as well as the freedom of expression.

''Turkey needs some reforms very urgently. Everyone agrees on these reforms. However, our politicians cannot come together and reach a consensus. There must be democracy within the parties. The justice system must change. The parliamentarians' immunity must be limited,'' Yucaoglu continued.

At the end of his speech, the TUSIAD chairman drew Turkey's portrait in the next 25 years and said: ''Turkey's population rises by 1.4 percent annually. In 25 years, our population will be about 85-88 million, not 100 million as it is thought. Population below 21, will drop from 50 million to 30 million. The working population will rise from 35 million to 45 million. Every year, 1.5 million people will need jobs. The biggest problem will be creating employment, not the inflation.''

[08] DEMIREL: ''THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO RESEMBLANCE BETWEEN WHAT IS GOING ON IN KOSOVO AND SOUTH EAST TURKEY''

President Demirel, who responded to reporter's questions at the Washington Institute, said that ''Kosovars are murdered by their own government. If you are a government, you are first charged with protecting your citizen. If you are not doing this, this means you are not a government. They call them minority in Kosovo, but we don't have minorities. Everyone is first class citizens in Turkey. Our security forces lost five thousand soldiers during the struggle they gave to protect the people of south east.''

''During the War of Independence, people coming from west, east, north, and south, all fought together. People whom we call 'of Kurdish origin' are spread all around Turkey. There are 1.5 million people of Kurdish origin living in Istanbul. There are 150 deputies who are of Kurdish origin among 550 members of the Turkish Parliament. I am right now here and Mr. Hikmet Cetin, who is also of Kurdish origin, is representing me in Turkey. In Turkey you can be Kurdish and you can become president, prime minister, successful businessmen and everything else. We only aim to protect Turkey's unity,'' Demirel added.

Speaking of the recent general elections, Demirel said nobody has the right to complain about the election results and he added, ''You do not know the result before the elections. People vote and you cannot change the election result. The elections were fair and free. The participation rate was 87 percent. You can't say 'I don't like this result'. Otherwise, why are you having elections at all?''. The President said a new Turkish government will be in charge by May 20.

About the EU issue, Demirel said Ankara is still determined about becoming a full member of the EU despite the situation which occured after the EU excluded Turkey at Luxembourg Summit in 1997 December.

''The Luxembourg decision was wrong. But the EU did not close its door to Turkey, it couldn't. The EU already accepts that Turkey is capable, but they say it will take time. A majority of Turkish nation want full membership to the EU. If you look at the potential EU members who were the former communist countries, you will see that they are 50 years behind Turkey both in terms of economy and democracy. In this situation, we have to act very wisely. We will one day become a part of the EU. We won't say to the EU 'If you don't want us, then we are not coming.' Because the EU process will open way for better education, health service, democracy, and welfare in Turkey. This will be very good for us,'' the President pointed out.

When asked what kind of developments are expected in Cyprus now, Demirel said no blood was shed on the island since the Peace Operation in 1974 and this happened with the help of the Turkish army.

''The Turkish Cypriots have a government there which is the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. But they live under sanctions as if they are in jail. The Greek Cypriots, on the other hand, pretend as if they are the only government on the island. I no longer believe that this 'bi-zonal, bi- communal' solution will work. Right now, there are two seperate governments in Cyprus. They have to sit and discuss how they can live together. American authorities sometimes tell us to do this, to do that. We tell them that there can be no enforced solutions. If you enforce a solution, this might lead to a conflict between Turkey and Greece. It might worsen the situation. We tell the Americans that our bilateral relations are more important than the Cyprus issue. We tell them not to make the Cyprus issue a part of Turkish-American relations.''

[09] STATE MINISTER GUREL: ''TRNC IS BEST POLITICAL FORMULA''

''The TRNC is the best political formula that will help the Turkish Cypriots to overcome the unfair policies they confront in the international field,'' Gurel stated during his contacts.

The State Minister said that the cooperation between Turkey and TRNC will help to overcome this situation and stressed that Turkey will continue to give support to TRNC in every field.

Hatipoglu, on the other hand, pointed out that both economic and political relations developed substantially during the 55th and the 56th governments, and added that he believed this will also last during the 57th government.

Akinci said Gurel knows the TRNC's problems very well and repeated Hatipoglu's wish for long lasting cooperation and solidarity between Turkey and TRNC.

[10] PROMOTION IN TOURISM STARTS TO GIVE ITS RESULTS

An official from the Union of Belek Tourism Investors (BETUYAB) told A.A correspondent that the establishments in Belek region of southern Antalya province which were working with a ten to fifteen percent capacity since March managed to work with 30 to 35 percent capacity.

Recalling that they used to work 80 to 90 percent capacity prior to the negative campaigns concerning Turkey which are carried out abroad, the official noted that they aim at catching up with the same rate in June.

The official stated that they will continue to carry out promotion initiatives in case they cannot reach 80 percent capacity in June.

Noting that the tourism sector workers in Belek sent letters to more than 6, 000 foreign tourism offices saying that Turkey is a secure country, the official stressed that they hosted 60 foreign journalists until today and that this number will exceed 100.

Stressing that they cannot understand the reason of the negative campaign which the foreign countries carry out against Turkey, the official drew the attention that the oppression of the foreign press which is imposed on Turkish tourism decreased in these last days.

The official said that they hosted many German journalists and will host the high-ranking administratives of the Russian press in the beginning of May, adding that the representatives of the foreign press get confused when they see Turkey's coasts and that they see nature, sun, and sea, rather than tanks.

The official emphasized that the promotion campaigns will continue until the end of 1999, and that the campaigns will either decrease or increase in accordance with the reservations.

[11] OPPRESSION IN KOSOVO - SAVASAN, CHAIRMAN OF KOSOVAR-RUMELIAN CULTURE AND ART ASSOCIATION: ''THE PEOPLE OF KOSOVO EXPECT MATERIAL AND MORAL SUPPORT OF WORLD MOSLEMS'' - ''THE BRUTALITY WILL BE STOPPED IN TWO MONTHS IF THE NATO STAGES LAND OPERATION'' - ''IT IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR MOSLEMS TO LIVE TOGETHER WITH SERBS FROM NOW ON. BECAUSE EACH INDIVIDUAL IN EVERY HOUSE FEELS GRIEF''

Speaking to the A.A correspondent, Savasan said that 2.5 million people were forced to abandon their homelands since the NATO air operation started on March 24 and hundreds of people were killed.

Pointing out that the Serbs response to NATO air strikes with killing Turks and Moslems, Savasan said the units should start land operation without losing time.

Claiming that the brutal murders of Serbs would stop in two months with a land operation and Serbs would be brought to reason, Savasan said, ''we think that NATO will no longer need to fight on the condition of the armament of the Kosovo Liberation Army (UCK). Because, the UCK will struggle for their independence, homeland, and honour. However, they don't have arms and ammunition. The Kosovar people expect the world Moslems to help them. If the expected help is extended, the UCK soldiers will put an end to this brutality and declare its independence with the support of NATO.''
Savasan stressed that Turkey, the Turkish government, and people lend their helping hands with heart and soul to the Kosovar people.

Defending that the Moslems can't live together with Serbs after the war, Savasan said, ''if a land operation is launched, the Serbs overthrow Milosevic. The Serbian people do not want war. We hope the problem will be solved at negotiation table after the war. Each person in every house feels grief. Hundreds of women were raped, hundreds of chieldren and elderly women were killed. The world did not experience such a brutality before. The problem may be removed with sovereignty. And an international force can carry out a buffer mission for a specific period in the region.''

[12] TDSYMB ACCEPTED TO MEMBERSHIP OF EUROPEAN HOLSTEIN UNION

An official from TDSYMB told A.A correspondent that the European Holstein Union evaluated the membership application of Turkey which was made in August 1998.

The official noted that Turkey can participate in the renewal programs of cattle breeding which are applied in many of the countries in case she sets up the family registers of the animals and starts applying renewal programs.

The representatives of the stock breeders unions of 25 European countries, the U.S., and Canada discussed the improved technics in cattle breeding, the new technologies in genetic programmes and international cooperation in producing sperms and embryos.

[13] PRESIDENT DEMIREL RETURNS TO TURKEY - DEMIREL: ''IT HAS BEEN PUT FORWARD WITH STRONG STATEMENTS THAT THE NATO WILL ABSOLUTELY FINALIZE THE MISSION IT STARTED'' - ''THE NATO SUMMIT HAS BEEN VERY SUCCESSFUL CONCERNING THE TARGETS''

President Demirel returned back to Turkey from Washington D.C. where he attended the NATO Summit.

Speaking to reporters at the Esenboga Airport in Ankara, President Suleyman Demirel said the NATO Summit was held during a period in which important political developments are being experienced in Europe.

Pointing out that the ethnic cleansing campaigns of the Belgrade regime towards the Kosovar people was the most important issue of the NATO Summit agenda, Demirel said, ''while I was addressing the Summit, I stressed that the NATO should absolutely be successful in Kosovo and the ethnic cleansing disgrace should absolutely be stopped. With this respect, I mentioned that enabling these people, who were forced to abandon their homes by the Belgrade regime, to return back to their homelands safely and fearlessly is very important regarding the NATO's esteem and dissuasiveness.''

Noting that the Kosovo Statement, which was issued at the end of the Summit, once again confirmed the determination in putting an end to Milosevic regime's policies of ethnic cleansing and violence against Kosovo, Demirel said, ''it has been emphasized with strong statements that the NATO will absolutely finalize the mission it started.''

Pointing out that the ''Identity of Security and Defense in Europe'' constituted another important matter at the Summit, President Suleyman Demirel said while giving place to that matter, Turkey's vital security concerns were taken into consideration and the decisions, which will be made within this framework, will be dependent on the ratification of the NATO Council as a result of interventions. Demirel said, ''thus, a successful result has been achieved at the NATO Summit.''

Noting that the opinion of collective defense was once again underlined with the basic documents approved at the Summit that it is the NATO's basic goal, Demirel said, ''it has been affirmed that protection of peace, stability, and security in the Europe-Atlantic region is the essential function of the Alliance in the 21st century.''

Demirel said he held bilateral contacts with the U.S. President Bill Clinton, British Prime Minister Tony Blair, German Prime Minister Gerhard Schroder, Spanish Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar.

Demirel said at those meetings, they discussed several issues like Turkey's bilateral relations with these countries, the situation in Kosovo, Balkans, Caucasus, pipelines, struggle against terrorism and international cooperation.

''The NATO has been carrying out a vital function in the Europe-Atlantic region for the last fifty years. The protection of the NATO's power, esteem, and dissuasiveness, and its fulfilling more effectively the functions by protecting the Trans-Atlantic tie, are the leading strategical priorities of Turkey. The NATO Summit was very successful concerning the targets,'' Demirel said.

Stating that he also addressed the mass media organizations in the U.S., President Suleyman Demirel added, ''I believe my contacts in the U.S. will be productive and beneficial for further improvement of our cooperation with the U.S. with which Turkey has a close strategical partnership.''

[14] PREMIER ECEVIT IN TRNC: - ECEVIT: ''THERE ARE STILL SOME UNKNOWN THINGS'' - ECEVIT TO RETURN TO TURKEY ON THURSDAY

After the press briefing of Sukru Sina Gurel, the State Minister, Bulent Ecevit said that he will meet with Rauf Denktas, the President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) on Thursday afternoon and return to Ankara the same day.

Recalling that President Suleyman Demirel returned to Turkey and the parliament will convene on May 2, Prime Minister Ecevit said that proceedings concerning the formation of the government will start later.

''We still don't know when new steps will be taken concerning internal problems of the parties which were defeated in the elections. I would like to observe these developments while trying to find a solution to the search for a government,'' said Ecevit.

When a journalist told him that ''it is stated that you stay distant to the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP),'' Premier Ecevit said that ''I don't answer such kind of questions at the moment. Maybe the government will be formed in a very short period of time or it may be difficult to form it.''

''As you know, the seats of the two parties namely DSP and MHP in the parliament are not enough to form a government. A coalition among at least three parties is necessary, in this respect the internal developments of the other parties effect various possibilities of governments,'' he said.

[15] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT IN TRNC - ECEVIT: ''THERE ISN'T ANY WORRYING DEVELOPMENT REGARDING CYPRUS, BUT WE HAVE TO BE VERY CAREFUL''

''They will cause the deepening of relations between Turkish Republic if they do so,'' said Premier Ecevit in the press briefing of Sukru Sina Gurel, the State Minister about the Cyprus issue.

''TRNC has always a very important place in the agenda of Turkey and it will always be,'' said Ecevit, adding that the economic and political relations between the two countries change from day to day.

''This may make the Greek Cypriot side uneasy, but they should know that as long as the economic embargo on TRNC continues and the economic embargo of the European Union (EU) continues, the relations between Turkey and the TRNC will further improve. Therefore everybody will understand the fact that TRNC has a separate state identity,'' said Premier Ecevit.

Stressing that the order that was installed on Cyprus by the 1974 Peace Operation rescued Turkish Cypriots from the disaster the Kosovar Albanians face today, Premier Ecevit said ''in that respect the solution reached on Cyprus is an approach that prevented the genocide disaster directed against Turks.''

Sukru Sina Gurel in his part evaluated the economic cooperation between TRNC and Turkey.

Noting that the credit agreement worth of 250 million dollars between the two countries has been put into force by their government, Gurel said several infrastructural needs of the TRNC have been met by this credit.

Noting that the economic integration between Turkey and the TRNC can't be evaluated as ''annexation,'' Gurel said Turkey didn't do such a thing in the past when she had the opportunity to seize the whole island.

Stressing that the two countries try to enforce the Agreement on State Aids to Investments and Agreement on Commercial and Economic Cooperation, Gurel said the TRNC Parliament has to adopt such reforms as encouraging investments, foreign capital and prevention of black money, bank laws and the arrangements in the field of tax in order to fasten the relations between the two countries.

Pointing out that carrying water with baloons to TRNC continues, Gurel said the minus 1 growth rate of TRNC has been increased to 5.6 percent by the efforts of Turkey and an important increase in the gross national product in TRNC has been realized.

Referring to the short-range missiles the Greek Cypriot side plans to buy, Ecevit said ''certainly the Turkish Republic does not have the intention to permit the deployment of such weapons which will attempt to change the balances in the region and the Eastern Mediterranean.''

Responding to a question about the preparation of a new constitution that has put into agenda by Britain, Gurel said attempts had been launched in the past to enforce solutions to people on Cyprus, noting this is one of them. Gurel stressed that the initiatives which are not accepted by the two peoples on the island can't bring solution to the problem.

[16] TURKEY'S 1997 AND 1998 FIGURES

In 1997, the length of main roads in Turkey was 380 thousand 298 kilometers, highways 1,528 kilometers, and railroads eight thousand and 607 kilometers, according to the Economic Indications book published by the Economic Research and Evaluations General Directorate of Foreign Trade Undersecretariat.

The electricity consumption per person increased from 162 kilowatt/hr in 1996 to 303 kilowatt/hr in 1997.

The number of cars owned by every thousand people rised from 51 to 55, telephones from 232 to 252 and televisions from 335 to 368 in the same period.

According to 1997 data, the avarage life span increased to 70.8 in women and 66.2 in men. In 1996, the avarage life span for women and men were 70.5 and 65.9 respectively. The infant deaths also dropped to 40 in every one thousand infants in 1997.

The yearly population growth rate dropped from 16.8 to 15.1 in one thousand people while the population density remained the same. The rate of literate people increased from 84.2 percent to 84.9 percent.

The 1998 figures show that the civil work power and civil employment climbed to 22 million 681 thousand and 21 million 230 thousand respectively. In the same period, the number of those employed in agriculture sector increased from 8 million 219 thousand to 9 million 30 thousand. On the other hand, those employed in industry sector dropped from 3 million 889 thousand to 3 million 643 thousand. In the service sector, the number dropped from 8 million 705 thousand to 8 million 557 thousand. The official unemployment rate, on the other hand, dropped to 6.4 percent from 6.9 percent.

The number of Turkish citizens who work abroad in 1998 was reported as 1 million 218 thousand. This number was 1 million 330 thousand in 1994.

[17] ALANYA PRAISED BY HUNGARIAN PRESS

Nepsabadsad spared a half page for the article which calls Alanya 'Turkey's Riviera' and tells about Alanya's natural beauties. There is nothing to be scared of for the tourists, the article stressed and added that not a single tourist suffered a slightest injury so far in the region.

The newspaper also thanked to Turkish tourism authorities for the help they offered to those who wanted to visit the area.

The Hungarian journalists were hosted in Alanya for a week and had the chance to see the safe environment while enjoying its natural beauties.

[18] EU'S EFFORTS FOR A STABILITY PACT IN THE BALKANS - TURKEY TO PARTICIPATE IN PETERSBERG CONFERENCE

The EU officials said that the EU has taken an initiative regarding a Stability Pact in the Balkans and ''its main lines'' can be determined in the conference which will be held in Petersberg region of Germany on May 27, 1999.

Besides the EU countries, the Balkan countries and Turkey will also participate in Petersberg Conference and international institutions of finance will send representatives to the conference. The meetings are planned to be held in the level of undersecretaries and high ranking bureaucrats.

''A permanent peace in the Balkans together with political, economic, and social stability is targetted in the Balkans,'' said the EU officials, and they added that they don't know much about the concrete results of the Stability Pact studies.

[19] TURKISH SOLDIERS ALL READY FOR KOSOVO

A troop was formed under the Turkish Armed Forces to participate in the Operation to Support Peace which will be carried out by NATO.

'Kosovo Turkish Peace Force' (KTBGGK) was introduced to press at Ankara Garrison Commander's Office.

General Erol Tutal, the Commander of 4th Army Corps and Ankara Garrison told at the press meeting that helpless people young and old, women and children were being killed in Kosovo even if they are unarmed.

These people are forced out of their homes and sometimes die on the road while they travel, Tutal pointed out.

''Other regions in the world went through similar agonies. Turkish Republic has always defended human values during those times and Turkish Armed Forces helped those who suffered when the conditions were suitable. Turkish soldiers were in Somali in the past, today they are in Albania. Soon they will help the Kosovars after a peace agreement is signed between the two sides,'' he continued.

General Mehmet Ali Erdogan, who also spoke at the meeting, said the Turkish Peace Force's main task is to ensure the safe return of Kosovars to their homes and create a peaceful environment for them to live after a peace agreement.

The Turkish Peace Force used its experiences in Somali and Bosna- Herzegovina and ''completed all the preparations and it is ready for any task that will be given,'' Erdogan added.

Kosovo Turkish Peace Force is supported with a sufficient number of headquarters personnel and is consisted of 987 personnel, including 55 officers, and 115 noncommissioned officers.

The troops are equipped with necessary machines needed for fortification and sanitary items to help the Kosovars and have a group of experts to use them. The troops were also given training on a wide range of subjects including first aid, common patroling, mine operation, explorations, and shooting. The soldiers tried all the systems during the training.

''This troop is sent to Kosovo to sustain peace in the region and its main task will start after the signing of the peace agreement. However, they might have to fight if conditions call for it,'' Tutal stated.

[20] INDICTMENT ABOUT CHIEF TERRORIST - FROM THE INDICTMENT: ''HADEP ASSUMED THE FUNCTIONS OF ERNK WITH THE ORDER OF DEFENDANT OCALAN''

The indictment gave detailed information about the decisions taken in congresses and conferences of PKK, benefits provided to the organization by the Gulf Crisis, Newroz incidents in 1992, Kurdistan national assembly (KUM), Operation in Northern Iraq in October in 1992, so-called ceasefire declared unilaterally on March 20, 1993, and about so-called peace initiatives.

The indictment said when Democracy Party (DEP) and Free Agenda (Ozgur Gundem) daily were closed in 1994, the organization wanted to make these continue under different names and that HADEP was established instead of DEP.

The indictment said HADEP assumed the functions of ERNK with the order of Ocalan and that city activities of HADEP were carried out with several committees formed by HADEP, they were like getting interested in the public, getting interested in the families of the arrested people, youth commissions, and women commission. The indictment said HADEP, with the activities carried out in provincial organizations, provided logistic support and members to the organization.

The indictment said, ''in the process started by PKK aiming to recognize Kurdish cultural identity, HADEP was given the duty of acquitting PKK. According to the mission given to itself, HADEP said so-called peace could be provided on condition that Kurdish identity is recognized.

HADEP, again under the mission given by PKK to itself, headed towards December 24, 1995 general elections. In its propaganda activities in order to get the support of public, it focused on the themes that peace and brotherhood will be installed and that so-called ceasefire will be provided.

Briefing about the suicide attacks of the organization, the indictment said they decided to try every kind of attacks to reach the planned targets, including Hamas type suicide attacks. It was noted that cadres of the terrorist organization were given orders to get prepared for suicide attacks since March 1996.

The indictment said organization of suicide attacks were made by the ones who are responsible from Tunceli and its rural regions and that in such attacks, the persons who lost the confidence of the organization were chosen.

The indictment said the first suicide attack was made by Zeynep Kinaci on June 30, 1996. She detonated the explosive device on her after approaching to band team and ceremony squad. The indictment said six soldiers died and 31 people were wounded in this terrorist atttack. The indictment pointed out suicide attacks of the organization in Adana, Sivas, and Diyarbakir and noted that five people died and 22 others were wounded in such attacks.

The indictment said efforts of the terrorist PKK organization continued since 1996, adding that they launched efforts to form a lobby by activating unions, associations, and institutions.

The indictment said in the HADEP congress held on June 23, 1996 in Ankara, PKK decided for the ones who will be elected as the chairman and to the ruling, adding that atmosphere of the congress was influenced as PKK closely follows HADEP. It was also recalled that Turkish flag was thrown down during the congress.

The indictment also briefed about the prison activities of the organization, armed activities in cross border in 1997, its targets for the year 1997, Peace Train and peace celebrations, activities to open to the North and the West, and its targets for the year 1998.

[21] HUMAN RIGHTS DECISION ADOPTED BY THE U.N. AFTER THE INTIATIVES OF TURKEY - FOREIGN MINISTRY: ''THE DECISION FORMS A NOTEWORTHY STAGE IN IMPROVING INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION AGAINST TERRORISM''

A Foreign Ministry statement recalled that the draft resolution submitted by Turkey on March 22 during Human Rights Commission 54th term meetings, was adopted in the session on April 26, 1999.

The statement said the U.N. resolution stressed that terrorism can not be justified by anybody or any situation, including developing and protecting human rights, adding that the resolution also included the fact that terrorism, in many cases, seriously violated civilian community and priority of law principle.

The statement said, ''in the resolution, it was pointed out that negative effect of terrorism continued on human rights despite all national and international efforts and expressed deep concern over the serious human rights violations realized by terrorist groups.''

The other points of the resolution were briefed as saying:

''The U.N. resolution also condemned the acts of terrorism targetting destruction of basic freedoms and democracy and that many terrorist organizations have connections with other crime organizations which were involved in drug and weapon trafficking in national and international level. It was also noted that states should cooperate to bring the terrorists in front of justice.''

The Foreign Ministry said the resolution was important as it mentioned about the role terrorist organizations played in human rights violations and that states should cooperate to bring the terrorists in front of justice. The statement said, ''the decision, at the same time, forms a noteworthy stage to improve international cooperation against terrorism.''

In the resolution, which was adopted after long discussions upon the initiative of Turkey, the member countries were recalled about their responsibilities in struggle against terrorism and their commitments related with the international agreements they signed. In the resolution, Italy, which sheltered terrorist chief for a while, and Germany who did not want terrorist chief from Italy were warned without giving name.

[22] INDICTMENT ABOUT TERRORIST CHIEF - THE INDICTMENT SAYS TERRORIST ORGANIZATION KILLS 9.818 PEOPLE AND WOUNDED 16.372 OTHERS IN ITS TERRORIST ACTIVITIES SINCE 1984

The indictment said terrorist organization killed a total of 9,818 people and wounded 16,372 others, including civilians, soldiers, police and temporary village guards in the period between 1984 and February 22, 1999.

The indictment told about the ''escape adventure'' of defendant Ocalan. It said Ocalan, upon the crisis administration pressure put on Syria, proceeded to Athens on April 9, 1998 with a false passport staged in the name of ''Abdullah Sarikurt'' and later to Moscow in the same day after meeting with the Greek officials. Ocalan stayed there for 33 days in a house allocated by Nitrapano, a deputy from Jirinovski's party.

The indictment said Ocalan had gone to Rome on December 12 with the same passport and later proceeded to Russia on Jan 16, 1999 again. Ocalan returned to Athens on January 29, 1999 upon the pressure of Russian Government and proceeded to Nairobi, capital city of Kenya on February 2, 1999. Ocalan was captured with the operation of Turkish security forces on February 15, 1999 and was brought to Turkey.

Mentioning about the relation between MED-TV and PKK, the indictment said Abdullah Ocalan wanted the members of the terrorist organization to collect documents and information that could be used against Turkey and convey them to Europe field of the organization. The indictment said MED TV, since its establishment, made the propaganda of PKK and had live connections with telephone with Ocalan and many members of the terrorist organization.

The indictment said armed gang PKK, which did not value life of humanbeings, also got involved in drug trafficking, adding that yet, Ocalan, in his interrogation denied that the organization directly got involved in drug trafficking.

The indictment said armed gang PKK was set up by Ocalan and pointed out that Ocalan, in his interrogation confirmed that the target of the establishment of the terrorist organization was to set up an independent Kurdistan. The indictment said the terrorist organization decided to stage armed attacks against Turkey after a long term preparation held in Syria and Iraq.

The indictment said PKK terrorists, who entered to Turkey through illegal ways, staged armed attacks in Eruh and Semdinli counties on August 15, 1984 and thus started its terrorist activities. It said the terrorist organization staged 6.036 attacks since that time and abducted 1046 people.

The indictment said PKK, with the directives of Ocalan, targetted humanbeings in every part of Turkey, and killed many civilians in these bloody terrorist activities.

The indictment said in the terrorist activities 4.472 civilians died, 5.520 others were wounded and that 3.874 soldiers, 1.225 temporary village guards and 247 died. A total of 8.178 soldiers, 1.665 temporary village guards and 909 policemen were wounded in the terrorist activities of the organization so far.

The indictment said Ocalan gave the directives for the terrorist activities, adding that terrorist organization also staged activities in tourism centers.

Recalling that no country in Europe accepted demand of Ocalan to seek asylum and sheltered him, the indictment said ''Ocalan, in his interrogation, blamed European countries like Britain, Germany, Italy, Greece which used him against Turkey but did not accept his demand.''

[23] TURKEY'S OPENING POLICY TOWARDS AFRICA

A Foreign Ministry statement said Turkish delegation, headed by Numan Hazar, coordinator of the Ministry to Africa and Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC), was received by Gabriel Roreg, Sudan's Minister of State responsible for Foreign Relations.

Turkish delegation started its contacts with interdelegational meetings held with Sudanese delegation, headed by Ibrahim Hamra, General Director of Sudan's Bilateral Relations.

Bilateral political relations were discussed during the meeting and the sides exchanged views on issues concerning regional and international problems. The statement said Turkish delegation also held meetings with Sudan's Agriculture and Forestry, Foreign Trade, International Cooperation and Investment Ministers, Hartum University Rector and Chairman of Chamber of Trade. Various technical cooperation facilities between the two countries were taken up during the meetings.

Hazar, the Ambassador, and Abdel Gabar, Sudan's International Cooperation and Investment Minister of State, initialed ''Mutual Promotion and Preservation of Investments Agreement'' between the two countries during the visit.

This agreement is foreseen to be signed during a visit which will take place from Sudan to Turkey in minister level.

During the contacts of Turkish delegation in Sudan, realization of 7th Joint Economic Commission (JEC) meeting, formation of friendship groups in Parliaments reciprocally, promotion of visits of scientists and journalists and supporting of Turkish Researches Institude established within the body of Hartum University, were discussed.

The visit of Turkish delegation, composed of representatives of economic and political units, and officials from Turkish Cooperation and Development Agency (TIKA), State Planning Institude (DPT), Treasury and Foreign Trade Undersecretariats, took place between April 21 and 24.

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