Anadolu Agency: News in English, 99-05-05

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AA Daily

05 May 1999 Wednesday

CONTENTS

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

[02] GENERAL BETIR, COMMANDER OF GENDARME FORCES, IN BAKU

[03] TATAR JOURNALISTS IN ANTALYA

[04] A NUMBER OF TURKISH BUSINESSMEN TO ATTEND 18TH TURKEY-THE U.S. ANNUAL CONFERENCE IN WASHINGTON D.C.

[05] FRENCH PRESIDENT CHIRAC: - ''WE WANT TURKEY TO CAST ANCHOR IN EUROPE''

[06] ''CONWAY SAFE SKIES'' AWARD TO TURKEY FOR HER STRUGGLE WITH TERRORISM

[07] PRESIDENT DEMIREL RETURNS TO TURKEY - DEMIREL: ''MY VISIT TO FRANCE WAS BENEFICIAL AND PRODUCTIVE ''

[08] PREPARATIONS FOR ''PLATEAU SEASON'' IN EASTERN BLACK SEA REGION UNDERWAY

[09] DEPARTMENT OF RELIGIOUS AFFAIRS SAYS WILL OPEN A CULTURAL CENTER IN NEW YORK AND A RESEARCH CENTER IN WASHINGTON D.C.

[10] WEU COUNCIL OF MINISTERS SPRING TERM MEETINGS

[11] SEARCH FOR COALITION - PREMIER ECEVIT: ''I HAVE TO BE SILENT FOR A FEW DAYS TO CREATE A SOUND GOVERNMENT''

[12] NATO'S AIR OPERATION AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA - TURKISH F-16 WAR PLANES ACCUMULATE A TOTAL OF 1,184 HOURS OF FLIGHT

[13] INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION DECREASES 7.6 PERCENT IN MARCH

[14] SEVEN MARBLE HISTORICAL WORKS BELONGED TO ROMAN EMPIRE AND FOUR WOODEN PANELS OF ULU MOSQUE TO BE RETURNED TO TURKEY

[15] COMING ELECTIONS IN ISRAEL - BAR-NER, ISRAELI AMBASSADOR TO TURKEY CASTS HIS VOTE AT ISRAELI EMBASSY IN ANKARA - BAR-NER TO VISIT MHP LEADER TODAY

[16] EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT TO DISCUSS TRIAL OF CHIEF OF TERRORIST ORGANIZATION PKK

[17] PLANE CRASH IN CEYHAN - OKLU, GOVERNOR OF CEYHAN COUNTY: - ''WORKS CONTINUE BUT FLIGHT DATA RECORDER PART OF BLACK BOX COULD NOT BE FOUND YET''

[18] TURKISH ARMENIAN PATRIARCHY LAYS A WREATH TO TAKSIM REPUBLICAN MONUMENT UPON 700TH FOUNDATION ANNIVERSARY OF OTTOMANS AND 538TH FOUNDATION ANNIVERSARY OF PATRIARCHY

[19] TURKISH EXPO'99 FAIR OPENED IN BAKU

[20] FM CEM RECEIVES AL-SAID, SECRETARY GENERAL OF OMANI FOREIGN MINISTER

[21] CEYHUN, EP DEPUTY: ''RESCUING KOSOVO FROM SERB VIOLENCE IS VERY IMPORTANT FOR EUROPEAN DEMOCRACY''

[22] EXPORT INCREASES 4.7 PERCENT IN APRIL

[23] OFFICIAL CAR WHICH ASSAILANTS PLANTED A TIME-BOMB UNDER IT, BELONGS TO PROF. DR. OZERKAN

[24] 50TH FOUNDATION ANNIVERSARY OF COE - TURKEY AIMS AT UPGRADING HER RELATIONS WITH COE BASED ON MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING AND TRUST

[25] 5TH INTERNATIONAL ANKARA CARICATURE FESTIVAL

[26] TRNC COALITION GOVERNMENT EVALUATES ITS 3,5 MONTHS - EROGLU, TRNC PRIME MINISTER: ''THERE WON'T BE ANY CHANGE FROM THE FACT OF TWO STATES ON CYPRUS''

[27] TRNC COALITION GOVERNMENT EVALUATES ITS 3,5 MONTHS - EROGLU, TRNC PRIME MINISTER:''NO OFFICIAL IN TURKEY SUGGESTED ME NOT TO BE A CANDIDATE FOR PRESIDENCY, TRNC IS A FREE COUNTRY''

[28] TRIAL OF CHIEF TERRORIST - LAWYERS OF OCALAN SAY THAT IF THE CONDITIONS THEY PUT FORWARD FOR DEFENDING OCALAN ARE NOT MET, THEY CAN WITHDRAW FROM THE CASE

[29] PRESIDENT DEMIREL ISSUES A MESSAGE ON THE 50TH FOUNDATION ANNIVERSARY OF COE

[30] ACTIVITIES OF TPAO IN KAZAKHSTAN - KAZAKTURKMUNAY'S SURFACE INSTALLATIONS YELEMES AND APRORNI, AND PIPE LINE ACTIVATED

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

ULUGBAY, STATE MINISTER: ''OIL PRICES INCREASED THE INFLATION''
Hikmet Ulugbay, the Deputy Prime Minister and the State Minister, said that the increase in the oil prices in international markets and the high rate of real interest led to the increase of the inflation in April.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

Demirel said, ''yes, I defined Merve Kavakci as an agent provocator, and I used that expression purposely.''

''If she takes oath with headscarf, than it will be a disregard of all of the sensitivities. Many years ago, some deputies came to the parliament wearing their sweaters wrongly, and the speaker didn't allow them to attend the assembly meeting,'' President said.

''The headscarf is tried to be brought into the parliament after schools. If headscarf is the symbol of fundamentalism, then the issue gains a different character in essence,'' he stressed.

KUTAN TIGHTENS
Recai Kutan of the Virtue Party (FP) protected Merve Kavakci while he harshly criticized three leaders.

''President agitated the issue. He considers himself as the guarantor of juridical decision. He restricts freedoms with statements similar to commands,'' he said.

''Prime Minister incited and provoked. He is trying to solve the issue with force. The attitude of the Democratic Left Party (DSP) at the parliament is the despotism and the use of force,'' he said.

''The Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) should remember its word it vowed at open-air meetings during the poll campaign. It should not close its eyes to the issue,'' Kutan stated.

SABAH (LIBERAL)

President Suleyman Demirel said that the turban issue is not the issue of headscarf and that the Turkish people do not say anything for the ones wearing a headscarf; adding that the meaning of turban which Turkey and the world understand is the symbol of fundemantalism.

SUPPORT FROM TOBB TO PROMOTION
Fuat Miras, the Chairman of the Turkish Union of Chambers of Stock Exchange (TOBB), said that Turkey is wrongly known abroad and this causes some problems. Miras noted that TOBB allocated ten million U.S. dollars for the promotion campaign of Turkey, and that they aim at increasing this figure in the following years; adding that they will support their campaign by other campaigns especially in the European Union (EU) countries, the U.S. and Russia.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

ENERGY TO BE DISCUSSED IN THE U.S.
Ziya Aktas, the Energy and Natural Resources Minister, and high-ranking officials will hold contacts in the U.S., starting from today. The Turkish delegation which went to the U.S. to participate in the annual U.S.-Turkish Business Council conference will stay in the U.S. until May 9.

RADIKAL (LEFT)

Expressing Turkey's uneasiness about an EU member, Greece's support to terrorism, Demirel said this case can't be confronted with a fait accompli as Abdullah Ocalan is a terrorist responsible for the death of 30 thousand people.

Jospin said France understands Turkey's reaction and disappointment about the EU issue so she will expend every effort to normalize the relations between Turkey and the EU.

Jacques Chirac, the President of France said he attaches great importance to Turkey's casting anchor to Europe and raproachment between Turkey and the EU.

YENİ YÜZYIL (LIBERAL)

TURKISH AUTOMATIVE EXPORTS AT FULL-THROTTLE
The exports of the Turkish automotive sector reached 774.3 million U.S. dollars in the first four months of 1999 with an increase of 30.32 when compared with the figures of 1998. The Uludag Exporters' Union statement said that the Turkish automotive sector exported products worth of 744.3 million U.S. dollars and that the car exports constituted the highest turnover. The figures of the union indicated that Oyak Renault Automotive Factories Corp. have the biggest share in the increase in the exports of automative sector.

TÜRKİYE (RIGHT)

INONU REJECTS CHP
Erdal Inonu, the former leader of the Socialist People's Party (SHP), rejected the proposal of the senior-aides of the Republican People's Party (CHP) concerning his being the new leader of the CHP. Inonu said that he will not be a candidate leader of CHP in its general assembly meeting.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

Ecevit will ask for the signing of a protocol and an ''gentlemen's agreement'' during the searches for coalition.

KUTAN: ''WE GO GUARANTOR FOR KAVAKCI''
Recai Kutan of the Virtue Party (FP) who appeared in front of the mass media for the first time after the crisis erupted in the oath ceremony at the parliament, criticized President Suleyman Demirel and Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit due to their attitudes they assumed following the incident.

Kutan said they are one hundred percent sure of Merve Kavakci and go guarantor for her. Kutan said they will continue their struggle on the way of democracy and law.

[02] GENERAL BETIR, COMMANDER OF GENDARME FORCES, IN BAKU

Addressing the meeting, Abiyev stressed that relations between the Turkish and Azeri armed forces continue to further improve.

Referring to problems which the Azeri Army had encountered during the construction process, Abiyev underlined that the historical links played a great role in improvement of the relations.

Abiyev also noted he believes that Turkey will do her utmost in efforts to find a peaceful solution to problems between Azerbaijan and Armenia.

Meanwhile, General Betir remarked that Turkey is ready to assist Azerbaijan in her army construction period.

At the meeting where the issue of security was taken up, any kind of terrorism was condemned by the sides.

General Betir and accompanying delegation are expected to return to Turkey later on Wednesday.

[03] TATAR JOURNALISTS IN ANTALYA

Ten journalists who visited Husnu Tuglu, the Governor of Antalya, and Bekir Kumbul, the Mayor of Antalya, and officials of the Antalya Trade and Industry Chamber (ATSO), were informed about the negative effects of propagandas against Turkey, regional economy, and tourism sector in Turkey.

Addressing the meeting, Menderes Turel, the Acting Chairman of Executive Board of ATSO, stressed that they are ready to assist the Tatar businessmen.

Meanwhile Tatar journalists noted that Antalya has charmed them with its natural, historical, and cultural assets.

[04] A NUMBER OF TURKISH BUSINESSMEN TO ATTEND 18TH TURKEY-THE U.S. ANNUAL CONFERENCE IN WASHINGTON D.C.

The conference which was organized by the American-Turkish Council (ATC), the American Friends of Turkey Association, and the Foreign Economic Relations Council (DEIK), will begin on Thursday with the participation of leading names of the U.S. Administration and of the U.S. Congress, and the representatives of several U.S. companies, and organizations.

Turkish businessmen will hold talks with their American colleagues, and with the members of the U.S. Congress during their contacts in Washington D.C.

Ziya Aktas, the Energy and Natural Resources Minister, is also scheduled to attend the conference where the economic relations between Turkey and the U.S. will be taken up in detail.

Mustafa Koc, Co-President of Turkish-American Business Council of the DEIK; Erkut Yucaoglu, Chairman of the Turkish Industrialists and Businessmen Association (TUSIAD); Uzeyir Garih, Chairman of Executive Board of ALARKO Holding; Yavuz Canevi, former Undersecretary of the Treasury and Foreign Trade; Serif Egeli and Ersin Faralyali are among the Turkish businessmen to attend the conference.

Meanwhile, General Joseph Ralston, U.S. Deputy Chief of General Staff; Chuck Hagel, Senator; Yalcin Burcak, Undersecretary of Defense Industry; and Yurdakul Yigitguden, Undersecretary of the Energy and Natural Resources Ministry, are expected to give a speech at the conference.

Issues such as defense, energy, industry, textile, agriculture, telecommunication, education, trade, and cooperation in the third countries, will be taken up at the conference.

[05] FRENCH PRESIDENT CHIRAC: - ''WE WANT TURKEY TO CAST ANCHOR IN EUROPE''

Responding to questions of journalists following Chirac's meeting with President Suleyman Demirel at the Elysee Palace, Catherina Colonna, the Spokeswoman of French Presidency, quoted Chirac as saying that France want to play an active role in improving relations between Turkey and the European Union (EU).

Colonna noted that Chirac underlined the importance of finding a method to improve these relations.

Recalling that Ismail Cem, the Foreign Minister, and Hubert Vedrine, the French Foreign Minister, were also in attendance at the luncheon given after the meeting of the two presidents, Colonna noted that President Demirel condemned discrimination against Turkey.

Colonna pointed out that President Demirel wanted Turkey to be evaluated equally with the criteria imposed on other candidates.

Reminding that President Demirel had expressed satisfaction over being in France, Colanna told reporters that Demirel had described Mr. Chirac as a friend of Turkey.

She also recalled that France is among the countries having many investments in Turkey, noting that nearly 200 French entrepreneurs make business in Turkey.

Colanna also added that President Suleyman Demirel had called French businessmen to make investments in Turkey in the fields of energy, telecommunication, privatization, and tourism.

[06] ''CONWAY SAFE SKIES'' AWARD TO TURKEY FOR HER STRUGGLE WITH TERRORISM

Addressing a statement, McKinley Conway, the Director of the Conway Data which is the organizator of this award that is given every year, said that four members of the Turkish anti-terrorism teams and three pilots of the THY behaved very calmly and bravely when the plane was hijacked in 1998 and that they saved the lives of many people by their calm and brave behaviour.

The statement noted that the attendants in the ''Global Super Projects Conference'' which was held in Madrid decided that the ''Safe Skies'' award of 1998 should be given to Turkish anti-terrorism teams and THY pilots for their extraordinary efforts in protecting the security of the passengers in the plane.

''Conway Safe Skies'' award was started to be given in 1990 to draw the attention to the increasing number of terrorist attacks against the air travel.

The THY plane which was going from southern Adana province to Ankara was hijacked by an armed terrorist on October 30, 1998. The pilots persuaded the hijacker who wanted to take the plane to Switzerland that they should land at the Sofia airport for fuel supply and landed the plane at Esenboga airport of Ankara, not Sofia.

While the hijacker thought that the plane landed at the Sofia airport, four members of Turkish anti-terrorism teams changed places with the passengers which were at the back of the plane and killed the hijacker.

The passengers and the crew of the plane were rescued without any problems.

[07] PRESIDENT DEMIREL RETURNS TO TURKEY - DEMIREL: ''MY VISIT TO FRANCE WAS BENEFICIAL AND PRODUCTIVE ''

President Suleyman Demirel, who left for France over the invitiation of French President Jacques Chirac, said that his visit was very beneficial and productive.

Speaking to reporters at the Esenboga Airport in Ankara, President Demirel recalled that French President Chirac and he opened on May 4 the ''Topkapi in Versailles: Ottoman Palace Treasures'' exhibition which constitutes a very important cultural initiative concerning promotion of Turkey abroad and at which nearly 300 artifacts in the Topkapi Palace Museum are being exhibited upon the 700th anniversary of the foundation of the Ottoman State.

Pointing out that he also found the opportunity to hold meetings with French President Jacques Chirac and Prime Minister Lionel Jospin, President Demirel said that at those meetings, they mutually affirmed their will to further improve the cooperation between Turkey and France and specified that the bilateral relations between the two countries are at a good level in every field.

Noting that he addressed the French International Affairs Institute and explained Turkey's basic priorities in her foreign policy, President Demirel stated that he responded several questions of the participants following his speech.

Pointing out that he met early the same day with the representatives of the leading Turkish-French business circles and took up Turkey's economic potential, President Demirel said that with this respect, he explained his opinions about the ways to further develop the bilateral economic and commercial relations.

President Suleyman Demirel was accompanied during his official visit to France by a delegation including Ismail Cem, the Foreign Minister; Fikret Unlu, the Minister of State; Istemihan Talay, the Minister of Culture; and high-level officials.

[08] PREPARATIONS FOR ''PLATEAU SEASON'' IN EASTERN BLACK SEA REGION UNDERWAY

The people who want to escape from the stress of the big cities will start staying in the plateaus in northeastern provinces of Ordu, Giresun, Trabzon, Bayburt, Gumushane, Rize, and Artvin from the middle of May to the end of September.

The officials from the tourism provincial directorates told A.A correspondent that the plateaus started to draw the attention of the domestic and foreign tourists in recent years and that they will give importance to the festivals which are held for the introduction of the plateaus.

Stating that they will hold festivals in nearly 150 plateaus which are situated in seven provinces, the officials said that the festivals will last for not longer than three days.

[09] DEPARTMENT OF RELIGIOUS AFFAIRS SAYS WILL OPEN A CULTURAL CENTER IN NEW YORK AND A RESEARCH CENTER IN WASHINGTON D.C.

Yilmaz told A.A correspondent that the Turkish people living in those cities do not have centers to hold some activites and that to this end they will open these centers.

Yilmaz said that the cultural center which will be constructed in New York will have a mosque which will reflect the Turkish architecture.

Stressing that he and the Turkish Federation took this decision when he was in New York, Yilmaz stated that they will start the initiatives as soon as an appropriate field to construct the centre in New York is found.

Yilmaz stressed that the personnel of the Department of Religious Affairs, the scientists from the universities, and students will be able to benefit from these centers.

There will be social installations, a mosque, and a guest-house in the centre which will be constructed in Washington D.C.

[10] WEU COUNCIL OF MINISTERS SPRING TERM MEETINGS

The Foreign Ministry issued a statement saying that a delegation including Guner Oztek, Turkey's Permanent Representative to the WEU, and the representatives of the Foreign National Defense Ministries, which will be led by Hikmet Sami Turk, the Minister of National Defense, will represent Turkey at the meetings.

The issues of putting into practice the Amsterdam agreement, security and defense of Europe under the light of the NATO Summit results, situation in Western Balkans, and defence policy regarding crisis administration in Europe will be discussed at the meetings.

Meanwhile, the defense ministers of the European Union (EU) and NATO member countries will hold an unofficial meeting on May 10 to evaluate security and defense policy of Europe and the Balkan crisis.

[11] SEARCH FOR COALITION - PREMIER ECEVIT: ''I HAVE TO BE SILENT FOR A FEW DAYS TO CREATE A SOUND GOVERNMENT''

Prime Minister Ecevit responded the questions of reporters while leaving his residence for the Prime Ministry building.

When asked what he thinks about the President Suleyman Demirel's statement saying that the ''DSP-Nationalist Movement Party (MHP)-Motherland Party (ANAP) coalition is the most appropriate government formula'', Prime Minister Ecevit said that his talks and consultations with the DSP deputies continue.

Noting that he will start to visit the leaders of political parties when his talks with the DSP deputies conclude, Ecevit said, 'it won't be true to make an earlier statement.''

When asked whether President Demirel made such a recommendation to him, Ecevit said, ''at this moment, I can't talk about inspirations or my personal opinions. I have to be silent for a few day to create a sound government.''

Prime Minister Ecevit added that he still doesn't get appointments from the leaders of other political parties as his talks with the DSP deputies continue.

[12] NATO'S AIR OPERATION AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA - TURKISH F-16 WAR PLANES ACCUMULATE A TOTAL OF 1,184 HOURS OF FLIGHT

The General Staff Information Center issued a statement saying that the Turkish F-16 war planes which are deployed at the Ghedi Airbase in Italy, stayed in air for 42 hours on May 4.

Meanwhile, a total of 803,342 Kosovar people were forced to leave their homes so far as a result of ethnic cleansing campaign in Kosovo. According to the latest figures, there are 12,978 refugees in Turkey; 50 thousand in Serbia; 63,300 in Montenegro; 396,300 in Albania; 204,070 in Macedonia; 9, 974 in Germany; 45,500 in Bosnia-Herzegovina and 21,220 in other countries.

A total of 12,978 Kosovar refugees have entered Turkey from Istanbul, the Tekirdag-Corlu border gate, and from the Edirne-Kapikule border gate since the beginning of NATO air operation.

A total of 5,554 Kosovars have been sheltered at Gaziosmanpasa Refugee Camp in Kirklareli.

Turkey has provided shelters for a total of 9 thousand Kosovar refugees in camps in Macedonia and Albania. Both camps have capacity to host 20 thousand refugees.

[13] INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION DECREASES 7.6 PERCENT IN MARCH

The decrease in the first quarter of 1999 was 6.6 percent.

The increase and decrease rates for industrial production in March 1998 and 1999, and first quarters of 1998 and 1999 as of sectors are as follows:

March Q1

1999 1998 1999 1998
(percent) (percent)

-----------------------------------
Entire Industry -7.6 7.6 -6.6 9.6

Mining Industry 13.0 17.2 -10.9 19.4

Manufacturing Industry 8.4 6.5 -7.8 8.9

-food industry -12.9 6.9 -3.0 15.0

-textiles industry -30.2 -10.6 -32.8 -7.2

-paper &amp; printing ind.-27.6 36.8 -41.8 24.9

-chemical industry 10.5 -2.4 8.5 -0.1

-earthenware industry -0.2 5.6 -3.2 7.9

-metal Main industry -7.3 -1.7 -7.5 1.9

-machinery industry -14.7 24.5 -13.6 26.2

Electricity, Gas and

Water Sector -1.4 11.2 1.8 10.5</PRE>

[14] SEVEN MARBLE HISTORICAL WORKS BELONGED TO ROMAN EMPIRE AND FOUR WOODEN PANELS OF ULU MOSQUE TO BE RETURNED TO TURKEY

Reports regarded with the marble works which are being displayed in the Folkestone Museum, Britain, have been sent to British Coast Guard Organization through the Turkish Embassy in London.

Meanwhile, officials have started legal proceedings for the return of four wooden balustrade panels belonged to the Ulu Mosque which was constructed in 1227.

Antiquarian in London who owned the panels, admitted to return the historical works to Turkey.

Prof.Dr. Tekin Aybas, the Undersecretary of Culture Ministry, and Mustafa Keten, the Director General of Foundations, will leave for Britain later today in order to take over the historical works.

[15] COMING ELECTIONS IN ISRAEL - BAR-NER, ISRAELI AMBASSADOR TO TURKEY CASTS HIS VOTE AT ISRAELI EMBASSY IN ANKARA - BAR-NER TO VISIT MHP LEADER TODAY

Bar-Ner and the Undersecretary of the Israeli Embassy Amir Maimon held a press briefing about the general elections that will be held in Israel on May 17 and gave information about the election system in Israel.

Noting that the general elections are held every four years in Israel, but the coming elections of May 17 will be held two years earlier due to the political conditions in his country, Bar-Ner said that the participation rate in the elections is expected to be high and nearly four million electors are expected to cast votes in Israel.

Bar-Ner listed the problems that are waiting to be solved by Israel as the Middle East Peace Process, decreasing unemployment rate by improving the economy of the country, regulating the relations of the religious party and the conservative sectors of the society with the other sectors of the society and the situation of the refugees who migrated from the former Soviet Republic.

Bar-Ner refrained for making evaluations about the results of the general elections held in Turkey, stressing that this is an internal issue of Turkey.

Confirming the news that he will visit Devlet Bahceli, the leader of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) today, Bar-Ner said this is a courtesy visit.

Responding to a question about the code of attire of Israeli woman deputies in Knesset, the Israeli parliament, Bar-Ner said that, ''we don't have such a problem, woman deputies in mini skirts can attend the Knesset.''

Responding to a question asking how the results of the elections in Turkey and Israel will affect the bilateral relations, Bar-Ner said that ''our relations won't be effected by these developments.''

Stressing that the Turkish-Israeli relations are based on reciprocal interests in political, economical, and strategical aspects, Bar-Ner said that totally one million people from Israel visited Turkey in the last 10 years.

[16] EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT TO DISCUSS TRIAL OF CHIEF OF TERRORIST ORGANIZATION PKK

The proposals of common decision submitted by the political groups in Parliament about the trial of the chief terrorist will be included in a joint document and discussed at the agenda of ''urgent issues'' session.

The draft resolutions call on the Turkish government to respect ''the right of the chief terrorist to defend himself and his fair trial'', adding that the parliamentarians are concerned about the health of the chief terrorist.

The preliminary report published on Tuesday by the European Committee on Prevention of Torture noted that the health of the chief terrorist who was met on Imralı island in February is fine and he isn't subject to mistreatment. The report of the Committee stated that the conditions of the cell where Abdullah Ocalan stays are quite good and the biggest problem of the chief terrorist is ''psychological difficulty stemming from loneliness.''

[17] PLANE CRASH IN CEYHAN - OKLU, GOVERNOR OF CEYHAN COUNTY: - ''WORKS CONTINUE BUT FLIGHT DATA RECORDER PART OF BLACK BOX COULD NOT BE FOUND YET''

The airplane had took off from the Adana Airport bound for Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, but dissappeared off radar screens shortly after taking off and went down near Ceyhan, killing all six crew members aboard. The Boeing 737 namely ''Trakya'' was due to bring home Turkish pilgrims who had completed the annual pilgrimage to Islam's holiest sites in Saudi Arabia.

A total of 30 workers and two officials from the THY continue sieving the soil which remained under wreckage of the airpline of which fuselage and cockpit had created a deep hole in the ground.

Oklu reminded that the Voice Recorder part of the black box was found earlier, adding that the works will continue until the THY orders to stop searching.

[18] TURKISH ARMENIAN PATRIARCHY LAYS A WREATH TO TAKSIM REPUBLICAN MONUMENT UPON 700TH FOUNDATION ANNIVERSARY OF OTTOMANS AND 538TH FOUNDATION ANNIVERSARY OF PATRIARCHY

The Armenian community was present at the ceremony and Mutafyan wrote in the special book of the Monument that they commemorate with gratitute once again the foundation of the Turkish Armenian Patriarchy by Fatih Sultan Mehmet 538 years ago.

''Our patriarchy which is an Ottoman institution due to its foundation, adjusted itself to the Turkish Republic which is the biggest inheritance of Ataturk and it serves for 75 years the religious and internal institutions of Armenian citizens who believe in the indivisibility of the nation and the country,'' wrote Mutafyan in the special book.

Responding to questions of journalists, Mutafyan said that ''this month is the month in which a Muslim sultan founded a Christian office, which happened for the first and last time in world history. This has to be understood well both by the peoples of today and the whole world. In 2000s, we need dialogue and good relations both in the international level and also among religions. While entering the 2000s, the occurance of clashes and bad events in the Balkans is a shame of humanity. Peoples have to take lessons from the attitude of an Ottoman Sultan 538 years ago.''

Noting that lessons have to be also taken from the Ottoman Empire, Mutafyan said that ''the 700 years had been the success of the peaceful co-existance of various nations and peoples. This can't be ignored.''

Pointing out that the celebrations will continue throughout the month, Mutafyan said they will also visit the tomb of Fatih Sultan Mehmet.

Mutafyan and those who accompany him also visited the house of Ataturk in Sisli district of Istanbul, which was later used as a museum.

[19] TURKISH EXPO'99 FAIR OPENED IN BAKU

The 4th Turkish Trade and Industry Fair is also being supported by the Azerbaijan Trade and Industry Chamber.

Abid Serifov, the Azeri Deputy Prime Minister; Suleyman Tatliyev, the Chairman of Azerbaijan Trade and Industry Chamber; Kadri Ecvet Tezcan, the Turkish Ambassador to Azerbaijan; and several other officials were in attendance at the opening ceremony of the fair that will remain open until 9 May.

Addressing the opening ceremony, Suleyman Tatliyev stressed that such organizations further deepen relations between Azerbaijan and Turkey.

Abid Serifov said in his part that Turkish businessmen have played a great role in improvement of Azeri economy, and expressed satisfaction over hosting such a fair in Baku.

Air conditioners, construction equipments, door-window systems, agricultural equipments, telecommunication equipments, and automotive products will be displayed in the fair.

[20] FM CEM RECEIVES AL-SAID, SECRETARY GENERAL OF OMANI FOREIGN MINISTER

Addressing journalists before the meeting, Cem stressed that they aim at further improving the political and economic relations between Turkey and Oman.

Cem underlined that Oman is a significant country in her region.

Meanwhile, Al-Said expressed pleasure over being in Turkey, and noted that Oman also wants to improve relations with Turkey.

Korkmaz Haktanir, the Undersecretary of Foreign Ministry, and high-level officials were also in attendance at the meeting.

[21] CEYHUN, EP DEPUTY: ''RESCUING KOSOVO FROM SERB VIOLENCE IS VERY IMPORTANT FOR EUROPEAN DEMOCRACY''

Issuing a written statement, Ceyhun said that Antje Radke, the spokesman of the Greens Party's Central Executive Board and Donika Gervalla, the spokesman of the Kosovo Democratic Unity Party will participate as speakers in the meeting of ''Recent Developments in Kosovo'' which will be held on May 10 in Russelsheim city of Germany.

Noting that the recent developments in Kosovo and the issue of helping the Kosovar victims will be discussed in the meeting, Ceyhun said Europe made a mistake by being a mere spectator to the events that happened in Bosnia in the past, adding Europe will finally react to the human tragedy that is seen in Kosovo.

[22] EXPORT INCREASES 4.7 PERCENT IN APRIL

The Exporters Assembly of Turkey (TIM) issued a written statement saying that Turkey realized 2 billion 39.8 million U.S. dollars in export in April.

In the same period of 1998, this figure was 1 billion 947 million U.S. dollars.

Meanwhile, general export decreased 3.2 percent within the first four months of 1999. Turkey realized 8 billion 545.8 million U.S. dollars in January-April period. This figure was 8 billion 828.6 million U.S. dollars in the same period of 1998.

According to the TIM data, sectors' exports and change rates for 1998 and 1999 are as follows:

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