Anadolu Agency: News in English, 99-05-11

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AA Daily

11 May 1999 Tuesday

CONTENTS

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

[02] IS BANKASI REALIZES 120.2 TRILLION TL GROSS PROFIT AND 60.3 TRILLION TL NET PROFIT IN FIRST QUARTER OF 1999

[03] SUPREME COURT OF APPEALS SAYS ''NO'' TO GETTING DOUBLE SALARY

[04] A.A PHOTO JOURNALISTS ARE THE FIRST THREE IN ''NEWS PHOTOGRAPH'' CATEGORY OF PHOTO-JOURNALISTS ASSOCIATION AWARDS

[05] SEAWOLF-99 MANOEUVRES TO BE REALIZED BETWEEN JUNE 1 AND 25

[06] HEADSCARF CRISIS - HATIPOGLU, TUMOD CHAIRMAN: ''UNIVERSITIES WHICH ARE INSTITUTIONS OF WISDOM AND SCIENCE DON'T HAVE ANY RIGHT TO DISGUISE THINGS''

[07] OKUYAN, CHAIRMAN OF COMBATING AGAINST AIDS ASSOCIATION: - ''35 MILLION PEOPLE IN THE WORLD AND 829 PEOPLE IN TURKEY ARE INFECTED WITH HIV''

[08] TURKISH ARTISTS IN NEW YORK

[09] CSIS'S REPORT ON TURKEY: ''DSP AND MHP CAN TEND TOWARDS EARLY ELECTIONS''

[10] THIRD IFAF ASIAN GROUP MEETING TO START IN NORTHERN SAMSUN PROVINCE ON WEDNESDAY

[11] KONYA STATE THEATRE TO PERFORM TWO MUSICALS FOR KOSOVAR REFUGEES

[12] 48 PERSONS CAPTURED IN OPERATIONS AGAINST ILLEGAL HEZBOLLAH ORGANIZATION IN SANLIURFA PROVINCE

[13] NUMBER OF KOSOVAR REFUGEES IN TURKEY REACHES 15,428

[14] 15TH MEETING OF ISEDAK FOLLOW-UP COMMITTEE - PRESIDENT DEMIREL: ''THE STRESS THAT IS ON DEMOCRACY, MARKET ECONOMY, AND HUMAN RIGHTS, FORMS THE BASIC PUSHING POWER PAVING WAYS TO HIGHER PROSPERITY LEVELS THROUGHOUT THE WORLD''

[15] NATO'S AIR OPERATION AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA - TURKISH F-16 WAR PLANES ACCUMULATE A TOTAL OF 1,300 FLIGHT HOURS

[16] TURKISH COUSINE TO BE INTRODUCED TO SINGAPORE

[17] LAVASANI, IRANIAN AMBASSADOR TO TURKEY, SUMMONED TO FOREIGN MINISTRY

[18] DEMONSTRATIONS IN EASTERN MALATYA PROVINCE

[19] SIXTH INTERNATIONAL ASPENDOS OPERA AND BALLET FESTIVAL TO BEGIN ON JUNE 12

[20] TURKEY'S OPENING POLICY TO AFRICA - FOREIGN MINISTRY: ''SIGNIFICANT STEPS ARE TAKEN''

[21] COMMERCIAL RELATIONS BETWEEN TURKEY AND ITALY

[22] NATO BRIEFING - JERTZ, SHAPE SPOKESMAN, SAYS CONTRIBUTIONS OF NATO COUNTRIES FOR AIR OPERATIONS IN YUGOSLAVIA ARE WELCOMED

[23] LETTER OF PROTEST FROM AKARCALI TO EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT: ''TURKEY IS A LEGAL STATE, OCALAN WILL BE TRIED ACCORDING TO THE LEGAL SYSTEM APPLIED IN TURKEY AND AS A TURKISH CITIZEN''

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

SUPREME COURT CONCERN
The demand of Mesut Yılmaz, the leader of the Motherland Party (ANAP) to be tried at the Supreme court has worried Tansu Ciller, the leader of the True Path Party (DYP). The DYP administration has taken initiative to rescue Tansu Ciller, the DYP leader, from being tried at the Supreme Court and by trying to change Articles 83 and 100 of the Constitution. If DYP's initiative is successful, former ministers and prime ministers will be tried in independent courts rather than in Supreme Court.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

MARCH TO ANITKABIR
Fourty non-governmental organizations (NGOs) will visit Anıtkabir, the Mausoleum of Ataturk, the founder of modern and secular Republic today in order to protest the provocation of headscarf. The Union of NGOs in Istanbul said that ''if Merve Kavakcı takes oath, it means the Acting Parliament Speaker will also violate the Constitution.''

SABAH (LIBERAL)

ULUGBAY: ''TURKISH TARGET IN ECONOMY IS BEING AMONG FIRST TEN''
Hikmet Ulugbay, the State Minister and the Deputy Prime Minister, said that Turkish economy is among the first twenty economies of the world but that today the target of Turkey in economy is being among the first ten economies of the world. Participating in the 73th anniversary celebrations of State Statistics Institutes (DIE), Ulugbay noted that the information and the data of the DIEs should be upgraded.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

MUTAFIAN, PATRIARCH OF TURKISH ARMENIANS, DUE IN ARMENIA
Mesrob Mutafian, the Patriarch of Turkish Armenians, is going to Armenia today to participate in the Supreme Spiritual Council meeting as a co- president. The 2000 year celebrations, and the by-law of the Armenian Church will be on the agenda of the council meeting.

RADIKAL (LEFT)

KAVAKCI'S TURKISH CITIZENSHIP IN DANGER
Under Article 25 of the Law on Citizenship, Merve Kavakcı, the Virtue Party (FP) deputy has to be stripped off her citizenship. Merve Kavakcı didn't take permission from the Ministry of Interior before applying to become an American citizen, moreover there is not an agreement between Turkey and the U.S. concerning dual citizenship.

YENİ YÜZYIL (LIBERAL)

PETROL BOMB ATTACK AGAINST A COFFEE HOUSE IN ISTANBUL
Some unidentified assailants hurled a petrol bomb against a coffee house in Istanbul, causing financial damages. The assailants escaped from the scene before the security forces came. Meanwhile, a bomb which was placed under a car, exploded; causing financial damages in the car.

TÜRKİYE (RIGHT)

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

[02] IS BANKASI REALIZES 120.2 TRILLION TL GROSS PROFIT AND 60.3 TRILLION TL NET PROFIT IN FIRST QUARTER OF 1999

An Is Bankasi statement said that 86 percent of the useable part of the overall deposit of Is Bankasi was used as credits in order to contribute to Turkish economy.

The statement also noted that Is Bankasi which is a private bank with the biggest net assets of 372 trillion Turkish liras, has improved its financial body and that the balance sheets of Is Bankasi continue to increase.

The statement added that the Bank has a stable and balanced resource structure and that it maintains its title as the most important stock exchange company of Turkey.

[03] SUPREME COURT OF APPEALS SAYS ''NO'' TO GETTING DOUBLE SALARY

The General Council decided that the salary given to those in Turkey who also get unemployment benefit from a foreign country can be cut off as they can't be considered as people who definitely returned to Turkey.

In one of its verdict, the General Council criticized the social security system in Turkey noting that ''returning to Turkey'' means giving up all relations with the social security institutions of a foreign country where a Turkish citizen lived for a time, settling in Turkey, and providing one's social security in Turkey.

This verdict of the Supreme Court of Appeals will be a sample for similar cases.

[04] A.A PHOTO JOURNALISTS ARE THE FIRST THREE IN ''NEWS PHOTOGRAPH'' CATEGORY OF PHOTO-JOURNALISTS ASSOCIATION AWARDS

Aziz Uzun, an A.A photo journalist, became the first while Selfet Guner, another A.A photo journalist, became the second and Zekeriya Albayrak, another A.A photo journalist, became the third in ''News Photograph'' category.

Abrurrahman Antakyali, an A.A photo journalist, becomes the first in ''Sports Photograph'' category while Oktay Cilesiz, another A.A photo journalist became the second in ''Free Photograph'' category.

President Suleyman Demirel gave the awards of the winners of the contest in a ceremony held at the Presidential Residence in Cankaya district of Ankara.

Demirel said that the photographs which were exhibited due to the contest were all works of art in one sense, adding that taking the incidents not only in Turkey but also in the world, and transfering these photographs to the future is one of the most important functions of the information society.

Demirel then congratulated the photo journalists who were awarded in the contest.

An official from the Association said that Turkey cannot reach these days easily and that to this end, everybody should know how he/she came to these days and what he/she has in hand; adding that Turkey will never give up modernizm and that the secular and democratic Republic of Turkey will survive until eternity with the determination of the Turkish nation.

The categories and the winners of the contest are as follows:

News Photograph:

1. Aziz Uzun (A.A)

2. Selfet Guner (A.A)

3. Zekeriya Albayrak (A.A)

Free Photograph:

1. Kani Atmaca (Hurriyet) and Ali Unal (Zaman)

2. Cemal Celebi (Free Journalist) ve Oktay Cilesiz (A.A)

3. Kani Atmaca (Hurriyet)

Sports Photograph:

1. Abdurrahman Antakyali (A.A)

2. Sabri Bas (Aksam) ve Tayfun Bayindir (Hurriyet)

3. Serdar Uluer (Hurriyet)

Television Projection:

1. Okaner Yuce (TRT)

2. Fatih Cotur (ATV) ve Sakir Aksu (TGRT)

3. Sahin Bal (NTV)

[05] SEAWOLF-99 MANOEUVRES TO BE REALIZED BETWEEN JUNE 1 AND 25

A General Staff statement said that the representatives of the press agencies can follow the manoeuvres which will be staged in the Aegean Sea and the international waters of the Eastern Mediterranean.

Golcuk Fleet Commandership will hold a press release about the manoeuvres on May 28, 1999.

[06] HEADSCARF CRISIS - HATIPOGLU, TUMOD CHAIRMAN: ''UNIVERSITIES WHICH ARE INSTITUTIONS OF WISDOM AND SCIENCE DON'T HAVE ANY RIGHT TO DISGUISE THINGS''

Prof. Dr. Hatiboglu said in a written statement that the rectors who are members of the Inter-Universities Council are not sincere in their condemnation.

''Because these rectors don't fight against headscarves in their universities. Apart from few universities, headscarf is free. Rectors have to give up their hypocritical attitude. We call all rectors to struggle against headscarves and fundamentalist movements,'' he added.

[07] OKUYAN, CHAIRMAN OF COMBATING AGAINST AIDS ASSOCIATION: - ''35 MILLION PEOPLE IN THE WORLD AND 829 PEOPLE IN TURKEY ARE INFECTED WITH HIV''

Okuyan told A.A correspondent that 280 out of 829 people in Turkey are ill and that the other people are just the carriers.

Okuyan said, ''people undergo AIDS tests before marriage in foreign countries while HIV test is applied to everybody, including the young men who will perform their military service. A total of 35 million people are infected with HIV. A total of 1,900 children are born with the HIV virus. We suggest that the candidate mothers should undergo AIDS test.''

Emphasizing that the most important reason of being infected by the HIV is the sexual intercourse, Okuyan noted that the risk of being infected in manicure and pedicure is very low.

Drawing the attention that the world gives importance to the relation between AIDS, the women, mother and the children; Okuyan said, ''AIDS in Turkey is not so serious at the moment. The people have become more conscious about AIDS today but this is not enough. Our association holds some seminars about AIDS.''

''People are afraid of AIDS. We attach importance to education to overcome this fear. We have held more than 100 conferences until today,'' Okuyan added.

Okuyan stressed that they do not know how young people can be informed about AIDS and that to this end, some pratician doctors are trained as AIDS consultants.

[08] TURKISH ARTISTS IN NEW YORK

A part of the income that are gained from the activities was allocated for the Kosovar refugees. Some Turkish singers, including Muazzez Abaci, Mazhar- Fuat-Ozkan, Metin Arolat, Hakan Tasiyan, Ercan Saatci and Kibariye, will give concerts to collect some money to be given to Kosovars within the festival and Turkish Week.

Cem Yilmaz, a famous Turkish comedician, Yeni Turku, a Turkish pop-music band, a Turkish folkloric dance group will stage performances in New York.

Sener Sen and Ugur Yucel, two famous Turkish actors, arrived in New York within the framework of ''Turkish films week'' which is held for the first time in New York.

Meanwhile, the Janissary band, which is a Turkish military band, typically employing cymbals, triangles, bass drum and Turkish crescents, is expected to draw the attention of the people.

The Janitary band will participate in the ship voyage which will be held on May 16, 1999.

[09] CSIS'S REPORT ON TURKEY: ''DSP AND MHP CAN TEND TOWARDS EARLY ELECTIONS''

CSIS report claimed that Bulent Ecevit, the DSP leader who was assigned to form the new government prefers forming a coalition with the Motherland Party (ANAP) and the True Path Party (DYP), adding this possibility can only be realized if Tansu Ciller, the leader of DYP is discharged, but Ciller resists to that.

The report prepared by Bulent Alirıza, CSIS's expert on Turkey said that in these circumstances, Ecevit has tended towards finding a compromise with MHP although he didn't prefer that.

Noting that MHP which supported the Virtue Party (FP) regarding the issue of headscarf before the elections, later tended towards the centre after the elections, the report said a woman deputy of MHP took off her headscarf while taking oath in the parliament.

Stressing that Ecevit and Bahceli, the leader of MHP couldn't reach agreements about the issues of headscarf problem, amnesty to terrorists and the attitude towards FP during their first meeting, the report claimed that the distribution of ''critical'' ministries like ''National Education Ministry'' between DSP and MHP will be tough.

The report noted that Ecevit may wish to enter into a new early elections by uniting with the Republican Peoples' Party (CHP) which couldn't enter the parliament, as he can get more than 30 percent of the votes in that case.

Pointing out that Bahceli can increase his party's power in a new elections if those who gave up their hope from DYP and ANAP, the report said it is difficult to reach the desired political stability from the results of April 18 elections.

Recalling that Ecevit sent some positive signals to ''moderate Islam'' in the past, CSIS report said that DSP is the pioneer of the secular discourse as the headscarf issue is at the agenda.

The report stressed that the possible coalition formulas are either one among DSP-MHP-ANAP or DSP-ANAP-DYP, adding the absolute winners of the April 18 elections were DSP and MHP which gained votes both from the centre right and FP.

CSIS added that the cooperation between DSP and ANAP still continues.

[10] THIRD IFAF ASIAN GROUP MEETING TO START IN NORTHERN SAMSUN PROVINCE ON WEDNESDAY

A work-shop in which ''the Uruguay agreement and General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) and the changes'' will be discussed will be held in the first and second days of the meeting.

The IFAF Asian Group meeting in which the representatives of the agricultural organizations of Central Asia and Caucasus that are not the members of IFAF, will be held in the third day of the meeting.

Nearly 80 delegations from the IFAF, the World Bank, and many countries will participate in the meeting which will end on May 15, 1999.

[11] KONYA STATE THEATRE TO PERFORM TWO MUSICALS FOR KOSOVAR REFUGEES

Konya State Theatre will perform two musicals for Kosovar refugees to this end.

Konya State Theatre will perform ''Sarkilarimiz Olmesin'' (Do not Let Our Songs Die), a musical children play, and ''Rumuz Goncagul'' (Pseudonym: Goncagul), a musical comedy, for the Kosovar refugees staying in the camp- site in northwestern Kirklareli province between May 15 and 16, 1999.

The State Theatres earlier donated seven billion Turkish liras which was gained from 33 different plays that were performed between April 12 and 17, 1999.

[12] 48 PERSONS CAPTURED IN OPERATIONS AGAINST ILLEGAL HEZBOLLAH ORGANIZATION IN SANLIURFA PROVINCE

Salih Tuzcu, the Director General of Security in Sanlıurfa told a press briefing that operations have been staged for two weeks against the Hezbollah organization which aims at overthrowing the existing constitutional democracy and changing it with an Iranian state model based on Shariah, and 48 members of the illegal organization, including its so- called commanders, were captured.

Tuzcu stated that operations will continue, adding the illegal Hezbollah organization will be collapsed.

Salih Tuzcu also asked citizens to send their children to Koran courses only given by the Department of Religious Affairs.

[13] NUMBER OF KOSOVAR REFUGEES IN TURKEY REACHES 15,428

An Interior Ministry statement said that a total of 6,932 Kosovar refugees entered into Turkey from Corlu Airport while a total of 6,928 Kosovars entered from Kapikule Border Gate and 1,568 refugees from Istanbul.

The statement noted that the number of the refugees staying in the camp- site in northwestern Kirklareli province reached 6,424; including 2,017 women, 1,785 men, and 2,622 children.

[14] 15TH MEETING OF ISEDAK FOLLOW-UP COMMITTEE - PRESIDENT DEMIREL: ''THE STRESS THAT IS ON DEMOCRACY, MARKET ECONOMY, AND HUMAN RIGHTS, FORMS THE BASIC PUSHING POWER PAVING WAYS TO HIGHER PROSPERITY LEVELS THROUGHOUT THE WORLD''

President Demirel sent a message to the 15th meeting of Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) Economic and Trade Cooperation Permanent Committee (ISEDAK) meeting.

Oguz Ozbilgin, Presidential Deputy Secretary-General, read the message which said the world has witnessed important developments since the first meeting of ISEDAK 15 years ago.

In the message, Demirel said, ''we are face to face with a different world now. Depending on the important developments in communication technology, people are not contended with the existing life conditions, and wish for better ones.''

Demirel said that the number of member countries, who are from Africa, Asia, Europe, and South America continents, reached to 57.

President Demirel said that the distribution of member countries to a wide geography caused several problems in initiating joint economic cooperation projects, adding that ''yet, ISEDAK could harmonize its activities with the new tendencies in the economic and political conditions of the world.''

President Suleyman Demirel said that the application to arrange sessions during ISEDAK meetings to exchange views related with daily economic issues in the world was harmonized with the new approach to economic cooperation, adding that such sessions are opportunities to understand global developments, and their influence on our countries.

[15] NATO'S AIR OPERATION AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA - TURKISH F-16 WAR PLANES ACCUMULATE A TOTAL OF 1,300 FLIGHT HOURS

The General Staff Information Center issued a statement saying that no flight was planned yesterday for the Turkish F-16 war planes which are deployed at the Ghedi Airbase in Italy.

Meanwhile, a total of 843,819 Kosovar people were forced to leave their homes so far. According to the latest figures, there are 13,701 refugees in Turkey; 50 thousand in Serbia; 63,200 in Montenegro; 413,100 in Albania; 241,200 in Macedonia; 9,974 in Germany; 18,500 in Bosnia-Herzegovina, and 34,144 in other countries. About 800 thousand Albanian people who remained in Kosovo, have also been forced to move.

A total of 13,701 Kosovar refugees including 4,993 women, 3,959 men and 4, 749 children 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 6,212 Kosovars have been sheltered at Gaziosmanpasa Refugee Camp in Kirklareli.

Turkey has provided shelters for a total of 9,601 Kosovar refugees in camps in Macedonia and Albania. Both camps have capacity to host 20 thousand refugees.

[16] TURKISH COUSINE TO BE INTRODUCED TO SINGAPORE

A group of 10 people from the Singaporean Prime 12 TV shot a film in Kusadasi county of Izmir province.

Tacettin Ozden, the Director General of the Korumar Hotel where the shooting took place, said that promotion of unique Turkish foods is very significant for Turkish tourism.

Yusuf Islam, the Director of Prime 12 TV, pointed out that their television programme will be brocasted on August 5.

Islam also added that the broadcasting will also be available in Malaysia and Indonesia.

[17] LAVASANI, IRANIAN AMBASSADOR TO TURKEY, SUMMONED TO FOREIGN MINISTRY

Responding questions of journalists following the 45-minute meeting with Turkekul Kurttekin, the Director General of the Middle East Department of the Foreign Ministry, Lavasani just said that he held a productive meeting with Mr. Kurttekin.

Meanwhile, diplomatic sources told the A.A correspondent that it was emphasized at the meeting that relations between Turkey and Iran should be maintained within the framework of reciprocal respect, and Iran should not interfere Turkey's domestic affairs.

It was also underlined that any damage in the relations will play havoc with interests of both countries.

Turkish public opinion's sensivity concerning the demonstrations in Iran, was also conveyed to the Iranian Ambassador at the meeting. On the other hand, Ankara's concern over Iran's support towards the terrorist organization PKK, was not brought onto the agenda of the meeting.

Tension has escalated between Turkey and Iran after several demonstrations were held in Iran to support FP deputy Merve Kavakci. Meanwhile, Sencer Ozsoy, the Turkish Ambassador to Iran, was also summoned to Iranian Foreign Ministry, and was asked about the words attributed to President Suleyman Demirel.

[18] DEMONSTRATIONS IN EASTERN MALATYA PROVINCE

Addressing journalists before a meeting regarded with illegal demonstrations which were held to protest the ban on Islamic-style headscarves at the Malatya University, Vural stressed that problems should be solved in law, and in reciprocal understanding, and respect.

Mehmet Yasar Cerci, the Mayor of Malatya; Kemal Iskender, the Director General of the Provincial Security; Coloney Sedat Kunduz, the Commander of Gendarme Forces; governors and mayors of counties of Malatya; chairmen of the political party organizations, chambers, and associations were in attendance at the meeting which was being held under the chairmanship of Mr. Vural.

In the statement issued after the meeting, people have been called for communal peace.

Participants underlined in the joint statement that they do not approve any of illegal actions, and emphasized that they will endeavour to protect indivisible integrity of Turkey, and to provide peace and tranquility in Malatya.

[19] SIXTH INTERNATIONAL ASPENDOS OPERA AND BALLET FESTIVAL TO BEGIN ON JUNE 12

The Ankara State and Ballet will also perform the ''Aida'' of Giuseppe Verdi.

Following the Presidential Symphony Orchestra's gala concert on June 16, the Mersin State Opera and Ballet will stage the ''Madame Butterfly'' of Giacomo Puccini on June 21.

Aspendos will host the Croation State Opera and Ballet on June 23 while the Bulgarian Opera and Ballet will be the guest of the festival with the ''Othello'' on June 28.

The Istanbul State Opera and Ballet will greet audience with the ''Carmina Burana'' of Carl Orff on July 1, and with the ''Hoffmann's Tales'' of Jacques Offenbach on July 3.

The Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra will organize a ''Johann Strauss Night'' on July 5, and the Izmir State Opera and Ballet will perform the ''Giselle'' of Adolphe Charles Adam.

The 6th International Aspendos Opera and Ballet Festival will end on July 10 with the ''Fidelio'' of Ludwig van Beethoven which will be performed by the Izmir State Opera and Ballet.

[20] TURKEY'S OPENING POLICY TO AFRICA - FOREIGN MINISTRY: ''SIGNIFICANT STEPS ARE TAKEN''

Foreign Ministry statement recalled that the action plan which was determined together with the representatives of public and private institutions, envisaged improving political, economic, trade, and cultural relations between Turkey and the African countries.

Noting that efforts were intensified basically on three important issues for the effective implementation of opening policy to Africa, the statement said, ''one of the main issues of this is the membership of Turkey to African Development Bank as the ''off regional donor country''. This membership which is a message to African countries will also provide economic and commercial benefits to Turkey. Turkey was accepted to membership in the year 1991, Turkey's membership will become definite with the payment of 50 million U.S. dollars which is the membership fee.

Pointing out that technical aid forwarded to African countries have successful results, the statement said the second important issue was the fund required for the technical aid forwarded to African countries. Studies were initiated to allocate the fund to Turkish Cooperation and Development Agency (TIKA).

Stresing the importance of allocations to various grants to African countries within the context of policy opening to Africa, the statement said the third most important issue of the action plan was to increase the number of these grants and its specification as U.S. dollar.

The action plan also attributes a special importance to the devleopment of technical cooperation with African countries. Cooperation is targetted especially in the fields of agriculture, health, irrigation, water administration, handcrafts, training, contacts between universities, and military training.

The Foreign Ministry statement said paying reciprocal high level visits with African countries has also an important influence in development of relations of Turkey with these countries.

''Within this framework, President Suleyman Demirel paid an official visit to Algeria last January. Also, Hikmet Sami Turk, Minister of National Defense, had visited Tunusia in March due to Turkish-Tunisian Defense Cooperation Committee meeting. Hasan Gemici, Minister of State, visited Bamako, capital Mali, and signed trade, economic, technical, and scientific cooperation agreement.''

Recalling that defense ministers of Tunusia and Senegal visited Turkey in the past months, the statement said a military cooperation was signed with Senegal. Also Foreign Ministers of Gambia and Sudan visited Turkey this year. A cooperation protocol was signed with Sudan foreseeing a political consultation mechanism between the two countries.

Meanwhile, visits of a Turkish delegation, headed by Numan Hazar, Foreign Ministry Africa and OIC Coordinator, still continues within the framework of the action plan, to hold political contacts with African countries and cooperation issues.

The Foreign Ministry statement pointed out that improving relations with African countries was an important target for the long term interests of Turkish foreign policy, adding that economic and cultural contacts in question should be intensified and political relations should also be increased.

[21] COMMERCIAL RELATIONS BETWEEN TURKEY AND ITALY

A conference on the ''500th Year of a Complicated Mediterranean History'' will be organized in the Italian capital Rome on May 17 by the Turkish- Italian Friendship Association, the Italy-Latin America Institute and the Bonca di Rome.

Doc. Dr. Edhem Eldem from the Bogazici University will be in attendance at the conference.

Italy came on the second place on Turkey's import in 1997 and 1998 while she came on the fifth place on Turkey's export in the same years.

Affair of Abdullah Ocalan, the chief of terrorist organization PKK, that escalated tension between the two countries, has effected the commercial relations negatively.

According to the foreign trade data, Italy realized 4 billion 392 million U.S. dollars to Turkey in export in 1997, but this number reduced to 4 billion 92 million U.S. dollars in 1998. Meanwhile, her import from Turkey which was 1 billion 506 million U.S. dollars in 1997, increased to 1 billion 695 million U.S. dollars in 1998.

Within the first three months of 1999, Italy's export to Turkey continued to reduce while her import from Turkey increased.

According to the Italian statistics, foreign trade figures between Turkey and Italy within the first three months of 1998 and 1999 are as follows:

Import from Turkey Export to Turkey

_______________________________________________________
1998 1999 1998 1999
January 186,434.5 134,262.2 274,829.9 143,334

February 124,526 138,662.7 333,930.8 212,779.6

March 156,529.5 177,471.9 378,137. 269,913.8

_______________________________________________________
TOTAL 467,490 450,396.8 986,897.7 626,027.4
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[22] NATO BRIEFING - JERTZ, SHAPE SPOKESMAN, SAYS CONTRIBUTIONS OF NATO COUNTRIES FOR AIR OPERATIONS IN YUGOSLAVIA ARE WELCOMED

When asked if participation of planes which will take off from the bases in Turkey and Hungary to the air operation was in question or not, Jertz said ''these countries are ally members. Every kind of contribution will be welcomed'' in a regular press briefing.

General Jertz said such developments would further increase the pressure on Slobodan Milosevic, the Serbian leader who was oppressed by the countries around him, and noted that he would not be able to give further information due to ''operational reasons''. He said capital cities of the countries in question will make necessary explanation when required.

[23] LETTER OF PROTEST FROM AKARCALI TO EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT: ''TURKEY IS A LEGAL STATE, OCALAN WILL BE TRIED ACCORDING TO THE LEGAL SYSTEM APPLIED IN TURKEY AND AS A TURKISH CITIZEN''

Akarcali in the letter said that he evaluated the decision of the Parliament as unfounded, and pointed out that ''I can not understand the attitude of European Parliament which continues not to remember PKK terrorism in Turkey and in Europe. I once again felt regret as the decision failed to mention about the innocent civilians who were killed in terrorist attacks, which happened following capture of Abdullah Ocalan, terrorist chief. This is a serious negligence.''

Akarcali mentioned in the letter that Turkey was a legal state and that rights of the defendant, including the right of defense, were guaranteed by the laws.

''All the rights of defendant Ocalan are taken under guarantee according to the regulations. The defendant makes use of the defense right fully. All appropriate measures are taken for his health and security. Ocalan will be judged according to the legal system applied in Turkey and as a Turkish citizen. You should not have doubts to this end,'' Akarcali said and noted that ''I am protesting your decision with the hope that European Parliament will give up taking unfounded, unjust, and prejudiced decisions in the new legislation period.''

A.A

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