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Anadolu Agency: News in English, 99-06-03Anadolu Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Anadolu Agency Home Page at <http://www.anadoluajansi.gov.tr/>AA Daily03 June 1999 ThursdayCONTENTS
[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCANThese are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in Turkey's press on June 3, 1999. The Anadolu Ajansi does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.HURRIYET (LIBERAL)FIRST RESULT OF TRIAL: 50 PKK CONVICTS HUNG TURKISH FLAG ON WARD DOOROcalan's statements caused big disappointment within the PKK. Fifty out of 150 convicts who were PKK members at Gaziantep Prison hung a Turkish flag on the door of their ward. They later cursed Ocalan and demanded that they would be put in a separate ward. ''It wasn't right to follow that man. We were wrong. We are now the State's men,'' said the convicts and also called on their friends not to go after Ocalan. APO TRIAL IS OUR PROUD MILLIYET (LIBERAL)FP'S DOUBLE STANDARDWhile the Virtue Party (FP) is defending the dual citizenship of Merve Kavakci and Oya Akgonenc, the words of Necmettin Erbakan, the former leader of the banned Welfare Party (FP) which still exist in the records, display a double standard. Erbakan had criticized Ciller's becoming Prime Minister because she was a U.S. citizen. ''How can a person who took an oath of allegiance to the U.S. can become Turkey's Prime Minister?'' Erbakan had asked. TURKISH FOREIGN MINISTRY STARTS INVESTIGATION SABAH (LIBERAL)PLENTY OF WORK, LITTLE VACATIONIt was agreed that the Parliament will not take a recession before passing the ten laws that have been waiting for four years. The summer recession will also be shortened. International arbitration, Banks Law, and Social Security are the laws that are on the government's priority list. ''If these laws pass, Turkey will take a deep breath,'' said Mehmet Kececiler, the State Minister. ISLETS BELONG TO TURKEY CUMHURIYET (LEFT)OCALAN EXPLAINS RESOURCES OF TERRORIST ORGANIZATION PKKTurgut Okyay, the Chairman of the Court, asked some questions to Abdullah Ocalan, the head of terrorist organization, in the third-day hearing. Ocalan said that Greece, Greek Cypriot side give monetary support to PKK. Responding a question, Ocalan noted that the six container trucks of weapons which were seized in southeastern Gaziantep and Sanliurfa provinces, belonged to Hizbollah organization. EU SUMMIT STARTS TODAY RADIKAL (LEFT)OCALAN IS WITHOUT A LAWYER TODAYThe relatives and the lawyers of Abdullah Ocalan, the head of terrorist organization, said that they would not attend the fourth-day hearing. The lawyers of suspect Ocalan noted that they had to leave the hotel they are staying in Bursa province due to pressures; adding that they will make an evaluation whether or not to attend the following hearings. NON-STOP FLIGHTS TO ATLANTA YENİ YÜZYIL (LIBERAL)A TERRORIST EXPLODES BOMBS STRAPPED ON HIM AT CHECK POINTOF SECURITY FORCES IN SOUTHEASTERN SIRNAK PROVINCE A terrorist exploded the bombs strapped to his body at the check point of Gendermarie Commandership in southeastern Sirnak province, panicking as he saw the security forces. The terrorist died as he exploded the bombs which were earlier strapped on him in front of the check point. PREMIER ECEVIT ASKS FOR SUPPORT TÜRKİYE (RIGHT)PREMIER ECEVIT: ''THIS CASE IS THE SHAME OF EUROPE''Premier Bulent Ecevit said that Turkey is undergoing an examination during the trial of Abdullah Ocalan, the head of terrorist organization, and that she is very successful in this examination. Ecevit added that nobody should dare to overshadow this trial process. Ecevit said, ''this case is honour for Turkey but a shame for the countries which wanted to give democracy, civilization, and human rights lesson to Turkey.'' GREECE SHOULD KEEP HERSELF AWAY FROM TERRORISM ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)OCALAN TRIES TO SAVE HIMSELFAbdullah Ocalan, the head of terrorist organization PKK, continued to give testimony on the third-day hearing. Ocalan claimed that the terrorist organization PKK staged some of the attacks without his knowledge. Ocalan responded the questions about the terrorist attacks as saying that he did not give the command, he tried to prevent the attacks and that some independent groups could have staged the attacks. [02] INTENSE ACTIVITY IN BALIKESIR MAIN JET BASE - YUKSEL, GOVERNOR OF BALIKESIR: - ''NEARLY 2,200 PERSONNEL ARRIVED IN BASES IN BALIKESIR AND BANDIRMA''BALIKESIR, June 2 (A.A) - The NATO continued to dispatch military equipment to the 9th Main Jet Base in Balikesir province which the Alliance plans to use to provide logistic support to air operation against Yugoslavia, it was reported on Wednesday.Military equipments which were sent to Turkey by an Australian flagged cargo ship, were begun to be carried to Bandirma 6th Main Jet Base, and the Balikesir 9th Main Jet Base by trucks. C-5 and C-15 cargo airplanes which belonged to the U.S. Air Forces, continue to transport military equipment and food. Meanwhile, 8 of 18 Turkish F-16 war planes which were assigned to the NATO, were deployed at the Balikesir 9th Main Jet Base. Infrastructure preparations for the NATO's air operation against Yugoslavia, are expected to be finalized by weekend. Addressing the Provincial General Assembly meeting, Alaaddin Yuksel, the Governor of Balikesir, said that nearly 2,200 NATO personnel have arrived in the bases in Bandirma and Balikesir as of last weekend. He added that they expect 500 more personnel to arrive in the bases in coming days. Stressing that Turkey fulfils her obligations in accordance with the agreements signed within structure of the NATO, Yuksel also added that they have set up a NATO coordination Council with participation of chairmen of professional chambers. [03] PRINCE MICHAEL, BRITISH DUKE OF KENT: - ''YUVACIK DAM PROJECT IS ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL SAMPLES OF PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN TURKEY AND BRITAIN''KOCAELI, June 3 (A.A) - Prince Michael, Duke of Kent and the Chairman of British Overseas Trade and Investment Council who pays a visit to Turkey as the guest of the Izmit Municipality, said on Wednesday that the Yuvacik Dam Project which meets water need of Kocaeli province and surroundings, is one of the most beautiful samples of partnership between Turkey and Britain.Prince Michael visited water purification facility of the dam, and was informed about the project. Describing the Yuvacik Dam as the biggest investment of the world financed by private sector, Prince Michael noted he believes that this project will consolidate friendship between Turkey and Britain, and contribute to further improvement of commercial relations. Meanwhile, Memduh Oguz, the Governor of Kocaeli, expressed satisfaction over hosting Prince Michael in Izmit. Stressing that Izmit is one of the most significant industry, culture, and education centers of Turkey, Oguz said, ''we are very pleased that Izmit hosts one of the biggest projects of the world. This projects marks a good beginning to further improve cultural and economic relations between the two countries.'' Sefa Sirmen, the Mayor of Izmit, thanked the British government, partner of such a vital project, and the Thames Water Company. [04] BILICAN, DIRECTOR GENERAL OF SECURITY: - ''FOREIGN SPECTATORS ATTENDING TRIAL OF OCALAN, HEAD OF TERRORIST PKK, APPRECIATED TURKEY'S ATTITUDE''ANKARA, June 3 (A.A) - Necati Bilican, the Director General of Security, said late on Wednesday that Turkey fulfils all necessities of a state of law during trial of Abdullah Ocalan, the head of terrorist chief.Necati Bilican was awarded with the ''1998 Friendship Prize'' by Executive Board of the International Police Association (IPA)'s Turkish Section. He was given his award by Sadettin Tantan, the Interior Minister. Addressing the ceremony, Bilican noted, ''Turkey fulfils all necessities of a state of law during the trial of Ocalan. Foreign spectators attending the trial on Imrali Island, have appreciated Turkey's attitude.'' Reminding that Turkey is an interim member of the IPA, Bilican pointed out that Turkey's membership will be approved at the IPA's General Assembly meeting later this year. Bilican also added that participation in such non-governmental organizations, will help Turkey to promote herself to whole world. [05] TURKISH-MACEDONIAN RELATIONS - KESMIR, TURKISH AMBASSADOR TO SKOPJE: - ''THE RELATIONS AND COOPERATION BETWEEN TWO COUNTRIES ARE PERFECT''SKOPJE, June 3 (A.A) - Fazil Kesmir, Turkye's Ambassador to Skopje, said on Thursday that the relations and cooperation between Turkey and Macedonia are perfect in every field.Kesmir evaluated Turkish-Macedonian relations and the effects of the Kosovo crisis to A.A correspondent. Emphasizing that Turkey immediately gave a hand to Macedonia, which faced the inflow of the Kosovar refugees following the NATO operation against Yugoslavia, Kesmir noted that within this framework, the first aid from Turkey arrived in Macedonia in the end of March and that Turkey set up a refugee camp in Macedonia. Kesmir drew the attention that after Macedonia gained independence in 1991; Turkey and Macedonia realized high-ranking visits and that Turkey made investments worth of 10 million German Marks in Macedonia; adding that the two countries held a Joint Economic Commission (JEC) meeting. Noting that Turkey and Macedonia plan to sign a bilateral agreement on the free trade, Kesmir stressed that as soon as such an agreement is signed, the Turkish products will not only find markets in Macedonia but also find markets in Bosnia-Herzegovina and Croatia, with which Macedonia signed similar agreements. In case a free trade agreement is signed between Turkey and Macedonia, the customs taxes, which are imposed on Turkish goods that are exported to Macedonia, can gradually be removed while the Macedonian products can freely enter into Turkey. [06] ELECTIONS TO BE HELD IN 12 SETTLEMENT PLACES ON WEEKENDANKARA, June 3 (A.A) - Elections will be held on 12 settlements on June 6, 1999, which were earlier cancelled during Local Elections because of reasons related to ''election procedures''.A total of 40,376 voters will cast vote at 216 vote boxes to elect Mayors and Municipality Board members in one province, three counties and five districts. Below are the names of places where Mayoral elections will be held: Bilecik-Center, Aksaray-Gulagac, Erzurum-Cat, Samsun-Ayvacik, Samsun- Carsamba-Hurriyet, Burdur-Celtikci-Bagsaray, Aydin-Soke-Sazlikoy, Manisa- Saruhanli-Hacirahmanli, and Kahramanmaras-Center-Karadere. The districts where Mayoral and Municipality Board elections will be held are as follows: Eskisehir-Mihalliccik-Dinek, Nevsehir-Kozakli-Karahasanli, Hatay-Samandag- Kusalani. The political parties which participated in the April 18 Elections will enter the elections with the same candidates on June 6. The independent candidates can also run on June 6. [07] THE OTTOMAN LIFE TO BE INTRODUCTED TO SOUTH AMERICANEW YORK, June 3 (A.A) - South American countries will recognize the Ottoman life by an introduction programme which will be held for the 700th anniversary of the Ottoman Empire; it was reported on Thursday.The celebrations of the 700th anniversary of the Ottoman Empire will be held in Latin American countries where Turkey has embassies. The Turkish group including the models, the classical Turkish and Western music singers and folklore dancing team, will perform shows in Mexico, Venezuela, Chili, Argentine, Brazil and Cuba between June 15 and 24, 1999. The show named ''Turquie, La Belle'' covers two fashion shows which introduces the Ottoman clothes. The Turkish folklore team will perform the regional dances of southern Silifke county and eastern Kars province and the chorus will give a concert which will introduce the classical Turkish music. Ayse Taspinar, a Turkish pianist, Tulay Uyar, a Turkish soprano, and Ufuk Kasar, a Turkish bass, will sing the best-loved songs of classical western music within the framework of the visit to Latin America. [08] TOBB CHAIRMAN, MIRAS SAYS NEW BUDGET MUST NOT ENCOURAGE SPENDINGIZMIR, June 3 (A.A) - Fuat Miras, the Chairman of Turkish Chambers and Commodity Exchanges Union (TOBB) said on Thursday that they expected new tax regulations from the government for the removal of obstructions in front of the economy.The tax issue will also be discussed at the Economic and Social Council which will be convened in the coming days, Miras pointed out. ''The economic troubles reached to a top level and prepaid tax collection is unfair and meaningless under these conditions,'' Miras stressed and asked for its cancellation or prolonging its time limit from three to six months. ''The time limit of prepaid tax must either be totally cancelled or prolonged to six months,'' he added. Expressing optimism for the second half of 1999, Miras said the new tax regulations will give a lift to the markets and economy. Talking about banks, the TOBB Chairman said banks must support the real sector in a time when the economy is suffering from lack of financement. ''This leads managements and markets to even bigger problems. The banks automatically reflect the interest increases to credit interests, but they don't do the same thing when the interests drop,'' he complained. Miras also reminded that Turkey entered the second half of the year without a budget and said a budget must be passed immediately. ''The government must form a realistic budget,'' he added. ''The budget must have a strong base. Otherwise the government's need for money will grow increasingly. The balance of income and expenditures must be maintained, and expenditures which have unclear sources must be avoided. We entered June without a budget. A budget which will now be formed must not encourage spending. Being economical must be the priority,'' he explained. The government must form an economical budget, bring new tax regulations, and the state must be restuctured, he stressed and said these changes will improve the economy as well as bureaucracy and even have positive reflections in social life. ''The Parliament must not enter a summer recession before it passes the social security and bank laws,'' Miras concluded his words. [09] TRIAL OF HEAD OF TERRORIST ORGANIZATION - THE FOURTH DAY OF THE TRIAL HAS BEGUN - CHIEF JUDGE OKYAY POSES QUESTIONS TO OCALANIMRALI ISLAND, June 3 (A.A) - The fourth day of the trial of Abdullah Ocalan, head of the terrorist organization, started on Imrali Island on Thursday. Accused Ocalan pointed out that he wanted to make an important appeal and said, ''I want to propose a peace congress to the PKK.''The first session of the fourth day began at 09:55 local time. Chief Judge Turgut Okyay, by showing the depositions, noted that they receive everyday hundreds of depositions from the relatives of martyrs and veterans to become intervenors, and asked them to stop sending these depositions. Okyay, speaking to intervenor lawyers, said ''if this continues, we will have difficulty in concluding the trial within a reasonable period.'' A total of 11 intervenor lawyers attended today's court session. Lawyers and relatives of the accused did not attend the court session. Okyay said lawyers of the accused sent a telegraph of excuse and that they were investigating it. He said the lawyers remarked they would not come to the court sessions because of their excuses, and that they wanted the date of the next court session to be announced to them. Okyay gave the right to speak to Ocalan on the issue and asked if he had a request or not. Accused Ocalan said, ''I want to learn why they did not come.'' Okyay: They could not come due to the problem of accomodation. Do you have a request? Ocalan: This depends on your questions. Okyay: Please give clear and sincere answers to the court. You can help the court this way. Do not give evasive answers. I ask you this: You said more crimes than those were mentioned in the indictment had been committed, and you said the solution is possible through a unitarian state. Are there any decisions taken at the party conference on this issue? Ocalan: I thank you for posing this question. The past caused pain to many people and left them in very difficult situation. I told about these in my defense to brighten up the future no matter how dark the past is. I want everyone to listen to this very carefully. This is very important for Turkey. The Soviet Union collapsed. Many countries went through regime changes. The PKK emerged in the 1970's. Are there any organizations which did not have faults? Are there any parties which don't blame each other? I said I can bring down those people on the mountains. If you give me the chance, I will do it. If there is a call for peace, the PKK will come to peace and brotherhood. You can ask why we are so late for approaching a democratic solution. I've given you some documents. You will see how sincere I am in those documents. I carried out a war within the organization. I suffered more pain than that is experienced here. I exerted great efforts to take the PKK under control. They said they trained five thousands fighters who were ready to risk their lives. I told that this was not right. Especially after 1993 and 1996, I said that the problem can be solved within the structure of a unitarian state and through development of democracy. It wasn't easy. I reached this stage in 20 years. The council of the organization with 6-7 members supports my view. In this context, three solution proposals were published in Ozgur Politika publication. If the government calls for peace, they will definitely receive an answer. It should not come as a surprise that we arrived at this line over twenty years. We came to the conclusion that violence will hinder a solution only after 20 years. I would like to make an important appeal: I would like to propose a peace congress to the PKK. I am hoping that this will bring peace. We already have a peace decision on this. We only need a positive answer. Our government should call for peace. When asked who were the ones that misled him in the international relations, Ocalan said that the PKK will stop being only negative, and will become the most important supporting force to the state. The only requirement was unity between everyone. Whatever our mistakes or sins let us have an opportunity. "Let us be united. The PKK will come down from the mountains and will give support as citizens. Nobody should misunderstand this.'' [10] TRIAL OF OCALAN, HEAD OF TERRORIST ORGANIZATION - A TOTAL OF 1,028 TURKISH AND FOREIGN JOURNALISTS APPLIED TO PRESS CENTRE UNTIL TODAY - 278 FOREIGN JOURNALISTS APPLY TO PRESS CENTRE IN MUDANYA COUNTY FOR ACCREDITATION - NEWS OF ANADOLU AJANSI IMMEDIATELY DELIVERED TO JOURNALISTS IN TURKISH, ENGLISH, AND FRENCHMUDANYA, June 3 (A.A) - A total of 278 foreign journalists applied for accreditation to the press center which was set up in Mudanya county of Bursa province by the Directorate General of Press and Information, it was reported on Thursday.The officials of the Directorate General of Press and Information said that a total of 1,028 Turkish and foreign journalists applied to attend the hearings of the trial of Abdullah Ocalan, the head of the terrorist organization, until today. The officials noted that the news of Anadolu Ajansi are immediately delivered to the journalists in Turkish, English, and French. The officials stated that the accreditation procedures which were started a month ago for the Turkish and foreign journalists, continue. A total of 1,028 journalists, including 750 Turkish, and 126 foreign journalists living in Turkey, and 152 foreign journalists who came to Turkey to follow the trial process, are accredited to the press center until today. A total of 278 foreign journalists from 24 countries, including Germany, Britain, Greece, France, and Italy, applied to follow the developments in Mudanya. Stressing that they provide all necessary facilities for the journalists, the officials emphasized that a total of 70 telephones and fax machines are present in the press center and that the number of lines can be increased to 300 if necessary. The journalists can watch the broadcasts of the television channels from seven televisions in the press center and can find books and booklets about Turkey in the stands. The press center which was set up with the contributions of Bursa Governorship and which gives 24-hour service, will be open until the end of the trial process. [11] DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER BAHCELI: ''TECHNOLOGY PLAYS CENTRAL ROLE IN SOCIAL CHANGE''ANKARA, June 3 (A.A) - Devlet Bahceli, the State Minister and the Deputy Prime Minister said on Thursday that technology plays a central role in social change at EUREKA 10th Inter-Parliamentary Conference.''Technological developments, especially in global process, created important problems on the economic relations between societies. One of these problems is that technology is produced in certain countries. Second one is the dynamism created by technological competition, and the third one is the need for technological cooperation. There are different ways through which these problems might be overcome. The most effective method that will motivate sustainable development is the expansion of international cooperation,'' Bahceli stated. In countries with developing industries, the economic development mainly depends on the dynamism of small or middle scale industrial institutions, Bahceli pointed out and continued: ''We regard EUREKA's initiative as an environment which covers civilian initiatives rather than being a bureaucratic structure,'' Bahceli noted. [12] TRIAL OF HEAD OF TERRORIST ORGANIZATION - CHIEF JUDGE OKYAY AND INTERVENOR LAWYERS POSE QUESTIONS TO ACCUSED OCALANIMRALI ISLAND, June 3 (A.A) - Accused Abdullah Ocalan, head of the terrorist organization, said on Thursday that political tendency, not aid, lied under the basis of the attitude of Greece towards him. Ocalan said Greece wanted to undermine them as of 1993, because they inclined towards peace, and claimed that Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis, in the year 1996, said ''this man (implying Ocalan) will be sacrificed, nobody should protect him.''Accused Ocalan, responding to the question of Chief Judge Okyay, at the first session, said ''Athens wanted to crucify me and make me give my last breath in Turkey. I warned Athens that Turkish-Kurdish conflict will be incited if I am killed.'' Here are the questions Chief Judge Okyay posed to the accused and the responses of the accused Ocalan: Okyay: Greece gave an aid worth of 40,000 U.S. dollars to purchase weapons from Syria. Is that true? Ocalan: Greece gives aid. Political aims, not a desire to aid, form the basis of the attitude of Greece towards me. Greece wanted to undermine us because we entered into a peace tendency as of 1993. Simitis, in the year 1996, implying me, said (this man will be sacrificed. Nobody should protect him.) Besides, Greece did not accept me as I entered the peace process, although it accepted European representative of PKK and members of leftist organizations in Athens. Athens wanted to crucify me and make me give my last breath in Turkey. I warned... I said, ''You are doing wrong. Turkish- Kurdish conflict will be incited if I am killed, and responsibility of this will be yours.'' This is a game. Okyay: How much financial aid did you provide for HADEP's establishment? Ocalan: I think, they asked for help during the period of either HEP or HADEP. We gave them 200 thousand German Marks. But I don't know who were the mediators in this matter. Okyay: Did you get the mines from Italy? Because they were produced in Italy. Ocalan: I really don't know. There are lots of mines which were made in Italy. When you go to a market in Iraq, you can find everything, including mines. Okyay: Some European journalists took money from the PKK to help and support it and make its propaganda. What do you know on this? Ocalan: I don't have any information on this issue. However, the members of the organization who are responsible in Europe might have carried out such an activity. Okyay: It is said that the PKK meets election campaign expenses of some European parliamentarians. Ocalan: I will repeat the same things on this too. Intervenor lawyers also posed questions to accused Abdullah Ocalan, by permission of Chief Judge Turgut Okyay. Accused terrorist responded to the questions. Question: It is said that annual budget of PKK is 250 million U.S. dollars. Where do you keep the money of the organization? Ocalan: Most of it is in Europe. There is not much in Syria. Friendly people give the money and they are invested in many banks. I have heard that they favour Switzerland. Also, they had an intention to set up a bank. They have been investing the money to many banks in Switzerland. The people whom I call as friends, are people who are working in Europe. Those friends may invest the money wherever they want. Question: Where are the archives of the organization, and under whose control? Ocalan: They are in various places. Most of them are in Europe. Some of them are in Syria and Iraq. They are under the control of members of the organization who are responsible for those regions. Somebody, having code name (Sahin), was responsible for the archives in Europe and there was also Kani Yilmaz. They were under the responsibility of someone with code name (Delil) in the Middle East. The person with code name (Mahir) has the responsibility in the Caucasus. Also, there are headquarters in Iraq. There are many responsible members there. Question: The person with code name (Sahin) is mentioned much in the statements. What is his real name? Ocalan: I know his name. He is one of the Syrian Kurds. [13] TRIAL OF HEAD OF TERRORIST ORGANIZATION - CHIEF JUDGE OKYAY SAYS AN ACCOMMODATION IS FOUND FOR THE LAWYERS AND RELATIVES OF THE ACCUSEDIMRALI ISLAND, June 3 (A.A) - Turgut Okyay, Chief Judge of Ankara State Security Court (DGM), said on Thursday that an accommodation was found for the lawyers and relatives of the accused Abdullah Ocalan, head of the terrorist organization.In the fourth day of the trial, Chief Judge Okyay said, ''I want to announce this to the whole Turkish and foreign public'', adding that ''an accommodation was found to the relatives and lawyers with the initiative of the court, in Guesthouse of Sumerbank. Also two minibuses were allocated to them.'' Noting that the lawyers and the relatives of the accused will be informed about this, Chief Judge Okyay said this issue will also be recorded in the minutes of the court session. [14] NATO'S AIR OPERATION AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA - TURKISH F-16 WAR PLANES ACCUMULATE A TOTAL OF 1,821 FLIGHT HOURSANKARA, June 3 (A.A) - Turkish F-16 war planes that participate in the NATO's air operation against Yugoslavia accumulated a total of 1,821 flight hours, it was reported on Thursday.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, flew 25 hours on June 2. According to the latest figures, there are 16,790 refugees in Turkey; 50 thousand in Serbia; 65,300 in Montenegro; 443,000 in Albania; 257,500 in Macedonia; 21,500 in Bosnia-Herzegovina, and 79,758 in other countries. A total of 16,790 Kosovar refugees including 6,237 women, 5,218 men, and 5, 335 children have entered Turkey from Istanbul, the Tekirdag-Corlu border gate, and from the Edirne-Kapikule border gate in the last 24 hours. A total of 7,233 Kosovar refugees have been provided shelters in the Gaziosmanpasa Refugee Camp in Kirklareli province. Turkey has provided shelters for a total of 5,800 Kosovar refugees in camps in Macedonia and Albania. Both camps have capacity to host 20 thousand refugees. The statement noted that the humanitarian aid of Turkish Red Crescent for the Kosovar refugees in Albania arrived at the camp today. The aid for the refugees in Albania will be sent to Albania by five lorries today. [15] TRIAL OF HEAD OF TERRORIST ORGANIZATION - CHIEF JUDGE OKYAY AND INTERVENOR LAWYERS POSE QUESTIONS TO ACCUSED OCALANIMRALI ISLAND, June 3 (A.A) - Accused Abdullah Ocalan, head of the terrorist organization, said on Thursday that he wanted so-called ''Kurdish Parliament in Exile'' not to show an approach based on enmity towards Turkey.Ocalan noted that people did not approach in a friendly manner to him in Russia, adding that people were respectful to him in Turkey and that there was no pressure on him and the lawyers. Invervenor lawyers then posed questions to accused Ocalan. The questions of intervenor lawyers and the responses of Ocalan are as follows: Question: Do you have representations in Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, and Kazakhstan? Ocalan: It is not so strong in Uzbekistan. Yet, our representations in Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan are strong. They have positive relations with the people there. Our representation in Moscow supports them financially. Question: Did the Welfare Party (RP) establish relations with the PKK through Mazlum-Der? Ocalan: They wanted to have contacts with us. Yet, nobody could contact me. There may be some relations at low-level. Question: If you want to contribute to peace, and if you want your message to be enduring, will you have a message to the so-called Kurdish Parliament in exile? Ocalan: This issue is very important. Thank you for asking. This parliament has turned into an organization which aims at gathering all Kurds within its body under the name of national congress. They have elected me as the honorary chairman. We want an atmosphere of lasting peace and friendship with the democratic republic, with Turkey. They should not approach Turkey on the basis of enmity. They should approach with friendship. They should know that future of Kurds lies in Turkey. My mother is Turkoman and speaks Turkish. I am in an intense effort on the issue. Question: In his interrogation the accused said that he was not tortured or insulted. Several German parliamentarians speak on the contrary. Is this true? Ocalan: This is a wide-spead approach. I have gone to Europe. They have not approached humanely to me in Italy and Moscow. I preferred Turkey. I will be in Turkey even if I die, or live. I have received support in Turkey. There was no pressure on me or on my lawyers. People approached me with respect in Turkey. This is the approach of the state especially during my interrogation. I will also be respectful. Question: Have you ever met with Udo Steinbach, the Director of German East Institute? Ocalan: I think that Germany's ideas about the PKK and myself are different. The opinion of Germany about me is based on exclusion. I met with this person three years ago. We mostly discussed the Middle East issue in the meeting. The result of the meeting concerning me was my exclusion. Germany has her own concept. If I preferred Turkey, this has an intensive base. I've exchanged letters since 1996. I have received signs about integration. We have been so late in reaching this point of view. Nobody should doubt that we have good will. Question: Is Brigitte Bohler is both your lawyer and the lawyer of the organization? Ocalan: I have heard that name. She visited me when I was in Rome. I told her ''even if I come from the sky like Jesus Christ; you, the Europeans cannot even say 'hello'.'' This person is neither my lawyer nor my representative. Question: Did Yalcin Kucuk say from whom he got the information that you had to change your place because there will be operations? Ocalan: He said that he has many acquiantances in the bureaucracy. He said that a bureaucrat who is close to the Motherland Party informed him. Question: Did the Welfare Party ask you to support their candidates in the 1994 local elections through the mediation of Sheikh Osman? Ocalan: I have heard of Sheikh Osman. But, I haven't met him. He can be a friend of the Welfare Party. The Welfare Party did not ask for our support. Moreover, this person carried out efforts which were against us. Anyway, we will not give such support to the Welfare Party. Because we wanted to run for mayorship independently. Question: Did the PKK support Armenia in its war with Azerbaijan? Ocalan: The PKK did not side with Armenia. Armenians had a map problem which also included the South East. We did not accept this. We said we don't have a map either. Our relations ended because of this. Question: Did Turgut Ozal send a courier to talk to you? Ocalan: I did not talk with Ozal on the phone during the ceasefire period in 1993. We were communicating through Talabani. We talked to Cengiz Candar and Mehmet Ali Birand, the journalists. Cengiz Candar did not bring a message from the President. He said Ozal was determined and full of hope. Question: Did you appoint Kahraman Bilgic to make confessions? Ocalan: No, I don't think so. He is someone who is trying to play both ends. I heard that he got involved in dark relations. Question: The PKK kidnapped Yucel Zeydan and killed him, is this true? Ocalan: As far as I know, Mustafa Zeydan has a son and if you mean him he is alive. The statements of Semdin Sakik on this issue are not true. Question: How much money do you have? Ocalan: I don't have anything. I don't feel a need for this. I can obtain money from any unit that I like. [16] TRIAL OF OCALAN, HEAD OF TERRORIST ORGANIZATION - ACCUSED OCALAN: ''I BELIEVE IN ATATURK NATIONALISM''IMRALI ISLAND, June 3 (A.A) - Accused Abdullah Ocalan, head of the terrorist organization, said on Thursday that there was a very serious democratic problem in the Kurdish community, adding that the Agha-Sheikh- Clan triangle was an obstacle in front of democratization.Accused Ocalan, responded to the question of Chief Judge Okyay, at the first session. Here are the questions of intervenor lawyers and responses of Ocalan: Question: Do you know someone whose name is Alp Urungu? Ocalan: I am trying to learn about Turkish history. I know how they became Moslems. They are people of Turkish origin in Central Asia. Question: Do you share the views of Dr. Mehmet Sukru Sekman from the Paris Kurdish Institute? Ocalan: There was an association in 1920's named Kurdish Teali (Development). It was in connection with the Axis States. I know that all the Kurdish organizations experienced disunity. I believe in Ataturk nationalism and cultural nationalism. Ataturk nationalism extends till Hittites. I believe in the requirement of gathering under the roof of democratic republic. Question: Do you agree with the ideas of Ziya Gokalp? Ocalan: I fully agree with his article about ''Kurds and Turks'' which he wrote in 1922. Question: Can you give information about the training camps in Moscow? Ocalan: There is a village which the Kurds bought in Russia. There are cultural and theoretical studies there. Question: Mrs. Mitterand has an excessive sympathy for PKK. What is her relations with the organization? Ocalan: It is true that she has relations. She has relations with Kendal Nezan (the Head of the Kurdish Institute in Paris). She shows sympathy to us in recent days. But I have not seen a practical advantage of this. After the questions ended, Fuat Turgut, intervenor lawyer, said that he wanted to give Ocalan a book of Resat Genc which is titled ''Colours In Our Turkish Beliefs and National Traditions: Yellow, Red, Green.'' After Okyay, Chief judge, got the book from the lawyer; Ocalan thanked Turgut by nodding his head. Later, the names of the intervenors started to be written down in the minutes at 11.00 a.m. and this procedure ended at 11.40 a.m. After the procedure ended, four intervenors took the floor. Chief Judge Okyay cautioned them to speak and act in moderation. Munevver Akti, one of the intervenors, said that her son died seven years, ten months, and three days ago. Akti said, ''the one who feels the pain knows what pain is. We want the end of these pains. I have undergone treatment for a long time. I want to strike a paw at the one who hurt our hearts.'' Ercan Kurtkayasi, an intervenor who told that his brother was killed on May 29, 1991 by the terrorist organization, showed his reaction by saying ''I am asking justice to punish this man with the heaviest sentence. I would have done anything for my brother. But I can't do anything to this man. May God punish him.'' Nimet Paspinar and Emine Cira, two other intervenors submitted a written deposition to the court as they couldn't talk because of their psychological situation. Cahit Torun, one of the intervenor lawyers, noted that Ocalan has been displaying ''good manners'' since the trial began and they were pleased with this. Torun asked Ocalan what he implied by ''democratic Republic'' phrase which he used frequently during his trial. Ocalan answered this question as follows: ''This is an important concept for me. It is one of the key concepts. There is still a very serious democratic problem in the Kurdish society. The agha, sheikh, and clan triangle forms a barrier between Kurds and the State. It prevented it to become a free society. We want this to be removed. When this is eliminated, Kurds and Turks will unite. The Republic will gain strength. This cannot be emphasized enough.'' [17] TRIAL OF HEAD OF TERRORIST ORGANIZATION - INTERVENOR LAWYERS ANNOUNCE THEIR VIEWS REGARDING THE MERITS OF THE CASEIMRALI ISLAND, June 3 (A.A) - All the intervenor lawyers, who participated in the court session of the trial of Abdullah Ocalan, called for the execution of Ocalan under Article 125 of the Turkish Penal Code.Hulagu Balcilar, one of the Intervenor Lawyers, said Turkish Republic would not bargain with Abdullah Ocalan, the head of terrorist organization. Chief Judge Turgut Okyay gave the right to speak to intervenor lawyers to put forward their views regarding the substance of the case. Lawyer Mehdi Keskin praised the Court Judges and republic prosecutors in his speech. Pointing out that Turkish Judges are independent, Keskin said: ''The accused is tried under Article 125 and capital punishment is asked for him. There is no doubt that crime of the accused is established. Accused carried his defense to a political platform, yet this will not save him. There is an Article which can save him from capital punishment. That is Article 59 of the Turkish Penal Code. Yet, it is impossible to apply this Article to the accused. His pleading and repentance showed the level to which he fell in the court,'' he said. Keskin recounted at length the crimes involved and that even children and elderly people were massacred by this terrorist organization. The relatives of the ones who were killed or injured due to PKK terrorism, cried during the speech of the intervenor lawyers. At this moment, Keskin turned to Ocalan and said, ''the martyrs never die, the motherland can never be divided.'' Emphasizing that the accused wanted to save himself and threatened Turkey fearing that he cannot be successful in saving himself, Keskin recalled that the accused said, ''I have to live. Otherwise, Turkey can face a worse calamity.'' Stating that the court delegation cannot apply 59th article, Keskin noted that he does not said this to be disrespectful to the court, but because it is not possible. Noting that he attended the medal ceremony for the martyrs in northern Kastamonu province, Keskin said, ''hang the label of capital punishment to Ocalan's neck. Cut this malignant tumor. The punishment of Ocalan should be increased if possible, not reduced. I want justice from you, not revenge. I am sure that you will give us justice. All the Turkish nation is expecting this justice from you.'' Stating that Turkish nation cries out ''justice, justice'' during this trial, Keskin said, ''do not pay attention to the begging and threats of Ocalan. Your decision will be recorded in the history of Turkish justice. I am expecting your decision. I want your fair decision together with 65 million citizens. Act as you know. We will welcome your decision.'' Hulagu Balcilar, another intervenor lawyer, said that he totally agrees with the views of Keskin. Balcilar pointed out that Ocalan tries to make people forget the past by referring to today and future, rather than the past. Noting that filing the lawsuit in accordance with the 125th article was correct, Balcilar stressed that the accused does not make a contribution to the trial by accepting his crimes. Balcilar said, ''if he were not in the glass box, could he say the things he had said here? This trial should be an example to the gangs on the mountain. The end of this path leads to execution.'' ''The accused determined his own fate. Turkish Republic does not bargain with Abdullah Ocalan,'' Balcilar added. Balcilar said that democratic rights must be gained through democratic ways, and added, ''a decision must be taken as soon as possible, and it must be carried out. This decision will not only be a lesson, but also ease the pains of the families of terrorism victims.'' Nizar Savas, Fuat Turgut and Ruhi Bacanli, intervenor lawyers stated that they completely agreed with Keskin's words and asked the court to give Ocalan the death penalty. A break was given to the hearing until 2 p.m. - NOTES- The Chief Judge Okyay declined Turgut's request by saying ''I am not asking this question. People's origin is not important for us, it is their humanity that counts.'' Mehmet Maras, an alternate judge of the court, continues to attend the hearings. The Ankara State Security Court (DGM) Chief Prosecutor Cevdet Volkan did not attend the hearing in the morning and Talat Salk filled in for him. [18] TRIAL OF HEAD OF TERRORIST ORGANIZATION - AKTAS, INTERVENOR LAWYER, ''15-YEAR OLD VIOLENCE CANNOT BE ERASED BY A SINGLE APOLOGY AND UNREALISTIC CALLS FOR PEACE''IMRALI ISLAND, June 3 (A.A) - Unsal Aktas, one of the intervenor lawyers, said on Thursday that ''a 15-year-old violence cannot be erased by a single apology and calls for peace.''Speaking on the fourth day of the trial of accused Abdullah Ocalan, head of the terrorist organization, Aktas said he shared the views of his colleagues. Aktas said accused Ocalan tried to demonstrate a different approach in the court, adding that his strategy was untruthful and disguised. ''The accused is responsible in the first degree for countless individual and mass murders. A 15-year-old violence cannot be erased with a dry apology and unrealistic calls for peace,'' Aktas pointed out. Aktas said that the indictment satisfied them on a legal basis, and he requested that death penalty for the accused be applied. Describing Ocalan as a ''crime machine'', Aktas noted that there is not a single reason which can reduce the crime of the accused who committed the crime of treason. Aktas said, ''although I am a jurist who is against capital punishment, I request the accused be sentenced to capital punishment which he deserves.'' Cengiz Erkoyuncu, another intervenor lawyer, said that he totally agrees with the deposition which was prepared by five lawyers and which was read out by Mehdi Keskin. Erkoyuncu said, ''I am the youngest of the intervenor lawyers. I totally agree with the statement of Keskin. I have nothing to add.'' Erkoyuncu stated that it is not possible to reduce the punishment of the accused because the crimes of the PKK which the accused set up aimed at dividing the country. Zeki Haci Ibrahimoglu, another intervenor lawyer, said that he agrees with all the former statements and that the crime which is attributed to the accused, has occured. Ibrahimoglu reiterated his demand for sentencing Ocalan to death penalty and not reducing the punishment. Mukremin Turkmen, another intervenor lawyer, said that PKK and Ocalan led to enormous destructions and that he carries the burden of all pains on his shoulders. Emphasizing that the accussed committed the crimes which were not approved of by his own lawyers, and that he confirmed committing these crimes in court, Turkmen said, ''we cannot expect repentance from the accused who committed the most bloody massacres of the world for 15 years. The peace and brotherhood promises he gave in the hearings are not sincere, they are a message to the countries which support him.'' Turkmen, said the accused has no right to apply to the European Court of Human Rights because of the crimes he committed, and stressed that his application should not be taken into consideration even if made. The trial will take its place in the Turkish history of law, he pointed out and said Ocalan worsens the suffering of families of terrorism victims by his insincere behaviours. He asked him to be punished with death penalty. The intervenor lawyers continue to put forward their views regarding the merits of the case. [19] TRIAL OF OCALAN, HEAD OF TERRORIST ORGANIZATION - TORUN, INTERVENOR LAWYER CALLS OUT TO ACCUSED OCALAN: ''YOU PLAYED BIG, BUT LOST THE GAME'' - DAILY NEWS TO BE GIVEN TO ACCUSED OCALAN STARTING FROM FRIDAYIMRALI ISLAND, June 3 (A.A) - Cahit Torun, one of the intervenor lawyers, called out to accused Abdullah Ocalan, the head of the terrorist organization PKK, on Thursday and said, ''you played big, but lost the game.''Noting that a good side of the head of the terrorist organization PKK is his efforts to learn Turkey's history and to try to educate himself, Torun said, ''I have doubts about my blood, but I don't have any doubt about the blood of Kurds, because they are Turkish.'' Torun explained the process that passed since the foundation of the terrorist organization PKK and he also listed the illegal subordinate organizations of the PKK. Pointing out that each decision of the State Security Courts is distinguished, Torun said that ''there are 46 death sentences that wait to be approved by the parliament, but they are still kept waiting. Is there a more democratic behaviour than that? These sentences are kept waiting due to political considerations and they will be turned to life imprisonment in time. You can't touch the Constitution, because the Constitution has been accepted by 98 percent of the population.'' Torun said that the Ocalan's lawyers, in their defense, will say ''did Ocalan kill a person?'', adding ''can the founder of an organization take a weapon in his hand, go to a hamlet and kill people there? However the accused has given the order of the all murders committed by the organization. Besides Article 125 of the Turkish Penal Code has even considered the attempt to do so as a crime.'' Describing the lawyers of the head of the terrorist organization as ''pack of children,'' Torun called out to the accused by saying ''hire sensible lawyers to yourself. I am a lawyer for 40 years. I also describe myself as uninformed from time to time.'' Calling out to the head of the terrorist organization PKK, Torun said ''it is said that the law on repentance will be adopted soon. There are people who compete for the Presidential System. Give the names of traitorous people within the state. Which one called you? Please talk comfortably and use your last defense right in front of the state. So that, those within the state can listen to you comfortably.'' After the completion of the intervenor lawyers' claims about the merits of the case, Mehmet Turgut Okyay, the Chief Judge, said that Cavit Erkalkan, the Chairman of Istanbul bureau of the Association of the Turkish Veterans, Martyrs, Widows and Orphans wishes to explain his views at the session. Talat Salk, the Prosecutor, asked the court delegation to refuse the request of Cavit Erkalkan. The court accepted this request. Okyay, the chief judge said that he met with the concerned officials to give daily newspapers to the accused Ocalan and dailies will be given to him starting from tomorrow. Okyay added that when the time comes, equal period of time and equal number of claims, and even more will be given to the lawyers of the accused as it is given to the intervenor lawyers in accordance with the principle of ''equal arms.'' Cengiz Erkoyuncu, an intervenor lawyer claimed that the possibility of the Ocalan's lawyers to attend tomorrow's hearing is weak, asking the trial to be postponed to Monday. After asking the accused whether he had a request at this stage, Okyay, the chief judge said that the documents Ocalan wishes will be given to him. Ocalan, the accused said, ''I don't have any request at the moment, however I can correspond with the court.'' The chief judge postponed the court session to Friday morning. [20] DIE ANNOUNCES MONTHLY AND ANNUAL INFLATION RATES OF MAYANKARA, June 3 (A.A) - The State Statistics Institute (DIE) announced the monthly and annual inflation rates of May 1999 on Thursday.The wholesale price increased by 3.2 percent while the consumer price increased by 2.9 in May. The DIE statement said that the annual inflation rate of wholesale prices was 50.0 percent in May whereas the annual inflation rate of consumer prices was 63.0. The five-month inflation rate of wholesale prices was 21.0 percent while the five-month inflation rate of consumer prices was 21.5 percent in May 1999. Meanwhile, the annual inflation rate in accordance with the 12-month averages in May was realized as 57.0 percent in wholesale prices and 71.3 percent in consumer prices. [21] ECEVIT ASKS TOBB, TUSIAD, ASO, AND ISO TO SUBMIT HIM A REPORT ON ECONOMYANKARA, June 3 (A.A) - Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit asked leading business assosiations and chambers to submit a report consisted of their views and suggestions on economy.He asked from Turkish Chambers and Commodity Exchanges Union (TOBB), Turkish Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association (TUSIAD), Ankara Industry Chamber (ASO), and Istanbul Industry Chamber (ISO) to submit a report consisted of their views and suggestions on economy. Fuat Miras, the TOBB Chairman said that they presented a report on economy to Ecevit; Devlet Bahceli, the Deputy Prime Minister, and Mesut Yilmaz, the leader of the Motherland Party on Wednesday. In their report, Miras said, they demanded that certain laws must be rapidly passed by the Parliament. The expectations of TOBB from the new government were also included in TOBB's report. The Banks Law and Social Security Law, and EU adjustment laws must be immediately, the report emphasized. The TOBB Chairman said the TOBB Tax Speciality Commission will brief them about tax regulations during their meeting on June 7, Monday. Another meeting on economy will be held on June 10, Thursday which will be attended by Chairmen of Chambers, he said. In the meantime, TUSIAD, ASO, and ITO are working on their reports. [22] GENERAL STAFF: ''PARTICIPATION OF TURKISH ARMED FORCES IN KOSOVO OPERATION IS TOTALLY CONSTITUTIONAL''ANKARA, June 3 (A.A) - A statement released by the Office of General Staff on Thursday said that the decisions taken regarding the participation of the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) in Kosovo Operation were totally constitutional.''The participation of TSK with 950 people to the NATO force of 50 thousand, is to secure the implementation of a peace agreement if an agreement is signed, to assure the safe return of refugees to their homes, and to support infrastructure services. All these were discussed in related platforms including the National Security Council, and it was approved by the Parliament on November 8, 1998. The Minister of Council's decision dated March 12, 1999 gave authorization to General Staff to form and send a troop which waited in Ankara's Mamak ready for duty,'' the General Staff explained in the statement. ''The participation of Turkish aircrafts in the operation was decided at the Parliament on December 18, 1998. The European Allied Forces Commandership decided on the missions that will be carried out by the participating planes. Therefore, Turkish planes are given attack or defense missions by this Commandership. The usage of military airports by the NATO planes was permitted by the Ministers Council, and the selection of a port which is a technical issue was left to General Staff Directorate,'' it also noted. The statement also covered the humanitarian aid given to the refugees. ''NATO's Kosovo Operation does not aim to spread the war to the Balkans. It is to give an end to ethnical cleansing and carnage in Kosovo. The Turkish Armed Forces which is a NATO member is contributing to the operation within the decisions of the political authority and Constitution,'' it was said in the statement. [23] ISLETS PROBLEM IN THE AEGEAN - PROF. DR. IZDAR, CHAIRMAN OF KOCA PIRI REIS FOUNDATION: ''CLAIMING POSSESSION ON GRAY ISLETS AND ROCK ISLANDS IS AN EXTENSION OF GREECE'S (MEGALI IDEA)''IZMIR, June 3 (A.A) - Prof. Dr. Erol Izdar, Chairman of Koca Piri Reis Foundation, said on Thursday that ''claiming possession on gray islets and rock islands in the Aegean Sea was an extension of of Greece's Megali Idea, adding that this country has carried out its expansionist policy on the islands since 1911.Prof. Dr. Izdar, who also acts as the Chairman of Islamic Countries Oceanography Science and Technology Center based in Izmir, told A.A correspondent that there were several islets and rock islands in the Aegean Sea in the border region whose names were not mentioned in international agreements. Izdar said they are called as ''gray islands'' in international law and maritime. Izdar pointed out that Greece unilaterally claims to extend the borders of its territorial waters from six miles to 12 miles, and that crisis erupted several times on issues like Flight Information Region (FIR) line. ''Greece, since 1911, claims possession on the islands and all parts of territories on the Aegean and she targetted broadening her borders. To this end, she is trying to open these gray islets to settlement one by one,'' he said. ''A short time ago, they wanted to create same kind of crisis in Kardak and Platia islets. Now this scenerio is put to the stage in Esek islet. Kardak, Platia, and Esek Adasi (Angathonisi) are gray islets, meaning they don't belong to anybody. There are similar places in land borders. There are several gray border regions in our Southeast border. Those places also don't belong to anybody. They are borders. These are problematic issues which continously cause political clashes of two countries.'' Izdar said attitude of Greece in attempting to claim possession on the gray islands in the Aegean Sea cannot be explained as coincidence, and noted that ''they are creating an artificial tension when the attention of the world is turned on Turkey due to the trial of Abdullah Ocalan, head of the terrorist organization. If Turkey says 'they're mine' for these islets in such an atmosphere, Greece will have the opportunity to say that 'look, they always do the same.' Greece targets to make use of opportunities in such an atmosphere. She is in an effort to realize her biggest ideal (megali idea) by adding all the Aegean and some parts of Marmara within her borders. This is an illness and passion of Greece.'' Izdar pointed out that it was impossible for Greece to claim possession on these gray islets by giving names. Erol Izdar said that it is inevitable for the two countries to sit at a table and solve important problems, adding that ''they will not lead to anywhere with these crises. Foreign Ministers, officials, and scientists of the two countries should reach a solution and the governments should abide by them.'' [24] PREMIER ECEVIT SAYS THAT HIS WORDS ABOUT ITALIAN JOURNALISTS STEM FROM MISUNDERSTANDINGMUDANYA, June 3 (A.A) - Premier Bulent Ecevit said on Thursday that his words about the Italian journalists stem from misunderstanding.Ecevit sent a message by mediation of Aydın Sezgin, the Director General of Press and Information to Italian journalists working in Mudanya county of Bursa province. This message has been given to the Italian RAI representative by Aydın Sezgin to be conveyed to Italian journalists. Aydın Sezgin said that the words of Bulent Ecevit, saying that Italian journalists left Turkey, stemmed from misunderstanding, adding Ecevit expressed his sorrow as being a former journalist. Bulent Ecevit also wished success to Italian journalists working in Mudanya county. A group of 22 Italian journalists who came to Mudanya province for the trial of Abdullah Ocalan, the head of the terrorist organization PKK and who introduced themselves as Italian journalists, had left Turkey on the second day of the trial. Premier Ecevit had told his party group meeting about this issue. [25] 10TH EURAKA INTERPARLIAMENTARY CONFERENCE - AKBULUT, PARLIAMENT SPEAKER: - ''WE WILL CONTINUE TO SUPPORT THE IMPROVEMENT OF COOPERATION IN EUROPE BY OUR POLICIES WHICH FORESEE THE USAGE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY FOR THE WELFARE AND HAPPINESS OF THE HUMANITY''ANKARA, June 3 (A.A) - The 10th Eureka Interparliamentary Conference started in the parliament on Thursday.Addressing a speech in the opening ceremony of the conference, Yildirim Akbulut, the Parliament Speaker, said that they will continue to support the improvement of cooperation in Europe by their policies which foresee the usage of science and technology for the welfare and happiness of the humanity. Akbulut noted that Euroka, which aims at setting up joint projects to improve the technologies between the industrial and research organizations and which is formed by the attendance of 25 European countries and the European Union (EU) Commission, continues to develop in the 21st century. Akbulut said, ''Euroka is a useful and important platform which is the best example of the cooperation and solidarity in Europe since it was set up. The principles which were included in the Hannover Declaration (that was adopted by the Euroka Ministers' Conference in 1985) are still valid today. However, we should not think that these principles are enough and we should carry Euroka to the 21st century. I think that this is the responsibility of all the members.'' Akbulut stressed that Europe will continue to contribute to the joint technological developments within the framework of the principles of this declaration. Akbulut said, ''we feel pleased about the participation of Turkish industrialist organizations, universities and research units in the projects of Euroka. The number of projects in which the Turkish organizations participate, increased from five to 25 between 1995 and 1998. We expect that this number will increase to 47 by the middle of 1999.'' [26] KOLN SUMMIT OF EU - PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT: ''AT THIS STAGE, THE RESULT IS NOT CLEAR''ANKARA, June 3 (A.A) - Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said on Thursday that it is not clear whether or not a positive message about Turkey's full- membership will come out at the European Union's (EU) summit in Germany.When asked whether a positive message for Turkey's full-membership will come out at the EU Summit, Ecevit said, ''I don't know but there is Germany's good willing initiative about this issue and some EU countries support this. However, the result is not clear at this moment.'' Responding to another question while leaving the Prime Ministry building, Ecevit said they frequently correspond with German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder through letters. When reminded that he received Foreign Minister Ismail Cem two times the same day, Ecevit said, ''we don't only monitor the Imrali issue. Many events take place in the world. We also discussed the Kosovo issue.'' Prime Minister Ecevit said the programme of the 57th government will be read out at the parliament on Friday so the meeting of the cabinet can't be held. [27] KOLN SUMMIT OF EU - GERMAN CHANCELLOR SCHROEDER REFERS TO CYPRUS AND SOUTHEAST ISSUES IN HIS RESPONSE TO PREMIER ECEVIT'S LETTERKOLN, June 3 (A.A) - Gerhard Schroeder, the German Chancellor, in his response to Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit's letter, mentioned that Turkey should fulfil the Copenhagen criteria to be a full-member of the European Union (EU) referring to the Cyprus and Southeast issues, it was reported on Thursday.The content of Schroeder's letter to Ecevit started to become clear while the EU's Koln Summit continues. Noting that the Cyprus issue should be solved within the framework of the U.N. resolutions, Schroeder, in his letter, said Turkey should not feel as if she was excluded concerning the issue of membership to the EU while some decisions are being given about some candidate countries like Poland and Hungary. Sources said Schroeder, in his letter, stated that Turkey knows what she has to do for her candidacy for membership to the EU, and within that framework, she should provide concordance to the Copenhagen criteria. Sources said Schroeder, the Chancellor of the EU Term President Germany conveyed Prime Minister Ecevit's letter to other members and took their opinion. Schroeder and Jacques Chirac, the President of France, assumed a more positive attitude towards Turkey's membership at the sessions of the summit while Tony Blair, the prime Minister of Britain, stated that Ecevit's letter will contribute to enlivenment of the Turkish-EU relations. Sources said the Greek delegates, who assumed a negative attitude towards Turkey's membership, defended at the sessions the view that the message regarding Turkey should be adjourned till the next EU summit. Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit sent a letter to German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder prior to the EU's Koln Summit, expressing his expectation for a clear message for Turkey's full-membership to the EU. [28] PRESIDENT DEMIREL VISITS INTERNATIONAL PHOTOGRAPH EXHIBITION OF AP - DEMIREL: ''PEOPLE NEED NEWS. I THINK NEWS IS MUCH MORE IMPORTANT THAN BASIC REQUIREMENTS OF LIFE FOR A CIVILIZED PERSON''ISTANBUL, June 3 (A.A) - President Suleyman Demirel said on Thursday that people feel the need for news, adding, ''I think news is much more important than the basic needs of life for a civilized person. Civilized person needs accurate news.''President Demirel visited the same day the International Photograph Exhibition of the Associated Press (AP) which congratulates the 150th anniversary of its foundation, at the Dolmabahce Culture Center in Istanbul. Stressing that AP is a big news agency, Demirel said that AP institutionalized journalism and it reports accurate news about the world. ''People need news. I think news is more important than the basic requirements of life for a civilized person. Civilized person feels the need for accurate news. This enables the civilized person to make a true judgement and give true decision. Here, what the AP is exhibiting is appropriate to its esteem, credit, fame and professional efficiency. Here, important events of the century are being exhibited,'' President said. [29] PRESIDENT DEMIREL VISITS INTERNATIONAL PHOTOGRAPH EXHIBITION OF APISTANBUL, June 3 (A.A) - President Suleyman Demirel said on Thursday that ''in the 20th century, the Ottoman Empire which we celebrate its 700th foundation anniversary, collapsed. The Great Ataturk together with the great Turkish nation has founded the democratic, secular and modern Turkish Republic from the ashes of the Ottoman state.''President Demirel visited the same day the International Photograph Exhibition of the Associated Press (AP) which congratulates the 150th anniversary of its foundation, at the Dolmabahce Culture Center in Istanbul. In his speech, President Demirel said that the 20th century witnessed many things particularly the collapse of the empires, including the collapse of the Ottoman empire. ''The Marxist ideology took the control of 35 percent of the world population in the 20st century. But as a result, it collapsed together with the Berlin Wall. It was not the Berlin Wall, but the ideology which fell down,'' said President Demirel. ''When we come to the end of this century, we see democracy in 75 countries. Some of these democracies are stable, some of them seem similar to democracy and the others are just a tragedy,'' said President Demirel. Noting that the art of photography is one of the most precious branches of art, President Demirel said ''photos of politicians are frequently taken.'' Totally 135 photos are displayed in the exhibition of AP including 22 photos which brought Pulitzer Award in Photography to the AP since 1992. [30] MILANO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE CHAIRMAN SANGALLI VISITS ISTANBUL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE CHAIRMAN YILDIRIMISTANBUL, June 3 (A.A) - Mehmet Yildirim, the Chairman of the Executive Board of the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce (ITO), said on Thursday that Turkey does not have a problem concerning Kurds, calling the Italian businessmen to explain the truths to the Italian public.Carlo Sangalli, the Chairman of the Milano Chamber of Commerce, visited the same day Mehmet Yildirim. Mehmet Yildirim said that the economic relations between Turkey and Italy entered into recession period with the capture of Abdullah Ocalan, the head of the terrorist organization, in Italy six monthes ago. Pointing out that they, as the ITO, informed the Italian chambers of commerce about Turkey's rightfulness and requested them to explain it to Italian politicians, Yildirim said that ITO has 285 thousand members including Kurds and they make business in Istanbul. Noting that some powers incited the press and politicians in Italy against Turkey, Mehmet Yildirim said, ''we, as the businessmen of Italy and Turkey, have to explain the truths to the Turkish and Italian people. This is our duty.'' Stating that Italy supported Turkey's membership to the Europen Union (EU) till the eruption of the PKK issue, Yildirim said, ''Italy is the EU country which lastly applied visa to Turkey. The Turkish and Italian businessmen realize trade especially in textiles. A total of 85 percent of Turkey's total exports to Europe is made via Italy. Italy is an important commercial partner and an ally of Turkey. We faced some troubles due to some misunderstandings. I believe the friendly relations will start after our meeting with the Milano Chamber of Commerce.'' Milano Chamber of Comerce Chairman Carlo Sangalli said in his part that the aim of their visit is to strengthen the cooperation between Turkey and Italy which have historical ties. ''For Italy, Turkey is a bridge opening to the East, and for Turkey, Italy is a bridge opening to the West. They are in Mediterranean. The business and industrial circles welcome the Turkish companies. A total of 750 companies, which are the members of the Milano Chamber of Commerce, are cooperating with Turkey. These relations are positively developing. I believe it will be more positive,'' Sangalli said. [31] 10TH EUREKA INTERPARLIAMENTARY CONFERENCE - BAHCELI, DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER: ''DEVELOPMENTS BASED ON TECHNOLOGY CAN ONLY BE CONTINUOUS BY INSTITUTIONAL STRUCTURES AND INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION ORGANIZATIONS''ANKARA, June 3 (A.A) - Devlet Bahceli, the Deputy Prime Minister and the State Minister said on Thursday that ''the developments based on technology can only be continuous by institutional structures and international cooperation organizations which can solve the problems caused by technology.''Addressing the 10th EUREKA Interparliamentary Conference, Bahceli said that technology has a central role in the concept of development, adding ''the technological development has created important problems, one of them is concentration of technological production in certain countries, secondly the dynamism which stemmed from technological competition and thirdly the need for technological cooperation.'' Pointing out to the importance of the cooperation that will be set up between universities and the industry at the national level, Bahceli said this has to be broadened to the international level. ''We consider the EUREKA initiative as an atmosphere which also includes civilian initiatives,'' said Bahceli, adding that EUREKA can carry out important missions in respect of information, technology and production of project. [32] CANADIAN AMSASSADOR TO VISIT GAP REGIONSANLIURFA, June 3 (A.A) - Micheal Mach, the Canadian Amsassador to Turkey will come to southeastern province of Sanlıurfa on Friday to see the Southeastern Project (GAP) region and to hold various contacts, it is reported on Thursday.Regional Directorate of GAP Development Department said that the Canadian Ambassador will proceed to Mardin province from Sanlıurfa. The guest ambassador will firstly meet with Fikret Guven, the Mardin governor, hold some observations there and then return to Sanlıurfa province. A detailed briefing will be given to the Canadian Ambassador about the works on GAP, later the ambassador will observe the fields opened to irrigation and the works carried out at the Koruklu Research Station. Mach will later proceed to Harran county and spend the night in Sanlıurfa. The Canadian Ambassador to Turkey will lastly visit the aqua-culture installations in Ceylanpınar and leave the region on June 7. A.A Anadolu Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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