Anadolu Agency: News in English, 99-06-04

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AA Daily

04 June 1999 Friday

CONTENTS

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

[02] FOREIGN MINISTRY WELCOMES AND SUPPORTS THE ATTITUDE OF SERBS IN ACCEPTING THE PEACE PLAN

[03] TURKISH BANKING SYSTEM FROM THE VIEW POINTS OF FOREIGNERS - THOMPSON, DEPUTY CHAIRMAN OF THOMPSON BANK WATCH, SAYS ISSUING OF BANKING LAW WILL REDUCE RISK IN THE SYSTEM

[04] HALF MILLION TOURISTS VISIT ANTALYA IN FIRST FIVE MONTHS OF 1999, MORE EXPECTED TO COME IN JUNE

[05] CONSTRUCTION OF KARGAMIS AND BIRECIK DAMS PROGRESSING RAPIDLY

[06] PRESIDENT DEMIREL RECEIVES SPANISH CROWN PRINCE GRACIA IN DOLMABAHCE PALACE

[07] ULUGBAY, STATE MINISTER HOLDS A PRESS BRIEFING : ''SUPERVISION OF BANKS WILL BE IN FORCE AFTER JUNE 11 WITH ALL RULES''

[08] ULUGBAY, STATE MINISTER HOLDS A PRESS BRIEFING : ''THE FORMER LAW ON BANKS HAS BEEN TRANSFERRED TO PARLIAMENT AGAIN''

[09] TURKISH-SPANISH INVESTMENT AND COOPERATION MEETING - PRESIDENT DEMIREL: ''TURKEY IS A RELIABLE AND STABLE COUNTRY WHICH FITTED DEMOCRACY, SECULARISM, AND MARKET ECONOMY WELL''

[10] EU SUMMIT - DRAFT OF FINAL DECLARATION MENTIONS TURKEY

[11] ABKHAZIA PROBLEM TO BE NEGOTIATED IN ISTANBUL - TURKEY TARGETS GETTING ACTIVE ROLE IN SOLUTION OF ABKHAZIA PROBLEM

[12] TURKISH-SPANISH INVESTMENT AND COOPERATION MEETING - PRESIDENT DEMIREL: ''TURKEY WILL CONTINUE TO GROW IN ALL FIELDS AND UNDERTAKE NEW INVESTMENTS''

[13] NUMBER OF U.S. TROOPS AT INCIRLIK BASE INCREASED

[14] DEPLOYMENT OF ITALIAN ASPIDE MISSILES IN GREEK CYPRIOT SIDE - FM: ''THERE IS NO DOUBT THAT TURKEY WILL TAKE MEASURES AGAINST THE BEHAVIOURS WHICH WILL ENDANGER THE SECURITY OF TRNC'' - ''ITALY UNDERTAKES A SPECIAL RESPONSIBILITY BY BEING A NATO COUNTRY''

[15] GENERAL DIRECTORATE OF SECURITY SAYS IT RECEIVED A TIP-OFF SAYING THAT ILLEGAL IBDA-C ORGANIZATION WILL TRY TO ASSASSINATE PREMIER ECEVIT

[16] FM: ''PRESENT INFORMATION INDICATES THAT EU HAS NOT CHANGED ITS DISCRIMINATION POLICIES'' - ''WITHIN THIS CONTEXT, TURKEY SHOULD NOT BE EXPECTED TO CHANGE HER APPROACH IN HER RELATIONS WITH EU''

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

OKYAY OVERTURNS QUESTION REGARDING OCALAN'S ORIGIN
The Chief Judge Turgut Okyay told the intervenor lawyer, Fuat Turgut that ''such a question can not be posed,'' when Turgut wanted to ask Ocalan if his father was of Armenian origin. ''I am not asking this question. It is not someone's origin that we are interested in, it is his humanity,'' Okyay said.

NO PROBLEMS ON HEADSCARF
The programme of the coalition government formed by the Democratic Left Party(DSP), the National Movement Party (MHP), and the Motherland Party (ANAP) will be read out at the Parliament on Friday by Prime Minister Ecevit.

''The eight year long mandatory education program will continue. It is out of question to interfere with women's scarves in their private lives. However, it cannot be turned into a political symbol in public institutions which violates the basic principles of the Republic,'' it says in the programme.

SABAH (LIBERAL) HE BECOMES KEMALIST ALSO
Abdullah Ocalan, head of the terrorist organization, is wearing many faces to save his life. He was the baby killer, but now becomes the bird of peace. He was the separatist, but now becomes Ataturk nationalist. Ocalan started the fourth day of the trial by praising Turkey and calling on his supporters who are abroad, ''you should know that future of Kurds lies in Turkey.''

DGM CONFLICT IN ANAP
There was the State Security Court (DGM) conflict in the Motherland Party (ANAP). When Yasar Topcu did not sign the draft by saying Abdullah Ocalan, head of the terrorist organization, might be judged again if Constitution changes, Mesut Yilmaz, leader of ANAP, got angry and said ''why didn't you react when you were the minister. There is a weakness in your memory.'' Topcu, speaking about Turk, Minister of Justice, said ''powerless marxist''.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT) ''I BELIEVE IN ATATURK NATIONALISM''
Abdullah Ocalan, head of the terrorist organization, continued to confess his sins in the fourth day of the trial. He said he wanted to make an important call, ''I want to propose peace congress to PKK.'' Ocalan said he believed in Ataturk nationalism and culture nationalism, relations of Mrs. Mitterrand with PKK are correct, yet I did not see a benefit of this. Ocalan said Kurds were prevented from becoming an independent community, we want this to be lifted. Agha-Sheikh-Clan triangle is an obstacle in front of this.

MAJORITY IS OKAY FOR DGM CHANGE
The government seems to have provided the Parliamentary majority (367 votes) to make necessary Constitutional Changes related with the State Security Courts, without a requirement for a referendum. Virtue Party (FP), who wants DGMs to be annuled as a whole, and who is getting prepared to submit a motion in the General Assembly to this end, decided not to oppose to the initiative to civilize DGMs at this stage.

RADIKAL (LEFT) OCALAN BECOMES A KEMALIST
''I believe in Ataturk nationalism. We must all gather under the roof of the Democratic Republic. Democratic Republic is a key concept. Aghas, sheikh and clans form a barrier between Kurds and the state. When this is removed, Kurds and Turks will unite, the Republic will gain power. I want to make an important call. I want to suggest to the PKK a peace conference. I am hoping that this will bring peace. The state should also make a call for peace.... I can get down those who are at the mountains if I am given the chance. It took us 20 years to realize that our actions will make the solution difficult.... The PKK will be the biggest support of the state if we are given the chance,'' Ocalan said during Thursday's hearing.

PRESENT FOR APO FROM INTERVENORS
Ocalan who is facing death penalty started acting more freely on the fourth day of his trial. He told the families of the terrorism victims that he shared their grief. The intervenor lawyers, in return, presented him a book by Resat Genc, called ''Turk Inanislariyla Milli Geleneklerimizde Renkler: Sari, Kirmizi, Yesil'' (Colours in Turkish Traditions: Yellow, Red, and Green). Upon a question, Ocalan said he liked Ziya Gokalp, the famous Turkish nationalist author and recommended the lawyers to read the article Gokalp wrote on Turkish-Kurdish issue in the 1920's.

YENİ YÜZYIL (LIBERAL) APO REVEALS PKK'S FINANCIAL CENTER:'MONEY IS IN
SWITZERLAND'
The accused Ocalan, on the fourth day of hıs trıal, said that the PKK had 200 million U.S. dollars. But it is said that the organization's yearly budget is 250 million U.S. dollars. During Thursday's court session, the terrorist disclosed information regarding the finances of the PKK and said a big majority of the organization's cash is in Europe, and the rest of it is in Lebanon, Syria, and Iraq. Ocalan also stated that a big amount of money in Europe was in Switzerland. The PKK members were even planning to set up a bank in Switzerland, he said.

INFLATION LOWER THAN EXPECTED IN MAY
The inflation figures for the month of May appeared lower than it was expected. The consumer prices increased by 2.9 percent while the whole sale prices increased by 3.2 percent in May. The inflation rates for May was expected to be between 3.5 and 5.5 percent because of the recent price increase.

TÜRKİYE (RIGHT) OCALAN DISCLOSES SECRETS OF BLOODY PKK ORGANIZATION
Abdullah Ocalan, head of the terrorist organization, discloses the secrets of the bloody PKK organization one by one. Pointing out that there was not any money which belongs to him, Ocalan said ''I don't need it. I can get money from every unit I want.'' Ocalan who also said the terrorist organization had money in Syria, added that ''friendly people give the money. People, whom I call as friends, are the ones who work in Europe. They invest the money wherever they want.''

''I HOPE IT WILL BE FOR THE BENEFIT OF TURKEY''
Devlet Bahceli, the Deputy Prime Minister and the State Minister, said he hopes that the verdict that will be given in the end of the trial of Abdullah Ocalan, the head of the terrorist organization, will be for the benefit of Turkey.

Bahceli said, ''I am following the process. The independent justice realizes a work which will ease the public opinion. I hope that the verdict will be for the benefit of Turkey.''

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

THE ONLY WAY IS TO CIVILIZE DGMs

Hikmet Sami Turk, Minister of Justice, said on Thursday that proposal for a Constitutional change related with the changes in structure of State Security Courts (DGM) may be submitted to Parliament on Friday. According to the proposal military judges in court delegation will be withdrawn and turning of DGMs to military courts in martial law periods will be prevented.

[02] FOREIGN MINISTRY WELCOMES AND SUPPORTS THE ATTITUDE OF SERBS IN ACCEPTING THE PEACE PLAN

Recalling that a peace plan, submitted by Martti Ahtisaari, Finnish President and the EU Special Representative, and Viktor Chernomyrdin, Special Representative of Russia, to Slobodan Milosevic in Belgrade was accepted, a Foreign Ministry statement said that this development was important and hopeful for installation of peace in the region.

Pointing out that refugees and people who were forced to leave their houses would be able to return to Kosovo with the implementation of conditions in the peace plan, the statement said peace and stability can be installed in the region as a result of this.

The statement said, ''Turkey sincerely wishes implementation of peace plan soon and express readiness to provide every kind of contribution within this framework to install peace, tranquility, stability, and welfare in the region.''

[03] TURKISH BANKING SYSTEM FROM THE VIEW POINTS OF FOREIGNERS - THOMPSON, DEPUTY CHAIRMAN OF THOMPSON BANK WATCH, SAYS ISSUING OF BANKING LAW WILL REDUCE RISK IN THE SYSTEM

Speaking to A.A correspondent about the developments in Turkish banking system, Edward Thompson said legal arrangements related with banking was important for Turkish Banking system.

Pointing out that there were high interest and high cost problems in Turkish banking system, Thompson said yet the most important problem was the decrease in quality of financial assests of the banks, and wanted this problem to be solved.

Edward Thompson said unlimited deposit insurance in Turkish banking system caused unfair competition especially against the big banks. Noting that Turkey should give up applying unlimited deposit insurance as a part of European Union (EU), Thompson said this was an advantage for the small banks for now.

[04] HALF MILLION TOURISTS VISIT ANTALYA IN FIRST FIVE MONTHS OF 1999, MORE EXPECTED TO COME IN JUNE

A total of 82,712 tourists in January, 90,270 tourists in February, 90,791 tourists in March, 69,524 tourists in April, and 169,917 tourists in May, came to Antalya, according to the information given by Antalya Airport General Directorate.

Last year in May, 295,443 tourists had visited Antalya. Germans outnumbered other tourists in Antalya last month.

People who work in tourism sector are hoping that the promotion efforts they displayed at international tourism fairs would start giving their fruits in June. There is an anticipation especially for Russian tourists.

[05] CONSTRUCTION OF KARGAMIS AND BIRECIK DAMS PROGRESSING RAPIDLY

Energy production and water storage are expected to start at Kargamis and Birecik Dams by the end of this year, Guler pointed out.

The two dams are the last two chains of dams which are to be built on Euphrates river as a part of the South East Anatolia Project (GAP).

''People of Gaziantep are anxiously waiting for the day when the dams will open to their service,'' the Governor said.

The two dams will provide irrigation to thousands of hectars of fields in Gaziantep.

''The farmers of Gaziantep will start benefiting from the GAP when they start irrigating their fields. The agriculture will develop rapidly once the irrigation starts. The electric centrals that will be built on the dams will also meet Turkey's energy need significantly,'' Guler explained.

President Suleyman Demirel who laid the foundation of Birecik and Kargamis Dams has been following their progress closely, Guler noted and said Demirel was expected to visit the site of dams on Sunday.

The Gaziantep Governor also added that those whose lands were confiscated will have the opportunity to let the President know about their problems.

[06] PRESIDENT DEMIREL RECEIVES SPANISH CROWN PRINCE GRACIA IN DOLMABAHCE PALACE

Speaking to reporters following a meeting with Spanish Crown Prince Felipe de Borbon Gracia in Dolmabahce Palace, Demirel said Spain was the ally of Turkey in NATO, and a very close friend in Europe, and that there was no problem in Turkish-Spanish relations.

Pointing out that there was a trade volume between the two countries worth of two billion U.S. dollars, Demirel said this cooperation was benefical for the two countries. Demirel recalled that Spanish King and Queen visited Turkey in the year 1993, and that he visited Spain in the year 1998.

Stressing that Spanish Prime Minister visited Turkey last year, Demirel said, ''we have cooperation with Spain in every field. There are positive relations between the two countries also within the framework of NATO. We defend the same ideals and targets.''

Attributing importance to the visit of crown prince, Demirel said cooperation between Turkey and Spain not only covered the field from Turkey to Spain but also the region extending from South America to Altay Mountains and Asia which extends to the Chinese border. Demirel said ''we attribute special importance to improve this.''

Responding to the questions of journalists if Ocalan issue was brought to the agenda or not, Demirel said ''there were several efforts to convene so- called Kurdish parliament in the Basque. Yet, Spanish State and Government took measures against it. I thanked to them.''

When a journalist asked a question if Spain supportds Turkey's entrance to the EU, Demirel said ''it has always given us support and continues to do so.''

Mentioning about the developments in Kosovo, Demirel said Turkey closely covers and evaluates these developments and added that ceasefire and peace can be provided in Kosovo soon if developments take place in this way.

Erol Cakir, Istanbul Governor, and Spanish Trade Delegation also participated in the meeting.

[07] ULUGBAY, STATE MINISTER HOLDS A PRESS BRIEFING : ''SUPERVISION OF BANKS WILL BE IN FORCE AFTER JUNE 11 WITH ALL RULES''

Addressing a press briefing, Ulugbay recalled that decision of the Constitutional Court regarding the abolishment of a part in an article on Bank Law will enter into force on June 11, adding ''when it enters into force, the Law on Banks won't be annuled.'

Pointing out to the fact that only ''an authorization in an article will be annulled, ''Ulugbay stressed that the supervision of the banks will also be in force after June 11 with all rules, adding the guarantee of saving deposits also continues.

''Such kind of baseless news, harm both the economy and our citizens,'' said Ulugbay, adding the new draft law on Banks has been transferred to the parliament.

[08] ULUGBAY, STATE MINISTER HOLDS A PRESS BRIEFING : ''THE FORMER LAW ON BANKS HAS BEEN TRANSFERRED TO PARLIAMENT AGAIN''

Addressing a press briefing the same day, Ulugbay said that the necessary instruments regarding the supervision of the banks are in the existing bank law, adding there is not anything unclear.

Recalling that the IMF delegation will come to Turkey on June 15, Ulugbay said that the IMF delegation will later proceed to Ankara on June 17 and continue to hold contacts.

Noting that the necessary contacts have been made within the framework of the relations with the IMF, Ulugbay said that meetings will be held with the IMF delegation about the staff monitoring agreement and the ''struggle with inflation programme supported by funds'' which he expained before going to Washington D.C.

Ulugbay stressed that the contacts will be the continuation of the studies they carried out between February-March and in April.

[09] TURKISH-SPANISH INVESTMENT AND COOPERATION MEETING - PRESIDENT DEMIREL: ''TURKEY IS A RELIABLE AND STABLE COUNTRY WHICH FITTED DEMOCRACY, SECULARISM, AND MARKET ECONOMY WELL''

Addressing Turkish-Spanish Investment and Cooperation Meeting staged within the context of Spanish Industry and Technology Fair ''Expotecnia-99'', Demirel said relations between Turkey and Spain can be carried out from And Mountains to Altay Mountains and to Great Wall of China.

Demirel said cooperation and partnership relations between the two countries can be defined as ''perfect'', adding that the two sides should expend efforts in economic and trade relations.

Pointing out that trade volume between Turkey and Spain was 1.71 billion U.S. dollars according to the figures of 1997, Demirel said ''this number increased to 1.9 billion U.S. dollars in 1998. It has a tendency to increase yet it is still not adequate.''

Mentioning about the importance of promotion to evaluate potentials between the two countries well, Demirel said, ''Turkey has every kind of infrastructure required for investment and cooperation. Opportunities of the Mediterranean which unites us, should be evaluated well.''

[10] EU SUMMIT - DRAFT OF FINAL DECLARATION MENTIONS TURKEY

The draft mentioned about Turkey by noting that ''the heads of governments and states of the EU countries welcome the intention of Turkey to progress in all economic and political reforms that are necessary for the fulfilment of the Copenhagen criteria, its efforts to strengthen social and democratic reforms and its wish for a constructive solition in the southeastern Turkey.''

The EU heads of state and governments request the EU Council and the EU Commission to improve the European Strategy aiming at preparing Turkey to EU membership together with Turkey, the draft said.

It also asked the EU Cooncil and the EU Commission to prepare a calendar to reach reforms regarding the Copenhagen criteria and the rules of the Article 6 of the EU Agreement.

''The EU heads and governments will launch efforts to take the necessary decision for including Turkey in the enlargement process equally as a candidate state and for inviting her to the ministers meeting of candidate states during the Helsinki enlargement process in relation with the other decisions EU will take about the enlargement process in Helsinki,'' the draft added.

[11] ABKHAZIA PROBLEM TO BE NEGOTIATED IN ISTANBUL - TURKEY TARGETS GETTING ACTIVE ROLE IN SOLUTION OF ABKHAZIA PROBLEM

A Foreign Ministry statement said Turkey will host a meeting between June 7 and 9 within the framework of Geneva Process carried out under the U.N. supervision to contribute to the Abkhazia problem.

Foreign Minister Ismail Cem will address the opening ceremony of the meeting.

Istanbul meeting is expected to discuss economic, humanitarian, and social dimensions of Abkhazia problem, not only the political and security dimensions.

Representatives of the U.N., Organization of Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), the U.S., Germany, Britain, France, and Russian Federation are expected to attend the meeting.

Abkhazia problem, which stemmed from the failure to determine status of Abkhazia, which is within the borders of Georgia, waits for a solution since 1991.

The constitution which Georgia adopted since 1991 after gaining independence, fails to mention about the status of Abkhazia and this led to clashes between Georgian forces and separatist forces in Abkhazia.

U.N. Georgian Military Observer Mission (UNOMIG) was established in July 27, 1993 to control the implementation of the ceasefire agreement. Five Turkish officers began to work in UNOMIG with the observer status. Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) Peace forces was deployed in Abkhazia as of June, 1994.

Political consultations between the sides continue since 1997 within the framework of Geneva process under the supervision of Liviu Bota, the U.N. Secretary-General's Private Representative, with the participation of Rusia and OSCE representatives.

Meanwhile, Turkey sees Istanbul meeting as an important opportunity to reach a solution, to continue existing dialogue mechanism, to install confidence atmosphere between the sides and to discuss the problems which wait for an urgent solution.

Turkey thinks finding a lasting and just solution to Abkhazia problem was important to install internal stability and peace in Georgia, and to make peace and security atmosphere to prevail in the region. Turkey expects a result to be issued from the Istanbul meeting that can satisfy all the sides.

[12] TURKISH-SPANISH INVESTMENT AND COOPERATION MEETING - PRESIDENT DEMIREL: ''TURKEY WILL CONTINUE TO GROW IN ALL FIELDS AND UNDERTAKE NEW INVESTMENTS''

Noting that tourists are guests of Turkey and all conditions exist for tourists to spend their holidays in security, President Demirel said that the difficulties seen in the tourism sector will be overcome in a short period of time.

Addressing the Turkish-Spanish Investment and Cooperation meeting, President Demirel said that Turkey has protected her highest increasing growth-rate among the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and the European Union (EU) countries, adding the Turkish economy is the 16th biggest economy of the world.

Noting that Turkey has realized an increase of 45 percent in her exports recently and 90 percent of its imports are composed of industrial goods, President Demirel pointed out that an energy investment of 30 million dollars will be undertaken in Turkey in the coming ten years.

Inviting Spanish investors to invest in this suitable field, President Demirel said, ''important developments have taken place in the last ten years in the field of telecommunication. Turkey will realize an investment programme of 100 billion dollars. Privatization is one of the most important priorities of Turkey. We expect Spanish investors to be interested in our privatization programme.''

''When the project of pipelines is completed, Turkey will be one of the important energy terminals of the world,'' said President Demirel, adding Turkey comes the twelth in production of iron and steel in the world and it comes the seventh in Europe in this field.

Stressing that Turkey is the sixth country in the world regarding production of cotton, President Demirel said that ''9.7 million tourists visited Turkey last year and they left an income of eight billion dollars.''

In his speech, President Demirel stated that the Southeastern Anatolian Project (GAP) is the biggest integrated project of the Republican history, adding that the GAP will add 32 billion kilowatt hours of energy and nearly two million hectars of irrigation capacity to the Turkish economy.

''Only half of this integrated project has been completed and it is open to foreign investors,'' said Demirel, noting that the institutional cooperation between the Small and Medium Scale Enterprises of Turkey and Spain should be supported.

Noting that the legal basis between Turkey and Spain to improve cooperation exists in great extent, President Demirel said that the two countries should sing the agreement on reciprocal encouragement and protection of investments in the coming period.

Stressing that the Turkish-Spanish Action Plan which was signed last July foresees close cooperation in many fields, President Demirel added that ''the businessmen of the two countries have great role to play to transform the cooperation among our countries to a new cooperation and partnership. I fully believe that you will fulfil this in the best way. The Expotechnia, the Spanish Fair is a very important step taken to this end.''

[13] NUMBER OF U.S. TROOPS AT INCIRLIK BASE INCREASED

A statement by the U.S. Embassy in Ankara said, ''the number of American troops stationed here increased this week with the addition of 39th Air Expeditionary Wing forces, marking the first time in history, the U.S. Air Force has directly supported two different areas of responsibility from one location.''

Stating that the new wing will support Operation Allied Force, the NATO-led air campaign against the former Republic of Yugoslavia, the statement said this wing will also add approximately 750 more people and around 20 KC-135 aircrafts to the base.

The statement said that New Jersey and Maine Air National Guard units are deploying here from the U.S.

[14] DEPLOYMENT OF ITALIAN ASPIDE MISSILES IN GREEK CYPRIOT SIDE - FM: ''THERE IS NO DOUBT THAT TURKEY WILL TAKE MEASURES AGAINST THE BEHAVIOURS WHICH WILL ENDANGER THE SECURITY OF TRNC'' - ''ITALY UNDERTAKES A SPECIAL RESPONSIBILITY BY BEING A NATO COUNTRY''

Issuing a statement, the Foreign Ministry recalled that the Greek Cypriot press issued news saying that the final agreement about the selling of the Aspide missile system will be signed in the following days and that the missiles will be brought on the Island in August.

Stressing that the Greek Cypriot side has armed itself with the support of Greece and constructed military air and sea bases for many years, the statement noted that the Greek Cypriot side will widen its armament programme.

The statement stressed that the news saying that the Aspide missiles will be brought to the Greek Cypriot side puts forward the armament activites of the Greeks and Greek Cypriots within the framework of joint military doctrine.

The statement added that the mentality behind these activities put forward the threat and danger which are caused by the Greeks and Greek Cypriots over the peace and security in the Eastern Mediterranean.

The statement pointed out that the hostile policies of Greeks and Greek Cypriots against Turkey negatively affect the regional security and stability and that Italy undertakes a special responsibility by being a NATO country.

The statament said, ''our opinion about this issue are explained to the friend and ally countries. Within this context, Italy, where the Aspide missiles are produced, undertakes a special responsibility by being a NATO country. Italy has a responsibility of not selling weapons to the Greek Cypriot side arising from the resolutions of the United Nations (UN) Security Council and the documents of the Organization of Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) about the weapons transfer. We expect that Italy will fulfil her international committments.''

[15] GENERAL DIRECTORATE OF SECURITY SAYS IT RECEIVED A TIP-OFF SAYING THAT ILLEGAL IBDA-C ORGANIZATION WILL TRY TO ASSASSINATE PREMIER ECEVIT

General Directorate of Security sent a letter to Prime Ministry saying that they received a tip-off that the illegal IBDA-C, a fundemantalist organization, will try to assassinate Premier Bulent Ecevit.

The letter said that an investigation about the tip-off is underway.

The same letter was also sent to the related units of Ankara Police Organization and the necessary warnings were made.

Thus, tight security measures were taken in Ankara.

The officials said that they usually receive such tip-offs and that they carry out investigations; adding that the investigations about the related organizations are intensified.

Meanwhile, Ecevit responded the questions of the journalists about this issue when leaving the parliament.

When asked a question saying that a group of terrorists were captured while they were preparing to assassinate him, Ecevit said that he has no idea about this and that the necessary authorities take the measures without informing him.

Sadettin Tantan, the Interior Minister, said that there were some persons who are caught, but declined to say if tyey were preparing for assasination.

[16] FM: ''PRESENT INFORMATION INDICATES THAT EU HAS NOT CHANGED ITS DISCRIMINATION POLICIES'' - ''WITHIN THIS CONTEXT, TURKEY SHOULD NOT BE EXPECTED TO CHANGE HER APPROACH IN HER RELATIONS WITH EU''

Responding a question, Sermet Atacanli, Foreign Ministry Deputy Spokesman, said that within this context, Turkey should not be expected to change her approach in her relations with the EU.

Atacanli noted that Turkey welcomes the initiatives of Germany, the Term President of EU, and some member countries about the representation of Turkey in the equal status with the other candidate members.

A.A

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