Compact version |
|
Wednesday, 30 October 2024 | ||
|
Anadolu Agency: News in English, 99-06-08Anadolu Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Anadolu Agency Home Page at <http://www.anadoluajansi.gov.tr/>AA Daily08 June 1999 TuesdayCONTENTS
[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCANThese are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in Turkey's press on June 8, 1999. The Anadolu Ajansi does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.HURRIYET (LIBERAL)EVEN ECEVIT'S PRIVATE HOME PHONE WAS TAPPEDIt was revealed that the organization known as ''Telekulak (tele-ear)'' which was tapping the phones of high level politicians was also tapping the private home phone of Prime Minister Ecevit. Ecevit's home phone number in Ankara's Oran district was found on the organization's list. The intelligence examined Ecevit's phone records on February 11, 1999. CILLER PRAISES GOVERNMENT MILLIYET (LIBERAL)DISAPPOINTMENT TO CIVIL SERVANTSThe increase in wages of civil servants for the second half of the year is expected to be between 10-15 percent. Addressing the opening remarks of the talks on the budget at parliament, Sumer Oral, the Minister of Finance, said, ''the rate of increase is still not clear. It will be specified by the cabinet.'' Budget allows ten percent increase while the Finance Ministry and Treasury are planning to make a 15 percent increase. But it can be 20 percent if a 650 trillion liras of source is found. NO SALARY TO KAVAKCI GENERAL STAFF: NO MEETING SABAH (LIBERAL)SLOW PROCESS FOR LAW ON BANKSThe process for the Draft Law on Banks, which is highly important for the financial system, will continue slowly. The Motherland Party (ANAP) and National Movement Party (MHP) deputies opposed to the opinion for a rapid approval of the draft law with its former structure, which was submitted by State Minister Hikmet Ulugbay to the Parliamentary Planning and Budget Commission, and requested time for observation. Ulugbay said, ''we want to grant the Turkish banking system with contemporary norms.'' ONLY WAY IS REFORM CUMHURIYET (LEFT)OCALAN TRIAL TOWARDS AN ENDThe sixth hearing of Ocalan trial will take place in Imrali on Tuesday. Cevdet Volkan, Ankara State Security Court (DGM) Prosecutor will ask for death penalty for Ocalan for engaging in activities to separate the state's territories. Ocalan admitted a big part of his crimes. The court will give time to the accused and his lawyers to prepare their defense after the Prosecutor reads out his observations on Tuesday. The court will decide on a penalty after Ocalan's lawyers complete their defense. This period is not expected to last more than 15 days. HEADSCARF ARGUMENT AT PARLIAMENT RADIKAL (LEFT)SCANDAL OVER USURYDuring an investigation carried out by the Ankara Security, it was revealed that names of several policemen and jurists were written in the receivable notebook of usurers. However, the usurers, who were taken into custody, were realeased although they should have been sent to prosecutor's office. THIRTEEN TEACHERS DISMISSED FOR WEARING HEADSCARF CIGARETTE ALARM AT SCHOOLS EDUCATION LEFT WITHOUT TEACHER TÜRKİYE (RIGHT)AKBULUT: ''EXECUTION IS NECESSARY''Yildirim Akbulut, the Speaker of the Parliament, said that ''the capital punishment is legal'' in accordance with the society's interest and disuasiveness. ''If the terrorist actions staged in Turkey are taken into consideration, than the capital punishment is necessary. Also the public is in favor of such a consequence.'' SECOND STAGE ON IMRALI ABKHAZIA SUMMIT IN ISTANBUL Lev Mironov, the Representative of Russia, said the important thing is that the two sides came together and they seek consensus. Ambassador Jean Michel Lacombe, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Georgia Mission Chief, said that OSCE is ready for every kind of confidence building measures for both sides. ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)CHIEF OF STAFF DENIES MEETING WITH PKKChief of Staff denied having met with the separatist terrorist organization PKK. It was said that Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) never regarded the PKK as its interlocutor. ''They try to damage the respectful image of the TSK with such news,'' the Chief of Staff stated. Hasip Kaplan, one of the lawyers of Ocalan claimed that there were contacts between the State and the PKK after 1996 and asked Ocalan to disclose the evidence of these meetings. The Ocalan trial will continue on Tuesday after a three day break. The State Security Court (DGM) prosecutors will tell their observations on Tuesday's hearing. NEW ERA FOR MOTHERLAND PARTY [02] TRIAL OF OCALAN, HEAD OF TERRORIST ORGANIZATION - SEA BUS LEAVES FOR IMRALI ISLANDMUDANYA, June 8 (A.A) - The intervenors, intervenor lawyers, relatives of martyrs, veterans, foreign representatives and journalists who will watch the trial of accused Abdullah Ocalan, left early on Tuesday for Imrali Island.The sea bus carrying the spectators departed from Mudanya at 07:30 local time. Meanwhile, the defendant's lawyers left for Imrali from the GEMPORT Seaport. Eleven lawyers of Ocalan, the head of terrorist organization, namely Hamza Yilmaz, Gul Altay, Ahmet Aktas, Ummuhan Yasar, Aydin Oruc, Ahmet Avsar, Hatice Korkut, Mahmut Sakar, Niyazi Bulgan, Kenan Sidar, and İrfan Dundar left for the island while the relatives of the accused did not leave for the island. Serkan Akbas, one of the lawyers defending accused Ocalan, could not go to the island as his documents were incomplete. The prosecutorship is expected to present its opinion on the merits of the case on the sixth day of the trial. [03] ASLAN, CHAIRMAN OF GAZIANTEP CHAMBER OF COMMERCE: ''THE EMBARGO IMPOSED ON IRAQ SHOULD BE REMOVED''GAZIANTEP, June 8 (A.A) - Mehmet Aslan, the Chairman of the Gaziantep Chamber of Commerce (GTO), said on Tuesday that the embargo, which has been imposed on Iraq for years, should be lifted and Turkey should be enabled to realize trade with Iraq during the process till such a decision.Speaking to the A.A correspondent, Aslan said the embargo on Iraq became a bleeding wound of the region, especially of Gaziantep, adding that ''the lifting of this embargo, which has lost its meaning, became inevitable. The right, which was given to Jordan years ago within the content of Article 50 of the U.N. Law, should also be given to Turkey as soon as possible till the removal of the embargo.'' Stressing that the region suffers more serious economic problems than those in entire country due to the embargo, Aslan said, ''80 percent of total tricot production is made in Gaziantep. This sector is facing serious problems after the crisis in Russia. The sectors, which were afected by that crisis, should be given loans. Some measures to remove the effects preventing shuttle trade with Russia should be taken. The Eximbank loans should focuse on the region.'' [04] TAI TO PRODUCE HELICOPTER BODYANKARA, June 8 (A.A) - The Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) which undertook the production of the MD-902 helicopter bodies which were produced by the Howker and Havilland firm, will start this project in near future, it was reported on Tuesday.Issuing a statement, TAI said that the MD-902 helicopter bodies, which were produced by the Howker and Havilland company in Australia, will be produced at the TAI facilities from now on in accordance with a protocol signed between TAI and MD Helicopters Inc. TAI which received an offer for 50 bodies at first stage, will produce 200 helicopter bodies in accordance with the protocol. With this objective, TAI sent four engineers to Australia for training and the transfer of equipments to be used in production started. The first delivery of one body by TAI will be made at the end of November 1999. The number of bodies was planned to be increased to two and later three after the third delivery. [05] EXPORTS OF HAZELNUTS DECREASE BY 214 MILLION U.S. DOLLARSTRABZON, June 8 (A.A) - The exports of hazelnuts since the beginning of the 1998-1999 export season, which started on September 1, 1998 decreased by 214 million 436 thousand U.S. dollars compared to same period in previous export season, it was reported on Tuesday.The officials at the Black Sea Hazelnut Exporters' Union said that a total of 161 thousand 855 tons of hazelnuts were exported for 664 million 735 thousand U.S. dollars this season. Officials said 146 thousand 705 tons of hazelnuts were exported to Europe for 600 million 893 thousand U.S. dollars. In the same period in the previous season, a total of 193 thousand 991 tons of hazelnuts were exported for 879 million 171 thousand U.S. dollars. Officials said the decrease stemmed from the low prices in foreign markets and restrictions put by European importers in purchase of hazelnuts. [06] TEN YEARS OLD KENAN YESIL BECOMES JUDO CHAMPION IN BENELUX COUNTRIESBRUSSELS, June 8 (A.A) - Kenan Yesil, 10 year old judoka became judo champion in Benelux countries, it was reported on Tuesday.Yesil defeated his Dutch opponent Jan Kees who was five kilos heavier than him in 15 seconds at the championship held in Soignie city of Belgium. A total of 50 athletes participated in the championship from Belgium, Netherlands, and Luxembourg. Yesil who weighs 41 kilos suffered no defeats during six international tournaments and qualified for the finals. ''My goal is to wear the Turkish National Team's uniform. I admire Naim Suleymanoglu. I will also compete for Turkey and win three olympic medals like him. Noone can stop me. I love Turkey. I hope to take part in the Turkish national team one day,'' Yesil said. The little judoka also declined the offer of the Belgian Jodo Federation to play in their national team. Kenan who has an Italian mother and a Turkish father, speaks French, Flemish, Italian, and Turkish fluently and gets a lot of attention from the Turks who live in Belgium. Kenan's father, Gursel Yesil who owns one of the biggest accounting firms in Belgium said he and his son will come to Turkey in June to get a licence from the Turkish Judo Federation. [07] TELEPHONE TAPPING SCANDAL - PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT: ''THEY PUT FORWARD SOME EXCUSES, BUT NONE OF THEM IS CREDIBLE''ANKARA, June 8 (A.A) - Regarding the telephone tapping scandal of Ankara Security units, known as ''telekulak (tele-ear)'', Prime Minister Ecevit said ''They put forward some excuses, but none of them has credibility.'' It was recently revealed that some security units in Ankara were tapping the phones of some politicians, including Ecevit's private home phone.''All the details of this incident should be investigated in depth and those who are responsible must be revealed,'' Ecevit told the reporters upon his arrival to the Prime Ministry. The Prime Minister reminded that Sadettin Tantan, Minister of Interior, is investigating the matter and said he believed they will soon obtain some clear results. When asked if the Security and Intelligence organizations are not working in harmony, Ecevit replied: ''Compared to the past, there is a significant improvement in internal security forces. All the wanted criminals, and gang chiefs are being arrested one by one both in Turkey and abroad through their help. But despite this, the police and security organization remain divided over issues that are rooted from the past.'' The Prime Minister pointed out that Tantan was very experienced in security matters and will take the necessary measures. [08] GIANT INVESTMENT PROJECTS AWAIT FOR DECISION OF NEW GOVERNMENTANKARA, June 8 (A.A) - The 57th government, which is formed by the Democratic Left Party (DSP), the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), and the Motherland Party (ANAP), will give the final decision about the giant investment projects which focus mostly on transportation and energy, it was reported on Tuesday.Thus, the investment projects, to which all of the governments of last decade attached special importance and expended great efforts, will accelerate again. Sources said Turkey's prior energy and transportation projects are the first nuclear power plant, third bridge over Istanbul Strait, and bridge over Canakkale Strait, tube passage under Istanbul Strait, Izmit Gulf Passage and the Baku-Ceyhan oil pipeline. The total investment costs of many projects, which focus mainly on energy and transportation and were brought into a specific level by the concerned investor organizations, reach 50 billion U.S. dollars with the current prices. Majority of these giant projects were planned to be financed by foreign loans. The necessary financing of some investment projects will be met within the frame of the ''bulid-operate-transfer'' model. The important and prior investment projects of the 57th government, which targets first of all to adopt 1999 fiscal year budget after the vote of confidence on Wednesday, will be tried to be made in a specific ''schedule''. The investment projects in question were planned to be put in service in next ten years. [09] TRIAL OF OCALAN, HEAD OF TERRORIST ORGANIZATION - THE PROSECUTORS SET OUT THEIR CASE - THE PROSECUTORS ASKED CAPITAL PUNISHMENT FOR OCALANIMRALI ISLAND, June 8 (A.A) - The prosecutors set out their case on Tuesday in the trial of Abdullah Ocalan, the head of terrorist organization.At today's court session presided by M. Turgut Okyay, the Chife Judge of Ankara State Security Court (DGM); Cevdet Volkan, Ankara DGM Republican Chief Prosecutor, and Talat Salk, Republican Prosecutor, set out their case. The 13 page document on the merits of the case was read out by Salk. Salk completed reading the document at 11.25 a.m. In the document read out by Salk, the prosecutors asked capital punishment for Ocalan because his state of being guilty is certain in accordance with 125th article of Turkish Penal Code. The 125 Article of Turkish Penal Code is as follows: ''The person who commits an act to bring a part or whole of state's territories under the hegemony of a foreign state, or to subtract from the independence of the state, or to disrupt the unity, or to separate some part of territories under the sovereignty of state; will be punished with death sentence.'' The prosecutors also asked Ocalan's state of arrest be continued, and the money and belongings of the organization registered at the safekeepers be confiscated. [10] TRIAL OF HEAD OF TERRORIST ORGANIZATION - FULL TEXT OF THE SUMMING-UP OF ACCUSATIONS AGAINST OCALANIMRALI ISLAND, June 8 (A.A) - Cevdet Volkan, Chief Prosecutor of Ankara State Security Court (DGM) and Talat Salk, Republican Prosecutor read out the summing-up of accusations against Abdullah Ocalan, head of terrorist organization, at today's court session.The summing-up said: ''A public file was suited against accused Abdullah Ocalan on April 26, 1999 to try and punish him on grounds that he aimed at giving some or whole of the territories under the sovereignty of this state to the sovereignty of another country, inverting independence of the state, or holding acts aiming to split its unity, and separate some of the territories which are under the ruling of the state. Public cases that had been opened against the accused and file of our court have been combined and an extra time has been given for us to prepare our opinions regarding the merits of the case during the continuous trial of Ocalan which started on Imrali Island.'' It said, ''as the investigation made in the indictment belonging to the latest case opened against the accused, gives detailed information about the foundation, targets, program, strategy, structure, general acts of the terrorist PKK organization which is headed by the accused, the acts it realized, their qualities, and legal evaluations; there was no need for its repetition so we prepared the summing-up against accused Ocalan by evaluating the actual and legal situation which appeared during the trial and defenses of Ocalan in different stages.'' It said, ''accused Abdullah Ocalan, in his interrogation held on May 31, 1999 court session, accepted that he was responsible for all the terrorist activities held by the members of the terrorist organization that were realized upon his demands. He moreover said the killings should be more than stated in the indictment, and that he also accepted in the court session dated June 1, 1999 that his first interrogation taken by alternate judge's office and Gendarme and State Security Court (DGM) prosecutors was given on his own free will and without facing any oppression. Abdullah Ocalan, the accused, confessed the responsibilities of the terrorist PKK organizations in activities, on the 69th page of the written defense he submitted to the Chief Judge of the Ankara State Security Court No. 2. The accused, the founder of the armed gang PKK; which held activities at the territories of Turkey with the aim of establishing an independent Kurdish state, which carried out thousands of terrorist activities, which violently killed ten thousands of our citizens, which left many of our citizens disabled; had left Syria after directing the terrorist organization for a long time, but he couldn't get asylum right from the countries where he took shelter and later he was captured in Kenya. He was later handed over to Turkish security officials. The accused, who firstly used the term 'secretary general' later 'leader' and then 'chairman' of the terrorist PKK, said in his testimony he gave to the prosecutors of the State Security Court on February 22, 1999 that: 'It is true that I am the founder of the PKK organization. It is also correct that I was the leader of this organization which started an armed struggle on Turkey's territories under my leadership. At the beginning, we had a concept like setting up a Kurdish state. This is also right. However, I have later concluded that the Kurdish people who had played a role in the foundation of the Republic, have to be united in a free atmosphere, rather than forming an independent Kurdish state. I have come to the conclusion that we can live together by getting economic, social, political, and cultural freedoms.' In the second testimony he gave on April, 3, 1999 on his own will, the accused said that: '... As you know, I am the founder of the PKK. While the PKK was being formed, we had also prepared its programme. At those times, Kurds had a concept of an independent Kurdistan. We would bring a new system founded on Marxist basis. However, the changing incidents and time had shown us that this programme was imaginary...In respect of science, it is also for sure that it is not possible to form a Kurdish state. It is not necessary either. It is possible to realize everything in the democratic atmosphere within the existing state of the Turkish Republic. I have concluded in that way.'' [11] TRIAL OF HEAD OF TERRORIST ORGANIZATION - FULL TEXT OF THE SUMMING-UP OF ACCUSATIONS AGAINST OCALANIMRALI ISLAND, June 8 (A.A) - The summing-up of accusations against accused Abdullah Ocalan, which has been read by Cevdet Volkan, the Chief Prosecutor of the Ankara State Security Court No. 2 and Talat Salk, the Prosecutor at Tuesday's session of the trial, continues as below:''...the accused, who said in the preliminary investigation and in the last investigation stage, that he was the founder and administrator of the armed gang, the one in the organization responsible in the first degree, and that the PKK was originally set up to form an independent Kurdistan, and who confessed his crime; stated the following in his written defense regarding the armed gang, the PKK and his trial: 'Built on the objective foundation of the Republic's 50 years-old infrastructure and superstructure, the PKK is in fact the last big Kurdish uprising. This movement took the form of an ideological rebellion between 1970-1980 and became a political and active movement between 1980-1999. Distinguishing two important stages regarding the problem of separation and unity in the history of the PKK is of great importance. The pressure and denial which escalated to the point of prohibiting the language, the slogan-heavy and utopian approach to the main problems of that period, together with separatism that feeds on fear and suspicion in Kurdish nationalism, has led to the perception that the national liberation movements in the world aimed at creating separate States... Especially the dissolution of the Soviet Union and the Gulf war, made finding a solution to Kurdish question vital, and the solution for this was a comprehensive democratization, which was in fact a delayed basic need. PKK resisted at this point. Instead of improving itself, PKK resisted by over-repeating itself. However, we had to find a democratic solution style from the dissolution of real socialism. The PKK should have seen that the principle of the self-determination lost its validity, that scientific technique was changing, that the notion of nation-state was dissolving and that the same solution was more realistic. In short, it should have abandoned the 70's program and find a new approach. It should have found an action plan intensifying on democratic efforts instead of a gradually degenerating violence which caused too much pain.' (Defense, page 26) 'If my actions are examined closely, this will be seen very clearly and it will be proven with documents that can fill books. The best, meaningful, possible freedom and independence, even if this place is Kurdistan, is possible only within the general National Pact borders of Turkey. It is not difficult to prove this scientifically. A separated Kurdistan and puppet of a dried up force, is a Kurdistan that will not go beyond being the home of collaborators. A separated Kurdistan can belong to foreigners and collaborators, not to the people, that is mainly a dream. History reveals very well how all these games were played in revolts and what kind of calamities the people experienced. We have seen this in our revolt. If we are to talk about foreign games, it is clear that they used the Kurdish problem as a means and that they believed that they would succeed in that. Such tricks were played in the most critical periods of history. It had been played successfully when there was no solution... Solving the problem ourselves, is to turn it into our own weapons against the ones who deceived us. In my defense, I have revealed that this was possible and that it was our only remedy. Our individual experience is the best evidence to this end. Then, we are right in saying that 'this brotherly solution, which we will realize by free will, will be a new historical process. Making my own trial the reason for a positive peace, is my basic democratic ideal. My defense is linked with this goal...' The political report submitted to the 5th congress by accused Abdullah Ocalan, went as follows: '...We wanted to use the transition period in 1993 in our favor with a cease-fire, and it was a very important step. We thought that they would consider it as an opportunity, and they would revive again. Actually it was an opportunity both to have a rest and to make preparations. Some did this preparation. But our command structure could not evaluate it properly.' Ocalan sent orders through transceivers to all PKK members, and fighters of the ARGK on October 8, 1998, under the name of ''PKK Party Leadership'' saying, 'most of you will be charged in. Of course, the enemy has a target for a short period of time. The enemy is talking about eradication. We have a right to retaliate. I mean that we have re-organize ourselves. We declared this unilateral cease-fire to gain an opportunity for a political and diplomatic advance. It was successful. But it was insufficient. There are still a lot to do. The enemy who is aware of these. It acts harshly.'' [12] TRIAL OF HEAD OF TERRORIST ORGANIZATION - FULL TEXT OF THE SUMMING-UP OF ACCUSATIONS AGAINST OCALANIMRALI ISLAND, June 8 (A.A) - Cevdet Volkan, Chief Prosecutor of Ankara State Security Court (DGM) and Talat Salk, Republican Prosecutor read out the summing-up against Abdullah Ocalan, head of terrorist organization, in today's court session:''In an instruction given on October 16, 1998 to responsibles of the so- called Botan province, accused Abdullah Ocalan discloses his real intention by saying, 'further openings towards the international platform should be evaluated as a serious step in the direction of becoming a state, just as departure from Ankara meant becoming a party, and our success in becoming an army following openings towards the Middle East. I believe that this new period will be more difficult than the preceding periods... Renewal, proficiency in guerilla style... will give the most effective response'.'' ''The date of the instruction should be noticed. The instruction was sent on October 16, 1998. In this date, Abdullah Ocalan was preparing to leave Syria for Europe as a result of Turkey's pressure on Syria. In his instruction to the so-called Botan province on October 16, 1998, Abdullah Ocalan evaluated his departure as a serious step to become a state, and he explained this to the members of the organization.'' ''In his instructions to the regional commander in Hatay in 1995 to provide income to the PKK, and to intimidate those who opposed him, his words reflecting his cruelty and intention are striking: 'Now you approach them originally. You should talk about our friendly relations, and try to gain them. But I think that you should also intimidate the fascist Turkish circles. I think that our preceding actions are important. But you should not generalize them. You should gain those poor people, and defeat their dangerous leaders. You must damage their interests without any mercy. As I said before, this region is a rich area. You can collect money from rich people'.'' ''Accused Ocalan is not sincere in his defense. The armed gang didn't give up its aim of forming an independent Kurdistan, which was the foundation target of the armed gang PKK. Ocalan's announcing a unilateral ceasefire aimed to help the organization prepare itself better and to win an opportunity to make a political and diplomatic leap forward.'' ''The quotations taken from the statement of Abdullah Ocalan issued at the Fifth Congress and which were obtained through transceivers, show that he was not sincere regarding the cease-fire and that the decision of cease- fire was taken to increase the preparation level of the organization, to take a diplomatic leap forward at the international level, and to urge the Turkish Republic to accept the organization as a counterpart.'' ''Abdullah Ocalan said that they carried out activities to set up an independent Kurdish state in the beginning, and later the practice has shown them that it was not possible to attain this goal, thus they decided to define a new aim of living together in the democratic republic, in a free atmosphere, on the basis of equality and that they gave up their aim of setting up an independent Kurdistan. His defense and the views he put forward are not to be taken into account and these are all evaluated as an effort to save himself from the deadlock.'' ''Yusuf Aydemir, the intervenor, said 'I am Kurdish and my mother tongue is Kurdish. My son worked in Southeastern Turkey. The country where I am living is Turkey and my flag is Turkish flag'.'' ''Jale Ataav, another intervenor said 'my brother was killed by terrorists. I want to read the thing I have written. I am a citizen of the Turkish Republic of Kurdish origin. I am a daughter of a soldier and mother of a soldier. My father was Kurdish, my mother was Turkish'.'' ''Kazim Ayaydin, an acting intervenor said, 'I am a Turkish citizen who learned Turkish in primary school. This case does not have any connection with the Kurdish people in any way. Throughout history, we faced similar events and revolts. When one examines these revolts starting from the latest period of the Ottoman Empire, one can see that there was always a foreign country behind all uprisings. I have seen families in Erzurum, the grandfather speaks Turkish, the son can speak both Turkish and Kurdish. The grandson speaks Kurdish. My parents only speak Kurdish. I can speak both Turkish and Kurdish. My son can only speak Turkish. This process spanned a period of 300 years... Everybody, including Kurds, will struggle for the integrity and unity of this country'.'' ''From the speeches of the intervenors, it is understood that there can not be a Turk-Kurd discrimination in Turkey and that Turks and Kurds live together, that there is a kinship between Turks and Kurds. It is also clear that a Turk-Kurd discrimination has been tried to be created artificially and that the national and territorial integrity of this country was targeted.'' ''For Turkish and Kurdish unity, accused Abdullah Ocalan in his defense, said, 'the influx of Turks in the 11th century into the geography where Kurds lived, paved the way for an intense relationship between the two people. The relatively settled lifestyle of Kurds, caused the dissolution of Turkmen tribes in those times. Turks were relatively politicized and Kurds were socialized. Turkish high classes integrated with the local political culture and mostly ruled, yet the lower classes dissolved among the Kurds. The two people's socio-economic, cultural, and religious similarities played an important role in these relationships. When look at the history, the Great Seljuk Empire in Iran, Iraq, Syria, and Kurdish provinces, the Mervani, Artukogullari, Eyyubi, Akkoyunlular and Karakoyunlular principalities and many other principalities represent a concept of living altogether in a common state with common people. This understanding of a common state could not be experienced with other tribes, neither with Arabs, Persians, Armenians, nor with Byzantines. Turkish Kurds and Kurdish Turks were formed like this. We may see the most significant expression of this concept in relations between the Ottoman Empire and Kurdistan in the period starting with Sultan Yavuz Selim. Influential Kurdish principalities, despite Yavuz's requests, found it appropriate for themselves to live under the roof of a common state under the responsibility of a governor-general that was sent by Yavuz, not as a separate state'.'' [13] PRODUCTION OF CEMENT AS OF END OF Q3 REACH 6.6 MILLION TONSANKARA, June 8 (A.A) - The production of cement in the first quarter of 1999 reached 6.6 million tons while a total of 868 thousand tons of cement was exported in the same period, it was reported on Tuesday.The officials at the Union of Turkish Cement Producers said that Turkey's total cement production for the first quarter of the year was 6 million 564 thousand tons. As of the end of March 1999, 5 million 546 thousand tons of cement, which was produced at the private sector factories, were consumed by the domestic market while 868 thousand tons of cement was exported. Officials said the exports of cement in the same period last year were 741 thousand 237 tons. Officials added that they expect the total cement production to reach nearly 30 million tons. [14] SO-CALLED GENOCIDE ON ARMENIANS - A SO-CALLED GENOCIDE MONUMENT OPENED IN FRANCE - FOREIGN MINISTRY: ''THIS ATTEMPT AIMS AT DAMAGING RELATIONS BETWEEN TURKEY AND FRANCE''ANKARA, June 8 (A.A) - The Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday that inauguration of a monument to mark so-called genocide on Armenians by the Grenoble Municipality of France, aims at damaging relations between Turkey and France.The Foreign Ministry issued a written statement saying that they have launched an initiative upon news that the Grenoble Municipality had opened a so-called genocide monument on June 5. Stressing, ''It is clear that such an attempt inciting hostility against Turkey and Turkish people, aims at damaging the relations between the two countries,'' the statement recalled that the genocide allegations were put forward by distorting historical facts. The statement emphasized that Turkish and foreign scientists who carry out comprehensive studies in the Ottoman Archives, could not find any proof to confirm these allegations. Pointing out that participation of French institutions in such attempts has effected negatively the inter-communal harmonization and the equality, the Foreign Ministry said that Armenian representations which played role in this attempt and similar attempts, will not contribute regional peace, prosperity, and stability. [15] NATO'S AIR OPERATION AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA - TURKISH F-16 WAR PLANES ACCUMULATE A TOTAL OF 1,912 FLIGHT HOURSANKARA, June 8 (A.A) - Turkish F-16 war planes that participate at the NATO's air operation against Yugoslavia accumulated a total of 1,912 flight hours, it was reported on Tuesday.The General Staff Information Center issued a statement saying that the Turkish F-16 war planes which are deployed at the Ghedi Airbase in Italy, stayed in air for 26 hours on June 7. Meanwhile, according to the latest figures, there are 17,017 refugees in Turkey; 50 thousand in Serbia; 68,400 in Montenegro; 443,900 in Albania; 247,400 in Macedonia; 21,700 in Bosnia-Herzegovina, and 83,493 in other countries. A total of 17,017 Kosovar refugees have entered Turkey from Istanbul, the Tekirdag-Corlu border gate, and from the Edirne-Kapikule border gate since the beginning of NATO air operation. A total of 7,301 Kosovars have been sheltered at Gaziosmanpasa Refugee Camp in Kirklareli. Red Crescent's convoy of five trucks carrying humanitarian aid worth of 120.5 billion Turkish Liras, is expected to arrive in Macedonia in coming days. [16] FOUNDATION OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT (IKV) CALLS OUT TO GREECE: ''IN GREECE, HOSTILITY AGAINST TURKS AND TURKEY HAS BEEN A LIFE STYLE''ISTANBUL, June 8 (A.A) - The Foundation of Economic Development (IKV) said on Tuesday that the attitude of Greece has caused ''hostility against Turks and Turkey to be a life style in this country'', adding ''Greece seems to have forgotten the end of the regimes which were based on such kinds of hostilities in the past.''IKV, which is the representative of the Turkish private sector, strongly accused Greece by issuing a statement. Recalling that in the Final Declaration of the Koln Summit which brought the heads of EU states and governments together, the name of Turkey was not mentioned unlike the recent years, the statement noted that in the beginning, Germany, the EU Term President wanted to display such an approach which would stress the full membership candidacy of Turkey and conclude the steps that would be taken regarding this issue in a calendar, but Greece opposed such an approach. Two articles concerning Turkey were taken out from the final declaration at the latest moment and no expression was included in their place when Germany rejected to find an average formula and when Greece used veto, noted the statement, which also stressed that the letter sent by Bulent Ecevit, the Prime Minister to the EU Term Presidency before the Summit and his constructive and calm attitude was crucial. Pointing out that this approach of Turkey, which has been strengthened by the call of Foreign Minister Ismail Cem to the Greek Foreign Ministry, is an attitude that gives value to dialogue and constructive cooperation, the statement added that ''such kind of a constructive attitude was expected to put the Turkish-EU relations into a strong basis.'' Emphasizing that the respond and attitude of Gerhard Schroder, the German Chancellor was also positive and important, the statement pointed out that ''the Chancellor Schroder sincerely launches efforts to hold the hand given to him by Premier Ecevit and bring the Turkish-EU relations to the level it has to be. Germany prepared a draft resolution stressing that Turkey is the 12th candidate country and she will be treated equally with the other candidate countries. Besides, Germany proposed to form a calendar within the framework of the sixth article of the Amsterdam Agreement and the Copenhagen criteria, to take concrete initiatives to prepare Turkey for full membership and to invite Turkey to foreign ministers' meetings together with those of other candidate states. The totality of relations which will be pursued in this line will lead to peace, stability, and cooperation both in respect of the EU and other regional countries. However, the draft resolutions and proposals prepared by Germany could not be included in the final declaration due to the intransigent attitude of Greece. There is a question which has to be asked here. As it is stated by President Suleyman Demirel, does Greece rule the EU? Pointing out that Greece caused very serious problems in many fields with its uncompromising and hostile attitude, the statement said Greece sabotaged Turkish-European Union (EU) relations as its ''national security policy''. IKV statement said, ''Greece considers any profit, or an ordinary step of Turkey in relations with the EU, as a threat towards its own security. This attitude turns enmity against Turks and Turkey into a life-style. Greece seems to forget the consequences of regimes which were formed on such enmities. It is in an effort to prepare the cover for every kind of illegal ways that it will apply against Turkey.'' The statement said Greece, within the impudence of enmity, embraces terrorism, which is a crime of humanity in international law, and its members, and that it supported and armed the terrorists. The statement pointed out that relations revealed during the capture and trial of Abdullah Ocalan, head of terrorist organization, clarified the facts related with these relations in front of international public. Pointing out that Greece betrayed the principles of international law and basic principles which founded European Union (EU), the statement said ''what Greece understood from integration of Europe, which is regarded as the field of democracy, legal state, and free market field, is to blackmail EU by using its full membership status, to use money obtained from EU funds for political possessions, to support all Orthodox countries regerdless of their regime even if they are fascists, dictators, or not, and to be in hostile attitude with the others.'' ''Greece, within the framework of NATO which it is in allied country status, carries out activities to support Milosevic and fascist regime and violates embargo decisions of international law. Even if everybody in Europe seems to forget how Greece blackmailed EU to veto full memberships before full memberships of Spain and Portugual, and got additional subsidies, Turkey does not forget. Who will guarantee that Greece will not assume a more blackmailing attitude for the new memberships? Will the EU show Greece as the example of a democratic country to candidate countries which struggle for democracy?'' The IKV statment pointed out that all the issues should be taken up sincerely, and that time has already come for EU to struggle against the distortions. The final part of the statement said: ''How long the countries like Germany, France, and Britain, which form basic axis of EU formation, will accept this illegal attitude of Greece which is revealed openly. How will the EU be able to save itself from the exploitation of decision making mechanisms. Turkey waits for a response to these questions. Turkey demands official confirmation of the aspects which were prepared in in Koln Summit, but could not be taken under decision in Helsinki Summit. IKV will be after this issue.'' [17] TRIAL OF HEAD OF TERRORIST ORGANIZATION - FULL TEXT OF THE SUMMING-UP OF ACCUSATIONS AGAINST OCALANIMRALI ISLAND, June 8 (A.A) - Cevdet Volkan, Chief Prosecutor of Ankara State Security Court (DGM) and Talat Salk, Republican Prosecutor read out the summing-up of accusations against Abdullah Ocalan, head of terrorist organization, at today's court session:''As it can be understood from the testimonies of Abdullah Ocalan, Turks and Kurds have begun to live together since the 11th century. Many Turkish tribes dissolved inside Kurdish tribes. According to Abdullah Ocalan's testimony, a cultural erosion took place between the two nations, but a kinship also came into existence. This is a historical fact.'' ''The number of citizens with Kurdish origin who lost their lives in clashes with PKK gangs, is not limited with the number of intervenors' children. Children of many Turkish citizens of Kurdish origin who attended the trial as intervenors, but did not address to the court, were killed by PKK gangs. Presently, there are many Turkish citizens of Kurdish origin among security forces fighting against PKK gangs. Temporary village guards who fight against the PKK gangs along with security forces, are also citizens of Kurdish origin.'' ''The Republic of Turkey has neither put pressure on Kurdish people, nor denied them. Mostly Kurdish people participated in the Sheikh Shamil uprising which erupted in 1925 after the foundation of the Republic. But it was not a Kurdish uprising aimed at separation from Turkey. Abdullah Ocalan did not describe the Sheikh Shamil uprising as a separatist uprising. He said, 'those who started and joined the uprising, first extended support because they supposed that the sultanate and the caliphate would return. But when they saw the truth, they turned against the uprising'.'' ''The state suppressed the uprising violently and punished the rebels. The suppression of an armed move against the state by using force and the punishment of rebels are accepted by international law. Except in case of uprisings, Turkey has not put pressure on Kurdish people at all.'' ''On October 30, 1918, when the Mundros Truce was signed, a provision was accepted in an article of the National Pact, which was adopted and declared by the Ottoman Parliament. This provision said: 'Within the borders of the Truce, all territories where the majority of Muslim Ottomans, who formed a religious and cultural unity,... live, are a whole that cannot be discriminated against de jure or de facto for any reason.'' ''During the War of Independence, this provision of the National Pact was accepted as it was. One can easily see if he or she studies the War of Independence properly, that Ataturk considered the people living within the borders adopted by the National Pact, as a whole, and he tried to resist enemies with the power of nation. It was said in the Amasya Statement that 'the nation's determination and resistance will salvage the nation's independence'.'' ''In this statement, people living within the borders accepted by the Mondros Truce, were considered clearly as only one nation.'' ''Ataturk put the Legal Defense Association of Trabzon and the Eastern Provinces' Legal Defense Associations formed by Suleyman Nazif under one roof during the Erzurum Congress. In this Congress, a decision was taken defining the Canik Sanjak and Trabzon, eastern provinces of Erzurum, Sivas, Diyarbakir, Elazig, Van, Bitlis and independent subdivisions of provinces as a whole which could not be separated from each other.'' ''In the Sivas Congress which started on September 4, 1919 and which lasted till September 12, 1919, all Legal Defense Associations in the country were united under the name of the Legal Defense Association of Anatolia and Thrace. The decision to totally resist all kinds of occupation and intervention taken during the Erzurum Congress, was enhanced. The elements of the Ottoman Empire who stayed within our borders during the Mondros Truce and who constituted the overwhelming Islamic majority, couldn't be separated from each other and from the Ottoman society. The provisions; stating that all Islamic elements who live in the mentioned countries are brothers and that social and geographical feelings were to be respected; were accepted. Neither the decisions of Erzurum and Sivas Congresses, nor the provisions of the National Pact, mention Kurdish people separately.'' ''The terrorist activities which were started by the PKK in Turkey can't be accepted as an independence movement. Because nations which are in the struggle of liberation, try to enforce their sovereignty in their country. To this end, only fighting with the powers who claim sovereignty in a territory illegally can be considered as a liberation struggle. The PKK which resorts to terrorist activities is illegal. All the terrorist activities of the PKK are illegal and their actions constitute crime under the law and they run against the common values of humankind. Their aim is to oppose to the state order. And they are cleary against the integrity and unity of the Turkish Republic the national and political structure of the state, the personal rights of the people, the protection of freedoms, the provision of social welfare, the development of the country and they aim at preventing the country's growth.'' ''The territory, which the PKK targets, is under the sovereignty of the Turkish Republic. This movement which has taken the form of uprising or revolt and which was broadened both in Turkey and in Western European countries, has been directed against the State, started to weaken the authority of the State and disturbed order. Its aim is to benefit from the atmosphere of terror and to damage national integrity.'' ''This situation, which is tried to be created and put into practice by internal and foreign support, can't be reconciled with Article 3 of the Constitution that states: 'the Turkish State with its territory and nation, is an indivisible whole', with Article 14 which prohibits abuse of fundamental rights and freedoms. These constitute the crime of disturbing the unity of the State and attempting to separate a part of territory which is under the sovereignty of the State, as it is prohibited by Article 125 of the Turkish Penal Code.'' ''Under the provisions of the Struggle Against Terrorism Law, the PKK organization is considered as a terrorist organization, its acts as terrorist crimes, and the ones who plan and undertook the command and control of the armed gang, who act on behalf of the organization or who willingly aid and abet the organization are considered as terrorist criminals. To this end, the duty to inspect this crime was given to the State Security Courts (DGM) according to Article 9 of the Law.'' ''This crime, is a crime of danger. The crime is committed even if it has only been attempted.'' ''International law has banned terrorism under every condition and accepted it as a serious violation of human rights.'' ''From the international documents and which were binding: - The 1980 CSCE Closing Session Document states that terrorist methods and executions by participating countries will be condemned, terrorism will not be justified under any condition, that a determined attitude will be adopted and that required measures will be taken to guarantee the extradition and prosecution of criminals. -In the 1990 Paris Charter, it was pointed out that parties will cooperate in order to defend democratic institutions against acts which violate the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the States and that terrorism will be regarded as a crime in every country. -The 1992 Helsinki Act states that parties will cooperate to condemn terrorism acts unconditionally and to remove the threat of terrorism. -The 1993 Vienna Human Rights World Conference Declaration says it was mutually agreed that any act that will jeopardize the territorial integrity and political unity of sovereign and independent countries entirely or partially, will not be tolerated and supported, and that all necessary measures will be taken to intensify cooperation in the struggle against terrorism and that this was an principle of international law.'' ''Exempting the PKK which commits many illegal armed terrorist activities and which is regarded as a terrorist organization in European countries, and to Abdullah Ocalan, the head of the terrorist organization and efforts to attribute him a status by recognizing him as a political personality, are illegal.'' ''Accused Abdullah Ocalan, is accused of a terrorist crime in front of the law. No exemption can be given to him apart from provisions of human rights and trial procedure. As he is considered as an accused of terrorism crimes, he is to be treated under the appropriate regime in accordance with Article 16 of the Law. To allege the opposite will contradict with the facts.'' ''Under the provisions of Geneva Agreement, the demands to grant him war criminal status have no legal basis.'' ''Preventing the separatist terrorist activities of PKK and to try him is the basic duty of the Turkish Republic. Granting a status to the PKK terrorist organization according to international agreements is out of question. Otherwise, it will be a violation of the sovereign equality and rights of the Turkish Republic, which is mentioned and adopted in the Helsinki Conference Final Document and several other treaties and agreements.'' [18] THE TOURISM REVENUES BETWEEN JANUARY AND SEPTEMBER 1998 ACCOUNT FOR 5.8 BILLION U.S. DOLLARSANKARA, June 8 (A.A) - The tourism revenues of Turkey between January and September 1998 accounted for 5.8 billion U.S. dollars; it was reported on Tuesday.The overall value of the goods which 6.8 million tourists took with them, reached 2.5 billion U.S. dollars. A State Statistics Institute statement said that the tourism revenues of Turkey reached its peak in August 1998 with 1.4 billion U.S. dollars, and had a share of 20 percent among the overall tourism revenues. September 1998 followed August with 1.1 billion U.S. dollars and with a share of 17.29 among the overall tourism revenues of Turkey. February 1998 was the month when the tourism revenues were the least 2.7 million U.S. dollars. [19] TURKISH-FRENCH ENERGY COOPERATION - ERSUMER, MINISTER OF ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES: ''WE DON'T NEED DRAFT LAW IN LIBERALIZATION OF NATURAL GAS MARKET, WE WILL BE ABLE TO SOLVE IT WITH A DECREE''ANKARA, June 8 (A.A) - Cumhur Ersumer, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, said on Tuesday that ''we don't need a draft law in liberalization of natural gas market. I think we will be able to solve it with a decree.''Speaking before a meeting with Dominique Maillard, French Industry Ministry Undersecretary and a delegation accompanying him who came to Turkey to participate in fourth Turkish-French Joint Energy Commission meetings, Ersumer said French companies made very important energy investments in Turkey. Pointing out that bargaining talks about Yusufeli Hydroelectric Power Plant, one of the projects of Turkish and French joint venture, was underway, Ersumer said Aliaga LPG (Liquified Petroleum Gas) power plant had taken confirmation from the Council of State and that talks are underway with the Treasury. Ersumer said joint efforts are underway related with a coal plant in Adana Tufanbeyli, adding that during the talks they reviewed joint investments with France and determined new targets. Recalling that French companies gave a proposal to Nuclear power plant, Ersumer said efforts are underway to this end. Responding to the questions of reporters, Ersumer said studies continued on project of Baku-Ceyhan Crude Oil Pipeline, and noted that another step will be taken after bilateral talks that will take place on June 11. Responding to another question about the arrangements related with the opening of natural gas and electricity market to private sector, Ersumer said ''we don't need a draft law related with natural gas. I think this problem will be solved with a decree. We will present information to Council of Ministers in the coming days related with the arrangement of electricity market. Later, we will submit the draft to the Parliament.'' When recalled the the issue of International Arbitration, Ersumer said ''there are studies in Justice and Energy Ministries and in private sector. We would like to combine these studies and prepare a draft that can be adopted in the Parliament. Later, we will ask for the views of the groups. In fact, three parties reached a compromising related with International Arbitration.'' Stressing that discussions of jurists will not end on the issue, Ersumer said, ''if the target is to provide integration of Turkey with international finance markets, we will agree on a point.'' Dominique Maillard, French Industry Ministry Undersecretary, said a good experience was obtained on the issue of joint efforts, adding that this was proved with the joint projects that were realized. Maillard said these two countries have mutual sides as both of them were dependent on importation in energy, and noted that Turkey may make use of financing and technical facilities of France. He said these two countries may go to joint investment in third countries, adding that they will bring private sector representatives to discuss the projects more closely today. [20] GERMAN CHANCELLOR SCHRODER'S GOVERNMENT STATEMENT: ''I AM SORRY AS I COULDN'T REVIVE TURKISH-EU RELATIONS''BONN, June 8 (A.A) - Gerhard Schroder, the German Chancellor said on Tuesday that he is sorry because he coldn't revive the relations between Turkey and the European Union (EU) during Germany's Term Presidency although he wanted to succeed in that.Issuing a government statement in the German Federal Parliament regarding the recent situation in Kosovo and EU relations with Turkey, Schroder said that his target is to re-arrange the relations between Turkey and the EU in the EU Council, adding ''we would determine a calendar to make Turkey come closer to the EU.'' Recalling that in the letter Premier Bulent Ecevit sent to him, Ecevit said that Turkey will keep loyal to Copenhagen criteria and to the Sixth Article of the EU Treaty, Schroder said that Turkey has to be included in the EU enlargement process as a candidate having equal rights. Noting that a consensus of opinion couldn't be reached regarding the Turkish-EU relations in spite of the support of the majority of the EU member countries, but due to the oppositions of few countries during the Koln summit held last week, Schroder added that ''Turkey is a very important partner for Europe and for her region. In this respect, we must have common interest of streghthening the democrats in Turkey and to win these people to Europe, our policy, and common values. For that reason, it would have been proper if a clear sign would come out from the Koln summit. I am sorry as we couldn't succeed in that. I will continue to launch efforts to realize improvement in relations with Turkey and to make concrete the presentation of a full membership perspective to this country.'' [21] TRIAL OF HEAD OF TERRORIST ORGANIZATION - FULL TEXT OF THE SUMMING-UP OF ACCUSATIONS AGAINST OCALANIMRALI ISLAND, June 8 (A.A) - Cevdet Volkan, Chief Prosecutor of Ankara State Security Court (DGM) and Talat Salk, Republican Prosecutor read out the summing-up of accusations against Abdullah Ocalan, head of terrorist organization, in today's court session:''In accordance with Article 10 of the Turkish Constitution, everyone is equal in front of law regardless of language, race, color, sex, political opinion, philosophical belief, religion, sect or similar reasons. No individual, family, group or class can be granted special privileges. State organs and administrative offices must act in accordance with this principle of equality.'' ''The Turkish Republic is a democratic and social State governed by the rule of law, that respects human rights. Regardless of regional origin, race or language, laws are being applied equally. Everyone makes use of rights and freedoms given by the Constitution and laws. If only a chance is given.'' ''Article 12 of the Turkish Constitution states that everyone has basic rights and freedoms that cannot be transferred or abandoned, including individuals' duties and responsibilities with regard to their families and others. Article 13 of the Turkish Constitution states that these basic rights and freedoms can be limited by law to protect basic rights and freedoms, the indivisible integrity of State, national sovereignty, the Republic, national security, the public order and the public interest. It is also noted that this limitation cannot run contrary to the necessities of a democratic public order.'' ''The basic rights and freedoms which have been taken under guarantee by the Constitution and their limitations are included in all international conventions and treaties of which Turkey is a party.'' ''In line with the international law and in such a legal framework drawn by the Constitution and enforced with other laws, each activity of accused Abdullah Ocalan, who actually established the PKK terrorist organization and who directed it with his written and verbal orders secretly and openly, constitute crimes as foreseen by the Turkish Penal Code as they are committed against individuals and against the goods, public order, security, and future of the public, State administration, justice and freedom. They all constitute the elements of the crime covered by Article 125 of the Turkish Penal Code which regulates crimes against the State and which foresees the heaviest punishment in the Turkish Penal Code.'' ''The accused, in his written and verbal defense during the preliminary investigation and in his trial, said that: He formed the PKK terrorist organization himself, he administrated the organization, which carried out its activities under his leadership and command until the moment he was captured, he accepted the incidents mentioned in the indictment, their character as being terrorist activities, and his responsibility in this regard.'' ''Being influenced by Leslie Lipson's book 'Democratic Civilization', which he started to read by chance after 1990, he understood that the movement which he started couldn't solve problems by giving democratic countries like Switzerland and Britain as examples, the solution could only be possible within the integrity of the Turkish Republic and later focused his studies on the democratic system.'' ''On March 15, 1993 he started the unilaterally declaring cease-fires, his aim was to prevent more bloodshed and to end the terrorist activities as he believed that living and making people live was better than dying and killing people.'' ''He alleged that he exerted efforts to find a solution together with the Turkish Republic, he issued statements in the press organs in this direction and held initiatives in this direction with several unofficial intermediaries.'' ''He claimed that he positively affected democratic and contemporary developments in Turkey and that he continuously looked for a way out in this direction. He also alleged that he tried to convince the organization and its armed forces to act only in self-defense.'' ''He claimed that the solution, which he defined as the 'Democratic Unity Solution' and the theories as listed below, could be realized by overcoming the deficiencies in the application of the laws and changes in the Constitution and laws. 1- Further strengthening the integrity of the country and the reality of the common state, 2- Keeping the Democratic Republic within the framework of social unity and independence, 3- Making language and culture freedom a core characteristic of the Republic, 4- Abandoning military and armed force approaches as they lost their meaning, 5- Including the PKK and its many organizations, which are in the position of being illegal, to the normal political and legal process together with peace.'' ''He also defended that he had given orders not to launch any attacks to civilians after the year 1990, and that the very few incidents which happened afterwards were realized outside his control by regional commanders and that he could not prevented them even if he felt pain.'' [22] ATO DELEGATION IN TRNC - AYGUN, CHAIRMAN OF ATO EXECUTIVE BOARD: ''WE AIM AT FINDING A TRADING OPPORTUNITY IN TRNC''LEFKOSA, June 8 (A.A) - A delegation from Ankara Chamber of Commerce (ATO) went to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) to observe the investment opportunities and to hold contacts with the TRNC businessmen on Tuesday.The ATO delegation which was headed by Sinan Aygun, the Chairman of ATO Executive Board, and Yuksel Tavsan, Chairman of Chamber Assembly, was welcomed by Ahmet Zeki Bulunc, TRNC State Planning Organization (DPO) and the officials of the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce. Addressing a statement at the Ercan Airport of TRNC, Aygun said that they hope that the negotiations will be positive and that they aim at finding trading opportunities in TRNC. Aygun said, ''we hope that our visit will open the doors of Ankara for the Turkish Cypriot businessmen. We hope that the bilateral contacts will be good and that the two parties will be pleased in the end of the contacts.'' Pointing out that the Turkish Cypriot businessmen usually realize trade with Britain among European countries and mostly trade with Istanbul in Turkey, Aygun noted that the businessmen from Ankara want to have cooperation with TRNC businessmen. Hamza Arman, a member of the Executive Board of the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce, said that they will discuss the investment opportunities together with the businessmen from Ankara during their contacts. The ATO delegation will be received by the state and governmental officials of TRNC on Wednesday and will depart TRNC on Friday. [23] PRESIDENT DEMIREL RECEIVES DR. YAZICIOGLU CHAIRMAN OF COUNCIL OF THRACIAN-BALKAN ASSOCIATIONS PLATFORMANKARA, June 8 (A.A) - President Suleyman Demirel said on Tuesday that integration of Balkans to Europe, attitude of Balkan countries to undertake commitments to adopt human rights and democracy, relieved the kinsmen here, adding that ''Turkish minorities will benefit from the things mentioned in Human Rights Charter and conditions which make Europe a civilized Europe.''Addressing a meeting with Dr. Esref Yazicioglu, Chairman of Council of Thracian-Balkan Associations and a delegation accompaying him, Demirel said despite the immigrations experienced after splitting up of the Ottoman Empire, Turks and Moslems remained in the Balkans. Pointing out that a new geography was formed following the collapse of Soviet Union and Yugoslavia, Demirel said this brought new problems, and mentioned about Bosnia-Herzegovina and Kosovo incidents. Demirel said Turkey was one of the leading countries to announce the incidents to the world both in Kosovo and Bosnia issues. Recalling that he had gone to Bosnia-Herzegovina under hard conditions for six times, Demirel said he had attracted the attentions to the incidents in Kosovo long before. Telling about his studies carried out to this end, Demirel said he had told Milosevic during his visit to Turkey that they will lead nowhere with bloodshed. Demirel said way could be found to everything in the world. There are ways to remove any stain. Yet, no way could be found to remove blood stain. Noting that Albanians and Turks were exposed to ethnic cleansing in Kosovo and that one million people migrated, Demirel said Turkey was one of the leading countries which protected those people and fulfilled its duty with determination. Demirel said Turkey fulfilled its commitments in NATO on the issue in a way that will suit to a great country. Mentioning about the application of human rights, Demirel said ''nothing is completed. Unfortunately, I can say that Greece, which is a member of EU and NATO, carries out its enmity policy against Turkey in every field. It is the main supporter of a bloody terrorist organization in Turkey. At the same time, it fails to fulfil its commitments against moslem Turkish minority in Western Thrace. Yet, these will not be tolerated in the future.'' Pointing out that the Ottomans did not make assimilation in the past, Demirel said, ''we are happy that humanist philosophy is in our nature.'' Demirel said new cooperation facilities appeared in the new geography, adding that ''there is no use of issuing enmity from the past. I am telling this to everybody: Whoever brings the past into today, he will block today and the future. We want a world in peace.'' Demirel said, ''we have several problems. Mostly in Western Thrace. We solve problems in other places with understanding. There are several conflicts. Confidence of people to each other has not been settled fully yet. Yet, overcoming these will not last long. [24] TRIAL OF HEAD OF TERRORIST ORGANIZATION - FULL TEXT OF THE SUMMING-UP OF ACCUSATIONS AGAINST OCALANIMRALI ISLAND, June 8 (A.A) - Cevdet Volkan, Chief Prosecutor of Ankara State Security Court (DGM) and Talat Salk, Republican Prosecutor read out the summing-up of accusations against Abdullah Ocalan, head of terrorist organization, at today's court session:''Even if the defense of the accused is considered valid, his actions until 15 February 1999 runs afoul to everything he has asserted.'' ''From the date when the PKK was founded, to the date when Ocalan was
captured, PKK staged 4,057 attacks of a total of 6,036; 6,057 armed clashes
of a total of 8,257; 2,403 bomb attacks of a total of 3,071; 934 abductions
of a total of 1,046 and 529 illegal demonstrations of a total of 567, after
1993.'' ''Meanwhile, 3,279 persons were abducted by the PKK terrorists within this period. ''As a result of the terrorist attacks staged within this period, 120 children were killed, and 188 others were injured.'' ''These figures show how sincere Ocalan is in his defense.'' ''PKK's 5th congress was held between 8-27 January 1995. It was evaluated in the congress that powers which had plans for Northern Iraq and Turkey might need the support of the PKK, and that a series of decisions were taken related with this. It was decided that relations with international institutions and organizations like the European Parliament and the OSCE would be advanced in order to give the PKK a political identity. Yet PKK, despite its all efforts to show itself as a political foundation, was a terrorist organization.'' ''Again in the 5th congress, it was decided that they will target people defined as agents or Temporary Village Guards (GKK) families.'' ''There were plans to stage raids in crowded settlement and to commit suicide attacks in provinces or counties in the 4th Conference of the PKK which was held in a camp of the organization near Damascus between May 1 and 5, 1996, after the 5th Congress.'' ''Accused Abdullah Ocalan showed the villages in which Temporary Village Guards live in as the targets to the members of the PKK. Temporary Village Guards are people of Kurdish origin who don't accept to be PKK members. With the orders of Abdullah Ocalan, PKK gangs massacred many GKK families, their children and relatives.'' ''A total of 1,225 GKKs were martyred as of February 22, 1999. Most of the 4,472 citizens who were killed by PKK, were of Kurdish origin.'' ''Even the ones who were killed in western cities like Antalya, Izmir and Istanbul were of Kurdish origin. Those people were either agents or collaborators. That is, they were the ones who did not participate in the PKK organization or the ones who did not help.'' ''These decisions prove that PKK was a terrorist organization committing crimes against humanity despite its efforts to promote itself to the public and despite its relations with international institutions and organizations. ''Abdullah Ocalan, in a book he wrote entitled ''The Role of Force in Kurdistan'', said '...Kurdish people can not limit their struggle to certain styles'.'' ''It is not possible to save oneself from the responsibilities of the past by putting forward new solution methods and new views. This situation which forms the basis of the accused's defense can't be a valid reason regarding the existing laws.'' ''The Turkish Republic can't be made a 'guinea pig' for terrorists. Those who attempt to do this, will face the laws of the Turkish State. Nobody should doubt about that. The Turkish Republic is a Republic under the Constitution and it is a democratic, secular and social state which respects human rights with an understanding of the peace of the society, national solidarity, and justice.'' ''These basic principles of our state had been accepted before the foundation of the terrorist organization PKK, established by Abdullah Ocalan, the accused. No power or institution has the initiative to change, harm or remove these principles. In that respect, no meaning can be given to his understanding of the power of the Turkish Republic, its democratic structure, and its working after 1993 or following his capture. It can perhaps be explained by the fact that the accused has entered into a psychological defense mechanism. The concept of 'free togetherness' which was used by the accused in the past was also used in a way which calls for separatism and dividing people and which always incorporates the territories where a specific race lives.'' ''The punishment of the suspect under Article 125 of the Turkish Penal Code, the continuation of his arrestment, the confiscation of the belongings and money which was determined to belong to the terrorist organization under Article 36 of the Turkish Penal Code are requested, as his crime is considered fixed, as the accused Ocalan has not yet cut off his relations with the terrorist organization and as the activities of the separatist terrorist organization PKK are carried out for a long time and continiously both in Turkey and abroad when one also takes into consideration the testimonies and defense of Ocalan in various stages and the evidences in the file.'' A.A Anadolu Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |