Anadolu Agency: News in English, 99-08-17

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AA Daily

17 August 1999 Tuesday

CONTENTS

[01] STRONG EARTQUAKE KILLS 3, WOUNDS 90 IN ISTANBUL ACCORDING TO FIRST REPORTS

[02] ISKENDER, DIRECTOR GENERAL OF SECURITY IN ANKARA: - ''NO CASUALTIES WERE REPORTED IN THE EARTHQUAKE''

[03] INTERIOR MINISTER TANTAN: - ''CRISIS DESKS HAVE BEEN SET UP IN PROVINCES''

[04] OZDEMIR, ACTING CHAIRMAN OF RED CRESCENT: - ''A TOTAL OF 500 TENTS, THREE MOBILE KITCHENS, BLANKETS, AND 180 UNITS OF BLOOD HAVE BEEN SENT TO SAKARYA AND KOCAELI PROVINCES''

[05] MAJOR EARTHQUAKE - MINISTRY OF ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES SETS UP CRISIS DESK

[06] 15 PERSONS DIE, 572 OTHERS INJURED IN SIX DISTRICTS OF ISTANBUL DUE TO COLLAPSE OF BUILDINGS

[07] MAJOR EARTHQUAKE - 32 PEOPLE KILLED, 500 OTHERS INJURED IN BURSA, ISTANBUL, AND ESKISEHIR

[08] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT: ''DIMENSIONS OF DAMAGE HAVE NOT BEEN CLEARLY DETERMINED''

[09] MAJOR EARTHQUAKE - THERE ARE SERIOUS DAMAGES IN BUILDINGS IN ADAPAZARI

[10] THE EARTHQUAKE KİLLED NEARLY 30 PEOPLE AND İNJURED ALMOST 600 OTHERS.

[11] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

[12] PREMIER ECEVIT WILL LEAVE FOR KOCAELI PROVINCE AT 10.30 TODAY - ECEVIT: ''IT IS UNDERSTOOD THAT THE PARLIAMENT SHOULD STOP WORKING FOR ONE DAY''

[13] DEATH TOLL INCREASES TO 286 IN MAJOR EARTHQUAKE

[14] MAJOR EARTHQUAKE - PRESIDENT DEMIREL: ''OUR STATE AND NATION WILL HEAL THE WOUND OF THIS DISASTER IN THE SHORTEST TIME''

[15] MAJOR QUAKE - YILMAZ, DIRECTOR GENERAL OF DISASTER AFFAIRS: ''THIS IS A WIDE-SPREAD INCIDENT AND I SUPPOSE ITS ECONOMIC DIMENSION WILL ALSO BE HIGH''

[16] MAJOR QUAKE - ISRAEL EXTENDS SUPPORT TO TURKEY

[17] MAJOR EARTHQUAKE - DEATH TOLL INCREASES TO 286 - A TOTAL OF 1,637 PEOPLE INJURED - 50 PEOPLE TRAPPED UNDER A COLLAPSED BUILDING IN ESKISEHIR

[18] MAJOR EARTHQUAKE - PARLIAMENT GIVES A ONE-DAY BREAK FOR ITS SESSIONS

[19] ERSUMER, MINISTER OF ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES: ''THERE IS A VERY IMPORTANT DAMAGE IN TRANSFORMER CENTERS OF 380 KILOWATTS IN DUZCE, OSMANCA AND ADAPAZARI''

[20] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT: - ''INSTALLATIONS BELONGING TO NAVAL FORCES IN GOLCUK IS AMONG THE BADLY DAMAGED BUILDINGS'' - ''THERE ARE 248 PEOPLE TRAPPED UNDER DEBRIS. 24 PEOPLE WERE RESCUED WHILE 20 OTHERS LOST THEIR LIVES''

[21] PRESIDENT DEMIREL MEETS WITH PREMIER ECEVIT - PRESIDENT DEMIREL: ''I THINK DEATH TOLL WILL BE HIGH''

[22] RICHARDSON, THE U.S. SECRETARY OF ENERGY EXPRESSES HIS SORROW OVER EARTHQUAKE

[23] MAJOR EARTHQUAKE - GERMANY TO SEND ONE MILLION GERMAN MARKS FOR VICTIMS OF EARTHQUAKE

[24] DEATH TOLL RISES TO 89 IN YALOVA PROVINCE

[25] GENERAL KIVRIKOGLU, CHIEF OF GENERAL STAFF: - ''24 OF 250 STAFF WHO HAVE BEEN TRAPPED UNDER COLLAPSED MILITARY INSTALLATION IN GOLCUK, WERE RESCUED. DEAD BODIES OF 20 OTHERS WERE ALSO RECOVERED''

[26] MORE THAN 100 APARTMENT BLOCKS TOTALLY COLLAPSED IN KORFEZ, DERINCE, GEBZE, KARAMURSEL AND GOLCUK ACCORDING TO FIRST ESTIMATIONS

[27] GENERAL ERYILMAZ: - ''A TOTAL OF 3,037 OPERATIONS LAUNCHED IN SOUTHEASTERN ANATOLIA REGION WITHIN THE LAST TWO YEARS'' - ''102 TERRORISTS WERE RENDERED INEFFECTIVE''

[28] ISRAEL TO SEND PLANES AND 120 PEOPLE RESCUE TEAM

[29] BULGARIAN PRESIDENT STOYANOV SENDS A MESSAGE TO DEMIREL, AND EXPRESSES CONDOLENCES - EARTHQUAKE ALSO FELT IN BULGARIA

[30] IRANIAN PRESIDENT KHATAMI EXPRESSES HIS CONDOLENCES: - ''WE ARE READY TO HELP''

[31] AIR BRIDGE FORMED BETWEEN BURSA-YALOVA TO TRANSPORT THE WOUNDED ONES

[32] GERMAN FOREIGN MINISTER FISCHER SENDS MESSAGE OF CONDOLENCE

[33] MAJOR EARTHQUAKE - DEAD BODIES OF 364 PEOPLE RECOVERED IN ADAPAZARI AND DUZCE

[34] OGUZ, GOVERNOR OF KOCAELI: ''THERE ARE MORE THAN 200 PEOPLE WHO ARE REPORTED TO BE DEAD AND AROUND 3,000 ARE WOUNDED''

[35] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT VISITS YALOVA AND GOLCUK: - ''WE ARE SENDING ALL SPECIALIZED TEAMS TO AFFECTED AREAS'' - ''MANY COUNTRIES HAVE OFFERED HELP'' - ''GOD, SAVE OUR INJURED ONES, AND PROTECT US FROM NEW DISASTERS''

[36] RED CRESCENT TO SEND 9,000 TENTS TO AFFECTED AREAS

[37] LEVY, ISRAELI FOREIGN MINISTER: - ''ISRAEL IS READY TO DO HER UTMOST''

[38] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT: ''OUR LOSS IS GRAVE''

[39] CRISIS UNIT ESTABLISHED IN FOREIGN MINISTRY

[40] DEATH TOLL INCREASES TO 1,169

[41] MAJOR EARTHQUAKE - A TOTAL OF 30 AFTERSHOCKS OCCURED

[42] THE U.S. PRESIDENT CLINTON: - ''WE ARE READY TO DO OUR UTMOST''

[43] MASSIVE EARTHQUAKE - U.S. EMBASSY IN ANKARA SENDS CONDOLENCES NOTE TO TURKISH GOVERNMENT AND TO THOSE WHO LOST THEIR LOVED ONES IN EARTHQUAKE

[44] MAJOR EARTHQUAKE - STATE MINISTER FIKRET UNLU: ''DEATH TOLL IN ISTANBUL IS 190, THERE ARE 2,352 INJURED PEOPLE AND 170 BUILDINGS SUFFERED DAMAGE''

[01] STRONG EARTQUAKE KILLS 3, WOUNDS 90 IN ISTANBUL ACCORDING TO FIRST REPORTS

Haluk Tokucoglu, the Health Ministry Undersecretary, told A.A correspondent that all hospitals were on full alert after the earthquake.

Stating that they could not reach yet to Izmit where is the epicenter of the earthquake, Tokucoglu said they could not have any information from this province yet.

Tokucoglu said that a mobile hospital was sent from Istanbul to Izmit and a crisis center was set up in the Health Ministry.

Health Minister Osman Durmus and Tokucoglu later left for Izmit.

[02] ISKENDER, DIRECTOR GENERAL OF SECURITY IN ANKARA: - ''NO CASUALTIES WERE REPORTED IN THE EARTHQUAKE''

Iskender noted, ''earthquake sent people from their beds to the streets in panic. We are trying to calm down people. Security forces have been deployed in streets.''

Iskender also warned against aftershocks, and urged people to stay out of their homes.

-MAJOR EARTHQUAKES ON TURKEY
ANKARA, August 17 (A.A) - Chronology of major earthquakes in Turkey since 1902, is as follows:

PLACE DATE MAGNITUDE DEATH NUMBER OF
TOLL INJURIES
--------------------------------------------------------------
CANKIRI 09 Mar 1902 5.6 4 -

MALAZGIRT 24 Apr 1903 6.7 2,626 -

MUREFTE 09 Aug 1912 7.3 216 466

AFYON-BOLVADIN 04 Oct 1914 5.1 400 -

CAYKARA 13 May 1924 5.3 50 -

PASINLER 13 Sep 1924 6.9 310 -

AFYON-DINAR 07 Aug 1925 5.9 3 -

MILAS 08 Feb 1926 4.7 2 -

FINIKE 18 Mar 1926 6.9 27 -

KARS 22 Oct 1926 5.7 355 -

IZMIR-TORBALI 31 Mar 1928 7.0 50 -

SIVAS-SUSEHRI 18 May 1929 6.1 64 -

HAKKARI SINIRI 06 May 1930 7.2 2,514 -

DENIZLI-CIVRIL 19 Jul 1933 5.7 20 -

BINGOL 15.Dec 1934 4.9 12 -

ERDEK 04 Jan 1935 6.7 5 30

DIGOR 01 May 1935 6.2 200 -

KIRSEHIR 19 Apr 1938 6.6 149 -

IZMIR-DIKILI 22 Sep 1939 7.1 60 -

TERCAN 21 Nov 1939 5.9 43 -

ERZINCAN 26 Dec 1939 7.9 3,2962 -

NIGDE 10 Jan 1940 5.0 58 -

KAYSERI-DEVELI 20 Feb 1940 6.7 37 20

YOZGAT 13 Apr 1940 5.6 20 -

MUGLA 23 May 1941 6.0 2 -

VAN-ERCIS 10 Sep 1941 5.9 194 -

ERZINCAN 12 Nov 1941 5.9 15 -

MUGLA 13 Dec 1941 5.7 - -

BIGADIC-SINDIRGI 15 Nov 1942 6.1 7 -

OSMANCIK 21 Nov 1942 5.5 7 -

CORUM 11 Dec 1942 5.9 25 -

NIKSAR-ERBAA 20 Dec 1942 7.0 3,000 -

ADAPAZARI-HENDEK 20 Jun 1943 6.6 336 -

TOSYA-LADIK 26 Nov 1943 7.2 2,824 -

BOLU-GEREDE 01 Feb 1944 7.2 3,959 -

DUZCE 10 Feb 1944 5.4 - -

MUDURNU 05 Apr 1944 5.6 30 -

GEDIZ-USAK 25 Jun 1944 6.2 21 -

AYVALIK-EDREMIT 06 Oct 1944 7.0 27 -

ADANA-CEYHAN 20 Mar 1945 6.0 10 -

VAN 20 Nov 1945 5.8 - -

KADINHAN-ILGIN 21 Feb 1946 5.6 2 -

VARTO-HINIS 31 Apr 1946 5.7 839 349

IZMIR-KARABURUN 23 Jul 1949 7.0 1 7

KARLIOVA 17 Aug 1949 7.0 450 -

KIGI 04 Feb 1950 4.6 20 -

ISKENDERUN 08 Apr 1951 5.7 6 10

KURSUNLU 13 Aug 1951 6.9 52 208

HASANKALE 03 Jan 1952 5.8 133 -

YENICE-GONEN 18 Mar 1953 7.4 265 366

KURSUNLU 07 Sep 1953 6.4 2 -

AYDIN-SOKE 16 Jul 1955 7.0 23 -

ESKISEHIR 20 Feb 1956 6.4 2 -

FETHIYE 25 Apr 1957 7.1 67 -

BOLU-ABANT 26 May 1957 7.1 52 100

BASKOY 07 Jul 1957 5.1 - -

KOYCEGIZ 25 Apr 1959 5.7 - -

HINIS 25 Oct 1959 5.0 18 -

MARMARIS 23 May 1961 6.5 - 9

IGDIR 04 Sep 1962 5.3 1 22

DENIZLI 11 Mar 1963 5.5 - -

CINARCIK-YALOVA 18 Sep 1963 6.3 1 26

DENIZLI 22 Nov 1963 5.1 - -

MALATYA 14 Jun 1964 6.0 8 36

MANYAS 06 Oct 1964 7.0 23 130

DENIZLI-HONAZ 13 Jun 1965 5.7 14 217

KARLIOVA 31 Aug 1965 5.6 - -

VARTO 07 Mar 1966 5.6 14 75

VARTO 19 Aug 1966 6.9 2,394 1,489

ADANA-BAHCE 07 Apr 1967 5.3 - -

ADAPAZARI 22 Jul 1967 7.2 89 235

PULUMUR 26 Jul 1967 6.2 97 268

AKYAZI 30 Jul 1967 6.0 2 40

BINGOL-ELAZIG 24 Oct 1968 5.1 2 40

BARTIN 03 Oct 1968 6.5 29 231

FETHIYE 14 Jan 1969 6.2 - -

GONEN 03 Mar 1969 5.7 1 -

DEMIRCI 23 Mar 1969 6.1 - -

ALASEHIR 28 Mar 1969 6.6 41 186

KARABURUN 06 Apr 1969 5.6 - 3

GEDIZ 28 Mar 1970 7.2 1,086 1,260

CAVDARHISAR 19 Apr 1970 5.9 - 2

DEMIRCI 23 Apr 1970 5.7 - 43

BURDUR 12 May 1971 6.2 57 150

BINGOL 22 May 1971 6.7 878 700

EZINE 26 Apr 1972 5.0 - -

VAN 16 Jul 1972 5.2 1 -

IZMIR 01 Feb 1974 5.2 2 22

KARS-SUSUZ 25 Mar 1975 5.1 2 26

LICE 06 Oct 1975 6.9 2,385 3,339

DOGU BEYAZIT 02 Apr 1976 4.8 5 13

ARDAHAN 30 Apr 1976 5.0 4 -

DENIZLI 19 Aug 1976 4.9 4 28

CALDIRAN-MURADIYE 24 Nov 1976 7.2 3,840 497

LICE 25 Mar 1977 4.8 8 17

PALU 26 Mar 1977 5.2 8 26

IZMIR 16 Dec 1977 5.3 - -

FOCA 14 Jun 1979 5.9 - -

MUS-BULANIK 27 Mar 1982 5.2 - -

BIGA 05 Jul 1983 4.9 3 -

ERZURUM 30 Oct 1983 6.8 1,155 1,142

ERZURUM-BALKAYA 18 Sep 1984 5.9 3 35

MALATYA-SURGU 06 Apr 1986 5.6 1 20

KARS-AKYAKA 07 Aug 1988 6.9 4 11

ERZINCAN 13 Mar 1992 6.8 653 3,850

DINAR 01 Oct 1995 6.0 96 240

CORUM-AMASYA 14 Aug 1996 5.4 - 6

ADANA-CEYHAN 27 Jun 1998 6.3 145 1,041</PRE>

[03] INTERIOR MINISTER TANTAN: - ''CRISIS DESKS HAVE BEEN SET UP IN PROVINCES''

Tantan who came together with Yahya Gur, Undersecretary of Interior Ministry; Turan Genc, Acting Director General of Security; and Rasim Bas, Director General of Civil Defense, for an urgent meeting, said that the death toll has not become clear yet.

Tantan stressed that crisis desks have been set up in provinces, and necessary measures have been taken.

Noting that some highways collapsed, and fires broke out, and a bridge collapsed in Adapazari and Izmit provinces, Tantan told reporters that rescue work are underway.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit; Devlet Bahceli and Husamettin Ozkan, Deputy Prime Ministers; Hasan Gemici, State Minister; and Yasar Okuyan, Labour and Social Security Minister, came to the Prime Ministry Office.

[04] OZDEMIR, ACTING CHAIRMAN OF RED CRESCENT: - ''A TOTAL OF 500 TENTS, THREE MOBILE KITCHENS, BLANKETS, AND 180 UNITS OF BLOOD HAVE BEEN SENT TO SAKARYA AND KOCAELI PROVINCES''

Nurettin Ozdemir, Acting Chairman of the Red Crescent, said that the crisis desk held contacts with Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit; Saadettin Tantan, Interior Minister; Osman Durmus, Health Minister; and Yahya Gur, Undersecretary of Interior Ministry, to determine necessary requirements.

Ozdemir stressed that a total of 500 tents, three mobile kitchens, blankets and 180 units of blood have been sent to Sakarya and Kocaeli provinces from Ankara.

Meanwhile, a mobile hospital will leave for the region within an hour.

[05] MAJOR EARTHQUAKE - MINISTRY OF ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES SETS UP CRISIS DESK

Ozcan Yurtcu, the Press Counsellor of the Ministry, said a crisis desk was set up under the chairmenship of Yurdagul Yigitguden, the Undersecretary of the Ministry, and Talat Erturk, the Deputy Undersecretary of the Ministry, in accordance with the instructions of Cumhur Ersumer, the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources.

Speaking to the A.A correspondent, Press Counsellor Ozcan Yurtcu said 27 general directors of the Ministry are sending continuous information about energy in their regions and provinces to the crisis desk. Yurtcu said there were powers cuts in the provinces shaken by the earthquake but those power cuts were being removed rapidly.

Yurtcu added that the power problem in those provinces will be totally removed by the afternoon.

[06] 15 PERSONS DIE, 572 OTHERS INJURED IN SIX DISTRICTS OF ISTANBUL DUE TO COLLAPSE OF BUILDINGS

In six districts of Istanbul, 15 persons died and 572 others were injured due to the collapse of buildings.

Particularly Bagcılar and Bayrampasa districts were affected by the quake, five persons died in Bagcılar district, three persons died in Bayrampasa district, one person in Avcılar, two persons in Esenyurt, three others in Kartal and one person in Kucukcekmece district.

Buildings having many storeys collapsed in Beylikduzu, the Social Security Hospital in Kartal partially collapsed and buildings collapsed in Buyukcekmece and Catalca districts of Istanbul.

[07] MAJOR EARTHQUAKE - 32 PEOPLE KILLED, 500 OTHERS INJURED IN BURSA, ISTANBUL, AND ESKISEHIR

Fire broke out at the Tupras Refenery in Izmit following the earthquake happened at about 03:00 local time.

Military units of the Naval Forces Commandership, fire brigades of the Ministry of Forestry and helicopters are expending efforts to extinguish the fire.

A pub namely Denizati in Mudanya collapsed during the earthquake.

A total of 20 people were killed and 200 others were injured in Bursa; 2 people were killed and 80 others were injured in Eskisehir, and ten people were killed and 250 others were injured in Istanbul.

Communication could not be provided with Kocaeli while there were serious damages in buildings in five districts of Sakarya.

[08] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT: ''DIMENSIONS OF DAMAGE HAVE NOT BEEN CLEARLY DETERMINED''

Responding to questions of journalists, Premier Ecevit said that a very strong quake shook several regions of Turkey, adding communication with many places can't be provided.

''It is understood that the quake has been very effective in Kocaeli and Sakarya and it has also been effective in Istanbul. Citizens mustn't enter the buildings which were damaged by the quake, after-shocks are expected to continue,'' Premier Ecevit said.

Responding to a question asking in how many places of Ankara crisis desks were formed, Premier Ecevit said that ''there is crisis center in General Staff and others were formed in all provinces which were shaken by the quake.''

[09] MAJOR EARTHQUAKE - THERE ARE SERIOUS DAMAGES IN BUILDINGS IN ADAPAZARI

Alptekin Demir, one of the residents of Adapazari who scrambled into the streets with their families shortly after the earthquake, told the A.A correspondent that Adapazari was badly affected by the earthquake. Giving information that there were serious damages in the building on the both sides of the province's most crowded street namely Carka and nearly half of the houses in Seker and Hacioglu districts on the Sedat Ciftetepe street collapsed, Demir said, ''there were two earthquakes. After feeling the first earthquake, we scrambled into the street. Some of the buildings on the Carka street were leveled. They look like hamburgers. All people are on the streets. Nobody wants to return to their homes. The traffic was paralyzed. I did not hear a news that there was casualty. I saw some people slightly injured.''

[10] THE EARTHQUAKE KİLLED NEARLY 30 PEOPLE AND İNJURED ALMOST 600 OTHERS.

The epicenter of the quake was Kocaeli and many crisis desks were formed in provinces which were strongly shaken by the quake.

The quake took place at 03.00 local time and it was also felt in Istanbul, Ankara, Bursa, Sakarya, Kocaeli, Izmit, Afyon, Kayseri, Zonguldak, Edirne, Tekirdag, Kırklareli and surroundings.

Power was cut and telephone lines were damaged in the provinces and fires started in some provinces.

Prof. Dr. Ahmet Mete Isıkara, the Director of the Kandilli Observatory Quake Research Center said that the quake was accepted in the category of ''major'' adding more than 100 after shocks following the main tremor took place. Isıkara warned citizens not to enter the damaged buildings.

Meanwhile CNN television channel announced the quake as a flash news claiming that the quake measured 7.1 on the Richter scale as they were informed by U.S. Geological Survey National Earthquake Information Center.

Meanwhile, some people were injured when they jumped from the windows and balconies as they got panicked by the earthquake.

People also got panicked when the power was cut in all of the provinces where the earthquake was felt. People scrambled into the streets as the streest are more safe than the houses, and they tried to get information about the developments and set up contact with their relatives living in the provinces hit by the earthquake.

The officials at the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources said the power cuts will be removed totally through the afternoon.

A viaduct near Sapanca county between Adapazari and Izmit on the Anatolia motorway was damaged. The officials at the Motorways Directorate said this part of the motorway was closed to traffic so the drivers should use the State D-100 road.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit, Devlet Bahceli and Husamettin Ozkan, the Deputy Prime Ministers and the Ministers of State, and some ministers came to the Prime Ministry building after they had been informed about the earthquake.

Prime Minister Ecevit said communication couldn't be set up with many regions and they couldn't receive detailed information from some other regions.

Noting that the earthquake badly affected Kocaeli, Sakarya, and Istanbul, Ecevit called people not to enter the buildings which received damage, and not to get panicked until the end of the aftershocks.

[11] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

19 BILLION LIRAS STOLEN FROM ATM
Unkown people, who opened an automated teller machine of Yapi Kredi Bank on Atakoy Beach Road, stole 19.5 billion Turkish liras (TL) in the machine. Officials think those people received help from a person or persons working at the bank branch office as the machine was opened without any damage.

U.S. SECRETARY OF ENERGY PLEASED WITH ARBITRATION
Bill Richardson, the U.S. Secretary of Energy who arrived in Turkey yesterday, said that international arbitration was an important development in Turkey. Richardson stated that the investments especially in the field of enery will increase after the arbitration enters into effect.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

MURDERERS OF IPEKCI ACQUITTED
All of the promises given by the authorities about Abdi Ipekci, who was assasinated on February 1, 1979, became futile. All of the accused people except Mehmet Ali Agca were acquitted in 20 years as the evidences disappeared, and later due to lack of evidence and lastly due to lapse of time.

SABAH (LIBERAL)

The biggest damage was in Izmit, Adapazarı, and Eskisehir provinces. Many buildings in these provinces collapsed, and fires broke out following the earthquake. The power cut increased the panic.

There was panic also in the hospitals. Someone who jumped from the window of Capa Hospital died.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

''AMERICAN SUPPORT TO BAKU-CEYHAN CONTINUES''
President Suleyman Demirel who received Bill Richardson, the U.S. Secretary of Energy, said that the American support to Baku-Ceyhan pipeline and Turkmen gas projects via Caspian Sea continues. Demirel pointed out that ''I am very pleased about the continuation of our relations with the U.S. concerning the construction of Baku-Ceyhan pipeline.''

RADIKAL (LEFT)

ALEWITES CRITICIZE GOVERNMENT
Alewites accused the government of bargaining with those who oppose secularism during the ceremonies held to commemorate Haci Bektas-i Veli. Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit who attended the ceremonies said that ''we didn't bargain on the fate of one nation with anybody and we won't do it also in the future.''

TÜRKİYE (RIGHT)

EVERYBODY WILL HAVE HEALTH INSURANCE
The Retired Pension Fund (Emekli Sandigi), Social Security Authority (SSK), and Social Security Agency for Self Employed and Artizans (Bag-kur) are reorganized under one roof.

The Health Ministry started the first serious efforts for the Health Insurance which was almost always on the agenda. The draft will provide social security for all citizens in international standards.

The Health Fund which will be set up will cover everbody in the county regardless of their citizenship. The social security from birth to death will be implemented.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

[12] PREMIER ECEVIT WILL LEAVE FOR KOCAELI PROVINCE AT 10.30 TODAY - ECEVIT: ''IT IS UNDERSTOOD THAT THE PARLIAMENT SHOULD STOP WORKING FOR ONE DAY''

Ecevit said that the parliament should stop working for one day.

Responding to questions of journalists, Ecevit said that ''unfortunately, we are not in a position to tell you good news.''

Noting that they have recently received news from Yalova and Golcuk, which were badly damaged due to the quake, Premier Ecevit pointed out that he will leave for Kocaeli Cengiz Topel Airport around 10.30 local time.

Stressing that they will determine the needs of the provinces which were damaged by the quake, Ecevit said that ''many ministers and some deputies can feel the need to visit the places shaken by the quake, so the parliament should stop working for one day.''

Stressing that several ministers have already left for the provinces, Ecevit said that ''not enough time has passed to determine the death toll and the damage because there was difficulty in communication. In many places, telephone lines were cut off, mobile phones could not be reached.''

Responding to another question, Ecevit said that Yalova and Golcuk were seriously damaged by the quake.

Yasar Okuyan, the Minister of Labour and Social Security said that there is serious damage in Yalova and he will visit this place where the death toll increased to nearly 100.

[13] DEATH TOLL INCREASES TO 286 IN MAJOR EARTHQUAKE

The Ministry of Interior, Red Crescent and Social Security Authority (SSK) sent medical teams to regions affected by the quake. The Ministry of Interior provides medical staff and equipment to places shaken by the quake.

The concerned State Ministries and the Ministries of Health, Public Works and Settlement, Labour and Social Security, Agriculture and Rural Affairs and many other institutions have speeded up their efforts to normalize the life in the region.

Prime Ministry Crisis Administration Centre said that 100 people died in Kocaeli, 80 people in Sakarya, 30 people in Yalova, 40 people in Istanbul, 28 people in Bolu, seven people in Bursa and two people in Eskisehir provinces.

-MAJOR EARTHQUAKE
-AFTERSHOCKS INCREASE OVER TO 250
ISTANBUL, August 17 (A.A) - More than 250 aftershocks occured following the earthquake measuring 6.7 on the Richter scale early on Tuesday.

The earthquake of which epicenter was Kocaeli was felt by the residents living in several provinces.

Meanwhile, the number of aftershocks measuring more than 4.0 on the Richter scale increased to 18.

The time of the aftershocks and their measures according to the information gathered from the Kandilli Observatory and Sesimology Institute are as follows:

. Turkish Local Time: Measure:

. ------------------ ----------
1- 03:35 4.2
2- 03:57 4.4
3- 04:08 4.6
4- 04:32 5.0
5- 04:33 5.5
6- 04:48 4.9
7- 05:23 4.4
8- 05:35 4.3
9- 05:43 4.7
10- 05:51 5.0
11- 06:14 5.5
12- 06:43 4.2
13- 07:18 4.5
14- 07:20 4.6
15- 07:40 4.4
16- 08:10 4.8
17- 08:45 4.3
18- 08:54 4.3</PRE>

[14] MAJOR EARTHQUAKE - PRESIDENT DEMIREL: ''OUR STATE AND NATION WILL HEAL THE WOUND OF THIS DISASTER IN THE SHORTEST TIME''

''The earthquake, of which epicenter was Kocaeli and its surroundings and which happened early in the morning, has caused casualties and serious damages in Sakarya, Istanbul, Eskisehir, Bursa and some other regions. I express my condolences to the relatives of our citizens, who lost their lives in this disaster, and wish our people, who were injured, a speedy recovery. Our state and nation will heal the wound of this disaster in the shortest time. May God protect us from a similar or worse disaster,'' the President stated.

[15] MAJOR QUAKE - YILMAZ, DIRECTOR GENERAL OF DISASTER AFFAIRS: ''THIS IS A WIDE-SPREAD INCIDENT AND I SUPPOSE ITS ECONOMIC DIMENSION WILL ALSO BE HIGH''

Speaking to A.A. correspondent, Yılmaz stated that the quake measuring 6.7 on the Richter scale and whose epicenter was Kocaeli province, was a major one.

''The first thing we will do is to rescue people by the coordination of Directorate General of Defense and by the help of governors. After the rescue work, the citizens have to be given food. Thus we have contacts with the Red Crescent,'' he added.

When asked for how long aftershocks will continue, Yılmaz said that ''it may last for one month or for seven-eight months. But none of these aftershocks will reach the point of main quake.''

[16] MAJOR QUAKE - ISRAEL EXTENDS SUPPORT TO TURKEY

Gilad Cohen, the Press Attache of the Israeli Embassy in Ankara conveyed the sorrow of Israeli officials over the quake to A.A correspondent.

Cohen stated that the Israeli Prime Ministry, Defense Ministry and Foreign Ministry are in contact with Turkish officials due to the quake. Cohen stressed that Israel is experienced in rescue operations and she took a decision to send the necessary aid to Turkey.

[17] MAJOR EARTHQUAKE - DEATH TOLL INCREASES TO 286 - A TOTAL OF 1,637 PEOPLE INJURED - 50 PEOPLE TRAPPED UNDER A COLLAPSED BUILDING IN ESKISEHIR

Releasing a written statement, the Prime Ministry Crisis Center stated that a total of 100 people died in Kocaeli, 80 in Sakarya, 30 in Yalova, 40 in Istanbul, 27 in Bolu, 6 in Bursa, 2 in Eskisehir, and one in Duzce.

Two people are still missing in Duzce county of Bolu province.

Streesing that there are hundreds of injured people in Yalova, Kocaeli and Bolu provinces, the statement put the figures as 800 in Sakarya, 577 in Istanbul, 200 in Bursa, 37 in Eskisehir, and 23 in Duzce.

Meanwhile, rescue workers are striving to reach 50 people who have been trapped under a collapsed building.

Preliminary reports showed that a total of 100 buildings collapsed in Sakarya, 25 in Istanbul, 10 in Gebze, 3 in Karamursel, and one seven-storey building in Eskisehir. A prison in Adapazarı is among the buildings which were badly damaged in the massive earthquake.

The statement added that crisis desks have been set up in all ministries, noting that teams from Health and Settlement Ministries have left for the region.

The Red Crescent has also sent three mobile kitchens, 1,000 tents, and 1, 000 blankets to the region.

[18] MAJOR EARTHQUAKE - PARLIAMENT GIVES A ONE-DAY BREAK FOR ITS SESSIONS

The Parliamentary General Assembly convened at 10:20 local time under the chairmanship of Nejat Arseven, the Acting Parliament Speaker. Addressing the Assembly, Arseven expressed his condolences to the relatives of earthquake victims and wish the people who were injured in the quake a speedy recovery.

Arseven said the Advisory Committee decided to have a one-day break due to the earthquake, and put that proposal into the vote.

In accordance with the proposal, which was approved, the performances of the Parliamentary General Assembly will resume as of 10:00 local time on Wednesday.

[19] ERSUMER, MINISTER OF ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES: ''THERE IS A VERY IMPORTANT DAMAGE IN TRANSFORMER CENTERS OF 380 KILOWATTS IN DUZCE, OSMANCA AND ADAPAZARI''

Responding to questions of journalists, Ersumer said that energy can't be provided to Kocaeli and Sakarya provinces, adding the two important transformer centers were damaged in the quake and they are not working.

Noting that there is difficulty of providing energy to Anatolian part of Istanbul, Ersumer said that ''if we can transfer energy from Ambarlı- Hamitabat power stations and if we can transfer electricity from Bulgaria, we can meet the energy need of whole Istanbul.''

Pointing out that the dams are controlled and there are not any damages on them, Ersumer pointed out that the fire in TUPRAS (Turkish Petroleum Refineries Inc.) is small and temporary.

Ersumer, the Deputy Prime Minister said that the death toll is more than 200 and the number of injured people is more than 2500.

Stressing that he will leave for Istanbul today, Ersumer pointed out that there is difficulty of providing energy to Adapazarı and Kocaeli in short term.

[20] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT: - ''INSTALLATIONS BELONGING TO NAVAL FORCES IN GOLCUK IS AMONG THE BADLY DAMAGED BUILDINGS'' - ''THERE ARE 248 PEOPLE TRAPPED UNDER DEBRIS. 24 PEOPLE WERE RESCUED WHILE 20 OTHERS LOST THEIR LIVES''

Ecevit told reporters that there are still 248 people trapped under debris in Golcuk, adding that 24 people have been rescused so far while 20 others lost their lives.

Responding to questions as he departs the Prime Ministry Office, Prime Minister Ecevit noted that the aftershocks are continuing, and called on people to calm down. He also urged people not to enter into the damaged buildings.

Ecevit will leave for Istanbul. He is expected to visit Yalova, Golcuk, Kocaeli, and Adapazari provinces later today.

Pointing out that Devlet Bahceli and Husamettin Ozkan, the Deputy Prime Ministers, will provide the coordination in Ankara, Ecevit said most of the ministers left for the region hit by the quake. Ecevit stated that Hasan Gemici, the Minister of State; Koray Aydin, the Minister of Public Works and Settlement; Husnu Yusuf Gokalp, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs; Osman Durmus, the Minister of Health; and Yasar Okuyan, the Minister of Labour and Social Security, left for the region. Ecevit noted that Koray Aydin, the Minister of Public Works and Settlement; and Husnu Yusuf Gokalp, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, and observations in Kocaeli and Istanbul, and Hasan Gemici, the Minister of State; and Osman Durmus, the Minister of Health, will make observations in Istanbul, Eskisehir, Bursa, and Sakarya.

Noting that Yasar Okuyan, the Minister of Labour and Social Security, will be in Yalova, Fikret Unlu, the Minister of State; Fevzi Aytekin, the Minister of Environment; Sadettin Tantan, the Minister of Interior; and Cumhur Ersumer, the Minister of Energy, will be in Istanbul, Ecevit said those ministers will later visit other regions as well.

Stating that foreign countries offered aid to them, Ecevit said Japan will provide this aid from her country and her health stores and centers in Europe. Ecevit added that also France, Germany, and Britain offered aid.

Responding to a question about the casualties, Ecevit said he was told that the death toll was 245.

[21] PRESIDENT DEMIREL MEETS WITH PREMIER ECEVIT - PRESIDENT DEMIREL: ''I THINK DEATH TOLL WILL BE HIGH''

President Demirel waited for Premier Bulent Ecevit at Etimesgut Airport after arriving in Ankara from Istanbul.

Speaking to reporters, President Demirel said that the country faces a great earthquake disaster, adding ''I think the death toll will be high. An earthquake measuring 6.8 on the Richter scale is a major one.''

Expressing condolences over the deaths of many citizens, President Suleyman Demirel said that all institutions of the state are working.

''Rescue operations continue, operations are underway in the region damaged by the quake. Later I will visit these areas and express my condolences to our people,'' he added.

President Demirel later met with Premier Bulent Ecevit for five minutes.

[22] RICHARDSON, THE U.S. SECRETARY OF ENERGY EXPRESSES HIS SORROW OVER EARTHQUAKE

Responding to questions of journalists in a press briefing, Bill Richardson said that he also felt the earthquake, adding the U.S. is ready to help Turkey in technical respects or in other forms regarding the quake.

Richardson said that the project of Baku-Ceyhan oil pipeline will be concluded within one year.

Noting that there is no change in the policy of the U.S. about the pipeline, Richardson pointed out that Baku-Supsa pipeline which transfers Azerbaijani early oil will be a part of Baku-Ceyhan pipeline.

Richardson pointed out that one of the aims of his visit is to improve the relations of the U.S. with Turkey in the field of energy, adding they are pleased about the adoption of the constitutional change that foresees international arbitration by the parliament and they also wish to see a more rapid and transparent privatization.

Recalling that he is paying his fifth visit to Turkey, Richardson stated that important developments took place regarding Baku-Ceyhan project and the relations between Turkey, Georgia, Turkmenistan, and Azerbaijan have improved since his latest visit to Turkey last December.

[23] MAJOR EARTHQUAKE - GERMANY TO SEND ONE MILLION GERMAN MARKS FOR VICTIMS OF EARTHQUAKE

Foreign Ministry Spokesman noted that the German Red Cross' aid includes medicine, blood, special rescue teams, doctors, and six specially trained dogs.

A special evacuation team is also ready to leave for Turkey.

[24] DEATH TOLL RISES TO 89 IN YALOVA PROVINCE

Crisis Desk officials told A.A correspondent that a total of 59 buildings were damaged in the city center as of 10:00 and 49 of these buildings were totally demolished. A total of 60 people died in the city center, 15 in Ciftlikkoy region, eight in Cinarcik, and one in Altinova region. The number of the injured is more than 1000.

Capacity of the morgue of the hospital was not adequate as the number of dead people was high. Cold storage plants belonging to two private companies are used as morgues.

A 160-bed mobile hospital was established in Yalova Stadium to give medical treatment to the wounded ones. Helicopters belonging to Gendarme Regional Commandership continuously carry the wounded ones to the hospitals.

Efforts are intensely underway to rescue the people who were trapped under the debris. A total of 50 soldiers from Karamursel Training Commandership came to participate in rescue works.

Telephone communication is not possible in Yalova and this creates an important problem. Communication with the city can only be made with the wireless links.

Meanwhile, fire broke out in Tupras again. Reinforced fire brigades were requested from the surrounding provinces as the fire could not be extinguished with local efforts. Many fire brigades were sent from Bursa province.

Nihat Ozgol, Yalova Governor, told A.A correspondent that the situation was ''very grave'' in the city. Ozgol said, ''we could not reach the ones who are under the debris. Hundreds of buildings have been collapsed. We are concerned that the death toll will increase. The aid is not adequate. We need mobile hospitals, kitchens, tents and ambulance.''

[25] GENERAL KIVRIKOGLU, CHIEF OF GENERAL STAFF: - ''24 OF 250 STAFF WHO HAVE BEEN TRAPPED UNDER COLLAPSED MILITARY INSTALLATION IN GOLCUK, WERE RESCUED. DEAD BODIES OF 20 OTHERS WERE ALSO RECOVERED''

Noting that the dead bodies of 20 military personnel were also recovered, General Kivrikoglu recalled that the rescue operations are continuing.

General Kivrikoglu said that several retired military officials, admirals, and civilian staff were among the people trapped under the debris.

Recalling that there was a hand-over ceremony in the Naval Forces Commandership in Golcuk yesterday, General Kivrikoglu told reporters that the commanders who were in Golcuk to attend the ceremony, spent the night in the military installation.

[26] MORE THAN 100 APARTMENT BLOCKS TOTALLY COLLAPSED IN KORFEZ, DERINCE, GEBZE, KARAMURSEL AND GOLCUK ACCORDING TO FIRST ESTIMATIONS

A.A correspondent reported from the disaster area that great devastation of the quake was revealed with the first lights of the day. Officials said they were afraid that the death toll might be more than 500.

Citizens who stayed in the streets and parks began to look for their relatives with their own efforts under the debris after the dawn. Efforts to rescue people with bull-dozers were interrupted with the intense interests of the citizens.

The electricity was totally cut in the quake region as the energy lines were destructed.

Transportation was interrupted due to the efforts to remove debris on main E-5 main highway between Istanbul and Izmit.

[27] GENERAL ERYILMAZ: - ''A TOTAL OF 3,037 OPERATIONS LAUNCHED IN SOUTHEASTERN ANATOLIA REGION WITHIN THE LAST TWO YEARS'' - ''102 TERRORISTS WERE RENDERED INEFFECTIVE''

General Eryilmaz noted that in the same period, a total of 102 terrorists were rendered ineffective, adding that 50 of terrorists were killed, 47 of them were captured, and 5 others surrendered to security forces.

General Eryilmaz said, ''a total of 751 people were taken into custody on charges of aiding and abetting to the terrorist organizations such as the PKK and the Hezbollah. Meanwhile, during the operations, our forces seized a number of weapons and ammunition.''

[28] ISRAEL TO SEND PLANES AND 120 PEOPLE RESCUE TEAM

A statement of Israli Embassy in Ankara said Israeli government will send a 120-people urgent aid team by C-130 ad Boeing 747 Jumbo Jet type cargo planes. There are specially trained dogs in the team which work in the most urgent situations.

Israel's Embassy in Ankara sent a message of condolonce and said Israeli people shared the sorrows of Turkish people and felt deep sorrow over this disaster. Gilad Cohen, Press Attache of Israel earlier talked to A.A. and expressed the sorrow Israeli officials felt over the quake which happened in Turkey.

Cohen, the Press Attache, said Israeli Premiership, Defense Ministry and Foreign Ministry are in contact with the Turkish officials about the quake.

Cohen said his country was experienced in rescue works which take place after such kind of quakes, adding that his country was ready to expend every kind of aid in this field. He said Israel has decided to send aid to Turkey.

[29] BULGARIAN PRESIDENT STOYANOV SENDS A MESSAGE TO DEMIREL, AND EXPRESSES CONDOLENCES - EARTHQUAKE ALSO FELT IN BULGARIA

The Bulgarian Red Cross Organization stated that they are ready to send rescue teams and specially trained dogs to save people who have been trapped under the collapsed buildings.

Meanwhile, the earthquake was also felt in Bulgaria.

Lieutenant Colonel Rumen Angelov from the Directorate General of Bulgarian Civil Defense, said an earthquake measuring 5.4 on the Richter Scale also shook Bulgaria.

He added that no casualties or financial damages were reported in the earthquake.

[30] IRANIAN PRESIDENT KHATAMI EXPRESSES HIS CONDOLENCES: - ''WE ARE READY TO HELP''

Offering God's mercy and grace for those who lost their lives in the earthquake, and patience for people who lost their relatives, President Khatami underlined that Iran is ready to help Turkey to heal the wounds.

Meanwhile, Hamid Rıza Asefi, Spokesman of the Iranian Foreign Ministry, expressed deep sorrow over the natural disaster in Turkey causing many casualties.

[31] AIR BRIDGE FORMED BETWEEN BURSA-YALOVA TO TRANSPORT THE WOUNDED ONES

Governorship and Directorate of Security buildings in Yalova were evacuated as there were cracks. The crisis center gives service in Yalova Stadium.

Wireless and telephone communication can not be provided in Yalova and water and electricity can not be given to the city. The wounded ones in Yalova are brought to hospitals in Bursa with helicopters through an air bridge. Some of the wounded ones are brought to Istanbul with ferryboats.

The hospitals are working in full capacity to meet the needs of people.

[32] GERMAN FOREIGN MINISTER FISCHER SENDS MESSAGE OF CONDOLENCE

German Embassy in Ankara said Joschka Fischer, German Foreign Minister, sent a message of condolence and noted that they were with Turkish people.

The statement said two rescue teams were sent from Germany at the first stage to participate in rescue works. The first team which is composed of six people and four specially trained dogs are members of German Red Cross Organization. The team brings necessary devices with them.

The second team will set out at 13:00 on Tuesday with a plane from Frankfurt. The 24 people team is composed of doctors, health officials, rescue experts and three dogs.

German Foreign Ministry provided emergency aid which has an amount of 500, 000 German Marks for the rescue studies.

[33] MAJOR EARTHQUAKE - DEAD BODIES OF 364 PEOPLE RECOVERED IN ADAPAZARI AND DUZCE

Yener Rakicioglu, Governor of Sakarya, told the A.A correspondent that dead bodies of 343 people have been recovered in Adapazari which was one of the worst effected areas in the earthquake, since 14.00 p.m.

A total of 1,500 injured people were taken to hospitals for medical treatment.

Security measures have been tightened against plunder.

Massive earthquake also cut power and telephone lines.

The Red Crescent teams have begun to distribute water and bread to victims of earthquake.

Recalling that a number of buildings collapsed in Adapazari,

Rakicioglu said that the death toll can increase in coming hours.

Hikmet Ozbagli, Governor of Duzce county, said that dead bodies of 21 people were recovered under collapsed buildings.

Pointing out that a total of 178 buildings totally collapsed and 8 others were badly damaged, Ozbagli told reporters that rescue operations are underway in the county.

The Avni Akyol Dormitory and the Private Omur Hospital are among the collapsed buildings.

[34] OGUZ, GOVERNOR OF KOCAELI: ''THERE ARE MORE THAN 200 PEOPLE WHO ARE REPORTED TO BE DEAD AND AROUND 3,000 ARE WOUNDED''

A crisis desk has been established in a tent that was formed in front of Governorship building. Informations coming to the crisis desk are evaluated immediately and required measures are taken.

Governor Oguz said there are nearly 200 people who are reported to be dead and around 3,000 people are wounded.

Oguz said nearly 200 buildings are demolished and became debris, adding that this number will reach up to 800 dwellings if Derince and Korfez regions are included.

Governor Oguz said efforts were underway to remove the debris, and noted that vehicles belonging to people and institutions are used to this end. He said they will clarify which houses collapsed and which of them were demolished. ''Red Crescent officials have come. We have requested tents and a tent hospital which can be operated. They said they will meet our needs.''

Responding to a question, Oguz, Kocaeli Governor, said there was no state building among the collapsed buildings.

Oguz noted that efforts are underway to extinguish the fire in Tupras, adding that the fire has a tendency to become wider although they said it has been taken under control.

A.A. correspondent reported that people spent their days in the streets, parks and open areas. He said nobody entered their houses, adding that ''the citizens have formed tents with their own efforts and they keep on waiting. Izmit is like a dead city today. It is hard to find a vehicle today. All of the public institutions, banks and all business places are closed.''

Izmit State Hospital, Kocaeli University Medical Faculty hospital and other hospitals are full of dead people and wounded ones.

[35] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT VISITS YALOVA AND GOLCUK: - ''WE ARE SENDING ALL SPECIALIZED TEAMS TO AFFECTED AREAS'' - ''MANY COUNTRIES HAVE OFFERED HELP'' - ''GOD, SAVE OUR INJURED ONES, AND PROTECT US FROM NEW DISASTERS''

Ecevit told reporters, ''we are sending all specialized teams to these areas. Meanwhile, many countries have offered help. We are grateful for their offers. Within one or two days, experienced rescue teams will arrive in Turkey from all over the world.''

Prime Minister Ecevit visited the injured people who have been taken under medical treatment in Yalova province, and wished quick recovery for them.

Expressing deep sorrow over increasing death toll, Ecevit said, ''We have seen that many buildings were demolished. We are sending all specialized teams to these areas. Meanwhile, many countries have offered help. We are grateful for their offers. Within one or two days, experienced rescue teams will be in Turkey from all over the world. God, save our injured ones, and protect us from new disasters.''

In Golcuk county of Kocaeli province, Ecevit was received information about the fire which broke out in TUPRAS refinery.''

[36] RED CRESCENT TO SEND 9,000 TENTS TO AFFECTED AREAS

Ozdemir told A.A correspondent that the Red Crescent will sent 9,000 tents to the affected areas till evening, adding that eight planes belonging to Air Forces Commandership will be allocated to send the tents.

Ozdemir said 1,000 blankets and 500 tents were sent to Duzce and Kilimli through landways, adding that 1,500 tents were sent to Yalova.

Ozdemir said a 100-bed mobile hospital, a mobile kitchen to Bagcilar and two mobile kitchens were sent to Sakarya, adding that all needs of the affected areas will be met till evening.

[37] LEVY, ISRAELI FOREIGN MINISTER: - ''ISRAEL IS READY TO DO HER UTMOST''

Levy noted that close friendship ties between Israel and Turkey requires cooperation in such times.

The state-run Israeli Radio said that Prime Minister Ehud Barak is holding talks with experts to determine the necessary help.

The Radio added that medical equipment, doctors and rescue teams are being kept ready, noting that teams and equipments will be sent immediately to the area upon the request of Turkish authorities.

Meanwhile, Israeli radio and television chanels cover the story as breaking news.

Many Israeli journalists left for Turkey to pursuit the developments.

Meanwhile, it was reported that the first airplane carrying Israeli rescue teams is expected to arrive in Istanbul at about 18.00 local time later today.

The Israeli Embassy in Ankara stated that emergency help team including 25 doctors, will be welcomed by Uri Bar-Ner, Israeli Ambassador to Turkey.

The second airplane will also leave for Israel as soon as possible.

[38] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT: ''OUR LOSS IS GRAVE''

Prime Minister Ecevit who held observations in Adapazari after Yalova and Golcuk, told reporters that they did not have the opportunity of communication with the affected areas.

Noting that the vehicles which brought help could not reach the region as the roads are blocked, Ecevit called on the state institutions to provide transportation facilities to the region soon.

Pointing out that the loss was very much in the region, Ecevit said ''aid proposals came from France, Britain, and Japan. I hope they will come till evening. Communication and transportation faciliteis should be provided quickly to this end.''

Ecevit said they had seen many debris in the regions they observed, adding that number of people under the debris was not certain. ''Our citizens want business vehicles to come to the region soon and participate in rescue works. Yet, the inexperienced works may be dangerous for the ones who are under the debris. Expert teams should do it.''

Ecevit said he thought the casualties would be much, adding that they will proceed to Izmit after concluding observations in Adapazari.

Ecevit said ''this is the biggest natural disaster I have ever witnessed. We need patience.''

[39] CRISIS UNIT ESTABLISHED IN FOREIGN MINISTRY

Foreign Ministry said the crisis unit which was established under the leadership of Metin Ornekol, Director General of Multi-lateral Political Relations, cooperated with the crisis center that was established with the structure of Prime Ministry and undertook the coordination of foreign aid.

The crisis unit in Foreign Ministry conveyed the requests of Switzerland, Sweeden, Germany, Britain, France, Spain and Austria for the aid in the morning hours.

Meanwhile, proposal for aid also came from Israel, Mexico, Russia and Greece. Crisis unit said the priority was given to research and rescue efforts, adding that experienced teams having required equipment and specially trained dogs are needed and that this was conveyed to the countries who requested to send aid.

The aid team coming from Switzerland will be in Turkey at 17:00, first group of Israeli team will be in Istanbul at 18:00. Rescue teams from France and Germany are expected to be in Istanbul in the evening.

The crisis unit established within Foreign Ministry is expected to hold a meeting this evening to evaluate the studies.

[40] DEATH TOLL INCREASES TO 1,169

According to the data sent by the Interior Ministry to the Prime Ministry Crisis Center, the number of casualties by provinces is as follows:

-Istanbul : 157 deads, 3,726 injureds,

-Izmit : 480 deads, 200 injureds,

-Bolu : 130 deads, 27 injureds,

-Bursa : 19 deads, 450 injureds,

-Eskisehir: 12 deads, 40 injureds,

-Yalova : 220 deads, 500 injureds,

-Zonguldak: 1 dead, 7 injureds,

-Sakarya : 150 deads, 600 injureds.

</PRE> There are still 50 people trapped under collapsed buildings in Eskisehir province.

[41] MAJOR EARTHQUAKE - A TOTAL OF 30 AFTERSHOCKS OCCURED

The time of the aftershocks and their measures according to the information gathered from Bogazici University Kandilli Observatory Earthquake Research Institute, are as follows: . Turkish Local Time: Measure:

. ------------------ ----------
1- 03:35 4.2
2- 03:57 4.4
3- 04:08 4.6
4- 04:32 5.0
5- 04:33 5.5
6- 04:48 4.9
7- 05:23 4.4
8- 05:35 4.3
9- 05:43 4.7
10- 05:51 5.0
11- 06:14 5.5
12- 06:43 4.2
13- 07:18 4.5
14- 07:20 4.6
15- 07:40 4.4
16- 08:10 4.8
17- 08:45 4.3
18- 08:54 4.3
19- 09:28 4.5
20- 09:36 4.1
21- 10:21 4.1
22- 11:09 4.3
23- 11:11 4.3
24- 12:02 5.0
25- 12:32 4.3
26- 12:36 4.3
27- 13:46 4.2
28- 14:37 4.0
29- 14:58 4.5
30- 17:32 4.0</PRE>

[42] THE U.S. PRESIDENT CLINTON: - ''WE ARE READY TO DO OUR UTMOST''

Clinton said that they must stand with Turkish people, and do whatever they can to help them to get through this terrible crisis.

Describing Turkey as a friendly and ally country, Clinton noted expressed his condolences over the deaths of many people.

He added that a terrible earthquake claimed hundreds of lives, recalling that a search and rescue teams left for Turkey.

Reminding that Bill Richardson, the U.S. Secretary of Energy, and General Henry Shelton, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, were in Turkey during the earthquake, President Clinton stressed that they will continue to determine what further help is needed for the survivers of disaster.

[43] MASSIVE EARTHQUAKE - U.S. EMBASSY IN ANKARA SENDS CONDOLENCES NOTE TO TURKISH GOVERNMENT AND TO THOSE WHO LOST THEIR LOVED ONES IN EARTHQUAKE

''The U.S. Mission in Turkey would like to express its deep concern for those who were injured in this terrible earthquake, and heartfelt condolences to those families who lost loved ones. The U.S. government is also expressing its official condolences to the government of Turkey.

We are providing immediate financial assistance and sending emergency personnel to help in Turkey's effors during this tragic time.

We will remain in close consultation with the Turkish government to determine how the U.S. can continue to assist those in need,'' the note said.

[44] MAJOR EARTHQUAKE - STATE MINISTER FIKRET UNLU: ''DEATH TOLL IN ISTANBUL IS 190, THERE ARE 2,352 INJURED PEOPLE AND 170 BUILDINGS SUFFERED DAMAGE''

Erol Cakir, the Istanbul Governor and Fikret Unlu released a statement for the reporters at the Crisis Center formed at Istanbul Province Administration Building. They said the rescue operations continued by the joint efforts of public institutions, private sector, and AKUT Association's experts. Unlu pointed out that the death toll might go up further. The Minister said mobile food centers were formed and restaurants were open for people of Istanbul who will spend the night outside on Tuesday night.

Unlu also said rescue teams came from foreign countries. Azerbaijan sent doctors to the earthquake hit areas.

The hospitals could meet the demands, but sometimes with difficulty due to the excessive number of patients coming. The doctors are working very hard to treat the injured, Unlu explained.

''One thousandth of Istanbul collapsed. We must congratulate contractors who built sturdy buildings,'' Unlu noted. Istanbul's Avcilar district suffered the greatest damage, he added. ''Similar buildings are in good condition, their windows are not broken. But there are buildings which randomly collapsed. There must be a fault in their construction, there must be a negligence,'' Unlu continued.

Erol Cakir stated that the rescue work would continue over the night and said they estimated that there are people trapped under 50 collapsed buildings. Cakir assured people that those who suffered damage from the quake will be offered all kinds of help by the government.

''50 percent of Istanbul is formed by slums. I believe the instituions which gave construction permission to those buildings have responsibility. New regulations must be brought,'' the Governor said.

A.A

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