Anadolu Agency: News in English, 00-02-23

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[01] AA News

23 February 2000 Wednesday

[02] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

DEMIREL'S LETTER INFLUENCED CHIRAC
The letter of President Suleyman Demirel which he sent to French President Jacques Chirac, played an important role in the decision of France to reject to take draft resolution regarding so-called genocide on Armenian people into agenda of general assembly. Demirel, in the letter which was sent on February 18, demanded support to his proposal regarding stability pact in the Caucasus.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

PROSECUTOR YUKSEL'S FOLLOW-UP
Nuh Mete Yuksel, the Prosecutor of Ankara State Security Court (DGM) investigates whether there is a link between the terrorist Hezbollah organization and the Virtue Party (FP). FP deputies harshly reacted to the request of certain documents by the police from the FP headquarters in Sincan county of Ankara.

SABAH (LIBERAL)

We have called on the Italian demonstrator, who had earlier caused problems in southeastern Diyarbakir province, to the court, yet we did not allow him to enter Turkey. Frisullo Giovanni, Italian journalist, is still under trial in Diyarbakir State Security Court (DGM) on charges of making terrorist PKK propaganda during Newroz celebrations in 1998. Giovanni came to Turkey on Tuesday to attend his trial, yet he was not allowed to enter because of a court order barring his entry into the country. As the Italian demonstrator was deported, his trial took place in Diyarbakir, the decision is: Accused Giovanni should be brought to the court!

COTTARELLI HAS AN OFFICE IN ATO
Carlo Cottarelli, the Chief of International Monetary Fund (IMF) Turkey Desk, visited Sinan Aygun, Chairman of Ankara Chamber of Trade (ATO) on Tuesday. Responding to the questions of reporters following their meeting, Aygun said they have prepared a room for Cottarelli in ATO. Aygun also said Cottarelli pointed out that Turkey made a good start towards the program in reducing inflation.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

ARMENIAN DRAFT RESOLUTION REJECTED
French Senate Chairmanship Council on Tuesday refused to include draft resolution, regarding so-called genocide on Armenians, on the agenda of general assembly. It was reported that the draft resolution which was composed of a sentence, ''France recognizes the genocide against Armenians'', was rejected as it will give damage to the peace initiatives in the Caucasus.

RADIKAL (LEFT)

EU MEMBERS CAN REACT
The detention of HADEP mayors caused tension in the relations with the EU in a period after the candidacy of Turkey to the EU was declared at Helsinki summit. German Foreign Minister Fischer phoned Foreign Minister Cem and expressed his uneasiness about the detention. Fischer also informed EU Term President Portugal about his uneasiness. Portugal had contacts with 14 EU members and they are preparing to issue a tough statement against Turkey.

IRANIANS ANGRY AT CEM AND ECEVIT
Iranian people reacted against the statements of Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit and Foreign Minister Ismail Cem about the result of the elections in Iran. The Iranian press said that the statements of Ecevit and Cem were an interference with their internal affairs, claiming that their comments were also wrong.

TURKIYE (RIGHT)

Addressing his party group meeting, Bahceli mentioned presidential elections, and noted that they have pointed out several issues earlier.

CAKMAKOGLU: TURKEY SHOULD GET ARMED
Sabahattin Cakmakoglu, Minister of National Defense, recalled that Turkey should get armed against the terrorism inside the country, and foreign threats. Speaking to British Reuters, Cakmakoglu briefed about the reason of opening of two big weapon tenders. He said, ''the thing I want to stress is that it is not right to think Turkey only struggles against internal terrorism'', and stressed the obligation of always being ready for he probable foreign threats.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

HADEP MAYORS' REACTION
Sahabettin Ozarslaner, the mayor of eastern province of Van, claimed that the detention of mayors from the People's Democracy Party (HADEP) is a direct attack on Turkish democracy and regional administrations. Van mayor Ozarslaner alleged that the detention of Feridun Celik in the street does not coincide with law and human rights.

[03] FOREIGN MINISTRY: ''IT IS A RIGHT DECISION OF FRANCE NOT TO TAKE THE DRAFT LAW WHICH IS COMPLETELY WRONG, INTO THE AGENDA''

The Ministry noted that the draft law on the so-called Armenian genocide was adopted by the French parliament on May 29, 1998.

Referring to the effects of this decision on the relations between two countries, the Ministry said, ''the confirmation of the existence of the mutual political will to improve the Turkish-French relations, is very pleasing.''

[04] FM CEM: ''THE DECISION OF FRENCH PARLIAMENT IS A RIGHT DECISION''

Responding the questions of the journalists, Cem said, ''it is a right decision. We have interpreted this decision as blocking a road which can cause problems.''

Cem thanked the French parliamentarians for taking this decision.

[05] POLFER, FM OF LUXEMBOURG, MEETS REPRESENTATIVES OF HUMAN RIGHTS ASSOCIATIONS

Polfer met with Husnu Ondul, the Chairman of the Human Rights Association (IHD); Akin Birdal, the former chairman of IHD; Yavuz Onen, the Chairman of the Human Rights Foundation; Yilmaz Ensarioglu, the Chairman of Mazlum-Der; and Yusuf Alatas, the lawyer of Leyla Zana, a former deputy of the Democracy Party (DEP), in a dinner in the Netherland's Embassy residence.

Polfer will visit Ataturk's Mausoleum and met with Ismail Cem, the Foreign Minister, on Wednesday.

[06] SAMSUN-ANKARA ROUTE OF BLUE STREAM PROJECT TO COST 339 MILLION U.S. DOLLARS

Oztas, Haznedaroglu, Stroytrangaz (OHS) consortium has undertaken the construction of the Samsun-Ankara route of the natural gas pipeline project; Kaya noted.

Kaya stated that the works in the Samsun-Corum-Kirikkale-Ankara route of the pipeline project have been launched.

The natural gas will arrive in Ankara in April 2001, Kaya stressed.

Kaya added, ''Samsun, Corum, Kirikkale, and Ankara are very lucky. Corum has a different and strategical position. Officials think of constructing a plant which will produce electricity from natural gas in Corum. The electricity which will be produced in this plant, is planned to be distributed to Corum, its townships, and the surrounding provinces.''

[07] PRESIDENT DEMIREL SENDS LETTER TO CHIRAC, FRENCH PRESIDENT

The Presidential Press Center said that Demirel said in his letter that he welcomed the French Senate's rejecting the inclusion of the draft law on the so-called Armenian genocide, into the agenda.

Demirel said, ''as I had said in the letter that I sent to you on February 18, 2000, we attribute great importance and priority to the improvement of the friendship and cooperation between Turkey and France. I know that you also attribute importance to this.''

''The decision of the French Senate Chairmanship Conference has put forward the result that the Turkish-French relations require. This attitude is also appreciated because it reflects the determination that France will not permit the efforts which aim at overshadowing the initiatives targeting at establishment of stability in the Caucasus,'' Demirel added.

The draft law on the so-called Armenian genocide was adopted by the French parliament on May 29, 1988.

[08] TURKISH PAINTER DERAN'S PAINTING STANDS IN FIRST 20 AMONG 22,000 PAINTINGS

Deran's painting titled ''Gecmisten Gelecege'' (From Past to Future) chosen among the first 20 paintings out of 22,000 paintings by the jury including Wales Prince Charles.

Deran's painting was started to be exhibited in The Mall Gallery of London as of Tuesday evening.

Deran said that he is very pleased that his work of art is being displayed in a gallery in London and that he is proud that Turkey started to be seen in the world arts platform.

The same exhibition will be displayed in World Trade Center in Stockholm between March 19 and April 2, 2000; and in the United Nations (U.N.) headquarters in New York between June 28 and August 28, 2000.

[09] TURKISH-GREEK FRIENDSHIP TO BE EXPANDED TO THE U.S.

Officials of ''Soon Productions'', who will realize the project, Turkish American Associations Federation, who sponsored the concert, and the U.S. Helen Foundation administrators, staged a news conference in New York.

Addressing the news conference, the organizators defended that the performance, which is defined as the ''concert of the year'', will contribute to the rapproachment of Turkish and Greek communities living in the U.S.

A total of one million Turkish and Greek people live in New York, which is known as the intersection point of world nations.

Pointing out that Livaneli and Farandouri worked together for 20 years, the organizators said, ''peace concerts which the couple gave became traditional in Europe, adding that for the first time it will be performed in the U.S.''

Organizators said New York was chosen as the place of the concert due to its multi-ethnical structure.

Egemen Bagis, Chairman of Turkish American Associations Federation, recalled that Bill Clinton, the U.S. President, in his speech at the Parliament during a visit to Turkey, pointed out to the necessity of decreasing tension in the Aegean for a secure future in the region. Bagis said Ecevit government took serious steps in this respect.

The organizators defended that relations between Turkish and Greek Cypriot communities living in the U.S. may only be improved on confidence basis, and stressed that contribution of Livaneli and Farandouri to the peace was very valuable.

[10] RODRIK, CONSULTANT OF CENTRAL BANK, SAYS HE BELIEVES ANTI-INFLATION PROGRAM WILL BE SUCCESSFUL

Rodrik told A.A correspondent that the anti-inflation program is a technically well-prepared policy.

The Turkish nation accepted the anti-inflation program, Rodrik noted.

Rodrik stated that Turkey should continue and implement this program without any deficiencies to decrease the inflation.

Rodrik, a professor of Harvard University, was appointed as a consultant to the Central Bank to evaluate the implemention of the inflation program every month.

Rodrik, who was a graduate of Harvard College, got a doctorate degree from the Princeton University Economy Department. He is still working in Harvard University International Economy Policies Department.

Publishing many books on international economy, economic development, economy policies and Turkey's economy, Rodrik is a coordinator of the G-24 Group.

Rodrik is also exerting efforts in National Bureau of Economic Research, Centre for Economic Policy Research, and Overseas Development Council.

[11] DSP GROUP MEETING - PM ECEVIT: ''CIRCLES WHICH TRY TO POLITICIZE RELIGION IN OUR COUNTRY RECEIVED MASSIVE AND WARNING BLOWS, ONE FROM INSIDE, AND ONE FROM OUTSIDE

Addressing his party group meeting, Ecevit pointed out his views related with elections in Iran, and the facts revealed in Turkey by the operations against terrorist Hezbollah.

Ecevit said disclosure of Hezbollah violence was the inside blow on the circles that aimed at politicizing religion, and noted that thus, it was seen that making religion as a tool to policy may cause gruesome murders and ugly incidents that make people react.

Ecevit said some circles, which did not adopt secularism, felt the necessity of thinking about the situation due to the developments.

Ecevit said elections in Iran was the blow that came from outside. He said majority of Iranian people reacted the pressures of an uncivilized regime based on religion.

Prime Minister Ecevit said Iran can not be expected to adopt secularism formally unless its state structure changes, and institutionalized power of the Ayatollahs ends.

Ecevit pointed out that a more moderate and modern Islam understanding will begin to be settled in this neighbouring country due to the extraordinary great success recorded by the reformists in elections. He said such a development will effect Turkish-Iranian relations positively.

''I hope the circles which desire for the Iranian Reform for 22 years, will begin to think that the thing that should be desired is the Ataturk Reforms, '' Ecevit said, stressing that Iranian Reform collapsed in 22 years, yet Ataturk Reforms continued for 77 years improving day by day.''

[12] ANKARA DGM PROSECUTOR YUKSEL: ''WE DIDN'T RAID FP HEADQUARTERS IN SINCAN''

''We work in accordance with laws,'' told Yuksel to reporters.

''Some FP administrators evaluate taking certain documents from Sincan headquarters as a raid,'' told reporters to Yuksel. Yuksel said that ''we didn't raid their headquarters. We carry out an investigation which is secret. There are reasons of this investigation to be secret.''

When a journalist asked Yuksel why the documents were not requested from the FP by himself, Yuksel said, ''everything has a certain procedure. The police had to bring the documents to us under the laws.''

[13] CASE AGAINST 101 PKK SUSPECTS, INCLUDING OCALAN AND HIS WIFE, CONTINUES BEFORE ANKARA CRIMINAL COURT

Ocalan, his wife Kesire, and 99 other members of terrorist PKK organization are facing trial for the crimes they committed in southern Sanlıurfa province and its surroundings before 12 September 1980.

Hatice Korkut and Aydın Oruc, the lawyers of Ocalan and Necati Siyahtan, the lawyer of the suspect Ramazan Baltepek participated in the court hearing today.

Ihsan Akcin, the Chief Judge said that the court didn't receive the response to the precepts written for the execution of the decisions of arrest in absentia regarding Abdullah Ocalan, Kesire Yıldırım Ocalan, Cemil Bayık, Murat Karayılan, Mehmet Milli, Necip Aksahin, Numan Ucar, and Baki Uludag.

Akcin said that no response was given to the precept written for the extradition of Karayılan and Milli to Turkey, adding the court received the criminal records of seven suspects, including Ocalan and Kesire Ocalan. There was no previous conviction of Ocalan and Kesire Ocalan in the criminal record taken by the court on January 11, 2000.

The Prosecutor requested the court to continue the detention of the suspects and to arrest the suspects Mehmet Fehmi Oral and Mehmet Yogus.

Ihsan Akcin, the chief judge decided the continuation of the detention in abstentia of Abdullah Ocalan, Kesire Yıldırım Ocalan, Mehmet Milli, Cemil Bayık, Necip Aksahin, Numan Ucar, and Murat Karayılan, and to arrest Mehmet Fehmi Oral and Mehmet Yogus to be interrogated.

Akcin adjourned the case and it decided to request the verdict of the Ankara DGM No. 2 about Ocalan's case and the decision of the Supreme Court of Appeals which upheld the former.

[14] CHECHENS AT TURKISH-GEORGIAN BORDER OPENS S.O.S. BANNER

The Chechens, the majority of whom were women and children, asked the officials to help the children.

Ayhan Nasuhbeyoglu, the Ardahan Governor, said that Turkey is ready to heal the wounds of these people, but that they do not know how many people will come to Turkey following these Chechens.

Georgia did not permit the entrance of the humanitarian aid of the Ardahan Governorship, into her territory; Nasuhbeyoglu recalled.

Nasuhbeyoglu said that the humanitarian aid included medical equipment, food, clothes, and 75 blankets.

They keep this humanitarian aid waiting near the border in case of an emergency; Nasuhbeyoglu noted.

Nasuhbeyoglu continued, ''our humanitarian relief team is ready. Also, the Prime Ministry Social Aid and Solidarity Promotion Fund sent 5 billion Turkish liras to our governorship. If they accept, we can start using this aid.''

''Officials said that 35 Chechens, including 17 children, were ill. If Georgia permits the entrance of these Chechens into Turkey, we will take them under medical treatment,'' Nasuhbeyoglu added.

Nasuhbeyoglu stated that he requested to meet with the Georgia's Meskhetian Governorship.

If Georgia accepts his request, the meeting will be held in Turkey, Nasuhbeyoglu stressed.

Nasuhbeyoglu emphasized that 331 Chechens haev entered into Turkey since January 3, 2000.

[15] DETENTION OF HADEP MAYORS - FM:''INDEPENDENCE OF JUDICIARY IN TURKEY HAS TO BE RESPECTED''

Responding to questions of journalists in the weekly press briefing, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Sermet Atacanlı said that German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer asked for information from Foreign Minister Ismail Cem about the recent developments regarding the detention of People's Democracy Party (HADEP) mayors. Cem conveyed his views to Fischer about the issue, Atacanlı stated.

Reminding that Premier Bulent Ecevit had earlier issued a statement about the issue, the Deputy Spokesman said Ecevit noted that the issue was an internal issue of Turkey, there wouldn't be any interference in the Turkish independent judiciary, and criticisms were inappropriate.

Upon a question about the visit of certain foreign guests coming to Turkey for HADEP mayors, Atacanlı noted that the contacts of certain guests cause uneasiness in the Turkish public opinion.

''Certainly, our guests have noted the sensitivity of the public opinion,'' said Atacanlı.

Responding to a question about the criticisms particularly on the legal process, Atacanlı said that this process has certain stages and there is also custody period in that.

When asked whether or not the EU Term President Portugal reacted about this issue and whether or not a briefing would be given to representatives of EU countries by Portugal in Ankara about it, Atacanli said Portugal didn't react about this issue, and added that it does not think of giving a briefing to the EU representatives.

Atacanlı said that there is no EU official who phoned Cem and the developments were conveyed to representatives of EU countries.

[16] OZDEMIR, CHIEF OF ISTANBUL POLICE ORGANIZATION: - ''36 UNSOLVED MURDERS AND ABDUCTIONS SOLVED BY OPERATIONS AGAINST TERRORIST HEZBOLLAH ORGANIZATION''

Ozdemir told a press conference that 17 unsolved murders and abductions in Istanbul, 19 murders and abductions in Gaziantep, Adana, Icel, and Antalya were enlightened by the operations.

The security forces found that the Hezbollah terrorists intensified their terrorist actions in Uskudar, Beykoz, Kartal, and Pendik districts of Istanbul, Ozdemir noted.

Ozdemir stated that to this end, the security forces staged an operation against a hide-out in Beykoz district on January 17 and killed Huseyin Velioglu, the so-called leader of the terrorist organization.

The security forces captured Edip Gumus and Cemal Tutar, the so-called top members of the terrorist organization; Ozdemir stressed.

Ozdemir emphasized that many organizational documents, computers, CDs and disks, video-tapes and cassette-tapes, various identity cards, and driving licences were seized during the operations.

The security forces widened their operations throughout Turkey in the direction of the information they received from the organizational documents, Ozdemir pointed out.

Ozdemir said that 18 persons were captured in Istanbul on the testimony of Gumus and Tutar and that six of these captured persons were handed over to the police organizations in Icel, Van, Ankara, and Diyarbakir because they were wanted by these organizations.

Three of the suspects who were handed over to the State Security Court (DGM) were imprisoned, Ozdemir noted.

Ozdemir stated that 10 dead bodies were unearthed in a house in Uskudar district while nine dead bodies were uncovered in a house in Kartal district.

Ten of these dead bodies were identified, and the other nine could not be identified; Ozdemir stressed.

Ozdemir emphasized that the security forces confiscated three kalashnikov rifles; many guns, including a machine gun; 950 cartridges; one hand grenade; one 200-gram TNT bar; 19 fuses; three mobile phones; many CDs, disks and computers; video-tapes, and cassette-tapes in which the interrogation of the abducted persons were recorded; many organization documents; 296 identity cards; 132 driving licences; title-deeds; one car belonging to the terrorist organization; and the cars of five persons whom were kidnapped.

[17] FM:''WE'LL CONTINUE TO EXHIBIT THE INJUSTICE SHOWN TOWARDS TRNC''

Atacanlı pointed out that TRNC continues to find a solution to the problems through dialogue, adding the embargoes imposed on TRNC constitute an important part of this process.

Atacanlı said that it has been seen that there is no common basis in the talks held between TRNC and the Greek Cypriot side administration, adding ''yet the process of dialogue still continues.'' Atacanlı ended that a third round of talks will be staged between the concerned sides.

[18] PRESIDENT DEMIREL: ''LAWS OF REPUBLIC OF TURKEY WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN EVERY REGION OF TURKEY AND WITHOUT DISCRIMINATING AMONG PEOPLE''

Demirel responded to the questions of the journalists after he watched the ''Winter 2000 Maneouvres'' of the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK).

When asked what Turkey's attitude will be if the European Union (EU) makes a joint statement regarding the detention of the mayors from the People's Democracy Party (HADEP) as it did in Austria case, Demirel said, ''these are two different things. Can't Turkey implement her own laws? If there are people who are committing crimes, can't Turkey file lawsuit against these persons?''

''Turkey has her own laws. There is not any concessions given to those who commit crime in Turkey. Turkey will implement her laws in every region without discriminating among people. Turkey can solve her problems by herself,'' Demirel added.

[19] ANADOLU AGENCY TO START SERVING USERS OF WAP SYSTEM

The users can reach any kind of information, including the news, cinema, weather forecast, and the touristic information, through Anadolu Agency.

The system will include ''news line'' in which the internal and external news are broadcasted; the ''culture-arts line'' which gives information about the cinemas and theatres; the ''weather forecast-road'' which informs people about the weather conditions and the road conditions; the ''finance line'' which includes information about the foreign currency, the stock exchange, the second-hand bonds, and the bank interests; and the ''marketplace prices'' which gives information the prices of the vegetables, fruit, and the fish.

The WAP application will also cover the information about the sports news, the telephone numbers and addresses of the municipalities, hospitals, banks, car services, tax departments, and other important organizations, pharmacies on duty, hotels, restaurants, and airline companies of the cities.

The system will also give information about the results of the lotteries and the telephone numbers of the embassies and consulates abroad.

The WAP application will also inform people about the Presidency, Parliament, Prime Ministry, ministries, the political parties, and some official institutions.

By the ''Today in History Line'', the people can receive information about the important events of that day.

The users can also get information about the domestic and foreign fairs by the ''Fairs Schedule Line.''

The WAP system is a system that is adopted to the mobile phones. All the necessary daily information can be obtained through the mobile phones by this system.

Those who use this system do not have to go to the ATMs, ticket gates, or the post office and they can receive information about the news, foreign currency, and the pharmacies on duty by the mobile phone.

[20] PARLAIMENTARY JUSTICE COMMISSION EXTENDS PERIOD OF REPENTANCE LAW FOR ANOTHER SIX MONTHS

Parliamentary Justice Commission accepted a draft resolution extending the period of the law, known as ''Repentance Law'' in public, for another six months starting as of February 29, 2000.

Responding to the criticisms of parliamentarians, Turk said Turkey struggled against terrorism for 15 years, and noted that six Repentance Laws have been issued so far.

Turk said those who contradicted with principles and revolutions of Ataturk, and who got involved in fundamentalist terrorist organization, may also benefit from the laws.

Pointing out that 3497 people applied till June 24, 1999 to benefit from Repentance Law, Turk said only 768 of the applications were accepted. He said investigation against 34 applications was under way.

Recalling that several deputies have the concerns that ''confessions'' may turn into ''slanders'', Turk said there was a provision in the law to prevent this, and noted that there was up to five years imprisonment terms for the people who abuse the law.

Pointing out that there were several demands to change Article 169 of the Turkish Penal Code, Turk said Article 87 and 14 of the constitution should be changed to broaden the scope of amnesty.

Turk said number of Hezbollah terrorists who want to benefit from the law is six, and noted that the information given by those people were beneficial.

Clarifying his views about the detention of mayors from HADEP, Turk said they were arrested upon the orders of DGM Republican Chief Prosecutor. Turk said they were arrested by the security forces as it was a continuation of an operation carried out by genderma.

[21] CULTURE MINISTRY APPLIES TO UNESCO FOR INCLUSION OF SOME HISTORICAL PLACE IN WORLD HERITAGE LIST

Istemihan Talay, the Culture Minister, told a press conference on Wednesday that Turkey signed UNESCO's Convention on the Protection of World Cultural and Natural Heritage in 1983.

Seven cultural heritages were included in this list between 1983 and 1988 and two cultural heritages were included in this list between 1988 and 1998, Talay said.

Talay noted that they had applied for the inclusion of the Ephesus and Karain Cave and that the inclusion of these historical places has not been yet discussed by the UNESCO.

They target at introducing and protecting Turkey's cultural and historical places, Talay stated.

Talay stressed that to this end, they have applied to the UNESCO for the inclusion of Suleymaniye Mosque, St. Sophia Museum, Topkapi Palace, Edirne's Selimiye Mosque, Bursa and Cumalikizik Ottoman Urban and Rural Settlements, Seljuk Capital Konya, Alanya Castle and Shipyard, Selcuklu Caravanserais in Denizli-Dogubeyazit route, Ishakpasa Palace, Harran and Sanliurfa, Diyarbakir Castle, Mardin Cultural Landscape, former Ahlat settlement and tomb, Sumela Monestary, Alahan Monestary, St. Nicholas Church, St. Paul Church, St. Paul's Well, Kekova and Gulluk Mountain- Termessos National Park.

Talay emphasized that if a cultural heritage is included in UNESCO's list, this will have positive results in the international ground.

He discussed this issue with Koichiro Matsuura, the Director General of UNESCO, Talay pointed out.

Talay said that Matsuura told him that Turkey's request will be discussed in the following years.

Earlier, Istanbul's Historical Sites, Goreme and Cappadocia National Park, Divrigi Ulu Mosque, Hattusas, Nemrut Mountain, Xanthos Letoon, Pamukkale, Safranbolu, and Troy archeological site had been included UNESCO's list.

[22] HADEP MAYORS TRANSFERRED TO DIYARBAKIR DGM

Feridun Celik, Diyarbakır Mayor; M. Selim Ozalp, Siirt Mayor, and Feyzullah Karaaslan, Bingol Mayor, who were taken into custody on February 19, were transferred to Diyarbakır Chief Prosecution after the completion of their interrogation at Gendarmerie Regiment Commandership.

DGM Chief Prosecution started to question Celik, Karaaslan, and Ozalp.

[23] SPANISH PRIEST GROUP PERFORMS RELIGIOUS CEREMONY IN CAPPADOCIA

Thus, the Spanish priests performed the first religious ceremony in Cappadocia within the framework of the belief tourism of 2000.

The priests headed by Rafael Zannoza who came to Cappadocia on the invitation of Avanos Municipality, visited Seyhan Duru, the Avanos Mayor.

More than 400 churches in Cappadocia creates a charming atmosphere in the region, Zannoza said.

Zannoza noted that the Cappadocia is one of the most important regions of the world in respect of Christianity and the other religions.

They welcomed the efforts to open the churches to religious ceremonies, Zannoza stated.

They want to establish a cultural connection between Cappadocia and Madrid, Zannoza stressed.

Zannoza requested the protection of the frescos with glass panels.

[24] PREMIER ECEVIT SAYS KURDS ARE NOT MINORITY IN TURKEY

Ecevit received Lydie Polfer, the Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign Minister and Foreign Trade Minister of Luxembourg who is paying an official visit to Turkey.

Officials of the Prime Ministry said that Lydie noted that they expect that the Helsinki resolutions will be implemented as soon as possible.

Ecevit told Lydie that Turkey can take steps more easily if some friendly western countries do not cause difficulties and problems, the officials noted.

Referring to the mayors from the People's Democracy Party (HADEP) who were taken into custody, Ecevit noted that the jurisdiction is independent in Turkey and that they will not interfere with the jurisdiction.

Following the meeting, Polfer told reporters that they had a very sincere and friendly meeting.

Meanwhile, sources said that the detention of the mayors was also taken up during the meeting between Polfer and the Ismail Cem, the Foreign Minister.

Sources noted that Polfer gave the message that Turkey's European Union (EU) full membership process is developing in a positive direction but that such incidents can obstruct the process.

The sources added that the Turkish and Luxembourg delegations discussed the ways to improve the trade relations.

[25] A.A

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