Anadolu Agency: News in English, 00-03-12

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[01] AA News

12 March 2000 Sunday

[02] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

AVALANCHE KILLS THREE PEOPLE IN BINGOL
Avalanche killed three people near Kocsirti village in Genc township in eastern Bingol province. Three people managed to save themselves from the avalanche.

AKUT SENDS A TEAM TO MOZAMBIQUE
AKUT, the Search and Rescue Association, sent a team composed of three doctors, and medical supplies to Mozambique which was devastated by flood disaster. Bijan Jahangiri, Galip Zihni Sanus and Murat Ihsan Atasayan, the members of the AKUT, left for Johannesburg, South Africa. The team will proceed to the Club Navala Coordination Center in Mozambique from Johannesburg by helicopters. Meanwhile, the Directorate General of Red Crescent will also send humanitarian aid to Mozambique next week.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

18TH INTERNATIONAL VEHBI EMRE WRESTLING TOURNAMENT STARTS
The 18th International Vehbi Emre Graeco-Roman Wrestling Tournament started in Izmir yesterday. A total of 94 wrestlers from Turkey, Poland, Sweden, Iran, the U.S., Denmark, Albania, France, Estonia and Romania are competing in the tournament.

SABAH (LIBERAL)

163.2 KG OF HEROIN CONFISCATED
Acting on a tip-off, the narcotics officials stopped a bus which was on its way to Bulgaria, and confiscated 50 kg of heroin. Two people who were captured in the operation, confessed that another bus was smuggling 30 kg of heroin to Bulgaria. A joint operation was launched by Turkish and Bulgarian narcotics teams. Six people were captured in the operation. Meanwhile, six people who attempted to market 72 kg of heroin which was brought to Turkey from Iran, were captured in Istanbul. In another operation, 3 people were detained while 11.2 kg of heroin was confiscated. The market price of illicit drugs is nearly one trillion Turkish Liras.

CETINKAYA RELEASED
Orfi Cetinkaya, a notorious drug smuggler who was captured during the ''Golden Crescent Operation'' launched in Mersin, was released to be tried without detention. A total of 22 tonnes of hashish and 630 kg of base morphine were confiscated in the operation.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

SABANCI GROUP TO INVEST IN U.S.
Omer Sabanci Holding's and Dupont's joint venture DupontSa, which was established to produce raw materials of fibers, polyester, and thread for European market, will continue in the U.S. Omer Sabanci said DupontSa will sell 350 million U.S. dollars of products to Turkey; 450 million U.S. dollars of products to whole Europe and 150-280 million U.S. dollars of products to other countries.

RADIKAL (LEFT)

WHILE WAITING ACQUITTAL
Necmettin Erbakan showed his reaction to the imprisonment sentence on him by saying, ''the laws in Turkey should be changed. While I was waiting to be acquitted, I was sentenced to one-year imprisonment. However, I strongly believe that the Supreme Court will reverse it.''

YENI BINYIL (LIBERAL)

TURKIYE (RIGHT)

''THEY HAVE TO REMOVE OBSTACLES IN FRONT OF US''
Famous businessman Sakip Sabanci complained about worn-out laws and bureaucracy. Noting that old regulations constitue an impediment for marriage of international companies, Sabanci said, ''Turkey always become destitute. We become embarrassed against foreign partners. The obstacles in front of company marriages should be removed.''

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

VERHEUGEN: ''FOCUS ON COPENHAGEN''
The sentence on Erbakan drew the attention on Article 312. A change in this Article is also included in the Copenhagen criteria which puts forward candidacy conditions. Guenter Verheugen, EU Commissioner for enlargement stressed the importance they attach to freedom of expression.

LEGAL INFRASTRUCTURE TO NUCLEAR ENERGY
The government, which decided to construct a nuclear power plant, started works to remove the legal deficiencies. Energy Ministry prepared a draft law which arranges the fields of responsibility for possible demeges and leakages in the power plant.

-<B>SPORTS - WRESTLING</B> - 18TH INTERNATIONAL VEHBI EMRE TOURNAMENT STARTS

IZMIR - The 18th International Vehbi Emre Graeco-Roman Wrestling Tournament started in Izmir on Saturday.

A total of 85 wrestlers from 12 countries are competing in the tournament.

Seref Eroglu, the World and Olympic Champ; Hamza Yerlikaya, the World Champ; Ercan Yildiz and Fatih Bakir could not participate in the tournament.

Nazmi Avluca competing in the 85 kg category, qualified to semi-final.

Bayram Ozdemir and Esat Yanar competing in the 54 kg category, qualified to semi-final. Yabtonski of Poland, became the third wrestler qualifying to the semi final in the 54 kg category.

In the 58 kg category, Ayhan Kizilay qualified to semi-final. Yusuf Naci will take on Borascu Costantin of Romania on Sunday morning in quarter- final.

Sezgin Cavusoglu and Bunyamin Emik competing in the 63 kg category, qualified to semi-final. They will vie for the final in their match with Kurbanov Bakhodin of Uzbekistan and Jerry Szeybirger of Poland.

In the 69 kg catogory, Harun Muslu, Tugrul Derici, Mahmut Altay and Faruk Sahin qualified to semi-final.

Huseyin Gocoglu, Taner Akbulut and Yusuf Duzer competing in the 76 kg category, qualified to semi final. Ara Abrahamian of Sweden also qualified to semi final in the 76 kg category.

Nazmi Avluca, Serkan Ozden, Tekin Caglar and Elvan Mert qualified to semi- final in the 85 kg category.

In the 97 kg category, Ilhan Citak, Cumhur Kurtulus and Yannik Szczetaniak of France qualified to semi-final.

Tahir Yilmaz competing in the 130 kg category will vie for the gold medal with Mikael Liumgber of Sweden.

The 18th International Vehbi Emre Graeco-Roman Wrestling Tournament will end later on Sunday.

[04] HEALTH MINISTER DURMUS LEAVES FOR ISRAEL

Addressing journalists at the Ataturk Airport in Istanbul prior to his departure, Durmus recalled that Turkey and Israel had previously signed a cooperation agreement in the field of health.

Durmus said that mutual visits took place between the two countries from time to time within framework of the agreement.

He added that his contacts in Israel would focus on cooperation and investment opportunities and on the issues of exchange of health personnel, medical industry and medical technology.

Durmus is expected to return to Turkey on March 15.

-<B>DEPUTY PREMIER BAHCELI:</B> - ''ALSO EUROPE HAS TO RECORD PROGRESS AND TAKE STEPS IN FIELDS OF HUMAN RIGHTS AND DEMOCRACY''
ERZURUM - Devlet Bahceli, the Minister of State and Deputy Prime Minister, said on Saturday that the discussions on presidential election and amendments to the Constitution once again confirmed the existence of twisted, distorted and inconsistent mentality.

Staging a press conference at the Erzurum Governor's Office, Bhaceli said they thought presidential election should not be brought to an atmosphere of crisis, and the issue should not be turned into an impossible situation.

Bahceli stressed that the Turkish politics should display the skill of doing the correct under the current conditions.

''The rule for the presidential election is clear. The Constitution mentions the ways for a change in this rule. As the Parliamentary arithmetic does not allow a party to be influential alone, the way in front of the politics is this: a reasonable solution should be found with consensus and within the framework of the current political balances, conditions and courtesy principles,'' he said.

Deputy Prime Minister Bahceli said they attach importance to Turkey's membership to the European Union (EU) in a reasonable time frame, and its contribution to the EU.

Noting that the atmosphere of mutual cooperation and understanding should be dominant over the relations between Turkey and the EU, Bahceli said mistakes in diplomatic procedure and style will not be advantageous for Turkey.

''It should not be ignored that the struggle aginst terrorism necessitates a consistent and determined struggle. The necessary attention should be showed and the the principles of justice and equity should not be ignored while seeking a solution for Cypruss issue which closely interests the Turkish and Greek peoples. Besides, it should not be forgotten that serious difference of opinions and discussions on future and reconstruction of Europe still continue. Also Europe has to record progress and take steps in fields of democracy and human rights,'' he said.

Responding to a question about imprisonment sentence of Necmettin Erbakan, the former leader of the closed Welfare Party, Devlet Bahceli said, ''this is the question of independent justice. I don't want to comment on this issue.''

[06] THERMIC POWER PLANT TO BE CONSTRUCTED IN SOUTHEAST

The tender for the feasibility etudes of the thermic power plant, which was planned to be constructed in Silopi township of Sirnak, will be opened on March 21.

Sources said Turkish Electricity Production and Distribution Corp (TEAS) will collect the international bids in March and evaluate them in a short time.

The power plant, which will be financed by external loan, will be constructed with ''turn-key delivery'' method.

The U.S., German, Austrian, British, French and Swiss companies are expected to bid for the construction of the power plant of which financing will be finalized after the feasibility etudes.

The power plant, which was planned to be constructed within four years, will produce a 500 million kwh of electricity annually.

[07] TENTH INTERNATIONAL ANTALYA SECURITY AND COOPERATION CONFERENCE

The Tenth International Security and Cooperation conference organized by the Turkish-Atlantic Council, continues in Antalya.

Addressing the session on ''NATO in the 21st Century: Challenges and Opportunities'', Alp said that the Alliance should contribute to the peace process in Bosnia-Herzegovina.

''A stable, safe and democratic order in the region entails reconstruction of Bosnia-Herzegovina and Kosovo and protection of foreign investments. NATO should fulfil its mission in the process. The European Union's (EU) initiative will bring forth public security in southeastern Europe,'' Alp emphasized.

Meanwhile, Lewis Moonie, the Undersecretary of British Defense Ministry, pointed out that Turkey was playing a very significant role in the Alliance.

He noted that incidents in Kosovo revealed once again that Europe should take more security measures.

Stressing that Europe's problem was not quantity of defense expenses, but quality of defense systems, Moonie said that the EU's Helsinki Summit aimed at increasing military capabilities.

Moonie expressed his hope over Turkey's participation in the EU and its contribution to EU's military operations.

John Goulden, the British Permanent Representative to NATO, said that Turkey was a ''key'' country with regard to its situation in its geography, and its role in NATO defense system.

[08] AVALANCHE KILLS TWO PEOPLE IN BINGOL

Officials told the A.A correspondent on Sunday that six people who were on their way to Kocsirti village from Dogaevler village, were trapped beneath tonnes of snow.

Three of them managed to save themselves.

Mehmet Sezer was rescued nine hours after the incident.

He was taken to the Elazig State Hospital for medical treatment.

Bodies of Fevzi Batidan and Ubeydullah Ulema were found by villagers.

[09] GREEK JOURNALIST'S FRIENDLY LETTER

In her letter, Sfiga expressed her pleasure with hospitality in Turkey saying,

''Eyes cannot see as departing from a place

But heart can see distances better than eyes

My heart sees Anatolia

My beloved place where my mother and father were born

My beloved Aegean

How nice when people love each other

When people come together and love peace

Peace is such a beautiful and meaningful word

It is full of humanity and understanding

I am taking courage from my affection to Kusadasi and

Writing this poem

Peace... I wish peace to the world

Because war is darkness

Peace is universal light

War is the calamity of human race

Peace is eternal life in the world of humanity

I love you all!''

[10] INTERIOR MINISTER TANTAN LEAVES FOR BRITAIN

Addressing journalists at the Ataturk Airport in Istanbul prior to his departure, Tantan noted that his contacts in Britain would focus on cross- border crimes.

Responding to a question about struggle against drug trafficking, Tantan said, ''security forces continue their struggle against drug trafficking. A considerable amount of drug was confiscated as a result of their efforts. But international cooperation is inevitable to struggle against such crimes. The Turkish and Bulgarian security forces launched a joint operation and achieved a great success.''

[11] PREMIER ECEVIT ADDRESSES TRT'S BROADCAST

Ecevit said he couldn't digest lifelong ban from politics for a politician as that politicial was earlier sentenced to one-year imprisonment.

Ecevit said the amnesty issue would be brought onto the agenda of the Parliament after the Id Al-Adha holiday.

The Prime Minister stated that election of the President directly by people would bring presidency system, and this would mean a basic change in regime.

Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit attended the Turkish Radio and Television (TRT) broadcast ''Sunday Panorama''.

Responding to a question about imprisonment sentence handed down on Necmettin Erbakan, the last leader of closed Welfare Party (RP), by the Diyarbakir State Security Court (DGM) in accordance with Turkish Penal Code's Article 312, Ecevit recalled that the Parliament will discuss comprehensive amendments to the Constitution and the political parties established a ''Harmonization Commission'' to this end.

''Works on some amendments, which are necessary for democracy, will be carried out with the participation of all political parties in the Parliament. Those works have already started. At this moment, I can't say anything about Article 312 as it has not brought onto the agenda of Parliament and government yet. There are now works on the new penalty law in the agenda of the Parliament. The Article 312 issue will be discussed during the works on the new penalty law,'' he said.

''Turkey is experiencing a very sensitive period. Both separatist terrorism and separatist and fundamentalist terrorism that emerged by Hezbollah...In this respect, the state of course has to take some measures. It is impossible to leave every measure for the time being. However, there are several imbalances between punishments. Some articles may be necessary but their sanctions can be sometimes very serious and heavy or sometimes very mild. For a long time, I couldn't digest lifelong ban from politics for a politician who was sentenced to one-year imprisonment. I had said this before the sentence on Necmettin Erbakan. However, I am not criticizing the court. The court makes a verdict in accordance with the laws,'' he said.

Responding to a question, Ecevit said the proposal for an amendment to the Constitution's Article 69 was put forward by the coalition partners.

The Prime Minister said that there had never been a bargaining for the lifting of ban on Necmettin Erbakan concerning the presidential election.

When asked what the latest situation was in amnesty issue, Ecevit said, ''of course, also I and all of us feel sad about the failure in reaching an agreement on this. However, it will be discussed following the religious holiday.''

When asked whether the Democratic Left Party (DSP) had an alternative name or initiative to seek an alternative in case the President's term in office was not expanded, Ecevit said, ''absolutely not. We think it is wrong to take up negativities. We all hope the Parliament passes 5+5 formula. The votings in the presidential elections and Constitutional changes are carried out secretly. However I am very hopeful for the 5+5 formula. I don't want to think about the hypothesis that overshadow this hope. DSP does not want to present any other person as a candidate. It is wrong to think about it at this moment because we approve of continuation of Suleyman Demirel's mission. There has been a political and economic stability process for a long time in Turkey. Presidential elections have always been problematic in Turkey. This time, we wish Mr. Demirel will be elected as the President once again without any crisis and problem. We brought this issue onto the agenda nearly one year ago.''

When asked whether they took into consideration society's opinions about extension of the term in office of the President, Ecevit said, ''if the President is elected directly by the society, it means we transited into presidency system. I mean to say that the regime changes basically. We don't think it appropriate to Turkey. This modern Republic of Turkey was founded by Ataturk. If he had wanted, he could have brouht the presidency system. But he didn't find it appropriate. He thought that the parliamentary system should work with its all rules. This does not have any connection with the lack of confidence in society. Actually, when the President is elected by the Parliament, it means that he is elected by society.''

[12] PREMIER ECEVIT ADDRESSES TRT'S BROADCAST

Addressing a television program named ''Sunday Panorama'' on state-run TRT Channel, Ecevit reminded that it was the 29th anniversary of military intervention in 1971.

''Military intervention in 1971 was interruption of democracy in one sense. We reacted harsly against the military intervention. Because we were about to let democratic left movement draw attention from the public opinion. We thought that it would be very useful for Turkey. But during the interruption, those who interrupted democracy tread to drag the CHP into the process. I was not satisfied with it. Venturing my relations with Ismet Inonu, the then the leader of CHP, I decided to struggle against the military intervention. It was my most difficult and distressing decision. Our struggle revealed that the CHP became a party which seeks support directly from the people. This increased reliance in the CHP. We assumed a harsh attitude against the presidential candidate who was presented especially by soldiers. Situation was very interesting in the parliament on the day when voting would start. No civilians except for the cousin of the candidate, were allowed to enter the parliament. I was astonished when I arrived in the parliament. Military troops surrounded the parliament building. There was a dense and wide-spread military lobby in the parliament. They were putting pressure on us to elect their candidate. Our group had a hard quarrel. The group almost divided into two. Voting lasted several days. Following our group's decision, the Justice Party (AP) took a similar decision. Then it became clear that the candidate of the Armed Forces would not be elected as the new president,'' Ecevit said.

He added, ''I was summoned to the General Staff the following day. I told my wife to prepare a suitcase against every possibility. When I arrived in the General Staff, General Semih Sancar and all leading commanders received me kindly. Sancar told me, 'we repented to be involved in it. We ask for your support to extricate ourselves from this difficult situation without damaging distinguished prestige of the Armed Forces.' It was a great exam for our regime and parliament's influence. I accepted to assist them. Fahri Koruturk was elected as the new president as a result of our agreement with the AP. Turkey passed a difficult democracy exam. The Armed Forces has entered a very positive process as for democracy. Our attitude increased people's confidence in the CHP and we became the first party for the first time.''

Ecevit said, ''the Turkish society showed that it had the capability to solve problems without hampering democratic process in an atmosphere of reconciliation.''

He added, ''very important changes occurred. Former ideological polarizations disappeared both in Turkey and the world. One of the conditions for democracy is reconciliation among different public sections and political parties. We entered a promising process to this end. I am hopeful for the future of the regime.''

[13] ANNIVERSARY OF GAZI INCIDENTS

Nearly 500 demonstrators chanting slogans and carrying photographs of those who were killed during the incidents, have been surrounded by security forces.

Officials told the A.A correspondent that security forces had taken tight measures early on Sunday morning to prevent those who aimed at holding an illegal demonstration in Gazi district.

People coming from different districts were not allowed to enter Gazi district.

A total of 180 people were taken into custody as of 12:30 p.m.

Metin Narin and Nurhayat Isyapan, intervenor lawyers of Gazi case, were also taken into custody. The lawyers were released later.

[14] PREMIER ECEVIT ADDRESSES TRT'S BROADCAST

Addressing a television program named ''Sunday Panorama'' on state-run TRT Channel, Ecevit noted, ''there is a serious tradition of racism in Western Europe and partly in Central Europe. The new coalition government in Austria is not an exception. The states reacting against the Austrian government, were in fact reflecting their own concerns that negativities in their past could further develop in future.''

''Fascist movements and ethnic genocides played an important role in history of European nations. Racist trends do not exist only in Austria. The European Union (EU) Commission arranged a large-scale public poll with 16 thousand people in EU member countries two years ago. The result of poll revealed that one third of the participants were 'extremely racist' and one third of them were 'racist'. The concept of racism never existed in the Turkish society. Discriminating people because of their races and ethnic backgrounds is impossible in Turkey. Turkey is the country where people of different ethnic origins have been embracing each other for centuries. When we examine result of any general elections, we see that most of the deputies coming from Eastern and Southeastern Anatolia are Kurdish. No one considers this fact strange. Our citizens of Kurdish origin can become high- level officials in every level of the state. No one needs to ask each other their ethnic roots,'' Ecevit stressed.

Referring to his meeting with Guenter Verheugen, the EU Comissioner for enlargement, Ecevit said, ''I told Mr. Verheugen that 'there is a problem. This problem does not stem from racism and discrimination. First of all, several foreign circles have been inciting and supporting the separatist Kurdish movement in Turkey since the beginning of the 20th century. Second reason is feudal structure of the region. We have passed a law with the aim of encouraging investments in the region and changing the structure. We should take more measures.' Every country has a different implementation concerning the issue of racism and minorities. For example, France did not make concession from its language. I was a member of Council of Europe in 1958. I visited Strasburg on the border region between France and Germany. The German language was more common then the French in the city. I visited Strasburg five or six years later, but I did not hear anyone speaking German. No one told France that it was imposing assimilation.''

''Among NATO members, EU members and EU candidates, Turkey is a country encountering extremely serious terrorist activities. Similar activities exist in Spain. But terrorist activities in Turkey are incited by foreign countries. Turkey is encountering separatist terrorist movements which are supported and encouraged both by some of its neighbours and some of its allies. Turkey has a tradition not to discriminate people because of their races and ethnic backgrounds. For instance, Jewish people were expelled from developed countries in Europe, but Jewish people and we have all things in common,'' Ecevit noted.

When asked how he evaluated People's Democracy Party (HADEP) with this respect, Ecevit said the mayors from HADEP were being tried so he couldn't digest to clearly express his opinions about the issue.

''I have a personal problem: I continue my struggle freely while I am struggling against some people or circles. However, I feel the need for holding myself back when charges are filed against them. So I do have some complaints about myself,'' he said.

When reminded of the reactions of the families of martyrs during the trial of the head of the terrorist organization, Ecevit said they understood feelings and reactions of the families of martyrs, and they share their feelings.

''Besides, there are global realities. We have important relations with the EU and Council of Europe member countries. We were obliged to accept their authority to delay the execution of the sentences which become definite. We tried to explain this and I think we managed to explain at a larger content. If we will become a EU member, we are obliged to abolish death sentence. Actually, Turkey and the Turkish people do not want death sentence. It has not been implemented since 1984. However, there are reactions that we should show understanding. Everything will be solved in the course of time,'' he said.

Responding to another question, Ecevit said that expecting everything from the state would contradict with the market economy process, and added that every section of the society should comprehend their responsibilities.

When asked whether Pakistan requested him to mediate in its dispute with India, Ecevit said, ''it is wrong to call it mediation which brings a serious responsibility. The Pakistani Ambassador visited me. As they know that I can go to India, he requested me to convey a message to the Indian administration. It is a constructive and promising message which proves that they are ready for dialogue. I welcomed it with pleasure.''

Ecevit said India, which attaches importance to research and technology, is a country important for Turkey so Turkey should cooperate with India seriously.

[15] HANNAY, BRITIAN'S SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE TO CYPRUS, DUE IN CYPRUS

Hannay is scheduled to meet with Glafcos Clerides, the leader of the Greek Cypriot administration, early in the same day.

Later, he will proceed to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus

(TRNC) to come together with President Rauf Denktas.

Hannay is expected to meet with political party leaders in the TRNC.

He will partake in a dinner along with TRNC Prime Minister Dervis Eroglu; Mustafa Akinci, the TRNC Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State; and Tahsin Ertugruloglu, the TRNC Foreign Affairs and Defense Minister.

Hannay is expected to depart from the island after staging a press conference at the Ledra Palace on Tuesday.

[16] DPT'S MONTHLY REPORT ON ECONOMY

According to State Planning Organization's (DPT) monthly report on Turkish economy, the industrial production index increased 4.1 percent in January 2000 compared to production in January 1999.

The productions at textiles, clothings, chemistry, machines, mechnical devices and motor vehicles sectors increased over 20 percent while the evident decreases in oil products, earthenware and food sectors restricted the production at manufacturing industry in January 2000.

The recovery in production and sale of durable consumer goods in the last quarter of 1999 continued also in January gradually. Production of durable consumer goods increased 36.9 percent and sales of these goods rose 59.4 percent.

The sales of automobiles increased 107.4 percent in January 2000.

According to the DPT, the non-interest budget surplus was 480 trillion TL in January 2000.

The domestic borrowing interest rates, which fluctuated over 100 percent last year, reduced to 40.2 percent in the first two months of 2000.

The report recalled that the performance criteria for the consolidated public sector non-interest balance were specified within the framework of the Stand-By deal, and that the amount was targeted to be 1 quadrillion 550 trillion TL for the first quarter of 2000.

The report said the consolidated budget surplus became 1 quadrillion 352 trillion TL in the first two months of the year.

[17] A TOTAL OF 1.4 TONS OF ACID ANHYDRIDE CONFISCATED AT KAPIKULE BORDER GATE

Acting on tip-off, security forces stopped a truck which was on its way to Turkey from Romania.

They confiscated 1.4 tons of acid anhydride hidden in 65 plastic cans in trailer of the truck.

One person was taken into custody.

Officials told the A.A correspondent, ''500 kg of heroin can be produced with 1.4 tons of acid anhydride. The market price of 500 kg of heroin is nearly 5 trillion Turkish Liras. Earlier, 700 kg of base morphine was confiscated in Mersin. Drug traffickers purchase acid anhydride from Romania and Bulgaria, and base morphine from Afghanistan and Pakistan. Then they produce heroin in Turkey to market it abroad.''

[18] ANNIVERSARY OF GAZI INCIDENTS

The demonstrators carrying the photographs of the people killed in the incidents five years ago marched to the ''Yavuz Kardesler Kiraathanesi'' (Yavuz Brothers Cafe) which was raked with gunfire five years ago, by chanting several slogans.

Huseyin Polat, the Deputy Chairman of Haci Bektas-i Veli Culture Promotion Foundation's Gazi Alaouti Association, said four cafes and a pastry shop were raked with gunfire on March 12, 1995, and a person was shot dead in the Yavuz Brothers Cafe all which constituted a factor of incitement.

Defending that police opened fire on the group, which hold a protest demonstration in front of the Gazi Police Station and later returned to the Gazi Alaouite Association five years ago, Polat recalled that 17 people were killed in incidents erupted in Gazi district, and six people were killed in Umraniye district.

Later, the demonstrators, who were surrounded by security forces, marched to the Gazi Cemetery.

The group which later returned to the Alaouite Association dispersed peacefully.

Sources said almost six thousand policemen participated in security measures.

These units were backed by a helicopter, armoured vehicles, and soldiers.

[19] A FIELD HOSPITAL TO BE CONSTRUCTED IN DUZCE

Duzce was the epicenter of 7.2-magnitude earthquake which devastated the region on November 12.

The hospital which will be constructed near Ihsaniye village, will be equipped with every kind of medical supplies and devices.

Meanwhile, the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund and the International Red Crescent and Red Cross Federation distributed presents to the quake survivors for Id Al-Adha.

[20] 500 PEOPLE TO GO TO SYRIA TO EXCHANGE RELIGIOUS HOLIDAY GREETINGS

Nusaybin Head Official Sukru Kara told the A.A correspondent that a total of two thousand people applied to them for permission to enter Syrian territories to exchange religious holiday greetings with their relatives living in Syria, but Syria accepted 500 of those applications.

[21] A.A

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