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Anadolu Agency: News in English, 00-03-28

Anadolu Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

From: The Anadolu Agency Home Page at <http://www.anadoluajansi.gov.tr/>


[01] AA News

28 March 2000 Tuesday

[02] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

These are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in Turkey's press on March 28, 2000. The Anadolu Ajansi does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their occuracy.

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

THEY RAKE WRONG CLUB WITH GUNFIRE
The men of Alaattin Cakici, the notorious mafia boss, raked a wrong club with gunfire and injured 16 innocent people. Cakici's men staged an armed attack on the Karagumruk Sports Club rather than assaulting on Oz Karagumrukluler Association, the chairman of which is Nejat Ergin, the brother of Nuri Ergin. The assailants shot the legs of the people and ran away. This attack meant the last warning.

SEARCHES FOR TISSUE OF VASILIU STARTED
The report of Andreas Vasiliu, six-year-old Greek Cypriot child who is suffering from leukaemia, was sent to Istanbul. The Istanbul Faculty of Medicine Tissue Bank started to examine 56,000 tissue samples. The examination will be concluded in ten days.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

BERSONY: ''SOME KURDS ARE IN BETTER SITUATION THAN TURKS''
Andras Bersony from the EU delegation who visited South East Turkey on Monday said some Kurds living in Istanbul are in better situation than Turks. ''There are ten million Kurds living in the South East. PKK does not represent all of them,'' he said. Bersony said recently they were reported about some human rights violations in the South East. He said they would watch this issue and report their observations to the Council of Europe.

HEZBOLLAH MILITANT: ''IRAN SUPPORTED HEZBOLLAH''
A member of the terrorist organization Hezbollah told Milliyet that there was a ministry named ''Irsad-i Islam'' in Iran which worked to spread their regime. ''They invited people from Turkey to be trained there. Hezbollah's first teams were formed among these people. I went to Tehran in 1986 and attended Islamic meetings where they explained Hezbollah's methods that should be used in Muslim countries,'' he said.

SABAH (LIBERAL)

EUROPE STARTS INSPECTION FROM SIRNAK
The European Parliament (EP) delegation is visiting the Southeastern Anatolia. The aim of this visit is to inspect whether or not Turkey abides by the Copenhagen criteria, the main condition for Turkey's European Union (EU) membership. The delegation spent their first day in southeastern Sirnak province. Barsony, the head of the delegation, said that they are inspecting the adaptation process of the Copenhagen criteria in the region.

TURKEY-U.S. MEETINGS TO START
The First Term Meeting of the Turkey-U.S. Trade and Investment Council will start in Washington D.C. today. The Foreign Trade Undersecretariat (DTM) said that Undersecretary Kursad Tuzmen will head the Turkish delegation during the meetings. The improvement of commercial and economic relations will be discussed in the meetings.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

TSK TO REDUCE NUMBER OF ITS SOLDIERS
It was stated that the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) will restructure itself in parallel to decrease in terrorism threat, and within this framework, it was planning to reduce the number of soldiers and re-arrange the recruiting system. Defense Industry Undersecretary Prof. Dr. Dursun Ali Ercan said Turkey should strengthen its economy and security as some of its neighbors continue to support international terrorism. ''Turkey is not a rude armed force like Soviet Union which emptied its economy. Turkey is not an island country in the Pacific Ocean. As Turkey, we have to be always vigilant,'' he stressed. ATAK Helicopter Project's Coordinator retired General Celal Gurkan said Turkey's defense requirements became multi-dimensional after the Cold War, and that the TSK targeted to decrease the number of its soldiers and make a change in recruiting system in parallel to decrease in terrorism threat.

SAVAS'S DEFENSE AGAINST ARTICLE 312
Supreme Court Republican Chief Judge Vural Savas stressed that an amendment to Article 312 of Turkish Penal Code (TCK) would broaden the dimensions of the threat of which target was the regime. Noting that fundamentalism was the result of provocations and incitements that had continued for years, Savas said inclusion of the condition of ''endangering the public security'' for the acceptance of all actions, which are mentioned in Article 312, as a crime would create objections.

TURKEY WARNS KDP
Turkey warned Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) not to act as an ''independent state'' in Northern Iraq. Ankara conveyed its uneasiness over the reception that the KDP hosted in Ankara and over the passport problem that the Turkish delegation encountered, to Necirvan Barzani, the leader of the local government formed unilaterally in the region controlled by the KDP in Northern Iraq, who is currently holding contacts in Turkey.

ECEVIT DUE TO INDIA
Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit will pay an official visit to India between March 30 and April 2. Foreign Ministry said Ecevit would be accompanied by State Ministers Edip Safter Gaydali and Abdulhaluk Cay, Foreign Minister Ismail Cem and Culture Minister Istemihan Talay, deputies, businessmen, and reporters. During Ecevit's visit, relations between Turkey and India, regional and international issues will be discussed. During his visit, Ecevit will meet with Indian President, Prime Minister, some ministers and leader of the opposition parties. In India, Ecevit will be given honorary doctorate by Vusva Bharati University and he will speak at a meeting organized by Indian Trade and Industry Chambers Federation.

RADIKAL (LEFT)

5+5 IS NOT IN THE BAG 48 HOURS BEFORE VOTING
The ruling political parties took measures to prevent possible votes against the constitutional amendment which reduces the term in office of the president from seven to five years and which enables the election of the president for an additional five-year term. The visits to foreign countries were postponed. Deputies of the Democratic Left Party (DSP) and the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) are closely following the developments. The Virtue Party (FP) will vote against the amendment. Many deputies of the True Path Party (DYP) and the Motherland Party (ANAP) are also expected to vote against the amendment.

ZIRAAT BANK'S NEW STEP IN EUROPE
The Ziraat Bank is preparing itself to launch new initiatives in the banking sector in Europe following the autonomy and privatization efforts. The Ziraat Bank is exerting efforts to unite its branch offices under a single umbrella. The Ziraat Bank Frankfurt Branch was converted into a bank titled ''Ziraat Bank International A.G.'' while the Deutsche Turkische Bank, whose 97.5 percent shares are owned by the Ziraat Bank, was included in the structure of the newly established bank.

YENI BINYIL (LIBERAL)

ECEVIT: ''ZANA HAS BAD INTENTIONS''
Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit gave a briefing to European Parliament's Socialist Group Chairman Enrique Baron Crespo and his delegation on Monday. Responding to their questions on Akin Birdal, Leyla Zana, PKK problem and broadcast in Kurdish language, Ecevit said ''terrorism in Turkey is different than terrorism in Europe.''

''Terrorism in Turkey has external support and this is a very sensitive issue in the public opinion,'' he said and expressed Turkey's uneasiness about the European support given to PKK. Responding to a question on Kurdish problem, Ecevit said ''there is no Kurdish problem in Turkey. The problem is rooted from the feudal structure.'' ''cassette-tapes in Kurdish language are available in Turkey. But there is not much demand for those tapes. Kurdish is not a language, it is a dialect,'' he added. About Leyla Zana's prison term, Ecevit said her prison sentence can be cancelled due to health problems. ''But she isn't making an application for the cancellation of her prison term. Because she has bad intentions. She wants to provoke Europe,'' he said.

EU DELEGATION VISITS SIRNAK
A four-person delegation from Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly visited southeastern Sirnak province on Monday to inspect Turkey's adjustment efforts to the EU. Commission members were informed about infrastructure investments and PKK's activities in Sirnak's rural areas. Delegation members asked villagers questions about education and health services and their source of income. At the end of their visit, Andras Bersony from the delegation told Yeni Binyil that it will take time for Turkey to make its standards in consonant with the Copenhagen criteria. He also noted that they have observed some developments in security related issues. Bersony said Turkey might have to make changes on some of the articles in its Constitution.

TURKIYE (RIGHT)

SUCCESS OF TURKISH TOURISM
Cem Kinay who is making tourism investments in Greece, Austria, and Tunisia set up a joint venture in Turkey with the world's biggest tourism company TUI. Gulet company which was founded in 1987 by Cem Kinay and Oguz Serim who were the then tour operators, started managing Magic Life hotels. In a decade, their sales reached 500 million U.S. dollars and they currently own 18 Magic Life hotels in Turkey, Greece, Austria, and Tunisia. They have 4, 500 employees and 3,000 of them are in Turkey. With a new cooperation, TUI will be marketing Magic Life in Europe.

YILMAZ: ''DEBATES ON PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS HARM THE COUNTRY''
Leader of the Motherland Party (ANAP), Mesut Yilmaz said everything from democracy to economy is put aside and all the discussions are focused on the presidential elections, and he noted that this situation is damaging the efforts to bring stability to Turkey.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

LAST TWO DAYS IN TUPRAS TENDER
The collection of the preliminary bids for the Turkish Oil Refineries Inc. (TUPRAS) tender will be concluded on March 29, 2000. Following the preliminary bidding stage, the investors will announce their final bids between April 5 and 7, 2000. The Privatization Board Directorate (OIB) started to collect the bids for the tender on March 22, 2000. In this stage, the investors do not undertake any responsibilities. They only determine the amount of the shares they want to purchase. The investors will go to the agencies or the bank branches where they submitted their bids, and deposit the amount of the shares they want to purchase. The investors can propose bids less or more than the amount they proposed in the preliminary bidding stage.

EU SEMINARS OF CENTRAL BANK
The Central Bank will organize a program titled ''Integration with Europe in the Past and Future'' for its personnel and for the related personnel of financial bodies and institutions. The Central Bank said that the program will take place between April 10 and 14, 2000 and that this program will form another chain of seminars made on European integration and Turkey- European Union (EU) relations. The program will cover such issues as ''integration with Europe in the past and future, the philosophical and cultural foundations of Turkey-Europe relations, economic integration with the EU, the future of the EU, Turkey-EU relations following the Helsinki Summit, Turkey's EU membership process, EU membership/Ottoman experience''.

[03] PRESIDENT DEMIREL LEAVES FOR TURKMENISTAN (1)

ANKARA - President Suleyman Demirel left early on Monday for Turkmenistan upon an invitation from Turkmen President Saparmurad Turkmenbasi.

President Demirel is accompanied by Cumhur Ersumer, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister Energy and Natural Resources; Abdulhaluk Mehmet Cay, the Minister of State; Mehmet Ali Irtemcelik, the Minister of State; Istemihan Talay, the Minister of Culture; representatives of private sector, businessmen and reporters.

(To be continued)

[04] NEW TOURISM OFFICE IN NEW YORK

NEW YORK - The Tourism Ministry decided on Tuesday to establish a new tourism office in New York by taking into consideration the increase in the number of U.S. citizens visiting Turkey.

The tourism office will be opened on the first floor of the Turkevi in New York.

Turkey's New York Tourism Counselor's Office is also operating in this building.

Officials of New York Tourism Counselor's Office said that the tourism office will be one of the most developed tourism and information offices of Turkey.

The officials noted that the tourists can find booklets about Turkey and can book for hotels in Turkey through the computers in this office.

The officials added that the new tourism office will also include halls for receptions, conferences, and seminars.

[05] IMPORTANT SUPPORT FROM THE U.S. TO TURKEY AGAINST ARMENIAN LOBBY

WASHINGTON D.C. - The U.S. on Monday criticized the efforts of Armenian lobby to issue a law in the state congresses regarding the recognition of so-called genocide on Armenians.

James Foley, the U.S. State Department Spokesman, told a news conference that this issue had been brought to the agenda many times in the previous years. He said they opposed the legislative measures related with this sensitive issue to be issued, as it happened in the period of past administrations.

Foley said they believed that such kind of careless measures damage improving relations between Turkey and Armenia.

Foley recalled that the U.S. President Bill Clinton, and Madeleine Albright, the U.S. State Secretary met with Turkish and Armenian leaders in Istanbul last November, and that talks had taken place in Davos in January. He said improvement of Turkish-Armenian relations was important for the stability and security of the Caucasus.

Foley said this process, which they have stressed the importance of, continues.

As a result of the efforts of Armenian lobby in the U.S., Virginia state local congress, approved April 24, 2000 as the date to commemorate so- called genocide on Armenians. Armenian lobby are in intense efforts in Rhode Island to include information in school books regarding the so-called genocide.

Armenian lobby also launches efforts in California to provide compensation to the inheritors of the victims of so-called genocide from the insurance companies. Several draft laws are waiting in the U.S. Congress related with recognition of the so-called genocide.

Turkish diplomatic sources in Washington D.C. told A.A correspondent that efforts of rich Armenian lobby in the U.S. gave damage to Armenia, which is in economic difficulty. Diplomatic sources said Armenia should set up good relations with Turkey to overcome its economic difficulty, and noted that efforts of Armenian lobby in several countries to make so-called genocide on Armenians to be recognized, affect these relations negatively.

[06] PRESIDENT DEMIREL LEAVES FOR TURKMENISTAN: (2) - ''TURKMENISTAN PLAYS AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN PEACE, STABILITY AND WELFARE OF CENTRAL ASIA''

ANKARA - President Suleyman Demirel said on Tuesday that Turkmenistan, having a geo-strategical position and rich energy resources, plays an important role in peace, stability and welfare of Central Asia.

Before he left for Turkmenistan, Demirel told reporters that he is vising this country upon the invitation of Saparmurad Turkmenbasi, the President of Turkmenistan.

Demirel noted that the relations between Turkey and Turkmenistan are perfect since Turkmenistan gained its independence and that this is his sixth visit to this country. He added that his visits indicate the importance Turkey attributes to the cooperation with friendly Turkmenistan.

The improvement of bilateral relations will be discussed during his contacts in Turkmenistan, and also he and Turkmenbasi will exchange ideas about the regional and international issues which concern both countries, Demirel stated.

Demirel emphasized that Turkey and Turkmenistan exert joint efforts to benefit from the welfare which will be ensured in the Eurosia and to contribute to the establishment of lasting peace, stability and welfare in the region.

Within this framework, the latest situation of the Trans-Caspian Natural Gas Pipeline Project which will transfer Turkmen natural gas to Turkey and then to Europe, will be discussed, Demirel pointed out.

Demirel said that also, he and Turkmenbasi will also discuss the necesary steps to be taken to put into effect the project as soon as possible.

This project is important for Central Asia's integration with the world markets and for mingling of Europe and Asia through Turkey, Demirel noted.

Demirel stated that the economic and trade relations will also be taken up during his visit and that Turkey's trading volume in Turkmenistan is 3 billion U.S. dollars.

The long-term framework agreement which is planned to be signed within the framework of his visit, will play an important role in improving the cooperation between two countries, Demirel stressed.

Demirel emphasized that he will also visit the Turkish textile enterprise opened in Askhabad.

''My visit will be a new milestone for the improvement of the present cooperation between Turkey and friendly Turkmenistan and for the Eurosia's brilliant future,'' Demirel added.

[07] FIRST TOUR DISCUSSIONS ON CONSTITUTION AMENDMENT PACKAGE TO BE HELD TOMORROW

ANKARA - The first-tour discussions on the proposal which foresees amendments in the Article 69, 86, and 101 of the Constitution will be held on Wednesday.

The Parliamentary General Assembly will convene at 11.00 a.m. on Wednesday and will continue the discussions until they are concluded.

Whole of the proposal will be taken up in the first-tour discussions.

Later, the articles of the package will be discussed and the secret ballot will be staged.

Firstly, voting will be staged for the amendments of the articles of the proposal. After the motion is adopted, the secret ballot will be started.

In the first tour discussions, it is not necessary to reach 330 votes, which is the three fifth majority of the deputies, to adopt the articles and whole of the constitutional amendment package. It is necessary to have more votes in favour than the votes against the package.

The second-tour discussions on the constitutional amendment are expected to be held on April 4.

Only the amendment proposals on the articles will be discussed in the second tour.

If the three fifth majority of the deputies cannot be provided in articles, those articles will be abated.

If the three fifth majority is not reached on the whole of the package, the whole package will be rejected.

In the last tour of the voting which will be held to prevent the constitutional amendment from being opened to a referendum, the two third of the majority of deputies (367 votes) should be ensured.

If the votes stay between 330 and 367, a referendum will be opened for the constitutional amendment.

The package foreesees three amendments. One of them is on the presidential elections. The amendment on the presidential elections envisages the reduction of the term in office of the president from seven to five years and the ensurement of the election of a president for an additional five- year term.

The package also foreesees amendment in the Article 69 which is about the closure of a political party and an amendment in the Article 86 which takes the retirement of the deputies under constitutional guarantee.

[08] TOURISM MINISTRY UNDERSECRETARY SAYGILIOGLU: - ''ANATOLIA IS ONE OF THREE IMPORTANT CENTERS OF BELIEF TOURISM''

BUDAPEST - Nevzat Saygilioglu, the Tourism Ministry Undersecretary, said on Tuesday that Anatolia is one of three important centers of the belief tourism.

Saygilioglu staged a press conference in Turkey's Embassy in Budapest for the International Tourism Fair which was held in Bucharest and which lasted for five days.

South region of Turkey where the most important tourism centers of are situated, is not in the quake zone, Saygilioglu noted.

Saygilioglu stated that Anatolia, Jerusalem and Vatican are the three important centers of belief tourism.

A total of 200,000 Turkish people visit Hungary a year while only 25,000 Hungarians visit Turkey, Saygilioglu stressed.

Saygilioglu emphasized that Turkey aims at increasing this number to 50,000 at first and then to 100,000.

To this end, the Tourism Ministry introduced Turkey on 200 billboards in Hungary, Saygilioglu pointed out.

Saygilioglu added that they also think of publishing commercials in the Hungarian television channels to introduce and promote Turkey.

[09] ANOTHER AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION ON THE WAY

ANKARA - The Constitution of the Republic of Turkey, prepared by the Advisory Board-set up after the September 12 1980 military intervention-, ratified by the National Security Council and accepted on November 7 1982, has been amended five times. Two articles of the Constitutition have been annulled, and 21 articles have been changed so far.

An amendment ratified by the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TGNA) on May 17th 1987 pulled down the age of franchise from 21 to 20, and increased the seats of the Parliament from 400 to 450.

The rules pertaining to the implementation of amendments to the constitution, as defined in article no. 175 have been changed. Within this framework, re-arangements foreseeing the holding of two-round negotiations, secret vote, and the opening of a constitutional amendment by the President to a public vote; and also the holding a public vote for a constitutional amendment in the case of the amendment receiving less than two thirds or three fifths of the 'in favor' votes of the parliament have been made.

Article no. 4, a provisional article of the Constitution, has been annulled, and thus the pre-September 12th political bans-10 years for political party leaders and party administrators, and 5 years for MP's and senators- have been lifted. This amendment was accepted with a referendum.

Early 1990's staged the opening of private radio stations and television channels and this triggered discussions on the amendments that had to be made in the Constitution pertaining to media organs.

Consequently, article no. 133 of the Constitution was amended on July 8th 1993, and the monopoly of the State over radio stations and television channels was brought to an end.

The most comprehensive amendment to the Constitution was approved on July 23 1995. The ''Preamble'' of the Constitution and 14 articles were revised, and the paragraphs in the Preamble stating that an amendment to be prepared by the Advisory Committee, and revised by the National Security Council be enforced after a referendum were annulled.

With an amendment to article no. 33, certain limitations to setting up associations, and political bans on associations and unions were lifted. Article no. 52, defining the framework of 'union activities' was annulled, and government employees were given the right to set up unions and ''carry out mass talks'' with an amendment to article no. 53.

Again in 1995, the Turkish citizens residing abroad and prisoners gained the right to vote; however, the bill to regulate the vote casting of Turkish citizens residing abroad for over 5 years could not be passed.

The age of eligibility to become a party member was pulled from 21 down to 18 with the 1995 amendment. All bans, prohibiting the establishment by political parties of women and youth clubs, and on their setting up organisations abroad were lifted. Academic personnel and university students gained the right to become a party member.

The amendment pertaining to the abolishing of political parties-the major issue that tops the agenda recently- was also made in 1995.

Article no. 69 entitled as ''principles to be observed by political parties'', with an amendment made in 1995 was changed to foresee the dissolution of a political party in cases of falling into contradiction with the basic principles of the Republic, or the defense of a particular community, class, or dictatorship, only after ''the Constitutional Court determines that the party in question has become a focus of such activities.''

The regulation pertaining to the permanent regression of dissolved party leaders, inspectors or administrative staff from politics was mildened with the amendment made in 1995, and this ban for the aforementioned persons was pulled down to five years of political ban.

The paragraph stating that ''a party which has been dissolved permanently cannot be founded under another name'' was added in 1995.

The number of seats at the Parliament was increased to 550 from 450.

Again within the framework of the 1995 amendments, the beginning of the legislative year of the TGNA was changed from September 1st to October 1st. Also, a paragraph foreseeing the holding of general or by elections, which would be held a year before, or a year after the parliamentary elections be held at the same time with parliamentary elections was added in 1995.

Also, political parties, against which a closure case is filed, gained the right to defend themselves at the Constitutional Court.

The structure of the State Security Courts were changed with an amendment accepted on June 18th 1999, upon increasing reaction from the European Court of Human Rights. Article no.143, foreseeing the functioning of military judges and prosecutors at State Security Courts was amended to replace military judges and prosecutors with civilians.

A legal basis was brought to privatization with an amendment involving 3 articles on August 13th 1999.

A paragraph stating that ''disagreements emerging from privileged specifications and accords can be settled through arbitration'' was added, and the authority of the Council of State over these matters was annulled.

A proposal to bring limitations to the immunity of MP's, and thus to amend article no. 83 of the Constitution was turned down. The second round of negotiations-whose first had taken place on November 19th 1997- on the amendment was made upon the insistence of the Republican People's Party. However, the bill was not ratified and the amendment was not enforced.

[10] ALLEGATIONS THAT HELICOPTER CRASHED IN AEGEAN IZMIR PROVINCE

IZMIR - The smoke coming from the garbage that was burnt in the forest field between Selcuk and Menderes townships in the Aegean Izmir province, caused rumors that a helicopter crashed in the region.

Officials said the allegations that a helicopter crashed were under investigation against any possibility, and noted that efforts were under way in the region.

It was reported that the fishermen informed Kusadasi Security Department when they saw a military helicopter in the region in the same hours, and thought that the helicopter crashed when they saw the smoke.

Mustafa Tamer, Izmir Deputy Governor, and Hasan Yucesan, Director of Security Department, said they had taken tip off that a helicopter has crashed, but they did not meet any wreckage so far.

A helicopter from Aegean Army Commandership, and two civilian planes continue reconnaissance flight on the forest field where the helicopter was thought to be crashed.

[11] PRESIDENT DEMIREL RESPONDS TO QUESTIONS IN PLANE: ''IF RUSSIA WANTS TO BUY GAS FROM TURKMENISTAN AND IF IT IS IN LINE WITH TURKMENISTAN'S INTERESTS, THIS IS NOT OUR MATTER''

ASHKABAT - President Suleyman Demirel said on Tuesday that the Natural Gas Pipeline project which foresees the transportation of the Turkmen natural gas to Turkey and to Europe via Turkey is an independent project.

''If Russia wants to buy natural gas from Turkmenistan and if this is in conformity with the interest of Turkmenistan, Turkmenistan's selling gas to them is not our matter. We are only interested in our own issue,'' said President Demirel.

Demirel spoke to reporters aboard the plane to Turkmenistan.

The dialogue between Demirel and journalists is as follows:

-Question: ''Have you heard the first action of Putin? He wrote a letter to Turkmen President and put them under pressure saying that he will visit them between 3-4 April to solve the gas issue.''

-Demirel: ''We can't determine what Putin will do.''

-Q: ''What will we do? Are we giving up our project?''

-Demirel: ''There is no such thing that we are in a competition with Russia. We have agreements. There are preparations for bringing Turkmen natural gas of 30 billion cubic meters to Turkey. The firms which will do that will hand over the natural gas to Turkey. These firms informed Turkmenbası on March 20 that they have provided the finance for the project. Our project is an independent one. We need 83 billion cubicmeters of gas in 2020s. We need 53 billion cubic meters of gas in 2010s. We have a natural gas of nearly 10 billion cubicmeters today. We have lack of energy and gas. We run after that project for two months. We wait for Turkmenbasi to shed green light to these firms.''

-Q: ''Did you play the role of a big brother between Aliyev, Schevardnadze, and Turkmenbasi?''

-Demirel: ''No. We don't like that description. But we are four friendly states and there is a common project which is to the interests of four of us. We helped each other in putting these projects into effect.''

-Q: ''Can you take action for solving the problem between Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan?

-Demirel: ''There is no difficulty between Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan.''

-Q: ''You've helped them about it, haven't you?''

-Demirel: ''We always help each other. I prefer saying that.''

-Q: ''This is why foreign states support your's election for a second time.''

-Demirel: ''I don't know why.''

[12] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT: (1) ''PRESIDENT DEMIREL IS A STABILITY ELEMENT ON HIS OWN''

ANKARA - Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said on Monday that President Suleyman Demirel is a stability element on his own, adding ''for that respect I consider it important the presidential term to cover two consecutive years of five years and the re-election of President Demirel.''

Ecevit said that if the constitutional amendment proposals are rejected, a historical opportunity will be missed in respect of making closing a political party difficult.

Prime Minister Ecevit spoke to journalists about the constitutional amendment proposal on the election of the president the same day.

Turkey caught a stability and compromise process which she has been missing in the last months, said Ecevit and noted that not only the coalition parties, but also the two opposition parties namely Virtue Party (FP) and the True Path Party (DYP) contributed to that.

Various sections in the society also supported the stability and compromise atmosphere in the political arena, Ecevit said and added that ''the continuation of this atmosphere carries great importance in respect of both politics and society. The Democratic Left Party (DSP), Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), the Motherland Party (ANAP) and the True Path Party (DYP) reached a compromise about the election of the president for two consecutive years of five years and this is important. I hope FP to participate in that process. In fact FP leader Recai Kutan earlier said that if their proposal of election of the president by people was not accepted, they could support the 5+5 formula.''

Prime Minister Ecevit stressed that they expect FP to welcome the inclusion of Article 69 of the Constitution in the constitutional amendment proposals as this will make closing a political party difficult.

At this stage it won't be realistic to include other proposals in the constitutional amendment agenda, said Ecevit and pointed out that ''if our proposal is rejected, a historical opportunity to make difficult the closure of a political party will be missed. I hope the FP deputies will positively contribute to the constitutional amendments and they will be adopted in the parliament by getting the majority of the votes.''

(TO BE CONTINUED)

[13] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT (2) - ''WE HOPE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT TO BE ADOPTED BY A MAJORITY OF VOTE''

ANKARA - Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said on Tuesday that he hoped constitutional amendment to be adopted by a majority of vote. Ecevit also said the appointments that will be made to Banking Supreme Committee will be disclosed in a few days.

When asked if the amendment package would be put onto the shelf if a negative result is obtained in the voting that will take place in the Parliament on Wednesday for constitutional amendment, or if they would re- start negotiations with the Virtue Party (FP), Ecevit said, ''I don't find it right to focus on negative probabilities at this stage. We hope our constitutional amendment package to be adopted in the parlaiment by a majority of vote.''

When a reporter said, ''you said President Demirel is an element of stability by himself; however, Devlet Bahceli, addressing his party group meeting today, said names are not indispensable. Does this indispensibility cover Demirel,'' Ecevit said there were many parliamentarians in the parliament who are capable of being the president. He said, ''it is known that Demirel has a long experience. He showed many times that he could be an element of stability. He has shown this with his attitudes for seven years. I have no concerns to this end.''

When asked if consultation process will start with the Virtue Party (FP) regarding Article 69 of the Constitution will start if the result of the voting is negative, Ecevit said, ''such a probability may make difficult a constitutional amendment that will makes party closures difficult.''

When asked about his views regarding election of Vladimir Putin in Russia, Ecevit recalled that Putin invited him to Moscow a little while after he was appointed as Prime Minister.

Ecevit said this may be considered as a sign that Putin attributed importance to the positive relations between Turkey and Russia.

''I had the opportunity to meet him several times in Moscow. I knew Putin as a talented politician. I wish him success. However, I also wish him to put an end to the sufferings of Chechen people. We have always attributed importance to cooperation and positive relations with the Russian federation. I hope Putin will act this way.''

[14] TURKEY'S CREDIT NOTE - FITCH IBCA OFFICIALS IN TURKEY IN APRIL

ANKARA - The officials of the leading rating institutions of the world Fitch Ibca will come to Turkey on April 3 to observe the developments in Turkish economy.

Fitch Ibca officials will hold observations in the Undersecretariat of Treasury, Central Bank, Finance Ministry, Privatization Management Centre about the developments that happened in Turkish economy in the last three months.

The economy officials are expected to review the credit mark of Turkey after a one-week visit in Turkey.

The London-based Fitch IBCA recently confirmed the ''B+'' credit mark of Turkey in foreign exchange.

[15] GOLDEN OLIVE BRANCH FOR TURKISH-GREEK FRIENDSHIP

IZMIR - Izmir's Chamber of Jewelers has presented Christina Alexopoulo, Greek Consul in Izmir, with a golden olive branch shaped brooch.

Chairman of the Izmir Jewelers Chamber, Mevlut Ozer and members of the chamber's executive board, paid a visit of courtesy to Ms. Alexopoulo on Tuesday. Ozer said during the visit, that there were times when certain circles tried to saw seeds of hostility between Turkey and Greece, two countries, whose peoples had long been living in peace and in harmony for centuries. ''We, as the jewelers of Izmir, wanted to welcome our new consul, and present a meaningful gift in memory of this visit,'' Ozer said.

Ozer added that they wanted to host Greek jewelers and unions in Izmir, and asked for the guidance of the Consul.

Ms. Alexopoulo expressed her contentment over the visit and said, ''I hope the forthcoming days will stage more frequent exchanges of such visits. This olive branch is a very meaningful present. It is the symbol of friendship, peace, and good will. We want the good and friendly relations between our countries to further, and we shall do our best to this end.''

[16] MINOR TREMOR ROCKS NORTHEASTERN TURKEY

ERZURUM - A minor earthquake, measuring 3,5 on the Richter scale, rocked the northeastern towns of Kars and Ardahan.

The epicenter of the earthquake, which occurred at 06.33 local time, was the area stretching between the Selim township of Kars and Gole township of Ardahan, Ataturk University Seismology Research Center officials said.

The tremor, felt also in the Senkaya township of the East Anatolian town of Erzurum, caused no material damage or casualties.

[17] FEHRIYE ERDAL TO REMAIN ARRESTED (1)

BRUSSELS - Gent Court of Appeals in Belgium decided on Tuesday the continuation of Fehriye Erdal's imprisonment after examing the objection of the prosecutorship.

Erdal is one of the suspects of Sabancı's murder in Turkey.

Gent Court of Appeals approved the court decision the same day regarding the trial of illegal Revolutionary People's Salvation Party-Front (DHKP-C) members Musa Agaoglu, Kaya Saz, and Fehriye Erdal without detention.

Asaoglu and Saz will be released on bail while Fehriye Erdal will remain arrested upon the extradition request of Turkey.

Belgian Bruges Court earlier decided to release the three suspects on bail worth of 100,000 Francs (nearly 1,5 billion liras) each, in its session on March 14, 2000 to be tried without detention. The prosecutorship rejected and appealed the decision and prevented the release of the suspects.

(to be continued)

[18] FEHRIYE ERDAL TO REMAIN ARRESTED (2)

BRUSSELS - Gent Court of Appeals approved the court decision on Tuesday about the trial of illegal Revolutionary People's Salvation Party-Front (DHKP-C) organization members Musa Agaoglu, Kaya Saz, and Fehriye Erdal without detention.

As Musa Asaoglu rejected to attend the court session today, he will be brought to court on Thursday again and can only benefit from the decision that day.

Kaya Saz will be free by paying the bail of 100,000 francs (nearly 1,5 billion liras) and give an address in Belgium to the court.

As Turkey requested the extradition of Erdal, her imprisonment will continue till Belgium responds to Turkey's extradition request.

Since Belgium is a party to the European Convention on Extradition of Criminals signed within the framework of Council of Europe (COE) together with Turkey, this country has the obligation of keeping Erdal in prison till it results the extradition request of Turkey.

The Belgian prosecutorship started an extraordinary meeting the same day after the court verdict.

Following the court session in Gent Court of Appeals, Fehriye Erdal was taken blindfolded to the prison under tight security measures.

[19] FEHRIYE ERDAL TO REMAIN ARRESTED (3) - ROYAL PROSECUTOR SPEAKS TO A.A: ''JUSTICE MINISTER WILL GIVE THE DECISION FOR THE RELEASE OR EXTRADITION OF ERDAL TO TURKEY''

BRUSSELS - Johan Delmulle, Royal Prosecutor, who attended the trial of illegal Revolutionary People's Salvation Party-Front (DHKP-C) organization members Musa Agaoglu, Kaya Saz, and Fehriye Erdal without detention, said there were two separate decision for arrest against Erdal. Demulle said one of these was annuled with today's decision.

Delmulle, who spoke to A.A correspondent, said Kaya Saz will be free by paying the bail of 100,000 francs (nearly 1,5 billion liras) and give an address in Belgium to the court.

Musa Asaoglu who rejected to attend the court session today, will be brought to court on Thursday again and can only benefit from the decision that day.

Prosecutor Delmulle said all these conditions were also valid for Fehriye Erdal, yet, there was another decision for arrest against the suspect stemming from Turkey's request for her extradition, and noted that thus her release was out of question.

Delmulle said Erdal will be brought to Supreme Court on April 4 in Brussels, and will oppose to two court decisions taken against her extradition.

Bruges and Gent Courts earlier found Turkey's request for extradition as legal and right. Lawyes of the suspect appealed to Supreme Court saying there is death penalty in Turkey.

A session that will take place in Gent will follow the decision of Supreme Court, which is the last opposition door for the suspect. The judicial authorities will inform Marc Velwilghen, Justice Minister, about their views with a secret report.

The minister, with a great probability, will decide for the release or extradition of Erdal to Turkey after consulting to the government.

Delmulle said the prison where Erdal will be kept, will be hidden from now on. Erdal will be kept in the prison under extraordinary security measures.

Following the court session in Gent Court of Appeals, Fehriye Erdal was taken blindfolded to the prison under tight security measures.

[20] PRESIDENT DEMIREL IN TURKMENISTAN - DEMIREL MEETS WITH TURKMEN PRESIDENT TURKMENBASI

ASKHABAT - President Suleyman Demirel said on Tuesday that Turkey is ready to purchase 30 billion cubic meters of natural gas from Turkmenistan.

''I know that there are certain difficulties about this issue, yet I hope these problems will be overcome,'' said Demirel, who started his official contacts in Turkmenistan.

President Demirel was welcomed the same day in Turkmenistan by Saparmurad Turkmenbası, the President of Turkmenistan in an official ceremony. Later, the two met tete-a-tete in Turkmenistan Presidential Palace.

Turkmenbası said in his part that Turkmenistan is ready to meet the natural gas need of Turkey. Demirel proposed to buy one cubicmeter of the natural gas from 53 dollars, but he proposed 45 dollars instead.

Speaking to the press after their tete-a-tete meeting, President Demirel said that he came to Turkmenistan with a crowded delegation.

The relations between the two countries developed very well after Turkmenistan gained its independence, said Demirel and pointed out that ''there is no problem in any field. In fact, we are the two states of one nation. We want to further develop the relations. We must launch efforts to improve the relations in all fields. We must increase the trade between the two countries. Businessmen and constructers of Turkey helped in the re- construction of Turkmenistan. The investments of Turkish businessmen in Turkmenistan reached 3 billion dollars and majority of these investments have been completed. Many factories have been founded. Turkish businessmen and constructors will help in the construction and development of Turkmenistan also in the future.''

Recalling that Turkmenistan has the fourth biggest natural gas reserves of the world, President Demirel said that these sources should be operated and contribute to the economy.

''The transportation of Turkmen natural gas to Europe via Turkey is a very good idea and it will bring strong sources to Turkmenistan,'' said Demirel. The legal basis between the two countries has been nearly completed, President Demirel said and pointed out that the natural gas trade between the two countries will further improve their economic relations.

Demirel said that the cooperation between the two countries in the fields of education, culture, and defense will continue, adding in his meeting with Turkmenbası they also took up regional issues.

Turkmenbasi expressed pleasure over the visit of President Demirel.

Pointing out close relations between the peoples of the two countries, Turkmenbasi said they considered Turkish people as close relatives, and noted that ''your happiness is our happiness.''

Turkmenbasi said Turkish businessmen contributed to the economy of Turkmenistan, and briefed about Turkmen economy.

Turkmenbasi said in his meeting with President Demirel, they discussed Trans-Caspian Natural Gas Pipeline Project, and stressed that the project was very important for the world, Turkey and Europe. Turkmenbasi said Turkey and his country decided to work together to implement this project.

Pointing out that Turkey held talks to get natural gas from Iran, Iraq, Egypt, and Qatar, Turkmenbasi said they wanted their natural gas to be used by their brothers.

Turkmenbasi said Turkmenistan has the capacity to export 100 billion cubic meter natural gas per year, and noted that they have natural gas that will be adequate for 180 years if it is used full capacity. Turkmenbasi expressed readiness to meet the natural gas which Turkey needs.

Turkmenbasi said the consortium, which will materialize pipeline project, prepared a new proposal, and added that they will exert all their efforts to implement the proposal which the consortium will offer.

Pointing out that they hold talks with Russia and Iran on natural gas, Turkmenbasi said their talks were underway for the 30-years sale of Turkmen natural gas to Russia. He said their talks with Iran continue.

He said the talks would not give damage to Trans-Caspian Natural Gas Poject.

[21] ALLEGATION ABOUT ENTRANCE BAN TO TURKEY

ANKARA - The Foreign Ministry told on Tuesday the Greek and Italian Ambassadors who wanted information about allegations about entrance ban to Turkey, that the issue of entrance to Turkey was a matter of Turkey's sovereignty right.

Diplomatic sources told the A.A correspondent that Ioannis Corantis, the Greek Ambassador to Turkey, and Vittorio Claudio Surdo, the Italian Ambassador to Turkey, called the relevant departments of the Foreign Ministry and asked for information about the allegations in question.

The Foreign Ministry officials told the Greek and Italian Ambassadors that the allegations were being investigated.

The Ambassadors were also told that the issue of entrance to Turkey was a matter of Turkey's sovereignty right in principle.

The Foreign Ministry officials also stressed that there was a rightful sensivity in the Turkish public opinion about persons who have good relations with the terrorist organization PKK.

The Foreign Ministry underlined that every country could prepare such lists.

Allegations saying that Hristodulos, the Archbishop of Greek Church, was included in the list, caused uneasiness in Athens.

A.A


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