Anadolu Agency: News in English, 00-04-17

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[01] AA News

17 April 2000 Monday

[02] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

LEADERS TO AGREE ON A NOMINEE
Premier Bulent Ecevit and the leader of the Democratic Left Party (DSP), Devlet Bahceli, the Deputy Prime Minister and the leader of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), and Mesut Yilmaz, the leader of the Motherland Party (ANAP), will meet each other today to agree on a nominee for presidential elections. Later, Ecevit will inform the leaders of the Virtue Party (FP) and the True Path Party (DYP) about their nominee and ask their ideas. The nominee for presidential elections will be determined until the end of this week.

DAY WORTH OF THREE BILLION U.S. DOLLARS
The climax in the Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM) 1800 tender which was postponed as three consortia requested some time, will be solved today. The tender will start by 2 billion 526 million U.S. dollars. The state will earn nearly 3 billion U.S. dollars when the Value Added Tax (VAT) is added to this price.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

NEW TARGET IN PRIVATIZATION: 10 BILLION U.S. DOLLARS
Recep Onal, the State Minister, said that 10 billion U.S. dollars privatization can be materialized in 2000. Onal, who is in Washington D.C. for the spring term meetings of the IMF and the World Bank, met with Stanley Fisher, the Acting IMF Chairman, James Wolfensohn, the Governor of the World Bank, and Johannes Linn, the Deputy Governor of the World Bank. Onal also said that they explained the developments in economic policy in their meetings and that the IMF and World Bank officials found the economic developments positive. ''They had some drawbacks of Turkey's privatization policy but these drawbacks ended following the last Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM) tender,'' Onal added.

SABAH (LIBERAL)

NEXT TARGET: 10 MILLION DOLLARS
The IMF and the World Bank declared, at their spring term meetings in Washington, that the figure determined for the following stage of the GSM tender was impressive. Messages were both praising and warning in a friendly manner. State Minister in Charge of Economy Recep Onal, gave assurance to the IMF and the World Bank that the government was continuing with the economic reform program with determination and that the fruitful results obtained already, had encouraged them to set such a big target for the GSM tender.

''BOT'' MODEL FOR AKKUYU
The Treasury announced that the Undersecretariat was planning to translate the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Station into life in line with the ''build-operate- transfer'' model, and that it would not give any financial guarantees in the stage of construction. The resolution, supported also by World Bank officials, should not have any adverse effects on the process itself, according to Selahattin Hakman, Director of the Energy Department of Siemens. Hakman said, that the process itself was a long one, and that it had to continue in line with the ''BOT'' modal to yield fruitful results.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

107 KG HEROIN SEIZED
A total of 107 kilograms of heroin was seized in Bahcelievler district of Istanbul. The police captured one person and are searching for four other persons who were involved in the drug smuggling. The Istanbul Narcotics Directorate said that the security forces formed a check point in Bahcelievler district of Istanbul. The driver of an automobile changed direction when he realized that there was a check point on the road, and the police started to follow this car, the Directorate noted. The Directorate stated that the driver stopped the car and tried to run away but the police captured him. When the security forces searched the car, they confiscated 107 kilograms of heroin, the Directorate added.

RADIKAL (LEFT)

FOREIGN MINISTRY WARNS BRITAIN AGAIN
Foreign Ministry wanted Britain's Ambassador to Ankara to increase measures upon the attacks against Turks.

Foreign Ministry wanted British Ambassador for a second time to increase security measures following an attack against a Turkish student and harrassment of crew of Turkish frigate. The first warning was made on Friday.

Leeds creates tension before the return match of Galatasaray and Leeds, that will take place on April 20. Kevin Speight and Christopher Loftus, who were stabbed to death in the street clash in Taksim Square on April 5, will be buried on Tuesday.

YENI BINYIL (LIBERAL)

FROM DYP TO ECEVIT: YOU ARE NOT ALONE
Ufuk Soylemez, Deputy Chairman of the True Path Party (DYP), said they were pleased that Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit did not consider presidential elections as the problem of the government, and looked ways for reaching a compromise with the opposition. Soylemez said, ''Ecevit was left alone in 5+5 voting before. This time, we say Ecevit that he is not alone. Also, we support his efforts to reach a compromise on this issue which is not only the problem of the government, but also a problem of the parliament.''

TURKIYE (RIGHT)

''LET'S SUPPORT EACH OTHER''
Alexander Kwasniewski, the Polish President, said that those who gain as the international economy globalizes, will become partners in this new process. Kwasniewski spoke in the Turkey-Poland Business Council Meeting. Kwasniewski noted that he hopes Turkey and Poland will be partners.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

''WITHDRAW YILDIRIM''
Yildirim Akbulut, Parliament Speaker, shed a greenlight for presidency, and this confused everything in the Motherland Party (ANAP). Akbulut's probable candidacy became a very big handicap for Mesut Yilmaz, leader of the Motherland Party (ANAP), who was also seeking for ways to become president. Parliamentarians of ANAP, who want their leader to see as president, try to prevent Akbulut from being a candidate for presidency. Meanwhile, it was reported that Akbulut did not consider the requests, and said ''whether Yilmaz wants or not, I am a candidate.''

[03] KWASNIEWSKI, POLISH PRESIDENT, RETURNS TO HIS COUNTRY

The guest president and the delegation was seen off from Istanbul's Ataturk Airport.

Kwasniewski and his wife Jolanta visited Fener Greek Orthodox Patriarchate before departing Turkey.

Kwasniewski met with Bartholomeos I, the Fener Greek Orthodox Patriarch, nearly for 20 minutes. Bronislav Gercmek, Polish President, also attended the visit.

Polish President and the delegation accompanying him also visited Polonezkoy in Istanbul, and laid a wreath to Ataturk Monuement.

[04] STATE MINISTER UNLU: ''UEFA MADE A WRONG DECISION''

Speaking to reporters after an award giving ceremony held by the Turkish Bowling Federation in Antalya, Unlu said that there was nothing new regarding the forthcoming Galatasaray-Leeds United encounter, and added:

''The parliament members to observe the match will be determined tomorrow. But they first have to reserve their places from the protocol line. There are enough seats, but the British have concerns about security. And the UEFA's stance is clear, there is nothing we can do about it. Galatasaray did make its objection, but the result will not change. Because the UEFA is an independent international organisation. No matter what word might be used to define the UEFA decision. I say, and believe that it is a wrong, unjust decision. UEFA made a wrong decision, but we shall make a success.''

[05] IMF-WORLD BANK SPRING MEETINGS - ONAL, MINISTER OF STATE, ATTENDS IMF'S INTERNATIONAL MONETARY AND FINANCIAL COMMITTEE MEETING

Gazi Ercel, Central Bank Governor, Selcuk Demiralp, Treasury Undersecretary, and Ferhat Emil, Treasury Deputy Undersecretary, also attended the meeting.

In the meeting which was closed to the press, they discussed review of IMF's finance facilities, monitoring IMF's inspection function and standards, inclusion of private sector to the solution of financial crises, and situation of poor countries to decrease poverty.

Didier Reynerds, Belgian Finance Minister, who spoke on behalf of the group which included Turkey, said Turkey carried out a successful economic policy.

Onal, Minister of State, will stage a news conference on Monday after meeting with Lary Summers, and will proceed to New York to attend the U.N. Economic and Social Council meetings.

[06] ''TURKEY AND GREECE ON THE WAY TO PEACE'' - GUREL, STATE MINISTER: ''WE SHOULD EXERT JOINT EFFORTS TO SOLVE REAL PROBLEMS''

Addressing a meeting titled ''Turkey and Greece On the Way to Peace,'' Gurel said ''living history'' directs relations between Turkey and Greece.

Gurel pointed out that there were problems between the two countries which were accumulated in the historical process, adding that problems of the past are experienced today and that this is a psychological effect in bilateral relations. Gurel stressed the importance of overcoming this psychological element by the two countries. He said, ''we should exert joint efforts to overcome real problems.''

Gurel said the Aegean Sea should become a sea which unites the two countries, not separating them, and noted that Aegean problem should be discussed between the two countries at first.

Gurel said quakes which occurred in Turkey and Greece helped rapproachment between the two countries, yet noted that this did not mean that problems will be solved easily. He said, ''rapproachment between Turkey and Greece helped concrete steps to be taken in secondary issues.''

Gurel said the politicians will fulfil their responsibilities for their people, will act in a realistic way, and will materialize peace in the Aegean by taking steps together towards cooperation.

[07] EXPORTS FROM GAP TO AMERICA

Last year's income for this period had totalled to 6 million 357 thousand dollars.

According to the figures released by the Union of South East Anatolian Exporters, the United States ranked the first with imports worth 6 million 664 thousand dollars, Canada ranked second with 804 thousand dollars, and Mexico ranked third with 498 thousand dollars.

The major export goods of GAP to Americas are cotton thread, cotton textiles, dried apricots, and synthetic thread.

[08] U.S. ASSISTANT STATE SECRETARY GROSSMAN SAYS BIGGEST SUCCESS OF U.S.- EU PARTNERSHIP IS ANNOUNCEMENT OF TURKEY'S EU CANDIDACY

Grossman told a conference that the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe's (OSCE) Istanbul Summit was another success of the U.S.-EU partnership.

The rapproachment between Turkey and Greece is pleasing but it is insufficient, Grossman noted.

Grossman stated that the rapproachment which started between the two sides of the Aegean, should continue.

The rapproachment between Turkey and Greece should pave the way for closer relations, and there are many things to be done about this, Grossman stressed.

Grossman added that within this framework, sides should rapidly record developments for a comprehensive solution on Cyprus.

[09] EARTHQUAKES AND AFTERSHOCKS IN MARMARA

According to the information released by the Istanbul University's Kandilli Observatory and Seismological Research Center, the dates, times, magnitudes on Richter scale, and epicenters of the tremors are as follows:

DATE HOUR MAGNITUDE EPICENTER
-----------+-----------+-----------+-------------------------
April 16 00.27 2,5 Offshore Bandirma

April 16 01.22 2,6 Golpazari-Bilecik

April 16 03.43 3,0 Golpazari-Bilecik

April 16 10.58 3,1 Geyve-Adapazari

April 16 18.35 2,8 Hendek-Adapazari

April 17 01.13 2,7 Tekirdag

April 17 04.01 2,8 Karacabey-Bursa

April 17 05.58 3,0 Bolu

April 17 06.35 2,6 Marmara Sea

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[10] PRE-ETUDE WORKS FOR THIRD BRIDGE IN ISTANBUL STRAIT CONTINUE

Officials of the Highways General Directorate said on Monday that the preparations for the project which will solve the traffic jam between two sides of Istanbul, continue.

The location of this bridge will be determined by taking into consideration the environmental criteria, the officials noted.

The officials stated that the project is expected to cost 700 million U.S. dollars.

The preparations for the Canakkale Strait Passage Project are also underway, the officials stressed.

The officials emphasized that the project will be implemented by Build- Operate-Transfer (BOT) model.

Turkey needs 500 million U.S. dollar foreign source and 100 million U.S. dollar domestic source for this project, the officials said.

The officials noted that the Izmit Gulf Passage Project which will be 44 kilometres long, will cost 1 billion U.S. dollars and that this project is also planned to be fulfilled by BOT model.

The Black Sea Coast Highway which will connect seven provinces, nine harbours and many townships and hamlets with each other, will be 715 kilometres long, the officials stated.

The officials stressed that this highway will cost 1 billion 827 million U.S. dollars.

The officials added that the project is planned to be completed in 2003.

[11] TRNC PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS - COUNTDOWN FOR SECOND ROUND OF VOTING

The statement, which also said that President Rauf Denktas and Prime Minister Dervis Eroglu would be vying for the post in the second round, was issued in the Official Gazette.

The candidates will be able to apply to the YSK for campaigning permission on Monday. The campaigning period will start on Tuesday, and will last until April 21, 18.00 hours local time.

Meanwhile, the parties eliminated in the first round, will have to determine their stances before Wednesday. Their resolution will have a direct effect on the results of the elections.

[12] TREASURY TO ARRANGE TWO TENDERS ON TUESDAY

Treasury foresees a 697 trillion Turkish Liras (TL) net borrowing in three- month bond tender.

The value date of the bonds is April 19, and the maturity is June 19, 2000.

In 14-month debenture bond tender, Treasury foresees a net borrowing between 2 quadrillion and 2.3 quadrillion TL.

The value date of debenture bonds is April 19, the maturity is June 20, 2001.

Meanwhile, Treasury will realize 4 quadrillion 649.8 trillion TL in domestic borrowing repayment in April.

[13] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT: ''I DON'T THINK THERE WILL BE NEED FOR A LEADERS' SUMMIT''

Ecevit responded to the questions of journalists at his arrival to Premiership Central Building.

Pointing out that there were allegations in a newspaper today, Ecevit said, ''they spoke as if I proposed some names, and these names are not welcomed. I have not mentioned any name so far. I myself did not take a decision. This is not a decision which I can take on my own. Those news reports are totally unreal.''

Responding to another question, Ecevit said no name has been brought to the agenda so far regarding the president candidate.

When asked if President Suleyman Demirel had a wish regarding the presidential elections during their meeting last weekend, Ecevit said, ''as you know, I meet with the president every week. It has been interrupted this time because of my illness. Naturally, I fulfilled this duty. We had a very beneficial meeting. We discussed all domestic and external problems of Turkey as well as presidential elections.''

When Ecevit was reminded a statement attributing to Gen. Huseyin Kivrikoglu, Chief of General Staff, that ''election of president should not be coincidental, there should be a compromise,'' he said, ''no name has been mentioned. We have not discussed names.''

[14] FINANCE MINISTER ORAL: ''PRIMARY BUDGET IN FIRST QUARTER BECAME 2.7 QUADRILLION TURKISH LIRAS''

The Finance Minister issued a written statement on budget implementations in first three months of 2000.

He said that the revenue between January and March had been foreseen to be 6 quadrillion 188 trillion TL including 5 quadrillion 291 trillion TL of tax income but the total revenue reached 7 quadrillion 479 trillion TL including 5 quadrillion 976 trillion TL of tax income.

Oral said the non-interest spendings which had been expected to be 4 quadrillion 817 trillion TL became 4 quadrillion 779 trillion TL.

''When the results in first quarter of 2000 are compared with the same period in 1999, there was a 149.8 percent increase in revenues, 170.8 percent increase in tax collection, and 54 percent increase in non-interest expenditures. The non-interest budget spendings had increased 103 percent in first quarter of 1999 when compared with the same period in 1998. The primary budget in first quarter of 1999 had ended with a 108.7 trillion TL deficit but in the same period this year, it ended with a 2.7 quadrillion TL surplus,'' he stated.

The Finance Minister said that the tax revenues reached 5 quadrillion 976 trillion TL, and that 666 trillion TL of this amount was obtained from supplementary taxes, and 832 trillion TL from temporary taxes.

Sumer Oral noted that they reached the target for non-interest spendings, and that they paid 6.6 quadrillion TL interest in first three months of 2000.

Oral said that the budget deficit became 3.9 quadrillion TL when the interests were also taken into consideration.

[15] GS-LEEDS UNITED MATCH - INTERIOR MINISTER TANTAN SAYS 11 SECURITY OFFICIALS TO LEAVE FOR BRITAIN TO PROTECT TURKISH FOOTBALLERS

Tantan participated in the panel discussion on ''Financial Sources of Organized Crime-2.''

Responding to questions after the panel discussion, Tantan said that the 11 security officials, who will leave for Britain on April 20 for the match, can't carry weapons with them.

Sir David Logan, the British Ambassador to Turkey, who also attended the panel discussion, said that they will take the necessary measures.

[16] NET PROFIT OF POAS INCREASES 121.2 PERCENT

The POAS's data shows that its period income increased 103.5 percent to 111 trillion 248 billion 323 million TL.

The gross sales increased 80 percent from 739 trillion 992 billion 713 million TL to 1 quadrillion 334 trillion 911 billion 427 million TL.

Meanwhile, the number of personnel at the POAS decreased from 6,298 to 6, 098 last year.

[17] SECURITY FORCES CONFISCATE TWO KG OF HEROIN ON TURKISH-BULGARIAN BORDER

Police who searched a Turkish-registered passenger bus heading from Turkey to Albania, found two kg of heroin.

An Albanian citizen identified only as V.A., 41, was taken into custody.

A full investigation into the illicit drug smuggling, is underway.

A total of 382 kg of heroin has been confiscated at the Kapitan Andreevo border gate since the beginning of this year.

[18] TURKISH-GREEK NEGOTATIONS ON EU START

Uluc Ozulker, the Foreign Ministry Deputy Undersecretary presides the Turkish delegation, while Stelios Perrakis presides the Greek delegation during the meetings which will continue for two days.

Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou is expected to receive the Turkish delegation, which will also visit the International European Law Centre in Salonica.

The first meeting held between the two countries which took up the opportunities of cooperation on EU issue was held in Ankara at the end of February.

[19] FOREIGN MINISTRY: - ''TURKEY COMES TOGETHER WITH GREEK CYPRIOT SIDE IN SEVERAL EU FORUMS, BUT THIS WILL NOT CHANGE OUR APPROACH TOWARDS GREEK CYPRIOT SIDE''

Responding to questions of the A.A correspondent, Atacanli noted, ''Turkey comes together with the Greek Cypriot side in several EU forums. But this does not mean that Turkey's point of view about the Greek Cypriot side has changed. Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said on numerous occasions that the decisions taken at the EU's summit in Helsinki last year, would not change Turkey's approach towards the Greek Cypriot side.''

''The Partnership Republic which was founded on Cyprus in 1960, was destroyed by the Greek Cypriots in 1963 by use of force and weapons. Since that time, there is no state on the island representing the two separate communities and having the right of taking decisions for the whole island, '' Atacanli emphasized.

Atacanli also added that authority of the Greek Cypriot administration formed by the Greek Cypriots, was restricted with the Southern Cyprus.

[20] FOREIGN MINISTER CEM DUE TO ALGERIA

Releasing a statement, the Foreign Ministry said on Monday that Cem would pay an official visit to the Democratic and Popular Republic of Algeria as the guest of his Algerian counterpart Yousef Yousfi.

Cem's contacts are expected to focus on political, economic, commercial and cultural relations between Turkey and Algeria.

[21] SECURITY FORCES INTERVENE IN A DEMONSTRATION AGAINST IMF AND WORLD BANK

Acting on a tip-off, security forces have taken tight measures in Dolmabahce district of Istanbul.

They intervened in a group of demonstrators who gathered in Gumussuyu district at about 01:00 p.m. and wanted to march towards Dolmabahce district by chanting slogans.

A number of demontrators were taken into custody.

Meanwhile, another group of demonstrators who opened banners in garden of the Istanbul Technical University and wanted to march towards Dolmabahce district, were also taken into custody after they resisted against security forces' warning to disperse.

[22] FOUR CONSORTIA WITHDRAW FROM GSM TENDER

Addressing today's session for the auction started at 02:00 p.m., Tender Commission Chairman Hasan Tekeli asked the representatives of the four consortia whether they would join the auction.

The representatives of the four consortia said they would not join the auction as the lowest bid price was very high.

Later, the Commission recessed the session to evaluate the situation.

The four consortia are as follows:

''-Dogan Holding-Dogus Holding-Sabanci Holding-Spain's Telefonica.

-Genpa-Atlas Yapi-Atlas Finans-Norway's Telenor Mobile Communications- Demirbank.

-Fiba Holding-Suzer Holding-Finansbank-Nurol Holding-France's Telecom- Kentbank.

-Koctel Telekomunikasyon Hizmetleri A.S-SBC Communications Inc.''

[23] FOUR CONSORTIA WITHDRAW FROM GSM TENDER (2)

Tender Commission Spokesman Metin Yilmaz said that the right of concession was sold in the first phase of the tender but today's auction couldn't be held as the remaining four consortia withdrew from the tender.

Yilmaz said the Transportation and Communications Minister had the authorization to take a decision at this point.

The four consortia are as follows:

''-Dogan Holding-Dogus Holding-Sabanci Holding-Spain's Telefonica.

-Genpa-Atlas Yapi-Atlas Finans-Norway's Telenor Mobile Communications- Demirbank.

-Fiba Holding-Suzer Holding-Finansbank-Nurol Holding-France's Telecom- Kentbank.

-Koctel Telekomunikasyon Hizmetleri A.S-SBC Communications Inc.''

The right of concession for the first of two more GSM licences was sold to the Is Bankasi-Telecom Italia consortium last week in return for 2 billion 525 million U.S. dollras.

[24] CASE ON TERRORIST ORGANIZATION IBDA-C - IBDA-C LEADER ERDIS CONTINUES TO READ HIS WRITTEN DEFENSE

Salih Izzet Erdis, Saadettin Ustaosmanoglu, Mehmet Fazıl Aslanturk and Husnu Goktas attended the court session heard by Istanbul State Security Court (DGM) No. 6.

Erdis read out his written defense composed of 17 pages.

He claimed that there is no organization like IBDA-C and noted that ''even if I accept the fact that I am the chief of an organization, this does not mean anything because there is no such organization.''

It is not correct to compare the illegal organization Revolutionary People's Salvation Party-Front (DHKP-C) with IBDA-C, said Erdis, claiming ''DHKP-C is an organization and it has activities. However, IBDA-C is a thought. IBDA-C is not an armed organization.''

''The indictment says that I have lots of money, this is not true,'' claimed Erdis.

When Sedat Karagul, the chief judge of the court asked, ''You didn't attend the court sessions since the case started to be heard. You sent six petitions to the court saying that you don't recognize the law, you protest the DGM and you won't attend court sessions. What do you say about these?'' Erdis replied, ''We didn't send any signed petition and we didn't say we don't recognize DGM and courts.''

Karagul showed the signatures in the petitions to the suspects, but all the suspects said that the signatures are not theirs.

''You say you are a man of thought, but weapons are seized in the operation staged in your ward in Metris Prison,'' said Karagul.

The court which rejected the release request of the suspects, adjourned the case and decided to get the case suits filed against IBDA-C in Istanbul and the documents on the operation carried out in Metris Prison.

The indictment prepared by Istanbul DGM Chief Prosecution requests death sentence for Erdis under Article 146/1 of the Turkish Penal Code for trying to overthrow the existing constitutional order by use of force.

[25] GREEK FOREIGN MINISTER PAPANDREOU RECEIVES TURKISH DELEGATION

Ali Tuygan, the Turkish Ambassador to Greece, was in attendance at the meeting which focused on opportunities to further improve bilateral cooperation between Turkey an Greece in Turkey's membership process to the European Union (EU).

Addressing the meeting, Papandreou recalled that the Turkish delegation had met with Stelios Perakis, the Secretary General of the Greek Foreign Ministry, and exchanged views about the EU membership.

Noting that concrete proposals were put forward at the meeting, Papandreou stressed that Greece's contribution to Turkey's EU process would be beneficial for both countries.

Meanwhile, Uluc Ozulker said in his part that they were in favor of deeper cooperation between Turkey and Greece which will resulted in concrete consequences in a short period of time.

Recalling that Turkish and Greek sides would come together next month on the level of experts, Ozulker said that several seminars would be held in coming months.

Noting that Turkey wanted good relations with Greece, Ozulker stressed that Ismail Cem, the Foreign Minister, and his Greek counterpart Papandreou played an important role in improvement of relations between the two neighbouring countries.

Meanwhile, Tuygan conveyed Cem's message of congratulation to George Papendreou who has been re-elected as the foreign minister.

Papandreou thanked for the message, and said that he would come together with Cem soon.

[26] GALATASARAY-LEEDS UNITED MATCH - BRITAIN ASKED TO ALLOW BODYGUARDS TO CARRY LIGHT GUNS - GALATASARAY ASKS LEEDS UNITED TO ALLOCATE 40 MORE TICKETS TO MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT

Galatasaray Club Secretary General Celal Gurcan said they knew that the British police did not carry guns but they asked Britain to allow the bodyguards to carry light handguns as they concerned about lives of their players and technical staff.

Celal Gurcan said, ''however, Britain has not responded to our request yet.''

Noting that also the members of Parliament wanted to watch the game but the number of complimentary tickets was limited, Gurcan said they asked Leeds United to allocate 40 more tickets for the members of Parliament.

Meanwhile, Football Federation President Haluk Ulusoy said the Football Federation Board members would leave for Leeds by a private plane.

[27] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT MEETS WITH ELCIBEY - ELCIBEY:''KARABAGH IS AN ETERNAL TURKISH TERRITORY''

The meeting which took place at Prime Ministry building lasted for half an hour.

After the meeting, Elcibey spoke to reporters. Requesting them to frequently bring onto agenda the relations between Azerbaijan and Turkey, Elcibey said that he wishes the sensitivity shown for Cyprus question also to be shown for the Karabagh problem.

Noting that Karabakh is an eternal Turkish territory, Elcibey said that ''we have to resist those who have an eye on it. We are grateful to Turkish media about this issue.''

Elcibey said that the relations between Turkey and Azerbaijan were taken up in his meeting with Ecevit, adding he is very happy to see Ecevit.

''We are very pleased by the fact that the coalition government installed a stability in Turkey and it struggles against the terrorist organizations PKK and Hezbollah. I hope the struggle with various kinds of terrorism that can emerge in Turkey will continue. Our nation and state will support that. This year in November there will be elections in Azerbaijan. We requested the participation of Organization on Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), Council of Europe and IMF as observers during the elections in Azerbaijan. If the members of the Azerbaijani parliament is elected democratically, it will contribute to the stability of Azerbaijan. We discussed these issues during the meeting. We had a very good dialogue.''

When asked what Premier Ecevit and himself said about the solution of Karabakh problem, Elcibey said ''Karabakh has never been an Armenian territory. Armenians came and settled in Karabakh from another place. This is not the territory of them. No part of that territory can be given to anybody without the permission of Azerbaijani people. If there won't be peace in the future, we will bring Azerbaijani Turks altogether and take back these territories by fighting. We call for peace, but if it is not solved by peace, we will solve it by fighting.''

[28] ASSOCIATION OF TURKISH FOOTBALL MEN CONDEMNS UEFA

Association Chairman Yilmaz Tokatli issued a statement on Monday saying, ''in recent years, our national teams' and soccer teams' successes (especially abroad) have made the Turkish nation feel great honor.''

''However, it is such painful that the crusader mentality which resents these successes and tries to exclude Turkish football, became a tool of the hooligans and scared of Galatasaray's victory, and the UEFA, the head of soccer in Europe, took a biased, shameful and disgraceful decision which is against the sports ethics,'' he said.

''We accept that the incident was an inhumane murder. However, this should not be brought to the sports field. On behalf of the Turkish football, we also harshly condemn our officials who failed to prevent the defeat on the table,'' he added.

[29] DUTCH AND BELGIAN INTERIOR MINISTERS DUE IN TURKEY FOR EURO 2000 SOCCER CHAMPIONSHIP

Issuing a written statement, the Dutch Embassy in Ankara said on Monday that Vries and Dugusene would come together with Saadettin Tantan, the Interior Minister, the same day.

The three interior ministers are expected to sign an agreement regarded with the Euro 2000 Soccer Championship.

Later, the guest ministers will stage a press conference to brief journalists on the content of the agreement which will be signed by all countries participating in the championship.

Vries and Dugusene are also expected to meet with Fikret Unlu, the State Minister responsible for youth and sports.

[30] SECURITY FORCES INTERVENE IN A DEMONSTRATION AGAINST IMF AND WORLD BANK (2) - NEARLY 60 DEMONSTRATORS TAKEN INTO CUSTODY

Detainees were taken to the Directorate of Istanbul Security.

Early today, security forces intervened in demonstrators who gathered in Gumussuyu district and in garden of the Istanbul Technical University, and wanted to march towards Dolmabahce district by chanting slogans.

Officials told the A.A correspondent that some of the demonstrators were slightly injured in clashes erupted between security forces and demonstrators.

Meanwhile, another group of nearly 20 demonstrators who gathered in the Istanbul Technical University's campus in Taskisla district, set on fire U.S. flag by chanting slogans.

Later, they dispersed peacefully.

[31] TRANSPORTATION MINISTER OKSUZ: ''CONSORTIA MISSED THE CHANCE''

Staging a press conference, Oksuz said, ''we don't have much time for evaluation. In accordance with the laws, such kind of tenders should be finalized within fifteen days. We did not want to be monopolist.''

When asked when they would hold the tender for the second GSM licence, Oksuz said, ''we will take into consideration the psychological climate and operating mentality. Now, there are four companies in the mobile communication sector in Turkey. We are not obliged to hold a tender but also we don't have a plan not to open a tender. We will try to make it most economically.''

When asked whether the Treasury would get into external debt for the mobile phone network to be operated by Turk Telekom, Oksuz said, ''if there is not enough money, money is borrowed. Turkey is a country which is suitable for mobile phone communications.''

[32] CEREMONIES TO MARK 85TH ANNIVERSARY OF ANZAC LANDING - AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALANDER PRIME MINISTERS TO ATTEND CEREMONIES

The first ceremony will be held in Anzac Inlet with participation of Australian Prime Minister John Howard, New Zealander Prime Minister Helen Clark and nearly 8 thousand tourist.

A monument which was constructed out of respect to Anzac soldiers who lost their lives in the war, will be inaugurated in the ceremony.

Later, an international ceremony will be held at the Canakkale Martyrs Monument with the participation of representatives of ten countries involving in the war.

Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit is expected to attend the ceremony.

The participants will lay a wreath and observe a minute of silence in memory of those who lost their lives in the war.

Ecevit, Howard and Clark are expected to make a speech at the ceremony.

The Anzac Day marks the first major engagement of Australian and New Zealander forces in the World War I.

[33] A.A

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