Anadolu Agency: News in English, 01-03-17

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ANADOLU AGENCY

NEWS

17 MARCH

2001 Saturday

CONTENTS

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

[02] PRESIDENT SEZER LEAVES FOR GERMANY

[03] INTERIOR MINISTRY:

[04] SYRIAN-FLAGGED CARGO SHIP SINKS IN BLACK SEA OFF SINOP

[05] ALP, CHAIRMAN OF PRESS AND PUBLIC RELATIONS DEPARTMENT OF PARLIAMENT:

[06] FOREIGN TRADE UNDERSECRETARY TUZMEN:

[07] GREEK FOREIGN MINISTER PAPANDREOU: ''BOTH SIDES BENEFITTED

[08] MACEDONIAN FOREIGN MINISTER KERIM IN ANKARA

[09] MILD EARTHQUAKE ROCKS EASTERN PROVINCE OF ERZINCAN

[10] BODY OF KAMBAL AND SOME TURKISH PASSENGERS ABOARD

[11] WORLD BANK SUPPORTS TURKEY'S EMERGENCY MEASURES

[12] PRESIDENT SEZER ARRIVES IN STUTTGART

[13] DARENDE, TURKISH CONSUL GENERAL IN MEDINA:

[14] SOME OF TURKISH PASSENGERS ABOARD HIJACKED PLANE DUE IN MOSCOW

[15] THY'S PLANE LEAVES SAUDI ARABIA FOR TURKEY

[16] TURKISH IRAQ-JORDAN FOREIGN TRADE DELEGATION

[17] DERVIS MEETS WITH IMF, TREASURY, DPT AND CENTRAL BANK OFFICIALS

[18] FOREIGN MINISTER CEM AND HIS MACEDONIAN COUNTERPART

[19] NATIONAL DEFENSE MINISTER CAKMAKOGLU LEAVES FOR ABU DHABI

[20] PRESIDENT SEZER IN STUTTGART

[21] FOREIGN MINISTER CEM AND HIS MACEDONIAN COUNTERPART

[22] ABANOZ, POLICE CHIEF OF ISTANBUL:

[23] THY'S PLANE CARRYING TURKISH PASSENGERS ABOARD HIJACKED

[24] LAWYER VURAL APPLIES TO ECHR TO STOP VALIDITY OF LAW

[25] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT RECEIVES MACEDONIAN FOREIGN MINISTER KERIM

[26] STATE MINISTER YALOVA ARRIVES IN WESTERN THRACE

[27] PRESIDENT SEZER IN STUTGART

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

DERVIS STARTS TO WORK WITH A 62 PERCENT SUPPORT
According to a public survey carried out by Strategy Mori Company, 62 percent of Turkish people supports State Minister Kemal Dervis. 51 percent of people believes that the new economic program disclosed by State Minister Dervis would be successful.

IMF AND WORLD BANK SUPPORT NEW ECONOMIC PROGRAM
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) welcomed new economic program disclosed by State Minister Kemal Dervis. IMF said that it would support the program. Meanwhile, Ajay Chhibber, the Representative of World Bank in Turkey, said that they were ready to assist Turkey.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

DEPPLER IN TURKEY
Michael Deppler, the director of European I Department, came to Turkey yesterday to reach a frame agreement. Deppler came together with State Minister Kemal Dervis at a dinner overnight. Treasury Undersecretary Faik Oztrak; Central Bank Governor Sureyya Serdengecti; Carlo Cottarelli, the Chief of International Monetary Fund's (IMF) Turkey Desk; and Ajay Chhibber, the Representative of World Bank in Turkey; were also in attendance at the dinner which focused on frame agreement to be signed with the IMF.

SABAH (LIBERAL)

in front of the Faculty of Law of the Istanbul University, and started to march outside the campus by carrying placards writing, ''we have not forgotten March 16.'' When the security forces said that they would not permit those who were not students to enter the campus, the students raised a ruckus. The students who entered the campus and closed the main entrance, threw stones on the security forces who were waiting outside the campus. Students, who shouted slogans for some more time, later dispersed.

During the ruckus, some students were slightly injured and some of them were detained.

KARAYALCIN RESIGNS FROM PARTY ASSEMBLY OF CHP
Murat Karayalcin, a member of the Republican People's Party (CHP) assembly, resigned from his post. Releasing a written statement, Karayalcin said, ''my initiatives to maintain integrity in CHP didn't give any outcomes. One of the main indicators of this is that the membership arrangements which were not in harmony with the tradition of CHP and Social Democrat Republican People's Party, were carried to the congress process. It seems to me that it would be impossible to overcome these negativities within the current structure and the functioning of the party assembly. Sharing the responsibility of an administration which hampers the democratic process doesn't fit in my political understanding. For these reasons mentioned above I resign from my post in the Party Assembly.''

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

PROJECTS WHICH DON'T HAVE PRIORITY CANCELLED
The General Staff gave response to the news and articles which were recently published in some press organs which said that also the Turkish Armed Forces should fulfil its responsibilities to overcome the economic crisis. General Staff said that the Turkish Armed Forces had been following a savings policy in every field especially in last three years and added that the budget of the National Defense Ministry had been revised due to the latest economic crisis and that the projects which did not have priority were cancelled.

AMBASSADRESS FOGG AND MINISTER GOKALP QUARREL
Agriculture and Rural Affairs Minister Husnu Yusuf Gokalp reacted to Ambassadress Karen Fogg's statement during a symposium on EU at the Ankara Chamber of Commerce which said that the Civil Code Draft Law which was being discussed at the parliament would remove the current discrimination between men and women. Gokalp said, ''Great Leader Ataturk made reforms which constitute a problem for many nations, in 1930s. There is not any situation against either Turkish women or men which cause us feel concern.''

RADIKAL (LEFT)

YOK DECIDES NOT TO REGISTER STUDENTS TO FATIH UNIVERSITY
The Institute of Higher Education (YOK) decided not to register students to the Fatih University for 2001-2002 academic year. The YOK also decided to stop the functions of the university if it does not see any radical changes in the certain matters in one year. A statement of YOK said that it determined some implementations and practices in the Fatih University were against the regulations and that the university was warned about these issues.

TURKIYE (RIGHT)

ALIYEV: ''GENOCIDE IS TOTALLY A LIE''
President Haydar Aliyev of Azerbaijan who was presented with honorary doctorate by the Ankara University Senate as a result of his ''works in Caucasia and contributions to integration of two countries and the region with European states'' said that genocide allegations were totally a lie.

IMF APPROVES OF EMERGENCY MEASURES
IMF approved of the emergency measures package which was announced by the government on March 14. IMF's Europe One Department Director Michael Deppler came to Ankara to hold contacts.

DIGITAL APPROVED
The Radio and Television Supreme Board approved the ''Regulations on Licence and Broadcast Permission to Radio and Television Broadcasts via Satellite''.

TOUGH OPPONENT TO GALATASARAY
Galatasaray will take on Spain's Real Madrid in European Champions League quarter final. Galatasaray's Vice President Mehmet Cansun said that they felt concern about the pressure that could be put on the second leg's referee by Real Madrid fans.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

FATIH UNIVERSITY: ''THESE ARE BASELESS ALLEGATIONS''
Fatih University made a statement after YOK's decision and said, ''our university is carrying out activities which are totally in line with the laws and regulations. These allegations deprived of legal basis. We will bring a lawsuit against this unjust decision.''

PROGRAMME TO BE ANNOUNCED IN EARLY APRIL
State Minister Kemal Dervis said that the whole programme would be announced in April. Requesting support to the programme, Dervis said that public banks would be purified from politics.

EMERGENCY MEASURES PACKAGE TO BE SENT TO PARLIAMENT NEXT WEEK
Discussions on Central Bank draft law which is one of the emergency measures were concluded. The draft law will be sent to the parliament next week after its observation by ministers. Meanwhile, IMF's Europe One Department Director Michael Deppler came to Ankara. The necessary source to the emergency measures package will be announced next week.

-A THY PLANE LEAVES FOR SAUDI ARABIA TO BRING
TURKISH PASSENGERS ABOARD HIJACKED PLANE BACK TO TURKEY
ISTANBUL - A Boeing 737-500 passenger plane of the Turkish Airlines (THY) left on Saturday for Saudi Arabia to bring Turkish passengers aboard the hijacked plane back to Turkey.

The plane carrying seven crew members and 24 journalists took off from Istanbul's Ataturk Airport at 05:10 a.m. on Saturday.

If Saudi officials give permission, body of Gursel Kambal, a worker who was killed in the operation, will also be brought to Turkey.

[02] PRESIDENT SEZER LEAVES FOR GERMANY

Addressing journalists at Ankara's Esenboga Airport prior to his departure, President Sezer said that he would attend inauguration of the exhibition composed of pieces of treasures unearthed in ancient city of Troy.

''The exhibition aims at bringing onto agenda the fact that Turkey was the real source of Troy treasures which were unearthed in ancient city of Troy by German archaeologist Heinrich Schliemann between 1871 and 1890, and were later smuggled to foreign countries,'' he said.

Sezer told reporters that the exhibition would be opened in other cities of Germany where more than 2 million Turkish people live.

Noting that the exhibition would be a great opportunity to create public opinion in Germany in favor of Turkey, and to support initiatives for return of historical works stolen from Turkey, President Sezer added, ''I will also hold talks with President Rau of Germany and with representatives of Turkish community in Germany.''

[03] INTERIOR MINISTRY:

Releasing a statement, the Interior Ministry said, ''there are some news reports claiming that the Russian Interior Ministry sent a list of names to our ministry, and warned that these people might be involved in hijacking of planes or vessels. Names of Sapian Arsaev, Irishan Arsaev and Denie Magomerzaev who hijacked the passenger plane of Vnukova Airlines which was bound from Istanbul to Moscow, to Saudi Arabia on March 15, 2001, do not take place in the list sent to our ministry by Russian Interior Ministry through Interpol. Meanwhile, these people finalized proceedings at the airport with their Russian passports.''

[04] SYRIAN-FLAGGED CARGO SHIP SINKS IN BLACK SEA OFF SINOP

Sources said that the 2,218 dwt Syrian-flagged Oula Queen sank 60 miles off Sinop while bringing the lumber from Russia's Novorossiiski port to Syria's Tarsus port and seven of the 11-member crew of the vessel were rescued and brought to the Sinop port with a Coast Guard boat.

Seamen Kamal Kanafani, Ahmet Abo Omar, Mohammad Hammoud, Andre Cristofor, Majid Mustafa, Abdulaziz Shaban and Ivan Novokreshchenov are now hosted at the Health Directorate's Guesthouse.

Meanwhile, coast guard boats are still searching for the missing captain Rahman Hamadi and crew members Mahmut Khalil, Mahmud Ahmet and Saad Khamis.

[05] ALP, CHAIRMAN OF PRESS AND PUBLIC RELATIONS DEPARTMENT OF PARLIAMENT:

Releasing a written statement, Alp said, ''there were some news reports claiming that our statement at the parliamentary session on March 14 about Kavakci's deputyship was contrary to the Constitution. In accordance with Article 84 of the Constitution, a deputy who resigned from his/her post and insisted on maintaining a duty or service which does not suit deputyship and did not attend five sessions in a month without any excuse; will lose his/her deputyship. The Parliamentary General Assembly takes the decision in that case. Denaturalization does not take place in Article 84 of the Constitution. Therefore, there is no need for Parliamentary General Assembly's decision. In accordance with Articles 66 and 76 of the Constitution, Article 25 of the Turkish Citizenship Law and Articles 10 and 32 of Election Law, Turkish citizenship is a pre-condition for deputyship. Kavakci has been denaturalized upon a decision of the Council of Ministers. Therefore, she cannot maintain her deputyship.''

[06] FOREIGN TRADE UNDERSECRETARY TUZMEN:

In an interview with Iraqi state-run Al Cumhuriye newspaper, Tuzmen noted that Turkish businessmen had held positive contacts in Iraq, and signed some agreements.

Pointing out that 400-member delegation represented 20 industry and trade companies, Tuzmen said that Turkish companies were ready to sell foodstuff, medical equipment, medicine and various industrial products to Iraq.

Tuzmen added that trade volume between Turkey and Iraq would increase from 1 billion U.S. dollars to 3 billion U.S. dollars.

[07] GREEK FOREIGN MINISTER PAPANDREOU: ''BOTH SIDES BENEFITTED

Papandreou who came to Western Thrace to attend signing ceremony for a cooperation protocol between the Turkish and Greek municipalities staged a press conference in Xanthi.

Papandreu said that although there were still some problems between Turkey and Greece, rapprochement between the two countries had brought really positive results to both sides.

Noting that the cooperation protocol which would be signed between the Turkish and Greek municipalities unions in Sappes township of Rodopi, Greece was a good reflection and example of efforts for rapprochement, Papandreou said that this showed that both countries could achieve great successes if they decided to continue their relations in peace.

Stating that there were many issues which included joint interests between Turkey and Greece and that they had followed a policy which was in favor of both sides following the Helsinki decisions, Papandreou said, ''why should Greece's profit always be Turkey's loss or Turkey's profit should always be Greece's loss?''

Stressing that within framework of the European Union (EU), Turkey and Greece could carry out joint works on many issues which were in favor of both sides and that they wanted to see Turkey in European lines, Papandreou said that also Turkey should make important changes to this end.''

Responding to a question about the Citzenship Law's Article 19 which had been annulled recently, Papandreou said that there were 200-300 people among the Turkish minority who suffered from the law in question but the relevant Greek ministry had carried out works to grant those people Greek citizenship again.

Susurkoy Municipality which is one of the three Turkish municipalities in Rodopi will present Papandreou honorary citizenship status.

Papandreou who will visit the Komotini region on Saturday will attend signing ceremony for cooperation protocol in Sappes township late on the same day.

Meanwhile, State Minister Yuksel Yalova is expected to arrive in Western Thrace to attend the signing ceremony and meet with Papandreou.

[08] MACEDONIAN FOREIGN MINISTER KERIM IN ANKARA

Following a tete-a-tete meeting between Cem and Kerim, interdelegationary negotiations started.

Cem and Kerim are expected to stage a joint press conference later in the day.

[09] MILD EARTHQUAKE ROCKS EASTERN PROVINCE OF ERZINCAN

Officials at the Kandilli Observatory said that the quake happened at 10:47 a.m. the same day and its epicenter was Erzincan.

There were not any reports of casualties or financial damage in the province.

[10] BODY OF KAMBAL AND SOME TURKISH PASSENGERS ABOARD

THY's Boeing 737-500 plane landed at the Medina Airport.

Saudi officials did not allow Turkish journalists to leave the plane first.

Later, the journalists were taken to VIP hall at the airport.

Meanwhile, number of Turkish passengers who will return to Turkey, is not clear yet.

Some Turkish passengers will go to Russia by a Russian plane which will be sent to Medina.

[11] WORLD BANK SUPPORTS TURKEY'S EMERGENCY MEASURES

Releasing a written statement on Saturday, the World Bank said that the new economy team headed by State Minister Kemal Dervis had determined the emergency matters which require immediate attribution to re-settle economic stability.

It said that the new programme focused on banking sector reforms and the banks transferred to the Savings Account Insurance Fund (SAIF) and this was promising.

The statement said that the World Bank would contribute to settlement of confidence with more determined and concrete steps in banking sector and to more rapid and earlier recovery in the economic system as long as the programme makes progress.

It said that the World Bank was ready to support Turkey in implementation of the new economic programme.

World Bank which also appreciated the importance attributed to programme's social dimensions said that it was an obligation to give priority to assist the circles which seriosly suffered from the crisis.

It said that the World Bank believed that creation of more dialogue and consensus among the different social circles was very important.

World Bank added that inclusion of issues like energy reforms, continuation of privatization and Direct Income Support payments to farmers in the new economic programme inspired hope.

[12] PRESIDENT SEZER ARRIVES IN STUTTGART

President Sezer and his German counterpart Johannes Rau will attend inauguration of exhibition ''Troy: Dreams and Fact''.

[13] DARENDE, TURKISH CONSUL GENERAL IN MEDINA:

Addressing Turkish journalists at the Medina Airport, Darende stressed that all legal proceedings of 47 Turkish passengers, five of them were injured, were finalized.

Meanwhile, Turkish passengers criticized operation launched by Saudi security forces aboard the plane.

Gazi Demirci, one of the Turkish passengers, said that all passengers came face to face with risk of death during the operation.

Baki Kabal said, ''Saudi security forces began to open fire as soon as they got onto the plane. There was a hostess standing near the door. She was shot dead. Later, one of the hijackers cut her throat. Gursel Kambal who was standing next to the door, was also shot dead.''

Turkish passengers said that the hijackers claimed that they had bomb strapped to their bodies.

They noted that the hijackers were armed themselves with knives.

[14] SOME OF TURKISH PASSENGERS ABOARD HIJACKED PLANE DUE IN MOSCOW

A Russian plane carrying Turkish, Russian and other passengers took off from Medina airport earlier on Saturday.

Body of hostess who was killed during the operation launched by Saudi security officials, and crew members of the hijacked TU-154 passanger plane are also aboard the plane.

Meanwhile, the hijackers are being kept under arrest in Medina.

President Vladimir Putin of Russian Federation sent a letter to King Fahd Suud of Saudi Arabia, and thanked Saudi security forces for rescuing the passangers.

Putin also demanded King Fahd Suud to extradite the hijackers to Russia as soon as possible.

[15] THY'S PLANE LEAVES SAUDI ARABIA FOR TURKEY

The plane which took of from Medina's King Muhammad bin Abdel Aziz Airport, is expected to land at Istanbul's Ataturk Airport at about 03:35 p.m.

[16] TURKISH IRAQ-JORDAN FOREIGN TRADE DELEGATION

The Iraq-Jordan Foreign Trade delegation which wrapped up its visit to Iraq started its contacts the same day in Amman.

Turkish businessmen and representatives of companies met with Jordanese businessmen and officials from several Jordanese ministries at the Radison SAS Hotel the same day.

Prior to the tete-a-tete meetings between representatives of two countries, Tuzmen gave information on the commercial relations between Turkey and Jordan.

Tuzmen said that exports from Turkey to Jordan had started in 1990s and total exports to Jordan had rose from 104.9 million U.S. dollars in 1993 to 171.9 million U.S. dollars in 1998.

He said that exports to Jordan had been 73.2 million U.S. dollars in 1999 and 89 million U.S. dollars in 2000.

Tuzmen said that imports from Jordan had been nearly 25 million U.S. dollars in 2000.

[17] DERVIS MEETS WITH IMF, TREASURY, DPT AND CENTRAL BANK OFFICIALS

Dervis who came to the Treasury Undersecretariat building early on Saturday met with State Minister Tunca Toskay.

Speaking to journalists prior to this meeting, Dervis said, ''Toskay and I will discuss every issue and work together.''

Sources said that Dervis had met with officials from the State Planning Organization (DPT), Central Bank, Treasury, World Bank and IMF and worked on the frame agreement which was planned to be submitted to international organizations.

[18] FOREIGN MINISTER CEM AND HIS MACEDONIAN COUNTERPART

Cem and Kerim staged a joint press conference following the tete-a-tete and interdelegationary meetings.

Speaking at the press conference, Kerim said that the meetings had focused on incidents in border region between Macedonia and Kosovo.

He said, ''all member countries to the Southeast European Cooperation Process including Albania, condemn these attacks by describing them as terrorists acts. I held talks with Albanian Foreign Minister Paskal Milo, and he also condemned the attacks. He told me that he had recognized Macedonia's territorial integrity and only elected Albanian representatives in Macedonia.''

(To be contiened)

[19] NATIONAL DEFENSE MINISTER CAKMAKOGLU LEAVES FOR ABU DHABI

Speaking to journalists prior to his departure, Cakmakoglu said that 17 companies operating in defense field in Turkey have stands at the IDEKS Defense Fair.

Noting that U.A.E. Defense Minister and he would discuss development of relations in military and defense fields and he would hold contacts also with other U.A.E. officials, Cakmakoglu said that he would invite the U.A.E. Defense Minister to the defense fair that Turkey would host in 2001.

Stating that he would proceed from Abu Dhabi to Kuwait early on March 20, Cakmakoglu said that he would pay a visit to Kuwait as the official guest of Kuwaiti Defense Minister.

Stressing that Turkey attributed importance to development of relations with Kuwait in every field, Cakmakoglu said that there were not any political, military, economic, commercial and cultural problem stemming from the history between Turkey and Kuwait and this factor formed an appropriate ground to create opportunities of concrete cooperation especially in military field.

Responding to a question about works on revision in defense expenditures following the economic crisis, Cakmakoglu said that the Turkish Armed Forces had been following a serious savings policy in last three years.

Cakmakoglu said that the Turkish Armed Forces was ranked 17th in the world and sixth in Europe in list of defense expenditures, stressing that Turkey was ranked the last among 19 NATO allies according to defense expenditure per person.

When asked whether or not new force would be sent to border region between Macedonia and Albania due to the incidents, Cakmakoglu said that such a matter had not been on the agenda.

Noting that they were closely following the developments, Cakmakoglu said that it was very important not to intervene in principle of unchangeable borders, sovereignty of countries and their internal affairs.

[20] PRESIDENT SEZER IN STUTTGART

Speaking at the inauguration, President Sezer said, ''Turkey, a society assimilating all civilizations on Anatolian territories, feels responsible for protection of this inheritence. The ancient city of Troy is just a part of Anatolia's cultural assets. Turkey has been working to promote cultures which were born in its territories, to the world with exhibitions.''

Stressing that most of the pieces displayed at the exhibition were unearthed as a result of joint works carried out by Turkish and German archaeologists, President Sezer thanked Prof. Dr. Manfred Korfmann for his contributions.

''I am pleased with being in Germany where more than 2 million Turkish people live. We have multi-dimensional and intense relations in political, economic and cultural fields. I believe that this exhibition would be beneficial to bring onto agenda the fact that Turkey was the real source of Troy treasures and to return of smuggled historical works,'' he added.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Erwin Teufel of Baden-Wuertenberg state of Germany said in his part that Troy was the city of gods.

He described Troy as an ancient city revealing meaningless of warfare.

Noting that they had been supporting efforts of Tubingen University in archaeological excavations in Western Anatolia, Teufel said that participation of President Sezer and President Rau underlined importance of the exhibition.

Noting that Turkey was rich of historical works, Teufel said that he visited many regions in Turkey.

Noting that Turkey sheltered German scientists and artists during the Nazi era, Teufel said that the exhibition had releaved fruits of cultural relations between Turkey and Germany.

Describing Anatolia as a bridge between the West and the East, Teufel added that Anatolia was a junction point of different traditions, cultures and religious beliefs.

Meanwhile, a group gathered in front of the museum, and held a demonstration against Turkey.

[21] FOREIGN MINISTER CEM AND HIS MACEDONIAN COUNTERPART

Cem and Macedonian Foreign Minister Srgjan Kerim who came to Turkey overnight upon an invitation of Cem staged a joint press conference following the tete-a-tete and interdelegationary meetings.

Speaking at the press conference, Cem said that Turkey's most important support to prevention of incidents in the border regions of Macedonia was its diplomatic role.

''We want all of our friends in the Balkans to show respect to their territorial integrity which are recognized by international agreements. We encourage Albanians and Macedonians to work together,'' he said.

Noting that Turkey's main role was to encourage the sides to work together within framework of respect to their territorial integrity, Cem said, ''we are a powerful factor at this point.''

Recalling that there was a cooperation agreement between Turkey and Macedonia in field of security, Cem said that there were also ongoing projects in field of security between the two countries.

Cem added that he would leave for Brussels on Monday and he would share his analyses and assessments on this matter with NATO member countries.

Kerim, in his part, said that he considered Cem's invitation as a guarantee that Turkey does not distinguish its security from Macedonia's security.

''This is very important for neutralization of terrorism which is trying to affect not only Macedonia but also whole Balkans,'' Kerim said.

Kerim said that all member countries to the Southeast European Cooperation Process including Albania, considered these incidents in border regions of Macedonia as terrorist acts.

''The international community should not allow the current situation in Kosovo to become a source of instabilitiy. The international community in Kosovo exists in Kosovo to protect lives of not only Albanians but also Turks, Serbians and all peoples,'' he said.

Responding to a question, Kerim said that the incidents occurred in the border were terrorist acts and that Macedonian security forces were capable of overcoming those incidents.

Kerim requested Kosovo Peace Force KFOR to undertake a more active role in Kosovo part of the border.

(End)

[22] ABANOZ, POLICE CHIEF OF ISTANBUL:

Responding to questions of the A.A correspondent, Abanoz said, ''Suphan Arsayev and his sons Denis and Ibrahim Arsayev hijacked the plane. One of the hijackers was killed in the operation launched by Saudi security forces aboard the plane. Arsayev's wife Zara Arsayev was detained in her house in Kucukcekmece district of Istanbul for her interrogation.''

When asked how the hijackers had entered the plane with knives, Abanoz said, ''the Ataturk Airport is one of the most secure airports in Europe. The hijackers might have brought the knife in secret places in their shoes or somebody working at the airport might have helped them.''

Referring to the operation launched by Saudi security forces, Abanoz said, ''utmost care should have been paid during the operation. It should have been finalized in three or four seconds. But this operation lasted for a long time. It was an unsuccessful operation.''

[23] THY'S PLANE CARRYING TURKISH PASSENGERS ABOARD HIJACKED

Saim Eskioglu, an official from Istanbul's Ataturk Airport, said, ''Turkish passengers aboard the hijacked plane will be interrogated after their arrival in Istanbul, because it was a judicial incident. Seven teams have been formed to this end.''

[24] LAWYER VURAL APPLIES TO ECHR TO STOP VALIDITY OF LAW

In his application, Vural demanded the ECHR to sentence France to pay compensation due to this law.

The application stressed that it was impossible to accept the law on so- called genocide on Armenians as a national law as the French parliament does not have authority to pass such a law in accordance with French Constitution.

Recalling that the World War I had occurred between 1914 and 1918 and the Ottoman Empire had collapsed and the Republic of Turkey had been founded, the application stressed that any article or sentence about Armenian genocide were not included in the Gumru agreement between the Turkish government and Armenia, in the Kars agreement between the Turkish government and the Soviet Union, in the Ankara agreement between the Turkish government and France and in the Lausanne Treaty between the Turkish government and Britain, France, Italy and Greece.

Stressing that so-called Armenian genocide was out of question in verbal and written decisions of both League of Nations and United Nations, the application said that not the states but individuals were responsible for genocides according to the genocide conventions.

Emphasizing that there had not been such a decision about a genocide committed by Turkey which was taken at either international courts or Nurnberg courts which tried war criminals, the application said that the law which was approved by the French parliament aimed to create an enmity between nations due to the incident which had occurred 90 years ago.

Noting that the law accused only the citizens of the Republic of Turkey, Vural said, ''the reality and the result is that genocide label is hung on necks of all citizens of the Republic of Turkey who are now living in Anatolia. As one of these Turkish citizens, it is obvious that I do have competence to make this application.''

Vural said, ''the other side has run down my humanity. So it is obliged to satisfy this.''

''I request the ECHR to determine that this law is contrary to Articles 3, 6, 10 and 17 of the European Convention on Protection of Basic Human Rights and Freedoms and to annul this law. I request the ECHR to satisfy me morally and financially. This law is clearly not in line with international laws. So I want the ECHR to prevent occurence of losses of which compensation will become impossible in the future,'' Vural added.

[25] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT RECEIVES MACEDONIAN FOREIGN MINISTER KERIM

Cem was also in attendance at the meeting which lasted for half an hour.

[26] STATE MINISTER YALOVA ARRIVES IN WESTERN THRACE

Yalova who entered Western Thrace from the Ipsala Border Gate was welcomed by Turkish Consul General in Komotini Munis Dirik and a group of kinsmen.

Yalova who later proceeded to Sappes township where a cooperation protocol will be signed between the local administrations of two countries attended Sappes Mayor Dinos Haritopulos's little daughter Maria's baptism together with Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou.

Within framework of his visit, Yalova who will attend inauguration of a paint exhibition on Turkish-Greek friendship at the Sappes Municipality building will later attend signing ceremony for cooperation protocol between local administrations.

State Minister Yalova will return to Turkey after meeting with Papandreou at a dinner which will be hosted by the Sappes Mayor.

[27] PRESIDENT SEZER IN STUTGART

President Sezer staged a joint press conference together with his German counterpart Johannes Rau.

Noting that the National Program would be taken up at the Council of Ministers' meeting on Monday, Sezer said, ''we should fulfil Copenhagen criteria not for someone else, but for our people's happiness and freedom.''

Pointing out that Turkish and German foreign ministers had been holding talks for return of historical works which were unearthed in the ancient city of Troy and smuggled to foreign countries, President Sezer told reporters that he had held sincere and beneficial talks with President Rau of Germany.

President Sezer stressed that relations between Turkey and Germany had accelerated since announcement of Turkey's candidacy to the European Union (EU).

Emphasizing that Turkey aimed at diversifying bilateral relations with Germany, President Sezer said that the issue of joint defense of Europe was brought onto agenda of his meeting with President Rau.

Noting that Germany was the biggest commercial partner of Turkey, President Sezer said that trade volume between the two countries reached 25 billion German marks.

Noting that they also discussed problems of Turkish citizens living in Germany, President Sezer said that these people had been making important contributions to both Turkish and German economies.

Sezer said, ''at the meeting, I expressed my concerns about developments in racism and xenophobia.''

Meanwhile, President Rau of Germany expressed his pleasure with hosting President Sezer.

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