Anadolu Agency: News in English, 99-02-17

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

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

AA Daily

17 February 1999 Wednesday

CONTENTS

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

[02] WHITE HOUSE PLEASED OVER CAPTURE OF OCALAN, CHIEF OF SEPARATIST TERRORIST ORGANIZATION

[03] COORDINATION MEETING IN PREMIERSHIP

[04] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT: ''INDEPENDENCY OF JUSTICE AND JUGDMENT IN TURKEY IS A FACT THAT CAN NOT BE REJECTED''

[05] THE PRESS CONFERENCE OF LINN, THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF THE WORLD BANK - LINN: ''WE AIM TO ASSIST THE EXPORT SECTOR BY USING THE TURKISH BANKS''

[06] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT: ''NOW INDEPENDENT JUGMENT WILL START TO WORK IMMEDIATELY AND THE ONES WHO FEEL DOUBT WILL BE ASHAMED''

[07] PRESIDENT DEMIREL RECEIVES AZERBAIJANI FM ZULFIKAROV AND HIS DELEGATION

[08] ALBRIGHT, THE U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE: - ''IF IRAQ ATTACKS THE INCIRLIK BASE, THIS WILL BE THE BEGINNING OF A WAR'' - PENTAGON: - ''PATRIOT MISSILES WILL REMAIN IN INCIRLIK AS LONG AS TURKEY WANTS''

[09] SO-CALLED ''GENOCIDE ON ARMENIANS'', INITIATIVES IN AUSTRALIA - FOREIGN MINISTRY: ''SUCH INITIATIVES TARGET DAMAGING TURKISH-AUSTRALIAN FRIENDSHIP''

[10] CAPTURE OF CHIEF OF SEPARATIST TERRORIST ORGANIZATION - PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT: ''GREECE CREATED TROUBLE FOR ITSELF AS IT TRIED TO INTERFERE WITH TURKEY'S AFFAIRS''

[11] PROFILE OF EXPORTS FROM GAP REGION - 8.8 MILLION US DOLLARS OF AGRICULTURAL AND ANIMAL PRODUCTS EXPORTED SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THIS YEAR

[12] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT: ''IF WE COME TO POWER AGAIN AFTER ELECTIONS, OUR PRIMARY TARGET WILL BE TO SPEED UP DEVELOPMENT OF EASTERN AND SOUTHEASTERN ANATOLIA''

[13] SUPPORTERS OF SEPARATIST TERRORIST ORGANIZATION PKK, DEVASTATE EUROPE - TERRORISTS STRIP THEIR MASKS AT LAST - EUROPE BEWILDERED

[14] CAPTURE OF TERRORIST CHIEF - CETIN, THE PARLIAMENT SPEAKER: - ''THE MOTHERS OF THE ONES KILLED IN THE CLASHES WITH THE SEPARATIST TERRORISTS FEEL THE GRIEF AND THE HAPPINESS TOGETHER'' - ''EUROPE FACES THE RESULT OF TURNING A BLIND EYE TO TERRORISM''

[15] SEPARATIST TERRORISTS CONTINUE THEIR ACTIONS IN LONDON, SWITZERLAND AND GERMANY

[16] COLD WEATHER AND SNOW ON THE WAY

[17] TURKISH-IRANIAN JOINT SECURITY COMMITTEE MEETING - IRAN AND TURKEY DETERMINED TO HOLD JOINT STRUGGLE AGAINST THE ORGANIZATIONS OPPOSITE TO THEIR REGIMES

[18] THE CAPTURE OF THE TERRORIST CHIEF - BILICAN, THE HEAD OF THE POLICE ORGANIZATION: - ''TURKEY BROUGHT HIM TO TURKEY IN A WAY THAT NOONE CAN CRITICISE AND REGARD AS STRANGE'' - ''OCALAN WILL BE TRIED AS A TERRORIST CHIEF WHO DAMAGED TURKEY AND THE WORLD AND COMMITTED MASSACRES''

[19] TURKEY'S FIRST ''WIND ATLAS'' TO BE PREPARED

[20] THE NUMBER OF TOURISTS COMING TO TURKEY INCREASED BY 3.42 PERCENT IN JANUARY

[21] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT: ''OCALAN'S CAPTURE WILL HOPEFULLY PROVIDE THE SOLUTION OF THE PROBLEM''

[22] SEPARATIST DEMONSTRATIONS IN GERMANY - SCHILY, GERMAN MINISTER OF INTERIOR WARNS SUPPORTERS OF TERRORIST ORGANIZATION

[23] BYRD, THE HEAD OF THE TURKEY DESK OF THE INTERNATIONAL EXPORTERS FEDERATION: - ''THE CHANCE OF TURKISH GOODS IN THE U.S. AND CANADIAN MARKETS ARE VERY HIGH''

[24] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT VISITS DIRECTORATE GENERAL OF SECURITY - ''EVERYTHING ABOUT ABDULLAH OCALAN WILL DEVELOP IN ACCORDANCE WITH LAWS AND REGULATIONS''

[25] FM DEPUTY SPOKESMAN ATACANLI: ''GREECE HAS EITHER HID MANY THINGS FROM US OR EITHER INFORMED US WRONGLY. WE HAVE NOTED DOWN THE ATTITUDE OF GREECE''

[26] TAREQ AZIZ'S VISIT TO TURKEY - FOREIGN MINISTRY DEPUTY SPOKESMAN ATACANLI: ''TURKEY HAD PROVED IN THE PAST THAT SHE IS ALWAYS READY TO GIVE RESPONSE TO EVERY THREAT AGAINST HER''

[27] TRANSFER OF THE PRISONERS IN IMRALI PRISON STARTS

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

DEMIREL: ''I CONGRATULATE THE GOVERNMENT''
President Suleyman Demirel who congratulated the government over its successful capture of Abdullah Ocalan, chief of the separatist terrorist organization, said ''I thank everybody who took part in the operation, especially the General Staff and National Intelligence Organization (MIT) on behalf of the nation and the state.''

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

U.S. PLEASED
The Clinton Administration has evaluated the capture of Abdullah Ocalan as a diplomatic success as well as a great opportunity to realize political reforms. The capture of Ocalan has also relaxed Russia which could not decide how or if it would help him. Ocalan had been to Russia three times since October and each time, recognition of the existence of Ocalan, put Moscow into a difficult situation and created problems between Turkey and Russia.

SABAH (LIBERAL) CONGRATULATIONS TURKEY THE DEVIL IS IN THE CAGE
APO was struck dumb with bewilderment when Turkish officers grabbed his wrist and said ''you have come to the end of the road. We are going to Turkey.'' The baby murderer, who had taken shelter in the Greek Embassy, was seeking a country to shelter him. The demise of Apo began on February 2 when he arrived in Kenya.

THEY RECOGNIZED THE PKK
Supporters of the separatist terrorist PKK organization, who became enraged after learning that Abdullah Ocalan, the terrorist chief had been captured, raided Greek Embassies in Europe and even took children hostage. Supporters of the separatist terrorist organization raided Greek Embassies in many European capital cities.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

KALEMLI, FORMER PARLIAMENT SPEAKER, IS IN COURT
The trial of Mustafa Kalemli, the former speaker of parliament, has started. Kalemli will be tried on charges of misusing his position in the renewal of the general assembly hall of parliament, and faces an imprisonment term from one to three years.

RADIKAL (LEFT) LET THE TEARS STOP
Abdullah Ocalan,the chief of the separatist terrorist organization, was brought to Turkey following a successful operation. The capture of Ocalan is a great opportunity to put an end to the separatist terrorism which caused financial and spritual loss and disrupted the development of Southeastern region. National Intelligence Organization (MIT), military and police will jointly interrogate Ocalan.

BONN: REAL FACE OF PKK
Otto Schily, German Interior Minister, said the activities on Tuesday of the PKK revealed that it was a dangerous organization. Schily said he was of the view that activities in Embassies and Consulates in many capital cities of Europe were directed in one area. Stressing that ban on the separatist PKK will continue, Schily said crisis desks were formed in interior and foreign ministries and in security departments.

YEN� Y�ZYIL (LIBERAL)

THREE BILLION U.S. DOLLAR CREDIT FROM THE WORLD BANK
Johannes Linn, the Deputy Director of the World Bank, said that they are ready to give credit worth three billion U.S. dollars to Turkey if a strong programme is set up after the elections and if it realizes structural reforms in her economy.

T�RK�YE (RIGHT)

OPERATION IN NORTHERN IRAQ
The Turkish security forces clashed with the separatist terrorists in the ongoing operation which was launched in Northern Iraq. The terrorists tried to escape to the Iranian border.

[02] WHITE HOUSE PLEASED OVER CAPTURE OF OCALAN, CHIEF OF SEPARATIST TERRORIST ORGANIZATION

Addressing a press conference, Joe Lockhart, the Spokesman of the White House, stressed that the capture of Ocalan was the great success of the Turkish security officials.

Reminding that the U.S. has declared the PKK as an international terrorist organization in 1996, Lockhart, reiterated that they have defended Ocalan to be extradited to Turkey and brought to justice since he was first captured in Italy.

Responding to a question on whether the U.S. staff played a significant role in capture of Ocalan, Lockhart pointed out that the U.S. officials had no role in the operation at all.

Emphasizing that the PKK was a brutal organization that claimed thousands of innocent lives, Lockhart noted that the U.S. which defends the territorial integrities of countries in the Middle East, opposes to a Kurdish state in the region.

Lockhart said that they support the human rights of Kurds, but this does not mean the U.S. defends a Kurdish state to be established.

Meanwhile James Foley, the Acting Spokesman of the U.S. State Department, said that the U.S. staff did not played an active role in the capture of Ocalan.

Responding to questions of the journalists over the issue, Foley stressed that the U.S. reiterated many times Ocalan should be brought to justice with the accusation of committing crimes against humanity.

Describing the actions of the supporters of Ocalan throughtout Europe, as unacceptable, Foley emphasized that such actions should come to an end immediately.

Meanwhile the U.S. State Department has tightened the security measures at the U.S. foreign representations against a possible attack by the supporters of the separatist terrorist organization PKK.

[03] COORDINATION MEETING IN PREMIERSHIP

A written statement on the issue said a meeting was held with the directives of Husamettin Ozkan, Deputy Prime Minister responsible for the coordination of internal security affairs and struggle against terrorism, aiming to review security measures that should be taken by public insitutions and the situation which appeared after capture of terrorist chief.

The meeting chaired by Ahmet Sagar, Premiership Undersecretary, were also participated by Justice and Interior Ministry undersecretaries, and representatives of General Staff and Gendarmerie General Command.

[04] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT: ''INDEPENDENCY OF JUSTICE AND JUGDMENT IN TURKEY IS A FACT THAT CAN NOT BE REJECTED''

Ecevit said a meeting will take place every morning in Premiership building, under the chairmanship of Husamettin Ozkan, Minister of State and Deputy Prime Minister, and with the participation of representatives of related state institutions to discuss these issues.

Responding to a question during a news bulletin in a private tv channel which said what he felt, Ecevit said ''my feelings stem from the tranquility I feel as I did my job. I believed that Apo would sooner or later fall into the arms of the state.''

Ecevit said people in Europe, who expended support to him, understood what kind of a terrorist organization they were faced with when terrorist chief went to Europe, adding that European countries struggled to get rid of him soon.

Ecevit said, ''we believed that incidents which gave pain to our nation would be ended sooner or later. I am proud of my nation once again because there is nothing we could not succeed if institutions of Turkish state work in harmony.''

Ecevit also said he believed that initiatives to politicize separatist terrorist organization failed.

[05] THE PRESS CONFERENCE OF LINN, THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF THE WORLD BANK - LINN: ''WE AIM TO ASSIST THE EXPORT SECTOR BY USING THE TURKISH BANKS''

Addressing a press conference at the Turkish Branch of the World Bank, Linn noted that a delegation is holding meetings in Ankara to discuss this issue and that the subject of the meetings by the delegetion is the flow of resources to the export sector by the Eximbank.

Linn said, ''we aim to assist the export sector by using the Turkish banks. This aim is one which increases the capacity of the Eximbank and the commercial banks. The degree of this assistance is not clear at the moment, but it will be determined at a later date.''

Stating that the support of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is important for the structural adaptation credit which the World Bank will give to Turkey, Linn said, ''one of the standard policies of the World Bank is that it looks for a certain agreement between the IMF and the countries when realising a structural agreement because it looks to the exchange reserves and the stability of the budget. To this end, the IMF guarantees that the programme will be applied correctly when signing an agreement.''

Stressing that he thinks that they cannot sign a final agreement with Turkey before the Turkish elections, Linn added, ''we prefer to wait until the new government is formed, that will be after the elections. This agreement should be signed after the elections and between the new government and the World Bank. We are now discussing the technical studies.''

''The credibility of the government is very important and this credibility will be bound to the loyalty of the new government regarding this programme. There is no specific plan toward this credit worth three billion U.S. dollars at this moment. This is the maximum amount of credit that can be given for the implementation of the structural programmes,'' Linn added.

Responding to a question on the possible negative effects of the global crisis on the Turkish economy, Linn stated that Turkey is very much affected by the global crisis because she has an economy which can adapt itself to the flexible and changing conditions and because the private sector in Turkey is very dynamic and the business life is very flexible and because she followed a flexible rate of exchange.

Noting that the World Bank stresses importance on the projects for social development and that it has given more credit to Turkey in the last two years, Linn added that Turkey is a good partner and client for the World Bank.

Recalling that the projects on the distribution of income and the standard of life in Turkey within the framework of the social development programmes are to be completed, Linn said that the best of their projects cover the social development for the Southeastern Anatolia Region.

Linn completed his meetings in Turkey and departed for Russia on Tuesday evening.

[06] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT: ''NOW INDEPENDENT JUGMENT WILL START TO WORK IMMEDIATELY AND THE ONES WHO FEEL DOUBT WILL BE ASHAMED''

Responding to the questions in a program in a private channel, Ecevit stressed the importance of capture of Ocalan. Ecevit said ''when Ocalan began to knock the doors of European countries, they could not ignore the real face of Ocalan. Doors of all the countries in the world started to be closed to him. I have never seen a man like Ocalan who has been isolated like this in the world.''

Noting that terrorist chief caused negativity and shocks whereever he goes, Ecevit said thus real face of separatist terrorist organization was began to be seen in Europe.

Ecevit said separatist PKK was not an activity targeting to bring happiness to Kurds, but a hostile act against Kurds, adding that Ocalan in one of his speech directed insults and slanders to Kurds.

Stressing that judgement in Turkey was entirely impartial, Ecevit said nobody has the right to feel even a slight doubt on the issue. He said circles targetting to split up Turkey were in an effort to reviving Sevres agreement which had been thrown into the garbage dump of the history. Ecevit said there are circles in Europe openly supporting separatist activities in Turkey.

''We should not feel sorrow over this,'' Ecevit said, adding that ''Turkey is able to solve even more difficult questions and also we should not give up our efforts to be a full member of the European Union (EU) as it is a national right.'' Ecevit said ''EU, sooner or later, will knock our door and call us for membership.''

Ecevit said several people had hesitations that if it was true to force Ocalan leave Syria and assumed an impatient attitude. ''If he was caught the day after he left Syria, he would be an unjustly treated hero for the Western people. The few months which passed after his departure was a negative promotion for the PKK,'' he added.

Ecevit in the final part of the program called on the young people who were deceived by the separatist organization and wanted them to take shelter under Turkish justice.

''I call on the youngsters who have fallen into (Ocalan's) trap,'' Ecevit said, adding ''You have reached a dead end, give yourselves in to justice of the state.''

[07] PRESIDENT DEMIREL RECEIVES AZERBAIJANI FM ZULFIKAROV AND HIS DELEGATION

The Presidential Press Centre said in its statement that Demirel noted Turkey is determined to be in accordance with Azerbaijan in all the problems she faces and to continue supporting her.

The statement quoted Zulfikarov as saying that Azerbaijan and the Azerbaijani people welcomed the capture of Abdullah Ocalan, the chief of the separatist terrorist organization.

The statement also quoted Demirel as saying that the relations between Turkey and Azerbaijan are at a level which constitute an example for other countries, and that relations between the two countries are special.

Demirel added, ''Turkey emphasized that she is determined to be beside Azerbaijan in all the problems she faces and to support her. The studies to implement the Baku-Ceyhan Oil Pipeline Project continue and that Turkey will continue to be in close cooperation with Azerbaijan in this project.''

Emphasizing that his country is determined to improve the relations between the two countries, Zulfikarov said, ''the Azerbaijani government and people welcome the news that Ocalan has been captured. I convey the regards of our President Haydar Aliev. We place importance on the close support of Turkey within the framework of the international efforts to solve the dispute of Nagorno Karabakh peacefully.''

[08] ALBRIGHT, THE U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE: - ''IF IRAQ ATTACKS THE INCIRLIK BASE, THIS WILL BE THE BEGINNING OF A WAR'' - PENTAGON: - ''PATRIOT MISSILES WILL REMAIN IN INCIRLIK AS LONG AS TURKEY WANTS''

Responding to questions of journalists over Iraqi threats towards Incirlik Air Base, Albright stressed that the U.S. cannot accept an attack on the American military staff, or on one of the U.S.' allies in the NATO.

Pointing out that the U.S. will reply such an attack immediately and harsly, Albright said that Iraq knows what a rapid and harsh attack means.

Meanwhile James Foley, the Acting Spokesman of the U.S. State Department, stressed that Tareq Aziz, the Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister, was given the message that Baghdad should fulfil the resolutions of the United Nations, during his official visit to Ankara.

Kenneth Bacon, the Spokesman of the U.S. Defense Department (Pentagon), also emphasized that Iraq will make a big mistake by striking the Incirlik Base.

Pointing out that Iraq makes such threats as a result of her helpless situation, Bacon reiterated that other regional countries also want Iraq to fulfil the U.N. resolutions.

Reminding that the Patriot missiles have been deplayed at the Incirlik base against a possible Iraqi attack, Bacon stressed that the missiles will remain at the base as long as Turkey wants.

[09] SO-CALLED ''GENOCIDE ON ARMENIANS'', INITIATIVES IN AUSTRALIA - FOREIGN MINISTRY: ''SUCH INITIATIVES TARGET DAMAGING TURKISH-AUSTRALIAN FRIENDSHIP''

A Foreign Ministry statement said it was determined that the plate related with the so-called genocide on Armenians was put into the parliament with a resolution adopted by Australian New South Wales State Legislation Assembly in a session held on April 29, 1998.

The statement said necessary initiatives were made to Australian government and related State authorities, adding that ''such an implementation in which historical facts were distorted with political considerations and in which a nation was left under accusation, hurt especially the Turkish community living in Australia and it is clear that such an implementation could spoil the harmonization between several groups in this country.''

The statement pointed out that this development strenghtened the tendency to justify the Armenian terrorists who had killed Turkey's Consul General to Sydney and his driver and warned that similar attacks may erupt in the future.

The statement underlined that main target of the circles supporting Armenians whose activities increased in Australia recently was to destroy Turkish-Australian friendship relations adding that ''it should be known that such provocative attitudes will have no effect on Turkey's attitude basing on historical facts.''

[10] CAPTURE OF CHIEF OF SEPARATIST TERRORIST ORGANIZATION - PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT: ''GREECE CREATED TROUBLE FOR ITSELF AS IT TRIED TO INTERFERE WITH TURKEY'S AFFAIRS''

Ecevit responded to the questions in a program in a private channel.

When asked Turkish people wondered how the operation had taken place, Ecevit said ''some facts should be kept secret. Some facts were hidden even from us. Yet, we have covered a very careful policy. The General Staff and National Intelligence Organization (MIT) worked in harmonization. If we disclose several facts, some countries and some administrations may fall into a difficult situation. We should be careful to this end.''

When asked if there was someone else with the terrorist chief when he was brought to Turkey, Ecevit said, ''he came alone. There was nobody else. He did not have an injury. There was a doctor in the plane against any possibility. This was an example to show for the human rights how carefully he was treated.''

When recalled that Greece provided false identity and shelter in Greek Embassy for the terrorist chief and when asked how this will affect Turkish- Greek relations, Ecevit said, ''this will not affect our relations directly, yet proves that they fall into a difficult situation because of the support they wanted to expend to separatist terrorist PKK. Kenyan Government wanted Greek Ambassador to leave the country because of this. This is a regretful event. Greek people is not guilty, but it is clear that several politicians have responsibilities in this respect.''

[11] PROFILE OF EXPORTS FROM GAP REGION - 8.8 MILLION US DOLLARS OF AGRICULTURAL AND ANIMAL PRODUCTS EXPORTED SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THIS YEAR

In the same period last year, the region exported 7 million 515 thousand U.S. dollars of agricultural and animal products.

Abdulkadir Cikmaz, the Chairman of the Southeastern Anatolia Exporters' Union, told the A.A correspondent that in January, they exported 7 million 155 thousand U.S. dollars in textiles; 135 thousand U.S. dollars in grain- cereals; 1 million 351 thousand U.S. dollars in dried fruits and 173 thousand U.S. dollars in livestock.

''The majority of the goods were exported to Italy, Germany and

Portugal, and the Turkish goods in greatest demand were carpets, synthetic thread, dried apricot, pistachio, plastic sack, cotton thread, pasta, and textile products,'' he added.

[12] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT: ''IF WE COME TO POWER AGAIN AFTER ELECTIONS, OUR PRIMARY TARGET WILL BE TO SPEED UP DEVELOPMENT OF EASTERN AND SOUTHEASTERN ANATOLIA''

Responding to the questions of reporters if Council of Ministers will have any preparation regarding the development of the Southeast after this stage, Ecevit said ''we had preparations already. We had issued a law to this end. We will give priority to the finishing of organized industry zones because entrepreneurs start activities in places where organized industry zones are completed.''

Ecevit said, ''from the very beginning, we believe that problems in Eastern and Southeastern Anatolia could be solved with an economic and social approach and by attributing importance to education. It is the state's natural duty to overcome poverty there.''

[13] SUPPORTERS OF SEPARATIST TERRORIST ORGANIZATION PKK, DEVASTATE EUROPE - TERRORISTS STRIP THEIR MASKS AT LAST - EUROPE BEWILDERED

THE HAGUE - A group of separatist terrorists who stormed the Greek ambassador's residence in the Hague, the Netherlands, taking hostage the ambassador's wife, his eight-year-old son and a Filipino servant for 25 hours, ended their obnoxious actions. Police said that the health of the hostages was good. Nearly 150 terrorists were taken into custody by the Dutch police. Meanwhile a number of separatists and Dutch police were injured during the clashes which erupted when police intervened on nearly 500 terrorists who wanted to hold a demontration at the ''Hollandse Spoor'' train station. Supporters of the separatist terrorist organization PKK, wrecked many businesses and vehicles in the district. Addressing a press conference, Braam Peper, the Dutch Interier Minister, condemned the actions of terrorists and stressed that a crisis desk has been set up with the participation of officials from the Interior, Justice and Foreign Affairs ministries.

COPENHAGEN - Niels Helveg Petersen, the Danish Foreign Minister, condemned terrorist actions of supporters of Abdullah Ocalan, the chief of the separatist terrorist organization PKK, who occupied the Greek Embassy in Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark. Petersen stressed that Denmark condemns all terrorist actions of the PKK including those which took place in Turkey and claimed thousands of lives. Meanwhile, a crowd of terrorists supporters held a demonstration in front of the Danish parliament bulding. Another group of 40 armed terrorists raided the Greek Embassy building in Copenhagen. The terrorists who set fire to the embassy building, were later taken into custody by the Danish security forces.

BRUSSELS - A crisis desk was set up in Brussels, the capital of Belgium, and security forces have been put on alert as supporters of Abdullah Ocalan, the chief of the separatist terrorist organization PKK, occupied the Greek Embassy in Brussels. Eric Derycke, the Belgian Foreign Minister, Luc van den Dossche, the Belgian Interior Minister and Tony Van Parys, the Justice Minister, attended the meeting for crisis talks. Tight security measures have been taken around several embassy buildings including the Turkish, Kenyan and Italian embassies, and the European Union (EU) Headquarters. The supporters of the separatist terrorist organization PKK made a statement and stressed that they occupied the Greek Embassy not only to protest the attitude of Greece towards Ocalan, but also the EU's.

Meanwhile emergency rule has been declared in the districts such as Schaerbeek and Saint Josse where there is a dense population of Turkish people.

MOSCOW - The Russian Interior Intelligence Agency (FSB) described actions of supporters of the separatist terrorist organization PKK, as wrecklessly excessive. Aleksander Zdanovic, the Spokesman for the FSB, said that all necessary measures had been taken against the separatist terrorists.

ATHENS - Supporters of Abdullah Ocalan, the chief of seperatist terrorist organization PKK, raided the so-called Kurdish red crescent and so-called cultural centers belonging to the organization, in Athens, the capital of Greece. Around 130 separatist terrorists were taken into custody. Meanwhile the Greek government recalled their Greek ambassador to Kenya. Addressing a press conference Theodoros Pangalos, the Greek Foreign Minister, said that Ocalan made a big mistake by trusting the Kenyan authorities who deceived him into heading for to the Netherlands.

GENEVA - Separatist terrorist took 10 members of the Socialist Party hostage in Geneva, Switzerland.

PARIS - Supporters of the separatist terrorist organization PKK occupied the Kenyan Embassy in Paris, the capital of France for three and half hours.

MARSEILLE - A group of 30 supporters of Abdullah Ocalan, the chief of the separatist terrorist organization PKK, occupied the Greek Consulate in Marseille, France, for 10 hours. Terrorists clashed with the French security forces. Two supporters of Ocalan were slighly injured in the incident. Police forced several dozen demonstrators out of the Greek consulate, where they had threatened to set themselves on fire.

STRASBOURG - French police fired teargas into the occupied Greek consulate and detained some of 30 demonstrators. Meanwhile terrorists ended their actions in the Council of Europe's building.

VIENNA - The Greek Embassy and residence in Vienna, the capital of Austria, was occupied by the separatist terrorists this morning. The Greek Ambassador, his wife and several embassy staff were in the building when the supporters of Ocalan barricaded themselves inside. The terrorists were captured and the hostages released. The Kenyan embassy in Vienna was also occupied. Karl Schlogl, the Austrian Interior Minister, said that the demonstrators were taken into custody.

VANCOUVER - A group of 30 supporters of the Abdullah Ocalan, the chief of the separatist terrorist organization PKK, occupied the Greek Consulate in Vancouver, Canada.

DAMASCUS - Separatist terrorists attempted an attack on the Turkish and Greek embassies in Damascus, the capital of Syria. The Syrian police intervened to halt the separatist terrorists.

SYDNEY - Supporters of Abdullah Ocalan, the chief of separatist terrorist organization, carrying cans full of petrol, and fire-bombs occupied the Greek Consulate in Sydney, Australia.

STOCKHOLM - Police arrested 40 supporters of separatist terrorist organization PKK who barricaded themselves in the Greek Consulate for 8 hours, in Stockholm, the capital of Sweden.

MILAN - About 15 separatist terrorists forced their way into the Greek consulate in Milan, Italy. One terrorist threatened the Italian security forces saying he would burn himself to death.

ROME - A group of separatist terrorists held a demonstration in conjunction with deputies from the Italian Reconstructed Communism Party (Rifondazione Communista -RC) in front of the Turkish Embassy building. The demonstration lasted for 3 hours. The Italian police prevented several terrorists who tried to occupy the embassy building.

LEIPZIG - Separatist terrorists occupied the Greek Consulate and took three people hostage. They later ended their demonstration and released the hostages.

STUTTGART - Police stormed the Greek embassy, arresting 27 protesters. Meanwhile a 17-year-old woman demonstrator was taken to hospital with serious burns after dousing herself in petrol and setting herself ablaze.

DUESSELDORF - Demonstrators occupying the Greek consulate for 18 hours, smashed the building's windows. Around 30 were arrested near the regional parliament.

BONN - Separatist terrorists occupied the Greek and Kenyan embassies in Bonn, the capital of Germany for 19 hours. In the Kenyan embassy, two staff members were held hostage by demonstrators, but they were later released. The terrorists were taken into custody by the German police.

[14] CAPTURE OF TERRORIST CHIEF - CETIN, THE PARLIAMENT SPEAKER: - ''THE MOTHERS OF THE ONES KILLED IN THE CLASHES WITH THE SEPARATIST TERRORISTS FEEL THE GRIEF AND THE HAPPINESS TOGETHER'' - ''EUROPE FACES THE RESULT OF TURNING A BLIND EYE TO TERRORISM''

Addressing a speech at a ceremony in Ankara, Cetin defined the capture of the terrorist chief who is responsible for the killings of thirty thousand people without regard as to whether they were children or elderly, as a historical day.

Cetin said, ''Turkey is a big and strong country. We warned Europe by saying that their support for terrorism will cause them a problem one day. Terrorism is terrorism and a terrorist is a terrorist. Terrorism does not have any ethics, origin or nationality. Today, Europe faces the result of turning a blind eye to terrorism.''

[15] SEPARATIST TERRORISTS CONTINUE THEIR ACTIONS IN LONDON, SWITZERLAND AND GERMANY

Two demonstrators surrendered to the British security forces early this morning after one them had begun to feel sick. The two were first taken to a nearby hospital and were then arrested.

They said in their statements that their demonstration was aimed to warn international public opinion.

Meanwhile separatist terrorists gathered outside the Greek embassy building under plastic sheets and around makeshift fires throughout night to support the raiders inside. They chanted slogans against Turkey and the U.S.

The British police continues to negotiate with the raiders who threatened to set fire to themselves, in order to persuade demonstrators out of the embassy and end the occupation peacefully.

On Tuesday the crowd outside the embassy increased to around 500 and a 15- year-old girl set fire to her clothes. She was doused with water and taken to hospital with severe burns.

Meanwhile supporters of Ocalan are still occupying three buildings in Switzerland, while another group forced its way into the United Nations headquarters.

Therese Gastaut, the U.N. Spokeswoman, said that more than 24 hours after storming the United Nations in Geneva, about 25 demonstrators continue to occupy a conference room.

A group of 70 separatist terrorists occupying the Greek Consulate in Zurich released the building's caretaker after long negotiations with the security forces. A police official is still being held hostage by the terrorists.

About 30 terrorists continue to occupy the Greek embassy in Bern. One demonstrator was taken to hospital Tuesday night after trying to set himself alight.

In Germany, supporters of the terrorist chief launched initiatives to set fire to a number of buildings belonging to Turkish people in Ren Vestfalya, Baden-Wurttemberg and Hamburg provinces.

Terrorists threw fire-bombs at a club and a business address, both belonged to Turkish businessmen, in Stuttgart.

Separatist attacked a mosque in Kirchheim/Teck, Esslingen, with eight fire- bombs.

No casualties were reported at the incidents, but there was substansial damage.

[16] COLD WEATHER AND SNOW ON THE WAY

The Directorate of the Meteorology told A.A correspondent that the temperatures will decrease from 8 to 12 degrees Celcius starting from the northwestern of Turkey on Thursday night. The northern and central parts of Turkey will be snowy.

The snowfall is expected in the Black Sea, Central and Eastern Anatolian Regions on Friday.

The snowfall and cold weather which will continue in the northern and eastern parts of Turkey on Saturday is expected to be over on Sunday.

The officials requested that the citizens should take precautions against the snowfall and frost in central and eastern Turkey.

[17] TURKISH-IRANIAN JOINT SECURITY COMMITTEE MEETING - IRAN AND TURKEY DETERMINED TO HOLD JOINT STRUGGLE AGAINST THE ORGANIZATIONS OPPOSITE TO THEIR REGIMES

Sami Sonmez, the Deputy Undersecretary of the Interior Ministry, said in the press conference he held in Teheran that they discussed the problems caused by the activities of the separatist terrorist organization (PKK) and the opposition group in Iran in the meetings of Turkish-Iranian Joint Security Committee, adding that they had effective, structural, and positive results in the meeting.

Sonmez said, ''we will never allow and tolerate the activities of the Iranian opposition group. We will permit the Iranian officials to take the members of this opposition group activating in Turkey to their country in return that Iran permits Turkey act the same way for the separatist terrorists in Iran.''

Mirza Mutehher, the Chief of the Iranian Police Organization who headed the Iranian delegation in the meetings, said, ''we promised our friends that we will struggle against the separatist terrorists. We carried out many operations and handed the terrorists who were captured in these operations over to Turkey. Moreover, we said that we will open fire to the terrorists running away from the operations carried out by the Turkish security forces in case they enter our territories without permission.''

Noting that they determined the high-ranking Iranian and Turkish soldiers who will carry out joint operations in the border and that they started to hold contacts with each other, Mutehher added that they will ensure having cooperation in the joint operations in the border between the two countries.

Mutehher also said, ''we heard some news saying that Israel wants to occupy our territory. We conveyed our uneasiness and sensitivity in this issue. The Turkish delegation said that this news is not correct. But, we reminded them that such development will deteriorate the friendship and amity between the two countries.''

Sonmez said, ''we demanded that an Iranian delegation should show us the sound locators in the border if Iran has some doubts that Israel assembled these locators. Turkey will never permit anyone to use her territory to threaten the security of Iran.''

[18] THE CAPTURE OF THE TERRORIST CHIEF - BILICAN, THE HEAD OF THE POLICE ORGANIZATION: - ''TURKEY BROUGHT HIM TO TURKEY IN A WAY THAT NOONE CAN CRITICISE AND REGARD AS STRANGE'' - ''OCALAN WILL BE TRIED AS A TERRORIST CHIEF WHO DAMAGED TURKEY AND THE WORLD AND COMMITTED MASSACRES''

Addressing a statement to the journalists on the capture of the terrorist chief, Bilican noted that the Turkish government pursued a determined stance in deporting the terrorist chief from Syria and that it warned the neighbouring countries not to help this person who committed crimes of humanity in Turkey for many years.

Stating that the terrorist chief was deported from Syria as a result of the determined policy of Turkey and that Turkey continued the same stance to Russia and Italy for not letting Ocalan shelter in their country, Bilican said, ''while Ocalan changed his place continuously, he fell into a position of a murderer who could not find a place to settle. That he will be tried for his crimes is revealed.''

Noting that Turkey continued its pursuit without losing its quality as a legal state, Bilican said, ''Turkey brought this person in a way that noone can criticise and regard as strange. He was brought to Turkey by following him in the right way. Ocalan will be tried as a terrorist chief who committed murders and massacres in Turkey. This person did not only harm the humanity in Turkey but also in the world.''

''They tried every way to continue their terrorist acts. They were involved in many illegal crimes including drugs trafficking, arms smuggling, and human smuggling. They poisoned the humanity. That terrorism cannot be useful for any country and nation is understood. To this end, nobody wanted him and he could not take shelter in the countries he went,'' Bilican added.

Stressing that the trial of Ocalan will be done in independent courts and under the law, Bilican said, ''we will try to fulfil the procedures without any deficiencies. Our task starts now.''

Emphasizing that they will take intensive measures to carry out the trial in an appropriate situation, Bilican noted that they will operate every rule in the trial of the terrorist chief.

Pointing out that the experts of the police organization, the National Intelligence Organization (MIT) and the military service carry out the interrogation of the terrorist chief, Bilican said that there are courts, procedures of trial, prosecutors, judges and lawyers of Turkey.

Defining the difference of Ocalan from the other criminals as the one who committed heavier and more crimes and caused financial damage and deteriorated the moral lives, Bilican said, ''where the terrorist chief will be tried is important for our legal system, but the trial can be made in a different place for security reasons. The laws will decide this.''

Responding a question on the possibilities of the activities of the supporters of the separatist terrorist organization, Bilican said that the Turkish security forces took the necessary measures in Turkey and abroad.

[19] TURKEY'S FIRST ''WIND ATLAS'' TO BE PREPARED

With the ''Wind Atlas'' which will be jointly prepared by European Wind Energy Association Turkey Branch (AREB), Electricity Affairs Administration and General Directorate of Meteorological Affairs, the areas where there are the highest wind potential will be determined. The Atlas at the same time is intended to form a guide including information related to Turkey's wind sources.

Mustafa Mendilcioglu, Chairman of AREB Turkey Branch, speaking to an A.A correspondent said wind energy was a natural energy source which is clean, does not run out, has less environmental effects and which does not effect future generations and is not dependant on other countries.

Mendilcioglu said that it was estimated that Turkey's wind energy potential was 55,000 megawatts (110 billion kilowatthour) theoretically and pointed out that the most appropriate areas of Turkey with wind potential are the Aegean, Marmara and Eastern Mediterrenean regions.

[20] THE NUMBER OF TOURISTS COMING TO TURKEY INCREASED BY 3.42 PERCENT IN JANUARY

The Ministry of Tourism said in its statement that a 3.42 percent increase is realised in the number of tourists coming to Turkey in January 1999 when compared with the figures of January 1998 which was 346,183.

About 46 percent of the tourists came from the countries which are the members of the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), while 39.10 percent of them came from the Eastern Europe countries.

About 57.8 percent of the tourists came to Turkey by plane, 36.7 percent of them came by ship while 1.7 percent of them came by train.

Germany is on the top of the list of the citizens of the countries coming to Turkey with 23.24 percent, while the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) is the second in the list with 15.54 percent and Romania is the third with 15.06 percent. The tourists coming from the U.S., Yugoslavia, Iran, Greece, France, Israel and Britain follow these three countries.

[21] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT: ''OCALAN'S CAPTURE WILL HOPEFULLY PROVIDE THE SOLUTION OF THE PROBLEM''

Premier Ecevit told El Mundo, a Spanish newspaper that ''I hope the young people who were gathered by Ocalan will understand what these 'murder and death years' meant. A situation which caused great repercussion by the arrest of their leaders can help them to reconsider the idea of being the militants of a terrorist organization. I hope actualy the arrest of Ocalan will bring a solution to the problem.''

''I hope the arrest of Ocalan and the important incidents that took place during the recent days will prevent extending new support to terrorist organization,'' Prime Minister Ecevit added.

[22] SEPARATIST DEMONSTRATIONS IN GERMANY - SCHILY, GERMAN MINISTER OF INTERIOR WARNS SUPPORTERS OF TERRORIST ORGANIZATION

Addressing a statement to a German television, Schily stated that those who are involved in crimes that necessitate punishment can be deported from Germany.

Noting that they will make a closer cooperation with other countries in order to prevent protest activities, Schily pointed out that they are hopeful about trial of Abdullah Ocalan, the chief of the separatist terrorist organization in a fair manner in Turkey.

Meanwhile 40 supporters of the separatist terrorist organization PKK, who occupied Kenyan and Greek representations in Bonn, Koln, Dusseldorf cities of Germany, were taken into custody for identification. Totally 200 demonstrators who threw stones to police and who resisted against police were taken into custody for a temporary period of time.

Security measures were intensified in German airports due to possible attacks of the supporters of the separatist terrorist organization. Turkish, American, Greek and Kenyan passengers are particularly checked for security reasons.

Prof. Udo Steinbach, the Chairman of the Oriental Studies in Hamburg told Bild newspaper that ''the German government made the biggest mistake concerning this issue because it did not ask for the extradition of Ocalan and lost its chance of developing a strategy of solving the Kurdish problem.''

[23] BYRD, THE HEAD OF THE TURKEY DESK OF THE INTERNATIONAL EXPORTERS FEDERATION: - ''THE CHANCE OF TURKISH GOODS IN THE U.S. AND CANADIAN MARKETS ARE VERY HIGH''

Addressing a speech in the conference titled ''The Trade Opportunities in the U.S. and Canada'', Byrd said that the trading quotas that are applied by the U.S. to the Turkish goods are decreasing every year and that they will be lifted totally in 2005.

Inviting the Turkish companies to move into the U.S. market without any fears, Byrd noted that Turkish products are good and that the chance of the share of these products in the U.S. markets is very high.

Stating that in case the Turkish companies determine good strategies and send qualified products, they can find a good place in the market and can get themselves away from the negative effects of the crisis, Byrd suggested that the Turkish companies especially the small and medium scale enterprises which have a product range should search for new markets.

Noting that the Turkish companies can find shares in the U.S. markets in the sectors such as electrical home devices, automotive by-industry and textile easily, Byrd stressed that the socks and leather are very expensive in Turkey but that the shirts, jackets, trousers, spare parts of cars and electrical devices are very cheap in the U.S., adding that the Turkish companies can find a share in the market easily if they send their products like rugs and designed jackets.

Drawing the attention that the Turkish companies should carry out a broader research in the U.S. markets, Byrd added that the companies should use good English and should send the booklets of their products to the U.S.

Byrd said, ''Pursue the fashion. The products of poor quality and the problems which occur in the invoices will lead to your losing your chance in the U.S. market. The U.S. people are sensitive about punctuality. You should be sure that your product reach the buyer at the exact date you said.''

[24] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT VISITS DIRECTORATE GENERAL OF SECURITY - ''EVERYTHING ABOUT ABDULLAH OCALAN WILL DEVELOP IN ACCORDANCE WITH LAWS AND REGULATIONS''

Prime Minister Ecevit visited the same day the Directorate General of Security.

Speaking to reporters prior to his meeting, Prime Minister Ecevit said, ''recently, the Directorate General of Security has been launching very successful services. The most important factor for this is that it works in harmony with the public organizations. We see that this concordant work brings benefits in every field. Mostly the Interior Ministry and the Directortate General of Security are responsible for the issue since the terrorist chief entered Turkish territories. I am sure they will carry out a process meeting the expectations.''

Pointing out that a committee had been established regarding the issue, Ecevit said, ''this committee provides the necessary coordination concerning the internal and external security. Besides, the crisis desk will start working. Thus the process will continue in security without giving rise to any negativity.''

When asked where the chief terrorist would be tried, Ecevit said, ''you will have the information when the issue becomes clear. The most appropriate conditions within the framework of security will be provided.''

Responding to a question about the detention period, Prime Minister Ecevit said, ''everything will develop in accordance with the laws and regulations of a legal state.''

[25] FM DEPUTY SPOKESMAN ATACANLI: ''GREECE HAS EITHER HID MANY THINGS FROM US OR EITHER INFORMED US WRONGLY. WE HAVE NOTED DOWN THE ATTITUDE OF GREECE''

Responding to questions in a weekly press briefing about the capture of Ocalan, Atacanl� stated that the events that took place in Kenya should be a lesson for everybody.

''It's seen that Ocalan was taken to Kenya by an arrangement of the Greek government and was hosted as a guest for a period of time. These are serious developments,'' said Atacanl�.

Noting that the statements issued by Greece about Turkey and the information she gave to Turkey don't match with the realities, Atacanl� stressed that the statement of Kenyan government which condemned the attitude of Greece concerning the incidents is a document which should be a lesson for others.

Noting that Turkey closely monitors the attitude of Greece about the recent developments, Atacanl� stressed that ''Greece has hidden many things or informed us wrongly. When the time comes, we will issue a broader statement about this attitude.''

Pointing out that the withdrawal of the Turkish Ambassador from Greece is out of question, Atacanl� recalled that Turkey is against terrorism wherever it comes from.

''We also expected a similar attitude from other countries in return to our attitude. Unfortunately several countries did not adopted our policy of honesty and clarity, and they did not take this issue seriously, they were tolerant towards terrorist circles. However, we had told them that terrorism can hit them one day.

These recent developments should be a lesson to certain states in Europe,'' Ecevit added.

Responding to a question, Atacanl� focused on the reason of sending the Dutch lawyers of the chief terrorist to their country, Atacanl� said ''we know the real identities of these people, they are not involved in law and launched activities as if they were the militants of a terrorist organization.''

Pointing out that Turkey is free state, but foreign lawyers can't work in Turkey due to the rules, Atacanl� stated that Turkey is a state of law, and justice is independent, adding ''no power even from the country can intervene with the justice.''

When asked about the wish of several institutions in Europe which wants to participate in hearings of chief terrorist as observers, Atacanl� said, ''in principle, the hearings are open, those who wish to listen to the hearings can come, however those who want to present themselves with different titles won't be accepted.''

[26] TAREQ AZIZ'S VISIT TO TURKEY - FOREIGN MINISTRY DEPUTY SPOKESMAN ATACANLI: ''TURKEY HAD PROVED IN THE PAST THAT SHE IS ALWAYS READY TO GIVE RESPONSE TO EVERY THREAT AGAINST HER''

Addressing the weekly press conference at the Foreign Ministry building, Atacanli said that the Iraqi Vice President Ramazan's statements targeting Turkey and the Incirlik Base did not suit with the truths and good- neighborhood relations.

Pointing out that the scope of the U.S. planes' mission is limited with monitoring, Atacanli said that they open fire to defend themselves only when they are illuminated by radars.

Atacanli said that they had discussed every issue including Iraq's support to the separatist terrorist organization during the meetings with Tareq Aziz, the Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister.

When asked whether or not the U.S. and Britain had requested information from Turkey about Tareq Aziz's visit, Atacanli said that Turkey has close relations with both the U.S. and Britain and that they gave the necessary information to those two countries.

Meanwhile, Tareq Aziz left Turkey for Iraq from the Habur Border Gate via motorway.

Aziz, who arrived in Turkey to pay a two-day visit upon an invitation of Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit, arrived in Diyarbakir by a plane and later proceeded to Silopi county by helicopter.

Aziz entered Iraq from the Habur Border Gate near Silopi at about 14:00 local time.

Aziz and the accompanying delegation will go to Baghdad after crossing the region controlled by Massoud Barzani, the leader of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP).

[27] TRANSFER OF THE PRISONERS IN IMRALI PRISON STARTS

The officials told A.A correspondent that a part of the prisoners aged between 24-71 were brought to Mudanya by ship upon the order of the Ministry of Justice.

Prisoners were transferred to prisons by vehicles and broad security measures were taken in Mudanya due to the transfer of prisoners.

Meanwhile, the military ships which came to Mudanya on Tuesday evening were drawn back offshore Imrali island on Wednesday morning and a coast security boat is waiting offshore Mudanya.

A.A

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