Anadolu Agency: News in English, 99-04-22

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AA Daily

22 April 1999 Thursday

CONTENTS

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

[02] PRESIDENT DEMIREL IN THE U.S.: - ''NATO HAS TO ACCOMPLISH ITS MISSION IN KOSOVO''

[03] AID COLLECTED FOR KOSOVO IN A CONCERT IN ANKARA

[04] THE 16TH INTERNATIONAL ANKARA MUSIC FESTIVAL TO BEGIN ON APRIL 28 WITH CONCERT OF FRENCH NATIONAL ORCHESTRA

[05] PROFILE OF EXPORTS FROM GAP REGION - IN FIRST THREE MONTHS, 10.9 MILLION U.S. DOLLARS OF AGRICULTURAL AND ANIMAL PRODUCTS EXPORTED TO THE TURKISH REPUBLICS IN CENTRAL ASIA

[06] POLEX'99 INTERNATIONAL POLICE SECURITY SYSTEMS AND TECHNOLOGIES FAIR

[07] ANKARA TO HOST EUROPEAN AIR FORCES COMMANDERS MEETING

[08] TADF SEEKING TURKISH FIRMS TO SPONSOR ''TURKISH WEEK'' IN NEW YORK IN MAY

[09] TURKISH TECHNOLOGY DRAWS ATTENTION AT INDUSTRY FAIR IN HANNOVER

[10] EUROPEAN COUNCIL HOPES TO CONTINUE COOPERATION WITH NEW TURKISH GOVERNMENT

[11] TURKEY'S ENERGY BALANCE

[12] IMF-WORLD BANK MEETINGS - TURKISH DELEGATION HEADED BY ULUGBAY LEAVES FOR WASHINTON D.C. TOMORROW

[13] ATACANLI, FM DEPUTY SPOKESMAN: ''WE APPRECIATE THE RESOLVED ATTITUDE OF SPANISH GOVERNMENT ABOUT THE DECISION OF BASQUE PARLIAMENT ABOUT SO- CALLED KURDISH PARLIAMENT'S MEETING''

[14] PRESIDENT DEMIREL TO HOLD BILATERAL TALKS WITH BLAIR, CHIRAC, SCHRODER, AND AZNAR

[15] PRESIDENT DEMIREL RESPONDS TO QUESTIONS OF FOREIGN JOURNALISTS: ''ELECTIONS IN TURKEY WERE HELD IN LINE WITH THE WILL OF PEOPLE''

[16] ROMANIA EXTRADITES OVER 30 PKK MEMBERS IN LAST FOUR MONTHS

[17] TANASKOVIC, YUGOSLAVIA'S AMBASSADOR TO ANKARA: ''TURKEY, BEING A COUNTRY UNDERSTANDING THE REGION AND OUR COUNTRY WELL, CAN EXPLAIN THE SITUATION TO OTHER NATO COUNTRIES IN A BETTER WAY''

[18] NECIRVAN BARZANI, KDP POLITBURO MEMBER, IN ANKARA

[19] TURKEY IN BRIEF - APRIL 22, 1999

[20] TRIAL OF TERRORIST CHIEF - FAMILIES OF MARTYRS AUTHORIZE MANISA BAR

[21] APRIL 23 NATIONAL SOVERIGNTY AND CHILDREN'S DAY - PRESIDENT DEMIREL: ''MAKE PRINCIPLES AND REVOLUTIONS OF ATATURK YOUR GUIDE WHEN YOU BEGIN WORK''

[22] MINISTER OF CULTURE, TALAY AND CHAIRMAN OF RELIGIOUS AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT YILMAZ TO GO TO NEW YORK TO BRING BACK SMUGGLED HISTORICAL PIECES

[23] PRINCIPLES OF OSCE AND TSK - FROM THE GENERAL STAFF DOCUMENT: ''TSK IS THE MOST POWERFUL DEFENDER OF PRINCIPLES OF DEMOCRACY AS WELL AS INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL SECURITY OF THE COUNTRY''

[24] DEMIREL: ''NATO PLAYED SIGNIFICANT ROLE IN PRESERVATION OF PEACE, AND LIMITING COMMUNISM THREAT ''

[25] BAKU-CEYHAN PIPELINE - ENERGY MINISTRY SAYS TALKS RELATED WITH BAKU- CEYHAN PIPELINE PROJECT WILL CONTINUE IN MAY

[26] FOREIGN DEBT PAYMENTS - 2.5 BILLION U.S. DOLLARS PAID IN FOREIGN DEBT SINCE JANUARY 1, 1998

[27] FOREIGN EXCHANGE RESERVES OF CENTRAL BANK DECREASE TO 20.4 BILLION U.S. DOLLARS

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

FIRST RESIGNATION IN CHP
Onur Kumbarac�bas�, the deputy leader of the Republican Peoples' Party (CHP) who said that CHP was defeated in the general elections held on Sunday, resigned from his post yesterday. Meanwhile, Hikmet Cetin, the Parliament Speaker and a deputy from CHP reacted harshly to Deniz Baykal, the leader of CHP who didn't resign after getting the result of the elections.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

ECEVIT: BAHCELI ACTS MODERATELY
Bulent Ecevit, the leader of the Democratic Left Party (DSP) told the paper that ''Mr. Devlet Bahceli, the leader of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) launches efforts in order to bring his party to a moderate approach. We'll understand whether he was successful in that or not in the coming days. However it is seen that they don't pursue the old tough understanding of party politics.''

SABAH (LIBERAL)

WESTERN LEADERS ARE DIFFERENT
While our political leaders whose parties were defeated in the general and local elections held on Sunday, don't want to resign saying that resignation will mean ''escape,'' many leaders of Western political parties resigned when their parties were not successful in elections.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

MHP'S CONDITION:OCALAN'S DEATH SENTENCE
The Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) put forward death sentence for Abdullah Ocalan, the chief terrorist and other PKK terrorists as a condition to join a possible government.

RADIKAL (LEFT)

ECEVIT: ''CHILDREN ARE THE GUARANTOR OF THE PEACE''
Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit received children from 24 countries who have come to Turkey in order to join the April 23 International Children Festival. Stating that they consider children and the youth as the guarantor of the peace, Ecevit emphasized that Ataturk, the Founder of the modern Republic of Turkey, had attributed great importance to the children and the youth.

YEN� Y�ZYIL (LIBERAL)

HASAN MEZARCI SENTENCED TO TEN-MONTH IMPRISONMENT
Hasan Mezarci, a former deputy, was sentenced to ten-month imprisonment in a lawsuit in which he was tried without arrest due to a speech he delivered in Trabzon province. The Court sentenced Hasan Mezarci to one-year imprisonment with charges of ''insulting the moral personality of the Courthouse'' which is mentioned in the Turkish Penal Code's Article 159/1.

T�RK�YE (RIGHT)

TURKISH DELEGATION TO DEPART FOR WASHINGTON D.C ON FRIDAY
A Turkish delegation headed by Hikmet Ulugbay, the Deputy Prime Minister and the State Minister, will depart for Washington D.C. on Friday. The delegation will participate in the spring term meetings of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) which will be held between April 26 and 28, 1999.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

18 PEOPLE TAKEN INTO CUSTODY IN CONNECTION WITH
STEALING OF BALLOT BOX IN KARAHASANLI TOWNSHIP
Security forces detained 18 people including Fuat Yilmaz, the candidate of the True Path Party (DYP) for mayorship, in connection with the stealing of a ballot box in Karahasanli in Kozakli county of central Nevsehir province. The ballot box No:1,061 including the votes of 320 people for parliamentary and municipal elections, and the written report at the Cumhuriyet Primary School in Karsi district in Karahasanli was stolen by a group of nearly 100 people on 18 April while the votes were being counted.

[02] PRESIDENT DEMIREL IN THE U.S.: - ''NATO HAS TO ACCOMPLISH ITS MISSION IN KOSOVO''

Addressing the ceremony, President Demirel described Yugoslav President Slobadan Milosevic's regime as one of the illegal states threatening democratic values, and said, ''Milosevic obstructs joint dreams for an unified, democratic, prosperous, and peaceful Europe. The NATO, therefore, has to accomplish its mission in Kosovo.''

Stressing that Kosovar people should be allowed to return their homes fearlessly, President Demirel noted that otherwise it would be a wrong message not only for Milosevic, but for those who extend support to him and for those who waits for the failure of the NATO. He added, ''we will never forget that they consider NATO as an obstacle for their ambitions that depend on ethnic nationalism. We are determined not to disappoint millions of people wishing for their freedom.''

Referring to the relations between Turkey and the U.S., President Demirel underlined that the two countries share many joint values. He noted that the cooperation on the field of education helps relations to be further improved. Demirel pointed out, ''I am sure that as two allies and close friends sharing same values and ideals, Turkey and the U.S. will maintain cooperation and partnership in every field.'' President Suleyman Demirel also expressed satisfaction over the cooperation between the Pittsburgh University and the Erzurum Ataturk University, saying that Turkey supports all scientific studies in the U.S. concerning the history and culture of Ottoman Empire and Republic of Turkey.

Emphasizing that new risks and menaces such as terrorism, ethnic nationalism, hostility towards foreigners, organized crimes, drug and weapon smuggling, and pollution, damage democracy, President Demirel also said, ''no country is safe from these threats. The only way to struggle against such menaces is international cooperation.''

[03] AID COLLECTED FOR KOSOVO IN A CONCERT IN ANKARA

Anjelika Akbar, who was born in Tashkent, Uzbekistan and who came to Turkey in 1991 and who was accepted to Turkish citizenship, gave a concert in the Cultural Art House of Ankara University.

Starting her concert with her special composition for Kosovo, Akbar called on the whole world to end the nightmare in Kosovo and make people live in peace.

''A chest for aid to Kosovo'' was put in the entrance of the hall where Compositor-Pianist Akbar also played her own compositions.

[04] THE 16TH INTERNATIONAL ANKARA MUSIC FESTIVAL TO BEGIN ON APRIL 28 WITH CONCERT OF FRENCH NATIONAL ORCHESTRA

Addressing a press conference, Mehmet Basman, the Chairman of the Sevda- Cenap And Music Foundation, expressed great satisfaction over organizing such a festival in Ankara where the first orchestra and opera of Republic of Turkey were founded. Basman reminded that they had hosted more than 8 thousand musicians from 44 countries at the past 15 festivals.

The festival will start with the ''Fantastic Concert'' of the ''Orchestre National de France - French National Orchestra''. Famous pianist Fazil Say will also appear on the stage with the orchestra. The French National Orchestra will be conducted by Dennis Davies and will perform the ''Les Preludes'' of Liszt, the ''Piano Concerto'' of Saint Saens, and the ''Fantastic Symphony'' of Berlioz.

The French National Orchestra will accompany Frank Braley on April 29. Compositions of Mendelssohn, Beethoven, and Stravinsky will be performed at the concert.

Arto Noras and Fugen Serbest from Finland will greet Turkish audience with compositions of Beethoven, Kokonen, Debussy and Brahms on May 1. Noras will give another concert on May 2 and will be accompanied by the National Reasurans Chamber Orchestra which will be conducted by Rengim Gokmen.

The Kamapeta Company from Belarus will also give a concert within the framework of the festival.

The ''Aterbaletto'', one of the most famous dance companies of Europe, will greet Turkish people on May 4 and 5 while the Israeli Ballet Company will present a performance on May 13 and 14.

Enrico Macias, Sibel and Anatol Jagoda, Francisco and Manuel Cuenca, Stecle Perkins and the ''King's Consort'', Robert King, C. Steele Perkins, A. East, K. Spreckelsenare, Uto Ughi and Alessandro Speechi, the Aurio Fact, the Arthru Grumiaux and the ''Orchestre Philarmonique de Liege'' are among the musicians and music companies that will take part in the festival.

A concert will also be given in memory of Zehra Yildiz who was one of the most successful sopranos of Turkey.

[05] PROFILE OF EXPORTS FROM GAP REGION - IN FIRST THREE MONTHS, 10.9 MILLION U.S. DOLLARS OF AGRICULTURAL AND ANIMAL PRODUCTS EXPORTED TO THE TURKISH REPUBLICS IN CENTRAL ASIA

In the same period last year, the region exported 15 million 826 thousand U.S. dollars of agricultural and animal products.

Officials at the Directorate of Southeastern Anatolia Exporters' Union told the A.A correspondent that in the first three months of the year, they exported 3 million 468 thousand U.S. dollars in grain-cereals; 12 thousand U.S. dollars in dried fruits and 7 million 492 thousand U.S. dollars in textiles.

The Turkish goods in greatest demand were carpets, flour, cake, biscuit, chocolate, candy, plastic sack, and margarine.

[06] POLEX'99 INTERNATIONAL POLICE SECURITY SYSTEMS AND TECHNOLOGIES FAIR

The fair will be held by Directorate General of Security Police Chest for Care and Assistance (POLSAN) and POLSAN officials organized a promotion meeeting yesterday in order to give information about the fair. Many high ranking officials and representatives of firms from 20 countries will attend the fair, which will be repeated once in two years.

Firms will display their electronical and data-processing devices, vehicles, weapons, and munitions, armoured vehicles, and helicopters. Firms will also organize live demonstrations in the fair.

Necati Bilican, who was present at the promotion meeting, said that they launch great efforts to organize the fair, adding ''we'll make the Turkish police benefit from the recent technologies by holding the fair once in every two years.''

[07] ANKARA TO HOST EUROPEAN AIR FORCES COMMANDERS MEETING

General Ilhan Kilic will host the European Air Forces Commanders Meeting (EURAC) which is organized twice every year since 1994.

Twelve NATO countries including Greece, Italy, Spain, Britain, and France are among the participant countries. Five European countries who are not NATO members will also be present at the meeting.

The EURAC started holding the meetings to exchange information and experience in all fields, bring the air forces of different countries together, raise the skill level, and discuss the cooperation opportunities.

The meetings are unofficial and do not aim to produce decisions which will require the commitment of participating countries. It also helps to form good relations between the countries including those who are not NATO members and bring them closer.

[08] TADF SEEKING TURKISH FIRMS TO SPONSOR ''TURKISH WEEK'' IN NEW YORK IN MAY

Ferhat Kutlucan, the TADF Representative said, through this annual activity, they aim to form a Turkish lobby in New York which is the center of the United Nations as well as the economy world.

This year's activities are especially important because it takes place during a time when the U.S. media are following Turkey very closely because of the capture of the terrorist chief Abdullah Ocalan and also because of the support offered to the Kosovars by the Turkish soldiers in Kosovo, Kutlucan pointed out.

The TADF representative stated that the government support is needed to carry out these activities and said the TADF is going through difficult time since forming of a new government will take t�me and the government currently uses a temporary budget.

Therefore, Kutlucan said they are looking for sponsors and stressed that the sponsoring companies will draw the U.S. media's attention and be advertised.

[09] TURKISH TECHNOLOGY DRAWS ATTENTION AT INDUSTRY FAIR IN HANNOVER

''We have developed a system which informs its user about a possible motor failure before hand and thus, prevents financial loss that would result from it,'' said Prof. Ahmet Duyar who developed the machine with his technical team.

Duyar said his team used the latest technology in this product and got positive results from the experiments they performed in space and aviation fields.

He said that the product could be installed in all industrial machines, and automobile engines, and added that it could even be used to detect certain diseases in human body in a near future.

Duyar worked in the same sector in the United States before and started working on this project in 1984. He intensified his studies after 1997. Duyar said they are very pleased about the attention they received at the fair.

[10] EUROPEAN COUNCIL HOPES TO CONTINUE COOPERATION WITH NEW TURKISH GOVERNMENT

Daniel Tarchys, the Secretary General of the European Council told the A.A. that they hoped to continue close cooperation with Turkey's new government like it happened in the previous administrations within the framework of Turkey's commitments to the European Council and the Human Rights Agreement.

The European Council established in 1949, has been working to prevent human rights violations and to raise the democracy standards in its member countries through the European Human Rights Court, the Prevention of Torture Committee, and the Prevention of Racism Committee.

[11] TURKEY'S ENERGY BALANCE

Turkey's energy need equivalent to 28.8 million tonnes of oil was met by the internal production, and energy need equivalent to 47.5 million tonnes of oil was met by importation.

According to the Central Bank's annual data for 1998, a total of 33.5 million TEP oil, 12.5 million TEP lignite, 9.1 million TEP coal, 3.5 million TEP hydroelectric, 10.1 million TEP natural gas, 5.5 million TEP firewood, 1.5 million TEP waste, were consumed while a total of 3.6 million TEP oil, 12.5 million TEP lignite, 1.2 million TEP coal, 3.5 million TEP hydroelectric, 0.6 million TEP natural gas, 5.5 million TEP firewood, and 1.5 million TEP waste were produced.

Meanwhile, a total of 30.3 million TEP oil, 7.6 million TEP coal, 0.2 million TEP electricity, and 9.4 million TEP natural gas were imported.

Turkey's energy balance for the last two years is as follows:

1997 1998
MILLION TEP
--------- ---------
CONSUMPTION 73.2 76.3
Commercial 66.2 69.3

Oil 30.5 33.5

Lignite 12.3 12.5

Coal 10.3 9.1

Hydroelectric 3.4 3.5

Net Elect.import. 0.2 0.2

Natural Gas 9.2 10.1

Recycled 0.3 0.4

Not Commercial 7.0 7.0

Firewood 5.5 5.5

Waste 1.5 1.5

SUPPLY 73.2 76.3
Internal Production 27.7 28.8

Oil 3.6 3.6

Lignite 11.9 12.5

Coal 1.3 1.2

Hydroelectric 3.4 3.5

Firewood 5.5 5.5

Waste 1.5 1.5

Natural gas 0.2 0.6

Recycled 0.3 0.4

Import 47.5 47.5

Oil 29.4 30.3

Coal 8.9 7.6

Electricity 0.2 0.2

Natural gas 9.0 9.4

Export 1.6 0

Oil 1.6 0

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[12] IMF-WORLD BANK MEETINGS - TURKISH DELEGATION HEADED BY ULUGBAY LEAVES FOR WASHINTON D.C. TOMORROW

The spring term meetings between the World Bank and the IMF will be held between 27-28 April, 1999 and the preliminary meeting will be held on April 26.

IMF member states will exchange views about the recent situation in the world economy, the additional measures that should be taken regarding the global economic crisis, besides the role that is played by the World Bank to this end will also be taken up at the meetings.

The issue of improvement of international standarts to foresee coming crisis and perceive it well, will be discussed in the meetings, moreover the policies of IMF will be taken up.

Hikmet Ulugbay and other members of the Turkish delegation, who will also meet with representatives of the both institutions, will leave Washington D.C. on April 30.

Meanwhile, a new period starts for Turkish-IMF relations after the general and local elections held in Turkey last Sunday. The Turkish delegation will have the opportunity to exchange views with IMF considering the continuation of the relations and confirm Turkey's wish to apply a programme supported by IMF.

Recalling that IMF is foreseen to visit Turkey in May to consult with Turkish officials, officials said that this visit will probably take place in the second part of May or the beginning of June.

On the other hand, the parliament is expected to start working in the middle of June due to coalition negotiations and formation of the government. Therefore, the adoptation of the laws which are necessary for the monetary support of IMF can only be realized in the second half of the year and if the parliament goes on a holiday in summer, the adoptation of the laws can be further delayed.

[13] ATACANLI, FM DEPUTY SPOKESMAN: ''WE APPRECIATE THE RESOLVED ATTITUDE OF SPANISH GOVERNMENT ABOUT THE DECISION OF BASQUE PARLIAMENT ABOUT SO- CALLED KURDISH PARLIAMENT'S MEETING''

Responding to a question, Atacanl� said that ''we appreciate the resolved attitude of the Spanish government about the decision of Basque parliament. We hope this resolved attitude shown by Jose Maria, the Spanish Prime Minister and other Spanish high ranking officials will continue and it won't permit occurance of developments which will harm our relations.''

Recalling that the so-called Kurdish parliament which is a sub-organ of the terrorist PKK organization wants to hold a meeting in Vitoria, the capital of the Basque autonomous region in July, Atacanl� said that the Basque parliament took a decision on February 9, 1999 in favour of permitting the meeting in spite of the contrary views of the Turkish and Spanish governments.

Jose Aznar, the Spanish Prime Minister and other members of the government had earlier said that the issue was directly connected with the foreign policy of Spain and the autonomous Basque region couldn't take such a decision by itself, adding that they would take all kinds of measures to prevent the meeting.

Atacanl� recalled that the Spanish government applied to the Constitutional Court under Article 161 of the Spanish Constitution requesting the cancellation of the decision of the Executive Board of the Basque Parliament saying that the central government in Spain is authorized to decide about foreign affairs and foreign policy of Spain under Articles 97 and 149 of the Spanish Constitution.

The Spanish Constitutional Court said that the decision of the Basque parliament to allocate their building for the so-called '''Kurdish parliament'' in July violated the authority of the Spanish government in carrying out international relations of the state and suspended the decision on April 14, 1999. The Spanish Constitutional Court will give its final decision regarding the merits of the case within five months.

[14] PRESIDENT DEMIREL TO HOLD BILATERAL TALKS WITH BLAIR, CHIRAC, SCHRODER, AND AZNAR

President Demirel is expected to receive British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Norwegian Prime Minister Kjell Bondevik on Friday. He will also receive Spanish Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar on Saturday.

Demirel is scheduled to come together with his Latvian counterpart Guntis Ulmanis on Sunday.

During his contacts in Washington D.C., President Demirel is also expected to meet with French President Jacques Chirac, German Chancellor Gerhard Schroder, Azeri President Haydar Aliev and Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev.

Meanwhile, Ismail Cem, the Foreign Minister who accompanies Demirel during his visit to the U.S., will hold talks with Madeleine Albright, the U.S. Secretary of State, on Sunday.

Cem is also scheduled to come together with Joschka Fischer, the German Foreign Minister, Knut Vollebaek, the Norwegian Foreign Minister, and Boris Shihmuradov, the Turkmen Foreign Minister.

Hikmet Sami Turk, National Defense Minister, several high-level military and political officials also accompany President Demirel in Washington D.C.

[15] PRESIDENT DEMIREL RESPONDS TO QUESTIONS OF FOREIGN JOURNALISTS: ''ELECTIONS IN TURKEY WERE HELD IN LINE WITH THE WILL OF PEOPLE''

President Demirel said that the elections in Turkey were held in line with the will of Turkish people and the result can't be changed.

Noting that this election was the 14th one held in Turkey, which left one- party rule in 1950 and 21 parties which competed in the elections held on April 18 were first-class parties.

President Demirel recalled that his party came to power in 1965 by getting 53 percent of the votes.

''Firstly, we have to see the definite results of the elections, only after that you can ask me whom I will appoint to form the government,'' said President Demirel, adding that no party can defend racism, fundamentalism, and separatism in Turkey.

''Turkey is a county of law, the state will hold those responsible if they are involved in racist aproaches,'' said President Demirel.

When asked whether or not he will deal with politics after 2000, President Demirel said, ''I will be President till May 16, 2000, I don't have any definite target after that.''

Responding to questions about the NATO air operation against Kosovo, President Demirel said that NATO and its commanders believe that they will solve the problem in Kosovo by air operation, adding the refugees should return to their homes before winter, and their safety must be secured by international forces.

Stressing that NATO has to reach this target definitely, President Demirel said that it is the mission of NATO and the whole humankind to prevent the disaster in Kosovo.

President Demirel also received Tom Ridge, the governor of Pennsylvania before the journalists.

After wrapping up his contacts in Pittsburg, President Demirel will proceed to Philedelphia, and then to Washington D.C.

[16] ROMANIA EXTRADITES OVER 30 PKK MEMBERS IN LAST FOUR MONTHS

The authorities said they did not know why Romania started the extraditions and pointed out that those who were extradited held no jobs in Romania. ''However, several PKK members who have jobs continue their activities with ease,'' they added.

Romania comes on top of the countries where the PKK is active. ''We hope that Romania extradites all persons who have links with the terrorist organization. It should also extradite those who are employed or run their own business since their main aim is to work for the PKK. These individuals deceive innocent people who go to Romania to look for jobs and train them to become militants,'' they said.

One PKK member who was recently sent back to Turkey was wanted by istanbul and Edirne police. In Romania, he worked to provide financial support for the organization and train its sympathizers. He has been arrested by the court and sent to prison.

[17] TANASKOVIC, YUGOSLAVIA'S AMBASSADOR TO ANKARA: ''TURKEY, BEING A COUNTRY UNDERSTANDING THE REGION AND OUR COUNTRY WELL, CAN EXPLAIN THE SITUATION TO OTHER NATO COUNTRIES IN A BETTER WAY''

Addressing a news conference staged in Yugoslavian Embassy, Tanaskovic said they cannot be pleased over participation of Turkish planes to the operation even if with the defense assignment and pointed out that Turkey was a NATO member and made an evaluation for itself. He said Yugoslavia behaves in a different way to the NATO countries which participated in the attack ''we did not cut our diplomatic relations with Turkey although we cut it with the U.S., Britain, Germany, and France.''

Noting that Turkish-Yugoslavian relations were overshadowed due to the NATO operation, Tanaskovic stressed that they intended to preserve bilateral relations for the next generation. The Ambassador also said he could explain his views in Turkey easily and that he was grateful for this.

Tanaskovic critized NATO's hitting of the office of Slobodan Milosevic, Yugoslavian Head of State, this morning and noted that this has a symbolic meaning. He defended that NATO gave the message that they want to eradicate Serbia and Milosevic.

Tanaskovic asked the reporters what would Turkish People's reaction be if they hit Presidential Palace or Anitkabir, Mausoleum.

When recalled the possibility of a land operation of NATO to Yugoslavia, Tanaskovic said he did not want to think of such a possibility and pointed out that ''because than Yugoslavia will become a lake of blood for everybody, but firstly for the Albanians. I hope NATO will not come to this stage.''

During the news conference images related with daily life of Serbian people affected by air operation of NATO and civilians who were killed during NATO operation were shown.

[18] NECIRVAN BARZANI, KDP POLITBURO MEMBER, IN ANKARA

Interdelegational talks started following tete-a-tete meeting between Barzani and Ugur Ziyal, Deputy Undersecretary of Foreign Ministry. Cooperation between Turkey and KDP carried out against terrorist PKK organization in Northern Iraq and economic situation of the region were taken up.

Barzani is expected to stay in Ankara for two days.

Meanwhile, a high ranking KDP official told A.A correspondent that the meeting did not have an extraordinary quality but that latest developments would be discussed during the talks.

[19] TURKEY IN BRIEF - APRIL 22, 1999

The giant shopping place consisted of one hypermarket, 50 stores, fast-foor restaurants, an ice skating place and movie theaters is a significant step in Kazakistan's shift to free market economy.

The investment also is expected to fasten economic relations between Kazakistan and Turkey.

ISTANBUL - Bulent Senver, the Chairman of Turkish-American Businessmens' Association on Wednesday said that the voters gave a message to the political parties through their votes, and added ''It is not right or left what counts. It is the stability.''

Senver who spoke at the conference titled ''Business Opportunities and its Difficulties in Turkey'', pointed out that Turkey needs a strong coalition government formed by three parties.

''The foreign investors are not worried about the new government having leftist or rightest views; they ask themselves if the new government will be able to bring stability to Turkey,'' he said, and added, ''the foreign investors want to trust the democratic and secular Turkish Republic.''

ADANA - Tahsin Ertugruloglu, the Foreign and Defense Minister of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) came to Adana with a delegation accompanying him on Wednesday.

The reason for his visit was to examine the South Eastern Anatolia Project (GAP), he told Oguz Kagan Koksal, the Adana Governor and said that he will go to Sanliurfa on Thursday. His visit aims to promote the GAP and Turkey abroad, he added.

ISTANBUL - Five out of seven DHKP/C members who threw petrol bombs to a pastry shop in Istanbul's Bagcilar district, were sent to prison after they were arrested by the Istanbul State Security Court (DGM) on Wednesday. The other two were released after they were interrogated.

The five terrorists were arrested and sent to prison by the DGM for being members of an illegal organization.

IZNIK - Six persons who illegally excavated and tried to sell historical tombs belonging to the Roman period, were arrested in Iznik county of Bursa province on Thursday.

The Iznik genderme teams seized two tombs while the they were being sold to the antique dealers. Later, four more tombs were found, also belonging to Roman period.

The smugglers were arrested for carrying out an illegal excavation while the tombs were returned to Iznik museum.

ISKENDERUN - Two members of the terrorist organization were caught in Iskenderun county of Hatay province.

The terrorists were involved in petrol bomb attacks and distribution of illegal announcements in Iskenderun. The two men were active in rural areas before they came to Iskenderun to provide logistic support to the terrorist organization.

[20] TRIAL OF TERRORIST CHIEF - FAMILIES OF MARTYRS AUTHORIZE MANISA BAR

Ergul said Manisa Bar will be after this issue and stressed that lawyers of the Bar were ready for the trial process.

Ergul addressed the families of the ones who were killed, and said ''rely on Turkish justice and judgement. Independent judgement will give the best decision for this murderer. Do not be deceived by the ones who try to provocate.''

[21] APRIL 23 NATIONAL SOVERIGNTY AND CHILDREN'S DAY - PRESIDENT DEMIREL: ''MAKE PRINCIPLES AND REVOLUTIONS OF ATATURK YOUR GUIDE WHEN YOU BEGIN WORK''

Demirel issued a message due to April 23 National Soverignty and Children's day and said 79th anniversary of the foundation of the Parliament is being celebrated.

In the message, Demirel told children that ''in the coming period, you will grow up successfully and be in competition to carry Turkey to new horizons, that's what the nation expects from you. We have full confidence that you will fulfil all your responsibilities successfully.''

Demirel said, ''make principles and revolutions of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, founder of modern Turkish Republic, as your guide and protect Republic and its basic qualities.''

Speaking about the parliamentarian and local elections, Demirel said the nation overcame this important exam in maturity.

Demirel pointed out that studies to form government will be carried out within the democratic process and by implementing rules and principles of regime.

Demirel said celebration of the anniversary of the foundation of the Parliament as a Childrens' Day at the same time has a special meaning that is ''contemporary, secular, democratic Republic based on superiority of law was entrusted to the children and youth.''

Demirel said Turkey has the position of a stability island in its region with its high economy having competition power and its secular and democratic regime.

President Demirel recalled that ''this is the only Children's Day in the world'', adding that ''it is our primary duty to provide your growth under the best conditions and with contemporary information and capabilities.'' He said, ''children are the future of a nation. Taking this future under assurance depends on training our children under the best conditions.''

In the message Demirel also mentioned about the incidents experienced in Kosovo, saying ''Turkish nation is closely interested with the human tragedy in Kosovo and will continue to do so.''

[22] MINISTER OF CULTURE, TALAY AND CHAIRMAN OF RELIGIOUS AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT YILMAZ TO GO TO NEW YORK TO BRING BACK SMUGGLED HISTORICAL PIECES

The antique Elmali coins were excavated illegally in Elmali county of Antalya province and smuggled to the United States. William Kocah who currently possesses the coins agreed to return them to Turkey.

''Our determination to take back our smuggled historical pieces will continue,'' Talay said.

Talay and Yilmaz will return to Turkey on April 29.

[23] PRINCIPLES OF OSCE AND TSK - FROM THE GENERAL STAFF DOCUMENT: ''TSK IS THE MOST POWERFUL DEFENDER OF PRINCIPLES OF DEMOCRACY AS WELL AS INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL SECURITY OF THE COUNTRY''

A statement prepared by Office of the General Staff conveyed about the studies and applications of Turkish Armed Forces in the direction of OSCE's ''Behaviour Principles Guide About Military-Political Ways of Security.''

The statement said it could only be struggled against the illegal, destructive, and separatist activities within the framework of legal precautions; adding that abolishing of these legal precautions without taking into consideration the conditions of the country, can not be justified with the concepts like democracy, law, human rights, and that TSK is aware of this.

The statement said the guide was a political document that could contribute to international peace and security if it could be applied well, adding that Turkish Armed Forces concluded every kind of studies within its structure on issues mentioned in behaviour principles guide book.

The statement said, ''as the Turkish Armed Forces, we have no hesitation that cooperation against terrorism in international platform, democratic control over Armed Forces, principles to use armed forces in internal and external security, and obligations on main issues like human rights and war law principles would be fulfilled effectively.''

The statement added:

''Turkey feels extremely uneasy over the support and protection provided for the so-called leaders of the terrorist organization and the most bloody terrorists of the world with the so-called unsincere pretext that they were linked with political crimes or under the disguise of human rights.

-Under the Constitution and laws, Turkish Armed Forces is under the effective democratic and politic control of the Parliament and Council of Ministers. National Security Council and Supreme Military Council are constitutional organs which consist of military and civilian members.

-Determining of authority and assignment of the Armed Forces and clarifying the limits in detail is the most effective and healthy method for the democratic control.

-The functional relations of National Defense Ministry with the Office of the Chief of General Staff and the boundaries of authority are arranged by the law. The defense expenditures of Turkish Armed Forces and Defence Ministry are approved by the parliament. When the parliament approves the expenditures, it has the authority to reduce the defense budget and it has the necessary auditing system.

-Turkish Armed Forces is very sensitive to be impartial politically. Within this framework, Turkish Armed Forces has an example position and status. All legal and administrative measures were taken to provide political impartiality of Turkish Armed Forces. With these laws, Turkish Armed Forces is kept apart from active politics as none of the personnel of TSK is got involved in political activities apart from usage of constitutional rights which are using their votes and being informed.

-It must be known that it will never be permitted the existence of a unit inside or outside the Armed Forces, which can move outside the existing order and command channel, which is far away from control, and which cannot be controlled by constitutional and legal means.

-Turkish Armed Forces has been integrated with the civilian community; that is, Turkish people. There is nothing that TSK would hide from its people.

-The duty of Turkish Armed Forces is to protect and preserve Turkish state and Turkish Republic which has been settled with the Constitution. The peculiarities of Turkish Republic is determined as being respectful to human rights, and being a social, secular, and democratic state of law. It is impossible to change these peculiarities.

-Turkish Armed Forces acts under the effective control of the Prime Minister, the Council of Ministers, the President, and the Parliament as it fulfils its assignments which are determined within the boundaries of democratic legitimacy and which take place in laws. In this context, the military assignments are fulfilled within the framework of the national security policy determined by the Council of Ministers.

-Our laws do not foresee the exemption from military service due to reasons such as conscious refusal. This in a way stems from the compulsory security need of the country created by its strategic location and the existing conditions in which we live. As long as the conditions which create internal and external threats towards Turkey, it does not seem possible to include the concept of conscious refusal in our arrangements.

-Turkish Armed Forces attributes great importance to the principles of armed clash. The target is to teach these principles to each soldier which may confront the enemy in an armed clash and to make the soldiers abide by these principles. It is said in the conferences that the ones who contradict with the principles of operation and our commitments stemming from the international agreements, will be kept responsible individually in national and international platform if necessary.

-Our country which accepts the compulsory judgement authority of European Court of Human Rights, carries out the domestic security operations even in the regions which have emergency rule within the framework of respect to human rights, especially within the framework of articles included in our Constitution and European Human Rights Convention.

[24] DEMIREL: ''NATO PLAYED SIGNIFICANT ROLE IN PRESERVATION OF PEACE, AND LIMITING COMMUNISM THREAT ''

In a speech he made at the Eisenhower Exchange Scholarship meeting on Thursday, President Demirel said NATO created stability which was needed for the economic development in Transatlantic region as well as contributing to the formation of a secure environment which made it possible to defend common ideals and values during the Cold War.

Many changes occured in the World in the last 50 years, the President said, and pointed out that human rights and freedom is replacing cruelty and oppression while totaliterianism is overcome by democracy.

''The three members of the Warsaw Pact became the respectable members of their alliance and this is a clear indication of their common success. Turkey and the United States are proud to have played a significant role in this result. Turkey has been a faithfull ally by defending NATO's south wing,'' Demirel said.

''After the collapse of the Soviet Union, some circles claimed that this would weaken Turkey's geo-strategical importance in the region. However, the later developments proved this wrong,'' Demirel stressed.

Demirel reminded that Turkey is situated at the crossroads of a sensitive region formed by Balkans, Caucasia, and the Middle East. Turkey is working to solve conflicts in the surrounding regions through peaceful ways and its efforts show a parallelism with the US, he said.

The close cooperation between Turkey and the US during the Gulf War continues with the Northern Watch Operation in the no-fly zone in Northern Iraq.

President Demirel also reminded Turkey's leading role in the Balkans to stop the ethnic cleansing campaign carried out by the Serbs against Bosniaks.

''Today, Turkey once again is participating very actively in the efforts to stop this disgrace of humanity. Turkish planes are joining the NATO forces. Turkey also decided to give shelter to 50,000 Kosovar refugees,'' he continued.

Pointing out to Turkey's secular structure, and economic developments, Demirel said Turkey has the 16th biggest economy with its 80 billion U.S. dollars of trade volume.

He said, ''all these show that Turkey is not only an emerging market, but also the center of a communication, transportation, and energy network between Asia and Europe.''

[25] BAKU-CEYHAN PIPELINE - ENERGY MINISTRY SAYS TALKS RELATED WITH BAKU- CEYHAN PIPELINE PROJECT WILL CONTINUE IN MAY

A written statement issued by the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources said joint studies regarding Baku-Ceyhan Pipeline Project continued, adding that officials of Energy, Foreign, and Finance Ministries, and Treasury Undersecretariat, and a delegation representing Azerbaijani Study Group will participate in the meeting.

The statement said studies take place on draft texts submitted by Azerbaijani Study Group for the realization of Baku-Ceyhan project.

[26] FOREIGN DEBT PAYMENTS - 2.5 BILLION U.S. DOLLARS PAID IN FOREIGN DEBT SINCE JANUARY 1, 1998

The Central Bank data shows that the Treasury paid 1 billion 852.32 million U.S. dollars; the International Monetary Fund (IMF) repaid 223.21 million U.S. dollars; the Central Bank repaid 148.2 million U.S. dollars; the Ministry of National Defense and the Defense Industry paid 284.33 million U.S. dollars and the Defense Fund paid 6.39 million U.S. dollars in foreign debt between January 1 and April 21, 1999.

Meanwhile, a total of 546.1 million U.S. dollars of foreign debt was repaid between April 1 and 21.

The foreign debt payment was 432 million U.S. dollars in January; 765.8 million U.S. dollars in February and 770.5 million U.S. dollars in March 1999.

[27] FOREIGN EXCHANGE RESERVES OF CENTRAL BANK DECREASE TO 20.4 BILLION U.S. DOLLARS

The Central Bank data shows that the foreign exchange reserves, which dropped by 724 million U.S. dollars between 9-16 April, decreased to 20 billion 448 million U.S. dollars as of 16 April 1999.

The Central Bank's foreign exchange reserves were 21 billion 172 million U.S. dollars on 9 April.

Meanwhile, according to the 2 April 1999-based statistics, Turkey's total international gross reserves decreased 312 million U.S. dollars to 33 billion 372 million U.S. dollars between 26 March 2 April.

The international gross reserves of Turkey were 33 billion 684 million U.S. dollars on 26 March.

As of 2 April, Turkey's international reserves were composed of 1 billion 12 million U.S. dollars in gold reserves; 21 billion 193 million U.S. dollars in the Central Bank's foreign exchange reserves; and 11 billion 166 million U.S. dollars in the commercial banks' foreign exchange reserves.

A.A

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