Anadolu Agency: News in English, 99-05-01

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

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

AA Daily

01 May 1999 Saturday

CONTENTS

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

[02] DENKTAS, TRNC PRESIDENT: - ''TURKEY IS THE ONLY COUNTRY WHICH HAS DESERVED HER PLACE ON THE WORLD''

[03] TURKISH AND FOREIGN JOURNALISTS CAN APPLY TO DGM BETWEEN MAY 3 AND 11 TO WATCH TRIAL OF OCALAN

[04] EGE, FOREIGN TRADE UNDERSECRETARY: - ''DECREASE IN OUR EXPORTS TO RUSSIA LEADS TO DECREASE IN TURKISH OVERALL EXPORTS''

[05] YIGITGUDEN, ENERGY MINISTRY UNDERSECRETARY, GIVES INFORMATION ABOUT TURKEY'S ENERGY POLICIES

[06] U.S. TERRORISM REPORT FOR 1998 ISSUED: - ''TURKEY GAINED A BIG SUCCESS AGAINST PKK''

[07] TRIAL OF ASSAILANTS OF BOMB ATTACK AGAINST CANKIRI GOVERNOR - ANKARA DGM COMPLETES INDICTMENT CONCERNING THE ATTACK

[08] TURKISH AND FOREIGN JOURNALISTS WHO EARLIER APPLIED TO THE DIRECTORATE GENERAL OF PRESS AND INFORMATION DO NOT HAVE TO APPLY TO ANKARA DGM TO WATCH TRIAL OF OCALAN

[09] DENKTAS, TRNC PRESIDENT: ''WE SET UP OUR OWN STATE UNDER THE GUARANTORSHIP OF TURKEY, THE TRNC STATE EXISTS''

[10] TURKEY SENDS 4.5 MILLION U.S. DOLLARS OF ASSISTANCE TO ALBANIA AND MACEDONIA

[11] NATO'S AIR OPERATION AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA - TURKISH F-16 WAR PLANES ACCUMULATE A TOTAL OF 1,038 FLIGHT HOURS

[12] HUMANITARIAN AID FROM TURKISH PEOPLE LIVING IN BELGIUM, TO KOSOVAR REFUGEES

[13] PROFILE OF EXPORTS FROM GAP REGION - IN FIRST THREE MONTHS, 140.5 MILLION U.S. DOLLARS OF AGRICULTURAL, ANIMAL AND INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTS EXPORTED TO 82 COUNTRIES

[14] NUMBER OF KOSOVAR REFUGEES IN TURKEY INCREASES TO 13,550

[15] GREECE'S PURCHASE OF AIRPLANES - GREECE GIVES UP HER DREAM OF BEING SUPERIOR TO TURKEY IN AEGEAN

[16] TRNC PRESIDENT DENKTAS IN KIRKLARELI: ''CYPRUS ISSUE'S STANDING IN ITS FEET DEPENDS ON INTEREST AND ENTHUSIASM SHOWN BY TURKISH PEOPLE''

[17] RELIGIOUS BELIEF TOURISM - A SYMBOLIC MARCH ORGANIZED WITHIN FRAMEWORK OF ''SAINT PAULUS MARCH'' PROGRAMME

[18] TURKISH BUSINESSMEN IN THE U.S.

[19] PRESIDENT DEMIREL IN KIRKLARELI IMMIGRANTS GUEST HOUSE: ''YOU WILL BE IN YOUR HOME BEFORE WINTER COMES'' - TRNC PRESIDENT DENKTAS GIVES A CHEQUE WORTH OF 26 BILLION LIRAS FOR REFUGEES

[20] PRESIDENT DEMIREL IN KIRKLARELI IMMIGRANTS GUEST HOUSE : ''OUR CAMPS HERE, IN MACEDONIA AND IN ALBANIA WILL BE BETTER THAN THE CAMPS OF OTHER COUNTRIES''

[21] DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER ULUGBAY RETURNS TO TURKEY

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

HURRIYET (LIBERAL) IT IS HER RESPONSIBILITY
Ayd�n Menderes, the deputy leader of the Virtue Party (FP) said that ''head scarves are not our party issue. This is Merve Kavakc�'s, a FP deputy's own issue.'' Now all the eyes are on her before the oath ceremony that will take place at the parliament on Sunday. On the other hand, National Security Council (MGK) held a meeting for five hours yesterday saying that ''a parliamentarian can't take an oath while wearing head scarves.''

''WHAT IS THE VALUE OF OCALAN?''
The relatives of martyries who were killed by separatist terrorist organization PKK, gathered in front of the State Security Court in Ankara yesterday due to the case of Abdullah Ocalan, the chief terrorist. A father of a martyr shouted saying that ''you hung Menderes, the former leader of the Democratic Party (DP), what is the value of Abdullah Ocalan?'' Meanwhile the trial of Abdullah Ocalan will start on Imral� island on May 31.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

SABAH (LIBERAL)

EITHER WITH DSP, OR IN OPPOSITION
Devlet Bahceli, the leader of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) said that ''if Mr. Ecevit does not want to set up a government with us, we will stay in the opposition and grow much more.'' Referring to the trial of Abdullah Ocalan, the chief terrorist, Bahceli said that ''all the people will be hurt if a different approach is taken regarding the verdict.''

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

MAY 1 CELEBRATED
May 1, which is the day of unity, struggle and solidarity for workers, is celebrated all over Turkey in meetings which are held by trade unions. Celebrations weren't allowed to be held in southeastern provinces of Diyarbak�r and Gaziantep.

RADIKAL (LEFT)

PRESIDENT DEMIREL TO VISIT KOSOVAR REFUGEES
President Suleyman Demirel will visit the Gaziosmanpasa Refugee Camp in Kirklareli province later today where the Kosovar people who were forced to leave their homes as a result of ethnic cleansing campaign in Kosovo, have been provided shelters. President Rauf Denktas of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) will accompany President Demirel during the visit.

YEN� Y�ZYIL (LIBERAL)

OPERATION AGAINST ILLEGAL HEZBOLLAH ORGANIZATION
The number of illegal Hezbollah organization members who were taken into custody in Siverek county of southeastern Sanliurfa province, increased to 25. Acting on a tip-off security forces had launched an operation in Siverek on April 27 against the members of the illegal Hezbollah organization, and captured 25 five people so far. Security forces also seized one 9 mm pistol, two chargers, a great number of illegal documents and video tapes which belonged to the terrorists.

T�RK�YE (RIGHT)

EXPLOSION IN ESENLER
A gas canister exploded in a food factory at the ground floor of a six- storey building in Esenler district of Istanbul, injuring six people and causing financial damages in a number of houses and vehicles. Yildirim Golcu, Ahmet Kaplan, Sukriye Kaplan, Saban Kaplan, and two children who were injured in the explosion, were taken to the Haseki Hospital for medical treatment.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL CONVENES
The National Security Council (NSC) convened at the Presidential Palace in Cankaya under the leadership of President Suleyman Demirel. The latest developments both in Turkey and abroad were taken up at the meeting which lasted for five hours.

[02] DENKTAS, TRNC PRESIDENT: - ''TURKEY IS THE ONLY COUNTRY WHICH HAS DESERVED HER PLACE ON THE WORLD''

Visiting Zeki Sanal, the Governor of the northwestern Tekirdag province, Denktas said that Turkey can make her voice heard and can achieve what she wants.

Denktas said, ''Turkey respects laws and humanity. Turkey is ready to serve with her humanity and everything. When I say this, I naturally think of the tragedy in Kosovo and what the position of the Turkish Cypriots who faced the same tragedy would be if there were not Turkey. Today, hundred thousands of people are killed. But Europe can only watch this tragedy which Hitler did once upon a time. They only bomb the region from the sky and they pass time, as if they provoke the Serbs for killing the Moslems.''

Stressing that the people in Kosovo are in trouble in this drama, Denktas said, ''that's why, we (the Turkish Cypriots) are indebted for our brothers, our motherland and the Turkish governments. Not only we but the humanity are indebted. We want the humanity to understand this. We want the countries which undertake the task of being the representative of the European civilization, understand this. If Turkey were not present, the genocide on Cyprus would remain as the document of shame for the world history.''

Stating that the regional stability will continue as long as Turkey imposes her strength, Denktas said, ''the countries which are spoilt by Europe and which are used to be fed by the others' blood and flesh including Greece cannot be successful in their tricks. Turkey and the TRNC have given a message to the world from their highest authorities. This is (we recognize TRNC and do not touch TRNC. If you touch it, this means you touch us.)''

Denktas will participate in the conference named ''the position of Cyprus in the International Policy '' in Tekirdag.

[03] TURKISH AND FOREIGN JOURNALISTS CAN APPLY TO DGM BETWEEN MAY 3 AND 11 TO WATCH TRIAL OF OCALAN

Addressing a press conference, Volkan recalled that it was earlier decided that the Ankara DGM Republican Chief Prosecutor's Office will determine the ones who can watch the hearing on the Imrali Island.

Stressing that the court hall where the chief terrorist will be tried is being arranged in a way which is appropriate for the international standards, Volkan said, ''the aim is providing a suitable atmosphere for the lawyers and the watchers in the court hall.''

Volkan stated that the Turkish citizens who want to watch the trial will apply with their identity cards while the foreigners should apply with their passports during the mentioned days.

Stating that the applications will be evaluated by an office, Volkan noted that this office will inform the applicants about when they can watch the trial and that the mentioned office will give the necessary documents and further information.

Volkan stressed that foreigners who will come to Turkey to watch the trial should either apply to the Ankara DGM by themselves or apply to it via their embassies in Ankara.

[04] EGE, FOREIGN TRADE UNDERSECRETARY: - ''DECREASE IN OUR EXPORTS TO RUSSIA LEADS TO DECREASE IN TURKISH OVERALL EXPORTS''

Addressing a seminar titled ''Foreign Trade and Economy'', Ege noted that Turkey realized an increase in her exports to various markets in February 1999 and that the exports to Germany increased by 16 percent, the exports to the European Union (EU) countries increased by 18 percent, the exports to the U.S. increased by 8 percent and the exports to the Northern Africa increased by 57 percent.

Noting that the loss of Turkey in the Russian markets were overcome by entering to new markets, Ege stressed that Turkey realized 70 percent increase in her exports to the Northern African countries other than Libya as of 1998 and that this increase compensated the decrease in Russian market.

Stressing that Turkey could overcome the global crisis which started in the Far East and Russian economies, Ege stated that Turkey did this by exporting to stable markets.

Ege said that economic integration and cooperation were revealed within the framework of globalization and recalled that Europe integrated within the scope of the European Union, the Latin American countries within the MELCASU and the world economies within the scope of the World Trade Organization (WTO) which all aim at removing borders in economy.

Emphasizing that countries affected by each other by this integration and the crisis in the Far East and Russia affected the global economy within this context, Ege drew the attention to the fact that developments following the crisis led to the decrease of stock markets and a deflationist tendency in the world.

Drawing the attention to the fact that Turkish iron-steel industry was the most-affected industry from the Far East crisis, Ege pointed out that the exports of Turkey in this sector to the region gradually decreased and that the countries in the Far East became rivals.

When reminded the decrease of exports in the automative industry, Ege emphasized that the EU countries invest in this sector in Turkey and that the Turkish export capacity in this field gradually increases and that this sector is a rapidly developing sector.

[05] YIGITGUDEN, ENERGY MINISTRY UNDERSECRETARY, GIVES INFORMATION ABOUT TURKEY'S ENERGY POLICIES

Addressing a speech in the conference, Yigitguden noted that the energy demand in Turkey has increases by 9 to 10 percent while the Turkish population increases by 6 to 7 percent every year.

Noting that Turkey's energy demand which is 114 billion kilowatts per hour this year will increase by four times in the following years, Yigitguden stated that Turkey has to increase the present energy projects and has to start implementing them.

Pointing out that the water, geothermal and lignite coal energy resources of Turkey are limited, Yigitguden expressed the importance of the new projects for reaching the targets of 2010.

Giving information about the Caspian-Mediterranean Ceyhan Pipeline Project'', Yigitguden said that the Samsun-Ankara Pipeline Project will be put into effect and that the Russian natural gas will be transferred to Turkey beneath the Black Sea.

Stating the environmental problems arising from the increasing energy consumption of Turkey, Yigitguden gave information about the measures for the environmental protection which he learned from the Environment Ministry of Baveria State of Germany prior to the conference.

Emphasizing that the atom power plants play an important role in the energy policy of Baveria, Yigitguden said that the nuclear energy capacity of Turkey in 2020 is planned as 10,000 megawatts and that they carry out efforts about this issue.

[06] U.S. TERRORISM REPORT FOR 1998 ISSUED: - ''TURKEY GAINED A BIG SUCCESS AGAINST PKK''

The part concerning Turkey said that Turkey gained a big success against the terrorist organization PKK and that Turkey continued her struggle with the PKK terrorism in the southeastern part of Turkey and Northern Iraq, adding that the operations of Turkey decreased the capability of the terrorist organization in a large scale.

Recalling that the Turkish soldiers captured Semdin Sakik, the second man of the terrorist organization of PKK, in March 1998; the report noted that Turkish security forces realized very successful operations against the PKK in spring.

The report stressed Turkey led to Syria's deporting Abdullah Ocalan, the terrorist chief, as a result of her pressures in October 1998 and that Turkish officials made the biggest stroke on the PKK terrorism by capturing Abdullah Ocalan, the chief terrorist in Nairobi in February 1999 and by taking him to Turkey for trial.

Stressing that the terrorist attacks of PKK against the Turkish military and civilians continued in 1998, the report stated that the PKK continued its human smuggling activities in southeastern Turkey.

The report emphasized that the terrorist organization staged three suicide attacks in southeastern Turkey after the capture of Ocalan in Italy adding that three civilians died and many others were injured in these attacks.

The U.S. report listed the Turkish Workers and Peasant Liberation Army (TIKKO), the illegal Revolutionary People's Salvation Party-Front (DHKP-C) and illegal Turkish People's Salvation Party-Front (THKP-C) as the other extreme leftist organizations in Turkey.

Pointing out that the threat of Hezbollah and the illegal Islamist Big Eastern Raiders-Front (IBDA-C) which are the fundamentalist groups in Turkey decreased in 1998 by the effective security measures, the report said that Turkish security forces captured one of the leaders of IBDA-C on December 31, 1998.

Meanwhile, the part of the report on Greece said that the relations between Turkey and Greece worsened since the members of the Greek parliament had close relatins with the terrorist PKK.

The report recalled that Ocalan entered in Greece at least twice and stayed in the Greek Embassy in Kenya within the information of the high-ranking Greek officials before he was captured by the Turkish security forces.

The report also criticized Italy and Greece for their stances about Ocalan.

[07] TRIAL OF ASSAILANTS OF BOMB ATTACK AGAINST CANKIRI GOVERNOR - ANKARA DGM COMPLETES INDICTMENT CONCERNING THE ATTACK

Cetinkaya filed a lawsuit against four assailants on charges of violating the Constitution and its basic rules, demanding capital punishment and against seven others on charges of being the members of an illegal organization, demanding imprisonment terms changing from 15 to 22 years.

The indictment, which was 21 pages, covered the attacks of the assailants and the illegal Turkish Communist Party Marxist Leninist Organization Armed Front (TKP/ML) and illegal Turkish Workers and Peasant Liberation Army (TIKKO) and the armed attack against Cevik.

The indictment said that the four assailants of the attack were captured in operations held in northwestern Kirklareli province, Black Sea Tokat province, in Istanbul and the highway of Polatli and central Eskisehir province; adding that the other assailants were captured in northern Amasya province.

The indictment noted that the organization which was set up in 1972 divided into two, adding that one branch was named ''East Anatolian Regional Committee'' and the other was called ''Conference.''

Stressing that a part of the ''Conference'' group seperated and started to activate under the name TKP/ML, the indictment stated that the assailants who staged the bomb attack against Cevik were the members of Conference group and that they aided and abetted the organization.

Noting that the military unit of the organization in the rural and urban area is TIKKO and the legal broadcasting organ of it is ''Ozgur Gelecek Dergisi'' (Free Future Magazine), the indictment pointed out that the aim of the illegal organization is toppling the Constitutional system and setting up a communist regime based on the principles of Marx and Lenin.

A total of four people died and Cevik and his driver were injured in the bomb attack which was staged on March 5, 1999.

[08] TURKISH AND FOREIGN JOURNALISTS WHO EARLIER APPLIED TO THE DIRECTORATE GENERAL OF PRESS AND INFORMATION DO NOT HAVE TO APPLY TO ANKARA DGM TO WATCH TRIAL OF OCALAN

The Directorate General of Press and Information sent a statement to the Turkish and foreign television channels, newspapers and magazines saying that the Directorate will submit the names of the ones who earlier applied to watch the trial of Ocalan to the prosecutor's office.

The Directorate noted that the representatives of the press agencies who did not earlier apply should apply to the DGM until May 11, 1999.

[09] DENKTAS, TRNC PRESIDENT: ''WE SET UP OUR OWN STATE UNDER THE GUARANTORSHIP OF TURKEY, THE TRNC STATE EXISTS''

Addressing a speech in the conference titled ''the position of Cyprus in the International Platform'', Denktas gave a brief information about the history of Cyprus and noted that the world considers the Cyprus issue as patching Cyprus to the Greek Cypriot administration by taking some preventive measures for the rights of the Turkish Cypriots.

Denktas said, ''we set up our own state. They say that we divided Cyprus. No, we did not divide or invade Cyprus. We prevented the Greek and Greek Cypriot attack of invading Cyprus with the help of Turkey. Cyprus was divided this way. Thus, you are the one who divided Cyprus. The bad neighbour caused us have a home. Greek Cypriots were the bad neighbour and they made us have a state.''

Stating that the importance of Turkey increases day by day, Denktas said, ''Turkey continues to make her voice heard as a big state and makes her word accepted. Why? Because she is in favour of the right and peace. She carries out efforts to impose the rights and laws. Turkey will not leave us alone. Turkey considers Cyprus as a part of herself and she has the right to look after Cyprus.''

Requesting that the bureaucratic obstacles between Turkey and the TRNC should be removed, Denktas said, ''we should be fully in cooperation and security. We have not lost the Turkish flag on the Island for 400 years. And there is not any reason to lose it from now on. The Turkish flag on Cyprus will wave until eternity.''

Denktas then departed from Tekirdag.

[10] TURKEY SENDS 4.5 MILLION U.S. DOLLARS OF ASSISTANCE TO ALBANIA AND MACEDONIA

The Foreign Ministry statement said that Turkey set up camps having a capacity of 5,000 people and that a total of 20,000 refugees will be accepted to the camp which was set up in northwestern Kirklareli province.

The statement noted that a total of 1,500 refugees are staying in the camp which was set up by the Red Crescent in Albania and 4,000 refugees are staying in the camp which was set up in Macedonia, adding that Turkey sent humanitarian aid by 56 lorries and five planes to Macedonia and 35 lorries and two planes to Albania.

Noting that the number of the Kosovar refugees in Turkey exceeded 13,000, the statement stressed that some of these refugees stayed with their relatives in Turkey while nearly 5,000 refugees sheltered in the guest- house in Kirklareli.

The statement added that all the needs of the refugees were met in the camp and that the students started to have education in the classes set up in the camp.

[11] NATO'S AIR OPERATION AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA - TURKISH F-16 WAR PLANES ACCUMULATE A TOTAL OF 1,038 FLIGHT HOURS

The General Staff Information Center issued a statement saying that the Turkish F-16 war planes which are deployed at the Ghedi Airbase in Italy, went on 6 sorties and stayed in air for 30 hours on April 30.

Meanwhile a total of 12,560 Kosovar refugees who were forced to leave their homes as a result of ethnic cleansing campaign in Kosovo, have entered Turkey from Istanbul, the Tekirdag-Corlu border gate, and from the Edirne- Kapikule border gate since the beginning of NATO air operation.

A total of 5,438 Kosovars have been sheltered at Gaziosmanpasa Refugee Camp in Kirklareli.

Turkey has provided shelters for a total of 5,450 Kosovar refugees in camps in Macedonia and Albania. Both camps have capacity to host 20 thousand refugees.

Meanwhile, a convoy of six lorries carrying humanitarian aid worth of 391 thousand U.S. dollars, will leave for Albania later today.

[12] HUMANITARIAN AID FROM TURKISH PEOPLE LIVING IN BELGIUM, TO KOSOVAR REFUGEES

Nine lorries carrying cloths, food and medicine have been set out for refugee camps in Macedonia.

Addressing the ceremony which was held before the departure of the lorries, Guner Oztek, the Turkish Ambassador to Belgium, described solidarity as one of the best traditions of the Turkish nation.

Francois Duriaux, Mayor of Schaerbeek, Belgium, several Belgian officials and representatives of the Turkish associations in Belgium were also in attendance at the ceremony.

[13] PROFILE OF EXPORTS FROM GAP REGION - IN FIRST THREE MONTHS, 140.5 MILLION U.S. DOLLARS OF AGRICULTURAL, ANIMAL AND INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTS EXPORTED TO 82 COUNTRIES

In the same period last year, the region exported 141 million 115 thousand U.S. dollars of agricultural, animal and industrial products to 59 countries.

In the January-March 1999 period, Turkey entered into new markets such as Cameroon, Nigeria, Norway, Malta, South Africa, Sudan, India, Tunusia, Dominica, Honduras, Mexico, Uruguay, South Korea, Nepal, Bahrain, Bosnia- Herzegovina, Lithuania, Slovakia, Yugoslavia, Benin, Eritrea, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Gambia, and Ivory Coasts while she lost Palestine, Senegal, Afghanistan and Bangladesh's markets.

Officals at the Directorate of the Southeastern Anatolia Exporters' Union, told the A.A correspondent that in the first three months of the year, they exported 76 million 746 thousand U.S. dollars of textiles; 22 million 595 thousand U.S. dollars of grain-cereals; 10 million 972 thousand U.S. dollars of dried fruits; 7 million 294 thousand U.S. dollars of livestock and 22 million 976 thousand U.S. dollars of industrial products.

The majority of the goods were exported to Iraq, Syria, Italy, the U.S. and Saudi Arabia, and the Turkish goods in greatest demand were carpets, synthetic thread, cotton thread, dried apricot and knitting products.

Officials also added, ''We realized 42.01 million U.S. dollars to Europe in exports; 49.7 million U.S. dollars in exports to the Middle East; 10.9 million U.S. dollars in exports to the Turkish Republics; 1.4 million U.S. dollars in exports to the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS); 3.2 million U.S. dollars to Africa; 6.3 million U.S. dollars to the American continent; 1.7 million U.S. dollars to Asia and 25.1 million U.S. dollars in exports to other countries in the first three months of 1999.''

[14] NUMBER OF KOSOVAR REFUGEES IN TURKEY INCREASES TO 13,550

The Interior Ministry issued a statement saying that a total of 5,706 Kosovar refugees including 2,293 women, 2,131 men and 1,282 children have entered Turkey from the Tekirdag-Corlu Border Gate since the beginning of NATO air operation.

The statement noted that a total of 6,772 refugees including 2,406 women, 1, 774 men and 2,592 children have entered Turkey from the Edirne-Kapikule border gate and a total of 1,072 refugees including 399 women, 366 men and 307 children have entered Turkey from Istanbul.

Meanwhile a number of 5,439 Kosovars including 1,726 women, 1,545 men and 2, 168 children have been sheltered at the Gaziosmanpasa Refugee Camp in Kirklareli.

[15] GREECE'S PURCHASE OF AIRPLANES - GREECE GIVES UP HER DREAM OF BEING SUPERIOR TO TURKEY IN AEGEAN

An American military expert told A.A correspondent that ''if Greece bought F-15E type of planes, one of which was 70 million dollars, she had the opportunity to change the air superiority of Turkey in Aegean.''

''Turkey will remain superiour in Aegean by the 40 F-16s and 70 Mirage type planes Greece has today,'' said the same expert.

Turkey has 220 F-16s, which are produced in installations of Turkish Aviation Industry (TAI) near Ankara.

Turkey is expected to order the production of 32 more planes at the end of this year.

[16] TRNC PRESIDENT DENKTAS IN KIRKLARELI: ''CYPRUS ISSUE'S STANDING IN ITS FEET DEPENDS ON INTEREST AND ENTHUSIASM SHOWN BY TURKISH PEOPLE''

TRNC President Rauf Denktas visited the same day the Kosovar refugees in northwestern province of K�rklareli.

Speaking about the Cyprus issue, TRNC President Denktas said that ''I am pleased to see the interest and enthusiasm of Turkish people in the Cyprus national matter.''

Kosovar children welcomed Rauf Denktas at the immigrants guest house in K�rklareli.

Addressing a statement there, Denktas said that ''The United Nations (U.N) opposed to our proposal of accepting 10,000-20,000 Kosovar refugees by opening Maras to settlement. Maras has a special status. But if there are such Kosovar children who don't have anybody, we can also accept them. We can get these children for a temporary period of time or for holiday. They can see new things in TRNC. We'll do our best for Kosovar refugees.''

[17] RELIGIOUS BELIEF TOURISM - A SYMBOLIC MARCH ORGANIZED WITHIN FRAMEWORK OF ''SAINT PAULUS MARCH'' PROGRAMME

Guests who participated in the symbolic march, later left Antalya for Isparta province.

Another symbolic march will be organized in the Antiochecia Ruins in Yalvac county of Isparta province later today.

Meanwhile a religious ceremony will also be held in the Ruins tomorrow.

The ceremony will be held in a fent tent which was thought to be the first worship tent of the world where Saint Paulus had preached to believers.

Responding to questions of the A.A correspondent, Dr. Mehmet Taslialan, the Director of the Yalvac Museum, noted that Saint Paulus came to Yalvac nearly 1,500 years ago, and earned his living by weawing tents.

More than 150 people are expected to attend the tomorrow's religious ceremony.

[18] TURKISH BUSINESSMEN IN THE U.S.

Within the framework of the programme organized by Stuart Johns, the U.S. Consul General in Adana, the Turkish businessmen will hold contacts both in New York and in Washington D.C. between May 1 and 8.

The members of the businessmen delegation will be given a brifing on ''How to make trade with Iraq within the United Nations' (UN) system and without violating the resolutions?'' by Turkey's Permanent Representation staff in New York.

The delegation will proceed to Washington D.C. on May 4 in order to attend the American-Turkish Council meetings and to hold contacts with the aim of further increasing textile export to the U.S.

Erdal Kamisli, the Chairman of the Turkish-American Businessmen Association, Mehmet Balduk, the Chairman of the Kahramanmaras Trade Chamber and businessmen form the delegation.

[19] PRESIDENT DEMIREL IN KIRKLARELI IMMIGRANTS GUEST HOUSE: ''YOU WILL BE IN YOUR HOME BEFORE WINTER COMES'' - TRNC PRESIDENT DENKTAS GIVES A CHEQUE WORTH OF 26 BILLION LIRAS FOR REFUGEES

Addressing to Kosovar immigrants, President Demirel said that ''you will be in your home before winter comes.'' Noting that the Turkish people are very sad about the events that happened to Kosovar people, President Demirel said that ''we share your pain, because you are human beings, muslim and our brothers. All the world fights with the cruel people who forced you to leave your homes. Every day tonnes of bombs are hurled to those who caused you to leave your home.''

Recalling that he participated in the NATO Summit held in the U.S., President Suleyman Demirel said that ''humanity, the world and Turkey are with you. These days will pass, you will return to your home and you will be protected. NATO of which Turkey is a member, tries to help you and it won't leave this issue unsolved. Turkey's airplanes, ships, soldiers are all in Kosovo.''

The Kosovar immigrants clapped the words of President Demirel by shouting slogans saying ''Long Live Turkey and Demirel.''

''Here all kind of opportunities will be provided for your comfort. We love you and we wish you to be patient,'' he added.

Rauf Denktas, the TRNC President said in his part that ''we were just like you in the past, the things the Serbian Orthodoxs made to you had been done by Greek Cypriot Orthodoxs to us between 1963-64. We had been patient and we survived. Because President Demirel who promised to save you today promised to save us those days. You should count on Turkey like we did.''

Noting that Turkey is an important member of the NATO, Denktas said that Turkey comes among the countries which behave humanely.

''I will give our cheque worth of 26 billion liras collected in TRNC for you to Mr. governor,'' Denktas added.

Speaking on behalf of the immigrants, Fehmiye Gasi Butuc� said that ''we would like to thank the Turkish nation, we will write Turkey's name in golden letters in our history books and we hope we will return to our homes soon.''

President Demirel distributed 1500 radios to Kosovar refugees in the guest house and later he returned to Ankara.

[20] PRESIDENT DEMIREL IN KIRKLARELI IMMIGRANTS GUEST HOUSE : ''OUR CAMPS HERE, IN MACEDONIA AND IN ALBANIA WILL BE BETTER THAN THE CAMPS OF OTHER COUNTRIES''

President Demirel was informed by Kemal Onal, the Governor of K�rklareli province and Onal told him that 13,457 Kosovar people entered Turkey since the commencement of the NATO air strikes against Yugoslavia and 5439 of them have taken shelter in Gaziosmanpasa Camp in Turkey.

Noting that all kinds of refugees' demands are met in the camp, Onal said food for 331,000 people is provided by the Red Crescent till today. Onal pointed out that four refugees who came to the camp died and seven babies were born, Onal stated that 3690 more Kosovar refugees are expected to come to Turkey till May 21 starting from next week.

President Demirel said in his part that the conditions in the camp will please the whole world, President Demirel said that Turkey's eyes are on here.

''Turkey has assumed to look after and protect a total of 50,000 Kosovar refugees, we'll show the whole world that we do our mission better than everybody. Good articles were published in American newspapers about this camp. The good treatment and the love we offer and show to these people and our brothers here is very important in respect of showing the world that our nation is very helpful. This is a mission of humanity and honour,'' President Demirel said.

[21] DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER ULUGBAY RETURNS TO TURKEY

Addressing to journalists at the Ataturk Airport, Ulugbay reminded that the latest developments in world economy were taken up during the meetings in Washington D.C.

Stressing that Turkey immediately needs reforms from agriculture to banking sectors under the title of ''Financial Sector Reform'' in order to increase Turkey's benefits from the foreign sources, Hikmet Ulugbay underlined the fact that, ''as a result of such a reform, capitals, investments and joint initiatives from all over the world will begin to flow to Turkey.''

Ulugbay added, ''in our negotiations with the IMF officials, we have agreed to support Turkey's struggle programme against inflation within the framework of the Staff Monitoring Programme which came to effect last February. Meanwhile we also agreed to maintain IMF's support towards Turkey.''

A.A

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