Anadolu Agency: News in English, 99-05-20

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AA Daily

20 May 1999 Thursday

CONTENTS

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

[02] TOWARDS EXPOTECNIA 99 - SPANISH PLASTICS AND RUBBER PRODUCERS TO PARTICIPATE IN EXPOTECNIA FAIR

[03] DENKTAS, TRNC PRESIDENT, RECEIVES SODORBERG, U.S. ASSISTANT PERMANENT DELEGATE IN U.N.

[04] TRNC PRESIDENT DENTAS RECEIVES CIRAKMAN, CHAIRMAN OF COUNCIL OF STATE, UYGUN, CHAIRMAN OF SUPREME COURT AND SAVAS, CHIEF PROSECUTOR OF REPUBLICAN SUPREME COURT

[05] TURKISH PROUDUCTS TO BE EXHIBITED IN SIXTH TURKISH PRODUCTS FAIR IN SOFIA IN JUNE

[06] WEATHER IN TURKEY - SNOW FALLS TO MOUNTAINS IN EASTERN ERZURUM AND CENTRAL KAYSERI PROVINCES

[07] YOUTH WEEK - PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT: ''TURKISH REPUBLIC IS THE COUNTRY WHICH ISLAM COULD BE PERCEIVED IN THE MOST FREE WAY''

[08] A STATEMENT ISSUED FOLLOWING ''TURKISH LANGUAGE EDUCATION IN THE WORLD'' SEMINAR OF TOMER - STATEMENT REQUESTS TURKISH EDUCATION CENTERS BE OPENED

[09] FIFTH INTERNATIONAL BLACK SEA UNIVERSITIES FOLKLORE FESTIVAL STARTS

[10] MINISTERS COUNCIL APPROVES FINAL REVISION OF INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT PROJECT OF UNDP

[11] WORLD FAMOUS DRUMMER DOM FAMULARO TO COME TO TURKEY

[12] EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE STARTED IN ANATOLIA

[13] 10TH ANNIVERSARY OF RESISTANCE AGAINST ASSIMILATION CAMPAIGN IN BULGARIA

[14] MINISTER OF CULTURE, TALAY TO GO TO BISKEK

[15] TURKEY IS THE COUNTRY WHICH OPENS DOORS FOR HIGHEST NUMBER OF REFUGEES

[16] PRIME MINISTRY SENDS CIRCULAR TO MINIMIZE PROBLEMS THAT MIGHT ARISE FROM ''YEAR 2000 PROBLEM''

[17] TURKISH AIRLINES STARTS DIRECT FLIGHTS BETWEEN ISTANBUL AND BEIJING

[18] TRIAL OF CHIEF TERRORIST - OCALAN TO BE DEFENDED BY 12 LAWYERS

[19] TRANSTURK HOLDING'S CINEPLEX ODEON SIGNS COOPERATION AGREEMENT WITH LEOWS CINEPLEX ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY

[20] ALLEGATIONS ABOUT U.S. CTIZENSHIP OF AKGONENC, ANKARA DEPUTY OF FP - AKGONENC: - ''I HAVE NEVER LEFT TURKISH CTIZENSHIP''

[21] NATURAL GAS TRADE AGREEMENT BETWEEN TURKEY AND TURKMENISTAN TO BE SIGNED TOMORROW

[22] ''TURKISH-TRNC SECOND COMPARATIVE LAW SYMPOSIUM'' - DENKTAS, PRESIDENT OF TRNC: ''THE GREEK-CYPRIOT SIDE CONLUDED ITS JUDICIAL CONCORDANCE WITH GREECE'' - ''WE HAVE TO RAPIDLY PROVIDE CONCORDANCE BETWEEN OUR JUDICIAL SYSTEMS. THIS IS OF VITAL IMPORTANCE''

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

INVESTIGATION IN YSK
The Supreme Board of Elections (YSK) launched an investigation about Oya Akgonenc, another woman deputy from the Virtue Party (FP). Sabri Coskun, the Deputy Director of YSK, said that they will investigate the American citizenship of Akgonenc.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL) SPEAKER OF PARLIAMENT TO BE ELECTED TODAY
The new speaker of the parliament will be elected today. Either Sadi Somuncuoglu, candidate speaker of parliament from the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), or Yildirim Akbulut, the candidate speaker of parliament from the Motherland Party (ANAP), will become the new speaker of the parliament.

EXCITEMENT IN CHP
The tension in the Republican People's Party (CHP) increased two days before the general assembly meeting. Altan Oymen, a candidate leader of CHP, met with Deniz Baykal, the former leader of CHP, Fikri Saglar, Ercan Karakas, Hasan Fehmi Gunes, Murat Karayalcin and Mehmet Mogultay, the important names in the CHP.

SABAH (LIBERAL)

TURKISH, WHEN IT SUITS TO HER INTERESTS, THE U.S. CITIZEN WHEN IT DOES NOT
SUIT TO HER INTERESTS
It was revealed that Oya Akgonenc, Ankara Deputy of Virtue Party, (FP) hid her Turkish citizenship to be a lecturer, and her U.S. citizenship for deputyship. Oya Akgonenc Mughisiddin applied to Cukurova University in 1987 to be a lecturer. She applied as the U.S. citizen as better conditions are provided to foreign lecturers. The University informed Institution of Higher Education (YOK) in April 21, 1987. Akgonenc made her applications for deputyship candidate as Turkish citizen and entered to Parliament as FP deputy. Position of Akgonenc will be clarified after investigations of Interior Ministry, like Merve Kavakc�.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

RUSSIANS DUE TO TURKEY
A Russian delegation will come to Turkey to attend a meeting which will be held on June 8, 1999 in Istanbul. The meeting will be realized by the Turkish-Russian Business Council and the Turkish Foundation of the Members and the Directors of Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (TOSYOV).

OPERATION IN NORTHERN IRAQ
Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) said that the operations which were launched in the Turkish-Iranian border to prevent the inflow of PKK terrorists to Turkey, were widened and that they launched new operations in Northern Iraq. New military units were sent near the Metina camp of the PKK within the framework of the operations. Turkish security forces had some clashes with the terrorist organization PKK during the operation.

RADIKAL (LEFT)

''NO COMPROMISE ON 'ONE CANDIDATE'''
Preparations for Convention are underway in Republican People's Party (CHP). Baykal, former leader, who talked to Oymen, one of the candidates, said he may be a candidate because of obligation. Karayalcin hosted a luncheon to the candidates for nomination.

YEN� Y�ZYIL (LIBERAL)

ANAP CELEBRATES ITS 16TH BIRTHDAY
The Motherland Party (ANAP) is celebrating its 16th birthday. ANAP ruled Turkey for ten years after it was set up by Turgut Ozal, the first leader of ANAP, in 1983.

T�RK�YE (RIGHT)

PKK VIOLENCE IN NORTHERN IRAQ
Members of the terrorist organization killed four of the 12 children they abducted. The terrorists targetted children now after security forces, teachers and religious men. 12 Kurdish children were abducted by PKK in Northern Iraq. Four of these children, between the ages 15 and 17, were killed with torture.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

AGAR CASE FROM THE BEGINING
Council of State decided that political immunity of Mehmet Agar should be lifted in order to judge him again. Agar was elected as deputy in April 18 elections. Council of State, upon this decision, returned the file of Agar to Interior Ministry, to be sent to Justice Ministry.

[02] TOWARDS EXPOTECNIA 99 - SPANISH PLASTICS AND RUBBER PRODUCERS TO PARTICIPATE IN EXPOTECNIA FAIR

A Bogazici Iletisim Group, a Turkish company which undertook the promotion campaign of the fair in Turkey, statement said that the Spanish plastics and rubber companies use developed production technologies.

Meanwhile, the Foreign Economic Relations Council (DEIK) said that the Expotecnia 99 Fair is introduced not only in Turkey but also in many countries.

DEIK noted that it supports Expotecnia 99 and any other kinds of activities in Turkey and that they assist Spanish Foreign Trade Institute (ICEX) in the promotion campaign of this fair.

[03] DENKTAS, TRNC PRESIDENT, RECEIVES SODORBERG, U.S. ASSISTANT PERMANENT DELEGATE IN U.N.

Denktas expressed the views of the Turkish side about Cyprus during the meeting.

Kenneth Brill, U.S. Ambassador to Greek Cypriot side, also participated in the meeting.

Sodorberg earlier met with Ann Hercus, the Special Envoy of Kofi Annan, U.N. Secretary General, to Cyprus; and with Glafcos Clerides, the leader of the Greek Cypriot side.

[04] TRNC PRESIDENT DENTAS RECEIVES CIRAKMAN, CHAIRMAN OF COUNCIL OF STATE, UYGUN, CHAIRMAN OF SUPREME COURT AND SAVAS, CHIEF PROSECUTOR OF REPUBLICAN SUPREME COURT

President Rauf Denktas of TRNC pointed out during the meeting that TRNC was an inseparable part of Turkey, and added that they were protector of principles of Ataturk.

Noting that they reached republic by following the path of Ataturk's principles, Denktas said ''we have struggled for the superior interests of Turkey and for our own freedom. We are protecting our rights like a castle that can not be demolished.''

TRNC President also said they initiated studies to make a similarity between the laws of the two countries.

[05] TURKISH PROUDUCTS TO BE EXHIBITED IN SIXTH TURKISH PRODUCTS FAIR IN SOFIA IN JUNE

Turkish products ranging from ready-made cloth sector to industry, will be exhibited in the fair in which 52 Turkish companies will participate.

A press conference was held in Sofia on Wednesday to introduce the ''Turkish Products Fair.''

Senol Turkyilmaz, Turkish Trade Attache to Sofia, said in the press conference that Turkish investments in Bulgaria exceeded 115 million U.S. dollars and that such fairs will improve the commercial relations between the two countries.

Stressing that many poor quality products enter into Bulgaria from Turkey by the luggage trade and that this harms the image of the Turkish products, Turkyilmaz noted that Turkey is the sixth country in the textile sector and that Turkey made herself approved in this sector.

Noting that the free trade agreement between Turkey and Bulgaria was put into effect in the beginning of 1999, Turkyilmaz stated that a competition between Turkish products and other products started with this agreement.

Turkyilmaz added that many high quality Turkish products are sent to Bulgaria today and that the Turkish industrialists are not afraid of competition.

[06] WEATHER IN TURKEY - SNOW FALLS TO MOUNTAINS IN EASTERN ERZURUM AND CENTRAL KAYSERI PROVINCES

When the temperatures decreased beyond the normal seasonal temperatures, snow fell on Palandoken and Kargapazari Mountains in Erzurum; and Erciyes Skiing Resort of Kayseri and highest parts of the Kayseri-Malatya highway and Kayseri-Kahramanmaras highway.

The officials said that the snowfall paralyzed the traffic in the mentioned highways.

The officials from the Meteorology Regional Directorate said that they expect that the precipitation will continue in the following days.

Meanwhile, the storm in southern Adana province led to financial damages.

The officials said that some trees fell over, some houses were destroyed and electricity could be given to some districts of Adana due to the storm.

[07] YOUTH WEEK - PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT: ''TURKISH REPUBLIC IS THE COUNTRY WHICH ISLAM COULD BE PERCEIVED IN THE MOST FREE WAY''

Speaking during a meeting with youth representatives who came from various provinces due to the Youth Week, Ecevit said ''young people from all around Turkey came together to commemorate Ataturk, yet we remember him everyday of our life because the problems we face make us remember him. We regard his views and principles as an element shedding light on our way.''

Ecevit said the most important aspect of Ataturk's reforms was ''secularism respecting to the beliefs'', adding that ''several Islam countries think that Turkish nation was estranged to religion with secularism, on the contrary, everybody in Turkey determines the requirements of religion with their own free will within democratic regime of Turkey. That means the country, in which Islam is perceived in the most free way, is Turkish Republic.''

Prime Minister Ecevit also pointed out that the most civilized and democratic country among all Islam countries is Turkey and that this showed the importance of secularism respecting to the beliefs.

[08] A STATEMENT ISSUED FOLLOWING ''TURKISH LANGUAGE EDUCATION IN THE WORLD'' SEMINAR OF TOMER - STATEMENT REQUESTS TURKISH EDUCATION CENTERS BE OPENED

The statement said that Turkish language is the seventh most-spoken languages in the world but that it could not received the place it deserves; adding that there are many foreign people want to learn Turkish but that the introduction campaign of Turkish language is not in the desired level.

Many Turkish scientists and a total 16 linguists from Belgium, the Netherlands, Finland, Russia, Hungary, Singapore, Poland, Britain, the U.S., Greece, Romania, Bulgaria and Pakistan participated in the seminar.

The resolution statement of the seminar pointed out the position of Turkish language and listed the efforts to be carried out.

The statement said that the introduction of the Turkish language is not realized at the desired level and that Turkey should realize a systematic formation similar to that of the Goethe Institute, the British Council and Alliunce Francais, as soon as possible.

Stressing that Turkish language draws the attention of the European people of the countries where many Turkish people live and that those people want to learn Turkish as a ''foreign language'', the statement noted that the Turkish language, which is a giant language, contributes to the national identity union and that it is an important factor in the socialization process.

Noting that the Turkish language teaching, which is legalized in the Netherlands in 1986, is being taught under the title ''mothertongue education'', the statement stressed that the Netherlands desires that Turkish maintains to be a ''mothertongue'' and that Turkish is necessary in the Netherlands to have a healty adaptation between the Turkish society and the Dutch society.

The statement emphasized that the broadcasts of the Turkish television channels in the foreign countries is an important factor in the maintanance of Turkish as the mothertongue and in leading foreigners to learn Turkish language.

Emphasizing that the related Turkish authorities should launch initiatives to assist the teaching of Turkish language throughout the world, the statement pointed out that the Turkish language teaching centres should be increased by the help of the National Education Ministry.

The statement expressed that the Turkish language should be saved from the influence of the foreign languages; adding that the Turkish centres should benefit from not only the words but also from the public language, slang and regional accents when teaching Turkish.

The statement said that Turkish language teaching to foreigners should be a state policy and that the institutions which will teach Turkish abroad should be supported by the state.

The statement noted that special Turkish language education books should be prepared seperately for every nation and that a unity should be gained in grammer terms; adding that the Turkish language teaching should be supported by visual and auditory devices including videos, CD-ROMS, computers and internet, and that some books for this visual and auditory teaching should be prepared and published.

[09] FIFTH INTERNATIONAL BLACK SEA UNIVERSITIES FOLKLORE FESTIVAL STARTS

The folkloric dancing teams of nine universities from Turkey, Bulgaria, Kazakhstan, Moldova, Russia, Georgia and Ukraine participate in the festival.

The festival started by the march of the teams in Trabzon and sometimes the folkloric dance teams stopped to perform their dances.

The teams will hold demonstrations in the universities in the city until May 23, 1999.

The festival will end after a competition between the folkloric dancing teams is held on May 23, 1999.

[10] MINISTERS COUNCIL APPROVES FINAL REVISION OF INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT PROJECT OF UNDP

The project has been completed and it cost 82 thousand 742 U.S. dollars.

The Ministers Council also approved the Veterinary Agreement between the Turkish Republic and the Mongolian government to prevent diseases that might result from the consumption of bad quality meat. The agreement was signed on March 16, 1998 between Burhan Kara, the State Minister and G.Nyamdavaa, the Mongolian Infrastructure Minister.

The agreement which is consisted of 15 articles commits Turkey and Mongolia to follow international health and hygenic rules during the trade of live- stock and animal products.

The final revision of Establishment of Technoparks in Turkey Project and its supplement were also approved by the Ministers Council. After a budget revision, the final cost of the project has been reported as 96 thousand 213 U.S. dollars. Originally, the cost of the project was estimated about 122 thousand U.S. dollars.

The supplement requires that the unspent 25 thousand 787 U.S. dollars would be deposited to country cost account. If the government wants to use this money for a particular project, it should inform the UNDP in writing on the final day of the revision.

[11] WORLD FAMOUS DRUMMER DOM FAMULARO TO COME TO TURKEY

The workshop will take place at Ankara's Hard Rock Cafe on May 30. Famularo who was the student of Jim Chapin, Al Miller, Joe Morello, and Buddy Rich, will present various examples using different techniques on that day.

The musician who receives standing ovations all around the World, also entertains people with his style. Both artistic and technical aspects are equally important for Famularo.

The person who will be first will be given a Sabian cymbal set during the competition.

There will be another competition in Istanbul on May 31 at Kemanci Rock Bar. The final competition will take place on June 1 at the same bar in Istanbul.

[12] EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE STARTED IN ANATOLIA

Speaking to A.A correspondent, Uzel gave Mitridates, Anatolian King who lived in first century D.C., as an example to experimental medicine, who made himself immune by taking poisons which gradually increased in dose in order not to be poisoned.

Pointing out that the progress in medicine was accelerated with experimental studies, Uzel said, ''the medicine 'Tiryak' which King Midritades prepared, was used in medicine for nearly 2000 years as a remedy to every disease. Rivals of King Mitridates killed him with a sword not by poisoning.''

Uzel said the first physiology study was made by physician Galen in II. century B.C., who lived in 16th century, and noted that guide of the physicians was Galen for 15 centuries till Ambroise Pare started to cure the wounds with a simple dressing instead of boiling oil.

Pointing out that experimental medicine started in the West in 16th century in Renaissance period, Uzel said, ''in the west, it is known that experimental medicine studies started when works of Galen were translated into Latin. Galen is not read so much today because it was not translated to languages but Greek and Latin, and was told with a boring style.''

Uzel said Galen had many experiences in Bergama arena where he had worked as surgeon for three years. ''Galen, the physican from Bergama who took medicine under his influence for 15 years, gained strange experiences on gladiators who were wounded in the arena,'' Uzel said.

[13] 10TH ANNIVERSARY OF RESISTANCE AGAINST ASSIMILATION CAMPAIGN IN BULGARIA

A very big demonstration was arranged in Cebel county in Kircaali region within the framework of the activities.

In the demonstration which was staged by Rights and Freedoms Movement (HOH), and which was attended by more than 3,000 kinsmen, assimilation policy in communism period was condemned.

Ahmet Dogan, HOH leader; Tahsin Burcuoglu, Turkey's Ambassador to Sofia; Nikola Todorcevski, Macedonia's Ambassador to Sofia, as well as Turkish mayors of regional counties, representatives of Turkish minorities in Turkey, Macedonia, Greece, and Romania, and many kinsmen who were forced to go to concentration camps participated in the demonstration.

Addressing the demonstration, Ahmet Dogan said they will never forget the ethnic cleansing policy experienced in communism period and which was recorded as a black stain to the history of Bulgaria.

Noting that Turks could be integrated to the community as faithful Bulgarian citizens following the change of regime despite the bad experiences, Dogan said Bulgarian model on the issue of ethnic minority should be an example to all the countries, mainly Yugoslavia.

Dogan said economic investments were very important to abolish ethnic problems, adding that the regions where Turks intensely populated are in a worse condition economically. Dogan said, ''if no investment is made to the region, nobody can guarantee ethnic peace in this region and throughout the country.''

Dogan pointed out that new investments should be made to all Balkan countries not only in Bulgaria, and added that ''otherwise, Balkans will always remain as the back garden of Europe.''

Meanwhile, Bahri Omer, Mayor of Cebel, said the first organized resistance against assimilation policy of communist administration was started on May 19, 1989, and pointed out that political assimilation ended, but that they implement economic assimilation policy now by not making investments to the region.

[14] MINISTER OF CULTURE, TALAY TO GO TO BISKEK

Delegations from Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Turkey, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), Bashkortostan, Tatarstan, Khakassia and Tuva Autonomous Republic will participate in the meeting. Cultural Ministers of Chuvashia, Yakutia Republic and Gagauz Place will also join the meeting as guest countries.

During this year's meeting, the world famous Kyrgyz author Cengiz Aytmatov's 70th birth anniversary will be celebrated. The meeting aims to build bridges between Turkic Republics and societies through a common culture and art activities as well as promoting Turkic culture to the world with all its aspects and help to promote world peace. Some important decisions will also be taken about TURKSOY's activity programme.

Talay and Aybas will return home on May 27.

[15] TURKEY IS THE COUNTRY WHICH OPENS DOORS FOR HIGHEST NUMBER OF REFUGEES

The Alliance, in its latest official list on May 20, mentioned that Turkey took in 15,321 refugees. The statistics about the refugees in some other countries are as follows;

Germany - 12,231

Italy - 11,285

Hungary - 4,081

Norway - 4,081

Canada - 3,851

France - 3,289

Austria - 2,742

U.S. - 2,341
Netherlands - 2,014

Australia 1,250

Belgium - 1,223

Denmark - 1,182

Poland - 1,049

Britain - 1,019

Finland - 962

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During his visit to Macedonia, Javier Solana, the Secretary General of the NATO, said after he visited the refugee camps that the perfect organization was realized by the Turks.

NATO stresses that Turkey is experienced and cautious in immigration issue.

Meanwhile, the NATO sources said Turkey is ''very modest'' as she doesn't object to the wrong numbers or statistics released by the NATO spokesmen while some countries which opened their doors to much fewer number refugees changed the issue into a propaganda which targetted the public by broadcasting programmes giving more number of refugees than they accepted.

Pointing out that dimension, importance, and indispensibility of Turkey in military, strategical, and humanitarian fields within the the Kosovo crisis were once again proved in a period in which there are intense discussions and bargainings about the European Security and Defense Identity, the sources said, ''Turkey opened her bases for the Alliance aircrafts upon NATO's request.''

''NATO aircrafts will take off from these bases. However, a Turkish fighter can't fly over the Greek airspace when it wants to go to Italy despite the state of war and the NATO mission. The Greek air space is closed to the Turkish warplanes. It was the same in the Bosnia crisis. Can the Alliance spokesmen, who give information every day about the Kosovo air operation and stress the importance of the bases in Turkey, explain this inconceivable situation to the world press? The people, who want to prove that there is a contradiction in the NATO mentality, should ask this question to the NATO spokesmen.''

Foreign observers in Brussels say that the Kosovo crisis clearly proved Turkey's indispensibility within the structure of the European Security and Defense Identity.

[16] PRIME MINISTRY SENDS CIRCULAR TO MINIMIZE PROBLEMS THAT MIGHT ARISE FROM ''YEAR 2000 PROBLEM''

The Prime Ministry Personnel and Principles General Directorate which sent the circular reminded that the State Planning Organization (DPT) was appointed to coordinate efforts to minimize the possible problems.

According to the National Action Plan, the harmonization works will be completed until November 1, 1999. The Advisory Board's Technical Study Groups will continue their works until March 1, 2000.

The inspection of the listed measures will be done by ''Year 2000 Advisory Inspection Board'' of the DPT. All the institutions will themselves be responsible for any failures or financial losses that might result from a failure in the system and the institution's top level managers will follow up on the works that are carried out. The measures that are included in the National Action Plan will be followed totally.

Ministries and institutions that take part in the Study Group will submit a progression report directly to the DPT. Other institutions will submit their reports to the related ministries latest by the 20th day of each month.

The circular has been sent to the State Ministers, Deputy Prime Ministers, Ministries, Directorate of Higher Education Council, General Secretariat of National Security Council, Turkish Industrialists and Businessmen Association, Turkish Data Processing Foundation, Turkish Data Processing Industrialists Associations, Turkey Data Processing Association, Union of Turkish Chambers and Stock Exchanges, Banks Union, and Prime Ministry Central Organization.

In the computer systems, the last two digits have been changed by now while entering the years, and the first two digits (19..) remained unchanged. By the year 2000, four digits will have to be changed while entering dates. Any faults that might occur because of this shift is called the Year 2000 Problem.

This problem might result in calculation mistakes in telephone, fax, and credit card systems, health machines, air traffic control systems, and traffic lights. The works carried out by the Prime Ministry targets to prevent such complications.

[17] TURKISH AIRLINES STARTS DIRECT FLIGHTS BETWEEN ISTANBUL AND BEIJING

The THY plane which carried 127 passengers was met by Daryal Batibay, the Turkish Ambassador in Beijing.

A reception will be held on Thursday night to mark the start of THY's direct flights between Istanbul and Beijing. People from Beijing's political and business circles will be present at the reception.

THY's Istanbul-Beijing flights will be on Wednesday and Saturday, and Beijing-Istanbul flights will be on Thursday and Sunday. A round ticket costs 699 U.S. dollars. The Istanbul-Beijing flight takes 8 hours and 30 minutes where as Beijing-Istanbul flight takes 9 hours and 30 minutes.

The start of direct flights between Istanbul and Beijing is expected to boost business relations between Turkey and China. The THY authorities stated that they are planning to start Istanbul-Beijing-Shangai or Istanbul- Shangai direct flights soon.

[18] TRIAL OF CHIEF TERRORIST - OCALAN TO BE DEFENDED BY 12 LAWYERS

Suspect Ocalan will be defended by a total of 12 lawyers.

The names of the intervenor lawyers who will permanently attend the trial are as follows:

Cahit Torun and Sevket Can Ozbay (Ankara Bar), Zeki Haciibrahimoglu and Necdet Kucuktaskiran (Istanbul Bar), Mukremin Turkmen (Kayseri Bar), Mehdi Keskin (Kastamonu Bar) and Cengiz Erkoyuncu (Konya Bar).

The names of the intervenor lawyers who will attend the trial in rotation are as follows:

-May 31, 1999: Teoman Ergul (Manisa Bar), Adnan Ayturk (Afyon Bar), Ilhan Cakar (Canakkale Bar), Atilla Ardali (Tekirdag Bar), M. Celal Nacar (Hatay Bar).

-June 1, 1999: Sadullah Kaya (Erzurum Bar), Omer Yesilyurt, Murat Akinci (Istanbul Bar), Sami Narter, M. Emin Bagci (Ankara Bar).

-June 2, 1999: Fusun Dikmenli, Vehbi Kahveci, Sakir Erhan Goksu, Kazim Ayaydin, Kemal Oke (Istanbul Bar).

-June 3, 1999: Nizar Savas, Hulagu Balcilar (Adana Bar), Fuat Turgut (Izmir Bar), Unsal Aktar (Ankara Bar), Ruhi Bacanli (Yozgat Bar).

-June 4, 1999: Adnan Paksoy (Ankara Bar), Fethi Yildiz, Hanifi Altas (Istanbul Bar), Muhsin Kocaman (Corum Bar), Ibrahim Tamur (Kirsehir Bar).

-June 7, 1999: Veysel Askin (Bursa Bar), Ismail Arisoy (Adana Bar), Recep Oksuz (Ankara Bar), Ciles Kasar (Izmir Bar), Fehmi Aksakal (Erzurum Bar).

-June 8, 1999: Meric Turhan, Suleyman Aydin (Ankara Bar), Suleyman Kursat Beydag, Ali Kirmizigul, Kadir Kartal (Istanbul Bar).

-June 9, 1999: Ugur Onder (Istanbul Bar), Kursat Karacabey, Hasan Alper Avci, Aynur Oner, Savas Ozdag (Ankara Bar).

-June 10, 1999: Aydin Akpinar, Seyfettin Ercan, Selami Macit, Emin Akoguz, Ibrahim Ilkyaz (Ankara Bar).

-June 11, 1999: Yasar Aksit, Mahmut Kirdagli, Ugur Balantekin, Riza Buyukata (Ankara Bar), Ahmet Yavuz (Kastamonu Bar).

-June 14, 1999: Veysel Gulen, Salim Unce (Ankara Bar), Huseyin Ozbek, Halim Kenan Koksal, Sait Kocabulut (Istanbul Bar).

-June 15, 1999: Nurdan Dinc (Balikesir Bar), Adnan Sahan, Mustafa Kilic (Izmir Bar), Armagan Gayretli (Istanbul Bar), Niyazi Ergun Gokce (Malatya Bar).

Meanwhile, the accused terrorist chief will be defended by these lawyers:

Ercan Kanar, Hasip Kaplan, Irfan Dundar, M. Fehim Gunes, Mukrime Tepe, Aysel Tugluk, Dogan Erbas (Istanbul Bar), Niyazi Bulgan (Gaziantep Bar), Mahmut Sakar (Diyarbakir Bar), Hatice Korkut and Kemal Bilgic (Izmir Bar), and Ender Buyukculha (Ankara Bar).

[19] TRANSTURK HOLDING'S CINEPLEX ODEON SIGNS COOPERATION AGREEMENT WITH LEOWS CINEPLEX ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY

The agreement suggests opening of 15 cinema complexes in Turkey, Turkish Republics, and Romania in the next five years. Among LCE's partners there are Sony Pictures Entertainment and Universal Studios and it runs a total of 2900 cinema halls at 450 points under the names of Loews, Sony, and Cineplex Odeon. The LCE will have 50 percent of Cineplex Odeon's shares. LCE also holds shares of Magic Johnson Theatres and Loeks Star Theatres.

Mehmet Altioklar, the Administration Board member of Cineplex Odeon will run the partnership's activities in Turkey.

[20] ALLEGATIONS ABOUT U.S. CTIZENSHIP OF AKGONENC, ANKARA DEPUTY OF FP - AKGONENC: - ''I HAVE NEVER LEFT TURKISH CTIZENSHIP''

Addressing a press conference, Akgonenc described allegations about her U.S. ctizenship as superfluous, unfair and wrong.

Akgonenc told reporters, ''My husband Prof. Dr. Mohammed Mugisuddin having Pakistani origin, has become Turkish citizen after our marriage.''

Reminding that she benefited from all legal rights during her 18-year presence in the U.S., Akgonenc emphasized that she did nothing contrary to the ctizenship policy of the Turkish state.

Akgonenc said, ''During the prime ministry period of Turgut Ozal, several laws were adopted in order to prevent brain drain. Academicians from abroad were employed at the developing universities. These superior people have contributed to the contemporary education at the universities. Within the scope of this programme, I was employed at the Cukurova University. News reports concerning my salary were totaly distorted.''

When asked whether or not she got permission from the Interior Ministry to become the U.S. citizen, Akgonenc told reporters, ''I have complied with all required regulations.''

[21] NATURAL GAS TRADE AGREEMENT BETWEEN TURKEY AND TURKMENISTAN TO BE SIGNED TOMORROW

Ziya Aktas, the Energy and Natural Sources Minister, will sign the agreement on behalf of Turkey.

Within the scope of the agreement which envisages transportation of Turkmen natural gas into European markets via Turkey, Turkey will purchase

16 billion cubic metres of natural gas annually within a period of 30 years. Meanwhile, a total of 14 billion cubic metres of natural gas will be trasported into the western markets via Turkey through a 2000 km pipeline which is expected to be operational in 2002.

The pipeline was foreseen to cost between 2-2.5 billion U.S. dollars.

A pre-agreement on natural gas trade between Turkey and Turkmenistan was signed on March 12, 1999.

The ''Trans Caspian Natural Gas Pipeline Agreement'' which envisages transportation of the Turkmen natural gas to Turkey, was signed on February 19, 1999 by President Saparmurat Turkmenbasi of Turkmenistan, and Edward Smith, the Chairman of the PSG Consortium.

[22] ''TURKISH-TRNC SECOND COMPARATIVE LAW SYMPOSIUM'' - DENKTAS, PRESIDENT OF TRNC: ''THE GREEK-CYPRIOT SIDE CONLUDED ITS JUDICIAL CONCORDANCE WITH GREECE'' - ''WE HAVE TO RAPIDLY PROVIDE CONCORDANCE BETWEEN OUR JUDICIAL SYSTEMS. THIS IS OF VITAL IMPORTANCE''

Addressing the ''Turkish-TRNC Second Comparative Law Symposium'' at the Dogu Akdeniz University in the TRNC, Denktas said the Greek-Cypriot announced that it realized integration with Greece in every field, adding that the Greek-Cypriot side applied to the European Union (EU) for its membership in order to legalize that integration at international platform.

Pointing out that he thinks ''in case of Greek-Cypriot side's full membership to the EU, Turkey's rights over Cyprus will be lifted, the immigrants will return back to their homes, and it will be contrary to human rights if they won't return back'', Denktas said that the Greek- Cypriot side is trying to judicially provide what it failed to achieve with arms, sanctions, international pressures by integration game with Greece and the EU, and continue to play that game brazenly.

Noting that the only defense of the Turkish side against that game is to take same steps and realize same integration with Turkey, Denktas said that Turkey and the TRNC signed protocols to make them economically feasible, and some of those protocols were put into practice and other protocols will be in effect in near future.

''We have to rapidly provide concordance between our judicial systems. We have to provide such a concordance that the way will be opened for us if we say we realize integration with Turkey. This is of vital importance. I am repeating; Greek-Cypriots provided the judicial concordance with Greece. As Greece is a EU member, then the concordance also with the EU was provided. They are expending great efforts to provide concordance in other fields. We have to speed up our judicial concordance with Turkey. We have to approach this sensitively and we should take the necessary steps,'' he said.

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