Anadolu Agency: News in English, 99-05-29

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AA Daily

29 May 1999 Saturday

CONTENTS

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

[02] PKK'S BLOODY PICTURE IN LAST 15 YEARS

[03] ASSOCIATED PRESS' PHOTOGRAPH EXHIBITION TO OPEN IN ISTANBUL

[04] TRIAL OF TERRORIST CHIEF - A SUIT WAS FILED AGAINST OCALAN ON SEPTEMBER 4, 1997 WITH A CALL FOR CAPITAL PUNISHMENT ON GROUNDS THAT HE LAUNCHED TERRORIST ACTIVITIES ''TO FORM A SEPARATE STATE BY DIVIDING A PART OF STATE TERRITORIES FROM THE STATE ADMINISTRATION'' IN A SPEECH HE MADE ON MED TV

[05] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT: ''ECONOMY HAS ENTERED INTO A STAGNATION PERIOD. WE SHOULD ENLIVEN ECONOMY QUICKLY''

[06] 14TH TURKISH-GERMAN JOURNALISM SEMINAR CONTINUES

[07] TURKEY SUCCESSFULLY FINALIZES ''STRAITS DISCUSSION'' CARRIED OUT IN IMO BASIS

[08] AID FROM GENERAL STAFF TO KOSOVAR REFUGEES

[09] NUMBER OF KOSOVAR REFUGEES IN TURKEY INCREASES TO 16,701

[10] TOBB GENERAL ASSEMBLY - PRESIDENT DEMIREL ''POLITICS, POLITICIANS AND INSTITUTIONS OF POLICY ARE WORN OUT IN TURKEY''

[11] TURKISH UNIT IN ALBANIA - THE UNIT OPENS ITS GATES TO PRESS FOR THE FIRST TIME

[12] TOBB GENERAL ASSEMBLY

[13] ERSUMER, MINISTER OF ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES, TAKES OVER THE POST FROM AKTAS

[14] 546TH ANNIVERSARY OF ISTANBUL'S CONQUEST CELEBRATED

[15] MINISTERS OF STATE START THEIR POSTS - MINISTERS GIVE THE MESSAGE THAT COALITION GOVERNMENT WILL OVERCOME PROBLEMS OF TURKEY IN HARMONIZATION

[16] KORAY AYDIN, MINISTER OF PUBLIC WORKS AND SETTLEMENT, TAKES OVER THE POST FROM ILIKSOY

[17] ECEVIT SPEAKS AT 54TH REGULAR TOBB MEETING

[18] ERKAN MUMCU, MINISTER OF TOURISM, TAKES OVER THE POST FROM AHMET TAN

[19] MUSIAD CHAIRMAN BAYRAMOGLU: ''NEW GOVERNMENT HAS MORE SUPPORT THAN EXPECTED FROM BOTH PRESS AND PEOPLE AND IT COULD BE REGARDED AS A GOOD GOVERNMENT''

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

ECONOMY PROGRAMME OF 57TH GOVERNMENT
-A competitive market economy is essential.

-The public administration will be restructered. Personnel employment will be done with a central test.

-The union rights of public workers will be expanded.

-The current real currency policy will continue and it will try to protect people with low incomes.

-Economic and social measures will be taken to develop the East and the South East.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL) COMPROMISE AND PROGRESS
This is the basic principle of DSP-MHP-ANAP coalition government. The three leaders signed the coalition protocol of the 57th government, formed under the leadership of Bulent Ecevit. There will be a Deputy Prime Minister from every party. Required arrangements will be made for ANAP's deputy Prime Ministry. Devlet Bahceli, leader of MHP, will act as Prime Minister when Ecevit is abroad. There will be the signature of Bahceli in appointments. The three leaders will meet once a month. Number of Ministries will be the same, even if the number of deputies are changed.

SABAH (LIBERAL)

TURKEY IS PREFERENCE OF iNTERNATiONAL GiANT

Metro AG which is Europe's biggest retail institution, declared Turkey, Polond and Hungary the most promising markets of the 2000's. Metro AG opened its first shopping center in Gaziantep and is planning to open 15 more at different places in Turkey in the next 5 years. Metro AG's turnover in Turkey exceeds 700 million Dutch Marks.

MUDANYA: TREATED UNJUSTLY BUT STILL PROUD
Mudanya looks almost under siege with tight security measures, thousands of police and soldiers, and journalists coming from all around the world. Mudanya's people are a bit anxious but also happy to have become the center of attention of the world.

Mudanya is a city with a population of 50 thousand. The lives of people of Mudanya changed dramatically after the terrorist chief Abdullah Ocalan was brought to imrali island 25 kilometers away from Mudanya after he was caught in Kenya. These people made their living from tourism, fishing and agriculture and used to have very quiet lives.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

COMPULSORY EDUCATION WILL INCREASED TO 12 YEARS
New ministers of the new government promised ''change and structural reforms'' in their first statements. Metin Bostancioglu, Minister of National Education, said ''I hope to increase the compulsory education to 12 years in 57th government period. Meanwhile, applications related with eight years compulsory education will continue.

RADIKAL (LEFT)

YEN� Y�ZYIL (LIBERAL)

NO PASSAGE TO HEADSCARF
According to government protocol, existing application will be carried out as it is. According to the protocol, primary target of the government is to pass the budget from the Parliament in June. Although Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) wanted privatization to be frozen, the protocol said ''privatization will be made tranparently and in the way paying regard to public benefit.

T�RK�YE (RIGHT)

FORMER CABINET ATTENDS NSC MEETING
List of Council of Ministers of the new coalition government could not be ready to National Security Council (NSC) meeting. Former Ministers attended the meeting because of this. Comprehensive report related with internal and external developments, Kosovo crisis and fundamentalist broadcastings were taken up during the meeting.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

-Eight years compulsory education will continue. Any student who wants will be able to go to Koran courses after fifth class.

-Struggle against terrorism will continue. Special attention will be shown to relations with the U.S. and China in foreign policy.

-Budget will be issued primarily. Ideas of all parties will be taken in appointments. Age of retirement will be increased

-Privatization will be made speedily and transparently. Immunity of the deputies will be limited

-Understanding of nationalism, based on Ataturk's Turk culture, and rejecting every kind of discrimination, is basic.

-It will not be applied to Central Bank sources in no way or condition for public deficits.

[02] PKK'S BLOODY PICTURE IN LAST 15 YEARS

A total of 20 thousand 915 terrorist incidents occured between August 15, 1984 and May 26, 1999. The PKK was involved in eight thousand 346 attacks, three thousand 254 explosions and 394 usurpations. There have been six thousand 536 hot clashes between the terrorist organization and the security forces.

Four thousand 507 civilians, one thousand 324 village guards, three thousand 941 soldiers and 248 police died in these terrorist attacks of the PKK.

A total of 18 thousand 348 terrorists were killed during the operations carried out, while 54 thousand 238 terrorists were captured among which there is the terrorist chief Abdullah Ocalan and the PKK's second man Semdin Sakik. Two thousand 86 terrorists surrendered to the security forces.

In 15 years during the PKK's raids, five thousand 66 people were kidnapped and two thousand 707 of them managed to escape and return.

The security forces seized 22 thousand 995 weapons, 5 thousand 471 guns, 20 thousand 721 bombs and 2 million 661 thousand bullets. Many clothing items and other goods were also found which belonged to the PKK.

[03] ASSOCIATED PRESS' PHOTOGRAPH EXHIBITION TO OPEN IN ISTANBUL

The AP is continuing its world wide celebration activities on the 150th anniversary of its foundation.

The exhibition which was hosted by the Youth Museum in Washington D.C. last year will be viewed in istanbul Dolmabahce Cultural Center between June 4- 13, 1999. The exhibition also visited many of the world's capitals like London, New Delhi, Tokyo, and Rome.

The AP was founded in 1848 by six New York newspapers to cope with the difficulties of gathering news from all around the world and meet its high financial cost. The AP with its ''fair and objective'' understanding had an important influence on the U.S. journalism. Today, the AP is giving service to 1700 newspapers and 6000 radio and television channels in the U.S. it is also transmitting news, photography, graphics and audio images to 15 thousand press and publication institution in 112 countries.

Since 1922, the AP which collects news from all continents won 18 awards in news category and 45 awards in photography.

[04] TRIAL OF TERRORIST CHIEF - A SUIT WAS FILED AGAINST OCALAN ON SEPTEMBER 4, 1997 WITH A CALL FOR CAPITAL PUNISHMENT ON GROUNDS THAT HE LAUNCHED TERRORIST ACTIVITIES ''TO FORM A SEPARATE STATE BY DIVIDING A PART OF STATE TERRITORIES FROM THE STATE ADMINISTRATION'' IN A SPEECH HE MADE ON MED TV

Prosecutor Keles called for capital punishment against terrorist chief Ocalan on grounds that he launched terrorist activities to form another state by separating some part of the state territories from the state administration. The prosecutor also demanded imprisonment terms up to eight years against Mehmet Sirac Bilgin, Fikret Baskaya, Guven Ozata, Zubeyir Aydar, Mahmut Kilinc, Yalcin Kucuk and Mahmut Uysall, who attended ''Panel'' program in Med Tv together with Ocalan, on grounds that they aided and abetted the terrorist organization and that they made separatism propoganda.

An arrest decision was taken in absence of terrorist chief Ocalan on August 29 upon the demand of Prosecutor Keles before the case was opened.

Fikret Baskaya and Guven Ozata, the two defendants, were acquitted in the case before the capture of Ocalan in Kenya.

Important developments were recorded after Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit disclosed that terrorist Ocalan was in Turkey as of February 16, 1999.

In a hearing on February 24, 1999, a week after Ocalan's capture, file of Ocalan was separated from the other defendants Mehmet Sirac Bilgin, Zubeyir Adyar, Mahmet Kilinc, Yalcin Kucuk and Mesut Uysal.

Meanwhile, Ankara DGM sentenced Prof. Dr. Yalcin Kucuk to seven years six months imprisonment terms on grounds that he defined terrorist activities of PKK terrorists as ''sacred struggle'' and thus facilitated terrorist activities. Case against other four defendants are underway.

Ankara DGM Republican Chief Prosecutorship had undertaken the investigation that will be carried out against Ocalan.

Talat Salk, Nuh Mete Yuksel and Hamza Keles, Ankara DGM Prosecutors had gone to Imrali Island to interrogate Ocalan. The prosecutors had taken 36- page testimony of Ocalan on February 22, 1999. Ocalan, in his testimony said, he was the founder of terrorist PKK organization and that he started an armed clash on Turkish territories and that he assumed responsibility of the murders PKK committed. Ocalan also disclosed the names of several politicians who had sent him messages on ceasfire and the names of businessmen who aided terrorist organization.

Ocalan also spoke about his departure from Syria and people he talked with in Europe.

Ocalan was arrested on February 23, 1999.

Ahmet Zeki Okcuoglu, Niyazi Bulgan and Mukrime Tepe participated in the hearing on March 24, 1999 as the lawyers of Ocalan in which he was tried in absence.

Families of people who were killed in clashes with the terrorist organization were present in the hearing as intervenors. Ocalan was decided to be judged in Imrali Island as his bringing to the hearing would be inconvenient due to security of life.

Cevdet Volkan, Ankara DGM Republican Chief Prosecutor, Talat Salk, the prosecutor went to the Island when Ocalan on March 22, 1999 had given a petition to Ankara DGM saying that he will additionally disclose several information and his views on several issues.

In his six page testimony which was given additionally, Ocalan said ''I will improve efforts to adjust PKK to democratic system, I will put an end to armed clashes and bring the men on mountains to the legal line if facilities are given to me. There are nearly 10,000 PKK supporters in prisons. They will be able to provide domestic peace and stop bloodshed which continue for years.'' Ocalan requested an amnesty law to be issued for the PKK terrorists.

Ankara DGM Republican Chief Prosecutorship concluded the investigation, which had been initiated following Ocalan's capture, on April 28, 1999 and filed a suit against Ocalan with a call for capital punishment under Article 125 of Turkish Penal Code.

Ankara State Security Court (DGM) no: 2 on April 29, 1999 combined two files suited against terrorist chief. The files were a speech of Abdullah Ocalan, terrorist chief, made in Med TV, broadcasting organ of the terrorist organization, and another file in which he was judged with a call for capital punishment on grounds that he committed crime against the sovereignty of the state and he committed treachery related with the murders committed by terrorist PKK around Adana-Erzurum and its surroundings.

Trial of Ocalan continued in Ankara DGM on April 30, 1999 in his absence. Many native and foreign journalists covered the hearing. The court determined the starting date of the hearing in Imrali Island as May 31 at 10:00 local time and also decided that foreigners will not be allowed to be taken to the hearings with observer status in order not to cast shadow over Turkish judgement.

Native and foreign journalists, spectators, and intervenors had applied to application bureau between may 3 and 11, 1999 which was established by chief prosecutorship.

The Chief Prosecutorship announced the names of the ones who will participate in the hearings in Imrali Island according to the dates.

Cevdet Volkan, the Chief Prosecutor, staged a news conference and briefed about the round trips to the island and security measures.

[05] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT: ''ECONOMY HAS ENTERED INTO A STAGNATION PERIOD. WE SHOULD ENLIVEN ECONOMY QUICKLY''

Speaking to journalists Ecevit said he will hold a study regarding agenda of Council of Ministers which will convene today after participating in general assembly of Turkish Chamber of Agriculture and Turkish Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges (TOBB).

When asked about the agenda of Council of Ministers, Ecevit said ''there are Constitutional changes that should be passed from the Parliament quickly. Our study for the constitutional change, required to change structure of DGM, has priority. Also budget should be issued soon. We have passed first half of the year with a transitory budget. Banks law should also be issued soon. Repentance law has priority. We will get the views of our friends related with these.''

Ecevit pointed out that another urgent aspect of the agenda was the economy, adding that ''our economy has entered into a bottleneck and stagnation due to political uncertainity, world crisis and debt payments, which are nearly 30 billion U.S. dollars. We should enliven our economy quickly. We will start talks on these issues.''

When recalled the criticisms that women members have not taken assignments in the 57th Government, Ecevit said they gave priority to the names who worked in former minority government period, as they were experienced. Ecevit said ''yet we will work in close cooperation and solidarity with our women friends.''

[06] 14TH TURKISH-GERMAN JOURNALISM SEMINAR CONTINUES

Manfred Protze, the German Press Council Administration Board Member stated that the freedom of press doesn't have a long history in Germany. Although the freedom of press goes back to the attempts of Bismark in 1878, the press did not become free in the real sense in Germany until 1945 when the Nazi period was over, he said. Protze pointed out that the press and those who hold power always disputed all around the world and added that the state-press relations were regulated after the German press became organized in 1965. The German Press Council listed the ''principles of press'' in 1973, Protze said and continued:

''If the press would rule the government, then who would control the press? Those who were in power feared the power of press. The answer was self- inspection. The German Press Council also watches morals and traditions besides being trustable. These are rules that don't exist in the law. They are to protect people's honour. We, of course, also have punishments. This is a more effective system than applying to the court for both those who complain and the accused.''

Oktay Eksi, the Chairman of the Press Council spoke about the differences between the Turkish and German Press Council. The German Press Council handles the complaints directly and intrudes news stories that violate the principles of press. The Turkish Press Council, on the other hand, works to raise the standards of the freedom of communication and press to international level. The Turkish Press Council focuses on jailed or killed journatlists or banned publiscations.

''The Turkish press is 169 years old. I have seen one fourth of this period, and also read its past. The Turkish press was never free during this 169 year period. There were times that it thought it was free. Following the military intervention on May 27, 1960 the obstacles were removed and news stories were written which recognized no rules. They didn't know what freedom was or how freedom should be used. Unfortunately, the Turkish press entered new limitations before it had the chance to learn these,'' Eksi explained.

[07] TURKEY SUCCESSFULLY FINALIZES ''STRAITS DISCUSSION'' CARRIED OUT IN IMO BASIS

The issue, which was discussed by IMO's 71st Maritime Security Committee, has become a ''war of reports'' in the past two years with the efforts to change traffic regulations related with the Turkish straits.

Turkey each time succeeded in putting on the shelf the reports including the objections of countries like Russia, Greece, Bulgaria, Greek Cypriot side and Romania against the delays in passages in Turkish Straits, and lately pointed out that it will reject every kind of text that will be written in last meeting of Maritime Security Committee meeting without participation of Turkey.

A study group, formed by the committee, started working on a report that will be prepared by contribution of Turkey.

The same study group prepared a report noting positive and negative sides of the system carried out in the Straits in the last meeting of Martime Security Committee, which started on May 19, 1999.

The report in question was sent to Maritime Security Commitee General Assembly and efforts of the countries which call for a change in traffic regime in the straits failed as a result of talks and voting related with the issue.

IMO Maritime Security Committee, with a decision taken on Friday by a majority of vote, once again confirmed that the routing system which IMO adopted in 1994 and that is appropriate to IMO principles and regulations, was effective and successful and that there was no need for a change.

The decision also stressed that there was no need to discuss the issue once again at this stage and wished Turkey to continue briefing IMO about the measures it takes against maritime security, environmental protection and formation of radar systems in the straits.

The result, which was taken with the active support of the U.S. and Britian, was interpreted as a success of Turkey which was exposed to several pressures to change traffic system applied in the Straits since 1994.

There were also evaluations that Turkey's attitude in strongly defending its rightful theses on the issue of security of the straits, historical, cultural and natural structure of Istanbul, were effective.

[08] AID FROM GENERAL STAFF TO KOSOVAR REFUGEES

A Red Crescent statement said the aid stuff, which was sent to Elbasan tent city in Albania was composed of 700 tables, 37 tents, 2.120 chairs, 3.400 blankets, 1.420 bed sheet set, 35 various kitchen equipment, 1000 pairs of gloves, 11,000 underclothings, and 2000 pairs of socks.

The statement noted that efforts for humanitarian aid towards Kosovar refugees continued with the concerned units in a coordinated way.

[09] NUMBER OF KOSOVAR REFUGEES IN TURKEY INCREASES TO 16,701

The Interior Ministry issued a statement saying that a total of 7,484 Kosovar refugees have arrived at the Corlu Airport in Tekirdag; 7,151 refugees have entered Turkey from the Kapikule Border Gate in Edirne, and 2, 066 others have arrived at the Ataturk Airport in Istanbul as of 10:00 local time on Friday.

The statement noted that 7,226 Kosovar refugees have been provided shelters in the Gaziosmanpasa Refugee Camp in Kirklareli province.

[10] TOBB GENERAL ASSEMBLY - PRESIDENT DEMIREL ''POLITICS, POLITICIANS AND INSTITUTIONS OF POLICY ARE WORN OUT IN TURKEY''

Addressing the Turkish Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges (TOBB), President Demirel said ''all the political parties in the Parliament, except one, lost votes when the results of general elections are taken into consideration.''

Demirel said the most important wish of economy and trade was the ''confidence atmosphere'', and noted that ''many problems will be solved if a confidence atmosphere could be established.''

President Demirel pointed out that Turkey was getter better and pointed out that April 18 elections took place in a free atmosphere and in a just way.''

Demirel said Turkey was a country looking for stability and noted that ''Turkey has several problems today, yet it is not under crisis conditions.''

Speaking about the 57th government formed under leadership of Bulent Ecevit, leader of Democratic Left Party (DSP), Demirel said ''I think and hope that the government will work in harmony.''

[11] TURKISH UNIT IN ALBANIA - THE UNIT OPENS ITS GATES TO PRESS FOR THE FIRST TIME

The unit, deployed adjacent to ''Turkish Red Crescent Kosovar Camp'', which was established five km near to Elbasan city, tries to meet the needs of the camp in fields of foodstuff, cleaning and health.

Colonel Zafer Camlica, Chairman of Consultation and Coordination Commitee (DAKOK), established in Tirana within the framework of cooperation between Turkish Armed Forces and Albanian Armed Forces, and Major Sezai Bal, Commander of the unit, briefed Turkish and Albanian journalists about the activities and installations of the unit.

Colonel Camlica said the unit, which was deployed on May 19, started activities as of May 22, 1999.

Colonel Camlica said Turkish humanitarian aid staff produced more than 50, 000 breads, installed facilities for bathing and to wash clothes, and also provided treatment facilities to 450 sick persons.

Three doctors, laboratory technicians and six nurses work in health center of the unit.

Metin Arzu, Director of Red Crescent Camp, said they focused on social activities after meeting basic needs of the refugees.

Education of the children in the camp are evaluated among the priorities. Officials said 700 children will begin to be educated in three classes as of June 7. The education will end on August 14, 1999 in the direction of circular of Albanian National Education Ministry.

A total of 24 teachers, who are among the refugees, will teach the lessons.

[12] TOBB GENERAL ASSEMBLY

The 54th regular General Council meeting of TOBB which started at Ministry of National Education's Convention Hall was also attended by President Suleyman Demirel.

''The election results showed that our people said no to separatism, abuse of religion in politics, corruptions and vicious debates and they made it clear that they want a transparent administration. I believe that this picture must be studied well by the executives of political parties and they should take lessons from it,'' Miras said in his opening speech and added that Turkey must not be lead by the bad memories of the past, but by courage and tolerance of the future.

Miras emphasized the importance of political stability and stated that a longlasting coalition government must work in harmony and bring solutions to Turkey's problems urgently.

Mentioning the reforms in the fields of justice and education, Miras complained that no serious steps were taken in justice and also said the present education system was not at a level to solve its problems.

Although economic problems affect all sectors, the voters almost punished those who claim that they know a lot about economics, Miras stated. The voters, instead voted for honesty and righteousness which is a sign of change, he continued.

Talking about the economic crisis, Miras stated that it was wrong to blame the global economic crisis for Turkey's financial troubles. During his speech Miras suggested lowering the Value Added Tax (VAT) rates which raised applause among the delegates.

''Our parties and leaders should refrain from attitudes that might cause polorizations. They should also consider the private sector. We, as Turkish private sector want to work, produce, create employment and develop our export,'' he went on to say and asked the politicians to remove the obstacles in front of the private sector.

[13] ERSUMER, MINISTER OF ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES, TAKES OVER THE POST FROM AKTAS

Ersumer, who was appointed as Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, took over the post from Ziya Aktas, former Minister.

Ersumer pointed out that it was pleasing that none of the projects of the ministry was halted or delayed during the four months period.

Aktas, in his part said they worked as a team in the ministry and pointed out that he was proud of the personnel of the ministry.

Meanwhile, Enis Oksuz, Minister of Transportation, has taken over the post from Hasan Basri Aktan, former Minister of Transportation.

Addressing the ceremony Oksuz said they will be in an effort to give a service to Turkish nation in the very best way.

[14] 546TH ANNIVERSARY OF ISTANBUL'S CONQUEST CELEBRATED

''We will support all efforts to protect the art and culture of Istanbul and transfer it to next generations as a modern city which is in harmony with environment,'' Ecevit said.

President Suleyman Demirel who also spoke on the occasion said the Ottoman Empire was the most glorious example of Turkish nation's civilized character, administration skills and a strong state tradition. ''The greatness of the Ottoman Empire reached to perfection with the conquest of Istanbul,'' Demirel said and added that Istanbul's conquest carries meanings much deeper than a military victory alone. ''All throughout the history, the Turkish nation entered all battles with a feeling of justice. In the conquered lands, justice, tolerance and peace always prevailed,'' Demirel stated.

On the other hand Ali Mufit Gurtuna, the Istanbul Greater City Mayor pointed out that some incidents in the history, like the conquest of Istanbul, do not remain as single events and also have influence on the future eras.

Mehmet the Conquerer was only 21 years old when he conquered Istanbul, Gurtuna stressed and said many leaders in the history wanted to possess Istanbul but failed to do so.

[15] MINISTERS OF STATE START THEIR POSTS - MINISTERS GIVE THE MESSAGE THAT COALITION GOVERNMENT WILL OVERCOME PROBLEMS OF TURKEY IN HARMONIZATION

Speaking to A.A. correspondent Abdulhaluk Cay, Minister of State, said he wished the new coalition government to be beneficial to Turkish nation. Noting that Turkey has social, economy and terrorism problems, Cay said ''I believe that we will give a good service to our nation being conscious of these. I wish our government will be a progress government.''

Edip Safter Gaydali, Minister of State, pointed out that they will expend all their efforts to overcome Turkey's problems, adding that ''we believe that this will be a harmonized coalition government.''

Yucelen, Minister of State, wished the coalition government to be beneficial and pointed out that they will be able to work as one party in the coalition government.

Meanwhile, Sadi Somuncuoglu, Minister of State, gave the message that they will solve the problems in a sincere, compromising and harmonized way.

Somuncuoglu said Council of Ministers will convene at 17:00 local time on Saturday and will discuss the issues related with government studies.

Ramazan Mirzaoglu, Minister of state, said he will get information from the institutions connected to him and later accelarate the studies by using scientific methods to meet the expectations of people.

[16] KORAY AYDIN, MINISTER OF PUBLIC WORKS AND SETTLEMENT, TAKES OVER THE POST FROM ILIKSOY

Aydin, who took over the post from Ali Iliksoy, former Minister, said the country needs compromise and progress, adding that ''disagreement between the parties caused a chaos in Turkish politics. I believe that the step taken by these three parties will form a base for compromise and dialogue culture.''

Sabahattin Cakmakoglu, Minister of National Defense, took the post from Hikmet Sami Turk, who was appointed as Justice Minister.

Addressing the ceremony Turk said this ministry carried out defense policies of Turkey in cooperation with General Staff.

Pointing out that Turkey was included in NATO and Western Europe, Turk said NATO carried out a military operation due to Kosovo crisis and noted that Turkey fulfilled its duties to this end.

Turk said searches for a new security and defense identity still continues in Europe, adding that ''Turkey will preserve its place in Western European Union (WEU) in a strengthened way.''

Cakmakoglu, who took over the job from Turk, said he will be happy to improve the services given so far.

Meanwhile, Sadettin Tantan, Minister of Interior, took over the post from Cahit Bayar. Tantan, addressing the ceremony, said they will expend efforts to create a confidence atmosphere, exhibit an honest adminisration, and to prevail justice.

[17] ECEVIT SPEAKS AT 54TH REGULAR TOBB MEETING

The Democratic Left Party (DSP)supports the market economy, Ecevit stressed and said that the responsibilities in this field must also be shared by the private sector. Ecevit pointed out to the Article 82 of the Constitution which bans the executives of labour and business unions, and mass organizations enter to the Parliament. ''This means the Parliament is closed to the civilian organizations. This door must open,'' Ecevit said. The Prime Minister added that his party, the Democratic Left Party (DSP) tried to change this article a few times but failed. Ecevit asked the labour unions, workers and employers institutions to give him support on this issue. The 1982 Constitution must be adapted to today's conditions and the necessary changes must take place to open the way to the private sector.

''The economy has been in a serious crisis since 1998 fall,'' Ecevit said and added that some of these troubles are rooted from outside. Turkey was especially negatively affected by its construction investments in Russia, he noted.

The foreign debts which piled up in the last years also increased these problems, the Prime Minister said and reminded that they paid a total of 30 billion U.S. dollars debts in the last five years.

The principle issue of the 57th government is the economy, Ecevit stressed and said ''I hope this government works in harmony within itself and within the Parliament and would be longlasting.''

Mentioning the Bank Law, the Prime Minister emphasized that this law must be passed in the Parliament urgently. Reacting to Kutan's criticism about the 1999 budget, he said the economic crisis is the reason why the 1999 budget was not yet ready.''We hope that the 1999 budget will be issued before June. The opposition will also fulfil its responsibility on this matter, he noted.

The Tax Law will be also on their priority list, Ecevit said. ''We will take the necessary measures to remove problems during its implementation. We will hear the opinions of related institutions on this matter, especially TOBB,'' he said and concluded by saying that Turkey needs a serious tax reform and they will meet this as much as they can in the present law.

[18] ERKAN MUMCU, MINISTER OF TOURISM, TAKES OVER THE POST FROM AHMET TAN

Mumcu, who took over the post from Ahmet Tan, former Tourism Minister, said tourism was the communication concept from person to person.

Ahmet Tan, former Minister of Tourism, in his part pointed out that the new goverment will put its seal to a stable period.

Tan said the propogandas made abroad against Turkey turned into a secret embargo in countries who sent tourists to Turkey and expressed belief that the problems could be overcome with the measures.

Meanwhile, Yasar Okuyan, Minister of Labour and Social Security, took over the post from Hakan Tartan, former Minister of Labour and Social Security.

Okuyan said they will send a draft law of social security reform to the Parliament soon regarding improvement of social security institutions ''social security reform can not stand to wait even one more minute.''

Hikmet Sami Turk, Minister of Justice, who took over the post from Selcuk Oztek, former Minister of Justice, said justice reform should be put into practice quickly to realize judgement fully in Turkey.

Turk stressed that Turkish Republic, as was mentioned in the Constitution, was a democratic, secular, social legal state respecting human rights and faitful to Ataturk nationalism.

Turk said several changes should take place in the Constitution, adding that a change should be made in Article 143 of the Constitution that is related with the State Security Courts (DGM).

[19] MUSIAD CHAIRMAN BAYRAMOGLU: ''NEW GOVERNMENT HAS MORE SUPPORT THAN EXPECTED FROM BOTH PRESS AND PEOPLE AND IT COULD BE REGARDED AS A GOOD GOVERNMENT''

Bayramoglu who answered the A.A. correspondent's questions, said a political crisis was experienced in the last three years in the country and added that as industrialists, they have big expectations from the new government. All subjects should not be turned into a bargaining issue in the government, he stated and said he hoped the new government would work in harmony.

Bayramoglu stated the new government must contact with neighbouring countries like Egypt, Russia and Iran and increase barter trade with them. Pointing out to the importance of privatization, he said the government's responsibilities must be limited while privatization is accelerated.

Bayramoglu also said they wanted the new government to review the tax law and reduce the rates of Value Added Tax (VAT).

A.A

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