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Anadolu Agency: News in English, 98-12-30Anadolu Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Anadolu Agency Home Page at <http://www.anadoluajansi.gov.tr/>30 DEC 1998CONTENTS
[01] TRNC COALITION PROTOCOL STRESSES THAT CYPRUS ISSUE WILL BE CARRIED OUT WITH TURKEYLEFKOSA, Dec 30 (A.A) - The National Unity Party (UBP) and Salvation Party (TKP) of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) reached an agreement on Tuesday to form a coalition government. The coalition protocol signed between the two parties stressed that Cyprus policy will be carried out with Turkey and pointed out that a special importance will be attributed to relations with Turkey.Foreign policy part of the protocol pointed out that Greek Cypriot administration cannot represent Turkish Cypriot people and whole of Cyprus, adding that ''Greek Cypriot administration has no right and authority to apply to European Union (EU) or any other international organization on behalf of Turkish Cypriot people and whole Cyprus and that such an application will be totally unacceptable and illegal.'' The protocol said, ''acting on the fact that this application would be illegal and can not be implemented, EU issue could only be taken up after an agreement is reached on Cyprus issue and within the framework of a policy that will be determined jointly with Turkey.'' The protocol said any agreement that will be reached on Cyprus issue will be presented to the free will of the two communities with referendum and that it could only be implemented when it is confirmed by the peoples of the two communities separately. The protocol stressed that UBP and TKP coalition would follow peace and stability in the country and in the region and that it will cover a policy considering the interests of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) and Turkish Cypriot people. Noting that every facility will be used to deepen cooperation and solidarity between Turkey and TRNC in every field, the protocol said the coalition government will expend every effort to strengthen independent identity of the TRNC in foreign relations and to provide recognition of the country in international platform. The protocol said UBP-TKP coalition will work hard to make TRNC reach a stronger structure with its economy and democracy, adding that they will do their best to make TRNC have a respectable position in the world in cooperation with Turkey. [02] S-300 MISSILES TO BE DEPLOYED ON CRETELEFKOSA, Dec 30 (A.A)- The Greek Cypriot Administration's National Council which met overnight under the leadership of Glafcos Clerides, the leader of the Greek Cypriot side Administration, decided not to deploy the Russian made S-300 missiles at the Southern Cyprus, it was reported on Wednesday.Addressing the journalists after the meeting, Clerides pointed out that he believes that the deployment of the missiles on Crete will be more useful. The Greek Cypriot Administration decided to purchase the missiles in 1993 following the Greek Cypriot-Greek Joint Defense Doctrine and the plans envisaging construction of the Baf (Baphos) military base. The Greek Government has supported this decision from the very beginning. As a result of the US refusal to sell Patriot missiles to Greek Cypriot side, the Greek Cypriot Administration wanted to purchase the Exocet missiles from France, but it was rejected once again. The Greek Cypriot Administration began negotiations with Russia in 1996 concerning the purchase of the S-300 missiles. Two sides have signed the agreement over the issue in 4 January 1997 and the Greek Cypriot side ordered the missiles worth of 400 million US dollars. As Turkey, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus and the US objected to the purchase of the missiles, the European Union (EU), NATO and Western countries expressed concern over the deployment of the missiles on the island. The Greek Cypriot Administration that tried to deceive world's public opinion with lies such as ''an independent country has the right to strengthen her defense'', had to postpone twice delivery of missiles to the island as a result of international pressure. The S-300 missiles of 1900 kg, can be made ready in five minutes by a crew formed of six persons. The missiles have maximum 3 thousand metre of altitude and their utmost speed is 1900 metre per second. The range of the S-300 missiles is 150 km. The missiles can carry 30 kiloton nuclear warheads or cluster bomb which contain 100 thousand pieces. Meanwhile the US welcomed Clerides's decision on not to deploy the S-300 on the island. Lee McClenny, the Acting Spokesman of the US State Department, reminded that the US Administration warned Greece and the Greek Cypriot side many times over the issue. [03] TRANSITORY BUDGET DRAFT LAW ADOPTED IN PARLIAMENTARY GENERAL ASSEMBLYANKARA, Dec 30 (A.A) - Transitory Budget Draft Law was adopted in Parliamentary General Assembly, it was reported on Tuesday.The transitory budget which will be valid for six months as of Jan 1, 1999 foresees that increases in salaries of civil servants will be determined by Council of Ministers. Under the draft law, no expenditure will be made to limited activities like aid to projects, foundations, associations and municipalities that should have been completed as of the end of 1998. Domestic debting authority will be given to the minister responsible from Treasury Undersecretariat, in the period which ends on June 30, 1999. Credits of Eximbank will be increased to promote exportation to decrease the effects of global crisis to Turkey. [04] PROFILE OF EXPORTS FROM GAP REGION - IN FIRST ELEVEN MONTHS, 261.9 MILLION US DOLLARS OF THREAD AND COTTON FABRIC PRODUCTS EXPORTEDGAZIANTEP, Dec 30 (A.A) - The exports of thread and cotton fabric products from the Southeastern Anatolia Project (GAP) region in the first eleven months of 1998 increased 32.4 percent to 261 million 969 thousand US dollars, it was reported on Wednesday.In the same period last year, the region exported 197 million 753 thousand US dollars of thread and cotton fabric products. Officials at the Southeastern Anatolia Exporters' Union, told the A.A correspondent that in January-November period of this year, they exported 127 million 32 thousand US dollars in thread and 134 million 937 thousand US dollars in cotton fabric. The thread and cotton fabric products were exported mainly to Kazakhstan, Romania, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, Iran, Syria, Saudi Arabia, Italy, Belgium, Jordan, Spain, France, Lebanon, the US, Portugal, Greece, Algeria, Russia, Israel, Germany and Britain. [05] DIZAI, KDP ANKARA REPRESENTATIVE: ''NO CHANGE IS EXPECTED IN THE NEAR FUTURE THAT WILL DIRECTLY EFFECT STATUS OF NORTHERN IRAQ''ANKARA, Dec 30 (A.A) - Safeen Dizai, Ankara Representative of Iraqi Kurdish Democratic Party (KDP), said on Tuesday that they did not expect the attitude of Baghdad administration which announced that it did not recognize no-flight zone implementation, to cause a change that will directly affect status in Northern Iraq.Responding to the questions of A.A correspondent, Dizai said ''I don't think there will be a change in the near future that will directly effect status of Northern Iraq if there is not a change of administration in general in Iraq.'' Dizai said, ''we have the hope that the tension will not be escalated further more. We want this not only for Northern Iraq, but also for the whole Iraq. Situation in Northern Iraq is calm, the region which is under our control is silent.'' Responding to a question if Iraq, which says it did not recognize no-flight zone, has the power to oppose to the forces of the US and Britain, Dizai said he did not have information to this end, and added that ''we hope that this situation will not escalate tension in the region.'' [06] IRAQ OPPOSES TO CLEARANCE OF LANDMINES IN THE NORTHNEW YORK, Dec 30 (A.A) - Iraqi government on Wednesday opposed to the clearance process of land mines in northern part of the country by several western organizations and groups within the framework of an operation organized by the UN.Opposition of Baghdad government was voiced with a letter send by Muhammed al-Sahaf, Iraqi Foreign Minister to the UN Secretary General Kofi Annan. Iraqi Foreign Minister in the letter defended that entrance of foreign groups to northern Iraq with the excuse of clearance of the landmines, would mean violation of sovereignty and territorial integrity of his country and wanted Annan to withdraw these groups. Al-Sahaf also claimed that this situation would mean violation of resolutions of Security Council foreseeing preservation of Iraq's territorial integrity. UN sources estimate that there are around 10 million landmines and bombs that did not explode in northern Iraq. [07] THE US' INTEREST IN TURKISH TEXTILEIZMIR, Dec 30 (A.A) - Philip W. Byrd, the Regional Director of the International Exporters Federation for Turkey, said on Wednesday that the American people show great interest in the Turkish goods.Pointing out that the Turkish goods are very famous especially in Boston, Byrd stressed that any kind of Turkish goods such as carpets and towels can be found almost in every American house. Noting that many Turkish exporters prefer traditional goods such as clothes and food, Byrd called Turkish businessmen to increase the export of electronics, chemicals, construction equipments, foot-wear, furniture, and leathers to the US in coming days. Byrd emphasized that American people like goods rich of color and design such as the Siirt blanket. He also added, ''many Turkish exporters complain from the quotas, but there will not be any quota between Turkey and the US in 2005.'' [08] FM CEM STAGES A PRESS BRIEFING: ''THE PLAN WHICH WAS STAGED BY INEXPERIENCED DIRECTORS IN GREECE HAS TURNED INTO A SAD COMEDY AND ENDED''ANKARA, Dec 30 (A.A) - Ismail Cem, the Foreign Minister said on Wednesday that the decision of not deploying S-300 missiles in the Greek Cypriot side showed that ''no body has the power of threatening Turkey and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) by missiles from the Southern Cyprus.''Addressing a press briefing at Foreign Ministry, Cem said ''the plan which was staged by inexperienced directors of Greece, and tried to be played by untrained players of the Greek Cypriot side, has turned into a sad comedy and ended.'' Stressing that Turkey, which did not accept the S-300 missiles an issue of bargaining in the past, won't accept such kind of a bargaining from now on, Cem pointed out to the armament efforts of the Greek Cypriot side on the island. ''No body can think of Turkey to stay indifferent to the armament efforts of the Greek and Greek Cypriot side within the framework of their aggression doctrine,'' said Cem, adding that Turkey is taking measures and will continue to do so against attempts of new threats. [09] DENIZKURDU, MINISTER OF JUSTICE: - ''THERE IS NOT AN IMPRISONMENT VERDICT FOR ABDULLAH OCALAN''ANKARA, Dec 30 (A.A) - Hasan Denizkurdu, the Minister of justice, said on Wednesday that there was not a verdict for the imprisoment of Abdullah Ocalan, chief of the separatist terrorist PKK organization.Giving response to the written motion brought by Ersonmez Yarbay, a Virtue Party (FP) deputy from Ankara province, Denizkurdu said that the dossier, which was prepared for the extradition of Abdullah Ocalan to Turkey, was submitted to the Foreign Ministry on 5 November 1998 but they didn't receive a response to that request. Pointing out that criminal lawsuits were being commenced and carried on behalf of the public against chief terrorist Ocalan at the Sanliurfa High Criminal Court No:2, Gaziantep Public Prosecution and State Security Courts in Diyarbakir, Izmir, Ankara and Erzurum, Denizkurdu said, ''there is a decision for his arrest in absentia for terrorist crimes but there is not a verdict for his imprisonemnt.'' [10] ULUCEVIK, TURKISH AMBASSADOR TO GERMANY: ''OUR CITIZENS LIVING IN GERMANY CONTINUED TO CONTRIBUTE TO GERMAN SOCIETY IN 1998''BONN, Dec 30 (A.A) - Tugay Ulucevik, the Ambassador to Germany issued a new year statement on Wednesday and said that the Turkish citizens and kinsmen living in Germany continued to contribute to the German society in 1998.Noting that it has been seen in 1998 that Turkish people are permanent in Germany, Ulucevik stated in his message that the integration of Turkish people to the German society has to be eased including the recognition of dual citizenship to Turkish people living in this country. Recalling that the new coalition government, which came to power in Germany by the Sept 27 elections foresaw measures in their party programmes to ease the integration of Turkish citizens to German society, Ulucevik stated that ''this has caused our citizens to be hopeful in the new year.'' [11] FM CEM STAGES A PRESS BRIEFING : ''THE DEPLOYMENT OF S-300 MISSILES TO CRETE WILL ADD A NEW PROBLEM TO AEGEAN PROBLEMS'' - ''AS LONG AS A PERMANENT PEACE IS NOT INSTALLED ON CYPRUS, EFFORTS OF DISARMAMENT ARE INEFFECTIVE''ANKARA, Dec 30 (A.A) - Ismail Cem, the Foreign Minister said on Wednesday that the deployment of the S-300 missiles on the Crete island of Greece rather than on Cyprus within the framework of the ''joint agression doctrines'' between Greece and the Greek Cypriot side, will add a new problem to the problems of the two countries in Aegean.Addressing a press briefing, Cem evaluated the efforts to bring the missiles to the island, adding that the Greek Cypriot side aims at taking Turkey within her range and wants to push Turkey into a bargaining. Cem stressed that Turkey does not consider the missiles an issue of bargaining, adding 'we've announced that we won't accept them as an tool of blackmail and we have not entered into a bargaining, even negotiation with them.'' Recalling the statement of Turkey, which noted that ''if these missiles are deployed on the island, the necessary military and political measures will be taken,'' Cem stated that this determination has been explained not only to Greece and the Greek Cypriot side, but to the whole world and all the concerned states. Commenting on the possibility of deployment of the S-300 missiles in Crete, Cem stated that Turkey will show her attitude after Greece announces her decision. Stressing that one of the important dangers of the deployment of the missiles to Crete are the Russian officers, who will come to the island and this will harm the security of NATO, adding ''being the foreign minister of a NATO country, I wonder the reactions of foreign ministers of other NATO countries.'' Pointing out that the Greek Cypriot side acts as if she is in a bargaining process, Cem stated that it has earlier been seen that Turkey won't change her policy against pressures and threats, adding these efforts are in vain. Responding to a question about the disarmament of the island, Ismail Cem stated that Turkey wishes to have a permanent peace atmosphere on Cyprus, adding ''as long as the peace atmosphere is not installed on the island, the approach of decreasing the number of soldiers is ineffective. Firstly a peace atmosphere has to come out.'' Stressing that the armament efforts of the Greek-Greek Cypriot side did not end, Cem said that Turkey is taking all kinds of measures against threats and will continue to do so. Noting that the Greek politicians could not rescue themselves from the policy based on hostility against Turkish people, Cem said that Greece is the chief protective of the separatist terrorist organization and she attempts to be the protector of the international terrorism. Cem said that Italy wishes to approach to Greece concerning this issue. ''Greece wishes to use terrorism against Turkey by the camps in her territories,'' said Cem, adding that Turkey will bring this issue to international platforms in an effective way. Cem said that Greece applies a traditional pressure policy to the minorities living in her territory, particularly to Turkish minority living in Western Thrace. Reiterating his earlier invitation of compromise to Greece issued in February 1998, Cem said that Turkey does not have the intention of pursuing a hostile policy against Greece, adding installation of an understanding and cooperation atmosphere between the two countries are also to the interest of Turkey. [12] A.A'S TRADITIONAL POOL - CHAIRMEN OF FEDERATIONS CHOOSE HALIL MUTLU AS SPORTSMAN OF THE YEAR BOTH IN TURKEY AND WORLDANKARA, Dec 30 (A.A) - Chairmen of the 34 federation within the structure of the Directorate General of the Youth and Sports, choose Halil Mutlu, a leading Turkish weight-lifter, as the sportsman of the year both in Turkey and the world.According to the traditional pool of the Directorate of Sport News of the Anadolu Agency, Mutlu who won many gold medals, became the sportsman of year. Candidates of the chairmen of the federations for the sportsman of the year, are as follows: The candidates of Caner Doganeli (Boxing): In Turkey: Ramazan Phaliani (Boxing) In World : Efe Ustundag (Tennis) In Boxing: Ramazan Phaliani The candidates of Alper Yazoglu (Traditional Sports): In Turkey: Hamza Yerlikaya (Wrestling) In World : Alexander Karelin (Wrestling) In Wrestling: Kadir Ergin The candidates of Eryetis Kurtaral (Body Building) In Turkey: Hamdullah Aykutlu (Body Building) In World : Efe Ustundag (Tennis) In Body Building: Hamdullah Aykutlu The candidates of Atilla Orsel (Gymnastics): In Turkey: Haldun Alagas (Karate) In World : Halil Mutlu (Weight-Lifting) In Gymnastics: Suat Celen The candidates of Sencer Gunessoy (Horseback Riding): In Turkey: Suat Atalık (Chess) In World : Pete Sampras (Tennis) In Horseback Riding: Ulkan Delikan and Mehmet Kozlu The candidates of Emrehan Halici (Chess): In Turkey: Seref Eroglu (Wrestling) In World : Bjorn Dahlie (Skiing) In Chess: Suat Atalik The candidates of Ugur Erdener (Archery): In Turkey: Natalia Nasaridze (Archery) In World : Bjorn Dahlie (Skiing) In Archery: Natalia Nasaridze The candidates of Suzan Ozbek (Table Tennis): In Turkey: Halil Mutlu (Weight Lifting) In World : Chong Yang-Sen (Table Tennis) In Table Tennis: Irfan Tavukcuoglu The candidates of Metin Sertoglu (Shooting): In Turkey: Halil Mutlu (Weight Lifting) In World : Halil Mutlu (Weight Lifting) In Shooting: Ayse Kil The candidates of Harun Sevinc (Underwater Sports): In Turkey: Halil Mutlu (Weight Lifting) In World : Halil Mutlu (Weight Lifting) In Underwater Sports: Yasemin Dalkilic The candidates of Kenan Nuhut (Weight Lifting): In Turkey: Haldun Alagas (Karate) In World : Haldun Alagas (Karate) In Weight Lifting: Halil Mutlu The candidates of Aybars Kilichan (Karate): In Turkey: Haldun Alagas (Karate) In World : Mika Hakkinen (Driving) In Karate: Haldun Alagas The candidates of Ibrahim Oztek (Judo): In Turkey: Selim Tataroglu (Judo) In World : Haldun Alagas (Karate) In Judo: Selim Tataroglu The candidates of Ahmet Ayik (Wrestling): In Turkey: Seref Eroglu (Wrestling) In World : French National Soccer Team In Wrestling: Seref Eroglu The candidates of Cengiz Aydin (Fencing): In Turkey: Halil Mutlu (Weight Lifting) In World : Bjorn Dahlie (Skiing) In Fencing: Pinar Kalayci and Can Aydin The candidates of Cengiz Yagiz (Taekwon-do): In Turkey: Mert Tuncer (Taekwon-docu) In World : French National Soccer Team In Taekwon-do: Mert Tuncer The candidates of Erdogan Ustunsoylu (Skiing): In Turkey: Halil Mutlu (Weight Lifting) In World : Halil Mutlu (Weight Lifting) In Skiing: Arif Alaftargil The candidates of Omer Sahin (Bicycling and Triatlon): In Turkey: Seref Eroglu (Wrestling) In World : Seref Eroglu (Wrestling) In Bicycling and Triatlon: Erdinc Dogan The candidates of Serhat Bilgi (Handball): In Turkey: Hakan Sukur (Soccer) In World : Dejan Bodiroga (Basketball) In Handball: Yeliz Ozel The candidates of Abdulkadir Dokmeci (Ice Skating): In Turkey: Halil Mutlu (Weight Lifting) In World : Halil Mutlu (Weight Lifting) In Ice Skating: Ertug Gurhan The candidates of Kamil Kehale (Sports for Every One): In Turkey: Engin Terzi (Wrist Wrestling) In World : Halil Mutlu (Weight Lifting) In Sports for Every One: Engin Terzi and Habib Dogan The candidates of Raif Bilir (Golf): In Turkey: Ulas Karatas (Golf) In World : Tiager Wood (Golf) In Golf: Ulas Karatas The candidates of Ahmet Gulum (Volleyball): In Turkey: Halil Mutlu (Weight Lifting) In World : Michael Jordan (Basketball) In Volleyball: Kenan Bengu The candidates of Akin Onbayrak (Swimming): In Turkey: Seref Eroglu (Wrestling) In World : Jenny Thompson (Swimming) In Swimming: Ilkay Dikmenoglu The candidates of Fikret Cetinkaya (Athletics): In Turkey: Turkish National Women's Cross Team In World : Marian Jones (Athletics) In Athletics: Turkish National Women's Cross Team The candidates of Alaattin Karaca (Mountain Climbing): In Turkey: Halil Mutlu (Weight Lifting) In World : Bjorn Dahlie (Skiing) In Climbing: Omer Faruk Gulsen The candidates of Remzi Tan (Rowing): In Turkey: Hakan Sukur (Soccer) In World : French National Soccer Team In Rowing: Murat Turker The candidates of Faruk Yuksel (Billiards): In Turkey: Semih Sayginer (Billiards) In World : Semih Sayginer (Billiards) In Billiards: Semih Sayginer The candidates of Azat Baykal (Yachting): In Turkey: Hamza Yerlikaya (Wrestling) In World : Michael Jordan (Basketball) In Yachting: Alp Alpagut The candidates of Faik Imamoglu (Badminton): In Turkey: Hamza Yerlikaya (Wrestling) In World : Martina Hingis (Tennis) In Badminton: Mert Aydogmus and Nursel Dogan The candidates of Cahit Kocaomer (Sports for Disables): In Turkey: Hakan Sukur (Soccer) In World : Carlos Moya (Tennis) In Sports for Disables: Deafs National Team The candidates of Mumtaz Tahincioglu (Automobile and Motor Sports): In Turkey: Ercan Kazaz (Automobile) In World : Mika Hakkinen (Automobile) In Automobile: Volkan Isik The candidates of Sadi Toker (Tennis): In Turkey: Turkish National Men's Tennis Team In World : Marcelo Rios (Tennis) In Tennis: Erhan Oral and Gulberk Gultekin The candidates of Turgay Demirel (Basketball): In Turkey: Haldun Alagas (Karate) In World : Michael Jordan (Basketball) In Basketball: National Hope Team [13] PANDORA BOOKSTORE'S ANNUAL EVALUATION - THE BESTSELLER OF 1998: ''MEMOIRS OF A DINOSAURUS''ISTANBUL, Dec 30 (A.A) - According to the Pandora Bookstore's annual evalutaion, the ''Memoirs of a Dinosaurus'' (Bir Dinozorun Anıları) written by Mina Urgan is the bestseller of 1998 in Turkey, it was reported on Wednesday.''My Name is Red'' (Benim Adım Kırmızı) of Orhan Pamuk, and ''Like a Sword Wound'' (Kılıç Yarası Gibi) of Ahmet Altan followed Urgan's book. In 1998, a total of 3 thousand 734 separate books were published. Last year this number was 3 thousand 101. The number of publishing houses also increased up to 422 in 1998. The average price of the books is determined as 6.24 US dollars. The Yapi Kredi Publishing House, Milliyet-AD Publishing House and Aksoy Publishing House comes on the top of the list of publishing houses. The seven bestsellers of 1998 are as follows: Name of Book Writer ----------------------------------------------------------- My Name is Red (Benim Adım Kırmızı) Orhan Pamuk Like a Sword Wound (Kılıç Yarası Gibi) Ahmet Altan Identity (Kimlik) Milan Kundera When Nietczsche Cries (Nietczsche Ağladığında) Irvin D. Yalom Lord of Rings (Yüzüklerin Efendisi) J.R.R Tolkien Her Name is Aylin (Adı Aylin) Ayse Kulin</PRE> According to the annual evaluation, the distribution of the books in accordance with their classification, are as follows: .<BR> . Classification Number Rate (Percent)Child Books 632 16.93Novel-Story 565 15.13 History 472 12.65 Philosophy 164 4.39 Business 157 4.20 Art 151 4.04 Poetry 150 4.02 Psychology 133 3.56 General Information 104 2.79 Woman/Man 102 2.73 Literature-Essay 92 2.46 Computer 87 2.33 Religion 87 2.33 Literature Study 75 2.01 Memoir/Letter 67 1.79 Sociology 57 1.53 Special Interests 55 1.47 Science/Technology 50 1.34 Humour 48 1.29 Biography 46 1.23 Politics 46 1.23 Istanbul 41 1.10 Minority/Ethnic Group 33 0.88 Nature/Tourism/Journey 28 0.75 Caricature 21 0.56 Anthropology 11 0.29 Local Administration 10 0.27 Employee/Employer 8 0.21 Human Rights 6 0.16 </pre> [14] TURKEY IN 1998 (1)ANKARA (A.A) - Here is a brief chronological glance to events which took place in Turkey in 1998:JAN 2The leaders of Humanitarian Assistance Organization (IHH) were captured. The organization which was established in Germany in order to collect money for moslem countries, was being monitored by the National Intelligence Service (MIT). The anti-terrorism teams seized hand grenades, explosives, weapons in the houses belonging to the leading persons of the IHH.JAN 3Haralambos, a Greek administrative attache who was working in the name of Greek national intelligence service in Istanbul, was captured on the very act while spying. He was being monitored for one year. Haralambos, who caused a diplomatic problem between Turkey and Greece, was deported together with his family.JAN 4The hunger strike continues in prisons.JAN 6Ahmet Necdet Sezer was elected as the Chairman of the Constitutional Court.JAN 11An airplane belonging to the Turkish Airlines overshot the runway due to bad weather, 67 passengers came to the brink of death. Fortunately, nobody died, but the plane was seriously damaged.JAN 12The report on Susurluk scandal was submitted to Prime Minister Mesut Yılmaz who said that the report of Kutlu Savas, the Chairman of the Prime Ministry Investigation Council, is composed of 120 pages, adding that new investigations have to be started about the scandal.Vural Savas, the Chief Prosecutor of the Supreme Court of Appeals applied to the Constitutional Court saying that cautionary measures should be imposed on the aid that would be given to the Welfare Party by the Treasury till the case on the closure of the Welfare Party is completed. The Court accepted this request, while other political parties received aid from the Treasury, the Welfare Party could not. JAN 14Safiye Ayla, the famous singer of the Turkish Classical Music died.JAN 16The Constitutional Court banned the Welfare Party (RP) and together with Necmettin Erbakan, the leader of the Welfare Party (RP), Sevket Kazan, Ahmet Tekdal, Sevki Yılmaz, Hasan Huseyin Ceylan, Ibrahim Halil Celik lost their deputyship and they were barred from dealing politics.The Constitutional Court decided to ban the Welfare Party (RP) saying that RP acted contrary to the principles of democratic and secular Turkish Republic and it became the focus of fundamentalist activities. Erbakan claimed that the decision was not worthy, stressing that they would bring the case before the European Court of Human Rights. Erbakan was barred from politics for the second time. JAN 19It is found out that Kenan Seranoglu, the director of the ''Titan Chain'' (a pyramid scheme) collected 8.6 trillion liras from thousands of people.JAN 21The Constitutional Court rejected the request which asked for the repeal of the decision foreseeing the closure of the casinos.JAN 22Kenan Seranoglu, who set up the illegal ''Titan Chain'' and who collected 8, 6 trillion liras from people was interrogated by Istanbul police.This issue was also taken up by the Council of Ministers, which decided to make legal regulations that will foresee the imprisonment of such criminals at once. JAN 28The decision of the State Security Court concerning the case of young students who were believed to be tortured by police while in custody was repealed by the Supreme Court of Appeals. The State Security Court in Manisa had sentenced the young students up to 12 years.[15] TURKEY IN 1998 (2)ANKARA (A.A) - Here is a brief chronological glance to events which took place in Turkey in 1998:FEB 5:Ali Fevzi Bir, one of the partners of Omer Lutfu Topal, who was the only person under custody within the scope of Susurluk case, was released to be tried without detention by the Istanbul No 1 State Security Court (DGM), by taking into consideration that the proofs had been gathered and that there is no possibility for him to change these evidences.FEB 6:Ankara Republican Chief Prosecutor's office filed a suit in the Supreme Court against the two of the persons who were taken into custody on charges of joining the illegal protest held in Kizilay square to support the students who opened a banner in the Parliament during their hearing. The Chief Prosecutor's Office demanded death penalty against Ibrahim Gullu, one of the students, and a 22-and-a-half year imprisonment terms against the other person Murat Akyildiz.Sami Hostan, who was wanted for the killing of Omer Lutfu Topal and within the scope of Susurluk inquiry, was arrested and sent to Metris Prison. The State Statistics Institute (DIE) assured the public about the results of the census held on November 30, 1997. The total of the population of Turkey was 62 million 610 thousand and 252. The DIE also stressed that the population of 17 provinces exceeded one million. FEB 7:Twelve suspects, including Kenan Seranoglu, the Director of the Titan Mathematical Earning System'' (a pyramid scheme) directed by ''DATA International Information Operation Centre'' and Barbaros Seranoglu, his father, were arrested after giving testimony in Kadikoy Republican Prosecutorship.FEB 9:Vural Savas, Prosecutor of Supreme Cour, was chosen the ''Lawyer of the Year'' by the Young Lawyers Association.FEB 10:Istanbul State Security Court (DGM) Republican Chief Prosecutor's office filed a suit on Mehmet Agar, Deputy from Elazig province of the True Path Party (DYP), and Sedat Edip Bucak, Sanliurfa province Deputy of DYP, on charges of being members of a gang, demanding heavy imprisonment terms changing between six to twelve years.FEB 11After the Constitutional Court rejected the demand of annulment of the Article foreseeing the closure of the casinos, the activities of the casinos ended, and 79 casinos in Turkey were closed.President Suleyman Demirel approved the appointment of Senkal Atasagun, London representative of the National Intelligence Organization (MIT), to the position of Undersecretary of MIT. FEB 12Diyarbakir State Security Court (DGM) filed a suit against Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Mayor of Istanbul, on charges of provoking people to hatred and enmity by discriminating people in respect of class, race, religion, and regional differences in his speech in Siirt on December 6, 1997 with the demand of up to 3 years imprisonment.The Council of State deprived Sukru Karatepe, the Mayor of Kayseri, of his post. Karatepe was sentenced to one-year imprisonment terms for his speech made in the meeting of his party after the commemoration ceremony held for Ataturk, founder of Modern Turkish Republic. Joint Constitution-Justice Commission of the Parliament, decided to lift the immunity of Omer Bilgin, Isparta province Deputy of DYP, taking into consideration two dossiers against him. FEB 13:The prosecutor of the case in Afyon Penalty Court concerning the death of Metin Goktepe, the Journalist of Evrensel newspaper who was killed when he was under custody, demanded imprisonment terms changing from 8 to 15 years for the suspects.FEB 14:Five people, three of whom in Ankara and two of whom in Bursa, who were claimed to commit an assasination attempt against Cavit Caglar, Independent deputy; Mehmet Agar, Deputy of DYP; Ozer Ciller, husband of Tansu Ciller, the chairwoman of DYP; and Emin Cankurtaran and Mehmet Ustunkaya, the businessmen, following the instruction of Alaattin Cakici, the mafia boss, were arrested.FEB 16:Seven chairpersons of the parties, one of whom was Murat Bozlak, the Chairman of HADEP, were sentenced to imprisonment terms in the Ankara State Security Court on charges of being ''leading members of the separatist organization''.The Council of State Administrative Affairs Commisssion ratified the GSM Licence Transfer Contracts signed between the Transportation Ministry and Turkcell and Telsim. FEB 17:Kursat Yilmaz, who was imprisoned in Burdur Prison for various crimes, escaped from the prison.The trial of Hasan Mezarci, the former independent deputy, started in Ankara No 2 Penalty Court with the demand of a total of 15 years imprisonment on charges that ''he insulted the personality of President Suleyman Demirel and the personalities of the military forces and the court of the state.'' FEB 18:A total of one ton and 250 kilograms of hashish were seized and eight people were taken into custody in the operations held in Nurdagi county of southern Gaziantep province by Hatay Police Organization.FEB 20:The trial of Ozal Baysal, who was given a fine of one trillion 504 billion Turkish liras and sentenced to twelve years five months and 10 days imprisonment terms on charges that he granted unsecured credit to the TYT Bank, Impexbank and Marmarabank when he was the Director General of the Turkish Development Bank (TKB), started again after the decision of the court was cancelled by the Supreme Court on grounds of ''insufficient investigation.''FEB 22The decision of the Constitutional Court concerning the closure of the Welfare Party (RP) was published in the Official Gazette. Thus, the 14- years political life of RP ended.The Constitutional Court closed RP for its acts ''against the principle fo Secular Republic''. The decision was taken with 9 votes against 2. Necmettin Erbakan, the chairman of the RP and Konya deputy; Sevket Kazan, Ahmet Tekdal, RP deputies; Ibrahim Halil Celik, Sevki Yilmaz, and Hasan Huseyin Ceylan, RP based independent deputies, were stripped off their deputyship as the decision of the Constitutional Court was issued. The Changing Turkey Party (DEPAR) was established. Thus, the number of political parties in Turkey increased to 35. FEB 23After the RP was closed by the Constitutional Court, 57 deputies who were left independent applied to the Directorate of the Parliament and stated that they were now the members of the Virtue Party (FP).Istanbul University Rectorate issued a notice which prohibited the entrance of the students without the university identitiy cards and wearing head- coverings on the campus and the buildings. FEB 24:Ismail Alptekin, the Chairman of Virtue Party (FP), submitted the names of the 79 deputies who joined the party to the Parliament Speaker's Office.The decision of the Constitutional Court concerning the closure of RP and the depriving the deputyship of six RP deputies was submitted to the General Assembly of the Parliament. The draft law which foresaw promoting the use of the tax identity numbers was adopted in the Parliamentary Planning and Budget Commission. The THY ''Gaziantep'' passenger plane which was making the Adana-Ankara flight was hijacked. The plane with 63 passengers and 5 member crew was forced to land at Diyarbakir Airport by Mehmet Dag, the hijacker. It was reported that Dag hijacked the plane with a fake bomb in a toy panda and that he was rendered ineffective by two passengers. FEB 26:Recai Kutan, Malatya deputy, was elected as the Chairman of Virtue Party (FP) and Abdullatif Sener, Lutfu Esengul and Salih Kapusuz were elected as the FP's acting parliamentary group chairmen.Eleven people from the organization of Sedat Peker, the chief of an organized crime gang, who usurped money from the businessman by threatening them, and collected money by force, and opened fire to the workplaces, were arrested. FEB 27:Six persons, including Bulent Orakoglu, former deputy chief of the General Directorate of Police Intelligence Unit, who were tried in the case known as ''Mole Case'' by the Turkish public were acquitted in the military court. The case was filed on charges that Orakoglu and others leaked out the secret military documents.Ankara State Security Court Chief Prosecutor's Office asked Ibrahim Halil Celik, the former Welfare Party (RP) deputy who was deprived off his deputyship by the Constitutional Court, to be arrested. [16] TURKEY IN 1998 (3)ANKARA (A.A) - Here is a brief chronological glance to events which took place in Turkey in 1998:MARCH 1:The Coalition Summit: The leaders of the parties of the 55th government gathered together to discuss the local and general elections and the planned legal reforms.The house of Mahmut Yildirim, code named ''Yesil'' (Green) who was wanted by the police, was found in Lara district of southern Antalya province. MARCH 2:Hanefi Avci, the former deputy chief of the Directorate General of Security Intelligence Unit who was imprisoned on charges that he declared the state secrets, was released from the Beypazari Prison.Tansu Ciller, the chairwoman of True Path Party (DYP), met with the Chairpersons of Virtue Party (FP) and the Great Unity Party (BBP) within the framework of an initiative she called as ''second democracy movement''. The party leaders urged for early elections at the shortest period of time after their meeting. The protests against the head-covering and beard ban started. MARCH 3:Tansu Ciller, the chairwoman of True Path Party (DYP), visited the chairpersons of Democratic Party (DP), Changing Turkey Party (DEPAR), Democratic Turkey Party (DTP) and Re-birth Party (YDP) within the framework of her visits to the party leaders.The protests against the head-covering and beard ban continued in the Istanbul University. MARCH 4:The Parliament started to discuss the draft law concerning the Civil Servant Trade Unions. The civil servants held protests in various provinces to protest the draft law which does not include the right to strike and collective bargaining.The police intervened the civil servants who did not disperse until the evening in Kizilay square of Ankara with tear-gas. Many policemen and civil servants were injured in the incident. Ciller ended her round of visits by visiting Bahceli, chairman of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP). Ciller said that all parties were ready for elections. The famous people are in the Court: Compela, former football player, and Kaya Cilingiroglu, the husband of Hulya Avsar, were taken into custody for the inquiry on their smuggled Mercedes automobiles. The mentioned people were released in the court to be tried without detention. Bulent Ersoy, the singer who had a sex-change operation, and Cem Adler, her husband, gave testimony to Izmir Republican Prosecutor's office for their statements regarding that they had a religious wedding. MARCH 5:The civil servants held a protest by not working in various provinces because the draft resolution concerning the Civil Servant Trade Unions was not withdrawn. The members of the Public Workers Trade Union Confederation were not allowed to enter into Ankara, the capital city. Some protestors in some provinces were taken into custody. Some parties condemned the intervention of the police to the demonstrators by the tear gas bomb.MARCH 8:Incidents in the World Women's Day: When police intervened a group of HADEP party members who wanted to hold an illegal protest in Taksim Square of Istanbul, many security guards and party members were injured.MARCH 10:Sukru Karatepe headed prison: The Supreme Court Republican Chief Prosecutor rejected to amend the imprisonment term against Sukru Karatepe, who was deprived off his post as the Mayor of Kayseri province for a speech he made on November 10, 1996.MARCH 11:Torture case to the young people in Manisa province: Ten policemen who were tried on charges that they tortured 14 young persons from Manisa province, were acquited by the Manisa Penalty Court.MARCH 12:Veysel Ozerdem, who punched Premier Mesut Yilmaz on the nose in Budapest, the capital of Hungary, was brought to Istanbul.The civil servants protested CHP: The members of the Turkish Public-Trade Union (Turkiye Kamu-Sen) held a protest in front of the Headquarters of CHP, blaming the party with preventing the legalization of the draft resolution concerning the Civil Servants Trade Unions. Adnan Keskin, the Secretary General of CHP, got the truncheon of the policeman who punched him. MARCH 13:Premier Yilmaz warned: ''The struggle against fundamentalism is the joint struggle of the state. Nobody should dare to make this a tool for himself/herself in his/her struggle for the power.''MARCH 14:Veysel Ozerdem was imprisoned.MARCH 15:Ismail Hakki Karadayi, the Chief of the General Staff, reacted harshly to the discussions regarding the extention of the period of his office. Karadayi said, ''such news are intentional, aiming to create problems in the commandership.''MARCH 18:Some parties, especially the politicians called for the common sense as the political tension increased.Cancelling of the punishment for the students: The Supreme Court cancelled the verdict of the eight students, including the ones who opened a banner in the parliament, who were sentenced to various imprisonment terms. MARCH 19:Decision in Goktepe case: Afyon Penalty Court sentenced five policemen to seven-and-a-half years of imprisonment on grounds of felonious homicide; however, six other policemen were acquited in the court.MARCH 20:A statement was issued in the end of the ''Commanders Meeting'' which was realized after the news, comments and declarations which target Turkish Armed Forces intensified.The statement said, ''nobody, regardless of his office, position, and rank, can show a stance, or can make declarations and suggestions which target the determination of the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) to struggle against separatist and fundamentalist developments threatening the security of the country.'' The statement had deep repercussions in various circles, especially the politicians. Premier Yilmaz said, ''the commanders disclose their views to the people, and this is a democratic action.'' Semdin Sakik and his brother, who were leading names in the separatist terrorist organization (PKK), surrendered to the peshmergas of Massoud Barzani, the leader of Kurdish Democratic Party (KDP) in Northern Iraq. MARCH 21:Initiatives to bring Semdin Sakik to Turkey started.MARCH 22:The leaders of the coalition parties held a meeting that lasted four hours and forty minutes.Premier Yilmaz said, ''there is not a difference of view on fundemantalism between the government, the state institutions and the Turkish Armed Forces.'' MARCH 23:The struggle against fundamentalism in the Council of Ministers: Yilmaz explained the studies held by the 55th government before the meeting.A great part of the draft resolutions concerning the measures to be taken in struggling against fundementalism was signed. ''An amendment of the decision'' was requested from the Supreme Court Republican Chief Prosecutor concerning the closure of RP. MARCH 25:The Supreme Court Republican Chief Prosecutor rejected to amend the decision on the closure of RP.The Manisa Case: Five young detainees were released as the Supreme Court annuled the decision of the local court. The young people were taken under custody as they were writing slogans of an illegal leftist organization on the walls. The detainees claimed that they were exposed to torture while they were under police custody, leading to another case which was opened against the police officials who interrogated them. MARCH 26:A Sisli Court decided to arrest Gulay Asliturk, the former Sisli Mayor, in absentia with charges of corruption.Five persons who stole the corpse of Vehbi Koc, a leading businessman, from the grave, were sentenced to one year and eight month imprisonment. MARCH 27:The statement of the National Security Council's (NSC) regular monthly meeting said, ''the Council observed that the good-will and the will exıst to struggle against the mentality of a group of people who want to make Turkish people live in an old-fashioned life style.''MARCH 28:Premier Yilmaz met with Deniz Baykal, the chairman of the Republican Peoples' Party (CHP). Yilmaz said after the meeting, ''we do not have an intention to hold a surprise election.''MARCH 30:The TRNC plane making Lefkose-Ankara flight was hijacked. Mehmet Erturk, one of the passengers, wanted to take the plane to Bonn by a hand-grenade shaped lighter. The hijacker was caught after the plane landed at Esenboga Airport of Ankara.MARCH 31:The prisoners who were members of illegal leftist organizations, protested the transfer of their supporters from Buca prison to other prisons. The prisoners took some of the prison officials as hostages.[17] TURKEY IN 1998 (4)ANKARA (A.A) - Here is a brief chronological glance to events which took place in Turkey in 1998:APRIL 1:The protest which started in Buca prison and spreaded to ten other prisons, ended.Basesgioglu, the Interior Minister, stressed that they were holding inquiries on 300 mayors. Stating that the reports of the Control Commission would be the basis of the inquiry, Basesgioglu said, ''we are inquiring not only the claims of fundamentalism, but also the corruption, and illegal interventions to the tenders.'' Everyone would have a tax number. Under an act adopted in the parliament, the necessity of having a tax number was widened in the fields such as the allocation of a cheque, the transfer of money and the issuing of a passport. Many transactions could not be held without the tax numbers from now on. APRIL 2:The front window of the cockpit of the GAP plane which was taking President Suleyman Demirel to Van province cracked in the seven thousand metre height.An Iranian tourist bus collided with a lorry carrying fuel in Birecik county of Sanliurfa. Twenty-seven people burned to death in the accident. The Supreme Court cancelled the decision of ten-month imprisonment of the students who opened a banner in the Parliament. Mehmet Agar and Sedat Bucak, True Path Party (DYP) deputies, will be tried in a law suit on May 4. Erdal Gokcen, Istanbul State Security Court (DGM) Chief Prosecutor, A.Cengiz Engin and Ahmet Gurses, the Republican Prosecutors prepared an additional charge for the mentioned persons of Susurluk case. The prosecutors asked imprisonment terms for Agar from 7 to 15 years and for Bucak from 11 years to 20 years. APRIL 3:''The Problematic Helicopter'' led to the death of three persons. The helicopter in which Premier Mesut Yilmaz and Bulent Ecevit, Deputy Prime Minister, had earlier faced a trouble, led to a tragedy at last. The helicopter which flew for investigation over Taksim district of Istanbul province fell down to an empty workplace at 3,50 p.m. local time with its seven crew. Three special team policemen died in the accident.Interior Minister Basesgioglu said that the police started to transfer heavy weapons to the army. APRIL 12:Two persons who placed a bomb in a park in Sultanahmet district of Istanbul, wounding nine people, were determined to be the members of the separatist terrorist organization and that they were trained in Greece.APRIL 13:Semdin Sakik, the second man in the separatist terrorist organization (PKK), was brought to Turkey with an operation by the special teams of the General Staff from Northern Iraq. Hasan Sakik, his brother, was also arrested. Sakik brothers were brought to Diyarbakir after being arrested in Duhok with an operation by special teams. The operation was held although Massod Barzani, the leader of Iraqi Kurdistan Democratic Party, opposed to it.216 people died and 880 injured in the traffic accidents that occured in the religious holiday. APRIL 14:Operation in southeastern Sirnak province: 62 terrorists of the separatist organization (PKK) were killed, while ten Turkish soldiers died.APRIL 15:The True Path Party (DYP) decided to boycott the Parliament. DYP Group Executive Committee decided to propose the executive organs of the party to refrain from the parliamentary studies.Premier Mesut Yilmaz and Deniz Baykal, the chairman of the Republican Peoples' Party (CHP) agreed to hold the general and local elections at the same time. APRIL 16:Military service shock to the former minister: A recruitment order for Bahattin Seker, the former State Minister, was issued because ''he deserted from military service.''APRIL 20:Custody for the members of MUSIAD: Seventeen businessmen were taken into custody on the instruction of Nuh Mete Yuksel, Ankara State Security Court (DGM) Prosecutor. The documents of the association and its money in the bank were seized. It was reported that this operation was within the framework of ''investigation against the companies which held activities against secularism.''APRIL 21:Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Istanbul Mayor, was sentenced to ten-month imprisonment for his speech in a meeting of the Welfare Party (RP) in Siirt province. The penalty was not postponed and turned into a fine. In case the Supreme Court ratifies the decision, Erdogan would be deprived of his post as the Mayor of Istanbul and his political life would end.APRIL 24:Semdin Sakik was sent to Diyarbakir State Security Court (DGM). While Sakik confessed many things, he said that Abdullah Ocalan, the terrorist chief, had several phone calls with Akin Birdal, the Chairman of the Human Rights Association (IHD), and he witnessed this. He said, ''Ocalan called him 'my weapon in Turkey'.'' The military sources said that Sakik informed Turkey about the businessmen, politicians, and the countries which have close contacts with the organization, and the basic shelters and the warehouses of the organization.APRIL 27:Necdet Sezer, Chief of the Constitutional Court, made his first warning after the Welfare Party (RP) was closed, and said that the parties which were against the secular system would always be closed.APRIL 29:Measure taken by the National Security Council (NSC) against fundamentalist rector: The National Security Council decided to advise the government to arrange legal regulations to prevent the return of the rectors who were deprived of their posts on charges of their fundemantalist activities by the decision of the Council of State.The biggest of the internal operation against the separatists started. 39 and a half thousand soldiers started to eradicate the separatist terrorist organization (PKK) from the Southeastern region. General Nahit Senogul, the Commander of the Third Army Corps. said that this was the biggest of the operation held in the region. APRIL 30:The operation against the separatist terrorists continued. 77 PKK terrorists were killed in three days.[18] TURKEY IN 1998 (5)ANKARA (A.A) - Here is a brief chronological glance to events which took place in Turkey in 1998:MAY 1:Nuri Karabulut, Guncel newspaper journalist was injured when he hit his head to a signboard while covering the activities of Mehmet Batalli, State Minister, and Mustafa Tasar, Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Affairs Minister, in southern Gaziantep province. Karabulut stayed in coma for 285 days, and died.A total of 243 people in Istanbul, 29 people in Ankara, and 12 people in Izmir was taken into custody during the May 1 celebrations. MAY 3:Kenan Mak, a student from Bolu Abant Izzet Baysal University, was stabbed to death by an extreme rightist group. There were protests after the incident.MAY 6:Ozer Ciller, husband of Tansu Ciller, the chairwoman of the True Path Party, who was tried on charges of forging official documents, and giving insufficient document to the parliamentary investigation commission, was sentenced to five month imprisonment. The court postponed the imprisonment of Ozer Ciller, and changed it into a fine of 1,916,666 Turkish lira. The parliamentary investigation commission was investigating the allegations against Tansu Ciller that she misused her authority and acquired wealth illegally.Forty-nine of the 243 suspects who were taken into custody during May 1 celebrations in Istanbul, were arrested. Ankara State Security Court (DGM) decided to arrest one of the 14 people on charges of involving in the killing of Kenan Mak, a student from Abant Izzet Baysal University, and the injuring of Mustafa Orhan. Soner Gokgul was put under arrest on charges of killing a person. MAY 7:Nineteen of the 27 people who were taken into custody during May 1 celebrations in Ankara were put under arrest. Eight of them were released.MAY 8:Istanbul State Security Court Republican Chief Prosecution submitted the dossier of Mehmet Agar, Elazig deputy, to the Supreme Court for appeal.Ankara Republican Chief Prosecution appealed the decision of the Ankara Seventh Heavy Penalty Court against Ozer Ciller for imprisonment on charges of misusing his authority. MAY 9:Ankara Basic Civil Court fined Dogu Perincek, Chairman of Workers' Party (IP), and Ruhsar Senoglu, the Editor in Chief of Aydinlik magazine, to 1 billion 600 million Turkish liras. Perincek was sentenced to pay this compensation for insulting the personal rights of Tansu and Ozer Ciller, and Senoglu was fined for publishing these insults.MAY 11:My Turkey (Turkiyem) Party was set up under the presidency of Durmus Ali Eker. Turkiyem Party was the thirty-sixth political party of Turkey.MAY 12:Akin Birdal, the Chairman of Human Rights Association (IHD), was seriously injured in an armed attack.A total of 216 kilograms of heroin and 800 grams of opium belonged to Huseyin Baybasin, international drug smuggler, and Nizamettin Baybasin, his cousin, and destined to Italy and Netherlands was seized in the operation held by the Dutch and Turkish police in Istanbul. MAY 14:Ismail Alptekin, the Chairman of the Welfare Party FP, stated that he gave his mission to Recai Kutan.MAY 15:Naim Talu, one of the former prime ministers, died in American Hospital in Istanbul.MAY 17:Sevim Tanurek, Turkish Classical Music singer, to whom Ahmet Burak, the son of Recep Tayyip Erdogan hit by his mother's car on May 11, died.MAY 20:Significant damages, many deaths and injures occured in the flood in northern Bartin province and Devrek and Caycuma counties of southern Zonguldak province and Yenice county of Karabuk province.MAY 21:Life was paralyzed by the torrential rains in Bartin, Karabuk, Bolu, Zonguldak, Sakarya provinces in the Western Black Sea region and in southern Hatay province. State of emergency desks were prepared for the torrential rain which caused many casualties. Three people in southern Antakya province, three people in northern Bartin province and one person in northern Sakarya killed due to floods.A suit was filed against Kudret Kamercan, the pilot of the Puma type police helicopter which crashed on April 3, 1998 on charges of causing deaths and injuries for not being careful and precautionary, by a demand of imprisonment from four to ten years. The indictment stated that the export report indicated that the accident occured because of pilot error. MAY 22:Armed attack to Akin Birdal, Chairman of the Human Rights Association, was illuminated. Fahri Erken and Kerem Deretarla, the assasinators who attacked Birdal on May 12 in IHD General Centre, and Hasan Hasanoglu, Erkal Ulas, Ahmed Fulin and Cengiz Ersever, who organized the attack, were captured in a series of operations by the police. Two guns were also seized in the operations.Sevket Kazan, the former Justice Minister, applied to European Human Rights Commission claiming that the closure of the Welfare Party (RP) and the prohibition of the political life of some of the politicians violated some of the provisions of the European Convention on Human Rights. The provisions in the Convention concerned the right to express one's ideas freely and right to organize. MAY 23:A minibus carrying soldiers and a vehicle of special teams crashed in Elazig province. Six privates died, and 23 people, including 10 privates and 12 policemen, were injured in the accident.Torrential rains throughout Turkey. Prime Ministry Crisis Administration Centre stated that 12 people died, 13 people were lost and 514 people who were stranded were rescued throughout Turkey. MAY 24:Ankara State Security Court (DGM) requested for the closure of MUSIAD. Ankara DGM Republican Chief Prosecutor filed a suit against Erol Yarar, the Chairman of MUSIAD, for provocating hatred and emnity which could endanger the security of the public, demanding imprisonment from one to three year. The Chief Prosecution requested that MUSIAD should be closed since the speech of Yarar did not comply with the Act of Associations no. 2908.Bahri Eken and Kerem Deretarla, who attacked to Akin Birdal, Chairman of the Human Rights Association, were faced with Birdal. Birdal confirmed that Eken and Deretala were the ones who attacked him. MAY 25:Deniz Baykal, Antalya Deputy, was re-elected the third time as the Chairman of Republican People's Party (CHP) with 875 votes.Sevki Yilmaz, former Rize deputy, was sentenced to two-year imprisonment in absentia on charges of insulting the parliament. MAY 26:The Prime Ministry Crisis Centre stated that 17 people died, 11 people were lost in the torrential rains in Hatay, Bolu, Sakarya, Bartin and Zonguldak. Almost one million automobiles were damaged by floods and many animals died. Almost ten thousand houses and workplaces were inundated and 416 houses were destroyed.Stating that Mahmud Yildirim, code named ''Yesil'' (Green) was alive, Premier Yilmaz said, ''Yesil is alive and probably the security forces know where he is.'' MAY 28:Prime Ministry Crisis Administration Centre stated that 18 people died and 4 people were lost in the heavy rains.MAY 29:Eken, Deretala, Ersever, Fulin and Hasanoglu were put into Ankara Prison. Erkal Ulas was released for lack of evidence.The indictment on Semdin Sakik, the so-called commanders of the separatist terrorist organization, demanded death penalty for Sakik brothers. MAY 31:Husamettin Cindoruk was re-elected as the Chairman of the Democratic Turkey Party (DTP) in the DTP Congress.[19] TURKEY IN 1998 (6)ANKARA (A.A) - Here is a brief chronological glance to events which took place in Turkey in 1998:JUNE 1Kutlu Savas, the Chairman of the Prime Ministry Investigation Committee, was elected as the Chairman of the Supreme Board of Radio and Television (RTUK).Ten village guards were killed by separatist terrorists in a clash that erupted in Beytussebap county of Sirnak province. Esber Yagmurdereli, whose imprisonment was postponed for a year due to health reasons, was imprisoned again because he did not present the report he took from the doctor to the officials. JUNE 2Security forces killed 14 terrorists in the operations that were launched in the operations that were staged in Southeastern region.Semih Tufan Gulaltay, who was wanted for inciting people to stage an attack against Akin Birdal, the Chairman of the Human Rights Association, was captured in Istanbul. Later Gulaltay was arrested by the State Security Court. The Chief Prosecution of the State Security Court in Ankara started an investigation for Necmettin Erbakan for his speech issued in 1993 while on pilgrimage to Mecca where he called for ''holy war.'' JUNE 3The new building of A.A was inaugurated by Premier Mesut Yilmaz in a ceremony.Terrorists who stopped a minibus near Sagman village in Pertek county of Tunceli province, shot nine passangers and wounded two others. Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz met with Deniz Baykal, the leader of the Republican Peoples' Party (CHP) in the parliament. Yilmaz said that he agreed with Baykal to bring the proposal of holding elections in April, 1998. Yilmaz pointed out that he will resign from his post till the end of this year. Yilmaz stressed that the elections will probably be held on April 18. JUNE 5Torrential rains in Samsun and its surrounding. While hundreds of houses were flooded, one person died and Samsun-Trabzon motorway was closed to the traffic for a period of time.JUNE 6A French airplane belonging to Air Minevra had to land at the Antalya Military Airport due to its torn wheel. No casualties were reported.JUNE 8Security officials seized 201 kilograms of heroin having a market value of 10 trillion Turkish liras in Istanbul.JUNE 9A suit was filed against Sevki Yilmaz, the former deputy of the banned Welfare Party (RP) requesting his imprisonment for ''insulting President Suleyman Demirel, the parliament and the Turkish Armed Forces'' in one of his speeches.JUNE 11Civil servants held demonstrations allover the country to protest the decision of the government to increase their wages by only 20 percent.Necati Bilican, the Director of Security Department was dismissed from his post and appointed to the governorship. JUNE 1218 people who went on a picnic in Halfeti county of Sanliurfa province, were drowned by the flood, while one person was wounded and 10 people are missing.JUNE 13Seven people were injured by the flood that took place in Erzurum, Agri and Erzurum provinces, 247 hosues were damaged and 250 animals died.Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz said that ''if the Greek Cypriots do any madness, Turkey will retaliate,'' concerning the installation of S-300 missiles to the Greek Cypriot side. JUNE 14''S-300 Operation'' at Canakkale Straits. A Maltese flagged Ro-Ro ship was stopped offshore Gelibolu by Turkish customs officials on the suspicion that it carried S-300 missile launchers. In the search carried out in the ship, seven mobile launchers were found. It is not clear whether the launchers had any connection with the S-300 missiles.JUNE 15Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz and Deniz Baykal, the leader of the Republican People's Party (CHP) signed an agreement concerning elections.The Council of State filed a suit to the Ministry of Interior requesting the latter to start an investigation about Mehmet Agar, the police chief and Korkut Eken, the consultant of Agar concerning the missing weapons belonging to Special Operation Department of the General Directorate of Security. JUNE 16Govanni Damiano Frisullo, who was tried by the State Security Court was sentenced to one year for provocating people and holding an illegal demonstration during Nevruz celebrations -Spring Feast of the Vernal Equinox- The sentence of Frisullo was turned into fine. Frisullo also took active part in demonstrations held in Rome after the chief of the separatist terrorist organization PKK went to Italy.JUNE 18Six F-16 planes belonging to the Turkish Armed Forces landed at Gecitkale Military Airport in Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz said that ''Greece displayed an aggression towards Turkey directly by the missiles and the air force it deployed on Cyprus.''Necmettin Erbakan, the leader of the Virtue Party (FP) gave testimony to Cevdet Volkan, the Chief Prosecutor of the State Security Court for a speech he issued in 1993 during the pilgrimage to Mecca, the sacred places. JUNE 19Hikmet Sami Turk, the State Minister who is responsible for human rights said that Engin Civan, who was wanted for corruption charges was arrested in the US. Civan was released after few days.Bulent Ecevit, the leader of the Democratic Left Party (DSP) said that ''let's make a constitutional change and elect President Demirel as the President again.'' JUNE 24Haci Sabanci, the Deputy President of the Sabanci Holding Executive Board who has been suffering from lung cancer for a long time, died at American Hospital.JUNE 27An earthquake measuring 6.3 on the Richter scale shook southern province of Adana and its surrounding killing 138 people and injuring 1041 people. After the major quake, 56 aftershocks took place in the region.JUNE 29Ibrahim Ozdemir, the Chief Prosecutor of Ceyhan county of Adana province said that investigations have been started regarding the constractors of the buildings which collapsed due to the quake. Several constractors were later arrested.The trial of Necmettin Erbakan, the leader of the banned Welfare Party (RP) started for insulting the Constitutional Court during one of his speeches issued after the closure of his party by the former. Semdin Sakik and his brother Arif Sakik, two of the leading names of the separatist terrorist organization PKK started to be tried by the State Security Court. The Prosecution requested for time for Semdin Sakik to prepare his defense. The hearing lasted for a half hour and was postponed to September 3. [20] TURKEY IN 1998 (7)ANKARA (A.A) - Here is a brief chronological glance to events which took place in Turkey in 1998:JULY 2:Susurluk lorry had an accident again. Hasan Gokce, who was racing with his friend in Ahmetli county of Manisa province crashed into another lorry. Ali Cingoz, the driver of the other lorry, was seriously injured and Gokce was released.Cases of corruption allegations in the parliament: Ankara Republican Chief Prosecutor prepared a report of investigation on Mustafa Kalemli, the former Speaker of the Parliament, on charges of misusing his authority during the renewal of the Parlimentary General Assembly Hall, demanding his parliamentary immunity be lifted. JULY 3:The students who opened a banner in the parliament were acquited. The students who were sentenced to ten-month imprisonment on charges of opening a banner writing ''no to paid education'' were acquited in the first hearing of the case after the Supreme Court cancelled the decision of the former court.JULY 7:Accident in the convoy of Premier Yilmaz. Rustu Kazim Yucelen, State Minister, Sinasi Altiner, Karabuk deputy, Fikret Bila, journalist, bodyguard and the driver were injured in the accident near Uskup of Macedonia. Two Macedonians in the other car died. Bila, Yucelen and Altiner were brought to Turkey in the following days.JULY 9:Bomb exploded in Misir Closed Bazaar. Seven people died and 110 people were injured in the explosion in Misir Bazaar in Eminonu district of Istanbul. The bomb was placed by the separatist terrorist organization. The terrorists who placed the bomb were captured.JULY 13:Decision in the ''AIDS contaminated blood'' case. Kizilay was fined to thirty billion Turkish lira compensation for giving a child named Yigit Oyal blood contaminated with the AIDS virus.JULY 14:Civil servants protested the ''low'' increase in their salaries. Civil servants who are the members of KESK held demonstrations in various places to protest the proposal for a 20 percent increase in their salaries.JULY 15:Hanefi Avci was acquitted. Ankara State Security Court (DGM) acquitted of Hanefi Avci, the former Deputy Chief of Directorate General of Security Intelligence Unit, who was charged with declaring some phone numbers of National Intelligence Organization (MIT).Ankara State Security Court Republican Chief Prosecutor's Office filed a suit against 11 persons on charges of involment in the armed attack towards Akin Birdal, the Chairman of Human Rights Association. JULY 16:Sedat Celasun, former General Commander of the Gendarmerie, died of heart attack in Canakkale province.Necati Bilican was appointed the General Chief of the Police Organization. JULY 17:The Supreme Court annuled the verdict of Metin Goktepe case. The Court stated that the pretext of reason its decision was ''that some of the witnesses was not listened and the demand of widening the inquiry was not fulfilled.''JULY 18:Bulent Ecevit, Deputy Prime Minister, proposed that an amnesty law should be issued for the 75th anniversary of the Republic.JULY 22:Regional Administrative Tribunal decided that the Directorate General of Social Security Agency (SSK) should pay a compensation of 5 billion Turkish liras to N.E. who was raped in Okmeydani Hospital in Istanbul.JULY 23:Approval demand to 33 death penalties. The Supreme Court Republican Chief Prosecution demanded that the death penalty for 33 people to be approved in the Sivas case.An arrestment order in absentia was issued for Hasan Mezarci, the former deputy of the Welfare Party (RP), who was tried on charge of insulting Ataturk in an interview in Yeni Gunaydin newspaper. JULY 25:Kursad Yilmaz, the head of an organized crime gang who escaped from Burdur Prison, was arrested in a village near Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria.JULY 30:Kemal Guruz, the Head of the High Education Board (YOK), stated that the university entrance exams would be only one-step next year.Anadolu Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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