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Anadolu Agency: News in English, 99-04-08

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

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

AA Daily

08 April 1999 Thursday


CONTENTS

  • [01] CHIEF COMMANDER OF NAVAL FORCES TO LEAVE FOR JORDAN
  • [02] FOREIGN MINISTRY: ''GREECE CONTINUES TO LOOK AT ALL ISSUES THROUGH THE SPECTACLES OF HOSTILITY TOWARDS TURKS''
  • [03] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT VISITS REFUGEE CAMP - ECEVIT: ''WE WANT ALL KOSOVARS TO RETURN BACK TO THEIR HOMELANDS AS FREE PEOPLE''
  • [04] FOREIGN TRADE DELEGATION IN RUSSIA
  • [05] ACET, TURKISH AMBASSADOR TO BELGRADE, IN SKOPJE
  • [06] CHANGE IN TRNC CONSTITUTION - TRNC CABINET DISCUSSES ISSUE OF OPENING MARAS FOR KOSOVAR REFUGEES
  • [07] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN
  • [08] 700TH ANNIVERSARY OF FOUNDATION OF OTTOMAN STATE - PROF. DR. GOYUNC: ''THE OTTOMAN WAS NOT A COLONIST OR INVADER STATE AS IT IS CLAIMED''
  • [09] 700TH FOUNDATION ANNIVERSARY OF OTTOMAN EMPIRE - ''SCIENCE AND EDUCATION CONGRESS IN OTTOMAN WORLD'' PRESENTED
  • [10] PROPAGANDA PERIOD FOR THE ELECTIONS AND PROHIBITIONS REGARDING THIS PERIOD START
  • [11] COUNTRIES WHICH ARE MEMBERS OF BSEC MEET IN BAKU
  • [12] COUNCIL OF MINISTERS ADOPTS ACTION PLAN TO BE IMPLEMENTED BETWEEN UKRAINE AND TURKEY
  • [13] GURELI, CHAIRMAN OF TUROB: ''THE INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF TOURISTS IN ANTALYA AND ITS VICINITY IS MISLEADING''
  • [14] TRIAL OF TERRORIST CHIEF - DIRECTORATE GENERAL OF PRESS AND INFORMATION SAYS JOURNALISTS WHO WANT TO FOLLOW THE TRIAL PROCESS OF THE TERRORIST CHIEF SHOULD APPLY TO THEIR DIRECTORATE
  • [15] FOREIGN MINISTRY STARTS DISTRIBUTING A NEW BOOKLET ABOUT PKK
  • [16] POLICE WEEK - PRESIDENT DEMIREL: ''POLICE HAVE TO ABIDE WITH LAWS AND RULES WHILE DOING ITS MISSION, THEY SHOULDN'T ACT BEYOND LEGITIMATE LIMITS''
  • [17] REPRESENTATIVES OF TOURISM SECTOR TO MEET UNDER THE PRESIDENCY OF TAN, TOURISM MINISTER
  • [18] ULUGBAY, DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER: ''STRUCTURAL REFORMS ARE THE REFORMS REQUIRED BY THE TURKISH ECONOMY''
  • [19] FM CEM LEAVES FOR LUXEMBOURG
  • [20] STATE STATISTICS INSTITUTE RELEASES TURKEY'S EXPORTATION AND IMPORTATION FIGURES OF JANUARY 1998 AND JANUARY 1999
  • [21] CHAIRMAN OF HUMAN RIGHTS ASSOCIATION BIRDAL: ''TURKEY'S OPENING ITS DOORS TO KOSOVAR REFUGEES IS A GOOD EXAMPLE OF RESPECT FOR HUMAN RIGHTS''
  • [22] TALKS WITH IMF TO START AT END OF APRIL - ECONOMY OFFICIALS TO ATTEND IMF-WORLD BANK MEETINGS ON 27-28 APRIL - IMF DELEGATION EXPECTED TO VISIT TURKEY IN MAY
  • [23] CHIZOV, RUSSIA'S SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE TO CYPRUS, TO BE RECEIVED BY TRNC PRESIDENT DENKTAS - AVDAYEV, RUSSIAN DEPUTY FM, TO ARRIVE IN CYPRUS LATE ON THURSDAY
  • [24] FOREIGN DEBT PAYMENTS - 2 BILLION 50.4 MILLION U.S. DOLLARS PAID IN FOREIGN DEBT SINCE JANUARY 1, 1999
  • [25] FOREIGN EXCHANGE RESERVES OF CENTRAL BANK DECREASE BY 245 MILLION U.S. DOLLARS IN ONE WEEK
  • [26] SPANISH AMBASSADOR TO TURKEY ATIENZA SAYS WITHOUT TURKEY A EUROPEAN PROJECT CANNOT BE CONSIDERED COMPLETE
  • [27] PRESIDENT DEMIREL: ''THE SIDE, WHICH EMBARKED THE DUTY IN KOSOVO, IS REPRESENTING THE JUSTICE'' - ''WHERE HAS THE U.N. BEEN UP UNTIL NOW? THEN, THE WORKING MANNER OF THE U.N. SHOULD BE CHANGED'' - ''TURKEY IS THE ONLY MOSLEM COUNTRY AMONG THE COUNTRIES, WHICH CAME TO KOSOVO TO SAVE THESE PEOPLE''

  • [01] CHIEF COMMANDER OF NAVAL FORCES TO LEAVE FOR JORDAN

    ANKARA, April 8 (A.A) - Admiral Salim Dervisoglu, the Chief Commander of the Naval Forces, will leave on 9 April to Jordan as the official guest of Field Marshal Abdal Hafez Marei Kaabneh, the Chief of the Jordanian General Staff, it was reported on Wednesday.

    The Naval Forces Commandership Secretariat General issued a statement saying that Admiral Dervisoglu will meet on 10 April with the King of Jordan Abdullah Bin Hussein and visit the tomb of King Hussein.

    Later, Admiral Dervisoglu will hold a meeting with Field Marshal Abdal Hafez Marei Kaabneh.

    Admiral Salim Dervisoglu, who will meet with General Mohammad Khair Ababneh, the Chief Commander of the Jordanian Air Forces, and visit the Solely Turkish Martrydom, will attend the reception to be given at the Oruc Reis Frigate in Akabe.

    Admiral Dervisoglu will return to Turkey on 12 April after wrapping up his official contacts in Jordan.

    [02] FOREIGN MINISTRY: ''GREECE CONTINUES TO LOOK AT ALL ISSUES THROUGH THE SPECTACLES OF HOSTILITY TOWARDS TURKS''

    ANKARA, April 8 (A.A) - The Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday that Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis' mentioning about Turkey even when explaining Greece's attitude against the Kosovo issue and trying to pursuade the Greek public opinion proved that Greece continues to see the world through the spectacles of hostility against Turkey.

    The Foreign Ministry issued a statement stressing that Greek Premier Simitis started his statement to television channel with the known attacks against Turkey while the aim of his statement was to explain the policy assumed by the Greek government in the Kosovo issue.

    Noting that this sick attitude brought the Simitis government into the level of providing every support even to the chief of the terrorist organization which turned Greece into a terrorist country, the statement said that Greece should understand that her policy based on hostility towards Turkey is a blind alley and that this policy won't bring any result except escalating the tension in the region.

    Greek Prime Minister Simitis addressed two days ago the Greek people through all television channels saying that Greece is under Turkish threat in the Aegean and most of Cyprus is occupied by Turkey.

    [03] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT VISITS REFUGEE CAMP - ECEVIT: ''WE WANT ALL KOSOVARS TO RETURN BACK TO THEIR HOMELANDS AS FREE PEOPLE''

    KIRKLARELI, April 8 (A.A) - Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit visited on Wednesday the Gaziosmanpasa Refugee Guesthouse in Kirklareli province in the Thracian region.

    Prime Minister Ecevit and his wife Rahsan Ecevit also visited the prefabricated houses constructed for the Kosovar refugees.

    Receiving information from the camp officials, Prime Minister Ecevit said there are more than 2,500 Kosovars at the camp and they expect the number of refugees to increase.

    Noting that he was pleased to see that all requirements of the Kosovar refugees were met, Ecevit said the Kosovars at the camp are ''guests, not immigrants.''

    ''We want all Kosovars to return back to their homelands as free people who hold their heads high. That place is their homeland, and this place is their second homeland. All Kosovars are our sisters and brothers,'' Ecevit said.

    Later, Prime Minister Ecevit left the camp with a helicopter.

    Meanwhile, Carolyn Huggens, the U.S. Consul General in Istanbul, and the Consulate staff also visited the refugee camp.

    Responding to a question, U.S. Consul General Huggens said that they didn't forget Turkey's aid to the people migrated from Northern Iraq, and now Turkey expends efforts for the Kosovars.

    [04] FOREIGN TRADE DELEGATION IN RUSSIA

    MOSCOW/ANKARA, April 8 (A.A) - The Turkish Foreign Trade delegation and the Russian delegation exchanged opinions about the measures to be taken for the revival of the Turkish-Russian commercial and economic relations which entered into a declining trend due to the economic crisis in Russia, it was reported on Wednesday.

    The Foreign Trade Undersecretariat issued a statement saying that Yavuz Ege, the Undersecretary of Foreign Trade, was received by the Russian Minister of Economy within the scope of the Turkish delegation's visit to Russia between 4-7 April.

    The statement said Yavuz Ege also met with the Russian Minister of Fuel and Energy, Deputy Minister of Finance, the Chairman of the Gasprom company, and the officials at the Foreign Economic Affairs Bank and Central Bank.

    Noting that the activities of the Turkish-Russian working groups, which were established in the fields of energy, industry and contracting, were evaluated during the contacts, the statement said that the measures, which will be taken to increase the exports to Russia, were reviewed.

    The statement said the Turkish and Russian delegations reviewed the developments about the increase of natural gas transfer to Turkey; the problems of the Turkish contracting companies, which are carrying out projects in Russia; the shuttle trade; the investment loan to Russia by the Turkish Eximbank; the last situation of business and trade centers, which were planned to be built in Moscow by some Turkish firms and organizations and the relations in the field of transportation.

    The statement added that the delegations reached a consensus on holding the Fourth Term Meeting of the Turkish-Russian Joint Economic Commission in the third quarter of 1999.

    [05] ACET, TURKISH AMBASSADOR TO BELGRADE, IN SKOPJE

    SKOPJE, April 8 (A.A) - Ahmet Acet, the Turkish Ambassador to Belgrade and the Special Representative of President Suleyman Demirel, arrived on Wednesday in Skopje to convey President Demirel's message to Macedonian President Kiro Gligorov.

    Speaking to reporters at the Skopje Airport, Ambassador Acet said that he will convey the message of President Suleyman Demirel, who will pay a visit to Macedonia on 11 April, to Macedonian President Gligorov.

    Stressing the importance of the air bridge, which was established between Turkey and Macedonia, for saving the lives of people, Ambassador Acet said that the Red Crescent will set up a camp in Macedonia and the Red Crescent officials accompanying him will rapidly start initiatives to this end.

    ''Our basic goal is to help our kinsmen and people, who are under difficult conditions here, to find shelter. We regard our assistance for these refugees to return back to their homes in Kosovo as a duty,'' he said.

    Sermet Atacanli, the Deputy Spokesman of the Foreign Ministry, staged the same day a press conference saying that President Suleyman Demirel will pay a one-day visit on 11 April covering Albania and Macedonia.

    Atacanli said that Ambassador Ahmet Acet, who was appointed by President Demirel as his special representative, will visit the region.

    Noting that Ambassador Acet will bring special messages to the Albanian and Macedonian Presidents from President Demirel, and prepare a report on the latest developments, Atacanli said that President Demirel, in his messages, mentions about Turkey's views, concerns, and efforts for aiding the Kosovar refugees.

    [06] CHANGE IN TRNC CONSTITUTION - TRNC CABINET DISCUSSES ISSUE OF OPENING MARAS FOR KOSOVAR REFUGEES

    LEFKOSA, April 8 (A.A) - The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) coalition government, which was formed by the Natioral Unity Party (UBP) and Socialist Liberation Party (TKP) after the polls on 6 December 1998, decided to give the start for a study into the issue of making a change in the TRNC Constitution which was adopted together with the declaration of the TRNC in 1983, it was reported on Wednesday.

    The change foresees the limitation of the mandate of the President with two terms and lifting off the ban on public employees from politics.

    The TRNC Council of Ministers decided to discuss the change in a broad platform.

    Salih Miroglu, the Minister of Public Works and Transportation and the Spokesman of the Council of Ministers of the TRNC, said that the process for the change in the Constitution started and a committee will be established to this end.

    Responding to a question after the meeting of the Council of Ministers, Miroglu said they discussed TRNC President Rauf Denktas's proposal for opening Maras for the Kosovar refugees.

    ''This is a humanistic proposal. It should not be found odd. However, the distress about the Maras issue can't be diffused by a decision to be taken up only by the TRNC. It includes issues mentioned in the U.N. records. Thus, it is an issue necessitating consultations with several circles. The government thinks that such a study can be carried out,'' he said.

    When asked whether or not an initiative was launched at the U.N. to this end, Miroglu said the issue is in the responsibility of the TRNC Foreign Ministry and an initiative will be launched.

    Stressing that the Turkish Cypriots, who experienced and suffered from the similar things in the past, are following the humanitarian drama in Kosovo with a deep sorrow, Miroglu said, ''we, as the TRNC, are ready to fulfil our responsibilities.''

    Miroglu added that the TRNC government supports the aid campaigns in the TRNC for the Kosovar refugees.

    [07] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

    These are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in Turkey's press on April 8, 1998. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

    HURRIYET (LIBERAL) SAME DISASTER
    The dreadful plane crash that took place early on Wednesday morning in southern Adana province killing all six crew members aboard, is similar to the Pittsburg disaster which claimed the lives of 130 people in 1994 in the U.S. Both the planes were Boeing 737 and it was understood after the Pittsburg disaster that the tail rudder of Boeing 737 type planes were faulty.

    ECEVIT: THIS IS YOUR SECOND HOMELAND
    Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit visited Kosovars living in Gaziosmanpasa Immigrant Guest House in Kırklareli province yesterday. ''This is your second homeland,'' said Premier Ecevit and he later walked through the camp holding the hand of a young refugee child. He gave soccer balls, dolls, and chocolate to children there. ''We want all the Kosovars to return to their homes freely and with their heads held up high. All Kosovars are our brothers and they are a legacy of our history,'' he added.

    MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

    PASSPORT TO TERRORISM
    A Greek passport was seized yesterday in an operation staged in a flat of a person who supports and helps the terrorist organization PKK in Genc county of Bingol province. The passport was prepared in the name of Lutos Markos in 1994 and it is used by a Turkish person abroad. An official said ''the colour of the passport is red and we investigate whether or not it is fake or not.'' Security officials informed the Foreign Ministry about it, which later asked the Greek officials for information.

    THREE HOSTESSES WERE ENGAGED
    The three hostesses who died in the plane crash that took place on Wednesday morning in southern province of Adana were engaged and they were preparing to get married next month.

    SABAH (LIBERAL)

    INFLATION DECREASES IN SPITE OF OIL PRICES
    Hikmet Ulugbay, the Deputy Prime Minister and State Minister responsible from Economy said that the prices of crude oil increased by 45 percent in March-April, adding ''the trend of the decrease in the inflation continued in spite of the high oil prices.''

    PRESIDENT DEMIREL'S MORALE VISIT
    President Suleyman Demirel will leave for Albania and Macedonia on April 11, Sunday to boost morale of Kosovar refugees and observe the developments in the region. Meanwhile, Ismail Cem, the Foreign Minister will participate in two important meetings in Luxembourg and Brussels which will determine the fate of Kosovo. President Demirel appointed Ahmet Acet, the Turkish Ambassador to Yugoslavia who had earlier left this country, as ''special representative'' to the region.

    CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

    DIPLOMATIC PRESSURE
    Turkey which takes important steps concerning humanitarian aid to Kosovar refugees, is also influential in the international arena about this crisis. President Demirel will leave for Macedonia and Albania on Sunday to hold contacts regarding the Kosovo crisis. Ahmet Acet, President's Special Representative conveyed the special message of President Demirel to Kiro Gligorov, the Macedonian President and Recep Meydani, the Albanian Prime Minister yesterday.

    UNINTERRUPTED TRIAL OF OCALAN
    The trial of Abdullah Ocalan, the chief terrorist, which will start on April 30 in Imrali Prison will be uninterrupted and the trial will be completed within one month by postponing the court sessions only for one week. Talat Salk, the Prosecutor of State Security Court in Ankara said that they have great difficulty concerning the reflection of the statements claimed to be said by Abdullah Ocalan to the press. Salk pointed out that they won't request the court to take testimony of Semdin Sakık, ''second name'' of the terrorist organization who was earlier captured.

    RADIKAL (LEFT)

    BOMB AT THE BORDER
    Three time bombs were seized in a car which was entering into Turkey from Ipsala Border Gate of northwestern Edirne province. Three persons, including a pregnant woman, were taken into custody. The security forces searched the car on a doubt and found three time bombs hidden in a special part. The captured people were determined to be members of an illegal organization.

    NUMBER OF KOSOVARS IN TURKEY EXCEEDS 8,000
    The number of the Kosovars who came to Turkey reached 8,068 while the number of the Kosovars staying in the guest-house in northwestern Kirklareli province reached 2,768. The Kosovars who have relatives in Turkey left the guest-house and the others were placed in the prefabricated houses and tents. A total of 900 tents were set up for the Kosovars besides the houses.

    VEHBI EMRE WRESTLING TOURNAMENT STARTS
    Seventeenth International Vehbi Emre Graeco-Roman Wrestling Tournament starts today in western Izmir province. Turkish, Iranian, French, South Korean, Romanian, Polish, Egyptian, Azerbaijani, and Lithuanian national teams will participate in the tournament which will last for three days. The coach of the Turkish national team said that their target is to become the champion in the tournament and that he believes that they will beat their rivals.

    YENİ YÜZYIL (LIBERAL)

    TAN, TOURISM MINISTER: ''NO PANIC!''
    Ahmet Tan, the Tourism Minister, said that tourism sector is under threat and the stagnation in tourism causes rivals in this sector to decrease their prices in order to attract more tourists. Responding to the questions of Yeni Yuzyil daily, Tan said that they try to overcome the problems on organizational basis rather than on company basis.

    DEMIREL DUE IN ALBANIA AND MACEDONIA FOR THE KOSOVAR REFUGEES
    Turkey not only carries out aid campaigns for the Kosovar refuguees but also accelerates her diplomatic contacts with NATO and the regional countries. Within this framework, President Suleyman Demirel will go to Albania and Macedonia on Sunday to hold diplomatic contacts for the Kosovar refuguees while Ismail Cem, the Foreign Minister, will meet with the foreign ministers of the countries which are the members of the European Union (EU) and the countries in the region today.

    TÜRKİYE (RIGHT)

    PREMIER ECEVIT VISITS REFUGUEES
    Premier Bulent Ecevit went to northwestern Kirklareli province and visited the refuguees. Ecevit said, ''all needs of the Kosovars are being met. Now, the children want toys from me.''

    FOUR RUSSIAN SHIPS WAITING
    Four Russian war ships are waiting for command to sail to the Mediterrenean. The Russian sources said that four Russian war ships, including an anti-submarine, a patrolling and defense ship and two landing ships are waiting for command to start their voyage to the Mediterrenean; adding that these ships were trained for additional mission before the Russian operation which will start on April 19, 1999.

    ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

    CEVIK, CANKIRI GOVERNOR, DISCHARGED FROM HOSPITAL
    Ayhan Cevik, Cankiri Governor who was severely wounded in a bomb attack which was staged against him on March 5, 1999, was discharged from Hacettepe University Hospital. The doctors said that the health condition of Cevik is good.

    INFLOW FROM KAPIKULE BORDER GATE STOPS
    The inflow of Kosovar refuguees from Kapikule Border Gate via highway stopped. The officials said that nobody entered into Turkey in the last 24 hours and that they learned from the Bulgarian authorities that no Kosovar refuguees entered into their country at the same time.

    [08] 700TH ANNIVERSARY OF FOUNDATION OF OTTOMAN STATE - PROF. DR. GOYUNC: ''THE OTTOMAN WAS NOT A COLONIST OR INVADER STATE AS IT IS CLAIMED''

    KONYA, April 8 (A.A) - Prof. Dr. Nejat Goyunc at the Istanbul University Science-Literature Facult said on Wednesday that the Ottoman State was not a colonist or invader state as it is claimed.

    Addressing the ''International Congress on Ottoman State'' which was organizad by the Selcuk University within the framework of the 700th anniversary of the foundation of the Ottoman State, Prof. Dr. Goyunc said the history should be read comperatively in order to reach true judgements about the states.

    ''We should research what other states did during the same time. In that period, Spain and Portugal shared the world. Later, Britain and France became rivals for sharing the world. Then, why we call the Ottoman as a colonist state? The Ottoman State gave the right of living to the people from different religions, sects, and races by protecting their freedoms and religious beliefs within a broad tolerance. The Ottoman State was not an invader or colonist state,'' he said.

    Stressing that the Ottoman State appointed Non-Moslems as seniors at the Ottoman administration, Prof. Dr. Goyunc said, ''some foreign historians, who visited the Ottoman in the 16th century, stress that this implementation enables the state to further improve.''

    [09] 700TH FOUNDATION ANNIVERSARY OF OTTOMAN EMPIRE - ''SCIENCE AND EDUCATION CONGRESS IN OTTOMAN WORLD'' PRESENTED

    ISTANBUL, April 8 (A.A) - The ''Science and Education Congress in Ottoman World'' which is held by Organization of Islamic Conference Research Center of Islamic History, Art and Culture (IRCICA) within the framework of the celebrations of the 700th foundation anniversary of the Ottoman Empire, is presented on Wednesday.

    Addressing the meeting held at Yıldız Palace to give information about the congress, Prof. Dr. Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, the General Director of IRCICA, said the congress will be held between April 12-15 by the support of President Suleyman Demirel.

    Prof. Dr. Ihsanoglu, said that many scientists from 30 countries including the U.S., Germany, Iran, Italy, Japan, Russia, and Greece will take up different dimensions of science and culture in the Ottoman Empire during the congress.

    Noting that the Ottoman history is not only the history of the Turkish people, Prof. Dr. Ihsanoglu said that this history is one which belongs to all peoples living in the Ottoman Empire.

    ''We have to search this history together and share it,'' Prof. Dr. Ekmeleddin Ihsanoğlu said, adding the congress will start by the opening ceremony that will be held in Dolmabahce Palace that will be held on April 12.

    Referring to the developments in Kosovo, Prof. Dr. Ihsanoglu stressed that the right of living of many people have been violated in Kosovo.

    ''Behind these incidents, there are fascist approaches and several ideas remaing from communism. The atmosphere of peace and tranquility have never been installed again after the withdrawal of the Ottoman Empire from these places. We will hold this conference because we attribute importance to this history,'' he added.

    The congress, which will start on April 12, will be open to people till April 16. Within the framework of the congress, exhibitions belonging to the traditional Ottoman reign will be displayed and various concerts reflecting the Ottoman music will be staged.

    [10] PROPAGANDA PERIOD FOR THE ELECTIONS AND PROHIBITIONS REGARDING THIS PERIOD START

    ANKARA, April 8 (A.A) - The propoganda period regarding the coming general and local elections that will be held on April 18 and the prohibitions regarding this period started on Thursday.

    Political parties can propagate for the coming elections according to the principles foreseen by the Law No. 298 on Basic Provisions of Elections and Elector Registers in the period till 18.00 local time one day before the election date.

    According to these provisions, Prime Minister, ministers and deputies won't pay their visits regarding election campaign by vehicles that are allocated for official services. Welcome and farewell ceremonies during such visits are also included in the list of prohibitions.

    Staging inauguration ceremonies, including those for services and or works that are funded by state-subsidized administrations, special city administrations, municipalities, and related offices and institutions and establishments subject to the bank law will be prohibited.

    Prime minister and ministers will be under liability regarding their election activities and their speeches.

    During this term, no civil servant can participate in visits within the framework of election campaigns of prime minister, ministers, deputies and candidates.

    In open places, verbal propaganda won't be allowed after the sun sets till sun rise.

    Holding meetings in the name of political parties or independent deputies indoors will be allowed; however, these meetings won't be held in temples, schools, barracks, headquarters, military places, and installations and other places where civil service is carried out.

    Turkish flag and religious wording won't be used in handbills or printed matters published for election campaign.

    Those people who will distribute these handbills should also have the right to elect.

    Campaign slogans can be broadcast from loudspeakers but not in front of places of worship, army barracks, or schools. The regulations also foresee that the broadcasts must not be loud to disturb residents.

    [11] COUNTRIES WHICH ARE MEMBERS OF BSEC MEET IN BAKU

    BAKU, April 8 (A.A) - The representatives of the countries which are the members of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC) met in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijani, on Thursday.

    In the meeting to which Turkey, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Ukraine, Russia, Romania, Bulgaria, and Greece attended and in which the press was not allowed, the representatives discussed the social and economic problems in their countries.

    Ahmet Gurbuz Ketenci, one of the representatives in the Turkish delegation, told A.A correspondent that the retired people are the ones who face the social security problem the most in the BSCE countries.

    Ketenci drew the attention that the economic problems and the high inflation lead to millions of people's living under the normal life standards.

    Stating that setting up a legal structure is the most prior thing to be done, Ketenci emphasized the importance of the social security agreements which should be signed between the BSCE countries.

    A draft on providing social security for the retired people in the BSEC countries was adopted in the end of the meeting.

    [12] COUNCIL OF MINISTERS ADOPTS ACTION PLAN TO BE IMPLEMENTED BETWEEN UKRAINE AND TURKEY

    ANKARA, April 8 (A.A) - The Council of Ministers approved the ''1999 Action Plan between Turkish General Staff and Ukrainian National Defense Ministry'' signed between the two countries in the field of military training, technical, and scientific cooperation, it is reported on Thursday.

    Within the framework of the agreement, the meetings foreseen between the two countries in the military field in 1999 are specified in a calendar. The agreement also opens the way to holding 20 activities and 18 activities respectively in Turkey and Ukraine.

    One land troop belonging to Ukrainian Land Forces and one or two ships belonging to Ukrainian Naval Forces will participate respectively in the Partnership For Peace's (PFP) operation of ''Peace Star-99'' and ''Partnership-99'' operation.

    Representatives from the Turkish Armed Forces will be present in the ''Peace Shield-99'' operation that will be staged in August in Kiev.

    General Huseyin Kıvrıkoglu, the Chief of General Staff is expected to visit Ukraine due to the plan, which also foresees exchange of intelligence that concern the two countries and exchange of personnel.

    [13] GURELI, CHAIRMAN OF TUROB: ''THE INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF TOURISTS IN ANTALYA AND ITS VICINITY IS MISLEADING''

    ANKARA, April 8 (A.A) - Ali Gureli, the Chairman of Turkish Union of Hotels (TUROB), said on Thursday that the increase in the number of tourists in southern Antalya province and its vicinity is misleading, adding that the incomes of the ones in the tourism sector decreased.

    Gureli told A.A correspondent that the 14 percent increase in the number of foreigners entering from Antalya Airport in four months has no effect on the revenues from tourism.

    Pointing out that 1998 was a loss for Turkish tourism sector, Gureli noted that the figures of 1998 could hardly catch up with that of 1997 and that meeting a new tourism season with an unsuccessful year cannot give positive and correct results.

    Stating that the 14 percent increase in the number of tourists in Antalya and its vicinity is misleading, Gureli said, ''We should take measures to revive the tourists coming from Germany and from the countries which are under the influence of Germany.''

    An official from Union of Mediterrenean Hotels (AKTOB) said that they hope that the Russian tourists will come to Turkey after April 25, adding that they wish that the 15 million U.S. dollar will be given by Prime Ministry Promotion Fund to the promotion campaign as soon as possible and thus the promotion campaign can start.

    [14] TRIAL OF TERRORIST CHIEF - DIRECTORATE GENERAL OF PRESS AND INFORMATION SAYS JOURNALISTS WHO WANT TO FOLLOW THE TRIAL PROCESS OF THE TERRORIST CHIEF SHOULD APPLY TO THEIR DIRECTORATE

    ANKARA, April 8 (A.A) - The Directorate General of Press and Information said on Thursday that the journalists who want to follow the trial process of Abdullah Ocalan, the terrorist chief, should apply to their directorate.

    The statement of the Directorate said that a press centre will be set up in suitable conditions in Mudanya county of Bursa province in the Marmara Region for the journalists who will follow the trial process of Ocalan.

    The Directorate General of Press and Information will later inform the domestic and foreign journalists by issuing a statement about the arrangements for the press.

    [15] FOREIGN MINISTRY STARTS DISTRIBUTING A NEW BOOKLET ABOUT PKK

    ANKARA, April 8 (A.A) - The Foreign Ministry started distributing a new booklet which listed the terrorist attacks of the terrorist organization PKK that were staged against the civilians.

    The booklet named ''PKK Dossiers'' which was prepared by the Foreign Ministry puts forward the terrorist and violence attacks of the PKK in details.

    Emphasizing that 30,000 Turkish citizens died in the terrorist attacks of the PKK in the foreword of the booklet, the booklet said, ''there are women, young people, babies, and children among these 30,000 people. Most of them died at nights. Terrorism took their lives from them. Some of them died only a few months after their birth. They had not seen the ones who killed them before and they did not know what they were being punished for.''

    The aim of the booklet is introducing the real face of the terrorist organization to the public opinion.

    The booklet which was prepared by benefitting from the news reports, gives information about the 33 terrorist attacks of the PKK in the period between 1987 and 1998.

    The booklet is being distributed to the foreign institutions in Turkey, the Turkish representations in foreign countries and the Turkish and foreign press agencies.

    The Foreign Ministry had before published three books about the PKK terrorism, Abdullah Ocalan, the terrorist chief, and the relations between Greece and PKK terrorism.

    [16] POLICE WEEK - PRESIDENT DEMIREL: ''POLICE HAVE TO ABIDE WITH LAWS AND RULES WHILE DOING ITS MISSION, THEY SHOULDN'T ACT BEYOND LEGITIMATE LIMITS''

    ANKARA, April 8 (A.A) - President Suleyman Demirel said on Thursday that the nation fully trusts in security organization and police, adding police have to abide with laws and rules while doing its mission and should not act beyond these legitimate limits.

    Issuing a statement upon the foundation anniversary of the directorate general of security and police week, President Demirel said that Turkey has the standarts of a modern and democratic state in all fields.

    ''The basic mission of a democratic legal state is to protect all of its citizens and their properties. Our police organization fulfils this mission for 154 years as being the legitimate power and representative of our state, '' he added.

    [17] REPRESENTATIVES OF TOURISM SECTOR TO MEET UNDER THE PRESIDENCY OF TAN, TOURISM MINISTER

    ANKARA, April 8 (A.A) - The representatives of the tourism sector will meet on Friday under the presidency of Ahmet Tan, the Tourism Minister, in Istanbul to overcome the crisis in the tourism sector; it is reported on Thursday.

    The representatives of the tourism sector will disclose their wishes like providing new credits for their sector, increasing the Eximbank credits, postponing the tax, and insurance payments until the end of 1999 and decreasing the rate of Value Added Tax (VAT) in tourism.

    Stating that Turkey should be made attractive for the tourists, the representatives will advise that a commission formed by the officials of the public and private sector will be set up to revive the image of Turkey in the promotion campaign.

    [18] ULUGBAY, DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER: ''STRUCTURAL REFORMS ARE THE REFORMS REQUIRED BY THE TURKISH ECONOMY''

    ANKARA, April 8 (A.A) - Hikmet Ulugbay, the Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister of State responsible for economy, said on Thursday that Turkish economy requires structural reforms.

    Speaking to the A.A correspondent, Ulugbay said, ''if there are people, who think that Turkish economy doesn't need these reforms, then they should explain the reasons. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) wants reform, but the this is not the only thing. First of all, those people have to specify the needs of Turkey.''

    ''The budget deficit in March had already been expected. The three-month development is a little more than it was expected, and this had an effect too. Besides, there was a decline in the collection of tax revenues. The reason for this was the developments related to the international conjuncture,'' he said.

    ''The anti-inflation programme is being implemented. Thus, it is possible to get lasting results in the inflation as long as compensation is not given in the anti-inflation programme. The struggle against the inflation is a part of the state programme. There are duties to be fulfilled by the Central Bank, Treasury and all public organizations,'' Ulugbay added.

    [19] FM CEM LEAVES FOR LUXEMBOURG

    ISTANBUL, April 8 (A.A) - Ismail Cem, the Foreign Minister, left on Thursday for Luxembourg to attend a meeting on ''Aid to Kosovo'' in which the foreign ministers of the European Union (EU) member countries and the countries in the region, and the officials from the Office of the U.N. Refugees High Commissioner will participate.

    Speaking to reporters prior to his departure from the Ataturk Airport in Istanbul, Cem said that the aim of the meeting is to give an effective aiding hand of the world to the Kosovar refugees.

    Pointing out that Turkey pioneered in the help to Kosovo and she will continue to do so, Cem said, ''we will explain the issue of help and aid. We have plenty of words to tell these countries. We will put forward our opinions about other countries' participation in this humanitarian aid which was started by Turkey.''

    [20] STATE STATISTICS INSTITUTE RELEASES TURKEY'S EXPORTATION AND IMPORTATION FIGURES OF JANUARY 1998 AND JANUARY 1999

    ANKARA, April 8 (A.A) - Turkey's exportation for January 1999 has been reported as 1 billion 773.1 U.S. dollars while its importation reached to 2 billion 177 million U.S. dollars.

    Last year in January, Turkey's exportation was 2 billion 193.9 and importation was 3 billion 105.6 million U.S. dollars. According to these figures, the country's exportation decreased by 19.2 percent while importation dropped by 29.9 percent respectively.

    The meeting ratio of export to import increased to 81.4 in January 1999 from 70.6 of January 1998.

    The foreign trade deficit of January 1998 dropped 55.7 percent and became 403.9 million U.S. dollars in January 1999.

    Below are the figures released by the State Statistics Institute comparing Turkey's exportation and importation in January 1998 and January 1999.

    . January 1998 January 1999 Change percentage

    EXPORTATION 2,193.9 1,773.1 -19.2
    IMPORT 3,105.6 2,177.0 -29.9
    FOREIGN TRADE
    DEFICIT -911.7 -403.9 -55.7
    MEETING
    RATE PERCENTAGE 70.6 81.4</PRE>

    Turkey does most of its foreign trade with the members of the European Union (EU). In January 1999, Turkey's exportation and importation with EU countries have been reported as 971.5 and 1 billion 63.2 million U.S. dollars respectively.

    Turkey's exportation to OECD countries was 1 billion 204.3 million U.S. dollars and its importation was 471.3 million U.S. dollars in January 1999.

    In January 1999, 200.4 million U.S. dollars was obtained from exportation in agriculture and forestry sector, 3.6 million U.S. dollars from fishery, 15.6 million U.S. dollars from mining and metal sector, 1 billion 552.1 million U.S. dollars from production sector and 1.5 million U.S. dollars from other sectors.

    Turkey's import in January 1999, on the other hand, reached to 438.1 million U.S. dollars in capital goods, 202.8 U.S. million dollars in consumption goods and 18.4 U.S. dollars in other kinds of goods.

    [21] CHAIRMAN OF HUMAN RIGHTS ASSOCIATION BIRDAL: ''TURKEY'S OPENING ITS DOORS TO KOSOVAR REFUGEES IS A GOOD EXAMPLE OF RESPECT FOR HUMAN RIGHTS''

    ANKARA, April 8 (A.A) - Akin Birdal, Chairman of Human Rights Association (IHD) said on Thursday that Turkey displays a good example of respect for human rights by opening its doors to the refugees.

    Birdal organized a press meeting for the representatives of Amnesty International who visited him at IHD Headquarters. The IHD Chairman stated that he did not think the general elections will meet Turkey's demands in terms of its human rights. ''Because the constitutional system is not suitable for that. We should not expect a miracle from the elections,'' Birdal stated.

    Birdal stressed that, on the brink of the 21st century, they did not approve putting human rights defenders into jail because of their thoughts.

    ''Turkey's opening its doors to the Kosovar refugees is a good example of respect for human rights. We wish that a humanitarian solution was found to the Kosovo problem and a crime like this was never committed because of ethnic identities. This is a crime which does not only target Kosovo but the whole humanity,'' Birdal continued.

    Volkmar Deile, the General Secretary of Germany Section of Amnesty International, who also spoke at the meeting said freedom of thought is a basic right of man and Turkey's certain laws regulating freedom of thought must be changed or cancelled.

    [22] TALKS WITH IMF TO START AT END OF APRIL - ECONOMY OFFICIALS TO ATTEND IMF-WORLD BANK MEETINGS ON 27-28 APRIL - IMF DELEGATION EXPECTED TO VISIT TURKEY IN MAY

    ANKARA, April 8 (A.A) - The talks between the Turkish economy officials and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which started at the beginning of the year but was later paused due to the preparations for the polls, will resume with the meetings to be held at the end of April, it was reported on Thursday.

    The economy officials will attend the World Bank-IMF meetings, which will take place in Washington D.C. between 27-28 April, and give information about the latest developments in the Turkish economy.

    The issue of a fund source supported programme with the IMF is expected to be discussed at the talks in which Ulugbay will participate as the IMF Governor; Gazi Ercel, the President of the Central Bank, as the IMF Deputy Governor; and Yener Dincmen, the Undersecretary of Treasury, as the World Bank Governor.

    The opportunity of a three billion U.S. dollars Structural Accordance Loan (SAL) to be obtained from the World Bank can also be put into the agenda of the talks.

    There is a need for an agreement with the IMF to obtain a SAL.

    Meanwhile, it is stressed that an IMF delegation may visit Turkey in May to carry out studies for a probable agreement, if an atmosphere of agreement with the IMF is created.

    The ''Staff Monitoring'' is generally replaced by a ''Stand-By'' while the probability of preference of an Extended Fund Facility (EFF), which is supported by a SAL, instead of a Stand-By including strict measures, is much more higher.

    Officials mention that a country, which is implementing a Staff Monitoring Programme Agreement, is ready for a Stand-By.

    Pointing out that the technical infrastructure of a probable agreement with the IMF was shaped during the previous talks in Washington D.C., the officials said it is difficult to put into practice the agreement before August 1999 due to the processes like mutual visits, ''Letter of Intention'' of the new government, its ratification at the IMF General Assembly even if the early elections are held at the right time.

    Officials said the channels for foreign borrowing will be opened after positive signals are sent to international markets, enabling Turkey to realize borrowing at the U.U. dollar market, which seeks stability and includes mostly institutional investors.

    [23] CHIZOV, RUSSIA'S SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE TO CYPRUS, TO BE RECEIVED BY TRNC PRESIDENT DENKTAS - AVDAYEV, RUSSIAN DEPUTY FM, TO ARRIVE IN CYPRUS LATE ON THURSDAY

    LEFKOSA, April 8 (A.A) - Viladimir Chizov, Russia's Special Representative to Cyprus, met on Thursday with Iannakis Casulides, the Foreign Minister of the Greek Cypriot administration.

    Following his meeting with Casulides, Chizov, who arrived from Athens late on Wednesday in the Greek Cypriot side to prepare background for Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Aleksander Avdayev's visit to the island, said that they will work for the improvement of the efforts for the solution of the Cyprus issue.

    Chizov, who will proceed to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) the same day, will be received by Rauf Denktas, the President of the TRNC.

    Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Avdayev arrive in the Greek Cypriot side late on the same day. Avdayev, who will meet on Friday with TRNC President Rauf Denktas and Greek Cypriot administration leader Glafcos Clerides, will later leave the island together with Chizov.

    [24] FOREIGN DEBT PAYMENTS - 2 BILLION 50.4 MILLION U.S. DOLLARS PAID IN FOREIGN DEBT SINCE JANUARY 1, 1999

    ANKARA, April 8 (A.A) - Turkey has repaid a total of 2 billion 50.4 million U.S. dollars of foreign debt since the beginning of this year, it was reported on Thursday.

    The Central Bank data shows that the Treasury paid 1 billion 488.53 million U.S. dollars; the International Monetary Fund (IMF) repaid 195.9 million U.S. dollars; the Central Bank repaid 114.42 million U.S. dollars; the Ministry of National Defense and the Defense Industry paid 250.32 million U.S. dollars and the Defense Fund paid 1.23 million U.S. dollars in foreign debt between January 1 and April 8, 1999.

    Meanwhile, a total of 82.09 million U.S. dollars of foreign debt was repaid between April 1 and 7.

    [25] FOREIGN EXCHANGE RESERVES OF CENTRAL BANK DECREASE BY 245 MILLION U.S. DOLLARS IN ONE WEEK

    ANKARA, April 8 (A.A) - The foreign exchange reserves of the Central Bank decreased by 245 million U.S. dollars between March 26 and April 2, it was reported on Thursday.

    The Central Bank data shows that the foreign exchange reserves, which was 21 billion 438 million U.S. dollars on 26 March, dropped to 21 billion 193 million U.S. dollars on 2 April.

    Meanwhile, according to the 19 March-based statistics, Turkey's total international gross reserves increased 942 million U.S. dollars to 33 billion 819 million U.S. dollars between March 12 and 19.

    The international gross reserves of Turkey were 32 billion 877 million US dollars on 12 March.

    As of 26 March, Turkey's international reserves were composed of 1 billion 12 million U.S. dollars in gold reserves; 21 billion 661 million U.S. dollars in the Central Bank's foreign exchange reserves; and 11 billion 145 million U.S. dollars in the commercial banks' foreign exchange reserves.

    [26] SPANISH AMBASSADOR TO TURKEY ATIENZA SAYS WITHOUT TURKEY A EUROPEAN PROJECT CANNOT BE CONSIDERED COMPLETE

    ANTALYA, April 8 (A.A) - Jesus Atienza, the Spanish Ambassador to Turkey, stated on Thursday that Spain strongly supports Turkey's membership to the European Union and added that ''a European project without Turkey cannot be considered complete.''

    Atienza attended the promotion meeting of the Spanish industry fair, Expotecnia 99, which will take place in Istanbul between June 1 and 6 this summer.

    The Spanish Ambassador pointed out that the two countries are currently living the most important time of their histories in terms of the relations between Spain and Turkey.

    Atienza stressed that the two countries have perfect bileteral relations and said they aim to strengthen and develop these relations through mutual and continious visits. He drew attention to the similarities in the history of Turkey and Spain and stated that both countries were first victorious empires, then went through a power decline and finally gave a modernization war. Atienza added that these similarities would make Turkey and Spain understand each other better.

    Referring to the Spanish Prime Minister Anzar's latest trip to Turkey, Atienza said that bileteral relations between the two countries became stronger through the Common Activity Plan to Develop Bileteral Relations which was signed between Turkish and Spanish prime ministers. This also initiated a long term program for the promotion of economic and cultural ties, he said.

    The Common Activity Plan, Atienza stated, will play a very significant role in the development of a cultural cooperation as well as information and opinion exchange between civil societies. The cooperation covers a wide range of fields, including tourism, science, technology, sports, music and art. The Spanish Government will open a Cervantes Institute in Istanbul to show its determination in strengthening bileteral ties.

    The Spanish Ambassador pointed out that the global trade volume between Turkey and Spain reached to 2 billion U.S. dollars and added that the trade volume between the two countries is growing at a bigger rate than the trade volume between Turkey and the European Union.

    However, the commercial relations have not been equally supported, Atienza pointed out. Turkey constitutes only 1.2 percent of Spain's exportation while its share from Spain's investments abroad remains at 0.04 percent. This becomes more obvious when it is considered that the Spanish firms made investments worth of 25 billion U.S. dollars abroad only during 1997 and 1998.

    Atienza said Spain comes after the United States in Latin America in terms of investments and that she is a leader in telecommunication, petrolium, gas, electricity, banking, insurance and construction sectors. The Spanish Ambassador stated that Turkey made important investments in Eastern Europe, Caucasia, and Central Asia and similar developments should take place between Turkey and Spain too.

    Expotecnia 99 will be a very good opportunity for both Spanish and Turkish firms to initiate commercial and economic cooperations, he concluded.

    [27] PRESIDENT DEMIREL: ''THE SIDE, WHICH EMBARKED THE DUTY IN KOSOVO, IS REPRESENTING THE JUSTICE'' - ''WHERE HAS THE U.N. BEEN UP UNTIL NOW? THEN, THE WORKING MANNER OF THE U.N. SHOULD BE CHANGED'' - ''TURKEY IS THE ONLY MOSLEM COUNTRY AMONG THE COUNTRIES, WHICH CAME TO KOSOVO TO SAVE THESE PEOPLE''

    ANKARA, April 8 (A.A) - President Suleyman Demirel said on Thursday that the side, which embarked the duty to put an end to the humanitarian dramma in Kosovo, is representing the justice, adding, ''the NATO won't give up a work it started before it is finished. Where has the U.N. been up until now? Then, the working manner of the U.N. should be changed.''

    Stressing that Turkey is the only Moslem country among the countries which arrived Kosovo to save those people, Demirel said that a humanity duty is being carried out in Kosovo without religious and racial discrimination.

    President Suleyman Demirel received the same day Zeki Celiker, the Chairman of the Turkish Union of Parliamentarians, and the accompanying delegation.

    ''Such a great tragedy of humanity has not been experienced for a long time. Nobody has used innocent civilians as an implementation of a non- declared war by oppressing and expelling them mercilessly from their homelands under bad weather conditions. Cannons, bombs, everything are used in war, but using innocent people by exposing them to suffering, and benefiting from this suffering have not been applied up until now. Even the wars, which were declared, protect civilians in accordance with the Geneva Agreement,'' President Demirel said.

    ''The civilized world and the NATO were not late and did not remain to be viewers, they seized the issue. This is a non-declared war. The side, which embarked the duty in Kosovo, represents the justice,'' he added.

    ''The NATO will fulfil its responsibilities. The NATO started this, and it will not give up before the conclusion,'' President Demirel said.

    Demirel said there are 174 Bosnian and 2,432 Kosovar refugees are staying at the camp in Kirklareli.

    ''There are murders in Kosovo. You can't clear and acquit the murderers. Then, where has the U.N. been up until now? Thus, the working manner of the U.N. should be changed. It means that the system doesn't work if there are persons who say that I am putting veto even when there are murders. Consequently, the issue in Kosovo is an issue to draw lessons from it,'' he said.

    A.A


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