Anadolu Agency: News in English, 99-04-14

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AA Daily

14 April 1999 Wednesday

CONTENTS

[01] TURKISH REPUBLIC OF NORTHERN CYPRUS ASKS FOR 200 KOSOVAR CHILDREN

[02] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

[03] ADVISOR COMPANY SALOMON SMITH BARNEY: ''IMKB IS AMONG THE STOCK EXCHANGES SHOWING HIGH PERFORMANCE'' - ''TURKEY STARTED TO RECOVER FROM RUSSIA CRISIS SHOCK''

[04] TURKISH-BULGARIAN BORDER TO BE SWEPT AWAY FROM THE LAND MINES

[05] SALES OF IMPORTED AUTOMOBILES DECREASE TO 15,884 PIECES IN Q1

[06] VALUE ADDED, WHICH WAS FORMED TOGETHER WITH IRRIGATION IN GAP REGION, REACHES ONE BILLION U.S. DOLLARS IN FOUR YEARS

[07] THE OTTOMAN EMPIRE AND TURKEY OPENED ITS HEART TO REFUGEES FROM ALL NATIONS THROUGHOUT ITS HISTORY

[08] HAYDAR ALIYEV RECEIVES ''ATATURK PEACE AWARD'' - ALIYEV: ''I AM VERY HAPPY TO DESERVE THIS AWARD WHICH HAS THE NAME OF MUSTAFA KEMAL ATATURK''

[09] SERB ATTACK AGAINST ALBANIAN VILLAGES - PREMIER ECEVIT: ''THE EVENT THAT TOOK PLACE YESTERDAY WAS ONLY A SPARK, BUT THAT SPARK CAN TURN INTO A FIRE''

[10] CONFERENCE - MORNINGSTAR, THE U.S. PRESIDENT CLINTON'S SPECIAL ADVISOR SAYS BAKU-CEYHAN IS THE ONLY ALTERNATIVE

[11] CONSTITUTIONAL COURT REJECTS REQUEST OF CHIEF PROSECUTOR SAVAS ABOUT HADEP FOR THE SECOND TIME

[12] PREMIER ECEVIT SAYS TURKISH PLANES' HAVING AN ACTIVE ROLE IN YUGOSLAVIA IS INCONVENIENT''

[13] AID FROM TRNC TO KOSOVAR REFUGEES - FIRST PARTY AID CONVOY TO SET OUT ON WEDNESDAY EVENING

[14] SERB ATTACK AGAINST ALBANIA - FM CEM: ''THE INCIDENT SEEMS LIMITED WHEN WE JUST LOOK AT IT, BUT IT IS A WORRYING SIGN''

[15] GREEK SUPPORT TO TERRORIST ORGANIZATION - TURKEY PREPARING TO EXPLAIN ONCE AGAIN CONNECTION BETWEEN GREECE AND TERRORIST ORGANIZATION''

[16] NATO'S AIR OPERATION - ATACANLI, DEPUTY FM SPOKESMAN: ''ASSIGNMENT OF TURKISH PLANES ATTENDING OPERATION HAVE DEFENSE QUALITY''

[01] TURKISH REPUBLIC OF NORTHERN CYPRUS ASKS FOR 200 KOSOVAR CHILDREN

Denktas asked for 200 Kosovar children who have no one to look after, in a letter he sent to the Turkish Red Crescent. The children will be placed with Cypriot families.

The TRNC president also stressed that his wish to place the Kosovar refugees in the Maras region which is closed to settlement, is completely humanitarian.

[02] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

HURRIYET (LIBERAL) ATATURK PEACE AWARD TO BE GIVEN TO AJERBAIJANI PRESIDENT
The ''Ataturk Peace Award'' will be given this year to Azerbaijani Pesident Haydar Aliyev.

Aliyev will receive the honorable award from President Suleyman Demirel with an official ceremony on 19 May in Ankara.

PRESIDENT DEMIREL TO SELL HIS SEDORA
President Suleyman Demirel gave his famous sedora, which he didn't allow anybody to snatch it for years, for the public auction which will be organized by the UNICEF on 29 April at the Ciragan Palace in Istanbul to aid the Kosovar children.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

The Republic Chief Prosecutor's Office earlier opened an investigation against Ciller on charges of ''exploitation of religion'' during her address to people at an open-air meeting in eastern Erzurum province.

KUTAN: ''I DON'T CARE ABOUT PREMIERSHIP''
Talking to Milliyet correspondent, Recai Kutan of the Virtue Party (FP) said, ''there is a concept of surtraining in soccer. The speed of those people, who started campaign earlier, is slowing down. But our speed is gradually increasing. Some people, who said for some time that the FP is procrastinating the campaign, are now panicked.

''The slogan 'Kutan, the Prime Minister' doesn't affect me. Because, I am not passionate. Tansu Ciller jumped into the politics with parachute, she doesn't have the sufficient infrastructure. She can't go well with people in one way or another. Thus she is an excessively aggressive person. She is at loggerheads with us, the mass media and everybody,'' Kutan said.

SABAH (LIBERAL)

300 MORE PLANES ARE ON THE WAY
The United States are sending 300 more airplanes to Serbia to be used in the air strikes. The NATO started the air strike with 430 planes on March 24. The United States sent 500 planes to Serbia so far. The NATO will have about one thousand planes after the news ones arrive before the weekend. The 90 percent of the NATO's air force has been provided by the United States. The presence of A-10 Thunderbolts among the reinforcement planes is heralding a land operation.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

The FP, which longed to possess the votes of 2,5 million Turkish citizens living in Europe, is carrying them to the Border Gates through its supporter companies which arranged flights for these voters between Turkey and Europe.

The Kombassan's airlines company, the Alfa Air, is implementing deduction in the ticket prices for the flights to Turkey of the Turkish citizens who will pay a short term visit for voting.

BAKU-CEYHAN WORKING PROTOCOL SIGNED
The Turkish and Azerbaijani Working Groups signed the Istanbul Protocol regarding the Azerbaijani Main Export Pipeline (Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan).

Richard Morningstar, the U.S. President Bill Clinton's Special Advisor for Caspian Basin, signed the protocol as the observer.

In accordance with the protocol, the sides will expend every kind of efforts to finalize the Inter State Agreement, Host Country Agreement and Turn-Key Delivery Agreement concerning the Baku-Ceyhan project within three months.

The sides also decided to assign the Turkish Pipeline Oil Transportation Corp. (BOTAS) as the turn-key delivery contractor for the Main Export Pipeline.

RADIKAL (LEFT)

The stock dealers think the declining trend will continue. These factors also affected the interest rate and the U.S. dollar. The interest rate climbed to 107 percent and the U.S. dollar increased to 380 thousand Turkish Liras.

NATO CALLS TURKISH PLANES FOR ACTIVE ATTACK
The NATO, which decided to send 8 thousand troops to Albania within the framework of the ''Allied Harbour Operation'', is increasing the dosage of the air strikes.

Wesley Clark, Chief Commander of NATO Allied Forces, requested 300 additional planes form the U.S. It is mentioned that Turkey was asked to send reinforcement or the F-16s' active participation in bombards.

YENİ YÜZYIL (LIBERAL)

President Suleyman Demirel asked for detailed information about the incident from Ambassador Ahmet Acet whom he assigned to the region as a special representative.

NATO'S SECRET PLAN
The NATO officials stated that they are in preparation of a land operation. The NATO is training its soldiers and making plans to place troops. The soldiers in Tiran will be the backbone of the operation. ''A land intervention is necessary and it was planned beforehand. Do not forget that there are already 20 thousand soldiers in Macedonia and Albania. A land troop will be sent to assure the return of those who have been forced out of their homes,'' said Javier Solana, the NATO Secretary General.

TÜRKİYE (RIGHT)

GERMANS LOOK FOR TURKISH PARTNERS
Industrial managements in Germany look for partners in Turkey. The production cost is too high in Germany so the companies try to avoid it by investing in Turkey, said Dr. Mehmet Ali Karademir, the Deputy Chairman of Germany-Turkey Academicians Union. Thousands of entrepreneurs look for Turkish partners and this brings inexpensive financement to Turkey, he pointed out and added that the German Economy Minister suppports these mergings.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

Vatican Ambassador Pier Luigi Celata said that the broadcasts of the Centro Televisivo Vaticano (C-TV), the only TV channel of Vatican, are connected only with Vatican and travels and meetings of Pope Jean Paul II, thus the C- TV doesn't have any connection with an organization close to the PKK.

FIRST STEP TO TURKISH CUP
Galatasaray and Besiktas will fight for the Turkish Cup in the final first leg at Galatasaray's Ali Sami Yen Stadium in Istanbul.

The first leg will start at 19:00 local time.

The two teams will play the final for the fifth time against each other. In these finals, both Galatasaray and Besiktas won the Cup for two times.

In Galatasaray's museum, there are 11 Turkish Cups while Besiktas holds five Turkish Cups.

[03] ADVISOR COMPANY SALOMON SMITH BARNEY: ''IMKB IS AMONG THE STOCK EXCHANGES SHOWING HIGH PERFORMANCE'' - ''TURKEY STARTED TO RECOVER FROM RUSSIA CRISIS SHOCK''

The SSB's latest report on ''emerging markets'' said the IMKB increased from 19th place to 17th place at global level.

Noting the negative effects of the Russia crisis, which gave rise to the exit of foreign capital from Turkey, were decreased, the report said Turkey started to get rid of the Russia crisis shock.

Pointing out that the inflation in Turkey entered into declining trend, the SSB estimated that the inflation rate at the end of 1999 will be 46 percent.

The SSB said the balance of current transactions will give a 0.5 percent surplus of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Estimating that the exports will increase by three percent compared to previous year, the SSB said the imports will decrease by 0.1 percent.

According to the SSB, the GDP will increase this year two percent to 201 billion U.S. dollars.

SSB said that the national income per capita will be 3,052 U.S. dollars, the ratio of total foreign borrowings to the GDP will reach 43.1 percent and the ratio of Public Sector Borrowing Requirement to the GNP will be 9 percent.

[04] TURKISH-BULGARIAN BORDER TO BE SWEPT AWAY FROM THE LAND MINES

Bulgarian Border Guard Commandership told a statement that security measures in the region will be increased due to the works to sweep away the mines.

Officials said thus a total of 10,000 acres of fields will be opened to agriculture. The fields will be transferred to their first owners.

Efforts to sweep away the land mines in the region are expected to last at least three months.

[05] SALES OF IMPORTED AUTOMOBILES DECREASE TO 15,884 PIECES IN Q1

The Imported Automobiles Representatives' Association data shows that the sales of imported automobiles decreased to 15,884 pieces.

The total sales in the same period in 1998 was 20,823 pieces.

The names of some of the companies and number of imported autmobiles sold in 1999 Q1 are as follows:

Name of Company Number of Imported Cars Sold

--------------- ----------------------------
Volkswagen (VW) 3,862

Opel 2,518

Peugeot 1,199

Mazda 998

Nissan 813

Ford 767

Renault 678

Proton 653

Mitsubishi 543

BMW 409
Jaguar 4

Daihatsu 4

Maserati 2

Ferrari 1

Rolls Royce 1

Rover 1

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In 1998, a total of 111,536 imported automobiles were sold.

The VW also ranked first with sales of 25,736 cars.

Opel followed the VW with 19,712 pieces and Renault ranked third with 8,674 automobiles.

Ford sold 6,899 cars and Peugeot exported 6,240 cars to Turkey last year.

[06] VALUE ADDED, WHICH WAS FORMED TOGETHER WITH IRRIGATION IN GAP REGION, REACHES ONE BILLION U.S. DOLLARS IN FOUR YEARS

Speaking to the A.A correspondent, Alemdaroglu said that the irrigation of Sanliurfa and Harran plains started when the irrigation tunnels were put into practice in 1994, automatically contributing to the economy.

Pointing out that a total of 20 thousand hectares of land was opened to irrigation in 1995 and this amount is now increased to 108 thousand hectares, Alemdaroglu said, ''the gross agricultural income obtained from the lands opened to irrigation increases 184 million U.S. dollars annually.''

''If we take into consideration its effects on other sectors, then we should at least double this, and this means that it provides 300 million U.S. dollars revenue annually. If we multiply it by four years, the income obtained from GAP reaches one billion U.S. dollars,'' he said.

Noting that the value added which will be provided by the agricultural sector for the region will be 7.4 billion U.S. dollars when the irrigation facilities are put into practice and 1.7 million hectares of land is opened to irrigation, Alemdaroglu said, ''we expect 6.4 billion U.S. dollars income from the forestry sector; 8.8 billion U.S. dollars income from the aquaculture sector and 239 million U.S. dollars revenue from the stockbreeding sector, an this equals to total 17.7 billion U.S. dollars of income. When the whole GAP finishes, the Gross National Product will be 17 billion U.S. dollars. Besides, a total of 2 million 46 thousand people will be employed in the agricultural sector.''

[07] THE OTTOMAN EMPIRE AND TURKEY OPENED ITS HEART TO REFUGEES FROM ALL NATIONS THROUGHOUT ITS HISTORY

The Muslims and Jews who were exposed to cruelty in Spain in 1486 had sent an Envoy to the Ottoman Empire to tell Ottomans about their desperate situation.

Following this, the Ottoman Empire sent a fleet under the command of Kemal Reis to the Spanish coast which rescued a some of the Muslims and Jews and brought them to Turkey.

Upon the increasing cruelty and humanitarian tragedy in Spain, the government had ordered the Navy Admiral Kilic Ali Pasa to assist Jews and Muslims who needed help. Many of these people were first transferred to African coasts from Spain and later were placed in southern Adana and Tarsus provinces. These people were also kept exempt from tax for five years until they gain strength in their new land.

In another incident, five thousand Hungarian and Polish people escaped from the strict European administration and found shelter under the Ottoman Empire. The Ottoman Empire risked a war and did not extradite these people.

According to the historical records, Lajos Kossuth, the Hungarian Head of State had sent a letter to Sultan Abdulmecit in the 18th century and asked if he could help himself and his friends. Abdulmecit, in his reply, said he would rather risk the life of 50 thousand Turks than risking those people. Five thousand Hungarians and Poles immigrated to the Turkish land after Abdulmecit gave assurance to Kossuth that they will be safe in Turkey.

After their immigration, the Russian and Australian states pressured Turkey and threatened that this might cause a war. ''I would give up my throne and my head but never those who ask for shelter from my state,'' Abdulmecit responded to the threats. Later the immigrants were placed in Istanbul, Halep, Vidin and Silistre.

Kossuth and his friends left the Ottoman land after 21 months and went to London. ''Thanks to Turks, today I am alive and free. They did not yield to the threats. Turkish nation has an extraordinary strength because of this. The existence of Turks today and in the future is for the benefit of Europe and humanity. I live with the memories of goodness and respect that Turks showed me,'' Kossuth said in London.

The famous author Bernard Lewis points out that Turkey always offered shelter to Jews who lived under pressure in Europe.

The Belarussians who were scattered all around the world after the Bolshevik Revolution in 1917 found freedom in Turkey. Turks offered endless hospitality to those who left their own land without taking anything with them and started several campaigns in 1921 to provide food, blankets and health service to the people of Belarus. Their choice of Turkey mainly rooted from endless tolerance and hospitality they enjoyed in the Ottoman land according to the records.

The author, Jack Delon, in his book ''Belarus people at Beyoglu'' also tells about memories of people of Belarus who escaped to Turkey. ''We always thought this when we escaped from Russia: Turks who offered help to Jews who escaped from the Spanish inquisition, will not turn us down,'' an immigrant said.

''Thanks Istanbul! You opened your heart to us, you gave us shelter, you gave us employment, you saved our lives. We will not forget you, the most beautiful city of the world!'' it said in the foreword of a book which was published in France in 1930.

The editor of the book wrote ''This book is formed by the modest efforts of Russian journalists and authors before they left Istanbul. The book aims to thank all the people in Istanbul of all nations and religions''.

Another 30 thousand Russians who had to escape from their country during the Russian monarchy rule, immigrated to Turkey and escaped death in 1905. After the Second World War broke, more than ten thousand of people came to Turkey, the only country where they believed they would be safe. In the recent history, in 1990, during the Gulf War, about 500 thousand people immigrated to Turkey who enjoyed Turkish hospitality.

In 1979, about one million refugees again came to Turkey after the Islamic revolution in Iran. Turkey accepted four thousand refugees in 1982 after the Soviet Union attempted to invade Afghanistan and 300 thousand Bulgarians immigrated to Turkey in 1991 because of pressure of the Bulgarian government.

[08] HAYDAR ALIYEV RECEIVES ''ATATURK PEACE AWARD'' - ALIYEV: ''I AM VERY HAPPY TO DESERVE THIS AWARD WHICH HAS THE NAME OF MUSTAFA KEMAL ATATURK''

Aliyev told A.A correspondent that he wishes to thank the Turkish Republic for giving him this prize.

Aliyev, who received the award for his contributions to peace, brotherhood and good will within the framework of the principle of ''peace abroad, peace at home,'' gave messages to both Turkish and Azerbaijani young people.

''Azerbaijani and Turkish young people should protect and develop their countries in line with the principles of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk,'' he said, noting he wishes further development of both Turkey and Azerbaijan and he wants to see the youth of the two countries active in this process.

Haydar Aliyev will get his award on May 19.

[09] SERB ATTACK AGAINST ALBANIAN VILLAGES - PREMIER ECEVIT: ''THE EVENT THAT TOOK PLACE YESTERDAY WAS ONLY A SPARK, BUT THAT SPARK CAN TURN INTO A FIRE''

Responding to questions of journalists, Bulent Ecevit said that

''according to the official information I received yesterday, a clash in border between Albania and Yugoslavia took place. After that Serb forces entered Albania from the border for 200 metres up to an evacuated village. A cross-border clash took place and Serbs withdrew. However this shows that we face a very serious danger, the event that took place yesterday was only a spark, but it can turn into a fire. The U.S. and the Russian federation have to reach an agreement upon a solution in Kosovo as soon as possible.''

Noting that NATO has some conditions about the ceasefire, Ecevit said that ''Serb forces have to withdraw from Kosovo first of all and those who were forced to leave their homes have to return back. Secondly an international security troop has to be deployed between Kosovo and Serbia. This can constitute a temporary solution, but I don't know how Serbs will react to that.''

When asked whether or not the Turkish F-16s were requested to actively participate in the bombardment, Ecevit said ''no''.

[10] CONFERENCE - MORNINGSTAR, THE U.S. PRESIDENT CLINTON'S SPECIAL ADVISOR SAYS BAKU-CEYHAN IS THE ONLY ALTERNATIVE

Addressing a conference in Istanbul University Morningstar said using of the Straits in oil transportation was not convenient due to the environment and security reasons, adding that this was a fact that should be understood.

Pointing out the importance of political relations of Turkey with Georgia and Azerbaijan, Morningstar recalled that President Suleyman Demirel was a strong supporter of Baku-Ceyhan Oil Pipeline.

Noting that it was enough to look at the map to realize the importance of Turkey in the region, Morningstar said the U.S. did not want to be in competition with Russia on the issue of Caspian oils, and pointed out that it wanted cooperation.

Responding to a question on the issue of security, Morningstar said none of the countries were secure completely, and pointed out that the U.S. may extend technical aid to overcome these problems.

Speaking about the passing of pipeline from Iran, Morningstar said the U.S. has political problems with this country and that this line was not appropriate due to trade means.

[11] CONSTITUTIONAL COURT REJECTS REQUEST OF CHIEF PROSECUTOR SAVAS ABOUT HADEP FOR THE SECOND TIME

The Constitutional Court discussed the request of Vural Savas who demands barring HADEP from all kinds of political activities.

The High Court said that the closure case of HADEP filed by the Chief Prosecution of the Court of Appeals is pending before the court and it rejected the application of Vural Savas.

Vural Savas applied to the Constitutional Court on February 25 to make it take precautionary measure about HADEP and ban it from competing in the coming elections.

The High Court rejected this first application under the principles of the Law on Foundation and Trial Procedures of the Counstitutional Court No. 2949, the Code on Political Parties No. 2820 and the Code of Criminal Procedure No. 1412.

Savas, the Chief Prosecutor of the Court of Appeals submitted his opinion about the merits of the closure case last week. Savas pointed out to the connection between HADEP and the terrorist organization PKK as it is stated by Abdullah Ocalan, the chief terrorist in his testimony and asked the High Court to take precautionary measure about HADEP.

[12] PREMIER ECEVIT SAYS TURKISH PLANES' HAVING AN ACTIVE ROLE IN YUGOSLAVIA IS INCONVENIENT''

Responding to questions of journalists in the plane, Ecevit said that ''I hope there won't be a minority government after the elections on April 18, because even if it is a coalition, it is difficult to adopt laws when a minority government is in power.''

Evaluating the recent developments in Yugoslavia, Ecevit described them as ''very dangerous.''

''One spark or a behaviour of one officer can cause the fire to further spread,'' he added.

Responding to a question, Ecevit said that NATO didn't ask Turkey to send additional air force. Noting that Turkish planes carry out an important defense mission, Ecevit said ''it is not convenient for our planes to have a more active role, because we are a Balkan state.''

[13] AID FROM TRNC TO KOSOVAR REFUGEES - FIRST PARTY AID CONVOY TO SET OUT ON WEDNESDAY EVENING

Semi Bora, Lefkosa Mayor, said two trucks, carrying the aid in question, will be sent to Turkey with ferryboat. One of the trucks carries clothes, the other medicine and food stuff.

Adem Sener, who handed in the aid on behalf of Gonyeli Primary School, said Turkish Cypriot people suffered the same sorrows, adding that expending aid was required.

[14] SERB ATTACK AGAINST ALBANIA - FM CEM: ''THE INCIDENT SEEMS LIMITED WHEN WE JUST LOOK AT IT, BUT IT IS A WORRYING SIGN''

Addressing a press briefing in central Kayseri province, Cem said that the Turkish government is continiously in contact with Albania and it monitors the developments.

''We contacted with the Albanian government and the Albanian foreign minister about the attack that took place yesterday. If the incident that happened yesterday spreads, a new advanture can erupt in the Balkans. We are in continious contact with the NATO and the Albanian government. Anything can happen in the Balkans,'' Cem said.

Referring to the decision about the MED-TV, the mouthpiece of the terrorist organization PKK, Cem said the decision taken by Britain is pleasing, adding ''the British independent commission is the decision organ about the issue of the MED-TV. The news we received yesterday note that the closure of the MED-TV will continue. This is not official information, but I think we will receive this news soon. We are happy about it.''

''Does Greece support NATO operation against Yugoslavia,'' asked a journalist to Cem, who replied as saying that the Greek administrators are in dilemma. ''They are in harmony with NATO decisions, but they seem to be supporting Serbs in front of their citizens. Greek people does not support the air operation,'' he added.

Responding to another question, Cem said Turkey does not exert efforts to found new camps for Kosovar refugees. ''We can shelter 20,000 refugees at the moment. If the number of refugees increases, we will take new measures.''

[15] GREEK SUPPORT TO TERRORIST ORGANIZATION - TURKEY PREPARING TO EXPLAIN ONCE AGAIN CONNECTION BETWEEN GREECE AND TERRORIST ORGANIZATION''

Sermet Atacanlı, the Foreign Ministry Deputy Spokesman told a weekly press briefing that Turkish officials will explain their views about the connection between Greece and the terrorist organization PKK in their bilateral contacts during the NATO summit that will be held in Washington D.C. between 23-25 April 1999 upon the 50th foundation anniversary of NATO.

Responding to a question, Atacanlı said that the 50 years of NATO will be evaluated at the NATO summit and the alliance's studies for the future will be discussed.

''We have always focused on the Greek support to the terrorist organization both in bilateral level and within NATO. Our President and Foreign Minister will have the opportunity to convey once again our views and concerns about this support proved by documents,'' Atacanlı added.

[16] NATO'S AIR OPERATION - ATACANLI, DEPUTY FM SPOKESMAN: ''ASSIGNMENT OF TURKISH PLANES ATTENDING OPERATION HAVE DEFENSE QUALITY''

Atacanli and Ahmet Acet, President Suleyman Demirel's Special Representative, responded to questions during weekly news conference of Foreign Ministry regarding NATO operation and the aid Turkey expended to Kosovo refugees.

Responding to a question Atacanli said no demand came to Turkey from NATO regarding a change in assignment of Turkish planes in the operation and noted that ''the duty of our 11 planes in the region is limited with the defense quality operations and Turkey carries out its assignment within the framework of its commitments in NATO.''

When asked about Serbian troops' violation of Albanian border, Atacanli said ''it is understood from the different news reports that a small incident happened in Albanian border. Such incidents, which may cause new tensions, should not be repeated in the Balkans region which is going through a sensitive and severe period.''

Atacanli also said existing agreement between Turkey and Albania was a military traning cooperation, adding that ''there is nothing Turkey can do to Albania in bilateral plan apart from NATO. We continue to cover the developments within the framework of NATO.''

Responding to another question Atacanli briefed about the passage of Russian ships from the Straits and noted that Russia had given announcements to Turkey that a total of 10 ships, including Leman ship which passed earlier, will pass.''

Stressing that Russia's announcements in question were convenient to procedure, Atacanli said a group of ships are expected to pass from the straits between April 15-16, another one between April 18-19 and the rest three ships between April 21 and 22 within the framework of the new announcement.

When asked about contribution of Russia to the solution of the crisis experienced in Kosovo, Atacanli said ''any contribution in international community to put an end to this risky situation will be welcomed. Russia, as an important country, of course will serve to the peace if it can advise the Belgrade regime in the direction of the expectations of international community.''

Pointing out that Turkey expended many efforts with its limited facilities to expend aid to Kosovar refugees, Atacanli stressed that these efforts should be example to the whole world.

Atacanli said a total of 3.387 refugees (1082 women, 991 men, 679 boys and 635 girls) have been settled in Gaziosmanpasa Refugee Guesthouse as of April 12. 967 people had been settled in the camps yet later they were transferred to their relatives.

Meanwhile Ahmet Acet, who returned to Turkey after Yugoslavia halted embassy activities following NATO operation, conveyed about his impressions regarding the aid provided to Kosovar refugees and the developments.

Acet said Turkey aims at providing the most effective aid speedily and pointed out that Albanian and Macedonian officials appreciated the efforts of Turkey.

Noting that preparations to establish a tent city in Albania were underway, Acet said the Red Crescent did this as Albania and Macedonia did not have the facilities to undertake infrastructures of these camps.

Acet underlined that minimum living conditions should be established for the refugees to return to their countries and pointed out that first of all peace atmosphere should come to the region to realize this.

Acet also said Turkey's Embassy in Belgrade was not closed, only its activities were stopped, adding that they will activate when the atmosphere becomes convenient.

A.A

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