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Anadolu Agency: News in English, 01-04-23Anadolu Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Anadolu Agency Home Page at <http://www.anadoluajansi.com.tr/>Anadolu AgencyANADOLU AGENCY NEWS 23 APRİL 2001 Monday CONTENTS
[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCANThese are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in Turkey's press on April 23, 2000. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.HURRIYET (LIBERAL)''INDICTMENT DOES NOT INCLUDE HIS NAME''Talak Salk, the Prosecutor of State Security Court (DGM), submitted the indictment regarded with the investigation into allegations about corruption in energy tenders, to the DGM Chief Prosecutor's Office. The 77- page indictment, accuses 15 people of corruption and bribery. The indictment sought imprisonment term of 12 years to suspects including a former minister and the former Director General of TEAS. The indictment does not include name of Energy and Natural Resources Minister Cumhur Ersumer. According to the jurists, Salk considered allegations as suspects' statements to save themselves. CHECHEN TERROR AT ISTANBUL'S SWISSHOTEL MILLIYET (LIBERAL)STATE MINISTER DERVIS'S HARSH STATEMENTState Minister Kemal Dervis called on politicians not to compare political and economic accounts with each other. Speaking at a seminar in Antalya on ''National Stability Program and Foreign Competition in Textile Sector in 2000s'', Dervis stressed, ''this is not only a stability program, but it is a reconstruction program. The basis of the reconstruction is to change border between political and economic fields.'' EUROPEAN BUSINESSMEN DUE IN SOUTHEASTERN ANATOLIA REGION SABAH (LIBERAL)THREE DEATH-FASTING PEOPLE DIEThree death-fasting people died on Sunday. A total of 17 people died so far because of death fasts. Senay Hanoglu, 30, who had been fasting to death for 160 days to support her husband at prison, died. Sibel Surucu, 24, who was transferred from Kartal Prison to Sagmalcilar State Hospital, lost her life. Meanwhile, Hatice Yurekli, 32, who had been fasting to death at Ulucanlar Prison, died at Ankara's Numune Hospital. CUMHURIYET (LEFT)TURK:''22 TERRORIST ORGANIZATIONS FORCE THEIR MEMBERS TO FAST TO DEATH''Justice Minister Hikmet Sami Turk said, ''22 terrorist organizations have been forcing their members to fast to death. Those who have been fasting to death, should put an end to their action with their free will.'' Turk said that three bills had been submitted to the parliament for approval, and added, ''these include amendments to Article 16 of the Anti-Terrorism Law, Enforcement Jurisdiction Bill, and Prison Monitoring Committees Bill; so as to eliminate the sources of problems which lead prisoners and their relatives raise complaints. I believe that death fasting and hunger striking prisoners, too, will figure that these bills will meet their demands once they have been enforced. We have long been working on these bills; and I hope that these bills will give the death fasting and hunger striking prisoners a good reason to quit their protests.'' SEZER: ''A TRANSPARENT STRUCTURE WILL PREVENT CORRUPTIONS'' TURKEY TAKES 12 MEDALS RADIKAL (LEFT)DERVIS: ''KEEP POLITICS AND ECONOMY SEPARATE''State Minister Kemal Dervis who attended a seminar of the Textile Employers Union in Antalya gave significant political messages to the government. He said separation of economy and politics should be the base of the new structuring in the state. ''Politics and economy are currently intermingled and both institutions are being harmed by this situation,'' Dervis said. ''Politics should stop using the economy. This is necessary to restore respect for politics and strengthen democracy. Every minister is responsible of certain institutions and they shouldn't use these institutions for their party policies,'' he added. HARD TO BE A CHILD IN TURKEY TURKIYE (RIGHT)EU CALLS ON IMF AND G-7 TO ASSIST TURKEYFinance ministers of member countries to the European Union (EU) called on the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the Group-7 (G-7) to assist Turkey in overcoming economic crisis. TREASURY TO ARRANGE TWO BOND AUCTIONS The Treasury foresees a minimum 710 trillion Turkish Liras (TL) of net borrowing at the auctions. ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)ANOTHER DEATH-FASTER DIESA young Turkish woman prisoner charged of ''aspiring to change the constitutional system by use of force'' on behalf of the outlawed TKEP/L organization died on Sunday from the effects of a months-long death fast aimed at blocking controversial jail reforms, bringing the toll from the fasts to 15. Sibel Surucu, 24, died at Istanbul's Sagmalcilar hospital where she had been brought for medical treatment. She weighed 29 kilograms after months on the fast, during which she consumed little except sugared water and vitamins. -GUNMEN TAKE A GROUP OF PEOPLE HOSTAGE AT ISTANBUL'S SWISSHOTEL The hostage-takers were apparently led by Muhammed Emin Tokcan, a Turkish citizen of Chechen origin who hijacked a Turkish Black Sea ferry in 1996, holding more than 200 passengers hostage for four days to protest Moscow's military campaign in Chechnya. The gunmen demanded to speak with Interior Minister Sadettin Tantan. The gunmen armed with automatic rifles and shotgun, forced guests staying at the hotel, to gather in the conference hall on the fifth floor of the building. A hotel personnel who was sent outside by the gunmen, said, ''the gunmen told us that they were members of the group led by Tokcan. They also said that they had staged the action in order to support Chechnya.'' Tight security measures have been taken around the hotel. A number of ambulances have been kept ready just outside the hotel. Istanbul Police Chief Kazim Abanoz said that nearly 20-25 gunmen were inside the hotel. Sources said that Tokcan was among the gunmen. They added that the gunmen were planning to put an end to their action after making a press release. The gunmen released a group of people including women. Meanwhile, an official from the U.S. Consulate General in Istanbul, arrived at the hotel. Erol Cakir, the Governor of Istanbul, told journalists, ''talks with the gunmen are under way. The gunmen have made some political demands to release hostages.'' A group led by Tokcan hijacked a Turkish Black Sea ferry in 1996, holding more than 200 passengers hostage for four days to protest Moscow's military campaign in Chechnya. The men later surrender and are imprisoned. Tokcan escapes custody, and although he is caught in 1999, is set free under an amnesty in December 2000. -GUNMEN TAKE A GROUP OF PEOPLE HOSTAGE AT ISTANBUL'S SWISSHOTEL Sources told the A.A correspondent that the gunmen released a child and three women aged between 25 and 30 at about 08:40 a.m. The child and the women are Turkish citizens. Journalists were not allowed to talk to them. -GUNMEN TAKE A GROUP OF PEOPLE HOSTAGE AT ISTANBUL'S SWISSHOTEL The gunmen sent a statement titled ''announcement to public opinion'' to some press organs from the Swissotel Business Center. In the statement, the gunmen said, ''we are sorry to say that people in this hotel will be our guests for a period of time. We will continue to release people beginning from children, women, elderly and ill people, and Turkish citizens as a sign of our good will.'' ''But we will continue to hold a considerable amount of people with us till the end of our action. It should be well known that none of our guest will be harmed. We will not shed blood. If a single drop of blood is shed, we will not be the responsible of it. We will disclose our demans in coming hours. We will continue our action till we receive positive and sound responses. Under these conditions, we cannot be described as terrorists. Although we had to restrict freedom of innocent people, we have weapons and stage such an actions, we are not terrorists,'' the statement added. -GUNMEN TAKE A GROUP OF PEOPLE HOSTAGE AT ISTANBUL'S SWISSHOTEL Responding to questions of journalists, Cakir said, ''I went to the hotel together with Istanbul Police Chief Kazim Abanoz overnight, and held talks with the gunmen. Negotiations with the gunmen continued throughout the night. We approached them positively. From time to time, tension escalated. They have some political demands. If we meet their demands it will mean bargaining with terrorists. We tried to convince them. We urged them about damage to our country and to themselves. They aim at making propaganda. Our works are under way. They treat our guests in the hotel in a good manner. But such an action is unacceptable. We expressed our concerns. During a period in which our country attributes great importance to tourism, such an action targeting tourists is unacceptable.'' Meanwhile, Cakir refrained from responding to questions about number of the gunmen. -FOREIGN MINISTER DOWNER OF AUSTRALIA ARRIVES IN TURKEY Ion Forsyth, the Australian Ambassador to Turkey, and Acar German, the Representative of Foreign Ministry in Istanbul, welcomed Downer at Istanbul's Ataturk Airport. Downer will proceed to Ankara to hold official contacts on Tuesday after visiting historical and touristic places in Istanbul. Later, Downer will proceed to northwestern Canakkale province. Downer is expected to depart from Turkey on Wednesday. -FINANCE MINISTER ORAL RETURNS TO TURKEY Oral had attended the meeting of finance ministers of candidate countries to the European Union (EU) in Denmank, and ECOFIN meetings in Sweden. -TREASURY TO ARRANGE TWO BOND AUCTIONS The bonds will be issued on April 25 while they will be repayed on July 25 and October 10. The Treasury foresees a minimum 300 trillion Turkish Liras (TL) of net borrowing at the 3-month auction, and a minimum 500 trillion TL of net borrowing in the 6-month auction. Meanwhile, Treasury will repay 1 quadrillion 22.6 trillion TL in domestic borrowing on April 25. The Treasury will repay a total of 1 quadrillion 398.9 trillion TL domestic borrowing in April. -GUNMEN TAKE A GROUP OF PEOPLE HOSTAGE AT ISTANBUL'S SWISSHOTEL Meanwhile, a 30-40 member special team armed with long range weapons, is waiting in front of the hotel. Meanwhile, Hennin Duisenberg from the U.S. who could not enter the hotel because of the action, responded to questions of journalists. Duisenberg said that the 12th International Iron Ore Symposium was planned to be held at the hotel on Monday. He said that he was in Istanbul to attend the symposium. Duisenberg noted that nearly 200 participants from foreign countries were in the hotel to attend the two-day symposium. Noting that some of these participants were friends of him, Duisenberg said that he could not reach them on the phone. Meanwhile, Japanese Foreign Minister Yohei Kono said that there were 10 Japanese citizens in the hotel while British Foreign Ministry stated that three British citizens were among the guests in Swizsshotel. Swiss aviation company SAirGroup said that its nine crew members were staying in the hotel while Hong Kong's Cathay Pacific Airways said that 16 crew members including 4 pilots were in the hotel. Russian Foreign Ministry said that there were four Russian citizens in the hotel. Austrian Foreign Ministry said that six Austrian businessmen were staying in the hotel. -SPORTS - JUDO Turkish judokas won two gold, three silver and six bronze medals in the tournament. Names and categories of medal winners are as follows: Women: 40 kg: Neslihan Ozdal (Turkey) 44 kg: Elena Galcina (Russia) 48 kg: Fadime Borazan (Turkey) 52 kg: Baura Ekateri (Russia) Men: 50 kg: Erceani Kuduakov (Russia) 55 kg: Rezea Aliev (Azerbaijan) 60 kg: Khomyuri Nindi (Georgia) 66 kg: Basro Katmazov (Russia). -GUNMEN WHO STORMED ISTANBUL'S SWISSHOTEL, SURRENDER TO POLICE All of the hostages have been released. Sources told the A.A correspondent that the action which started at 11:30 p.m. on Sunday, ended at about 10:50 a.m. on Monday. Police detained 13 gunmen. Meanwhile, Mehdi Cetinbas, the Chairman of Caucasus Foundation, staged a press conference in front of the hotel, and said that 13 gunmen put an end to their action as a result of negotiations with Turkish officials. -STATE MINISTER DERVIS TO REPRESENT TURKEY AT MID-TERM Sources told the A.A correspondent on Monday that Dervis would hold talks with representatives of international finance circles and of member countries to the Group-7, and inform them on Turkey's new economic program. Meanwhile, Dervis is expected to hold contacts in Frankfurt, Germany, and in London, Britain, before returning to Turkey. G-7 countries' approval is important in the IMF's financial aid to Turkey. Turkey is expected to provide financial assistance from the IMF by getting support of G-7 countries. -GUNMEN WHO STORMED ISTANBUL'S SWISSHOTEL, Muhammed Emin Tokcan, the leader of group, and other gunmen were taken to Istanbul Security Department. -SPORTS - TAEKWONDO A total of 700 sportsmen and women from 23 countries participated in the tournament. Turkey won two gold, four silver and six bronze medals in the tournament. Turkey was ranked third while Iran was ranked first and Spain was ranked second. The national taekwondo team is expected to return to Turkey on Monday. -APRIL 23 NATIONAL SOVEREIGNTY AND CHILDREN A delegation headed by Parliament Speaker Omer Izgi visited mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the Founder of modern and secular Republic of Turkey. Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit, the leader of the Democratic Left Party (DSP); Recai Kutan, the leader of the Virtue Party (FP); State Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Devlet Bahceli, the leader of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP); State Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz, the leader of the Motherland Party (ANAP); State Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Husamettin Ozkan; ministers, deputy speakers of parliament, MPs and other high-level officials observed a minute of silence out of respect to Ataturk and laid a wreath to the mausoleum. Later, Izgi signed the book of mausoleum, saying, ''Great Ataturk, we are proud of celebrating 81st anniversary of foundation of our parliament. Democratic and modern state of law is our principle. Secularism is the basis of our Republic, and we will never make concession from this principle. Great Ataturk, your desires for Turkish nation and for all humanity are now our desires. Rest in peace.'' Meanwhile, General Huseyin Kivrikoglu, the Chief of General Staff, received 17 students from eastern province of Ankara who came to Ankara as guest of Ankara Young Businessmen's Association (ANGIAD). Speaking at the meeting, General Kivrikoglu said, ''Great Leader Ataturk had an endles confidence in children. He had bestowed this festival to the children by realizing the fact that they would protect Turkey in the future.'' -ISTANBUL POLICE CHIEF ABANOZ: Responding to questions of the A.A correspondent about the incident which lasted for nearly 12 hours, Abanoz said, ''the gunmen have released all hostages. Then, they have surrendered to police with their weapons. Security forces seized 13 weapons. The gunmen did not have any explosives. However, we have been searching the building.'' ''Nearly 120 people were taken hostage by gunmen. They are in good condition,'' he said. Abanoz added, ''there are very young people among the gunmen. They could engulf in panic and their panic could led to unpleasant incidents. Therefore, we did not give priority to intervene in the gunmen. We tried to put an end to action by holding negotiations with the gunmen. After arrival of Interior Minister Sadettin Tantan in the hotel, the action came to an end. Tantan did not hold negotiations with the gunmen.'' -A NUMBER OF AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALANDER Australian and New Zealander state officials are using every opportunity to state that they are pleased to visit Gelibolu as friends today where they once fought against Turks. A number of incidents which took place during Canakkale battles demonstrate the human side of the soldiers of both sides. In Conkbayiri, Turkish and ANZAC forces were digging trenches eight meters apart and were fighting ferociously with each other. The same soldiers were offering food to each other when they gave a break to rest a little. One Turkish soldier was seen carrying a wounded ANZAC soldier on his back to a place where he could be treated. Although it is not mentioned often in documents, the war is believed to have started in Australia. One Turkish butcher and baker in Australia who found out that the Australian forces were getting ready to invade the Turkish land, opened fire at ANZAC soldiers as they were getting aboard the ship. The two Turkish men were killed in the fire but they delayed the ANZAC landing for one month. These two men were considered the first two Turks who died in Canakkale battles. On the same days, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the Founder of modern and secular Republic of Turkey, formed a military division in Thrace region from volunteer soldiers and he became the Maydos region commander on March 23, 1915. Mustafa Kemal moved his headquarters to Eceabat's Bigali village and he stayed there for seven months and 16 days changing the course of the war. According to General Staff archives, 56,495 soldiers died in the Canakkale campaign, both on land and sea. However, General Staff General Secretariat made a statement one year ago and said that the number of those who died in hospitals and camps increased this number to between 210, 000 and 218,000. -SEN, CHAIRMAN OF TAM: He stated that Turkish immigrants although faced difficulties in many fields, are continuing to have important contributions to the German society. Sen explained that by the end of last year, there were a total of 470,000 Turks who became German citizens including 50,000 children and said foreigners in Germany should be represented according to their percentage in the whole population. ''By the end of this year, the number of Turks who will be granted German citizenship is expected to rise to 620,000 and this will make Turks an important political force during the federal elections which will be held end of 2002,'' Sen contended. -SPORTS - WRESTLING Gulhan beat his Russian opponent Irbeg Farniev in the final match, and won gold medal. In the 85 kg category, Ali Ozen of Turkey was ranked fourth. Ozen was defeated by Musaev Beibulat of Belarus. Turkey was ranked fifth among 28 countries participating in the 44th European Free-Style Wrestling Championships. -CETINBAS, CHAIRMAN OF CAUCASUS FOUNDATION: Noting that he had acted as a mediator in negotiations between security forces and the gunmen, Cetinbas said, ''the gunmen aimed at drawing attention to clashes in Chechnya. They apologized from Turkish people for staging the action in Turkey which has been suffering from economic crisis.'' ''Most of the gunmen are from northwestern province of Duzce. Muhammed Emin Tokcan gathered these people to take them to Chechnya. They did not have any specific reason to choose Swisshotel. They chose the hotel because there were a number of foreign tourists,'' he said. Responding to a question, Cetinbas said, ''the action coincided with anniversary of death of Chechen leader Dudayev. But it was just a coincidence.'' Meanwhile, Hulki and Fusun Boyner who were in the hotel, told reporters, ''the gunmen woke us up at about 07:30 a.m. by knocking at our doors. They forced us to gather in the lobby and to lie down. We were so scared. They had rifles in their hands. Also, they apologized from us. My wife has been ill. Therefore, they allowed us to depart from the hotel.'' -ISTANBUL POLICE CHIEF ABANOZ: Responding to questions of journalists, Abanoz said, ''a total of 13 people came to the hotel by a minibus and with weapons at about 11:00 p.m. on Sunday. They opened fire on a police vehicle patrolling in the region. Security forces rushed to the region, and took tight measures. Later, we tried to identify the gunmen. We refrained from launching an operation by taking into consuderation that such an operation could harm hostages. Istanbul Governor Erol Cakir and I held talks with Muhammed Tokcan, the leader of the gunmen. They seemed to be determined. Therefore, we ended the negotiations, But later, we resumed talks. Talks continued till this morning. They decided to surrender at about 10:30 a.m. on Monday. They surrendered at about 11:00 a.m. None of hostages was injured. Security forces seized their weapons. We have been searching the hotel.'' Abanoz told reporters, ''three of the gunmen are from nothwestern province of Duzce. They do not have any connection with Chechnya.'' Noting that interrogation of the gunmen was under way at Security Department, Abanoz described the incident as an unfortunate action. Meanwhile, Interior Minister Sadettin Tantan; Turan Genc, the Director General of Security; and Abanoz thanked security forces for their success. -INTERIOR MINISTER TANTAN: Responding to questions of journalists about a group of gunmen's storming the Swisshotel, Tantan said, ''we experienced a distressing incident in the Swisshotel overnight. But it came to an end this morning. We have never approved such actions. The State Security Court (DGM) Chief Prosecutor's Office has launched an investigation into the incident. We are extremely sorry that this incident coincided with the beginning of tourism season and with April 23 National Sovereignty and Children Festival. Our security forces have succeeded in putting an end to the incident without any casualties.'' Tantan said that Istanbul DGM Chief Prosecutor's Office would make a statement after finalizing its investigation. When asked whether or not he held talks with the gunmen, Tantan said, ''you know me. I never hold talks with such people.'' -KUCE, UNDERSECRETARY OF TOURISM MINISTRY: Releasing a written statement, Kuce said that the occupation which started overnight, came to an end this morning without any casualties. Kuce said, ''during their interrogation, the gunmen said that they aimed at protesting clashes in Chechnya. They said that they aimed at drawing attention to the clashes. Witnesses said that the gunmen did not maltreat guests in the hotel. The gunmen surrendered to police at 11:04 a.m. with their hand-made weapons. They have been detained.'' ''None of Turkish and foreign guests in Swisshotel which was stormed by a group of gunmen overnight, was injured,'' he added. -FP TO SUBMIT HIS LAST DEFENSE TO CONSTITUTIONAL COURT TOMORROW The Constitutional Court had given the FP an extra time of 15 days to prepare its last defense after listening to the verbal statements of Supreme Court of Appeals Chief Prosecutor Sabih Kanadoglu. The FP will submit its last defense to the Constitutional Court on Tuesday. Later, Kanadoglu and FP officials will make statements at a date which will be set by the Constitutional Court. Mehmet Turan, the Rapporteur of the case, will prepare an additional report by taking into consideration the additional indictment, the defense of FP, the views of the chief prosecutor about the merits of the case. Mustafa Bumin, the Chairman of the Constitutional Court will submit the report to court members, and set a date to give the verdict of the case. -JOHNSON, CHAIRMAN OF COUNCIL OF EUROPE PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY, Russel Johnson, the Chairman of Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly, staged a press conference, and criticized communist organization which gave orders for death fasts. Drawing attention to behaviour of the prisoners who are members of the organization having communist ideology and strict hierarchy, Johnson said that the organization sent some of its members to death with its orders. Calling on Turkish officials to expend any efforts to put an end to death fasts, Johnson stressed that confidence-building measures might change views of members of the organization and their relatives. He stressed that death-fasters could be explained that they had another alternatives in solving their problems. Johnson said that the Council of Europe considered Turkey's project envisaging changes in prison system as positive in general. He noted that proposals of European Committee for Prevention of Torture should be taken into consideration. Johnson called on Turkish officials to put into practice proposals about social activities at prisons such as library and sports activities. Johnson added that he would hold contacts in Ankara in May. -TOURISM MINISTER MUMCU: Staging a press conference at the parliament, Mumcu expressed his regret over a group of gunmen's storming the Swisshotel and taking hostage guests and staff members. ''Our press organs performed an impartial and responsible journalism with common sense as they were covering the story. Any effort to cause a sensation could lead dangerous results for Turkish tourism,'' he said. Mumcu told reporters, ''during their interrogation, the gunmen said that they did not aim at taking people hostage, resorting violence and shedding blood. They claimed that they aimed at drawing attention of world public opinion to clashes in Chechnya by storming a hotel in which a number of foreign tourists were staying. They tried to cause a sensation. And they wanted to use influence of cameras to reach their target. Our journalists did not become a tool of the gunmen's goals.'' Condemning the incident, Mumcu stressed, ''I do not believe that any message can be conveyed to the world public opinion by making innocent people tool. Jurists will punish this initiative. Any initiative using innocent people as tools, cannot be justified.'' -PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT: Responding to questions of journalists about a group of gunmen's storming Swisshotel in Istanbul and taking a number of people hostage, Prime Minister Ecevit said, ''we cannot allow those supporting Chechen guerillas to take shelter in Turkey. All necessary measuris will be taken. The Chechens are our brothers, but we cannot approve such actions which are against Turkey's benefits.'' Responding to another question, Ecevit said, ''I do not suppose that the incident would affect the tourism negatively. Because the action ended in a short period of time, and without any casualties. But our citizens staging this meaningless action, should realize the fact that they did not act in favor of Turkey.'' When told by a journalists that Russian President Vladimir Putin criticized Turkey due to incident in the Swisshotel, Ecevit said, ''I do not have such an information. On the contrary, we have received congratulary messages.'' -PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT: ''I BELIEVE THAT WE WOULD OVERCOME Speaking at the Parliamentary General Assembly which convened with a special agenda to mark April 23 National Sovereignty and Children Festival and the 81st anniversary of foundation of the parliament, Ecevit said, ''among all other countries, Turkey is the only country bestowing a festival to its children. Our people put forward their determination to found a state based on the people's will with the foundation of parliament on April 23, 1920. As the War of Independence was still continuing, the Children's Protection Association was founded in 1921. In 1926, a bank was founded to provide financial aid to poor children.'' ''Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the Founder of modern and secular Republic of Turkey, was one of the first statesmen signing the International Child Rights Convention,'' he said. Prime Minister Ecevit stressed, ''Turkey is one of the countries cooperating with the International Labour Organization (ILO) in order to prevent child labour. We are extremely sensivite about child labour in Turkey. I believe that we should expend more efforts to this end. We should pay careful attention to our children. Because they are our future. I believe that we would overcome current economic difficulties, and that Turkey would become a prosperous and modern state of the world.'' Prime Minister Ecevit added, ''we have been taking steps to protect our children from negative impacts of anti-secular circles. The Social Solidarity and Cooperation Fund has been making important contributions to reforms in education. The Fund has allocated 169.5 trillion Turkish liras since 1997. More than 18 thousand children have been provided shelter by the Fund. More than 17 thousand young people have been provided employment. We have been developing new projects for children of prisoners, working children and children who have no relatives.'' -ISTANBUL SECURITY DEPARTMENT: ''SECURITY FORCES SEIZED Releasing a statement, Istanbul Security Department said, ''the gunmen came to the Swisshotel by an automobile and a minibus. They rendered ineffective security officials of the hotel. They took 100-150 people hostage. They claimed that they had staged the action to draw attention of world public opinion to clashes in Chechnya.'' ''The gunmen decided to surrender to police as a result of negotiations which lasted for about 12 hours. Security forces detained 13 gunmen. Security forces seized 16 shotguns, two kalashnikov automatic weapons and two hand-guns from the gunmen,'' it said. Noting that the action came to an end without any casualties, the statement said, ''minor damage occurred in Swisshotel's gate after the gunmen opened fire in the air. Interrogation of the gunmen is under way.'' Muhammed Emin Tokcan and Ertan Coskun who were involved in hijacking a Turkish Black Sea ferry in 1996, were among the gunmen. Meanwhile, Istanbul State Security Court (DGM) has launched an investigation into the incident.
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