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Anadolu Agency: News in English, 99-04-02

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

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

AA Daily

02 April 1999 Friday


CONTENTS

  • [01] SUIT FILED AGAINST EIGHT SUPPORTERS OF TERRORIST PKK WHO ATTEMPTED TO OCCUPY ISRAELI CONSULATE IN BERLIN
  • [02] KOSOVARS IN TURKEY - NUMBER OF KOSOVARS REACHES 4,775
  • [03] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN
  • [04] TURKEY OFFICIALLY COMPLAINS ABOUT GREEK SUPPORT TO TERRORIST ORGANIZATION TO U.N.
  • [05] TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS IN TURKEY - 79 PEOPLE DIE, 209 PEOPLE INJURED IN TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS DURING BAIRAM
  • [06] GUREL, STATE MINISTER: ''KOSOVO PROBLEM ISN'T ONLY A BLOODY AND INHUMANE TRAGEDY, BUT IT ALSO THREATENS REGION''
  • [07] NATO'S AIR OPERATION AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA - 11 TURKISH PLANES FLY FOR 280 HOURS AND PERFORM TASKS OF AIR DEFENSE AND PATROL
  • [08] TURKISH ARMED FORCES' CONTRIBUTION TO PEACE - BIOEM TRAINS 313 PEOPLE FROM 28 COUNTRIES
  • [09] SAVASAN, CHAIRMAN OF KOSOVO-THRACE ASSOCIATION OF CULTURE AND SOLIDARITY:''NATO HAS TO START LAND OPERATION WITHOUT WASTING TIME''
  • [10] PRESIDENT DEMIREL ADDRESSES CONGRESS OF THE RED CRESCENT
  • [11] HOPE FOR NIMROD - CRIJNS, CHAIRMAN OF INTERNATIONAL NIMROD FOUNDATION: - ''WE ARE RESOLVED TO SAVE THIS CULTURE TREASURY''
  • [12] JUDGEMENT OF TERRORIST CHIEF - BROTHER AND SISTER AND LAWYERS OF OCALAN ARE BROUGHT FROM GEMPORT HARBOUR TO IMRALI ISLAND
  • [13] PRESIDENT DEMIREL LEAVES FOR QATAR
  • [14] NEW BORDER GATE BETWEEN TURKEY AND BULGARIA - HAMZABEYLI-LESOVA BORDER GATE TO BE OPENED WITHIN TWO YEARS
  • [15] LAST MONTH TURKISH PRESS ACCORDING TO PRESS COUNCIL: ''THREE JOURNALISTS TAKEN UNDER CUSTODY LAST MONTH. A BROADCASTING ORGAN CLOSED, AND THREE JOURNALISTS WERE ATTACKED''
  • [16] TURK, MINISTER OF NATIONAL DEFENSE: ''SAILING OF RUSSIAN WARSHIPS TO ADRIATIC SEA MAY CAUSE SEVERAL NEGATIVE DEVELOPMENTS TO ERUPT''

  • [01] SUIT FILED AGAINST EIGHT SUPPORTERS OF TERRORIST PKK WHO ATTEMPTED TO OCCUPY ISRAELI CONSULATE IN BERLIN

    BONN, April 2 (A.A) - A suit is filed against eight supporters of the terrorist PKK organization who had attempted to occupy Israeli Consulate in Berlin, it is reported on Thursday.

    These people between the ages of 19 and 31, are accused of injuring people, disturbing public order and opposing police.

    An investigation is underway about many supporters of the terrorist organization who are claimed to be involved in this incident.

    These assailants who are taken into custody, tried to occupy the Israeli Consulate in Berlin on February 17 in order to protest the capture of Abdullah Ocalan, the chief terrorist. As a result of the fire opened by Israeli security personnel, four assailants were killed and many others were wounded. The Israeli security personnel who opened fire, left Germany and returned to their country after the events in Berlin.

    [02] KOSOVARS IN TURKEY - NUMBER OF KOSOVARS REACHES 4,775

    EDIRNE, April 2 (A.A) - The number of Kosovars who came to Turkey due to the air strikes in Kosovo and pressure of Serb forces, reached 4,775, it is reported on Thursday.

    Officials at Kapıkule border gate told A.A correspondent that a total of 4, 775 Kosovars including 1,770 children, 1,653 women and 1,352 men entered Turkey since 22:00 local time on 22 March until 17:00 local time on April 1.

    Meanwhile it is reported that 107 Kosovars stay at Gaziosmanpasa Immigrant Guest House in Kırklareli.

    Speaking to A.A correspondent, Cengizhan Aksoy, the Deputy Governor of Kırklareli province said that ''nine people left the guest house on leave due to the feast of sacrifice. We've received news that 30 people are on the way to the guest house.''

    Noting that they have repaired 234 prefabricated flats and reparation is underway in 294 other flats, Aksoy said ''we work for the comfort of Kosovars. They can phone their relatives without any charge during the bairam. We meet all of their needs, too.''

    [03] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

    These are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in Turkey's press on April 2, 1998. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

    HURRIYET (LIBERAL) NICE STEP
    The contact of the General Staff headquarters with foreign civilian delegations have been limited upon the order of General Huseyin Kıvrıkoglu, the Chief of General Staff. Nowadays only foreign military delegations are accepted to the General Staff. Appointment requests of both foreign parliamentarians and foreign journalists are not accepted. General Staff told the U.S. Congress delegation who asked for appointment that ''your counterpart is the Turkish parliament.'' Moreover it is the Foreign Ministry, not the General Staff which holds briefings on military issues for foreign delegations. The criticisms of the West saying that ''army interferes with politics in Turkey,'' have been influential in the new practice by the General Staff.

    ECEVIT SAYS TAXES ON CARS REDUCED
    Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said yesterday that several measures have been taken in order to revive automotive and tourism sector. Noting that some foreign touristic firms try to prevent tourist flow to Turkey by showing few terroristic activities in Turkey, Ecevit told a press briefing that the automotive sector has effected from the economic crisis in the world in a considerable extent, adding ''besides the interest in imported cars negatively effects our native automotive industry.'' Prime Minister Ecevit said that the tax on purchase of vehicles decreased to 6 percent which will be valid for three months. Moreover the fee received from tourists coming to Turkey by Charters at the Turkish airports decreased by 25 percent. Ecevit added that the prices of the fuel sold to Charters coming to Turkey are foreseen to be reduced by 50 percent.

    MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

    GREECE:TURKEY NOT TO BE PERMITTED TO PASS
    Greece said that in case of a land operation by NATO against Yugoslavia, she won't participate in such an operation. Reppas, the Greek Government Spokesman said that they won't permit the passage of Turkish planes and soldiers via Greek territory.

    TURKEY SENDS FOOD TO KOSOVARS
    Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said that Turkey sends humanitarian aid to thousands of Kosovar immigrants who migrated to Macedonia and Albania, adding ''four cargo planes belonging to the air forces transported humanitarian aid to Tirana, the capital of Albania.'' Ecevit stated that another cargo plane left for Tirana yesterday and six TIRs of the Red Crescent left for Tirana carrying 110 tons of various aid stuff. Besides Ecevit called on the civilized world to send aids to these people.

    SABAH (LIBERAL)

    FOR HUMANITY
    Robin Cook, the British Foreign Secretary told Sabah that ''we couldn't stay indifferent to such a catastrophe in Kosovo. We didn't have any other choice than launching air strike against Yugoslavia. The men of Milosevic exert efforts to erase ethnic people in Kosovo by following a plan similar to the one they followed in Bosnia.''

    CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

    FOUR CONCERNS OF TURKEY
    Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said that the entrance of Russian war ships into Adriatic Sea will escalate the crisis in Kosovo. Turkey is concerned about the attitude of Russia. Turkey thinks that the steps that will be taken by Russia directly concern her. Secondly if the developments in Kosovo are negative, Macedonia, which have good relations with Turkey, can also face danger. Thirdly making U.N. ineffective concerning the air operation in Kosovo brings a new understanding and Turkey has question marks about it. Lastly the number of Turkish minoritiy in the Balkans can decrease a lot due to the immigrations.

    WOMAN TERRORIST'S CORPSE IDENTIFIED
    Maral Mamyak is the name of the dead terrorist woman who staged a bomb attack against policemen in Taksim, Istanbul last Saturday injuring ten people. The family of the terrorist identified their daughter on Thursday, but they rejected to bury her.

    RADIKAL (LEFT)

    DOPING IN ECONOMY
    The tax on purchase of vehicles decreased by 50 percent, while the tax taken from tourists coming to Turkey decreased by 25 percent. Cheap fuel will be given to planes who organize Charter flights to Turkey. Akif Hamzacelebi, the Director of Incomes said that ''both the general economy and the automotive sector will be revived by these measures.''

    YENİ YÜZYIL (LIBERAL)

    PRESIDENT DEMIREL IN QATAR
    President Suleyman Demirel will leave for Qatar on Friday as the official guest of Emir Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, the Qatari President. He will also visit Bahrain on his return to Turkey in order to meet with Bahraini Emir Hamid Bin Isa Al Khalifa in order to express his condolences for the death of Bahraini Emir Isa Bin Salman Al Khalifa.

    BAYKAL:TURKEY'S PROBLEMS ARE NOT DISCUSSED
    Deniz Baykal, the leader of the Republican Peoples' Party (CHP) told people in a meeting held by his party in Nazilli county of Mugla province that parties don't discuss the main problems of Turkey for the first time before the elections. Baykal noted that Turkish people are aware of that and will evaluate this fact in general elections on April 18.

    TÜRKİYE (RIGHT)

    ''ALIVE BOMB'' ALARM IN POLICE
    Cahit Bayar, the Minister of Interior said that the photos of all ''alive bombs'' who can enter various provinces of Turkey have been distributed to all security units. Responding to questions of journalists, Bayar stated that the security forces have received information at the right time saying that several young terrorists trained abroad in order to stage bomb attacks in Turkey, came to Turkey. ''The events that took place till today were overcome at the minumum damage. These young people who are trained abroad are our children,'' he added.

    ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

    INSENSITIVITY
    Associations and foundations which want to send humanitarian aid to people in Kosovo are hindered by the bureaucracy. Aid institutions accuse Red Crescent of not giving permission to them to send aid to Kosovo, while Director of Red Crescent claimed that there is not any problem about permission.

    DYP AND DYP ARE FRIENDLY PARTIES
    Mesut Yılmaz, the leader of the Motherland Party (ANAP) said that he doesn't have any problem with the True Path Party (DYP), adding ''DYP is our friend, we are two branches of the same tree.''

    [04] TURKEY OFFICIALLY COMPLAINS ABOUT GREEK SUPPORT TO TERRORIST ORGANIZATION TO U.N.

    GENEVA, April 2 (A.A) - Turkey officialy complained on Thursday about Greece to the U.N. which does not hide her support to the terrorist organization PKK.

    Addressing the U.N. Human Rights Commission, Murat Sungar, the Turkey's Representative to the U.N. said that Greece deserved to be included in the category of terrorist states due to her support to the terrorist organization.

    Noting that the successive developments after the capture of the chief terrorist have revealed that Greece is an accomplice in terrorism, Sungar pointed out that Greece has joined the category of ''terrorist state.''

    Sungar stressed that the continious support extended by Greek high ranking officials to terrorist activities in their territories on purpose in order to give damage to another country is the reason of including Greece to the category of ''terrorist states.''

    Explaining the concrete support of Greece to terrorism in his speech, Sungar said that Greece sheltered a terrorist in her territories and didn't fulfil her responsibilities stemming from the European Convention on Struggle with Terrorism.

    Recalling that Greece misled the world public opinion also at the official level, Sungar said that Greece committed crime by not taking into consideration the fact that the chief terrorist had been wanted by Interpol.

    Noting that the attitude of Greece does not suit with her membership to U.N, EU, Council of Europe, Organization of Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), Sungar said that it is surprising that Greece tried to justify her support to terrorism rather than isolating herself from terrorism after all of these events.

    Sungar stressed that Greece has completely lost her right to speak about human rights and principles of state of law.

    Diplomatic sources point out to the fact that Turkey has for the first time complained and condemned Greece about her support to terrorism in such a tough and open way in an important international institution like the U.N.

    [05] TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS IN TURKEY - 79 PEOPLE DIE, 209 PEOPLE INJURED IN TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS DURING BAIRAM

    ANKARA, April 2 (A.A) - Totally 17 people died and 32 others were wounded in traffic accidents that took place in various parts of Turkey on Thursday.

    The number of people who died in traffic accidents during the bairam -from March 27 till April 1- reached 79, while the wounded people increased to 209. The main reason of the traffic accidents is carelessness and high speed.

    On March 27, one day before the Feast of Sacrifice, 20 people died and 27 others were wounded, on the first day of the feast, 18 people died, while 69 others were injured. On the second day of the feast, six people were victims of traffic monster, 51 people were injured. Eleven people died and 16 others were wounded on the third day of the feast, moreover four people in the car which fell down to Murat River in Elazıg province are still missing. On the last day of the feast, seven people died and 14 others were wounded.

    [06] GUREL, STATE MINISTER: ''KOSOVO PROBLEM ISN'T ONLY A BLOODY AND INHUMANE TRAGEDY, BUT IT ALSO THREATENS REGION''

    ALIAGA, April 2 (A.A) - Sukru Sina Gurel, the State Minister said on Thursday that Kosovo problem is not only a bloody and inhumane tragedy, but it also threatens the region.

    Responding to questions about Kosovo, Gurel stated that ''the human tragedy continues in Kosovo, this tragedy doesn't only show that a racist expansionist ideology can cause such bloody and inhumane tragedy, but it also threatens the region.''

    Noting that Turkey contributes to solution of the problem by all means, Gurel said ''Turkey extends support by taking all kinds of measures in the diplomatic and military fields. Moreover we've started a humanitarian campaign to overcome in a degree the difficult conditions of ten thousands of Kosovar immigrants in Macedonia and Albania. Our aid will continue. We hope the problem doesn't get deeper by the interference of others from now on and the Serb aggressiveness and racism don't transform Kosovo problem into a Balkan crisis.''

    Gurel added that the main target of the Democratic Left Party (DSP) is to come to power on its own, noting ''we have no doubt that our people will show their confidence to DSP and Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit, the leader of DSP.''

    [07] NATO'S AIR OPERATION AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA - 11 TURKISH PLANES FLY FOR 280 HOURS AND PERFORM TASKS OF AIR DEFENSE AND PATROL

    ANKARA, April 2 (A.A) - Totally 11 Turkish planes deployed in Ghedi, Italy flied for 280 hours till today and performed tasks of air defense and patrol, it is reported on Friday.

    Press Centre of General Staff said that celebrations that would be held for the 50th foundation anniversary of NATO were cancelled due to the air operation against Yugoslavia.

    The air operation launched on April 1-2 1999 ended with success by complying with two attack plans. All planes which participated in the air operation returned to their bases.

    One Turkish frigate which is in Adriatic Sea continues to perform its mission.

    NATO's air strikes will continue, the statement noted, adding additional planes are sent to the region to this end.

    Totally 500,000 Kosovars are forced to leave their homes and approximately 200,000 of them migrated to neighbouring states, including Albania and Turkey.

    [08] TURKISH ARMED FORCES' CONTRIBUTION TO PEACE - BIOEM TRAINS 313 PEOPLE FROM 28 COUNTRIES

    ANKARA, April 2 (A.A) - The Partnership for Peace Training Centre (BIOEM) set up within the structure of Turkish Armed Forces in order to contribute to NATO's Partnership for Peace (PFP) initiative, has become a center which also carries out international coordination activities in its field, it is reported on Friday.

    BIOEM held 16 courses within the framework of PFP since its foundation 10 months ago and 313 people from 28 countries, including Turkey, participated in these courses.

    Albania, Romania, Bulgaria, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, and Ukraine have been the countries which send the highest number of personnel to the courses which were instructed by 62 Turkish and 34 foreign lecturers. The U.S. sent one personnel and eight people from Russian Federation participated in the courses.

    BIOEM, which has started to carry out international coordination activities, sends personnel to many training centres in its field.

    BIOEM also started close cooperation with U.N Department of Peace Keeping Operation.

    [09] SAVASAN, CHAIRMAN OF KOSOVO-THRACE ASSOCIATION OF CULTURE AND SOLIDARITY:''NATO HAS TO START LAND OPERATION WITHOUT WASTING TIME''

    IZMIR, April 2 (A.A) - Vahap Savasan, the Chairman of the Kosovo-Thrace Association of Culture and Solidarity said that Serbs continue to torture and oppress Albanians in spite of the air operation, adding ''NATO has to start also land operation without wasting time. Within one week after the commencement of the land operation, Serbs will give in.''

    Savasan told A.A correspondent that the pressure of Serbs to Albanians in Kosovo has increased and reached its peak during the last two months, adding Serbs committed more violence in Kosovo than the violence against muslim Bosnians in Bosnia-Herzegovina.

    Noting that two million Albanians and Turks live in Kosovo having a population of 2.5 million, Savasan added that 500,000 Albanians left Kosovo due to the violence of Serbs.

    [10] PRESIDENT DEMIREL ADDRESSES CONGRESS OF THE RED CRESCENT

    ANKARA, April 2 (A.A) - President Suleyman Demirel, speaking about Serbian cruelty in Kosovo, said that NATO can not leave those people against further oppression, and should solve this issue.

    Addresing the General Congress of the Red Crescent, Demirel mentioned about Kosovo question and stressed that world peace in Europe could not be formed as it is desired.

    Recalling that NATO was an organization of Europe and the U.S. and that Turkey was included in this organization, Demirel said ''if NATO leaves the situation as it is, these people will face further oppression. This will be a human shame while entering to 21st century. Turkey acts together with the world to get rid of this shame. Turkey has not hesitated in any of its commitments.''

    [11] HOPE FOR NIMROD - CRIJNS, CHAIRMAN OF INTERNATIONAL NIMROD FOUNDATION: - ''WE ARE RESOLVED TO SAVE THIS CULTURE TREASURY''

    KAHTA, April 2 (A.A) - Maurice Crijns, Chairman of International Nimrod Foundation based in the Netherlands, said on Friday that they were resolved to protect and save the 2000-year old unique, giant, and fascinating statues of Commagene Kingdom which is in the 2.150 meters summit of Nimrod Mountain in Kahta county in southeastern Adiyaman province.

    Speaking to A.A correspondent Crijns recalled that a protocol was signed between Culture Ministry; Foundation to Protect, Evaluate, and Develop Cultural and Natural Riches; Nimrod Foundation; and Turkish Democracy Foundation to protect the giant statues which are on Nimrod Mountain, taken by UNESCO in the list of ''World Culture Heritage'' and which is also described as ''the 8th Miracle of the World.''

    Pointing out that they have undertaken, together with Turkish Democracy Foundation, to carry out studies to repair and protect tumulus and statues, Crijns said ''under the protocol, we will restore the works of arts in Nimrod to their original position. These works of arts will be transferred to the galleries that will be constructed by the ministry and imitation works will be replaced with them.''

    Crijns noted that they will also launch efforts to open the tomb room, which is in the summit of Nimrod Mountain, to visits, and pointed out that ''Nimrod will attract more interest than Egyptian pyramides if this project is completed.''

    Noting that Culture Ministry will make environmental arrangements in Nimrod Mountain, Crijns said the works will be financed by Turkish Democracy Foundation and Nimrod Foundation.

    Crijns said works of arts in Nimrod Mountain, which has a significant place in culture tourism of the world, were detoriated due to the quality of the stones used in construction, natural conditions, and due to lack of care.

    [12] JUDGEMENT OF TERRORIST CHIEF - BROTHER AND SISTER AND LAWYERS OF OCALAN ARE BROUGHT FROM GEMPORT HARBOUR TO IMRALI ISLAND

    GEMLIK, April 2 (A.A) - Mehmet Ocalan and Havva Keser, brother and sister of Abdullah Ocalan, terrorist chief, who have applied to Ankara State Security Court (DGM) Prosecutorship to meet with the terrorist chief, were brought from Gemport (Gemlik Harbour and Storing Management) Harbour to Imrali Island on Friday.

    Ocalan's brother and sister who came together with Mahmut Sakar and Hatice Korkut, lawyers of Ocalan, arrived Yalova with a private car and later brought to Gemport harbour with vehicles belonging to security forces.

    Journalists were not allowed to enter the harbour where strict security measures were taken. A coastal security boat accompanied the motorboat which carried Ocalan's brother, sister and lawyers.

    It was reported that Ocalan has not met with his brother and sister since 1978.

    [13] PRESIDENT DEMIREL LEAVES FOR QATAR

    ANKARA, April 2 (A.A) - President Suleyman Demirel who left for Qatar on Friday afternoon, said the Middle East was passing through a sensitive period, adding that ''we will discuss in detail the latest developments in the Middle East Peace Process and situation in Iraq.''

    Demirel briefed about his scheduled visit covering Qatar and Bahrain before his departure to Doha, capital city of Qatar.

    President Demirel noted that his two day official visit will take place upon the invitation of Qatari Emir Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani, and pointed out that a delegation composed of Ziya Aktas, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources and high ranking officials will accompany him.

    Pointing out that Turkey attributed a special importance to Arab world and to relations with Qatar in this respect, Demirel said ''there are close friendly relations between Turkey and Qatar stemming from history and mutual culture. We will discuss all details of our mutual relations during my visit.''

    President Suleyman Demirel also said ''we will exchange views about regional and international issues, mainly the situation in the Gulf.'' Demirel said ''the middle East region is passing through a sensitive period. Our contacts and meetings in Doha will give facilities to discuss latest developments in the Middle East peace process and the situation in Iraq.''

    Pointing out that during the talks they will also discuss measures that will be taken in joint struggle against terrorism and improvement of economic and trade relations, Demirel said ''terrorism, which is a cross border calamity, is an important threat for the security of all regional countries. Joint struggle against terrorism will be included in our agenda during the talks in Doha.''

    ''We will review bilateral economic and trade relations during the talks. We will be in an effort to determine new cooperation facilities between the two countries and measures regarding increase of trade volume within this framework. Project of purchasing liquid natural gas from this country is one of the main topic we will discuss. Qatar is among Turkey's possible natural gas source countries,'' Demirel pointed out.

    President Suleyman Demirel said, ''I believe improvement of new cooperation facilities and joint action areas between Turkey and Qatar will strengthen friendly relations and contribute to peace, welfare, and stability in the region.''

    Demirel also said that he will stop by Bahrain on his return from Qatar to express the condolonces of Turkish Nation due to the death of Sheikh Isa Bin Salman Al Khalifa, Bahrain's Emir and to congratulate Sheikh Hamad Bin Isa Ak Khalifa, in his new post.

    [14] NEW BORDER GATE BETWEEN TURKEY AND BULGARIA - HAMZABEYLI-LESOVA BORDER GATE TO BE OPENED WITHIN TWO YEARS

    SOFIA, April 2 (A.A) - A new border gate will be included within two years among ''Kapikule-Captain Andreevo'' and ''Derekoy-Malko Tirnovo'' border gates between Turkey and Bulgaria, it was reported on Friday.

    Evgeni Bakirciev, Bulgarian Deputy Prime Minister, said ''Hamzabeyli- Lesova'', the new border gate, will be put into service within two years under the agreement signed with Turkey in 1997.

    Bakirciev said a 20.8 km road and customs area should be constructed in Bulgarian side to open the border gate, adding that project and tender works of construction of roads and customs areas were completed.

    Bakirciev pointed out that foundations of road constructions will be laid within a month and noted that 3.5 million dollars credit will be taken from the World Bank related with the project.

    [15] LAST MONTH TURKISH PRESS ACCORDING TO PRESS COUNCIL: ''THREE JOURNALISTS TAKEN UNDER CUSTODY LAST MONTH. A BROADCASTING ORGAN CLOSED, AND THREE JOURNALISTS WERE ATTACKED''

    ISTANBUL, April 2 (A.A) - Press Council said on Friday that three journalists were taken into custody, a publication organ was confiscated, three journalists were attacked, and a radio broadcast was closed by the Supreme Radio and Television Board (RTUK) for one year.

    Press Council statement said Sengul Karadag, Serpil Ilgun, and Deniz Dogan were taken into custody in southeastern Diyarbakir province on March 20 where they went to cover Newroz festival.

    Also, Istanbul Republican Chief Prosecturship confiscated 36th issue of Kaldirac magazine last month.

    According to the statement of Press Council, these incidents happened in March which interest press:

    -Muammer Tasdelen, journalist of Hurriyet News Agency was beaten by Eray Yertutan, a member of Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), in meeting of MHP Yooth Branch on March 8.

    -On March 17, a policeman hit with truncheon to Ilhan Kaya, journalist of Zaman Newspaper who was covering incidents in Istanbul University. Kaya was taken under medical treatment.

    -On March 3, Rahsan Tas, who was covering a traffic accident in Istanbul, was attacked by the relatives of the driver who made the accident.

    -Serbs attacked Turkish Radio and Television (TRT) staff who was in Pristine to cover NATO operation. The serbs attacked with fists and butt of the rifles and seized cameras, money, and document of TRT staff.

    -Supreme Radio and Television Board (RTUK) stopped broadcastings of Umut FM in Istanbul for one year on grounds that it violated the principles of broadcasting.

    The important judgement incidents regarding press last month were as follows:

    -Republican Chief Prosecutorship in Kucukcekmece district launched an investigation against Yeni Yuzyil Newspaper on charges that it violated election bans.

    -Judgement of Ertugrul Ozkok, Chief Editor of Hurriyet Newspaper and Hasan Kilic, the Editor, began on grounds that they insulted individual rights of Meral Aksener, Deputy Chairperson of the True Path Party (DYP).

    -General Staff Military Court sentenced Koray Duzgoren, journalist-author, to two months imprisonment terms and fine on grounds that he signed ''Freedom to Thought'' book.

    -Ankara Republican Chief Prosecutorship filed a suit against Fatih Altayli, the journalist and Dogan Satmis, Responsible Editor in Chief in Hurriyet Newspaper calling for up to three years imprisonment terms on grounds that he insulted Tufan Algan, Supreme Election Board Chairman and its members.

    Meanwhile, Supreme Court Penalty Department ratified the one year one month imprisionment terms of Haluk Gerger, the journalist, given by Istanbul State Security Court (DGM) as he opposed to Struggle Against Terrorism Law.

    [16] TURK, MINISTER OF NATIONAL DEFENSE: ''SAILING OF RUSSIAN WARSHIPS TO ADRIATIC SEA MAY CAUSE SEVERAL NEGATIVE DEVELOPMENTS TO ERUPT''

    TRABZON, April 2 (A.A) - Hikmet Sami Turk, Minister of National Defense, said on Friday that Belgrade administration did not draw a lesson from the NATO operation, pointing out that ''Belgrade administration, instead of accepting a peaceful solution, sees benefit in carrying the crisis to severe dimensions.''

    Speaking to A.A. correspondent, Turk said that the attitude of Serbs in capturing three U.S. soldiers, was contradictory to law ''Milosevic administration aims at widening dimensions of NATO operation for its own interests. In fact, NATO's military operation, in an atmosphere where Milosevic administration continue its strict attitude, is widened as far as Milosevic administration escalated ethnic cleansing campaign in Yugoslavia, because third stage of NATO's military operation started as of Thursday. Yet, Belgrade administration, instead of drawing necessary outcomes from this and accepting a peaceful solution, prefers carrying the crisis to more severe dimensions. This attitude is extremely concerning.''

    Mentioning about the close relation of Russian Federation with Yugoslav Federal Republic, Turk said ''Russia's attitude in launching initiatives embolding mistaken attitudes of Serbs, its sending of eight warships to Adriatic Sea, instead of evaluating this closeness in the way of a peaceful solution, increases these concerns.''

    Recalling that Russian Federation has got permission for the warships earlier, Turk said ''Russia applied to Turkey and informed that they wanted to pass three warships and an aide ship from the Straits. Although this application is appropriate to Montreux Agreement, it is politically concerning as it will encourage Serbs in continuing their mistaken attitude. Also, if it is taken into consideration that there is NATO permanent force is in the Adriatic Sea, there is the possibility that several negative developments may happen.''

    Turk pointed out that it is known beforehand that Greece will not allow Turkish soldiers to pass through its borders in a possible land war, adding that ''yet, now it allows passage of planes carrying aid equipment to Albania and this stems from humanitarian idea. As a matter of fact, a cooperation started between Southeastern European countries on the issue of humanitarian aid to Kosovo.''

    Mentioning about the news reports which appeared in media about Abdullah Ocalan, terrorist chief, that he has every kind of facilities, Turk said the issue was exploited by several irresponsible people and pointed out that procedure envisaged by the rules and regulations in force are implemented for terrorist chief.

    Turk recalled that European Torture Prevention Committee visited Ocalan within the framework of the interest of world public. Turk added that ''it is known that European Human Rights Court has taken a precautionary measure related with terrorist chief.''

    A.A


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