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Anadolu Agency: News in English, 00-05-20

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

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

ANADOLU AGENCY

NEWS

20 May 2000 Sunday


CONTENTS

  • [01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN
  • [02] TRNC PRESIDENT DENKTAS PRESENTED WITH INTERNATIONAL ATATURK PEACE AWARD (1)
  • [03] TRNC PRESIDENT DENKTAS PRESENTED WITH INTERNATIONAL ATATURK PEACE AWARD (2)
  • [04] OPERATIONS AGAINST TERRORIST HEZBOLLAH ORGANIZATION
  • [05] CLASH ERUPTS BETWEEN SECURITY FORCES AND TERRORISTS IN ISTANBUL
  • [06] SPORTS - BOXING
  • [07] OZMEN, BOMBER OF FUNDAMENTALIST TERRORIST ORGANIZATION:
  • [08] EU COMMISSION'S TURKEY REPRESENTATIVE FOGG: ''TURKEY HAS TO TRY
  • [09] GENC, DIRECTOR GENERAL OF SECURITY:
  • [10] 120 KG HEROIN CONFISCATED IN SOUTHEASTERN SIRNAK
  • [11] ''AKDENIZ'' VESSEL LAUNCHED IN GERMANY
  • [12] OPERATIONS AGAINST TERRORIST HEZBOLLAH ORGANIZATION (2)
  • [13] TRNC CABINET DISCUSSES ECONOMIC PACKAGE
  • [14] FIREWORKS EXPLOSION IN NETHERLANDS
  • [15] PRESIDENT NAZARBAYEV OF KAZAKHSTAN SENDS
  • [16] UMUT OPERATION
  • [17] 29 IRANIAN REFUGEES TAKEN INTO CUSTODY
  • [18] INTERIOR MINISTER TANTAN LEAVES FOR EGYPT
  • [19] 80 FRENCH JOURNALISTS AND 46 TOURISM MANAGERS ARRIVE IN BODRUM
  • [20] BAKU-CEYHAN OIL PIPELINE
  • [21] FOREIGN MINISTER CEM:
  • [22] YILMAZ, MAYOR OF CANKAYA, LEAVES FOR KIEV
  • [23] 35 IRANIANS WHO ENTERED TURKEY WITH
  • [24] SPORTS - BOXING
  • [25] SPORTS-WRESTLING
  • [26] OPERATIONS AGAINST TERRORIST HEZBOLLAH ORGANIZATION
  • [27] INTERIOR MINISTER TANTAN ARRIVES IN EGYPT


  • [01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

    These are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in Turkey's press on May 20, 2000. The Anadolu Ajansi does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

    HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

    PRESIDENT DENKTAS OF TRNC PRESENTED WITH ATATURK PEACE AWARD

    President Rauf Denktas of the Turkish Republic of Norhern Cyprus (TRNC)

    was presented with the Ataturk International Peace Award. An award ceremony took place at the Cankaya Presidential Palace for President Denktas who was re-elected by the Turkish Cypriot people for a fifth five-year term in office. President Denktas was given the award by President Ahmet Necdet Sezer.

    OZMEN: ''I KILLED ALL OF THEM''
    Ferhan Ozmen, a member of the illegal ''Jerusalem Commandos'', confessed during his interrogation that he had staged the bomb attacks on Ugur Mumcu, Bahriye Ucok, Ahmet Taner Kislali, Muammer Aksoy and three other people including two foreigners.

    EARTHQUAKES JOLT DENIZLI, BALIKESIR AND ERZURUM
    Istanbul-based Kandilli Observatory Seismology Institute said that an earthquake measuring 2.9 on the Richter scale was recorded in Balikesir province in Marmara Region at 11:20 p.m. on Thursday. A 3.3-magnitude earthquake shook Aegean Denizli province at 01:46 a.m. on Friday while a mild earthquake measuring 3.0 on the Richter scale occurred in Bigadic township of Balikesir at 03:50 a.m the same day. Meanwhile, a mild earthquake measuring 3.6 on the Richter scale jolted eastern Erzurum province at 08:81 a.m. The earthquake was centered on rural area between Senkaya township of Erzurum province and Sarikamis township of eatern Kars province. There were no immediate reports of casualties or damage in the earthquakes.

    MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

    CEM SENDS A HARSH LETTER TO IRAN
    Ismail Cem, the Foreign Minister, sent a letter to his Iranian counterpart Kamal Kharrazi. In his letter, Cem stressed that security did not work between the two countries. He also underlined relations between Iran and terrorist Hezbollah organization, and Iran's support to the terrorist organization PKK.

    HISTORICAL FLIGHT IN AEGEAN
    Turkish Air Forces' twelve F-16 war planes and three C-130 military cargo planes arrived in Greek capital of Athens after 28 years within framework of the NATO's military military exercise ''Dynamic Mix''. The C-130s carrying technical equipment and a 70-member personnel, and the F-16 war planes landed at the Neo Ankhialos Air Base near Volos city, some 300 kilometres west of Athens. The war planes will stay in Greece for 17 days as guests of the 111th Squadron of the Greek Air Forces. The Turkish F-16 war planes will carry out their missions together with the Greek war planes for the first time during the NATO's Dynamic Mix maneouvres between May 20 and June 10.

    TURKISH-ISRAELI TOURISM DELEGATIONS' MEETING HELD IN ISTANBUL
    Turkish-Israeli Tourism Delegations' Meeting was held in Istanbul with the participation of representatives of Turkish and Israeli private sector. At the meeting, the two sides have taken a series of decisions to improve tourism between Turkey and Israel, and decided to set up a joint committee till July 15 at the latest in order to monitor the developments. The committee will convene twice a year. Addressing the meeting, Erkan Mumcu, the Tourism Minister, said, ''we have the will and appropriate conditions to further improve our cooperation with Israel. We consider Israel as a natural and historical partner of Turkey in the Eastern Mediterranean. We aim at further improving this partnership.''

    SABAH (LIBERAL)

    RAMAZAN PHALIANI QUALIFIES TO FINAL
    Ramazan Phaliani of Turkey competing in the 57 kg category, qualified to final at the 33rd European Men's Boxing Championships in Tampere, Finland. Phaliani will vie for gold medal in his final match with Bulgarian opponent. Meanwhile, Nurhan Suleymanoglu of Turkey competing in the 63.5 kg category, won bronze medal. Suleymanoglu was defeated by his Russian opponent Alex Leonev. Bulent Ulusoy of Turkey competing in the 67 kg category, will take on Valeri Brazhnik of Ukraine while in the 54 kg category, Agasi Agaguloglu of Turkey will take on Raimkul Malakhbekov of Russia in their final matches.

    CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

    12 TURKISH JETS IN GREECE
    While the detente process between Turkey and Greece continues, NATO seems determined in contributing to this process. The frequent contacts between the Turkish and Greek diplomats reflected also in military field within framework of NATO exercises. Two C-130 cargo planes and twelve F-16s landed in Greece yesterday within framework of NATO exercise, Dynamic Mix. The pilots who had made dog fights over the Aegean for decades will fly together and carry out NATO scenarios.

    IRAN GAVE THE ORDERS
    ''Tekin'' code-named Ferhat Ozmen, a leading name in ''Jerusalem Commandos'' confessed, ''Iran was giving the order to kill secular journalists and politicians. We were deciding the names to murder.'' He confessed that he had planted the bomb in Mumcu's car, prepared the bomb used in attacks on theologist professor Bahriye Ucok and journalist-writer Ahmet Taner Kislali and gave the names involved in murders. He said that he had killed Prof. Dr. Muammer Aksoy with a suppressor gun.

    CEM WARNS IRAN
    Turkey is adopting a clear position against Iran which planned the assasinations of Turkish intellectuals and supports terrorist PKK and fundamentalist terrorist organizations. Foreign Minister Ismail Cem who couldn't convey the Hezbollah dossier sent a letter to his Iranian counterpart Kamal Kharrazi asking Iran to take the necessary measures to prevent activities against Turkey from Iranian territories.

    RADIKAL (LEFT)

    FOREIGN MINISTRY REACTS AGAINST TEHRAN
    Turkey's position towards Iran is becoming severe when Tehran's support to terrorist elements was proved. The Foreign Ministry suggested Foreign Trade Undersecretary Kursad Tuzmen not to go to Iran. Tuzmen is planning to hold a series of contacts in Iran together with several businessmen.

    WORLD BANK IS SENDING MONEY
    The first part of the World Bank loan was approved. The Bank will give a 759.6 million U.S. dollars laon to support the economic reforms, and it will send 384.6 million U.S. dollars first part to the Central Bank soon.

    YENI BINYIL (LIBERAL)

    MAY 19 CROWNED WITH GALATASARAY'S SUCCESS
    Celebrations took place throughout Turkey and in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) to mark May 19 Youth and Sports Day and the 81st anniversary of Ataturk's lightning the torch for independence. Celebrations were crowned with Galatasaray's success in the UEFA Cup final match in Danish capital of Copenhagen against Arsenal of Britain.

    ONAL: ''IMF'S SUPPORT IS IMPORTANT FOR MATURITY''
    Recep Onal, the Minister of State for Economy, said that the stability program received full support from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). ''IMF's support is important for maturity and interest rate of external borrowing,'' he stated. Onal said the stability program was being carried out together by the IMF and World Bank. Onal said the IMF would observe the program for three-month periods in first year and six-month periods in second year, and that IMF's Turkey Desk Chief Carlo Cottarelli arrived in Turkey to observe the second three-month period. ''The statements and positive messages given by the representatives of these organizations are important for the financial markets,'' Onal added.

    BANKS' CREDIT VOLUME INCREASES
    The banks' credit volume increased 167.6 trillion Turkish Liras (TL) to 22 quadrillion 22.2 trillion TL between April 28 and May 5. The total credit volume at banks was 21 quadrillion 854.6 trillion TL on April 28.

    REPO TRANSACTIONS INCREASE 8.2 TRILLION TL
    The repo transactions between banks and their customers increased by 8 trillion 169 billion Turkish Liras (TL) between April 28 and May 5. The Central Bank data shows that the repo transactions, which were 7 quadrillion 203 trillion TL on April 28, increased to 7 quadrillion 211.2 trillion TL on May 5. The reverse repo transactions, which were 9 trillion 440 billion TL on April 28, increased 4 trillion 725 billion TL to 14 trillion 165 billion TL.

    TURKIYE (RIGHT)

    BAHCELI: ''WE ARE WORKING IN FULL HARMONY''
    Devlet Bahceli, the Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of State and leader of the Nationalists Movement Party (MHP), said, ''the MHP has a great role in the coalition government's successful performances. Unsolved homicides were enlightened at last. It was a result of our determination. We are working in full harmony, and we are determined to maintain our harmony.''

    INTERIOR MINISTER TANTAN DUE TO EGYPT
    Saadettin Tantan, the Interior Minister, will leave for Egypt on Saturday on a three-day official visit as the guest of his Egyptian counterpart General Ibrahim Habib El-Adly. The Interior Ministry recalled that Turkey and Egypt had signed ''Agreement For Cooperation in Struggle Against Illicit Drug Trafficking'' on March 26, 1978. The statement noted that six commission meetings were held pending February 4, 1994 in accordance with Article 11 of the protocol. Tantan's visit to Egypt aims at restarting the commission meetings.

    11 MEMBERS OF HEZBOLLAH ORGANIZATION ARRESTED
    A total of 11 members of the terrorist Hezbollah organization who were captured by gendarmerie teams in an operation in Kesmekopru and Binatli villages in southeastern Batman province, were arrested and sent to prison.

    U.S. PRESIDENT SENDS HIS NEW CYPRUS REPORT TO CONGRESS
    U.S. President Bill Clinton sent his new Cyprus report to the U.S. Congress, saying that Washington had expended intense effort to find lasting and fair solution to Cyprus issue, and would continue to do so. Clinton sent his report including the latest developments on Cyprus between February 1 and March 31 to Senate Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Jesse Helms and House of Representatives Speaker Dennis Hastert. U.S. President Clinton said in his report that the new round of proximity talks on Cyprus had earlier foreseen to start in New York on May 23 but those talks would probably be postponed for a few months due to illness of Greek Cypriot administration leader Glafcos Clerides. The U.S. President stated that the U.S. was strongly supporting the initiatives launcned by the United Nations for a comprehensive solution to Cyprus issue.

    ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

    HOLIDAY LIKA A HOLIDAY
    Together with the start of the new millenium, Turkey recorded positive developments one after another in anti-terrorism, economy, politics, sports and public order. Turkey which gained a harmonized coalition government and stability elected its new President without a problem. This period in which supremacy of law is being stressed will help Turkey's democratization and adjustment to the EU criteria. As a result of ongoing economic program, high chronic inflation started to decrease, making positive reflections in the economy. Investments were increased with the decrease in interest rates and disappearance of economic recession atmosphere. The successes of security forces in struggle against terrorism and operations against unsolved murders made Turkish people breathe a sigh of satisfaction. Galatasaray's bringing the UEFA Cup home in addition to all of these positive developments made us celebrate a holiday as a holiday after years.

    ''EXTREME'' CONFESSOR
    Confessions of ''Tekin'' code-named Ferhan Ozmen who was detained during operations to capture murderers of journalist-writer Ugur Mumcu shocked everybody. Bomber Ozmen confessed that he had planted the bomb in Mumcu's car, prepared the bomb used in attacks on theologist professor Bahriye Ucok and journalist-writer Ahmet Taner Kislali and gave the names involved in murders. Ozmen said that he had received the instructions from Iran. He said that he had killed Prof. Dr. Muammer Aksoy with a suppressor gun. Ozmen added that their new targets were Israelis.

    WE HAVE ALREADY GOT TIRED IN HUMAN RIGHTS
    Turkey couldn't record any progress in human rights field in EU process. The government even couldn't give the start for works on picking the anti-democratic articles from the laws concerning basic human rights and freedoms.

    [02] TRNC PRESIDENT DENKTAS PRESENTED WITH INTERNATIONAL ATATURK PEACE AWARD (1)

    -PRESIDENT SEZER: ''WE WILL CONTINUE TO BE
    THE SUPPORTER OF THE TRNC ALSO IN 2000S''
    ANKARA - President Rauf Denktas of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) was presented with the ''International Ataturk Peace Award'' with a ceremony held on Friday at the Presidential Palace in Cankaya, Ankara.

    Addressing the ceremony, President Ahmet Necdet Sezer said, ''for the TRNC, today is more brilliant than the past, and the future is promising. We won't allow re-occurrence of dark and painful days in the past.''

    President Sezer said the International Ataturk Peace Award was given to persons who serve peace in the world and development of friendship, understanding and good will in international relations, and serve people in accordance with Ataturk's principle of ''peace at home, peace in the world''.

    Sezer said nine important people and organizations including presidents, academicians, diplomats, international and national organizations were deemed worthy of receiving this award since 1986.

    ''This year's award winner is a person who fully becomes one with the award's meaning, content and principle. There are symbolic names beyond politics who led in the brilliant way for prosperity of their nations' history. These names become one with their names and the history registers their leadership in crisis periods. This year's name is such a person,'' the President stated.

    Stressing that TRNC President Denktas dedicated himself to Cyprus issue, President Sezer said that Denktas had been expanding efforts since 1940s to have the world hear the Turkish Cypriots' struggle and problems.

    Noting that President Denktas played an active and guiding role in the Turkish Cypriots' struggle for their existence and sovereignty, President Sezer said that President Denktas became a moral power in the process which resulted in independency of the TRNC state.

    Sezer stated that the struggle of the Turkish Cypriot nation can be seen in Denktas' personality.

    ''Perfect leadership of Rauf Denktas has played a characteristic role in success of the Turkish Cypriots' struggle for their existence and sovereignty in the past. The history registered the peculiarities and characteristics that a perfect leader has to have like knowledge, farsightedness, realism and courage of Denktas. Today, the TRNC has taken its place in Eastern Mediterranean as a democratic state under the outstanding, distinguished and successful leadership of Rauf Denktas,'' President Sezer noted.

    ''Rauf Denktas has left his mark on every stage of the Cyprus talks process. He is the person who has put forward all constructive proposals and launched initiatives to enable the two peoples of the island to leave together in peace and security,'' the President said.

    ''The great pains and serious pressures that the Turkish Cypriots suffered in the past are registered in the dark pages of the history. For the TRNC, today is more brilliant than the past, and the future is promising. We supported the Turkish Cypriot nation in 1960s, 1974, 1975 and 1983, and we will continue to be the greatest supporter of them in 2000s,'' President Sezer stressed.

    President Sezer added that Denktas' contributions to peace and stability on Cyprus and Eastern Mediterranean would take part in pages of history.

    Later, President Sezer presented TRNC President Denktas with the ''International Ataturk Peace Award''.

    (To be continued)

    [03] TRNC PRESIDENT DENKTAS PRESENTED WITH INTERNATIONAL ATATURK PEACE AWARD (2)

    ANKARA - President Rauf Denktas of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) was presented with the International Ataturk Peace Award in a ceremony on Friday at Cankaya Presidential Palace.

    Addressing the award ceremony, President Denktas said, ''for me, this award is very meaningful and valuable. I am a member of a nation that devoted itself to Ataturk's principles and reforms. I accept this award on behalf of those who sacrificed their lives in our struggle.''

    Stressing that 1974 Peace Operation brought peace to the island, Denktas said, ''there is peace on Cyprus. The Turkish soldiers maintained the peace on the island. We are trying to reach compromise with the Greek Cypriot side. But there are necessary criteria for a reconciliation. First of all, they should not damage the peace on the island. We want a peace based on our sovereignty. Because a right which does not depend on sovereignty, is not a real right. We experienced all of these, and we want a peace based on sovereignty not to live through them again. We do not covet territories and right of someone else. But we do not want anybody to try to take our territories and rights. We called on the Greek Cypriots to reach compromise with us.''

    Pointing out that there were necessary criteria to make peace and provide reconciliation, President Denktas said, ''exchanging territory is one of these criteria. The Greek Cypriot side is refraining from exchanging territory. We want a lasting and strong peace consolidated with sovereignty. Turkey is our homeland. We hope that it would not have to save us once again. We hope that it would not sacrifice its sons for us. We hope that a war would not be experienced again.''

    Noting that he saw Ataturk in his dreams, Denktas said, ''one night some two months before the peace operation, I had a dream in which I saw Ataturk coming from the Girne Gate. I wanted to kiss his hand and told him to save us. He looked into my eyes and said, 'pay attention to economic situation. It is very important.' Then he left. I wanted to follow him. But he told me, 'you stay.' He dissapeared in Dr. Kucuk's house. When I woke up in the morning, I spoke to Ambassador Asaf Ilhan about my dream. After two months, I held many telephone conversations with Bulent Ecevit, the then Prime Minister. I told him, 'if you do not come to the island, Cyprus would be annexed to Greece. Eventually, Asaf invited me. I saw a small crypto saying, 'Denktas does not have to worry. Government is busy with preparing the necessary things.' I told Asaf, 'they will come.' Economic situation is very important. Ecevit prepared them. The Turkish soldiers came and saved us.''

    Referring to the claims saying that Ataturk was atheist, President Denktas said, ''if we had not a leader such as Ataturk, there would not be call to prayer in this country. If Ataturk is a master of us, our religion is our flag. If our religion is the mast, Ataturk is the flag. Ataturk expressed the most meaningful and most beautiful words about our religion. Ataturk achieved a great victory in an atmosphere of negativity with his soldiers who were believing in God. We will always commemorate Ataturk and those who sacrificed their lives for the sake of their country with great respect.''

    Following the award ceremony, President Sezer hosted an official dinner in honor of President Denktas.

    (End)

    [04] OPERATIONS AGAINST TERRORIST HEZBOLLAH ORGANIZATION

    -THREE TERRORISTS KILLED WHILE ANOTHER ONE INJURED
    ADANA - A total of three terrorists were killed while another one was injured in an operation launched against the terrorist Hezbollah organization in southern Adana province on Saturday.

    Officials told the A.A correspondent that Anti-Terrorism teams had raided a hide-out, and called on terrorists to surrender immediately.

    Clash erupted after terrorists refused to surrender and opened fire on security forces.

    In the clash, three terrorists were killed and another one was injured.

    Meanwhile, a superintendent of police was injured in his arm during the clash.

    Security forces confiscated a kalashnikow weapon, two hand guns, a number of bullets and a great deal of illegal and banned documents.

    [05] CLASH ERUPTS BETWEEN SECURITY FORCES AND TERRORISTS IN ISTANBUL

    -ONE PERSON KILLED
    ISTANBUL - A clash erupted between security forces and terrorists in Kartal district of Istanbul early on Saturday.

    Officials told the A.A correspondent that anti-terrorism teams had raided a house in the district within framework of operations against the terrorist Hezbollah organization, and called on terrorists to surrender immediately.

    Terrorists responded the warning by opening fire on the security forces.

    One person who could not be identified yet, was killed in the 15-minute armed clash.

    Meanwhile, policeman Mehmet Cezmi Erbay was injured in his hand.

    He was taken to hospital for medical treatment.

    Security forces detained three people after the clash.

    The detainees were taken to the Anti-Terrorism Department of Istanbul Security Directorate for interrogation.

    Hasan Ozdemir, the Director of Provincial Security in Istanbul, carried out investigation in the scene of clash.

    Ozdemir declined to respond to questions of journalists.

    [06] SPORTS - BOXING

    -33RD EUROPEAN MEN'S BOXING CHAMPIONSHIPS
    -RAMAZAN PHALIANI OF TURKEY QUALIFIES TO FINAL
    TAMPERE - Ramazan Phaliani of Turkey competing in the 57 kg category, qualified to final at the 33rd European Men's Boxing Championships in Tampere, Finland.

    Phaliani beat Alexei Vorobijev of Belarus in the semi-final.

    He will vie for gold medal in his final match with Boris Georgiev of Bulgaria on Sunday.

    Meanwhile, Bulent Ulusoy of Turkey competing in the 67 kg category, will take on Valeri Brazhnik of Ukraine while Agasi Agaguloglu of Turkey competing in the 54 kg category, will take on Raimkul Malakhbekov of Russia in their final matches.

    [07] OZMEN, BOMBER OF FUNDAMENTALIST TERRORIST ORGANIZATION:

    -''I STAGED BOMB ATTACKS ON MUMCU, UCOK, KISLALI, YURUM,
    EHUD SEDAN AND MARVICH. ALSO I KILLED PROF.DR. MUAMMER AKSOY''
    ANKARA - The Ankara Security Department has succeeded in revealing how ''triggers'' killed journalists, writers, politicians, and foreigners with Jewish origin in Turkey.

    Ferhan Ozmen, the bomber of the fundamentalist terrorist organization ''Jerusalem Commandos'' who confessed that he had planted a bomb under journalist-writer Ugur Mumcu's automobile, and prepared bombs used in assasinations of theologian Bahriye Ucok and journalist-writer Prof. Dr. Ahmet Taner Kislali, said that the killings were ordered by Iran.

    Noting that Iran had described the targets and their illegal organization had choosen the victims, Ozmen said that Iran later ordered them to stage terrorist actions on Israelis.

    Officials told the A.A correspondent that interrogation of Selcuk Sanli, Hakki Sanli, Ferhan Ozmen, Necdet Yuksel, Bilal Yurt, Celal Aytufan, Mehmet Gurova, Musa Koca and Mehmet Kasap who are kept in custody in the Ankara Security Department, was continuing.

    A 15-member special Anti-Terrorism team is carrying out the interrogation of the detainees.

    Necdet Yuksel and Ferhan Ozmen who were captured as a result of Hasan Kilic's confessions, gave detailed information about their terrorist activities in their testimonies.

    Security forces revealed that both detainees had been in Iran for three times.

    Ferhan Ozmen whose code name is Tekin, was identified as the specialized bomber of the trigger organization that calls itself as ''Jerusalem Warriors'' or ''Jerusalem Commandos''.

    Ozmen refused to speak for the first two days of his interrogation, but later he gave detailed information about terrorist actions in which he was involved.

    Ozmen confessed that he had shot dead Prof. Dr. Muammer Aksoy, the Chairman of Kemalist Thought Association, in front of his house in Bahcelievler district of Ankara with a suppressor gun. He said that Necdet Yuksel was in the scene of attack to watch out the street.

    Ozmen said that he had prepared the bomb which was used in assasination of theologian Bahriye Ucok. Ozmen's fingerprint was coincided with the fingerprints found on the bomb-packet sent to Ucok.

    Ozmen said that he had placed a C-4 bomb under journalist-writer Ugur Mumcu's automobile.

    Previously, Yusuf Karakus who had watched out the street as Ozmen was planting the bomb, said that a person whose code name was Ali, had planted the bomb under the car.

    Ozmen confessed that he was the person using code name of Ali.

    Ozmen was confronted with Karakus last week.

    He also gave detailed information about Mumcu assasination's escapee suspects whose code names were Muhammed and Riza.

    Ozmen said that he had staged killings of U.S. Staff Sgt. Victor D. Marvick, a computer specialist at the Joint Turkish-U.S. Logistics group, in 1991; Ehud Sadan, the security chief at the Israeli Embassy in Ankara, in 1992; and wounding of Yuda Yurum, the leader of Ankara's Jewish community, in 1995.

    Ozmen confessed that he had prepared the bomb which was left on Prof. Dr. Ahmet Taner Kislali's automobile.

    Noting that the organization had carried out a detailed intelligence about Kislali, and decided to assasinate him in front of his house.

    Ozmen said, ''we went to Kislali's house in Cayyolu district of Ankara together with Necdet Yuksel, Oguz Demir whose code name was Cihan, and four other people. I prepared the bomb in our car, and gave it to Necdet. As Necdet was placing the bomb on Kislali's automobile, we watched out the street.''

    Ozmen said that the Jerusalem Commandos was involved in killings of three Iranians in central Corum province and in Aksaray district of Istanbul.

    Ozmen's testimony coincided with Necdet Yuksel's testimony.

    Meanwhile, Mehmet Kasap was asked to do renactment in Aksaray where two Iranians were killed.

    Ozmen said that he had received training to use explosives in Iran.

    He gave detailed information about people with whom he had met in Iran.

    He said, ''Iranians wanted us to kill secular politicians and secular journalists. They only described the target. Then we determined the persons.''

    When asked where the weapons confiscated by security forces in Sincan township of Ankara would be used, Ozmen said, ''we received the order to stage terrorist activities on Israelis before we were captured. But he had not been shown any targets. Our victims could be Israeli diplomats or residents.''

    Security forces revealed that two weapons used in some assasinations, were thrown into Cubuk Dam. Efforts to find the weapons are continuing.

    Security officials told the A.A correspondent that some of Iranian people who were involved in the killings, were identifed.

    They added, ''terrorists calling themselves Jerusalem Commandos were using mosques to meet with each other. They chose mosques because these places are crowded.''

    [08] EU COMMISSION'S TURKEY REPRESENTATIVE FOGG: ''TURKEY HAS TO TRY

    TO ADJUST ITSELF TO THE EU AFTER PROVIDING DOMESTIC HARMONY''
    ISTANBUL - European Union (EU) Commission's Turkey Representative Karen Fogg said on Friday that it was insufficient to work only in a few fields in process of adjustment.

    ''All conditions have to be fulfilled. However, it is beneficial to begin to act in some fields immediately. Turkey has to try to adjust itself to the EU after providing the domestic harmony,'' Fogg said.

    Addressing a meeting, Fogg said the EU had taken several new decisions by taking into consideration new candidates and the possible problems in case of their full-membership to the EU.

    Noting that those decisions had three basic issues, Fogg said, ''the first one is the majority of votes, the other one is how the countries will affect the decisions and the last one is the number of EU Commission members.''

    Stating that they had asked the members to solve all the problems in unity by the end of the year, Fogg said the candidates which couldn't be abstracted from those problems could express their opinions, and that they wanted the Turkish government convey its opinions within this framework.

    Recalling that the candidates were trying to fulfil the Copenhagen criteria, Fogg said, ''besides, the change in the EU should be followed. Because, the EU is changing every day. Now, also the Turkish government is preparing a national program within scope of adjustment process. The EU Commission is providing the necessary assistance. However, everything is in the hands of Turkey. The speed of adjustment process depends of Turkey.''

    Noting that a reports including the issues that Turkey should fulfil would be issued at the Helsinki meeting, Fogg said, ''the Turkish government is responsible of fulfilling these. However, the government can't do this alone. The non-governmental and other concerned organizations have to support the government technically.''

    ''The imbalance in economic distribution in Turkey should be removed immediately. I am very optimistic. The government and non-governmental organizations had made very important preparations, and the government had taken important decisions. However, it is important to put these decisions into practice. Thus the jurisdiction should be supported and supremacy of law should be provided. Because, we have a great program in front of us,'' she said.

    Responding to a question, Fogg said a 170 million Euro aid to Turkey in adjustment process was on the agenda of the EU.

    [09] GENC, DIRECTOR GENERAL OF SECURITY:

    -''A TOTAL OF 12 TERRORISTS WERE RENDERED INEFFECTIVE
    IN PREDAWN OPERATIONS LAUNCHED IN ADANA AND ISTANBUL''
    TRABZON - Turan Genc, the General Director of Security, said on Saturday, ''a total of 12 terrorists were rendered ineffective in predawn operations launched in Istanbul and Adana provinces. Four of them were killed while eight others were captured.''

    Addressing a meeting in Trabzon province in Black Sea Region which was held with participation of security directors of seven provinces, Genc said, ''security officials launched operations against illegal organizations in Adana and Istanbul provinces early on Saturday.''

    ''Three terrorists were killed in Adana while another one was killed in Istanbul. Meanwhile, security forces succeeded in capturing five terrorists in Adana and three others in Istanbul. Two policemen were injured in clashes with terrorists. A kalashnikow weapon, two hand guns, a number of bullets and a great deal of illegal and banned documents were confiscated in the operations.''

    Genc who refrained from giving the name of the illegal organization, said that the operations were underway throughout Turkey.

    [10] 120 KG HEROIN CONFISCATED IN SOUTHEASTERN SIRNAK

    SIRNAK - Sirnak Security teams confiscated 120.8 kilograms of heroin in southeastern Sirnak province.

    Officials said on Saturday that acting on a tip-off, security forces had stopped and searched a lorry, confiscating 12.8 kg of heroin hidden in fuel tank of it.

    Officials said the driver of the lorry had been taken into custody, and the investigation was under way.

    [11] ''AKDENIZ'' VESSEL LAUNCHED IN GERMANY

    FLENSBURG - ''Akdeniz'' (Mediterranean) vessel, first of the six ro-ro vessels constructed for the International Transportors' Association, was launched on Friday with a ceremony in Flensburg, Germany.

    State Ministers Mehmet Kececiler and Ramazan Mirzaoglu, Transportation and Communications Minister Enis Oksuz, Turkish Ambassador to Germany Tugay Ulucevik and International Transportors' Association Chairman Saffet Ulusoy attended the ceremony.

    Addressing the ceremony, State Minister Mirzaoglu for Maritime said, ''the Mediterranean vessel and the other vessels are very important for the Turkish transportation and maritime. I am proud of this.''

    State Minister Kececiler said, ''the next vessels Karadeniz (Black Sea), Ege (Aegean) and Adriatic will serve the Turkish economy.''

    Transportation and Communications Minister Oksuz said, ''the nations who don't have vessels in the sea and banks on land are obliged to be the servants of others.''

    [12] OPERATIONS AGAINST TERRORIST HEZBOLLAH ORGANIZATION (2)

    -ONE POLICEMAN DIES
    ADANA - Ali Asker Gonca, a policeman who was involved in an operation launched against the terrorist Hezbollah organization in southern Adana province, lost his life as a result of a stray bullet on Saturday.

    Officials told the A.A correspondent that Gonca, 42, was shot with a stray bullet fired by one of his colleagues in a police vehicle after the operation in which three terrorists were killed and another one was injured.

    He was rushed to hospital, but could not be saved.

    A funeral will take place for Gonca at 04:00 p.m. in front of the Directorate of Security. His body will be sent to Igdir, his birth place.

    [13] TRNC CABINET DISCUSSES ECONOMIC PACKAGE

    LEFKOSA - The Council of Ministers of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) convened on Saturday to discuss the economic package.

    The TRNC Council of Ministers headed by State Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Mustafa Akinci, is trying to finalize the economic package aiming at overcoming the current economic crisis.

    [14] FIREWORKS EXPLOSION IN NETHERLANDS

    -BODIES OF THREE MEMBERS OF TURKISH FAMILY RECOVERED
    NEVSEHIR-ENSCHEDE - Bodies of three members of Turkish Temel family who were trapped beneath the rubbles of their house collapsed due to the fireworks explosion in Enschede, the Netherlands were recovered.

    Kasim Temel who is living in Emmiler village in Gulsehir township of central Nevsehir province told the A.A correspondent that they were told that bodies of his nephew Suleyman Temel, his wife Havva and his son Mertkan had been pulled out from the rubble.

    Kasim Temel said rescue teams had found them embracing each other in the shelter of their house.

    [15] PRESIDENT NAZARBAYEV OF KAZAKHSTAN SENDS

    CONGRATULATORY LETTER TO PRESIDENT SEZER
    ANKARA - Nursultan Nazarbayev, the President of Kazakhstan, sent on Friday a letter to Ahmet Necdet Sezer, congratulating his election as the new President of the Republic of Turkey.

    The Kazakh Embassy in Ankara issued a statement saying that Nazarbayev, in his letter, stressed the importance of development of historical and friendly relations between Turkey and Kazakhstan.

    The statement said Nazarbayev also expressed his belief that President Sezer would use all his authority to further consolidate the bilateral relations.

    [16] UMUT OPERATION

    -SUSPECTS FERHAN OZMEN AND NECDET YUKSEL DO REENACTMENT
    ANKARA - Ferhan Ozmen and Necdet Yuksel who confessed that they were involved in journalist-writer Ugur Mumcu's assasination on January 24, 1993, were asked to do reenactment on Saturday.

    Ozmen and Yuksel gave detailed information how they had staged the bomb attack on Hamza Keles, the Prosecutor of the Ankara State Security Court (DGM).

    The second reenactment was done in Sedat Simavi Street where Abdullah Hussein Gurabi, the Egyptian Press Attache, was injured in a bomb attack.

    Later Ozmen and Yuksel were taken to the place in which Ehud Sadan, the security chief at the Israeli Embassy in Ankara, was killed in 1992.

    The third reenactment was done in Tomurcuk Street where U.S. Staff Sgt. Victor D. Marvick, a computer specialist at the Joint Turkish-U.S. Logistics group, was assasinated in a bomb attack on October 28, 1991.

    Another reenactment was done in front of house of Prof. Dr. Muammer Aksoy, the Chairman of Kemalist Thought Association, who was shot dead on January 31, 1990 in Bahcelievler district of Ankara.

    Later, suspects were taken to Cayyolu district where Prof. Dr. Ahmet Taner Kislali, former Culture Minister and a prominet journalist-writer, was killed in a car-bomb attack last year.

    Ozmen said, ''we went to Kislali's house together with Necdet Yuksel, and another person. As they were placing the bomb on Kislali's automobile, I watched out the street.''

    Kemal Iskender, the Director of Ankara Security Department, and Cevdet Volkan, the Republican Chief Prosecutor of Ankara DGM, watched the reenactments.

    Residents reacted against the suspects by chanting slogans, ''Servants of Iran'' and 'Murderers''.

    After the reenactments, the suspects were taken back to Anti-Terrorism Brach of Ankara Security Department.

    Meanwhile, several journalists covering the story, were injured when they fell from walls.

    [17] 29 IRANIAN REFUGEES TAKEN INTO CUSTODY

    ANKARA - Security forces captured early on Saturday 29 Iranian refugees in Ankara who had entered Turkey illegally.

    Sources said security forces had acted on a tip-off and stopped a passenger bus on the Ankara-Samsun motorway at about 03:00 a.m.

    In the identity check, police revealed that passports of 29 Iranians were fake and illegal.

    Questioning the refugees, police said the Iranians were planning to proceed to Istanbul.

    Interrogation of the Iranians is under way.

    [18] INTERIOR MINISTER TANTAN LEAVES FOR EGYPT

    ISTANBUL - Saadettin Tantan, the Interior Minister, left for Egypt on Saturday on a three-day official visit as the guest of his Egyptian counterpart General Ibrahim Habib El-Adly.

    When asked by journalists at the Ataturk Airport in Istanbul prior to his departure whether or not predawn operations launched in Istanbul and Adana provinces were linked with the Umut operation, Tantan said, ''they were separate operations.''

    Tantan refranied from responding to questions about the Umut operation saying that it was too early to make a statement.

    Tantan is expected to return to Turkey on May 23.

    [19] 80 FRENCH JOURNALISTS AND 46 TOURISM MANAGERS ARRIVE IN BODRUM

    BODRUM - A 126-person French delegation including 80 journalists and 46 tourism operators arrived in Bodrum township of Aegean Mugla province late on Saturday.

    Blue Dreams Eldorado Hotels Group President Erhan Kirelli told the A.A correspondent that they had organized a tour to promote Turkey and Bodrum.

    Kirelli said they had invited the French delegation to Bodrum to attend the inauguration of their hotel.

    Kirelli said the French delegation would joint a one-day Blue Tour on Sunday, and attend the dinner hosted by Bodrum Head Offical Ugur Boran in honor of them at the Bodrum Castle.

    [20] BAKU-CEYHAN OIL PIPELINE

    -BSEC BUSINESS COUNCIL MEMBER GOKYIGIT: ''SUGGESTION OF THE U.S.
    TO KAZAKHSTAN ABOUT BAKU-CEYHAN SIGNALLED THAT THE PROJECT BECAME
    DEFINITE''
    ISTANBUL - Nihat Gokyigit, a member of the Foreign Economic Relations Council (DEIK) and Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC) Business Council, said on Saturday that the suggestion made by the U.S. administration to the Kazakhstan concerning the Baku-Ceyhan oil pipeline signalled the project would absolutely be put into practice.

    Gokyigit said the U.S. State Department's request for transportation of a part of oil extracted from Kashagan, Kazakhstan in the north of Caspian Sea through the Baku-Ceyhan pipeline was a positive development.

    ''The U.S. has been supporting the opinion of many oil pipelines comprising more than one option for a long time,'' Gokyigit said.

    Gokyigit stated that construction of the pipeline which would bring Kazakh oil via Russia and Black Sea was being carried out by a consortium including the American Chevron oil company.

    ''As a second pipeline, the Baku-Ceyhan will transport a part of Kazakh oil. The U.S. wants Kazakhstan engaged in Baku-Ceyhan and make plans to this end,'' he said.

    Gokyigit stressed that Kazakhstan actually wanted to transport a part of its oil with the Baku-Ceyhan pipeline.

    [21] FOREIGN MINISTER CEM:

    -''EU CANDIDACY HAS ACCELERATED TARGETS WE WANT
    TO REACH IN DEMOCRACY AND HUMAN RIGHTS''
    ISTANBUL - Ismail Cem, the Foreign Minister, said on Saturday, ''announcement of Turkey's European Union (EU) candidacy has accelerated targets we want to achieve in democracy and human rights.''

    Addressing a meeting under the title of ''Conference 2000'' organized by the Rotary Club, Cem said, ''the world is living through a new modernization process. Non-governmental organizations will undertake important roles in the process. A revolution called 'globalization' is being experienced in the field of economy within framework of the new modernization process. Globalization has a negative factor that speeds up inequality in the societies, but this is a temporary problem. For instance, computer provides a great development. But it also brings forth inequality because everyone cannot benefit from it. Those who have higher income are able to benefit from computers. Other circles of society do not have the same opportunity. All industrialized societies encounter the same problem. It also creates inequality among the nations.''

    ''The EU is a matter of civil society. We want to strengthen civil society dimension in the EU process. The Foreign Ministry is responsible of relations with the EU together with the non-governmental organizations. We attribute great importance to civil dimension in our works within framework of the adjustment process with the EU,'' Cem said.

    Describing the EU candidacy as a great development for Turkey, Cem noted, ''the EU will bring forth not only easiness but also some difficulties. Our main target is to further develop Turkey. Turkey's EU candidacy has accelerated targets we want to achieve in democracy and human rights. The EU candidacy has opened ways for great opportunities. It has provided motivation to re-arrange economy and created new external dynamics.''

    ''Every country is affected by external dynamics, but Turkey is affected more. Because Turkey has been living together with external political powers for 700 years. External dynamics have an important influence on modernization movements that started in the 19th century,''Cem said.

    He noted, ''Turkey's candidacy has led to serious changes in the EU's geography. The EU's borders reached to eastern Anatolia. As a result, Turkey and Greece will not be considered as opponents in two edges of the border. We are already European. We do not need our European identity to be confirmed. The EU countries are aware of Turkey's importance. There are common ideal and mission in front of us. Turkey should be modernized to contribute to the humanity's great progress in the 21st century. Lack of education, economic instability and lack of confidence in ourselves are the only thearts.''

    ''What do Turkish people expect from modernization? Everyone wants a brilliant future for their children. Everyone wants equality, job opportunities and social security. Turkey needs more discipline and seriousness. We cannot reach anywhere with current seriousness. We should evaluate the modernization within this framework. We should carry out modernization as we are upholding the core. We should change the State's attitude in favor of the powerful ones. Turkey is recording serious progress. I believe that the 21st century would be the century when dreams will come true,'' Cem added.

    [22] YILMAZ, MAYOR OF CANKAYA, LEAVES FOR KIEV

    ANKARA - Haydar Yilmaz, the Mayor of Cankaya district of Ankara, left on Saturday for Ukraine as guest of Kiev Municipality.

    Issuing a written statement, the Cankaya Municipality said that a 10-member delegation was accompanying Yilmaz.

    Yilmaz is expected to sign a ''sister municipality protocol'' in Kiev.

    Yilmaz and accompanying delegation are expected to return to Turkey on May 27.

    [23] 35 IRANIANS WHO ENTERED TURKEY WITH

    FALSE DOCUMENTS CAPTURED
    IZMIT - Security forces captured 35 Iranians who entered Turkey with false documents bearing the title of the United Nations (U.N.) in Kocaeli on Saturday.

    Security forces stopped and searched a passenger bus, and captured the Iranian people who had entered Turkey from Gurbulak Border Gate in eastern Van province.

    They were sent back to Van for legal proceedings

    [24] SPORTS - BOXING

    -33RD EUROPEAN MEN'S BOXING CHAMPIONSHIPS
    -AGAGULOGLU OF TURKEY TAKES GOLD MEDAL
    TAMPERE - Agasi Agaguloglu of Turkey competing in the 54 kg category, won gold medal at the 33rd European Men's Boxing Championships in Tampere, Finland.

    Agaguloglu beat Raimkul Malakhbekov of Russia in his final match, and became European champion.

    Meanwhile, Ramazan Phaliani of Turkey competing in the 57 kg category, will vie for gold medal in his final match with Boris Georgiev of Bulgaria on Sunday. Bulent Ulusoy of Turkey competing in the 67 kg category, will take on Valeri Brazhnik of Ukraine in his final match.

    [25] SPORTS-WRESTLING

    -FIRST TURKISH WORLD TRADITIONAL WRESTLING TOURNAMENT IN ANKARA
    ANKARA - The Turkish World First Traditional Wrestling Tournament was held in Ankara on Saturday.

    Adressing a ceremony held on the occasion of the tournament, State Minister Fikret Unlu for Sports said he was pleased with organization of such a meaningful and traditional tournament.

    A total of 120 wrestlers of seven countries attended the tournament.

    [26] OPERATIONS AGAINST TERRORIST HEZBOLLAH ORGANIZATION

    -MORE THAN TEN PEOPLE TAKEN INTO CUSTODY
    ISTANBUL - More than 10 members of the terrorist Hezbollah organization including Ilyas Kutulman, the so-called leading official of organization for Istanbul, were taken into custody in an operation in Istanbul on Saturday.

    Officials told the A.A correspondent that security forces had launched the ''Second Operation Against Hezbollah Organization'' named ''Malazgirt'' in Istanbul and southern Adana and Mersin provinces.

    In the predawn operation in Adana, three terrorists were killed while another one was captured.

    In another operation launched in Kartal district of Istanbul, one terrorist was killed. A false identity document arranged in the name of Fatih Kanmaz, found on the terrorist.

    More than 10 terrorists including Ilyas Kutulman, Bayram Eren, Ahmet Kandik, Firat Cakmak and Hasan Kutluhan were taken into custody in the operations.

    Nationwide operations have been launched against the terrorist organization since the shootout between security forces and members of the illegal terrorist organization in Beykoz district of Istanbul on January 17 in which Huseyin Velioglu, the head of the organization was killed.

    Edip Gumus and Cemal Tutar, leading names of the organization, were captured in the same operation.

    Nearly 60 bodies belonged to victims who were tortured to death by Hezbollah members, were exhumed in hide-outs in Istanbul, Ankara, Konya, Adana, Diyarbakir and Mersin provinces.

    Haci Inan, Isa Aksoy, Enver Kilicarslan and Haci Bayincik, other leading names of the organization, could not be captured yet.

    [27] INTERIOR MINISTER TANTAN ARRIVES IN EGYPT

    CAIRO - Saadettin Tantan, the Interior Minister, arrived in Egypt on Saturday on a three-day official visit as the guest of his Egyptian counterpart General Ibrahim Habib El-Adli.

    Addressing Egyptian journalists at the airport, Tantan said that they wanted to make use of Egypt's experience in struggle against terrorism.

    Noting that there were historical relations between Turkey and Egypt, Tantan told reporters, ''our political and economic relations are very good. We should further improve our cooperation in the field of security. Our cooperation will be further improved after Egyptian parliament approves the agreement which was signed between the two countries in 1999. Egypt is well-experienced in struggle against terrorism. We want to make use of its experience.''

    When asked whether or not the Virtue Party (FP) was a continuation of Welfare Party (RP) which was closed by the Constitutional Court, Tantan said, ''it will be wrong to make a statement before the court declares its verdict. Turkey is a state of law.''

    When recalled by a Turkish journalist, ''Turkish students graduating from the El-Ezher University were involved in several terrorist attacks,'' El-Adhi said, ''the El-Ezher University is a castle of Islam. It teaches Islam in an appropriate and correct way. Graduates of the university may be involved in such terrorist attacks like graduates of other universities were involved in crimes.''

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