300 TRILLION TL FOR THE SOUTHEAST

A package worth 40 trillion TL which was announced for the Eastern and Southeastern Regions has been increased to TL 300 trillion. Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit arrived in Diyarbakir yesterday to attend a meeting in order to coordinate the economic and social measures taken by the Turkish Government for the Eastern and Southeastern Regions. State Ministers Mustafa Yilmaz and Hasan Gemici, Interior Minister Cahit Bayar, Finance Minister Nami Cagan, Public Works and Housing Minister Ali Iliksoy, Trade and Industry Minister Metin Sahin, Energy and Natural Resources Minister Ziya Aktas, Transport Minister Hasan Basri Aktan and Chief of Security Necati Bilican also participated in the meeting. Ecevit noted that the railway line to Iran, which has not been used for a long time, has been put into service again and said: "I believe that all these measures will bring tranquility to the East and Southeast". /Sabah/

BOMBER CAPTURED

Kemal Erturk, a member of the Conference-wing of the illegal TKP-ML TIKKO organization and one of the perpetrators of a bomb attack against Cankiri Governor Ayhan Cevik last Friday, was captured during an operation near the Sivrihisar district of Eskisehir yesterday morning. It is reported that Kemal Erturk had organized a raid against the Kurtulus Flour Plant in Tokat in April 1997, killing three people, aided and abetted by the PKK terrorist organization. Meanwhile, a house which belongs to the illegal TKP-ML TIKKO organization was discovered in the Polatli district of Ankara. Many rounds of ammunition were also seized. In a further development, a member of the organization who had escaped from the organization on December 3, 1998 and surrendered to security forces, Yasemin Sahin, sent a letter to security forces from the prison and said: "The organization made us 'a machine of death'. They told us to kill every policeman and soldier saying that they are our enemies". /Sabah/

WOMEN'S DAY CELEBRATED IN MUDANYA

The Turkish Women's Union celebrated World Women Day on March 8 with a parade held in Mudanya yesterday. Women who came from Istanbul and Bursa to Mudanya gathered in front of the Ataturk Monument. The Head of the Mudanya Branch of the Turkish Women's Union, Emel Masatoglu, delivered a speech saying that the Turkish nation had suffered a lot from terrorism and added: "We should explain our just cause to the whole world and cooperate with women world-wide". President Suleyman Demirel said yesterday that Turkey was among the countries which had pioneered sexual equality and ratified the UN Agreement for the Prevention of Discrimination Against Women. Demirel added: "The greatest responsibility to implement sexual equality in every field falls upon women themselves". Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said yesterday that following education reform, which they had launched, women would be able to sufficiently take advantage of education. Ecevit pointed out that during the first years of the Republic of Turkey, Turkish women were granted many rights and freedoms in advance of many developed democratic countries. Ecevit added that after an amendment to the Civil Code, some deficiencies would be overcome. /Sabah/

US PRESSURIZES ATHENS

The White House has started diplomatic initiatives concerning the East and West of Turkey. The basic aim of the US is to remove Turco-Greek intransigence. It is expected that US officials, who will visit the region next week, will pressurize Athens. To this end, the Cyprus Coordinator of the US State Department, Thomas Miller, will hold shuttle diplomacy talks in Ankara, Athens and Lefkose on March 7-14. Meanwhile, on Tuesday, Deputy Secretary responsible for the Middle Eastern Affairs from the US State Department, Martin Indyk, will hold meetings on Turco-Greek problems in addition to the Northern Iraqi and the PKK chief Abdullah Ocalan questions in Ankara. On the other hand, Greek Foreign Minister Yeorgos Papandreu will launch new drives to open a new chapter in Turco-Greek relations. Papandreu is expected to remove the Greek vetoes against Turkey within the EU and establish a dialogue with Turkey. This new Greek policy is expected to be implemented following the General Elections in Turkey. /Sabah/

`OCALAN EXPENSIVE FOR ATHENS'

The Greek Defence Minister, Akis Cohacopulos, said that the PKK chief, Abdullah Ocalan, had cost Greece a lot and Ocalan had pushed the security of the country to the brink of danger. In a statement to 'To Vima' newspaper, Cohacopulos noted that the Ocalan issue had weakened Greece's position in the international area and said: "Because of all these reasons, the damage is great". Noted Greek composer Mikis Teodorakis, in another statement to the same newspaper, said that the Ocalan issue was viewed as a shame and disaster by the Greek nation. Cohacopulos said, concerning the deployment of S-300 missiles on Crete, that the decision on this issue was correct from the military standpoint. Meanwhile, 40 officials from the Security Office's Special Action Team will go to Imrali Island to ensure the security of Abdullah Ocalan. /Sabah/

OCALAN TO BE TRIED ON 24 MARCH

The terrorist chief, Abdullah Ocalan, will tried, with the possibility of the death sentence being applied, according to the related articles of the Turkish Constitution, on 24 March on Imrali. After Ocalan's hearing Ocalan conducted made by Ankara State Security Court's judges Nuh Mete Yuksel, Talat Salk and Hamza Keles, formal charges were prepared. Ocalan will be accused of acts contrary to four different articles of the Constitution. /Turkiye/

PKK MONEY IN GREEK BANKS

Due to the quarrel between the PKK terrorist organization and Greece, which has been supporting international terrorism for a long time, some hidden realities have emerged with regard to Greece's PKK relations. An article published in 'Stohos' newspaper, an ultra-nationalist Greek paper, yesterday noted that the PKK held accounts worth millions of Drahmis in Greek banks. Meanwhile, the former Chairman of the Greek Secret Service EIP, Stavrakakis, who was dismissed following the capture of the PKK chief Abdullah Ocalan, filed a complaint against Ocalan's secretary, Semse Kilic. The article in the newspaper said that Greece was seen as a box for the PKK and remarked that Greek Secret Services were called on duty to safeguard the money in the banks. /Milliyet/

PKK: "WE ARE TOO FAR"

Turkish Security Forces seized a report from a terrorist who was handed over to them. The report, prepared by the PKK's Central Committee, said that the organization had gone too far in its criticism against Turkey during its unsuccessful struggle against the Turkish Security Forces. The Central Committee Report, dated 19 November, 1998 said that Ocalan would ensure the acceptance of the PKK in Europe. It is noted that the report revealed that the terrorist organization was already in the process of disintegration. /Aksam/

DECISION DAY FOR HADEP

The Constitutional Court will announce its decision concerning the People's Democracy Party (HADEP) today. If the Court approves a demand submitted by the Republican Chief Prosecutor of the Court of Appeals, Vural Savas, HADEP will not be able to participate in the General Election to be held in Turkey on April 18, 1999. /Sabah/

241 HADEP MEMBERS TAKEN INTO CUSTODY

During demonstrations held in Izmir yesterday, 241 members of the People's Democracy Party (HADEP) were taken into custody. They were later sent to the Security Office's Anti-Terrorism Department in Izmir. /Milliyet/

GREEK ARMY IN GREAT HURRY

During a Military Summit Meeting of NATO to be held in Brussels, Greece, which is concerned that the Ocalan issue may come on to the agenda, is to launch new drives. According to the monthly Greek `To Vima' newspaper, the Greek Chief of General Staff will hold a series of meetings in order to prevent the Ocalan issue from being brought onto the agenda of the NATO Meeting in March. It is reported that the Chiefs of General Staff from Germany, Italy and Greece have reached a consensus on this issue. /Milliyet/

NOTE FROM WASHINGTON TO ATHENS

It is reported that the US has been deeply concerned over the purchase of middle-range OSA-type anti-aircraft missiles by Greece from Russia and therefore the US has warned Athens that it should not deploy the missiles on Greek islands located in the Eastern Aegean. According to the monthly 'To Vima' newspaper published in Athens, Tery Shnell, US Charge D'Affaires in Greece, conveyed a note to the Greek Foreign Ministry in which Washington expressed its anxiety on this issue. The newspaper also noted that the Greek Ambassador to Washington, Alekos Filon, had been summoned to the US State Department last Thursday. Filon was informed about the US recommendations and proposals in order to ease the tension between Turkey and Greece. The newspaper added that Greek military circles believed that these developments were not accidental and they were connected with the Ocalan issue. /Milliyet/

NO VISA FOR GREECE

Tourism Minister Ahmet Tan said yesterday that despite the developments following the capture of the PKK chief Abdullah Ocalan, Turkey would continue with its unilateral visa exemption for Greece. Tan held a press conference on the second day of the International Berlin Tourism Bourse (ITB'99); Tan pointed out the geostrategic importance of Turkey in the region and recalled that due to their support for terrorism, Syria, Iran and Iraq were registered as such in the international area. Tan noted that even though Turkey has a 1,500 km-long border with these countries, she had managed to safeguard her citizens and territorial integrity. /Milliyet/

DEMIREL RECEIVES MEMBERS OF OSCE COOPERATION

President Suleyman Demirel said that the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Summit scheduled to take place in November 1999 in Istanbul is very important for Turkey to show herself to the world. Demirel received the members of the OSCE Cooperation which was set up by the firms to carry out the necessary organization and infrastructural studies for the OSCE Summit, the Anatolia news agency reports. Demirel stressed that the 54-member OSCE will hold its last meeting in the 20th century in Istanbul and that convention will be the biggest meeting in Istanbul after Habitat II.

DEMIREL SENDS A MESSAGE OF CONDOLENCE

President Suleyman Demirel sent a letter of condolence to new Emir Sheikh Hamad Bin Isa al-Khalifa of Bahrain over the death of Bahraini Emir Sheikh Isa Bin Sulman al-Khalifa. "On behalf of the Turkish nation, I would like to offer my condolences to his excellency and the friendly people of Bahrain" Demirel said in his letter of condolence, the Anatolia news agency reports.

BARGAININGS WITH IMF STARTS

Bargaining talks concerning a credit agreement between the IMF and Turkey start in Washington today. It is reported that the Turkish delegation, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Hikmet Ulugbay, will insist on a 2.5-year `moderate program', while the IMF is expected to stand for an alleged `shock program'. Turkish officials remarked that the Democratic Left Party (DSP) minority government is quite resolute in its desire to implement a `moderate program' and thereby it will emphasize that there is no need for shock tactics because Turkey is in the process of achieving quite stable developments and, in terms of foreign borrowing, her problems have already been eased. The two basic topics to be discussed during the meetings are the `Banking Sector Financial System Rehabilitation Program' and the social security reform, for which Turkey may also obtain a 3-billion-dollar loan from the World Bank to aid structural transition. /Milliyet/

YILMAZ: "TURKEY'S FUTURE TO BE VOTED FOR ON 18 APRIL ELECTIONS"

The Motherland Party (ANAP) leader, Mesut Yilmaz, spoke at his party Congress saying that his party had struggled against terrorism. In addition, he added, the chief of the terrorist organization had been captured. Yilmaz noted that the 18 April Elections would be very important for the future of Turkey. He stressed that Turkey would enter the 21st century with the party which won the coming election. Claiming that the 21st century would be century of Turks, Yilmaz claimed that on 18 April Turkey's future would be decided. /Turkiye/

KUTAN: "TURKISH NATION WILL USE ITS COMMON-SENSE ON 18 APRIL"

The Chairman of the Virtue Party (RP), Recai Kutan, said yesterday in Ankara that they were for Western-type secularism. In his speech at the "Towards the Power" meeting held by his party, Kutan noted that they believed that the Turkish nation would cast their votes in line with their common-sense and bring his party to power. Kutan claimed that Turkey was now in an interim period and after the Elections the principles of being a democratic, social State pf law would be realized. He added that they would apply the universal principles of the Constitution if they won the Elections. /Turkiye/

A STEP TOWARDS THE CUSTOMS UNION

The Council of Ministers has agreed to put a decision into regulation concerning the harmonization of the Turkish Customs Union Agreement with the European Union Common Customs Tariff, within the framework of the Partnership Council. According to the decision issued in yesterday's Official Gazette, the third Customs harmonization scheme, which foresees a 15 % reduction on the goods mentioned in the Council of Ministers' List dated 6 September 1996, will be valid from 1 January 1999. /Aksam/

KIVRIKOGLU IN BELGIUM

The Chief of the General Staff, General Huseyin Kivrikoglu, went to Belgium yesterday. Military sources announced that Kivrikoglu will hold talks with military officials and will return home on 13 March. /Aksam/

PRESS COUNCIL DELEGATION IN TRNC

A delegation including the administrators of the Press Council arrived on Satruday in Lefkose, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) as the guest of the TRNC Journalists' Association. Oktay Eksi, the Chairman of the Press Council, said thay want to contribute to initiatives for the establishment of press council in the TRNC. Meanwhile, the first step for the establishment of a press council in the TRNC was taken, the Anatolia news agency reports.

IMKB RANKS 23RD

The Istanbul Stock Exchange (IMKB) ranked 23rd with respect to its transaction volume in the international Stock Exchanges league, despite the global crisis last year. According to data from the Federation Internationale des Bourses de Valeurs (FIBV) in the IMKB monthly bulletin, the annual transaction volume in the shares market of the leading 50 Stock Exchanges last year totalled $26.329 trillion. The IMKB constituted 0.26 % of the total volume with a transaction volume worth $68.479 billion. The Stock Exchanges of Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Mexico, Brazil, Athens, Brussels, Denmark, Helsinki, Luxembourg, Vienna, Warsaw, Indonesia and the Philippines followed the IMKB. /Sabah/

SEZER LEAVES FOR ITALY

Arif Sezer, the Forestry Minister, left on Saturday for Italy to attend forestry ministers meeting organized by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) on March 8-9 in Rome, Italy, the Anatolia news agency reports.

NEW REGULATION CONCERNING THE PRODUCTION OF TIRES

The General Director of the Ministry of Trade and Industry's Undersecretariat, Bulent Esinoglu, said that the "Big E Licence" nedded to be given to industrial goods to control quality and standards in line with the regulations of the United Nations European Economic Committee. He added that industrial goods with "Big E Licence" would have the right to unhindered export circulation in exports. Esinlioglu noted that Turkish car tires had been given the licence and that Turkish tire producers would export their products after obtaining the "Big E Licence" from European institutions. /Aksam/

EXPORTERS' NEW TARGET IS TUNISIA

Turkish exporters have begun to discover new markets. It is reported that fifty companies have already applied to participate in the Turkish Export Products' Fair to be held in Tunisia between March 27-30. The Fair, which will be organized just before the Free Trade Agreement to be endorsed between Turkey and Tunisia this year, is quite significant for businessmen from both countries. Machinery and equipment, construction essentials, electrical and electronics essentials, food, automobile, textile and leather sector goods, and agricultural machines and technology will be exhibited during the Fair. /Milliyet/

TURKEY RANKS 12TH

Turkey has ranked 12th among 40 countries concerning her tourism income and came 19th in total tourist numbers. According to World Tourism Organization data, despite the global crisis, Turkey continued to grow in the tourism sector. Turkey came 12th last year with a $8.300 billion revenue, the country ranked 21st in 1990. Turkey ranked 24th in 1990 concerning the number of visiting tourists to her shores and increased her ranking to 19th in 1998. /Sabah/

TURKISH ARTISTS TO SARAJEVO

Turkish artists will attend a the Winter Festival in Sarajevo between 8-12 March. A Turkish folk dance group from the Tourism Cooperation Foundation the Anatolian Folk Dances group, and Turkish operatic performers will attend the Festival. Turkish artists will also give a performance to the Turkish Brigade in Zenica. Culture Minister Istemihan Talay said that Turkey would be very happy to share the Festival with the people of Bosnia, which has tried to overcome the damages of the war. /Turkiye/

TURKISH CULTURE IN BERLIN

At the "Unlimited Festival" organized by the Berlin Culture Senate and Turkish Cultural Ministry, Berliners people had the chance to encounter Turkish culture. During the six weeks Festival, contemporary examples of Turkish culture were exhibited to the audiences. The Coordinator of the Festival, Thomas Hartman, said that 20,000 German citizens had watched performances by Turkish classical music orchestras in Berlin. /Turkiye/

"OTTOMAN TURKISH RUG ART EXHIBITION" IN ISRAEL

"Ottoman Turkish Rug Art Exhibition", comprising historical rugs from the Istanbul Turkish Islamic Works of Arts Museum, will be opened on 16 March in Israel Museum in Jerusalem. The exhibition will be opened by Culture Minister Istemihan Talay and will be opened until 6 June. There will be unique examples of rugs, writing-desks, oil-lamps and candlesticks belonging to the period between the 13th and 16th centuries. /Cumhuriyet/

`KUVAYI MILLIYE' RECEIVES OVATION IN THE US

One of the State Theatre actors, Bozkurt Kuruc, received great applause in Chicago, US, when the adaptation of 'Kuvayı Milliye' (The Legend of National Power) by Nazim Hikmet went to stage. Spectators watching the play stated that the independence of Anatolia was won through unparalleled determination, sacrifice and love. American spectators who attended the reception following the performance said that Americans who watched 'The Legend of National Power ' would not believe either the Armenians or the separatist terrorists. /Hurriyet/

BRITISH DANCE GROUP IN TURKEY

Britain's famous "Mark Baldwin Dance Group" started its tour of Turkey in Eskisehir. Turkish designer, Rifat Ozbek, living in England, prepared the dancers' costumes. The group will also give performances in Ankara, Bursa, Izmir, Istanbul and Antalya. /Turkiye/

GALATASARAY WINS THE DERBY

Galatasaray smashed its eternal rival, Fenerbahce, by 2-0 in a Turkish Premier League match played in Istanbul yesterday. This score has enabled Galatasaray to maintain its leadership and raised the gap between itself and its nearest rival to 4 points. /Milliyet/

TURKEY WINS MEDALS

Turkey won one gold, one silver and one bronze medal at the first day of the Balkan Fencing Championship in Varna, Bulgaria, the Anatolia news agency reports. Kamil Ozdemir came on the first place and Ozgur Cil came on the second place in the foil competitions.

FROM THE COLUMNS ... FROM THE COLUMNS ... FROM THE COLUMNS

ATHENS DOES NOT CARE - SUKRU ELEKDAG (MILLIYET)

Sukru Elekdag, a former Ambassador and currently a columnist for the `Milliyet' daily, reflects on Greece's insensitivity towards Turkey's protests against Greek support for PKK terrorism. Elekdag writes: "There is no change in Greece's attitude towards the PKK despite President Demirel's resolute warnings concerning Greek support for the PKK militants two weeks ago. Prime Minister Ecevit has also put pressure on several European countries and international institutions to prevent Greece from following this unlawful policy. Yet Athens insists that she does not cooperate with the PKK and charges Turkey with slander. In addition, she does not admit that the PKK is a terrorist organization and Ocalan a terrorist. She has recently prevented the European Council Delegates Committee from taking a decision to condemn the terrorist face of the PKK. Ankara thinks that this `boldness and effrontery' on the part of Greece is rooted in the backing it receives from the EU. Ismail Cem, the Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs, notes that the EU, which pretends to be a fervent human rights exponent, does not even consider challenging Greece due to her violation of international laws, thereby displaying its unconcealed double standards. It is not realistic to expect Greece to be influenced by the warnings of Demirel and Ecevit, since Greece has been able to continue, and even intensify, her cooperation with the PKK for years due to the passive attitude of the Turkish government. Thus, it is apparent that Athens will not be able to conceive the indisputable certainty of Turkey without concrete pressure being applied. However, it should be understood that military methods, which were exerted against Syria last year, will have serious repercussions on Turkey if exerted against Greece. For Greece will immediately convey the issue to the EU, NATO, OSCE and the UN Security Council. On the other hand, it is possible to put pressure on Greece in other realms. In the first place, Turkey may cease using freighter ships sailing under the Greek flag, which already costs a 400-million-dollars in freight charges. Secondly, another measure can be taken against the Greek-Cypriot Administration through gradually re-populating the Maras region. Moreover, Turkey should immediately convey the issue to the NATO Council. Last but not least, we should highlight the rights of those minority citizens of Turkish origin living in Western Thrace."

THANKS TO THE PKK, OCALAN, PANGALOS AND OTHERS - BY PROF.TUNCER GUVENC (CUMHURIYET)

In his column in `Cumhuriyet' daily, Prof. Tuncer Guvenc looks into the capture of Ocalan and its consequences. A summary of his column is as follows: "The capture of Ocalan in Kenya and bringing him to Turkey has created an atmosphere of contented relief throughout the country...Ocalan was forced to leave Syria due to the pressure applied by the Turkish government. This was the beginning of his fall and led to unmasking of many countries. From then on a tour started over the skies of those countries which supported, aided and abetted the PKK... Ocalan and the PKK inflicted irreperable damage on the Turkish people, killed tens of thousands indiscriminately, whether it be babies, women or the elderly...However, we owe Ocalan and the PKK thanks as they showed their real face to the whole world which had tried to see them as freedom fighters. Due to the stance they have taken towards Ocalan while he was in Europe, some European countries do not have the right to express their requests concerning his trial....However, the real problem begins with the capture of Ocalan. First of all, democratization efforts should be expedited, an economic and social development campaign should begin to eliminate the differences between the East and the West of the country and improve Turkey's relations with its neighbours... The recent events should be the start of new drives for the future in Turkey."

RE-ACTIVATION OF TURCO-RUSSIAN RELATIONS - BY HASAN AKSAY (CUMHURIYET)

In his column today in "Cumhuriyet",Hasan Aksay gives analysis of new currents in Turco-Russian relations: "A new optimistic phase is beginning in relations between Turkey and Russia. The round-table meeting held in Ankara by The Centre to Improve Turco-Russian Relations, chaired by Bulent Akarcali, and a panel held under the direction of Prof. Ilter Turan are two of the activities which prove this point. These meetings, attended by representatives from the Foreign Ministry, political circles, and the fields of science, the economy and the media were significant as the problems between Ankara and Moscow were clearly laid on the table. Russian Turkish relations have undergone a serious examination during the recent months concerning their approach towards terrorism and separatism. The result can be regarded as an achievement in the neighbourly relations...The lion's share in this belongs to the administrations of both countries which did not yield to the provocations of those looking out for their temporary political interests. In another development, despite all the economic difficulties, and may be even due to the opportunities created by these difficulties, the signs of a new rapprochement in business circles has begun to be seen. Many Turkish companies began to go to Moscow after the first repercussions of the shock created by the crisis had disappeared. ... During the last decade, a serious increase in commercial and economic relations between the the two countries has occurred following Turco-Russian diplomatic relations which date back over 500 years. It is evident that great benefit have come from Turco-Russian forums held by various organizations as the relations between the two countries will be able to improve further."

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