DEMIREL: ELECTIONS ON SCHEDULE

Statements by the Chief of the General Staff, Gen.Huseyin Kivrikoglu, that postponing the General Elections and revising Article 312 of the Turkish Penal Code (TCK) will lead to chaos in Turkey have brought a new dimension to the political tension in Ankara. In an attempt to ease the tension, President Suleyman Demirel asserted that these statements in no way mean that there is a military shadow over the system and added that the Election will be held on April 18, 1999, as scheduled. Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said that no one can cause a crisis in the country. Meanwhile, while all this controversy concerning the military leader's statements was hitting the headlines, Parliament late on Thursday decided to initiate a censure motion debate against Ecevit's minority government. The motion will be debated on Saturday. /All papers/

CHIEF OF GENERAL STAFF: "WE WILL NOT ADDRESS TO THE PKK"

The Secretary of the Chief of General Staff issued a written statement yesterday. The statement said that while continuing their struggle against terrorism, they had never accepted the PKK as a legal entity and would never do so. The report rejected recent claims that a commander from the Public Relations Headquarters of the Chief of General Staff's Office had gone to a PKK office in Brussels to convey their suggestions to members of the terrorist organization. It added that such purposeful claims were aimed at damaging the credibility of the Turkish Armed Forces. Military officials were always ready to inform both foreign and domestic press members; they only had to ask, the statement concluded. /Sabah/

IMF: "TURKEY SHOULD ACHIEVE ITS STRUCTURAL REFORMS"

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has evaluated economic developments in Turkey in a recent report, entitled, "The World Economy and International Capital Markets". The report discussed the effects of the Russian crisis on the Turkish economy and the structure of the banking system in Turkey. The report predicted that the Turkish economy will develop 2.9 % in 1999. The IMF was ready to sign an agreement with Turkey after the 18 April Elections, said the report, adding, however, that Turkey ought to achieve the structural reforms proposed for the banking system in order to ensure a thrust of foreign investors. /Sabah/

TURKS ASK FRENCH SENATE TO BE CAUTIOUS

The Chairman of the Union of Turkish Associations, Mehmet Goker, visited the Chairman of the French Senate, Christian Poncelet, yesterday. Goker presented him with a list containing the signatures of 20,000 Turkish citizens living in France; the petition concerns not putting the so-called Armenian massacre draft Bill on the agenda of the French Senate. Adding that 400,000 Turks living in France were very sensitive about the issue, Goker noted that the draft bill would be a harsh blow to recently- developing Turco-French relations. /Turkiye/

ADAMKUS VISITS TURKEY

Lithuanian President Valdas Adamkus arrived in Turkey yesterday on a three-day official visit aimed at boosting relations between the two countries. Valdas met Turkish President Suleyman Demirel in the Presidential Palace. The two sides reaffirmed their determination to struggle against international terrorism and organized crime under a 1997 bilateral agreement. A bilateral agreement concerning cooperation in the area of military training will be signed today. Adamkus and an accompanying delegation visited the Ankara Trade Chamber yesterday. Adamkus called on Turkish businessmen to invest in Lithuania, playing down the impact of the Russian crisis on his country's economy. The Lithuanian delegation will go to Izmir on Saturday, where a meeting will be held between Turkish and Lithuanian businessmen. /Alll papers/

CEM TO VISIT BUCHAREST

Ismail Cem, the Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs, is going to Bucharest today in order to attend the Balkans' Foreign Ministers Summit, during which the Kosovo question will be deliberated. Meanwhile, Federal Republic of Yugoslavia declared that she will not attend the meeting. /Cumhuriyet/

SOLANA IN TURKEY

Ankara has told visiting NATO Secretary-General Javier Solana of its disappointment in Greece concerning the latter's support of terrorism. Solana was in Ankara on a one-day official visit. After arriving in Ankara, Solana had a brief lunch at the Foreign Minister's residence and attended a meeting of Turkish and NATO delegations afterwards. Foreign Minister Ismail Cem, Turkey's NATO Ambassador Onur Oymen, Foreign Ministry Deputy Undersecretary Faruk Logoglu and Spain's Ambassador to Turkey Jesus Atienza were present during the talks. Cem told Solana that Greece's support for terrorism, which targets Turkey's unity and territorial integrity, had been proven beyond doubt when the PKK chief Abdullah Ocalan was found at the Greek Ambassador's residence in Kenya, just before his capture in February. Solana told reporters at a press conference yesterday evening that NATO always condemned international terrorism and sought to further cooperation among its members. /All papers/

BAYKAL: "WE DO NOT WANT A CRISIS"

The Chairman of the Republican People's Party (CHP), Deniz Baykal, said that they would not support the initiatives begun by the disgruntled deputies in an attempt to topple the government, as these measures to create an atmosphere of crisis prior to the General Elections had no meaning. /Aksam/

ANAP, DSP AND DYP DEPUTIES TO APPLY TO CONSTITUTIONAL COURT

Members of the Motherland Party (ANAP), the Democratic Left Party (DSP) and the True Path Party (DYP) have completed their preparations to apply to the Constitutional Court in order to cancel the recent studies in Parliament concerning the postponement of the General Elections initiated by some disgruntled deputies. /Aksam/

SABANCI WANTS ELECTIONS TO BE HELD

Upon his arrival in Adana, for the opening of the Tanq margarine production facility, Sakip Sabanci answered journalists' questions on the country's current problems. The Chairman of Sabanci Holding, said: "The Elections should be held on time. It would be very unfortunate if they are postponed". Turkey needs greater production output, new workplaces and factories, Sabanci stated, but stressed that first of all Turkey needs people with a high morale led by a strong government. Sabanci also cited the huge financial cost of postponing the Elections. In answer to a question on Greek support for the PKK terrorist organization, Sabanci said that he, along with everyone else, condemns Greece. /All papers/

SIMITIS CALLS FOR UNITY AT PASOK CONGRESS

Greek Prime Minister Kostas Simitis opened a crucial Pan-Hellenic Socialist Party (PASOK) Congress yesterday with a direct attack on criticism of his leadership and the drive to keep Greece from being the economic outcast of the EU. Simitis openly attacked a small group of Socialist deputies and supporters who had helped smuggle the PKK chief Abdullah Ocalan into Greece in late January, forcing the government to shelter him in Nairobi, Kenya. Simitis called on Turkey to make efforts to come closer to the EU. "Greece will help Turkey if our neighbouring country decides to adopt established European values" he said. /All papers/

FOUR TIKKO TERRORISTS CAPTURED

Four members of the illegal TIKKO organization including one woman were captured yesterday by members of Istanbul Security Office's Anti-Terrorism Department yesterday. These terrorists were involved in a bomb attack during which a taxi driver, Ufuk Akdogan, died and eight people were wounded in Bakirkoy, Istanbul, one week ago. /Aksam/

GREECE STEPS UP ITS CONTROL AGAINST TURKISH VESSELS

According to information received from the Chamber of Maritime Trade and Turkish shipping companies, Greece stepped up its control against Turkish vessels 20 days ago. It is reported that because of these strict control measures, Turkish vessels have had to wait in Greek ports for many hours and have had to pay thousands of dollars in Customs duties to these ports. /Milliyet/

TRIPS TO GREECE CANCELLED

After the connection between Greece and the PKK terrorist organization became evident, trips from Turkey to Greece have almost ended and the number of Turkish tourists has fallen to zero. The boycott launched by the private sector against Greece which supports the PKK is also being boosted by Turkish citizens. All trips to Greece during the Festival of Sacrifice have been cancelled. /Milliyet/

'DO NOT REMAIN A SPECTATOR TO PKK BLACKMAIL'

The Turkish Foreign Ministry pointed out that the PKK demonstrations and publications aimed at Turkey constituted blackmail directed against the freedom and right of travel. The Foreign Ministry said: "The most sorrowful point is that some governments remain as mere spectators instead of protecting the rights of their citizens". A statement made by the Foreign Ministry noted that the PKK terrorist organization was trying to create a false impression concerning Turkey. The statement added that as a result of strict security measures, the PKK could not manage to carry out terrorist activities in tourist areas or any other settlements. /Milliyet/

PKK's MOUTH-PIECE MISSING

It is reported that the mouth-piece of ERNK, the political wing of the PKK terrorist organization in Europe, Kani Yilmaz is missing. It has been claimed that Yilmaz, who has been subjected to harsh criticism because he could not find a country in which the PKK Chief Ocalan could shelter in Europe, has either been killed or arrested. Yilmaz, who was invited to attend the sixth Congress of the PKK, first arrived in Armenia and then went to Northern Iraq. Experts on terrorism note that following the departure of Ocalan from Italy, Yilmaz has been faced with damning accusations. /Milliyet/

SWITZERLAND TO PROHIBIT PKK

Conservative parties, which have brought the recent PKK attacks in Turkey onto the agenda of Parliament, wanted the PKK terrorist organization to be prohibited in Switzerland. Administrators of the parties said that more than 20 innocent people had died because of the bloody PKK activities during the last month and pointed out that those security measures taken to protect Turkish institutions in Switzerland should also be taken for those Swiss institutions which could be targeted by the PKK. The Swiss Minister of Justice, Arnold Koller, stated that he had prepared a decree for prohibiting PKK activities in Switzerland. Meanwhile, the Head of the Organization to Safeguard the Constitution, Peter Frisch, who issued a statement to foreign journalists in Bonn two days ago, noted that the recent terrorist activities had damaged the credibility of the Kurds and said that the PKK should abandon its terrorist activities both in Europe and in Turkey and give up the desire to establish an independent Kurdish state and instead should struggle for autonomy. /Milliyet/

CEM'S INITIATIVES IN UN

Turkish Foreign Minister Ismail Cem sent a letter to the UN Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, on March 9 pointing out the support extended by Greece to the PKK terrorist organization. Cem stated that Turkey reserved its legal right of self-defence. Cem said in his letter that Greece had violated all international legal principles by supporting the PKK. /Milliyet/

AKARCALI CALLS FOR SUPPORT

Bulent Akarcali, Co-Chairman of Turkey-EU Joint Parliamentary Commission and the Motherland Party's (ANAP) Istanbul Deputy, called on universities and Non-Governmental Organization (NGOs) to protest against those European countries that support terrorism, the Anatolia News Agency reports. He said that universities and NGOs should boycott publications, radio and television stations in Germany, Belgium and France and asked them to send letters of protest to these countries' Embassies.

TURKEY'S TRACTOR PRODUCTION INCREASES

The 45th Annual General Meeting of the Turk Tractor and Agricultural Machinery Company was held in Ankara yesterday. During the AGM, it was remarked that 22,127 tractors had been produced in 1997 whereas, due to a 8.8 % increase, 24,080 tractors were produced in 1998. It was also noted that the $ 15.7 million in import revenue in 1997 decreased to 14.3 million dollars. /Sabah/

FOREIGN TRADE DEFICIT DECREASES BY 6.2 %

Turkey's foreign trade deficit decreased by 6.2 % in 1998 and amounted to $14.412 billion. This decrease stemmed from a 5.4 % reduction in imports and from a 2.4 % increase in exports, according to a statement on '1998 developments in the balance of payments' issued by the Central Bank. /Aksam/

MARKETS RELAXED

The Istanbul Stock Exchange (IMKB) National-100 Index yesterday increased by 102 points and reached 4,169. The transaction volume on the IMKB also increased by 40 % and totalled 138 trillion TL. Meanwhile, interest rates on the markets decreased by five points. /Aksam/

FOREIGN EXCHANGE RESERVES INCREASE BY $417 MILLION

Central Bank foreign exchange reserves increased by $417 million on March 5-12. The foreign exchange reserves, which were $20.550 billion on March 5, amounted to $20.967 billion on March 12. /Milliyet/

TURKISH FEMALE DIPLOMAT TO ALBANIA

A Turkish female diplomat, Reyhan Akant, has been assigned as the Special Representative of the Secretary-General of the Council of Europe, Daniel Tarchys, to Albania. Akant, who will commence her duty on April 6 in Tirana, will continue her task for one year. Akant will observe whether or not Albania abides by the agreements and norms of the organization concerning the development of democracy and human rights. /Aksam/

12 TURKISH PILGRIMS DIE

It is reported that 12 out of nearly 55,000 pilgrims who went on pilgrimage to Mecca and Medina, arranged by the Directorate of Religious Affairs, died from various causes. According to information received from Nejat Bal, Deputy Chairman of the Ceremonies and Press Department of the Directorate of Religious Affairs, seven pilgrims died in Medina while five died in Mecca. /Aksam/

SABOTAGE OF TURKISH RESTAURANT IN GERMANY

A Turkish restaurant in Singen, Baden-Wurttenberg of Germany was set on fire, quite probably by terrorists. Nobody was injured during the fire, just before the beginning of which, German Police reported, witnesses had smelt petrol. Another Turkish restaurant in the same building had also been set on fire last week. /Cumhuriyet/

BIRTH RATE DECELERATES

It is reported that the birth rate in Turkey has dropped from 4.3% to 2.6% in the last 10 years. According to data provided by the Hacettepe University Demographic Studies Institute, almost all married men and women are familiar with family planning methods but only 63.7% of them exercise such methods. On the other hand, 62% of those families interviewed does not want another child. /Cumhuriyet/

TURKEY: A GIANT IN MILITARY AVIATION

The Turkish Aviation Industry which is successfully producing F-16s, has started a project to produce 28 Cougar helicopters for the Armed Forces. The first of the Cougar helicopters, which will be produced in Turkey as part of a project worth $ 430 million, will be delivered in May 2000 to the Turkish Armed Forces. The national financial contribution to the Cougar project, which is expected to be completed in 2003, will be 30%. In addition to these, eight Cougars are also planned to be produced for the Security Directorate General. In another development, if the US Congress is in favour of the sale of 50 Sikorksy helicopters will be bought. /Hurriyet/

ANADOLU HAYAT OPENS A BRANCH IN TRNC

Anadolu Hayat (Life Insurance Company), which ended 1998 as the leading life insurance company with premiums of over 38 trillion Turkish Liras, opened a branch in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). Anadolu Hayat, which started work on the issue a year earlier, began its services based in an historical building in Lefkose. /Hurriyet/

FREE TRADE ZONES ARE PROMOTED

The Undersecretariat of Foreign Trade (DTM) has taken steps to promote the growing number of `Free Trade Zones', most of which operate at merely half their capacity. Officials from the DTM noted that they aim to appeal to foreign investors to invest in the Free Trade Zones in Turkey. In this respect, a Council comprising 15 foreign diplomats visited the Istanbul Ataturk Airport Free Trade Zone yesterday. /Cumhuriyet/

`SMOKE AND NIGHT' IN GREEK

`Smoke and Night' (Sis ve Gece), a masterpiece by Turkish novelist Ahmet Umit, is going to be published by a Greek publishing house, Oceanida Publications. The book, which reflects the criminal subculture in Istanbul, is the first Turkish mystery novel to be translated into a foreign language. /Cumhuriyet/

CRISS-CROSS JAZZ GROUP IN ISTANBUL

The German Criss-Cross Jazz Group is holding a concert at Istanbul Culture University today. The group consists of Michael Erian (alto sax), Helmut Strobl (tenor sax), Heinrich Werkl (contrabass), Emil Kristof and Adriane Muttenhalter (piano), the latter being the founder of the Group in 1983. /Cumhuriyet/

SECOND TURKISH FILMS FESTIVAL IN AUSTRIA

The second Turkish Films Festival will be organized in Vienna, the capital of Austria, between March 19-25 by the Station Wien Association, the Anatolia News Agency reports.

18TH INTERNATIONAL ISTANBUL FILM FESTIVAL

Spain has undertaken the sponsorship of 'One Country - One Cinema' section of the 18th International Istanbul Film Festival that will be organized by the Istanbul Culture and Art Foundation between April 7 and May 2, the Anatolia News Agency reports.

ISTANBUL TO HOST 4TH BALKAN DENTISTS CONGRESS

The fourth Balkan Dentists Congress will be held in Istanbul between March 22-25 under the auspices of President Suleyman Demirel, the Anatolia News Agency reports.

REVENUE OF ANTALYA'S HISTORICAL SIGHTS

The amount of revenues gained from the historical sights of southern Antalya, which has become the symbol of tourism with its history and nature, in two months is $200 billion, the Anatolia News Agency reports.

TURKISH CUISINE IN NEW YORK

The "New York Times" newspaper praised the Turkish Sultan Restaurant which has opened in New York. Eric Asimov said in his article that American people were not very familiar with Turkish cuisine. Asimov not only praised the taste and the variety of the foods served but also the ambiance and the table manners of the Turkish nation. He concluded his article saying that the Sultan Restaurant and the delicious Turkish cuisine would never disappoint its visitors. /Sabah/

TURKISH FASHION-DESIGNER IN BRITAIN

Turkish fashion-designer, Huseyin Caglayan, won the "Best Fashion-Designer of the Year" in Britain. Twenty-eight-year-old Caglayan, who has been living in Britain for 16 years, received his award from the British Minister of Trade and Industry, Helena Christensen, during a ceremony in London. Meanwhile, the "Independent" newspaper said that Caglayan had created fashionable and clever lines in his creations. /Sabah/

A SHOPPING CENTRE IN IZMIR

The French Ema and Turkish Intes firms have set up a joint venture, Intem Firm, in order to establish a shopping centre an area of land of on 50,000 metres square in Karsiyaka, Izmir. The foundation stone of the construction will be laid on 22 March. Representatives of Intem said that the project would cost $ 400 million and would be completed in the year 2000. They added that immediately after they laid the foundation, they would begin to rent out shops in the complex. /Turkiye/

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

"TURCO-GREEK TENSION AND THE US" BY H. MESUT HAZAR (TURKIYE)

Hasan Mesut Hazar wrote in his article today about uneasiness in the US that the tension between Turkey and Greece will spark a conflict; the US has done its best to prevent such a possibility. He said, "The US has conducted its Balkan policies with Greece in mind and its Middle-Eastern policy with Turkey in mind. However much America tries to do her best, she can never prevent the increasing tension between the two NATO allies," said Hazar. Hazar claimed, while the tension has been rising, America's leading role in the region, its credibility and policies have been damaged; thus Washington was experiencing great anxiety. "How is this?" Hazar asked and continued, "The Pentagon is always 'on the alert' concerning the threat of serious danger from the Balkans to the Middle East, Europe to Russia and the Caucasus region. However, the US will have to take concrete steps to prevent such a danger. She ought not to apply 'double standards' nor should be award the unjust and the antagonist. It should be made clear that Greece's rudeness and arrogance ought to be told 'enough is enough'." "For years, Greece has continued her 'war' against Turkey in the EU, the US and on every international platform. Although the support that Greece extends to the bloodiest terrorist organization of all PKK, America has taken no steps against Greece. Why does the US not punish Greece for its support of the PKK?," queries Hazar. Meanwhile, Hazar dealt with the NATO dimension of the issue claiming that NATO also contradicted itself, just like the US. "NATO will celebrate its 50th anniversary next month in Washington. NATO has tried to produce new strategies and concepts; however, there is another side to the coin. It is no longer a 'centre of solutions'. NATO is not only ineffective in Bosnia or Kosovo but also unsuccessful in daeling with bilateral problems such as those between Turkey and Greece. Unjust policies and double standards never help to bring peace. Turkey should continue her rightful policies. For years, Turkey has borne with Syria, to which Turkey has given water but received betrayel in return. Now is just the right time to solve the tensions, crisis and conflicts with Greece. Although America's anxiety will turn into reality, Greece should be spoken to in the language she understands until she ceases her betrayel."

HYPOCRITICAL FRIENDS -BY OKTAY EKSI (HURRIYET)

In his column in "Hurriyet" today, Oktay Eksi says the following concerning Turkey's "friends". "It would not be honest to say that we were unaware of their activities. We knew very well that both Germany and Greece silently and stealthily supported the PKK terrorist organization. Iran, Belgium and Holland were also among the countries mentioned as supporting the PKK. As Syria was on the list of 'terrorist states' there was nothing to be surprised about concerning the policies it followed. However a report from Frankfurt displays beyond all shadow of a doubt that there is an undeniable link between Germany, Greece and the PKK. German Security Forces have in their hands video tapes which demonstrate that separatist education is being given to Turkish children of Kurdish origin at Lavrion Refugee Camp in Greece. Similarly, there were PKK camps in Holland, Germany and Belgium...In the report it is also mentioned that the PKK terrorist organization is collecting extortion money from Kurdish families and businessmen under the name of "grants" for the organization. Those families which do not send their children to the camps are being threatened or given the choice of paying a forfeit of large sums of money...It is not possible to think that the German State is blind to these activities. Can Germany refute the fact that collecting extortion money under the guise of 'grants' is a crime because it can only mean support for terrorism?... Despite proofs to the contrary Greek Government Spokesman Evangelos Venizelos stated that the PKK militants were not being trained in Greece. If so, why did the former Minister of Foreign Affairs Theodoros Pangalos, Minister for Public Order Philippos Pechalnikos, and Minister of the Interior Alexos Papadopoulos have to resign following the capture of Ocalan by Turkey? Isn't he embarrassed at all? We can say the same for our other friends in Europe some other time."

RAPID DEVELOPMENTS - BY ORHAN BIRGIT (CUMHURIYET)

Orhan Birgit, a columnist in the `Cumhuriyet' daily, reflects on the recent rapid developments concerning the `disgruntled MPs' movement', which is trying to bring down the government and postpone the April Elections. Birgit writes: "Surely the main reason for the censure motion was to overthrow the Ecevit Cabinet and postpone the General Elections, which might pave the way for those legal regulations that would ensure the return of Necmettin Erbakan, the former leader of the now-defunct Welfare Party (RP). Even though the disgruntled succeeded in placing the motion on the agenda of Parliament, evidence that they will be unable to reach 276 votes, the quota needed for the final approval of the motion, was also revealed in yesterday's session. This `Union of the Unprincipled' can only newly realize that they are confronting the demands of the people through this movement. They cannot perceive that even the grassroots of their parties would say, `Our leader was right in excluding those MPs from the candidate lists.' As those MPs are daily leaving behind the shock of understanding that the tacit purpose of their movement was to convey Erbakan to Parliament again, all of those ways alleged to lead to the delay of the General Elections have been blocked. Yet the statements issued by General Kivrikoglu, the Chief of the General Staff, should not be considered a new barricade on those blocked paths. Prior to the Parliamentary decision that scheduled an early General Election 9 months before, Kivrikoglu had also emphasized that he had been against such decision due the lack of structural reform in the Election system. Yet Parliament decided, with an overwhelming majority, that both the General and Local elections be held in April. Parliament did not consider (and should not have considered, of course) what the military would say about that. For what was at stake was the will of the people, which is always and definitely beyond any other power. Today, the question becomes whether or not to remove this opportunity before the will of the people, just 29 days before the Election date. And what for? For the enactment of those legal regulations, under the guise of `democratic restructuring', that will ensure Erbakan's and his friends' candidacy. Fortunately the Motherland Party (ANAP) has started the necessary prosecutions against five ANAP MPs who endorsed the movement. I wonder what the True Path Party (DYP) will do. All those ANAP, DYP, CHP (the Republican People's Party) and Independent MPs should see that not only the proponents of the Democratic Left Party (DSP) are in favour of the Elections. As for the Virtue Party (FP) MPs, they should declare the well-known fact that no longer can they bear the imperatives of their remote-controlled retired leader, notwithstanding the democracy songs ever-murmured by the FP. For the voters are awaiting the candidates."

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