DEMIREL: "NATO WILL MEET ITS RESPONSIBILITIES"

President Suleyman Demirel received members of the Turkish Members of Parliament's Union yesterday at Cankaya Presidential Palace. During the reception, Demirel said that there was a humanitarian tragedy going in Kosovo. He added, "I believe that NATO will meet its responsibilities in Kosovo." Regarding the 18 April Elections, President Demirel said that political parties were the institutions of democracy. He added that the 18th April Elections would show world public opinion that Turkey was a democratic State governed by law. /Turkiye/

ECEVIT: "KOSOVARS WILL BE HAPPY IN TURKEY"

Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit paid his usual weekly visit to President Suleyman Demirel at Cankaya Presidential Palace. After the meeting Ecevit said that all the needs of the Kosovar refugees were being met in the tent-city at Kirklareli. Ecevit noted that Turkey, while making every effort to ensure their comfort, hoped that the situation in Kosovo would return to normal as soon as possible. Turkey wanted Kosovars to return to their homes freely, with their heads held high. /Turkiye/

CEM: "EU COUNTRIES SHOULD OPEN THEIR DOORS TO KOSOVARS"

Minister of Foreign Affairs Ismail Cem said that if Macedonia and Albania asked them, the European Union (EU) and NATO countries should be ready to accept refugees temporarily. After the EU Council meeting, the Turkish, Croatian, Bosnian, Albanian, Macedonian, Bulgarian, Romanian, Hungarian and Slovanian Ministers of Foreign Affairs held an evaluation and coordination meeting on the Kosovo crisis. Cem said after the meeting that he had expressed the significance that Turkey placed on the issue due to her historical and cultural ties with the region. Cem noted that there ought to be more cooperation between EU, NATO and the UN High Commission for Refugees. /Turkiye/

HAKKARI GOVERNOR SURVIVES ATTACK

Hakkari Governor Nihat Canpolat on Thursday survived a bomb blast while visiting the Yuksekova district. Governor Canpolat was slightly injured in the blast while his two bodyguards were reported to be in a serious condition and his driver died. After the incident Canpolat said that such terrorist activities would never be successful in damaging the Republic of Turkey. /Milliyet/

PEACE PROJECT FOR THE EAST

Mesut Yilmaz, the Chairman of the Motherland Party (ANAP), said during his press conference yesterday in Diyarbakir that peace and development could not be established in the Southeastern region unless the Southeastern problem was solved. Yilmaz proposed a regional peace project in order to establish peace and opportunities for development in the region. He added that the project depended on the economic and social problems in the region. If economic development could be maintained, Turkey would easily improve her human rights and democratic records. After Diyarbakir, Yilmaz addressed Mardin's residents. He said that the 21st century would be Turkey's century. He added that Turkish people would decide not only who would be Prime Minister but also who would be the leader to carry Turkey into the new millenium on 18 April. /Hurriyet/

CINDORUK IN MACEDONIA

The leader of the Democratic Turkey Party (DTP), Husamettin Cindoruk, has paid a one-day visit to Macedonia. During the visit DTP Deputy Chairman Ismet Sezgin, DTP MP Yildirim Aktuna and a group of journalists accompanied Cindoruk. Upon returning home Cindoruk said that he had discussed the Kosovo crisis with both the Speaker of the Parliament of Macedonia and some other government officials. He added that the situation in Kosovo was very tragic and Turkey ought to increase her efforts to contribute to a solution to the issue. /Turkiye/

A HUGE AMOUNT OF AID TO ALBANIA

Turkey is continuing to send aid to refugees who have fled the Serbian massacre. It is expected that prior to President Suleyman Demirel's arrival in Albania on April 11, a huge amount of the aid package will arrive in this country. A convoy consisting of 13 trucks departed from Turkey yesterday. The Health Ministry sent two medical teams which includes two ambulances and four doctors to Albania and Macedonia. /Cumhuriyet/

RUSSIAN VESSELS TO SAIL FROM SIVASTOPOL TOMORROW

It is reported that in the wake of the Russian reconnaissance vessel, Liman, which has arrived in the Adriatic, other Russian vessels are also ready to sail. The vessels will depart from Sivastopol port in the Crimea tomorrow. /Aksam/

FRENCH PRESS PRAISES TURKEY

The French press has praised Turkey for embracing the Kosovar refugees, while it criticized the Arab countries which have remained inactive against the Serbian massacre. Le Figaro newspaper noted that the luckiest refugees were the ones who went to Turkey. An article in the newspaper said that the Kosovo issue was actually a family problem for Turkey and added that those who had gone to Turkey were able to meet their relatives who live within these territories. Le Figaro also pointed out the close attention being paid to the Kosovo issue by both politicians and public opinion. Meanwhile, the Liberation newspaper also criticized Islamic countries who have remained silent against the crisis in Kosovo. /Aksam/

RUSSIAN BREAKTHROUGH ON CYPRUS

The President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), Rauf Denktas, in a statement following a meeting with the Russian Representative Vladimir Cizov, said that they had presented a confederation formula which would enable them to sit at the negotiating table with the Greek Cypriot Leader, Glafkos Klerides. Denktas added: "There is no other formula. Greek Cypriots have not left us with any other option since they removed the federal solution. We have been reiterating since March that the two sides could meet in order to discuss a confederation on the basis of two equal states". The Russian Representative said for his part that within the guidelines of finding a solution to the Cyprus problem, he had met Thomas Miller, the US State Department's Special Coordinator for Cyprus, and Devlet Graf Zu Rantazu, the German Special Representative for Cyprus. He added that he would meet the British Special Representative for Cyprus, Sir David Hanney, in Moscow by the end of this month. /Aksam/

ULUGBAY: "WE ARE THE ONES WHO WANT THE REFORMS, NOT THE IMF"

State Minister responsible for the economy and Deputy Prime Minister Hikmet Ulugbay said that structural reforms would be achieved not because the IMF wanted them but because the Turkish economy is in need of them. Meanwhile, meetings between the IMF and Turkish economic bureaucrats will begin by the end of this month. Turkish officials due to attend the IMF-World Bank regular meetings in Washington on April 27-28 will present the recent developments in the Turkish economy. The Head of the Central Bank, Gazi Ercel, and the Treasury Undersecretary, Yener Dicmen, will participate in the meetings. /Aksam-Cumhuriyet/

ZIRAAT'S CREDIT RATE INCREASES

One of the international rating institutions, Thomson Bankwatch, increased the credit rating of Ziraat Bank by two points to B/C. A statement issued by Ziraat Bank noted that the increase stemmed from the huge range of activities undertaken by Ziraat Bank both inside and outside of Turkey. Meanwhile, Turkey paid off $82.09 million in foreign debts during the first week of April, according to Central Bank data.

APPROVAL FOR ANKARA-ISTANBUL HIGH-SPEED RAILWAY LINE

The State Planning Organization (DPT) has approved the putting out to tender of the construction of the Ankara-Istanbul high-speed railway line. The aim of this project is to cut the distance between Ankara and Istanbul to within two-and-a-half hours by train. /Aksam/

DEMIREL PRAISES TURKISH POLICE

While the 154th anniversary of the establishment of the Turkish police organization was being celebrated, security officials visited President Suleyman Demirel at the Presidential Palace yesterday. Demirel praised the Turkish police saying that the police were successfully carrying out their duties. Meanwhile, the Istanbul Governor presented a written acknowledgement of bravery to the policemen who had noticed a 'suicide bomber' in Taksim Square before any explosion had occurred. /Aksam/

NEW FOREIGN MINISTRY PUBLICATION ON PKK

The Turkish Foreign Ministry has published a new book called "PKK Files" to present the 'real face' of the PKK terrorist organization to Western countries. The book notes that the PKK has caused the deaths of more than 30,000 mostly innocent people. /Cumhuriyet/

TURKISH-KAZAKH AGREEMENT ON EXTRADITION OF CRIMINALS

Nursultan Nazarbayev, President of Kazakhstan, approved the agreement for legal assistance in extradition of criminals which was earlier signed between Turkey and Kazakhstan, the Anatolia News Agency reported on Thursday.

INCREASING PROMOTION OF TOURISM

The Turkish Ambassador to Bonn, Tugay Ulucevik, organized a meeting with 25 Turkish tourism agencies operating in Germany to discuss the recent developments in Turkey's tourism sector. After the meeting held in Frankfurt Ulucevik said that they had decided to cooperate in the struggle against prejudice concerning about Turkey in Germany. Cevik noted that as the terrorist organization experienced its final throes, it was increasing its propaganda activities and directing them towards the tourism sector. He added, "Turkey, which is a very safe country for tourists, is an attractive country for visitors with its tourist facilities, hotel prices, hospitality and the cleanliness of her seas." Cevik ended his words inviting German tourists to visit Turkey this summer as they had in former years. /Sabah/

TURKISH-AMERICAN BUSINESSMEN'S ASSOCIATION TO MEET IN ISTANBUL

Turkish-American Businessmen's Association will organize this year's second "TABA AmCham Business Conference" in Istanbul on Friday. Nuzhet Kandemir, Turkey's former Ambassador to Washington, will speak about Turkish-American relations and NATO's strike to Serbia at the conference which is sponsored by Turkcell, the Anatolia News Agency reports.

TURKEY TO SEEK INCREASE FROM MEDA FUNDS

Turkey will seek to increase its share of MEDA funds, a financial support programme set up by the European Union that serves 12 Mediterranean countries taking part in the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership platform, reported the Anatolian News Agency. Deputy Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Uluc Ozulker, the Deputy Head of the Foreign Ministry's European Union department, Nezihi Ozkaya, the Head of the Security Affairs department, Ihsan Sarikaya will represent Turkey at the Conference. The Turkish delegation is expected to press for the increase of Turkey's share in MEDA-2, the second stage of the MEDA programme that will start in January 2000.

GAZIANTEP FREE ZONE TO START WORKING AT THE END OF APRIL

Gaziantep Free Trade Zone which was started to be constructed in September 1998, will be opened to service at the end of April, the Anatolia News Agency reports.

AEF SATELLITE '99 FAIR IN ISTANBUL

The AEF'99 Satellite Fair comprising International Satellite Systems, TV and Cable TV Systems, Radio/TV Broadcasting and Communication systems will be opened today in Istanbul. The fair has been organized by Hannover Messe International. 100 firms from 20 countries such as Taiwan, France, Monaco, Germany and Belgium are to attend the fair. /Turkiye/

TURCO-SPAIN COOPERATION IN CERAMIC WARES

The Turkish Kale Group and the Spanish Roca Group have established a joint cooperation venture in ceramics production. Kalevit Saniter Ceramics Industry Coop. and Spanish Compania Roca Radiodores have agreed to cooperate in the area of ceramics production. It was announced that both parties have a 50% share in the new factory. According to the agreement, Roca will produce its ceramic bathroom suite products in Turkey and export them abroad. Kalevit-Roca Ceramics Industry Corp. aims to make a $ 60 million investment in the plant during the next five years. It is also expected that total sales will reach a $ 50 million within this period of time. /Turkiye/

FLORISTS' AND PETSHOW '99 FAIR IN BURSA

The Florists' and Petshow '99 Fair organized by the CNF Fair Company was opened at Bursa International Fair Arena. Products displayed on the stands by a total of 157 firms attracted great interest from visitors to the Fair. /Aksam/

MORE THAN A HUNDRED KILOGRAMS OF DRUGS SEIZED IN HAKKARI

A total of 111 kilograms of drugs were seized on Thursday during operations carried out by the security forces in Yuksekova, Hakkari, the Anatolia News Agency reports.

GALATASARAY RANKS THIRD IN EUROPE

Galatasaray women's basketball team, which had achieved a place among the top four teams in the European Basketball League, won against the German Wuppertal team yesterday with a score of 62-53 and now ranks third in Europe. Slovak Ruzomberok became Champion out of the final four teams in the tournament. /Aksam/

A SUCCESSFUL TURKISH GIRL IN GERMANY

Renan Demirkan is very famous in Germany. Everybody living in Germany has seen one of her films, or read one of her books, or watched her on the theatre stage. She is also known for her struggle against politics, injustice and men. The German "Bunte" magazine reported an interview with Demirkan, who has been living in Germany for 20 years. /Milliyet/

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

INTERESTING EVENTS - BY SEDAT SERTOGLU (SABAH)

Sedat Sertoglu, a columnist in the daily 'Sabah' newspaper, says the following in his article today: "Milosevic does not permit the Albanians who want to flee from the Serbian massacre in Kosovo to leave. He sends back the Albanians who come to the border. However it is not certain where he has sent them to..Will he use them as a 'living shield' just as Saddam did? That is the most important issue which concerns NATO.. Where are these tens of thousands of people? Representatives of NATO countries clearly declare this to be a reality at press meetings..However they are not able to learn where these people are..Does Milosevic settle these people in places which are likely to be hit by NATO? Serbians lay mines on the border. They think that these mines will stop any NATO ground attack. They have not learnt from history. During the Gulf War, Saddam Hussein laid mines on the Saudi Arabian and Kuwaiti borders. What happened then? Special vehicles immediately rendered the mines ineffective and the allies were seen on the Baghdad-Basra highway after only three days. They will be of use also this time. Meanwhile, Turkey is making great sacrifices over this issue and is sheltering 20,000 Albanian Kosovars, taking them from dirty camps and settling them in a place where they can be treated humanely".

NOTE FOR THOSE WHO WILL BE DISILLUSIONED - BY CUNEYT ARCAYUREK (CUMHURIYET)

Cuneyt Arcayurek, a columnist in the `Cumhuriyet' daily, reflects on the new coalition possibilities due to the currently estimated percentage of votes that will be obtained by the political parties in the forthcoming elections. Arcayurek writes: "Towards April 18th, estimations are being focused on two questions: The first question concerns which party will come first, and which party will match the former and form the coalition. The second one, which is quite important in Parliamentary `arithmetics', concerns the performance of the Republican People's Party (CHP) and the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP). Speculations on the CHP and MHP seem to have been slowed down. In particular, nobody suspects that the CHP may fail to exceed the 10% threshold to enter Parliament. No doubt, political parties, the press organs and those who are `fond of' politics are declaring their reckonings of the election results. For instance, the written press has already decided on the new government which will be generated in the new Parliament. It believes that the Democratic Left Party (DSP) will come first in the competition; regardless of the result the Motherland Party (ANAP) will receive, then, it matches this party with the DSP in advance. There is a rumour in press circles that certain papers are printing the DSP's full-page advertisements for free. Columnists draw out `meticulous' articles in favour of the DSP's magical leadership. None of the parties but the CHP mention those issues directly related to social problems. There is also tacit cooperation between the DSP and ANAP in their election campaigns. Nevertheless, all these observations depend on just one point: election results and the possible government! When journalism is equipped with a certain scholarly interest, it becomes clear that certain parties and leaders will be disillusioned in the elections. There are three burning questions and answers for the forthcoming elections: How many MPs will parties obtain and how will the `government question' be resolved if: 1.The CHP succeeds in entering Parliament but the MHP fails, 2. Both the CHP and MHP fail, and 3. Both the CHP and MHP succeeds in entering Parliament? Erhan Karaesmen, a faculty member at the Middle East Technical University, answers: 1. If the CHP succeeds but the MHP fails, the number of MPs to be obtained by political parites in Parliament is likely to be as follows: the CHP will obtain 70 MPs; the DSP, 130-140; ANAP, 110; the DYP, 75; the Virtue Party (FP), 140. 2. If neither the CHP nor the MHP succeeds in entering Parliament, then: a) The FP will exceed the DSP in terms of the percentage of votes and obtains approximately 190 MPs; the DSP will have around 140; ANAP, 100; the DYP, 90; or b) The DSP will exceed the FP in terms of the percentage of votes but the FP will still hold around 190 seats; the DSP will have around 160 with a slight rise. 3. If both the CHP and MHP exceed the 10% threshold and succeed in entering Parliament, the possible results are: the CHP and MHP awill hold around 50 seats; the DYP and ANAP between 90 and 100; the DSP, 120; the FP, 150. These estimations do not include clear-cut preferences but they reveal that the CHP and MHP will hold a key position in the formation of the new government. Another important lesson is, if the election results are on a par with these estimations, all three possibilities reveal that the DSP and ANAP will fail to reach 276 MPs which is the number necessary for the vote of confidence. Consequently, three-fold coalitions are on the way! There is also a weak possibility that the DYP and FP may form a government."

DON'T YOU FEEL ANY GUILT? - BY OKTAY EKSI (HURRIYET)

Columnist Oktay Eksi comments on the recent Kosovar refugee crisis. A summary of his column is as follows: As you may well know, Westerners do not hesitate to say what they believe to your face bluntly. The British have a finer style but their general attitude does not change. Therefore we have decided to tell them what we believe in the same fashion. To express our aim we want to dwell on the news concerning the humanitarian tragedy experienced in Kosovo. For days, around 700,000 or more Kosovar Albanians who have managed to survive the atrocities committed by Milosevic, have been waiting for help from the rest of humanity to enable them to take shelter in Macedonia, Albania or Montenegro, living under incredible and intolerable conditions. Turkey has opened its arms to 45,000 of them. Some countries have also stated that they will receive a number of them in their countries on a 'temporary' basis...Among them are the US, Germany, England, France, Sweden, Norway and Greece. However, nothing has been heard from the richest country in Europe, Switzerland. But, let's leave everyone's generosity to himself... As we were ready to let it go, news was heard which showed the real faces of our European friends. The officials of the European countries were selecting the Kosovars they were going to host on a 'temporary basis' as if they were buying slaves in a slave market during the Middle Ages. The President of the Danish Red Cross, Jorgen Chemnitz, protested against this approach. However, the best example to explain this stance was seen in Norway. When the plane bringing Kosovar Allbanians landed in Oslo airport, officials working at the Macedonian OSCE (Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe) office came out saying that these were the first arrivals, the weak would come later. What is more Finland has stated that it would take only 50 refugees. We still have to hear from Italy, Greece, Holland, Portugal or Spain even though in Kosovo NATO is involved. As you have seen, when it comes to unconditional sacrifice our Western friends are reluctant. But when 500,000 Kurds fleeing the atrocities committed by Saddam had arrived in Turkey en masse, everyone was saying, "Open your borders, save these people. This is what you owe to humanity".

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