DEMIREL VISITS ALBANIA AND MACEDONIA

President Suleyman Demirel paid a one-day visit to Albania and Macedonia on Sunday. Demirel said that Kosovo would be cleared by bloody murderers and the Kosovar people would be able to return to their homes. He added that NATO operations would continue until they had reached to this target. President Suleyman Demirel visited Dinamo Sports Centre where Kosovar refugees have been staying. Demirel extended $ 100 thousand to his Albanian counterpart, Recep Meydani, to meet the needs of the refugees. Later Demirel went to Macedonia and also gave $ 100 thousand to his Macedonian counterpart, Kiro Gligorov, to be used for refugees aid. Both in Albania and Macedonia, Kosovars asked Demirel to take them to Turkey. Demirel declared that they were our Turkish brothers and that Turkey would help them all the way. After returning home, Demirel said to the press members gathered at Ankara's Ataturk Airport that Turkey had the burden of responsibility to ease the suffering of Kosovars and to be in cooperate with them. Demirel also criticized the Belgrade administration for being responsible for the bloody massacre. Demirel said, "Milosevic has the intention of cleansing Kosovo of Kosovars. However, NATO operations will never let the Belgrade administration reach its bloody aim. /Sabah/Hurriyet/

NATO MINISTERS MEET OVER KOSOVO

As NATO enters its third week of air strikes, the 19 member Alliance will come together in Brussels. The meeting, at which Turkey will be represented by Foreign Minister Ismail Cem, is being held against the background of the Balkans refugee crisis that is causing confrontation between neighbouring and European countries and has created an ever-mounting diplomatic conflict with Russia, which has stepped up its verbal attacks on the Western Allies' policy on Kosovo. Foreign Minister Cem was welcomed by the Turkish Ambassador to NATO, Onur Oymen, and the Turkish Ambassador to Brussels, Guner Oztek yesterday at Abalag Airport. The recent situation concerning the NATO air strike and the Kosovo crisis will be evaluated during the NATO meeting. /All papers/

ANKARA KEEPS A CLOSE EYE ON MOSCOW

Ankara, which has closely followed the steps taken by Moscow following the NATO air strike against Yugoslavia, is now interested in the developments experienced following a statement by Russian Head of State Boris Yeltsin. The statement read: "Direct the missiles to point towards NATO members". However, this statement was later contradicted. The Turkish Foreign Ministry sent a directive to the Turkish Embassy in Moscow that officials in the Embassy should inform Turkey regarding all the developments in Russia. /Aksam/

KIRKLARELI: A GUEST HOUSE FOR REFUGEES

The Gaziosmanpasa Refugee Guest House in Kirklareli has been a shelter for many refugees who have fled from tragedies in the Balkans since 1989. The Guest House hosted refugees from Bulgaria in 1989, refugees from Bosnia Herzegovina in 1992 and is now hosting nearly 4,000 Kosovar refugees who have fled from the Serbian massacre. /Turkiye/

ALBANIAN CITIZENS IN TURKEY CURSE SERBS

Albanian citizens living in Turkey held a parade protesting against the Serbs yesterday in Ankara. Nearly 1,000 Albanian citizens gathered in front of the Yugoslav Embassy in Ankara and cursed the Serbs who are conducting an ethnic-cleansing operation in Kosovo. The group which carried Turkish and Albanian flags also shouted slogans against Serbs. /Turkiye/

GREEK TOURISM ADVERSELY AFFECTED BY KOSOVO CRISIS

It is reported that countries all in the region, especially those which support Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic against NATO, were being adversely affected in the fiels of tourism by the conflict in Yugoslavia. According to news items in the US press, some bookings in Mediterranean countries have been cancelled. However, Turkey is the country which has been the least negatively affected by the crisis. The owner of a travel agency named 'Manipuntour', Steve Kang, said that the fall in the number of bookings in Turkey was not at the same rate as in other countries. /Aksam/

SUPPORT FOR THE KOSOVAR REFUGEES FROM THE STATE THEATRES

The State Theatres is to donate its revenues from 133 performances of a total of 33 plays, which will be presented all around Turkey between April 12-17, to the Kosovar refugees who have fled from the Serbian massacre. /Cumhuriyet/

ELECTION CAMPAIGNS BY THE POLITICAL LEADERS

Having less than a week left until the General Elections, the political party leaders are continuing their ceaseless campaigning. Prime Minister and the Democratic Left Party (DSP) leader Bulent Ecevit critized the True Path Party (DYP) and the Republican People's Party (CHP) during his speech in Bursa yesterday. Ecevit charged DYP leader Tansu Ciller with religious exploitation and reproved CHP leader Deniz Baykal's claim to be the real and unique descendant of Ataturk's CHP in the 1930s. Mesut Yilmaz, the Motherland Party (ANAP) leader, remarked during his party's public meeting in Canakkale that all the voters must cast their votes in the Elections. Yilmaz said, "You absolutely must go and cast your vote. Otherwise, others will vote instead of you. If you do not want to be governed by those elected by others, please spend a few hours and cast your vote. This is because, following these Elections, until 2004, the political power will be renewed from top to toe, from the village headman to the President." On the other hand, CHP leader Deniz Baykal said in his speech in Erzurum that all of their political rivals in the Elections have organic ties with this `foul order'. Baykal further argued that DSP leader Ecevit has also adapted to this `mode' and now he has nothing to do with his former `honest leader' image. /Cumhuriyet/

THREE SOLDIERS DIE IN OSMANIYE

The PKK terrorist organization denoted a remote-controlled bomb in the Dereli township of Osmaniye, killing three soldiers and a civilian. Terrorists launched the bomb attack against soldiers who were on duty at the Forest Enterprises Depot in Dereli village; three soldiers and a civilian had been killed by the end of the attack. Following the attack there were clashes between security forces and PKK terrorists at the end of which a terrorist had been killed. /Sabah/

OPERATIONS IN NORTHERN IRAQ

Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit noted that operations in northern Iraq were aimed at destroying the new PKK camps in the region. They were launched on April 5 following information received which stated that the PKK terrorist organization, which is currently in a period of collapse following the capture of the PKK Chief Abdullah Ocalan, was about to penetrate through Iraq. During the operations, a total of 59 terrorists were captured while 10 Turkish soldiers died. /Aksam/

MORNINGSTAR TO VISIT TURKEY NEXT WEEK

US Ambassador Richard Morningstar, the Special Advisor to the President and Secretary of State for Caspian Basin energy diplomacy, will come to Turkey next week, the Anatolia News Agency reports. Morningstar will reportedly hold talks with the representatives of private companies regarding energy issues.

TURCO-KOREAN NUCLEAR ENERGY AGREEMENT

The Council of Ministers approved the "Agreement concerning the Usage of Nuclear Energy for Peaceful Means" between Turkey and Korea, reported the Anatolia News Agency. The agreement, signed on 26 October 1998 in Ankara, foresees the construction of nuclear power stations and research reactors and the exchange of both staff and scientific technology.

FIGHT AGAINST ORGANIZED CRIME

A determined struggle by the Turkish security forces has led to the step-by-step elimination of criminal gangs, the Anatolia News Agency reports. During the last 12 months, a total of 1,783 gang members have been taken into custody by police for their alleged involvement in loansharking, kidnapping, blackmail and 'forming illegal gangs with criminal intent'. Police also seized 489 hand guns, 14 long-barrelled rifles, 44 shot guns, 19 hand grenades, three rocket launchers and a load of ammunition during their arrests.

71ST ANNIVERSARY OF THE ADOPTION OF SECULARISM

Issuing a message on Saturday due to the 71st anniversary of the adoption of the principle of secularism, Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit pointed out that secularism is an underlying principle of both the Republic and democracy, assuring the freedom of belief and conscience. Ecevit added that due to the dynamic structure of Turkish society, Islam has been harmoniously blended with secularism, democracy and the requirements of modern civilization, reported the Anatolia News Agency.

KOC TO THE EAST

The Turkish Koc Corporation has decided to contribute to the development of the Eastern region. The Corporation launced new projects which will participate in the improvement drive taking place in the region. The Chairman of the Strategic Research Planning Group, Necati Arikan, said that they had already established LPG filling stations, coal mines and electric power plants were in operation and five Migros supermarkets and Kocbank branches had been opened in 10 provinces within the region. In addition, he added, they were investing in husbandry; Arikan remarked that they aimed to produce 40,000 tonnes of meat and also to set up meat and diary production establishments. /Sabah/

9.5 TRILLION FOR KOBIs

During the first three months of this year, 428 incentives worth 9.5 trillion TL were given to Small and Medium-Scale Enterprises (KOBIs). According to Treasury Undersecretariat data, while the highest amount of incentive was received by the Southeastern Anatolia Region, Sanliurfa was the city which took the greatest advantage of the KOBI incentives. Incentives worth 686 billion TL were given to Sanliurfa while Istanbul received 589.6 billion TL. /Aksam/

GOLD SECTOR IMPROVING

The General Director in Turkey of the World Gold Council, Murat Akman, has said that the gold sector has been rapidly developing in recent years and the Turkish gold sector will soon lead Italy, which ranks first in the world with 300 tons of gold exports. Akman added, "During the last eight years, the number of those employed in this sector has increased to 250,000. This sector provides a foreign exchange input worth $1.5 billion annually". /Aksam/

GAP, A WORLD PROJECT

A report prepared by the GAP (Southeastern Anatolian Project) Administration Chairmanship states that the international community has recently come to consider the GAP a model regional development project with its firm reliance upon a `humanitarian' dimension supplemented by a `sustainability' concept, reported the Anatolia news agency. It is noted in the report that insofar as the concrete uses of the project have come to be visible, international interest in the project has rapidly grown, making the GAP a world project due to its significant joint ventures.

GERMAN MPs TO VISIT ADANA

Four German MPs who have come to Turkey in order to observe the pro-election campaigns of the political parties and will visit Adana today together with the Democratic Left Party's (DSP) candidates.It is reported that after paying a visit to Adana Governor Oguz Kayhan, the four MPs, including Thomas Kossendai, the Chairman of the German-Turkish MPs Group, will visit Adana and its surroundings, in particular the Ceyhan district and its villages. The German MPs will attend a meeting in Adana and then return to Ankara in order to continue their observations. /Cumhuriyet/

ELECTRICITY OUTPUT INCREASES 7 % IN 1998

Electricity output, an indicator of the level of industrialization within a country, increased 7.36 % and attained 103.3 kwh last year; there was an 8.89 % increase in 1997. 68.8 billion kwh of this output was ensured through geothermal plants and 42.2 billion kwh of it was through hydroelectric plants. /Sabah/

EIGHT PROPOSALS FOR SAFETY IN THE STRAITS

Bids are expected to be accepted starting today for a 'Fully Automated Computerized Shipping Control System' to be built on the Straits of Istanbul and Canakkale. Eight foreign firms are eligible to present their offers in the bidding organized by the Maritime Undersecretariat. The tender will be financed by a $40 million foreign loan. /Aksam/

HORNFELD PRAISES TURKEY

The Head of Siemens, one of the giant companies in the world, Dr.Arnold Hornfeld, stated that he trusted in Turkey and its future. He said: "When you look at the photos, you can see the distance covered by Turkey. It is not that easy to create such a country. Whereas many Germans were employed during the first years of Siemens in Turkey, 800 Turkish engineers are currently working there. For Siemens, Turkey is the apple of our eye." /Aksam/

MOBILE POWER PLANTS

The Energy and Natural Resources Ministry which is seeking ways to find short and middle-term solutions to the energy consumption rate in Turkey will take advantage of mobile power plants. Concerning this issue, the Ministry has signed two different agreements. Through these agreements, two mobile power plants will be deployed in Van and Hakkari by the end of this year. Officials noted that via these power plants, one of 20 MW and the other of 10 MW in power output, nearly 100 million KWH in energy will be produced annually. /Aksam/

CHINESE INVITATION TO STFA ENERKOM

One of the companies in the Sezai Turkes-Fevzi Akkaya (STFA) Group, Enerkom, has connected the continents of Asia and Africa with power cables. Enerkom erected two pylons 221 metres in height on the two borders of the Suez Canal. Enerkom earlier established an energy bridge between the continents of Asia and Europe with the construction of two pylons 165 metres in height on both sides of the Bosphorus Straits. Through these two projects, the connection of three continents has been completed. Meanwhile, STFA Enerkom has received an invitation from China to construct the highest tower in the world, which is even higher than the Eiffel Tower. When Enerkom achieves this project, the highest building in the world will have been constructed by Turks. /Aksam/

1.5 MILLION TVs EXPORTED

The private Turkish company, Beko Electric, exported more than 1.5 million televisions in 1998. Aydin Cubukcu, the representative of the General Council, said that there had been a 39 % increase in exports and 5.6 trillion TL in clear profit had been made in 1998. He added that one million televisions had been sold to European Union (EU) countries. /Sabah/

TOURISM WITH SYRIA

The Syrian Ambassador to Ankara visited the Ministry of Tourism at the end of which it was decided to start to set up tourism links between the two countries. Cemal Alyamac, owner of a tourism travel agency in Gaziantep, said that they would organize tours for tourists to Damascus and Aleppo and 120 people had already booked to go on tour. He added that the tours would be one-day visits. Alyamac noted that Syrian tourists would also like to come to Turkey but they prefered at least three-day excursions. He pointed out that Syria had appread to increase its trade and tourism ties with Turkey and that Turkey ought to consider Syria as a new market. /Milliyet/

SCIENTIFIC EMBARGO AGAINST ATHENS

Tension in Turco-Greek relations concerning the support that Greece had extended to Abdullah Ocalan has finally been reflected in academic circles. It has been decided to support the reactions shown by both groups economic and political groups against Greece. The Senate of Istanbul University decided to halt their academic ties with Greece. The Deputy Dean of Istanbul University, Dr. Nur Serter, said that the Senate would no longer allow its lecturers to go to Athens. Serter explained the reason for the decision saying that Greece had shown that it was opposed to the security of Turkey and that the University wished to show its reaction over a period of time. /Milliyet/

ROLES OF SCIENCE AND EDUCATION IN OTTOMAN ERA

Within the celebrations of the 700th Anniversary of the establishment of the Ottoman Empire, the Islamic History, Arts and Culture Research Centre (IRCICA) will hold an Ottoman World Science and Education International Congress in Dolmabahce Palace in Istanbul. The Congress, which will be between 12-15 April, will be opened by President Suleyman Demirel. The General Director of IRCICA, Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, briefed the members of the press about the Congress saying that more than 200 scientists would attend it from all over the world. He added that there had been great interest in the Congress and that they had prepared a booklet laying the talks to be given during the Congress. Meanwhile, Hasan Bin Tallal, former Crown Prince of Jordan, also arrived in Istanbul yesterday in order to attend the congress. /Hurriyet/Cumhuriyet/

PAUL RICOEUR TO DELIVER A LECTURE IN ISTANBUL

Paul Ricouer, an eminent French philosopher, is to deliver a lecture on the nature of human memory at the Istanbul French Cultural Institute. Ricoeur is known for his contributions to phenomenology and hermeneutics. /Cumhuriyet/

`REPUBLIC TRAIN' IN ISTANBUL

The `Republic Train', prepared as a mobile museum to provide citizens with a great deal of information and various documents about the National Struggle and modern Turkey, will arrive in Istanbul today. The `Republic Train', which departed from Edirne on April 5, stopping in each and every city, is presenting the inhabitants with a close insight into the specifics of yesterday's and today's Turkey. /Cumhuriyet/

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

"TURKISH WIND" - BY GUNGOR MENGI (SABAH)

Journalist Gungor Mengi accompanied President Suleyman Demirel on his one-day visit to Albania and Macedonia. Today he wrote about the visit saying that the warm breeze of Turkish love blew yesterday through the refugee camps in Albania and Macedonia. He stressed that Demirel was the first President to visit the camps. Mengi said, "Demirel gave hope to the refugees, declaring that Turkey is on their side with all her power and opportunities. He gave them a guarantee stressing that they would be able to return to their homes. Yesterday, Demirel made himself felt as the President of an important member of NATO both with his words and attitudes. Not only speaking in the name of Turkey but also in the name of NATO Demirel said that NATO operations will continue until it has reached its aim and prevented Milosevic's ambition of ethnic cleansing. Demirel also warned Russia from Albania and Macedonia saying it would be better to convince Milosevic to comply with NATO's conditions, as NATO would like to contribute to the solution of the problem through peaceful means, Mengi stressed that in order to see the true dimensions of the human tragedy, the regions should be visited. During the visit it was understood what an honorable war NATO had started for humanity for the first time in its history. Mengi concluded with an incident which happened in the camp in Albania; "An old woman wanted Demirel to pray for them. Turkey has been more than praying, believe us."

FOREIGN LOANS AVAILABLE - BY GUNGOR URAS (MILLIYET)

Columnist Gungor Uras analyzes the latest developments in the economy. A summary of his column is as follows: "At the end of last week Garanti Bank signed a loan agreement in London totalling $ 180 million . That is to say a Turkish Bank has borrowed $ 180 million from foreign markets. This is pleasing and encouraging as the Turkish Treasury has to find companies willing to lend foreign currency in order to turn the wheel of foreign debt and to pay the interest and debts due. Turkish banks had borrowed foreign currency from foreign markets whose interest payments are due in a short time; if the banks cannot raise the money through borrowing to renew these, they and in turn the economy will be left in a dire situation..... Due to the crises in Asia, Russia and the instability in Turkey, the countries which are able to lend to Turkey have increased the risk rating in Turkey. However, Garanti Bank has borrowed new amounts and in the near future Akbank is expected to conclude a loan agreement. This shows that sources of credit are still available to Turkey, and that big and respectable Turkish banks can obtain loans on the foreign markets with the addition of a risk rating point of 1.35."

WHAT DOES THE US WANT TO DO? -BY FUAT BOL (TURKIYE)

Fuat Bol, a columnist in the daily 'Turkiye' newspaper, says the following in his article today: "Mankind has been witness to a tragedy in Kosovo for nearly one-and-a-half years. When the genocide against the Albanians continued unabated, the patience of the world was exhausted and NATO decided to launch its air strikes. The world is watching this drama. It has not become certain what NATO wants to do since air strikes have only caused the appetite of the thugs to be whetted. Some Serbian military and strategic buildings have been bombed, however it has not been a remedy for those Albanians who face death. Unless a ground operation is carried out, there will be no cure for the Albanians' situation. Many Albanians have been taken from the Macedonian border to unknown places in Kosovo. Their future is not known. Since the US can control every incident on the earth from space with its state-of-the-art technology, why is it still unaware of the massacres in Kosovo and the future of tens of thousands of refugees? It is better to announce this reality: The lives and deaths of Muslim Albanians do not concern the world."

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