MAY 19 COMMEMORATION OF ATATURK, YOUTH AND SPORTS FESTIVAL CELEBRATED

The May 19 Youth and Sports Day was celebrated with a variety of activities throughout Turkey and in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) yesterday. National Education Minister Metin Bostancioglu pointed out that attacks carried out by dark powers against the secular and comtemporary Turkish state will never be able to intimidate the Turkish youth. The first ceremony was held at the Mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founder of the Republic of Turkey. President Suleyman Demirel who attended the ceremony signed the Special Guest Book saying: "Turkish young people are determined to safeguard the democratic and secular Republic forever". /Cumhuriyet/

FOURTH ROUND OF VOTING TO ELECT PARLIAMENT SPEAKER

The fourth and last round of voting to elect the Speaker of the Parliament will be held today between the two candidates, one from the Motherland Party (ANAP), Yildirim Akbulut, and the other from the Nationalist Action Party (MHP), Sadi Somuncuoglu. Akbulut received 171 votes and Somuncuoglu received 152 votes during the third round. The Parliament Speaker will be determined during this last round today. /Milliyet/

EFFORTS TO SET UP A GOVERNMENT

Both President Suleyman Demirel and Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit are quite concern about the ongoing process to set up a coalition government between the Democratic Left Party (DSP), Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) and Motherland Party (MHP). Following the softening of the DSP's attitude, Bahceli has been evaluating the present situation upon which he will reach his final decision. After Ecevit's moderate statement, saying that the DSP would make a coalition proposal to the MHP if they opened the door, Demirel received Bahceli at the Presidential Palace and tried to persuade him. Demirel had previously requested the Motherland Party leader, Mesut Yilmaz, to mediate between Ecevit and Bahceli. The DSP administration reportedly decided to wait until the end of Thursday for a positive reaction from the MHP and a wish to resume talks in response to the DSP's toned-down rhetoric towards them. If it does not receive the awaited encouragement from the MHP, the DSP is expected to concentrate its efforts on trying to form a coalition government without them. /All papers/

FIERCE COMPETITION FOR THE CHP LEADERSHIP

Former Istanbul Deputy Altan Oymen, Ertugrul Gunay and Hursit Gunes have already announced their intention to run for leadership of the Republican People's Party (CHP) at Convention scheduled for this week. It is also known that the CHP's Greater Ankara Municipality candidate in the 18 May elections and former CHP Deputy, Murat Karayalcin, is among the possible powerful candidates for leader of the party. On the other hand, a neck-to-neck race is expected between the party's former leader Deniz Baykal, who resigned, and Altan Oymen. The approaching CHP Convention will be the scene of fierce competition, political sources close to the CHP administration said. /All papers`/

PKK MASSACRE CHILDREN IN N.IRAQ

After security forces, teachers and religious men, the PKK has begun to target children. PKK terrorists massacared four Kurdish children after torturing them. Chairman of the Kurdish Revolutionist Party Chairman Etem Barzai said about the incident which happened on 13 May, "12 children were kidnapped by PKK members. Eight of them who said that they were members of the Hizbullah Party, were allowed to go free. Four days later, the remaining four children's corpses were found near Davidka village. It is understood that the four children were tortured before they were killed." Turkiye/

OPERATION IN NORTHERN IRAQ

The operations initiated across the Turkey-Iraq border in order to prevent PKK penetration have been shifted to Northern Iraq. It is reported that experienced special forces which crossed the border yesterday morning joined those Turkish forces that have been located in Northern Iraq for two months and that a new military operation has been started against the PKK presence in the region. During the operation, military forces were landed near the Metina Camp of the terrorist PKK by helicopters. Accordingly, there have been intense clashes in the region. /Cumhuriyet/

"TURKEY IS ESSENTIAL FOR ISRAEL"

Shimon Perez, the Deputy Chairman of the Israeli Workers' Party, which gained a victory at the end of the Israeli General Election held last Monday, said that relations between Turkey and Israel would continue at the same level as before the Election. It added that in particular the military agreements between the two countries would be sustained. He noted, "Turco-Israeli relations do not depend on parties. There is a deep-rooted relationship between the two States. Military cooperation between Turkey and Israel aims to serve peace. The new Israeli Prime Minister, Ehut Barak, was the Chief of General Staff at the time when Turco-Israeli relations began. So nothing will change in our relations under his Prime Ministrship. We know that Turkey is a key country both in the Middle East and Europe." /Aksam/

HIZBULLAH OPERATIONS IN MERSIN

Icel Police Department's Anti-terrorism Department announced that 24 members of the outlawed Hizbullah organization were captured in Mersin. It is reported that Hizbullah members who forced religious men to disseminate the propaganda of their organization in the mosques collected money from civilian people by force./Aksam/

GREEK CYPRIOTS' ANTI-TURKISH DEMONSTRATION

The Greek-Cypriots' tried to organize an anti-Turkish demonstration in Washington in order to condemn the so-called "Pontus massacre". However, they failed as there were only 15 participants in the demonstration. /Sabah/

KASULIDES: "THERE ARE NO PKK CAMPS IN SOUTHERN CYPRUS"

The Foreign Minister of the Greek Cypriot Administration, Yannakis Kasulides, who has gone to Stockholm on the invitation of the Swedish Foreign Minister, Anna Lindh, said that there are no PKK camps in his country and they do not support the PKK terrorist organization. Kasulides also claimed that Southern Cyprus' entry into the EU will also be beneficial for Turkish Cypriots. Kasulides stressed that Russian-made S-300 missiles had been sent to Crete as a 'goodwill gesture' and these missiles did not constitute a danger for Turkey. /Cumhuriyet/

TURKISH CELEBRATIONS IN BULGARIA

The 10th anniversary of the struggle launched by nearly 350,000 people of Turkish origin in Bulgaria against the Theodor Jivkov regime was celebrated on May 18. The Turkish Ambassador to Sofia, Tahsin Burcuoglu, in a speech said that Turkey was closely interested in the problems of people of Turkish origin living in Bulgaria. The Communist dictator, Theodor Jivkov, who was in power in Bulgaria in 1989, tried to assimilate the Turkish minority living in this country. The first reaction to these implementations came from Cebel on May 18, 1989. Many people of Turkish origin took part in the celebrations held on May 18 this year in Cebel. Ceremonies will also be held in Sumen. Bulgarian President Petar Stayanov, the Leader of the European Left Party, Alexander Tomov and the Head of the Bulgarian Socialist Party, Georgi Tirvanov, will participate in a meeting during which minority problems will be discussed. /Hurriyet/

IMF WAITING FOR THE GOVERNMENT

Foreign investments and relations with the IMF are indexed to the formation of a new goverment. An agreement providing foreign aid for Turkey was expected be signed and implemented at the end of the summer or the beginning of the autumn. However, it cannot be achieved before the formation of the new government. Following its meetings on 9 February, the IMF had left the signing of the new agreement, which called for structural changes, until after the Election. The agreement concerning structural changes included social security, the Banking Law, privatization, tenders for power stations, and international arbitration. It also called on the goverment to decrease agricultural subsidiies and support for the farmers. /Cumhuriyet/

FOREIGN INVESTORS IN IMKB

Foreign investors purchased shares worth $443 million on the Istanbul Stock Exchange (IMKB) during the first four months of this year. Together with purchases worth $830.8 million in April by foreign investors, the total of purchases in January-April 1999 reached $2.269 billion. The total sale of shares during the January-April 1999 period was $1.826 billion. /Hurriyet/

IMKB ON THE MABIUS LIST

The Chairman of the Templeton Fund, Mark Mabius, who is known for his share certificate investments in Turkey, shows the Istanbul Stock Exchange (IMKB) as one of his favourite markets. At a meeting with financial groups in Boston he said that some of the emerging countries, such as Thaliand, Turkey, Korea, Brazil and Southern Africa, would be well woth investing in. /Sabah/

RUSSIAN DELEGATION TO VISIT TURKEY

A Russian delegation consisting of Regional Governors and 70 businessmen will come to Turkey in order to attend a meeting in Istanbul on June 8. The meeting will be organized by the Turco-Russian Business Council and the Turkish Foundation of Small- and Medium-Scale Enterprises' Members and Managers (TOSYOV). The Russian delegation will also attend a meeting to be held by the Antalya Chamber of Industry and Commerce on June 10. /Cumhuriyet/

BSEC WORKING GROUP MEETING

The Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC) Working Group was set up within the cooperation agreement concerning the 'struggle against crime, particularly against organized crime among BSEC Participant States. This agreement was signed during the third meeting of the Ministers of Interior of the BSEC states. The BSEC Working Group's first meeting will be held between May 23-27, in Antalya, the Anatolia News Agency reports.

TURKISH TRAVEL AGENCIES' UNION DELEGATION IN GERMANY

A delegation from the Turkish Travel Agencies' Union (TURSAB) has gone to Frankfurt to discuss the crisis in tourism. The delegation is headed by Faruk Erol, the Deputy Undersecretary of the Tourism Ministry, and TURSAB Chairman Talha Camas. The Turkish delegation met officials from the German Travel Agencies' Union (DRV). /Milliyet/

TURKEY IS THIRD IN SOCK EXPORTS

The newly-elected Chairman of the Socks Manufacturere's Associations, Mustafa Tan, said that Turkey had the capacity to produce 900 million socks He added that Turkey was third after the US and Italy in sock exports. Tan noted that 86 % of the exports was to European Union (EU) countries and Germany was the biggest market for Turkey. /Aksam/

KTHY INCREASES ITS TARGET

Suzer Ozel, the Chairman of Northern Turkish Cyprus Airlines (KTHY), declared that the airline company obtained $ 16.5 million in revenue in 1998. He added that they aimed to purchase 737-800 aircrafts which are produced using the latest technology. /Sabah/

EFES PILSEN-STELLA ARTOIS COOPERATION

Efes Pilsen, a leading Turkish brand of beer, will begin to produce the renowned Belgian Stella Artois beer at its plant in Romania. Efes Pilsen, which signed an agreement with the owner of Stella Artois, Interbrew, will produce 24 million litres of beer this year and 40 million litres in the year 2000 for Interbrew. Meanwhile, the construction of the Efes Pilsen plant in Moscow has been completed. The Efes Pilsen plant in Moscow has been set up at an investment cost of $77.5 million and uses state-of-the-art technology.The plant can produce 150 million litres of beer in one year. Efes Pilsen beer will begin to be distributed in Moscow tomorrow. Efes Pilsen exports its beer to nearly 40 countries; their annual exports to Germany alone total 2 million litres. /Hurriyet/

FENER ORTHODOX PATRIARCH TO VISIT GREECE

Fener Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomeos will pay a 17-day visit to Greece today. Because of the 166-year intransigence between the Greek Church and the Fener Greek Cypriot Orthodox Patriarchate, Bartholomeos, who has been on duty for nine years, has not visited Greece to date. /Hurriyet/

MCDOWALL VISITS TURKEY

The International Public Relations Consultant Companies' Union's (ICO) General Secretary, Christopher McDowall, will come on 23 May to Istanbul. It is reported that McDowall will inspect the studies on "Professional Standards" of the PRCI, which represents the ICO in Turkey. /Turkiye/

TURKISH AIRLINES CELEBRATES 66TH ANNIVERSARY

Turkish Airlines (THY) celebrates its 66th anniversary today. It enjoys partnerships with leading airlines around the world, reported the Anatolian News Agency. It is also the youngest and fastest-growing airline company. THY was born in 1933 in Ankara with five small aircrafts; today it has 33 domestic lines flies and to 102 destinations.

NORWEGIAN CONSULATE OPENS IN MARMARIS

According to a statement from the Norwegian Embassy in Ankara, Norway will open its fourth Consulate in Turkey on Friday in the Aegean resort town of Marmaris, reported the Anatolian News Agency. The decision to open the new Consulate came as a result of the increasing number of Norwegian tourists visiting the region for summer holidays. Some 100,000 Norwegians visit Turkey annually.

LAW SYMPOSIUM IN CYPRUS

A symposium on 'Comparative Law' will be held today and tomorrow at the Eastern Mediterranean University in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). The symposium, during which problems and solutions to these problems within the Turkish and Turkish Cypriot legal systems will be discussed, will be attended by the Heads of the Court of Appeal, Council of State, and the Deans from the Law Faculties of Istanbul and Ankara Universities. /Cumhuriyet/

CERRAHOGLU: BIMCO DEPUTY CHAIRMAN

A Turkish ship-owner, Esref Cerrahoglu, has become the Deputy Chairman of the Baltics and International Maritime Organization (BIMCO) for the first time. The General Council of BIMCO, which was set up 95 years ago and has 2,700 members, was held in Lisbon yesterday. Frenchman Philippe Poiter d'Ange D'Orsay became BIMCO Chairman. Cerrahoglu had attended the 'International Maritime and Finance Conference' held in Monte Carlo a few days ago and delivered a speech at the Conference. All international laws and regulations concerning world maritime matters should be approved by BIMCO. /Hurriyet/

11TH INTERNATIONAL ISTANBUL THEATRE FESTIVAL BEGINS

The 11th International Istanbul Theatre Festival began on Tuesday. Addressing the opening ceremony, Sakir Eczacibasi, the Chairman of the Executive Board of Istanbul Culture and Art Foundation, said: "As we approach to the 21st century which is described as the centuty of knowledge, ethnic clashes, religious conflicts and wars continue in many parts of the world. But theatre has been calling humanity to friendship, unity and peace for centuries". The 11th International Theatre Festival will end on June 4, the Anatolia News Agency reports.

INTERNATIONAL FOLK DANCES FESTIVAL

The fifth International Folk Dances Festival organized by the Black Sea Technical University (KTU) will begin in Trabzon today, the Anatolia News Agency reports. The Festival will end on May 23.

KLISTRA TO BE INTRODUCED TO WHOLE WORLD

A new campaign will start to introduce Klistra village in Meram county of Konya where Saint Paul, one of apostles of Jesus Christ lived, to the whole world, the Anatolia News Agency reports. Noting that posters and brochures reflecting natural, cultural and historical assets of Klistra, are ready, the Director General of Provincial Tourism, Ibrahim Tekbas, pointed out that they will be sent to travel agencies and Turkish representations abroad in the coming days.

OPERATIONS AGAINST DRUG SMUGGLING

Security forces seized yesterday a total of 2 tonnes of acid anhydrine having a market prices of nearly 500 billion TL which was hidden in a Romanian-registered truck headed into Turkey from the Kapikule Border Gate in Edirne, the Anatolia News Agency reports.

PERMISSION FOR 95 ARCHAEOLOGISTS

Permission was given for 58 Turkish and 37 foreign archaeologists in 1999 to conduct their research. The number of foreign archaeologists who applied to carry out surface research on archaeological settlement sites throughout Turkey reached 78. Additionally, plans to excavate the Kargamis and Ilisu dam regions to find historic works of art are in progress; there are archaeologists involved from Germany, the US, Britain, Italy, Japan, France, Austria, Belgium, Holland, Denmark, Australia, Sweden and Portugal. /Cumhuriyet/

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

POWER STRUGGLE - BY MUHARREM SARIKAYA (HURRIYET)

Muharrem Sarikaya, a columnist in the daily 'Hurriyet' newspaper, writes: "Problems concerning the establishment of the Democratic Left Party (DSP)-Nationalist Action Party (MHP)-Motherland Party (ANAP) coalition have been overcome a little bit. However 'a mutual base' which is being sought in order to resume the meetings has not been found yet. The MHP Chairman Devlet Bahceli evaluated the situation with his advisors following his meeting with President Suleyman Demirel two days ago. The main view in the MHP was as follows: 'The policies should be in line with certain principles. We had previously revealed our desire for a DSP-MHP-ANAP coalition government. We had said that we did not consider any other possibility and, if necessary, we would be in Opposition. If a politician makes a mistake, he should know how to apologize according to his style. If Ecevit takes one step, we are ready to take five steps'. As a result, rumour has it that the DSP ought to make a gesture in support of the MHP candidate for Parliament Speaker, Sadi Somuncuoglu, which will resume the coalition meetings between the MHP and DSP. Actually, this message was conveyed to the DSP yesterday morning, which was then discussed. However, some ministers harshly reacted in a negative way to this proposal. The same proposal was made to ANAP, which is celebrating the 16th anniversary of its establishment. However, a negative response was also received by the MHP from ANAP. Despite these problems, the view that these three parties may find a common solution and establish the coalition by next week is prevalent". /Hurriyet/

TAKING A STEP TOWARDS AGREEMENT - BY FIKRET BILA (MILLIYET)

Columnist Fikret Bila expounds on the recent government crisis. A summary of his column is as follows: "The Chairman of the Nationalist Action Party(MHP) passed the day in the expectation that the instigation to renew the contacts would come from the Democratic Left Party(DSP). The statements of Prime Minister Ecevit had not satisfied the MHP and so the Chairman of the MHP, Devlet Bahceli, outlined their grievances on some issues to President Suleyman Demirel. The second attempt to encourage renewed contact came from Deputy Prime Minister Husamettin Ozkan in the evening. This initiative resulted in softening the stand of the MHP. The party conveyed the message that they are able to look favourably on forming a government. It has also been revealed that the MHP expects support for its Parliament Speaker candidate in the election to decide the Speaker of the TGNA. The MHP also decided the gather its 'councils' before the election of the Speaker and thus conveyed another 'confidence building' measure to the DSP. Although it is not official, the DSP and the MHP have taken important steps in reaching an agreement through Ozkan's efforts. During his meeting with the President, Devlet Bahceli complained about certain subjects. Among them the facts such as Prime Minister Ecevit's dragging his feet in the formation of a government, his prior agreement with the leader of the Motherland Party on issues such as the distribution of the Ministries before approaching the MHP (the second largest party in the TGNA),and leaking the studies into the protocol for the government to the press without discussing it with the MHP, and not stating or asking for any opinion on the serious problems of the country. The MHP has seen the second step it expected. The DSP is expecting that the MHP would also take a step before the election of the Speaker to Parliament. Though it may be slow, some steps are being taken to form a coalition between the DSP,the MHP and ANAP."

BEHIND CLOSED DOORS - BY SEBAHATTIN ONKIBAR (TURKIYE)

Columnist Sebahattin Onkibar writes about the broadcasts of MED TV and how it was financed. A summary of his column is as follows. "MED TV which is the broadcasting organization of the terrorist PKK organization, started airing its programmes, after it obtained its licence from the British Independent Television Commission (ITC) through the initiatives of members of the organization, wpo paid $100 as a guarantee on 30.3.1995. However, when it was determined that the broadcasts of the MED TV only served as a propaganda vehicle for the PKK, its licence was revoked on 23.4.1999. It was claimed that the cancellation of the licence was related to the fact that the Chairman of the ITC also worked on the Administrative Council of British Aerospace. Some of the shareholders of British Aerospace supporting the PKK protested to the organization after the cancellation of MED TV's licence. MED TV which plays a significant role in the money-laundering activities of the PKK, was being financed by some foundations and associations established in Europe by the members of the organization. The "Kurdish Foundation Trust" and the "Mamoian Foundation" are the most important ones among them. These foundations, one established on the island of Jersey in the Channel Islands and the other in Switzerland are claimed to launder the money the PKK earns from drug trafficking and other illegal means in order to finance MED TV. These foundations have transferred their legal and financial administration to the VALMET SA company in Switzerland to hide their relationship with the PKK. Proof is available on the fact that the supporters of the PKK are investing large amounts of money in the accounts of this company in National Westminster bank of London. Information is also available concerning the rental of satellite channels through which MED TV is broadcasting, and also that the English broadcasting company CTV (Cultural Tv) has worked as a mediator. It is also known that the Arcosat company, built using Greek capital, has paid CTV in order to rent a channel for MED TV. On September 1996 and January 1998, following raids on to the studios of the television station, MED TV's accounts were seized by the authorities because they could not show the source of their income. Certain European countries who have not heeded Turkey's warnings on the links between the "PKK and dirty-money", have to find the source of the money flowing to the organization. The activities of the PKK terrorist organization threatening the peace and stability in Europe increase as it obtains arms with the money it receives on one hand, and establishes TV and radio stations and news agencies to wage a propaganda campaign, in addition to using various companies to front its activites on the other. The only way to prevent this threat is to dry up the financial sources of the PKK."

SPECIAL KOSOVO

TURKISH F-16 AIRCRAFT ON DUTY

Turkey will hit Yugoslavia with 18 aircraft to be deployed at Balikesir and Bandirma bases allocated for the utilization of NATO. While almost two months have passed since NATO air strikes against Yugoslavia began, Turkey's contribution to the operation has started to change. A statement made by NATO two days ago said that 72 F-16 and F-15 fighter planes will be posted to the bases in Turkey. Out of this total, 18 aircraft will be supplied by Turkey while the other 54 aircraft will be met by the US. Nine tanker aircraft will be stationed at Corlu base for the utilization of NATO. Meanwhile, NATO is planning to increase the number of its soldiers from 28,000 to 45,000-50,000 who are deployed in the region to conserve the peace once the conflict in Kosovo is over. It is reported that Turkey, which is training a 1,000-person reinforced battalion, might also increase the number of its soldiers. /Cumhuriyet/

NATO'S AIR OPERATION AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA

Turkish F-16 war planes that participate in NATO's air operation against Yugoslavia accumulated a total of 1,442 flight hours, the Anatolia News Agency reports. The General Staff Information Centre issued a statement saying that the Turkish F-16 war planes which are deployed at the Ghedi Airbase in Italy, stayed in air for 12 hours on May 18. Meanwhile, a total of 851,800 Kosovar people has been displaced so far as a result of ethnic cleansing campaign in Kosovo. According to the latest figures, there are 16,240 refugees in Turkey; 50,000 in Serbia, 64,400 in Montenegro; 430,000 in Albania; 236,500 in Macedonia; 18,500 in Bosnia-Herzegovina; and 46,257 in other countries. Turkey has provided shelters for a total of 11,314 Kosovar refugees in camps in Macedonia and Albania. Both camps have capacity to host 20,000 refugees.

NATO ALLIES FALL APART OVER BATTLE

According to the British newspaper "The Guardian" NATO allies are divided over sending a ground force against Yugoslavia. The paper pointed out that Turkey would act in line with her NATO allies although the idea of a battle created tension in Turkey. In the US, it reported, both half of the majority of the Senate and the public were against a ground invasion "In Britain, Tony Blair is the only leader who approves of such an operation. The German people do not lend their support to ground troops going in and Chancellor Gerhard Schroder is looking for a diplomatic solution. 97 % of the Greek public is against the air strikes and 65 % even support Milosevic. Italy will also act in accordance with NATO decisions." Aksam/

OECD: `KOSOVO CRISIS AFFECTS THE REGION'

It is reported that the Kosovo Crisis is negatively affecting the tourism and transportation sectors in particular of the countries in the region. In the OECD's General Economic Report, it is emphasized that the crisis will have a negative impact on commercial relations and the cost of foreign investment in the region. The report says that, while 50% of the tourist reservations for Croatia have been cancelled since the beginning of the crisis, in particular Greek, Bulgarian and Italian tourism will face serious difficulties if the crisis is exacerbated. /Cumhuriyet/

BRITISH AND ALBANIAN PRIME MINISTERS VISIT RED CRESCENT'S CAMP

Tony Blair, the Prime Minister of Britain, and Pandeli Majko, the Prime Minister of Albania, visited the aid organization, Kizilay's (Red Crescent) camp in Elbasan, the Anatolia News Agency reports. Addressing the Turkish Red Crescent, Blair said that they are giving here a very good humanitarian service and lesson, and he wanted to thank on behalf of all mankind.

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