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Anadolu Agency: News in English, 99-10-06
AA Daily
6 October 1999 Wednesday
CONTENTS
[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN
[02] These are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in
Turkey's press on October 6, 1999. The Anadolu Ajansi does not verify these
stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.
[03] HURRIYET (LIBERAL) - ------------------ THEY PRESS THE BUTTON
Demonstration of students wearing Islamic headscarfs, began as soon as the
new academic year started, after a mysterious hand pressed the button.
Intelligence units said that the Woman Rights Association Against
Discrimination (AK-DER) will organize a demonstration in Istanbul on
October 10 to protest the ban on Islamic headscarf. The illegal leftist
organizations and the terrorist organization PKK are expected to support
the demonstration.
[04] TRIAL OF THE HEAD OF THE TERRORIST ORGANIZATION Appeals hearing of
Abdullah Ocalan, the head of the terrorist organization, who was sentenced
to capital punisment by the Ankara State Security Court (DGM) No: 2, will
start at 09:00 local time on October 7 in the 9th Criminal Panel of the
Supreme Court. Ocalan, who is under arrest on Imrali Island, will not
participate in the hearing. The lawyers will make defense towards the
direction of the reasons of the appeal. Under the Supreme Court law,
intervenors and their lawyers can not participate in the appeals hearings.
To this end, relatives and lawyers of martyrs and the ones who were wounded
by the terrorist organization can only attend the hearing as audiences.
[05] MILLIYET (LIBERAL) - ----------------- EARTHQUAKE SHAKES MARMARIS A
predawn earthquake measuring 5.2 on the Richter scale shook Marmaris county
of Aegean Mugla province on Tuesday for seven seconds. A total of 103
people were injured. 23 of them broke their legs and arms when they had
jumped out from the windows and balconies in panic. One person who has
broken his waist jumping from the balcony, is in critical condition.
[06] SECOND EURASIA ECONOMIC SUMMIT STARTS The ''2nd Eurasia Economic
Summit'' which was organized by the Marmara Group Strategical and Social
Researches Foundation, started. The summit aims at improving economic and
political relations among the Turkish Republics. President Suleyman Demirel
sent a message to Akkan Suver, Chairman of the Marmara Group Strategical
and Social Researches Foundation. Yildirim Akbulut, Speaker of Parilament,
represents Turkey at the summit.
[07] SABAH (LIBERAL) - -------------- TWO TERRORISTS KILLED IN ADANA Two
terrorists were killed and another one was captured in an operation against
a cell-house of an illegal extreme-leftist organization in Yuregir county
of southern Adana province. Acting on a tip-off, security forces determined
that some members of the illegal Revolutionary People's Salvation Party-
Front (DHKP-C) had come from southern Hatay province to Adana to stage
attacks. An armed clash erupted when the terrorists who responded to
security forces' calls and warnings with gunfire. Two male terrorists were
killed and another one was captured alive in the clash.
[08] CEM DUE TO VENEZUELLA AND CUBA Ismail Cem, Foreign Minister, will
visit Venezuella and Cuba in October within framework of Turkey's opening
policy towards Latin America. Cem will pay official visits to Venezuella
between October 17-19, and to Cuba between October 20-23. Cem's visits aim
at improving existing economic cooperation with these two countries. Cem is
also expected to be received by President Fidel Castro of Cuba.
[09] CUMHURIYET (LEFT) - ---------------- AMNESTY AGAIN ON AGENDA The
partners of the coalition can't reach a compromise on the Amnesty Law which
was vetoed by the President. The parties will first of all adopt their
proposals and the leaders will give the last shape. The MHP, which gave up
its request for taking out the amnesty for gangs from the scope, Mesut
Yilmaz of the Motherland Party (ANAP), some ministers and a number of
mayors want the crime of ''misusing the authority'' taken out from the
scope, enabling them not to be tried courts. The Democratic Left Party
(DSP) wants the gangs, torturers, murderers and people who misused their
authority taken out from the scope.
[10] DYP SEEKS NEW LEADER The opposition in the True Path Party (DYP) wants
to present one candidate against Tansu Ciller in the Sixth Regular Congress
on November 20. The opposition, which plans to announce the name of their
candidate in the last week of October, are preparing a declaration. Mehmet
Agar said he supported the opposition.
[11] OCALAN CHANGES HIS TUNE Abdullah Ocalan, the head of the terrorist PKK
organization who called the terrorists on mountains to lay down their arms,
changed his tune. In his new statement he made through his lawyers, Ocalan
said that the legal frame had still not been concluded for laying down
arnm. Ocalan added that the PKK would be totally disarmed if this legal
frame was finalized.
[12] RADIKAL (LEFT) - --------------- PEACE WINS The ''Nikiforos-Toksotis''
military exercise on Cyprus created concerns that it would overshadow the
warming relations between Turkey and Greece but the statements of Akis
Tsohatzopoulos, the Greek Defense Minister, relieved the atmosphere and
eased the worries. While Turkey is carefully following whether planes will
land at the Baf Airbase, the Greek Defense Minister announced that they did
not think of landing a plane in Baf.
[13] TÜRKİYE (RIGHT) - ---------------- BAHCELI: ''REFORM IS OBLIGATORY''
Devlet Bahceli of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) said, ''we find
reducing the political reform discussions to election of president, and
discussing the issue by distracting it from the general frame wrong. The
new century should be welcomed with a new Constitution. The election of the
President should not be made quickly.''
[14] AKTAS SEQUESTRATED The Ministry of Energy sequestrated as of today the
management of the Aktas Electricity Trade Inc, which distributes
electricity in the Anatolian bench of Istanbul.
[15] EURASIA INSPIRES HOPE The potential powers of the region have been
once again put forward at the Second Eurasia Economic Summit in Istanbul.
Mehmet Yildirim, the Chairman of the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce, thinks
that the trade volume between Turkey and the region would increase over to
100 billion U.S. dollars if cooperation with the Turkish Republics was
developed.
[16] ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE) - -------------------- STUDENTS BECOME UNABLE TO
STOMACH UNIVERSITY OFFICIALS Students are allowed to enter the university
according to the length of their hair and beard. The ban on long hair and
beard in the university pleased the barbers and hairdressers. The comedy,
which started at the Istanbul University, spreaded to the Marmara
University. The male students who wear earrings, and their classmates whose
hair are long or who cultivated beard, shared the same destiny with the
female students wearing head-scarves. Officials became aware of this
comical situation and softened the ban. Now the students are allowed to
enter the university according to the length of their hair and beard.
[17] FENERBAHCE DEALS WITH SCALA Nevio Scala of Italy is likely to be the
new coach of Fenerbahce soccer team. Fenerbahce President Aziz Yildirim
nearly reached an agreement with Scala. Yildirim offered a one-year
contract to Scala, saying, ''Fenerbahce is the best soccer team in Turkey.
Money is not important, We will accept your conditions.'' Scala said, ''I
know Fenerbahce. A two-year contract will be more beneficial for both of
us.''
[18] CLOSURE CASE AGAINST FP - SUPREME COURT CHIEF PUBLIC PROSECUTOR SAVAS
SENDS HIS 105-PAGE OPINION ON MERITS OF CASE TO CONSTITUTIONAL COURT
[19] ANKARA, Oct 6 (A.A) - Vural Savas, the Chief Public Prosecutor of the
Supreme Court of Appeals, sent on Wednesday his 105-page opinion on the
merits of the case, which he had opened for the closure of the Virtue Party
(FP) with charges that ''it is the continuation of the closed Welfare Party
(RP) and became the center of activities against secularism'', to the
Constitutional Court. Savas, in his opinion on the merist of the case,
mentioned that the second paragraph, which was included in Article 103 of
the Law on Political Parties, was contrary to the Constitution. Recalling
that the Constitutional Court annuled the former second paragraph in the
case opened for the closure of the RP accepting that it was contrary to the
Constitution, Savas defended that the new arrangement was also contrary to
the Constitution so it should be annuled. Chief Public Prosecutor Savas
mentioned his opinions about human rights, the laws in Europe against
terrorism, limits of secret hearing and freedom of thought. Noting that
political parties were closed also in Europe, Savas investigated thoroughly
the meaning of international agreements in national laws. Making statements
about the discussions on ''A New Constitution'' and ''A New Secular
Understanding'', Savas said, ''it has not been seen that stereotype people
are educated in the schools giving secular education but it is impossible
to say the same thing for the schools giving theological education. The
Republic of Turkey should not give up implementing the Law on Education
Union.'' Savas claimed that it would be contrary to the Constitution if the
telephone conversation between Necmettin Erbakan, the leader of the closed
RP, and Yasin Hatipoglu, the former Acting Speaker of the Parliament and a
FP deputy, was not taken as an evidence. Savas repuested the annulment of
the second paragraph of Article 103 of the Law on Poltical Parties, and the
closure of the FP permanently in accordance with the indictment, additional
evidences and his opinion on the merits of the case.
[20] CLOSURE CASE AGAINST FP
[21] ANKARA, Oct 6 (A.A) - Vural Savas, the Chief Public Prosecutor of the
Supreme Court, said on Wednesday, ''the contemporary and dynamic circle of
our nation, and our real intellectuals, even their number is decreasing,
are aware of the things that Ataturk could do if he would have lived in
today's Turkey where the separatist activities and fundamentalist threat
were increased. They feel very ashamed of failing in sufficiently
protecting him and his inheritance.' Savas sent his 105-page opinion on the
merits of the case he had opened for the closure of the Virtue Party (FP)
to the Constitutional Court, mentioning that the second paragraph of
Article 103 of the Law on Political Parties was contrary to the
Constitution. Recalling that the Constitutional Court annuled the former
second paragraph in the case opened for the closure of the RP accepting
that it was contrary to the Constitution, Savas defended that the new
arrangement was also contrary to the Constitution so it should be annuled.
Giving place to opinions of some scientists and columnists about the issue,
Savas stressed that any judicial order couldn't permit the protection of a
political party which carries out activities to base the state's social,
economic, political or legal basic order onto religious rules. Asking the
question, ''This political party's activities, of which contrariness to the
Constitution were proved, will be allowed by not closing it with the
pretext that the factors concerning the ''center'' definition mentioned in
the second paragraph of Article 103 of the Law on Political Parties were
not documented. Is that so?'', Savas said that the paragraph in question
had been revised in contrary to the Constitution by completely ignoring the
Constitutional Court's decision for annulment of the former paragraph.
Expressing his opinions on the merits of the case, Savas said the most
serious human rights abuses were not made by the state or state officials
but by terrorist organizations. Savas said that it could easily be
understood that accusing Turkey of having sufficient democracy was an
injustice if the terrorism that Turkey was suffering, was taken into
consideration, and the laws in Turkey were compared with the laws in other
democratic countries. Giving information about the struggle against
terrorism in Belgium, Britain, Germany, France, Italy and Spain, and the
arrangements about the issue, Savas said the basic rights and freedoms were
restricted with laws in those countries. Stressing the importance of the
European Court of Human Rights' decision against the members of the Irish
Republican Army (IRA), Savas said the revisions, which could be described
with the concept of ''militant democracy'', was reflected in the
constitutional and legal arrangements of democratic countries concerning
political parties. Noting that the dominant opinion stressed that the
understanding of ''militant democracy'' should not be given up in doctrine,
Savas defended that the problems couldn't be overcome without adopting the
understanding of ''militant democracy'' if ''the economic development was
not concluded'', ''the ethnic and religious differences were itching by the
people who want to separate the country'' and ''the terrorist activities
were increased''. ''Actually, the decisions of the Constitutional Court for
the closure of political parties were totally appropriate to these opinions
and the understanding of militant democracy. These decisisons, for which
there is no doubt that they are appropirate to our social realities and the
Constitution, granted the Constitutional Court a real respect,'' he said.
Savas said it couldn't be accepted that the European Human Rights Charter
had supremacy over the Constitution and Laws in the Turkish judicial
system. Criticizing the European Court of Human Rights decision after the
closure of the Socialist Party, Savas said, ''this decision couldn't be
taken against Britain, Germany or France but it was taken against us. Now
the point that Turkey has reached, is an interesting point. If we totally
abide by the decisions of this court, we will have to change many things in
the Constitution including the Kemalist state structure. This will mean the
silently adoptation of a Constitution without ideology through the court.
Can the state be kept together in this situation? We don't know,'' he said.
Claiming that some columnists and intellectuals had the inclations of
''excusing terrorism'' while the activities of the PKK, which was the most
cruel terrorist organization of the history, Savas said, ''they always talk
about the west, science and contemporaneity. However, it has not seen that
they managed to make a proper scientific analysis of a problem.'' Stressing
that the freedom of expression of thoughts was not unlimited in
contemporary democracies as it was claimed, and there was not a country
that managed to prevent terrorism by giving the terrorists and their
supporters the freedom of organization, Savas said Hitler and Mussolini
became the power and shed blood in Europe as their activities couldn't be
prevented in Germany and Italy not because there was not a democratic
atmosphere, freedom of expression and organization in those countries.
Recalling that censorship was the most important situation which did not
suit the freedom of expression, and the broadcasts about terrorist
acivities of radio stations and television channels had been banned in
Northern Ireland between 1971 and 1994, Savas said the German Penal Code
limited the broadcasts which exalt violent movements, provoke terrorizing
gruops. ''Unfortunately, most of the television channels in Turkey do not
obey these rules. They can even broadcast the daily orders of Abdullah
Ocalan, the head of the terrorist PKK organization. Besides. there is not
an authority to prevent this. The laws are in this way in Europe. They want
to put pressure on Turkey saying that she does not abide by the
international agreements she signed while the implementations are in this
way. Were these agreements and charters signed only by Turkey?,'' he added.
[22] CLOSURE CASE AGAINST FP - ''LIBERAL INTELLECTUALS NEVER ACCEPT THAT
THERE ARE THREATS TOWARDS REGIME AND INTEGRITY OF THE COUNTRY TO SHOW THEIR
THOUGHTS AS CONSISTENT''
[23] ANKARA, October 6 (A.A) - Vural Savas, the Chief Public Prosecutor of
the Supreme Court, in his 105-page opinion on the merits of the case gave
examples from various countries where freedom of expression was limited.
Listing several articles regarding the Anti-Terrorism law and freedom of
action in Britain, Savas said this law included more restrictive provisions
when compared with Anti-Terrorism law in Turkey. Savas pointed out that
according to French Press Law, it was forbidden to jolt basis of political
system, and to make criticisms to provoke public order, and recalled that
immunity of Le Pen was lifted in France as he said ''gas-rooms are details
during II World War.'' Savas said German Constitution foresaw that several
basic rights and freedoms can be lost by the decision of Constitutional
Court if they are abused. Giving examples from the applications in Spain,
Vural Savas, the Chief Public Prosecutor of Supreme Court, said Miguel
Castells, a senator, who supported independence of Basque region, was
sentenced to imprisonment because of an article which included criticisms
towards the government regarding unclarified murders.'' Savas, in his
opinion on the merits of the case, mentioned about the struggle carried out
against separatist action in the U.S. and ''Clean Hands'' operation started
in Italy. He said ''noone speaks about these. Everbody does his best not to
inform our citizens.'' ''Socalled contemporary jurists are contended with
repeating general expressions which are reflected in the decisions of the
European Human Rights Court about freedom of expression,'' Savas said,
adding that the same court interpreted this general principle in different
ways in several cases. Giving an example to this, Savas recalled that
European Human Rights Court, while evaluating the opposition of Mehdi Zana,
former Diyarbakir Mayor, against his imprisonment sentence that was given
under Article 312 of Turkish Penal Code (TCK), decided that ''the Article
in question did not violate the rule of freedom of expression in the
European Human Rights Convention.'' Making quotations from the most famous
man of letters of the world, Savas said German Poet Heine said ''the best
friends of the devil is the liberal intellectuals who don't believe in the
existence of the devil.'' Savas defended that ''such kind of intellectuals,
in order to show their ideas consistent, never accept that there are
threats forwarded to the integrity of the country, and claim that such
dangers can only be overcome by not bringing a restriction to freedom of
thought (including the provocations and propoganda). No intellectual has
been seen in our country saying there is the danger of fundamentalism and
separatism in our country and condemning terrorist PKK despite its bloody
actions. Yet, they pave the most beautiful stones in the way going to hell.
This is why they were welcomed by political islamists, who have never been
democract, and by separatists.'' Responding to the allegation which was
included in pre-defense of Virtue Party (FP), that telephone talk between
Necmettin Erbakan, former leader of the closed Welfare Party (FP), and
Yasin Hatipoglu, former Acting Parliament Speaker, can not form an evidence
to closure case, Savas said ''in our opinion, it is unacceptable for the
judge to ignore evidence that may be obtained illegally. It may be true
that the evidence was obtained in a criminal way, but common sense entails
that this does not mean that its use is also criminal.'' Noting that the
conversation between Leyla Zana, former deputy of Democracy Party (DEP),
and Sedat Bucak, Sanliurfa deputy of True Path Party (DYP) was tapped in a
way that is contradictory to law, Savas said Ankara DGM no:1 took into
consideration the whole casette while giving the sentence of Zana. Savas
also mentioned about ''a new constitution'' and ''a new secularism
understanding.'' Recalling that Chief Prosecutorship was assigned to apply
to the Constitution, not criticizing it, Savas said he did not write his
individual views on the merits of the case. Pointing out that Article 24 of
the Constitution foresaw that ''nobody could base social, economic,
political or legal order of the state to principles of religion,'' Savas
said if jurists fail to fulfill their obligations against the actions which
were banned by the constitution, the public order will be spoilt. In the
final part, Savas demanded annulment or closure of FP by evaluating the
indictment, additional evidences and the merits of the case. FP will give
its written defense in the following stage of the closure case. After this,
Vural Savas will make a verbal statement and FP officials will also make
verbal defense. After the conclusion of all these stages, Constitutional
Court delegation will convene and will give its decision regarding the
closure case.
[24] MINISTER OF ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES IN TURKMENISTAN
[25] ASKABAT, October 6 (A.A) - Cumhur Ersumer, Minister of Energy and
Natural Resources, had a meeting with Sapharmurad Nuriyev, the Deputy Prime
Minister of Turkmenistan who is in charge of electricity, it was reported
on Wednesday. Ersumer visited the Turkish Embassy in Askhabad following his
meeting with Nuriyev. Here, Ersumer came together with Yollu Gurban Muratov,
the Deputy Prime Minister in charge of oil and natural gas and high level
officials of Turkmen Natural Gas consortium.
[26] TURKEY-IMF
[27] WASHINGTON/ANKARA, Oct 6 (A.A) - The International Monetary Fund (IMF)
will extend technical and financial assistance to short-term borrowings
monitoring system in nine countries including Turkey, it was reported on
Wednesday. According to the principle, which was presented to the IMF
Interim Committee and adopted, the short-term borrowing movements
monitoring system in Turkey, Argentina, Brazil, South Korea, Mexico,
Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand and Ecuador will be strengthened. In
accordance with the principle which the IMF dwells upon, the activities
between the short-term borrowings should be carefully and regularly
monitored to prevent the occurance of a basis for crisis in financial
markets. The IMF, which focused on new borrowing aid principles and
supervising mechanisms after the loan scandal in Russia, will intensify on
the financial sector in the countries with whom it signed stand-by
agreements. The IMF experts will focus on the issue of putting the
financial sector in the member country on a more concrete basis during the
talks held within the framework of stand-by agreement. Claiming that the
weakness in financial sector was the reason for Asia crisis, IMF experts
said consolidation of financial sector concerning the stand-by, which was
supported by the IMF, and similar agreements would be the pre-condition.
IMF experts will first of all request the institutionalization of financial
sector of the member country, and a neutral supervision of the sector. The
IMF, which targeted at preventing the global crisis by strengthening the
international financial structure, will request the member countries to
publicly announce the financial figures in specific periods.
[28] MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND SOCIAL SECURITY APPIES TO WORLD BANK TO GET A
SHARE FROM 750 MILLION US DOLLAR CREDIT SET ASIDE FOR TURKEY
[29] ANKARA, October 6 (A.A) - The Ministry of Labour and Social Security
applied to the World bank for credit to get a share from the 750 million
U.S. dollar total credit which the World Bank set aside for Turkey because
of the quake disaster, it was reported on Wednesday. The Ministry asked for
credit to meet the loss suffered by Social Security Authority (SSK),Social
Security Agency for Artisans and the Self Employed (Bagkur) and SSK
hospitals. The Ministry authorities pointed out that SSK and Bagkur
collected a major part of their premiums from Marmara region, therefore
there was a sharp drop in the collection of premiums by SSK and Bagkur
after the earthquake which struck this region. Moreover, hospitals,
buildings and personnel residences of SSK suffered heavy damage in the
quake, the authorities added and said the World Bank credit would be used
to repair these buildings. After the quake, the Ministry has been
continuing to give service at prefabricated hospitals which brought an
additional cost to their budget. Talks between the Ministry of Labour and
the World Bank continue.
[30] EU COMMISSION SHEDS GREEN LIGHT FOR TURKEY'S CANDIDACY
[31] STRASBOURG, October 6 (A.A) - Gunther Verheugen, who is in charge of
European Union (EU) enlargement in EU Commission, said Turkey should be
given candidady status, during the speech he gave at the European
Parliament on Wednesday. The EU Commission will publish an official report
on the subject next week. On the other hand, Kimmo Sasi, the Trade Minister
of Finland who spoke on behalf of EU Term President did not mention
Turkey's candidacy status. The lack of a consensus within the EU about
Turkey's candidacy status holds Finland back from making a commitment over
this issue. During Wednesday's session, the Christian Democrat Group of the
European Parliament which holds the highest number of seats in the
Parliament with 233 seats openly opposed giving Turkey candidacy status at
Helsinki Summit. The Socialist Group which has 180 seats, although did not
display a clear stance on Turkey's status, gave the message that they were
against Turkey's candidacy. Liberals and Greens which are small groups in
the EP argued that Turkey should be given a clear message at Helsinki about
its status. The EP currently does not possess the right to take a binding
decision about Turkey's full membership. A decision will be reached on this
subject in Helsinki under the views of the EU Commission and EU
governments. The EP has the right to say the final word about the
acceptance of applying countries to the EU.
[32] WORDS OF PAPANDREU, GREEK FOREIGN MINISTER - ATACANLI, FOREIGN
MINISTRY DEPUTY SPOKESMAN: ''WE DON'T AGREE WITH CERTAIN EXPRESSIONS USED
BY PAPANDREU IN HIS SPEECH''
[33] ANKARA, Oct 6 (A.A) - Sermet Atacanlı, the Foreign Ministry Deputy
Spokesman, said on Wednesday that they don't agree with certain expressions
used by Yorgo Papandreu, the Greek Foreign Minister during Taksim meetings
about the Cyprus question. Addressing a weekly press briefing, Atacanlı
pointed out that they were pleased to see Papandreu once again in Turkey
and they hope this visit will contribute positively to relations between
the two countries within the framework of the dialogue process. Atacanlı
pointed out that the 1974 operation, which aimed to save Turkish Cypriots
on Cyprus from massacre, was held within the framework of the rights given
by 1960 guarantee agreement to Turkey and Greece, which is also a guarantor
state and Greece has to know this well. Atacanlı, the Deputy Spokesman said
when evaluating Papandreu's words referring to Turkish Cypriots as minority,
that ''Papandreu's describing Turkish nation as a minority is certainly a
mistake. Turkish Cypriot nation has never had the status of minority in the
history. It is one of the owners of the island and also the equal sovereign
founder of the Cyprus Republic in 1960. It is clear that it established the
Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus in 1983 by its own will. These facts
have to be known by Greek officials.'' Atacanlı said that Greece's
regarding the Cyprus question from a realistic point of view will also help
in searches for a common solution on the island.
[34] U.S. AND TURKISH LAWYERS DISCUSS PENALTY LAW
[35] DIYARBAKIR, October 6 (A.A) - Ten U.S. lawyers participated in the
seminar in Diyarbakir titled ''Professional Cooperation between Turkish and
U.S. lawyers in Application of the Penalty Law'' on Wednesday. The seminar
is organized by the joint efforts of Diyarbakir Bar and the U.S. based
Lawyers Committee for Human Rights. Mustafa Ozer, the President of
Diyarbakir Bar, who spoke at the opening said the 1982 Constitution
seriously limited freedoms and human rights and added that human rights
issue was no longer a internal issue but a universal one. Nihat Cakar, the
Chief Prosecutor of Diyarbakir State Security Court, Rana Yilmaz, the Chief
Prosecutor of Diyarbakir Republic Court, Ozdemir Ozok, the Secretary
General of Turkey Bars Union and lawyers of Diyarbakir are attending the
seminar which will end on Wednesday.
[36] TRIAL OF THE HEAD OF THE TERRORIST ORGANIZATION - APPEAL HEARING AT
SUPREME COURT TO START ON TUHRSDAY
[37] ANKARA, Oct 6 (A.A) - The Supreme Court will start on Thursday to hear
the appeal case of Abdullah Ocalan, the head of the terrorist PKK
organization who was sentenced to death by the Ankara State Security Court
(DGM) No:2 with charges of ''carrying out activities aimed at separating a
part of the territories under the state's sovereignty from the state
administration by directing and conducting the terrorist PKK organization
with his orders and instructions,'' it was reported on Wednesday. The
hearing at the Supreme Court Criminal Department No:9 will start at 09:00
local time tomorrow. While the head terrorist, who is currently staying in
prison on Imrali Island, won't attend the hearing, his lawyers will make a
defense in accordance with their reasons if they won't request the Court to
postpone the hearing. Dogan Erbas, one of the lawyers of Ocalan, in his
statement yesterday, said they couldn't finalize their preparations for
their defense so they might ask the Court to adjourn the hearing. If the
lawyers make this request, the Supreme Court Criminal Department No:9 will
make a decision on Thursday about the request for postponement. In
accordance with the Law on Supreme Court, the intervenors and their lawyers
can't attend the appeal hearing. Thus the relatives of the people, who were
killed by the PKK terrorists, the people who were injured by the PKK
terrorists, and their lawyers can attend tomorrow's appeal hearing as
spectators if Ocalan's lawyers won't request postponement. If the hearing
is concluded tomorrow, the five-member Criminal Department delegation led
by Demirel Tavil will determine the day for announcement of the verdict.
The sides will be informed of this date. Meanwhile, the courtfile of the
head of the terrorist organization was observed by a scrutinizer judge
prior to the appeal hearing. Following the hearing, the scrutinizer judge
will brief the Criminal Department delegation on whole content of the
courtfile including the statements of Ocalan's lawyers. After the
delegation carries out the necessary negatiations on the courtfile, it will
announce its decision in the date it will determine. If the Supreme Court
Criminal Department No:9 approves the death penalty handed down on Ocalan,
the verdict will become definite. In this situation, Ocalan will have the
right of requesting ''correction of decision'' which is known as the
extraordinary legal way. This request has to be accepted first of all by
Vural Savas, the Chief Public Prosecutor of the Supreme Court who wants the
approval of death sentence on Ocalan. If Savas rejects that request, the
internal remedies will be exhausted for Ocalan. In this case, the dossier
will be sent to the Justice Ministry and later to the Parliament for the
execution of the death sentence. The issue of whether Ocalan will be
executed depends on the Parliament's decision. If the Supreme Court
Criminal Department No:9 annuls the verdict in respect of procedure or
merits of the case of the head of the terrorist organization, Ocalan will
be again tried by the Ankara DGM No:2 on Imrali Island. The trial of Ocalan
which started on May 31 on Imrali Island, was finalized on June 29 after
nine hearings. Meanwhile, security forces took intense measures around the
Supreme Court building.
[38] TURKISH-ARMENIAN RELATIONS INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM STARTS IN IGDIR
[39] IGDIR, October 6 (A.A) - Ramazan Mirzaoglu, the State Minister
stressed that Turks never committed genocide throughout the history, at the
international symposium which started in Igdir on Wednesday. The symposium
focuses on Turkish-Armenian relations. Mirzaoglu said he hoped historical
realities would be unearthed with the help of objective Turkish and foreign
scientists who are participating in the symposium. ''The bones that are
found in mass graves belong to the Turks. The mass grave in Hakmehmet
village is the most recent example. Armenian, Jewish and Russian minorities
enjoyed a free life in the Ottoman Empire. Patriarchates and other places
of worship prove this. Unfortunately, imperialist states abused Armenians.
They made them form gangs and provoked them against Turks by giving them
arms. They rioted but Turks never killed those who rioted,'' he explained.
The Minister also pointed out that today Armenians and Jewish people led a
happy life in Turkey and continued: ''Armenian and Jewish minorities became
the richest groups living in Turkey. These minorities not only live a free
life but also make commerce without being exposed to any kind of pressure.
How could Armenian and Jewish minorities have become so rich if Turkey
oppressed them? We are facing with the biggest betrayal of the century. The
Turkish Republic always supports to resolve problems through peaceful ways.
Turkey does not want peace only between Turks and Armenians but all around
the world.'' Prof. Azmi Suslu, the President of Ataturk Research Center who
spoke at the symposium argues that it was Armenians who committed a
genocide. Suslu said Armenians massacred one million Turks. ''Turks who
live in Van, Mus, Bingol, Igdir and Erzurum have been massacred by
Armenians. A U.S. group of parliamentarians also found out that one million
Turks have been killed,'' he added. Opening of the graves have been
postponed because of respect for the dead, he added. ''Even though it is
late, mass graves all around Anatolia will be opened and it will be proven
that the Armenians committed a genocide. Our studies on this field continue
as long as terrorism, land and compensation discussions continue. We will
continue to dig out realities one by one. I hope that the genocide monument
in Igdir turns to a research and education center,'' he said. The symposium
is attended by scientists from Naxchivan, France, Austria and Italy.
[40] ITALIAN COURT GRANTS POLITICAL ASYLUM RIGHT TO HEAD TERRORIST -
ATACANLI, FOREIGN MINISTRY DEPUTY SPOKESMAN: ''WE'VE NOTED THAT ITALIAN
GOVERNMENT REQUESTED ITALIAN COURT TO REJECT THE DEMAND''
[41] ANKARA, Oct 6 (A.A) - Sermet Atacanlı, the Foreign Ministry Deputy
Spokesman described on Wednesday the decision of the Rome Second Appeal
Court which granted political asylum right to the head of the terrorist
organization PKK as ''unpleasant development,'' adding the bilateral
relations between the two countries have to be freed from this issue.
Responding to questions in a weekly press briefing, Atacanlı evaluated the
verdict of the Rome Second Appeal Court which granted political asylum
right to Abdullah Ocalan, the head terrorist. Atacanlı stressed that this
decision does not have any practical value or meaning in respect of Turkish
law. ''In the legal process started by the Italian court, the Italian
government said that this asylum request should be rejected. The court took
this decision in spite of this suggestion and request of the government. We
noted the request of the Italian government to the Italian court saying
that the asylum demand had to be rejected,'' said Atacanlı, adding that
Turkey and Italy are two ally countries and the positive relations between
the two countries are to the benefit of the two countries. Noting that the
officials of the two countries launch efforts to maintain positive
relations, Atacanlı said that the visit of Lamberto Dini, the Italian
Foreign Minister to Turkey started a positive period. Atacanlı said that
Korkmaz Haktanır, the Foreign Ministry Undersecretary will leave for Rome
in the second half of this month and come together with his Italian
counterpart. Atacanlı pointed out that Massimo D'Alema, the Italian Prime
Minister's coming to Turkey prior to the Organization on Security and
Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Summit in Istanbul is at the agenda. Atacanlı
added that ''such a tense and unpleasant atmosphere which is artificial
should be removed to maintain positive relations between the two
countries.''
[42] PRIME MINISTRY CRISIS MANAGEMENT CENTER ANNOUNCES DEATH TOLL AS 15,829
[43] ANKARA, Oct 6 (A.A) - The Prime Ministry Crisis Management Center
announced death toll as 15,829 as of 11:00 local time on Wednesday in the
wake of the 7.4-magnitude earthquake which devastated Marmara Region on
August 17. A total of 43,953 people were injured in the quake. Officials at
the Prime Ministry Crisis Management Center told the A.A correspondent that
a total of 112,268 tents have been erected in 121 tent-sites so far. Works
to haul away rubble of 3,974 collapsed buildings were finalized, and 959
buildings which were seriously damaged in the quake, were demolished. A
total of 66,441 dwellings and 10,901 business places were seriously damaged,
and a total of 80,160 dwellings and 9,712 business places were slightly
damaged while moderate damage were determined in a total of 67,242
dwellings and 9,927 business places. Construction of prefabricated houses
is continuing in the disaster zone. Meanwhile, a total of 67 trillion 337
billion 330 million Turkish Liras in the bank account opened at the Ziraat
Bank. A total of 18 trillion Turkish Liras were allocated to the Natural
Disaster Fund, and 5 trillion 100 billion Turkish Liras were allocated to
the Kocaeli Logistics Support Base.
[44] EU COMMISSION GIVES TURKEY'S CANDIDACY GREEN LIGHT
[45] STRASBOURG, Oct 6 (A.A) - The European Union (EU) Commission gave
green light to granting Turkey the status of candidicy at the Helsinki
Summit, it was reported on Wednesday. Addressing the European Parliament,
Gunther Verheugen, the Commissioner responsible for the EU's enlargement,
requested to grant Turkey the status of candidacy at the Helsinki Summit
which will be held in December. The EU Commission will release an official
report regarded with the issue.
[46] OPERATION IN ADANA
[47] ADANA, Oct 6 (A.A) - Two terrorists were killed and another one was
captured in an operation against a cell-house of an illegal extreme-leftist
organization in Yuregir county of southern Adana province on Tuesday. The
Adana Governor's Office issued a statement saying that security forces, who
acted on a tip-off, determined that some members of the illegal
Revolutionary People's Salvation Party-Front (DHKP-C) had come from
southern Hatay province to Adana to stage attacks. Revealing the cell where
those terrorists were sheltering, the security forces launched an operation
into that cell in Akincilar district in Yuregir county. An armed clash
erupted when the terrorists who responded to security forces' calls and
warnings with gunfire. Two male terrorists were killed and another one was
captured alive in the clash. In their search in the cell, security forces
found a long-range weapon, two pistols, three time-bombs, equipment used in
producing bombs and a number organizational documents.
[48] 36TH GOLDEN ORANGE FILM FESTIVAL - ''LADY SALKIM'S GRAINS'' RECEIVES
BEST FILM AWARD
[49] ANTALYA, Oct 6 (A.A) - The ''Lady Salkim's Grains (Salkim Hanimin
Taneleri)'' directed by Tomris Giritlioglu, received the Best Film Award in
the 36th Golden Orange (Altin Portakal) Film Festival, it was reported on
Wednesday. The 36th Golden Orange Film Festival concluded with the award
ceremony at the ancient Aspendos Theatre near Serik county of southern
Antalya province. Nuri Bilge Ceylan, director of ''May Boredom (Mayis
Sikintisi)'' was awarded as the Best Director. The names of award-winning
films, artists and technical staff are as follows: Best Film : Lady
Salkim's Grains The 2nd Best Film : May Boredom The 3rd Best Film : Third
Page (Ucuncu Sayfa) Best Director : Nuri Bilge Ceylan (May Boredom) Best
Script : Zeki Demirkubuz (Third Page) Best Female Performance: Basak
Koklukaya (Third Page) Best Male Performance : Ugur Polat (Lady Salkim's
Grains) Best Supporting Actress: Serra Yilmaz (Harem Suare), and Imge Keler
(Lola and Bilidikid) Best Supporting Actor : Ercan Yazgan (Trial) Best
Soundtrack : Tamer Ciray (Lady Salkim's Grains) Best Montage : Mevlut Kocak
(Lady Salkim's Grains) Best Art Director : Mustafa Ziya Ulkenciler (Harem
Suare and Lady Salkim's Grains) Best Picture Director : Ali Utku (Third
Page) Best Laboratory : Fono Film (May Boredom)
[50] ALLEGATIONS AGAINST RED CRESCENT
[51] ANKARA, October 6 (A.A) - Regarding the allegations of a corruption of
the Red Crescent organization, Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said ''an
investigation would be opened if Red Crescent was involved in a
corruption.'' After attending the opening ceremony of Baskent University,
Ecevit answered the questions of reporters. When reminded about the tv
programme broadcast on Tuesday night about the Red Crescent, the Prime
Minister said ''he did not watch the programme.'' ''If there is a
corruption, then an investigation would be opened. We all have lessons to
learn from the earthquake. I did not watch the programme so I cannot make a
comment,'' he told reporters.
[52] TURKISH, GREEK AND ISRAELI MUSIC TO BE PLAYED AT CHICAGO CONCERT FOR
BENEFIT OF QUAKE SURVIVORS
[53] CHICAGO, October 6 (A.A) - Aid campaigns in the U.S. are continuing
with special nights that are organized for the benefit of quake survivors,
it was reported on Wednesday. Samples of Turkish, Greek and Israeli music
will be played at the concert on October 17. The revenue obtained from the
concert will be donated to quake victims. The concert will take place at
North Western University by the efforts of Chicago Turkish-American
Association, some Jewish organizations and Turkish, Greek, Jewish and U.S.
businessmen.
[54] TURKISH-EU RELATIONS - ANKARA WAITS FOR HELSINKI SUMMIT
[55] ANKARA, October 6 (A.A) - Turkey waits for European Union (EU) summit
that will take place in Helsinki in December for the announcement of its
full membership to EU, it was reported on Wednesday. Sermet Atacanli,
Foreign Ministry Deputy Spokesman, told a weekly news conference that a
process started, which can be regarded as important, within the context of
Turkish-EU relations, before the EU summit that will take place in Helsinki
in December, adding that enlargement process of the Union will mainly be
discussed during the summit. Noting that intense contacts carried out
between Turkey and EU member countries were carried out, Atacanli said
''Foreign Minister Ismail Cem invited foreign ministers of countries which
are EU members, who will come to Istanbul due to Organization for Security
and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). Our minister will also pay a visit to
Sweden and Denmark following OSCE summit.'' Pointing out that all these
contacts of Foreign Ministry formed an important corner stone that will go
to Helsinki, Atacanli said ''there is a 'progress report' which EU
commission prepares within this framework. This is a very important report.
This report is expected to be disclosed on October 13.'' Atacanli noted
that references that will be made to Turkey were important, and that Turkey
continued its contacts during preparation process, adding that ''Lately,
they have invited our Ambassador to Brussels and exchanged views. Our
Ambassador conveyed his views. I hope these thoughts will be presented
during the final formation of the report. We don't know the final form of
the report.'' Atacanli expressed hope that ''progress report'' will form an
appropriate atmosphere to take an important step in Turkish-EU relations.
He also said ''we expect Turkey's full membership to EU to be officially
confirmed or announced in summit in Helsinki.''
[56] IRAN'S CLAIMS OF BOMBARDMENT AGAINST TURKEY - ATACANLI, FOREIGN
MINISTRY DEPUTY SPOKESMAN: ''REPORT PREPARED BY INVESTIGATION DELEGATION
COMPLETED AND IT IS CLEAR THAT NO BOMBARDMENT TOOK PLACE ON IRANIAN
TERRITORY BY TURKISH PLANES''
[57] ANKARA, Oct 6 (A.A) - Sermet Atacanlı, the Foreign Ministry Deputy
Spokesman said on Wednesday that the delegation, which investigates the
Iranian accusations of bombardment against Turkey, concluded its report and
Turkey decided to help in compensating the damage somehow. Responding to a
question in the weekly press briefing, Atacanlı said that the Turkish
delegation which came to the region concluded its report, adding ''it
became clear that no bombardment took place by Turkish planes, only a
region in Northern Iraq is at the agenda and certain people of Iranian
origin could had been damaged by that.'' Atacanlı said that ''it is decided
that the existing concerned committees will take up the issues of
compensating this damage by Turkey within the framework of the friendship
relation with Iran and due to humanitarian concerns.'' Turkish-Iranian
relations were tensed after Iran accused Turkey of staging bomb attacks
against Iranian territory and later Iran didn't release the two Turkish
soldiers who were kept under custody. A special investigation team had left
for Iran to investigate the bombardment claims. The Foreign Ministry had
said after the visit of the investigation delegation that the delegation
had examined three places shown by Iran, adding ''it was understood from
technical research that one of these places was in Northern Iraq, outside
Iranian territory.'' Iran had released two Turkish soldiers on August 9.
[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN
[02] These are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in
Turkey's press on October 6, 1999. The Anadolu Ajansi does not verify these
stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.
[03] HURRIYET (LIBERAL) - ------------------ THEY PRESS THE BUTTON
Demonstration of students wearing Islamic headscarfs, began as soon as the
new academic year started, after a mysterious hand pressed the button.
Intelligence units said that the Woman Rights Association Against
Discrimination (AK-DER) will organize a demonstration in Istanbul on
October 10 to protest the ban on Islamic headscarf. The illegal leftist
organizations and the terrorist organization PKK are expected to support
the demonstration.
[04] TRIAL OF THE HEAD OF THE TERRORIST ORGANIZATION Appeals hearing of
Abdullah Ocalan, the head of the terrorist organization, who was sentenced
to capital punisment by the Ankara State Security Court (DGM) No: 2, will
start at 09:00 local time on October 7 in the 9th Criminal Panel of the
Supreme Court. Ocalan, who is under arrest on Imrali Island, will not
participate in the hearing. The lawyers will make defense towards the
direction of the reasons of the appeal. Under the Supreme Court law,
intervenors and their lawyers can not participate in the appeals hearings.
To this end, relatives and lawyers of martyrs and the ones who were wounded
by the terrorist organization can only attend the hearing as audiences.
[05] MILLIYET (LIBERAL) - ----------------- EARTHQUAKE SHAKES MARMARIS A
predawn earthquake measuring 5.2 on the Richter scale shook Marmaris county
of Aegean Mugla province on Tuesday for seven seconds. A total of 103
people were injured. 23 of them broke their legs and arms when they had
jumped out from the windows and balconies in panic. One person who has
broken his waist jumping from the balcony, is in critical condition.
[06] SECOND EURASIA ECONOMIC SUMMIT STARTS The ''2nd Eurasia Economic
Summit'' which was organized by the Marmara Group Strategical and Social
Researches Foundation, started. The summit aims at improving economic and
political relations among the Turkish Republics. President Suleyman Demirel
sent a message to Akkan Suver, Chairman of the Marmara Group Strategical
and Social Researches Foundation. Yildirim Akbulut, Speaker of Parilament,
represents Turkey at the summit.
[07] SABAH (LIBERAL) - -------------- TWO TERRORISTS KILLED IN ADANA Two
terrorists were killed and another one was captured in an operation against
a cell-house of an illegal extreme-leftist organization in Yuregir county
of southern Adana province. Acting on a tip-off, security forces determined
that some members of the illegal Revolutionary People's Salvation Party-
Front (DHKP-C) had come from southern Hatay province to Adana to stage
attacks. An armed clash erupted when the terrorists who responded to
security forces' calls and warnings with gunfire. Two male terrorists were
killed and another one was captured alive in the clash.
[08] CEM DUE TO VENEZUELLA AND CUBA Ismail Cem, Foreign Minister, will
visit Venezuella and Cuba in October within framework of Turkey's opening
policy towards Latin America. Cem will pay official visits to Venezuella
between October 17-19, and to Cuba between October 20-23. Cem's visits aim
at improving existing economic cooperation with these two countries. Cem is
also expected to be received by President Fidel Castro of Cuba.
[09] CUMHURIYET (LEFT) - ---------------- AMNESTY AGAIN ON AGENDA The
partners of the coalition can't reach a compromise on the Amnesty Law which
was vetoed by the President. The parties will first of all adopt their
proposals and the leaders will give the last shape. The MHP, which gave up
its request for taking out the amnesty for gangs from the scope, Mesut
Yilmaz of the Motherland Party (ANAP), some ministers and a number of
mayors want the crime of ''misusing the authority'' taken out from the
scope, enabling them not to be tried courts. The Democratic Left Party
(DSP) wants the gangs, torturers, murderers and people who misused their
authority taken out from the scope.
[10] DYP SEEKS NEW LEADER The opposition in the True Path Party (DYP) wants
to present one candidate against Tansu Ciller in the Sixth Regular Congress
on November 20. The opposition, which plans to announce the name of their
candidate in the last week of October, are preparing a declaration. Mehmet
Agar said he supported the opposition.
[11] OCALAN CHANGES HIS TUNE Abdullah Ocalan, the head of the terrorist PKK
organization who called the terrorists on mountains to lay down their arms,
changed his tune. In his new statement he made through his lawyers, Ocalan
said that the legal frame had still not been concluded for laying down
arnm. Ocalan added that the PKK would be totally disarmed if this legal
frame was finalized.
[12] RADIKAL (LEFT) - --------------- PEACE WINS The ''Nikiforos-Toksotis''
military exercise on Cyprus created concerns that it would overshadow the
warming relations between Turkey and Greece but the statements of Akis
Tsohatzopoulos, the Greek Defense Minister, relieved the atmosphere and
eased the worries. While Turkey is carefully following whether planes will
land at the Baf Airbase, the Greek Defense Minister announced that they did
not think of landing a plane in Baf.
[13] TÜRKİYE (RIGHT) - ---------------- BAHCELI: ''REFORM IS OBLIGATORY''
Devlet Bahceli of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) said, ''we find
reducing the political reform discussions to election of president, and
discussing the issue by distracting it from the general frame wrong. The
new century should be welcomed with a new Constitution. The election of the
President should not be made quickly.''
[14] AKTAS SEQUESTRATED The Ministry of Energy sequestrated as of today the
management of the Aktas Electricity Trade Inc, which distributes
electricity in the Anatolian bench of Istanbul.
[15] EURASIA INSPIRES HOPE The potential powers of the region have been
once again put forward at the Second Eurasia Economic Summit in Istanbul.
Mehmet Yildirim, the Chairman of the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce, thinks
that the trade volume between Turkey and the region would increase over to
100 billion U.S. dollars if cooperation with the Turkish Republics was
developed.
[16] ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE) - -------------------- STUDENTS BECOME UNABLE TO
STOMACH UNIVERSITY OFFICIALS Students are allowed to enter the university
according to the length of their hair and beard. The ban on long hair and
beard in the university pleased the barbers and hairdressers. The comedy,
which started at the Istanbul University, spreaded to the Marmara
University. The male students who wear earrings, and their classmates whose
hair are long or who cultivated beard, shared the same destiny with the
female students wearing head-scarves. Officials became aware of this
comical situation and softened the ban. Now the students are allowed to
enter the university according to the length of their hair and beard.
[17] FENERBAHCE DEALS WITH SCALA Nevio Scala of Italy is likely to be the
new coach of Fenerbahce soccer team. Fenerbahce President Aziz Yildirim
nearly reached an agreement with Scala. Yildirim offered a one-year
contract to Scala, saying, ''Fenerbahce is the best soccer team in Turkey.
Money is not important, We will accept your conditions.'' Scala said, ''I
know Fenerbahce. A two-year contract will be more beneficial for both of
us.''
[18] CLOSURE CASE AGAINST FP - SUPREME COURT CHIEF PUBLIC PROSECUTOR SAVAS
SENDS HIS 105-PAGE OPINION ON MERITS OF CASE TO CONSTITUTIONAL COURT
[19] ANKARA, Oct 6 (A.A) - Vural Savas, the Chief Public Prosecutor of the
Supreme Court of Appeals, sent on Wednesday his 105-page opinion on the
merits of the case, which he had opened for the closure of the Virtue Party
(FP) with charges that ''it is the continuation of the closed Welfare Party
(RP) and became the center of activities against secularism'', to the
Constitutional Court. Savas, in his opinion on the merist of the case,
mentioned that the second paragraph, which was included in Article 103 of
the Law on Political Parties, was contrary to the Constitution. Recalling
that the Constitutional Court annuled the former second paragraph in the
case opened for the closure of the RP accepting that it was contrary to the
Constitution, Savas defended that the new arrangement was also contrary to
the Constitution so it should be annuled. Chief Public Prosecutor Savas
mentioned his opinions about human rights, the laws in Europe against
terrorism, limits of secret hearing and freedom of thought. Noting that
political parties were closed also in Europe, Savas investigated thoroughly
the meaning of international agreements in national laws. Making statements
about the discussions on ''A New Constitution'' and ''A New Secular
Understanding'', Savas said, ''it has not been seen that stereotype people
are educated in the schools giving secular education but it is impossible
to say the same thing for the schools giving theological education. The
Republic of Turkey should not give up implementing the Law on Education
Union.'' Savas claimed that it would be contrary to the Constitution if the
telephone conversation between Necmettin Erbakan, the leader of the closed
RP, and Yasin Hatipoglu, the former Acting Speaker of the Parliament and a
FP deputy, was not taken as an evidence. Savas repuested the annulment of
the second paragraph of Article 103 of the Law on Poltical Parties, and the
closure of the FP permanently in accordance with the indictment, additional
evidences and his opinion on the merits of the case.
[20] CLOSURE CASE AGAINST FP
[21] ANKARA, Oct 6 (A.A) - Vural Savas, the Chief Public Prosecutor of the
Supreme Court, said on Wednesday, ''the contemporary and dynamic circle of
our nation, and our real intellectuals, even their number is decreasing,
are aware of the things that Ataturk could do if he would have lived in
today's Turkey where the separatist activities and fundamentalist threat
were increased. They feel very ashamed of failing in sufficiently
protecting him and his inheritance.' Savas sent his 105-page opinion on the
merits of the case he had opened for the closure of the Virtue Party (FP)
to the Constitutional Court, mentioning that the second paragraph of
Article 103 of the Law on Political Parties was contrary to the
Constitution. Recalling that the Constitutional Court annuled the former
second paragraph in the case opened for the closure of the RP accepting
that it was contrary to the Constitution, Savas defended that the new
arrangement was also contrary to the Constitution so it should be annuled.
Giving place to opinions of some scientists and columnists about the issue,
Savas stressed that any judicial order couldn't permit the protection of a
political party which carries out activities to base the state's social,
economic, political or legal basic order onto religious rules. Asking the
question, ''This political party's activities, of which contrariness to the
Constitution were proved, will be allowed by not closing it with the
pretext that the factors concerning the ''center'' definition mentioned in
the second paragraph of Article 103 of the Law on Political Parties were
not documented. Is that so?'', Savas said that the paragraph in question
had been revised in contrary to the Constitution by completely ignoring the
Constitutional Court's decision for annulment of the former paragraph.
Expressing his opinions on the merits of the case, Savas said the most
serious human rights abuses were not made by the state or state officials
but by terrorist organizations. Savas said that it could easily be
understood that accusing Turkey of having sufficient democracy was an
injustice if the terrorism that Turkey was suffering, was taken into
consideration, and the laws in Turkey were compared with the laws in other
democratic countries. Giving information about the struggle against
terrorism in Belgium, Britain, Germany, France, Italy and Spain, and the
arrangements about the issue, Savas said the basic rights and freedoms were
restricted with laws in those countries. Stressing the importance of the
European Court of Human Rights' decision against the members of the Irish
Republican Army (IRA), Savas said the revisions, which could be described
with the concept of ''militant democracy'', was reflected in the
constitutional and legal arrangements of democratic countries concerning
political parties. Noting that the dominant opinion stressed that the
understanding of ''militant democracy'' should not be given up in doctrine,
Savas defended that the problems couldn't be overcome without adopting the
understanding of ''militant democracy'' if ''the economic development was
not concluded'', ''the ethnic and religious differences were itching by the
people who want to separate the country'' and ''the terrorist activities
were increased''. ''Actually, the decisions of the Constitutional Court for
the closure of political parties were totally appropriate to these opinions
and the understanding of militant democracy. These decisisons, for which
there is no doubt that they are appropirate to our social realities and the
Constitution, granted the Constitutional Court a real respect,'' he said.
Savas said it couldn't be accepted that the European Human Rights Charter
had supremacy over the Constitution and Laws in the Turkish judicial
system. Criticizing the European Court of Human Rights decision after the
closure of the Socialist Party, Savas said, ''this decision couldn't be
taken against Britain, Germany or France but it was taken against us. Now
the point that Turkey has reached, is an interesting point. If we totally
abide by the decisions of this court, we will have to change many things in
the Constitution including the Kemalist state structure. This will mean the
silently adoptation of a Constitution without ideology through the court.
Can the state be kept together in this situation? We don't know,'' he said.
Claiming that some columnists and intellectuals had the inclations of
''excusing terrorism'' while the activities of the PKK, which was the most
cruel terrorist organization of the history, Savas said, ''they always talk
about the west, science and contemporaneity. However, it has not seen that
they managed to make a proper scientific analysis of a problem.'' Stressing
that the freedom of expression of thoughts was not unlimited in
contemporary democracies as it was claimed, and there was not a country
that managed to prevent terrorism by giving the terrorists and their
supporters the freedom of organization, Savas said Hitler and Mussolini
became the power and shed blood in Europe as their activities couldn't be
prevented in Germany and Italy not because there was not a democratic
atmosphere, freedom of expression and organization in those countries.
Recalling that censorship was the most important situation which did not
suit the freedom of expression, and the broadcasts about terrorist
acivities of radio stations and television channels had been banned in
Northern Ireland between 1971 and 1994, Savas said the German Penal Code
limited the broadcasts which exalt violent movements, provoke terrorizing
gruops. ''Unfortunately, most of the television channels in Turkey do not
obey these rules. They can even broadcast the daily orders of Abdullah
Ocalan, the head of the terrorist PKK organization. Besides. there is not
an authority to prevent this. The laws are in this way in Europe. They want
to put pressure on Turkey saying that she does not abide by the
international agreements she signed while the implementations are in this
way. Were these agreements and charters signed only by Turkey?,'' he added.
[22] CLOSURE CASE AGAINST FP - ''LIBERAL INTELLECTUALS NEVER ACCEPT THAT
THERE ARE THREATS TOWARDS REGIME AND INTEGRITY OF THE COUNTRY TO SHOW THEIR
THOUGHTS AS CONSISTENT''
[23] ANKARA, October 6 (A.A) - Vural Savas, the Chief Public Prosecutor of
the Supreme Court, in his 105-page opinion on the merits of the case gave
examples from various countries where freedom of expression was limited.
Listing several articles regarding the Anti-Terrorism law and freedom of
action in Britain, Savas said this law included more restrictive provisions
when compared with Anti-Terrorism law in Turkey. Savas pointed out that
according to French Press Law, it was forbidden to jolt basis of political
system, and to make criticisms to provoke public order, and recalled that
immunity of Le Pen was lifted in France as he said ''gas-rooms are details
during II World War.'' Savas said German Constitution foresaw that several
basic rights and freedoms can be lost by the decision of Constitutional
Court if they are abused. Giving examples from the applications in Spain,
Vural Savas, the Chief Public Prosecutor of Supreme Court, said Miguel
Castells, a senator, who supported independence of Basque region, was
sentenced to imprisonment because of an article which included criticisms
towards the government regarding unclarified murders.'' Savas, in his
opinion on the merits of the case, mentioned about the struggle carried out
against separatist action in the U.S. and ''Clean Hands'' operation started
in Italy. He said ''noone speaks about these. Everbody does his best not to
inform our citizens.'' ''Socalled contemporary jurists are contended with
repeating general expressions which are reflected in the decisions of the
European Human Rights Court about freedom of expression,'' Savas said,
adding that the same court interpreted this general principle in different
ways in several cases. Giving an example to this, Savas recalled that
European Human Rights Court, while evaluating the opposition of Mehdi Zana,
former Diyarbakir Mayor, against his imprisonment sentence that was given
under Article 312 of Turkish Penal Code (TCK), decided that ''the Article
in question did not violate the rule of freedom of expression in the
European Human Rights Convention.'' Making quotations from the most famous
man of letters of the world, Savas said German Poet Heine said ''the best
friends of the devil is the liberal intellectuals who don't believe in the
existence of the devil.'' Savas defended that ''such kind of intellectuals,
in order to show their ideas consistent, never accept that there are
threats forwarded to the integrity of the country, and claim that such
dangers can only be overcome by not bringing a restriction to freedom of
thought (including the provocations and propoganda). No intellectual has
been seen in our country saying there is the danger of fundamentalism and
separatism in our country and condemning terrorist PKK despite its bloody
actions. Yet, they pave the most beautiful stones in the way going to hell.
This is why they were welcomed by political islamists, who have never been
democract, and by separatists.'' Responding to the allegation which was
included in pre-defense of Virtue Party (FP), that telephone talk between
Necmettin Erbakan, former leader of the closed Welfare Party (FP), and
Yasin Hatipoglu, former Acting Parliament Speaker, can not form an evidence
to closure case, Savas said ''in our opinion, it is unacceptable for the
judge to ignore evidence that may be obtained illegally. It may be true
that the evidence was obtained in a criminal way, but common sense entails
that this does not mean that its use is also criminal.'' Noting that the
conversation between Leyla Zana, former deputy of Democracy Party (DEP),
and Sedat Bucak, Sanliurfa deputy of True Path Party (DYP) was tapped in a
way that is contradictory to law, Savas said Ankara DGM no:1 took into
consideration the whole casette while giving the sentence of Zana. Savas
also mentioned about ''a new constitution'' and ''a new secularism
understanding.'' Recalling that Chief Prosecutorship was assigned to apply
to the Constitution, not criticizing it, Savas said he did not write his
individual views on the merits of the case. Pointing out that Article 24 of
the Constitution foresaw that ''nobody could base social, economic,
political or legal order of the state to principles of religion,'' Savas
said if jurists fail to fulfill their obligations against the actions which
were banned by the constitution, the public order will be spoilt. In the
final part, Savas demanded annulment or closure of FP by evaluating the
indictment, additional evidences and the merits of the case. FP will give
its written defense in the following stage of the closure case. After this,
Vural Savas will make a verbal statement and FP officials will also make
verbal defense. After the conclusion of all these stages, Constitutional
Court delegation will convene and will give its decision regarding the
closure case.
[24] MINISTER OF ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES IN TURKMENISTAN
[25] ASKABAT, October 6 (A.A) - Cumhur Ersumer, Minister of Energy and
Natural Resources, had a meeting with Sapharmurad Nuriyev, the Deputy Prime
Minister of Turkmenistan who is in charge of electricity, it was reported
on Wednesday. Ersumer visited the Turkish Embassy in Askhabad following his
meeting with Nuriyev. Here, Ersumer came together with Yollu Gurban Muratov,
the Deputy Prime Minister in charge of oil and natural gas and high level
officials of Turkmen Natural Gas consortium.
[26] TURKEY-IMF
[27] WASHINGTON/ANKARA, Oct 6 (A.A) - The International Monetary Fund (IMF)
will extend technical and financial assistance to short-term borrowings
monitoring system in nine countries including Turkey, it was reported on
Wednesday. According to the principle, which was presented to the IMF
Interim Committee and adopted, the short-term borrowing movements
monitoring system in Turkey, Argentina, Brazil, South Korea, Mexico,
Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand and Ecuador will be strengthened. In
accordance with the principle which the IMF dwells upon, the activities
between the short-term borrowings should be carefully and regularly
monitored to prevent the occurance of a basis for crisis in financial
markets. The IMF, which focused on new borrowing aid principles and
supervising mechanisms after the loan scandal in Russia, will intensify on
the financial sector in the countries with whom it signed stand-by
agreements. The IMF experts will focus on the issue of putting the
financial sector in the member country on a more concrete basis during the
talks held within the framework of stand-by agreement. Claiming that the
weakness in financial sector was the reason for Asia crisis, IMF experts
said consolidation of financial sector concerning the stand-by, which was
supported by the IMF, and similar agreements would be the pre-condition.
IMF experts will first of all request the institutionalization of financial
sector of the member country, and a neutral supervision of the sector. The
IMF, which targeted at preventing the global crisis by strengthening the
international financial structure, will request the member countries to
publicly announce the financial figures in specific periods.
[28] MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND SOCIAL SECURITY APPIES TO WORLD BANK TO GET A
SHARE FROM 750 MILLION US DOLLAR CREDIT SET ASIDE FOR TURKEY
[29] ANKARA, October 6 (A.A) - The Ministry of Labour and Social Security
applied to the World bank for credit to get a share from the 750 million
U.S. dollar total credit which the World Bank set aside for Turkey because
of the quake disaster, it was reported on Wednesday. The Ministry asked for
credit to meet the loss suffered by Social Security Authority (SSK),Social
Security Agency for Artisans and the Self Employed (Bagkur) and SSK
hospitals. The Ministry authorities pointed out that SSK and Bagkur
collected a major part of their premiums from Marmara region, therefore
there was a sharp drop in the collection of premiums by SSK and Bagkur
after the earthquake which struck this region. Moreover, hospitals,
buildings and personnel residences of SSK suffered heavy damage in the
quake, the authorities added and said the World Bank credit would be used
to repair these buildings. After the quake, the Ministry has been
continuing to give service at prefabricated hospitals which brought an
additional cost to their budget. Talks between the Ministry of Labour and
the World Bank continue.
[30] EU COMMISSION SHEDS GREEN LIGHT FOR TURKEY'S CANDIDACY
[31] STRASBOURG, October 6 (A.A) - Gunther Verheugen, who is in charge of
European Union (EU) enlargement in EU Commission, said Turkey should be
given candidady status, during the speech he gave at the European
Parliament on Wednesday. The EU Commission will publish an official report
on the subject next week. On the other hand, Kimmo Sasi, the Trade Minister
of Finland who spoke on behalf of EU Term President did not mention
Turkey's candidacy status. The lack of a consensus within the EU about
Turkey's candidacy status holds Finland back from making a commitment over
this issue. During Wednesday's session, the Christian Democrat Group of the
European Parliament which holds the highest number of seats in the
Parliament with 233 seats openly opposed giving Turkey candidacy status at
Helsinki Summit. The Socialist Group which has 180 seats, although did not
display a clear stance on Turkey's status, gave the message that they were
against Turkey's candidacy. Liberals and Greens which are small groups in
the EP argued that Turkey should be given a clear message at Helsinki about
its status. The EP currently does not possess the right to take a binding
decision about Turkey's full membership. A decision will be reached on this
subject in Helsinki under the views of the EU Commission and EU
governments. The EP has the right to say the final word about the
acceptance of applying countries to the EU.
[32] WORDS OF PAPANDREU, GREEK FOREIGN MINISTER - ATACANLI, FOREIGN
MINISTRY DEPUTY SPOKESMAN: ''WE DON'T AGREE WITH CERTAIN EXPRESSIONS USED
BY PAPANDREU IN HIS SPEECH''
[33] ANKARA, Oct 6 (A.A) - Sermet Atacanlı, the Foreign Ministry Deputy
Spokesman, said on Wednesday that they don't agree with certain expressions
used by Yorgo Papandreu, the Greek Foreign Minister during Taksim meetings
about the Cyprus question. Addressing a weekly press briefing, Atacanlı
pointed out that they were pleased to see Papandreu once again in Turkey
and they hope this visit will contribute positively to relations between
the two countries within the framework of the dialogue process. Atacanlı
pointed out that the 1974 operation, which aimed to save Turkish Cypriots
on Cyprus from massacre, was held within the framework of the rights given
by 1960 guarantee agreement to Turkey and Greece, which is also a guarantor
state and Greece has to know this well. Atacanlı, the Deputy Spokesman said
when evaluating Papandreu's words referring to Turkish Cypriots as minority,
that ''Papandreu's describing Turkish nation as a minority is certainly a
mistake. Turkish Cypriot nation has never had the status of minority in the
history. It is one of the owners of the island and also the equal sovereign
founder of the Cyprus Republic in 1960. It is clear that it established the
Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus in 1983 by its own will. These facts
have to be known by Greek officials.'' Atacanlı said that Greece's
regarding the Cyprus question from a realistic point of view will also help
in searches for a common solution on the island.
[34] U.S. AND TURKISH LAWYERS DISCUSS PENALTY LAW
[35] DIYARBAKIR, October 6 (A.A) - Ten U.S. lawyers participated in the
seminar in Diyarbakir titled ''Professional Cooperation between Turkish and
U.S. lawyers in Application of the Penalty Law'' on Wednesday. The seminar
is organized by the joint efforts of Diyarbakir Bar and the U.S. based
Lawyers Committee for Human Rights. Mustafa Ozer, the President of
Diyarbakir Bar, who spoke at the opening said the 1982 Constitution
seriously limited freedoms and human rights and added that human rights
issue was no longer a internal issue but a universal one. Nihat Cakar, the
Chief Prosecutor of Diyarbakir State Security Court, Rana Yilmaz, the Chief
Prosecutor of Diyarbakir Republic Court, Ozdemir Ozok, the Secretary
General of Turkey Bars Union and lawyers of Diyarbakir are attending the
seminar which will end on Wednesday.
[36] TRIAL OF THE HEAD OF THE TERRORIST ORGANIZATION - APPEAL HEARING AT
SUPREME COURT TO START ON TUHRSDAY
[37] ANKARA, Oct 6 (A.A) - The Supreme Court will start on Thursday to hear
the appeal case of Abdullah Ocalan, the head of the terrorist PKK
organization who was sentenced to death by the Ankara State Security Court
(DGM) No:2 with charges of ''carrying out activities aimed at separating a
part of the territories under the state's sovereignty from the state
administration by directing and conducting the terrorist PKK organization
with his orders and instructions,'' it was reported on Wednesday. The
hearing at the Supreme Court Criminal Department No:9 will start at 09:00
local time tomorrow. While the head terrorist, who is currently staying in
prison on Imrali Island, won't attend the hearing, his lawyers will make a
defense in accordance with their reasons if they won't request the Court to
postpone the hearing. Dogan Erbas, one of the lawyers of Ocalan, in his
statement yesterday, said they couldn't finalize their preparations for
their defense so they might ask the Court to adjourn the hearing. If the
lawyers make this request, the Supreme Court Criminal Department No:9 will
make a decision on Thursday about the request for postponement. In
accordance with the Law on Supreme Court, the intervenors and their lawyers
can't attend the appeal hearing. Thus the relatives of the people, who were
killed by the PKK terrorists, the people who were injured by the PKK
terrorists, and their lawyers can attend tomorrow's appeal hearing as
spectators if Ocalan's lawyers won't request postponement. If the hearing
is concluded tomorrow, the five-member Criminal Department delegation led
by Demirel Tavil will determine the day for announcement of the verdict.
The sides will be informed of this date. Meanwhile, the courtfile of the
head of the terrorist organization was observed by a scrutinizer judge
prior to the appeal hearing. Following the hearing, the scrutinizer judge
will brief the Criminal Department delegation on whole content of the
courtfile including the statements of Ocalan's lawyers. After the
delegation carries out the necessary negatiations on the courtfile, it will
announce its decision in the date it will determine. If the Supreme Court
Criminal Department No:9 approves the death penalty handed down on Ocalan,
the verdict will become definite. In this situation, Ocalan will have the
right of requesting ''correction of decision'' which is known as the
extraordinary legal way. This request has to be accepted first of all by
Vural Savas, the Chief Public Prosecutor of the Supreme Court who wants the
approval of death sentence on Ocalan. If Savas rejects that request, the
internal remedies will be exhausted for Ocalan. In this case, the dossier
will be sent to the Justice Ministry and later to the Parliament for the
execution of the death sentence. The issue of whether Ocalan will be
executed depends on the Parliament's decision. If the Supreme Court
Criminal Department No:9 annuls the verdict in respect of procedure or
merits of the case of the head of the terrorist organization, Ocalan will
be again tried by the Ankara DGM No:2 on Imrali Island. The trial of Ocalan
which started on May 31 on Imrali Island, was finalized on June 29 after
nine hearings. Meanwhile, security forces took intense measures around the
Supreme Court building.
[38] TURKISH-ARMENIAN RELATIONS INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM STARTS IN IGDIR
[39] IGDIR, October 6 (A.A) - Ramazan Mirzaoglu, the State Minister
stressed that Turks never committed genocide throughout the history, at the
international symposium which started in Igdir on Wednesday. The symposium
focuses on Turkish-Armenian relations. Mirzaoglu said he hoped historical
realities would be unearthed with the help of objective Turkish and foreign
scientists who are participating in the symposium. ''The bones that are
found in mass graves belong to the Turks. The mass grave in Hakmehmet
village is the most recent example. Armenian, Jewish and Russian minorities
enjoyed a free life in the Ottoman Empire. Patriarchates and other places
of worship prove this. Unfortunately, imperialist states abused Armenians.
They made them form gangs and provoked them against Turks by giving them
arms. They rioted but Turks never killed those who rioted,'' he explained.
The Minister also pointed out that today Armenians and Jewish people led a
happy life in Turkey and continued: ''Armenian and Jewish minorities became
the richest groups living in Turkey. These minorities not only live a free
life but also make commerce without being exposed to any kind of pressure.
How could Armenian and Jewish minorities have become so rich if Turkey
oppressed them? We are facing with the biggest betrayal of the century. The
Turkish Republic always supports to resolve problems through peaceful ways.
Turkey does not want peace only between Turks and Armenians but all around
the world.'' Prof. Azmi Suslu, the President of Ataturk Research Center who
spoke at the symposium argues that it was Armenians who committed a
genocide. Suslu said Armenians massacred one million Turks. ''Turks who
live in Van, Mus, Bingol, Igdir and Erzurum have been massacred by
Armenians. A U.S. group of parliamentarians also found out that one million
Turks have been killed,'' he added. Opening of the graves have been
postponed because of respect for the dead, he added. ''Even though it is
late, mass graves all around Anatolia will be opened and it will be proven
that the Armenians committed a genocide. Our studies on this field continue
as long as terrorism, land and compensation discussions continue. We will
continue to dig out realities one by one. I hope that the genocide monument
in Igdir turns to a research and education center,'' he said. The symposium
is attended by scientists from Naxchivan, France, Austria and Italy.
[40] ITALIAN COURT GRANTS POLITICAL ASYLUM RIGHT TO HEAD TERRORIST -
ATACANLI, FOREIGN MINISTRY DEPUTY SPOKESMAN: ''WE'VE NOTED THAT ITALIAN
GOVERNMENT REQUESTED ITALIAN COURT TO REJECT THE DEMAND''
[41] ANKARA, Oct 6 (A.A) - Sermet Atacanlı, the Foreign Ministry Deputy
Spokesman described on Wednesday the decision of the Rome Second Appeal
Court which granted political asylum right to the head of the terrorist
organization PKK as ''unpleasant development,'' adding the bilateral
relations between the two countries have to be freed from this issue.
Responding to questions in a weekly press briefing, Atacanlı evaluated the
verdict of the Rome Second Appeal Court which granted political asylum
right to Abdullah Ocalan, the head terrorist. Atacanlı stressed that this
decision does not have any practical value or meaning in respect of Turkish
law. ''In the legal process started by the Italian court, the Italian
government said that this asylum request should be rejected. The court took
this decision in spite of this suggestion and request of the government. We
noted the request of the Italian government to the Italian court saying
that the asylum demand had to be rejected,'' said Atacanlı, adding that
Turkey and Italy are two ally countries and the positive relations between
the two countries are to the benefit of the two countries. Noting that the
officials of the two countries launch efforts to maintain positive
relations, Atacanlı said that the visit of Lamberto Dini, the Italian
Foreign Minister to Turkey started a positive period. Atacanlı said that
Korkmaz Haktanır, the Foreign Ministry Undersecretary will leave for Rome
in the second half of this month and come together with his Italian
counterpart. Atacanlı pointed out that Massimo D'Alema, the Italian Prime
Minister's coming to Turkey prior to the Organization on Security and
Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Summit in Istanbul is at the agenda. Atacanlı
added that ''such a tense and unpleasant atmosphere which is artificial
should be removed to maintain positive relations between the two
countries.''
[42] PRIME MINISTRY CRISIS MANAGEMENT CENTER ANNOUNCES DEATH TOLL AS 15,829
[43] ANKARA, Oct 6 (A.A) - The Prime Ministry Crisis Management Center
announced death toll as 15,829 as of 11:00 local time on Wednesday in the
wake of the 7.4-magnitude earthquake which devastated Marmara Region on
August 17. A total of 43,953 people were injured in the quake. Officials at
the Prime Ministry Crisis Management Center told the A.A correspondent that
a total of 112,268 tents have been erected in 121 tent-sites so far. Works
to haul away rubble of 3,974 collapsed buildings were finalized, and 959
buildings which were seriously damaged in the quake, were demolished. A
total of 66,441 dwellings and 10,901 business places were seriously damaged,
and a total of 80,160 dwellings and 9,712 business places were slightly
damaged while moderate damage were determined in a total of 67,242
dwellings and 9,927 business places. Construction of prefabricated houses
is continuing in the disaster zone. Meanwhile, a total of 67 trillion 337
billion 330 million Turkish Liras in the bank account opened at the Ziraat
Bank. A total of 18 trillion Turkish Liras were allocated to the Natural
Disaster Fund, and 5 trillion 100 billion Turkish Liras were allocated to
the Kocaeli Logistics Support Base.
[44] EU COMMISSION GIVES TURKEY'S CANDIDACY GREEN LIGHT
[45] STRASBOURG, Oct 6 (A.A) - The European Union (EU) Commission gave
green light to granting Turkey the status of candidicy at the Helsinki
Summit, it was reported on Wednesday. Addressing the European Parliament,
Gunther Verheugen, the Commissioner responsible for the EU's enlargement,
requested to grant Turkey the status of candidacy at the Helsinki Summit
which will be held in December. The EU Commission will release an official
report regarded with the issue.
[46] OPERATION IN ADANA
[47] ADANA, Oct 6 (A.A) - Two terrorists were killed and another one was
captured in an operation against a cell-house of an illegal extreme-leftist
organization in Yuregir county of southern Adana province on Tuesday. The
Adana Governor's Office issued a statement saying that security forces, who
acted on a tip-off, determined that some members of the illegal
Revolutionary People's Salvation Party-Front (DHKP-C) had come from
southern Hatay province to Adana to stage attacks. Revealing the cell where
those terrorists were sheltering, the security forces launched an operation
into that cell in Akincilar district in Yuregir county. An armed clash
erupted when the terrorists who responded to security forces' calls and
warnings with gunfire. Two male terrorists were killed and another one was
captured alive in the clash. In their search in the cell, security forces
found a long-range weapon, two pistols, three time-bombs, equipment used in
producing bombs and a number organizational documents.
[48] 36TH GOLDEN ORANGE FILM FESTIVAL - ''LADY SALKIM'S GRAINS'' RECEIVES
BEST FILM AWARD
[49] ANTALYA, Oct 6 (A.A) - The ''Lady Salkim's Grains (Salkim Hanimin
Taneleri)'' directed by Tomris Giritlioglu, received the Best Film Award in
the 36th Golden Orange (Altin Portakal) Film Festival, it was reported on
Wednesday. The 36th Golden Orange Film Festival concluded with the award
ceremony at the ancient Aspendos Theatre near Serik county of southern
Antalya province. Nuri Bilge Ceylan, director of ''May Boredom (Mayis
Sikintisi)'' was awarded as the Best Director. The names of award-winning
films, artists and technical staff are as follows: Best Film : Lady
Salkim's Grains The 2nd Best Film : May Boredom The 3rd Best Film : Third
Page (Ucuncu Sayfa) Best Director : Nuri Bilge Ceylan (May Boredom) Best
Script : Zeki Demirkubuz (Third Page) Best Female Performance: Basak
Koklukaya (Third Page) Best Male Performance : Ugur Polat (Lady Salkim's
Grains) Best Supporting Actress: Serra Yilmaz (Harem Suare), and Imge Keler
(Lola and Bilidikid) Best Supporting Actor : Ercan Yazgan (Trial) Best
Soundtrack : Tamer Ciray (Lady Salkim's Grains) Best Montage : Mevlut Kocak
(Lady Salkim's Grains) Best Art Director : Mustafa Ziya Ulkenciler (Harem
Suare and Lady Salkim's Grains) Best Picture Director : Ali Utku (Third
Page) Best Laboratory : Fono Film (May Boredom)
[50] ALLEGATIONS AGAINST RED CRESCENT
[51] ANKARA, October 6 (A.A) - Regarding the allegations of a corruption of
the Red Crescent organization, Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said ''an
investigation would be opened if Red Crescent was involved in a
corruption.'' After attending the opening ceremony of Baskent University,
Ecevit answered the questions of reporters. When reminded about the tv
programme broadcast on Tuesday night about the Red Crescent, the Prime
Minister said ''he did not watch the programme.'' ''If there is a
corruption, then an investigation would be opened. We all have lessons to
learn from the earthquake. I did not watch the programme so I cannot make a
comment,'' he told reporters.
[52] TURKISH, GREEK AND ISRAELI MUSIC TO BE PLAYED AT CHICAGO CONCERT FOR
BENEFIT OF QUAKE SURVIVORS
[53] CHICAGO, October 6 (A.A) - Aid campaigns in the U.S. are continuing
with special nights that are organized for the benefit of quake survivors,
it was reported on Wednesday. Samples of Turkish, Greek and Israeli music
will be played at the concert on October 17. The revenue obtained from the
concert will be donated to quake victims. The concert will take place at
North Western University by the efforts of Chicago Turkish-American
Association, some Jewish organizations and Turkish, Greek, Jewish and U.S.
businessmen.
[54] TURKISH-EU RELATIONS - ANKARA WAITS FOR HELSINKI SUMMIT
[55] ANKARA, October 6 (A.A) - Turkey waits for European Union (EU) summit
that will take place in Helsinki in December for the announcement of its
full membership to EU, it was reported on Wednesday. Sermet Atacanli,
Foreign Ministry Deputy Spokesman, told a weekly news conference that a
process started, which can be regarded as important, within the context of
Turkish-EU relations, before the EU summit that will take place in Helsinki
in December, adding that enlargement process of the Union will mainly be
discussed during the summit. Noting that intense contacts carried out
between Turkey and EU member countries were carried out, Atacanli said
''Foreign Minister Ismail Cem invited foreign ministers of countries which
are EU members, who will come to Istanbul due to Organization for Security
and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). Our minister will also pay a visit to
Sweden and Denmark following OSCE summit.'' Pointing out that all these
contacts of Foreign Ministry formed an important corner stone that will go
to Helsinki, Atacanli said ''there is a 'progress report' which EU
commission prepares within this framework. This is a very important report.
This report is expected to be disclosed on October 13.'' Atacanli noted
that references that will be made to Turkey were important, and that Turkey
continued its contacts during preparation process, adding that ''Lately,
they have invited our Ambassador to Brussels and exchanged views. Our
Ambassador conveyed his views. I hope these thoughts will be presented
during the final formation of the report. We don't know the final form of
the report.'' Atacanli expressed hope that ''progress report'' will form an
appropriate atmosphere to take an important step in Turkish-EU relations.
He also said ''we expect Turkey's full membership to EU to be officially
confirmed or announced in summit in Helsinki.''
[56] IRAN'S CLAIMS OF BOMBARDMENT AGAINST TURKEY - ATACANLI, FOREIGN
MINISTRY DEPUTY SPOKESMAN: ''REPORT PREPARED BY INVESTIGATION DELEGATION
COMPLETED AND IT IS CLEAR THAT NO BOMBARDMENT TOOK PLACE ON IRANIAN
TERRITORY BY TURKISH PLANES''
[57] ANKARA, Oct 6 (A.A) - Sermet Atacanlı, the Foreign Ministry Deputy
Spokesman said on Wednesday that the delegation, which investigates the
Iranian accusations of bombardment against Turkey, concluded its report and
Turkey decided to help in compensating the damage somehow. Responding to a
question in the weekly press briefing, Atacanlı said that the Turkish
delegation which came to the region concluded its report, adding ''it
became clear that no bombardment took place by Turkish planes, only a
region in Northern Iraq is at the agenda and certain people of Iranian
origin could had been damaged by that.'' Atacanlı said that ''it is decided
that the existing concerned committees will take up the issues of
compensating this damage by Turkey within the framework of the friendship
relation with Iran and due to humanitarian concerns.'' Turkish-Iranian
relations were tensed after Iran accused Turkey of staging bomb attacks
against Iranian territory and later Iran didn't release the two Turkish
soldiers who were kept under custody. A special investigation team had left
for Iran to investigate the bombardment claims. The Foreign Ministry had
said after the visit of the investigation delegation that the delegation
had examined three places shown by Iran, adding ''it was understood from
technical research that one of these places was in Northern Iraq, outside
Iranian territory.'' Iran had released two Turkish soldiers on August 9.
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