ECEVIT RECEIVES MESSAGE FROM SADDAM
State Minister Tunca Toskay met yesterday with Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit, carrying with him a message from Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein from Toskay’s recent visit to Iraq. Asked by reporters about the letter’s contents, Toskay said that it concerned Turkey’s outlook on the region and on recent events. “The message also includes suggestions towards averting problems which could also affect Turkey’s future in the region,” Toskay added. /Hurriyet/
CEM: “THE US SHOULD DO MORE TO END SUICIDE BOMBINGS”
Speaking to the Parliament yesterday, Foreign Minister Ismail Cem said that the United States should take a more active role in stopping the wave of suicide bombings in the Middle East. Cem also stated that the US could contribute to ending the current conflict by assuming an impartial stance towards the two sides. “We support the resolution passed by the UN Security Council last week and believe that it should be implemented immediately,” Cem added. /Hurriyet/
IMF’S KRUEGER: “TURKEY IS ON THE RIGHT TRACK”
Answering questions on Turkey, International Monetary Fund deputy Manager Director Anne Krueger said yesterday that Turkey was on the right track and that the government’s economic program was also going well. /Aksam/
DISCUSSIONS CONTINUE ON TANK DEAL WITH ISRAEL
Against a backdrop of the volatile Mideast situation and Israel’s incursion into the Palestinian West Bank, public debate in Turkey continues to swirl around whether or not to honor an M-60 tank modernization contract signed with Israel. Answering reporters’ questions on the topic yesterday, Defense Minister Sabahattin Cakmakoglu said that any cancellation of the deal would have to come through a decision by the Defense Industry Executive Committee headed by Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit. He added that modernization of F-14, F-5 and F-4 fighter jets had also been carried out by Israel during the tenure of previous Turkish governments. Meanwhile, Felicity Party (SP) leader Recai Kutan, Bulent Arinc from the Justice and Development Party (AKP) and Turhan Guven from the True Path Party (DYP) all issued calls to the government to suspend the tank modernization deal due to Israel’s West Bank military operation. /Turkiye/
CIVIL GROUPS PROTEST ISRAEL
A host of political parties, trade unions, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and students joined forces in Istanbul yesterday to protest Israel’s laying siege to Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat and moving into the Palestinian territories. A group calling itself “The Peace Initiators” made up of scholars, writers, artists and journalists issued a joint statement to denounce recent Israeli operations against the Palestinians and stressing the need for the United Nations to take immediate measures against the escalating violence in the Middle East. The group called for worldwide cooperation to aid and support the Palestinians. /Cumhuriyet/
IRAN: “THE PKK IS A TERRORIST ORGANIZATION”
State Minister Mehmet Kececiler yesterday received Iran’s Ambassador to Turkey Muhammed Huseyin Lavasani. Speaking to reporters prior to their meeting, Lavasani remarked that Iran had always attached great importance to Turkey’s concerns about the terrorist organization PKK. Recalling a meeting between Iranian President Muhammad Khatami and Turkish Foreign Minister Ismail Cem some two years ago, Lavasani said, “Khatami gave his assurances to Cem at that time that Turkey’s security was synonymous with Iran’s security.” He also remarked that Iran always stood ready to take practical measures against terrorist groups. “Iran and Turkey have both identified the PKK and the People’s Mujahadeen Organization in Iran as terrorist organizations,” said Lavasani. “That’s why both countries have to fight against these groups.” /Cumhuriyet/
ISRAEL PULLS OUT OF JOINT TURKISH-US MANEUVERS
Israel announced yesterday that it was pulling out of planned military maneuvers with Turkey and the United States scheduled for April 22-May 4 near Konya. In so doing, Israel withdrew from its first-ever joint maneuvers with the two countries. Israel cited the current unstable situation in the Middle East as a reason for its withdrawal. The letter added that Israel still hoped to participate in joint maneuvers scheduled for June and October. /Sabah/
DEMIREL BIDS FAREWELL TO BRITAIN’S QUEEN MOTHER
Former President Suleyman Demirel yesterday signed the book of condolences opened at Ankara’s British Embassy for Great Britain’s Queen Mother Elizabeth, who died late last week. Speaking of the Queen Mother, Demirel told reporters, “I knew her. We were invited to dinner at the Buckingham Palace. She was a great lady who served her country well. May God’s mercy and grace go with her.” Deputy Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz also signed the condolences book. /Sabah/
ALTERNATIFBANK IN TALKS WITH FRENCH CREDIT AGRICOLE
Alternatifbank (Abank), a division of the Anadolu Group, has entered into negotiations with French Credit Agricole Indosuez to form a possible partnership, it was announced yesterday. Anadolu head Tuncay Ozilhan, who is also president of the Turkish Industrialists’ and Businessmen’s Association, said that the talks were due to last through June 30, by which time the two banks hope to arrive at a positive result. /Milliyet/
TURKISH WEEK CELEBRATED IN CAIRO
“Turkish Week” is currently being celebrated in Cairo, Egypt, with a wide variety of activities. Turkish Culture Minister Istemihan Talay helped kick off the event at the Sheraton Hotel in Cairo on Monday with the attendance of a number of distinguished Turkish and Egyptian guests. During the ceremony, a fashion show was presented and authentic Turkish food was promoted along with Turkish music. Earlier in the week, Talay also attended the opening ceremony for a Turkish martyrs’ cemetery which was restored by Turkey’s MNG Holding Company. The Turkish Week activities are set to last through Friday. /Turkiye/
ARTISTS WORK TO RAISE PROFILE OF ANCIENT LYCIANS
Artists living in the Mediterranean city of Kas have begun a campaign to raise awareness and the profile of the ancient Lycians, a people who established an important civilization which thrived in Anatolia for several hundred years straddling the BC/AD line. The coalition of sculptors and mosaic artists hopes to educate the public through such projects as new and restored mosaic installations, classes, and underwater sculpture gardens. The artists are working in league with the Kamera Media Co. and the Ucgen Communication Counseling Group, but they are still seeking a sponsor for the Lycian awareness project. /Sabah/
INTERNATIONAL SHORT FILM FESTIVAL IN ISTANBUL
The 14th Istanbul International Short Film Festival, an annual event designed to present a selection of short films from various countries to Turkish audiences, is set to start tomorrow. Among the participating countries are Germany, Austria, Belgium, France, the Netherlands, Britain, Spain and Hungary. The festival will last through April 10. /Cumhuriyet/
BARANSEL’S PAINTINGS FEATURED IN MICHELANGELO TRIBUTE
Zeynep Baransel, a Turkish painter who is also a student at the famous Accademia di Belle Arti (Florence, Italy’s State Academy of Fine Arts), is currently participating in an exhibition being held in honor of Michelangelo at the Casa Buonarrotti Museum in Florence. The exhibition, which features 24 of Baransel’s paintings, will be open through May 6. /Cumhuriyet/
SOURCE: OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER, DIRECTORATE GENERAL OF PRESS AND INFORMATION