[05] FOREIGN MINISTER CEM HOLDS A PRESS BRIEFING: ''NO EVENT CAN JUSTIFY THE KILLING OF

THOUSANDS OF INNOCENT PEOPLE''

ROME, Nov 17 (A.A) - Ismail Cem, the Foreign Minister said on Monday that Turkey asks Italy for the extradition of Abdullah Ocalan,

the chief of the separatist terrorist ornganization PKK, adding that ''no event can justify the killings of thousands of innocent people.''

Addressing a press briefing in Rome, Ismail Cem stated that terrorism is a crime committed against humanity, adding that ''Turkey

requests the extradition of a person who caused the deaths of thousands of innocent people, the leader of a terrorist movement which kills

babies and who ordered the shootings of 112 primary school teachers who were teaching Turkish within the framework of the rights the

international agreements give to Turkey.''

Responding to a question, Cem said that there can't be any excuse of terrorism, stressing that Turkey requests Ocalan from Italy who is

also the chief of the drug trafficking.

Recalling that the separatist terrorist organization PKK has used Syrian territories as a base for itself for many years, Cem said that a

heavy blow was struck on terrorism after the decision taken by Turkey and Syria to struggle together against terrorism.

Recalling that Syria officially describes PKK as a terrorist organization, Cem said ''now we expect our NATO ally Italy to show the same

sensivitiy.''

Cem also put forward a question to Italian officials saying that ''if the innocent people were Italian citizens, would some Italian political

circles show the same tolerance and support to the PKK?''

Responding to questions about his meetings with Italian and German counterparts, Foreign Minister Cem said that the Italian Foreign

Minister noted the sensitivity conveyed by him.

Noting that the taking an Italian prisoner hostage at Metris prison in Istanbul was not correct, Cem said that the Turkish government does

its best to speed up the extradition proceedings of the Italian prisoner.

''I have conveyed the concern of Turkey to Dini concerning the statement of the Italian Undersecretary of the Justice Ministry, who said

that Italy would not give Ocalan to Turkey,'' said Cem, adding that everybody sees the rightfulness of Turkey in respect of politics.

Pointing out to the choice of the Italian officials, Cem said that ''the choice that will be made is not only legal, but it will also be a choice

that will be made between terrorism and the victims of terrorism.''

Cem added that he also took up the attack against Turkish journalists in Rome by supporters of the separatist terrorist PKK during his

meeting with Dini, adding that the Foreign Ministry is ready to help to the Turkish journalists.

Foreign Minister Cem left for Vienna the same night to participate in the three-day visit of President Suleyman Demirel to this country.

[06] RUBIN, SPOKESMAN OF THE US STATE DEPARTMENT: - ''TERRORIST OCALAN SHOULD BE

EXTRADITED AND BROUGHT TO JUSTICE''

WASHINGTON D.C., Nov 17 (A.A) - James Rubin, the Spokesman of the US State Department, said on Monday that Abdullah

Ocalan, the chief of separatist terrorist organization PKK, should be extradited and brought to justice.

Responding to the questions of the journalists, Rubin noted, ''we welcome capture of Ocalan as an important step in the struggle against

global terrorism.''

Reminding that the US has declared the PKK as a ''foreign terror organization'' as to the Anti-terrorism and Death Penalty Law in 1996,

Rubin reiterated, ''we want Ocalan to be extradited and brought to justice.''

Rubin added, ''we believe the governments of Italy, Germany and Turkey, the NATO allies, should work together to bring Ocalan to

justice.''

The US Government describes the PKK as a ''cruel, bloody-handed terrorist organization.''

The US President Bill Clinton had sent a harsh message to President Hafez al Assad of Syria during the crisis between Turkey and Syria

saying ''cut all your relations with separatist terrorist PKK.'' Later, when Ocalan proceeded to Russia, the US State Department conveyed

a message to Moscow and said ''either extradite Ocalan or expel him.''

James Rubin had called on Moscow saying that ''no country should shelter separatist terrorist Ocalan.''

[07] TURKISH JOURNALISTS WHO WERE ATTACKED IN ROME TO FILE A SUIT AGAINST THE ITALIAN

GOVERNMENT

ROME, Nov 17 (A.A) - Turkish journalists who were attacked by supporters of the separatist terrorist organization PKK in Rome will

file a suit against the Italian government, it is reported on Monday.

Turkish journalists who were attacked, applied to the office of Agusto Sinagra, a famous Italian professor of law and requested him to

file a suit against the Italian government saying that it did not take the necessary measures for protection of the Turkish journalists.

While trying to cover the demonstrations staged by the supporters of the separatist terrorist organization PKK in Rome on Saturday, the

Turkish journalists were attacked, 10 of them were injured and three of them were taken to hospital.

The ignorance of the Italian police in the event had caused reactions both in Turkey and abroad.

[08] A GROUP OF PEOPLE WHOSE RELATIVES KILLED BY SEPARATIST TERRORIST ORGANIZATION PKK,

HOLD PROTEST DEMONSTRATIONS IN IZMIR AND SAMSUN

IZMIR-SAMSUN, Nov 17 (A.A) - The Turkish Associations Cooperation Voluntary Platform including people whose relatives were

killed by the separatist terrorist organization PKK, held a protest demonstration in front of the Italian Consulate in Izmir on Monday.

The group chanted slogans damning the PKK and called Italy to extradite Abdullah Ocalan, the chief of the separatist terrorist

organization PKK who claimed nearly 30 thousand lives.

Addressing the demonstration Celal Ocal, the Chairman of the Ural-Altay Culture Cooperation Association, stressed that not to extradite

Ocalan will mean becoming accomplice of the separatist terrorist organization PKK's bloody actions in future.

The group gave a bunch of flowers to Mario Levi, Italian Culture Attache, and Levi promised them that he will convey their note to the

Italian officials.

The group also stressed that they believe that Italian justice will extradite Ocalan, the murderer of the innocent peoples.

Meanwhile a similar demonstration was held in Samsun province by the people whose relatives were massacred by the separatist

terrorists.

[09] PRESIDENT DEMIREL LEAVES FOR AUSTRIA: - ''AUSTRIA'S BEING THE EU TERM PRESIDENT ADDS

SPECIAL IMPORTANCE TO THIS VISIT''

ANKARA, Nov 17 (A.A) - President Suleyman Demirel left on Tuesday for Austria as an official guest of Thomas Klestil, the Austrian

President.

President Demirel is accompanied by Ismail Cem, the Foreign Minister, Sukru Sina Gurel, Hikmet Sami Turk and Is+n Celebi, the State

Ministers; Arif Ahmet Denizolgun, the Minister of Transportation and Nami Cagan, the Minister of Labour and Social Security during

his visit to Austria.

Addressing a statement at Esenboga Airport before his departure, President Demirel stated that he will meet with his Austrian counterpart

Klestil, the Austrian Prime Minister Victor Klima and Dr. Heinz Fischer, the Austrian Parliament Speaker in Austria.

Noting that he will also receive the representatives of Turkish associations in Austria, President Demirel said that he will visit Salzburg

city in Austria with Austrian President Klestil on November 19.

President Demirel stressed that the bilateral contacts and cooperation that is carried out with Austria, the EU Term President in all fields

and levels, carry importance not only for the future of the region and Europe, but also for the prosperity of Turkish citizens living in

Austria.

''I will address the members of the Foreign Policy and International Relations Society about the Turkish foreign policy and developments

in the world, besides I will participate in the Turkish-Austrian business council meetings and explain my views regarding the

improvement of our economic and commercial relations,'' said President Demirel.

Pointing out that he will have the oppurtunity to take up the Turkish- Austrian relations with Austrian officials during his visit, President

Demirel said, ''Austria's being the EU Term President adds special importance to this visit. This means I will have the opportunity to

explain the expectations of Turkey from the EU once again.''

''Our citizens living in Austria, whose number is 150,000 is very important in respect of our relations with Austria. However our citizens

have various problems in the fields of social rights, education, I will discuss these issues with my counterparts,'' said President Demirel.

[10] ITALIAN HOSTAGE IN METRIS PRISON - LAWYER OF ITALIAN PRISONER SAYS THAT HIS CLIENT IS

RELEASED

ISTANBUL, Nov 17 (A.A) - Suha Burck+n, the lawyer of Mauro Calasc+betta, the Italian prisoner who was taken hostage by a group of

prisoners in Metris prison said on Monday that his client was released.

Burck+n told A.A correspondent that the Italian prisoner was released on Monday evening, adding that his client will probably be

extradited to Switzerland.

Calasc+betta was taken hostage on Sunday by a group of prisoners asking Italy for the extradition of Abdullah Ocalan, the chief of the

separatist terrorist organization PKK to Turkey.

[11] TURKEY INFORMS NATO ABOUT OCALAN, THE CHIEF OF THE SEPARATIST TERRORIST

ORGANIZATION PKK

BRUSSELS, Nov 17 (A.A) - Onur Oymen, the Turkish Permanent Representative to NATO said during the NATO Council meeting

held on Monday that Turkey requests the extradition of Abdullah Ocalan, the chief of the separatist terrorist organization PKK to Turkey

from Italy.

Oymen informed the NATO Council composed of permanent representives of 16 NATO countries about the activities of the terrorist

organization, the roles played by the chief of the terrorist organization and the initiatives taken by Turkey with Syria and Russia in order

to capture the terrorist chief.

Recalling that terrorism is considered as an element of threat by NATO, Oymen expressed the concern of Turkey about the issue.

Oymen told A.A correspondent that Turkey does not have any expectations from NATO allies, but he informed in detail the NATO

Council, which is the decision body of the NATO.

[12] D'ALEMA, THE ITALIAN PREMIER:''THE ITALIAN GOVERNMENT LEARNED IN THE LETTER IT

RECEIVED FROM THE TURKISH EMBASSY THAT OCALAN WOULD COME TO ITALY FROM RUSSIA'' - ''I

HOPE THE ARRIVAL OF OCALAN IN ROME MEANS THAT HE WANTS TO GIVE UP TERRORISM''

ROME, Nov 17 (A.A) - Massimo D'Alema, the Italian Prime Minister said on Monday that the Italian government learned in the letter

that it received from the Turkish Embassy in Rome that Abdullah Ocalan, the chief of the separatist terrorist organization PKK would

come to Italy from Russia.

Addressing a press briefing, D'Alema said that ''we face with a very delicate problem in respect of our country and for other countries.''

Noting that the Italian government won't accept any threats or blackmail, D'Alema said ''this issue will be taken up by Italian laws in this

country which is a legal state.''

''We are a democratic government which has to show respect to the laws, the appeal court of Rome will decide on a possible extradition.

Moreover the Italian Minister of Justice has the right to decide on this issue,'' said Italian Premier.

Recalling that there is death penaty in Turkey, D'Alema said that ''we don't have any strategical interest in giving political asylum to

Ocalan.''

D'Alema said that Ocalan did not have any connection with the Italian government before coming to Italy.

Massimo D'Alema pointed out that he hopes ''the arrival of Ocalan in Rome means he wants to give up terrorism and seeks for a political

solution.''

Noting that Italy is against terrorism, D'Alema said that the Italian government and himself are ready to find a way to end violence and

terrorism, D'Alema also read a message of Abdullah Ocalan, the PKK chief which was sent to Italian news agency ANSA.

In the message, Ocalan, the terrorist chief claimed that he is ready to do anything to stop terrorism and he came to Italy to this end.

Noting that Italy is a legal state which respects his people, Ocalan claimed in the message that ''he guarantees respect to values of Italian

people.''

Pointing out that the asylum request of terrorist chief will be evaluated by a commission that will be formed by the Italian Minister of

Interior, D'Alema said that Italy does not look for a reason of conflict with Turkey, claiming that ''the Kurdish people who have been

under pressure for years have aroused their sympathy.''

''We will solve this problem by law and principles,'' said Italian Premier, adding that ''we will either grant political asylum to him or not.

We don't have the intention to transfer the issue to other countries,'' D'Alemo said, adding that their contacts with other countries will

continue.

''On October 16, 1998 the Turkish Embasy warned the Italian government that Ocalan could come to Italy from Russia,'' he added.

[13] THE ASSOCIATION OF PRESIDENCY AND PRIME MINISTRY CORRESPONDENTS ASKS ITALIAN

AUTHORITIES TO APOLOGIZE FROM THE TURKISH JOURNALISTS WHO WERE ATTACKED IN ROME, AND

TO COMPENSATE THEIR LOSSES

ANKARA, Nov 17 (A.A) - The Association of Presidency and Prime Ministry Journalists (CBMD) asked Italian authorities on Tuesday

to apologize from the Turkish journalists who were attacked in Rome by the supporters of separatist terrorist organization PKK, and to

compensate their losses.

Coskun Kartal, the Chairman of the CBMD, sent a letter to Massimiliano Bandini, the Italian Ambassador in Ankara, recalling that

Turkish journalists who went to Italy to cover the developments related with Abdullah Ocalan, the chief of the separatist terrorist

organization, were attacked by supporters of the PKK. Apart from their injuries, their cameras were broken, and they were prevented

from carrying out their profession, Kartal pointed out.

Emphasizing that it is not natural that such assaults can take place in front of the police without any intervention in a democratic country

like Italy, Kartal said that Turkish public felt deep anger towards Italy.

Kartal stressed that Turkish public began to see Italy as the protector of a murderer who massacred babies, and the assault on Turkish

journalists increased this reaction.

Stating that Turkish public was hurt because the assailants were not caught and Italian authorities did not apologize. ''We want Italian

authorities to apologize from our colleagues who were attacked in Rome and to compensate their losses. Such an attitude will help to

ease the relations strained in these days between the two countries,'' he said.

[14] SEPARATIST TERRORIST ORGANIZATION PKK PROVIDES INCOME OF NEARLY 40 MILLION US

DOLLARS ANNUALLY FROM DRUG TRAFFICKING - DRUG TRAFFICKING FOLLOWS ROUTE OF SYRIA,

GREEK CYPRIOT SIDE AND EUROPE

DIYARBAKIR, Nov 17 (A.A) - The separatist terrorist organization PKK provides an estimated income of 40 million US dollars

annually from the drug trafficking, it was reported on Tuesday.

Drug trafficking activities of the separatist terrorist organization were proved by evidences found out during the operations launched in

the Eastern and Southeastern Anatolia regions and in Northern Iraq.

Security forces seized 2 thousand 323 kg of heroin, 13 thousand 298 kg of hashish, 3 thousand 500 kg of base morphine, and a great deal

of acid anhydride and 36 million roots of Indian hemp in the caves and stores belonging to the separatist terrorists in 1997.

Turkish Armed Forces also found out many Indian hemps planted in the hills of Northern Iraq and destroyed them during the operations.

Security forces launch operations in border region time to time to prevent separatist terrorist organization's drug trafficking.

The separatist terrorist organization PKK transports the drug to the Western countries via Lazkiye Port of Syria and Greek Cypriot side.

Separatist terrorists who were captured during operations or surrendered to the security forces, also mentioned about this route in their

confessions.

Semdin Sakik, one of the leaders of the separatist terrorist organization PKK who was captured by the security forces and brought to

Turkey, also stressed that the most important income source of the organization is drug trafficking.

Sakik described the other sources of income as money collected from the people living abroad under the name of tax and income from

the commercial foundations both in Turkey and abroad.

Separatist terrorist organization is thought to have millions of US dollars in the Syrian banks.

Abdullah Ocalan, chief of the separatist terrorist organization has also an estimated one billion US dollars in his bank accounts in Syria.

[15] PRESIDENT DEMIREL: - ''ITALY DOES NOT PROTECT A MURDERER, SHE CANNOT''

VIENNA, Nov 17 (A.A) - President Suleyman Demirel said on Tuesday that Italy cannot attempt to protect the chief of the separatist

terrorist organization PKK.

Demirel told reporters aboard the plane on his way to Austria that ''Italy is a civilized country, she does not try to protect a murderer who

spilled the blood of 30 thousand persons, she cannot.''

Demirel also said that Turkish public opinion does not have a tendency to abolish the capital punishment and to pardon the prisoners.

[16] TURKISH BUSINESS WORLD CONDEMNS ITALY - BUSINESS ASSOCIATIONS SEND A LETTER TO

DANILO LONGHI, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE ITALIAN UNION OF CHAMBERS

ANKARA, Nov 17 (A.A) - Turkish Union of Chambers and Stock Exchange (TOBB), Economic Development Foundation (IKV),

Foreign Economic Relations Council (DEIK) and International Trade Chamber (MTO) and Turkish National Committee condemned Italy

on Monday in a joint letter for her latest attitude.

Fuat Miras, the President of TOBB Executive Board sent a letter to Danilo Longhi, the Italian Chairman of the Italian Union of

Chambers on behalf of TOBB, IKV, DEIK and MTO.

The letter notes that ''protection of the chief of the separatist terrorist organization PKK for political aims, which killed 30,000 people

including babies, women and old people in 15 years, means to share its crimes. We would like to inform our Italian counterparts that our

private sector is determined to revise its commercial and economic relations with Italy and to boycott Italian products, if Italy does not

extradite the terrorist chief to Turkey.

''The Turkish public opinion and business world attribute great importance to extradition of the chief of this bloody terrorist

organization,'' said the letter, adding that Italy is one of the most important commercial and economic partners of Turkey. The letter also

noted that in 1997 Italy came the second country concerning imports of Turkey and she came fifth in Turkey's exports.

[17] PRESIDENT DEMIREL: ''ITALY IS A CIVILIZED COUNTRY. SHE WILL PAY REGARD TO THE

SUPERIORITY OF LAW'' - ''SHE DOES NOT ATTEMP TO PROTECT A MURDERER RESPONSIBLE FROM THE

LIVES OF 30 THOUSAND PEOPLE, SHE CANNOT'' - ''TODAY, TURKISH PUBLIC OPINION DOES NOT HAVE A

TENDENCY TO ABOLISH THE CAPITAL PUNISHMENT'' - ''THE STRUGGLE AGAINST PKK AND TERRORISM

TAKES A POSITIVE DIRECTION''

VIENNA, Nov 17 (A.A) - President Suleyman Demirel said on Tuesday that ''Italy is a civilized country. She does not attempt to protect

a murderer who is responsible from the lives of 30 thousand people. She cannot!''

Demirel, responding to the journalists aboard the plane on his way to Austria said that Turkish public opinion does not have a tendency

to abolish the capital punishment or to grant amnesty for the prisoners.

Responding to a question, Demirel said that Italy is a civilized country and she will pay regard to the superiority of law. ''She will not

attempt to protect a murderer who is responsible from the deaths of 30 thousand people, she cannot. In fact, the civilized world cannot

protect such a murderer. What will happen? This will be clear in the coming days. But what I say is our point of view concerning the

issue,'' he said.

The other questions and Demirel's answers are as follows:

Q: Italian Prime Minister said different things yesterday?

A: It can be! Italy because.. There can be different voices in Italy. But as a result, it will be as I said.

Q: He says ''if he gives up terrorism, we can grant asylum''. There is also a kind of message to Turkey?

A: These are daily things. As a result, nobody can protect someone who is responsible from the spilled bloods of 30 thousand people.

Q: Are you planning to start more comprehensive initiative in Europe?

A: A little patience! Let's see what happens! Let's see what will happen with restraint and calm attitude. The same thing happened in

Russia. Let diplomacy do its job a little.

Q: Is he arrested? Or is he sent to Italy? Because it does not seem that he is in prison. He stays in the hospital. Do you have an

information?

A: He is in Italy. He is in the hands of Italian state. That's all! He is under custody. We do not know how! I mean in prison, or in

hospital, or under custody. Different... But what I say is crystal clear: A little patience, a little patience...

Q: Is granting amnesty on the agenda?

A: Granting amnesty is the business of the parliament. It is not appropriate for me to interfere with the job of the parliament. But, the

tendency in Turkey is against the amnesty. The tendency of the people is against the amnesty. It is also against the terrorism. The

tendency is against all. We are still at the very beginning of these things. Turkey stands up. It is the headline of four newspapers in

Turkey. They say ''How are you going to protect a murderer who killed babies?''

Be patient! The issue has taken a very positive direction. I mean the struggle against PKK, the struggle against terrorism has taken a very

positive dimension.

Q: Does capital punishment be abolished in Turkey?

A: The tendency in Turkey is completely against this. That is, the headlines say on the one hand that how Europe can protect this man

who killed so many people. But Turkish public opinion is very sensitive towards things which mean that he can come and Turkey can

protect him. That's why, I'm saying that there is not a tendency in the Turkish public to abolish capital punishment.

Q: Did you have an initiative with Italian President?

A: What will Italian President do? What am I going to ask from the Italian President? Everything is developing within the framework of

laws and regulations.

Q: Did you send any message to Italian President?

A: No, I did not send anything. There is not a situation which requires to send a message. Let the issue go its own way...

[18] BALANCE SHEET OF DRUG TRAFFICKING OF SEPARATIST TERRORIST ORGANIZATION PKK -

SECURITY FORCES SEIZED 2.5 TONNES OF HEROIN, 21 TONNES OF HASHISH 4.5 TONNES OF BASE

MORPHINE, AND 2 MILLION ROOTS OF INDIAN HEMP IN 205 SEPARATE INCIDENTS WITHIN 13 YEARS -

SEPARATIST TERRORIST ORGANIZATION PKK PRODUCES DRUG IN BEKAA VALLEY AND HILLS OF

NORTHERN IRAQ

ANKARA, Nov 17 (A.A) - The Struggle Against Smuggling and Organized Crimes Department of the Directorate General of Security,

issued a report on Tuesday named as ''Separatist Terrorist Organization PKK and Drug Smuggling'' showing the balance sheet of drug

trafficking of the terrorist organization.

Report recalled that the security forces seized 2.5 tonnes of heroin, 21 tonnes of hashish, 4.5 tonnes of base morphine, 2 million roots of

Indian hemp, 22 tonnes of acid anhydride and 277 thousand tablets of amphetamine in 205 separate incidents within 13 years.

The drugs were brought to Turkey by the illegal border-crossings from the Eastern and Southeastern Anatolia regions, and transferred to

the Western countries via the provinces such as Van, Diyarbakir, Gaziantep, Adana, Hatay and Icel.

The separatist terrorist organization produce most of the drugs in the Bekaa Valley, Lebanon, and hills in Northern Iraq. It is known that

the separatist terrorist organization produces an estimated 60 tonnes of heroin annually.

Separatist terrorist organization PKK has many foundations in several Western countries to use in drug trafficking such as:

Germany: 178, Austria: 10, Belgium: 6, France: 23, Denmark: 9, Finland: 2, Netherlands: 12, Spain: 1, Britain: 10, Sweden: 20,

Switzerland: 13, Italy: 2, Luxembourg: 1, Norway: 5, Greece: 6, Poland: 1, and the US: 13

Meanwhile some of the recorded drug smuggling incidents occured in Italy where Abdullah Ocalan, chief of the separatist terrorist

organization PKK, was captured last week, are as follows:

-In 1989, Mehmet Tanrivere, Mehmet Zekeriya Uzunboy, Nazim Kelo and Halil Ozdemir, all supporters of the separatist terrorist

organization, were captured in Milan with a total of 100 kg of heroin,

-In 1992, Italian police determined in Lugurian that a group of supporters of separatist terrorist organization PKK formed by 11 persons,

smuggle drugs to Italy and weapons to Turkey under leadership of Fikret Gecu,

-In 1992, Rifki Demirok, a supporter of separatist terrorist organization, was captured in Italy with a great deal of heroin, -In 1993,

Pasquale Marando and Michele Franco who were smuggling drugs on behalf of separatist terrorist organization, were captured in Italy

with a total of 279 kg of heroin.