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Anadolu Agency: News in English, 99-04-20

Anadolu Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

From: The Anadolu Agency Home Page at <http://www.anadoluajansi.gov.tr/>

AA Daily

20 April 1999 Tuesday


CONTENTS

  • [01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN
  • [02] PRESIDENT DEMIREL LEAVES FOR THE U.S.
  • [03] ALARKO HOLDING'S INVESTMENT IN UZBEKISTAN
  • [04] TURKISH LORRY DRIVERS SUFFER DUE TO WAR IN YUGOSLAVIA
  • [05] SECOND TURKISH SUGAR FACTORY ABROAD TO BE BUILT IN UZBEKISTAN
  • [06] TURKISH PLANES FLEW 752 HOURS SINCE BEGINNING OF NATO'S AIR STRIKE
  • [07] TREASURY SELLS 746.7 TRILLION LIRAS NOMINAL-VALUED BONDS
  • [08] ANTALYA EXPO CENTER TO OPEN WEDNESDAY
  • [09] ECEVIT: ''EVERYONE DECIDES HIMSELF WHETHER HE SHOULD WITHDRAW FROM POLITICS OR NOT''
  • [10] DOMESTIC BORROWING STOCK REACHES 14.2 QUADRILLION LIRAS
  • [11] TURKEY HOSTS 9,764 REFUGEES
  • [12] INTERROGATION OF OCALAN, TERRORIST CHIEF, COMPLETED

  • [01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

    These are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in Turkey's press on April 20, 1998. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

    HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

    BAYKAL TO WITHDRAW
    The April 18 earthquake has immediately given its first result: Deniz Baykal, the leader of the Republican Peoples' Party (CHP) which couldn't pass the 10 percent barrier to enter in the parliament, will withdraw from politics. Deniz Baykal decided to end his 35 years of political life, he will gather his friends today and tell them to convene the party congress. In the congress, he won't run for candidacy. This will be the first time in Turkey that a political leader will pay the price of his defeat by giving up politics.

    NEW STAR OF POLITICS
    Devlet Bahceli, the leader of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), the second party of the elections, told Hurriyet newspaper that he does not intent to enter into a coalition with the True Path Party (DYP) and the Virtue Party (FP). ''Several intellectual circles describe us as a marginal party, this is not true. MHP is at the centre of politics,'' he added.

    MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

    COMPETITION IN ANKARA
    Melih Gokcek, the candidate of the Virtue Party (FP) and Murat Karayalcın, the candidate of the Republican Peoples' Party (CHP) compete to be the mayor of Ankara. Both of them say that they've won the elections, but the counting of the votes goes on. The result will be clear today.

    SEARCH FOR WITHDRAWAL
    Recai Kutan, the leader of the Virtue Party (FP), Tansu Ciller, the leader of the True Path Party (DYP) and Mesut Yılmaz, the leader of the Motherland Party (ANAP) whose votes decreased in the general and local elections held on Sunday, ask themselves the question of ''should I withdraw?''

    SABAH (LIBERAL)

    IT IS ENOUGH
    The paper says that Turkish people don't want to see anymore either Tansu Ciller, the leader of the True Path Party (DYP), or Mesut Yılmaz, the leader of ANAP or Deniz Baykal, the leader of CHP. Sabah requests them to resign. The first signal of withdrawal came from Deniz Baykal, whose party couldn't even pass the barrier to enter in the parliament.

    13 PEOPLE DIE, 125 OTHERS INJURED
    More than 100 incidents took place on April 18 when the general and local elections were held on Sunday. Totally 13 people, including two soldiers, died in the events and 125 people were wounded. Police and gendermerie took into custody 324 people in whole Turkey.

    CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

    ''TERRORISM WORKED FOR MHP''
    Political scientists said that the Southeastern problem and the terrorist PKK problem caused the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) to increase its votes during the elections, stressing that the fight between the Motherland Party (ANAP) and the True Path Party (DYP) caused them to lose votes.

    ECEVIT: MHP CHANGED A LOT
    Bulent Ecevit, the leader of the Democratic Left Party (DSP) said that the Nationalist Movement Paty (MHP) was successful in the elections, as it has changed itself a lot. Noting that only those parties which adjust to changes survive, Ecevit pointed out that the possibility of forming a coalition with MHP will be taken up within the framework of the evaluations of the public opinion. Meanwhile, Ecevit submitted his resignation to President Suleyman Demirel yesteday.

    RADIKAL (LEFT)

    BAYKAL QUITS
    Deniz Baykal, the Leader of the Rebublican People's Party (CHP) prepares to quit after his party was defeated in general elections. He told his party staff, ''Now a new process begins. I should give chance for a reconstruction within the CHP. Therefore, I had better to quit.''

    YENİ YÜZYIL (LIBERAL)

    CHILDREN SUMMIT IN CANKAYA
    President Suleyman Demirel received representatives of the children from all over the world who have come to Turkey in order to join celebrations for the 21st International Children Festival. President Demirel expressed satisfaction over hosting the world children in Turkey. Children from Germany, Albania, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Belarus, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Algeria, Czech Republic, People's Republic of China, South Africa, India, Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), Kazakhstan, Macedonia, Egypt, Moldova, Russia, Slovenia, Turkmenistan and Ukraine, join this year's festival.

    OCALAN HOLDS TALKS WITH HIS LAWYERS
    Mahmut Sakar, Fehim Gunes, Niyazi Bulgan and Hatice Korkut, the lawyers of Abdullah Ocalan, the chief of terrorist organization PKK, visited Imrali Island where Ocalan is being kept in prison, and held talks with their client.

    TÜRKİYE (RIGHT)

    IMF WAITS FOR THE NEW GOVERNMENT
    Not only the Turkish public opinion but foreign finance sources including the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank, wait for the new Turkish government. The IMF which earlier said that the negotiations with Turkey might begin in May, wants a government that will realize the social security reform, adopt the Banks Law, and arrange the financial support for agriculture.

    THE 2ND INTERNATIONAL ISTANBUL BOOK FAIR
    The 2nd International Istanbul Book Fair will be organized by the Publishers Union of Turkey between April 23 and May 2. Leading names in Turkish literature will come together with their readers within the framework of the fair.

    ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

    ECEVIT RESIGNS
    Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit resigned in order to enable a new government to be formed. Prime Minister Ecevit who met with President Suleyman Demirel yesterday, told reporters following the meeting that he resigned. President Demirel asked Ecevit to carry on premiership until a new government is formed.

    [02] PRESIDENT DEMIREL LEAVES FOR THE U.S.

    ANKARA, April 20 (A.A) - President Suleyman Demirel left on Wednesday for the U.S. to attend the summit which will be held in Washington D.C. between April 22-25 within the celebrations for the 50th anniversary of foundation of the NATO.

    Addressing journalists at the Esenboga Airport before his departure, President Demirel stressed that the NATO has been the base of the Europe- Atlantic security system for 50 years.

    Demirel underlined, ''success of the Alliance for the permanence of peace and stability in Europe, assure us for its future successes. NATO's determination first in Bosnia-Hersegovina and now in Kosovo, is very significant to this end.''

    Reminding that the Washington Summit will be held with the participation of the head of states and governments of the member countries to the NATO, the NATO-Ukraine Commission and the Europe-Atlantic Partnership Council. President Demirel pointed out that the leaders of the ally countries will exchange opinion over the future of the Alliance and setting up lasting peace and stability in Europe. He added that a new strategical concept which will reflect NATO's approach to the next century, will also be admitted during the summit.

    President Demirel told reporters that he will hold bilateral contacts with some of the leaders.

    Recalling that he is scheduled to make a speech at the Pittsburgh University, Demirel noted that he will also come together with the representatives of the Turkish community living in the U.S., and with the representatives of the U.S press organs.

    Emphasizing that Turkey attributes great importance to existing friendship and alliance relations with the U.S., Demirel remarked, ''We see with great pleasure that our relations with the U.S develope day by day. We are determined to further improve these relations. I hope that my visit to the U.S. will be useful for both cooperation within the Alliance and further improvement of the partnership relations with the U.S.''

    Ismail Cem, the Foreign Minister, Hikmet Sami Turk, the National Defense Minister, and a delegation formed by the high-level officials will accompany President Demirel during his visit to the U.S.

    [03] ALARKO HOLDING'S INVESTMENT IN UZBEKISTAN

    TASHKENT, April 20 (A.A) - The foundation of the three airports were laid on Tuesday in Taskent, the capital of Uzbekistan on Tuesday. A consortium formed by Turkish Alarko Holding company, British Laing and Japanese Merubeni firms will renew the three airports in Uzbekistan.

    Addressing the ceremony, Turkish Ambassador to Uzbekistan said that Turkish businessmen contribute to the development of Turkey by making investments in Uzbekistan, adding this last consortium is a good example of the friendship between Turkey and Uzbekistan.

    Alper Kaptanoglu, the Deputy Coordinator of Alarko Holding company said in his part that the construction of the cigarette factory in Semerqand was completed at the right time, adding that they will complete constructing the three airports on time.

    An international passangers terminal, air control towers will be constructed and lightening will be installed in the airports of Semerqand, Bukhara and Urganc.

    Nearly 500 Turkish workmen work in the construction of the airports.

    [04] TURKISH LORRY DRIVERS SUFFER DUE TO WAR IN YUGOSLAVIA

    BUDAPEST, April 20 (A.A) - The Turkish lorry drivers are facing difficulties due to war in Yugoslavia, it was reported on Tuesday.

    Mithat Karabiyik, the International Transporters' Association representative to Hungary, told the A.A correspondent that the Turkish lorry drivers were obliged to travel to Europe via Romania as the Yugoslavian border gates were closed due to war, creating accumulation in Romania.

    ''When the number of lorries passing through Romania was increased, the Romanian customs officials and police started to accept bribes again; and they fine the drivers who refused to bribe with 1,000 to 1,500 German Marks. Our lorry drivers were fed up with this arbitrary treatment of Romanians,'' Karabiyik said.

    [05] SECOND TURKISH SUGAR FACTORY ABROAD TO BE BUILT IN UZBEKISTAN

    TASHKENT, April 20 (A.A) - Uzbeks who were pleased with the Harezm Sugar Factory which is the first sugar factory founded abroad by Turkish Sugar Factories, demanded for a second factory in Semerkant.

    Yekta Ergul, the Project Director of Harezm Sugar Factory, said that Turkey submitted two proposals to the concerned authorities. The two proposals are for processing of three and six thousand tons of sugar cane.

    Turkey's first sugar factory abroad was built in a consortium with Yuksel Construction between March 1996 and July 1998. More than 98 million U.S. dollars have been spent for the factory so far.

    Last year, 90 thousand tons of sugar cane was processed in a 60 day period starting from September 28 and 11 thousand tons of sugar was produced. The targeted sugar production this year is 45 thousand tons. The factory operates entirely with Turkish technology and processes three thousand tons of sugar cane daily. The Uzbeks, who are happy with the production want to add an unprocessed sugar production unit to the factory. The estimated cost of this unit is 25 million U.S. dollars.

    Uzbekistan has annually 500 tons of sugar need and trying to cover its need by processing the sugar it imports.

    The factory which has 120 Turkish experts and personnel, will be run by only Uzbek staff starting next year.

    [06] TURKISH PLANES FLEW 752 HOURS SINCE BEGINNING OF NATO'S AIR STRIKE

    ANKARA, April 20 (A.A) - A total of nine thousand and 523 sorties were carried out by the NATO planes since the beginning of the airstrike and all planes returned to their bases without suffering any losses, it was reported on Tuesday.

    The fuel storages in Novi Sad and Smedereva as well as ammunition production and storage facilities in Paracin, Bogutovac, and Pristina were hit during the air strike.

    Serbs had difficulties in obtaining and distributing fuel after the 70 percent of the fuel storages were hit by NATO planes.

    The Turkish F-16 planes which were deployed in Italy flew a total of 26 hours on April 19 and 20. The Turkish F-16's which spent 752 hours in the air returned to their bases without encountering any problems.

    According to the updated figures, there are 9 thousand 799 refugees in Turkey, 60 thousand in Serbia, 74 thousand in Karadag, 365 thousand in Albania, 132 thousand in Macedonia, 32 thousand in Bosna-Herzegovina, 9 thousand in Germany and 3 thousand in other countries. Around 280 thousand people were forced out of their homes in Kosova by Serbs since the beginning of NATO's air strike. Three thousand 463 Kosovars are currently staying at Gaziosmanpasa Refugee Camp.

    [07] TREASURY SELLS 746.7 TRILLION LIRAS NOMINAL-VALUED BONDS

    ANKARA, April 20 (A.A) - The Treasury sold on Tuesday a total of 746 trillion 790 billion Turkish Liras (TL) nominal-valued 13-month (392-day) term bonds.

    The net sale was 370 trillion 452 billion TL while the offer was 2 quadrillion 178 trillion 880 billion TL.

    The annual composite interest rate was specified to be 91.74 percent. The annual minimum composite interest rate became 90.86 percent and the annual maximum composite interest rate became 94.76 percent.

    The annual simple interest rate was 94.33 percent. The annual minimum simple interest rate became 93.41 percent and the annual maximum simple interest rate became 94.76 percent.

    Meanwhile, a total of 201.4 trillion TL bonds were sold to public organizations.

    The maturity for 392-day bonds is 17 May 2000.

    [08] ANTALYA EXPO CENTER TO OPEN WEDNESDAY

    ANTALYA, April 20 (A.A) - Antalya Expo Center (AEC) which was built by Antalya Fair Services Cooperation (ANFAS) will be opened on Wednesday with ''Auto Show '99'', it was reported on Tuesday.

    Sadik Badak, ANFAS Administration Council Chairman said that Antalya which is Turkey's leading agriculture and tourism city, is also becoming a city of fairs.

    The construction of Antalya Expo Center started last year and was completed in a very short time, Badak stated. The Expo Fair Center is situated on 60 thousand meter square and its one third is indoors.

    ''AEC will become the biggest fair center of the Mediterranean Turkey and will have big contributions to the regions' economy. The fair will accelerate the social and business life in the region. It will bring variety to tourism,'' he added.

    The Fair Center which costed 10 million U.S. dollars, will bring 10 million U.S. dollars from every fair to Antalya's economy.

    [09] ECEVIT: ''EVERYONE DECIDES HIMSELF WHETHER HE SHOULD WITHDRAW FROM POLITICS OR NOT''

    ANKARA, April 20 (A.A) - Regarding the withdrawal of party leaders from politics, Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit on Tuesday said ''Everyone decides for himself. I have always resigned with my own will from posts which I was appointed through elections. But, this depends on everyone's appreciation.''

    Responding to a question about the Republican People's Party's (CHP) failure to pass the threshold, the Prime Minister said, ''there are differences between leftist parties. We have a special leftist understanding which is suitable for Turkey's nature. That distinguishes us from other parties who claim themselves leftist. Therefore, we all shouldn't be regarded the same.''

    Ecevit said he phoned Devlet Bahceli, the leader of the Nationalist Movement Party and congratulated him for his success in the elections and also received a similar call from Mesut Yilmaz, leader of the Motherland Party (ANAP).

    Ecevit said they did not discuss any coalition possibilities with Bahceli during their phone conversation.

    [10] DOMESTIC BORROWING STOCK REACHES 14.2 QUADRILLION LIRAS

    ANKARA, April 20 (A.A) - The domestic borrowing stock reached 14.2 quadrillion Turkish Liras (TL) as of the end of March 1999, it was reported on Tuesday.

    The Treasury Undersecretariat issued a statement saying that the domestic borrowing stock, which was 11 quadrillion 612 trillion 885 billion TL while entering 1999, increased to 12 quadrillion 507 trillion 502 billion TL at the end of January 1999; to 13 quadrillion 125 trillion 592 billion TL at the end of February 1999, and to 14 quadrillion 223 trillion 209 billion TL at the end of the first quarter of the year.

    Thus the domestic borrowing stock increased by 2 quadrillion 610 trillion 324 billion TL in the first quarter.

    The total domestic borrowing stock at the end of March 1999 was composed of 9 quadrillion 669 trillion 743 billion TL of debenture bonds and 4 quadrillion 553 trillion 466 billion TL of bonds.

    [11] TURKEY HOSTS 9,764 REFUGEES

    EDIRNE, April 20 (A.A) - A total of 9,764 Kosovar refugees entered Turkey since the beginning of NATO airstrike, it was reported on Tuesday.

    A plane carrying 157 Kosovars landed at Corlu Airport at 13.10 on Tuesday. With the recent arrivals, the number of refugees who are hosted at Kirklareli's Gaziosmanpasa Refugee Camp became 3,479.

    All needs of the refugees are met by the Turkish Red Crescent which is also offering health services at the camp. The Red Crescent sent 39 refugees with serious conditions to hospitals after examining 2,660 Kosovars.

    Meanwhile, Kirklareli Youth and Sports Directorate started various sports activities among the young refugees.

    [12] INTERROGATION OF OCALAN, TERRORIST CHIEF, COMPLETED

    ANKARA, April 20 (A.A) - Ankara State Security Court (DGM) completed its interrogation on Tuesday about Abdullah Ocalan, the terrorist chief, which it started after he was captured in Kenya and brought to Turkey. It has been stated that the supplementary indictment which has not yet been published and sent to the court consists of 135 pages.

    Sources told A.A that the interrogation carried out by Talat Salk, the acting chief prosecutor of DGM, and prosecutors Nuh Mete Yuksel and Hamze Keles in Imrali island has been completed.

    Sources said that Ocalan is held responsible for all activities of the PKK and the prosecutors are asking for capital punishment in accordance with the 125th article of the Turkish Criminal Code concerning the crimes against the country and sovereignty of the state and treason.

    The history and activities of the terrorist organization PKK is given in detail in the supplementary indictment which also stresses that PKK also deals with drug trafficking.

    The supplementary indictment also states that Ocalan ordered the terrorist attacks against teachers, policemen, and civilians in Turkey.

    The supplementary indictment will be reviewed once again and then be sent to the Ankara State Security Court no 2 in which Ocalan is currently being tried on charges of treason and committing crime against the country and sovereignty of the state due to the murders committed in Adana and Erzurum by the PKK and a speech he delivered at Med-tv, the mouthpiece of PKK.

    In the hearing which will be held on 30 April, the Ankara DGM no 2 will decide to combine the case with which it is dealing and the case which is opened by the supplementary indictment. The court will also decide on the date which Ocalan will be tried in Imrali island.

    A.A


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