Anadolu Agency: News in English, 99-05-22

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

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

AA Daily

22 May 1999 Saturday

CONTENTS

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

[02] TURKISH TOURISM IN FOREIGN PRESS - A TOTAL OF 374 PAGES NEWS ABOUT TURKISH TOURISM ISSUED IN 295 FOREIGN PUBLICATIONS IN FIRST THREE MONTHS OF 1999

[03] MUTAFIAN, PATRIARCH OF TURKISH ARMENIANS ISSUES A STATEMENT TO AN ARMENIAN NEWSPAPER: - ''WE DO NOT FACE ANY PROBLEMS IN TURKEY''

[04] NUMBER OF KOSOVAR REFUGEES IN TURKEY REACHES 16,485

[05] AID MATERIALS FROM GENERAL STAFF SENT TO ALBANIA WITH 5 TIRS

[06] HEALTH OF ALIYEV, AZERBAIJANI PRESIDENT - PREMIER ECEVIT: ''THE HEALTH OF ALIYEV IS VERY WELL''

[07] TURKEY'S MEMBERSHIP TO EU AND HER RELATIONS WITH GREECE TAKEN UP IN GERMANY

[08] AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY DONATES 100,000 U.S. DOLLARS FOR RESTORATION OF HAGIA SOPHIA MUSEUM

[09] PREPARATIONS IN MUDANYA COUNTY OF BURSA PROVINCE UNDERWAY DUE TO TRIAL OF CHIEF TERRORIST

[10] SEVEN ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS OF IRAQI AND IRANIAN ORIGIN DIE WHEN THEY DON'T ABIDE WITH WARNING OF SECURITY FORCES - SEVEN IMMIGRANTS INJURED, WHILE 36 OTHERS CAPTURED

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

HURRIYET (LIBERAL) WORDS THAT SOLVE CRISIS
Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit and the leader of the Democratic Left Party (DSP) proposed partnership to Devlet Bahceli, the leader of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) and told him that ''I would like you to know that I voted for Somuncuoglu, the candidate of MHP for Parliament Speaker.'' These words of Ecevit calmed down Bahceli and MHP officials. Noting that he had a message from Rahsan Ecevit, the deputy DSP leader who earlier made MHP uneasy, Ecevit said that his wife told him that her statements were misunderstood and she also wished formation of a government with MHP. Bahceli will convene his party today and give his definite response to Ecevit.

BAYKAL:THERE WILL BE ONES WHO'LL LEAVE CHP
While the Republican Peoples' Party (CHP) Congress will be held today under the risk of division, Deniz Baykal, the former leader of the Republican Peoples Party (CHP) who will run again for candidacy said that ''if I am not in the party, the latter will finish.''

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

ECEVIT IS HOPEFUL
Bulent Ecevit, the leader of the Democratic Left Party (DSP) told journalists before his meeting with Devlet Bahceli, the MHP leader that ''I am hopeful. You can write that I am optimistic.'' Noting that the government has to be set up immediately, Ecevit listed the issues that have to be taken up urgently as:''the budget, the law on banks, the structure of the State Security Courts and the issue of the parliamentary immunity.''

SABAH (LIBERAL)

U.S. DOLLAR REACHES 400,000 TL
U.S. dollar reached 400,000 Turkish liras in the free markets. U.S. dollar, which was only 80 piastre (kurus) in the first years of the Turkish Republic, increased 500,000 times in 76 years and exceeded the limit of 400, 000 Turkish liras.

TURKEY-TURKMENISTAN SIGN NATURAL GAS AGREEMENT
Turkey and Turkmenistan signed the agreement on the purchase and sale of the Turkmen natural gas in Asgabat, the capital of Turkmenistan. Ziya Aktas, the Energy and Natural Resources Minister, and Saparmurat Turkmenbasi, the President of Turkmenistan, signed the agreement. Aktas said that the Turkmen natural gas will play an important role in meeting the energy demand in Turkey.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

AKBULUT STARTS INVESTIGATION ABOUT KAVAKCI
Yıldırım Akbulut, the new Parliament Speaker started an investigation about Merve Kavakcı, a Virtue Party (FP) deputy who was denaturalized. FP wishes the end of Kavakcı's deputyship in the parliament general council in return to the support it extended to Akbulut during the election of the parliament speaker.

RADIKAL (LEFT)

USEFUL CRISIS
The crisis of ''excuses'' showed both to DSP and MHP that they don't have any other choice than accepting each other. Indirect contacts between the parties didn't stop while businessmen and the members of the Motherland Party (ANAP) launched great efforts for the meeting between DSP and MHP.

YENİ YÜZYIL (LIBERAL)

DYP DOES NOT GIVE UP
Tansu Ciller, the leader of the True Path Party (DYP), continues her efforts to become a member of the coalition government. Ciller earlier send a message to Bulent Ecevit, the leader of the Democratic Left Party (DSP), saying that she would not be included in the cabinet if necessary. However, Ciller sent messages to both the DSP and the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) saying that the two parties should prefer DYP in the coalition government.

TÜRKİYE (RIGHT)

FIRST TRNC MINISTER IN BRITAIN
A minister of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) was officially invited to a reception held in British parliament for the first time. Dr. Gulsen Bozkurt, the TRNC Health Minister, participated in the meeting which was held with the contributions of David Amess, a deputy of the Conservative Party which is known as supporting the Greek Cypriot policies.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

[02] TURKISH TOURISM IN FOREIGN PRESS - A TOTAL OF 374 PAGES NEWS ABOUT TURKISH TOURISM ISSUED IN 295 FOREIGN PUBLICATIONS IN FIRST THREE MONTHS OF 1999

The Tourism Ministry Promotion Directorate General said that nine of the publications were issued after the Ministry hosted the representatives of the press agencies.

Articles concerning Turkish tourism were published in 105 magazines of 18 foreign countries in the first three months of 1999 while 190 newspapers of 13 foreign countries issued news about the Turkish tourism.

The Ministry said that these publications were like advertisements worth of 1.7 trillion Turkish liras.

Meanwhile, German radios broadcast three programmes about Turkish tourism for a total of 145 minutes whereas a Swiss television channel broadcast a programme about Turkish tourism for one hour.

[03] MUTAFIAN, PATRIARCH OF TURKISH ARMENIANS ISSUES A STATEMENT TO AN ARMENIAN NEWSPAPER: - ''WE DO NOT FACE ANY PROBLEMS IN TURKEY''

Visiting Armenia this week and holding contacts with some officials including Robert Kocarian, the Armenian President; Mutafian issued a statement to Hayastani Hanrapetutyun newspaper which is the broadcasting organ of the Armenian parliament.

In the statement, Mutafian said that the minorities living in any country in the world have some certain problems; adding that they do not have any problems in performing their religious activities in Turkey.

[04] NUMBER OF KOSOVAR REFUGEES IN TURKEY REACHES 16,485

An Interior Ministry statement said that a total 7,484 Kosovar refugees, including 2,887 women, 2,650 men and 1,947 children entered into Turkey from northwestern Tekirdag province until 10.00 a.m. local time today.

A total of 7,063 refugees, including 2,533 women, 1,807 men and 2,723 children entered into Turkey from Kapikule border gate of northwestern Edirne province until today.

A total of 1,938 refugees, including 691 women, 690 men and 557 children entered into Turkey from Ataturk Airport of Istanbul until today.

Thus, the number of the Kosovar refugees in Turkey reached 16,485.

Meanwhile, 7,185 out of 16,485 refugees are staying in the camp-site in northwestern Tekirdag province.

[05] AID MATERIALS FROM GENERAL STAFF SENT TO ALBANIA WITH 5 TIRS

A Directorate General of Red Crescent statement said that a total of 29,600 clothes, 4,300 bags, 53 tents, 7,850 pairs of shoes, 7,080 blankets, 1,080 chairs, 336 boats, 1,000 mirrors, 45 games like backgammon, chess and dominoes are included in the aid package which are sent to the camp-site for Kosovar refugees in Elbasan city of Albania.

Stressing that the services of the Red Crescent in the camp-sites which are set up for the Kosovar refugees are appreciated throughout the world, the statement noted that the aid campaigns in Turkey, Macedonia and Albania are carried out and improved in coordination with the related units of the government.

[06] HEALTH OF ALIYEV, AZERBAIJANI PRESIDENT - PREMIER ECEVIT: ''THE HEALTH OF ALIYEV IS VERY WELL''

Addressing a statement to the journalists while leaving the Prime Ministry, Ecevit noted that he heard pleasing news about the health condition of Haydar Aliyev and that he will visit Aliyev this evening.

Meanwhile, Ismail Cem, the Foreign Minister, and some bureaucrats held a meeting in the Prime Ministry. The participants evaluated the latest developments and the relations between Turkey and the European Union (EU) prior to the EU summit which will be held on June 3 and 4, 1999.

When asked about this meeting, Ecevit stated that Cem gave him information about the relations with the EU.

[07] TURKEY'S MEMBERSHIP TO EU AND HER RELATIONS WITH GREECE TAKEN UP IN GERMANY

Greek participants said that the entrance of Turkey to the Union carries vital importance for Greece.

Nicolaos Cotzias from Greek Foreign Ministry's Department of Strategical Planning said that the integration of Turkey to the EU has to be adopted as a common policy.

Huseyin Bagcı, a professor of international relations in the Middle East Technical University said in his part that Turkey does not regard membership to EU as having priority atter the EU Summit of Luxembourg and she also started to account on the customs deal signed with the EU.

Evaluating the relations between Turkey and Greece, Bagcı said that the problems between the two countries can be overcome by relations based on the principle of good neighbourhood.

Stressing that Greek politicans should give up their prejudice of ''Turkey threatens us,'' Bagcı said that the two countries have to live together in the geography where they exist.

[08] AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY DONATES 100,000 U.S. DOLLARS FOR RESTORATION OF HAGIA SOPHIA MUSEUM

Addressing a speech in the ceremony which was held for this donation, Istemihan Talay, the Culture Minister, said that the participants in the ceremony are concious that the cultural values and the monuments of the world are a common heritage.

Pointing out that all the heritages and works are the wealth of all the people in the world, Talay noted that Turks, who are living in Anatolia for over a thousand years, not only create new cultural works but also are the protector and the guard of the old works.

Noting that the Hagia Sophia, which is defined as a magnificant monument, has lived 600 years of its 1500 year-history with Turks, Talay stated that this monument was restored for a few times in this 600 year-history although it was destroyed before the Turkish era.

Stating that the Hagia Sophia is still one of the most beautiful constructions of the world, Talay said, ''this is also a good example which puts forward that the Turks are concious of protecting such works and a good example which indicates how Turks own all historical works whether they are produced by the Turks or not. If anyone has seen how the Ottoman works are destroyed in Bosnia-Herzegovina, he/she can realize the difference.''

Emphasizing that the historical works have to be restored in Turkey, which is an open air museum, Talay gave information about this issue.

Recalling that they realized a tender worth of one million U.S. dollars for the restoration of the outer surface and the frescos of the Hagia Sophia, Talay stressed that Turkey contributed to the restoration of the Ottoman Palace in Algeria and Gulbaba Tomb in Hungary.

Stressing that he does not agree that the restoration in the Hagia Sophia is realized slowly, Talay defined the restoration as trying to dig a hall by a needle.

Marilyn Perry, the Director of the World Monument Fund which assists the restoration in the Hagia Sophia, said that the aim of the fund is protecting the architectural and cultural wealth of the world; adding that they will do the best they can to transfer the Hagia Sophia to the following generations in good condition.

Nadim Homsi, the Representative of the American Express Bank in Turkey, said that they did their first donation for the Hagia Sophia 18 months ago; adding that the Hagia Sophia is one of the rare places for which they grant more than one donations.

The outer surface and some old lead coverings of the Hagia Sophia were earlier restorated with the former donations.

The restorations in the Hagia Sophia are underway since 1992.

[09] PREPARATIONS IN MUDANYA COUNTY OF BURSA PROVINCE UNDERWAY DUE TO TRIAL OF CHIEF TERRORIST

The security forces take some measures in Mudanya, which has been facing hot days after Ocalan was brought to the Imrali Island, in order to create a appropirate conditions for the representatives of the press agencies and the relatives of the martyrs who will watch the trial.

The officials in Mudanya prepare places for the live broadcasting vehicles of the domestic and foreign television channels which will stay in Mudanya during the trial while the construction of a part of the Hotel Montania which will be used as a press center is nearly completed.

An communication office which will serve as a consultancy office for the relatives of the martyrs has been opened. The officials in the office which was set up near the security control point, said that they will help the relatives of the martyrs in many issues, including accomodation issue.

Meanwhile, the buffets near the port from where the cruises between Mudanya and the Imrali Island are made, are closed and removed by the municipality teams.

The officials said that the buffets which are removed from the port in order to provide security, will be constructed in another place which is considered as appropriate by the municipality.

[10] SEVEN ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS OF IRAQI AND IRANIAN ORIGIN DIE WHEN THEY DON'T ABIDE WITH WARNING OF SECURITY FORCES - SEVEN IMMIGRANTS INJURED, WHILE 36 OTHERS CAPTURED

Necmettin Kalkan, the Deputy Governor of eastern Van province said that a group of Iranian and Iraqi people attempted to enter Turkey illegally during the operations that continue in Maytepe region in the triangle of Baskale-Saray-Iran.

Coming near the region where the operation was going on, the Iranians and Iraqis panicked and started to run away. Fire was opened on them who continued to escape in spite of the warning of the security forces.

Kalkan said that the wounded ones are under medical treatment in Van State Hospital, adding an investigation is underway concerning the incident.

A.A

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