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Anadolu Agency: News in English, 99-07-04Anadolu Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Anadolu Agency Home Page at <http://www.anadoluajansi.gov.tr/>AA Daily04 July 1999 SundayCONTENTS
[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCANThese are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in Turkey's press on July 4, 1999. The Anadolu Ajansi does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.HURRIYET (LIBERAL)HI SOLDIERBulgarian press showed great interest to the arrival of Turkish troops which will act within the body of Kosovo Peace Forces (KFOR). The best seller newspaper ''24 hours'' used the headline ''Hi Soldier''. Turkish troops have arrived in Macedonia. ECEVIT: IMF APPRECIATED PROGRAM OF THE GOVERNMENT Responding to another question Ecevit said a program prepared by the government was in question, not a program proposed by the IMF, adding that this was found as appropriate by the IMF delegation MILLIYET (LIBERAL) THE SAFEST COUNTRY IS: TURKEY TURKISH TROOPS ARE IN KOSOVO TODAY SABAH (LIBERAL)TANTAN LAWIstanbul police launched operations against famous entertainment places like Pasha, Havana, Bahane, ST, Qubanas, Onyx Bar and Dalmaz Gardan. A written report has been prepared for all these places as they make loud music. This operation of police caused discussion. Some said it was a good one as they could not sleep till late hours due to the loud music, yet, some other critized the operation. Those wanted a different method to be found for the control. SECOND MIRACLE IN GAP SV1 Viaduct is the biggest one of the 13 viaducts constructed within the context of TAG Motorway. SV1 Viaduct connects two hills that is on the summit of Nurdagi region. CUMHURIYET (LEFT)LIMITATION FROM IMF TO SOCIAL STATEThe International Monetary Fund (IMF), who accepted to make an agreement with the government, is expected to apply a different stand-by. Social security, agriculture, privatization and arbitration arrangements will be completed as the precondition of the agreement. IMF's preconditions are: limitation in public finance, social security, agricultural support, privatization and international arbitation. DEMIREL SENDS CONGRATULATORY MESSAGE TO CLINTON RADIKAL (LEFT)THEY HAVE PLUNGED INTO RAVINE: 11 DIEDA bus with 33 Georgian tourists plunged 250 meters (825 feet) off a mountain highway into ravine Saturday, killing at least 11 people. At least 21 people were injured in the crash, which occurred when the bus rammed into the rear of a car and veered off the highway near the city of Bolu, said Police Chief Ugur Gur. The injured included all five passengers in the car, and 16 of the Georgians. President Suleyman Demirel sent a message of condolence to Shevardnadze, Georgian President. TÜRKİYE (RIGHT)HISTORICAL DAYTurkish Military Troops, who departed from Ankara, reached to Kosovo via Bulgaria and Macedonia. Arrival of Turkish Troops to Kosovo territories is welcomed with enthusiasm. Turkish Peace Forces is composed of 55 officers, 115 non-commissioned officers, 30 specialist non-commissioned officers, 773 soldiers and 20 civilians. Tranmission of Turkish soldiers will be concluded on July 8. Turkish troops will be deployed in Prizren, Dragas and Mamusa. ECEVIT: ''WE CAN NOT GIVE UP INDEPENDENCE OF TRNC'' ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT: NO CONCESSIONPrime Minister Bulent Ecevit said talks held with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) will not have any connection with the attitude of Turkey in international political issues. Ecevit said ''we can not give up the independence of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC)'' When recalled the evaluations that IMF would determine the financial aid according to Turkey's compromise performance in its international policies such us Cyprus and Northern Iraq, Ecevit said: ''No. We will not mix it with political issues. First of all, existence of TRNC is a fact. We can not give up the existence of TRNC. Nobody should have dreams about it. We are announcing our ideas towards this end to all the people in the world.'' [02] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT: ''LOWNESS OF INFLATION GIVES HOPE FOR FUTURE'' - ECEVIT EXPRESSES WILLINGNESS TO VISIT TRNC SOONANKARA, July 4 (A.A) - Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said on Saturday that lowness of inflation figures in June gives hope for future.Speaking to reporters Ecevit said inflation in June was 3.3 percent in consumer prices and 1.8 percent in wholesale prices, adding that ''actually, although there was an increase in cost of many goods and services in public services, there was not price increase. Yet, it was made in June. Lowness of inflation despite this is a hopeful indication for our future.'' When recalled the news reports that he would visit Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) between July 19 and 21 with a crowded group of ministers, Ecevit said ''no date could be determined yet, but I want to visit TRNC in the first opportunity.'' [03] ANNUAL INFLATION RISES TO 50.3 PERCENT IN WHOLESALE AND TO 64.3 IN CONSUMER PRICESANKARA, July 4 (A.A) - State Statistical Institute (DIE) said on Saturday that according to the figures of June, annual inflation in wholesale prices is 50.3 and 64.3 in consumer prices.Annual inflation as of June 1998 was 76.7 percent in wholesale prices and 90.6 in consumer prices. DIE statement said wholesale prices increased by 1.8 percent in wholesale prices and 3.3 percent in consumer prices when compared to previous month. Increase in wholesale prices in June 1998 was 1.6 percent and 2.4 percent in consumer prices. According to DIE's 1994=100 base wholesale and consumer prices index, annual and monthly comparisons of the price increases in the past five years are as follows: Monthly Inflation --------------- ----------------------------------- -------------------------- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ---- ---- ---- ----- ---- Feb 7.1 5.8 6.2 4.6 3.4 4.9 4.5 5.7 4.4 3.2 March 5.5 7.0 6.0 4.0 4.0 4.5 5.6 5.4 4.3 4.1 April 5.1 8.1 5.5 4.0 5.3 5.8 6.7 6.6 4.7 4.9 May 1.9 4.1 5.2 3.3 3.2 3.3 4.5 4.7 3.5 2.9 June 1.3 2.7 3.4 1.6 1.8 2.6 2.5 2.9 2.4 3.3 July 2.3 2.4 5.3 2.5 3.1 2.1 6.3 3.4 August 2.3 3.8 5.3 2.4 4.3 4.8 6.2 4.0 Sept 4.6 5.1 6.3 5.3 7.7 6.1 7.3 6.7 Oct 3.7 5.5 6.7 4.1 6.3 6.5 8.3 6.1 Novem 3.5 5.1 5.6 3.4 4.7 5.2 6.6 4.3 Decemb 4.4 3.9 5.4 2.5 3.8 3.4 5.1 3.3 Annual Inflation . Wholesale Consumer . --------------------------------- -------------------------- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ---- ---- ----- Feb 138.4 63.0 78.6 89.6 48.3 122.4 77.5 77.7 99.3 63.9 Marc 135.0 65.3 77.0 86.0 48.2 119.7 79.3 77.3 97.2 63.5 April 92.4 69.9 72.8 83.3 50.0 88.4 80.8 77.2 93.6 63.9 May 80.6 73.7 74.6 79.9 50.0 79.8 82.9 77.5 91.4 63.0 June 78.1 76.2 75.7 76.7 50.3 80.7 82.9 78.0 90.6 64.3 July 77.8 76.3 80.7 72.1 80.6 81.2 85.2 85.3 August 76.2 79.0 83.4 67.4 83.3 81.9 87.8 81.4 Sept 76.5 79.8 85.4 65.9 85.8 79.3 89.9 80.4 Oct 72.4 82.8 87.5 62.0 84.2 79.6 93.2 76.6 Novem 68.9 85.7 88.4 58.6 81.5 80.4 95.8 72.8 Decem 65.6 84.9 91.0 54.3 76.1 79.8 99.1 69.7 [04] CAKMAKOGLU, MINISTER OF NATIONAL DEFENSE: ''IT SEEMS THAT PARLIAMENT WILL APPROVE OF THE DEATH SENTENCE DECISION GIVEN BY THE INDEPENDENT TURKISH COURT''NEVSEHIR, July 4 (A.A) - Sabahattin Cakmakoglu, Minister of National Defense, said on Friday that rumors coming from outside Turkey regarding the death sentence given to Abdullah Ocalan, head of the terrorist organization, would not bind Turkey, adding that ''it seems that Parliament will approve of the death sentence decision given by the independent Turkish Court.''Responding to the questions of reporters in Urgup county of central Anatolian Nevsehir province Cakmakoglu said on the issue of death sentence given to Ocalan, head of terrorist organization, Turkey will abide by the requirements of its internal laws as a sovereign country. Pointing out that rumours coming from outside Turkey regarding the death sentence given to Ocalan would not interest Turkey, Cakmakoglu said ''although several countries lifted capital punishment, they think of applying it again from time to time.'' Cakmakoglu said he believed that capital punishment decision will be approved of in the Parliament, adding that ''I can not know the ideas of anybody, yet it seems that the Parliament will approve of the capital punishment decision given by independent Turkish Court. At this stage we expect bigger states to act as a big state.'' Cakmakoglu also said Turkish troops that were sent to Kosovo will be an example force at it happened in Bosnia and Somalia, and pointed out that ''we may increase our power in Kosovo to 2,000 in case of a requirement.'' [05] KECECILER, MINISTER OF STATE, RETURNS TO TURKEY AFTER PARTICIPATING IN 26TJ OIC FOREIGN MINISTERS MEETINGANKARA, July 4 (A.A) - Mehmet Kececiler, Minister of State, said on Saturday that 26th meeting of Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) which took place in Ouagadougo, capital city of Burkina Faso, and the bilateral contacts they held, were beneficial for Turkey.Addressing a news conference in Esenboga Airport, Kececiler said in the conference Turkey submitted a draft resolution on the issue of Kosovo, adding that OIC member countries expended support to their proposal which envisaged to stage a meeting in Turkey to coordinate the aid that will be given to Kosovar refugees. Kececiler said OIC also supported humanitarian aid expended to Bosnia- Herzegovina. Pointing out that a decision, extending support to rightful case of Turkish Cypriot people was also adopted in the Conference, Kececiler said ''with this decision, Foreign Ministers of Islam countries, called on the sides in Cyprus to recognize equal status of each others, and mentioned about the importance of negotiations under equal status in order to find a solution to Cyprus question. The Ministers also welcomed the confederation proposal of Rauf Denktas, President of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) dated August 31, 1998.'' Kececiler said a separate decision was adopted in the conference protecting the rights of Western Thrace Turkish Minority, adding that Foreign Ministers of OIC countries expressed regret over the human rights violations of Greece towards Western Thrace Turkish Minority and called on Greece to put an end to these violations. Kececiler said the Ministers adopted ''Agreement to Struggle Against International Terrorism,'' which was prepared within the framework of OIC. Minister of State pointed out that Turkish-Israeli relations and military operations of TSK in Northern Iraq were not discussed during 26th OIC Foreign Ministers Meeting. Kececiler said he held several contacts with representatives of several countries and Ahmet Muhammet, Chairman of Islam Development Bank, adding that he also held beneficial talks with the officials of Burkina Faso. Kececiler said they agreed to open an honorary Consulate in Burkina Faso and to train Burkina Faso Genderma Forces in Turkey. [06] BUS, CARRYING TOURISTS, COLLIDES WITH A LORRY - ONE DIES, SIX OTHER INJUREDANTALYA, July 4 (A.A) - A bus, carrying tourists to Aksu region of southern Antalya province, collided with a lorry killing a person and injuring six German tourists.The accident occured when the bus collided with a lorry, in Isparta junction. Abdurrahman Aslan, driver of the bus, died and the tourists Gebmüller Guhde, Maren Tablaek, Manfred Guhde, Cornelia Ryssel, Marianne Schmidt and Rohland Schmidt injured. Investigation related with the accident is underway. [07] F-16 WARPLANES PRODUCTION - NUMBER OF F-16 WARPLANES, INCLUDED IN TURKISH AIR FORCES SQUADRON, REACHES TO 278ANKARA, July 4 (A.A) - Production of F-16 fighting falcon planes of Turkish Aviation and Space Industry Corporation (TAI) continues according to the program, it was reported on Sunday.TAI completed giant projects in defense industry and became one of the most important companies of the world. Number of F-16 warplanes that were delivered to Turkish Air Forces Commandership reached to 278 within the framework of the production program. TAI took the first step in production of F-16 war planes in 1987 aiming to strengthen Turkish defense industry. TAI's domestic participation to Turkish F-16 warplanes increased to 80 percent. TAI started F-16 productions in the year 1987 with 152 planes, and also completed production of 46 F-16 warplanes for Egyptian Air Forces Commandership, and delivered them to this country. [08] 7TH TURKISH WORLD CONVENTION - BAHCELI, DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER: ''EURASIA WILL BECOME THE MOST IMPORTANT AND STRATEGIC GEOGRAPHY OF THE WORLD IN THE COMING PERIOD''DENIZLI, July 4 (A.A) - Devlet Bahceli, Minister of State and Deputy Prime Minister, said on Sunday that Eurasia will become the most important and strategic geography of the world in the coming period, adding that people living in this geography have very important duties and responsibilities.Addressing the closing session of the 7th Turkish States and Communities Friendship, Brotherhood and Cooperation Convention, Bahceli said that was the last Convention in the 20th century which was full of turbulences and developments due to human history. Bahceli stressed that the Convention has the importance of a turning point for the future of Turkish world which constitudes one of the most distinguished aspects of humanity which will take a step to a new century six months later. Pointing out that Eurasia, which is the cradle of big civilizations, will be the most important and strategic geography of the world in the coming period, Bahceli said people living in this region, and Turkish nation in particular, have very important duties and responsibilities to this end. Bahceli said ''we should complete all our deficiencies and activate all potential richness without thinking of negativities as it is the time of wisdom, unity and solidarity'', adding that ''it is the time to evaluate the historical opportunity that lies in front of us. Making the coming era a friendship, cooperation and stability period, in short Turkish era, depends on this.'' Bahceli said Turkish nation deserved the best of everything, adding that Turkish nation will live in unity, prosperity, welfare and hapiness forever. [09] TOURISM INVESTMENTS - KOLETAVITOGLU, EXECUTIVE BOARD CHAIRMAN OF TOURISM INVESTORS ASSOCIATION: ''FOREIGN INVESTORS ARE GUARANTEE FOR TOURISM''ISTANBUL, July 4 (A.A) - Tavit Koletavitoglu, Executive Board Chairman of Tourism Investors Association (TYD), said on Sunday that insufficiency of foreign investors in tourism sector was a deficiency of the sector, adding that foreign investors would be a guarantee for Turkish tourism sector.Koletavitoglu told A.A correspondent that political parties which constitute 57th government should be in harmony to make foreign investors to come to Turkey. Koletavitoglu said ''first of all we should solve the problems of domestic capital and learn not to be interested in the capital markets, than foreign investors will come if capital markets in Turkey gives positive signals.'' Meanwhile, Murat Dedeman, Executive Board Chairman of Dedeman Companies Group, recalled that 57th government got the highest vote of confidence that has been taken so far, adding that ''I believe in the government and I also believe that it will be successful.'' Dedeman said ''The important thing is to start promotion activities for the coming year and to create required funds in this respect'', adding that he believed that the government will take necessary measures soon and start working to prevent this sector from suffering. Dedeman said the world was globalized and that Dedeman Group was warm towards cooperation with foreigners. [10] LAWYERS OF OCALAN CLAIM THAT CAPITAL PUNISHMENT CAN NOT BE EXECUTEDISTANBUL, July 4 (A.A) - Lawyers of Abdullah Ocalan, the head of the terrorist organization, claimed that the capital punishment can not be executed because Hasan Denizkurdu, former justice minister, had earlier sent a letter to his italian counterpart which stated that the capital punishment has been lifted ''de facto'', and thus he had undertaken a committment.Lawyers of Ocalan, Niyazi Bulgan, Irfan Dundar, Hatice Korkut and Aysel Tugluk issued a written statement. In the written statement, the lawyers said some officials and media organs have stated that Turkey has not undertaken a commitment to Italy not to executive death sentences and that efforts are underway to exclude captial punishment from the laws, and Hasan Denizkurdu confirmed these in a recent tv program. The lawyers claimed that this was not true and that Denizkurdu sent a letter to his Italian counterpart dated Novemb 26, 1998. The letter in question listed six separate investigations carried out against Ocalan and public cases. The letter also includes some phrases which are claimed to be belonging to Denizkurdu. Denizkurdu said in his letter that although the crimes attributed to Ocalan require capital punishment in accordance with Turkish laws Turkey has not carried out an execution since September 25, 1984. So, it is possible to say that capital punishment has been lifted ''de facto''. Necessary initiatives have been launched to exclude the punishment in question from Turkish legal system. To this end, Turkish Penal Code draft law, which is currently in the agenda of the Parliament, has not included capital punishment.'' ''Latest developments regarding capital punishment in Turkey and the legal situation has also been evaluated by European Human rights Commission due to an application made from Turkey. The application has been rejected with the decision of the commission. Thus, European Human Rights Commission has confirmed our ideas regarding capital punishment''. Lawyers of Ocalan, basing on this letter, claimed that ''as it can be understood from this official letter which had been sent from Turkish Justice Ministry to Italian Justice Ministry, Turkey has undertaken committments to European Human Rights Commission and Italian Justice Ministry that capital punishments would not be executed and that required studies were underway to exclude capital punishment from the laws. A.A Anadolu Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |