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Anadolu Agency: News in English, 99-08-09Anadolu Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Anadolu Agency Home Page at <http://www.anadoluajansi.gov.tr/>AA Daily09 August 1999 MondayCONTENTS
[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCANThese are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in Turkey's press on August 9, 1999. The Anadolu Ajansi does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.HURRIYET (LIBERAL)NEW CLUES ABOUT MURDER OF DENIZERIsmet Metin, the governor of Zonguldak province said during the funeral of Semsi Denizer, the Secretary General of Confederation of Turkish Labour Unions (Turk-Is) and the Chairman of the General Miners Union that there are new clues and developments about the murder of Denizer. The governor said that he will anounce these clues in a press briefing. PRINCE CHARLES IN TURKEY MILLIYET (LIBERAL)DEBTS OF ANKARAThe debt of Melih Gokcek's municipality of Ankara is more than the debts of other 12 great city municipalities, it is 647 trillion Turkish liras. The debts of Istanbul and Izmir municipalities are respectively 165 trillion and 123 trillion Turkish liras. PERINCEK IS FREE TURKEY'S SUN ECLIPSE TOURISM SEEMS TO BE IN TROUBLE SABAH (LIBERAL)SUPPORT OF DEMIRELThe paper says that President Suleyman Demirel supported the paper's proposal of founding a university in Germany. President Demirel said that ''such kind of a university will be fine, however this issue has to be taken up seriously.'' TANTAN ALSO DEALS WITH BORDER TRADE CUMHURIYET (LEFT)POLITICS INDEXED ON ARBITRATIONThe first round meetings about the proposal concerning the constitutional change on arbitration will be held on Tuesday. The bargainings for the constitutional change which will pave the way to the international arbitration method to solve the disagreements which result in the concession contracts and specifications of the public sector, will pave the way for a new era in the political life. TURKISH-IRANIAN SECURITY COUNCIL TO CONVENE PRINCE CHARLES OF BRITAIN IN AEGEAN RADIKAL (LEFT)BALANCE SHEET OF SHAMEA total of 46,000 out of 2,3 million Turkish taxpayers were audited last year. Coskun Aras, the Chairman of Tax Auditers' Association, said that this amount account for the two percent of the overall taxpayers of Turkey and the hidden income in the rest 98 percent reaches 700 trillion trillion Turkish liras. The deficiency in the audit system results from the lack of personnel in the Finance. The reason of the increasing amount of tax evasion is having a small amount of punishments and fines. OZYURT, TURKISH ATHLETE, WINS GOLD IN 1500-METRE CATEGORY TURKIYE (RIGHT)NEW TARGET IS TRAFFICSadettin Tantan, Interior Minister, started struggle against traffic terrorism following his struggles against noice polution, gangs and illegal constructions. The traffic crews can stop the drivers on a doubt that they are drunk and can test whether or not they are drunk by the alcohol measurement device. The circular issued by Tantan also includes the control of all the buses and the drivers of the buses in the entrance and exit gates of the bus stations, the appointment of some passengers as honoury inspectors and the registeration of the 24-hour speed of the buses. LAST PLANE CARRYING KOSOVARS TAKES OFF FROM TURKEY ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)SECRETS NOT SOLVEDThe funeral of Semsi Denizer, the Secretary General of the Confederation of Turkish Labour Unions (Turk-Is) and the Chairman of the General Miners Union, who was killed on Friday night took place in Zonguldak yesterday. Thousands of people participated in the funeral. Ismet Metin, the governor of Zonguldak governor said that two other people apart from Cengiz Balık, who killed Denizer, were taken into custody and they focus on ordinary crime. Rıdvan Budak, the former chairman of the Confederation of Revolutionary Labour Unions (DISK) and a deputy from the Democratic Left Party (DSP) claimed that there are other reasons behind the murder. [02] MUMCU, TOURISM MINISTER, ADDRESSES THOSE IN TOURISM SECTOR: - ''NEVER BE PESSIMIST''FETHIYE, August 9 (A.A) - Erkan Mumcu, the Tourism Minister, addressed those who work in the tourism sector and told them never to be pessimist on Sunday.Mumcu held a meeting with those who work in the tourism sector in Fethiye county of southern Mugla province. Pointing out to the importance of the morale in having success in tourism sector, Mumcu noted that Fethiye lacks unity and solidarity and that this is the most important problem of Fethiye. Stressing that those who work in tourism sector should not expect everthing from the state and the ministry, Mumcu stated that the tourism sector workers can solve their problems among themselves in unity and solidarity and that if not, they can apply to the Tourism Ministry to find a solution. Mumcu stressed that he was shocked when he heard that there was no potable water in Oludeniz and no potable water and sewage system in Hisaronu and Ovacik. When those who work in tourism sector demanded the postponement of the opening date of the schools, Mumcu said, ''I will discuss this issue with my collegues. But, these are transitory measures. We are trying to find radical solutions.'' [03] INITIATIVE OF TURKS IN U.S. - TURKS IN GEORGIA TO MEET WITH GOVERNOR AND ASK FOR ABOLISHMENT OF DAY OF SO-CALLED GENOCIDE ON ARMENIANSWASHINGTON D.C., August 9 (A.A) - The representatives of Turks living in Georgia state of the U.S. will meet with Roy Barnes, the governor and ask for abolishment of the day of the so-called genocide on Armenians, which was declared by the efforts of the Armenian lobby.Vural Cengiz, the Deputy Chairman of the Assembly of the Turkish-American Associations said that the Turks living in Atlanta and Georgia states of the U.S. will convey their concern about the activities of the Armenian lobby which hurt Turkey. Cengiz stressed that Turks will also broaden their efforts about the issue at the level of the State Congress. The Armenian lobby which has intensified its acts against Turkey, tries to urge schools to include the so-called genocide on Armenians in textbooks and arrange commemoration days. The Armenian lobby get result in several states of the U.S. [04] TURKEY-IRAN - SUPREME SECURITY COMMITTEE MEETING TO BE HELD TOMORROWANKARA, August 9 (A.A) - The Supreme Security Committee meeting between Turkey and Iran will be held on Tuesday; it was reported on Monday.The Interior Ministry officials told A.A correspondent that the meeting which was planned to be held today, was postponed to Tuesday. The meetings in which the officials of the units of the Foreign Ministry will be held in cooperation with the Interior Ministry. The most prior issue of this meeting is the ''solution of the problems resulting from the activities of the terrorist organization.'' The officials of the Foreign Ministry earlier recalled the statements of Kamal Kharrazi, Iranian Foreign Minister, saying that Iran does not shelter the terrorist organization in her territory. The Foreign Ministry officials also earlier said that they would have proposals about how to reach some concrete solutions on this issue in the shortest time. [05] 11TH WORLD PSYCHIATRY CONGRESS CONTINUES IN GERMANYHAMBURG, August 9 (A.A) - The Eleventh World Psychiatry Congress continues in Hamburg city of Germany and more than 10,000 psychiatries from 120 countries participate in the Congress, it is reported on Monday.During the Congress which is held by the World Psychiatry Association (WPA) and which will end on August 11, nearly 10,000 participants from 120 countries will hold 3,000 conferences together with 350 symposiums, courses and discussions. Mehmet Cakıcı, who participates in the Congress by representing the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) told A.A that ''I represent TRNC in an international science congress. This is very pleasing both for me and my country.'' While explaining his visit to Germany, Cakıcı said that ''the passport police officer became very excited after entering my name on the computer and he made a few telephone calls. I think they confused my name with Alaattin Cakıcı, the famous mafia boss. Later they apologized me for keeping me waiting.'' [06] TERRORIST ORGANIZATION PKK RESTARTS ITS OPPRESSIONS AND VIOLENCE AGAINST KURDS WHO TAKE NEGATIVE REACTIONS TOWARDS PKK - SYRIAN KURDISTAN DEMOCRATIC PARTY: ''PKK IS ENEMY OF THE KURDS''ANKARA/ALEPPO, August 9(A.A) - The terrorist organization PKK restarted its oppressions and violence against the Kurds who take negative reactions towards the PKK; it was reported on Monday.It was reported that three PKK terrorists staged an attack against the house of a Kurdish person living in Semalik county of Afrin in July. These terrorists opened fire on this person and seriously injured him because he talked against the PKK and provoked people against the PKK. The PKK, which started to lose power after the capture of Abdullah Ocalan, the head of terrorist organization, has intensified its oppressions and violence recently after the Kurdish tribes withdrew their support. Meanwhile, the Syrian Kurdistan Democratic Party which is against the PKK, made a statement a short time ago, addressing the Kurds who are living in Afrin, Kamisli, Carablus, Haseke, Derbesiye, Resulayn and Alleppo cities. The statement said that the PKK is the enemy of the Kurds and that the administration of the organization is being directed by an unknown power for other purposes. The statement added that the PKK militants who pass from Syria to Northern Iraq slaughter the Kurds living there and that this behaviour cannot suit with humanity and being a Kurd. [07] TURKEY'S CREDIT MARK - SALEM, MOODY'S ANALYST ON TURKEY: ''GOVERNMENT MOVES IN THE RIGHT TRACK BY BRAVE STEPS IN THE LAST MONTHS, BUT THIS HAS TO BE PERMANENT''NEW YORK/ANKARA, August 9 (A.A) - Hanan Amin Salem, Moody's Analyst on Turkey said on Monday that the Turkish government moves in the right track by the brave steps it took in the last months, but this has to be permanent.Speaking to A.A correspondent about the developments in the Turkish economy and Turkey's credit mark, Salem, the analyst of Moody's, one of the U.S. leading credit rating institutions, stated that they can change Turkey's impression from ''stable'' to ''positive,'' after Turkey took steps on structural reforms and lasting measures. Salem pointed out that there should be a consensus of opinion within the government regarding the adoption of the reforms. Noting that they closely monitor the developments in the Turkish economy, Salem stressed that the problem of public finance is one of the important problems of Turkey and permanent measures have to be taken to prevent the deficit of public finance. Stressing that Turkey should show the business world that it is resolved to complete reforms, Salem said that the business world wants to see concrete results from now on. Attributing importance to the realization of reforms like agriculture reform and privatization, Salem pointed out that social security reform and international arbitration are the leading reforms of Turkey. Noting that the new government announced a positive privatization programme, Salem said that the government should keep loyal to the programme and continue implementing the process of privatization as these are important in respect of Turkey's credibility. One has to look at the economic indicators of the third quarter of this year to have a real view about the Turkish economy, Salem said, adding IMF is expected to make an agreement with Turkey before the end of this year. Emphasizing the fact that IMF also wishes to see several concrete steps of Turkey, Salem said that Turkey's selling bonds in Euro basis while international markets are in recess is positive. Evaluating Turkey in the category of ''B1,'' Moody's keeps the economic impression of Turkey in ''stable.'' [08] CHANGE IN POLITICAL PARTY LAW - PROPOSAL FORESEEING CHANGE TO BE TAKEN UP IN CONSTITUTIONAL COMMISSIONANKARA, August 9 (A.A) - The proposal foreseeing change in the Law of the Political Parties submitted to the parliament by Ahmet Iyimaya, a deputy of the True Path Party (DYP) will be discussed by the Parliamentary Constitutional Commission on Tuesday, it is reported on Monday.According to the agreement reached by the political parties represented in the parliament last week, the document adopted by the commission of interparliamentary harmony in the last legislation term, will be taken as the basis regarding the change in the Law of Political Parties. This document is based on the principle of making the Law of Political Parties be in harmony with the change made in the Constitution. The position of ''a political party's being the focus of prohibited activities'' will be taken up again in the change and the definition of focus will be made concrete. The limits defined in Articles 67 and 68 will be taken as basis regarding this issue. The change foreseen to be made in the Law of the Political Parties, is expected to be taken up at the general council of the parliament between 11- 12 August. [09] LAST SOLAR ECLIPSE OF MILLENNIUM - STATE MINISTER MIRZAOGLU: - ''HAVING REGARD TO BOTH GEOGRAPHICAL POSITION AND METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS, TURKEY IS THE BEST PLACE TO WATCH THE TOTAL ECLIPSE''ANKARA, August 9 (A.A) - Ramazan Mirzaoglu, the State Minister, said on Monday, ''Having regard to both geographical position, and meteorological conditions, Turkey is the best place to watch the last total solar eclipse of the 20th century.''Addressing a press conference in the Directorate General of the Meteorology, Mirzaoglu gave information about the the activities of the Directorate General and the weather condition in Turkey on August 11, 1999. Stressing that the geographical position and weather conditions are very important to watch the total solar eclipse, Mirzaoglu noted, ''the best position to watch the solar eclipse was calculated astronomically. Meanwhile, low rate of damp is a significant feature in good imaging. According to our estimates, weather is expected to be rainy and cloudy in central and northern Europe. We expect weather to be clear on August 11 in the path of the total eclipse in Turkey from Bartin to Diyarbakir. Proportional rate of damp is expected to be between 15 and 30 percent. Having regard to both geographical position, and meteorological conditions, Turkey is the best place to watch the last total solar eclipse of the 20th century.'' WEATHER FORECAST IN PLACES ON PATH OF THE ECLIPSE Weather Heat Forecast (max-min) Rate of Damp Wind ----------- -------- ------------ -------- . partly clouded and east</PRE> Kastamonu Clear and 32-17 25 percent From . partly clouded north-east Corum Clear and 33-16 25 percent From . partly clouded north-east Amasya Clear and 34-20 25 percent From . partly clouded north-east Tokat Clear and 34-18 25 percent From . partly clouded north-east Sivas Clear and 32-16 25 percent From . partly clouded north-east Elazig Clear and 40-21 20 percent From . partly clouded north-east Diyarbakir Clear 41-21 15 percent Not windy Batman Clear 41-24 15 percent Not windy [10] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT: ''WE ARE DETERMINED TO PREVENT TORTURE''ANKARA, August 9 (A.A) - Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said on Monday that they were determined to prevent torture.When a journalist said a softening was in question on the issue of making reduction in the penalty mentioned in draft law related with prevention of torture and that this caused several criticisms, Ecevit said ''I don't have information to this end. As far as I know, this issue is under discussion in the sub-commission. I have no information what has been issued from there. Yet, we are determined to prevent torture. In fact there are several legal provisions to this end. Yet, it is clear that there are some problems in implementation. We will do our best to prevent this. Giving any concession is out of question.'' When recalled the comments that ways for independent candidacy will be opened for Necmettin Erbakan, former leader of the closed Welfare Party (RP), with a change that will be made in Political Parties law, Ecevit said ''according to my opinion, Erbakan and other people in the position of Erbakan are deprived of political rights for five years.'' Responding to another question Ecevit said they wanted important legal arrangements to be passed before the Parliamentary recession, adding that the Parliament worked with a speed that was not seen in its history before. Ecevit said parties represented in the Parliament contributed a lot to the issue as well as the coalition partner parties which form the ruling. Prime Minister said, ''I am glad to say that Parliament works with a great speed. We are doing out best to complete the laws which we attribute importance to before the recession.'' Responding to the questions of reporters which asked when the Governors Decree will take a shape, Ecevit said ''we did not have such an issue in our agenda.'' When asked, ''Turkish-Iranian supreme security delegations will convene on Tuesday. Will PKK camps and the two Turkish soldiers who are in Iran will come to the agenda?'', Ecevit said ''It is clear that they will release our two soldiers. All the signs show this. I wish this will be realized soon. Required talks are underway with Iran for the solution of problems related with the terrorist PKK. We are very sensitive to this end.'' [11] ERSUMER, MINISTER OF ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES: ''WE WILL REALIZE PROMOTION PROGRAM OF BAKU-CEYHAN PROJECT AND BOTAS TOGETHER WITH FINANCIERS''ANKARA, August 8 (A.A) - Cumhur Ersumer, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources and Deputy Prime Minister said on Monday that they will initiate a program together with the financiers to promote Baku-Ceyhan crude oil pipeline project and Botas, state run oil company.Speaking to journalists after meeting with Ambassador Karen Fogg, the Representative of the European Union (EU) Commission to Turkey, Ersumer said they held meetings with Azeri work group last week and brought four agreements into the stage of signature. Ersumer said finance should be found before these agreements are signed, adding that ''Azeri part carries our finance talks. Turkish side will also meet with the financiers. We will realize promotion program of project and Botas. We will re-convene in September.'' Speaking about the issue of international arbitration, Ersumer said ''we are not after a Sevres agreement, any agreement that will cast shadow over independence and after creating a caputulation with the international arbitration. We are just trying to open ways for Turkey on the issue of foreign capital.'' Ersumer said Ambassador Fogg was also amazed how International Arbitration was connected with the independence of the country, adding that ''we are just trying to open ways for Turkey on the issue of foreign captial which Turkey comes the 22nd among other OECD countries.'' Ersumer defined his meeting with Fogg as positive and constructive, adding that they exchanged information related with the developments in the sector. Ersumer said they had the opportunity to discuss cooperation points in the energy field between EU and Turkey. Meanwhile Karen Fogg, the Ambassador, said as the commission they were closely interested in energy policy of Turkey, and stressed the importance of international arbitration which may provide Turkey's membership to European Energy Charter. Fogg, who found the steps taken by Turkey as rapid, said she held talks related with Inogate program concerning the transportation of gas and oil in the Caucasus and Caspian Region ''we expect Turkey's close contribution to the program in the near future.'' It was reported that relations between Turkey and the EU in the field of energy cold not be improved in the past five years very much as the administration of Energy Committee was at Greece. With the new administration, speeding up cooperation in the field of energy and inclusion of Turkey to Inooggate program is targetted. [12] VIENNA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA TO PLAY ''PLANETS SUIT'' IN AMASYA DURING SOLAR ECLIPSE - TOURISM MINISTER MUMCU: - ''SOLAR ECLIPSE IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR TURKEY'S PROMOTION''ANKARA, August 9 (A.A) - Erkan Mumcu, the Tourism Minister, said on Monday that the Vienna Symphony Orchestra which will be conducted by Claudius Traunfellner, will play the ''Planets Suit'' of Gustav Holst during the sun eclipse on August 11 in Amasya which is one of the best places to watch the last total solar eclipse of the millennium.Addressing a press conference in the Tourism Ministry, Mumcu stressed that the total eclipse is a great opportunity for Turkey's promotion in a period which became the scene of discussions over security in Turkey. Mumcu told reporters that the Vienna Sypmhony Orchestra will give a concert at Amasya's Gokhoyuk Park and create a romantic atmoshphere during the total solar eclipse. The concert can be watched live through the TRT. It will be also transmitted to the world TV channels through the European Broadcast Union (EBU). The worldwide famous CNN Channel will also broadcast the concert from Amasya. [13] COOPERATION BETWEEN TURKEY AND SYRIA IN TOURISM - TOURISM MINISTER MUMCU: - ''IMPROVEMENT OF RELATIONS IN FIELD OF TOURISM WILL ALSO BE USEFUL IN ECONOMIC FIELD'' - SYRIAN TOURISM MINISTER DAWOUD: - ''TOURISM IS A INDUSTRY WITHOUT CHIMNEY''ANKARA, August 9 (A.A) - Erkan Mumcu, the Tourism Minister, met on Monday with his Syrian counterpart Danho Dawoud, and an accompanyıng delegatıon who pay an official visit to Turkey to attend the Turkish-Syrian 4th Term Tourism Joint Comission meeting.Addressing the meeting, Mumcu said that improvement of relations in the field of tourism will also be useful in the economic field. Noting that there are historical and cultural ties between the two countries, Mumcu described the tourism as a productive field for nations and countries to get information about each other. Mumcu also emphasized that the ''Turkey-Syria 4th Term Tourism Joint Commission meeting Protocol'' which was signed between the two countries, is a positive step towards further improving relations. Meanwhile, Dawoud said in his part that neighbourhood bonds between Turkey and Syria will improve within framework of the tourism relations. Pointing out that tourism is very important for economy of a country, Dawoud described the tourism as a industry without chimney. Issues such as promotion between the two countries, joint activities in 2000, cooperation among travel agencies, and mutual visits of press members were included in the Turkey-Syria 4th Term Tourism Joint Commission meeting Protocol. The Syrian delegation is scheduled to proceed to Istanbul tomorrow. The delegation is expected to leave for Syria on August 11. [14] PRESIDENT DENKTAS OF TRNC: - ''OUR PLAN IS VERY EASY: CONFEDERATION''LEFKOSA, August 9 (A.A) - President Rauf Denktas of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) said on Monday, ''a plan regarded with Cyprus can only be made by the sides on the island. Our plan is very easy and realistic: a confederation. There is no any other solution for Cyprus.''Stressing that the 10-article plan which was said to have been prepared by the U.S., was not and could not be sent to them, Denktas noted that a plan including conditions of the Greek Cypriots, cannot be accepted by anyone. President Denktas called on Turkish Cypriots to make known in every occasion that they will never use their right of sovereignty, and Turkey's guarantorship as a bargaining element. Rauf Denktas emphasized that their target is an agreement between the Greek Cypriot Republic in southern Cyprus and the Turkish Cypriot Republic in northern Cyprus. He added that they also aim at setting up good neighbourhood relations. Pointing out that there is no any alternative after 36 years of calamity and Greek Cypriot's hostility towards Turkish Cypriots, President Denktas said, ''We have spent years to come together with the Greek Cypriots and to administer Cyprus together. As long as they refuse our confederation proposal envisaging good neighbourhood relations between the two states, no one can carry us to future with foreign plans.'' Noting that the U.S. has not put forward any plan for Cyprus, President Denktas emphasized, ''if a plan will be made, it must be made between the TRNC and the Greek Cypriot Administration. Then we will send it to Secretary General of the United Nations.'' A.A Anadolu Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |