Anadolu Agency: News in English, 99-08-29

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

AA Daily

29 August 1999 Sunday

CONTENTS

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

[02] CHINESE EMBASSY IN ANKARA TO GRANT 40,000 U.S. DOLLARS FOR QUAKE VICTIMS

[03] CRISIS EVALUATION AND FOLLOW UP COUNCIL CONVENES - TURKISH ARMED FORCES PULLS ALIVE 40,646 CITIZENS FROM DEBRIS FOLLOWING MASSIVE EARTHQUAKE

[04] JAPANESE INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION AGENCY: - ''THE OFFICIAL AID OF THE JAPANESE GOVERNMENT TO TURKEY CONTINUES TO INCREASE''

[05] AMNESTY LAW - PREMIER ECEVIT: ''NO PARTNER OF COALITION GOVERNMENT AMONG THREE PARTIES CAN FULLY REALIZE ITS OWN WISHES''

[06] PRIME MINISTRY CRISIS ADMINISTRATION CENTER STATEMENT - ''THERE ARE 1, 332 RUBBLE, 1,423 SEALED BUILDINGS, 13,681 HIGHLY DAMAGED BUILDINGS, 9,203 DAMAGED, 5,498 MEDIUM DAMAGED, 1,788 SLIGHTLY DAMAGED BUILDINGS IN THE DISASTER ZONE''

[07] PREMIER ECEVIT: ''WORKING TEMPO AND HARMONY OF PARLIAMENT HAVE PROVIDED WHOLE WORLD'S TRUST IN TURKEY''

[08] AUGUST 30 VICTORY DAY - PREMIER ECEVIT: ''AUGUST 30, 1922 IS THE DAY WHEN THE TURKISH NATION TURNS THE INDEPENDENCE WAR TO A VICTORY UNDER THE PIONEERSHIP OF GREAT ATATURK DESPITE ALL THE IMPOSSIBILITIES''

[09] PREMIER ECEVIT: ''IF WE CAN ISSUE EARTHQUAKE BOND THAT WILL BE SUPPORTED BY U.S., ECONOMIC DIFFICULTIES CAN BE OVERCOME IN SHORT PERIOD OF TIME''

[10] PRIME MINISTRY CRISIS ADMINISTRATION CENTRE: ''DAMAGE IN ADAPAZARI LANDING TRANSFORMER IS OVERCOME AND IT OPERATES NOW''

[11] AYDIN, PUBLIC WORKS AND SETTLEMENT MINISTER: - ''THE TUNNEL IN THE BOLU MOUNTAIN IS NOT ON THE ACTIVE FAULT CRACK OF THE NORTH ANATOLIAN FAULT LINE''

[12] 30 AUGUST VICTORY DAY - PRESIDENT DEMIREL: ''TURKISH ARMY HAS BEEN DEFENDER OF SACRED VALUES AND CREATOR OF MAGNIFICENT EPICS ON THIS HOLY MOTHERLAND''

[13] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT EVALUATES AMNESTY LAW: ''THERE ARE SOME ISSUES WHICH I PERSONNALY HAVE SOME DIFFICULTIES TO ACCEPT''

[14] AUSTRALIAN TOURISM SECTOR EMPLOYEES SAY RIGHT TIME TO VISIT TURKEY

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

HURRIYET (LIBERAL) OUR PUBLIC LEADS THE WAY
Leon B. Karapanayotis, a Greek newspaper editor says the Greek public led the way in providing sympathy and aid for the victims of Turkey's earthquake. The Greek editor published a title on Ta Nea newspaper last week following the earthquake in Turkey saying that ''We are all Turks.'' ''After giving this title to the paper, two of our friends came and asked me whether or not we would have trouble later. I believed that I was right in doing that. However the Greek public didn't react, I was even surprised by that,'' he said.

TURKISH ARMED FORCES PULLS ALIVE 40,646 CITIZENS
The Prime Ministry Crisis Management Centre said that only the Turkish Armed Forces pulled alive 40,646 citizens from debris following the massive earthquake that hit Marmara region of Turkey on August 17. The Turkish Army lost 428 of its personnel. Ross Mountain, the U.N. Coordinator of Humanitarian Affairs said that 95 percent of those citizens were pulled out alive from debris by Turks, while 5 percent of citizens were rescued by the foreign rescue teams.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

INCREASE IN PRICES RATHER THAN QUAKE TAX
When the discussions on the tax package which was prepared by the government due to the quake were postponed to October, finding resources by increasing the prices of the products of the State Economic Enterprises (SEEs) came on the agenda. Firstly, increase in the prices of the oil products and the products of the state-run Tobacco and Liquor Enterprises (TEKEL) are expected. The 30 percent increase in the prices of the cigarettes and the liquors are expected to bring 30 trillion Turkish liras by the end of 1999.

SABAH (LIBERAL)

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

SINAN BECOMES WORLD CHAMPION IN BOXING
Sinan Samil Sam, a Turkish boxer, became the world champion in World Boxing Championship. Thus, he became the first Turkish boxer who gain the ''world champion'' title. Turkey won one gold and two bronze medals in the end of the championship.

RADIKAL (LEFT)

PLAINTIFF AS A JUDGE
Ersoy Ozcan, a deputy from the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) has been appointed to an earthquake investigation committee on which he will probably discuss accusations that his decision to remove columns in a hospital he owns caused the earthquake deaths of nine people. This is against the most basic principle of law.

TÜRKİYE (RIGHT)

58,000 PRISONERS TO BENEFIT FROM AMNESTY LAW
The amnesty draft law was adopted by the parliament. 26,000 prisoners will directly benefit from the law, while 32,000 prisoners will gradually benefit from the law which covers crimes committed till April 23, 1999.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

A TOTAL OF 877 PERSONNEL OF GOLCUK FLEET COMMANDERSHIP STILL LOST
The military losses in the Golcuk Fleet Commandership became definite. A total of 378 personnel died, 255 personnel were injured and 877 personnel were lost. A total of 28 officers and 124 non-commissioned officers died in the quake which hit the Marmara Region.

[02] CHINESE EMBASSY IN ANKARA TO GRANT 40,000 U.S. DOLLARS FOR QUAKE VICTIMS

Yao Kuangyi, the Chinese Ambassador to Ankara, said that the money collected among the personnel of the Embassy will be used to buy tents, blankets and other materials needed in the disaster zone and that the aid materials will be sent to the zone in the shortest time.

Emphasizing that although the amount of money collected by the personnel of the Embassy is not so much, they wanted to indicate that they share the pain of the Turkish nation; Yao noted that the Chinese government will also continue to send aid to Turkey and will contribute to the reconstruction of the disaster area.

Stressing that the Chinese government and nation closely follow the developments in Turkey after the quake disaster, Yao stated that the Chinese Red Cross provided search and rescue materials worth of 60,000 U.S. dollars and that the Chinese government sent 100 tons of aid including tents, blankets and medicines.

Yao added that the mentioned materials continue to be sent to Turkey.

Yao stressed that China and Turkey are two friendly conutries and that they have close friendly relations and cooperation; adding that China and Turkey, which are two countries on the quake zone, can benefit from their experiences on the search and rescue operations and reconstruction efforts.

Yao said that he believes that Turkish nation will ease the pains by its hardworking.

[03] CRISIS EVALUATION AND FOLLOW UP COUNCIL CONVENES - TURKISH ARMED FORCES PULLS ALIVE 40,646 CITIZENS FROM DEBRIS FOLLOWING MASSIVE EARTHQUAKE

The Crisis Evaluation and Follow-up Council convened on Saturday under the leadership of Ahmet Sagar, the Prime Ministry Undersecretary.

Ozgun Oktem, the Deputy Undersecretary of the Prime Ministry office held a briefing about the massive earthquake.

Noting that a total of 54,295 buildings were damaged in various degrees following the quake, Oktem pointed out that the whole population living in various provinces which negatively affected by the earthquake was 15,448.

The efforts carried out in the region after the quake as stated by Oktem are as follows:

Operations to assess damages in buildings carried out by the Ministry of Public Works and Settlement continue by 998 personnel. Tent cities were founded by Red Crescent in Yalova, Sakarya, Izmit, Golcuk and Degirmendere and 10,815 persons took shelter there.

The Spanish government sent 335 tents for 2000 people and the giant tent which will come to Turkey from France is expected today. Seven city tents were founded in the disaster area. Installations of various institutions having 42,366 beds were opened for settlement of sufferers.

Certain ferries are used for settlement of earthquake victims and food is given to citizens by them. Totally 2,199 personnel work in the disaster area and 3,483 work machines operate there. 26 mobile kitchens serve people living in the region hit by the quake. There are 22 mobile hospitals serving people in Sakarya, Kocaeli and Yalova. There is no lack of medicine and medical equipment in the region and 337 ambulances are used. The amount of aid collected reached 22,48 billion in Turkish liras, 2,66 million in U.S. dollars and 7,56 million in German marks.

Meanwhile 69 countries and certain international institutions sent aid to Turkey. The amount of foreign aid climbed to 48.5 million U.S. dollars.

Due to the efforts carried out by the Turkish Armed Forces, 9,930 citizens were rescued in Sakarya, 14,328 in Kocaeli, 6,778 in Yalova and 8,188 citizens were rescued in Istanbul. 428 personnel of the Army were killed by the quake and 326 of them were injured.

Meanwhile the Armed Forces pitched 18,207 tents in the disaster region and 1901 beds in training centers of the Army were allocated for sufferers. By the air bridge set up by the Army, 578 tonnes of stuff in 1069 sorties were transported to the region. One Turkish officer was charged regarding the proposal of the Sixth U.S. fleet to carry out reconnaissance flights in the region, which was accepted by the General Staff.

The Ministry of National Defense continues to exert efforts to build prefabricated buildings on Arifiye-Adapazarı airport and Bekirdere- Dogukısla/Izmit regions.

[04] JAPANESE INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION AGENCY: - ''THE OFFICIAL AID OF THE JAPANESE GOVERNMENT TO TURKEY CONTINUES TO INCREASE''

The JICA's office in Turkey statement said that the sixth JICA Disaster Aid Team came to Turkey on August 27, 1999 and started the reconstruction efforts.

The statement noted that this team earlier carried out efforts for the reconstruction of Kobe after the quake and that it wants to share its experience with Turkey.

The statement stressed that the JICA team includes 20 experts and that the experts in JICA's office in Turkey supports the team which came from Japan.

Noting that the disaster aid team will hold observations in the disaster zone and will make recommendations to the crisis desks about the emergency rule administration, the statement emphasized that the team will also make recommendations about the reconstruction and rehabilitation facilities.

The statement said that the team will make recommendations to the Japanese goverment about what the possible Japanese aid for the reconstruction and the rehabilitation of the disaster zone can be.

The statement noted that the JICA team will carry out observations in Istanbul, Izmit and other disaster areas until September 3, 1999; adding that it will hold contacts with the officials in Ankara between September 3 and 6 and will leave Turkey on September 7, 1999.

[05] AMNESTY LAW - PREMIER ECEVIT: ''NO PARTNER OF COALITION GOVERNMENT AMONG THREE PARTIES CAN FULLY REALIZE ITS OWN WISHES''

''It is said that suspects of certain cases filed about Susurluk scandal are also taken within the framework of the amnesty, what do you think about it?'' asked journalists to Premier Ecevit, who said that ''The Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), the Motherland Party (ANAP) and our party, Democratic Left Party (DSP), had certain different expectations regarding the amnesty. But the important thing is to reach a balanced compromise, we launched efforts to provide this kind of compromise also with the opposition parties. Compromise is a very important condition of democracy. The compromise shown regarding the law and constitutional changes during the recent months was also shown regarding the amnesty law.''

Responding to another question, Ecevit said that different circles in society and prisoners can have different expectations like political parties, adding ''a positive step has been taken. This formed a new evidence of the working atmosphere of the coalition partners which are in harmony.''

[06] PRIME MINISTRY CRISIS ADMINISTRATION CENTER STATEMENT - ''THERE ARE 1, 332 RUBBLE, 1,423 SEALED BUILDINGS, 13,681 HIGHLY DAMAGED BUILDINGS, 9,203 DAMAGED, 5,498 MEDIUM DAMAGED, 1,788 SLIGHTLY DAMAGED BUILDINGS IN THE DISASTER ZONE''

The Prime Ministry Crisis Administration Center statement said that a total of 165 tons of food stuff was delivered to the disaster area by the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Ministry and that the Ministry sent experts to the region to control the animal and plant diseases in the region together with a three-member U.S. expert team.

Emphasizing that the Red Crescent sent a total of 35,366 tents, 96,650 blankets, 2,000 sleeping bags, 80 tons of food, 24 portable and 2 mobile kitchens and four mobile hospitals having a bed capacity of 550 to the region as of today, the statement noted that electricity is given to the tent-sites and two water wells are allocated for the tent-sites that will be set up in Adapazari.

The statement stressed that quakes measuring 4.5 on the Richter scale shook offshore Finike county of the Mediterranean last night; quake measuring 3.2 hit Emet county of Kutahya province; quake measuring 3.4 rocked Mecitozu county of Corum province; adding that quake measuring 3.3 shook Akyazi county of Adapazari while quake measuring 3.1 hit Bursa province early this morning.

The statement said that it will be partially cloudy and the wind is expected to blow from north and west in the disaster zone on Monday.

The highest and lowest temperatures in the quake zone are listed below:

Province Highest Lowest

-------- --------- --------
Kocaeli 26 17

Sakarya 26 16

Bursa 26 16

Istanbul 26 17

Yalova 26 17

Zonguldak 24 16

Bolu 23 11

Eskisehir 23 11

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[07] PREMIER ECEVIT: ''WORKING TEMPO AND HARMONY OF PARLIAMENT HAVE PROVIDED WHOLE WORLD'S TRUST IN TURKEY''

After an interview with the Israeli television channel, Ecevit told reporters that the parliament worked very hardly in two-three months, adding ''many important drafts and constitutional changes were adopted by the parliament.''

''The trust in our parliament and government and solidarity ability of the Turkish nation gave very positive results. In fact the increasing respect of Turkey abroad is also the evidence of the increasing aid campaigns for Turkey carried out at the international level,'' said Premier Ecevit, thanking to the coalition and opposition parties.

Noting that the parliament recess is misunderstood by some circles, Ecevit pointed out that ''it is perceived as if it is a holiday. On the contrary deputies can take the views of citizens in summer.''

[08] AUGUST 30 VICTORY DAY - PREMIER ECEVIT: ''AUGUST 30, 1922 IS THE DAY WHEN THE TURKISH NATION TURNS THE INDEPENDENCE WAR TO A VICTORY UNDER THE PIONEERSHIP OF GREAT ATATURK DESPITE ALL THE IMPOSSIBILITIES''

Issuing a message on the occasion of August 30 Victory Day, Ecevit noted that Turkish nation possessed the indepence as a unity with the army and laid the foundation of the Republic of Turkey.

The message continued, ''our nation feels great sorrow in the 77th anniversary of August 30 Victory Day due to the quake disaster which happened on August 17, 1999 and led to the deaths of thousands of people and injuring many others. But, I believe our nation will be as determined and successful in easing the pains of the quake as it was in the War of Independence. Turkish nation is carrying out big efforts and self-sacrifice to ease the pains of the disaster by giving hand in hand with the state.''

''I would like to express my gratitude and appreciation to our nation which helped and supported our citizens who faced the damages of the quake with solidarity and unity feelings by mobilizing their possibilities. I commemorate the commander-in-chief of the big victory Great Ataturk, his friends, the martyrs and the war veterans with respect and gratitude and celebrate the August 30 Victory Day of the Turkish Armed Forces and our citizens,'' Ecevit ended.

[09] PREMIER ECEVIT: ''IF WE CAN ISSUE EARTHQUAKE BOND THAT WILL BE SUPPORTED BY U.S., ECONOMIC DIFFICULTIES CAN BE OVERCOME IN SHORT PERIOD OF TIME''

Responding to questions about the earthquake disaster, Bulent Ecevit stated that he shares the view that the change on Tax Law that is foreseen to create sources for the disaster can have a negative effect on voluntary campaigns, so the discussion of this bill was postponed to new legislation year.

Noting that they will have the opportunity to determine the financial need of Turkey and its sources to meet it, till the parliament re-opens, Ecevit said that ''what will be results of the aid contributions of international finance institutions to the Turkish economy? We will evaluate them all. After these, we will maybe revise the new tax draft in some respects. I hope the interest of our nation in this aid campaign to continue.''

''Are you thinking of issuing earthquake bond by the guarantee of the U.S. government?'' asked journalists to Ecevit who said ''there are many examples of that and we focused on this possibility. The U.S. has to assure guarantees for that. I don't want to say something before the clarification of the U.S. view, but I hope the U.S. will have positive idea about it. However the U.S. Congress, not only U.S. President Clinton has to accept that,'' said Ecevit.

Responding to another question, Bulent Ecevit pointed out that the Ministry of Public Works and Settlement and universities work to inspect constructions more effectively. ''A more effective system has to be set up regarding constructions,'' said Ecevit.

''Since today, Turkey had no policy of determination of settlement units. Buildings and factories were set up at random. The most productive agricultural fields were opened to settlement and industry like in Sakarya. This is not only valid for Sakarya, but for the whole regions, which are productive lands of Turkey,'' said Ecevit, stressing that all kinds of constructions and buildings have to be insured and in this case insurance companies will attribute great importance to strength of constructions due to their interests.

Premier Ecevit added that they work hard about construction of prefabricated buildings.

[10] PRIME MINISTRY CRISIS ADMINISTRATION CENTRE: ''DAMAGE IN ADAPAZARI LANDING TRANSFORMER IS OVERCOME AND IT OPERATES NOW''

Noting that the operations carried out in Landing Transformer Centre in Osmanca will be completed in the second week of September, the Crisis Administration Centre said that the Ministry of National Defense allowed usage of MOGAS, a gas used in processing oil, in NATO installations by POAS, Petroleum Office Inc. to prevent any lack of fuel oil in the region hit by the massive earthquake.

A direct telephone line system was formed among special groups formed within the Prime Ministry Crisis Administration Centre and crisis centres of Golcuk, Adapazarı, Kocaeli and Yalova Crisis Centres.

There are 3,520 work machines, 337 ambulances and 3,418 personnel in the disaster region.

All kinds of aids sent to the region from inside and outside of Turkey continue, while water purification machines provided from U.N. programme will be sent to Golcuk today.

[11] AYDIN, PUBLIC WORKS AND SETTLEMENT MINISTER: - ''THE TUNNEL IN THE BOLU MOUNTAIN IS NOT ON THE ACTIVE FAULT CRACK OF THE NORTH ANATOLIAN FAULT LINE''

Issuing a written statement about the motorway and tunnel on the Bolu Mountain passage of the Istanbul-Ankara motorway; Aydin noted that the Bolu Mountain tunnel is near the connected fault lines.

Aydin stated that it is impossible to provide the transportation between the Marmara Region and the Central Anatolia Region without passing on the Northern Anatolia Fault Line which is in the north of Turkey and which divides whole Anatolian peninsula into two by cutting it from east to west.

Noting that all the projects are undertaken by taking into consideration this fact, Aydin stressed that the projects are prepared after listening to the ideas of the Turkish and foreign experts.

Stating that the Bolu Mountain Tunnels of the Istanbul-Ankara Motorway are in the first-degree quake zone, Aydin emphasized that they knew that the tunnels were in the first-degree quake zone and that the tunnel projects were prepared in a way that they can overcome the quake risks.

Stressing that the observations held after the quake indicated that the measures taken in the Bolu Mountain Tunnels are sufficient, Aydin said that the measurements taken after the quake confirmed that the tunnel was not affected by the quake.

[12] 30 AUGUST VICTORY DAY - PRESIDENT DEMIREL: ''TURKISH ARMY HAS BEEN DEFENDER OF SACRED VALUES AND CREATOR OF MAGNIFICENT EPICS ON THIS HOLY MOTHERLAND''

Issuing a message upon the August 30-Victory Day, President Demirel stated that the glorious history of the Turkish nation is full of magnificent epics and victories.

''The sacred territories of Turkey were saved by the Turkish army's winning the last battle on August 30, 1922 by the commandership of great leader Ataturk,'' President Demirel noted.

''Turkish army has always been the defender of sacred values and creator of magnificent epics on this holy motherland,'' he added.

[13] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT EVALUATES AMNESTY LAW: ''THERE ARE SOME ISSUES WHICH I PERSONNALY HAVE SOME DIFFICULTIES TO ACCEPT''

Responding to questions of journalists about the Amnesty Law, Ecevit said that ''amnesty always causes criticisms. There maybe various ideas about it and I find them natural. But a big part of our society was expecting the parliament to pass the amnesty law. Today's government is one formed among three political parties. Each of coalition parties can have different ideas about such a sensitive issue. We had discussions among us and in the end a compromise was reached, which was a necessity for the democracy. I wish it will be beneficial for our nation.''

Responding to a question asking whether or not contractors will benefit from the Amnesty Law, Premier Ecevit pointed out that ''I don't think so.''

Noting that they are determined to take very effective measures about constructions from now on, Ecevit said many earthquake victims apply to prosecutors.

''The sensitivity of the public opinion will be taken into accont. The justice will act in accordance. To drive lessons from the mistakes of the past is necessary,'' he added.

[14] AUSTRALIAN TOURISM SECTOR EMPLOYEES SAY RIGHT TIME TO VISIT TURKEY

The tour operators in Australia decided to take 10 dollar share from each reservation made in the foreign countries by the travelling agencies to help the survivors of the quake in Turkey.

The campaign which was proposed by a Greek tour operator and which will be launched by the support of the Sydney Introduction Office of the Australian Tourism Ministry will last until the end of 2000. A great deal of aid is expected to be collected by the rush to Australia due to the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games.

The tour operators announced the target of the campaign as contribution to Turkey's economy.

The tour operators are calling the residents of Australia to visit Turkey to ease the pains of the quake by using the slogan saying, ''residents of Australia, now it is your turn. It is the rightest time to visit Turkey. You will give a financial and morale support by going to Turkey in such a time. Be sure that Turkish people will host you warmer than usual with Anatolia's thousand-year history in the touristic and historical places, especially in Istanbul.''

A.A

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