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Anadolu Agency: News in English, 99-10-12
[01] AA Daily
12 October 1999 Tuesday
[02] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN
[03] These are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in
Turkey's press on October 12, 1999. The Anadolu Ajansi does not verify
these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.
[04] HURRIYET (LIBERAL) - ------------------ THERE IS CNN TURK FROM NOW ON
CNN-Turk, joint venture between Turkey's media giant Dogan Group and CNN,
the world giant, started broadcasting. Aydin Dogan, Chairman of Dogan Group,
said ''we are opening a new era in world broadcasting by bringing the words
Turk and CNN together.'' Meanwhile, Ted Turner, owner of CNN, said ''CNN-
Turk was the dream of all of us. Now that this dream becomes true. We are
very happy and proud to make cooperation with Dogan Media group.''
[05] CALAMITY IN DEMOLUTION Five people were trapped beneath debris while a
damaged building in Golcuk was demolished. It was reported that three civil
engineers, and two technicians were trapped under the rubble.
[06] WE LOST FAKIR BAYKURT Fakir Baykurt, one of the leading authors of the
novels focusing on rural life in Turkish literature, died in Germany on
Monday where he received medical treatment. Baykurt's funeral ceremony will
take place in Germany and his funeral will be sent to Istanbul.
[07] MILLIYET (LIBERAL) - ----------------- TO BE IN EU IN 2011 It was
claimed that three big countries of Europe; Germany, Britain, and France
have a secret agreement text which does not have any signature. These three
countries adopted a joint attitude for the candidate countries of the EU in
this secret document. The first membership will be given to Hungary in the
year 2003-2005. Turkey will be let into the EU between 2011-2012.
[08] ECEVIT: IT IS AN UGLY EXPLOITATION OF RELIGION Prime Minister Bulent
Ecevit harsly reacted to Mehmet Kutlular who said the quake happened
because of ''February 28 process and ban on headscarf.'' Ecevit said
Turkish people can not be deceived with such primitive thoughts. Nuh Mete
Yuksel, Ankara State Security Court (DGM) Prosecutor and Ankara Republican
Press Prosecutorship started an investigation related with the Islamic
memorial service that was staged in Kocatepe Mosque on the 39th anniversary
of the death of Saidi Nursi.
[09] SABAH (LIBERAL) - -------------- THEY LISTENED TO THE ADVISES OF
DEMIREL Scope of amnesty was revised in the new draft by taking into
consideration reasons of President Demirel who vetoed the draft resolution,
and reactions of public. Many crimes which were included in the reduction
of punishment in the first draft, this time was excluded from the amnesty.
Number of prisoners who would benefit from the draft law was reduced to 38,
000 from 53,000.
[10] ''THE TARGET IS 200 BILLION U.S. DOLLARS FOREIGN TRADE'' President
Suleyman Demirel showed the target 200 billion U.S. dollars for the year
2010 in foreign trade. Demirel said Turkey's foreign trade volume which was
136 million U.S. dollars when Republic was founded, now reached 75 billion
U.S. dollars in the year 1999.
[11] CUMHURIYET (LEFT) - ---------------- SERIOUS STEPS SHOULD BE TAKEN ON
THE WAY TO DEMOCRACY The joint statement was prepared with the initiatives
of Turkish authors and artists and was signed by 60 authors and artists
from various countries of the world. The joint statement called on Turkey
to take serious steps in human rights and contemporary democracy. The
statement said ''We want to see Turkey in the new century as a country
which others should take example in the fields of human rights and
democracy.''
[12] VIRTUE PARTY TARGETS ARMY Veysel Candan, Deputy Chairman of Virtue
Party (FP), implying at Gen. Yalcin Isimer who addressed opening lesson of
Gulhane Miliary Medical School (GATA), said ''we accept such statements of
a high ranking official as disrespect to our belief.'' Candan defended that
high ranking military officials made extreme statements everyday and that
they have ''statements threatening people.''
[13] RADIKAL (LEFT) - --------------- CELEBRATIONS TO MARK REPUBLIC DAY
LIMITED Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit issued a circular to limit
celebrations to mark the Republic Day on October 29 in the wake of the
earthquake which devastated Marmara Region and claimed thousands of lives
on August 17. In accordance with the circular, celebrations will be limited
with laying wreaths in Mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founder of
modern Republic of Turkey, and the Ataturk monuments in different
provinces.
[14] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT SENDS A LETTER TO RAMADAN Prime Minister Bulent
Ecevit sent a letter to Taha Yassin Ramadan, Iraqi Vice President. The
Iraqi state-run INA Agency noted that Selim Karaosmanoglu, Turkish Charge
D'Affaires in Baghdad, conveyed Prime Minister Ecevit's letter to Ramadan.
The INA Agency also said that the letter underlined importance of
cooperation between Turkey and Iraq.
[15] ECEVIT GETS READY FOR RUSSIA Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit is getting
ready for his visit to Russia between November 4-6. The Turkish Embassy in
Moscow is bargaining with the Russian Foreign Ministry on the draft
agreement envisaging cooperation between the two countries in struggle
against terrorism.
[16] TÜRKİYE (RIGHT) - ---------------- TURKISH BUSINESSMEN IN ATHENS AND
BRUSSELS The Turkish Industrialists and Businessmen Association (TUSIAD)'s
tour including capitals of European Union (EU) countries, started in
Brussels. Meanwhile, Turkish-Greek Business Council will convene in Athens
tomorrow.
[17] CONCERT IN CAIRO OUT OF RESPECT FOR QUAKE VICTIMS Activities continued
both in Turkey and abroad to contribute to heal the wounds of survivors in
the wake of the quake disaster. A concert will be organized in Cairo by
Suzan Mubarak, wife of President Hosni Mubarak of Egypt. The fund to be
raised from the concert will be donated to the quake victims.
[18] FESTIVAL OF ANATOLIA The 5th International Eskisehir Festival which
was organized by the Zeytinoglu Education, Science and Culture Foundation,
started. The festival aims at spreading the international art festivals in
Anatolia.
[19] THE 51ST INTERNATIONAL FRANKFURT BOOK FAIR The 51st International
Frankfurt Book Fair, one of the biggest cultural activities in the world,
will be opened on October 13. The Publishers' Union of Turkey noted that 80
Turkish publishers will take part in the fair with a total of 2,500 works.
The ''Turkey Publishers Catalogue'' which promotes 130 leading Turkish
publishers, will be published both in Turkish and English languages. More
than 8 thousand publishers from 100 countries are expected to participate
in this year's fair with neary 400 thousand works. Istemihan Talay, Culture
Minister, is scheduled to visit the fair on October 15.
[20] ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE) - -------------------- TURKISH STYLE DEMOLITION
Works to haul away rubble of collapsed buildings turned into a calamity in
Golcuk. Six people who were trying to demolish a nine-story building which
was seriously damaged in the quake, were trapped under rubble of the
building.
[21] OYK TO CONVENE TODAY The Privatization Administration Board (OYK),
will convene later today under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Bulent
Ecevit. OYK is expected to convene in Premiership Central Building at 10:00
local time. Privatization implementations for 1999 and program of the year
2000 is expected to be discussed at the meeting.
[22] DEMIREL VISITS YILDIZ, SALE, AND DOLMABAHCE PALACES PRIOR TO OSCE
SUMMIT
[23] ISTANBUL, October 12 (A.A) - President Suleyman Demirel visited Sale,
Yildiz, and Dolmabahce Palaces on Monday and received information due to
OSCE's summit meeting which will take place on 18 and 19 November. Demirel
first visited Sale Palace and was briefed about the preparations where OSCE
meetings and a dinner will take place. Sale Palace was used in 1980's for
some meetings and receptions. Demirel later visited Dolmabahce Palace.
Polat Akbulut, the Head of National Palaces Department said these three
palaces were planned to be used for OSCE summit. Yildirim Akbulut, the
Parliament Speaker and Erol Cakir, the Istanbul Governor also accompanied
President Demirel.
[24] PRESIDENT DEMIREL RECEIVES JAPANESE NGO
[25] ANKARA, Oct 12 (A.A) - President Suleyman Demirel received the
representatives of a Japanese non-governmental organization named ''Asinaga-
Ikuesikal.'' The representatives of the Japanese organization and the
Japanese children whose parents died in the quake which hit Kobe city and
who collected 158,000 U.S. dollars for the quake survivors in the Marmara
Region, handed over the 158,000 U.S. dollar cheque to Demirel. Demirel said
that the devastating quake which hit the Marmara Region in August, not only
saddened Turkish nations, but all the world. Emphasizing that not only the
Turkish citizens, but also the foreign countries sent aid to the quake
survivors, Demirel noted that many people firstly carried out efforts to
rescue people alive under the rubble and then efforts to normalize life in
the region. Stressing that Japan rushed to help Turkey following the quake,
Demirel stated that the last Japanese initiative was sending 500
prefabricated huts which were used in Kobe, to Turkey. Recalling that two
countries are situated on the fault line and have to live together with the
quakes, Demirel stressed that they have to construct quake-resistance
buildings. An official from the Japanese organization said that their
organization is one which grants scholarships to the orphans. Conveying
condolence and quick recovery messages to Turkey, the official noted that
the two children who launched the aid campaign lost their parents in the
Kobe quake and that he hopes the children who lost their parents in the
Marmara quake will benefit from the aid.
[26] CNN TURKS STARTS ITS BROADCAST
[27] ISTANBUL, October 12 (A.A) - President Suleyman Demirel said that
having access to true news was a basic human right and ''free media was an
indispensible tool to use this right'' when he spoke at the ceremony held
at Istanbul's Conrad Hotel on Monday night to mark CNN Turk's first start
to broadcast. ''There is no democracy when people do not get news,'' he
also added. Communication in the world developed at an incredible speeed
and distances disappeared. Any incident which takes place somewhere in the
world reaches our homes in a few minutes through advanced broadcasting
methods, Demirel said. ''This way, the right to get news through global
competition has new assurances. Anti-democratic regimes can no longer can
use censorship because information recognizes no boundries. Media has the
right to act on behalf of the society and speak on behalf of people unlike
any other institution. Therefore, it has some responsibilities. It has to
display facts without fearing from anything, without holding anything above
others, or without acting for its own interests. It has to hold his honour
above everything while fulfilling this sacred task. It must be careful to
report objectively from a wide angle and must never forget that an incident
has more than one side,'' Demirel said. The President also noted that the
media acted like a bridge between those who govern and those who are
governed because it took it strength and material from life. ''However, the
media has to be free to be able to do that. And this is only possible in a
democracy. Having freedom of press means having democracy. Press and
broadcasting is also becoming global in our time of global economies. The
number of broadcasting organs are increasing. Turkey also possesses
globalizing broadcasting institutions. I strongly believe that this
cooperation will be beneficial. I am positive that you will continue your
broadcast without fearing from any pressures and you will hold people's
right to get news above everything. This is the basic of free press,''
Demirel said and wished success to CNN Turk.
[28] CNN TURK STARTS ITS BROADCAST
[29] ISTANBUL, October 12 (A.A) - CNN Turk news channel founded by the
cooperation of Dogan Media Group and Time Warner Group started its
broadcast at Istanbul's Conrad Hotel at 8 pm. Mehmet Ali Birand, the member
of CNN Turk's Executive Council presented CNN Turk's first programme.
Cigdem Anat, the News Director of CNN Turk read the first news bulletin at
8 p.m. Birand said the preparations of CNN Turk lasted for 12 months and
its broadcast date was changed twice due to the quake disaster. Aydin Dogan,
the Chairman of Dogan Media Group who spoke at the opening said today was a
very important day for him. ''There are three important elements. One of
them is CNN which brought the global reporting to the world, second is
Dogan Media Group and the third is the word 'Turk' which shows that this
powerful news channel belongs to Turkey,'' Dogan said. Speaking about the
difficulties he faced while founding this cooperation, Dogan said, ''open
the way for the media. Change the old fashioned television law. We should
have the same rules with other countries in the world.'' Eason Jordon, the
President of CNN International Network said CNN Turk would get its best
reporting sources from CNN and Dogan Media Group. Jordon said he was proud
of joint enterprises like CNN Turk while approaching the new millenium.
President Demirel later answered the questions of Mehmet Ali Biran on a
live programme. Many high level politicians and ministers, including
Yildirim Akbulut, the Parliament Speaker and Devlet Bahceli, the Deputy
Prime Minister attended the opening. The Atlanta based CNN made its second
foreign investment in Turkey after Spain. CNN Turk has a news personnel of
80 people, 30 producers, 60 technicians, and 20 programme producers
totalling up to 230 people. CNN Turk will broadcast in Turkish and will use
CNN's news sources in the world as well as Dogan Media Group's sources in
Turkey. It will be in contact with the 36 world wide bureaus of CNN and
cooperate with 750 producers. Besides news bulletins, CNN Turk will also
have programmes on economy, sports, technology, culture, art, history,
cinema, music, environment, travel, fashion, business world, and
automotive. It will also cover last minute news for 24 hours.
[30] CNN TURK STARTS BROADCASTING - PRESIDENT DEMIREL: ''WE ALL SUFFERED
FROM THE QUAKE''
[31] ISTANBUL, Oct 12 (A.A) - President Suleyman Demirel said on Monday
that the most important matter of Turkey was the earthquake. Demirel
responded to the questions in ceremony that was staged as the CNN Turk
started broadcasting. Demirel said, ''earthquake hit a huge area from
Tekirdag to Bolu at 03:02 local time on August 17. Nearly 20 million people
were affected by the quake. Unfortunately, 16 thousand people lost their
lives, and 45 thousand others were injured. Almost 244 thousand dwellings
and business places collapsed or were seriously damaged. We all suffered
from the quake.'' Recalling that 87 countries have send financial and
humanitarian aid to Turkey in the wake of the quake disaster, Demirel noted,
''Although it caused a major damage, the quake has proved two things:
national unity, and international solidarity. As we approach to the 21st
century, it was an extremely significant development. Humanity seeks for
more peace in the 21st century. We all want wars to come to an end. People
must understand each other to solve disputes. National and international
solidarity in Turkey were an important step taken towards peace in the
world.'' Noting that Turkey has not encountered such a disaster for the
first time, Demirel added, ''the most important thing to do is to rescue
those who are trapped beneath toppled buildings, then to meet survivors'
needs, to prevent outbreak of epidemics and to build temporary houses. We
have done our utmost. Our pain was grave because quake struck a huge area.
Turkish people mobilized. State institutes mobilized. Nearly 3 thousand
people rushed to Turkey from abroad. The Turkish Armed Forces mobilized.
There were 244 thousand collapsed buildings. There were thousands of people
trapped under rubble. On the other hand, it is impossible not to understand
pain of people who lost their relatives and friends. There were, of course,
several deficiencies. No one rejects this fact.'' Recalling that 115
thousand tents have been erected in the disaster-stricken area, Demirel
stressed, ''earthquake devastated Turkey's populous industrial heartland.''
Demirel said, ''we have not learned enough in previous disasters. But can
it be possible to learn enough? You cannot make people live in panic all
the time. What was our lesson from the quake? We have to learn to build
stronger buildings. When I was addressing to the parliament on October 1, I
said that 60 thousand permanent dwellings should be built. Meanwhile, 32
thousand temporary houses will be erected. These will be finalized till the
end of November. 26 thousand of them will be built by the state while 6
thousand others will be financed by voluntary organizations. It is not easy
to be organized against such a disaster. Turkey urgently needs a better
civilian defense organization. Turkey is lack of specialized search and
rescue teams.''
[32] CNN TURK STARTS BROADCASTING - PRESIDENT DEMIREL: ''TURKEY IS THE
STATE OF INSTITUTIONS AND PRINCIPLES''
[33] ISTANBUL, October 12 (A.A) - President Suleyman Demirel said on
Tuesday that everything was carried out according to constitution and laws
in Turkey, adding that ''Turkey is a state of institutions and principles.
Everything has a ground, yet let us not lose our trust on it.'' Demirel
responded to the questions in ceremony that was staged as CNN Turk started
its broadcasting. Responding to the questions, Demirel said Turkey was a
developing country and that it reached 77 billion U.S. dollars trade volume
from 136 million U.S. dollars trade volume. Demirel said Turkey was the
country having 16th biggest economy among 188 countries in the world,
adding that its gross national product (GNP) reached 400 billion U.S.
dollars. Noting that 188,000 students graduated from the universities in
the year 1998, Demirel said Turkey became a country selling goods to 135
countries. He said most of these products were composed of industrial
products. Demirel said Turkey produced many industrial products today,
adding that ''Turkey experienced 14 elections since 1946, yet succeed in
establishing democracy.'' Stressing that conditions of the world changed
and that Turkey also changed, Demirel said this change was provided with
the own efforts of Turkish nation. ''It is not true that everything was
made wrong. Turkey is after doing the best. Of course, laws of Turkish
constitution should be changed and judicial reform should be made. Turkey
has to make all these. Turkey should provide a more effective
administration,'' Demirel pointed out. Recalling that his term of office
will end next year, Demirel said, ''this country has its constitution and
laws. Nobody should be flustered. Everything will be carried out according
to the constitution.''
[34] AFTERSHOCKS CONTINUE TO SHAKE DISASTER ZONE
[35] ISTANBUL, Oct 12 (A.A) - Aftershocks continued on Monday to shake the
disaster zone in the wake of the massive earthquake which hit northwestern
Turkey on August 17. Officials at the Bogazici University Kandilli
Observatory Center Seismology Institute told the A.A correspondent that six
aftershocks were recorded in the region between 06:52 local time on Monday,
and 03:04 local time on Tuesday. The time, magnitude and epicenter of the
aftershocks are as follows:
[36] HOUR MAGNITUDE EPICENTER - ---- --------- ----------- 06:52 2.6
Marmaris county of Mugla 07:12 3.1 Duzce county of Bolu 10:12 3.0 Izmit
17:26 3.4 Cinarcik county of Yalova 01:47 2.7 Cinarcik county of Yalova
03:04 3.1 Marmara Sea
[37] Meanwhile, an earthquake measuring 3.0 on the Richter scale, occured
in Soke county of Aydin province at 21:28 local time on Monday.
[38] MORE THAN 950,000 U.S. DOLLARS COLLECTED IN TURKEY'S EMBASSY IN SEUL
[39] ANKARA, Oct 12 (A.A) - More than 950,000 U.S. dollars have been
collected in the account opened by Turkey's Embassy in Seul. The Foreign
Ministry officials said on Tuesday that the South Korean people continue to
deposit money to the account and that the aid collected in the account
exceeded 950,000 U.S. dollars at the moment. Emphasizing that the Jews who
emigrated from Turkey to Israel, launched initiatives to construct a school
in the Marmara Region which was shaken by the devastating quake in August,
the officials noted that the Jews made an auction in which the Turkish and
Israeli works of art were sold last Saturday. Stressing that more than 80,
000 U.S. dollars was collected in the auction, the officials stated that
the carpets, kilims, and the silver artefacts which were brought by
Turkey's Embassy in Tel Aviv were included in the auction. The officials
added that nearly 200 people, including the Jews, Israeli politicians and
businessmen, participated in the auction.
[40] TOURISM MINISTRY TO HOST FOREIGN RESCUE TEAMS IN ANTALYA
[41] ANKARA, Oct 12 (A.A) - The Tourism Ministry will host the foreign
search and rescue teams which assisted Turkey in the devastating Marmara
quake, in southern Antalya province. The Tourism Ministry said on Tuesday
that the foreign teams which participated in the search and rescue
operations in the Marmara Region, was invited to Turkey. Emphasizing that
165 people who came to Turkey from Britain, Greece, and Israel will be
hosted in Antalya between October 18 and 23, 1999 at the first stage, the
Ministry noted that they will thank these people for their contributions.
The Ministry added that a panel discussion titled ''Organizations for
Rescue Operations and Searches for International Cooperation'' will be held
on October 22, 1999 within the framework of the programme.
[42] TURKISH MUSICAL PLAYED IN LONDON FOR QUAKE SURVIVORS
[43] LONDON, Oct 12 (A.A) - A Turkish musical is being played in London,
Britain, for the quake survivors. The officials said on Tuesday that the
musical titled ''The Parade of the Turkish Theatre Musicals'' which was
written by Haldun Dormen, is being played in London for the quake
survivors. Many famous Turkish actors and actresses including, Aysegul
Aldinc, Ruhsar Ocal, and Erol Evgin perform in the musical which started to
be played in Creterion Theatre of London on Monday. Melih Kibar, a famous
Turkish composer, made the musics of the play while Haldun Dormen and Nevra
Serezli presented the musical. The musical will be performed in Turkish in
Hackney hamlet where many Turks live, tonight. Meanwhile, Chelsea Soccer
Team handed over the cheque worth of 10,000 British sterlings to Turkey's
Embassy in London. This money will be used in assisting the quake survivors
in the Marmara Region.
[44] TALAY, CULTURE MINISTER, DUE IN ZAGREB
[45] ANKARA, Oct 12 (A.A) - Istemihan Talay, the Culture Minister, will go
to Zagreb on Wednesday. The Culture Ministry statement said on Tuesday that
Talay will go to Zagreb to participate in the opening ceremony of ''The
Treasures of the Ottoman Art Exhibition.'' Emphasizing that 150 works of
art which are preserved in the Topkapi Palace and many other museums in
Istanbul will be displayed in the exhibition, the statement noted that
Talay will proceed to Frankfurt to visit the International Frankfurt Book
Fair on October 15, 1999. Stressing that Culture Ministry will take part in
the fair with 289 publications, the statement emphasized that the
representatives of the Directorate General of Libraries and the Directorate
of National Library will hold contacts with the representatives of Germany
and the Benelux countries during the fair. The statement added that the
Turkish representatives will discuss the cooperation with the mentioned
countries.
[46] TURK, JUSTICE MINISTER: ''NOBODY THINKS DIFFERENTLY ABOUT ARTICLE
313''
[47] ANKARA, Oct 12 (A.A) - Hikmet Sami Turk, the Justice Minister said on
Tuesday that ''nobody thinks differently about Article 313 of Turkish Penal
Code. This article is out of the scope of the amnesty.'' ''As this article
is out of the scope of the amnesty law, the content of the law will
certainly lessen in some extent,'' told Turk to reporters. Recalling that
the coalition parties had come together after President Suleyman Demirel
vetoed the amnesty law, Turk pointed out that common points will be
determined after each party thinks of the changes that will be made in the
law. Noting that each party will discuss the issue with their own
authorized organs and come together again, Turk said ''Mr. President
clearly stated his reason of returning the law back to the parliament. This
is Article 313. If other crimes are excluded from the scope of the amnesty
law, the latter's content will again lessen.'' Turk stressed that he can't
give any numbers about prisoners who will benefit from the law as there is
no full document upon which parties agreed. ''The idea of amnesty caused an
expectation; thus, we can't give up this law,'' he added.
[48] NUCLEAR POWER PLANT TENDER
[49] ANKARA, Oct 12 (A.A) - Cumhur Ersumer, the Energy and Natural
Resources Minister and the Deputy Prime Minister, said on Tuesday that he
will probably have the opportunity to discuss the nuclear power plant
tender issue with Premier Bulent Ecevit during the Supreme Planning Board
(YPK). Responding to the question of a journalist about the latest
situation of the nuclear power plant tender, Ersumer noted that he would
give a decision if he had the opportunity to decide at the moment but that
the Turkish Electricity Corp (TEAS) cannot conclude the tender due to the
present conjuncture. Emphasizing that they will notify the companies about
the extention of the term in accordance with the decisions taken in the YPK,
Ersumer stated that they will ask for three-month extention. Noting that he
informed Ecevit about the issue, Ersumer stressed that he will have the
opportunity to discuss the issue with Ecevit during YPK meeting and that he
will behave in accordance with the decisions taken in the meeting. Ersumer
added that if the term is extended, they will notify the companies about
the issue. Stating that the companies will give decisions in accordance
with their own criteria, Ersumer emphasized that he does not want the
project to be under risk because of this.
[50] NUCLEAR POWER PLANT TENDER
[51] ANKAR, Oct 12 (A.A) - Cumhur Ersumer, the Energy and Natural Resources
Minister, said on Tuesday that he does not think that the companies will
withdraw their proposals if they ask for the extension of term in nuclear
power plant tender. Responding the questions of the journalists, Ersumer
noted that his ministry says that Turkey needs nuclear power plants in
every occasion and that it is necessary to implement this nuclear power
plant project to say that the energy problem of Turkey will be solved until
2020. Recalling that Turkey faced a big disaster a short time ago, Ersumer
said that Turkey's priorities were re-evaluated after the disaster. When
asked what the stance of the companies will be if the term of the tender is
extended, Ersumer stated that he does not think that the companies will
withdraw their proposals but that this is the decision of the companies.
Noting that they think of extending the tender for three months at this
moment, Ersumer stressed that they do not want to impose the costs of
welcoming a new century on the project and to this end, Turkey has to give
a decision within three months. When asked a question saying, ''the Turkish-
Russian Business Council meeting will be held in Antalya. Can this meeting
overshadow the relations with Turkmenistan following an incident lived in
Turkmenistan,'' Ersumer said that he does not think that an incident is
being lived in Turkmenistan. Emphasizing that they are evaluating the
incident, Ersumer noted that Turkish-Turkmen friendship is one which cannot
be overshadowed by any incidents. Stressing that they think that the
Turkmenistan projects will be implemented in the end, Ersumer stated that
Turkey has relations with many countries and the energy sector is an
integrated sector in the world. Ersumer continued, ''if you do not move
together with the sector, then you are behind the developments in the
sector. This incident is a proof for the ongoing relations. As you all know,
this is not only the energy sector and a council which convenes to discuss
the natural gas but this is one of the matters discussed by the council.
There are not any changes in our programme. I will meet with the Co-
president of the Council if he comes. He told me that he would come to
Turkey in our meeting in Russia.'' When asked about Baku-Ceyhan Pipeline
project, Ersumer said that the issues are being discussed and the meetings
continue. Stating that they revised four agreements and this is the most
important item of the agenda of their meeting, Ersumer said, ''we have
revised the host country agreement, transitory country agreement, the
guarantee agreement, and the construction convention. Many agreements are
at the stage of being concluded. But there are many variants of the
agreements at the moment. Especially, we are discussing the tax issue. We
hope we will have an agreement.'' Pointing out that there were unfair
criticisms saying, ''Turkey remains behind. Turkey cannot be self-
sacrificing in some issues and cannot fulfil some incentives,'' Ersumer
emphasized that today, the situation is very different and that Turkey did
her best for the realization of this project. Ersumer continued, ''U.S.
President Bill Clinton's Special Envoy to the Caspian Region James Wolf
also confirmed this. To this end, Turkey fulfilled all the conditions which
can be fulfilled, and all the conditions in the signing of a commercial
agreement, in the preparing of an agreement that can be financed. However,
we still continue our efforts.'' When asked about the latest situation of
the Blue Stream Project, Ersumer stressed that the discussions about the
finance of the agreement continue and that there is a joint initiative with
the Italians. Ersumer added that a pre-agreement about the finance issue
was provided. Noting that they have not presented the definite finance
agreement, Ersumer stated that there is not any risk about this and that he
does not have any further information. When asked about the period, Ersumer
said, ''I think it will be the end of 2001. Generally, the projects are not
fulfilled in the earlier determined date. Signing the contract does not
provide the finance of the contract. Turkey needs natural gas. That is,
Turkey needs 80 billion cubic metres of natural gas in 2020. We evaluate
every opportunity to meet our needs. We are carrying efforts to import
natural gas as energy. We will conclude the tender of six billion cubic
metre LNG terminal within this year. The natural gas will be one of the
most important elements of both Turkey and the world after 2000.''
[52] SPANISH CLASSICAL GUITAR PLAYER MORENO TO GIVE CONCERTS
[53] ANKARA, Oct 12 (A.A) - Javier Garcia Moreno, Spanish classical guitar
player, will give concerts to help the quake survivors. The officials said
on Tuesday that the concert which is supported by the Council of Europe
(COE), will be given in Samsun and Bartin provinces of the Black Sea Region
and Ankara. Emphasizing that the concerts will be held with the cooperation
of 19 Mayis University, Bartin Governorship Provincial Culture Directorate
and Middle East Technical University (METU), the officials noted that
Moreno will play in Samsun on October 18, 1999, in Bartin on October 20,
1999 and in Ankara on October 22, 1999. Moreno won awards in many
international contests and gave post-graduate courses in various
universities in Europe and the U.S.
[54] GREEK SINGER THEODORAKIS AND POLIZAGOPULOS, CHAIRMAN OF GREEK LABOUR
CONFEDERATION, IN ISTANBUL
[55] ISTANBUL, Oct 12 (A.A) - Greek singer Mikis Theodorakis and Hristos
Polizagopulos, the Chairman of Greek Labour Confederation, arrived in
Istanbul on Tuesday. Theodorakis and Polizagopulos came to Istanbul to
participate in the ''Friendship Concert'' which will be held for the quake
survivors by the initiatives of the Turkish and Greek labour organizations.
Polizagopulos said that Greece launched aid campaign for Turkey following
the devastating quake. Emphasizing that their aim is to set up a hospital
in Izmit, Polizagopulos noted that they continue their efforts for this.
Theodorakis said that Turkish and Greek nations do not have any problems.
Stressing that they participate in the peace efforts for 13 years,
Theodorakis stated that the best example for their efforts is the
participation of the Turkish and Greek labour organizations in these
efforts. Noting that he believes that the administrators of the two
countries should pay attention to the message of the two nations,
Theodorakis stressed that they believe that the peace, friendship, and
cooperation will prevail at last.
[56] PRIVATIZATION SUPREME COUNCIL MEETING ENDS
[57] ANKARA, Oct 12 (A.A) - State Minister Yuksel Yalova said on Tuesday
that new approaches were determined about privatization which has to
continue as speedy as it can. Yalova stressed that the number of 74
institutions which are connected to the Privatization Administration will
be decreased to 25 till the end of 2000 by privatizing them. Speaking after
the Privatization Supreme Board meeting, Yalova said that the measures;
that have to be taken about decreasing the damages of institutions which
were effected by Marmara quake and making them turn into their normal
working order; were discussed in the meeting. Regarding the second element
of this new approach, pre-sufficiency in tenders has to be accepted, said
Yalova. ''The third main element of the new approach is taking into
consideration the social, regional criteria, and dimensions into account. A
separate importance was attributed to social dimension in the coalition
protocol,'' said Yalova. ''Petroleum Office Inc (POAS) will be put out to
tender in the middle of November. Its other proceedings have finished.
Regarding Turkish Telekom, which is our another privatization target, all
information will be prepared as a preliminary study in the meeting that
will be held under the leadership of Premier Ecevit on October 19. The
final decision will be given about Global System For Mobile Communications
(GSM) in that meeting,'' Yalova said. Yuksel Yalova added that he will work
together with Transportation Minister about submitting a new law to the
parliament about Turkish Telecom, adding the council decided to make
preparations to transform this work into a final decision again on October
19.
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