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Anadolu Agency: News in English, 99-10-18
[01] AA Daily
18 October 1999 Monday
[02] DENKTAS SPEAKS TO CNN TURK Rauf Denktas, President of Turkish Republic
of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), said he will resign and will begin to strugge if
he has to sign an agreement which he does not want with the pressures of
the U.S. and Europe. Denktas said ''I will not enter that room sit at
negotiation table without seeing the end of the tunnel and before
guaranteeing how I will get out of it.''
[03] CONFESSION FROM ONAL THAT MONEY HAS NOT COME FROM IMF Recep Onal,
Minister of State, who received reactions after saying that ''we have paid
the salaries of civil servants with the quake aid'', also confessed that
the aid of International Monetary Fund (IMF) which was said to come earlier,
has not reached Turkey. Onal said this money has not been tranferred to
Turkey as it was weekend.
[04] MILLIYET (LIBERAL) - ----------------- GOVERNMENT PREPARES
FUNDAMENTALISM REPORT TO NSC Premiership follow-up committee, with the
directives of National Security Council (NSC), which has announced
fundamentalism as the ''primary threat'' in Turkish National Policy
Document, prepared a comprehensive report regarding fundamentalist
groupings in public and private education institutions. According to the
report, nearly 500 high level bureaucrats have fundamentalist links and a
list has been prepared.
[05] CONCERT IN PARIS The concert, having extraordinary dimensions,
trembled capital city of France. The concert was jointly staged by Paulette
and Patricia Coquatrix, owners of Olympia music hall, and Erkan Ozarman,
for the quake survivors in Turkey. The revenue of the concert will be
transferred to the quake victims in Turkey.
[06] SABAH (LIBERAL) - -------------- THEY HAVE LEFT THE TABLE Turkish
Industrialists and Businessmen Association (TUSIAD) delegation, which
started lobby tour in European Union (EU), met with a scandal in Stockholm,
capital city of Sweden. Isa Turan, a supporter of the terrorist PKK
organization, was also included in the Swedish delegation during the
meeting that took place in the Parliament. Ishak Alaton and Mustafa Koc,
famous businessmen, gave required responses to the PKK supporter as he
tried to annoy the TUSIAD delegation. Turkish delegation put an end to the
meeting and left the table.
[07] GIANT SHARK IN MARMARA SEA A giant shark weighing 700 kg was caught to
the net of the fishermen who were hunting in Yalova off shores. The shark
was four meters long. Another fishermen who bought the shark paying 50
million liras used the shark as decoration.
[08] CUMHURIYET (LEFT) - ---------------- GOVERNMENT IN DILEMMA Recep Onal,
Minister of State, issued a written statement and denied his statement that
500 million U.S. dollars which came from the International Monetary Fund
(IMF) for quake, has been used in payment of salaries of civil servants.
Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit, Erkan Mumcu, Minister of Tourism, Yasar
Okuyan, Minister of Labour and Social Security and Mirzaoglu, Minister of
State, said statement of Onal was misunderstood.
[09] HABOUR BORDER IS OWNED BY MAFIA Adil Ozalp, Chairman of Industrialists
and Businessmen Association of Cizre province, said diesel oil trade in
Habur was made by several holdings, adding that Habur border gate was under
the control of mafia.
[10] RADIKAL (LEFT) - --------------- SOLIDARITY OF JOURNALISTS Turkish and
Greek journalists formed a working group that will prevent publics of the
two countries to be a tool of provocations against crisis that may erupt in
the future. Oktay Eksi, Chairman of Press Council, who briefed about the
talks where more than 20 Turkish and 11 Greek journalists attended, and
said both of the sides mentioned about the importance of conveying the
facts to the public.
[11] PREFABRICATED HUTS ARE DISTRIBUTED BUT... President Suleyman Demirel
and Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit went to the quake zone on Sunday and
distributed the prefabricated huts which were constructed by the state and
private sector. It was observed that water leaked under some of these
prefabricated huts. President Demirel wanted the citizens to continue to
trust on the state.
[12] TÜRKİYE (RIGHT) - ---------------- PROMISE OF THE STATE Temporary
quake houses which were prepared in Yalova and Kocaeli provinces were given
to their owners with a ceremony held on Sunday. President Suleyman Demirel,
who attended the ceremony, said ''our target is that nobody will stay in
tents before winter comes.''
[13] INTENSE WEEK IN PARLIAMENT Parliamentary Interrogation Motion related
with the Red Crescent, which was critized following the quake disaster in
Marmara region, is expected to be discussed in the Parliament this week.
Consultation Commitee will convene to take up the interrogation motions
presented by Nazif Okumus, Istanbul deputy of the Nationalist Movement
Party (MHP), and Zeki Unal, Karaman deputy of Virtue Party (FP). The new
legislation that will pay the men out of the compulsory 18-month military
service will also be discussed in Planning and Budget Commission.
Constitutional change is also expected to be opened to signature in the
Parliament. Quake Search Commission will convene on Tuesday and continue
its works.
[14] ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE) - -------------------- RELATIONS WITH IRAN
NORMALIZED Korkmaz Haktanir, Foreign Ministry Undersecretary, said that
Turkey and Iran staged synchronous operations against terrorist PKK
organization. Haktanir, who arrived in Tehran for regular Turkish-Iranian
political consultations, said there has been a conviction in both sides
that relations in security issue have been developed positively, adding
that as a result of these relations, synchronous operations began to be
staged against terrorist PKK organization.
[15] BARZANI RE-ELECTED AS LEADER Massoud Barzani was re-elected as the
leader of Iraqi Kurdish Democratic Party (KDP), in the 12th Congress of the
party which started on October 6. The members of the Central Committee has
been reduced to 31 from 37 and six new names have been entered to the
Committee.
[16] PRESIDENT DEMIREL LEAVES FOR AZERBAIJAN
[17] ANKARA, October 18 (A.A) - President Suleyman Demirel said on Monday
that he will discuss bilateral and regional issues with Azeri President
Haydar Aliev, during his one-day work visit to this country. Addressing a
news conference in Ankara's Esenboga Airport before leaving for Baku,
Demirel said a delegation composed of General Huseyin Kivrikoglu, Chief of
General Staff, Cumhur Ersumer, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources,
and high level officials accompany him. Demirel said they will discuss
bilateral and regional issues as well as oil and natural gas pipelines.
Demirel said ''during my contacts in Baku, we will take up what can be done
to further strengthen bilateral relations based on reciprocal respect,
confidence and friendship and we will exchange views regarding developments
in the regions and efforts exerted to solve the problems in our region.''
Demirel expressed belief that his visit will further strengthen cooperation
with Azerbaijan and serve to the peace, welfare, and stability in the
Caucasus.
[18] SANBERK, TURKEY'S AMBASSADOR TO LONDON, ADDRESSES TO REPRESENTATIVES
OF BRITISH JEWS
[19] LONDON, October 18 (A.A) - Ozdem Sanberk, Turkey's Ambassador to
London, addressed to representatives of British Jews and said Turks has
historial ties with the Arabs and Jews and noted that these three nations
can live together in peace in the Middle East. Addressing at British Jews
Representatives Committee, Sanberk said Turks and Jews were in strong
cooperation for a long time, adding that both of the communities exerted
efforts to reserve a place in Western community and to gain their rights.
Stressing that another mutual speciality of the two communities was that
both of them are among rare countries in the Middle East which are
administered with democratic regime, Sanberk recalled that Turkey is one of
the very rare countries which does not have the Jewish enmity. Recalling
that many Jews, who were expelled from Spain in the 15th century, had come
to Turkey, Sanberk said this community which gained minority right in the
year 1923 with the foundation of Republic, later had full citizenship
status. Sanberk noted that Turkey protected its Jewish friends against
threats coming from Nazi Germany and added that Jews who returned to their
country after Israel's foundation, did not forget this friendship.
Mentioning about the Middle East peace process, Sanberk said Turkey was one
of the strongtest supporters of this process and expressed belief that
success of the peace will be beneficial for everybody in the region.
Sanberk said Arabs were closely interested in the peace as well as Turkish
and Jewish communities and everybody in the region, adding that Turks
shared a joint history with Arabs as well as the Jews. Sanberk said
everybody has equal rights on the territories of the Middle East, and noted
that peace process was the only way to provide this. He said the most
important aspect of operating the process was to open the borders more, to
make more joint investments and more trade. Responding to a question about
water issue after his speech, Sanberk said Turkey did not want to see water
as an issue of conflict, but an issue of cooperation with its neighbours.
Noting that the government presented a three stage plan to Iraq and Syria
and targetted re-evaluating the water, Sanberk said ''yet, no response has
come from the countries in question to this proposal.'' Sanberk said Turkey
will continue to extend efforts to make the water as a leg of the unity and
cooperation.
[20] ECONOMY SUMMIT IN ANTALYA PROVINCE - TOSKAY, MINISTER OF STATE: ''THE
YEAR 2000 WILL BE A TURNING POINT FOR TURKISH ECONOMY''
[21] ANTALYA, October 18 (A.A) - Tunca Toskay, Minister of State, pointed
out the determination of the government to overcome the problems in economy,
and noted that ''the year 2000 will be a turning point for Turkish
economy.'' Addressing a panel discussion of the ''Economy Summit'', Toskay
said next year will be an important year for the government to determine
various assumptions and to give the right decision. Toskay said exportation
will have vital importance in the year 2000, adding that a realistic
approach was required as Turkish lira will gain value if inflation drops
and that this will negatively effect exportation. Toskay said exportation
should be supported more to this end, and noted that Foreign Trade
Undersecretariat and Eximbank will have one-to-one dialogues with the
exporters and will expand required support. Toskay said the year 2000 was
very important for Turkey, adding that ''the year 2000 will be a turning
point for Turkey. Inflation will drop in the year 2000, public deficits
will be closed, interests will be reduced and exportation will increase.
[22] CONCERT IN OLYMPIA FOR QUAKE VICTIMS
[23] PARIS, October 18 (A.A) - Famous singers of the world and artists from
Turkey gave a concert in famous Olympia concert hall of Paris on Sunday for
the quake survivors in Turkey. The revenue of the concert that was staged
by Paris Anatolian Culture Center with the initiatives of organizer Erkan
Ozerman, will be used for the re-construction of a school that was
devastated after massive quake. Istemihan Talay, Minister of Culture, and
Sonmez Koksal, Turkey's Ambassador to Paris also participated in the
concert. Enrico Macias, Richard Clayderman, Los Machucambos, Jane Manson,
Sylvie Vartan, Nicolette, Corinne Hermes, the foreign artists attended the
concert. Candan Ercetin, Erdal Erzincan, Mine Kosan, Zerrin Ozer, Ajda
Pekkan, Coskun Sabah, Arif Sag, Mustafa Sandal, and Selami Sahin from
Turkey participated in the concert.
[24] ISRAELI PM BARAK DUE IN TURKEY
[25] ANKARA, Oct 18 (A.A) - Ehud Barak, Israeli Prime Minister, will come
to Turkey on October 25, 1999. The Turkish and Israeli sources said on
Monday that Barak will participate in the opening ceremony of the ''Israeli
Village'' which was constructed in Adapazari by Israel and which will
shelter 3,000 people. Emphasizing that Barak will come to Turkey for a one-
day visit, the sources noted that Barak will proceed to Ankara following
the opening ceremony in Adapazari. Stressing that Barak will be received by
President Suleyman Demirel and will meet with Premier Bulent Ecevit, the
sources stated that the Middle East Peace Process and the bilateral
relations between Turkey and Israel will be discussed during the meetings.
The prefabricated village which costed 19 million U.S. dollars, includes a
hospital and a school. The village will be handed over to the Turkish
authorities on October 25, 1999.
[26] PRESIDENT DEMIREL IN BAKU
[27] BAKU, Oct 18 (A.A) - President Suleyman Demirel arrived in Baku,
Azerbaijan, on Monday. Demirel who is visiting Azerbaijan on the official
invitation of Haydar Aliyev, Azerbaijani President, will visit new terminal
of Bine Airport which was constructed by Turkish Burc Enka Company. Later,
Demirel is expected to come together with Aliyev and to discuss the Baku-
Ceyhan pipeline project and the Trans-Caspian natural gas pipeline project.
After being decorated by the Azerbaijani Medal of Honour during his meeting
with Aliyev, Demirel is expected to return to Turkey. Demirel is
accompanied by General Huseyin Kivrikoglu, Chief of General Staff, and
Cumhur Ersumer, Energy and Natural Resources Minister and Deputy Prime
Minister.
[28] GREEK JOURNALISTS DEPART TURKEY
[29] ISTANBUL, Oct 18 (A.A) - A group of Greek journalists who came to
Turkey as guest of the Press Council and the Press Council's Solidarity and
Development Foundation, departed Turkey on Monday. Addressing journalists
at the Ataturk Airport prior to their departure, Nicos Georgiades, Editor
in Chief of Eksosia Newspaper, expressed profound satisfaction over
hospitality in Turkey. Noting that problems between the press members of
both countries needed more time to be solved, Georgiades added that they
have taken the first step towards overcoming such problems. Emphasizing
that mutual contacts should include overall journalists of both countries,
Georgiades pointed out that a group of Turkish journalists would pay a
visit to Athens in coming days with the aim of attending preparation works
for the Press Council meeting in Athens in January, 2000.
[30] FOREIGN MINISTRY: - ''RESPONSIBLE OF ARSON INCIDENT IN BADEMLI VILLAGE
ON GOKCEADA ISLAND WILL BE CAPTURED AND BROUGHT TO JUSTICE AS SOON AS
POSSIBLE''
[31] ANKARA, Oct 18 (A.A) - The Foreign Ministry stated on Monday that
responsible of the arson incident in a house which belonged to a member of
the Greek Orthodox minority in Bademli village on Gokceada Island, would be
captured and brought to justice as soon as possible. One child lost his
life when an unidentified assailant set on fire the house in Bademli
village. Recalling that a full investigation has been launched into the
incident, the Foreign Ministry added, ''overall necessary measures have
been taken to prevent such upsetting incidents.'' The statement also said,
''the Foreign Ministry also expresses its condolences to the family of our
citizen who was killed in the incident.''
[32] REPORT OF EUROPEAN UNION COMMISSION
[33] ANKARA, Oct 18 (A.A) - Kursat Eser, the Chairman of the Turkish Group
of Turkey-European Union (EU) Joint Parliamentarian Commission, said on
Monday that if the EU resolution taken in the Helsinki Summit will be
similar to the EU Commission report, this stance will accelerate the Turkey-
EU relations. Staging a press conference, Eser gave information about the
contacts held in Brussels between October 12 and 16, 1999. Emphasizing that
the report proposed partnership of concrete participation strategy to
Turkey to get prepared for the EU full membership, Eser noted that the
report foresaw the elements of the partnership as deepening the political
dialogue, the opportunity to fully participate in all the programs and
agencies and adaptation of all Turkish regulations and implementations to
EU. Eser continued, ''these elements indicate that Turkey is being
considered as an official candidate like all the other candidates by the EU
Commission. If the resolutions taken in the Helsinki Summit are similar to
the recommendations of the Commission, this stance will carry importance
for our relations. As being the Turkish wing of the Joint Parliamentarian
Commission, we find the resolution of the Commission very positive and we
believe this resolution will accelerate the Turkey-EU relations.''
Stressing that the laws which were recently passed from the parliament had
contributions in these developments, Eser stated that they do not make some
new arrangements for the EU but for their citizens. Noting that some
parliamentarians referred to the capital punishment and the Cyprus issue
during their contacts in Brussels, Eser stressed that Turkey's having a
young population also worries the EU.
[34] TURKISH AND BRITISH INVESTMENT EXPERTS TO COME TOGETHER IN ISTANBUL ON
OCTOBER 26
[35] ISTANBUL, Oct 18 (A.A) - Turkish and British investment experts will
come together in Istanbul on October 26, 1999. The representatives of the
investment groups in Turkey and Britain will participate in the seminar
which will be held by the Financial Dimensions International (FDI). The
representatives of the Fidelity Investments which controls 864 billion U.S.
dollars of 15 million investors; Castle Group which has 250 million U.S.
dollar deposit and works in investment and credit field; FPD Savills which
serves in personal and commercial residence and agricultural residence
consultancy in Britain, will join the seminar. The FDI statement said on
Monday that Mithad Rende, Turkey's Counselor to Britain, will make a speech
titled ''Turkish-British Economic Relations and the Latest Developments''
in the opening ceremony of the seminar. Emphasizing that Jim Begbie,
British Acting Chief Consul to Istanbul, will make a speech titled ''the
Position of Britain in the Global Investment Market'', the statement noted
that ''Purchasing Transactions and Finance of Securities in London'', ''the
Introduction of Well-Known Securities in London'', ''the Legal Procedures
and Ownership'', ''Protection of the Investor and the Security of
Performance'', ''Credit Opportunities for Joint Ownership'', ''the
Investment Markets in Today's World'' and ''Opportunites of Cooperation for
Future'' are the other speeches which will be made in the seminar. The
statement added that ''Securities in Britain'' exhibition will be held on
October 27, 1999 within the framework of the seminar. The Financial
Dimensions International aims at encouraging the investments in the
Istanbul Stock Exchange by introducing Turkish capital market to the
investors of the European Union countries and strengthening the present
investments of the public customers in Turkey and providing them to make
joint investments by the companies in Britain and other European countries.
[36] TUSIAD DELEGATION IN ROME
[37] ROME, Oct 18 (A.A) - Delegation of the Turkish Industrialists and
Businessmen Association (TUSIAD) which continues its tour including
capitals of European Union (EU) countries, arrived in Italian capital Rome
on Monday. The delegation will partake the dinner which will be host by
Necati Utkan, Turkish Ambassador to Italy, later today. The TUSIAD
delegation is scheduled to come together with Italian Prime Minister
Massimo D'Alema on Tuesday. The delegation will meet with the officials of
Italian General Industry Confederation (Confindustria) the same day. A
joint press conference will be staged after the meeting.
[38] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT: - ''WE HAVE NOT RECEIVED YET THE IMF'S QUAKE
AID WORTH OF 500 MILLION U.S. DOLLARS''
[39] ANKARA, Oct 18 (A.A)- Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said on Monday that
Treasury has not received yet the International Monetary Fund (IMF)'s quake
aid worth of 500 million U.S. dollars, adding, ''so, it is impossible to
make any payment from this aid.'' Releasing a written statement about the
issue, Prime Minister Ecevit said, ''the Treasury has not yet received the
IMF's quake aid worth of 500 million U.S. dollars. So, it is impossible to
make any payment from this aid. On the other hand, we have allocated much
more sources from the state bugdet than the domestic and foreign aids for
quake victims. It is obvious that Recep Onal, State Minister, meant this
fact. Usage of donations is being inspected every day by the Prime Ministry
Inspection Council.''
[40] PRESIDENT DEMIREL IN BAKU
[41] BAKU, Oct 18 (A.A) - President Haydar Alivey of Azerbaijan said on
Monday that friendly relations with Turkey were strong. Responding to
questions of journalists before visiting the new terminal of Bine Airport
with President Suleyman Demirel, who is currently in Baku for one-day
official visit, Aliyev stressed that the two countries have been
cooperating in every field, including economic and commercial relations.
President Aliyev expressed profound satisfaction over hosting Demirel in
Azerbaijan. Stressing that Turkish businessmen have materialized
significant investments in Azerbaijan, President Aliyev recalled that the
new terminal of the Bine Airport was built by Turkish Burc and Enka
companies as a result of President Demirel's initiatives. Reminding that
today was the 8th anniversary of Azerbaijan's independence, Alivey said,
''long live Turkey, long live President Suleyman Demirel, and long live
Azerbaijan!''
[42] BAHCELI, DEPUTY PM: ''DOMESTIC AND FOREIGN AID COLLECTED FOR QUAKE
DISASTER WILL ONLY BE SPENT IN THE QUAKE ZONE''
[43] ANKARA, Oct 18 (A.A) - Devlet Bahceli, the State Minister and the
Deputy Prime Minister, said on Monday that the domestic and foreign aid
collected for the quake disaster, will only be spent in the quake zone.
Bahceli participated in the meeting held for the 16th anniversary of the
establishment of the Ataturk Culture, Language, and History Supreme Board.
Following the meeting, Bahceli responded the questions of the journalists.
When recalled the statements of State Minister Recep Onal saying that the
salaries of the civil servants were paid by the quake aid granted by the
International Monetary Fund (IMF), Bahceli noted, ''this cannot be a matter
of question. The domestic and foreign aid collected for the quake disaster
will only be spent in the quake zone. It is not true to think the
opposite.''
[44] PARLIAMENT SPEAKER AKBULUT RECEIVES MEMBERS OF LOWER SAXONY TURKISH-
GERMAN FRIENDSHIP GROUP
[45] ANKARA, Oct 18 (A.A) - Yildirim Akbulut, the Parliament Speaker,
received the members of Lower Saxony Turkish-German Friendship Group, on
Monday. Recalling that 2.5 million Turks are living in Germany, Akbulut
said that the education of the Turks living in Germany, is important for
Turkey. Emphasizing that he is sure that the members of the Friendship
Group carries out the necessary efforts for this, Akbulut noted that Turkey
and Germany should be in cooperation for Turks living in Germany to take
part in the local administrations. Mujdat Kayayerli, the Chairman of the
Group and a deputy from the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), said that it
is very pleasing that the German members of the group receive information
from the Turkish authorities about the problems of Turks living in Germany.
The Lower Saxony Turkish-German Friendship Group came to Turkey to hold
contacts with the officials about the education of Turks living in Germany
and their adaptation to the German society.
[46] BARSONY TO WATCH APPEAL HEARING OF OCALAN
[47] STRASBOURG, Oct 18 (A.A) - Andreas Barsony, Turkey Rapporteur of
Council of Europe Parliamentarians Assembly, will come to Turkey on October
21 to watch the appeal hearing of Abdullah Ocalan, the head of the
terrorist organization PKK who was sentenced to capital punishment by
Ankara State Security Court (DGM) No: 2 on charges of treason. Barsony will
watch the appeal hearing at the Supreme Court not as an ''official
observer'', but as a ''spectator''. Barsony will submit a written report to
the Council of Europe Parliamentarians Assembly about his opinions
following the hearing. A total of 12 members of the Council of Europe
Parliamentarians Assembly had watched the trial of Ocalan on Imrali Island.
In their report, parliamentarians had stressed that accused Ocalan was
tried fairly in accordance with the Turkish laws. The Council of Europe
Parliamentarians Assembly which monitors closely the trial of Ocalan,
previously called on Turkey to lift the death penalty. Turkey and Albania
did not sign the 6th protocol of the Council of Europe envisaging to lift
the capital punishment. Ukraine and Russia that were executing the death
penalties till the past year, signed the 6th protocol early this year, but
Ukranian and Russian parliaments have not approved the protocol yet.
[48] PM CRISIS MANAGEMENT CENTER INVESTIGATES CLAIMS THAT SALARIES OF CIVIL
SERVANTS WERE PAID WITH IMF'S QUAKE AID
[49] ANKARA, Oct 18 (A.A)- The Prime Ministry Crisis Management Center said
on Monday that the Central Bank and the Undersecretariat of Treasury have
not received yet the International Monetary Fund (IMF)'s quake aid worth of
500 million U.S. dollars, adding that it was not possible to spend non-
existent money. The Prime Ministry Crisis Management Center investigated
news reports claiming that salaries of civil servants were paid with the
IMF's quake aid worth of 500 million U.S. dollars. Releasing a written
statement, the Prime Ministry Management Center noted that overall domestic
and foreign donations have been allocated to the ''Central Aid Account for
Quake Victims in Marmara Region'' which was opened at the Ziraat Bank upon
the order No: 221 of the Prime Ministry Crisis Management Center on August
22, 1999. The outcomes of the investigation are as follows: - Overall
domestic and foreign donations must be allocated to the central account
opened at the Ziraat Bank in accordance with the Article 1 of the decree
having the force of law No: 576 issued on September 23, 1999. - Prime
Ministry has sent a document to the Directorate General of Central Bank,
and the Undersecretariat of Treasury to allocate the IMF's quake aid to the
bank account opened at the Ziraat Bank. - The Directorate General of the
Central Bank responded the document by saying, ''the Central Bank has not
received the IMF's quake aid in question yet. As soon as we receive the
quake aid, we will do whatever necessary within framework of directives of
the Prime Ministry Undersecretariat of Treasury.'' - The Undersecretariat
of Treasury responded the document by saying, ''We have not received the
IMF's quake aid yet. We will do whatever necessary as soon as we receive
the aid.'' - As it is seen, neither the Central Bank nor the
Undersecretariat of Treasury received the IMF's quake aid. It is not
possible to spend non-existent money. - Donations collected in the bank
account at the Ziraat Bank can only be spent by the decision of Crisis
Coordination Council. The Council is formed under chairmanship of Prime
Minister Bulent Ecevit by Deputy Prime Ministers, Ministers of Justice,
National Defense, Internal Affairs, Foreign Affairs, Finance, Public Works
and Settlement, Health, Transportation, Agriculture and Rural Affairs,
Labour and Social Security, Industry and Trade, Energy and Natural
Resources, Forestry, and Environment, and by the Secretary General of the
National Security Council. - A total of 73 trillion 72 billion Turkish
Liras were collected in the bank account at the Ziraat Bank as of 11:00
local time on October 18. - No spending has been made from the foreign
currency account. Overall spendings for quake victims were made by
allocating money from the state budget. - Spendings which were made from
the Turkish Lira account are as follows: 13 trillion Turkish Liras for
construction of prefabricated huts, 5 trillion Turkish Liras for
infrastructure of prefabricated huts, and 5.1 trillion Turkish Liras were
allocated to the Regional Disaster Coordination Center. A total of 23.1
trillion Turkish Liras were spent so far. There are 27 trillion 947 Turkish
Liras in the Turkish Lira bank account at the Ziraat Bank.
[50] AEGEAN TO BECOME SEA OF FRIENDSHIP
[51] ANKARA, Oct 18 (A.A) - The participants of the ''Tourism Forum'' said
on Monday that the Aegean Sea should be a sea of friendship and cooperation
between Turkey and Greece. A statement from the Tourism Ministry said that
the representatives of the Turkish and Greek foreign and tourism ministries
and the Turkish private sector participated in the Tourism Forum. The Forum
was held in Bodrum county of Aegean Mugla province between 16 and 17
October 1999. The Turkish and Greek delegations were headed by Sevinc
Dalyanoglu, Director General of Foreign Ministry Bilateral Economic Affairs,
and Alexander Migliaressis, an official from Greek Foreign Ministry. The
participants determined their proposals which will be taken up at the 3rd
Turkish-Greek Tourism Committee meeting which will be held on October 21,
1999. The statement said that the two delegations expressed their desire to
turn the Aegean Sea into a sea of friendship and cooperation between the
two countries. The problems which were seen in the organized tours, marinas,
yacht tourism, and culture and belief tourism, and the solutions, and the
improvement of cooperation in tourism sector, were discussed in the forum.
The participants agreed upon ''solving the problems and providing
cooperation'' by the efforts of two sub-commissions which were formed on
the hotel and travelling agencies, and the sea tourism; the statement said.
The statement added that the participants decided to submit the proposals
to Turkish and Greek governments to be examined. The statement said that
the representatives of the two countries emphasized that they want to come
together more often and to improve their cooperation.
[52] WORLD BANK DELEGATION DUE IN TURKEY
[53] ANKARA, Oct 18 (A.A) - A delegation formed by the World Bank experts,
will pay a visit to Turkey between October 24 and 25 within the framework
of re-construction of finance sector. Another World Bank delegation will
also visit Turkey at the end of this month to brief Turkish officials about
the World Bank's Development Report for 1999. The delegation will present
the report to the Treasury on October 25. Then, it will give information
about the report in Istanbul on October 26. According to the World Bank's
Development Report for 1999, Turkey has qualified from 23th place to the
22nd place in Gross National Product (GDP) among 150 countries. Meanwhile,
meetings between officials of the Treasury and the World Bank are
continuing in Ankara for the financial aid worth of 1 billion 50 million
U.S. dollars.
[54] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT: - ''THERE IS NOT ANY WRONGDOING. THERE IS NO
NEED FOR RECEP ONAL TO RESIGN''
[55] ANKARA, Oct 18 (A.A) - Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said on Monday
that there was not any wrongdoing regarded with the International Monetary
Fund (IMF)'s quake aid worth of 500 million U.S. dollar. When asked whether
or not Recep Onal, State Minister, presented his resignation to him, Ecevit
said, ''No. There is no need for Onal to resign.'' When reminded ''Onal had
said that the Treasury has received the IMF's quake aid at the Economy
Summit in Antalya despite you rejected it today,'' Ecevit noted, ''I think
he was misinformed. We made all necessary statements. There is not any
wrongdoing.''
[56] GYTE DELEGATION LEAVES FOR U.S.
[57] GEBZE, Oct 18 (A.A) - A scientific delegation from the Gebze High
Technology Institute (GYTE) left for the U.S. on Monday. The GYTE statement
said that a five-member delegation headed by Prof. Dr. Ahmet Ayhan, the
Rector of the GYTE, will hold contacts in Massachusettes Institute of
Technology (MIT) and Brown University. The delegation will also hold
contacts with the students in the Brown University, the statement noted.
The statement added that the GYTE delegation will examine the fields of
cooperation with MIT. The delegation will also meet with 65 students whom
the GYTE sent to the U.S., the statement stressed. The delegation will
return to Turkey on October 25, 1999.
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