Anadolu Agency: News in English, 00-02-21

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[01] AA News

21 February 2000 Monday

[02] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

KORKMAZ HAKTANIR APPOINTED AS LONDON AMBASSADOR
Korkmaz Haktanir, the Foreign Ministry Undersecretary, was appointed as Turkey's Ambassador to London. The decree which foresaw this appointment was issued in the Official Gazette yesterday. Ozdem Sanberk, the present Turkey's Ambassador to London, was appointed to the Foreign Ministry headquarters in Ankara.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

FREE TOURISM PROMOTION FROM BELEK
The Belek Tourism Investors' Union (BETUYAP) became the second in the competition titled ''Tourism for the Future'' which was staged by the British Airways. Thus, the BETUYAP provided free promotion opportunity to Turkey. The price of this free promotion is about 3 million British Pounds which is equivalent to 2.7 trillion Turkish liras. A half-an-hour promotion program will be broadcast in ITV channel, the tourism channel of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC). The name of the program is 'Wish You Were Here.'

SABAH (LIBERAL)

ISRAEL MODEL IN SOUTHEASTERN GAZIANTEP PROVINCE
The goods which will be produced at the Prior Industry Zone that will be established in southeastern Gaziantep province, can be exported to the U.S. and other countries without tax and quota. As the official contacts regarding this zone continue, the Turkish and U.S. businessmen started to meet with each other. To this end, the Gaziantep Chamber of Commerce and the officials of the leading institutions in Gaziantep visited the first free zone which was established by Israel, Jordan, and the U.S. Israeli businessmen will visit the region between April 12 and 15, 2000.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

DEISS IN ANKARA
Joseph Deiss, Swiss Foreign Minister, arrived in Ankara on Sunday evening. Deiss, who visited Ankara as the official guest of Foreign Minister Ismail Cem, will start his contacts on Monday. Deiss is scheduled to be received by Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit, and will meet with Hikmet Sami Turk, Minister of Justice.

RADIKAL (LEFT)

''JOINT UNIT'' WAS SAID TO BE KNOWN
Premiership Inspection Committee Inspectors had found the traces of developments in southeastern Batman province in June 1998. Batman came to the agenda with the allegations of ''missing weapons, illegal importation of weapons, and illegal establishment of an armed unit.''

During the investigation, the inspectors realized that more than 50 bank accounts were opened in the name of Batman Governorship, and that a ''joint unit'' which also includes special force members, was established.

TURKIYE (RIGHT)

THIRD MAYOR UNDER CUSTODY
Following the detention of the mayors of southeastern Diyarbakir and Siirt provinces, Feyzullah Karaaslan, Mayor of southeastern Bingol province, from People's Democracy Party (HADEP), was taken into custody.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

-<B>MILD EARTHQUAKES SHAKE IZMIR AND TEKIRDAG</B>

ISTANBUL - Mild earthquakes shook Izmir and Tekirdag provinces on Sunday.

Officials at the Bogazici University Kandilli Observatory Seismology Institute told the A.A correspondent that an earthquake measuring 3.1 on the Richter scale was recorded in Bergama township of Izmir province in the Aegean Region at 17:17 local time.

Meanwhile, two mild earthquakes measuring 2.8 and 3.0 on the Richter scale occured in Sarkoy township of Tekirday province in Marmara Region at 20:03 local time and at 20:32 local time.

[04] SWISS FOREIGN MINISTER DEISS IN ANKARA

Deiss will first visit mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the Founder of modern Republic of Turkey, on Monday morning.

Deiss will be received by President Suleyman Demirel and Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit after his meeting with Cem.

He is also scheduled to come together with Hikmet Sami Turk, the Justice Minister, later in the day.

Relations between Turkey and Switzerland have been halted since the incidents in Turkish Embassy in Bern in June, 1993.

A group of supporters of terrorist organization PKK, staged an attack on the Turkish Embassy building. One of the supporters were killed when security forces in the building opened fire on the group.

Following the incident, the Swiss government requested Turkey to bring those who opened fire on PKK supporters, to justice, but Turkey rejected the request.

After Switzerland declared Kaya Toperi, the Turkish Ambassador to Switzerland, as 'persona non grata', Turkey declared the Swiss Ambassador in Ankara as 'persona non grata'.

A Swiss foreign minister has been visiting Turkey for the first time since 1993.

[05] SOCCER - TURKISH DIVISION ONE RESULTS AND STANDINGS

Fenerbahce-Istanbulspor...........( 1 - 0 )

Kocaelispor-Genēlerbirligi........( 0 - 0 )

Galatasaray-Adanaspor.............( 4 - 0 )

Goztepe-Gaziantepspor.............( 0 - 1 )

Erzurumspor-Altay.................( 0 - 0 )

Besiktas-Vanspor..................( 2 - 1 )

Samsunspor-Denizlispor............( 6 - 2 )

Bursaspor-Trabzonspor.............( 2 - 3 )

Antalyaspor-Ankaragucu............( 0 - 0 )

Standings:

P W D L F A Pts

Friday, February 25:

Galatasaray v Samsunspor

Saturday, February 26:

Trabzonspor v Goztepe

Adanaspor v Antalyaspor

MKE Ankaragucu v Bursaspor

Kocaelispor v Besiktas

Sunday, February 27:

Vanspor v Denizlispor

Genclerbirligi v Altay

Istanbulspor v Erzurumspor

Gaziantepspor v Fenerbahce v Altay

Top Goal Scorers:

14 goals: Serkan (Samsunspor)

13 goals: Cafer (Ankaragucu)

12 goals: Ahmet Dursun (Besiktas)

11 goals: Bolic (Fenerbahce)

10 goals: Moldovan (Fenerbahce).

[06] COTTARELLI, CHIEF OF IMF TURKEY DESK: - ''TURKEY IMPLEMENTED THE PERFORMANCE CRITERIA AS OF THE END OF 1999''

Cottarelli, who came to Turkey on Friday, started his contacts in Ankara on Monday morning.

He came together with Selcuk Demiralp, the Undersecretary of the Treasury.

Addressing journalists before the meeting, Cottarelli stressed that Turkey had implemented the performance criteria as of the end of 1999.

[07] 15 TEACHERS DETAINED IN BATMAN

Muzaffer Erkan, the Chief of Batman Police Department, told A.A correspondent that the security forces detained 15 teachers who were working in various schools in the centre of Batman and its townships.

The teachers were taken into custody on charges of having connections with the terrorist Hezbollah organization, Erkan said.

Erkan noted that the interrogation of the teachers continue.

The teachers will be handed over to the judicial organs following their interrogation, Erkan added.

[08] KOYCEGIZ-DALYAN IS CANDIDATE FOR WORLD HERITAGE LIST

Prof. Dr. Tayfun Taner, the President of the City Planning Department, told A.A correspondent on Monday that the Koycegiz-Dalyan region which is well- known for its Caretta Carettas, has many other features.

Taner said that the Koycegiz Lake is one of the two fresh water lakes of the world which are under the sea level and that only this feature is enough for the inclusion of this region in the World Heritage List.

The plants and the bird species which live around the lake also carry importance for the natural heritage, Taner noted.

Taner stated that some bird species which are to extinct, are living in this region during the winter.

The tree and flower types which grow in the region, also constitutes a part of their project, Taner stressed.

Taner emphasized that there are mud baths, hot and cold water springs, shores, Kaunos ancient site, and royal tombs in the region.

A total of 10,000 scientists are working in the project, and the project is planned to be completed within a year; Taner added.

-<B>ERDIS, HEAD OF ILLEGAL IBDA-C ORGANIZATION</B> BROUGH TO ISTANBUL DGM

ISTANBUL - Salih Izzet Erdis, the head of illegal Islamic Great Eastern Raiders Front (IBDA/C) who is also known as ''Salih Mirzabeyoglu'', was brought to the Istanbul State Security Court (DGM) for Monday's court session.

Erdis who is under arrest in Kartal Prison, was brought to the Istanbul DGM at 10:10 local time.

Tight security measures have been taken in and around the court building.

Salih Izzet Erdis is being tried on charges of leading the illegal organization with the aim of setting up an Islamic state instead of Turkey's secular state.

[10] TREASURY UNDERSECRETARY DEMIRALP: - ''REVISION OF INFLATION TARGETS IS NOT NECESSARY''

Prior to his meeting with Carlo Cottarelli, the Turkey Desk Chief of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Demiralp noted that the IMF delegation will start its contacts with the Treasury and later, it will hold contacts with the other institutions.

The meetings will continue until the weekend, and the performance criteria will be discussed during the meetings; Demiralp stated.

Responding a question, Demiralp stressed that the inflation figures of January 2000 were not a surprise and that they can make some small reductions in the program.

Demiralp emphasized that the performance of the program is above the targets at the moment but that there are some issues that should be discussed.

The IMF will firstly revise the implementations of 1999 and later estimate about the 45-day revenues and expenditures during their contacts, Demiralp pointed out.

Demiralp said that the program is being implemented in a very good way.

Responding a question, Demiralp noted that the results of the quake disasters will not negatively affect the growth in 2000.

Demiralp added that the growth rate of 2000 will be between 5 and 5.5 percent.

-<B>RETIRED GEN. ERKAYA:</B> ''FORMING 'HEZBOLLAH' AGAINST TERRORIST PKK IS OUT OF QUESTION BECAUSE TURKISH ARMED FORCES IS NOT UNABLE TO STRUGGLE
AGAINST PKK''
ANKARA - Retired Gen. Guven Erkaya said on Monday that Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) was a nationwide power which has taken a successful guerilla training, adding, ''forming 'Hezbollah' against terrorist PKK is out of question because Turkish Armed Forces is not unable to struggle against PKK. This is impossible.''

Gen. Erkaya attended ''Pulse of the Politics'' program broadcast in TRT 1, where relations between religion and politics were discussed.

Gen. Erkaya said they had briefed Prime Minister of the time and the concerned institutions in February 28 process about how terrorist Hezbollah organization infiltrated to state organs and the mosques.

Critizing political party leaders who used religion as the tool of politics, Erkaya said, ''Western Working Group collected information about terrorist PKK organization and fundamentalism in February 28 process. Welfare Party (RP) made religion a tool of politics. They hosted dinners to the sects in the Prime Ministry. Prime Minister had met with the leaders of sects. Political parties think of the votes of that group when they meet with the leaders of sects. We have made necessary warnings that fundamentalism was in an effort to dynamite the basis of Republic, and got involved in activities to shake this basis.''

Recalling that Hezbollah and PKK were terrorist organizations, Erkaya said they conflicted with each other from time to time. Erkaya said if a group wants to be strengthened, it can do it by terrorism or through a political party which enter elections.

''Those who prefer terrorism, exhibit their power in front of the nation, and try to give the impression that the state will not be able to protect them. This exists in PKK, but not in Hezbollah. Hezbollah followed a method in which it armed people, formed community, and spread armed people around in mosques when it pressed the button. It had to work secretly. There would be jihad when it felt itself ready,'' he said.

Pointing out that the incidents and the ''grave houses'' which were found, unmasked Hezbollah, Erkaya said, ''I see Fetullah Gulen as a great danger for Turkish Republic when we consider future.''

Erkaya said Gulen advanced in establishing its own political ruling, adding that, ''cassettes were broadcast about Gulen. There were confessions from them. National Intelligence Organization (MIT) has several other cassettes about Fetullah Gulen. Despite this, there are efforts which seem to support what Gulen did. President gets award from Gulen. They create impressions about the success of his schools. Their goal for the coming five years is to establish 50 universities and 500 private schools. What is the source of this money?''

Stressing that all political parties should convene and reach an agreement not to make religion a tool of politics, Erkaya wanted parties to give up small benefits.''

Erkaya pointed out that dormitories of students should be controlled well, and critized that there was not necessary control on the dormitories.

Mehmet Nuri Yilmaz, Chairman of Religious Affairs Department, who attended the program as guest, said terrorist Hezbollah organization had started to occupy mosques between 1993 and 1994, and added that it killed 21 officials.

Yilmaz said Hezbollah entered mosques with the pretext of teaching Koran, and formed crowd of young people around it, ''keys of the mosques have been changed to prevent them from entering. However, they entered the mosques by making other keys.''

Pointing out that putting religious beliefs under pressure in Turkey was out of question, Yilmaz said politicians should give up using religion.

''Usage of religion in politics will damage both the religion and the country. Politicians point out their views on issues which we are to state our views. They should leave religion to take breath. Turning religion into an ideology will give damage to the country. Basic information and tolerance should be tought in schools.''

[12] ''WINTER-2000'' MANEOUVRES OF TSK STARTS

The General Staff said that the ''Winter 2000 Maneouvres'' aimed at exercising the war opportunities and facilities of the units in snow and in cold weather, and improving the basic training like the accomodation, feeding, and supply in winter conditions.

The maneouvres will end on February 25, 2000.

[13] DISCUSSIONS WITH WORLD BANK ON FINANCIAL SECTOR ACCORD LOAN SUSPENDED

Officials told A.A correspondent that the World Bank delegation headed by Lalit Raina, suspended the loan discussions and returned to Washington D.C.

Concensus on many issues regarding the 1.5 billion U.S. dollar loan has been reached, the officials said.

The officials noted that the World Bank conditioned this loan on the privatization of the public banks.

The World Bank delegation requested that the government should determine an action plan in the shortest time for the sale of the banks which were transferred to the Savings Deposit Insurance Fund, the officials stated.

The officials added that the World Bank requested that the political will regarding the privatization of the public banks, should be determined until March for the release of the 1.5 billion U.S. dollar loan.

[14] TRIAL OF ERBAKAN, LEADER OF WELFARE WARTY, AT DIYARBAKIR DGM

Mehmet Ener, the lawyer of Erbakan, requested additional time to prepare his client's defense.

His request was accepted by the court, and the hearing was adjourned to a later date.

Erbakan is being accused of provoking people to hatred and animosity in a speech he made in Bingol in 1994. Prosecutor requests Erbakan to be sentenced to one-year in prison in accordance with the Article 312/2 of the Turkish Penal Code.

[15] IMKB FIRST SESSION - NATIONAL-100 INDEX REDUCES TO 14,891.77 WITH A DECREASE OF 471.82 POINTS

At the close of the first session, the financial index decreased 624.75 points to 20,320.72, the industrial index fell 311.59 points to 10,472.59, and the services index reduced 492.88 points to 13,476.51.

The financial shares lost 2.9

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