Anadolu Agency: News in English, 00-03-02

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[01] AA News

02 March 2000 Thursday

[02] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

WORLD BANK: ''TURKEY IS ONE OF THE STRONGEST ECONOMIES''
Ajay Chhibber, the Turkey Desk Chief of the World Bank, said that Turkey should not stop struggling against inflation. Chibber noted that Turkey is one of the members of the World Bank which have the strongest economies. Chibber stated that the government started to successfully implement the economic program. Chibber added that this is not only the program of the government but everybody's program.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

ECEVIT PERSUADES MINISTERS
Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit persuaded two ministers namely Minister of Tourism Erkan Mumcu and Minister of Environment Fevzi Aytekin who were against the construction of nuclear power station. TEAS officials showed the pictures of the tourists who swam in the sea near nuclear power stations.

SABAH (LIBERAL)

MARCH EXCITEMENT IN MARKETS
The inflation expectation, the Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM) licence, and the sale of Petrol Ofisi Incorp. (POAS) revived the markets. The index increased 7.86 percent to 17.199 points. The bond interest decreased two points to 37-38 percent.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

IF WE ARE ISOLATED, WE'LL VETO IT
National Defense Minister Sabahattin Cakmakoglu said that the European Security and Defense Initiative (ESDI), which was formed by the European Union (EU) should develop within the NATO. If not, Turkey will veto it, he added.

RADIKAL (LEFT)

NEW LETTER OF INTENT TO IMF
The new letter of intent sent to International Monetary Fund (IMF) which is composed of 10 articles, will be taken up at IMF Executive Directors Council. The letter of intent notes the developments that took place after the signing of the stand-by agreement on December 22, 1999 and the commitments regarding the measures that should be taken. The letter of intent and the report prepared by the IMF delegation headed by Carlo Cottarelli, the Chief of IMF Turkey Desk, will be taken up by the IMF administration. The short letter of intent notes that there are measures which should be taken within the framework of IMF delegation's report.

TURKIYE (RIGHT)

SUCCESSFUL MINISTER WANTS ''STABILITY''
Minister of Public Works and Housing Koray Aydın who was elected as the ''minister of the year'' due to his efforts after the massive quake disasters in Turkey, said that his party, the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), will do everything to protect the stability.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

PERMANENT HOUSES TO START TO BE CONSTRUCTED IN APRIL
Koray Aydin, the Public Works and Housing Minister, said that the permanent houses will start to be constructed in April. Aydin noted that most of the permanent houses will be completed by the end of 2000. The wounds were healed and the rubble was all removed in the six-month period following the devastating quake.

[03] STATE MINISTER GUREL: - ''WE HAVE NOT DISCUSSED THE CONTENT OF THE BIDS OF THE CONSORTIA DURING OUR MEETING''

Folowing the Council of Ministers meeting, Gurel responded to the questions of the journalists.

When recalled that the deadline for the nuclear power station tender ended on Wednesday and whether or not they would ask for an extension of the tender process in case they could not give their decision in ten days, Gurel said, ''as the Council of Ministers authorized the General Directorate of the Turkish Electricity Incorp. (TEAS) to conclude this process, the TEAS will start holding contacts with the consortia.''

''At the end of a week or ten days, the TEAS Executive Board will inform the companies. The Executive Board will complete discussing this issue within that period,'' Gurel added.

Responding to another question, Gurel noted that they did not discuss the content of the bids as the Council of Ministers does not have the technical knowledge to evaluate the content of the bids.

Gurel continued, ''the Council of Ministers does not think of evaluating this issue on behalf of the TEAS Executive Board. The Council of Ministers authorized the TEAS General Directorate to conclude the power station tender.''

When asked whether or not Premier Bulent Ecevit and some ministers who were uneasy about the nuclear energy received satisfying answers to their questions during the meeting, Gurel said, ''the leaders of the coalition parties had earlier reached a compromise about this issue in their meetings. The leaders think that Turkey should have a technology which can produce nuclear energy not to be behind the advanced technological level.''

''To this end, the Council of Ministers authorized the TEAS to complete the process of establishment of a nuclear power station in Akkuyu,'' Gurel added.

When asked whether or not the Environment Ministry has negative ideas about the nuclear energy power station, Gurel said, ''everybody shared the similar ideas about the advantages of having nuclear energy and the risks which this technology will cause. But, the political will, the will of our government decided to construct the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Station.''

[04] TURKEY-VIETNAM JEC 1ST TERM MEETING HELD IN VIETNAM

The Foreign Trade Undersecretariat (DTM) said on Thursday that Mehmet Ali Irtemcelik, the State Minister, headed the Turkish delegation and Vu Khoan, the Vietnamese Trade Minister, headed the Vietnamese delegation.

The trade and economic relations between two countries were reviewed, and the measures to improve the bilateral trade were discussed during the JEC meetings, the DTM noted.

The DTM stated that two delegations determined the potential cooperation opportunities in standardization, free zones, small and medium scale enterprises, energy, agriculture, mining, science, technology, environment, tourism, and engineering.

A Memorandum of Understanding was signed in the end of the meetings, the DTM said.

The DTM said that ''Cooperation Agreement on Science, Technology and Environment'' and ''Protocol on Technical, Scientific, and Economic Cooperation in Agriculture'' were also signed in the end of the JEC meetings.

The first round negotiations on the ''Agreement on Encouragement and Protection of the Investments'' was held during the meetings, the DTM pointed out.

The DTM added that Irtemcelik met with Vietnamese Vice-President Nguyen Thi Binh, Prime Minister Phan Van Khai, Industry Minister Dang Vu Chu, Public Works Minister Nguyen Manh Kiem, Planning and Investment Minister Tran Xuan Gia, and Deputy Agriculture and Rural Area Development Minister Cao Duc Phat within the framework of his contacts in Vietnam.

[05] INDUSTRY AND TRADE MINISTER TANRIKULU DUE TO TRNC

Tanrikulu will participate in the Turkish Chambers and Commodity Exchanges (TOBB) Councils Joint Meeting.

The delegation headed by Tanrikulu; and Fuat Miras, TOBB Chairman; will visit Rauf Denktas, the TRNC President; Ertugrul Hasipoglu, the TRNC Parliament Speaker; and Dervis Eroglu, the TRNC Prime Minister.

The TOBB Councils Joint Meeting will be held on March 5, 2000.

Tanrikulu and the TOBB delegation will depart TRNC on March 6, 2000.

[06] TURKISH SKIER DONMEZ WINS GOLD AND SILVER MEDALS IN SLALOM RACE IN U.S.

Donmez said that all the races are staged on icy tracks and the skiers who compete in these races, know how to ski on icy tracks.

There are also good skiers in Turkey, Donmez noted.

Donmez continued, ''we used to ski on soft snow when we were competing in Turkey. At first, I had difficulty in competing in the U.S. tracks. Later, I was trained on the icy tracks with the help of the expert skiers and I got used to the icy tracks.''

''Another problem of the Turkish skiers is that they do not compete in international races. A skier can become more experienced and successful if he or she competes in different kinds of tracks,'' Donmez added.

Donmez became the second in the U.S. in the 1999 U.S. Nastar National Championship.

He also participated in the races staged in the ski resorts in Utah, Colorado, Michigan, and Wisconsin of the U.S. and in Canada.

[07] U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT'S REPORT ON DRUG TRAFFICKING: ''TERRORIST PKK CONTINUES ITS DRUG AND WEAPON SMUGGLING''

The report stressed that the Turkish security forces were successful in coping with drug trafficking last year, adding yet Turkey is still a transit country from Asia to Europe in drug trafficking due to its geographical position.

The report on its Turkey part noted that, the terrorist organization PKK both collected money from drug producers and drug smugglers in return of protecting them and also it is involved in the drug trafficking in Europe.

The U.S. report said that the Turkish government was very successful against the terrorist organization PKK by capturing its head Abdullah Ocalan last year.

The aim of the Turkish government is to further decrease the activities of the terrorist PKK in Southeastern Anatolia and to prevent drug and weapon smuggling all over Turkey, noted the report.

The report stressed that the heroin and base morphin which enter Turkey from the southeastern border, are transported to Europe by TIRs via Greece and Bulgaria and the Albanian and Turkish drug smugglers make cooperation.

A big majority of the heroin which pass via Turkey is transported to Europe, noted the report and added that Turkish security forces need more advanced and technical equipment to cope with drug trafficking.

Turkish security forces confiscated 2.2 tons of heroin and arrested totally 5,030 persons in connection with drug trafficking crimes last year, the report added.

The U.S. government annually gives 500,000 dollars to Turkey to help her in the struggle with drug trafficking.

The part of the report on Southern Cyprus noted that the island still plays an important role in drug smuggling from the Middle East to Europe due to its strategical status.

[08] GREEK AMBASSADOR CORANTIS SPEAKS TO A.A: - ''THE ROUTE OF TURKISH- GREEK RELATIONS WILL NOT CHANGE DUE TO THE RESULTS OF THE ELECTIONS IN GREECE''

Coratis told A.A correspondent that both Turkey and Greece have mutual understanding.

Not only the Greek politicial circles, but also the Greek nation have this understanding, Corantis noted.

Corantis said, ''there is a peaceful friendship and cooperation atmosphere in Greece. To this end, I believe that Greece will continue the same policy with Turkey regardless of what the results of the general elections will be.''

The common interests have priority in the relations between two countries, Corantis stated.

Corantis continude, ''but, to have a comprehensive cooperation, some issues should be solved. One of these issues is application to the Hague Court of Justice to determine the borders of the continental shelf. The importance that this issue carries, was brought to the agenda at the Helsinki Summit.''

Another issue which should also be solved is the Cyprus question, Corantis stressed.

Corantis emphasized that Turkey and Greece support the Cyprus proximity talks which were launched under the auspices of the United Nations (U.N.).

''This issue was also discussed at the Helsinki Summit. This issue has an EU dimension. Cyprus question is a question which concerns the international community, including the U.N. But, the EU has a definite role and right to express its ideas about this issue,'' Corantis said.

Corantis added, ''these are the issues which should be solved. We should continue to exert efforts for the solution of these issues. Not only the relations between the states, but also the contacts between the people should be increased and encouraged to solve these issues. Turkish and Greek nations want to establish relations with each other.''

The Turkish press organs usually put into the agenda the embargo imposed on the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), Corantis pointed out.

Corantis said that there is an EU regulation on Cyprus. Corantis claimed that under this regulation, the goods on the island can be put into the market as the goods of the Cyprus Republic.

''This is EU's perspective and a concept (Cyprus Republic) which cannot be overcome,'' Corantis said. He added, ''the embargo can be lifted within the framework of an EU including the Turkish Cypriot and the Greek Cypriot sides.''

Corantis noted that Greece follows the human rights developments in Turkey and is ready to extend all the support to improve the human rights in Turkey.

''Reppas had defined the release of three mayors from the People's Democracy Party (HADEP) as a positive gesture. Because, Turkey took pulse of both the international community and the EU. The developments recorded in human rights in Turkey will be followed. The Helsinki Summit drew a definite route for Turkey,'' Corantis said.

Corantis continued, ''this route should be continuous and stable. Turkey should fully ensure the freedom of expression and fully abide by the Copenhagen criteria. Turkey's regulations should be complied with the EU regulation and this should also cover the economic and social fields. Of course, Turkish government and nation should implement these regulations for their sake.''

''An exaggerated atmosphere occured in Turkey about Greece's attitude against the PKK and Kurdish issue. As in many other countries, this sympathy (for the Kurds) in Greece was identified with the terrorist actions. We had clearly explained our attitude against this issue. Our attitude is parallel to the EU's attitude,'' Corantis added.

Corantis said that everybody should be realistic about the Turkish-Greek relations and that Greece wants to live together with Turkey in peace, and to have cooperation.

But, this cooperation should be within the framework of international law, Corantis said.

Noting that statements which escalated tension between the two countries had earlier been issued and policies which also caused tension, had been pursued, Corantis said, ''all these statements and policies were not incidents which would build confidence between two nations. There must not be a threat of using force in the relations of the two countries. As long as these statements exist, the lack of confidence between the two countries continue. To sum up, there is lack of confidence between the two countries.''

Corantis added, ''but, we have entered into a very beneficial era. The positive perspectives occur as we exert successful initiatives. For example, we have signed nine agreements. Now, we are preparing to put into force these agreements.''

[09] STATE MINISTER TOSKAY: ''TEFE AND TUFE INDICES WILL CONTINUE TO BE IMPLEMENTED AS THEY ARE, TILL THE END OF ECONOMIC PROGRAM''

Responding to questions of journalists after the press briefing he staged regarding the census that will take place on October 22, this year, Toskay said that there is no such thing called as a ''brief letter of intent,'' adding an evaluation will be made after three months which can take place at the end of April or May.

Toskay said that 6-7 percent of increase in exports was recorded in January and February according to the records of the Exporters' Unions.

Upon questions regarding the nuclear power station, Toskay said that France is one of the countries which attracts many tourists in the world and there are 58 nuclear power stations in this country.

When asked about the type of the questions that will be asked during the census, Toskay said that there can be 41-51 questions, but the content of them has not been determined yet. He noted that many countries in the world will also hold census in 2000 and similar kind of questions should be asked to make comparisons.

[10] DE SOTO, ANNAN'S SPECIAL ENVOY TO CYPRUS, VISITS KARPAZ

Accompanied by the U.N. Peace Force officials, De Soto talked with the Greek Cypriots in Dipkarpaz.

Later, De Soto visited the health center and the Greek Cypriot elementary school in Dipkarpaz.

Mustafa Tamam, the Iskele Head Official, welcomed De Soto and the accompanying delegation when they arrived at the Greek Cypriot elementary school.

De Soto also talked with the Greek Cypriot children and teachers.

Alvaro De Soto will later visit the Apostopolos Andreas Monestary which is situated in Dipkarpaz Cape.

The Greek Cypriots visit the Apostopolos Andreas Monestary three times a year to perform their religious ceremonies.

When he arrived on the island, De Soto had said that the target of his visit was essentially getting acquainted with Cyprus and with the situation on the island.

He had said that the main purpose of his trip was familiarization with Cyprus.

[11] NINE JOURNALISTS KILLED IN FIRST TWO MONTHS OF 2000

The Modern Journalists' Association (CGD) said on Thursday that in accordance with the figures of the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), which represents 450,000 journalists and of which the CGD is a member, nine journalists were killed in the first two months of 2000.

A Sri Lankan journalist was killed in the first hours of the new year, the CGD noted.

The CGD stated that following this assassination, a Bangladeshi publisher who was receiving death threats, was killed on January 15.

''An Ethiopian editor-in-chief could not resist to the pressures of the Central Interrogation Department and committed suicide on January 18. The dead body of Konca Kuris, an Islamist author who was abducted and killed by the terrorist Hezbollah organization, was also found in January,'' the CGD said.

The CGD stressed that a journalist in Somali was killed in an armed attact on January 26.

''A photo journalist who was kidnapped in Chechnya, was killed on February 20 and a news director in Uruguay died in an armed attack on February 24,'' the CGD added.

The CGD recalled that 87 journalists were killed in 1999 and condemned the armed attacks against the journalists whose only duty is reporting news.

[12] STATE MINISTER ONAL: ''AN ACCESSION PARTNERSHIP DOCUMENT WILL BE PREPARED BETWEEN TURKEY AND EU''

Onal noted that the Accession Partnership Document will organize Turkey's relations with the EU until the accession negotiations are launched.

He met with the representatives of the EU Commission and the representatives of the European Investment Bank (EIB) during his contacts in Brussels and Luxembourg between February 28 and March 1, 2000, Onal stated.

Onal stressed that the Accession Partnership Document will include the political and economic elements and that his visit was beneficial for the formation of the economic framework of the document.

The economic and financial dialogue between Turkey and the EU officially started as he met with Pedro Solbes, the EU Commissioner for Economic and Financial Affairs, Onal emphasized.

Onal continued, ''a delegation of the EU Commission will visit Turkey between April 27 and 28, 2000. Thus, the institutional decisions regarding the dialogue will start to be implemented actually. Within this framework, an Economic and Financial Affairs Sub-Committee will be formed to follow the initiatives regarding the harmonization of EU regulations.''

''The amounts which will be donated to Turkey from the EU budget were confirmed during my contacts. Within this scope, the high-ranking EU officials once more reiterated that 127 million Euro from the MEDA funds, 50 million Euro within the framework of the European Strategy, and 177 million Euro annually, will be transferred to Turkey,'' Onal added.

Onal continued, ''we have reached a compromise on Turkey's getting a share for three years from 8.5 billion Euro loan within the framework of the Facilitation Prior to Accession which was adopted at the Cologne Summit, and on releasing the 750 million Euro which was decided to be given to Turkey within the scope of the Customs Union.''

''We have also reached a compromise on Turkey's granting nearly 200 million Euro from the MEDA-II loan, on Turkey's getting loan for the giant infrastructure projects under the 18th article of the EIB Regulation,'' Onal added.

Onal said, ''we have reached a conciliation on Turkey's getting a share from the Risk Capital Fund worth of 150-200 million Euro which was formed for the Mediterranean countries, and on the release of the 600 million Euro quake assistance.''

Onal noted that the financial cooperation between Turkey and the EU should be collected under a single umbrella and that this financial structure can serve the initiatives which will be held prior to the accession.

The Commission is also exerting efforts to form a legal framework for the mentioned structure, Onal stated.

Onal stressed that Guenter Verheugen, the EU Commissioner for Enlargement, said that 750 million Euro loan is the moral and political responsibility of the EU.

Verheugen also said that he will exert all the efforts to release the loan and that the result will be positive, Onal emphasized.

Onal said that the negotiations on the Accession Partnership will be continued during Verheugen's visit to Ankara which will be held between March 9 and 11.

''Verheugen said that they are exerting efforts to facilitate Turkey's integration with the EU and that he will support the efforts. Verheugen reiterated that they have marked significant developments within the framework of Turkey's integration process with the EU,'' Onal added.

Onal noted that they explained the Stability Program during their contacts and that the development which Turkey has recorded, were welcomed by the representatives of the EU Commission and the EIB.

They also met with the representatives of the foreign press organs and informed them about the Stability Program, Onal added.

[13] GENERAL STAFF HOLDS WEEKLY PRESS BRIEFING: ''TURKEY WILL UNDERTAKE TERM PRESIDENCY OF EUROPEAN LONG TERM PLANNING GROUP FOR TWO YEARS''

Secretariat General of the General Staff staged a weekly press briefing the same day.

Colonel Fahir Altan, Director of General Staff's Public Relations and Press Centre said that Turkey carried out seven inspections in Russia, two in Armenia, and one in Georgia, Bulgaria and Romania within the scope of the Conventional Forces in Europe (CFE) Treaty. In return to that Armenia and Bulgaria inspected Turkish military units for three times, Ukrania for six times, Russian federation for four times and Romania for two times, he added.

Turkey paid one ''evaluation visit'' to Georgia and Armenia, and Bulgaria paid a similar visit to Turkey within the framework of Vienna Document. Due to ''Edirne Document,'' which is within the scope of a bilateral agreement, Turkey paid one ''evaluation visit'' to Bulgaria.

''Turkey fulfils its obligations due to disarmament and control of weapons and at the same time it actively participates in the inspections carried out in other countries,'' he noted.

Colonel Altan noted that the Term Presidency of the European Long Term Planning Group will be carried out by a Turkish General between 2000-2002. The turn and delivery ceremony will be staged in Brussels on March 20 in the headquarters of WEU.

[14] DE SOTO, ANNAN'S SPECIAL ENVOY TO CYPRUS, VISITS APASTOPOLOS ANDREAS MONESTARY

When asked why he was visiting the monestary, De Soto said that the monestary is planned to be restored and that to this end, he is visiting the monestary and the region.

He will also visit the Hala Sultan Tomb in Larnaka which is a holy place for the Moslems, De Soto noted.

When asked how he finds Cyprus, De Soto said that he will stage a press conference following his contacts to make public his impressions.

De Soto was accompanied by James Holger, Annan's Deputy Special Envoy to Cyprus, and Victory Rana, the U.N. Peace Force Commander.

He will participate in the dinner given in his honour by Rauf Denktas, the TRNC President, this evening.

[15] A.A

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