Anadolu Agency: News in English, 00-03-07

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[01] AA News

07 March 2000 Tuesday

[02] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

LET'S COMPLY WITH CUSTOMS UNION AND GET 7 BILLION U.S. DOLLARS
Five years after Turkey joined the Customs Union (CU), a research carried out by Economic Development Foundation (IKV) showed that Turkish economy can grow more than 5 percent annually if the CU regulations are implemented successfully in Turkey. Prof. Ali Bayar from Brussels University said if Turkey can materialize the necessary technology transfer, there will be a 7 billian 716 million U.S. dollars of money flow to Turkey which will increase prosperity.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

TURKISH DELEGATION IN SYRIA
A delegation led by Ugur Ziyal, Foreign Ministry Deputy Undersecretary, started contacts in Syria. Diplomatic sources said the delegation met with Suleyman Haddad, Syrian Deputy Foreign Minister. Sermet Atacanli, Foreign Ministry Deputy Spokesman, earlier said the delegation would visit Damascus as a part of the talks of the foreign ministers of two countries in New York. Atacanli said the talks aimed at drawing a general framework for the future of relations.

SABAH (LIBERAL)

ISMAIL CEM SAYS TURKEY'S ENEMY IS UNPRODUCTIVITY AND UNEMPLOYMENT
Foreign Minister Ismail Cem who spoke at Customs Union and its Effects on Turkish Economy said the developments in information and communication technologies caused a second industrial revolution in the world. ''Whether we like it or not, communication technologies and globalization will continue developing. This will affect Turkey greatly in the next 10 to 20 years. This also offers great opportunities to Turkey which we have to take advantage of,'' Cem said. ''According to me, Turkey's enemy today is unproductivity and unemployment,'' Cem also noted.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

SNOW IN MARCH PARALYZED TRAFFIC
The precipitation, which first started in the form of rain in Istanbul, later turned into snow. Traffic was paralyzed because of precipitation. There were many traffic accidents. The cold weather coming from the Balkans affected the whole country. Temperatures fall below minus one in quake devastated Bolu province. The quake survivors could not get out of their tents because of snow.

RADIKAL (LEFT)

HELICOPTER TENDER DID NOT END
Two of the five companies which joined in helicopter tender, were eliminated. The U.S., Italian, and Russian-Israeli joint ventures are now included in the short list. Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said offers of the three companies in 145 attack helicopter tender will be examined.

YENI BINYIL (LIBERAL)

DETAILS CONCLUDED IN BAKU-CEYHAN
Eduard Shevardnadze, Georgian President, said technical details related with Baku-Ceyhan project, which is planned to carry Azeri main production oil to world markets, were solved. Shevardnadze, who spoke at a news conference, pointed out that no force will be able to prevent the project from being implemented.

TURKIYE (RIGHT)

PARLIAMENT INTER-PARTIES COMPROMISE COMMISSION FAILS TO REACH
AGREEMENT ON ARTICLE 69
Parliament Inter-Parties Compromise Commission failed to reach an agreement on Article 69 which makes it harder to close political parties. Now, all the eyes are on the Motherland Party (ANAP) after leader of the Virtue Party (FP), Recai Kutan announced that he would not vote for the ''5 plus 5'' formula for president's term in office if Article 69 is not changed. All deputies other than FP deputies must vote for ''5 plus 5'' formula in order to pass Article 101 which defines president's term in office.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

SIX TERRORISTS KILLED IN CLASH WITH SECURITY FORCES
Six militants of the extreme leftist TIKKO organization who killed 6 soldiers 2 months ago in Tunceli died in a clash with security forces. Security forces who started operations in Tunceli's Hozat and Ovacik townships came across with a terrorist group of 15 to 20 people in Buzlutepe region on Sunday night. When asked to surrender, the terrorists opened fire against the security forces and 6 of them died in the clash.

[03] AGRICULTURE MINISTER GOKALP SAYS TURKEY IS A BRIDGE BETWEEN EUROPE AND MUSLIM COUNTRIES

Gokalp attended the Islamic Countries Statistics, Economic, Social Research and Training Center Technical Meeting organized by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) on Monday. Many experts from Turkey, Tunusia, Jordan, Omman, Sudan, Palestine, and Libya as well as FAO Turkey Representative Maharaj Muthoo participated in the discussions.

Gokalp said FAO's activities should expand and he o noted that such activities will help to develop relations between countries.

Organization of this meeting in Turkey has a special meaning, Gokalp noted. ''Because Turkey, while turning its face towards Europe, never considered Muslim countries of second importance,'' he said.

Turkey, with its geographical location, acts like a bridge for science and technology transfer and trade relations. If Turkey is accepted as a member to the EU, European countries will have access to other countries through Turkey, he stated.

[04] INTERNET STAR MAHIR IN LONDON

Cagri had a deal with an important British advertisement agency for an advertisement which will start to be shown in Europe in April.

Cagri told A.A correspondent on Monday that ready-made cloth, industry, advertisement, and publishing sectors want to have business deals with himself.

He can be a name like Bill Gates in one or two years, Cagri claimed.

Cagri noted that he can be an investment partner of an important internet site.

He wants to serve the children of the war zones, and wants to open schools and hospitals for these children, Cagri stated.

Cagri stressed that he will form a foundation under the name ''Mahir Donation Foundation'' and that this foundation will be run by five important international organizations, including the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF).

His instrumental single which was prepared by a German record company, will be put into the market in Europe, the U.S., and Canada in April; Cagri added.

[05] 300 MILLION U.S. DOLLARS LOAN TO EDUCATION

The 600 million U.S. dollars loan agreement had been signed between the National Education Ministry and the Government on June 25, 1998.

Under the agreement in question, the loan was divided in two parts. 60 percent of the first 300 million U.S. dollars has to be spent in order to release the usage of second part of the loan.

The ministry spent 90 million U.S. dollars of the first part for computer tender. Within this scope, 2,837 computer classes were established in 2,451 schools. The companies who won the tender, continue their works in the schools. Bad weather conditions affected the works in some provinces.

The ministry is getting ready to put out to tender the establishment of computer laboratories in 3,000 schools.

The ministry decided to use 69 million U.S. dollars of the loan for the school construction and repair of schools in quake devastated regions.

Also, some part of the loan in question was used to repair 178 village schools. And a project, worth of 45 million U.S. dollars was prepared.

Officials of the ministry and the World Bank will convene by mid April to evaluate the usage of first part of the loan. As a result of this meeting, the areas which the second part will be used, will be clarified.

[06] WORLD BANK DIRECTOR PAGE SAYS TURKEY HAS BIGGEST ECONOMIC CAPACITY IN ITS REGION

Page who came to Cairo to attend the 3rd Mediterranean Development Forum, told A.A Turkey's economic policies have been successfully implemented so far.

The inflation should definitely be pulled down, Page said but also noted that Turkey should not apply very strict exchange rate policy while trying to pull down the inflation. ''Otherwise, like it happened in Mexico, export can be negatively affected,'' he said.

Turkey must definitely materialize privatization, he noted and said any delays in this field would damage Turkey's credibility.

Page reminded that Turkey started implementing structural adjustment programmes. He assured that the World Bank will continue to give credits as long as these programmes continue. ''I can say that the World Bank is happy about the economic developments in Turkey,'' he added.

Page said the World Bank closely followed economic policies of developing countries. If Turkey's economic programme reaches success, he said, they would use it as a model in other countries.

Starting from the second half of this year, Page said, they were expecting more foreign capital flow to Turkey.

There is a psychological resistance caused by the negative experiences of previous years in combat against inflation, he noted but assured that this would end if the economic policies are followed consistently.

[07] TURKEY AND PERU SIGN AGREEMENT ON PREVENTION OF DRUG TRAFFICKING

Turan Genc, the Director General of Security, and Gilbert Chauny, Peru's Ambassador to Vienna who is accredited to Turkey, signed the agreement.

Prior to the signing ceremony, Genc said that the agreement will be signed to struggle against drug trafficking and to control its cultivation.

With this agreement, Turkey and Peru will have the opportunity to efficiently struggle against the drugs which are the real financial source of terrorism, Genc noted.

Chauny said that during his term in office, Turkey and Peru signed five agreements on the improvement of trade relations, visa regime, cooperation in culture and diplomacy.

The agreement on prevention of the drug trafficking carries great importance for Peru, Chauny noted.

Chauny stated that Foreign Minister Ismail Cem's visit to Peru contributed to relations between the two countries.

Officials of Peru will visit Turkey in the following days, Chauny added.

Later, Genc and Chauny signed the agreement which urges the countries to have cooperation in the struggle with drug trafficking.

[08] U.N. FORMER YUGOSLAVIA WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL CHIEF PROSECUTOR VISITS TURK, JUSTICE MINISTER

Turk said that the dissolution of former Yugoslavia was a troublesome process and that the incidents which happened in this region, were evaluated as crimes against the humanity.

Turkey has cultural and historical connections with this region, and she targets at the establishment of peace in this territory, Turk noted.

Turk recalled that the U.N. formed a tribunal in the Hague to punish the persons who committed war crimes in former Yugoslavia.

Delponte, who is the chief prosecutor of the tribunal, is visiting Turkey to have cooperation, Turk stated.

Turk stressed that the tribunal which was formed in former Yugoslavia to try the war criminals, did not have a special force or a police force.

International cooperation in this issue is necessary, Turk emphasized.

Turk said that Turkey, committed to the U.N. ideals, is ready to fulfil her responsibilities to punish the criminals who committed crimes against humanity.

Within this framework, the Parliamentary Foreign Affairs Commission discussed ''Draft Law on the Investigation of Some Crimes Committed in Former Yugoslavia'', Turk noted.

Turk added that the draft law foresees the measures that Turkey will take for this issue.

Delponte said that she will visit some countries to have cooperation in this issue.

Turkey, which is the first country that she is visiting, carries importance for this issue, Delponte noted.

Delponte stated that first of all, receiving information about the fugitives carry importance for the tribunal.

Secondly, the tribunal aims at seizing the bank accounts of the war criminals; Delponte added.

Later, Delponte responded to the questions of the journalists.

When asked about whether or not some of the war criminals opened bank accounts in Turkey, Delponte said that a team is investigating the financial issues.

They have not received any information or evidence which will prove that some war criminals opened bank accounts in Turkey, Delponte noted.

Delponte stated that they can need cooperation in the future and that he asked Turk whether or not Turkey can have cooperation with their tribunal in the future.

Responding another question, Delponte said that no former Yugoslavia war criminals fleed to Turkey but that they have determined that there are some fugitives in the Balkans.

When asked about her ideas regarding the capital punishment, Delponte said that death penalty is not executed in the international courts and that they do not extradict suspects to the countries which execute capital punishment. Delponte added that her personal ideas are not important.

When asked how many war criminals have been tried until today, Delponte said that they have held nine trials and announced the verdict, adding that twelve trials continue.

[09] ANKARA TO HOST ROBERTSON, VERHEUGEN, AND DE SOTO

George Robertson is expected to arrive in Ankara on Thursday. He is scheduled to meet with Ismail Cem, the Foreign Minister, and Sabahattin Cakmakoglu, the National Defense Minister. Robertson will also be received by Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit.

After visiting the Mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the Founder of the modern Republic of Turkey, Robertson will stage a joint press conference together with Cem.

Robertson is expected to proceed to Antalya on March 10 to attend opening of the 10th International Security and Cooperation Conference which will be organized by the Turkish-Atlantic Council.

He will also be received by President Suleyman Demirel.

Ankara is expected to reiterate her sensitivity over the European Security and Defense Identity (ESDI) during Robertson's contacts in Turkey.

Within framework of her initiatives to take an active part in the ESDI, Turkey has decided to propose the EU to participate in the EU Urgent Reaction Force which is foreseen to be established in 2003, on the level of brigade.

Meanwhile, Gunter Verheugen, the member of the European Union (EU) Commission for enlargement, is also expected to arrive in Ankara on Thursday.

Ankara will ask Verheugen to launch initiatives to activate the EU's financial aids including 150 million U.S. dollars within scope of the European Strategy, and 750 million U.S. dollars which will be given by the European Investment Bank.

Alvaro De Soto, the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan to Cyprus, will pay a visit to Ankara later in the week.

On Cyprus, De Soto visited the United Nations Headquarters, Karpaz region in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), Apostolos Andreas Monastery, Pile where the Turkish Cypriots and the Greek Cypriots are living together, the buffer zone and the Hala Sultan Shrine in Larnaca.

De Soto had met separately yesterday with Glafcos Clerides, the leader of the Greek Cypriot administration, and President Rauf Denktas of the TRNC.

He is expected to stage a press conference in the Ledra Palace on Wednesday.

Following his contacts on the island, De Soto is scheduled to visit Ankara and Athens before the third round of proximity talks which will start in New York on May 23.

Meanwhile, Jaime Gama, the Foreign Minister of Portugal, the Term President of the EU, will come to Turkey on March 14.

Turkey's candidacy to the EU and bilateral relations between Turkey and Portugal are expected to be high on the agenda of Gama's contacts in Turkey.

[10] OFFICIAL WELCOME CEREMONY HELD FOR KING ABDULLAH OF JORDAN

Yildirim Akbulut, the Parliament Speaker; Mehmet Ali Irtemcelik, the State Minister; Ismail Cem, the Foreign Minister; King Abdullah's wife Rania; and Demirel's wife Nazmiye Demirel, participated in the ceremony.

Speaking in the ceremony, Demirel said that Turkey and Jordan have joint historical ties and that Jordan has contributed to the efforts to establish peace and stability in the Middle East.

Demirel noted that after King Abdullah came the throne, he proved that he will successfully serve to his country and the region.

Turkey appreciates the efforts that Jordan exerts for the peace and stability of the region, Demirel stated.

Demirel stressed that Turkey attributes great importance to the consultations between two countries about the regional and international issues.

''Turkey is determined to work together and be in close cooperation with Jordan for the establishment of peace in the Middle East and for the construction of the common future of our region,'' Demirel added.

King Abdullah said that he wishes that his visit will constitute a beginning for the high-level contacts between the officials of both countries.

He will exchange ideas about the improvement of the Turkish-Jordanian relations during his contacts in Turkey, King Abdullah noted.

Following the ceremony, Demirel and King Abdullah started tete-a-tete meeting.

Later, two leaders will chair the inter-delegationary meetings between Turkey and Jordan.

[11] PRESIDENT DEMIREL SPEAKS TO THE FINANCIAL TIMES: - ''TURKEY WILL BE HONOURABLE PARTNER IN EU''

Speaking to the Financial Times, one of the leading newspapers of Britain, President Demirel evaluated Turkey's candidacy to the EU.

President Demirel said, ''Turkey will act as a bridge between Europe, the Caucasus and Central Asia, giving the EU influence over a vast Euro-Asian region stretching to the Chinese border. Turkey should not be taken as a single country. Whatever we are going to take from the EU we will add far more. Turkey is a very dynamic country. We are not a burden on Europe. We are going to be an honourable partner.''

''The EU which accepted Turkey as a candidate for membership at its summit in December, must recognise a 'new political geography' since the collapse of the Soviet Union. I don't think Europe is able to stay within a fortress and forget remaining peoples and countries outside it,'' he noted.

President Demirel urged the EU to back his proposed stability pact in the Caucasus, modelled on its plan for the Balkans, saying, ''the Caucasus is part of Euro-Asia. If the Caucasus was not stable, the whole region would be affected.''

He said he had written to U.S. President Bill Clinton, Vladimir Putin, the Acting Russian Head of State, and the British, French, and German leaders.

President Demirel said that the EU offered a great opportunity for Turkey, adding, ''we shall push ourselves to a higher level. That is our dream to become more rich, more contemporary.''

Demirel admitted that the challenge would be more political than economic as Turkey would have to curb its 60 per cent inflation whether she is in the EU or not.

He expressed confidence that Turkey could meet the EU's political criteria for a fully-functioning democracy.

''I do not believe that the powerful military establishment would intervene in the political process. I don't think it would be a problem if the civilian governments do everything to protect Turkey's secularism and territorial integrity.'' Demirel added.

[12] TURKISH AMBASSADOR TO IRAN IN TABRIZ

Moralư met with State Governor Yahya Muhammedzade and Tebriz Governor Abbas Hursidi the same day.

Muhammedzade said in the meeting that he is pleased to come together with the Turkish Ambassador to Iran, adding they hope the relations between the East Azerbaijani state and Turkish cities will further improve by the friendly cooperation between the two countries.

Noting that Tabriz has become famous as the ''Door of Europe'' through the years, Muhammedzade noted that ''the potential of Tabriz state in the field of industry and trade is great and a relation must be set up between the private sectors of the two countries by the mediation of the Trade Chambers.''

Turan Moralư said in his part that officials of Tabriz are very interested in Turkey, adding they are in a ''very positive approach'' towards Turkey.

The two sides stressed in the meetings that the relations between Iran and Turkey should be improved in all aspects, said Moralư and added that friendship matches can take place between soccer teams. The re-start of railway transportation between Turkey and Iran will be very beneficial for Tabriz and East Azerbaijani state, told Morali to Tabriz officials, who welcomed the proposal.

Moralư noted that Tabriz State Governor requested Turkish companies to participate in Tabriz Trade Fair, adding he explained them the needs of Turkish Consulate in Tabriz.

Moralư said that he will meet with Tabriz Mayor on Wednesday and he also wishes to meet with Tabriz University Rector if possible.

[13] KLEBANOV, RUSSIAN DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER: - ''WE THINK THAT TURKEY WOULD NOT AWARD ONLY ONE COUNTRY IN ASSAULT HELICOPTER TENDER''

Staging a press conference in Moscow, Klebanov evaluated his visit to Turkey.

Klebanov pointed out that his contacts in Turkey had focused on peace and stability in Caucasus, the Blue Stream project and the assault helicopter tender.

Klebanov said that Vladimir Putin, the Acting Russian President, supported actively Russia's initiatives regarding the tender.

Noting that Russia's approach to the tender was not restricted with weapon sale to Turkey, Klebanov emphasized that they aimed at partnership with Turkey and Israel.

Klebanov said he had discussed the Turkish proposal for a ''Caucasus Stability Pact'' at a meeting with President Suleyman Demirel.

He noted that Ankara was ready to debate the proposal with Russia adding, ''the proposal is carefully being examined at all levels by Russian authorities.''

He said, ''we expressed support for this initiative put forward by Turkey. There is an agreement with the Turkish side to improve stability in the Caucasus and this agreement is supported by Russia. I conveyed Putin's message to President Demirel expressing support to the proposal.''

Stressing that there were perfect relations between Turkey and Russia, Klebanov said that the issue of Chechnya was also discussed at his meeting with President Demirel.

Klebanov noted that Turkey was in favour of an undivided Russia.

He added that Turkey, as a member of the NATO, asked Russia to speed up improvement of civilians' conditions who were negatively affected by the conflict in Chechnya.

[14] TRNC PRESIDENT DENKTAS: - ''FOUR OR FIVE EU COUNTRIES SAID THAT THEY WILL NOT ACCEPT THE GREEK CYPRIOTS IN THE EU BEFORE THE CYPRUS QUESTION IS SOLVED''

Speaking in a conference at the Eastern Mediterranean University, Denktas noted that these EU countries also informed the Greek Cypriots about their ideas and that they think this is a positive development.

TRNC and Turkey have decided to work together and conform their laws with the EU norms, Denktas stated.

Denktas stressed that they will continue the Cyprus proximity talks with good will and that they will not discuss the territory issue and other issues unless the sovereignty of TRNC is not recognized.

They are exerting efforts to make the world understand their confederation proposal, Denktas emphasized.

Denktas said that they will continue their peaceful attitude.

When asked how the security will be ensured, Denktas said that the Turkish and Greek units will remain in TRNC and Greek Cypriot side.

The NATO force is not included in their agenda, Denktas added.

[15] REACTION TO U.S. PRESIDENT CANDIDATE BRADLEY

On behalf of the Turkish society, Tolga Cubukcu, the Chairman of the Assembly of Turkish-American Associations (ATAA), and Egemen Bagis, the Chairman of the Federation of Turkish-American Associations (FTAA), sent a letter to Bradley, explaining the realities about the Cyprus issue.

Cubukcu and Bagis reacted to the statement of Bradley who ate sweet pastry in the shops of Greek and Greek-Cypriot people in New York, saying, ''we believe that your statement, which ignores serious efforts for the solution of Cyprus issue, was made under the anesthetic influence of the sweet pastry you ate in New York.''

The letter which explained the developments on Cyprus since 1960s said that the existence of the Turkish army was the guarantee of the security of the Turkish people.

The letter said Bradley should develop his understanding about the Cyprus issue instead of his ''knowledge picked up by listening'', and he should take it into consideration for the Senate membership and U.S. Presidency, which require high standards.

[16] A.A

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