Anadolu Agency: News in English, 00-03-08

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[01] AA News

08 March 2000 Wednesday

[02] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

TURKEY CAN BE A MODEL COUNTRY IN THE WORLD
John Page, Director of the World Bank who is in charge of economic policies said Turkey has the biggest economic capacity in its region.

''Turkey is the country having the biggest economic capacity in the region. If Turkey's economic programme reaches success, we will use it as a model in other countries,'' Page noted.

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

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

Addressing the Parliament the young King underlined the role of Turkey in the Middle East, and said, ''you are an important model. Your success will form a platform for us.'' Statements of the King regarding Turkey were welcomed by applause.

TEAM TO FOLLOW-UP TORTURE
After Premiership Parliamentary Human Rights Commission found a hook in Kucukkoy police station in Istanbul, it decided to set up a follow-up delegation to struggle against torture.

According to a paragraph, which was decided to be added to the draft law pertaining to the establishment of Human Rights Chairmanship, ''a delegation to examine allegations of human rights violations will be set up.'' The draft law will be submitted to Council of Ministers on Friday.

SABAH (LIBERAL)

ONE MILLION ILLEGAL WORKERS
The number of illegal workers in Turkey even exceeded the number of Turkish workers working in Germany. Illegal workers from the Balkans to Caucasus, from Poland to Africa rush into Turkey. The number of foreigners who come to Turkey and work illegally here is more than one million. There are 800, 000 Turkish workers in Germany.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

JORDANIAN KING ABDULLAH COMES FOR WATER
King Abdullah of Jordan, who came to Turkey for an official visit, was welcomed by President Suleyman Demirel. The two leaders had a meeting which lasted one hour and twenty minutes. Turkey and Jordan decided to broaden the military cooperation between them. However, no concrete progress has been recorded in the meetings in which the sale of water to Jordan from Manavgat river came to the agenda.

RADIKAL (LEFT)

IT IS NOT AN ORDINARY REPORT
State Planning Institude (DPT) put Political Criteria Report, into functioning. The report is defined as the European Union (EU) report of Turkey. Content of the report has a quality to change Turkey's appearance. DPT prepared the report basing on Copenhagen criteria.

YENI BINYIL (LIBERAL)

EARLY SPRING IN MARKETS
The revival in economy started one month earlier than expected. The durable goods market which shrank last year by 13 percent, revived and the sales increased by 15 percent this February. There is also an increase of 80 percent in production of automobiles compared to February last year.

TURKIYE (RIGHT)

YILMAZ: WE REJECTED BARGAINING
Mesut Yżlmaz, the leader of the Motherland Party (ANAP) said yesterday that the Virtue Party (FP) is totally against the idea of closing a political party. ''ANAP defends the view that closing a party should be made difficult. On the other hand, FP insists on its wish, and we rejected to bargain with the FP,'' Yżlmaz said.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

AN EXPERT VIEW TO TERRORISM FROM NOW ON
Interior Ministry started an initiative to prevent terrorism in the society.

A written statement of Interior Ministry pointed out that the ministry decided the experts to discuss ''historical past of terrorism, its reflections today, reasons of terrorism, ways of solution, harmonization of people, who got involved in terrorism, to the society again.'' Required projects will be put into enforcement after the discussions.

[03] TURKEY'S ATTACK HELICOPTER TENDER

A high level official of the U.S. State Department told A.A that ''Turkey hasn't decided yet which helicopter model she will buy.''

The Defense Industry Executive Committee had reduced the number of companies which proposed their offers for the joint production of 145 attack helicopters needed by the Turkish Armed Forces, to three. American company Apache and French-German partnership Tiger were eliminated from the tender as they didn't give satisfactory information in their proposal. Thus, the competition will be among American King Cobra, Italian Agusta, and Russian-Israeli partnership namely Black Shark.

Defense experts say that American King Cobra company has the technological superiority, but if the U.S. administration and the U.S. Congress cause important problems about supplying export licence, the other companies can have advantage.

The Turkish army still uses effectively Super Cobra and Cobra helicopters, which are the early models of King Cobra, which is being developed.

[04] OZINCE, CHAIRMAN OF UNION OF TURKISH BANKS: ''I BELIEVE THAT INFLATION WILL DECREASE TO 20-30 PERCENT''

Responding to questions of A.A correspondent Ozince, who is in Cairo to participate in the ''Third Mediterranean Development Conference'' said that the inflation rate will start to decrease.

''International economists and I believe that the inflation will decrease even if Turkey faces with bad economic conditions,'' said Ozince and noted that it is easy to decrease the inflation to 20-30 percent. ''But it has not been that easy to further decrease the inflation from that rate in other parts of the world,'' noted Ozince.

Productivity should also increase to foster international competition while trying to decrease the inflation, Ozince said and pointed out that Turkey is not cheap in labour compared to other countries, but it is better than the countries in the same group in respect of industrial investment stock.

Monetary and rate of exchange policies are not sufficient in the struggle with inflation, said Ozince and added that new employment fields should be formed in Turkey.

Stressing the importance of the strong political will which exists in the parliament to solve economic problems of Turkey, Ozince said that Turkey affects very negatively from political instability.

Ozince questioned state bank in a free market economy, adding Turkey has a great accumulation in its region in respect of finance.

Reminding that Turkey is one of the leading countries in the world in respect of banking technology, Ozince said that banking through internet has also spreaded in Turkey.

''The Banking Regulation and Inspection Supreme Board should start to work as soon as possible,'' he added.

[05] U.S. HUMAN RIGHTS REPORT MAKES GREEK CYPRIOTS UNEASY

The Greek Cypriot side protested the human rights report at the U.S. State Department.

The human rights report announced at the end of February, noted that there is a democratic, elected administration, and an independent justice in the north of Cyprus which respects human rights.

Meanwhile, Erato Kozakou Marcoullis, the Representative of the Greek Cypriot Side in Washington D.C. visited the U.S. State Department and protested the report.

Yannakis Casulides, the Greek Cypriot side's foreign minister is expected to send a protest letter to U.S. State Secretary Madeleine Albright.

Ahmet Erdengiz, the TRNC Representative in Washington D.C. told A.A that they considered the report of the U.S. State Department ''balanced.''

''The image of a separate legal administration in the north of Cyprus makes Greek Cypriots uneasy. However, this is the reality,'' he added.

[06] U.S. TO RETURN ANOTHER ANCIENT ARTIFACT TO TURKEY

The mosaic panel is thought to be looted from Zeugma Ancient City in southeastern Gaziantep province in 1960's. The mosaic panel, which is currently in the special collection of American Menil family, will be returned to Turkey.

The excavations, made in Zeugma Ancient City in 1993, revealed that the above parts of two figures, taking part in the middle of mosaic floor ornamenting the terrace of a Roman villa, were pulled out and stolen. It was later determined that the work of art was stolen after illegal excavations made in the region in 1960.

Culture ministry started initiatives for the return of the mosaic panel, which was determined to be in the special collection of American Menil family.

Menil family decided to return the mosaic panel to Turkey, after foreign experts confirmed that the panel was pulled out from Zeugma Ancient City.

The panel will be delivered to Turkey's Consulate General in Houston in the coming days.

Metiox and Partonope, hero and heroine of a mythological love story, are described in the mosaic panel.

The United States on March 1 returned to Turkey 133 artifacts, some of them 2,500 years old, in a ceremony at the U.S. State Department.

The items had been looted from archeological sites and smuggled to the United States.

Items included bronze bracelets and lamps, a terra cotta bird image, a Byzantine cross and a small green glass flask. The trove contained Greek, Roman, Hittite, Byzantine, Phoenician, and Assyrian antiquities.

[07] TRNC UNIVERSITIES BECOME THE TARGET OF GREEK CYPRIOT-GREEK LOBBY IN U.S.

The Greek-Greek Cypriot lobby sends insulting electronic mail messages and letters to Richard Judd, the President of CCSU. The U.S. State Department rejected the application of the Greek-Greek Cypriot lobby which wants to prevent the exchange program, as universities are autonomous in the U.S.

Erato Kozakou Marcoullis, the representative of the Greek Cypriot side in Washington D.C. also sent a letter to the Governor of Connecticut John G. Rowland to stop the cooperation between the two universities. Certain deputies who are members of the Greek-Greek Cypriot lobby frequently annoyed the university and asked it to stop the initiative.

Ahmet Erdengiz, the Representative of TRNC in Washington D.C. told A.A correspondent that ''there are two reasons of this attitude of the Greek Cypriot side. DAU and other universities in TRNC extend support to TRNC economy. Greek Cypriots want the TRNC economy to collapse. Secondly, Greek Cypriots also want to put an embargo on relations of TRNC and its institutions with international organizations.''

Erdengiz noted that he conveyed their uneasiness about the attitude of the Greek Cypriot side to the U.S. State Department.

Meanwhile, the institution called ''United Hellen Electors of the U.S.'' wrote a letter to Judd, the President of CCSU and claimed that cooperation with DAU would harm the efforts of regional peace.

Another Hellen committee of the Greek-Greek Cypriot lobby in the U.S. namely AHEPA sent a letter to Judd and criticized CCSU for giving honorary doctorate to TRNC President Demirel in 1998.

''You are either fool or you dance with Denktas,'' AHEPA told Judd in the letter. The organization also threatened the university to hold a demonstration in front of the university with 5,000 persons.

The representatives of the Turkish society in the U.S. started a campaign to send letters to support CCSU President Richard Judd.

Judd said in his response letter to Marcoullis that he didn't find any valid reason to cancel the agreement between DAU and CCSU.

CCSU and DAU signed the mentioned cooperation agreement in 1994 in the fields of culture, education, and science. Later, the agreement started to cover programs of exchange of students.

[08] MEMBERS OF ''2000 YEAR WORLD WOMEN MARCH TURKEY PLATFORM'' MARCH IN ANKARA ON WORLD WOMEN'S DAY

The group of women, who had representatives from political parties, labour unions and non-governmental organizations among them, carried banners saying ''Women are assurance of democracy and peace'', ''We are mothers and we support peace''.

Sati Buruncu who spoke on behalf of the Platform said March 8 had a special significance this year because all women around the world participate in this march.

Buruncu stated that they will continue their actions in Turkey and around the world until October 17, International Fight Against Poverty Day.

''We are saying no to be sold by dowry; no to all kinds of oppression at home, in the street and in office; and no to violence and abuse,'' she said.

Buruncu noted that solidarity among women should be expanded to overcome the traditional obstacles and to get women's participation in every field of the society by equal rights.

She said they will continue to fight to end discrimination against women.

After Buruncu's speech, women held hands and chanted slogans such as ''We produce, so we will rule'' and ''No to sexual abuse.'' The group walked to the Human Rights Monument on Yuksel Avenue and later they dispersed.

[09] OZINCE, CHAIRMAN OF TURKISH BANKS UNION: - ''ISTANBUL CAN BECOME A FINANCE CENTER FOR THE MEDITERRANEAN, THE BALKANS, AND THE BLACK SEA REGION''

Ozince spoke in the panel discussion titled ''The Finance of Development'' which was held in Cairo within the framework of the ''Third Mediterranean Development Forum.''

The banking sector in Turkey is rapidly developing, and the Turkish banking sector uses the world banking technology, Ozince noted.

Ozince stated that Turkey has started to take structural measures in economy and that legal changes regarding the banking sector have been implemented.

The interest rates started to decrease, and the privatization initiatives will be accelerated, Ozince stressed.

Ozince emphasized that Istanbul has all the qualities to become a regional and financial center and that Istanbul is also integrated with the international finance.

There is a developed stock exchange in Istanbul, and the Istanbul Stock Exchange (IMKB) which has international qualities, will have derivative market and communication system by upgrading its services, Ozince said.

Ozince added that Istanbul has all the historical, cultural, and technological qualities for the Mediterranean region.

[10] TRNC FOREIGN AND DEFENSE MINISTER EVALUATES HUMAN RIGHTS REPORT OF U.S.

In a written statement, Ertugruloglu said that the Greek Cypriot administration was insistently called as ''Cyprus Republic'' and the inhumane embargo imposed on the Turkish side by the Greek Cypriot side couldn't be examined sufficiently in the report.

Stressing that the report made comparison between the implementations towards the two sides although one side was called ''Cyprus Republic'' and the other was called ''Turkish Cypriot Administration'', Ertugruloglu said the report's terminology proved that the U.S. had come to the point that it can't deny the existence of two sides which are politically equal.

Ertugruloglu said the report did not make ''invasion'' polemics which is desired by the Greek Cypriots.

Pointing out that the report based the dispute on the island before 1974, Ertugruloglu stated that the report said the U.N. Peacekeeping Force came to the island in 1964, and a military intervention was staged after the Greek military coup in 1974.

Pointing out that the Greek Cypriot side's reaction to the report was not surprising, Ertugruloglu said the Greek Cypriot side did not accept the existence of two separate sides on the island.

[11] FOREIGN MINISTER CEM RECEIVES HOMBACH, COORDINATOR OF SOUTHEASTERN EUROPE STABILITY PACT

Addressing journalists before the meeting, Cem said that Hombach was coordinating overall efforts to make peace and stability dominant over the Balkans.

Cem stressed that Turkey strongly supported such efforts.

Meanwhile, Hombach said in his part that he came to Turkey to ask

Ankara's support for reconstruction of the region.

Describing Turkey as one of the most important countries in the region, Hombach underlined that Turkey was a significant partner for G-8 countries and the European Union (EU).

Recalling that he came together with Turkish businessmen very often, Hombach said Turkish private sector was a reformist and active sector.

Hombach emphasized that they wanted to continue to cooperate with Turkey.

Hombach was also received by Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit.

[12] PRESIDENT DEMIREL ADDRESSES WAR ACADEMIES

Addressing a conference on ''Turkey in the Triangle of Balkans, Caucasus and Middle East'' at the Commandership of War Academies, Demirel noted, ''Turkey does not need to abandon her own identity, language and traditions in order to become a member of the European Union (EU). We are determined to increase life standards in Turkey to the level of the EU standards. Europe is a map of values. We will be loyal to these values. We aim at turning the prosperous state into a prosperous society. The EU has two conditions: the Copenhagen criteria and the Maastricht Charter. The latter wants the inflation rate to be below 2.5 percent. In Turkey, the inflation rate is 60-70 percent. Turkey should overcome such a trouble.''

Pointing out that the Lausanne Treaty gave a broad place to the non-Muslim minority, Demirel said, ''the Republic of Turkey has a single flag and one language. We should express our situation to Europe. There are extremely wrong inclination in Europe regarded with the issue.''

''Turkey is the only democratic country in her geography. The Republic of Turkey is a democratic, secular and indivisible state of law. We are determined not to allow those who aim at separating our country. We are determined not to allow terrorism, fundamentalism, organized crimes and separatist activities. At the beginning of the 20th century, there was not a Republic of Turkey, but there was the Ottoman Empire. In 2000, we will celebrate 76th anniversary of foundation of the Republic of Turkey. The Republic of Turkey is the name of a brilliant struggle. Turkey was considered as 'ill man' in the 20th century, but today she is a country selling industrial products to 134 countries. Nearly 90 percent of Turkish- made goods are industrial products, and we export 70 percent of these goods to Europe. The trade volume which was 100 million U.S. dollars at the beginning of the 20th century, increased up to 100 billion U.S. dollars. All we need are healthy democracy, healthy economy and healthy defense,'' Demirel added.

[13] PRESIDENT DEMIREL ADDRESSES WAR ACADEMIES

Addressing a conference on ''Turkey in the Triangle of Balkans, Caucasus and Middle East'' at the Commandership of War Academies, Demirel noted, ''the Middle East problem is not restricted with Palistine, Israel, Jordan and Egypt. It is a matter of Iraq. We defend Iraq's territorial integrity rather than Iraq. Iraq's territorial integrity is vitally important for us.''

''Following collapse of the Soviet Union, eleven independent states have been founded. At least five states have emerged after collapse of Yugoslavia. The Russian Federation has several similarities with the Soviet Union with regard to ethnic structure. A lasting peace cannot be settled unless stability is provided in the Russian Federation. The world has actually entered the 21st century in 1989 and 1990s following the collapse of the Soviet Union. This formation has not been completed yet. The Balkans have also been living through the same transformation difficulty,'' Demirel noted.

Referring to genocide in Bosnia-Herzegovina, President Demirel pointed out, ''the Greek Cypriots also attempted a similar genocide on the Turkish Cypriots. If Turkey had not backed the Turkish Cypriots, the Greek Cypriots would have succeeded in their target. The Republic of Turkey had a great role in settlement of peace in Bosnia-Herzegovina. Turkey has fulfilled her moral responsibility in Bosnia-Herzegovina. Will peace in Bosnia- Herzegovina be lasting? It is not clear yet, but waging a war is not possible for the time being.''

''Nearly 200 million people speak Turkish language in Eurasia. As we entered in the 21st century, Turkey came face to face with a new cultural world: Eurasia. There are independent states in this new world,'' Demirel stressed.

Noting that the United Nations, the NATO and the European Union (EU) were striving to form their own security umbrella, President Demirel said, ''Europe could not protect itself from the World War I and II. The U.S. rushed to assist Europe. But our friends in Europe forgot it. Now, they are trying to form their own security system.''

''The population in the world has increased three-fold since 1945. In parallel to this, the world's gross national product has increased seven- fold. There are wealths in the world ranging from 30 U.S. dollars to 30 thousand U.S. dollars. It was the biggest problem of the world in the 20th century. In 1950, the national income per capita was 150 U.S. dollars in Turkey. Today, this amount increased up to 6 thousand U.S. dollars although Turkey's population has increased three-fold,'' Demirel indicated.

He noted, ''the EU is a matter of peace and unity. Six countries started to walk on this path to this end. Today, 12 countries are waiting their turn to become a member of the EU. Number of EU members will increase to 27 after Turkey joins the Union. The EU aims at a democratic, prosperous and clean Europe. All these factors will bring forth a new Europe.''

Referring to the recent developments in Caucasus, President Demirel said, ''Armenia has occupied Azerbaijani territories. Nearly one million Azerbaijani people were forced to leave their homes. We told Armenia that Turkey was a great state aiming at setting up good relations with neighbouring countries. We also told Armenia that she was a small country and should make use of Turkey to reach the world. But first of all, they should withdraw from Azerbaijani territories.''

[14] PRESIDENT DEMIREL ADDRESSES WAR ACADEMIES

President Demirel addressed a conference on ''Turkey in the Triangle of Balkans, Caucasus and Middle East'' at the Commandership of War Academies.

Responding to a question, ''how should Turkey determine its Caucasus policy?'', Demirel said that Turkey should give priority to its interests in its policy towards Caucasus.

President Demirel stressed that Turkey should adopt a realistic foreign policy.

Responding to a question about Turkey's Peace Water Project, President Demirel noted, ''three seas surround Turkey. Also Turkey is rich of water sources. Firat River has 30 billion cubic metres of water and Dicle River has 26 billion cubic metres on the Turkish territories.''

''The Peace Water Project aims at bringing Ceyhan River's waters into the Middle East. But current political situation in Syria prevents the project. Water is more important than oil in the world. Increasing population consumes water and natural sources of the world. Turkey can easily sell water worth of five to ten billion U.S. dollars.''

President Demirel also emphasized that Turkey attributed great importance to the Southern Europe Participation Pact.

[15] DE SOTO, SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE OF ANNAN TO CYPRUS: - ''CIRCUMSTANCES WERE FAVOURABLE TO PROGRESS''

De Soto staged a press conference at the end of his eight-day visit to Cyprus.

He recalled that the first and second round of proximity talks in New York and Geneva aimed at holding comprehensive negotiations to reach a final solution.

De Soto said that face-to-face talks were one way but not the only way, adding, ''the important thing, when negotiations begin, is for them to be meaningful and lead to a comprehensive settlement. We hope to get to meaningful negotiations at an early date.''

De Soto said that the European Union's decision to accept Turkey as a membership candidate, together with improved relations betwen Greece and Turkey, were central to a settlement.

He said there were four key issues on the table: security, territory, property including compensation, and distribution of powers, and that Annan believed everything could be bundled under these headings.

De Soto pointed out, ''circumstances were favourable to progress. And not only progress, but actual movement in the direction of the long-elusive comprehensive settlement. But it will require a willingness and a spirit of cooperation by the two sides.''

De Soto is expected to depart from the island later tonight.

[16] PRESIDENT DEMIREL EVALUATES PRESIDENCY ISSUE - ''INSTEAD OF DISCUSSING A CHANGE IN RULE, MANY PEOPLE ARE TRYING TO DRAG ME INTO POLEMICS WHICH I NEVER WANT TO BE A PART OF''

''The Parliament will take the final decision. As the nation, we will continue to trust the Parliament,'' he said.

''There have been several discussion up until now. But I have never joined those discussions. Many people, instead of discussing a change in rule, were trying to drag me into polemics which I never wanted to be a part of, '' he said.

''However, statements, which I did not make, and things, which I did not make, were imputed to me. As the President, who was elected on May 16, 1993, I will complete my mission by not entering into any activity that can be political. The Parliament will take the final decision,'' he stated.

''The Parliament has taken correct decisions. As the nation, we will continue to trust the Parliament. There is not any other solution. As the Parliament is composed of people, who are elected by people, it will listen carefully to everything,'' he added.

''The President is elected for more than one time in each country in Europe. We have expressed for years the opinion about the election of the President for more than once in Turkey. Turkey will always have a President. The Parliament will elect the President whether by changing rule or by not changing rule,'' he stated.

[17] PUBLIC INVESTMENTS IN PROVINCES

Istanbul will have the biggest share with 515 trillion 774 billion TL while Bayburt province in eastern Black Sea region will have a 785 billion TL share.

According to the data of State Planning Organization (DPT), the total share of provinces in public investments will be as follows:

. 2000 Year

Province (Million TL)

---------- -------------
Adana 108.502.805

Adiyaman 10.792.746

Afyon 13.114.035

Agri 5.994.504

Amasya 8.611.001

Ankara 409.992.895

Antalya 84.989.512

Artvin 26.004.002

Aydin 31.348.006

Balikesir 44.883.908

Bilecik 9.709.010

Bingol 27.721.165

Bitlis 5.691.202

Bolu 9.754.006

Burdur 3.511.806

Bursa 177.263.822

Canakkale 63.755.315

Cankiri 14.310.700

Corum 36.954.001

Denizli 27.262.010

Diyarbakir 83.922.091

Edirne 11.878.002

Elazig 12.046.016

Erzincan 10.624.003

Erzurum 34.814.908

Eskisehir 70.133.698

Gaziantep 109.489.004

Giresun 8.845.604

Gumushane 6.200.000

Hakkari 5.956.004

Hatay 31.946.609

Isparta 96.772.508

Icel 83.943.707

Istanbul 515.774.721

Izmir 186.098.867

Kars 7.021.003

Kastamonu 15.899.807

Kayseri 24.498.306

Kirklareli 4.889.085

Kirsehir 11.067.301

Kocaeli 63.613.626

Konya 46.123.668

Kutahya 23.519.503

Malatya 20.097.802

Manisa 11.678.509

K.Maras 129.039.900

Mardin 6.881.004

Mugla 92.031.534

Mus 20.947.901

Nevsehir 5.085.301

Nigde 6.148.003

Ordu 17.329.505

Rize 9.280.507

Sakarya 24.388.664

Samsun 35.986.857

Siirt 2.067.500

Sinop 5.635.926

Sivas 42.716.007

Tekirdag 10.377.009

Tokat 6.311.308

Trabzon 21.732.204

Tunceli 29.894.904

Sanliurfa 64.763.904

Usak 6.284.002

Van 11.380.509

Yozgat 5.435.518

Zonguldak 21.869.059

Aksaray 2.915.001

Bayburt 785.001

Karaman 3.947.501

Kirikkale 25.297.922

Batman 4.650.294

Sirnak 6.554.303

Bartin 4.919.718

Ardahan 2.480.005

Igdir 3.396.003

Yalova 6.156.064

Karabuk 4.793.000

Kilis 2.839.201

Osmaniye 6.119.501

Duzce 10.590.001

Other 4.334.348.839

---------- -------------
TOTAL 7.612.580.183
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[18] A.A

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