Anadolu Agency: News in English, 00-03-18

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[01] AA News

18 March 2000 Saturday

[02] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

TWO MILLION PEOPLE ATTEND SEVGILI'S FUNERAL
Nizamettin Sevgili, a deputy of the Motherland Party (ANAP) from Siirt province who passed away on Wednesday of a heart attack, was laid to rest in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. Nearly 2 million people including Edip Safder Gaydali, the State Minister; Suayip Usenmez, the State Minister; Mehmet Nuri Yilmaz, the Head of Religious Affairs; and Dr. Tarik Habip Melik, the Undersecretary of Health Ministry of Saudi Arabia, were in attendance in the funeral.

U.S. MAGAZINE EULOGIZES TURKISH NAVAL FORCES
The U.S. Maritime Institute's magazine ''Proceedings'' praised the Turkish Naval Forces. It said that the Turkish Naval Forces was a very modern and well-disciplined forces.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

15 THOUSAND TURKISH TOURISTS IN GREECE
Nearly 15 thousand Turkish tourists are spending their holiday in Greece. More than 5 thousand Turkish tourists preferred Rhodes Island.

SIX MILD EARTHQUAKES SHAKE ERZURUM
Six mild earthquakes ranging from 1.7 to 3.7 on the Richter scale, occured in Tekman and Senkaya townships of eastern Erzurum province on Friday. Officials at the Ataturk University Seismology Institute said that six earthquakes which were centered on Tekman and Senkaya township of Erzurum province, were recorded between 02:54 a.m. and 02:15 p.m. Quakes were also felt in neighbouring townships and villages. No casualties and financial damages were reported in the quakes.

ECEVIT SENDS A MESSAGE TO GENERAL MUSHARRAF
Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit sent a message to General Pervez Musharraf, the Leader of the Military Administration in Pakistan. In his message, Ecevit asked General Musharraf not to execute ousted prime minister Nawaz Sharif. Ecevit stressed that Pakistan would be defenseless in the international arena if it executes Sharif.

SABAH (LIBERAL)

YALOVA: ''WE ARE WORKING ON ORGANIZING 15 PERCENT
PUBLIC OFFERING OF TUPRAS ON APRIL 9 OR 10 AT THE LATEST''
Yuksel Yalova, the Minister of State for privatization, said that they were working on organizing 15 percent public offering of Turkish Oil Refineries Corp (TUPRAS) on April 9 or 10 at the latest. Yalova said, ''privatization should be increased. Our target for next three years is to obtain 7.6 billion U.S. dollars income from privatization. We want to reach 3.1 billion U.S. dollars cash target by the end of the year.'' Noting that Petrol Ofisi tender which was broadcast by television channels was successfully carried out, Yalova said, ''our works on organization of 15 percent public offering of TUPRAS on April 9 or 10 at the latest are underway. We will obtain five billion U.S. dollars income from this privatization.''

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

A TOTAL OF 74 PEOPLE KILLED IN TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS
A total of 74 people were killed and 136 others were injured in traffic accidents since the first day of the religious holiday Eid Al-Adha.

AFTERSHOCKS CONTINUE TO SHAKE MARMARA REGION
Aftershocks continue to shake Marmara Region in the wake of two massive quakes which devastated the region on August 17 and November 12, 1999. Officials at the Bogazici University Kandilli Observatory Seismology Institute said that three aftershocks measuring 2.7 and 2.6 on the Richter scale were recorded in Golyaka township of Duzce province and Cinarcik township of Yalova province between 00:01 a.m. and 06:45 a.m. on Friday.

RADIKAL (LEFT)

STATE'S ONE TRILLION LIRAS STOLEN IN MUS
In eastern Mus province with a population of 400 thousand, some companies practiced every kind of imposture in contracting works of some tenders to rob the state, and they stole one trillion Turkish Liras of the state. Zeki Eker, a Democratic Left Party (DSP) deputy, is among the owners of those companies.

YENIBINYIL (LIBERAL)

TURKS SPREAD TO 28 COUNTRIES
A total of 3,970,325 Turkish people are living in 28 countries from the United States to Georgia. They bring more than five billion U.S. dollars income to Turkey each year. Sixty percent of these Turks are living in Germany. 51 thousand of these Turkish people in Germany became businessmen and employed 210 thousand people. Their annual sales reach 46 billion German marks.

LEOPARD TENSION
The application of Krauss-Maffei Wegmann, which produces Leopard II tanks, to the German Foreign Ministry for permission to sale 1,000 tanks to Turkey put everybody in a state of alarm and confusion. The German government once again announced that sale of tanks to Turkey depended on human rights in Turkey. Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said there was not an official development about purchase of Leopard tanks. The producer company said the final decision would be taken after the supplementary trials but it said it believed Turkey would prefer Leopard tanks.

TURKIYE (RIGHT)

FIRE BREAKS OUT IN A HOTEL, INJURING THREE PEOPLE
A fire broke out in a five-story hotel in Kasimpasa district of Istanbul. The fire which broke out in the hotel's kitchen, spread rapidly through whole building. Fire-fighting teams put out the fire. Three people including a Pakistani citizen, were injured in the fire. They were taken to a nearby hospital for medical treatment.

DENKTAS: ''IT IS MY RIGHT TO WIN THE ELECTION IN FIRST ROUND''
President Rauf Denktas of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) said that he thought it was his right to win the presidential election in first round on April 15. Denktas said 65 percent of the Turkish Cypriots voted for him five years ago. Stressing that he had fulfilled his mission successfully, Denktas said he always protected rights of the TRNC nation and Turkey's rights and authority over Cyprus.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

UNITED STATES OF CYPRUS
The ''United States of Cyprus'' formula, which was prepared by the U.S. and Britain, is based on the principle of two equal and sovereign states' acceptance of their sovereignty and their equal responsibility and liability. In accordance with this formula, the official languages in the ''United States of Cyprus'' will be Turkish, English and Greek. The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus will lose 5 to 9 percent of its territories. The guarantorship status will continue while the number of troops will be limited.

[03] TORRENTIAL RAINS PARALYZED DAILY LIFE AND TRAFFIC IN AEGEAN REGION

Many dwellings and business places were inundated in Izmir, Manisa, Aydin and Mugla provinces.

In Fethiye township of Mugla province, torrential rains damaged energy lines. Some districts of the township cannot be given electricity.

Meanwhile, Agilli Stream overflowed, flooding cultivated fields and dwellings in Canakci village in Sarigol township of Manisa province.

[04] THREE MILD EARTHQUAKES SHAKE ERZURUM

Officials at the Ataturk University Seismology Institute told the A.A correspondent that three earthquakes which were centered on Senkaya township of Erzurum province, were recorded between 06:10 a.m. and 07:40 a.m.

No casualties and financial damages were reported in the quakes.

Number of quakes which rocked Erzurum in the last two days, increased to 10.

[05] ROOFS OF BUILDINGS BLOWN OFF UNDER HEAVY WINDS IN KAYSERI

Gusts of around 100 kilometers per hour tore roofs of many dwellings and business places, and damaged energy lines in Battalalti, Caferbey, Corakcilar, Esenyurt, Argincik, Gultepe and Yildirim Beyazit districts in the province.

Meanwhile, nearly 100 people were poisoned with charcoal fumes.

They were taken to hospitals for medical treatment.

[06] TURKISH CYPRIOTS PROCEED TO GREEK CYPRIOT SIDE TO VISIT HALA SULTAN SHRINE

Hala Sultan Shrine was built in memory of Um Haram, an aunt of the Prophet Mohammed, who is said to be buried in the shrine. The shrine is sacred to the Moslems.

The Turkish Cypriots entered into the Greek Cypriot side from the Ledra Palace Border Gate, and were taken to the shrine by busses provided by the Greek Cypriot oficials.

They were escorted by the United Nations Peace-Keeping Forces.

They will return to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) later in the day.

In accordance with the good will agreement which was signed in 1997 by President Rauf Denktas of the TRNC, and Glafcos Clerides, the leader of the Greek Cypriot administration, two sides are able to visit their holy places in the opposite side in certain times of year.

The Greek Cypriots visit the Apostopolos Andreas Monastery three times a year while the Turkish Cypriots visit the Hala Sultan Shrine in Larnaca during Eid Al-Fitr and Eid Al-Adha.

[07] HEAVY SNOWFALL PARALYZES TRAFFIC IN BOLU

Main highway between Ankara and Istanbul has been closed to traffic for hours. Many vehicles were stuck on the highway.

The highway was reopened to traffic at about 09:30 p.m. on Friday.

Meanwhile, a passenger bus which was on its way from Malatya to Istanbul, plunged into a 100-meter cliff due to ice on the highway.

A total of 4 people were killed while 7 others were injured in the accident.

Heavy snowfall hampered search and rescue works in the scene of the accident.

[08] IMPLEMENTATION OF BLUE STREAM PROJECT ADVANCES

Sources said on Saturday that the workstation in Haymana township of Ankara constructed 60 kilometers of pipeline.

Aslan Kaya, the General Coordinator of the OHS consortium that undertook the project's part between Samsun and Ankara, said that their works, which started on February 10, continued rapidly, the length of the completed line reached 60 kilometers and the canals for 45-50 kilometers line were dug.

Kaya said the workstations in Corum and Samsun provinces would start to wrok after the religious holiday.

Turkish Hazinedaroglu and Oztas companies and Russian Gazprom's Stroytransgaz company undertook the construction of the project which was foreseen to be completed in February 2001.

The natural gas will be transferred to Izoblynoye region from Russia's Zapolyarnoye and Beregovoye fields. Later, the gas will be brought to Samsun with a pipeline passing under the Black Sea.

[09] SAMSUN TO HOST ''TURKISH CONGRESS'' BETWEEN MARCH 24-26

Officials at the Turkish States and Societies Friendship, Brotherhood and Cooperation Foundation (TUDEV) told the A.A correspondent on Saturday that nearly 750 guests were expected to attend the congress meetings.

The TUDEV officials noted that high-level officials of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), Mongolia, and Turkmenistan together with representatives of Turkish communities from all around the world, would attend the congress which would be held under auspices of President Suleyman Demirel.

Representatives of non-governmental organizations, scientists, artists and businessmen are among participants.

The congress meetings are expected to focus on six main issues: ''Social Management and Laws'', ''Education'', ''Culture'', ''Science and Technology'', ''Economic, Commercial and Financial Relations'' and ''International Relations and Communication''.

Six commissions will be set up to this end.

[10] 85TH ANNIVERSARY OF CANAKKALE NAVAL VICTORY - PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT: - ''CANAKKALE NAVAL VICTORY IS A MEANINGFUL INDICATOR OF OUR UNITY AND SOLIDARITY''

Prime Minister Ecevit issued a message to mark the 85th anniversary of the Canakkale Naval Victory.

''Our nation had resisted against the most powerful armies of the time, and won a great victory. Today, the Turkish nation together with the Turkish Armed Forces continue to be an element of power and stability in its region, '' he said

''The Turkish nation which is determined to realize its ideal of a powerful Turkey, will convey Ataturk's dignified heritage to the next generations. We remember Ataturk, the Great Founder of modern Republic of Turkey, his brothers in arms and overall martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the sake of Turkey, with gratitude and respect. We implore God's mercy and grace upon all of them,'' he stated.

[11] WORLD BANK TO DONATE 8.2 MILLION U.S. DOLLARS TO TURKEY FOR AREAS UNDER PROTECTION

Sources said a 8.2 billion U.S. dollars donation was obtained from the World Bank to develop practical management plans in nature protection areas, to develop public consciousness and to re-organize the institutional and legal structure about nature protection by reducing the pressure on biological variety.

The working group which is composed of experts of the Ministries of Environment, Forestry and Culture and the World Bank specified four target protection areas in Turkey in addition to different ecological characteristics.

Sources said the agreement for the donation in question would be signed by the World Bank and Treasury Undersecretariat officials after the religious holiday, Eid Al-Adha.

[12] JUSTICE MINISTER: ''WE THINK IT BENEFICIAL TO RE-ELECT SULEYMAN DEMIREL AS THE PRESIDENT FOR CONTINUATION OF STABILITY''

Turk said there were laws allowing election of the President for the second time in all countries which implemented parliamentary system.

''Also we think it will be appropriate to elect a person as the President for the second time. Of course, this is an issue open to discussion. As the Democratic Left Party (DSP), we are in favor of a five-year term in office for the President,'' he said.

Turk stated that the issue of reducing the Parliament's mandate to four years was among the proposals for the amendments to the Constitution.

Noting that President Demirel had been fulfilling his mission successfully for seven years, Turk said, ''thus we think it beneficial to re-elect Suleyman Demirel as the President for the continuation of stability in Turkey.''

Noting that every member of the Parliament also deserved the President's mission, Hikmet Sami Turk said, ''however, the Parliament can re-elect the President but it can also elect a member of the Parliament or a Turkish citizen.''

The Justice Minister said that Turkey had always wanted to integrate with Europe geographically and historically.

''For long years, Turkey has always considered Westernization and civilization as a progress. However, we want to be a member of the European Union (EU) as we deserve to live in this order. What we will do in fields of democratization and human rights are actually the necessary things that must be done in the Turkish nation's normal development process. I mean to say that we are not doing these just because the EU wants these,'' he said.

[13] 85TH ANNIVERSARY OF CANAKKALE NAVAL VICTORY - PRESIDENT DEMIREL: - ''THOSE WHO WANT TO DESTROY TURKEY'S UNITY, SOLIDARITY AND PEACE, SHOULD TAKE LESSONS FROM TURKISH PEOPLE'S STRUGGLE IN CANAKKALE''

President Demirel issued a message to mark the 85th anniversary of the Canakkale Naval Victory.

In his message, President Demirel said, ''there are many successes in the Turkish nation's glorious history crowned with great victories. These victories have consolidated our unity and solidarity.''

He noted, ''Canakkale where 280 thousand martyrs sacrificed their lives, is not only a place of heroism, but at the same time it is the most significant symbol of our unity and solidarity. Those who want to destroy Turkey's unity, solidarity and peace, should take lessons from Turkish people's struggle in Canakkale. We will always protect this holy heritage of our martyrs, and make Turkey one of the most powerful countries of the world.''

''As Ataturk said before, Canakkale where soldiers from different contries were laid to rest side by side, reveals meaninglessness of the war. Canakkale gives a message to whole humanity saying, 'peace should be dominant in the world. All people should live together in peace.' In the 85th anniversary of Canakkale Naval Victory, we commemorate Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the Great Founder of modern Republic of Turkey, his brothers in arms and overall martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the sake of Turkey, with gratitude and respect. We implore God's mercy and grace upon all of them,'' he added.

[14] TRAFFIC ACCIDENT IN BOLU - NUMBER OF INJURED PEOPLE INCREASES TO 29

A passenger bus which was on its way from Malatya to Istanbul, plunged into a roadside cliff due to ice on the highway.

A total of four people were killed in the accident.

Their identities could not be determined yet.

[15] PRESIDENT DEMIREL SENDS A MESSAGE TO HIS UZBEK COUNTERPART KERIMOV TO CELEBRATE EID AL-ADHA

In his message, President Demirel conveyed the Turkish people's good wishes to the Uzbek people.

President Demirel's message was broadcast by the Uzbek television channels and radios.

[16] 85TH ANNIVERSARY OF CANAKKALE NAVAL VICTORY - PRESIDENT DEMIREL: - ''CANAKKALE LEGEND IS A SYMBOL OF TURKISH NATION'S OWNERSHIP ON THESE LANDS''

Demirel received Fikret Unlu, the State Minister, and athletes from Canakkale, Balikesir, Bursa, Bilecik, Eskisehir and Ankara within framework of celebrations to mark the 85th anniversary of the Canakkale Naval Victory.

The athletes handed over a Turkish flag and a piece of soil taken from Conkbayiri where 250 thousand martyrs lost their lives, to President Demirel.

Addressing the meeting, President Demirel stressed, ''Canakkale Naval Victory was the beginning of a great legend written by the Turkish army and the Turkish nation under leadership of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the Great Founder of modern Republic of Turkey. If we had lost Canakkale Battles, our enemies would have occupied Istanbul. In that case, Ottoman Empire would have been eliminated, and communication among Britain, France and Russia would have been eased. The war would have come to an end in a short period of time, and the allied countries would have easily dictated their desires over the axis countries. But they failed. Because they did not take into consideration the Turkish nation's heroism. They lost many ships in the naval war which started on February 19 and ended on March 18, 1915. Nearly 500 thousand young people including 250 thousand Turkish soldiers, lost their lives during the war.''

''Canakkale legend is one of the most brilliant heroisms of the Turkish nation. We can find the core of the National Independence Army, also knows as the Kuva-i Milliye, in this legend. Mustafa Kemal's great genius first appeared in Canakkale War. Canakkale legend is the most important symbol of the Turkish nation's ownership over these lands. The Turkish youth should always remember this fact. Because our confidence in the future lies under this legend. Young people from different parts of Anatolia came to Canakkale to fight against the enemy. This is the best indicator of our national unity and solidarity,'' Demirel stressed.

He noted, ''we commemorate Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the Great Founder of modern Republic of Turkey, his brothers in arms and overall martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the sake of Turkey, with gratitude and respect. We implore God's mercy and grace upon all of them. But it is not enough. We should always protect this holy heritage of our martyrs, and make Turkey one of the most powerful countries of the world. The 20th century revealed meaninglessness of the war. The 21st century will be the century of peace. Turkey will contribute to peace in the world by constructing a national peace park in Canakkale. This park will be completed in ten years. We called on the world to come and see Canakkale and Gelibolu, and to remember great pains of the past. As Ataturk said before, soldiers of different countries were laid to rest in Canakkale side by side. Humanity should take lessons from Canakkale Wars. The park which we will construct here, will be one of the biggest parks in the world. It will be dedicated to our dignified martyrs. And those who came to Canakkale from different countries and were dragged into a futile fight, will also be commemorated. We hope that such bloody wars would not be experienced in the world again. We owe this to the martyrs. They lost their lives for the sake of a rightful case. They are our pride and honor.''

[17] A NEW STEP IN FRIENDSHIP BETWEEN TURKEY AND GREECE

A total of 22 students of Turkey and 22 students of Greece will attend the ''From Common Culture to Culture of Peace'' cultural exchange activity which will be organized upon the declaration of 2000 as the ''Year of Culture of Peace'' by the UNESCO.

The students who will convene in Ankara on April 22 within the scope of the activity will discuss the ''common culture'' of Turkey and Greece. The students will later come together in Athens on May 15 to seek the ways to change this common culture into ''culture of peace''.

Cem Tuzuner, the Public Relations Official of this project, told the A.A correspondent that their aim was to contribute to eforts to change the existing common cultural values of Turkey and Greece into common culture of peace.

''Peoples of other countries have the prejudice that there was a failure in solution of problems between Turkey and Greece. This activity will try to remove this prejudice,'' he said.

Tuzuner said, ''achieving our goal necessitates a new structure based on mutual respect and understanding instead of nationalist propagandas. With this respect, as the youth who want a different and promising future, we want to focus on common values of the Turkish and Greek peoples, and we want to discuss and change the settled nationalist culture which always underlines the problems and diversities.''

Tuzuner said common music, lyrics, games and architecture and cultural dimension of language and EU-Turkey-Greece relations would be discussed in Ankara.

Tuzuner added that academicians, journalists, and non-governmental organizations of Turkey and Greece would attend the activity as observers.

[18] 85TH ANNIVERSARY OF CANAKKALE NAVAL VICTORY CELEBRATED IN TRNC

High-ranking military officials, Gazimagusa Head Official Erden Ozaskin, Gazimagusa Mayor Oktay Kayalp, representatives of political parties, some deputies and students attended the ceremony at the Gazimagusa Canakkale Martyrdom.

Addressing the ceremony, Captain Serdar Yalcin from the Gazimagusa Naval Forces Commandership, said that the Canakkale Naval Victory was the the preface of the new Turkey and its history full of heroisms.

Stating that the fleet of the enemy could have proceeded to Istanbul and the Ottoman Empire could have surrendered unconditionally if the Canakkale Victory had not been won, Captain Yalcin said, ''the Canakkale Victory proved that the Turkish soldiers have the confidence and capability to overcome any kind of difficulty.''

A.A

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