Anadolu Agency: News in English, 00-03-22

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[01] AA News

22 March 2000 Wednesday

[02] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

MINISTER WITHOUT VISA WAITS FOR SEVEN HOURS
Koray Aydın, the Minister of Housing and Public Works waited at Ataturk Airport for seven hours as he didn't have a visa for the U.S. where he would participate in the Turkish-American Business Council meeting.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

RULE IS WORN OUT, WHAT CAN I DO
President Suleyman Demirel is uneasy over the criticisms: ''The constitution is not amended for me. The rules are changed. For who? For those who will be the president afterwards. However, today's president will also make use of it,'' he noted. Demirel stressed that with the change of the rule, Turkey will be comtemporized.

SABAH (LIBERAL)

PLANE CRASH
Beechcraft-90 type small plane belonging to Tepe Aviation company which took off from Esenboga Airport of Ankara for Bursa at 21.20 local time, crashed near Mudanya at 22.40 local time. There were five people in the plane. The pilot told the officials by his mobile phone that he was fine, but the other four persons were injured.

AID MAY INCREASE TO 6.5 BILLION U.S. DOLLARS
Total amount of financial source which the World Bank will provide to Turkey this year will reach 2,7 billion U.S. dollars.

A total of two billion U.S. dollars of this year's financial source will be as Structural Adjustment Loan, and 750 million U.S. dollars will be as Country Assistance Strategy (CAS).

The World Bank will extend the 750 million U.S. dollars loan within the framework of Economic Reform Loan (ERL).

ERL aims to support Turkey's public expense administration, agriculture, energy, and structural reforms toward social security and privatization.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

FM REACTS TO KDP'S NEVRUZ RECEPTION
Safeen Dizayee, the Kurdistan Democrat Party (KDP)'s Representative to Ankara gave a reception on Tuesday for the Nevruz festival and the Foreign Ministry reacted to that. Foreign Ministry and government officials didn't attend the reception in which many officials of the European Union (EU) participated. Turkey was uneasy about it.

RADIKAL (LEFT)

ANAP TAKES FM CEM AS A TARGET
The Motherland Party (ANAP) which is uneasy about Foreign Minister Ismail Cem, will submit a proposal to the parliament to have a general discussion. ANAP complains about Foreign Minister Cem, saying he does not inform anybody about foreign policy issues. Meanwhile, Mesut Yılmaz, the ANAP leader said that the amendment foreseen in Article 312 of the Turkish Penal Code has become an issue that is being related with certain persons.

YENI BINYIL (LIBERAL)

''Owners of this distorted and bargaining mentality should know that if one day MHP is intended to split up or incite the people of this country with religious, or ethnical discrimination, then, it will deny its existence.

AKBANK TO SET UP BANK IN THE NETHERLANDS
Akbank speeds up the steps it takes in the direction of its strategy to be ''a world bank''.

Akbank issued a statement and announced that it will set up a bank in the Netherlands, and open a bank branch in Malta.

Akbank has a bank in Britain acting under the name of Sabanci Bank PLC, and it has branches in Germany's Frankfurt, Stutgart, Munich, Essen, Honnover, and Hamburg cities.

According to the statement, the bank, which will be established in the Netherlands with 25 million Euro capital, will provide all kind of individual and commercial banking services.

TURKIYE (RIGHT)

ISMAIL CEM MAN OF THE YEAR
The East West Institute chose Foreign Minister Ismail Cem as the ''Statesman of the Year.'' Foreign Minister Cem and his Greek counterpart George Papandreou will get their awards in May.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

HELP US MR ECHR
A total of 3,000 files have been suited against Turkey in European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) because of human rights violations, and this number is expected to be doubled by the end of the year. Nearly 4,000 teachers and students, who believed that they could not get their rights, are preparing to file suits in ECHR.

[03] TEXTILE EXPORTATION FROM GAP REGION

A total of 18.5 million U.S. dollars exportation was realized in the same period of last year.

Adil Sani Konukoglu, Chairman of Southeastern Anatolia Texile and Raw Materials Exporters Union, told A.A correspondent that machine-made carpet worth of 10.689 million U.S. dollars; weaving worth of 7.636 million U.S. dollars; cotton fabrics worth of 2.684 million U.S. dollars; synthetic fabrics worth of 2 million U.S. dollars; towel worth of 142,000 U.S. dollars; and plastic sack worth of 1.712 million U.S. dollars were exported in January-February 2000 period.

The textile products are sent to Kazakhstan, Kyrgzstan, Uzbekistan, Romania, Italy, Belgium, Greece, France, Algeria, the U.S., Germany, Portugal, Iraq, Lebanon, Jordan, Austria, Sweden, Israel, Russia, and Azerbaijan.

[04] NUMBER OF INVESTORS MORE THAN ONE MILLION IN IMKB

''This development which stabilizes IMKB is a good one,'' he told A.A correspondent.

The daily increases and decreases in IMKB is normal, he said, adding the short term decreases in IMKB are not important.

Gokpınar pointed out that if the number of investors that purchase and sell shares in IMKB reaches five million, there will also be real democracy in Turkey.

''If the number of investors increase in IMKB, the irresponsible statements of politicians and bureaucrats who are afraid of the public opinion, won't affect the stock exchange. Thus, IMKB can function within more correct rules like in the West, the activities related to speculations can decrease and investors can evaluate the economic and political events in Turkey and the world in a more effective and active way. This will cause indirectly the formation of a public opinion which thinks in a health way and this will contribute to democracy in the end,'' he said.

[05] NURAY BIROL, DIRECTOR OF TEPE MARKET PLANNING DEPARTMENT, DIES IN PLANE CRASH

Teams who found the wreckage of the plane which crashed in forest field near Teras Hotel on Uludag road, met with the dead body of Birol.

Rescue teams pulled out Behic Ozek, General Director of Tepe Aviation, Mahmut Sevimli and Ibrahim Dogan, the pilots from the plane. The injured seemed very tired and exhausted.

They will be sent to Bursa State Hospital.

Meanwhile, Tumay Kalaycioglu, who was injured during the accident, and rescued by his own efforts, told reporters that the plane crashed at 23:00 local time.

Kalaycioglu said he lit fire till 06:00 local time to keep warm, adding, ''then, I sheltered in a house after walking for an hour. Only my teeth are broken, and small bruise in my legs. I am in a good health condition in general.''

[06] FOREIGN BORROWING - TREASURY PLANS TO REALIZE FOURTH FOREIGN BORROWING OF THE YEAR IN EURO OR DOLLAR BASIS

Officials of Treasury began talks with foreign banks for bond export that will be realized in April.

Foreign banks will give their offers by the end of this week. The bond export which is thought for 7 or 10 year maturity, will be between 500 million and one billion U.S. dollars.

The bond export, which will be made in April, will probably be realized in U.S. dollar basis.

Officials said the U.S. Central Bank increased the rate of interest and that this was the biggest obstacle in front of foreign borrowing in dollar basis. They said this increased the cost of borrowing.

Treasury targets realizing foreign borrowing worth of approximately 6 billion U.S. dollars this year.

[07] ADAMO, FAMOUS BELGIAN SINGER DUE TO TURKEY

The famous singer and compositor who is 57 years old, will give a concert in Turkey on May 7 at Ataturk Sports Hall within the framework of Ankara International Music Festival.

Adamo composed a song for Vincent Van Gogh and he was awarded with a medal of honour by the Belgian goverment. He was also appointed as the UNICEF Ambassador in 1993.

Adamo became very famous in 1960s with his songs ''Sans toi Mamie'', ''Amour Perdue'', ''N'est-ce pas merveilleux'', ''Tombe la neige'', ''Vous permettez Monsieur'', ''Quand les roses'', ''Si jamais'', ''Dolce Paola'', ''Les Filles du bord de mer'', ''La nuit'', ''Elle'', ''Mes mains sur tes hanches'', ''J'aime'', ''Comme toujours'', ''Ton nom'' and ''Inch'Allah.''

[08] TURKEY TO WELCOME SPRING AT THE WEEKEND

Officials of State Meteorology Affairs General Directorate said Turkey is still under the effect of cold and rainy weather.

Precipitation continues in eastern parts of Marmara, Western Black Sea, Southern and Internal parts of the Aegean, western parts of Central Anatolia, and Western Mediterranean.

According to the estimations, precipitation will leave Turkey on Friday.

Temperatures will be between 15-17 in Marmara and Southeastern Anatolia, 11- 14 in the Black Sea, 17-20 in the Aegean and Mediterranean, 14-16 Central Anatolia, and 2-5 in northern parts of Eastern Anatolia.

-<B>PRIVATIZATION OF TUPRAS</B> - PRE-DEMAND STAGE STARTS FOR TUPRAS SHARES

ANKARA - The pre-demand stage started for the privatization of 15 percent shares of Turkish Petroleum Refineries Inc. (TUPRAS) on Wednesday. This stage will continue till March 29, next Wednesday.

The pre-demands will be received between 22-29 March for the TUPRAS privatization which is the biggest privatization of Privatization Management Directorate (OIB).

No responsibility will be taken in the pre-demand process, only the amount of the share certificates that are desired to be purchased will be determined. No money will be paid at this stage; moreover, there is no obligation to fulfil this request at the final demand stage.

Investors will inform the consortium agents, authorized agents or banks about the amount of the share certificates they are willing to buy without paying any money at this preliminary stage.

Investors can find the web pages of agents and banks which will mediate in the privatization of 15 percent of TUPRAS' shares by the address ''www.oib.gov.tr'' on the internet. They can also get information by calling the number ''0 800 314 5353'' free of charge.

Meanwhile, Garanti Yatırım (Investment) has been announced as the leader of the consortium that will mediate in the privatization. The co-leaders of the consortium are announced as the Demir Yatırım, Is Yatırım, and Yapı Kredi Yatırım. The members of the consortium are announced as Ak Yatırım, Alfa Menkul, Alternatif Menkul, Ata Yatırım, Dıs Yatırım, Eczacıbası Menkul, Evgin Yatırım, Finans Yatırım, Global Menkul, Iktisat Yatırım, Kent Yatırım, Koc Menkul, TEB Yatırım, TSKB Menkul, UB Ulusal Yatırım, Vakıf Yatırım and Yatırım Finansman.

The nominal value of the privatization is 11 trillion 212 billion 800 million Turkish Liras (TL).

The roadshow activities will be carried out both in Turkey and outside Turkey to promote TUPRAS shares.

[10] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT ADDRESSES DSP GROUP MEETING (1)

Addressing his party group meeting, Ecevit said more than 400 signatures were collected for constitutional amendment proposals, adding that, ''I believe that constitutional amendments will take place in the coming days as the parliamentarians who gave these signatures will use their votes in this direction. I hope new votes will be added to them.''

Ecevit said, thus a person will be able to act as the president in two consecutive terms of five years as it is in European countries, and party closures will be more difficult.

''I think Virtue Party (FP) will not oppose to this as party closure will be difficult,'' Ecevit said.

He said, ''Kutan earlier told us that he might not oppose to 5+5 formula on presidential elections. He said they would first of all submit a motion to vote which they prepared regarding election of president by people, and noted that they might extend support to 5+5 formula if that was not accepted. I hope there is no change in their attitudes.''

Ecevit said, ''True Path Party (DYP) supports the three constitutional amendments. I thank to Tansu Ciller, DYP leader, on behalf of all coalition partner parties.''

[11] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT ADDRESSES DSP GROUP MEETING (2)

When he addressed to the members of the Democratic Left Party (DSP) during a group meeting, Ecevit said certain circles create these discussions over Article 312 and Turkey was stuck with this artificial agenda.

Economic and social issues presently top Turkey's real agenda and pulling down the inflation rate is Turkey's top priority, Ecevit noted. Because of the shift to market economy, the government should not be expected to solve the problem on its own, he went on to say. The main condition for curbing the inflation is a compromise between business circles and workers, he said.

Ecevit said he believed workers and employers will give the necessary support to the atmosphere of compromise between the government and the opposition. ''Because we can't recover our economy otherwise,'' he said. Ecevit added that the Eceonomic and Social Council will convene to prepare grounds for this.

This year should be a year of reform in agriculture and forestry, Ecevit stated. If the reforms in these fields become successful, this will bring prosperity to farmers and villagers who form almost half of the nation, he explained. Countries which have advanced industries have also developed agricultures and thus industry and agriculture cannot be separated from each other, he also noted.

About the Cyprus issue, Ecevit reminded that EU commissioner for enlargement Verheugen and U.S. President Bill Clinton's representative to Cyprus both stressed that the Greek Cypriot administration did not represent Turkish Cypriots living on the island and added that these were pleasing developments. Ecevit said Ambassador Mosses also admitted that the Greek Cypriot administration did not represent the Turkish Cypriots. The term Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) was announced officially for the first time and all these indicate that the world started seeing that there was a separate state existing in the north of the island, he said. ''An agreement can be easily reached on the island if the Greek Cypriots also admit this simple truth. The determination of Turkish Cypriots will be the most important factor to reach this stage,'' he added.

Before concluding his speech, Ecevit said he was very pleased that Nevruz Festival was celebrated in peace all throughout Turkey.

[12] BOAT SHOW 2000 OPENS IN ISTANBUL

Over 110 firms are participating in the fair organized by Interteks.

Speed boats, fishing boats, inflatable boats, different kinds of engines, yachting accessories, radar systems, surf equipment and outfits and diving equipments are displayed at the fair.

Boat Show 2000 will stay open until March 26, 2000.

[13] PRESIDENT OF WORLD BANK WOLFENSOH TO VISIT TURKEY

During his stay in Turkey, Wolfensohn is expected to meet with Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit as well as ministers in charge of economy.

Financial aid provided to Turkey by the World Bank and Turkey's economic reforms will be discussed during Wolfensohn's meetings with Turkish authorities.

It was stated that Wolfensohn's visit to Turkey shows World Bank's support to Turkey's economic reforms which aimed to combat inflation.

[14] INTERIOR MINISTER TANTAN: - ''GERMANY ASSUMES A DETERMINED ATTITUDE TOWARDS TERRORISM''

Tantan and Otto Schily, the German Interior Minister, staged a joint press conference following their meeting.

They discussed the human smuggling which threatens Turkey and Germany during their meeting, Tantan noted.

Tantan stated that it is not possible for a country to prevent the human smuggling only by itself and that this issue requires infrastructural efforts.

''Joint action is necessary to prevent human smuggling. We reached a consensus for this. We have discussed terrorist actions, including extreme leftism, the terrorist organization PKK, and other fundamentalist terrorism, which threaten Turkey for years,'' Tantan said.

Tantan continued, ''Germany assumes a determined attitude towards these and prevents terrorist actions in its territory. As long as Germany continues to prevent terrorist actions, the terrorist actions and attacks in Turkey will gradually decrease.''

Tantan said that he explained his German counterpart the problems of Turkish people living in Germany.

The works of the Interior Ministry and the Justice Ministry gained importance within the framework of Turkey's integration process to the EU, Tantan stressed.

Tantan emphasized that the government is aware of this and that it conducts intensive initiatives for this.

''The works regarding the legal regulations which are not present in Turkey and which aim at forming a safe atmosphere in Turkey and giving a better service to our citizens, continue. Some of these regulations have passed from the parliament. But, this is not enough,'' Tantan said.

Tantan noted that he believes that launching concerted efforts to struggle against the organized crimes under the light of today's meeting, will prevent the illegal actions which threaten the people of both countries.

Tantan requested that Germany should facilitate the requirements of becoming a German citizen for the Turkish people living in this country, adding that Turkey has prepared a draft law which will facilitate the procedures of becoming a Turkish citizen for the German people living in Turkey.

He and Schily have the power to solve all the problems, Tantan said.

Tantan continued, ''within these initiatives, our people can have better service. Our citizens who are struggling against terrorism for years, can continue their lives in a safer atmosphere. And, they will live in a land in which all terrorist actions and illegal actions, including human smuggling and organized crimes, are prevented.''

''It should be known that a country cannot struggle against the crimes and criminal organizations by itself. The draft law which foresees amendments in law on passports have been prepared to prevent the false passport and visa which are used in human smuggling,'' Tantan added.

Schily said that they decided to form a working group regarding the Turkish people living in Germany and the German people living in Turkey.

This group will hold its first meeting in Germany in the following days, Schily noted.

Expressing his ideas about the language examination which is obligatory for the German citizenship, Schily stated that if a person wants to become a German citizen, he or she should adapt himself or herself to the German society.

The social adaptation is not only a certain life style, and he believes that the language education is necessary to understand the laws of a country, Schily added.

Schily stressed that the present cooperation in terrorist crimes and extreme movements will continue and that they discussed the illegal immigration and human smuggling during their meeting.

They targeted at improving the cooperation in illegal immigration and human smuggling, Schily emphasized.

Schily said that they also took up the human rights in Turkey.

Responding a question on tank sales, Schily said that he and Tantan are not defense ministers and to this end, this issue was not on the agenda of their meeting.

Schily noted that the PKK ban in Germany will continue and that they have not gained any evidence which will prove that the fundamentalist organizations have branches in their country.

When asked about authorizing the Islam Federation to give religion courses, Schily said that this course will abide by the German laws.

[15] PRESIDENT DEMIREL DUE TO TURKMENISTAN

The Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday that the efforts to improve the friendship and brotherhood between Turkey and Turkmenistan will be reviewed during Demirel's visit.

Demirel and Turkmenbasi will exchange ideas about the regional and international issues, the Foreign Ministry noted.

The Foreign Ministry added that it believes that this visit will accelerate the course of the improving relations between two countries.

[16] TOURISM MINISTER MUMCU: - ''RUSSIA IS AN IMPORTANT TOURISM MARKET FOR TURKEY''

Mumcu told a press conference in Russia that Turkey targets at attracting the Russian tourists to Turkey for their holidays.

Turkey will launch several initiatives, including promotion campaigns, to increase the tourist flow from Russia to Turkey, Mumcu noted.

Mumcu stated that Turkey became the first in respect of prices and quality in Europe last year and that it became the third in the European tourism market of 1999.

In accordance with the statistics of the United Nations (U.N.), Turkey is one of the countries which faces the least security problems, Mumcu stressed.

Mumcu emphasized that within the framework of promotion campaigns, they will ensure the Russian singers or artists to give concerts or stage intensive programs in Turkey this year.

Referring to the 2000 year tourism which is important for the Christianity, Mumcu said, ''most of the stories which are expressed in the Bible occured in Anatolia. Eight civilizations were established in Anatolia in eight thousand years.''

Ertugrul Dokuzoglu, the Antalya Governor, said that touristic constructions resembling Topkapi Palace had earlier been built around southern Antalya province.

Dokuzoglu added that a touristic construction similar to the Kremlin Palace is being built in the same region.

A.A

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