Anadolu Agency: News in English, 00-04-01

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[01] AA News

01 April 2000 Saturday

[02] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

ECEVIT FOCUSES ON CYPRUS DURING HIS VISIT TO INDIA
During his meeting with the Indian President Narayanan, Ecevit also focused on Cyprus issue. ''There are developments on Cyprus which can no longer be denied by anyone. There are two states on the island. Many statesmen are now saying that the southern Cyprus does not represent the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC),'' Ecevit told Narayanan. In response, Narayanan told Ecevit that ''he realizes that many countries are starting to indirectly recognize the existence of the TRNC.'' These words of Narayanan indicated that India softened its policy about TRNC issue.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL) PRIME MINISTER IS NOT PESSIMISTIC
Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit, currently on an official visit to India, met with Indian President Narayanan, and conveyed his peace message to India. Speaking to Narayanan, Ecevit said he was not pessimistic on voting about the constitutional amendments.

YILMAZ: SECOND TOUR IS UNCERTAIN
Mesut Yilmaz, leader of the Motherland Party (ANAP), said in the leaders' summit they would decide if or not they would go to second tour for voting. Yilmaz said, ''I don't see any reason for the constitution voting to turn into crisis.''

SABAH (LIBERAL)

IT SHOULD BE A LESSON TO THE LEADERS
Economy fall because of uncertainity of elections, searches for a government, crisis in Russia, and August 17 quake. National income recessed from 204 billion U.S. dollars to 184 billion U.S. dollars, and national income per capita recessed from 3.224 U.S. dollars to 2.878 U.S. dolars. Annual income of every Turkish citizen decreased 350 U.S. dollars.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

SEARCHES FOR DEMIREL
Leaders of coalition partner parties will convene on April 3 and discuss the formulas to evaluate the measures to make 5+5 formula to pass from the parliament. The leaders will be in an effort to make Article 101 to pass on its own. Articles 86 and 69 in the package can be withdrawn.

RADIKAL (LEFT)

SUMMIT OF THE MILITARY WHICH LASTED FOR 4.5 HOURS
Commanders met in the house of Gen. Necdet Timur, Staff Leader of Land Forces, a day before the voting in the parliament for constitutional amendments. The Commanders also met in General Headquarters which lasted for 4.5 hours. The meeting, which took place under the leadership of Gen. Huseyin Kivrikoglu, Chief of General Staff, started at 14:00 local time, and ended at 18:30 local time. The commanders discussed the projects and made evaluations on daily issues.

YENI BINYIL (LIBERAL)

TURKIYE (RIGHT) TURKEY SHRINKS BY 6.4 PERCENT
The growth rate of Turkish economy in 1999 was announced as minus 6.4 percent. The yearly income per capita last year was also announced as 2,878 U.S. dollars.

GERMAN PRESIDENT RAU TO VISIT TURKEY
German President JOhannes Rau will be in Turkey between April 5 and 8. Rau will meet with the representatives of non-governmental organizations. During his visit, the German President is expected to express support to the warming relations between Turkey and Greece. The last German President who visited Turkey was Richard von Weizsaecker 14 years ago.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

YUCAOGLU:''LET'S NOT ALLOW A GOVERNMENT CRISIS''
Erkut Yucaoglu, Chairman of Turkish Businessmen's and Industrialists' Association (TUSIAD), said the presidential elections should not be turned to a government crisis and he called on all coalition partners to keep calm. What is essential in Turkey are not certain individuals but it is the stability of the system, he said during a press briefing he staged in Washington, D.C.

-QUAKES IN GAZIANTEP, AEGEAN SEA, AND ANTALYA
ISTANBUL - Tremors occurred in Gaziantep, Aegean Sea, and southern Antalya province.

Bogazici University Kandilli Observatory and Seismology Institute said the tremor which occurred in Gaziantep-Islahiye was measuring 3.5 on the Richter scale. Another slight quake measuring 3.3 on the Richter scale was recorded in the Aegean Sea at 20:30 local time, and a third quake, measuring 3.6 on the Richer scale, shook Elmali-Antalya at 02:01 local time.

Meanwhile, an aftershock, measuring 2.6 on the Richter scale occurred at 18:41 local time in Adapazari-Akyazi.

[03] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT RECEIVES OPPOSITION LEADER SONIA GHANDI AND INDIAN FINANCE MINISTER YASHWANT SINHA

On Saturday morning, Ecevit received the representatives of some Indian newspapers at Taj Palas where he is residing. Turkish reporters were not admitted to the Ecevit's meeting with Indian press representatives.

Later, Ecevit received Indian opposition leader Sonia Gandhi at his hotel room and had a meeting with her for 25 minutes. Prime Minister's wife, Rahsan Ecevit; Foreign Minister Ismail Cem, and Chief Advisor of the Prime Ministry Umit Pamir also attended the meeting.

Lastly, Ecevit had a meeting with Indian Finance Minister Yashwant Sinha.

After having lunch, Ecevit will visit Taj Mahal, one of the seven wonders of the world.

[04] 126,709 TRNC CITIZENS TO VOTE AT PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS ON APRIL 15

The distribution of the voters by cities is as follows: Lefkosa 39,417; Gazimagusa 33,269; Girne 22,760; Guzelyurt 18,153; Iskele 13,110.

Eight candidates including 4 independent candidates will be running in the elections. If none of the candidates can get more than 51 percent of the votes, there will be a second election between the two candidates who get the highest number of votes. The candidate who gets the most votes in the second elections will become the president.

Below are the names of the president candidates:

Rauf Denktas, Dervis Eroglu, Mustafa Akinci, Mehmet Ali Talat, Arif Hasan Tahsin, Sener Levent (ind.), Turgut Afsaroglu (ind.), Ayhan Kaymak (ind.)

[05] LITTLE GREEK CYPRIOT SUFFERING FROM LEUKEMIA TAKEN TO THE U.S. FOR TREATMENT

Andreas, who is accompanied by his family in the U.S., will undergo a hemotherapy for 4 weeks.

The Greek Cypriot doctor who is treating Andreas said they would try a new method to cure Andreas.

In the meantime, the campaign to find a bone marrow for Andreas is continuing in TRNC.

[06] SECURITY FORCES ARREST 28 HEZBOLLAH MEMBERS IN DIYARBAKIR

A written statement from Diyarbakir Gendarme Commandership said Hezbollah member Tahsin Kara who was arrested in Diyarbakir's Tezgecer village helped police trace 28 other terrorists during his interrogation.

Those who were arrested confessed that they became involved in several murders and other crimes.

Police also found many guns and ammunition in the terrorists' shelters.

Diyarbakir State Security Court Prosecutorship released 14 out of the 20 accused terrorists to be tried without detention. Six of them were sent to prison. Investigation continues about 8 other Hezbollah members.

[07] GUREL, MINISTER OF STATE: ''THERE WILL BE NO CONCESSION ON CYPRUS FOR THE SOLUTION OF TURKISH-GREEK PROBLEMS''

Gurel, who attended the 19th conference of Turkish-American Council, staged a news conference and responded to the questions of reporters.

Responding to a question that Turkey was expected to open clergy school in Heybeliada or make a gesture in Cyprus for the continuation of Turkish- Greek rapproachment, Gurel said, ''there will not be any concession on Cyprus for the solution of Turkish-Greek problems. It is impossible for Turkey to accept so-called solution on Cyprus for the EU membership talks.''

Gurel said Turkey accepted the EU candidacy within the framework of statements of Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit on December 11, and without linking membership process to Cyprus and Greece issues.

Gurel said rapproachment between the peoples after the massive quakes can be disclosed with the general solidarity coming from international public. Gurel said talks should be started between the two countries for the solution of basic problems.

Gurel said, ''Turkey made the big gesture. If Greece wants to make a gesture to Turkey within the framework of the EU, it should first of all lift the veto which is in front of the payment of 2.5 billion U.S. dollars debt stemming from the Customs Union. We haven't seen an improvement in this respect yet.''

[08] TURKISH COMMUNITY IN NETHERLANDS INTENSIFY EFFORTS TO PREVENT CONSTRUCTION OF ARMENIAN MONUMENT

Representatives of Turkish associations in the Netherlands had a meeting and they decided to form a committee to provide coordination among the associations.

The committee will apply to the Assen Municipality and explain that the issue is very sensitive among the Turkish community and asked the municipality administration not to allow the construction of such a monument. They noted that municipality's permission to the construction of this monument would hurt the social peace in the Netherlands.

The Turkish community will also publish brochures and send letters to people of Assen explaining that the genocide allegations did not reflect the realities.

The representatives of Turkish associations will also apply to the municipality to get a permission to organize a march on May 13.

[09] ACCIDENT IN ISTANBUL STRAIT - TURKISH SHIP SAVED FROM SINKING AFTER THE WATER WHICH LEAKED INTO THE SHIP WAS DISCHARGED

The Lebanese flagged empty ship, named ''Poylak'', which was going from Greece's Pire Harbour to Ukraine's Berdyansk Harbour, hit Turkish flagged ship, loaded with mineral, at the exit of Istanbul Strait early in the morning. The ship leaned over to one side when water leaked the hold.

The ship crew discharged the water in a short time, and the ship was saved from sinking.

As the investigation was under way related with the accident, official said the ship ''Huseyin Avci'' can be tugged to Buyukdere off shores.

[10] ENVIRONMENT MINISTRY FINES TUNISIAN TANKER 29.887 BILLION LIRAS FOR POLLUTING THE SEA

A written statement issued by Environment Ministry said Kocaeli Provincial Directorate Sea Pollution Control teams, acting on a tip off, determined that Tunisian flagged tanker, named ''Zarzis'', polluted the sea.

According to the related article of Environment Law, the tanker was fined 29.887 billion Turkish lira for polluting the sea.

[11] GAP ADMINISTRATION CHAIRMAN UNVER SAYS GAP WILL INCREASE ECONOMIC PRODUCTION IN SOUTHEAST BY 4.5 PERCENT

Unver told A.A that the 44 percent of the 32 billion U.S. dollar project was completed as of December 31, 1999.

The facilities which will be built on Tigris and Euphrates will control 28 percent of Turkey's total water potantial, Unver said.

GAP will also provide jobs for 3.8 million people in the South East, he noted.

According to GAP Master Plan's maximum development scenerio, GAP will increase the region's gross national product by 7.7 percent annually.

''The Master Plan targets to irrigate 1.7 million hectars of land, produce 27 billion kw/h electricity, increase the income per capital by 209 percent, and increase the region's gross national product by 445 percent,'' he also said.

[12] POLICE DETAIN 100 MEMBERS OF ODP WHO DID NOT LET SECURITY FORCES TO EXECUTE BODY SEARCH BEFORE OPEN AIR MEETING

Workers, democratic mass organizations, and members of several political parties started gathering at Bac square at 1 p.m. to join the open air meeting organized by Kocaeli Labour Unions Association (KSB).

A group of demonstators carrying ODP flags did not let the police to execute a body search. Later the police detained all the ODP members and took them to Security Directorate for identity check and further investigation.

In the meantime, another group of ODP members which came from Istanbul Gaziosmanpasa were asked to go back to Istanbul in Gebze. A third group which came from Bursa and Degirmendere was also taken under custody in Golcuk.

[13] LANDSLIDE IN ULUBEY

Mehmet Yilmaz, the Mayor, said the township should be declared ''disaster region'' ''Our citizens are living in fear. We should take urgent measures, '' he said.

Yilmaz said a report will be prepared explaining geological position of the region. Later, an expert team will visit the region and continue the works.

[14] FINANCE MINISTER ORAL SAYS TURKISH ECONOMY NEEDS TO GROW BY 5 PERCENT EVERY YEAR

''The world experienced an economic crisis which started in the middle of 1997 and made itself felt in 1998. The government of the time quit in 1998 and a minority government was set up. Later there was the elections and 1999 was a fragmanted year. In the same year Turkey experienced the earthquake disaster. All this accumulated. Now, Turkish economy needs a 5 percent growth every year,'' Oral told reporters during a sapling planting ceremony in Izmir's ''2000 Forest''.

''We will make up for all these. There is no situation which calls for a revision in the government's targets. I belive that the inflation rate in March will be lower than February.

The Finance Ministry assigned 1 trillion Turkish Liras for the forestation project in Izmir and their activities will continue also next year, he said. Oral assured that they will keep on transfering money for this purpose.

[15] KUTAN, FP LEADER: ''IT IS THE GOVERNMENT PARTNERS WHO MAKE BARGAINING. FP'S ATTITUDE HAS NOT CHANGED SINCE THIS ISSUE WAS BROUGHT TO THE AGENDA''

Speaking to journalists before FP Provincial Chairmen Meeting, Kutan said amendments on articles 69, 86, and 101 locked the agenda of the country.

Kutan defended that existing Constitution was not a constitution which was prepared based on democratic mentality, and noted that FP prepared a draft constitution in this respect. Kutan said this draft has been sent to the parties, universities and all related places, yet noted that other parties did not support them.

Kutan said it was the government which brought the proposals, adding that ''they say Article 69 interests FP. No such proposal came from FP, we did not even request it.''

''We have requested Article 69 to be arranged as a whole with a democratic understanding. When we requested this, they said FP makes bargaining. We have just disclosed our ideas. It is the government partners which made the bargaining. FP followed its definite direction since this issue was brought to the agenda,'' Kutan noted.

[16] TURKISH-GREEK FRIENDSHIP IN ROMANIA - TURKISH FIBA HOLDING AND GREEK MARINOPOULOS GROUP OPEN MARKS AND SPENCER DEPARTMENT STORE IN BUCHAREST

Turkish Fiba Holding and Greek Marinopoulos Group, opened Marks and Spencer Department Store in Bucharest.

Husnu Ozyegin, Executive Board Chairman of Fiba Holding, addressed a news conference staged due to the opening of Marks and Spencer Department Store.

Ozyegin said they wanted to add a new chain to Marks and Spencer Department Stores based in Britain, and made an application for this last year. He said, they learned that this right belonged to famous Greek Marinopoulos family.

Ozyegin said they had gone to Greece before massive August 17 quake and met with the members of the family. He said they agreed with the Greek family, and decided to open Marks and Spencer Department Store. He said administration of the Department Store was Greek.

''This is the first investment between Turkey and Greece,'' Ozyegin said, noting that they might have joint ventures in other fields if they could be successful in this initiative.

Meanwhile, Volkan Bozkir, Turkey's Ambassador in Romania, said there were 6, 073 companies in this country, and noted that 15,000 businessmen worked there.

A.A

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