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Anadolu Agency: News in English, 00-05-30Anadolu Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Anadolu Agency Home Page at <http://www.anadoluajansi.com.tr/>30 May 2000 TuesdayCONTENTS
[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCANThese are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in Turkey's press on May 30 2000. The Anadolu Ajansi does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.HURRIYET (LIBERAL)MOODY'S: TURKEY'S PROGRESS IS SURPRISINGMoody's, one of world's leading rating institutions addressed words of praise to Turkey in its Turkey Analysis Report, also heralding a possible increase to Turkey's credit note. Moody's said in its analysis report, that the government was displaying a surprising performance in the implementation of the economic reform program, that although it consisted of three parties, the government was harmonious in itself, determined, and stable, and that it had already started yielding positive results from the economic reforms. The report drew attention to the good start that privatisation programs had made, and underlined that it could consider increasing Turkey's credit note if this positive trend continued. DGM: IRAN TRAINED AND SUPPORTED HEZBOLLAH FIRST COUGAR TO BE DELIVERED MILLIYET (LIBERAL)COTTARELLI EXTENDS HIS TURKEY TOURIMF's Turkey Desk Chief Carlo Cotarelli said on Monday, that he decided to extend his visit due to prolonged talks with Turkish officials, and that he was most likely to stay in Turkey until Thursday or Friday. Cottarelli said studies on a number of details were continuing, and that IMF's Executive Director Wiily Kiekens had also joined the IMF delegation the other day. The IMF delegation was expected to leave Turkey on Wednesday. ISTANBUL HOSTS LIVING LEGEND SABAH (LIBERAL)U.S. AMBASSADOR SURPRISEDMark Parris, the U.S. Ambassador to Turkey told reporters about his impressions on the eastern and southeastern provinces he visited. ''One year ago, I couldn't visit here. The security has been provided since the beginning of 1999,'' he said in eastern province of Van. Parris listed the fields they are planning to invest in eastern and southeastern provinces as follows: ''animal husbandry, textile, energy and infrastructure projects.'' SEZER'S FIRST WISH: CHANGE OF CONSTITUTION CUMHURIYET (LEFT)NSC TO GIVE ITS DECISION ON IRANThe National Security Council (NSC) will determine the policy that will be pursued towards Iran in its meeting that will be held today. The meeting will be headed by President Ahmet Necdet Sezer for the first time. The Council will also discuss whether or not Turkey will participate in the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) summit that will be held in Tehran between 8-9 June. TORTURE SHOULD END RADIKAL (LEFT)NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL TO DISCUSS 'THE EAST'The national Security Council, which is to convene on Tuesday, will stage discussions on the 'Umut' operations, and security issues. The convention will start at 09.30 hours local time, under the leadership of President Ahmet Necdet Sezer for the first time, at Cankaya Palace. At the convention, a comprehensive file on ''foreign affairs and security'' concerning Turkey's eastern neighbors, will be submitted, and possible measures which Turkey might have to take against Tehran will also be discussed. ISTANBUL CONQUERED ONCE MORE BELGIAN COURT'S REASONED VERDICT EXPECTED IN ANKARA YENİ BİNYIL (LIBERAL)ONLY OUR NAMES ARE SIMILARYeni Binyil newspaper made an interview with Hezbollah's leader Sheikh Hassan Nasurullah in his headquarters in Al-Barajni district in Beirut. Nasurullah is 36 years old and has four children. Nasurullah, the leader of the Middle East's biggest armed organization Hezbollah which has been fighting against Israel in Lebanon for 22 years, said, ''we condemn Hezbollah in Turkey and its actions.'' ''We don't have any connection with Hezbollah in Turkey. They are only using the name of Hezbollah. It is impossible for us to approve what they are doing. Hezbollah is an organization struggling for sake of God,'' he said. ''We struggled for the independence of our country. Hezbollah does not mean kidnapping and murder. So we condemn Hezbollah in Turkey,'' he stressed. Nasurullah said Hezbollah would turn into a political party with the withdrawal of Israel but they were never thinking of setting up an Iran-like Islamic regime. FIRST REQUEST OF PRESIDENT FROM PARLIAMENT IS CONSTITUTION TURKIYE (RIGHT)FIRST STEP IN SOUTHEASTERN TURKEYThe reforms that are on the agenda of the government will start from the southeastern region of Turkey. Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit will come together with regional governors and discuss what can be done. The impressions of Ecevit during this visit will constitute the basis of the ''reform project.'' 17 PERSONS TAKEN INTO CUSTODY ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)NO WAY TO TORTUREParliamentary Human Rights Commission Chairwoman Sema Piskinsut said that they had met with 8,500 prisoners and detainees and prepared 14 reports since 1998. Piskinsut said they would submit their reports to the Parliament and Ministry of Justice. Piskinsut gave six of those reports to Justice Minister Hikmet Sami Turk. After the meeting, Turk said torture was a crime against humanity, stressing that torturers would be absolutely punished. PRIME MINISTER WARNS ABOUT TERRORISM U.S.'S INTEREST IN EAST PRESIDENT'S FIRST NSC MEETING CIGARETTE: MOST SERIOUS FATAL WEAPON [02] CONSTITUTIONAL COURT TO ELECT ITS NEW CHAIRMAN ON WEDNESDAYANKARA - The Constitutional Court will elect its new Chairman on Wednesday.The Court will convene at 10.30 local time tomorrow. Ahmet Necdet Sezer, the President, was the former Chairman of the Court. The permanent members of the Court can run candidacy to elected as the new Chairman. The members don't need to make a written application for their candidacy. The votes of at least six members, which constitute the absolute majority, are needed in secret ballot. The election will continue in tours till a new chairman is elected. Ali Huner, Fulya Kantarcıoglu, Mustafa Bumin and Yalcın Acargun are expected to run for candidacy. The Chairman will be elected for a term of four years. [03] NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL CONVENES-PRESIDENT SEZER PRESIDES COUNCIL FORTHE FIRST TIME ANKARA - The National Security Council convened at Cankaya Palace on Tuesday, under the leadership of President Ahmet Necdet Sezer for the first time. The regular monthly meeting of the Council started at 09.30 hours local time, with the participation of Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit, General Staff Chief General Huseyin Kivrikoglu, State Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Devlet Bahceli, State Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Husamettin Ozkan, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources and Deputy Prime Minister Cumhur Ersumer, Minister of the Interior Saadettin Tantan, Foreign Minister Ismail Cem, National Defense Minister Sabahattin Cakmakoglu, Ground Forces Commander General Atilla Ates, Naval Forces Commander Admiral Ilhami Erdil, Air Forces Commander General Ergin Celasin, and Gendarmery General Commander General Rasim Betir. Secretary-General of the National Security Council General Cumhur Asparuk, National Intlligence Agency Undersecretary Senkal Atasagun, Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Faruk Logoglu, Director General of the Security Department Turan Genc and Governor of the State of Emergency Region Gokhan Aydiner were also present at the meeting. [04] TURKEY TO IMPORT GRASS SEEDS FROM U.S.ANKARA - The Youth and Sports Directorate General (GSGM) will import new-product grass seeds from the United States.Speaking to the A.A correspondent, GSGM General Director Kemal Mutlu said they had decided to import grass seeds from the U.S. to prevent grass problems they encountered in grounds of the stadiums. GSGM will cover the ground of several stadiums with the grass it will produce from these new seeds to be planted in grass park in Haymana township of Ankara. Mutlu said they had requested the price lists from the concerned American company, and they would decide on the kind of grass and import it. [05] EXPORTS OF HAZELNUTS REACH 616.3 MILLION U.S. DOLLARSGIRESUN - The whole hazelnut exports was made by the private sector while the Association of Hazelnuts Agricultural Sales Cooperatives (Fiskobirlik) couldn't make any hazelnut exports in the new season that started on September 1, 1999.Officials at the Black Sea Hazelnut Exporters' Union said on Tuesday that the private sector had exported 177,362 tonnes of hazelnuts, mostly to European countries, in return for 616 million 367 thousand U.S. dollars since September 1, 1999. Officials said the amount of hazelnut exports had increased by 21 thousand 248 tons compared to same period in previous season but the foreign exchange income had reduced by 24 million 894 thousand U.S. dollars due to the decrease in export prices. [06] IMF TURKEY DESK CHIEF COTTARELLI MEETS WITH DIE OFFICIALSANKARA - Carlo Cottarelli, the IMF Turkey Desk Chief met with State Statistics Institute (DSIE) officials on Tuesday morning.Speaking after the meeting which lasted for nearly half an hour, Cottarelli said that ''we took up the issue of formation of statistics. The existing inflation indexes are fine. There is no need to change them.'' Cottarelli said last week that the indexes which are sufficient must be published in more details for comprehension of the real reasons of the inflation in Turkey. [07] TURKISH-GREEK JOURNALISTS MEETING IN RHODESISTANBUL - The visa application of Greece for Turkish citizens aims at hindering the relations between the two countries, it was stated during the meeting held by the efforts of the Greek and Turkish Journalists Contact Group in Rhodes.Press Council said that journalists, local administrators, tourism sector and non-governmental organization representatives from Turkey, Greece and Rhodes participated in the meeting hosted by George Ioannopoulos, the Rhodes mayor. Journalists, local administrators and tourism representatives explained their views about the methods of developing the relations between the two countries at the meeting. A statement was also published for transforming these relations into a permanent friendship agreement. A consensus of opinion was reached at the meeting to encourage all kinds of initiatives to improve the relations between the two countries. A statement was also issued saying that the visa application of Greece for Turkish citizens is the most important obstacle that hinders the relations particularly tourism between the two countries. Turkey doesn't have any visa application policy towards Greek citizens, the statement added. [08] SECURITY FORCES IMPOUND 31 KG OF HEROIN AT BULGARIAN-TURKISH BORDERSOFIA - Security forces impounded 31 kg of heroin at the Kapitan Andreevo Border Gate between Bulgaria and Turkey on Tuesday.Security forces stopped and searched Poland-registered automobile which was on its way from Turkey to Poland. They impounded 31 kg of heroin hidden in the automobile. Polish driver of the automobile was taken into custody. A full investigation into the drug is underway. [09] CANKAYA MUNICIPALITY OF ANKARA SIGNS SISTER MUNICIPALITYPROTOCOL WITH PODIL MUNICIPALITY OF KIEVANKARA - Cankaya Municipality of Ankara signed ''Sister Municipality Protocol'' with Kiev's Podil Municipality. Officials of the Podil Municipality will pay a visit to Ankara in September upon the invitation of the Cankaya Municipality. Haydar Yilmaz, the Cankaya Mayor, returned from Kiev, where he paid a visit as the official guest of Podil Municipality. Yilmaz said that they held very beneficial contacts in Podil and that they introduced Cankaya and Turkey in Ukraine. They held detailed contacts about the services of the local administrations, Yilmaz noted. Yilmaz added, ''we held fruitful contacts about the urbanization process of Kiev and the operation of the local administrations. The security, health and education institutions are under the auspices of the municipalities in Kiev. 64 percent of Kiev is green land.'' [10] SECURITY FORCES CONFSCATE 3.5 KG OF HEROIN IN IZMIRIZMIR - Security forces confiscated 3.5 kg of heroin having a market value of nearly 20 billion Turkish liras, in an operation in Aegean province of Izmir on Tuesday.Acting on a tip-off, security forces stopped and searched a passenger bus which was on its way from central Konya province to Izmir. They impounded 3.5 kg of heroin in a suitcase. Osman Kaynak, 45, was taken into custody. A full investigation into the drug is underway. [11] TOURISM MINISTER MUMCU LEAVES FOR GERMANYANKARA - Tourism Minister Erkan Mumcu left on Tuesday for Hannover, Germany.Mumcu will join the World Industry Fair ''EXPO 2000'' in Hannover which will be opened on June 1. The Tourism Ministry will introduce Turkey with its arts, culture, natural beauties, cuisine and technological developments and as a modern country which is a candidate member of the European Union (EU). Turkey, which will open a stand in the ''European Boulevard'' part of the EXPO 2000 where the EU countries will display their products, will be introduced with the joint efforts of the academicians, PR companies, and advertisement companies. The German press evaluates the magnificent building where Turkey will display its products and which was constructed in two months with the sponsorship of Is Bank and Istanbul Stock Exchange (IMKB), as ''Turkish miracle.'' The fair will be kept open between June 1 and October 31. August 19, 2000 has been allocated only to Turkey's activities. Popular Turkish singers, folklore teams, and the Culture Ministry's State Opera and Ballet Team are expected to take stage that day. The ''EXPO 2000'' aims at showing how a new balance can be established between human beings and nature through technology. Besides the technological products that will be displayed, concerts, theatres, dance, classical music and folklore shows will be performed during the fair. A total of 190 countries will join the fair. Nearly 130 presidents and prime ministers and 400 governmental representatives are expected to visit the fair. A total of 7,000 security officials have been charged to ensure the security of the visitors. Mumcu is expected to stay in Germany for three days. [12] SECURITY FORCES CONFISCATE 431 KG OF HEROIN-18 PEOPLE TAKEN INTO CUSTODYHAKKARI - Security forces confiscated 431 kg of heroin in a joint operation launched by Istanbul and Hakkari Security Departments in eastern Hakkari province on Tuesday. A total of 18 people were taken into custody in the operation. Officials told the A.A correspondent that market value of the drug was nearly 10 trillion Turkish liras. A full investigation into the drug is underway. [13] TURKEY-OECD-TURKEY RANKED 17TH AMONG 29 OECD MEMBERS IN GDP LISTANKARA - Turkey was ranked 17th among 29 Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) countries with a 195 billion U.S. dollars Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 1999. Turkey's GDP in 1996-1999 period increased 7.1 percent. According to OECD statistics, the United States came first with a 9 trillion 190 billion U.S. dollars GDP. The GDP of 29 OECD countries in 1996 and 1999 with current prices and the difference are as follows:
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