Anadolu Agency: News in English, 00-06-29

Anadolu Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

From: The Anadolu Agency Home Page at <http://www.anadoluajansi.com.tr/>

NEWS

Thursday 29 JUNE 2000

CONTENTS

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

[02] TURKEY TARGETS MORE INFLUENCIAL AND ACTIVE POLICY IN CENTRAL ASIA AND CAUCASUS (1)

[03] TURKEY TARGETS MORE INFLUENCIAL AND ACTIVE POLICY IN CENTRAL ASIA AND CAUCASUS (2)

[04] U.S. SECRETARY OF DEFENSE COHEN GIVES SUPPORT TO TURKEY ABOUT ESDI

[05] CONGRESS ON ''CONSTITUTIONAL REFORM IN TURKEY'' STARTS AT PARLIAMENT

[06] TAI PRODUCES FIRST CROP DUSTER OF TURKEY

[07] FOREIGN EXCHANGE RESERVES OF CENTRAL BANK DECREASE BY 858 MILLION U.S. DOLLARS

[08] TRNC PRESIDENT DENKTAS SPEAKS TO A.A: -''SANCTIONS IMPOSED ON PEACE FORCE ARE AT MINIMUM LEVEL''

[09] FOGG, EU COMMISSION'S REPRESENTATIVE TO TURKEY: -''IT IS WRONG TO CONSIDER ONLY POLITICAL CRITERIA WHEN COPENHAGEN CRITERIA ARE CALLED''

[10] AL GORE'S OFFICE APOLOGIZES A.A CORRESPONDENT

[11] ELECTION OF SECRETARY GENERAL OF OIC

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

CAKICI TO BE TRIED IN TURKBANK CASE
The French court accepted the request of permission submitted to it by Turkey to try Alaattin Cakıcı, the notorious mafia boss regarding the case on Turkbank tender. Cakıcı will also be tried in Turkey for injuring Emin Cankurtaran, a businessman.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

BASYROV OF RUSSIA WINS AYDIN DOGAN CARICATURE AWARD
Garif Basyrov of Russia came on the first place in Aydin Dogan International Caricature Contest while Ceric Zeljko of Croatia came on the second place in the contest.

POSITIVE MESSAGES FROM EU
Gunther Verheugen, European Union (EU) Commissioner for enlargement, said that the Union was monitoring closely, the successes of the Turkish private sector, and its leading role. Verheugen came together with representatives of EU candidates and representatives of the private sectors of each of these countries. Verheugen pointed out that Turkey was the most strategically important candidate member among all the others for the Union, and added, ''the EU needs Turkey, as much as Turkey needs the EU.''

SABAH (LIBERAL)

GO TODAY, COME IN OCTOBER
The parliament is sorry about Boray Uras, who walked from Istanbul to Ankara in 21 days to draw attention to traffic accidents in the country after his daughter Selin Uras and her boyfriend died in a traffic accident caused by a fast car which was competing with another one. However the parliament didn't think of postponing the summer recess to take up the draft law on Traffic. The parliament plans to take up the new law in October.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

discussed unilateral resolution taken by the United Nations Security Council which extended the mission of U.N. Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) until December 15, 2000. Addressing journalists following the meeting, Salih Miroglu, the Spokesman of TRNC Government, said that they would announce their decision againts the United Nations Security Council's resolution within a few days. He emphasized, ''the resolution ignores the state and people of TRNC. We reacted to it.''

ISRAELI WATER DELEGATION DUE IN TURKEY
The second round of talks between Turkey and Israel on the issue of sale of water will start on June 30. The sides are expected to reach an agreement on sale of 50 million cubic meters water from Manavgat facilities to Israel for five years. Turkey conveyed its list of price for five, ten and fifteen year periods to Israel while it did not make public the prices. However, Israeli sources said Turkey demanded 23 cents per one cubic meter of water, and that the cost including transportation and purification of water increased to 55-60 cents.

RADIKAL (LEFT)

MAHATIR STARTS, CEM COMPLETES
Malaysian Prime Minister Mahatir Muhammed talked about the underdevelopment of islam countries during the speech he issued in the 27th Foreign Ministers meeting of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC). Ismail Cem was affected by the speech and he changed the text he would issue in the meeting. Cem questioned Islam in his new speech and referring to the problems in Bosnia, Kosovo, Palestine, Cyprus, Kashmir, Western Thrace, Iraq and Azerbaijan he said ''if one of the sides in a conflict is muslim, why does it always lose?''

YENİ BİNYIL (LIBERAL)

ONE MORE BODY EXHUMED IN HEZBOLLAH'S HIDE-OUT
A male body was exhumed in a hide-out used by the terrorist Hezbollah organization in Bismil township of southeastern Diyarbakir province. Ali Kalkan, the Gaziantep Security Director, said that police had dug the garden of the hide-out on Sark Street in Akpinar Neighborhood in Bismil in accordance with confessions of three Hezbollah terrorists. Kalkan said the body of a male person aged between 30-35 had been exhumed in the excavation. The body is believed to have belonged to Grand Unity Party (BBP) Silvan Headquarters' Chairman's son Recep Orak who was abducted in December 1998. The three terrorists in question are believed to be involved in nearly 40 homicides.

SENOL GUNES APPOINTED AS NEW NATIONAL COACH
Former international goalkeeper Senol Gunes was appointed as the new national coach. Football Federation Acting Chairman Ata Aksu said that they signed a four-year contract with Gunes who had played for first division team Trabzonspor and went on to coach the club in late 1980s. Aksu said Rasit Cetiner would coach the National Under-21 Team in accordance with the contract signed earlier. Senol Gunes was replaced with Mustafa Denizli who joined first division Fenerbahce club after Turkey's Euro 2000 quarter final game against Portugal.

TURKIYE (RIGHT)

USTUNDAG, CHIEF CONSULTANT OF INTERIOR MINISTRY, ATTEMPTS SUICIDE
Dursun Ustundag, the Chief Consultant of Interior Ministry, attempted suicide at about 07:00 p.m. on Wednesday in his house. He tried to shoot himself in his head with a handgun. He was seriously injured. Ustundag was rushed to the Bayindir Medical Center. He underwent a surgeon, but doctors

said that he was still in critical condition.

AFTERSHOCKS CONTINUE
Istanbul-based Kandilli Observatory Seismology Institute said that a total of seven aftershocks ranging from 2.9 to 3.8 on the Richter scale occurred in Bingol, Dikili township of Izmir, Dursunbey township of Balikesir, Honaz township of Denizli, Cankiri and in Inegol township of Bursa between 01:04 a.m. and 02:58 p.m. on Wednesday.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

LAST DAY IN PARLIAMENTARY INVESTIGATIONS
The parliamentary commissions reports which referred former premiers and ministers to the Constitutional Court for prosecution, and which caused an uneasiness between coalition parties, will end by the voting that will take place in the parliament today. The True Path Party (DYP) won't attend the voting. No former cabinet officials is expected to stand trial at the Constitutional Court for prosecution as the result of the voting.

[02] TURKEY TARGETS MORE INFLUENCIAL AND ACTIVE POLICY IN CENTRAL ASIA AND CAUCASUS (1)

in democratization and transition into free market economy,'' the same sources told the A.A correspondent.

They added, ''Caucasus and Central Asia have an important and prior place in Turkey's foreign policy. Turkey aims at developing cooperation with regional countries and strengthening their sovereignty.''

Stressing that Turkey should assume a more influencial and active policy towards Caucasian and Central Asian countries, the diplomatic sources underlined the importance of providing effective coordination with these countries.

Emphasizing that further development of cooperation with regional countries was also important in regard to Turkey's candidacy to the European Union (EU), the sources said that Turkey's policy towards the regional countries included issues such as resolution of disputes in the region and setting up economic and political cooperation among regional countries.

Recalling that the U.S. and the other Western countries were interested only in energy reserves in the region, the diplomatic sources told the A.A correspondent that Turkey wanted Western world's interest in the region to increase.

The Sources noted that the Foreign Ministry together with other institutions should contribute to economic cooperation among regional countries.

''Various measures should be taken to further develop economic cooperation in the region. Within this framework, businessmen and companies should be encouraged. The envisaged policy includes making strategical investments in regional countries and adopting foreign aid law,'' the sources noted.

The sources stressed that further improvement of multilateral relations with Caucasian and Central Asian countries would be beneficial both for Turkey and other regional countries.

Underlining the importance of Turkish Speaking Countries Summit in relations with regional countries, the sources noted that the ''Turkish Speaking Countries' Permanent Secretariat'' should be established to this end.

(to be continued)

[03] TURKEY TARGETS MORE INFLUENCIAL AND ACTIVE POLICY IN CENTRAL ASIA AND CAUCASUS (2)

Turkey has the capacity to help the regional countries, say sources and they add that ''but this help can only be formed due to the demands that will come from these countries.''

Sources say that regional cooperation should be developed in fields such as ''Black Sea Economic Cooperation'' and it ought to be evaluated as ''the relations between equals.'' Universities and institutions such as press organs should also support the implementation of this policy.

Projects such as development of the activities of the National Educational Ministry, and broadcasts of the Turkish Radio and Television Corporation (TRT) in the region and opening Turkish cultural centres there should be put into practice, they say.

Meanwhile the issues taken up during the meetings held between 22-23 June by the participation of Turkish Ambassadors to Caucasus and Central Asian republics have been included in a report. In that meeting, the issues of developing Turkey's policies in the region and bilateral and multilateral cooperation possibilities were taken up.

Diplomatic sources say that the report will be submitted to the prime ministry and other concerned officials.

The bilateral relations between Turkey and the regional countries and the incomplete parts in the cooperation were also discussed in that meeting of ambassadors. Turkey's policies in Caucasus and Central Asian countries were scrutinized and methods of developing them in the future were discussed.

''The situation of other actors in the region'' was also taken up in that meeting. Russia with Putin can be more active in the region and Russian influence can increase, the attendees noted.

Diplomatic sources say that issues such as the general situation of the region including economy and security and having a common attitude against international terrorism are on the agenda, adding Russia can use this as an opportunity to increase its influence in those countries which feel a security gap.

The developments which were recorded by the regional countries in 8.5 years following their gaining independence were also discussed in the meetings. The developments recorded particularly in the last two years and the status these countries achieved were also examined.

Common ideas were explained about regional issues and the relations of Turkey with these countries. The policy that will be pursued towards these countries particularly in bilateral relations was also taken up.

Another observation was the point the regional countries reached today and an overall evaluation was made about their sovereignty, place in the integration with the world and their standing on their feet.

(end)

[04] U.S. SECRETARY OF DEFENSE COHEN GIVES SUPPORT TO TURKEY ABOUT ESDI

Speaking in the conference on ''Transatlantic Forum,'' organized by the West European Union (WEU), Cohen said that the new European initiative shouldn't divide Europe, adding ''ESDI should come true under the umbrella of NATO.''

Countries which are members of NATO but not members of EU like Turkey shouldn't be considered as a spectator and these countries should take part in the decision mechanism, he stressed.

ESDI, on which EU works for the last 1,5 years, foresees establishment of a new defense organization which will take the place of WEU.

EU countries plan to set up a European Rapid Employment Force of 50,000-60, 000 people. EU officials say that Turkey can't have equal say in ESDI as it is not a full member of EU.

[05] CONGRESS ON ''CONSTITUTIONAL REFORM IN TURKEY'' STARTS AT PARLIAMENT

President Ahmet Necdet Sezer will deliver a speech at the congress later today.

Addressing opening session of the congress, Kemal Koprulu, the Coordinator of ''Ari Hareketi'', said that people's desire for better standards of living has speeded up in the globalization process, and added that Turkey could not be stay apart from it.

Stressing that the Constitution should include both the universal and social values, Koprulu wanted the parliament to prepare a new consititution instead of amending to the old one.

Meanwhile, Bulent Akarcali, the Chairman of the Turkish Democracy Foundation, said that Turkey would take its desired places in the world.

Akarcali noted that the Constitution was the most important factor which would accelerate this process.

Ertugrul Yalcinbayir, the Chairman of Parliamentary Constitution Commission, briefed attendants on the amendments to the 1982 Constitution.

Yalcinbayir underlined importance of taking under guarantee democracy, superiority of law, human rights, and minority rights in today's world.

[06] TAI PRODUCES FIRST CROP DUSTER OF TURKEY

TAI which realized a series of production in defense field successfully till today, also produced first crop duster of Turkey, which has flied twice recently.

All the equipment of the crop duster and its computer systems were produced in Turkey.

The weight of crop duster is 3,500 kilograms and the cargo capacity of the crop duster is 1,5 tonnes. A tank of 1,500 litres for powdered fungicides and insecticides is also found in the crop duster. The crop duster can stay in the air for four hours.

The crop duster, which was constructed in metal, will particularly be used in Southeastern Anatolian Project (GAP) to increase the productivity of the lands.

[07] FOREIGN EXCHANGE RESERVES OF CENTRAL BANK DECREASE BY 858 MILLION U.S. DOLLARS

Meanwhile, according to the June 9-based statistics, Turkey's total international gross reserves were 38 billion 313 million U.S dollars.

The international gross reserves of Turkey had been 37 billion 830 million U.S. dollars on June 2.

As of June 9, Turkey's international reserves were composed of 1 billion 11 million U.S. dollars in gold reserves; 23 billion 844 million U.S. dollars in the Central Bank's foreign exchange reserves; 13 billion 459 million U.S. dollars in the commercial banks' foreign exchange reserves.

[08] TRNC PRESIDENT DENKTAS SPEAKS TO A.A: -''SANCTIONS IMPOSED ON PEACE FORCE ARE AT MINIMUM LEVEL''

The TRNC government took some restrictive measures to emphasize that the UNFICYP cannot continue its mandate in TRNC only with the consent of the Greek Cypriot side and to show that the unfair and unnecessary resolutions that have been recently taken, are not valid in TRNC, Denktas stated.

Denktas stressed that TRNC does not want to start a struggle with the U.N., U.N. Secretary General, the U.N. Security Council, and U.N. Peace Force by taking these measures.

Denktas said that their target was to emphasize that the UNFICYP cannot continue its mandate in TRNC without the consent of TRNC.

Reminding that the U.N. Secretary General's Special Envoy to Cyprus had earlier said that the U.N. peace forces continue their mandate with the consent of the sides and that if one of the sides are not contented with the peace force, the peace forces do not continue their mandate, Denktas said that they request this rule to be implemented.

Denktas emphasized that whether or not to go to Geneva is a big problem and that the Greek Cypriots are spoilt by the resolution of the U.N. Security Force.

''Maybe the Greek Cypriots did this to prevent us from going to Geneva or to make us run away from Geneva. But, it will be more clever to go to Geneva and to defend our rightful case once more. We thought that we would not lose anything, we would show our good will by going there, and document our rightful case and we decided to go to Geneva. We will participate in proximity talks that will take place in Geneva on July 5,'' Denktas said.

Denktas noted that as Turkish side is showing its good will, the Greek Cypriot side ordered new missiles.

''I hope those who will listen to us in Geneva and the countries helping them can realize the Greek Cypriot side's policy and what it wants to do, and understand that diagnosing the Cyprus question is more important,'' Denktas said.

Responding a question, Denktas noted that he will not visit Ankara prior to his visit to Geneva and that he will depart from TRNC on July 4.

How long the proximity talks will last is not clear, Denktas stated.

Denktas added that he will return to TRNC on July 14 or 17.

[09] FOGG, EU COMMISSION'S REPRESENTATIVE TO TURKEY: -''IT IS WRONG TO CONSIDER ONLY POLITICAL CRITERIA WHEN COPENHAGEN CRITERIA ARE CALLED''

Noting that the EU candidate states should fulfil many issues, Fogg stressed that a difficult process was awating the candidates.

She noted that human rights and freedom of thought and expression were among the political criteria.

Recalling that the other part of the criteria was regarded with economy, Fogg told reporters that these criteria included distribution of income and removal of inequality in regional development.

She stressed that the candidate states should prove that they had a sustainable market economy, and that they could put into practice energy, telecommunications, transportation, protection of environment and agriculture policies in accordance with the criteria.

Fogg pointed out that Copenhagen Criteria also included government's

policy development and implementation of those policies.

[10] AL GORE'S OFFICE APOLOGIZES A.A CORRESPONDENT

Gobush called the A.A's bureau in Washington, D.C. and apologized Arslan. Noting that the room in which the meeting took place, was not big enough, Gobush said that they have to act very rapidly for security reasons in such situations, and there must have been a mistake. He added that what was happened was very unfortunate.

Gobush added that security official who asked Arslan about her nationality and work place and did not permit her to enter the room, would be investigated.

Arslan was not permitted to enter the meeting room to take photos along with other journalists without any pretext eventhough she was the only Turkish journalist there who would take pictures from that meeting.

Arslan has a press identity card given by the U.S. State Department after a long-standing security investigation.

Cumhur Ersumer, the Deputy Prime Minister; Rustu Kazim Yucelen, the State Minister; Nail Gureli, the Chairman of Turkish Journalists Association; Nazmi Bilgin, the Chairman of Journalists' Society; Aydin Tumen, the Acting Chairman of the Democratic Left Party (DSP); and Ismail Kose, the Acting Chairman of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), condemned the U.S. officials attitude towards Arslan.

[11] ELECTION OF SECRETARY GENERAL OF OIC

election of the new Secretary General of the Organization for Islamic Conference (OIC) in accordance with decisions taken in consultation meetings at the 27th OIC Foreign Ministers' meeting in Malaysian capital of Kuala Lumpur, and in accordance with opinions of independent jurists.

Officials at the Foreign Ministry told the A.A correspondent on Thursday that there was an uncertainty about election of OIC Secretary General and there was not a clear method for the election.

At the miniters' meeting, the issue of election of secretary general was taken up, and independent jurists were asked to explain their opinions.

Recalling that the African-Group had undertaken the mission of secretary general for two terms, independent jurists proposed election of the Arab- Group which acted as secretary general for one term, as secretary general also for the forthcoming term.

Ministers have agreed to name only the Arab-Group as candidate for the secretary general election.

Turkey and Bangladesh did not present their candidates in accordance with the implementation of ''unanimous presentation of candidates''.

Officials added that Morrocco's candidate was elected as the secretary general of the OIC.

The mission will be handed over to Asian-Group in 2004.

Anadolu Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article