Anadolu Agency: News in English, 00-07-17

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

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

NEWS

17 JULY 2000 Monday

CONTENTS

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

[02] FOREST FIRE IN SIVAS

[03] FOREST FIRE IN SULTANBEYLI

[04] SPORTS-OFFSHORE -ISIKLAR TEAM OF TURKEY COMES FIRST RUNNER-UP IN FOURTH LEG OF CLASS 1 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

[05] FOREST FIRE IN IZMIT

[06] SPORTS-KURASH -SECOND WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS IN ANTALYA END

[07] GRAIN-CEREAL EXPORTS FROM SOUTH EAST ANATOLIA

[08] DEFENSE INDUSTRY EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE EXPECTED TO GIVE FINAL DECISION ABOUT ATTACK HELICOPTER TENDER ON FRIDAY

[09] NATIONAL DEFENSE MINISTRY PROHIBITS A FOREIGN COMPANY FROM BIDDING FOR MILITARY TENDERS

[10] BIGGEST TABLE OF CAPPADOCIA

[11] MOODY'S EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBER LEVEY: ''WE WILL REVIEW TURKEY'S RATING NEXT MONTH''

[12] A PLENTY OF WEAPONS AND AMMUNITION SEIZED IN OPERATIONS IN SOUTHEASTERN ANATOLIA

[13] CIVILIZATIONS ALONG RIVER EUPHRATES DATE BACK TO PALEOLITHIC AGE

[14] ERTUG, UNDERSECRETARY OF TRNC FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND DEFENSE MINISTRY: ''EVEN THEY FULFIL ALL CRITERIA, GREEK CYPRIOTS CANNOT BECOME A MEMBER OF EU WITHOUT SOLVING CYPRUS QUESTION''

[15] OIB REALIZES PRIVATIZATION WORTH OF 2.6 BILLION U.S. DOLLARS IN FIRST HALF OF 2000

[16] U.S. DEFENSE EXPERTS: -''IRAN'S SHAHAB 3 MEDIUM-RANGE MISSILES POSE A THREAT TO TURKEY''

[17] SECURITY FORCES CAPTURE 15 MEMBERS OF ILLEGAL DHKP/C ORGANIZATION

[18] ANKARA MAYOR GOKCEK SAYS THEY STARTED BIDDING PROCESS FOR ANKARA METRO'S SECOND STAGE

[19] START GIVEN TO CONSTRUCTION OF PERMANENT HOUSING UNITS IN YALOVA

[20] THREE PEOPLE DETAINED IN CONNECTION WITH FOREST FIRE IN BULDAN

[21] FP LEADER KUTAN SAYS THERE IS FULL AGREEMENT OVER REVISING ARTICLE 312

[22] BHADRAKUMAR, INDIAN AMBASSADOR TO TURKEY: -''LET'S MAKE TOURISM A BRIDGE BETWEEN TWO COUNTRIES''

[23] DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER BAHCELI: -''WE WILL ADOPT DECREE THAT WILL STRENGTHEN FINANCIAL MEANS OF MUNICIPALITES''

[24] DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ SAYS STRONG POLITICAL WILL SUPPORTS ECONOMIC PROGRAMME

[25] SPORTS-BASKETBALL -KUTLUAY: ''GREEK PEOPLE EMBRACED ME MORE THAN I EXPECTED''

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

VERHEUGEN'S CYPRUS GAFFE
Guenther Verhugen, European Union Commissioner in Charge of Enlargement angered officials in Ankara with the references he made to Cyprus. In the EU draft he brought over with him, Verheugen mentioned a 'Cyprus Republic', neglecting the existence of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus completely. In reaction, Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit told Verheugen that ''this indicates that the EU is on the side of the Greek Cypriot Sector of Cyprus. There will be no solution to the Cyprus problem, so long as the EU involves in it. Because the Greek side finds encouragement to continue with an intransigent attitude from the EU's one-sided stance.''

FOUR MEDALS TO TURKEY AT BIOLOGY OLYMPICS
Turkey won four medals, three silver and one gold, in the Biology Olympics organised by the Scientific and Technical Research Institution of Turkey (TUBITAK). A total of 156 high-school students from 39 countries took part in the one-week event with different projects. Yusuf Ozuysal from Izmir won Turkey a gold medal, and Munir Akkaya, Cafer Ozdemir, and Tansel Sitki Tunc won silver medals each.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

'ART DAYS' ARE OVER
The International Art and Culture Days, organised by the Buyukcekmece municipality of Istanbul have ended. Artists from around the world and from around the country staged various events, and enchanted the audiences with their arts. Mayor of Buyukcekmece Hasan Akgun said that over 400 artists from different parts of the world had come over to perform their arts, also finding an opportunity to get to know Istanbul, and that they would be telling much about our country on their way back home.

LIVES FOR SALE
The Anti-Smuggling and Organized Crimes Bureau of the Security Department released a report on ''human smuggling'' cases in Turkey. The report counted one by one, the border spots and regions, which human smuggling networks used as bases. The report said that such networks preferred metropolitans and cosmopolitan settlements, in four regions' 13 cities in particular. Bingol, Sanliurfa, Kahramanmaras, Elazig were mentioned to be among the sources of immigrants, and Antalya, Mugla, Aydin, Izmir, Balikesir, Edirne, Istanbul, Ankara, and Adana were mentioned to be among the major crossroads that such illegal networks used frequently in their smuggling activities.

SABAH (LIBERAL)

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

The EU is uncomfortable about Turkey's reluctant attitude to take concrete steps to meet the Copenhagen criteria. EU Commissioner for Enlargement, Guenter Verheugen who was in Turkey last week expressed the EU's uneasiness over this slow progress and asked Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit to officialize the report prepared by the Parliament Human Rights Higher Council. As a part of Turkey's adjustment efforts, the EU is expecting 41 important changes in law before the end of 2002.

TOURISTS FLOCK TO VAN
Tourism sector which could not develop for years due to the terrorism in eastern and south eastern Turkey, has started revitalizing after peace was maintained in the region. The number of tourists in the first half of 2000 increased by 50 percent in Van. Besides tourists, many foreign diplomats in Turkey are also visiting this eastern province which is famous for its natural assets as well as historical sites. Rug and carpet sellers in the province are happy about the increasing activity in the area.

RADIKAL (LEFT)

KUSADASI BEACHES COLORED BY EPIRDEN
The Kusadasi Lap of Epirden Beach Volley 2000 Females championships started on Sunday. A total of 26 players from 13 teams are taking part in the event, which is taking place at the Pigale Beach.

YENI BINYIL (LIBERAL)

HOTEL MANAGERS SAY GOVERNMENT HAMPER, INSTEAD OF SUPPORTING
THEIR ACTIVITIES
Turkey Travel Agencies Association (TURSAB) Chairman Basaran Ulusoy said the reservation rates of hotels are not at a desirable level. ''The government is hampering our activities instead of supporting us,'' Ulusoy noted. ''We have a capacity to host 12 million tourists but we have no planes for their transportation. If the government does not help us with charter firms, the problems in tourism will last until 2003,'' he said. Ulusoy also criticized the Culture Ministry for increasing the museum entrance fees by 50 percent.

TURKIYE (RIGHT)

VERHEUGEN: IT IS HARD FOR TURKEY TO ABIDE BY
COPENHAGEN CRITERIA
Guenther Verheugen, EU Commissioner in Charge of Enlargement told EU officials after his return from Turkey that he was not much hopeful about Turkey that she would meet the requirements of Copenhagen Criteria. He told EU officials that the year 2000 was 'lost' in terms of Turkey-EU relations, and alleged that membership talks with Turkey could not be commenced before 10 years.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

FOREST FIRES INCREASE BY 12 TIMES
A total of 83 forest fires, which broke out over the past three days, have burnt about 3 thousand hectares of forest land into ashes. The total area, damaged by forest fires in the first six months of this year is 12 times as much as the area burnt down last year. With the 83 forest fires of the past three days, the number of forest fires of the year 2000 reached 805, and the total area we gave victim to blazes reached 12 thousand 479 hectares. Last year's loss in the January-July had totalled to 1043 hectares.

[02] FOREST FIRE IN SIVAS

The fire burnt 2 hectares of forest land into ashes.

Officials said investigations into the cause of the fire were underway.

[03] FOREST FIRE IN SULTANBEYLI

The fire, which started blazing in the forest land in the Aydos Hill vicinity, was extinguished shortly, after being detected by Pendik and Sultanbeyli fire brigade teams.

A person called the fire brigade to inform that he had seen persons fleeing the scene after setting the forest on fire, and intense operations to find the saboteurs were underway, officials said.

[05]4] SPORTS-OFFSHORE -ISIKLAR TEAM OF TURKEY COMES FIRST RUNNER-UP IN FOURTH LEG OF CLASS 1 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

Victory 7 of Dubai followed Spirit of Norway which won the fourth leg.

[05] FOREST FIRE IN IZMIT

The fire was put out by working machines and fire brigade teams from the neighboring municipalities, after burning about 10 acres of forest land into ashes.

[06] SPORTS-KURASH -SECOND WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS IN ANTALYA END

Turkey ranked first with two gold and one bronze medals; Uzbekistan came runner-up with two gold medals and Turkmenistan followed Uzbekistan with one silver and one bronze medals.

The Kurash wrestling which is similar to judo was born in Uzbekistan.

[07] GRAIN-CEREAL EXPORTS FROM SOUTH EAST ANATOLIA

Last years exports of these goods had totalled to 46 million 870 thousand U.S dollars in worth.

Sahin Batalli, Chairman of the Union, said that the share of these goods in the area's total exports, which had been 17.7 last year, had gone down to 16.6 this year.

Batalli said that Iraq, Germany, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Jordan, Azerbaijan, Iran, Syria, Saudi Arabia, Israel, and Belgium were the major importers of cereals, grains and oily seeds of South East Anatolia.

[08] DEFENSE INDUSTRY EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE EXPECTED TO GIVE FINAL DECISION ABOUT ATTACK HELICOPTER TENDER ON FRIDAY

The Defense Industry Executive Committee will convene under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit on Friday.

Having regard to joint production, finance and contribution of domestic production, the Defense Industry Executive Committee will determine the firm that would be awarded in the 4 billion U.S. dollars tender.

Three consortia led by Italy's Augusta, Bell Helicopter Textron of the U.S. and Kamov-A of Russia combined with Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) are competing to win the tender.

The project envisages joint production of attack helicopters in three consignments, and formation of a system integration installation at the Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI).

Within framework of the ATAK Program, various sub-systems such as power systems, communication and electronic war system will be produced in Turkey by the TAI and other domestic industry.

The joint production project aims at forming an integrated aviation industry in Turkey.

The first helicopter is expected to be handed over in November 2002 and the 145th helicopter in January 2011 within framework of the project.

[09] NATIONAL DEFENSE MINISTRY PROHIBITS A FOREIGN COMPANY FROM BIDDING FOR MILITARY TENDERS

Article 84 of the State Law on Tenders foresees punishment to persons or companies who or which '' failed to fulfil specifications of tender''.

[10] BIGGEST TABLE OF CAPPADOCIA

Hamdi Bicer, Director of Kayseri Archaeology Museum told the A.A correspondent that a 7 meter table carved from a rock was discovered in the Soganli village of Kayseri's Yesilhisar township, and added:

''The Byzantine table, carved from a rock mas, can host 38 persons at a time. The table was discovered at a cave, what we believe to have served as a winehouse because it was located by the side of grape and wine cellars. As we have seen from the overall structure of the 'Wine Complex', the customers would be able to watch how wine and grape juice was made, as they would sip their drinks at the wine house. Tourists visiting this complex found it very interesting.''

Ismail Ablak, Head Man of the Soganli Village who noted that they had discovered the table by coincidence, said that the huge table had become the center of the tourists' interest with its comfortable design.

There are about 30 Byzantine churches and chapels carved into rocks in the Soganli village of Kayseri.

[11] MOODY'S EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBER LEVEY: ''WE WILL REVIEW TURKEY'S RATING NEXT MONTH''

Levy said that the Turkish government was implementing a determined program with the powerful support of the parliament.

Turkey was successfully advancing in protection of political stability and continuation of reforms, he said.

Noting that all targets especially inflation, monetary-financial and privatization were continuing within framework of the program, Levey said they had a positive outlook and they would review Turkey's rating next month.

Moody's re-affirmed ''B1'' rating for Turkey while it changed economic outlook from ''stable'' to ''positive'' in November 1999.

[12] A PLENTY OF WEAPONS AND AMMUNITION SEIZED IN OPERATIONS IN SOUTHEASTERN ANATOLIA

Officials at the Emergency Rule Region Governor's Office told the A.A correspondent on Monday that security forces seized 29 long-range weapons, 2 RPG/7 rocket launchers, 10 hand grenades, two assasination weapons, two binoculars, 3,682 bullets and 14 fuses in operations launched in the region in the last 15 day.

Operations are underway in the region.

[13] CIVILIZATIONS ALONG RIVER EUPHRATES DATE BACK TO PALEOLITHIC AGE

In the pamphlet, entitled as ''Civilizations of Euphrates From Ataturk Dam to Birecik Dam'', it was said that the River Euphrates has been the major transportation route of ancient boats and caravans between Lower Mesopotamia, Anatolia, and Syria.

The middle section of the river, embracing the ancient city of Samsat, which has been flooded by the Ataturk Dam with all its mysteries, and the ancient cuty of Zeugma, is full of ruins from ancient times.

According to legends, the River Euphrates, which has been mentioned quite a few times in the Assyrian Inscriptions as the symbol of fertility and power, was the home of Sumerian God of Water ''Ea'' in the 2nd Millennium B.C.

Samsat, or Samosata in its ancient name, which is now under the waters of the Ataturk Dam, served as the capital of many ancient states and kingdoms, starting from 2000 B.C. It was named after King Samos, the founder of the Kommagene State in 130's B.C., and preserved its strategic importance throughout the ages.

The city, which also was a home to the palace of King Antiochos I, became the center of the 16th Roman Legion, and a major settlement during the rule of Islam over the region. In excavations carried out in the Samsat Tumulus, 30 layers of settlement were discovered, and many stone tools belonging to the Paleolithic Age were found in Sehremuz, a nearby settlement.

In excavations carried out in Lidar Tumulus, Hasek Tumulus, Kurban Tumulus, and Nevari Cori, hundreds of findings belonging to ages from Neolithic to Ottoman, were unearthed.

According to the pamphlet, there is an oval shaped tumulus, the Dikilitas Tumulus belonging to the Kommagene Period, near the Kizildag Hill of Adiyaman's Besni township. Some of the statues - once standing on columns - have broken into pieces, and some have been taken elsewhere.

Roman tombs in Elif, Hasanoglu, and Hisar villages of Gaziantep's Araban township, though, have survived until the present day, without suffering much damage.

In Rumkale, located in Yavuzeli township of Gaziantep, there still the remains of Assyrian settlements, located on the western banks of River Euphrates.

Rumkale is holy to the Christians, as the spot believed to accommodate the tomb of Saint John, one of the apostles of Jesus Christ; and where Saint John is said to have written a copy of the New Testament, and have kept it.

''Halpa'' as it is mentioned in Urartian inscriptions, or Halfeti with its present name, is one of the oldest centers of settlement in the region.

Halpa used to be one of the major stops along the trade routes of caravans transporting iron ores from Melitene, or today's Malatya, to the Assyrian country.

Arulis, or Gumusgun in its present name, located on the western bank of River Euphrates, was one of the major centers of the Kommagene Kingdom. Archaeologists have recently found out that the ancient constructors would use the stones they would take from the Arulis quarries to build the walls of the ancient city of Zeugma.

Zeugma, yet another major center of the Kommagene Kingdom, was one of the rare cities to have minted its own coins. Ruins belonging to Roman and Byzantine Ages were unearthed in Zeugma, part of which has been flooded by the waters of the Birecik Dam.

The one handed axe, unearthed by French researcher J.E. Gautier in 1984, revealed that the cultural history of the Birecik region dated back to the Lower Paleolithic Age (2,000,000-200,000 B.C.)

Once the symbol of power and fertility, the River Euphrates is one of the arteries of South East Anatolia Project (GAP), the symbol of fertility and power once again.

[14] ERTUG, UNDERSECRETARY OF TRNC FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND DEFENSE MINISTRY: ''EVEN THEY FULFIL ALL CRITERIA, GREEK CYPRIOTS CANNOT BECOME A MEMBER OF EU WITHOUT SOLVING CYPRUS QUESTION''

Ertug who proceeded to German capital of Berlin after attending the third round of proximity talks in Geneva, Switzerland, staged a press conference at the Berlin-Brandenburg Turkish-German Businessmen's Union (TDU).

Addressing the press conference, Ertug said, ''we have alternatives. We may unify with Turkey. This unification will not be an annexation, but it will be a political and economic rapproachment.''

Noting that TRNC's relations with the EU countries especially with Germany were further improving, Ertug stressed that the meeting between President Denktas and German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer was a sign of this improvement.

Ertug said, ''Germany has succeeded in removing hatred by adopting mutual respect, recognition, equality, and sovereignty in the wake of the World War II. But the Greek Cypriots are far from recognizing physical, political, and legal existence of the Turkish Cypriots. Because of their negative attitude, the Cyprus negotiations are being held as proximity talks instead of face-to-face talks. The Cyprus proximity talks aim at preparing appropriate ground for 'meaningful negotiations'. Meaningful negotiations mean face-to-face talks. It will nto be realistic to expect a solution for the Cyprus question without holding face-to-face talks. It is necessary to form the ground on the basis of equal rights. The Greek Cypriot side must recognize the Turkish Cypriot's state statute. What is ideal is mutual recognition. All of our thesis was based on equality. If there will be a solution and reconciliation on the island, good relations should be set up between existing two independent states.''

Noting that they had put forward comprehensive and concrete proposals during the third round of proximity talks in Geneva, Ertug stressed that the Turkish Cypriot delegation had abided by the United Nation's media blackout.

He said, ''the Greek Cypriot side violated the media blackout by leaking details of President Denktas's proposals to the Greek Cypriot press. The Greek Cypriot press declared victory by describing it as 'death of proposals of the Turkish Cypriots'. But our proposals did not die. We were not deceived by the Greek Cypriots who aimed at forcing us to flee from the negotiations.''

Ertug said that the TRNC would take its deserved place in the international community sooner or later.

He emphasized that the TRNC was a more acceptable state than the Greek Cypriot state with its people, its territory, democratic order, and its respect for human rights. Firstly, they should demolish the walls in their minds.''

He said that they were proposed to lift the 'Green Line' on the island, but added that the Greek Cypriots in fact did not want it.

Ertug called on Turkish businessmen living in Germany, to make more investments in the TRNC in the fields of tourism, transportation and energy.

[15] OIB REALIZES PRIVATIZATION WORTH OF 2.6 BILLION U.S. DOLLARS IN FIRST HALF OF 2000

The OIB realized a privatization worth of 2.6 billion U.S. dollars since the beginning of this year and thus reached half of the target it set for end of 2000. The OIB's end of year target is 5.2 billion U.S. dollars.

According to the tentative bid calander revised by the OIB, all enterprises except for Petrim and Atakoy Marina & Atakoy Otelcilik, have been put out to tender in the first and second quarters of the privatization programme.

In the third quarter, the OIB is aiming to put bids for Atakoy Turizm, IMKB partnership shares and Turkish Airlines.

The OIB so far has privatized many institutions including Sea Transportation T.A.S., Sumer Holding, Turban, EBAS, TZD, SEKA, KBI and some partnership shares. More than 1 billion 264 million U.S. dollars have been obtained through these privatizations.

After the OIB completes its scheduled privatizations, more than

1 billion 358 million U.S. dollars will also be gained through the sales.

The OIB so far has realized a privatization worth of 2 billion 622 million U.S. dollars. The biggest sale of the OIB in the first and the second quarters was the 51 percent block sale of POAS and the public offering of 15 percent of Tupras.

In the first six months of this year, the OIB opened tenders to privatize KBI, Sumer Holding, Igsas, Tugsas, Isdemir, Seka, Denizcilik Isletmeleri, EBAS, Turkiye Zirai Donatim A.A., ORUS, Tumosan, Tustas, Tumas, Asil Celik, Turban, Meybuz, Turk Telekom, Poas, and some partnership shares.

Atakoy Marina and Atakoy Otelcilik whose privatizations were scheduled for the second quarter, have not yet been put out to tender.

The OIB is targetng to do the final negotiations with other enterprises and finalize their privatization.

In the third quarter, the OIB will do privatization studies at two enterprises and IMKB partnerships. Public offering or block sales of Atakoy Turizm and Turkish Airlines will also be realized in the third quarter.

Public offering of Erdemir, block sales or public offering of Tupras and Petkim are scheduled for the fourth quarter.

[16] U.S. DEFENSE EXPERTS: -''IRAN'S SHAHAB 3 MEDIUM-RANGE MISSILES POSE A THREAT TO TURKEY''

Responding to questions of the A.A correspondent, the U.S. defense experts noted that almost all of Turkish territories would be under a possible missile threat of Iran.

Pointing out that the U.S. and Western Europe were thousands of kilometres away from Iran, the experts said that the missile threat was in question for neighboring countries including Turkey.

The experts emphasized that Turkey should develop its missile-defense system and its deterrence opportunities.

The experts noted that the Shahab 3 ballistic missiles developed with North Korean and Russian technology, were not capable of shooting with high precision.

They said that the farther they are from the target the lower is the chance is of hitting the target.

The experts emphasized that if Iran install biological or chemical war heads to the Shahab 3 missiles it will pose a grave threat in the region.

Ken Bacon, the Spokesman of the U.S. Defense Department, said on Sunday, ''Iran's test of a medium-range missile shows its determination to build longer-range weapons of mass destruction.''

[17] SECURITY FORCES CAPTURE 15 MEMBERS OF ILLEGAL DHKP/C ORGANIZATION

Security forces have launched a series of operations against the DHKP/C members who have been staging fire-bomb attacks since the beginning of July to protest the F type prisons.

In the operations, 15 members of the illegal organization, including two women, were captured and taken into custody.

Security forces seized three hand-guns, a number of bullets, one electric fuse, five explosives, electronic devices used in production of bombs, a great deal of illegal and banned documents, 343 million Turkish liras, 100 U.S. dollars, four video tapes and two cell phones in the operations.

Operations against the illegal organization are underway in Istanbul.

[18] ANKARA MAYOR GOKCEK SAYS THEY STARTED BIDDING PROCESS FOR ANKARA METRO'S SECOND STAGE

The second step of the metro line will be constructed between Eryaman and Sincan.

Gokcek said they cannot use build-operate-transfer model in Turkey since companies ask for very high ticket prices for management. ''In fact, in all western countries, the state subsidizes 65 percent of the ticket price. If the state accepted such an application in Turkey, we would have built metro lines to every corner of Ankara using build-operate-transfer model.

Noting that they also are planning to build metro in Kecioren, Gokcek said they are considering to build a rail system going over viaducts since the infrastructure of the area is not favourable for an underground line.

''A rail system going over viaducts are less expensive compared to underground metro and it takes less time to build,'' he added.

[19] START GIVEN TO CONSTRUCTION OF PERMANENT HOUSING UNITS IN YALOVA

Officials at the Public Works Directorate told the A.A correspondent on Monday that the companies which had undertaken construction of 5,500 permanent housing units in Yalova set up their work-sites on the allocated fields.

Officials said the construction of the 99 square meter-housing units was foreseen to be finalized in 150 days.

[20] THREE PEOPLE DETAINED IN CONNECTION WITH FOREST FIRE IN BULDAN

Officials told the A.A correspondent that the forest fire started when Ali Dogru, Mehmet Aydogdu and Osman Aydogdu lit a fire in the forested area to warm up.

In the fire 900 hectares of forested area were burnt down to ashes.

Interrogation of the suspects is continuing.

[21] FP LEADER KUTAN SAYS THERE IS FULL AGREEMENT OVER REVISING ARTICLE 312

''I am hoping that article 312 will be changed until October,'' Kutan said when Turkish Engineers and Architects Chamber (TMMOB) Chairman Kaya Guvenc visited Kutan in his office.

Noting that he will meet with President Ahmet Necdet Sezer and True Path Party (DYP) leader Tansu Ciller this week, Kutan said everybody who he conferred with so far, share the same views without any exceptions. ''What we want is not to lift Article 312 completely but we want to revise it,'' Kutan said. ''The definition of 'incitement' must be made clear. What is 'inciting hatred and revenge' in people? All these should be defined very clearly. It should not be left to the personal interpretation of a judge. Since there is a full agreement on this matter, I am hoping that the revision of Article 312 should be done until October.''

When a reporter said some members of the Nationalist Movement Party accuse the FP for being ''fascist'', Kutan said his party is the most democratic party among other political parties in the Parliament and it is a fervent supporter of human rights and freedoms.

Criticizing the government's deeds, Kutan said the government is trying to control every field of life and he spoke against the decree having the power of law (KHK) which the government has passed related to construction controls. He said they applied to the Constitutional Court to cancel the KHK.

Kutan also said Turkey will suffer a big shortage of electricity and heating next winter and added that his words should be taken as a warning.

[22] BHADRAKUMAR, INDIAN AMBASSADOR TO TURKEY: -''LET'S MAKE TOURISM A BRIDGE BETWEEN TWO COUNTRIES''

Bhadrakumar visited Ertugrul Dokuzoglu, the Governor of Antalya, and Bekir Kumbul, the Mayor of Antalya.

Addressing the meetings, Bhadrakumar noted that he was deeply impressed by natural and historical assets of southern Antalya province.

Bhadrakumar said, ''Indian people go to European countries via Turkey to spend their holidays. But they cannot come to this beautiful country because there are no touristic flights between Turkey and India.''

Recalling that the Turkish Airlines (THY) would start direct flights to India next year, Bhadrakumar noted that these flights would make a valuable contribution to improvement of tourism between the two countries.

Noting that Indian Tourism Minister would pay a visit to Turkel in coming days, Bhadrakumar pointed out that a developed sub-commission would be set up between the travel agencies of both countries.

Bhadrakumar said that Indian Culture Ministry's Folk Dances Company would come to Turkey in September, Bhadrakumar reiterated, ''let's make tourism a bridge between our countries.''

[23] DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER BAHCELI: -''WE WILL ADOPT DECREE THAT WILL STRENGTHEN FINANCIAL MEANS OF MUNICIPALITES''

Bahceli visited Ali Haydar Oner, the Governor of Bayburt, and Hukmu Pekmezci, the Mayor of Bayburt.

Addressing the meetings, Bahceli noted that infrastructure investments should be finalized in the 21st century.

''The parliament failed to adopt the Local Administrations Dratf Law during the last legislative year. We are aware of that municipalities are in difficult conditions. Therefore, we will adopt the decree that will strengthen financial means of the municipalities,'' Bahceli said.

[24] DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ SAYS STRONG POLITICAL WILL SUPPORTS ECONOMIC PROGRAMME

Noting that Turkey has entered an important period in terms of economy, Yilmaz said people with low income have been inevitably affected by the economic programme.

''In order to be successful, we have to be realistic and courageous at the same time,'' Yilmaz said.

''Another point is strengthening small and medium scale enterprises (KOBI's) which are the backbone of our economy,'' he went on to say. ''Production cannot be increased only by pulling down the inflation, additional measures should be taken. Another way to revitalize economy is to increase the flow of foreign capital to Turkey. Some discussions which were based on political worries recently slowed down the flow of foreign capital to Turkey. Our country should attract more foreign capital.''

''We are working on all the shortcomings of the stability programme and correcting them,'' Yilmaz stated. ''As the Motherland Party (ANAP), we are doing our best for the success of the economic stability programme. We believe that our coalition partners are also as sincere as we are. Without a strong political will and a good coordination, this programme cannot become successful.''

The recovering economy will also correct the injuctice in income distribution, Yilmaz said.

[25] SPORTS-BASKETBALL -KUTLUAY: ''GREEK PEOPLE EMBRACED ME MORE THAN I EXPECTED''

National Basketball Team player Kutluay said he felt the honor of being transferred by a Greek team while the friendly relations between the Turkish and Greek peoples were increasing.

''There can't be such a great thing than an applause for a Turkish player from Greek people,'' he said.

Twenty-six-year-old small forward and shooting guard Ibrahim Kutluay signed a three-year contract with the AEK on June 23, 2000.

Kutluay who grew up in Fenerbahce Spor Kulubu, Istanbul made his debut and always played there till 1998-1999 season. He was signed for the 1999-2000 season by Efes Pilsen Istanbul.

Kutluay who has been a member of the Turkish National Team since 1994 has played with all the Youth Turkish Nationals. He played the 1995 European Championship, the 1996 22-and-Under European Championship and also was selected for the 1997 and 1999-2000 Euro All Star.

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