Anadolu Agency: News in English, 00-07-23

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ANADOLU AGENCY

NEWS

23 JULY 2000

Sunday

CONTENTS

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

[02] AIR FORCES COMMANDER CELASIN GOES TO BRITAIN

[03] ONE PERSON DIES IN LPG EXPLOSION AT ISTANBUL RESTAURANT

[04] JOURNALIST AND TV PERSONALITY CENK KORAY DIES

[05] TWO TURKISH WRESTLERS TO WRESTLE FOR AUSTRALIA AT SYDNEY OLYMPICS

[06] TRNC PRESIDENT DENKTAS LEAVES CYPRUS FOR GENEVA

[07] MGK TO CONVENE IN ISTANBUL

[08] NIGERIAN PRESIDENT OBASANJO IN ANKARA

[09] ECEVIT SENDS CONGRATULATORY MESSAGE TO HATAY GOVERNOR AND ANTAKYA MAYOR

[10] THREAD EXPORTS FROM GAP REGION DECREASE BY 15.9 PERCENT

[11] ANTIQUE CITY OF ISAURIA WAITING TO BE RESCUED

[12] DALKILIC BREAKS WORLD RECORD

[13] TURKEY'S EXPORT TO EU COUNTRIES INCREASES 3.7 PERCENT

[14] ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES MINISTRY TAKING EXTRA MEASURES TO PREVENT ENERGY SHORTAGE IN WINTER

[15] FOURTH EURASIA ISLAM COUNCIL TO CONVENE IN SARAJEVO

[16] TURKEY AND GREECE TO COOPERATE IN AGRICULTURE

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

BLOW AFTER BLOW ON DRUGS SMUGGLERS
Narcotic teams confiscated a total of 69 kilograms of heroin, worth a total of about 2 trillion Turkish Liras, in operations they conducted in various parts of Istanbul. According to the statement made by the Istanbul Security Department's Narcotics Bureau, teams, acting on a tip-off discovered 42 kilograms of heroin hidden inside a car in Avcilar district. Two persons, understood to have been planning to trade the Iranian drugs to Europe, were taken into custody. In another case, gunmen opened fire from inside the vehicle on narcotic teams, who were stopping vehicles for security check along the TEM motorway. The vehicle was eventually stopped and Nazmi Akdogan, the driver and the owner of the heroin was seized by the police with his unlicensed gun and 17 kilgrams of heroin. Six more persons, including one woman, were later taken into custody in connection. In another operation against street-vendors, narcotic teams seized a total of 6 kilograms of heroin and six persons in connection.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

SULTANS ON THE CATWALK
World famous Turkish fashion designer Faruk Sarac, who had carried Ataturk's clothing to the podiums, is now bringing Ottoman Sultans on the catwalk. He will be exhibiting the extraordinary clothes, 577 items in total, of 36 Ottoman Sultans with a fashion show at Saint Irene Museum on September 5.

SABAH (LIBERAL)

WE ARE BEING WATCHED
The Security Directorate which is working hard to combat terrorism in big cities has installed cameras in the squares and avenues which are preferred by protestors. Therefore, the police are monitoring the main squares and avenues for 24 hours just like ''the Big Brother'' in George Orwell's famous book ''1984''. There are currently 25 cameras in Ankara. The cameras can move left or right and they can also zoom. The images are recorded to be kept in the archive for five years.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

19 DETENTIONS IN PROTEST AGAINST F TYPE PRISONS
Police detained 19 protestors on Saturday when they attempted to hold an illegal demonstration to protest the F type prisons in front of Galatasaray High School in Istanbul. Police interfered when the protestors chanted slogans and they tried to read out a press statement. Police finally detained all the protestors when they refused to disperse and took them to the Anti-Terrorism Department.

RADIKAL (LEFT)

SINOP PRISON OPENED TO VISITORS
The famous Sinop Prison, a correction facility almost 800 years old, was opened to visitors with ceremonies as a place of interest. National Education Minister Metin Bostancioglu said that the cells wożuld be rearranged and named after the famous persons who had once paid for their crimes. Noting that the open areas would be rearranged to serve as theatres, concert fields, and cafes, Bostancioglu said that they were now seeking means of changing the purpose of the historical complex without causing it to lose its texture.

YENI BINYIL (LIBERAL)

19 DETENTIONS IN PROTEST AGAINST F TYPE PRISONS
Police detained 19 protestors on Saturday when they attempted to hold an illegal demonstration to protest the F type prisons in front of Galatasaray High School in Istanbul. Police interfered when the protestors chanted slogans and they tried to read out a press statement. Police finally detained all the protestors when they refused to disperse and took them to the Anti-Terrorism Department.

TURKIYE (RIGHT)

A high level State Department official said that Turkey was a country with important responsibilities emerging from her membership in NATO, that the U.S wanted to contribute to Turkey in her efforts to fulfill these responsibilities and at the same time, meet her defense needs within a legitimate framework and that the Bell Helicopter Textron Company would have to apply to the State Department for approval of any contract it might sign with Turkey. The official added that the State Department would give its decision in line with the pertaining laws and regulations in force, and that it would also consider human rights in giving the decision.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

[02] AIR FORCES COMMANDER CELASIN GOES TO BRITAIN

Celasin who departed from Etimesgut Military Airport in Ankara will attend the European Air Forces Commanders meeting in Britain.

Celasin is expected to return home on July 25.

[03] ONE PERSON DIES IN LPG EXPLOSION AT ISTANBUL RESTAURANT

First police suspected of a terrorist act but then it was found out that a gas leak from a LPG canister caused the explosion.

A fire started after the explosion killing one man. Fire fighters found his burnt body after the the fire was put out.

[04] JOURNALIST AND TV PERSONALITY CENK KORAY DIES

His doctor Tezel Ulusoy said Koray had a heart condition. ''He was dead when he was brought to the hospital so there was nothing we could do,'' Ulusoy said. ''Heart condition does not tolerate high tension or excitement. He might have died because of this.''

Koray's body has been taken to the morgue of Dr. Siyami Ersek Heart and Vein Surgery Center.

[05] TWO TURKISH WRESTLERS TO WRESTLE FOR AUSTRALIA AT SYDNEY OLYMPICS

Two athletes of Turkish Origin, Musa Ilhan and Mehmet Yagci managed to enter the Australian national team prior to the Sydney Olympics which will start on September 15.

Ilhan and Yagci are the first Turkish wrestlers in the Australian national team.

[06] TRNC PRESIDENT DENKTAS LEAVES CYPRUS FOR GENEVA

President Denktas left Cyprus on Sunday morning for Geneva, where he is to attend the third round of proximity talks.

Speaking to reporters before his departure from Ercan Airport, Denktas said, referring to the letter addressed to the United Nations Security Council by UN Secretary General Kofi Annan on the Turkish Cypriot measures against UN Peacekeeping Troops, that Annan had written the said letter in line with the information he had received from the island, adding, however, that there was no change in the status quo of the Akyar region.

Noting that there was no resistence or disturbance by Turkish Cypriots against the UN troopers, and that the troopers were now even more comfortable.

Denktas added that he would address a written note to Kofi Annan and let him know about the situation there, and assure him that things were being exaggerated by the Greek Cypriots.

[07] MGK TO CONVENE IN ISTANBUL

The participants will discuss the topics on their agenda at their regular meeting, which is to take start at 14.00 hours at the War Academies Complex.

President Ahmet Necdet Sezer will attend the graduation ceremony at the Academy after the National Security Council's regular meeting.

[08] NIGERIAN PRESIDENT OBASANJO IN ANKARA

The plane carrying Obasanjo and the delegation accompanying him landed at Ankara's Esenboga Airport at 09.00 hours local time. Obasanjo and his company were welcomed by State Minister Edip Safter Gaydali, Ankara Garrison Commander General Erol Tutan, and Governor of Ankara Yahya Gur.

The delegation accompanying Obasanjo consists of Nigeria's Foreign, Information, and Finance Ministers, various members of the Parliament and businessmen.

[09] ECEVIT SENDS CONGRATULATORY MESSAGE TO HATAY GOVERNOR AND ANTAKYA MAYOR

''I celebrate the citizens of Hatay on this honourable day for their decision to join the motherland Turkey as an expression of their full faith in Turkey's unity,'' Ecevit said in his message.

''Hatay has been included in the Turkish borders through Ataturk's foreign policy which supported peace and systematic efforts. On this meaningful day, I remember Ataturk and those who lost their lives in the war with respect and express them my deepest gratitude. I also convey my most sincere wishes to people of Hatay.''

[10] THREAD EXPORTS FROM GAP REGION DECREASE BY 15.9 PERCENT

Last year's exports had totalled to 80 million 28 thousand dollars in worth.

The share of thread exports in the region's total exports, which had been 30.2 in the first six months of 1999, went down to 24.7 in 2000.

Among the major importers of GAP threads are Syria, Saudi Arabia, Belgium, Italy, Jordan, Spain, the United States, Israel, Portugal, Germany, Romania, Britain, France, and Greece.

[11] ANTIQUE CITY OF ISAURIA WAITING TO BE RESCUED

Built on the plateau stretching between the Central Anatolian plains and the Taurus Mountain Rage, located within the provincial borders of Konya, the city ruins give hints about the astonishing beauty of ancient times.

The city, known to have gone through its brightest period during the reign of Byzantine Emperor Xenon, between 474 and 491 A.D, is most striking with its gates, victory arches, temple ruins, arena, and tombs, which date back to Hellenistic, Roman, and Byzantine ages.

Archaeologists believe that excavations, which had to be suspended due to lack of funds, should be re-started, in order not only to promote the region, but also to protect the ruins from ignorant hands.

[12] DALKILIC BREAKS WORLD RECORD

Dalkilic dived to 120 meters, breaking the ''limited free-diving with varying weight'' record, which was 115 meters by Cuban Deborah Andorra.

[13] TURKEY'S EXPORT TO EU COUNTRIES INCREASES 3.7 PERCENT

According to the Exporters Association, Turkey's export to these countries in the first half of the year has reached 7 billion 167 million U.S. dollars. This figure was 6 billion 911 million U.S. dollars during the same period of 1999.

Textile and clothing sector realized the highest export rate to EU countries which brought an income of 2 billion 528 million U.S. dollars. The sharpest export rise was achieved by iron and non-iron metals sectors which was worth of 714 million 81,000 U.S. dollars.

Turkey also sold electrical equipment and machinery to EU countries worth of 805 million 370,000 U.S. dollars, making a 8 percent increase from last year.

Export of seeds, cereals and grains also rose by 31 percent in the first half of the year. Export in cement and mining sectors has climbed 11 and 10 percent respectively.

Export of olive and olive oil, on the other hand, dropped by 91 percent. Turkey gained only 7 million 815,000 U.S. dollars in the first half of 2000 from olive and olive oil sales. Tobacco export has also decreased by 35 percent. Export of rugs, fresh fruits and vegetables, live stock and water products also dropped significantly in this period.

[14] ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES MINISTRY TAKING EXTRA MEASURES TO PREVENT ENERGY SHORTAGE IN WINTER

After the water level dropped to critically low levels in Keban, Karakaya and Ataturk dams which produce most of Turkey's electricity, the Ministry has started to take measures to operate thermic power plants in full capacity and set up floating power points.

Other measures that have been taken are facilitating tax payments for auto- producing facilities which produce their own energy and keeping a liquid natural gas (LNG) loaded spare tanker at Marmara Ereglisi to prevent natural gas shortage.

A high level official from the Energy and Natural Resources Ministry told A.A correspondent that all thermic power plants have to work full capacity this winter and they have already started taking the necessary measures to achieve this.

The same person said that the Finance Ministry is considering to exempt auto-producers from consumption tax in fuel in order to encourage these facilities to produce more energy. The issue was also discussed at a meeting at the Prime Ministry, he said.

TEAS is getting ready to operate floating power plants and the Prime Ministry issued a circular for all public offices asking them to use energy economically.

The Ministry is also trying to find a solution to the natural gas problem which Turkey suffered from last winter. The Ministry official said due to the bad weather conditions, tankers carrying LNG arrive to Marmara Ereglisi with a delay of 8 to 10 days which is resulting in a natural gas shortage. To prevent this, Botas and TEAS will keep a spare tanker at the terminal point. In case of a delay, the spare tanker will provide LNG to the natural gas network and therefore prevent a shortage.

[15] FOURTH EURASIA ISLAM COUNCIL TO CONVENE IN SARAJEVO

The representatives of the Islamic communities of Albania, Azerbaijan, Western Thrace, Georgia, Croatia, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Kyrgzstan, Crimean Autonomous Republic, Kosovo, Mongolia, Romania, Russia, Slovenia, Tadjikistan, Turkmenistan, Republic of Macedonia, Poland, Belarus, and Yugoslavia will get together at Sarajevo's Holiday Inn Hotel under the chairmanship of Mehmet Nuri Yilmaz, Chairman of the Religious Affairs Department.

Yilmaz will chair the first session of the council. At their meetings, the participants will focus on ''discussion of Religious Education and Religious Services Presented to our Communities, and Assessment of New Strategies to Have More Effective Religious Services.''

''Assessment of Religious Publishings needed by our Communities, and the rules and principles that will be covered in their publishings, The Requirement and Importance of the living of Existing Different Religion Members in Eurasia Georgraphy in Peace and Stability,'' is also among their major topics of discussion.

The Council will conclude its meetings on July 27 with a final communique to be issued after the Executive Board elections.

[16] TURKEY AND GREECE TO COOPERATE IN AGRICULTURE

In a written statement he issued on Sunday, Gokalp said that an atmosphere of good will and dialogue had been started by the Foreign Minsters of the two countries, which had been followed by an exchange of visits by Agriculture Ministers, and that this atmosphere had eventually led to cooperation between the two countries in the field of agriculture.

''Within the framework of our cooperation relations with Greece, we will make use of Greece's experience as an EU member, in our process of harmonisation with EU agricultural standards.

Within the framework of the cooperation agreement, the first meeting of the Agriculture Executive Committee, formedbetween the Agriculture Ministries of the two countries, took place in Athens.

The sides signed a minutes of accord at the end of their meetings, according to which, Greece will hold education programs and symposiums for Turkish experts.

In line with the cooperation agreement, Turkey and Greece will carry out joint studies in such fields as animal and plant health, make joint initiatives in the production, processing and marketing of various products, and cooperate in the field of agricultural research.

Instead of competition, there will be cooperation between Turkey and Greece in the field of agriculture from this point onwards,'' Gokalp said.

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