Anadolu Agency: News in English, 00-07-30

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ANADOLU AGENCY

NEWS

30 JULY 2000

Sunday

CONTENTS

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

[02] TURKISH-FRENCH FRATERNITY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TO SOGUTLU

[03] LASER RADIAL OPEN SEA AND WOMEN WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS END

[04] NEW FACILITY TO PETKIM

[05] CONDOR GERMAN AIRLINES PLANE MAKES EMERGENCY LANDING

[06] FRIENDSHIP TEA FROM JAPANESE GROUP

[07] SPORTS-DIVING -EUROPEAN JUNIORS CHAMPIONSHIPS CONTINUE

[08] ''EMPIRE OF SULTANS'' EXHIBITION OPENED IN U.S.

[09] TSK UNDERTAKE SIGNIFICANT ROLE IN RELIEF EFFORTS

[10] TPAO PRODUCES 15 MILLION BARRELS OF CRUDE OIL IN 1999

[11] GAZIANTEP HAS GREAT DEAL OF HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL HERITAGE

[12] FOREIGN TRADE REPORT OF DTM

[13] TURKEY TO HOST AGRICULTURE MINISTERS SUMMIT AND FOODTEC-2000

[14] 10.17 HECTARES OF FOREST BURNT IN FIRES

[15] PROJECTS TO MEET NATURAL GAS DEMAND IN TURKEY

[16] EXPORTS FROM AUTOMOTIVE SECTOR EXPECTED TO EXCEED 360,000 PIECES

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

ANCIENT SATALA SITE WAITING FOR BEING UNEARTHED
Ancient Satala site in Kelkit township of Gumushane province of the Black Sea Region is waiting for being unearthed. Kelkit Head Official Mustafa Cicek said that excavations had been carried out in the ancient site for 150 years and that many important artifacts unearthed from this site were smuggled abroad. Cicek said that the history of ancient site belonged to the Hittite age. Cicek also said that they launched excavations in the ancient site three months ago after 126 years of interval.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

BANK CHIEF ROBS HER BANK
Sibel Bulus, chief of Beyoglu Branch of Emlak Bankasi who was working there for 18 years, robbed more than 500,000 U.S. dollars of the customers and disappeared. Soytekin Ozturk, Director of Beyoglu Branch, said that they informed the police department about this issue and that the bank inspectors launched an investigation. The incident was brought to daylight as a customer came to the the branch to withdraw her money and learnt that there was no money in her account.

SABAH (LIBERAL)

ALLIANOI SHOULD BE SAVED
Culture Minister Istemihan Talay said that ancient Allianoi site in Bergama township of Aegean Izmir province, which will remain under waters of Yortanli Dam, should be saved. Talay said, ''Allianoi should be saved in the possible shortest time. But, the construction of the Yortanli Dam should not be prevented and the dam which will have significant contributions on country's economy, should be constructed as soon as possible.''

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

CRISIS MANAGEMENT FOR TRNC
Despite the economic package it prepared, the TRNC government does not give Ankara the impression of being trustworthy due to its policies in the past. Ankara did not give an appointment to Eroglu who wants to come to Turkey to discuss the economic package and Turkey's monetary aid.

RADIKAL (LEFT)

F TYPE PRISON PROTEST
A total of 33 intellectuals and artists who gathered under the title ''Intellectual and Artists Initiative'' went on a one-day hunger strike to protest the F type prisons. The intellectuals and artists decided to stage more protests. Sukru Erbas, one of the hunger strikers, defended that F type prisons contradicted with person's basic nature, disposition and honor and basic human rights. Erbas called on the state to give up F type prisons.

YENI BINYIL (LIBERAL)

EARTH TREMOR IN VAN
Eastern Van province was shaken by a mild earthquake measuring 3.8 on the Richter scale at 09:39 a.m. yesterday. The epicenter of the earth tremor was near Ozalp township of Van. Officials said the quake did not cause any casualties or damage but created panic among the residents.

TURKIYE (RIGHT)

CONGRESS MARKED BY UNPLEASANT EVENTS IN KAHTA
Guns were fired in the congress of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) in Kahta township of southeastern Adiyaman province. During the count of votes, M. Abidin Secilmis, the brother of Chairman candidate Abdullah Secilmis, shot dead Abuzer Tas, the brother of another Chairman candidate Necmi Tas, and injured two other people.

INSUFFICIENT PUNISHMENTS
The Prime Ministry defended the decree having the power of law regarding civil servants. It said that the discipline punishments to civil servants were insufficient. It added that a total of 378 pro-Hezbollah civil servants were still under arrest.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

MILITARY TRAINING IN PRISON
The crisis in the Bergama Prison ended with the transfer of 75 inmates to Buca Prison. During the search, prototypes of kalashnikov rifles and rocket launchers were found, revealing that inmates received military training.

[02] TURKISH-FRENCH FRATERNITY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TO SOGUTLU

Irfan Keskin, Chairman of Association of Saint Joseph Graduates which undertook the construction of the school, said that all the expenditures of the school will be met by the association and that the school will have all technical equipment.

Keskin said, ''we are trying to contribute to the quake zone as much as we can.''

The school, which will be constructed on an area of 600 square metres, will have three storeys.

In addition to the foreign language and science laboratories, the school will have eight classrooms.

A total of 300 students can be educated in the school.

The construction of the school, which is expected to cost almost 50 billion Turkish liras, is planned to be finalized in six months.

[03] LASER RADIAL OPEN SEA AND WOMEN WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS END

Katarzyna Szotynski of Poland became the world champion in women's category while Nicola Muller of Britain came second and Jayne Singleton of Britain ranked third.

Fredrik Lassenius became the champion in open sea category while Alexandros Lagothetis of Greece ranked second and Vangelis Chimonas of Greece came third.

Turkish yachtsmen and yachtswomen could not succeed in the championships.

[04] NEW FACILITY TO PETKIM

Speaking at the inauguration of the Petkim Chlorine Alkali Factory, Yalova said they would take measures to remove the imbalance in salaries of personnel of Petkim which was in scope of privatization.

Petkim General Director Turgut Bozkurt said that Petkim planned to make a 114 million U.S. dollars investment by 2003, aiming at protection of environment, energy savings and energy production.

Noting that Petkim was the only factory making production in petrochemistry sector in Turkey, Bozkurt said Petkim could meet only 30 percent of the domestic demand with investments till 2003, stressing that the sector required urgent investments.

Bozkurt said that consortia composed of domestic and foreign companies should invest in the petrochemistry sector.

Bozkurt added that Petkim's sales reached 281 trillion Turkish Liras (TL) and net profit became 37 trillion TL in 1999.

[05] CONDOR GERMAN AIRLINES PLANE MAKES EMERGENCY LANDING

Sources said that the plane which was carrying 73 passengers, mostly Germans, landed at the Ataturk Airport due to malfunction in its signalization system.

[06] FRIENDSHIP TEA FROM JAPANESE GROUP

Mariko Tanaka prepared the Japanese national tea Matca in the show organized by the Japanese Embassy in Ankara.

Tasaki Keiiehi, Japanese Embassy Attache, said that they aim at further improving friendly relations between Turkish and Japanese people.

Quake survivors expressed pleasure with Japanese people's support to them since the earthquake disaster.

The Japanese Embassy had earlier organized ''Taiko-Japanese Drum'' and ''Kimono'' shows.

[07] SPORTS-DIVING -EUROPEAN JUNIORS CHAMPIONSHIPS CONTINUE

The categories and medallists at Saturday's events are as follows:

Men's Category (A) 3-meter springboard:

1- Yury Shlyakhov (Ukraine) 533.70 points

2- Joona Puhakka (Finland) 529.50 points

3- Roman Kornulitsin (Russia) 498.80 points

Men's 3-meter synchronized:

1- Panel Tustvonnikou-Roman Kormilitsin (Russia) 285.80 points

2- Ville Vahtola-Joona Puhakka (Finland) 282.30 points

3- Emanuele Marini-Michele Benedetti (Italy) 277.50 points

Women's Category (A) high diving:

1- Anna Kiess (Germany) 382 points

2- Svetlana Khitirno (Russia) 380.15 points

3- Olga Klekova (Russia) 377.25 points

Women's Category (B) 1-meter springboard:

1- Anastasya Salivonchir (Bulgaria) 310.05 points

2- Olena Fyodorova (Ukraine) 302.50 points

3- Tania Cagnotto (Italy) 299.90 points

The championships at which almost 200 divers from 23 countries competing will end on Sunday.

[08] ''EMPIRE OF SULTANS'' EXHIBITION OPENED IN U.S.

Sources said that most of 200 artifacts displayed in the exhibition, are taken from ''Nasir Halili Collection'', which is considered as the most important collection of Islamic art.

The sources noted that the artifacts were created by Turkish, Greek, Armenian, Egyptian, Syrian and North African artists.

Priceless carpets, silks and velvets with silver thread, unique Korans, Ottoman manuscripts and ceramics are among the artifacts displayed in the exhibition, the sources stated.

The sources stressed that the visiters can listen to Ottoman music and receive information about the weapons and war tools of the Janissary, an elite military unit of the Turkish army organized in the 14th century.

The Grayling Foundation in Michigan contributed to the inauguration of the exhibition organized by International Arts Services.

The exhibition will be open to visitors until October 8.

[09] TSK UNDERTAKE SIGNIFICANT ROLE IN RELIEF EFFORTS

A written statement of Land Forces Commandership (KKK) said on Sunday that TSK joined rescue operations from land and air, ensured security, set up logistical system and met accomodation needs of quake survivors.

The statement noted that First Army in Marmara Region and Fourth Army Corps Commandership in Duzce served as Disaster Regional Commanderships.

Seventy battalions and 50 thousand personnel of KKK joined search and rescue operations and relief efforts following the deadly earthquakes which hit Marmara Region and Duzce province last year, the statement stressed.

The statement continued, ''a great deal of humanitarian aid, including 7 thousand tents, 60 thousand blankets, 3,500 thousand sleeping bags, 22 kitchens, five mobile bakeries, 21 mobile baths, were sent to the quake zone. 23 trillion Turkish liras (TL) was spent on this aid. 675 billion TL was collected in the aid campaign opened by the military personnel. A total of 12 tent-sites, including five in Marmara Region and seven in Duzce, were set up. 12 thousand quake survivors are still staying in these tent- sites.''

The statement said that Logistical Support Coordination Center was formed in Izmit to distribute the domestic and foreign aid efficiently and on time.

Aid collection centers were set up in 81 provinces, and computer system was assembled to facilitate the communication of these centers and register every assistance, the statement noted.

The statement said, ''almost 20 thousand tons of food, 916 thousand parcels of clothings and one ton of cleaning material were handed over to the Logistical Support Coordination Centers and distribution places. Some of this aid was distributed to quake survivors. There are still 137 tons of food, 21 thousand parcels of clothings and 38 tons of cleaning material in these centers.''

The statement added, ''the relief efforts following two quakes were exerted in coordination and cooperation with local authorities. Cooperation with local authorities and local administrators contributed to the increase of efficiency and quality of relief efforts.''

[10] TPAO PRODUCES 15 MILLION BARRELS OF CRUDE OIL IN 1999

Speaking to the A.A correspondent, TPAO General Director Osman Demirag said that TPAO carried out 95 percent of the geological and geophysical works before drilling, and the total investment cost during those explorations reached 12.5 million U.S. dollars.

Demirag said TPAO carried out activities on a 23.7 million hectares of land as of end-1999.

''TPAO made a 40 million U.S. dollars investment by carrying out 23 drills in scope of several research and exploration projects in 1999. As of end- 1999, 50.4 percent of crude oil production was made in Adiyaman, 49.2 percent in Batman and 0.4 percent in Thrace, and 98 percent of natural gas production was made in Thrace and 2 percent in Adiyaman,'' he said.

Noting that TPAO made a 2.1 million U.S. dollars production investment in 1999, Demirag said total investment reached 59.2 million U.S. dollars last year.

Demirag added that TPAO's net profit in 1999 increased 687 percent.

[11] GAZIANTEP HAS GREAT DEAL OF HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL HERITAGE

In accordance with the information that the A.A correspondent obtained from Tourism Provincial Directorate's publications, the historical and cultural heritage in Gaziantep indicates that this city was a very important center in the past.

U.S. author George Thomas Klinan defined Gaziantep, the history of which goes back to 5600 years ago due to ancient Delichones site, as ''the first city established in the world'' in his book titled ''The Newlook of World.''

Klinan claimed that Gaziantep was established 600 years before Jerusalem city in Israel and Kiskan city in Iraq, which are the oldest second and third cities in the world.

The ancient Delichones site on which Klinan based his theory, is 12 kilometres away from Gaziantep.

The ancient site which is nowadays called ''Duluk'' is the only ancient site in which people still live.

Ancient Delichones site is among the places which attract the tourists visiting Turkey.

The biggest temple of Delichones is situated on the hill of Duluk Forest.

Also, the second biggest temple of ancient religion Mitras was found in Duluk village.

Excavations continue in and around two temples.

The first and only open air statue atelie of the world is also situated in Gaziantep.

Yesemek stone pit and open air statue atelie which were brought to daylight in Islahiye township by German Felix Von Luschan in 1890, were converted into open air museum in recent years.

After Gaziantep Castle had been restored, illuminated and excavations had been held, the castle was opened last year.

However, excavations and restoration are still underway in the castle.

Rumkale and ancient Zeugma site are negatively affected by the Birecik Dam project.

Zone (A) of the ancient Zeugma site remained under waters of Birecik Dam.

Excavations are underway in Zone (B) of the ancient site which will be inundated by waters of the dam in October.

Zone (A) and (B) constitute only one third of the ancient site, which was situated on an area of 20 thousand square metres.

Officials plant to convert the third part of the ancient site which will not be inundated by the waters, into an open air museum.

Rumkale is being inundated by waters of Birecik Dam every day.

Efforts are underway to prevent the historical castle from being damaged by the waters and to enable transportation to the castle.

Rumkale, which is near Kasaba village of Yavuzeli township on the bank of Firat river, is one of the important places for the belief tourism due to the belief that Johannes, one of apostles of Jesus Christ, make this castle a center for spreading Christianity in the region.

[12] FOREIGN TRADE REPORT OF DTM

The report said that exports of all sectors decreased in May, and especially the decrease in exports of agricultural products negatively affected the exports performance in the period of January-May 2000.

Noting that the exports of agricultural products decreased 26.3 percent in first five months, the report said the decrease in question stemmed from the prices of agricultural products higher than the prices at foreign markets.

The report said that high temperatures became another factor that negatively affected production.

The report said that exports of industrial goods reduced 2.1 percent in May but increased 8.4 percent in first five months.

Recalling that imports which had continuously increased in last six months rose 36.3 percent in May, the report said imports of crude oil increased 33.1 percent in May.

Noting that the increase in imports of investment and intermediary goods decelerated in May, the report said the increase in imports of consumer goods reached 80 percent.

[13] TURKEY TO HOST AGRICULTURE MINISTERS SUMMIT AND FOODTEC-2000

A statement issued by Agriculture and Rural Affairs Minister Husnu Yusuf Gokalp said on Sunday that preparations are underway for the organization which will be held in October.

The statement noted that European, Central Asian, Middle Eastern and African countries with which Turkey has commercial relations and which are especially potential markets for food products, will join the fair which will be held in Ankara.

The countries will display their products and technical and technological developments in their countries during the fair, the statement said.

The statement stressed that the participating countries will hold contacts with Turkish private sector companies.

Conferences on inflow strategies to foreign markets, food marketing and trademark administration, food regulations, and communication among sectors will be held during the fair, the statement emphasized.

The statement pointed out that the agriculture ministers of European, Central Asian, Middle Eastern and African countries will convene under the chairmanship of Gokalp during the ''Agriculture Ministers Summit From Eurosia to Africa.''

The statement added that Azerbaijan, Algeria, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Morocco, Kyrgyzstan, Gambia, Iraq, Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), Kazakhstan, Mauritania, Uzbekistan, Senegal, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, and Turkmenistan have been invited to the fair and summit until today.

[14] 10.17 HECTARES OF FOREST BURNT IN FIRES

The Foresry Ministry report noted that forest fires broke out in Ankara, Balikesir, Denizli, Kahramanmaras, Mugla, Bolu, Zonguldak and Trabzon, burning 10.17 hectares of land.

The report stated that one hectare of forest was burnt in fire broke out in Karadere township of Kastamonu province in Black Sea Region early this morning.

All forest fires were taken under control, the report stressed.

The report emphasized that 1001 forest fires broke out since the beginning of 2000 and that 14 thousand 933 hectares of forest was burnt down to ashes in these fires.

A total of 1,414 hectares of forest was burnt in 843 fires which broke out in the same period last year.

[15] PROJECTS TO MEET NATURAL GAS DEMAND IN TURKEY

With the natural gas that will come from Russia through the Blue Stream and Iran and with the increase in capacity of the current pipeline from Russia, Turkey will obtain a great deal of natural gas in 2001.

Within framework of the agreements, Turkey will start to purchase natural gas from Iran and Russia in 2001, and it will pay the costs if it can't receive the natural gas in that year.

The agreements foresee the payment of costs in case of failure in finalization of the necessary infrastructures, and foresee the finalization of the transmission lines and the infrastructure in 50 provinces that will use natural gas.

Turkey will receive the Iranian natural gas on the border region in eastern Dogubeyazit. More than 50 percent of the pipeline between Dogubeyazit and Seydisehir township of central Konya province was finalized. The pipeline will end in Ankara.

The works on the Blue Stream project which foresee transfer of natural gas from Russia to Turkey under Black Sea are under way.

The natural gas which is extracted from Zapolyarnoye region in Russia will be tranferred to Izolbynoye region, and later brought to Samsun beneath Black Sea.

Sources said the transfer of natural gas which was expected to be brought into Turkey in April 2001 could be postponed to July-August 2001.

Sources said the Tarutina Compressor station which was built in Ukraine to increase the capacity of the current pipeline from Russia was foreseen to be put into service in the fourth quarter of 2000.

The pipeline carries 16 billion cubic meters of natural gas from Russia to Turkey a year.

With the operation of the compressor station, the capacity of the pipeline will increase 3.8 billion cubic meters.

[16] EXPORTS FROM AUTOMOTIVE SECTOR EXPECTED TO EXCEED 360,000 PIECES

Automotive Manufacturers Association (OSD) Executive Board Chairman Ali Ihsan Ilkbahar told the A.A correspondent on Sunday that annual exports from the sector was estimated to reach an amount more than 6 billion U.S. dollars after 2003.

Recalling that ToyotaSa had announced that it would focus on exports, Ilkbahar said that number of automobiles exported by Renault, Tofas, Ford and other companies would exceed 360 thousand pieces.

Noting that they were carrying out several works to remove the problems of the sector in the long term, Ilkbahar said they were sensitive to especially automotive imports.

Stressing that domestic production should be made at high level to allow competition abroad, Ilkbahar said, ''imports annoy everybody. We have to increase Turkish people's confidence in their own products.''

Ilkbahar added that total sales of automobiles was expected to exceed 450 thousand pieces till the

end-2000.

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