Anadolu Agency: News in English, 00-08-05

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ANADOLU AGENCY

NEWS

05

AUGUST 2000 Saturday

CONTENTS

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

[02] KAZAKHSTAN WANTS TO JOIN BAKU-CEYHAN

[03] FLOOD IN BITLIS -SEVERAL BUSINESS PLACES INUNDATED AS STREAM IN PROVINCIAL CENTER FLOODED

[04] FIRE IN KARAISALI DESTROYS 2,000 HECTARES OF FOREST LAND

[05] BAHAMIAN FLAGGED ENTERPRISE PASSES FROM ISTANBUL STRAIT

[06] ROMAN TOMBS FOUND IN EXCAVATIONS IN ZEUGMA

[07] ARAFAT, PALESTINIAN PRESIDENT, IN ANKARA (1) -ARAFAT MEETS WITH PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT

[08] TURKISH AND JAPANESE SCULPTORS TO MEET IN A SYMPOSIUM ON AUGUST 10

[09] YALOVA, STATE MINISTER: ''PRIVATIZATION OF CAYKUR IS NOT ON THE AGENDA''

[10] PALESTINIAN PRESIDENT ARAFAT MEETS WITH PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT

[11] ARAFAT AND SEZER STAGE JOINT NEWS CONFERENCE

[12] ARAFAT AND SEZER STAGE JOINT NEWS CONFERENCE (2)

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

TEDAS:''PEOPLE WILL ECONOMIZE MORE WITH 50 PERCENT PRICE
INCREASE''
TEDAS Acting General Director Osman Nuri Dogan said the 50 percent price increase aimed to make subscribers economize more on electricity. ''People will consume less if they have to pay more,'' he said. Dogan also claimed that ''there are not that many families which consume over 150 kilowatt/hour as people think'' and said the price increase would affect only 10 percent of the subscribers. Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit, commenting on TEDAS's price increase, said it was a ''fair adjustment.'' ''If Turkey does not take some measures, it will face serious electricity shortage in the coming years,'' he said.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

TRNC SHOULD STAND ON ITS OWN FEET
Dr. Ahmet Sozen from Bahcesehir University who is also a Turkish Cypriot said a development plan should be prepared as soon as possible for the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) by consulting every segment of the society. He said that the recent incidents in the TRNC is just a result of the wrong system that has been existing in the country for years. He also noted that since the production dropped to a minimal level in the TRNC, the TRNC has become dependent on Turkey. He stressed that production should start in the TRNC through some concrete projects with Turkey's help.

SABAH (LIBERAL)

AGCA TELLS OCALAN TO BEG PARDON FROM TURKISH NATION
Agca wrote a letter to Abdullah Ocalan, the head of the terrorist organization, where he said he should ''kneel down and beg pardon'' from the Turkish nation. It is not clear how the letter was posted.

''The fate brought us together in Rome. I was suffering in a disgusting cell when you were drinking whiskey in delux mensions,'' Agca also wrote in his letter. The letter which came to Canakkale post office instead of Imrali will soon be delivered to Ocalan.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

MERNIS PROJECT PROMOTED
Central Population Management System (MERNIS) was promoted to members of press on Friday. The project aims to give all Turkish citizens an eleven digit identity number, and getting an accurate and fast population statistics. The new identity cards which is a part of the MERNIS project will have finger prints which don't exist on the existing identity cards. Another change will be the removal of religion, marital status and blood type from the new identity cards.

RADIKAL (LEFT)

GENEVA LEG OF PROXIMITY TALKS ENDS WITHOUT A RESULT
Third round of Cyprus proximity talks, which developed under the auspicies of the U.N., ended on Friday without a result. The hopes are now for the fourth round, which will start in New York on September 12. Richard Holbrooke, the U.S. representative to the U.N. is expected to be influential in New York talks. European Union (EU) will attend as observer.

Rauf Denktas, President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) said a mutual basis could not be found as Greek Cypriot side did not show flexibility. Denktas said, ''De Soto had expectations, yet the Greek Cypriot side does not step back.''

YENİ BİNYIL (LIBERAL)

TURKIYE (RIGHT)

ARAFAT ASKS FOR SUPPORT FROM TURKEY
Palestinian head of state Yasser Arafat who will come to Turkey on Saturday will have bilateral meetings with President Ahmet Necdet Sezer, Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit and Foreign Minister Ismail Cem in an effort to ask for Turkey's support for the independent Palestinian state which will be declared on September 13.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT IS RESOLVED
Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit who responded to the questions of reporters following Friday's leaders' summit, critized private sector. Prime Minister Ecevit said they would implement stability program in a determined way, and that they would be in an effort to reach inflation target.

[02] KAZAKHSTAN WANTS TO JOIN BAKU-CEYHAN

Kazakh authorities who were earlier reluctant about the project told the Turkish side that they want to participate in the Baku-Ceyhan project during the meetings that were held last month. Kazakhstan's demand was conveyed to the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources.

At the meeting, Kazakh authorities stated that they want to be included in the project with 30 million tons of oil and also asked the other sides to expedite information exhange and form a council of four parties.

Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev had announced early July that they discovered an oil reserve of seven billion tons.

[03] FLOOD IN BITLIS -SEVERAL BUSINESS PLACES INUNDATED AS STREAM IN PROVINCIAL CENTER FLOODED

Bitlis stream flooded after rain showers which lasted more than an hour. Several business places in Arifbey and Kazim Dirik streets were inundated because of the flood.

A crisis desk has been set up to assess the damage which occurred as the river flooded.

[04] FIRE IN KARAISALI DESTROYS 2,000 HECTARES OF FOREST LAND

Adana Forest Directorate's authorities said the fire became stronger on Friday night due to the winds. Later the fire teams managed to bring the fire under control at early hours in Saturday.

Authorities said fire teams intensified their efforts in the areas where the fire is continuing.

[05] BAHAMIAN FLAGGED ENTERPRISE PASSES FROM ISTANBUL STRAIT

During the passage of the ship, the Istanbul Strait was closed to traffic to prevent any accidents.

SG Enterprise is the first ship at this size passing from the Turkish straits. Coast Guard Deputy Director Haluk Yigit said that they were responsible for the safe passage of all ships from the Istanbul Strait and noted that they have taken all the necessary measures to avoid risks.''

Some environmental organizations also gathered at the strait early on Saturday to protest the ship's passage from the strait.

SG Enterprise completed its passage at 7.45 a.m. and sailed to the Black Sea.

[06] ROMAN TOMBS FOUND IN EXCAVATIONS IN ZEUGMA

Excavation coordinator Kemal Sertok told A.A correspondent that the French archeologists have found empty tombs in the excavation site. The tombs are thought to belong to early Roman period.

Sertok said they have intensified their works on the area which will be flooded on October 4. Noting that they are recording every finding according to modern archeological rules, Sertok said people will have easy access to information about Zeugma once the works are completed.

There are currently 102 arheologists and 210 workers and experts coming from Turkey, Britian, France, Spain, New Zealand, Australia, Germany and the United States working in the excavation site.

[07] ARAFAT, PALESTINIAN PRESIDENT, IN ANKARA (1) -ARAFAT MEETS WITH PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT

Ecevit and Arafat met for nearly an hour in Sheraton Hotel. Foreign Minister Ismail Cem also attended the meeting.

Speaking to journalists after the meeting, Ecevit said Arafat conveyed him very beneficial information regarding Camp David summit, and noted that Turkey would continue its support.

[08] TURKISH AND JAPANESE SCULPTORS TO MEET IN A SYMPOSIUM ON AUGUST 10

A total of four Turkish and three Japanese sculptors are expected to attend the symposium.

Fevzi Topuz, Milas Mayor, told A.A correspondent that that was the first time the symposium takes place, and noted that they would be in an effort to make the symposium traditional.

He said, ''the symposium will help friendship relations between Turkey and Japan to improve, and will be an important step in reciprocal exchange of culture.''

[09] YALOVA, STATE MINISTER: ''PRIVATIZATION OF CAYKUR IS NOT ON THE AGENDA''

Speaking to A.A correspondent, Yalova said there were several reports recently claiming that some factories of Caykur would be privatized, and noted that they did not reflect the facts.

Yalova said privatization of Caykur was not on the program of Privatization Administration.

[10] PALESTINIAN PRESIDENT ARAFAT MEETS WITH PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT

Ecevit and Yasser Arafat, Palestinian President, spoke to journalists following their one-hour meeting.

Ecevit said the information Arafat conveyed him regarding Camp David summit was very beneficial for him, and thanked to Arafat for his visit.

Pointing out that there were still some problems in Camp David although agreement could be reached on some issues, Ecevit said ''a constructive approach,'' was expected to be found in problems regarding Jerusalem.

Ecevit said, ''Turkey has geographical and historic ties with Cyprus and Palestine. Turkey will continue its support for a just solution of peace process.''

When recalled that Palestinian State could be declared on September 13, Ecevit said this would not be a problem for Turkey. Prime Minister Ecevit said, ''we recognize Palestine since 1988. They have an Embassy in Ankara.''

Ecevit also congratulated birthday of Arafat and wished a healthy and long life.

Arafat in his part said he briefed about Camp David summit, the holy city and the refugees during the meeting, and noted that he was sure that Turkey would continue to extend help for a comprehensive, lasting, and continious peace.

Pointing out that Turkey contributed to the peace efforts, Arafat wanted the support to continue.

[11] ARAFAT AND SEZER STAGE JOINT NEWS CONFERENCE

Sezer and Yasser Arafat, who is in Ankara within the framework of a one-day work visit, staged a joint news conference following the interdelegational talks.

Sezer expressed pleasure over seeing Arafat in Turkey and noted that Palestinian leader conveyed them beneficial information regarding Camp David summit and his contacts following the summit.

Arafat in his part thanked for the warm welcome he received in Turkey and noted that meaning of this warm welcome was the reflection of strong relations between Turkish and Palestinian people.

Arafat said they expected support from Turkish Government and people.

[12] ARAFAT AND SEZER STAGE JOINT NEWS CONFERENCE (2)

Addressing the joint news conference which he staged together with Arafat following the talks, Sezer said, ''we have stressed the importance of finding a peaceful solution to the problem under the U.N. Security Council resolutions no:242 and 338, and under the basis of consensus which was reached between the sides earlier. We have pointed out that Turkey's support to our Palestinian brothers will continue.''

Pointing out that it was distressing that Camp David summit could not result in a satisfactory agreement for the sides, Sezer said at the same time it was a fact that many steps have been taken on the way to peace.

Recalling that the sides discussed all main issues, including Jerusalem, an extremely sensitive issue, in Camp David, Sezer said, ''it is obvious that the issue of Jerusalem has a central importance due to its specialities. Jerusalem has importance for the three religions. A solution should be found that is acceptable for everybody by considering this speciality.''

Sezer said it was a ''noteworthy development,'' that Arafat and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak discussed confliced and sensitive issues during the summit.

''It is very important that the sides should not ignore this development and continue the talks in the following stage. We welcome the directives Arafat gave to Palestinian officials to continue talks with Israel after the summit, and the continiuation of talks within this framework. We wish the talks to give a result soon.''

President Sezer said many problems were solved due to the self sacrifice, patience and determination of Palestinian people, and noted that, ''we are also pleased that this case was better understood by other countries of the world.''

Palestinian President Arafat thanked for the warm welcome he received in Turkey. Pointing out that Palestine will do its best for the continiuation of peace process, Arafat thanked for the support extended by Bill Clinton, the U.S. President in this process.

Arafat said there were several obstacles and difficulties in front of peace process nowadays despite all their efforts, and showed as example the works made by Israel regarding Al Aqsa Mosque. Arafat said Israeli administration launched initiatives to open the courtyard of the mosque for the worship of Jews. He said they witness dangerous developments, adding that this shows Israel's desire to try to take over and administer these sites.

Arafat said this issue interests not only the Palestinian people but all the Arabs, moslems, christians, and all humanity. He said they expected support from the Turkish president, government and the people. Arafat said they wanted the holy places to be protected.

Pointing out that they respected the beliefs of Jews and that they did not oppose to the worship of Jews, Arafat said they respected the religious ceremonies of Jews.

Palestinian leader pointed out that Turkish soldiers were assigned in peace forces in the West Bank city of Hebron and thanked to Turkey for its support.

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