Anadolu Agency: News in English, 00-08-07

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ANADOLU AGENCY

NEWS

07

AUGUST 2000 Monday

CONTENTS

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

[02] STATE MINISTER MIRZAOGLU RETURNS TO TURKEY

[03] LABOUR AND SOCIAL SECURITY MINISTER OKUYAN: -''PERMANENT HOUSING UNITS WILL BE FINALIZED BY NEW YEAR''

[04] MOTORSPORTS -MASTER RALLY-2000 ENDS IN ISTANBUL

[05] TEBA AND DAIKIN TO COOPERATE IN PRODUCTION OF AIR-CONDITIONERS

[06] MODERNIZATION OF RAILWAYS

[07] TOWARDS POPULATION CENSUS

[08] CAKMAKOGLU, NATIONAL DEFENSE MINISTER, LEAVES FOR MOLDOVA

[09] FIRST LEKTON PEACE AND FRIENSHIP FEAST TO BE HELD IN BABAKALE

[10] CULTURE MINISTRY TO HOST FIVE AMERICAN COUPLES IN TURKEY

[11] EXCAVATIONS IN ANCIENT SHAPINUVA SITE LAUNCHED

[12] THREE MINERS DIE BECAUSE OF GAS POISONING IN DENIZLI MINE

[13] YUCELEN SAYS STATE SHOULD TRANSFER SALT PRODUCTION TO PRIVATE SECTOR COMPLETELY

[14] COMPEX 25TH INTERNATIONAL COMPUTER FAIR TO BE HELD IN ISTANBUL

[15] ANTALYA DELEGATION SIGNS COOPERATION PROTOCOLS WITH UKRAINE AND ESTONIA

[16] JAPANESE CONSUL GENERAL VISITS IZMIR MAYOR PIRISTINA

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

MILAS TO HOST TURKISH AND JAPANESE STATUE SYMPOSIUM
Turkish and Japanese sculptors will meet in a symposium, staged by Milas Municipality and Mimar Sinan University on August 10. A total of four Turkish and three Japanese sculptors are expected to attend the symposium. Fevzi Topuz, the Mayor of Milas Mayor, said, ''the symposium will make a valuable contribution to further improve friendly relations between Turkey and Japan. It will be an important step in reciprocal exchange of culture.''

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

BESIKTAS TO PLAY WITH LOCOMOTIV MOSCOW OF RUSSIA
Besiktas will play the first leg of third qualifying round of the European Champions League with Locomotiv Moscow of Russia on Tuesday.

SABAH (LIBERAL)

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

BREAKDOWN OF TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS IN LAST 44 YEARS
The latest research of Prof. Dr. Ridvan Ege, the Chairman of the Traffic Accidents Assistance Foundation of Turkey, put forward the breakdown of traffic accidents in last 44 years. According to the research, a total of 196,677 people were killed and 2,047,000 people were injured in 4,320,000 traffic accidents.

RADIKAL (LEFT)

YENİ BİNYIL (LIBERAL)

PROTEST TO PASSAGE OF TANKER FROM THE STRAIT
Zafer Murat Cetintas, Chairman of Nature Warriors Environmentalist Organization, said Bahamian flagged ''SG Enterprise,'' which passed from the Istanbul Strait, formed an ''element of danger,'' because of its volume and size. He said Turkey should be more careful during the return of the ship, and noted that not only the strait but the bridges should be closed to the traffic. Cetintas called on everybody to protect the Strait.

TURKIYE (RIGHT)

Pointing out that Turkey was not adequately ready for the conditions of the new world, Bahceli said, ''the opportunities presented by the history to our country should not be missed. It is not difficult for a Turkey, who completed its socio-economic development and industrialization, to become a global force.

TEMPERATURES TO INCREASE AGAIN
Temperatures which have been at seasonal averages in the last week, will rise again over seasonal averages starting on Monday.

State Meteorology Directorate announced that the temperatures will increase between 1 and 3 degrees Celcius in central and eastern parts of Turkey. After Wednesday, the temperatures will rise between 2 and 4 degrees in the western regions.

BURGER KING DEVELOPS QUICKLY
The number of Burger King fast-food restaurants which first opened in Turkey in 1995 have reached 100 all over the country.

Burger King General Director Alp Gurdil said they are targeting to have 300 restaurants within the country by 2005. ''Turkish people quickly adopted hygenic, quality and taste standards offered by international restaurants, '' he said. ''Therefore it seems like people who have a tradition of eating out will start eating at fast-food restaurants more. Moreover, some fast- food products might suit the taste of the Turkish cuisine.''

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

LABOR UNIONS IGNORED
The government which approved the international agreements on labor union rights of the civil servants ignored the labor unions in the new salary system. The government did not have the opinion of the labor unions which are still not informed on the new system.

PRESIDENT DOES NOT HAVE TO APPROVE IT
Jurists reacted the attempts to have President Ahmet Necdet Sezer approve by force the decree having the power of law which allows dismissal of civil servants without court decision. Jurists think that regulations were under control of the Council of State while the Constitutitonal Court gave the final decision about the decrees having the power of law. There were many decisions taken by the Supreme Court against the decrees having the power of law and some of those decisions were approved by President Sezer.

[02] STATE MINISTER MIRZAOGLU RETURNS TO TURKEY

Mirzaoglu attended launching ceremony of cargo ship ''Aysen,'' constructed in Japan's Tsuneishi Shipyard by Yasa Maritime Company.

Speaking at Istanbul's Ataturk Airport in his return from Japan, Mirzaoglu said he reached an agreement with Hajima Morita, Japanese Transportation Minister, to improve bilateral relations in the maritime field.

Mirzaoglu said he invited Morita to Turkey, adding that he also visited Japanese Prince Mikasa.

Stressing that he reiterated that Turkish-Japanese friendship was in further dimensions, Mirzaoglu said, ''Japan stands in front of us as the most important trade, economic, and cultural partner.''

[03] LABOUR AND SOCIAL SECURITY MINISTER OKUYAN: -''PERMANENT HOUSING UNITS WILL BE FINALIZED BY NEW YEAR''

Okuyan visited Kaytazdere, Subasi, Tokmak, Hersek, Ayazma, Karadere, Fevziye, Aktoprak, Sermayecik, Tevfikiye, Orencik and Ahmediye villages in Altinova township of quake-stricken Yalova province.

Okuyan stressed, ''we are doing our utmost to heal wounds of quake survivors. Yalova experienced one of the worst disasters of the 20th century. Nearly three thousand people lost their lives. Five thousand people were rescued alive from rubble of collapsed buildings. 20 thousand families have been living in tents, makeshift huts and prefabricated huts for months.''

He added, ''a huge family appeared in Yalova in the wake of the quake disaster. We all a member of this family. Permanent housing units constructed for quake survivors, will be finalized this year, and they will be distributed to the quake survivors by the new year.''

[04] MOTORSPORTS -MASTER RALLY-2000 ENDS IN ISTANBUL

In the automobile category, Servia-Lurkin of Spain ranked first, Kleineschmidt-Tolner of Germany came second and they were followed by Dalevaregne-Dubo of France.

Ali Deveci-Galip Gurel of Turkey came sixth in the automobile category at the Master Rally-2000 which finished at the Sultanahmet Square.

In the motorcycle category, Meoni of Italy ranked first, Degavardo of Chile came second and Cox of South Africa followed them.

Suleyman Memnun of Turkey ranked 20th in the motorcycle category.

Only two teams finished the rally in the truck category.

Kamaz of Russia came first and Romen of Romania came second in the truck category.

A total of 51 motorcycles, 37 automobiles and 5 trucks from 20 countries attended the Master Rally-2000 leg of the World Off-Road Championship.

These teams reached the finish in Istanbul after riding nearly seven thousand kilometers in the courses including Germany, Austria, Hungary, Romania and Turkey.

[05] TEBA AND DAIKIN TO COOPERATE IN PRODUCTION OF AIR-CONDITIONERS

TEBA Holding's Air-Conditioner Group Chairman Mustafa Baygan said that they had been a distributor of Daikin in Turkey for 26 years, and that technical delegations from the Daikin would visit Turkey within the frame work of their unofficial decision.

Noting that as a result of appropriate infrastructure of TEBA factories which were established in free trade zones made Turkey a center of production for all European, Mediterranean, North African countries, Russia and Turkish Republics, Baygan said, ''Turkey is the country which has the conditions for sale of 450 thousand air-conditioners. With this respect, Daikin technical delegations will come to Turkey on August 18.''

[06] MODERNIZATION OF RAILWAYS

Speaking to the A.A correspondent, State Railways (TCDD) Third Region Directorate Chairman Orhan Yildirim said on Monday that the modernization project for the 78 kilomenters railway in Izmir was a 26-month project, adding that five-month part of the project was concluded.

Yildirim said that the modernization project would cost 200 million U.S. dollars.

''Spanish companies will carry out the electrification renovation while Japanese companies will undertake signalization renovation. The works will start in September, laying the foundation of the first electric speed train in Turkey,'' he added.

[07] TOWARDS POPULATION CENSUS

Sefik Yildizeli, the Chairman of DIE, told the A.A correspondent that all preparations for the population cencus would be finalized till the end of August.

He noted that a curfew would be established throughout Turkey during the population cencus.

Noting that 910 thousand people would serve as counting and control officials in the census, Yildizeli pointed out, ''20 trillion TL has been allocated for the census. But we need an supplementary appropriation of 6 trillion TL.''

He said, ''three minutes are required to count each person. Each person will be asked 43 questions. One control official will be responsible for ten counting officials.''

Yildizeli stressed that they estimated the result of the population cencus as 65.3 million.

Yildizeli said, ''construction systems of buildings and their ages will also be determined in the population cencus. This data can be used as a source for the quake action plan.''

[08] CAKMAKOGLU, NATIONAL DEFENSE MINISTER, LEAVES FOR MOLDOVA

Speaking at Ankara's Etimesgut Military Airport, Cakmakoglu said with the visit, they would have the facility to share regional and international policies mutually with Moldova.

Cakmakoglu noted that they wanted to improve Turkish-Moldovan relations through high level visits.

''Preparation works in this respect have been completed. We will sign the Defense Industry Cooperation Agreement during the visit,'' he noted.

Cakmakoglu said he is schduled to meet with Moldovan President, Parliament Speaker, Prime Minister, Foreign Minister, and Energy Minister. ''I believe that this visit will further improve relations.''

Responding to a question regarding the date of the tender of military strike helicopter, Cakmakoglu said, ''according to the course of our talks, we will be in an effort to reach a solution in the possible soonest time. No specific time has been given.''

[09] FIRST LEKTON PEACE AND FRIENSHIP FEAST TO BE HELD IN BABAKALE

Officials of Canakkale Municipality's Festival Committee told A.A correspondent on Monday that the ''37th Canakkale Troy Festival'' which will be held between August 10 and 15, will be launched by activities to be staged in Babakale on August 9.

The officials said that local Turkish and Greek singers give concerts in the feast.

Canakkale Mayor Ismail Ozay and Aristovoulos Elefterio, mayor of Kalloni city in Lesvos, will make speeches in the feast, the officials noted.

The officials added that peace torches will be lit in Babakale Cape and Molivos holiday resort of Lesvos and firework shows will be performed in the end of the feast.

Meanwhile, initiatives are launched to form Turkish-Greek Friendship Association in Canakkale.

Journalist Orhan Mutay, speaking on behalf of Turkish-Greek Friendship Association Enterpreneurs, said that they target at contributing to rapproachment between two nations by forming this association.

[10] CULTURE MINISTRY TO HOST FIVE AMERICAN COUPLES IN TURKEY

A Culture Ministry statement said on Monday that Sherry Milliken, Marilyn Brownyohn, Sherry Fish, Barbara Flanagurt and Ryan Kimmel, who visited the Ministry's web-site within framework of web-site's promotion in the U.S., won one-week Turkey holiday and that they can bring one of their relatives with them.

The statement noted that these people will be taken to Nevsehir, Istanbul, Ankara and Antalya, and they will visit the historical sites and natural beauties of Turkey.

The Turkish Union of Travelling Agencies (TURSAB) and Turkish Airlines (THY) will buy return ticket of the guests, the statement stressed.

The statement added that the Culture Ministry will meet the costs of the daily excursions of the guests.

The Culture Ministry has a web-site titled ''www.kultur.gov.tr'' in which it serves in Turkish, British, German, Russian, and French.

Almost two million people visit this web-site.

[11] EXCAVATIONS IN ANCIENT SHAPINUVA SITE LAUNCHED

Sources told A.A correspondent that the excavations will be headed by Aygul Suel, a lecturer of Ankara University's Language, History and Geography Faculty, and Mustafa Suel, a lecturer of Gazi University.

The sources said that the excavations will be carried in a zone from where a big temple is expected to be unearthed.

Suel said that the excavations in which 11 students and eight workers will take part, will continue for almost three months.

Suel noted that ancient Shapinuva site was found when surface researches were held in 1990 and that they have been carrying out excavations in the site for eight seasons.

They have unearthed three thousand 500 tablets during excavations, Suel stated.

Suel stressed that when they examined the tablets, they understood that the name of this site was Shapinuva in 14th century B.C.

Suel continued, ''Hittite King used this place as an administrative center. Shapinuva was the capital city of the Hittites like the Hattusas. We have found religious texts, fortune-telling texts and lists during our excavations. These tablets included political, administrative, military and religious issues. Letters written by kings, queens, and officials were found in the archives.''

Shapinuva, which was used as a military and administrative center, had strategical importance those days, Suel emphasized.

Suel said, ''the Hittites dispatched soldiers from this city and this city had never fallen to enemies. The Hittites were polytheist. Their biggest God was the God of Storm. There were 11 tablets including prayers for repentance to the god. These could only be written by priests.''

They learned from the tablets that the Hittites were very sensitive about cleanness and many people died of cholera and plague epidemics, Suel noted.

Suel stated that the ancient site was burnt down to ashes in a fire.

[12] THREE MINERS DIE BECAUSE OF GAS POISONING IN DENIZLI MINE

Three miners died at 200 meter depth when they went down the mine without running the ventilation system.

Denizli acting governor Orhan Yucesoy told A.A correspondent that they will make a statement to the press after the Prosecutorship's teams complete their investigation at the mine.

[13] YUCELEN SAYS STATE SHOULD TRANSFER SALT PRODUCTION TO PRIVATE SECTOR COMPLETELY

Yucelen came to Sereflikochisar on the occasion of raw salt production season's beginning. Yucelen visited Sereflikochisar Head Official Salih Keser and was briefed about the township's problems.

Drawing attention to the pollution in the Tuz Lake, Keser said natural gas storing facilities should be set up under the lake. In response, Yucelen said storing natural gas was a technical matter and where it will be set up will become certain following the drills. Yucelen also stated that pollution in the Tuz Lake was no longer only Turkey's problem but the problem of the world.

Yucelen noted that under the coordination of the Ministers Council and the Environment Ministry of the 55th government, a committee started working on a project to protect the Tuz Lake against environmental pollution.

The 55th government also passed an official permission to use 5,5 trillion TL foreign resource and the Environment Ministry has completed all the activities needed in this field. ''We recently presented information to the Ministers Council. I believe that there will be a bidding in the coming days,'' he said.

Tekel uses a big part of its investment budget to salt fields and it invested 5,9 trillion TL in the last three years, Yucelen noted. He also stressed that they will take measures to prevent the imported salt from exceeding the amount of salt produced at the Tuz Lake.

''The state should not deal with salt production from now on,'' he went on to say. ''It should be transferred to the private sector completely. What we want is to form the infrastructure and set up a system in which our salt can compete with imported salt. We want to transfer salt production to private sector without hurting people who make their living from this field.'' Yucelen called on the private sector to make the necessary preparations in this area. ''The state is ready to withdraw from both lake and sea salt fields,'' he added.

Later, Yucelen visited Sereflikochisar mayor Nevzat Kilicaslan who told Yucelen that the government should pass a law to include salt in the Mineral Law.

Yucelen later attended a ceremony held at Kaldirim Salt Facilities. Noting that between 70,000 and 80,000 people make their living from this facility, Yucelen said salt production should continue and it should reach a level where it can compete with imported salt.

Tekel General Director Mehmet Akbay who also spoke at the ceremony said they produce salt at 20 salt fields and they have already started transfering the salt fields to the private sector if they are no longer run by Tekel.

Turkey's annual salt production is 2 million 875 tons, Akbay said and noted that 68 percent of this is provided by lake salt fields.

[14] COMPEX 25TH INTERNATIONAL COMPUTER FAIR TO BE HELD IN ISTANBUL

Representatives from hardware and software companies, internet service providers, electronic product stores, telecommunication firms, sectoral distribution firms, press institutions, universities and associations will participate in the fair.

Arcelik, Beko, Bogazici Computer, Compaq, Escort, Microsoft, Toshiba, Vestel, Superonline, Turkport, Turk Nokta Net, Milliyet, Sabah, and Yeni Binyil will be among the participants.

Compex will be the first fair that is going to be organized at Lutfi Kirdar Rumeli Fair Center.

[15] ANTALYA DELEGATION SIGNS COOPERATION PROTOCOLS WITH UKRAINE AND ESTONIA

In a written statement made from Antalya Municipality, it was stated that Kumbul, Kepez mayor Mehmet Atay, Antalya Trade and Chamber Union Chairman Tunay Altinpinar returned home from Ukraine.

The delegation signed bilateral protocols of good intention with Ukranian and Estonian municipalities and trade chambers to set up business cooperation. As a part of these protocols, the sides will determine study fields and later form study groups to run the projects.

The statement said Ukraine, Turkey and Estonia have planned to set up an international tourism complex which will be a model in tourism training and management. During the meetings it was also decided to set up a bus company for tourists of middle income and the buses will follow Stockholm, Narva, Kiev, Hyichevsk, Antalya, and Jerusalem route.

It was stated that there will be a meeting on September 27-30 in Antalya where the attenders will discuss the development and coordination of these projects.

[16] JAPANESE CONSUL GENERAL VISITS IZMIR MAYOR PIRISTINA

During the visit, Wada said that Turkey and Japan should work to develop good relations.

Noting that he was appointed to his post four months ago, Wada said he is touring the region to get to know the cities better.

Wada also said that Japanese tourists are pleased about the special attention they receive from the Turkish people.

Piristina said during the meeting that he is ready to contribute to Turkish- Japanese relations.

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