Anadolu Agency: News in English, 00-08-17

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ANADOLU AGENCY

NEWS

17

AUGUST 2000 Thursday

-TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

These are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in Turkey's press on August 17, 2000. The Anadolu Ajansi does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

The paper didn't leave alone the quake victims on the first anniversary of the massive earthquake that took place in Marmara region on August 17. The editorial meeting of the newspaper was held at the back of the six-storey building which collapsed in Golcuk. Ismail Barıs, the mayor of Golcuk also attended the meeting. At the meeting the problems of hundred thousands of quake victims were discussed.

SEZER IN QUAKE HIT REGION

President Ahmet Necdet Sezer will be with quake victims today. Sezer, who will first lay the foundation of the 294 permanent housing units in Sakarya that will be built by the contributions of Kayseri governorship, will later go to Yalova and Kocaeli provinces, which were devastated by the strong quake.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

Oya Akgonenc from the Virtue Party (FP) who criticized Turkey harshly at the U.N. meeting drew a lot of reaction from all political parties. The State Security Court (DGM) has started an investigation about her. Her words also caused confusion within her own party. FP Deputy leader Ertan Yulek said ''neither Arabs nor Kurds are a minority.'' Claiming that her words were misunderstood, Akgonenc said at the U.N. meeting that freedom of expression was limited in Turkey regardless of people's origin. ''I didn't use the word 'minority','' she stressed.

WE DIDN'T TAKE A LESSON

A survey carried out by Istanbul University revealed a striking reality. About 70 percent of quake survivors still think the earthquake was ''a punishment of god'' , ''destiny'', or a sign of the ''doomsday.'' There is also a general pessimism among the quake survivors. More than 30 percent of those who were interviewed said ''their lives will never be like it was before.''

SABAH (LIBERAL)

President Ahmet Necdet Sezer met with Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit yesterday. ''We had a good meeting with Premier Ecevit,'' said Sezer after the meeting. Sezer is expected to come together with Gen. Huseyin Kıvrıkoglu, the Chief of General Staff tomorrow. Many people started to believe that Sezer will sign the decree having the force of law on dismissal of civil servants and send the issue to the Constitutional Court. If this is the case, the government will be confident in the National Security Council (NSC) meeting.

FEHRIYE FREE, BUT WITH ONE CONDITION

Fehriye Erdal, who is tried in Belgium and who is one of the suspects of Ozdemir Sabancı assassination that took place in 1996, was released from the prison last night for a temporary period and on condition. Erdal will be kept under custody in a house whose address will kept confidential.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit had a meeting with President Ahmet Necdet Sezer at 11.30 a.m. on Wednesday. During the 30 minute meeting, Sezer said he was saddened by the comments made about the ''appointment crisis''. During the meeting Ecevit briefed Sezer about PKK and Hezbollah sympathizers who leaked into the public sector and once again stressed that these people should be dismissed from their jobs. After the meeting, Ecevit told reporters that Sezer is still examining the legal explanation for the decree the government has presented to him and he refrained from making further comments before Sezer finishes studying this report.

IMPORTANT SIGN FOR REFORMS

Turkey signed the two UN conventions which foresee recognizing the self- determination right of minorities as well as their cultural and political rights. A high level official from the EU Commission said they regarded this as an important sign showing that there will be important progress in Turkey's political reforms. Foreign Ministry spoke in favour of the two UN conventions and stressed that these conventions would not bring Turkey more commitment.

RADIKAL (LEFT)

The difficulty caused by the decree having the force of law (KHK) on dismissal of civil servants between the President and the government, couldn't overcome again in the meeting between Premier Bulent Ecevit and the President Ahmet Necdet Sezer yesterday. President Sezer tells everybody that the view of the government which urges the President to sign the decree is not legal. Sezer told his close friends after his meeting with Premier Ecevit that he wouldn't sign the decree.

DEATH PENALTY AND ARTICLE 312 TO BE ABOLISHED

At last Turkey signed ''Convention on Political and Civil Rights'' and ''Convention on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights'' adopted by the United Nations and which entered into force in 1976. The Foreign Ministry stressed that an important deficiency was overcome. ''Terrorist countries'' like Iraq, Iran, Syria and Libya are among the countries which didn't sign the two Covenants. When the two Covenants are ratified by the government, the death penalty and Article 312 of the Turkish Penal Code will inevitably be abolished.

YENİ BİNYIL (LIBERAL)

One year passed since the massive earthquake that hit Marmara region. However no single family settled in a permanent housing unit and the death toll and the number of missing couldn't be determined clearly. The Council of Ministers will convene today and explain the things that were done throughout the year. All Turkey, including the ministers, wonders what the government will tell to people.

ECEVIT SPEAKS TO PRESIDENT

Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit, who met with the President yesterday, said that the President Ahmet Necdet Sezer has just completed his examination about the information note submitted to him for the second time regarding the Decree Having the Force of Law (KHK) on dismissal of civil servants. Ecevit noted that he discussed the general problems of the country and he gave information to the President about the quake.

TURKIYE (RIGHT)

Suspect of the Sabanci assasination, Fehriye Erdal was released from the Bruges Prison in Belgium. Authorities are looking for a third country to accept Erdal who will be staying in a house whose address will be kept confidential. Erdal will remain under custody. Justice Minsiter Hikmet Sami Turk wrote a letter to his Belgian counterpart Marc Verwilghen and said he has difficulty in understanding why Erdal's crime was considered political.

GATES:''TURKEY IS AN EXAMPLE COUNTRY''

Solution 2000 Project which was developed by leading firms of information technologies under the leadership of Microsoft Turkiye has been elected as the ''best application'' at the Microsoft Global Summit in the U.S. city of Atlanta. Microsoft Cooperation Chairman Bill Gates praised Solution 2000 which aims to make Turkish small and medium scale enterprises to catch the information age and said the project should be also applied in other countries.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

Thousands of people held candles, waved black flags or simply wept in silence early Thursday as Turkey marked the first anniversary of a devastating earthquake that hit Marmara region on August 17, 1999. People gathered in central squares in hard-hit towns and sirens sounded at 3:02 a.m. to mark the moment that the quake devastated parts of western Turkey, collapsing many houses.

-COMMEMORATION CEREMONIES HELD ALL OVER TURKEY

ON FIRST ANNIVERSARY OF MASSIVE MARMARA QUAKE

GOLCUK/IZMIT/YALOVA/ADAPAZARI/ISTANBUL/ANKARA/DUZCE/BURSA - Thousands of people held candles, waved black flags or simply wept in silence early Thursday as Turkey marked the first anniversary of a devastating earthquake that hit Marmara region on August 17, 1999.

People gathered in central squares in hard-hit towns and sirens sounded at 3:02 a.m. to mark the moment that the quake devastated parts of western Turkey, collapsing many houses.

Thousands of people who gathered at Golcuk Anıtpark (the Memorial Park) paid a minute of silence for those people who died in the massive quake one year ago.

Imams prayed and Golcuk people commemorated the local people who died in the quake for 20 minutes and later they returned to their prefabricated huts.

In Yalova, people gathered and observed minutes of silence in Hacımehmet Plain at 03.02 a.m. where thousands of people died.

Speaking in the Plain in the name of the quake victims, a citizen namely Yuksel Er who was rescued from the wreckage of a collapsed building after four days following the quake, said that people died and they lost their right to life by the mistakes people did.

''Negligence is not the destiny. We won't forgive those who were responsible,'' Er said.

After the ceremony in Hacımehmet Plain, thousands of people went to the memorial and laid a black wreath in tears there by the flambeaus and candles in their hands.

Relatives of those who died during the earthquake at Camlik blocks in Cinarcik township of Yalova which were built by contractor Veli Gocer observed a minute of silence and remembered their loved ones.

Quake survivors who gathered around the rubbles of Camlik blocks later read out a press statement. About 500 residents of Camlik blocks had died in the disaster because of poor construction. Quake survivors said that ''local executives are also as guilty as Veli Gover who built the blocks.''

Kenan Cakal who lost his child in the quake said Gocer gave long ads in newspapers promoting his payment alternatives in reasonable instalments. Noting that local executives are also responsible for what happened, Cakal said the buildings were neither inspected nor given any kind of licence.

Another quake survivor Salim Cakir who also lost a son said Ismet Kose Balan who is Gocer's partner is still not caught. ''This country who was able to capture the head of the terrorist organization failed to catch Ismet Kose for one year. We also want Cinarcik mayor Ahmet Yasar Birinci to be tried with Veli Gover,'' he said.

The people who died in the massive quake were also commemorated in Adapazarı province. Minister of Public Works and Housing Koray Aydın; Transportation Minister Enis Oksuz, True Path Party (DYP) leader Tansu Ciller

and thousands of people participated in the ceremonies in Adapazarı.

Sirens sounded all over the city and quake victims prayed for their relatives who died in the massive quake. They later dispersed in silence.

Ceremonies were also held in Istanbul particularly in Avcılar district of Istanbul where people died in the quake.

Citizens carried banners written ''Don't Sleep Turkey,'' ''Responsibles Before Justice,'' ''I Want My Future,'' ''We Won't Forget'' ''Money for Qake Victims not for Guns'' on them and they put carnations in the square near a collapsed building where nine persons died in Avcılar district.

A total of 80 persons who gathered in front of the stand in Taksim Gezi Park which was full of photographs taken in the quake hit region, also paid respect for those who died in the quake.

Citizens also held commemoration ceremonies in many places of Istanbul particularly in Besiktas, Bakırkoy and Kadıkoy districts.

An activity was also held in Guven Park in Kızılay, Ankara in the memory of those who died in the Marmara quake.

People in western Bursa province also staged activities and they commemorated the ones who died in the quake.

In Duzce, people who wore clothes in black toured the city in their cars at 03.02 a.m.

-ADIYAMAN ALREADY EXCEEDS LAST YEAR'S TOURISM FIGURES

ADIYAMAN - Adiyaman which has important cultural treasures including the ruins remaining from the Kommagene Kingdom is having a good tourism season this year.

Adiyaman Tourism Acting Director Fehmi Eraslan said Adiyaman was visited by 34,000 Turkish and foreign tourists in 1999, and this year as of August 15, a total of 35,000 tourists came to see the city. He said he is expecting this number to reach 50,000 by the end of this year. ''The rise in the number of tourists is mostly due to the maintenance of peace and tranquility in the region.''

The tourists who come to Adiyaman first visit the ruins at Nemrut Mountain in Kahta township, he said and added that the tourists are mesmerized by the mysterious king and god sculptures. ''Other places of interest are Karakus Hill, Old Kahta Walls, Arsemia, Pirin Caves, rock tombs, Old Besni and many other places.''

The Nemrut Mountain, which was included in UNESCO's World Cultural Heritage List, is known as the best place to watch the sunrise and the sunset in the world.

-EXPORTS TO TURKISH REPUBLICS FROM SOUTHEAST TURKEY

GAZIANTEP - Agricultural products worth of 20 million dollars were exported to the Turkish Republics from Southeast Anatolian region in seven months this year.

The exports to the same republics were worth of 21,2 million dollars in the same period last year.

Uzbekistan comes the first with 7,6 million dollars, Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan follow it respectively with 4,6 and 4,2 billion dollars in importing goods from Southeast Turkey.

-FIRST ANNIVERSARY OF MASSIVE EARTHQUAKE

-MORE THAN 300 PEOPLE STILL MISSING

IZMIT - Ali Kundakcı, the Chairman of the Aid Association for Quake Victim Children in Izmit said on Wednesday that they couldn't still find more than 300 missing people following the massive quake in Marmara region.

Speaking to A.A correspondent, Kundakcı said that ''we believe that the missing people could have been trapped by drug, prostitution mafia or children smuggling mafia.''

''Officially 62 people seem missing, but we know that there are more than 300 people who are still missing. I don't know how we will find them. We couldn't reach any result till today,'' he noted.

-COUNCIL OF MINISTERS CONVENES

ANKARA - The Council of Ministers convened at 11.00 a.m. on Thursday under the leadership of Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit.

The Ministers will discuss the massive Marmara quake which took place in Turkey on August 17, 1999.

Premier Ecevit started to make a general evaluation about the quake disaster at the beginning of the cabinet meeting.

-IN FIRST SEVEN MONTHS, 1.4 MILLION U.S. DOLLARS OF

VEGETAL AND INDUSTRIAL OIL EXPORTED FROM KAYSERI

KAYSERI - The Erciyes Oil Industry and Trade Corp. (ERYAG) based in central Kayseri province exported 1 million 400 thousand U.S. dollars of vegetal and industrial oil in the first seven months of 2000.

Abdullah Keskinkilic, the Chairman of Executive Board of ERYAG, told the A.A correspondent on Thursday that they exported 30 percent of vegetal oil they produced.

Noting that they exported 2,300 tonnes of vegetal and industrial oil to Romania, Israel, Iraq, Turkmenistan and Mersin Free Trade Area, Kenkinkilic said that they obtained an income of 1 million 400 thousand U.S. dollars.

Keskinkilic added that they aimed at increasing the export of oil up to 2 million U.S. dollars till the end of the year.

-INVESTIGATION CONNECTED WITH ''MATADOR

OPERATION''

ANKARA - Ankara State Security Court (DGM) Republican Prosecutor Talat Salk who carries out the investigation connected with the ''Matador Operation'', said on Thursday that the Istanbul Security Department police officers who were claimed to have aided and abetted the Cetinkaya gang, could be taken into custody.

Speaking to the A.A correspondent, Salk said that the situation of the police officers could be the explanation of the crimes and secrets by them.

Salk said it was undestood that the gang and the police officers had helped each other for their interests.

Prosecutor Salk said that the side who identified the police officers was not Urfi Cetinkaya but the other suspects.

Noting that he did not think the court would take a decision for lack of jurisdiction as in the ''Parachute Case'', Salk said, ''smuggling could have been carried out from everywhere like Istanbul, Izmir or other provinces.''

When asked of his opinion about the allegation that Cetinkaya's Spanish partner informed the police against him, Salk said that they did not have only the information given by Cetinkaya's Spanish partner but also the technical information they collected.

''It won't be easy for Urfi Cetinkaya. He will be tried also about the case in Mersin,'' the Prosecutor said.

Salk said that Cetinkaya's Dutch and Portugese partners also had evidences proving Cetinkaya's involvement in drug trafficking.

Salk added that there was not any Iranian in the gang.

-COUNCIL OF MINISTERS MEETING (1)

-PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT:

-''TWO MASSIVE EARTHQUAKES WHICH DEVASTATED MARMARA REGION

ON AUGUST 17 AND NOVEMBER 12 ARE AMONG THE WORST DISASTERS

IN OUR HISTORY''

ANKARA - Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said on Thursday, ''two massive earthquakes which devastated Marmara Region on August 17 and November 12, 1999, are among the worst disasters in our history and in the world history.''

Addressing journalists prior to the Council of Ministers' meeting which convened on the first anniversary of the August 17 earthquake disaster, Prime Minister Ecevit said, ''a total of 18,243 people were killed while 48, 901 others were injured in these two earthquakes. Meanwhile, 377,879 dwellings and business places suffered damage.''

Stressing that two massive earthquakes which devastated Marmara Region on August 17 and November 12, 1999, are among the worst disasters in their history and in the world history, Prime Minister Ecevit expressed his condolences and implored God's strength upon who are grieving for their beloved ones.

Prime Minister Ecevit thanked all Turkish and foreign people who rushed to the quake-stricken area to heal wounds of quake survivors.

Stressing that there were scientific and technical methods to reduce negative effects of natural disasters, Prime Minister Ecevit said, ''we have learnt our lessons from these two deadly earthquakes. We evaluated measures to be taken. We have accelerated works to prevent jerry-built houses and to make search and rescue teams more active. The Council of Ministers and all other relevant public institutions together with the Turkish Armed Forces, the Civil Defense Organization, mining workers and Turkish and foreign rescue teams could set up a productive cooperation. Our state proved its power. We have succeeded in meeting quake survivors' accomadation and food requirements.''

''A total of 17,480 people were killed while 43,953 others were injured when the first massive earthquake hit at 03:02 a.m. on August 17, 1999. A total of 763 people were killed while 4,948 others were injured in the second massive earthquake. A total of 18,243 people were killed while 48, 901 others were injured in both earthquakes. 10 provinces having a population of nearly 16 million, were affected by the August 17 earthquake. Meanwhile, a total of 377,879 buildings including 329,216 dwellings and 48, 663 business places suffered damage. The earthquakes also damaged production facilities in the region,'' Prime Minister Ecevit said.

''According to the survey carried out by the State Institute of Statistics in October 1999, production loss was 2.4 billion U.S. dollars in four provinces which were badly affected by the disasters,'' he noted.

Prime Minister Ecevit recalled that all works in the wake of the quake disasters were carried out in coordination among the Prime Ministry Crisis Management Center, the General Staff, the Commanderships of Land, Air and Naval Forces, ministries, public institutions and provincial crisis centers.

(To be continued)

-EMINZADE, IRANIAN DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER, DUE IN TURKEY

ANKARA - Muhsin Eminzade, the Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister, will come to Turkey next week to hold political consultations.

Releasing a statement, the Foreign Ministry said on Thursday that Eminzade would pay a visit to Turkey between August 21-23.

Eminzade is scheduled to meet with Faruk Logoglu, the Undersecretary of Foreign Ministry.

Eminzade's contacts in Turkey are expected to focus on bilateral, regional and international issues.

-COUNCIL OF MINISTERS' MEETING (2)

-PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT LISTS OFFICIAL

AID EFFORTS FOR QUAKE-STRICKEN REGION

ANKARA - Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said on Thursday that a total of 165, 239 tents were distributed, 162 tent-cities were erected and construction of almost 40 thousand permanent housing units started after the massive earthquakes on August 17 and November 12, 1999.

Prior to Council of Ministers' meeting, Prime Minister Ecevit staged a press conference and listed official aid efforts for quake-stricken region.

Ecevit said that the Turkish Armed Forces' 64 thousand personnel were assigned in the region after the quakes, and they served in several fields from search and rescue efforts, transfer of the wounded to hospitals, construction of tent-cities to distribution of aid equipment.

Ecevit said that the Public Works and Settlement Ministry constructed nearly 30,600, private sector companies and non-governmental organizations erected 12,500 and foreign countries set up 43 thousand prefabricated huts in the region.

Ecevit said that prefabricated huts of the Public Works and Settlement Ministry were finalized by the end of November 1999 and handed over to quake survivors.

Ecevit said that 8,590 quake-survivors were settled in public social facilities and guest houses in the winter.

''Construction of 7,213 of the mass housing units in the region was finalized with special source. Construction of almost 40 thousand permanent housing units has started. Six billion Turkish lira (TL) real estate loan was extended to each of 1,098 quake-survivors, and with this objective, 11 trillion 748 billion TL was paid,'' he said.

''Meanwhile, 13 trillion 80 billion TL was paid in reinforcement and repair of buildings which suffered moderate damage. 600 million TL was allocated from the Social Assistance and Solidarity Fund to each of the 81,249 buildings which suffered minor damage, totalling up to 54 trillion 749 billion TL,'' the Prime Minister said.

(To be continued)

-COUNCIL OF MINISTERS' MEETING (3)

-PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT LISTS OFFICIAL

AID EFFORTS FOR QUAKE-STRICKEN REGION

ANKARA - Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said on Thursday that 215 trillion 329 billion Turkish lira (TL) social aid was extended to nearly 400 thousand people from the Social Assistance and Solidarity Fund after the massive earthquakes.

Prior to Council of Ministers' meeting, Prime Minister Ecevit staged a press conference and listed official aid efforts for quake-stricken region.

Ecevit said that public organizations like Rural Affaires, Motorways, Iller Bankasi, State Water Works (DSI), Pipeline Oil Transportation Corp (BOTAS), Turkish Coal Authority (TKI), Turkish Electricity Production and Tranmission Corp (TEAS), Turkish Electricity Distribution Corp (TEDAS) carried out infrastructural works and works to haul away the rubble of collapsed buildings.

Ecevit said that more than five thousand work machines of public organizations participated in those works.

Ecevit said that rubbles of 16,146 of the 16,970 buildings which collapsed or suffered serious damage were hauled away while the works to haul away the rubbles of the remaining 824 buildings were under way.

Noting that cost of the infrastructural investments that were finalized or under way only by the Iller Bankasi was 340 trillion TL, Ecevit said that shares of the municipalities were increased after the quake disasters.

Ecevit said that 104 trillion TL of supplementary appropriations were allocated to those municipalities between September 1999 and June 2000.

Ecevit said that electricity debts of buildings which collapsed or suffered serious damage were annuled and the debts of buildings which suffered minor or maderate damage were postponed or divided into instalments.

''Since October 1999, almost 120 thousand people have been given monthly 138.1 trillion TL accomodation aid, 91,249 people have been given 54.7 trillion TL repair aid, 12,104 people have been given 9 trillion death compansation, 161 people have been given 63.1 billion handicap aid, 14,327 people have been given 5.2 trillion TL business place aid. And 161,241 people have been given 18 trillion TL for their urgent requirements. Almost 400 thousand people have been given 215 trillion 329 billion TL social aid, '' he said.

''A 3.5 billion TL loan is being extended to the people whose buildings collapsed or suffered serious damage in villages, and 6 trillion TL loan is being extended to those in city-centers. The people whose buildings suffered moderate damage in villages receive 1.5 billion TL, and those in city-centers receive 2 billion TL loan for reinforcement and repair of their buildings,'' Ecevit said.

Ecevit said that people in quake-stricken region were offered several facilities to solve the legal disagreements stemming from the quake, adding that with this objective, the region was supported with 114 judges, 61 Republican prosecutors and 30 civil servants.

Ecevit said that 120-person ''search-rescue'' mobile teams which received special training and equipment were set up in 11 provinces.

Ecevit stated that 338,540 people received civil defense training in the programs organized between August 17, 1999 and July 2000.

Prime Minister Ecevit said that health services in the region were backed by many health personnel who were sento to the region after the quakes.

Noting that seven prefabricated hospitals, six health centers and three policlinics were set up, the Prime Minister said that they planned to build 14 hospitals and 36 health centers and to repair and reinforce 14 hospitals and 20 health centers.

''As a result of the measures we took, outburst of any epidemic was prevented,'' he said.

Ecevit said that 61 prefabricated schoold and 649 classrooms, and many tent- schools were set up in the region.

''A tender was opened for construction of 69 new schoolds. Repair of 2,658 classrooms was planned to be finalized in 2000. Within the scope of the Loan Agreement signed with the World Bank, 18 primary schools will be constructed and 50 others will be repaired. Construction of seven prefabricated schoold will be compeleted in 2000 with the source obtained from the Japanese government,'' he said.

''The number of teachers who left the region after the quakes was 4,777 while the number of teachers appointed in the region has reached 11,924. A total of 43,224 students have been enabled to continue their education at schools in other provinces,'' he said.

Ecevit said that 2,284 families received several aid with,n framework of the sister-family campaign, and the children and elderly people staying at social facilities in the region were transferred tp safe buildings, and 48 children, 37 handicapped and 84 elderly people were taken under protection.

Ecevit stated that every day, almost three thousand people including children and women were benefitting from the 27 nurseries, 2 rehabilitation centers, 11 youth centers, 17 social centers in the tent-cities and prefabricated housing areas.

(To be continued)

-COUNCIL OF MINISTERS' MEETING (4)

-PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT LISTS OFFICIAL

AID EFFORTS FOR QUAKE-STRICKEN REGION

ANKARA - Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said on Thursday, ''a total of 157 trillion 979 billion 486 million Turkish liras (TL) were collected in the central bank account. We paid 155 trillion 425 billion 648 million TL and 1 million 400 thousand U.S. dollars to meet quake survivors' need for shelter, tent and other urgent requirements.''

Addressing journalists prior to the Council of Ministers' meeting which convened on the first anniversary of the August 17 earthquake disaster, Prime Minister Ecevit said, ''all domestic and foreign financial aid had been collected in a central bank account in the wake of the two massive earthquakes on August 17 and November 12, 1999. A commission formed by the Prime Ministry and Finance Ministry officials and ministers inspected the stages of collection, evaluating and using the quake aids.''

''A total of 157 trillion 979 billion 486 million Turkish liras (TL) were collected in the central bank account. We used 155 trillion 425 billion 648 million Tl and 1 million 400 thousand U.S. dollars to meet quake survivors' need for shelter, tend and other urgent requirements. 2,466 truckloads of humanitarian aid arrived at the logistic support base. Nearly half of these trucks came from foreign countries. Nearly 10.5 million tonnes of foodstuff was sent to the quake-stricken area,'' Prime Minister Ecevit told reporters.

He said, ''in the wake of the 7.4-magnitude earthquake disaster on August 17, 1999, the Red Crescent dispatched 67,787 tents to the quake-hit area. 23,288 of these tents were provided from other countries through the Foreign Ministry. The Red Crescent distributed meal to 98,976 quake survivors for three times a day till the end of October 1999. Later, the Red Crescent continued to distribute meal to 70,059 people. The Red Crescent sent 1.7 million kg of foodstuff, 9,900 sleeping bags, 156,720 blankets, 129,430 cleaning material,

17,760 baby sets, 4,295 beds, 5,500 lamps, 55,300 stoves and 23,534 units of blood.''

''Following the second massive earthquake on November 12, 1999, the Red Crescent dispatched 29,367 tents, 150,906 blankets, 1 million kg of foodstuff, 10,626 kitchen sets, 45,818 sleeping bags, 30,781 mattresses, 5, 359 duvets, 51,488 beds, 42,490 stoves, 40,500 lamps, 420 portable toilets, 68,432 packages of cleaning material, 16 thousand packages of baby sets, 118 generators and 855 units of blood. The Red Crescent provided daily meal for 43,935 people,'' he noted.

Prime Minister Ecevit said, ''52 countries and four international organizations sent humanitarian and financial aid to the quake survivors through the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Federation.''

Ecevit told reporters, ''all projects which were not put out to tender, were delayed following the quake disasters. Sources allocated to these projects were sent to the quake-stricken area. The State Planning Organization has begun works to prepare a regional development plan. Tax debts of quake survivors were delayed. They were also given priority in employment.''

(End)

-TURKEY REPAYS 216.28 MILLION U.S. DOLLARS

IN FOREIGN DEBT BETWEEN AUGUST 1-16

ANKARA - Turkey repaid a total of 216.28 million U.S. dollars in foreign debt between August 1-16, 2000.

The Central Bank data shows that the Treasury repaid 148.90 million U.S. dollars; the Central Bank repaid 41.74 million U.S. dollars; the administrations with general and annexed budgets repaid 25.64 million U.S. dollars in foreign debt between August 1-16.

Meanwhile, a total of 6 billion 158.9 million U.S. dollars of foreign debt has been repaid since the beginning of the year.

-FOREIGN EXCHANGE RESERVES OF CENTRAL BANK

INCREASE BY 155 MILLION U.S. DOLLARS

ANKARA - The foreign exchange reserves of the Central Bank increased to 24 billion 535 million U.S. dollars.

The Central Bank data shows that the foreign exchange reserves, which rose by 155 million U.S. dollars between August 4 and 11, increased to 24 billion 535 million U.S. dollars on August 11.

The Central Bank's foreign exchange reserves were 24 billion 380 million U.S. dollars on August 4.

Meanwhile, according to the July 28-based statistics, Turkey's total international gross reserves increased 492 million U.S. dollars to 40 billion 393 million U.S. dollars between July 21 and 28.

The international gross reserves of Turkey were 39 billion 906 million U.S. dollars on July 21.

As of July 28, Turkey's international reserves were composed of 1 billion 10 million U.S. dollars in gold reserves; 24 billion 675 million U.S. dollars in the Central Bank's foreign exchange reserves; and 14 billion 713 million U.S. dollars in the commercial banks' foreign exchange reserves.

-MILD EARTHQUAKE JOLTS KASTAMONU

ISTANBUL - A mild earthquake measuring 4.0 on the Richter scale jolted Kastamonu province in Karadeniz Region at 02:49 p.m. on Thursday.

Officials the Istanbul-based Kandilli Observatory Seismology Institute told the A.A correspondent that the earthquake was centered on south of Kastamonu.

The earthquake was also felt in neighbouring provinces.

-SEZER IN QUAKE-STRICKEN AREA

SAKARYA - President Ahmet Necdet Sezer attended on Thursday inauguration of ''Kayseri District'' which will be constructed by Kayseri Municipality in Karaman village in Sakarya province, on Thursday on the first anniversary of 7.4-magnitude earthquake which devastated northwestern Turkey on August 17, 1999.

Addressing the ceremony, President Sezer expressed his profound sorrow over loss of thousands of lives in the quake disasters, and implored God's strength upon all who are grieving for their beloved ones.

Noting that the earthquake caused major damage in several provinces including Kocaeli, Sakarya, Yalova, and Bolu, President Sezer said, ''the quake left thousands of people dead and tens of thousands of others injured. It caused deep sorrow not only in quake-stricken area, but also in all parts of Turkey and in the world. In spite of all difficulties, the Turkish nation rushed to heal the wounds of quake survivors giving a great sample of solidarity.''

President Sezer stressed that concrete projects which would solve the quake survivor's permanent dwelling problem, should be put into practice.

Emphasizing that Turkey had taken a lesson from the quake disaster, President Sezer called on quake survivorks to be patient and to trust in the state.

Following the inauguration of Kayseri District, President Sezer left Sakarya for Yalova.

President Sezer visited ''Contemporary Life Prefabricated Huts Region'' in Yalova.

He was briefed by Nihat Ozgol, the Governor of Yalova.

Later, President Sezer is expected to left Yalova for Golcuk, and pay a visit to the Fleet Commandership.

He will also visit tent-cities in the quake-stricken area.

President Sezer is expected to return to Ankara later in the same day.

-TRNC ECONOMY AND FINANCE MINISTER BAYRAM STAGES PRESS CONFERENCE

LEFKOSA - Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) Economy and Finance Minister Mehmet Bayram said on Thursday that the four banks which had been sequestrated by the TRNC state and taken into scope of the Deposit Insurance Fund would be closed down if they couldn't present reasonable and serious proposal by the deadline of August 25, 2000.

Bayram staged a press conference and announced the decisions taken at the Wednesday's meeting of the TRNC Council of Ministers.

Bayram said that the four banks, Yurtbank, Hurbank, Finansbank and Everest Bank, would be closed down if they couldn't put forward a satisfactory proposal by August 25.

Bayram said that the situation of Kibris Kredi Bankasi and Kibris Endustri Bankasi was different as these two banks reached an agreement with their depositors to solve the crisis, and they presented a proposal to the TRNC Council of Ministers to this end.

Bayram said they had discussed the proposal, and they informed the owners of the banks on the unsatisfactory points in the proposal.

Noting that they had discussed the works on payments to depositors and source problem, Bayram said they reviewed the rates of value added tax.

Stating that they decreased the VAT rate from six to three percent in education, health and raw material and other rates were increased, Bayram said that they revised the VAT return regulations and they decreased VAT return rate from 5 to 2.5 percent.

Bayram said that VAT returns were paid once in every four months but they were in favor of payment in every six months.

Noting that the funds and price of petrol and fuel oil were increased, and tobacco and alcoholic drinks funds were increased, Bayram said the imported motor vehicles funds were increased by 500 or 1,000 U.S. dollars.

Stating that they had also taken up customs duty exemption, Bayram said they lifted the right of foreigners' working in the TRNC to use duty-free motor vehicles.

Stating that ten percent fund was implemented on Turkish motor vehicles and 20 percent fund was implemented on imported motor vehicles, Bayram said that Turkish motor vehicles were protected in the TRNC.

Mehmet Bayram stressed that the aim of the economic package aimed at enabling the TRNC to stand on its own feet and increasing the amount of meeting their own current expenditures.

Bayram said that they expected a 7 trillion Turkish lira (TL) revenue in a four-month period as a result of the measures they took.

Bayram said that there was a need for 110 trillion TL for payment to all depositors of the six banks so they expected those banks to present them reasonable proposals.

Mehmet Bayram said that Turkey had sent 25 million U.S. dollars to save those banks and they had transferred 80 percent of this money to the banks.

-FOUNDATION OF 150 PERMANENT HOUSING UNITS IN SAKARYA LAID

ADAPAZARI - Public Works and Housing Minister Koray Aydin said on Thursday that they had planned to create a settlement in quake-stricken Sakarya province where 60 thousand buildings would be constructed and 300 thousand people would live.

Aydin laid the foundation of 150 permanent housing units that will be constructed in Karaman village in Sakarya.

Speaking at the ceremony held on the occasion of the foundation, Aydin said, ''we saw and learned. We are living on geological fault lines. We will build permanent housing units in the areas far away from the quake-stricken area in order not to repeat the mistakes in the future. We planned to create a settlement in this Karaman region where 60 thousand buildings will be constructed and 300 thousand people will live. Hundreds of drillings have been made and geological researches have been carried out in this area.''

''Three-storey buildings will be constructed in Karaman region, Here, we planned the future of Sakarya,'' he added.

The construction will be financed by philanthropists from central Kayseri province.

-VANMELE, SPOKESMAN OF BELGIAN INTERIOR MINISTRY:

-''FEHRIYE ERDAL IS IN BELGIUM. SHE IS IN GOOD HEALTH''

BRUSSELS - Lieven Vanmele, the Spokesman of Belgian Interior Ministry, said on Thursday Fehriye Erdal, a member of illegal Revolutionary People's Liberation Party-Front (DHKP-C) and one of suspects of assasination of businessman Ozdemir Sabanci in 1996, was in Brussels, and added that she was in good health.

Noting that the Belgian Foreign Ministry was still seeking for a third country, Vanmele stressed that the Belgian Interior Ministry was determined to deport Erdal.

Pointing out that Erdal's lawyers attempted to apply for a political asylum, Lieven Vanmele said that the Interior Ministry would not allow such an initiative.

Vanmele said that Erdal was staying in a house which belonged to a member of the DHKP-C, under permanent surveillance of security forces.

Antoine Dusquene, the Belgian Interior Minister who is currently in Korfu, will meet with the Interior Ministry lawyers on Monday on how to deport Erdal from Belgium.

Vanmele added that they would do their utmost to deport Erdal who poses threat to domestic security of Belgium.

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