Anadolu Agency: News in English, 00-08-20

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ANADOLU AGENCY

NEWS

20

AUGUST 2000 Sunday

CONTENTS

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

[02] IMPORTANT DEVELOPMENTS IN GAP INVESTMENTS -45 PERCENT OF INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT COMPLETED

[03] QUAKE IN EASTERN ERZURUM PROVINCE

[04] ''KARTAL-2'' OPERATION IN BURSA -FOUR PEOPLE, WHO WERE TAKEN INTO CUSTODY REGARDING FICTITIOUS EXPORTATION, TO BE SENT TO COURT ON MONDAY

[05] MHP ISTANBUL PROVINCIAL CONGRESS STARTS

[06] STATE MINISTER KECECILER: ''WE WILL TAKE MEASURES TO HEAL THE WOUNDS CAUSED BY TERRORISM IN THE SOUTHEAST''

[07] POLICE TAKES 40 PEOPLE GROUP INTO CUSTODY AS THEY PROTEST ''F'' TYPE PRISONS

[08] YILMAZ, STATE MINISTER AND DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER MEETS WITH LEADING BUSINESSMEN OF GERMANY

[09] TURKISH-GREEK FRIENDSHIP IMPROVES

[10] FLOOD DISASTER IN ASLANAPA CAUSE 35-40 BILLION LIRA FINANCIAL LOSS

[11] NARCOTIC TEAMS CONFISCATE 18.80KG POWER HASHISH

[12] POLICE TEAMS DEFUSE A BOMB LEFT IN MIGROS IN AKSARAY

[13] TOURISM MINISTRY SENDS 100 BILLION LIRA TO BE USED IN ZEUGMA

[14] NEW APPROACHES IN TOURISM

[15] AGIRNAS CULTURE AND TOURISM FESTIVAL TO TAKE PLACE ON AUGUST 23

[16] AYTEKIN, ENVIRONMENT MINISTER: ''THERE IS ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION IN EVERY REGION OF TURKEY''

[17] TOURISM SECTOR GRADUALLY OVERCOMES CRISIS EXPERIENCED IN 1999

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

FRIENSHIP IS JUST NOW
A total of 40 Turkish and Greek university students, who convened in Istanbul for an international meeting, called on all together: ''we are not only the leaders of the future, but the partners of today.'' Turkish and Greek youth who embraced each other following two massive earthquakes in Marmara and in Athens, went beyond the friendship and began to make preparations for a joint future.

SABAH (LIBERAL)

COMPETITION IN ISTANBUL IS TODAY
Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) Istanbul Provincial Congress will start in Abdi Ipekci Sports Hall today. A total of 600 delegates and eight parliamentarians will cast votes in the congress. Nadir Altindal, Hasan Huseyin Ceylan, Hasan Albay, Halit Kanak, Mustafa Satiroglu, Akar Demirkol, and Huseyin Simsek will compete for the chairmanship.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

TERRORISM LESSON TO CENTRAL ASIA
Turkey offered help to three Central Asian countries regarding struggle against terrorism. Countries of the region, whose relations retarted with Turkey in the recent period, have not yet given a positive response to Turkey, saying Turkey does not have physical existence in the region. Turkish diplomats told them, ''there should be contributions which Turkey would make, even if it does not have physical existence.''

RADIKAL (LEFT)

YENİ BİNYIL (LIBERAL)

MENDERES: ''THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD GET PREPARED TO RESIGN''
Aydin Menderes, Istanbul Independent Deputy, speaking about the decree with the force of law (KHK) on civil servants, said, ''it is clear that President Ahmet Necdet Sezer would not sign KHK. The government should get prepared to resign.'' Menderes said the government could not act as if nothing happened if the President does not sign the KHK.

TURKIYE (RIGHT)

CRITICAL DAY IS AUGUST 23
President Ahmet Necdet Sezer and Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit continue to be silent regarding the decree with the force of law (KHK) on civil servants. People are waiting for the National Security Council (NSC) meeting that will take place on Wednesday for the KHK which caused a crisis between Presidency and the government. As the sides prefer to be silent, President Sezer continues to examine the decree with the force of law.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

OIL PRODUCTION IN ADIYAMAN
Turkish Petroleum Corp (TPAO)

produced 20,000 barrels of crude oil in 170 wells in 16 fields in southeastern Adiyaman province. The report which TPAO submitted to Provincial Coordination Committee, said the oil produced in Adiyaman, was pumped to Saril sation with pipeline, and later transfered to Batman- Dortyol main oil line. The report said the 20,000 barrels of oil, that was produced in Adiyaman per day, formed 50 percent of TPAO's production in Turkey.

[02] IMPORTANT DEVELOPMENTS IN GAP INVESTMENTS -45 PERCENT OF INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT COMPLETED

A total of 1.5 trillion lira, which was allocated for GAP international Airport, was spent totally. Construction of the Airport, underway on main Sanliurfa-Hilvan highway, will be the biggest airport of Turkey after Istanbul's Ataturk Airport.

Officials said the airport was planned to be completed by the end of the year 2001.

Meanwhile, it was also reported that construction of main drain pipes, which will irrigate Yaylak plain, will start in the coming months.

[03] QUAKE IN EASTERN ERZURUM PROVINCE

Bogazici University Kandilli Observatory and Quake Research Center said the epicenter of the quake was Tekman township in Erzurum.

One person was seriously injured and nine others were wounded when they jumped out of the balconies after getting paniced with the quake and aftershocks. Also another person who had hearth attack, was hospitalized.

Ataturk University Quake Research Center said two minor quakes, measuring 3.0 and 2.6 were also recorded following the moderate quake with a preliminary magnitude of 4.0.

[04] ''KARTAL-2'' OPERATION IN BURSA -FOUR PEOPLE, WHO WERE TAKEN INTO CUSTODY REGARDING FICTITIOUS EXPORTATION, TO BE SENT TO COURT ON MONDAY

Aydin Genc, the Director of Bursa Security Department, told A.A correspondent that they revealed fictitious exportation worth of 40 trillion lira after investigation made on documents belonging to Marmara Textile Leather Foreign Trade Corp.

Pointing out that some administrators of the company in question escaped, Genc said, ''some companies got great sums of unjust money from the state through fictitious exportation.''

Genc said identities of the people who were taken into custody, will be revealed during their trial.

[05] MHP ISTANBUL PROVINCIAL CONGRESS STARTS

State Minister Ramazan Mirzaoglu, Ahmet Cakar, the Parliamentary Administration Chief,, and MHP Istanbul Parliamentarian, Ismail Hakki Cerrahoglu and Cemal Enginyurt, the MHP parliamentarians attended the Congress.

A total of 613 delegates will determine new provincial administration as well as the 105 delegates who will attend the big congress of the party.

[06] STATE MINISTER KECECILER: ''WE WILL TAKE MEASURES TO HEAL THE WOUNDS CAUSED BY TERRORISM IN THE SOUTHEAST''

Minister Kececiler visited Cukurca, Semdinli and Esendere border gates of southeastern Hakkari province.

Speaking in Cukurca, Kececiler said private and privileged investments were made to the Southeast within the framework of return to village project.

Pointing out that borders were lifted in the world, Kececiler said, ''customs administrations don't exist in countries whose borders are lifted. Turkey is located in a very important geography. We are the member of European Customs Union, and a candidate country to the European Union (EU). We are also the neighbour of countries like Iran, Iraq, Syria, and Armenia who have continous problems. We wish our neighbours to provide peace with the world and the neighboring countries, so that we will have a more healthy trade with them. Turkey exerted every kind of efforts to provide peace in the region, and we will continue to do so.''

Kececiler also stressed that it was very difficult to make trade with countries who did not integrate with the world peace, adding that,''we wish all our neighbors will make peace with the world, as it is impossible to lead anywhere with conflicts. In case peace and tranquility atmosphere prevail in Iraq, we will open many border gates like Uzumlu and Derecik.''

Speaking at Esendere Customs, Kececiler said, ''we began to activate economic activities after the end of terrorism. Our government is resolved in this respect. Required sources have been allocated to speed up return to village and increase economic activities.''

[07] POLICE TAKES 40 PEOPLE GROUP INTO CUSTODY AS THEY PROTEST ''F'' TYPE PRISONS

The group, which is composed of the members of ''Kartal and Maltepe Democracy Platforms,'' wanted to hang a placard saying ''cell type prisons mean death.'' As the police did not allow them, they began to chant slogans.

The group wanted to make a press release in Kartal Square, but the police told them that the protest was staged without getting permission, and that they would arrest them if they make press release.

Later 40 people were arrested as they insisted on making press release.

Meanwhile, another group composed of 50 people, left for Ankara to protest ''F'' type prisons.

[08] YILMAZ, STATE MINISTER AND DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER MEETS WITH LEADING BUSINESSMEN OF GERMANY

Yilmaz, who visited Hannover to attend Turkey National Day that was staged within the framework of EXPO-200 World Fair, met with Wernel Muller, German Economy and Technology Minister, and Detlev Solland, German State Minister responsible for relations with the EU.

Yilmaz also met with Victor Clima, former Austrian Prime Minister, and high level businessmen of Germany responsible for tourism, banking, construction, energy and media sectors.

Businessmen, who have investments in Turkey, pointed out that they want to have new investments, adding that they were pleased over Turkish-German relations. Businessmen also complained about several bureaucratical problems.

Pointing out that they support Turkey's entance to the EU, the businessmen said they would also make use of this.

The businessmen said positive approach of Germany played an important role in Turkey's candidacy to the EU, adding that Turkey's candidacy was linked to a calender and that this would create additional motivation.

The businessmen urged Turkey to create a EU lobby, and noted that they were ready for Turkey's honorary representation.

Meanwhile, Yilmaz stressed that Turkey was determined to catch up with the EU norms and standards.

[09] TURKISH-GREEK FRIENDSHIP IMPROVES

Mahmut Ucar, Executive Board Chairman of Aksaray Holding, issued a written statement saying that they would attend an international conference that will be staged in Kabala city of Greece, to contribute to the friendship between the two countries.

Ucar said they would give presents related with Aksaray to 45 professors and other participants who attend the conference titled ''Living Historical Works of Cappadocia.''

Ucar said, ''we will contribute to the maintenance of friendship between the two countries and promote historical and touristic places of our province to the participants.''

The conference will take place between August 26 and 31.

[10] FLOOD DISASTER IN ASLANAPA CAUSE 35-40 BILLION LIRA FINANCIAL LOSS

Officials said efforts are underway to assess the final figures of the financial loss caused by the flood in Cumhuriyet Street where they houses were inundated.

Basement of 65 houses were inundated because of the flood in the township.

[11] NARCOTIC TEAMS CONFISCATE 18.80KG POWER HASHISH

Provincial Gendarme Commandership issued a statement and said narcotic teams, acting on a tip off, stopped a car near Kalecik village. The hashish was found hidden in secret places of the car. Ismail E. and Vahap K. were arrested in connection with the haul.

The market value of the hashish is approximately nine billion lira.

Investigation is underway regarding the incident.

[12] POLICE TEAMS DEFUSE A BOMB LEFT IN MIGROS IN AKSARAY

The incident happened when the workers of the shopping center realized a package which does not belong to the shopping center.

Bomb experts, who came to the spot, determined that the explosive device was a hand made time bomb.

The bomb was brought to Security Department to be examined, and an operation has been launched to capture the unidentified assailants who planted the bomb.

[13] TOURISM MINISTRY SENDS 100 BILLION LIRA TO BE USED IN ZEUGMA

Mehmet Dogan, Gaziantep Tourism Director, told A.A correspondent that Erkan Mumcu, the Tourism Minister, attributed great importance to the efforts to save Belkis Zeugma ancient city.

Dogan said the allocation will be used in infrastructure works that will be prepared by Governorship, Museum Directorate and Zeugma Initiative Group.

Dogan also said upon the initiatives of Mumcu, TEDAS General Directorate will assemble a generator to Zeugma on Monday to be used in works of the teams at night.

[14] NEW APPROACHES IN TOURISM

Daily boat tours, started to some of the Aegean islands, became a new hope for Turkish tourism.

The group of islands, composed of 12 big islands and many islets, are preferred especially due to culture and belief tourism.

Michael Mistillioglu, administrator of Stinpoli Shipping company, told A.A correspondent that they want to implement daily boat tours from Bodrum to Greek islands as package programs in the future.

Mistillioglu said, ''tourism, which unites people and strengthens world peace, will also have important contributions to the universal peace.''

[15] AGIRNAS CULTURE AND TOURISM FESTIVAL TO TAKE PLACE ON AUGUST 23

Mehmet Osmanbasoglu, Agirnas Mayor, said 60 Greek people, who migrated from Agirnas to Komotini in 1924, and Niko Parapsopulos, Komotini Mayor, will attend the festival.

Pointing out that they were very pleased to contribute to the rapproachment which started between Turkey and Greece following massive Marmara earthquake, Osmanbasoglu said, ''I went to Komotini last year upon an invitation. The people who migrated to Greece from Agirnas speak Turkish very well. They reflect some of our traditions there. We are very pleased that this dialogue will enable people to know each other without prejudices.''

[16] AYTEKIN, ENVIRONMENT MINISTER: ''THERE IS ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION IN EVERY REGION OF TURKEY''

Aytekin, who visited waste water purfication installations in Colakli region in Manavgat township in southern Antalya province, said Turkey should solve its environmental problems soon.

Pointing out that he visited the coasts of the Mediterranean, the Black Sea, and Central Anatolia region, Aytekin said, ''unfortunately, the Black Sea region and Central Anatolia, which we thought to be clean, were polluted. Mediterranean region experiences similar problems. We should solve these problems.''

Aytekin said environmental problems should be solved in order to increase the quality in tourism, adding that, ''Turkey should enter to the EU by solving its environment problems.''

[17] TOURISM SECTOR GRADUALLY OVERCOMES CRISIS EXPERIENCED IN 1999

A total of 3,910,202 people visited Turkey in the first six months of this year, Germany, Britain, and Russian Federation are the main countries who send tourists to Turkey.

According to the date of State Statistical Institude (DIE), 236, 894 people came from Germany, 124,175 people came from Britain, and 76, 312 people came from Russian Federation in January-June period of this year.

Meanwhile, it was also assessed that the U.S. sent 55, 273 tourists, France sent 44, 167 people, the Netherlands sent 40, 209 people, Iran 37, 882 people, Austria sent 34, 415 people, Israel sent 31, 350 people, and Bulgaria sent 29, 828 people to Turkey as tourists.

It was also reported that number of European foreign tourists visiting Turkey increased by 39.7 percent when compared with last year's same period.

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