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ANADOLU AGENCY

NEWS

22

AUGUST 2000 Tuesday

CONTENTS

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

[02] EXPORTS FROM GAP REGION TO AFRICA AND ASIA

[03] FORMER AZERBAIJANI PRESIDENT ELCIBEY DIES

[04] BIOGRAPHY OF ELCIBEY

[05] CENTRAL BANK GOVERNOR ERCEL: -''WE ARE NOT IMPATIENT BUT DETERMINED TO OMIT ZERO FROM TURKISH LIRA''

[06] U.S. INTEREST IN TURKISH FOOD

[07] IMF TURKEY DESK CHIEF COTTARELLI SAYS TURKEY ACHIEVED TO KEEP INFLATION AT A LOW RATE DESPITE OIL SHOCK

[08] IFAC GENERAL DIRECTOR JOHNSTON SAYS FIRSTLY, BANKS SHOULD BE RE- ORGANIZED TO PREVENT MONEY LAUNDERING''

[09] CULTURE MINISTER TALAY: -''EFFORTS TO SAVE HISTORICAL ARTIFACTS THAT WILL REMAIN UNDER WATERS OF DAMS CONTINUE WITH UTMOST CARE''

[10] SOUTHEASTERN RURAL DEVELOPMENT PROJECT -U.N. TO EXTEND SUPPORT TO THE PROJECT WORTH OF THREE MILLION U.S. DOLLARS

[11] TREASURY UNDERSECRETARIAT: ''NEGOTIATIONS ON WORLD BANK CREDIT WEREN'T SUSPENDED''

[12] EXCAVATIONS IN IZNIK -MASS GRAVES OF BYZANTINE SOLDIERS UNEARTHED

[13] TENDER OF ISDEMIR CANCELLED

[14] PICASSO PAINTINGS SEIZED IN TURKEY -KUWAIT TO TAKE A DECISION IN THE DIRECTION OF INFORMATION THAT WILL BE GIVEN BY FOREIGN MINISTRY

[15] QUAKE IN ANKARA

[16] TREASURY HOLDS TWO TENDERS

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

SECRET FATHER OF ZEUGMA
David Packard, the son of Hewlett Packard, the owner of world-famous computer company, granted five million U.S. dollars to save ancient Zeugma site which will remain under waters of Birecik Dam. The U.S. billionaire said that they can increase the amount of assistance to ten million U.S. dollars a year if necessary. He added that he will visit Zeugma at the first opportunity.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

TURKEY BECOMES RICH OF PICASSO
Picasso's paintings which were stolen from Kuwaiti palaces during the Iraqi occupation of this country, started to be confiscated in Turkey one after the other. Police had earlier confiscated two Picasso paintings and seized one more in Suruc township in recent days. The 1903 oil painting titled ''The Portrait of A Young Woman'' which was tried to be sold in Turkey, was brought from Hatay to Sanliurfa. Sanliurfa Police Chief Sedat Hasay said that they detained seven people during the operations jointly carried out by Izmir security forces.

SABAH (LIBERAL)

ILLEGAL HEZBOLLAH ORGANIZATION PLANNED TO ASSASSINATE NESIN
The archives confiscated during Kavacik operation revealed the plans of illegal Hezbollah organization. The illegal organization had planned to assassinate prominent author Aziz Nesin and charged militants Murat and Yusuf for this assassination. But, Nesin had died before the illegal organization achieved its target.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

FOREST FIRE IN BERGAMA AND MILAS
A total of 130 hectares of pineland were destroyed in a fire which broke out in Bergama township of Aegean Izmir province. A total of 30 hectares of pineland were burnt to ashes in a fire broke out in Selimiye hamlet in Milas township of Aegean Mugla province.

RADIKAL (LEFT)

NEW PERIOD IN OIL
The Turkish Oil Corp. (TPAO) is accelerating the oil production works which were slowed down due to security reasons. TPAO has re-started oil search and drilling works in 13 wells in Germik region after eight years of interval. A total of 1,800 barrels of 26-gravity oil are produced from these wells a day. Efforts are underway to start production in ten other wells in the region.

YENÝ BÝNYIL (LIBERAL)

MOODY'S STARTS TO WATCH TURKEY
International rating organization Moody's said that political and public support on economic reform, the foreign debt payment capacity, and success in currency rate are factors that have importance in increasing Turkey's rating. Moody's recent analysis said that there can be an increase in Turkey's rating in the short term and that criteria required for this increase are observed. Moody's analysis noted that the government is backed by great deal of parliament, adding that Turkey started to be observed on July 24 for a possible increase in its rating.

TURKIYE (RIGHT)

PRAISE FROM KOSTOV TO YILMAZ
Bulgarian Prime Minister Ivan Kostov said that the period when State Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz was the prime minister had a key role on the improvement of the relations between Turkey and Bulgaria. Yilmaz, who went to Bulgaria for a one-day visit upon the invitation of Kostov, said that they reviewed various dimensions of Turkish-Bulgarian relations during their meeting.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

TOURISM MINISTER IS DETERMINED
Tourism Minister Erkan Mumcu said that they target at organizing Expo fair in Turkey. Mumcu said, ''Expo 2007 will be organized in Turkey. Turkey is very advantageous.'' Mumcu noted that Istanbul is the most appropriate city to hold this fair. Stating that Expo fair is important for the introduction of cultural and natural beauties of Turkey, Mumcu said that millions of tourists will visit Turkey if Turkey hosts the fair.

[02] EXPORTS FROM GAP REGION TO AFRICA AND ASIA

The amount of agricultural exports of this region was 9 million 934 thousand U.S. dollars in the same period in 1999.

In accordance with the figures of Southeastern Anatolia Exporters Union, 499 thousand U.S. dollar cereal, leguminosae, oil products, 268 thousand U.S. dollar dried fruit, 6 million 634 thousand U.S. dollar textile were exported to African countries in first seven months.

The GAP region exported 768 U.S. dollar cereal, leguminosae, oil products, 110 thousand U.S. dollar dried fruit and 1 million 675 thousand U.S. dollar textile were exported to Asia between January and July 2000.

Algeria ranked at the first place in exports to African countries with 2 million 671 thousand U.S. dollar exports while Iran ranked at the first place in exports to Asian countries with 1 million 297 thousand U.S. dollar exports.

[03] FORMER AZERBAIJANI PRESIDENT ELCIBEY DIES

Elcibey, suffering from prostate tumour, was taken under treatment in Ankara Hospital.

But, after Elcibey's illness aggravated, he was sent to GATA on August 9 to undergo radiotheraphy.

Officials said that when Elcibey came to Turkey, his metabolism was very deteriorated, and he was in coma.

The officials added that as he was taken under treatment in Turkey, his health condition became more stable but he suffered from not only asthma and infection in lungs but also from prostate cancer.

[04] BIOGRAPHY OF ELCIBEY

Elcibey graduated from Azerbaijan Baku State University's Arabian Language and Literature Department.

In 1970s, Elcibey started to struggle for Azerbaijan's independence which was in the territory of former Soviet Union.

He was captured in 1976 on charges of making propaganda against the Soviet Union and was released conditionally in 1978.

Ebulfez Elcibey, who pioneered the Azerbaijani nation in its struggle for independence between 1988 and 1989, was supported by his nation.

Elcibey started his active political life in 1989 by becoming the leader of Azerbaijani Public Front Party (AHCP).

After Azerbaijan declared its independence on October 18, 1991, Elcibey became the second President of Azerbaijan on June 7, 1992.

Following the riot of Suret Huseyinov, whom he had earlier presented with ''National Hero Award'', in June 1993, Elcibey quitted presidency and returned to his birthplace.

Elcibey returned back to Baku on October 31, 1997 and continued his active political life in AHCP. He did not join the presidential elections in 1998 by boycotting the elections by saying that they were not democratic and fair.

Ebulfez Elcibey, who decided to join the second term parliamentary elections that will be held on November 5, declared his candidacy.

Elcibey wrote a book titled ''In The Path For Whole Azerbaijan.''

Ebulfez Elcibey, who died at 62, was the father of two children.

[05] CENTRAL BANK GOVERNOR ERCEL: -''WE ARE NOT IMPATIENT BUT DETERMINED TO OMIT ZERO FROM TURKISH LIRA''

Ercel evaluated first seven months following the signing of stand-by agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in a meeting held in New York.

Turkish and U.S. bankers, investors and businessmen joined the meeting.

Responding to questions, Ercel said that omitting zero from TL depends on some conditions.

Ercel said, ''firstly, the inflation should decrease. We will watch the inflation next year. Also, necessary laws should be passed by the parliament. But, omitting zero from TL is my and Central Bank's dream.''

When asked about Turkey's rating, Ercel noted that Turkey does not deserve a single B.

Reminding that Standard & Poors will come to Turkey in September to evaluate new situation, Ercel stated that as Turkey decreases the risk factor, the rating will increase.

Ercel stressed that anti-inflation programme of the government targets at preparing Turkey for European Union (EU) membership.

Ercel added that the inflation will be decreased to 10-12 percent next year and to a single digit figure in 2002.

Gazi Ercel will hold various contacts with investors and bankers on Tuesday.

He will go to Wyoming on Wednesday and join the annual meetings of Kansas City federal banks.

[06] U.S. INTEREST IN TURKISH FOOD

Turkish pavilion run by Alaturka, a famous Turkish restaurant in Chicago, served kebabs, doner, eggplant salad, baklava and burma.

The U.S. people who tasted Turkish food said that the Turkish cuisine was very different from other cuisines and the food was very delicious.

Leaflets that introduce Turkey were distributed in the pavilion.

Necati Kurtulus, who offered Turkish food in the fair, said that Turkey has been represented in this fair for 16 years.

Kurtulus added that Turkish pavilion will continue to exist in this fair which is visited by more than one million people in nine days.

[07] IMF TURKEY DESK CHIEF COTTARELLI SAYS TURKEY ACHIEVED TO KEEP INFLATION AT A LOW RATE DESPITE OIL SHOCK

Cottarelli, who joined the conference given by Central Bank Governor Gazi Ercel in New York, responded to the questions of the journalists.

Cottarelli said that the government is successful in anti-inflation programme despite the increase in oil prices.

Developments have been marked in every sector as the programme was put into effect, Cottarelli noted.

Cottarelli stated that public debts decreased and targets were reached in economic performances.

Stressing that they were talking about commitments six months ago but now they are talking about performances, Cottarelli said that but, there are still many things to be accomplished.

[08] IFAC GENERAL DIRECTOR JOHNSTON SAYS FIRSTLY, BANKS SHOULD BE RE- ORGANIZED TO PREVENT MONEY LAUNDERING''

Johnston, who is in Istanbul for the International Accountancy Education Conference, told A.A correspondent that the governments should re-organize the banking system.

The accountants are responsible for forming necessary standards to obtain reliable financial schemes, but they can do nothing without the support of governments, Johnston noted.

Johnston stated that international accountancy and audit standards carry importance for foreign investors.

Foreign investors want to know whether or not the financial schemes reflect the reality when they are to invest in a country, Johnston stressed.

Johnston emphasized that foreign investors rely on the financial schemes if they are formed in accordance with international accountancy and audit standards.

[09] CULTURE MINISTER TALAY: -''EFFORTS TO SAVE HISTORICAL ARTIFACTS THAT WILL REMAIN UNDER WATERS OF DAMS CONTINUE WITH UTMOST CARE''

Talay, who will visit the excavation zone in Diyarbakir's Bismil and Batman's Hasankeyf townships, told reporters that he came to the region to see the excavations which will contribute to the world's cultural heritage and archeology.

Talay noted that they have launched cooperation with the World Bank to protect the historical heritage.

''We have formed a coordinator's office in our ministry. This office will determine the projects on which we can have cooperation with the World Bank. Also, we have shown Mardin as a candidate for the world cultural heritage determined by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) for its interesting historical structure,'' Talay said.

Talay added, ''Diyarbakir is also an important city with its city walls. To this end, we have also shown Diyarbakir as a candidate for the world cultural heritage.''

[10] SOUTHEASTERN RURAL DEVELOPMENT PROJECT -U.N. TO EXTEND SUPPORT TO THE PROJECT WORTH OF THREE MILLION U.S. DOLLARS

Implementation of the project, prepared by Ataturk University Agriculture Faculty, started after the U.N. accepted to support it.

Alfredo Wischi-Cestari, the U.N. Turkey representative, arrived in eastern Erzurum province, within the framework of the project.

Pointing out that the U.N. supported many projects regarding humanitarian development, Cestari noted they supported 24 projects in Turkey.

Cestari said they liked the project prepared for the development of the East, adding that, ''we will carry out the project in cooperation with the university. This is my first visit to Erzurum. I came here to put the project into effect. We will decide for the first activities of the project, and assess the administrator of the project. I wish the development project, supported by the U.N., will be lasting in Erzurum.''

Prof. Vahap Yaganoglu, the Dean of the Agriculture Faculty, pointed out that the project also covered Kars, Ardahan, Agri, and Igdir.

Yaganoglu said the project, which was prepared to better the socio-economic structure, to overcome unemployment and immigration, and to provide a sustainable source of income, was worth of three million U.S. dollars.

[11] TREASURY UNDERSECRETARIAT: ''NEGOTIATIONS ON WORLD BANK CREDIT WEREN'T SUSPENDED''

The Treasury said in a written statement that the credit issue is expected to be taken up during the October meeting of the World Bank Executive Directors as the proceedings about decree having the force of law on reconstruction of the three public banks in Turkey have not been completed.

The Treasury added that the negotiations for the credit weren't ended or postponed.

[12] EXCAVATIONS IN IZNIK -MASS GRAVES OF BYZANTINE SOLDIERS UNEARTHED

Archeolog Bedri Yalman, the chief of the team which carries out the excavations on behalf of Culture Ministry, told A.A correspondent that they obtained very important findings during the excavations that started in 1980.

Yalman said skeletons of many Byzantine soldiers, who were buried one on the other, were found in mass graves that were brought to daylight in open air theater constructed in the 8th century.

''Crusaders, set up to prevent spreading of Seljuks, arrived in Istanbul in 1204. Crusaders, who saw the richness of Byzantine Empire here, seized the ruling, and declared Latin Empire.''

''Theodos Laskaris, Byzantine Emperor, withdrew to Iznik upon this development, and continued his administration here. Crusaders felt uneasy over this and this time staged attacks to Iznik. Clashes occurred between the sides. Dead bodies of the Byzantine soldiers could not be send away as the city was beiseiged, and they were buried in threater field. There were marks of wounds and brain operations on the skeletons,'' Yalman noted.

He said the open air theater had a capacity for 15,000 people, adding that it was also destroyed by the Arab armies. Yalman also said canals were used in the open air theater to discharge the water which filled the place in rainy weather.

[13] TENDER OF ISDEMIR CANCELLED

Privatization Administration Chairmanship cancelled the tender, which it opened for the sale of 100 percent share of ISDEMIR. The period of bidding expired on August 18.

Another tender is expected to be opened for the privatization of ISDEMIR.

[14] PICASSO PAINTINGS SEIZED IN TURKEY -KUWAIT TO TAKE A DECISION IN THE DIRECTION OF INFORMATION THAT WILL BE GIVEN BY FOREIGN MINISTRY

According to the information obtained from Kuwaiti Embassy, it was reported that officials of the Embassy had requested information from the Foreign Ministry after the first painting was found.

An official from the Embassy said they have not yet received any information.

''La Fermiere,'' and ''Dora-Maar,'' paintings of Picasso were found in Izmir, and ''The Portrait of a Young Woman,'' was found in operations staged in Sanliurfa province.

It was earlier claimed that the paintings were stolen from Kuwait, and wanted to be sold to Turkey after being taken from Peshmergas in Northern Iraq.

Istemihan Talay, the Culture Minister, said the paintings would be returned to their owners within international principles if the legal owner of the paintings are found.

[15] QUAKE IN ANKARA

Bogazici University Kandilli Observatory and Seismology Centre recorded the quake at 14.40 local time in Beypazarý, which is in the north of Ankara.

[16] TREASURY HOLDS TWO TENDERS

The Treasury arranged one 11-month bond tender and 18-month debenture bond tender.

The value date of 11-day bond tender is August 23 and the maturity is July 18, 2001.
The Treasury realized 709.1 trillion liras of a net sale in this tender.

The value date of the 18-month bond tender is August 23 and the maturity is February 20, 2002.

The Treasury realized a net sale of 830.5 trillion TL in this second tender.

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