Anadolu Agency: News in English, 00-08-29

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ANADOLU AGENCY

NEWS

29

AUGUST 2000 Tuesday

CONTENTS

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

[02] EARTHQUAKES SHAKE IZMIR AND CANKIRI

[03] ORNEK, DIRECTOR OF DOCUMENTARY FILM ON COMMAGENE CIVILIZATION: -''THIS FILM WILL NOT ONLY INTRODUCE NEMRUT TO THE WORLD BUT ALSO CONTRIBUTE TO THE PRESERVATION OF CULTURAL HERITAGE''

[04] ITALY, SYRIA AND GERMANY BECOME EXPORT CENTERS OF SOUTHEAST

[05] ANKARA CINEMA ASSOCIATION AND ISRAELI EMBASSY TO

[06] SUDANESE DELEGATION VISITS TOBB

[07] REPRESENTATIVES OF POLITICAL PARTIES IN TRNC AND GREEK CYPRIOT ADMINISTRATION COME TOGETHER IN LEDRA PALACE

[08] UZBEK OPERA SINGER AZIZOVA IN TURKEY

[09] FOREIGN TRADE STATISTICS -13.35 BILLION U.S. DOLLARS GOODS EXPORTED AND 25.02 BILLION U.S. DOLLARS GOODS IMPORTED IN FIRST HALF OF 2000

[10] CARGO SHIP LIES ON ONE SIDE OFFSHORE SINOP -SEVEN MEMBERS OF CREW RESCUED

[11] EARTHQUAKES CONTINUE TO JOLT DENIZLI

[12] PRESIDENT SEZER ISSUES MESSAGE DUE TO AUGUST 30 VICTORY DAY

[13] IMF DELEGATION TO COME TO TURKEY ON WEDNESDAY

[14] ALIST SHIP SINKS

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

ISTANBUL OFFICIAL CANDIDATE FOR 2008 SUMMER OLYMPICS
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced on Monday the candidate countries which may host the 2008 Summer Olympics. Istanbul was selected finalists in the bidding for the 2008 Summer Olympics together with Beijing, Toronto, Osaka and Paris.

MIRACLE SURVIVAL
An Iraqi citizen achieved to survive two days after a boat carrying illegal immigrants capsized off Kos island of Greece on Saturday morning. Ahmed Mohammed Said swam to Mersincik Bay of Aegean Datca township the previous evening. People of Cumali village found Said.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

''STATUES OF NEMRUT SHOULD BE IMITATED''
Donald Sanders, a U.S. archeologists, said that the prototypes of statues on Nemrut Mountain should be made and that the genuine statues should be taken under protection in museums. Sanders, who came to Nemrut to make a documentary film named ''Throne of Gods, Nemrut Mountain'', realized that the statues started to crack since the last time he came to the Mountain.

SEZER'S U.S. AGENDA: CHILDREN AND WOMEN
President Ahmet Necdet Sezer, who will go to New York for Millenium Summit, will sign optional protocols of conventions on protection of children's rights. Sezer, who will attend Millenium Summit between September 6 and 8, will sign Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the involvement of children in armed conflict and Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography. President Sezer will also sign additional protocol of Convention on Prevention of Discrimination Against Women.

SABAH (LIBERAL)

IMF IS COMING FOR BUDGET OF 2001
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) delegation will come to Turkey on August 30 for third review meetings. The IMF delegation headed by Carlo Cottarelli, the IMF's Turkey Desk Chief, will start their contacts on August 31. The delegation which will stay in Turkey until September 12, will mainly hold contacts regarding the budget of 2001. The IMF delegation will also evaluate the economic performances until that day.

TOAST TO PEACE
Premier Bulent Ecevit hosted a luncheon in Prime Ministry Residence in honour of Ehud Barak, the Israeli Prime Minister. Barak toasted to Ecevit's health and to continuation of close relations between two countries. Barak drew the attention to close cooperation between two countries during his short visit to Ankara.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

CIRITICAL DAYS WITH IMF
The first critical meeting since the start of IMF-backed program will be held on Wednesday. The IMF which increased the inflation target for end- 2000 from 25 to 35 percent will shape the 2001 year budget. IMF which is expected to increase its pressure especially on privatization of Telekom and public banks will convey its uneasiness about postponement of liquidation of funds.

UNEASINESS ABOUT SATELLITE
Israeli Prime Minister Barak did not give a clear message about the Manavgat water that Israel is planning to purchase from Turkey. Barak conveyed his uneasiness about annulment of M-60 tanks modernization and security satellite projects to the Turkish officials. Israel which remain behing the U.S. in the attack helicopter tender feels concern about Turkey's awarding an American company with the early warning planes project.

RADIKAL (LEFT)

THREE SEPARATE PROPOSALS TO TUBE TUNNEL
The three consortia which applied for the construction of the Tube Tunnel Passage through the strait which will connect the railways between Asia and Europe, handed over their final technical proposals to the Railways, Ports and Airports Construction (DLH) General Directorate. Ihsan Gulay, the Director General of DLH, said that the financial bargaining will take place with the consortium which made the best proposal after all the proposals are examined by the tender commission. Construction tender will be prepared after the financial bargaining.

YENİ BİNYIL (LIBERAL)

Council of State did not want the contracts to be sent to them saying the contracts were dependent on a special law.

ASIAN BANKERS TO CONVENE IN ISTANBUL
Regular General Assembly meeting of Asian Banks Union (ABB) will take place in September 21 and 22 in Istanbul. Kocbank, the only member of the ABB in Turkey, said the topic of this year is determined as ''Banking in the New Millenium.'' Hong Kong, Taiwan, Malaysia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Japan, Korea, Russia, Australia, and Uzbekistan, as well as high level bankers from Asian Pasific countries will attend the meeting. The 16th General Assembly meeting of the ABB had taken place in Singapore last year.

TURKIYE (RIGHT)

DEBATE ON AUTHORITY
The decree on civil servants which created a crisis between the Presidential Palace and the government gave rise to debates on the issue of reducing the authorities of the President. Politicians are seeking the ways for an amendment to the Constitution. President Ahmet Necdet Sezer earlier said that he had lots of authorities. Justice Minister Hikmet Sami Turk, ''there is a need for compromise on the issue of an amendment to the Constitution to restrict the authorities of the President. This can't be done in a few days.''

WE BECOME CANDIDATE TO OLYMPIC GAMES
The International Olympics Committee announced the five candidate cities to the 2008 Olympic Games. The Committee chose Istanbul, Beijing, Toronto, Osaka and Paris as candidates.

IMPRISONMENT TO IRRESPONSIBLE FATHER
State Minister Hasan Gemici said that families who failed to fulfil their responsibilities for their children would be tried in accordance with Articles 477 and 478 of the Turkish Penal Code. The State is taking action against the parents who neglect their children. Articles in question foresees imprisonment sentence up to four years to the irresponsible parents.

SENSITIVE APPROACH FROM BELGIUM
Hugo Coveliers, the VLD Parliamentary Group Chairman, said, ''Belgium turned into a terrorist shelter. We become a pirate ship if we don't stop the persons like Fehriye Erdal.''

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

NEW DECISION FOR GULEN
Istanbul State Security Court (DGM) no:2 lifted Fethullah Gulen's arrest in absentia. Upon Gulen's lawyers request, the court delegation headed by Serafettin Iste studied the file which was sent to them on August 23, 2000 and decided to lift Gulen's arrest in absentia.

Nuh Mete Yuksel, Prosecutor of the State Security Court, said he thought that was an error of judicial discretion. Yuksel said they could not oppose to the decision, adding that they would open their case.

CALL FOR TRIAL TO FEHRIYE ERDAL
Hugo Coveliers, the Parliament Group Chairman of Flaman Liberal Democrats which is the biggest partner of coalition government in Belgium, said on Monday that Fehriye Erdal, one of the suspects of Sabanci assassination, should be tried in Belgium.

Coveliers said the illegal DHKP-C organization of which Erdal is a member, caused uneasiness in people and government of Belgium.

Coveliers said Belgium has turned into a paradise for the terrorists, adding that their country will resemble to a pirate ship if they fail to stop people like Erdal soon.

[02] EARTHQUAKES SHAKE IZMIR AND CANKIRI

Officials of Bogazici University Kandilli Observatory Center and Seismology Institute said that three earthquakes were recorded in Cigli township of Izmir province and one earthquake was recorded in Orta township of Cankiri province.

Below listed the hour, epicenter and magnitude of the earthquakes:

Hour: Epicenter: Magnitude:

----- ---------- ---------
11.32 p.m. (Monday) Izmir-Cigli 3.2

00.10 a.m. (Tuesday) Izmir-Cigli 2.9

00.23 a.m. (Tuesday) Izmir-Cigli 2.9

01.27 a.m. (Tuesday) Orta-Cankiri 4.2

[03] ORNEK, DIRECTOR OF DOCUMENTARY FILM ON COMMAGENE CIVILIZATION: -''THIS FILM WILL NOT ONLY INTRODUCE NEMRUT TO THE WORLD BUT ALSO CONTRIBUTE TO THE PRESERVATION OF CULTURAL HERITAGE''

Ornek told A.A correspondent that they will start shooting the documentary film named ''Throne of Gods, Nemrut Mountain'' on August 18.

The documentary film will include interviews with Turkish and foreign experts, Ornek noted.

Ornek added that they will dramatize the first researches of Osman Hamdi Bey and German archeologist Otto Puchstein on Nemrut Mountain in their documentary film.

The documentary film will be shot in Ataturk Dam, Nemrut Mountain, Arsemia, former Kahta Castle, Cendere Bridge, Karakus Tumulus, Gerger and Sincik churches, Adiyaman, Gaziantep and Ankara Anatolian Civilizations museums, and ancient Zeugma site.

The documentary film will include interviews with historian Margherita Facella of Pisa University, Roman history expert Andrew Gregory of Yale University, archeologist Hans-Gert Bachmann who join excavations on Nemrut, Professor Sencer Sahin who make researches on Nemrut inscriptions, historian Jorg Wagner who deal with Commagene civilization, and archeologist Donald Sanders.

[04] ITALY, SYRIA AND GERMANY BECOME EXPORT CENTERS OF SOUTHEAST

Animal product exports from Southeastern Anatolia Region to Italy increased 18.5 percent to 24 million 746 thousand U.S. dollars and to Germany climbed 109.5 percent to 15 million 599 thousand U.S. dollars while animal product exports to Syria decreased 54.8 percent to 19 million 532 thousand U.S. dollars in first seven months of 2000.

Southeastern Anatolia Region exported 20 million 867 thousand U.S. dollars animal products to Italy, 43 million 129 thousand U.S. dollar animal products to Syria and 7 million 443 thousand U.S. dollar animal products to Germany in the same period in 1999.

Textile ranked at the first place among the products exported to Italy, Syria and Germany.

Dried apricot, cotton thread, synthetic thread and plastic bags were other products exported to these three countries.

[05] ANKARA CINEMA ASSOCIATION AND ISRAELI EMBASSY TO

Five long and five short films which were shot between 1986 and 1999 will be shown during the festival.

The festival which targets at introducing Israeli cinema to Turkey, will start by Israeli film named ''Kuzunun Gulumseyisi'' (Smile of a Lamb) in which famous Turkish actor Tuncel Kurtiz won ''Silver Bear'' award for his performance.

Kurtiz acted as an old Arab who was living in a cave and who became involved in politics although he was not even interested in daily life.

Other films that will be shown during the festival are ''Ask Hastasi'' (Love Sick), ''Bay Baum'un Son 92 Dakikasi'' (The Last 92 Minutes of Mr.Baum), ''Sh'hur-Beyaz Buyu'' (Sh'Hur-White Magic) and ''Sonsuz Mutluluk'' (Eternal Happiness).

[06] SUDANESE DELEGATION VISITS TOBB

Guest Sudanese Minister Balail who is currently in Ankara visited on Tuesday tha Union of Turkish Chambers and Commodity Exchanges (TOBB).

TOBB's Board Deputy Chairman Rifat Hisarciklioglu said that the Sudanese Foreign Trade Minister and he would discuss the business that the Turkish private sector could make in Sudan.

Expressing his pleasure with the visit of the Sudanese delegation to TOBB, Hisarciklioglu said, ''we will exchange opinion on the business that the Turkish private sector can make in Sudan which is the door to Africa.''

Sudanese Minister Balail said that there were historical ties between Turkey and Sudan but the relations between the two countries couldn't reach the desired level.

Guest Minister Balail said that both Turkey and Sudan expended efforts to develop and increase the economic relations.

Balail added that he invited Turkish businessmen and entreprenuers to the Africa's door, Sudan.

[07] REPRESENTATIVES OF POLITICAL PARTIES IN TRNC AND GREEK CYPRIOT ADMINISTRATION COME TOGETHER IN LEDRA PALACE

The political parties which have met with each other for some time by the initiatives of Dusan Rozbora, the Slovakian Ambassador in Greek Cypriot administration, discuss the ways of cooperation between two sides on the island.

Gungor Gurkan of Communal Liberation Party (TKP), Mehmet Ali Talat and Vasfi Candan of Republican Turkish Party (CTP), and Ozker Ozgur and Murat Kanatli of Patriotic Unity Movement (YBH) joined the meeting on behalf of TRNC.

Keti Clerides and Panagiotis Dimitriou of Democratic Rally (DISY), Dimitris Hristofyas, Eleni Movra, Vera Polikarbaou of Progressive Party of the Working People (AKEL), Koulis Mavronicolas of Social Democrats Movement (KISOS) and George Vasiliu of United Democrats (EDE) represented the Greek Cypriot administration in the meeting.

A statement is expected to be released following the meeting.

The political parties in TRNC and Greek Cypriot administration had agreed to organize a joint festival in Ledra Palace in the last meeting they held on June 6.

[08] UZBEK OPERA SINGER AZIZOVA IN TURKEY

Azizova will take the stage in Dogu Bayazit Izhak Pasha Palace as a soloist on September 3.

Gulsen Azizova, who also sang the ''Agri Mountain Legend'' in July 1999, was given ''Distinguished Artist'' title by Uzbekistan in 1997. She has been presented with several international awards.

[09] FOREIGN TRADE STATISTICS -13.35 BILLION U.S. DOLLARS GOODS EXPORTED AND 25.02 BILLION U.S. DOLLARS GOODS IMPORTED IN FIRST HALF OF 2000

The exports increased by 4.5 percent compared to same period last year while the increase in imports reached 36 percent.

The State Institute of Statistics (DIE) said that in parallel to the six- month increase in imports, the foreign trade deficit rose 107.5 percent to 11 billion 670.8 million U.S. dollars, and the rate of exports meeting imports decreased to 53.4 percent.

In the same peroid last year, the total exports were 12 billion 780.9 million U.S. dollars, the total imports were 18 billion 405.1 million U.S. dollars.

Meanwhile, Turkey exported 2 billion 108.7 million U.S. dollars goods and imported 4 billion 609.3 million U.S. dollars products in June 2000.

In the same period last year, the total exports were 2 billion 122.3 million U.S. dollars and the total imports were 3 billion 601.9 million U.S. dollars.

The exports decreased by 0.6 percent compared to same period last year while the increase in imports reached 28 percent.

The foreign trade deficit increased 69 percent to 2 billion 500.6 million U.S. dollars in June.

The realizations in foreign trade figures as of June 1999 and 2000 according to the DIE data are as follows: (million U.S. dollars)

. JUNE Diff JANUARY-JUNE Diff

. 1999 2000 (%) 1999 2000 (&)

. ------- -------- ---- -------- -------- ----
Exports 2.122.3 2.108.7 -0.6 12.780.9 13.353.4 4.5

Imports 3.601.9 4.609.3 28.0 18.405.1 25.024.2 36.0

Deficit -1.479.6 -2.500.6 69.0 -5.624.2 -11.670.8 107.5

Rate of

Meeting (%) 58.9 45.7 69.4 53.4

[10] CARGO SHIP LIES ON ONE SIDE OFFSHORE SINOP -SEVEN MEMBERS OF CREW RESCUED

The crew of the ship was rescued by the Coast Guard Commandership.

The 1700 gross tons of ship namely Hacı Salim Dadaylı, which disloads ores to Samsun port, had the danger of sinking on the way to Russia around 08.30 a.m. offshore Boztepeburnu in international waters due to strong waves.

The alist ship started to take in water and the seven crew members were rescued.

Meanwhile two captains of the ship said that they would wait in the ship till a rescue ship comes to them.

[11] EARTHQUAKES CONTINUE TO JOLT DENIZLI

Officials at Istanbul-based Kandilli Observatory Seismology Institute told the A.A correspondent on Wednesday that three earthquakes ranging from 2.9 to 3.1 on the Richter scale were recorded in Denizli between 01:37 a.m. and 10:39 p.m. on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, three earthquakes ranging from 2.9 to 3.2 jolted Aegean Izmir province between 11:32 p.m. on Tuesday and 00:23 a.m. on Wednesday.

[12] PRESIDENT SEZER ISSUES MESSAGE DUE TO AUGUST 30 VICTORY DAY

President Sezer issued a message due to August 30 Victory Day.

According to a statement issued by Presidential Press Center, Sezer said struggle for independence, which was carried out under the leadership of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the Founder of the Modern Turkish Republic, was a historic bravery legend.

''Turkish nation refused to accept the grave conditions which were tried to be imposed by Moudhros Armistice and Sevres. The struggle for liberation, which started after Mustafa Kemal came to Samsun, resulted in victory on August 30.''

''Today, Turkish republic, by basing on democracy, and secular and social legal state, continues on its path with its dynamic structure that is open to the developments in the world,'' the message noted.

In the message Sezer said, ''we will put our signature to the new economic and political victories in peace era, and become one of the most developed countries by overcoming our deficiences in every field with the understanding of an administration respecting to laws and human rights.''

[13] IMF DELEGATION TO COME TO TURKEY ON WEDNESDAY

The IMF delegation headed by Carlo Cottarelli, the IMF Turkey Desk Chief, will start its official contacts on August 31 Thursday by visiting State Minister Recep Onal and the Treasury Undersecretary Selcuk Demiralp.

The IMF delegation which will separate into groups on Thursday, will start technical studies at Finance Ministry, State Planning Organization (DPT), Treasury Undersecretariat and Central Bank.

Cottarelli told A.A correspondent that Odd Per Brekk, the Turkey representative completed his preliminary studies about the economic data, adding the visit will be more effective.

Cottarelli stressed that this third visit of the IMF is important to see the whole picture in 2000 and to determine the macro economic targets of 2001 and the budget.

Meanwhile the IMF delegation will also focus on the ''Transparency in Public Expenditures and Debt Administration Principles,'' during its contacts till September 12 and this principle will be valid in formation of the 2001 budget.

Privatization, privatization of public banks, State Economic Enterprises (KITs), Saving Deposits and the banks in Insurance Fund are the other issues that will be taken up by the IMF delegation.

The sustainability of the current accounts and the distortions in inflation rate at the end of the year will be discussed at the meetings and the additional measures will also be taken up.

Carlo Cottarelli will stage a joint press briefing on September 12 and he is expected to leave Turkey for London for a meeting together with Treasury Undersecretary Selcuk Demiralp and Central Bank Governor Gazi Ercel.

Economy officials will send the Additional Letter of Intent they will prepare to Washington D.C. after the visit of the IMF delegation. Following the approval of the letter by the IMF Executive Directors, nearly 300 million dollars of Stand-By credit will be released.

[14] ALIST SHIP SINKS

The captain and his assistant who didn't leave the ship to the last minute, was rescued by being taken to the Coast Security Guard boat.

The 1700 gross tons of ship sank as the bad wheather conditions continued.

Mehmet Ozkan, Ali Keskin, Ismail Sahin, Suleyman Muluk, Mahmut Turkyılmaz, Recep Aslan and Murat Turkyılmaz, the ship crew had earlier been taken from the ship. Later the two captains were also taken from the ship as the ship couldn't be salvaged.

Meanwhile Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit called Ayhan Nasuhbeyoglu, the governor of Sinop and got information from him.

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