Anadolu Agency: News in English, 00-09-03

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ANADOLU AGENCY

NEWS

03

SEPTEMBER 2000 Sunday

CONTENTS

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

[02] SOCCER -TURKEY BEATS MOLDOVA 2-0 IN 2002 WORLD CUP QUALIFYING MATCH

[03] MINISTER OF CULTURE TALAY'S CONTACTS IN VATICAN

[04] FOREST FIRE IN KESAN -710 HECTARES OF PINE WOOD BURN

[05] PRESIDENT SEZER IN NEW YORK ON MONDAY -FM CEM EXPECTED TO COME TO NEW YORK ON SUNDAY

[06] ENVIRONMENT MINISTER AYTEKIN IN JAPAN

[07] TURKISH YACHT WHICH RAN AGROUND SALVAGED

[08] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT: ''VILLAGE-CITY PROJECT IS MY DREAM FOR 30 YEARS''

[09] TIM ANNOUNCES EXPORTS FIGURES -EXPORTS IN AUGUST INCREASES BY 14.3 PERCENT COMPARED TO SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR

[10] 354,5 MILLION DOLLARS OF EXPORTS FROM GAP REGION IN EIGHT MONTHS

[11] 11TH ALIAGA UNITED PEACE AND LABOUR FESTIVITIES -TURKISH AND GREEK ENVIRONMENTALISTS CALL ON NGOS TO COOPERATE AGAINST SEA POLLUTION

[12] FOREIGN MINISTER CEM LEAVES FOR U.S.

[13] FP LEADER KUTAN CLAIMS TURKEY HAS NOT BEEN EFFECTIVE IN WORLD POLITICS

[14] TRNC PRESIDENT DENKTAS: ''WE ARE IN A POSITION NOW TO TALK FROM STATE TO STATE''

[15] MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE GOKALP LEAVES FOR HUNGARY

[16] INCREASE IN PRICES IN AUGUST -WHOLESALE PRICES INCREASE BY 0,9 PERCENT, CONSUMER PRICES INCREASE BY 2,2 PERCENT

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

GOOD START IN SOCCER
Turkish national soccer team beat Moldova last night by 2-0 in Turkey by the goals of Okan and Emre. Our national soccer team started the World Cub by a victory after 22 years.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

ADDITIONAL LETTER OF INTENT TO BE SUBMITTED IN OCTOBER
The Additional Letter of Intent which came to the agenda again with the visit of IMF delegation to Turkey, can only be given to IMF in October. Officials told yesterday that as the 2001 budget figures are not definite yet and as the meetings with the IMF will also continue after 12 September, the preparation of the Additional Letter of Intent will also continue in September. Officials said that the third visit of the IMF to review the economic practices of Turkey is very busy, adding that the 2001 year budget which will determine the macro economic programme is important and the budget has to become definite first.

SABAH (LIBERAL)

TURKEY EXPRESSES FAITHFULNESS TO POPE JOHN XXIII
Istemihan Talay, the Minister of Culture and the accompanying delegation went to Vatican to participate in the ceremony that will be staged for the beatification of the Pope John XXIII. Talay said that Turkey expresses her faithfulness to Pope John XXIII who liked Turks very much and he worked in Turkey as a representative of Vatican between the years of 1935-1944.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

WARNING TO BANKS
The Turkish Union of Banks stressed that the weakness of the banks constitutes a risk for the whole financial system. The Union noted in a report it prepared that no more banks should be sold to big groups which have already banks.

RADIKAL (LEFT)

PRESSURE FOR CLERGY SCHOOL
Pressures increase for the opening of the clergy school for Greek Orthodoxs in Heybeliada, Istanbul. Greek clergy man who are American citizens convened in the corridors of the school, which was closed by Turkey 30 years ago, and asked Turkey to start the education in the school as soon as possible.

YENİ BİNYIL (LIBERAL)

ETHICS COURSES TO YOUNGSTERS IN MOSQUES
Mehmet Nuri Yılmaz, the Head of the Religious Affairs said that they will give courses to youngsters in mosques about the Islamic ethics as of October 1. But the problem is how to bring the youngsters to the mosques. Yılmaz called on 80,000 imams to find a solution to this problem.

TURKIYE (RIGHT)

The group headed by the American journalist Thomas Caufield Goltz is composed of eight Americans, six British, five Azerbaijanis, three Georgians, one Turk, one Norweigan, one Swiss and one German. Each motorcyclist represents one firm which has a share in the international consortium AIOC.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

[02] SOCCER -TURKEY BEATS MOLDOVA 2-0 IN 2002 WORLD CUP QUALIFYING MATCH

Okan scored the first goal at 45th minute in the first half and Emre hit the second goal at 75th minute in the second half.

Turkish soccer team won 3 points by this score.

[03] MINISTER OF CULTURE TALAY'S CONTACTS IN VATICAN

Talay who is the first Turkish Culture Minister who had contacts in Vatican, invited Sodano and the Pope John II to Turkey in the meeting.

''I told Sodano that the visit of the Pope to Turkey is very important in respect of the interreligious tolerance and dialogue atmosphere by taking into consideration the secular and democratic structure of Turkish Republic, '' said Talay after the meeting.

Talay noted that Sodano welcomed him in a very good way, adding that the Vatican Secertary of State accepted the invitation.

Talay later met with Cardinal Paul Poupard, the Head of the Vatican Cultural Affairs and said that Poupard expressed him his happiness over the restoration of the churches in Turkey.

Talay said that he invited Cardinal Poupard to Turkey for the seminar on Pope John XXIII that will be held in Istanbul between 8-11 December.

''We didn't forget Pope John XXIII who had close relations with Turkey and who always told that he loved Turks,'' said Talay.

Talay added that he will also come together with John Pope II who will direct the ceremony that will be held upon the beatification of John Pope XXIII.

[04] FOREST FIRE IN KESAN -710 HECTARES OF PINE WOOD BURN

Officials said on Sunday that the forest fire which started on September 1 between Gokcetepe and Camlıca villages was taken under control at 19.00 local time on Saturday.

The cooling efforts will continue for few days, said officials and added that smokes still come out from the area, and added that the smoke was not dangerous.

Officials noted that 710 hectares of pine wood burnt in the fire.

[05] PRESIDENT SEZER IN NEW YORK ON MONDAY -FM CEM EXPECTED TO COME TO NEW YORK ON SUNDAY

Foreign Minister Ismail Cem who will welcome President Sezer at the airport is expected to arrive in New York on Sunday evening.

President Sezer will come together with Jordanian King Abdullah and the leaders of the Jewish community in America on Tuesday morning.

President Sezer will address the Turkish society living the U.S. on Tuesday at 18.00 local time in the U.S. (01.00 local time in Turkey) at Alice Tully concert hall in Lincoln Center. Baki Ilkin, the Turkish Ambasador to the U.S., Umit Pamir, the Turkey's Permanent Representative to the U.N. and Mehmet N. Ezen, the Consul General in New York will participate in the meeting, which is jointly organized by the Federation of Turkish American Associations and the American Turkish Associations Assembly (ATAA).

Meanwhile the studies on the declaration that will be issued at the end of the Millennium summit have almost finished.

The declaration will determine the role the U.N. will undertake in the 21st century and it is expected to cover issues such as ''peace, security, disarmament, prevention of poverty, human rights, mobilization for literacy, struggle with AIDS and prevention of slums.''

One of the most significant points of the declaration will be on the broadening of the U.N. Security Council. (its permanent membership)

[06] ENVIRONMENT MINISTER AYTEKIN IN JAPAN

Aytekin, who is in Japan to attend the ''Environment and Development in Asia'' meeting organized by the U.N. Economic and Social Council, issued a speech at ECO-ASIA 2000 Conference in which the environment miinsters of 50 countries participated.

The Ministry of Environment said that Minister Aytekin referred to the importance of the regional initiatives undertaken by the countries which have common points in socio-economic, geographic and ecologic fields for the sustainable development.

Aytekin said that the issue of environment has also achieved an economic dimension after the Rio Summit, adding that ''Asia Pacific countries should also undertake initiatives by determining their environmental and development priorities.''

Aytekin also called on the international political and financial institutions to extend financial support to the regional initiatives undertaken by the less developed or developing countries to reach the targets of the sustainable development in the world.

The ''Environment and Development in Asia'' ministers meeting organized by the U.N. Economic and Social Council will start on Monday and it will last for two days.

Minister Aytekin will speak about the plans and programmes of Turkey about the issues that are on the agenda of this meeting.

[07] TURKISH YACHT WHICH RAN AGROUND SALVAGED

The 16 meter-long yacht which ran aground near Kumkale Cape region, was pulled by the Alemdar-2 Tugboat when the captain of the yacht called for help.

An investigation started about the captain of the yacht in which there were two persons. The yacht was brought to Canakkale Port.

[08] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT: ''VILLAGE-CITY PROJECT IS MY DREAM FOR 30 YEARS''

''By this project the life standarts in the cities will be brought to villages. Villagers won't leave their villages, the villages won't be united, but the powers of the villagers will be united.''

Prime Minister Ecevit went to Cavdar village to make observations about the Village-City project that was started in this village.

Speaking in the ceremony held upon the occasion, Ecevit said that he couldn't see the realization of his dream in 1970s. Ecevit said that his project was not taken seriously those years.

Ecevit noted that the speed of immigration from villages to cities should be prevented and this project will help in that.

[09] TIM ANNOUNCES EXPORTS FIGURES -EXPORTS IN AUGUST INCREASES BY 14.3 PERCENT COMPARED TO SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR

According to the records of the Turkey Exports Assembly (TIM), exports worth of 2 billion 156 million and 23 thousand dollars were recorded in August, 2000. The exports in August 1999 was 1 billion 886 million and 293 thousand dollars.

The exports between January-August increased by 4,3 percent compared to the same period last year and it reached 17 billion 786 million 438 thousand dollars. The exports of the first eight months of 1999 was 17 billion 51 million 416 thousand dollars.

TIM Chairman Okan Oguz said that the figures in August are pleasing yet, it is early to talk about an improvement in exports generally.

[10] 354,5 MILLION DOLLARS OF EXPORTS FROM GAP REGION IN EIGHT MONTHS

The amount was 352,3 million dollars in the same period last year.

Abdulkadir Cıkmaz, the Head of Southeastern Anatolia Exports Union said on Sunday that 1,3 million dollars of animal products, 57,3 million dollars of cereals and oily seeds, 27,4 million dollars of dry fruit, 204,4 milion dollars of textile, 64,1 million dollars of dry fruit and vegetable and industrial products were exported in January-August this year.

Cıkmaz noted that the exports will increase in a considerable extent till the end of the year.

[11] 11TH ALIAGA UNITED PEACE AND LABOUR FESTIVITIES -TURKISH AND GREEK ENVIRONMENTALISTS CALL ON NGOS TO COOPERATE AGAINST SEA POLLUTION

Speaking in the panel on ''Turkey-Greece Environment Network Cooperation,'' Nikos Chrysoyelos, the President of the Mediterranean S.O.S. Network Executive Board said that the NGOs of countries should make cooperation for clean seas.

Chrysoyelos noted that ''seas should remain clean and NGOs should support studies aiming at that.''

Domatzoglogu Kyriakos, the representative of Pan-Hellenic Ecological Institutions Network said in his part that the most important crisis of the humanity is that of the ecological one.

Secretary General of Black Sea National NGOs Forum Kenan Kuri said that the world countries should claim ownership over the common struggle for life.

Prof. Dr. Figen Doran, speaking on behalf of the East Mediterranean Environmental Training Joint Secretariat said that ''pollution both threatens the developed and also the developing countries. Turkey should come together with international environmental organizations to find solutions to these problems.''

[12] FOREIGN MINISTER CEM LEAVES FOR U.S.

Speaking at Ataturk Airport before his departure, Cem said that he will accompany President Ahmet Necdet Sezer who will come to New York for the U.N. Millennium Summit in his contacts.

Cem said that he will hold bilateral contacts with foreign ministers of nearly 30 countries during the U.N. General Assembly meetings which will later start.

[13] FP LEADER KUTAN CLAIMS TURKEY HAS NOT BEEN EFFECTIVE IN WORLD POLITICS

Speaking to reporters about the Turkish foreign policy, Kutan said that Turkey is in the most critical regions of the world and it is at the heart of three continents.

Following the collapse of the communist bloc, the western countries found a new enemy which is Islam, Kutan said and noted that ''such a view even if it is not openly told, closely concerns Turkey.''

Kutan said that Turkey has to improve its relations both with its moslem and also Orthodox Christian neighbours, adding that ''one of our neighbours is Iran. However there have not been stable relations between Turkey and Iran. It is as if some secret hands launch great efforts to disturb the relations with Iran. We must normalize and improve our relations with this country, which is one of the most important partners in Turkey's economic development.''

Kutan noted that Iraq is also important for Turkey particularly in respect of its energy sources, adding that before the imposition of the embargo on Iraq, it was the country to which Turkey exported most of its goods.

''There is an unjust embargo on Iraq, Saddam Hussein should be punished instead of the Iraqi and Turkish people,'' noted Kutan.

Referring to the relations with Syria, Kutan said that Syrian attitude against Turkey can't be approved, adding yet there is a new administration in this country and the relations have to be improved.

''We think that the foreign policy of Turkey towards Greece is wrong. Greece acted against Turkey in many incidents. But Turkey forgave Greece after the latter helped Turkey during the quake. In fact Turkey could have used that opportunity well. Greece is now in a position as if she didn't act against Turkey in anyway. It uses this advantage and it acts against Turkey regarding the issues such as the Cyprus and Aegean by getting the support of the EU countries,'' alleged Kutan.

Mentioning about the relations with the EU and the U.S., Kutan said that the relations with EU countries and the U.S. should be kept at the most advanced level.

[14] TRNC PRESIDENT DENKTAS: ''WE ARE IN A POSITION NOW TO TALK FROM STATE TO STATE''

Denktas noted that they will defend the existance of TRNC state and the guarantorship rights of Turkey during the proximity talks.

Speaking in the Fourth Regular Congress of the Democrat Party (DP), Denktas said that he will go to New York soon for the fourth round of the proximity talks on Cyprus.

Denktas said that as it is known the meetings in New York will be held in closed sessions, adding that the TRNC people shouldn't be suspicious of the things spoken there and they should be at ease.

Denktas noted that the intercommunal talks ended, adding that the Greek Cypriots should give up their policy of claiming ownership over the whole Cyprus.

Denktas stressed that TRNC will never say that ''we don't have a state, there is no guarantorship rights of Turkey on Cyprus and the Greek Cypriot immigrants can return home,'' adding these are wanted from him, but he will continue to say ''no'' to these.

''The guarantor of our sovereignty and security is Turkey,'' said Denktas.

[15] MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE GOKALP LEAVES FOR HUNGARY

Speaking at Ataturk Airport, Gokalp said that Hungary is similar to Turkey in respect of its agricultural structure and activities, adding they want to improve the agricultural cooperation between the two countries.

Gokalp noted that Hungary took important steps in the field of agriculture recently, adding that representatives of the private sector also come with him to Hungary.

Reminding the reporters about the EU candidacy of Hungary like Turkey, Gokalp pointed out that he will also explain his views about the things that must be done for joining the EU.

Gokalp noted that he will invite Torgyan to Food Technology Fair that will be staged in Ankara between 13-16 October.

Minister Gokalp, who will proceed to the Czech Republic on September 6, will return home on September 9.

[16] INCREASE IN PRICES IN AUGUST -WHOLESALE PRICES INCREASE BY 0,9 PERCENT, CONSUMER PRICES INCREASE BY 2,2 PERCENT

The annual inflation rate in wholesale goods is 48,9 percent and it is 53,2 percent in consumer prices as of August 2000, said DIE.

The eight-month inflation rate of this year has been 20,9 percent in wholesale prices and 23,1 percent in consumer prices.

The monthly and annual comparisons of the increase in prices for the last five years in accordance with the wholesale and consumer prices index is as follows:

Monthly Inflation

------------------------- -------------------------
Months 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000

----- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----- ----- ---- ---- ---- ---
Jan 9.8 5.6 6.5 3.6 5.8 8.3 5.9 7.2 4.8 4.9

Feb 5.8 6.2 4.6 3.4 4.1 4.5 5.7 4.4 3.2 3.7

March 7.0 6.0 4.0 4.0 3.1 5.6 5.4 4.3 4.1 2.9

April 8.1 5.5 4.0 5.3 2.4 6.7 6.6 4.7 4.9 2.3

May 4.1 5.2 3.3 3.2 1.7 4.5 4.7 3.5 2.9 2.2

June 2.7 3.4 1.6 1.8 0.3 2.5 2.9 2.4 3.3 0.7

July 2.4 5.3 2.5 4.0 1.0 2.1 6.3 3.4 3.8 2.2

Aug 3.8 5.3 2.4 3.3 0.9 4.8 6.2 4.0 4.2 2.2

Sept 5.1 6.3 5.3 5.9 6.1 7.3 6.7 6.0

Oct 5.5 6.7 4.1 4.7 6.5 8.3 6.1 6.3

Nov 5.1 5.6 3.4 4.1 5.2 6.6 4.3 4.2

Dec 3.9 5.4 2.5 6.8 3.4 5.1 3.3 5.9

Annual Inflation

----------------------- -------------------------
Months 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000

----- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
Jan 64.9 78.0 92.5 50.0 66.4 78.1 75.7 101.6 65.9 68.9

Feb 63.0 78.6 89.6 48.3 67.5 77.5 77.7 99.3 63.9 69.7

March 65.3 77.0 86.0 48.2 66.1 79.3 77.3 97.2 63.5 67.9

April 69.9 72.8 83.3 50.0 61.5 80.8 77.2 93.6 63.9 63.8

May 73.7 74.6 79.9 50.0 59.2 82.9 77.5 91.4 63.0 62.7

June 76.2 75.7 76.7 50.3 56.8 82.9 78.0 90.6 64.3 58.6

July 76.3 80.7 72.1 52.4 52.3 81.2 85.2 85.3 65.0 56.2

Aug 79.0 83.4 67.4 53.7 48.9 81.9 87.8 81.4 65.4 53.2

Sept 79.8 85.4 65.9 54.4 79.3 89.9 80.4 64.3

Oct 82.8 87.5 62.0 55.2 76.6 93.2 76.6 64.7

Nov 85.7 88.4 58.6 56.3 80.4 95.8 72.8 64.6

Dec 84.9 91.0 54.3 62.9 79.8 99.1 69.7 68.8

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