Anadolu Agency: News in English, 00-09-18

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ANADOLU AGENCY

NEWS

18 SEPTEMBER 2000 Monday

CONTENTS

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

[02] PARLIAMENT SPEAKER AKBULUT IN BULGARIA

[03] INTERIOR MINISTER TANTAN ARRIVES IN UZBEKISTAN

[04] AGRICULTURE AND RURAL AFFAIRS MINISTER GOKALP IN NETHERLANDS

[05] ARCHAEOLOGICAL EXCAVATIONS IN ZEUGMA

[06] STUDENTS OF TOKYO UNIVERSITY'S DEPARTMENT OF TURKISH LANGUAGE TO BE TURKEY'S TOURISM ENVOYS

[07] TURKEY TO PARTICIPATE IN INTERNATIONAL THEATRE FESTIVAL IN BELGRADE

[08] CZECH PRESIDENT HAVEL DUE IN TURKEY

[09] FRENCH FOREIGN MINISTRY SECRETARY GENERAL HENNEKINNE IN TURKEY

[10] THY STARTS FLIGHTS TO PRAGUE

[11] OIL CRISIS AND TURKEY'S ECONOMY

[12] PARLIAMENT SPEAKER AKBULUT:

[13] ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES MINISTRY UNDERSECRETARY YIGITGUDEN:

[14] BUSINESSMEN HEADED BY STATE MINISTER GEMICI TO VISIT AFRICAN COUNTRIES

[15] ETHIOPIAN WATER RESOURCES MINISTER VISITS STATE MINISTER KECECILER

[16] NEW JUDICIAL YEAR STARTS IN TRNC

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

OIL PRICES INCREASE
As the price of crude oil is expensive, the annual crude oil cost of Turkey came closer to 5 billion dollars. According to the calculations of the State Planning Organization (DPT), Turkey paid 25,8 dollars for one barrel of oil in the first six months of 2000, the cost was 12,5 dollars covering the same period last year. The cost of one barrel of crude oil increased by 108.1 percent for Turkey in one year.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

''FREEDOM'' REWARD TO ARMENIAN TERRORIST
The Armenian lobby which tries to pass the bill on the so-called genocide on Armenians from the U.S. House of Representatives, decided to give ''Freedom Reward'' to Murad Topalyan, who was tried of terrorism. Armenian National Committees in America (ANCA) which brought together the Armenian lobbies in the U.S., announced that the reward will be given to Topalyan on September 24.

SABAH (LIBERAL)

SPECIAL WINE FOR JESUS CHRIST
The More and More company produced a special wine from the grapes of the regions of Anatolia which are considered as sacred by the Christians for the 200th anniversary of the birth of Jesus Christ. Sebnem Yilmaz, the Customer Manager of the More and More, said that they reached a deal with the Kavaklidere Wine Factory and produced 140,000 red wines.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

DRAMA FILM FESTIVAL IN URGUP
Turkish and Greek movie makers will convene in Urgup township of central Nevsehir province between September 18 and 21. The long and short Greek films will be shown in the festival titled ''Greece Is So Close To Turkey That The Drama Film Festival Is In Urgup.'' The festival is organized by the Culture Ministry, Ankara Cinema Association and Urgup Municipality.

RADIKAL (LEFT)

THREE TRILLION TL PILFERAGE FROM ZIRAAT BANKASI
Manager, deputy manager and cashier of the Sirkeci Branch of Ziraat Bankasi were taken into custody on charges of causing three trillion Turkish lira (TL) loss of the bank by giving loans to some companies. It was revealed that former bodyguard of Omer Lutfu Topal, a mafia boss who was killed, was a middleman in the pilferage.

YENI BINYIL (LIBERAL)

DIFFICULT WEEK FOR CABINET
The ''European Union-EU Road Map'' prepared by the Prime Ministry Human Rights Coordinator Supreme Board, will be discussed at the cabinet on Thursday. The coalition parties will try to overcome their differences of opinion between them and determine a ''strategy'' about the path that will be followed. The ''Map'' is composed of 52 articles and among them are issues of abolishment of death penalty, changing Article 312 of the Turkish Penal Code, the law on ombudsmanship, changes in Turkish Penal Code and Code of Criminal Procedure, state of emergency, compensation for terrorism, compensation for torture and signing the U.N. Convention on Racial Discrimination.

TURKIYE (RIGHT)

WE BECOME SAD BY NAIM AND PLEASED BY OZKAN
Naim Suleymanoglu, a Turkish weight-lifter competing in 145 kg category in the 2000 Sydney Summer Olympics, could not lift the barbell in his three attempts. Huseyin Ozkan, competing in 66 kg category in judo, won gold medal and became the first Turkish sportsman who made Turkey win a gold medal in a competition other than wrestling and weight-lifting in the Olympics.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

HUMAN RIGHTS STOPPED BY LAW
The law on the structure of the ''Human Rights Chairmanship'' which is wanted to be set up in the field of human rights is pending before the parliament for six months. The bill on the organization couldn't still be discussed in the parliament.

[02] PARLIAMENT SPEAKER AKBULUT IN BULGARIA

Speaking before his departure, Akbulut said that the relations with Bulgaria develop in all fields, adding that ''there is friendship, good will, understanding and confidence between the two neighbour countries today, which had serious problems and crisis in the past.''

This positive atmosphere has also been reflected to the interparliamentary relations, said Akbulut and noted that he will also meet with mayors of Plovdiv and Sofia during his visit.

Akbulut said that he plans to see Ahmet Dogan, the head of the Rights and Freedoms Action.

When a journalist asked him about the election of the parliament speaker, Akbulut said that the parliament will open on October 1 and the candidates will apply till October 10. ''I don't know what these developments will show and who will be candidates,'' he said.

Ivan Kurtev, the Bulgarian Deputy Speaker and Turkish Ambassador to Bulgaria Tahsin Burcuoglu welcomed him at Sofia Airport.

Akbulut will meet with Parliament Speaker Yordan Sokolov, Acting President Todor Kavalciyev, Premier Ivan Kostov, Foreign Minister Nadejda Mihaylavo and Chairman of Parliamentary Foreign Affairs and Integration Commission Asen Agov on Monday.

The parliamentary delegation will hold some contacts and observations in Sofia and Plovdiv cities during its visit.

The delegation will return to Turkey on September 20.

[03] INTERIOR MINISTER TANTAN ARRIVES IN UZBEKISTAN

Speaking to A.A correspondent at the airport, Tantan said that he will discuss many cooperation possibilities with Almatov in fields like terrorism, organized crime, drug and education.

Turkish Ambassador to Uzbekistan Umur Apaydın, who welcomed Tantan at the airport, said in his part that ''the wishes of the Uzbek side will be listened and issues and problems will be determined during Mr. Tantan's visit and the scope of the cooperation will turn into a bilateral agreement during Foreign Minister Ismail Cem's visit to this country between 2-3 October.''

Tantan will firstly visit Turkish Embassy in Tashkent. Following the interdelegationary meetings headed by Interior Ministers, Tantan will visit Taskent Police Academy and JAR Sports Complex. Tantan will attend the dinner that will be hosted by Uzbek Interior Minister Zakir Almatov on Monday evening.

Tantan will proceed to Samarqand by a special plane of Uzbekistan on Tuesday and visit the historical places there.

Tantan and the accompanying delegation will return to Turkey on September 20.

[04] AGRICULTURE AND RURAL AFFAIRS MINISTER GOKALP IN NETHERLANDS

Gokalp, paying a four-day visit to the Netherlands as the official guest of Dutch Agriculture Minister Laurens Jan Brinkhorst, told reporters at the airport that the Netherlands is among the countries which is experienced in agriculture.

Gokalp said that he will try to benefit from the experiences of this country in agriculture during his contacts.

They want to improve agricultural cooperation with the Netherlands to promote Turkey's agricultural infrastructure to the level of the European Union (EU) countries by taking into consideration the possibilities of this country, Gokalp noted.

Gokalp stated that within this framework, they will evaluate cooperation opportunities with this countries, including the education programmes, the transfer of technology, investments and common trade.

He will sign a memorandum of understanding on cooperation with his Dutch counterpart, Gokalp stressed.

Reminding the reporters that the trade volume between Turkey and the Netherlands was 2 billion 250 million U.S. dollars, Gokalp said that the share of the agriculture sector in this volume was 150 million U.S. dollars.

He believes that this share will increase as the cooperation is further improved, Gokalp emphasized.

Gokalp said that the government decided to enable the private sector to utilize the opportunities of the State Production Farms belonging to the Agricultural Enterprises General Directorate.

Within this framework, a tender was opened for ten of 38 farms, Gokalp noted, adding that bids will be received until November 15.

Gokalp said that the Dutch enterpreneurs can also utilize these farms.

Gokalp, who is accompanied by a delegation composed of 20 people including Adana deputy Ali Halaman, and the high-ranking officials of the ministry and the private sector representatives, will meet with his Dutch counterpart on Monday.

Agriculture Minister Gokalp is expected to return to Turkey on Thursday.

[05] ARCHAEOLOGICAL EXCAVATIONS IN ZEUGMA

The (A) region of the ancient city where great mosaics and the sculpture of the ''God of War- Mars'' were unearthed, was inundated by the waters of Birecik dam last June. The (B) part of the city will be completely inundated by the waters of the dam on October 4.

Kemal Sertok, the Coordinator of the Belkıs Zeugma Excavations told A.A correspondent that the restoration and conservation studies of the mosaics started in a broad laboratory they formed in the excavation house.

''When the desired programme is implemented and the excavation ends, these mosaics will be ready to be displayed,'' he said, adding that ''the Zeugma city which is remembered with Pompei can be compared to 'Venice' from now on.''

[06] STUDENTS OF TOKYO UNIVERSITY'S DEPARTMENT OF TURKISH LANGUAGE TO BE TURKEY'S TOURISM ENVOYS

They will be the voluntary tourism envoys of Turkey to introduce all these beauties to the whole Japan, said Kozue Urata and Satomi Simizu, the third year students of Tokyo University. They added that they chose this department as they thought Turkish language will be one of the most important languages of the 21st century.

The importance of Turkey in the world increases and the Turkish-Japanese relations develop fastly, said Urata and Simizu. It is obvious that the two students will undertake an important role in promoting close relations between the two countries by their perfect Turkish.

''Turkish people are really hospitable, we made our dream come true by visiting the Cappadocia region. We were fascinated by Cappodocia. This region of Turkey, can on its own draw Japanese people to Turkey,'' they said.

[07] TURKEY TO PARTICIPATE IN INTERNATIONAL THEATRE FESTIVAL IN BELGRADE

Sources told A.A correspondent on Monday that this will be the first time that the traditional shadow puppet theatre will be performed in an international theatre festival.

The sources said that Ekler will perform the shadow puppet play in Bojan Stupica hall between September 21 and 22.

The play will be performed in Turkish and be projected on a big screen with big designs of the characters.

[08] CZECH PRESIDENT HAVEL DUE IN TURKEY

A statement of the Foreign Ministry said on Monday that Havel will be accompanied by a delegation including Czech Agriculture Minister Jan Fencl and other officials.

Havel will meet with Sezer and receive Premier Bulent Ecevit during his visit to Turkey.

The Bilkent University will decorate Havel with honorary doctorate within framework of his visit to Turkey.

Bilateral relations, regional and international issues concerning two countries are expected to be taken up during the meeting between Sezer and Havel.

Three agreements on customs, veterinarianship, preservation of flora, and quarantine, are expected to be signed during Havel's visit.

After Havel and the accompanying delegation wrap up their contacts in Ankara, they will proceed to Izmir and Istanbul.

[09] FRENCH FOREIGN MINISTRY SECRETARY GENERAL HENNEKINNE IN TURKEY

Hennekinne came to Turkey within the framework of the regular political consultation mechanism between the two countries. During the interdelegationary meetings, views will be exchanged about bilateral relations, the Turkey-EU relations and international and regional issues.

Hennekinne congratulated Logoglu for judoka Huseyin Ozkan's beating his French rival in the Olympic Games.

The Turkey-EU relations will also be discussed in details during the meetings as France is the EU Term President.

The studies on the preparations for the Accession Partnership Document that will be completed in the beginning of November are also expected to come to the agenda of he meetings.

Turkey defends the view that Cyprus and Aegean issues should not be included in the Accession Partnership Document, but Greece launches efforts to make the EU cover these issues in the Document.

The draft bill on the so-called genocide on Armenians which is wanted to be brought to the French Senate is also expected to be taken up in the meetings.

[10] THY STARTS FLIGHTS TO PRAGUE

State Minister Yuksel Yalova; Yusuf Bolayirli, the General Director of THY; and many journalists and high-ranking bureaucrats flew to Prague with THY's Boeing 737 plane.

The plane took off Ataturk Airport of Istanbul at 9.30 a.m.

The THY will arrange direct flights from Istanbul to Prague on Mondays, Thursdays and Sundays.

The planes which will take of Ataturk Airport at 2.00 p.m. these days, will land at Prague's airport at 3.40 p.m. and leave for Istanbul at 4.40 p.m.

Meanwhile, the THY's direct flights to Warsaw, Poland, will start on October 2.

The number of THY's foreign flight points reached 77 by flights to Prague and Warsaw.

[11] OIL CRISIS AND TURKEY'S ECONOMY

An analysis carried out by Schroder Salomon Smith Barney noted that the developing countries other than the oil exporters were seriously damaged by the 10 dollar increase per barrel in oil prices.

The developing countries started to take measures against this development which negatively affected their foreign trade balances.

Schroder Salomon Smith Barney said that an important stage will start in the economic programme that is implemented by Turkey, next year.

A new regime will start to be implemented in July 2001 in the foreign exchange rate which is now called ''pre-announced crawling peg.'' The new regime aims at setting the foreign exchange rate flexible within a certain ''band.''

The analysis noted that the new regime is one that will enable transition to a system based on inflation target, adding the important details have not been determined yet.

Central Bank can issue a more detailed statement about the foreign exchange rate it will implement next year, Schroder Salomon Smith Barney said adding that the foreign exchange rate will no longer be the key of the programme, rather the interest rates will be determining.

[12] PARLIAMENT SPEAKER AKBULUT:

Akbulut and the accompanying delegation met with Bulgarian Parliament Speaker Yordan Sokolov.

Akbulut said that Turkey is uneasy about the activities of the terrorist organization PKK in Bulgaria and the stories in the Bulgarian press which say that an internation meeting on Armenia will be held in Bulgaria in 2002.

''The Armenian terrorism and the PKK terrorism costed lives of many Turkish people. Bulgaria should announce the PKK as a terrorist organization as Germany and France did and should put an end to its activities. Nobody should forget that struggle against terrorism is the responsibility of all the countries. Terrorism does not only harm the country in which it is carried out,'' Akbulut also said.

Akbulut noted that friendship between Turkey and Bulgaria is improving day by day and that Turkey supports Bulgaria's becoming a NATO member.

Turkey welcomes Bulgaria's European Union (EU) candidacy process, Akbulut stated, adding Turkey and Bulgaria share similar ideas on many issues.

Akbulut stressed that they welcome steps taken for the rights and liabilities of Turkish kinsmen living in Bulgaria and that the heirs of the dead kinsmen should be authorized for the change of the names of the dead.

Akbulut requested that the Plovdiv-Kapikule highway project should be implemented in the possible shortest time.

Sokolov said that Turkey and Bulgaria has a firm cooperation in struggle against terrorism and that Bulgaria has never supported the PKK.

A member of the Bulgar parliament went to a camp of the separatist terrorist organization and became the supporter of the terrorist organization, Sokolov also said.

Sokolov noted that the Bulgarian state is not indifferent to a meeting regarding PKK held in its territory but that it takes steps immediately.

Sokolov stated that contacts between two countries will further improve relations.

He believes there is not a legal difficulty in changing the names of dead Turkish kinsmen, but he will deal with this issue, Sokolov said.

Akbulut later laid a wreath to Unknown Soldier Monument and observed a minute of silence.

Yildirim Akbulut and the accompanying delegation also met with the Foreign Policy and Integration Committee of the Bulgarian Parliament.

[13] ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES MINISTRY UNDERSECRETARY YIGITGUDEN:

''But if the world oil prices continue to increase, this will be reflected on natural gas,'' said Yigitguden talking to reporters after meeting with David Syz, the Swiss State Secretary responsible for economic affairs.

Yigitguden noted that having new clients of natural gas in Ankara causes natural gas and energy shortage, adding they earlier warned the municipality and the companies about the issue.

Responding to questions of journalists about Ilısu dam, Syz said in his part that ''financing the dam can come to the agenda together with the new environment report and the problems about the issue can be overcome and the project can be put into practice.''

Switzerland wants to develop the economic relations with Turkey, said Syz adding that Turkey undertook many reforms recently and the Swiss private sector thinks of playing a role in the developments.

Syz who called the Turkish investors to undertake common ventures with Swiss investors in Turkey, said that they appreciate the developments in the southeast Anatolian Project (GAP).

They are closely interested in various projects in Turkey particularly in energy field, Syz said and noted that there are bankers and businessmen in the Swiss delegation.

[14] BUSINESSMEN HEADED BY STATE MINISTER GEMICI TO VISIT AFRICAN COUNTRIES

Foreign Trade Undersecretariat said on Monday that cooperation agreements will be signed in the fields of trade, economy and technique during the visit of the delegation to the three countries which will start on Monday and last till September 30.

The visit carries great importance as it is the first visit to the region at the level of ministers within the framework of the opening policy to Africa.

Meanwhile, State Minister Gemici is expected to be received by the presidents and meet with foreign ministers, economy, trade ministers of the mentioned countries.

Turkish businessmen will come together with the businessmen of the countries and discuss bilateral cooperation opportunities with them.

[15] ETHIOPIAN WATER RESOURCES MINISTER VISITS STATE MINISTER KECECILER

Kececiler said they have completed works to prevent double taxation and promotion of mutual investments. He also stated that Turkey is willing to advance all kinds of relations with this African country, chiefly in commerce and economy. The Joint Economic Meeting that will be held in Adis Ababa in November will help to develop these relations, he said.

An Ethiopian delegation will come to Turkey in November to finalize the studies that have been continuing between Turkey and Ethiopia regarding the prevention of double taxation and promotion of mutual investments.

''There are no problems left from our point of view. I hope we could sign these two agreements during the Joint Economy Meeting in November.

Speaking about Ethiopia's water problem, Kececiler said Turkey is ready to share its experience with Ethiopia in this field.

Shiferow Jorso stressed that the two countries have deeply rooted and very good relations. He also added that during his visit he would have the opportunity to find out more about Turkey's experience in water.

[16] NEW JUDICIAL YEAR STARTS IN TRNC

The banking crisis and the delay in the trial process of bank owners constituted the main topics during opening speeches.

TRNC Parliament Speaker Ertugrul Hasipoglu who spoke at the opening ceremony said the TRNC is a democratic state of law. ''Turkish Cypriots adopted parliamentary system in 1975, and discussing the parliamentary system would not do any good to anyone now,'' Hasipoglu said.

Criticizing the delay in the trial procedure of the bank owners, Hasipoglu said that one bank owner fled to another country although it was said that measures were taken to prevent this from happening.

Dwelling on the Cyprus problem, Hasipoglu said the TRNC's existence started to be recognized internationally. He stated that Greek Cypriots do not want to share their developed economies or other advantages of being a recognized state with Turkish Cypriots. ''They don't even recognize our political equality. We are only cheap labour for them,'' he said.

Peace is only possible on the basis of two separate states, he stressed. ''Today there is no other option other than two different homes,'' he went on to say. ''The opposite would be risking both Greek and Turkish Cypriots, Turkey and the whole world. Greek and Turkish Cypriots do not trust each other, and they cannot live together. If Greek Cypriots think they can dominate us, they are wrong.''

TRNC Higher Court Chairman Salih Dayioglu who spoke after Hasipoglu said the courts in the TRNC were also greatly affected by the economic crisis as there was an increase in penalty and legal cases compared to previous years.

He said that bank victims should be shown more attention. ''They should not give bank victims any false promises,'' he said and added that people would lose their trust in the state if promises are not kept.

Turkish Cypriots are going through a critical period over the Cyprus conflict, therefore despite some difference of opinion in domestic politics, Turkish Cypriots should unite to form one front in international debates, he said.

Dayioglu said noone should expect Turkish Cypriots to say ''yes'' to a proposal that might lead to the violence lived in the past.

TRNC Bars Union Chairman Suleyman Dolmaci who also spoke at the opening said the lawyers law which was passed in 1960 under the British dominion should be updated according to today's needs. ''We, as lawyers, are looking for solutions to other people's problems but we cannot solve the problems of our profession. We want to be independent and free,'' he said.

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