Anadolu Agency: News in English, 00-09-27

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ANADOLU AGENCY

NEWS

27 SEPTEMBER 2000

Wednesday

CONTENTS

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

[02] INVENTORY LIST OF CULTURAL AND HISTORICAL HERITAGES OF GAP REGION TO BE PREPARED

[03] JOURNALISTS FROM BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA TO VISIT GAP REGION

[04] ''MERHABA ATHENS, HERE ISTANBUL'' PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBITION OPENED IN ISTANBUL

[05] A PRICELESS OLD TESTAMENT CONFISCATED

[06] VERHEUGEN: ''TURKEY IS INDISPENSABLE FOR EUROPE''

[07] CHIEF OF GENERAL STAFF: ''ALLEGATIONS IN THE BILL ON SO-CALLED GENOCIDE ON ARMENIANS ARE TOTALLY ON WRONG BASIS''

[08] TPAO AND EL PASO START JOINT EXPLORATIONS IN MERSIN GULF

[09] ST.PAUL CHURCH IN ADIYAMAN EXPECTED TO DRAW MORE TOURISTS

[10] STATE MINISTER MIRZAOGLU: ''TURKEY IS FACING THE MOST SERIOUS DEFAMATION IN ITS HISTORY''

[11] SYRIAN INTERIOR MINISTER HARBA: ''WE WILL OPEN A NEW PAGE IN OUR RELATIONS''

[12] TURKEY AND GEORGIA TO HOLD JOINT MILITARY EXERCISES

[13] FOREIGN MINISTRY DEPUTY SPOKESMAN DIRIOZ:''OUR EFFORTS WILL CONTINUE TILL THE LAST MINUTE TO PREVENT THE PASSAGE OF THE BILL''

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

ONE MORE PICASSO PAINTING SEIZED
Pablo Picasso's painting depicting two people holding wine glasses at a table was seized in Mardin. Five people were captured during the operation. Acting on a tip-off, security forces were disguised as buyers, and they contacted the dealers. The teams captured a man red handed after he gave them the painting which is 80 to 60 centimeters. The painting of Picasso dated 1920 has an estimated market value of 15 to 20 trillion TL.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

ONE MORE DECREE, ONE MORE VETO FROM SEZER
President Sezer returned the decree regarding the privatization of state banks to the government and said ''tax issues cannot be solved through a decree.'' Responding to Ecevit's criticism, Sezer said ''I have no conflicts.''

SABAH (LIBERAL)

TWO QUAKE-SURVIVOR CHILDREN DIE IN FIRE
Two children lost their lives in a fire which broke out in their hut in Hendek township of quake-stricken Sakarya province. A fire broke out in a hut erected by quake-survivor Balikci family in Hendek after the devastating earthquake, killing one and a half-year-old Ufuk Balikci and his brother Hasim, 4.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

BESIKTAS SEE SIX GOALS IN THEIR NET
Besiktas made Turkey upset this time. Besiktas which wanted to gain at least one point from the game with Leeds was defeated 0-6. In another group match, AC Milan of Italy beat Barcelona of Spain 2-0. The goals came from Coco and Biefhoff.

AYTUFAN EXPLAINS ASSASINATION
Rustu Aytufan, the bomber of the Jerusalem Warriors, did re-enactment of assasination of Ahmet Taner Kislali in front of his house in Ankara. Aytufan who received training in Iran confessed that he had planted the bomb on Kislali's car.

RADIKAL (LEFT)

BAYKAL MISSES HIS SEAT
Former leader of the People's Republican Party (CHP), Deniz Baykal announced that he will be a candidate to be the CHP chairman again during the party convention on September 30. Baykal said he was encouraged to be a candidate by his party members as well as people.

YENİ BİNYIL (LIBERAL)

POLIBAK IN IMKB IN NOVEMBER
Bakioglu Holding is planning to start public sales Polibak Plastic Film Industry and Trade Coorp in November. Bakioglu Holding is one of the 21 companies which are active in packaging, plastic industry, marketing, construction, insurance, transportation, and media sectors. Polibak products are used in the packaging of food, cigarettes, textile, and stationery.

TURKIYE (RIGHT)

OUTAGE TO START IN OCTOBER
The ''Savings Campaign'' will start on next Sunday in accordance with a Council of Ministers decision. There will be a two-hour power outage a day.

BAYKAL TO RUN FOR CHP LEADERSHIP
Deniz Baykal, the former leader of the Republican People's Party (CHP), welcomed the invitation of CHP leader Altan Oymen and said, ''I am a candidate, too.'' Baykal who wants the chaos in the CHP to be finished said, ''now, I am running for the CHP leadership bu using my democratic right.''

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

[02] INVENTORY LIST OF CULTURAL AND HISTORICAL HERITAGES OF GAP REGION TO BE PREPARED

Recalling that the region was the center of many ancient civilizations, Unver said, ''we are responsible for protection and promotion of these heritages.''

Reiterating that they were preparing an action plan and an inventory list, Unver said, ''we will take all necessary measures to rescue and protect the historical and cultural heritages which might be damaged by infrastructure projects and development investments. We will inform residents of the region and all Turkish people on these cultural heritages. These heritages will be used in tourism facilities and urban services.''

[03] JOURNALISTS FROM BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA TO VISIT GAP REGION

GAP Regional Development Management said on Wednesday that eight journalists working at several media organs in Bosnia-Herzegovina would visit the GAP region between September 28-30.

It said that the journalists would visit Zeugma Ancient city, Birecik and Ataturk Dams and receive information from the officials.

[04] ''MERHABA ATHENS, HERE ISTANBUL'' PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBITION OPENED IN ISTANBUL

In the exhibition, a total of 42 photographs taken in Istanbul and Athens by five Turkish and Greek photographers, are being displayed.

The exhibition will remain open till October 28.

Ara Guler, Izzet Keribar, Arif Asci, Cem Turgay and Sinan Kocaslan from Turkey, and Nicos Ecomopulos, Nici Typaldou, Alcis X. Xanthakis, Nicos Desyilas and Stathis Efstathiadis from Greece are participating in the exhibition with their photographs.

Izzet Keribar noted that they were very kindly welcomed in Athens, adding that the exhibition would make a valuable contribution to the friendly relations between the two countries which was set up in the wake of last year's devastating earthquake disasters.

Arif Asci pointed out that he had the chance to observe similar characteristics of two countries' people in Athens.

Further joint cultural activities should be organized said Sinan Kocaslan, and added that he enjoyed taking the pictures of Athens within the framework of this joint work.

Meanwhile,''Merhaba Athens, Here Istanbul'' album which will be published in Turkish, Greek, and English languages will be ready for sale in 2001.

The exhibition will also be displayed in Athens in 2001.

[05] A PRICELESS OLD TESTAMENT CONFISCATED

Acting on a tip-off, the gendarmerie teams raided a house in Yenice neighborhood in Bunyan township.

They confiscated 22 candlesticks stolen from several mosques in Istanbul, Konya and Afyon; 30 manuscript Koran stolen from the Nasurullah Mosque in Kastamonu; a priceless Old Testatement written in Hebrew on deer-hide, busts and silver coins in the operation.

A total of four people were taken into custody.

A full investigation into the incident is underway.

[06] VERHEUGEN: ''TURKEY IS INDISPENSABLE FOR EUROPE''

Delievering a speech in Ulm city of Germany on the occasion of ''Priests and Women Priests Day'', Verheugen said that Turkey had recorded important progress in the EU full-membership path.

Verheugen stressed that Turkey had made the preparation for very important reforms targeting the future.

Defending that a NATO ally Turkey was not ready for the EU at the moment regarding the issue of violation of human rights, Verheugen said that the intellectuals in Turkey were in favor of the reforms and EU membership.

Verheugen said that perspective should be offered to Turkey which was indispensable for Europe.

Noting that it could be proved wit the Turkey example that the Christian Europe could set up a ''values unity'' with an Islamic country, Verheugen said that this would have a very important influence on the whole Islamic World.

[07] CHIEF OF GENERAL STAFF: ''ALLEGATIONS IN THE BILL ON SO-CALLED GENOCIDE ON ARMENIANS ARE TOTALLY ON WRONG BASIS''

General Kivrikoglu who came to Izmir to attend a ceremony on the occasion of laying the foundation of the Fleet Commandership's new headquarters, visited Izmir Governor Alaaddin Yuksel.

Responding to a question about the bill at the United States House of Representatives during the meeting, General Kivrikoglu said that the bill was totally on a wrong basis.

''It was a wrong decision. The people who took such a decision are trying to have the House approve the bill to gain more votes in the election although they know what they are doing is wrong. First of all, countries should take into consideration what they did in their history before taking such a decision about another country. If there were more serious incidents in their history, they should firstly focus on those matters and clean them. There are many things to do regarding the issue. The government and relevant authorities evaluate this and do what is necessary. As the military authority, we are holding several contacts, of course. However, it was a wrong decision. I want to stress this point,'' he said.

[08] TPAO AND EL PASO START JOINT EXPLORATIONS IN MERSIN GULF

TPAO said on Wednesday that the seismic vessel had started its researches in the Mersin Gulf in accordance with the joint exploration agreement which had been signed in July.

It said that two exploration wells would be installed in 2000-2500 meters depth in a year, and the El Paso would meet the 20-30 million U.S. dollars cost of this installation together with seismic etudes.

TPAO said that the expenses after the exploration and production would be met equally by the TPAO and El Paso.

In accordance with the agreement, El Paso, at the first stage, started collection of two-dimension 1,520-kilometer seismic data in Mersin and Iskenderun Gulfs.

[09] ST.PAUL CHURCH IN ADIYAMAN EXPECTED TO DRAW MORE TOURISTS

Eraslan told A.A correspondent that the inscription dated 1905 found in the church suggests that the old building was completely demolished before the new one was erected. The church which is believed to be 250-300 years old reflects the region's architectural characteristics.

Almost all the church's community immigrated to other cities or countries, Eraslan noted and invited them to come back to visit the church and see their old friends whom they left behind. He also called on Turkish Armenians to give financial and moral support to the church.

Eraslan said a crowded group attended the ceremony which was held for the first time since 1970. ''If a priest is appointed to the church, the tourists who are visiting the region can practice their religion. Such a development might increase tourism activities, and therefore help economy of Adiyaman,'' he commented.

Adiyaman Trade and Industry Chamber (ATSO) Chairman Zafer Ersoy said Sunday's ceremony brought together hundreds of Syrian Christian families who did not see each other for about 40 years. He said many members of the Syrian Christian community coming from Istanbul, Ankara, Antakya, Gaziantep, Mardin, Diyarbakir, Sanliurfa, Germany, United States and many other countries formed a very nice picture in the church.

''Despite differences of religion, all people are brothers,'' Ersoy said. ''Adiyaman is home to the Syrian Christian community. We want to see our friends who had to leave Adiyaman in the past among us again. We lived together on this land for many years.''

''We are inviting you here with your jobs, culture, and investments,'' Ersoy said, and added that he hoped the opening of the church would have positive results in economy and social life of Adiyaman.

Last Sunday, Syrian Orthodox Filuksinos Yusuf Cetin supervised the religious ceremony which is held for the first time since 1970.

[10] STATE MINISTER MIRZAOGLU: ''TURKEY IS FACING THE MOST SERIOUS DEFAMATION IN ITS HISTORY''

Mirzaoglu who came to eastern Elazig province to attend a ceremony on the occasion of the start of new semester at the Firat University visited Elazig Governor Osman Aydin.

Speaking at the meeting, State Minister Mirzaoglu said that Turkey was facing the most serious defamation in its history regarding the ''Armenian issue''.

''The Armenians who had stabbed the Turkish army in the back during the World War I were sent into exile in Syria and Lebanon,'' Mirzaoglu said, adding that ''digging into the issue nearly a century later won't bring any benefit to anyone. Armenians are trying to prove themselves to be right. All of the developments about this issue were recorded in the Ottoman archieves. The issue will be clarified if these archieves are observed.'' he said.

[11] SYRIAN INTERIOR MINISTER HARBA: ''WE WILL OPEN A NEW PAGE IN OUR RELATIONS''

Syrian Interior Minister Mohammad Harba and his delegation are continuing their official visit in the capital. Syrian and Turkish Interior Ministry delegations had a meeting at Security General Directorate's building in Ankara's Dikmen building. After the meetings, Tantan and Harba came to the Security General Directorate where he was welcomed with an official ceremony. Following the ceremony, Tantan, Harba and Security General Director had a meeting which was followed by a press statement.

Tantan told reporters that the meetings between Turkish and Syrian delegations have passed in a very positive atmosphere. Tantan noted that an agreement protocol will be signed between the delegations at the Interior Ministry on Thursday.

''I am hoping that once we sign the security agreement, a security environment will be formed and our relations will be fortified by cultural activities,'' Tantan said.

Speaking about the agreements that will be signed on Wednesday, Harba said the agreements aim to advance relations between the two countries. The Syrian minister said Turkey and Syria can benefit from cultural, social, and geographic factors to develop their relations. ''These areas were raising some doubts but now those doubts are no longer existing. We will open a new page in our relations,'' Harba said.

[12] TURKEY AND GEORGIA TO HOLD JOINT MILITARY EXERCISES

The Land Forces Commandership said on Wednesday that the ''Turkey-Georgia Joint Border Exercises-2000'' would be staged as an active field military exercises in Turkey and Georgia.

It said that the scenario of the military exercises was based on prevention of illegal border crossings from one country to another.

[13] FOREIGN MINISTRY DEPUTY SPOKESMAN DIRIOZ:''OUR EFFORTS WILL CONTINUE TILL THE LAST MINUTE TO PREVENT THE PASSAGE OF THE BILL''

Noting that they will continue their contacts in Ankara and Washington, D.C., Dirioz said they are also getting ready for a possible negative result.

''What we should do is to create a reaction that takes into consideration the special texture of Turkey-U.S. relations,'' Dirioz said.

Responding to a question, Dirioz noted that there are no diplomatic relations between Turkey and Armenia and said it is clear that Armenia does not follow a friendly policy towards Turkey.

When reminded that similar bills also exist in the Italian and Dutch parliaments, he said they are closely following these developments and taking counter initiatives.

The bill will be voted at the U.S. House International Relations Committee on Thursday and if approved, the bill will be included in the U.S. House General Assembly's programme to be discussed.

There are two different possibilities at this stage. The bill, after being discussed at the U.S. House Regulation Committee, could be sent to the U.S. House of Representatives General Assembly for voting. A second possibility might be transfering the bill directly to the U.S. House of Representatives General Assembly.

In the former situation the process will take longer; however, absolute majority will be enough to pass the bill. In the latter case, two thirds of the votes will be required to pass the bill.

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