Anadolu Agency: News in English, 00-10-08

Anadolu Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

From: The Anadolu Agency Home Page at <http://www.anadoluajansi.com.tr/>

ANADOLU AGENCY

NEWS

8 OCTOBER 2000

Sunday

CONTENTS

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

[02] ARROYO, DEPUTY HEAD OF STATE OF PHILIPPINES, IN ANKARA

[03] MINE GAS EXPLOSION IN ILLEGAL MINE PIT

[04] AGRICULTURE AND RURAL AFFAIRS MINISTER GOKALP:

[05] UND AKDENIZ SHIP INCLUDED IN TURKISH NAVAL TRADE FLEET

[06] YILMAZ, CHAIRMAN OF RELIGIOUS AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT:

[07] GAP REGION MAINLY EXPORTS SYNTHETIC THREAD, MACHINE-MADE

[08] TPAO'S CRUDE OIL AND NATURAL GAS PRODUCTION DECREASES

[09] NEW WORKING HOURS TO START ON OCTOBER 10

[10] NEARLY 950,000 PEOPLE TO WORK IN GENERAL CENSUS

[11] TRANSPORTATION MINISTER OKSUZ:

[12] INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION INCREASES 17.1 PERCENT IN AUGUST

[13] ''2DN TURKISH-GREEK MEDIA CONFERENCE''

[14] JUSTICE MINISTER TURK:

[15] TURKISH DAY MARCH IN AUSTRALIA

[16] LABOUR MINISTER OKUYAN LEAVES FOR LONDON

[17] GUREL, STATE MINISTER:

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

MINE GAS EXPLOSION IN ILLEGAL MINE PIT
Four people were stranded in a mine pit as mine gas explosion occurred in the illegal mine in Gelik region in the Black Sea Zonguldak province. Senol Goklu, Naci Saracoglu, Huseyin Koca and Ersin Koca were stranded in the pit as the ceiling of the pit collapsed in the explosion. Teams from Turkish Charcoal Authority launched rescue operations while Serdar Kara, the owner of the mine pit, was taken into custody.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

LABOUR SECURITY TO BE BROUGHT INTO AGENDA OF PARLIAMENT
Labour and Social Security Minister Yasar Okuyan said that the draft law on the labour security was adopted by the Council of Ministers and that it will be submitted to the parliament next week. Speaking in a meeting held by the Galatasaray University and Istanbul Bar, Okuyan said that dismissing a worker just because he is a member of the union is the shame of the era.

SABAH (LIBERAL)

LAST MINUTE SCORE OF NATIONAL TEAM
The national football team won one point in the extra time of the match with Sweden in the 2002 World Cup Qualifying Group. Goalkeeper Rustu gave away a goal while Tayfur scored a penalty goal in the 93th second.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

NEW SANCTIONS AGAINST THE U.S.
Hopes of Ankara fade as the probability of the adoption of the resolution on so-called genocide on Armenians in the U.S. House of Representatives, increases. Ankara which increases pressure on Washington administration, discusses disclosure of ''action plan,'' before the disclosure of the decision.

RADIKAL (LEFT)

THE NEW PARTY IS READY!
As the discussions are underway regarding the possible closure decision of the Constitutional Court for the Virtue Party (FP), Oguzhan Asilturk, the FP Malatya Parliamentarian, responding to the questions of provincial chairmen who asked what would happen if the party is banned, pointed out that ''don't worry, the new one is ready.''

YENİ BİNYIL (LIBERAL)

RELIGIOUS AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT WARNS U.S. AGAINST RESOLUTION
Mehmet Nuri Yilmaz, the Head of the Religious Affairs Department, said that if the resolution on the so-called genocide on the Armenians is adopted by the U.S. House of Representatives, the inter-religious dialogue will be negatively affected. Visiting Deyrul Umur Monestray in Midyat, Yilmaz said that they exert efforts to continue inter-religious dialogue.

TURKIYE (RIGHT)

ARMED FORCES IS AGAINST SEPARATISM AND FUNDAMENTALISM THREAT
Mesut Yilmaz, the State Minister and Deputy Prime Minister, said on Saturday that Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) defended that steps that will lead to the eruption of separatism and fundamentalism threat, should be avoided.

Yilmaz, who attended ''Foro Formentor Round Table Meeting,'' in Mallorca Island of Spain, responded to the questions of reporters following the meeting. When a journalist recalled Yilmaz's visit to General Staff, and asked if works related with the EU were brought to the agenda, Yilmaz said, ''of course, that was the aim of our visit.''

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

TURKISH POTTERY TO BE INTRODUCED IN EUROPE
The Avanos Anadolu Comlekcilik, a company producing ceramic pottery in Avanos township of central Nevsehir province, will send one of its artisans to Germany every week and introduce their pottery in Europe. Muhammet Parmaksiz, the chairman of the executive board of the company, said that their stand in GAFE Cologne 2000 Garden Decorative Products Fair which was held in Cologne, Germany, last year, drew the attention of the visitors. Parmaksiz noted that as some hypermarkets requested them to introduce their pottery, an artisan will go to Germany every week.

[02] ARROYO, DEPUTY HEAD OF STATE OF PHILIPPINES, IN ANKARA

Arroyo, who also acts as the Minister of Social Welfare and Development, is scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit.

Within the framework of her contacts, Arroyo is expected to be received by President Ahmet Necdet Sezer.

Arroyo will proceed to Istanbul on Tuesday to continue her contacts, and depart from Turkey on October 12.

[03] MINE GAS EXPLOSION IN ILLEGAL MINE PIT

Senol Goklu, Naci Saracoglu, Huseyin Koca and Ersin Koca were stranded in the pit as the ceiling of the pit collapsed in the explosion.

Teams from Turkish Charcoal Authority launched rescue operations, and also efforts are underway to discharge the methane gas in the pit.

[04] AGRICULTURE AND RURAL AFFAIRS MINISTER GOKALP:

Speaking in a conference on ''Agriculture Law'', Gokalp said that 70 percent of the EU regulation was about agriculture and that initiatives to adjust Turkey's regulations regarding agriculture with the EU regulations are underway.

Gokalp noted that they examine the EU regulations regarding agriculture.

Commissions have been set up, and nine sub-commissions are dealing with this issue, Gokalp stated.

The EU countries attribute vital importance to agriculture, Gokalp stressed.

Gokalp said that giant Turkish holdings started to make investments in agriculture.

''Our experts are working together with the food and fishery experts of the agriculture ministries of EU countries. We invite the experts of the EU countries to Turkey and continue our initiatives. Agriculture is a field we should give priority in the path to the EU. To this end, we continue our initiatives,'' Gokalp added.

[05] UND AKDENIZ SHIP INCLUDED IN TURKISH NAVAL TRADE FLEET

Addressing the ceremony, Ramazan Mirzaoglu, the State Minister Responsible for Maritime, thanked to the UND for the ship.

Recalling that highway transportation of Turkey to Europe was stopped as a result of the civil war that started in Yugoslavia in 1992, and that Romania and Hungary became the obligatory transition road, Mirzaoglu said 48 transportation companies united and purchased Ro-ro ships, adding that thus, route of highway was turned to the sea.

Pointing out that maritime sector has many problems but 57th Government did its best to solve these problems, Mirzaoglu said, ''we have lifted the problems in front of Turkish naval trade, and brought every kind of facilities.''

[06] YILMAZ, CHAIRMAN OF RELIGIOUS AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT:

Yilmaz visited Deyrul Umur Monestary in Midyat township.

There was dialogue among religions in the past, and that they exert efforts to continue this dialogue, Yilmaz noted.

''The source of all the religions is the same. The difference among religions results from details. We have many common points. We convene from time to time for the peace and happiness of people and to resist to injustice and misery. If the resolution on the so-called genocide on the Armenians is adopted, this dialogue will be negatively affected,'' Yilmaz added.

[07] GAP REGION MAINLY EXPORTS SYNTHETIC THREAD, MACHINE-MADE

The figures of the Southeastern Anatolia Exporters Union indicated that the region exported 58 million 372 thousand U.S. dollar synthetic thread, 52 million 109 thousand U.S. dollar machine-made carpet, 31 million 150 thousand cotton thread and 23 million 804 thousand U.S. dollar knitted textile in January-August 2000.

Syria, Saudi Arabia, Belgium, Italy, Jordan, Spain, Kazakhstan, Kygryzstan, Uzbekistan, Romania, Greece, France, the U.S., Israel, Portugal and Algeria were the countries which the GAP region export synthetic thread, machine- made carpet, cotton thread and knitted textile.

[08] TPAO'S CRUDE OIL AND NATURAL GAS PRODUCTION DECREASES

The TPAO produced 491 million 25 thousand cubic metres of natural gas in the same period last year.

The TPAO's crude oil production was 11 million 416 thousand 537 barrels while its natural gas production was 538 million 956 thousand cubic metres in the first nine months of 1999.

The oil production of TPAO decreased 9.6 percent while its natural gas production fell 8.9 percent in January-September 2000 when compared with the same period in 1999.

[09] NEW WORKING HOURS TO START ON OCTOBER 10

A Prime Ministry circular noted on Sunday that the cabinet decision will be published on October 10, 2000 in Official Gazette and enter into force the same day.

In accordance with the new arrangement, the work will start at 7.45 a.m. and finish at 4.15 p.m. in the Interior Ministry, National Education Ministry, and Health Ministry.

The work will start at 8.15 a.m. and finish at 4.45 p.m. in other ministries and banks.

The working hours in the Prime Ministry, Office of General Staff, National Defense Ministry, Force Commanderships, Agriculture and Rural Affairs Ministry, Forestry Ministry, and other public institutions start 8.45 a.m. and 5.15 p.m.

The lunch break will be half an hour in all the institutions.

[10] NEARLY 950,000 PEOPLE TO WORK IN GENERAL CENSUS

The general census, which the State Statistical Institute (DIE) worked on for a very long time, will take place on October 22.

Interior Ministry prepared a circular on the issue to assess the real population. The circular said local administrators who will make falsification in census, will be punished severely.

This census will be the 14th since 1927. Results of the census will be disclosed within 18 months.

[11] TRANSPORTATION MINISTER OKSUZ:

Speaking to A.A correspondent, Oksuz said they felt sorrow over the resolution on so-called genocide on Armenians. He said, ''I did not attend a conference staged in the U.S. in order to protest and show my reaction to the resolution. I sent a letter to the U.S. Minister of Transportation and requested him to prevent the adoption of the resolution in the full House. Armenians living in Turkey also feel uneasy over the resolution. Armenian businessmen have important responsibilities to prevent the resolution.''

Oksuz pointed out that Turkey did its best for the implementation of Kars- Tbilisi Railway Project, and stated that talks continued with Britain, Spain and France to find a source to Rapid Railway Project.

[12] INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION INCREASES 17.1 PERCENT IN AUGUST

In accordance with the figures of State Statistics Institute (DIE), the production in manufacturing industry increased 19.8 percent and electricity, gas and water production climbed 10.8 percent in August 2000 when compared with August 1999.

The production in mining sector decreased 6.4 percent.

The production in industry sector increased 4.6 percent while the production in manufacture industry rose 4.7 percent and in electricity, gas and water 8.7 percent in the first eight months of 2000 when compared with the same period in 1999.

The mining sector production reduced 5.9 percent in the first eight months of 2000 when compared with the same period in 1999.

Below listed the increase in production in the first eight months of 1999 and 2000:

AUGUST EIGHT-MONTH AVERAGE
2000 1999 2000 1999
---- ----- ---- ---
TOTAL INDUSTRY 17.1 -12.1 4.6 -5.3
MINING SECTOR -6.4 -12.9 -5.9 -8.6
MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY 19.8 -13.4 4.7 -6.1
ELECTRICITY-GAS-WATER 10.8 -0.3 8.7 4.2

[13] ''2DN TURKISH-GREEK MEDIA CONFERENCE''

A joint news conference was staged by the Turkish and Greek journalists following the conference.

Panos Koliapanos, General Director of Greek Flash Radio, who also acts as the member of Contact Group, said Turkish and Greek journalists had the opportunity to know each other in the first conference that took place in Athens, adding that in this second conference, the journalists settled their relations and linked them to principles. He also stressed that they directed themselves to concrete proposals and that this would have very positive results.

Koliopanos, who later read out the joint statement, said the conference which took place in Istanbul in October 6-9 took place in a friendship atmosphere, and that they revealed the determination of the two countries for a peaceful future.

Koliopanos said the conference foresaw the political forces not to interfere to journalism, adding the Contact Group, composed of the journalists from the two sides, decided to intensify the efforts.

Pointing out that they decided to stage the third Turkish-Greek Media Conference in Greece in May 2001, Koliopanos said the logo of the conference will have the Turkish and Greek flags, and a pigeon. He said they also decided to set up Consultation Committee and Secretariat.

Koliopanos said they decided to arrange a competition where Turkish and Greek journalists will take part, and pointed out that the projects which will take part in the competition should be handed in till February 28, 2001.

Koliopanos said they decided to set up a joint web site in internet and that they foresaw two Turkish and two Greek journalists to work in the media institutions of the other country for a month.

Meanwhile, Peter Galliner, former Director of International Press Institute said he was proud to see Turkish and Greek journalists together, and expressed belief that this would provide rapproachment between the two sides.

Galliner also said he would proceed to Ankara on Monday to meet with President Ahmet Necdet Sezer and visit the 9th President Suleyman Demirel.

[14] JUSTICE MINISTER TURK:

Turk noted that the rapproachment between the two countries will gradually increase.

They are very pleased that the Greek jets came to Turkey after a 30 years of interval, Turk stated.

Turk added, ''the bilateral relations between Turkey and Greece, two NATO allies, should be promoted. Turkey and Greece share a joint geography in the Balkans. The two countries should have good relations. The conflicts which have occurred until today, have not been beneficial for neither of the two sides. From now on, the rapproachment between the two countries will increase.''

[15] TURKISH DAY MARCH IN AUSTRALIA

The janissary band also joined the march which was held by the Turkish Organizations Council in New South Wales State.

This activity became a good opportunity for Turkey's promotion because many tourists still stay in Sydney although the 2000 Sydney Summer Olympics ended.

The march started on the George Street. The janissary band gave one-hour concert following the march which ended in front of Sydney Municipality's Show Center.

Turkish singers in Australia gave a concert in this center. Also, Turkish handicrafts exhibition was opened.

[16] LABOUR MINISTER OKUYAN LEAVES FOR LONDON

The meeting will be held by the cooperation of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development's Employment, Labour Force and Social Affairs Committee and British government.

Prior to his departure from Ataturk Airport of Istanbul, Okuyan told reporters that although the global life standards are increasing, many people live under these standards.

Okuyan said that to this end, the abolishment of poverty is among the basic functions of the government.

Okuyan continued, ''in the meeting, I will exchange views with the ministers, academicians, and politicians, about the struggle against poverty and social isolation, increase of level of income by tax reform, solution of problems regarding troublesome groups in society and geographic regions, and development of new strategies.''

Other OECD Labour Ministers and he will examine the implementation of a project carried out in Britain to re-gain the young unemployed people to the business market, Okuyan noted.

Okuyan added that he will meet with the administrators of Turkish associations in Britain.

[17] GUREL, STATE MINISTER:

Speaking to reporters in Istanbul's Ataturk Airport, Gurel recalled that he attended ''Foro Formentor Round Table Meeting,'' that was staged in Malloca in Spain.

Gurel said the target of the meeting was to discuss the problems regarding the security of the Mediterranean with the high level administrators, politicians and scientists of the region.

Pointing out that the meeting was beneficial, Gurel said, ''security is an issue which should be discussed by economic and social means. Security was discussed by all dimensions during the meeting.''

Gurel said he had to opportunity to hold some bilateral contacts, adding that, ''my meeting with German Interior Minister was very important in particular.''

Responding to a question about Turkey's full membership to the EU, Gurel said, ''Turkish society has chosen full membership to the EU as a target. The EU should have the intention to include Turkey to the EU membership. In fact, the EU has taken a decision about Turkey's candidacy, yet if they prefer to link starting of candidacy period and full membership negotiations to irrelated issues, then, we may think the intention to adopt Turkey as the full member has not been formed in them yet. We hope issues which don't directly concern Turkey's EU membership will not be included in Accession Partnership Document.''

Stressing that Turkey targetted at reaching the advanced standarts and critera in international fields, Gurel said, ''we attribute importance to the EU membership. We will do our best to reach this advanced targets because we think we deserve this advanced

criteria.''

Anadolu Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article