Anadolu Agency: News in English, 00-11-11

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ANADOLU AGENCY

NEWS

11 NOVEMBER 2000 Saturday

CONTENTS

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

[02] IN FIRST TEN MONTHS, 121.8 MILLION U.S. DOLLARS OF AGRICULTURAL AND ANIMAL PRODUCTS EXPORTED FROM GAP REGION TA EU COUNTRIES

[03] JAPANESE DEPUTY FINANCE MINISTER KURODA DUE TO TURKEY

[04] ''CULTURE TRAIN'' IN DRAMA

[05] SUPPLEMENTARY TAX TO CONTRIBUTE 2.5 QUADRILLION LIRA TO BUDGET

[06] COAL MINE COLLAPSES KILLING ONE WORKER

[07] COOPERATION BETWEEN RED CRESCENT AND RED CROSS IN QUAKE-STRICKEN AREA

[08] EARLY FROM OXFORD ARCHAEOLOGY GROUP:

[09] PARLIAMENTARY SOCCER TEAM IN ALBANIA

[10] SECURITY FORCES IMPOUND 70.5 KG OF HEROIN

[11] GENERAL MYERS AND UNDERSECRETARY SLOCOMBE DUE IN TURKEY

[12] EXPORTS FROM AEGEAN REGION TO EU REDUCE 18

[13] CULTURE MINISTRY LAUNCHES INITIATIVES IN NINE COUNTRIES

[14] PRESIDENT MEIDANI OF ALBANIA RECEIVES MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENTARY SOCCER TEAM

[15] SECURITY FORCES DETAIN 10 PEOPLE WHO ATTEMPT

[16] SPORTS - KARATE

[17] PRESIDENT SEZER LEAVES FOR QATAR

[18] ''MARMARA SEA 2000'' SYMPOSIUM

[19] FOREIGN MINISTER CEM MEETS WITH HIS SYRIAN AND EGYPTIAN COUNTERPARTS

[20] KESK'S RALLY IN ANKARA

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

TRT TO BROADCAST SPECIAL PROGRAM IN KURDISH LANGUAGE
Mesut Yilmaz, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State, evaluated the Accession Partnership Accord which was submitted to Turkey on Wednesday by the European Union (EU) Commission. Yilmaz said, ''we can make arrangements in the current law. Special program can be broadcast by the state-run Turkish Radio and Television (TRT).'' Yilmaz added, ''resolutions taken by National Security Council (NSC) are being perceived as binding resolutions. There will not be any problem if we call these resolutions recommendations.''

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

MILITARY VISITS TO ISRAEL POSTPONED TO 2001
Prior to President Ahmet Necdet Sezer's visit to Qatar for Organization for Islamic Conference (OIC) summit, high-level military visits between Turkey and Israel have been postponed to 2001. Sources said that Reliable Mermaid 2000 maneouver which was planned to be performed in December among Turkey, the U.S. and Israel could also be postponed. Clashes between Israel and Palestine will be high on the agenda of the OIC Summit.

SABAH (LIBERAL)

ALVIN TOFFLER DUE IN TURKEY
The Ninth National Quality Congress will host two leading names. Alvin Toffler, the author of ''Third Wave'', and Kevin Kelly who announced biological rules of new social order, are among speakers of the congress which will be held between November 21 and 22.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

PRESIDENT SEZER DUE TO JORDAN
President Ahmet Necdet Sezer will leave for Qatar to attend the Organization for Islamic Conference (OIC) Summit. President Sezer will proceed to Jordan after wrapping up his contacts in Qatar. Tacan Ildem, the Presidential Cabinet Chief and the Foreign Affairs Chief Adviser, said that clashes between Israel and Palestine would be high on the agenda of the OIC summit. Ildem added that Sezer would pay an official visit to Jordan between November 15 and 16 as the guest of King Abdullah II of Jordan.

RADIKAL (LEFT)

YENI BINYIL (LIBERAL)

REPO TRANSACTIONS INCREASE 250.4 TRILLION TL
The repo transactions between banks and their customers increased to 250.4 trillion Turkish Liras (TL) as of November 3. The Central Bank data shows that the repo transactions, which were 7 quadrillion 51.2 trillion TL on October 27, increased to 7 quadrillion 301.6 trillion TL on November 3.

The reverse repo transactions, which were 13 trillion TL on October 27, decreased 3 trillion TL to 10 trillion TL on November 3. The repo transactions among the financial organizations increased 337.4 billion TL to 3 quadrillion 192.6 trillion TL on November 3. The total repo transactions amount was 2 quadrillion 855.2 trillion TL on October 27. The reverse repo transactions among the financial organizations, which were 2 quadrillion 799.7 trillion TL on October 27, increased 392.9 trillion TL to 3 quadrillion 192.6 trillion TL on November 3.

TURKIYE (RIGHT)

WE EAT EVEN KANGAROO MEAT
The twenty-three people who had been detained within framework of the Buffalo Operation were sent to Ankara. The operation revealed that not only buffalo meat but also kangaroo meat had been smuggled into Turkey.

AMNESTY IN RELEGIOUS HOLIDAY
The ''amnesty draft law'' on which the coalition government partners had reached an agreement will be transferred to the Parliament in early December. The final shape is being given to this government bill which excludes gangs. The opposition is expected to support the government in order to pass it before the religious holiday.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

SEZER TO MEET WITH ANNAN
President Ahmet Necdet Sezer will leave for Qatar to attend the meeting of the Organization for Islamic Conference. President Sezer will meet with United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan in Qatar.

THIRD TURKISH COLLEGE IN NIGERIA
Another Turkish college was inaugurated in Nigeria. A total of 220 Moslem and Christian students from different tribes and children of foreign missions personnel will study at this college.

THIS IS POOR LITTLE ROBBERY
The Nevsehir Self-Employed Pension Fund Director said that the Kayseri State Hospital had made out fourteen surgical operations, seventy-five biochemistry tests, one anesthesia, four wound dressings and one x-ray invoices to a citizen who had underwent a little artery surgery.

[02] IN FIRST TEN MONTHS, 121.8 MILLION U.S. DOLLARS OF AGRICULTURAL AND ANIMAL PRODUCTS EXPORTED FROM GAP REGION TA EU COUNTRIES

In the same period of 1999, the region exported 111 million 197 thousand U.S. dollars of agricultural and animal products to EU countries.

Abdulkadir Cikmaz, the Chairman of the Southeastern Anatolia Exporters' Union, told the A.A correspondent on Saturday that in the first ten months of the year, they exported 101 million 758 thousand U.S. dollars in textiles; 1 million 517 thousand U.S. dollars in grain-cereals; 17 million 316 thousand U.S. dollars in dried fruits and 1 million 250 thousand U.S. dollars in livestock.

''The majority of the goods were exported to Italy, Germany and Britain, and the Turkish goods in greatest demand were synthetic thread, cotton thread, dried apricot, textiles and plastic sack,'' he added.

[03] JAPANESE DEPUTY FINANCE MINISTER KURODA DUE TO TURKEY

Improvement of bilateral financial cooperation between Turkey and Japan, and opportunities of investment in the third countries will be taken up during contacts of Kuroda who is also known as Mr. Yen by economic circles.

Kuroda will hold a series of contacts to receive information about Turkish economy.

Within framework of his contacts in Turkey, Kuroda is scheduled to come together with Recep Onal, the State Minister for economy; Sumer Oral, the Finance Minister; Selcuk Demiralp, the Undersecretary of Treasury; Ertan Dikmen, the Undersecretary of Finance Ministry; Gazi Ercel, the Governor of Central Bank; and Zekeriya Temizel, the Chairman of Banking and Regulatory and Supervision Board.

He will also hold talks with members of the Turkish-Japanese Business Council.

[04] ''CULTURE TRAIN'' IN DRAMA

Trzimas Margaritis, the Mayor of Drama; Topgidis Yorgos, the Deputy Governor of Drama; and other officials welcomed the Culture Train at the Drama Railway Station with a ceremony.

Addressing the ceremony, Turhan Tayan, the Chairman of Parliamentary Turkey- Greece Friendship Group and a deputy of the Motherland Party (ANAP) from Bursa, recalled that a number of kinsmen were living in Western Thrace as a result of international rights.

Tayan stressed, ''many problems emerged in the Balkans throughout the history. We do not want to experience these problems again. Our only desire is to consolidate friendship in the region.''

Meanwhile, Drama Mayor Margaritis said that the ''Culture Train'' had made a valuable contribution to consolidate friendship between Turkey and Greece.

Stressing that natural disasters should not be a factor in rapprochement between the two countries, Margaritis said that culture and art had important roles in the rapprochement process.

Deputy Governor Yorgos said in his part that they were ready to cooperate with Turkey to protect mutual interests in the region.

Yorgos stressed that Turkish and Greek peoples should understand each other and improve friendly relations.

Noting that his grandfather was born in Anatolia, Yorgos said that they wanted to visit graves of their ancestors who were laid to rest in Anatolia.

Tayan said that anyone who wanted to visit graves of their ancestors, was welcomed in Turkey.

[05] SUPPLEMENTARY TAX TO CONTRIBUTE 2.5 QUADRILLION LIRA TO BUDGET

According to the Finance Ministry statistics, the total tax revenues will increase over to 24.5 quadrillion TL although the 2000 budget foresees 24 quadrillion TL tax revenues.

The 2000 year budget figures and the estimated figures for tax collection are as follows:

BUDGET TARGET ESTIMATED COLLECTION
(billion TL) (billion TL)

-------------------- ---------------- -------------------
TOTAL TAX REVENUES 24.000.000 26.550.000
Income Tax 6.276.000 6.413.000

Corporation Tax 3.309.000 2.392.000

Motor Vehicle Tax 224.000 192.000

Inheritance Tax 19.000 14.000

Inland Duty VAT 4.628.000 4.775.000

Supplementary Tax 450.000 500.000

Motor Vehicles Purchase Tax 278.000 378.000

Fuel-Oil Consumption Tax 4.000.000 3.295.000

Banking Insurance Operations Tax 736.000 735.000

Stamp Duty 572.000 672.000

Charges 446.000 415.000

Customs Duty 372.500 374.500

Fuel-Oil Customs Duty 4.800 1.300

Single and Cut Off Tax 200 200

Import VAT 2.674.000 3.832.000

Other Foreign Trade 10.000 10.000

Fines 367.001 432.107

Special Incomes 70.000 45.000

Funds 2.200.000 2.200.000

Education Special Incomes 570.000 550.000

Short Military Service Special Incomes -- 300.000

Supplementary Budget Incomes 100.000 125.000

SUPPLEMENTARY TAXES
Income Tax -- 95.000

Corporation Tax -- 177.000

Interest Tax -- 1.627.000

Motor Vehicles Tax -- 66.000

Property Tax -- 62.000

Special Communication Tax -- 340.000

Special Cut Off Tax -- 183.000

[06] COAL MINE COLLAPSES KILLING ONE WORKER

Sources told the A.A correspondent that Huseyin Abdireisoglu, 25, was trapped under debris in the Kilimli Coal Enterprise in northern Zonguldak province.

He was pulled out from the debris but he lost his life in the hospital.

[07] COOPERATION BETWEEN RED CRESCENT AND RED CROSS IN QUAKE-STRICKEN AREA

Releasing a statement, the Directorate General of Red Crescent said on Saturday that those education and health institutions had been constructed in the quake-stricken area in cooperation among Directorate General of Red Crescent, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Society (IFRCS) and national accosiations from foreign countries,

It added that there were a hospital and a policlinic in Karamursel, and two primary schools in Adapazari and Akyazi among those institutions.

[08] EARLY FROM OXFORD ARCHAEOLOGY GROUP:

In a statement he made to the Southeastern Anatolia Project (GAP) Magazine, Early who was appointed in the multi-national rescue mission in the ancient city of Zeugma in Nizip township of southeastern Gaziantep province said that the Oxford Archaeology Group had undertaken project management in Zeugma in accordance with a protocol signed between the Directorate General of GAP Authority and the U.S.-based Packard Humanities Institute.

Early said that the Oxford Archaeology Group which was founded in 1973, had taken place in projects in Ukraine, Greece, Libya, Spain, Oman, Ireland, Russia, Italy and France.

Reiterating that there was not any rich ancient settlement place like Zeugma in Britain, Early said that 200 people were working in Zeugma within framework of the multi-national rescue mission.

Recalling that Zeugma was a Roman border city on Euphrates River, Early said that they unearthed more than 20 thousand customs seals in Zeugma.

[09] PARLIAMENTARY SOCCER TEAM IN ALBANIA

Addressing the meeting, Meta said that Albania aimed at further improving relations with Turkey in every field.

Noting that the friendship match had made a valuable contribution to the relations between Turkey and Albania, Meta stressed that they wanted to increase economic cooperation with Turkey.

Meta called on Turkish businessmen to make more investments in Albania.

Meanwhile, Hakan Tartan, the Chairman of the Meclisspor delegation, said in his part, ''we believe that we have made positive contributions to social and economic relations between the two countries.''

Tartan expressed his satisfaction over the recent developments in Albania which is an element of stability and balance in the region.

The delegation will be received by President Rexhep Meidani of Albania later in the day.

[10] SECURITY FORCES IMPOUND 70.5 KG OF HEROIN

Acting on a tip-off, security forces stopped and searched an automobile in Bayrampasa district of Istanbul.

They confiscated 70.5 kg of heroin hidden in the automobile.

A total of five people were captured in the operation.

The detainees confessed that the heroin which had been smuggled from a neighboring country, would have been sold in Dutch capital of Amsterdam.

A full investigation into the drug smuggling is under way.

Meanwhile, 5 kg of heroin, 15 kg of hashish, a great deal of drug pills and 230 gr of cocaine were confiscated in Istanbul during last week.

A total of 15 people were taken into custody in the operations.

[11] GENERAL MYERS AND UNDERSECRETARY SLOCOMBE DUE IN TURKEY

Releasing a statement, the U.S. Embassy in Ankara said on Saturday that

General Myers and Slocombe would hold consultations with officials from the Foreign Ministry, National Defense Ministry and the General Staff on regional and bilateral security issues.

General Myers, who is the U.S.' second highest ranking military officer, will be making his first visit to Turkey since assuming his position earlier this year.

General Myers and Slocombe will begin their visit by laying a wreath at the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the Founder of modern Republic of Turkey, on Monday morning.

[12] EXPORTS FROM AEGEAN REGION TO EU REDUCE 18

According to the Aegean Exporters' Union statistics, exports to Portugal decreased 52 percent, exports to Italy dropped 41 percent, exports to Spain reduced 39 percent, exports to the Netherlands fell 17 percent and exports to France decreased 16 percent.

Meanwhile, exports to Sweden rose 11 percent and exports to Denmark increased 8 percent in the same period.

The total exports from Aegean region to the EU countries had been 1 billion 142 million 733 thousand U.S. dollars.

Meanwhile, the exports from Aegean region to American continent increased 10 percent and exports to the United States rose 13 percent.

Exports to Argentina climbed 133 percent, exports to Canada rose 16 percent and exports to Dominican Republic increased 13 percent while exports to Mexico reduced 65 percent, exports to Brazil decreased 22 percent and exports to other countries in the American continent fell 29 percent.

The total exports to the American continent had been 382 million 415 thousand U.S. dollars while 332 million 365 thousand U.S. dollars part of this amount had been exported to the United States in first ten months of 2000.

Meanwhile, exports of ready-made clothings to the American continent rose 54 percent to 104 million 785 thousand U.S. dollars while those exports to the EU countries reduced 0.1 percent to 360 million 276 thousand U.S. dollars.

Exports of iron and non-iron metals to the American continent rose 126 percent to 47 million 500 thousand U.S. dollars while those exports to the EU countries reduced 15 percent to 73 million 417 thousand U.S. dollars.

Exports of leather and leather products to the American continent rose 42 percent to 1 million 598 thousand U.S. dollars and those exports to the EU countries increased 1 percent to 83 million 926 thousand U.S. dollars.

Exports of grain-cereals to the American continent rose 14 percent to 16 million 901 thousand U.S. dollars while those exports to the EU countries reduced 0.3 percent to 27 million 43 thousand U.S. dollars.

[13] CULTURE MINISTRY LAUNCHES INITIATIVES IN NINE COUNTRIES

Officials at the Culture Ministry told the A.A correspondent on Saturday that many historical works were returned to Turkey as a result of the Ministry's initiatives.

These historical works are as follows:

Afrodisias works (1980),

Bronze vase (1982),

Heracles sarcophagus (1998),

Bogazkoy tablets (1924, 1942, 1987),

Ottoman tombac (1991),

Elmali coins (1988, 1991, 1992, 1999),

Lydia works (1993),

Girland sarcophagus (1994),

Statue of Marsyas (1994),

Afrodisias block (1994),

Marble bust of a woman (1997),

Lead seal (1998),

Ataturk's silver tobacco case (1998),

Works in the Henkel collection (1998),

Wooden panel of Ulu Mosque in Divrigi (1999),

Works in wreckage in Mans Sea (first group 1999),

Decorative panels of Esrefoglu Mosque (1999),

Works confiscated at Heathrow Airport in Britain (2000),

Two mosaics from ancient city of Zeugma (2000),

Koran stolen from Nuruosmaniye Library (2000),

Works confiscated in Oklahoma (2000),

Bust of Meleager (1994),

Statue of a women stolen from Izmir Museum (1995),

Minbar of Birgi Aydinoglu Mehmet Bey Mosque in Izmir (1995) and

Torso stolen from Open Air Museum in Erdek (1995).

[14] PRESIDENT MEIDANI OF ALBANIA RECEIVES MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENTARY SOCCER TEAM

Addressing the meeting, President Meidani stressed that there were historical and friendly relations between Turkey and Albania.

Underlining importance of foreign investments in Albania, President Meidani called on Turkish businessmen to make more investments in Albania.

Noting that there were Turkish companies investing in Albania in different fields, President Meidani added that Kurum Company's investments in Albania reached 80 million U.S. dollars.

Meanwhile, Hakan Tartan, the Chairman of the Meclisspor delegation, said in his part that they would do their utmost to further improve economic relations between Turkey and Albania.

Murat Oguz, the Turkish Ambassador to Albania, was also in attendance at the meeting.

The 15-member delegation is expected to return to Turkey later in the day.

[15] SECURITY FORCES DETAIN 10 PEOPLE WHO ATTEMPT

A group of relatives of prisoners gathered in front of Galatasaray High School on Istiklal Avenue to make a press release.

Security forces intervened in the group, and called on demonstrators to disperse peacefully.

After the demonstrators refused to disperse, security forces detained 10 of them.

[16] SPORTS - KARATE

A total of 250 sportsmen from Turkey, Greece, Bulgaria, Yugoslavia, Romania and Macedonia are participating in the championships.

In the first day games, Turkey won two gold, three silver and four bronze medals.

Fikret Yilmaz of Turkey competing in men's 86 kg category, won gold medal.

In men's 86 kg category, Gokay Kiratli and Arda Cenci of Turkey won silver medals while Orhan Akoca and Ilyas Demir of Turkey in men's 84 kg category and Yasin Cetintas of Turkey in men's 87 kg category, won bronze medals.

In women's 84 kg category, Seda Genc of Turkey won gold medal.

Funda Cakici competing in women's 87 kg category won silver medal and Gul Gundogmus competing in women's 87 kg category won bronze medal.

[17] PRESIDENT SEZER LEAVES FOR QATAR

ANKARA - President Ahmet Necdet Sezer said on Saturday that they would present resolutions on Cyprus and Western Thracian Turks during the Organization for Islamic Conference (OIC) Summit in Qatar.

President Sezer left for Doha, Qatar to attend the OIC Ninth Heads of State and Government Summit that will be held between November 12 and 14.

Making a statement prior to his departure, President Sezer said that the OIC summit was held once in every three years, and that he would be accompanied by Foreign Minister Ismail Cem.

''The Summit in Doha is expected to focus mainly on recent incidents in the Middle East and the Middle East Peace Process,'' he said.

''Several resolutions on political, social and economic issues concerning the Islamic countries will be discussed and approved at the Summit. We have presented two resolutions on the Cyprus issue and the Western Thracian Turkish Minority. Several issues which closely interest Turkey like struggle against international terrorism, Kosovo and Sanjak and Upper Montenegro issue are on the agenda of the Summit,'' the President stated.

President Sezer said that as the President of Turkey and Chairman of the OIC Economic and Commercial Cooperation Standing Committee, he would deliver two speeches at the Summit, and that he would meet with the leaders of some OIC member countries and United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan.

The President said that he would later visit Jordanese capital of Amman between November 14 and 16 within framework of the ''regular consultations'' and meet with King Abdullah II of Jordan.

President Sezer said that State Minister Hasan Gemici would accompany him during his visit to Jordan.

''During our contacts in Amman, we will take up in detail bilateral relations with our friendly and sister Jordan with which we have strong historical ties, and we will discuss the possible steps to further develop our cooperation. In those meetings, we will also assess the Middle East Peace Process and the recent incidents in the Middle East,'' he said.

''Turkey supports all efforts to settle peace and stability and to immediately stop use of violence and bloodshed in the Middle East. Turkey continues to contribute to the Middle East Peace Process. Within this process, we attach special improtance to our consultations with Jordan which has always played a positive and constructive role,'' the President stated.

Later, President Sezer and his wife Semra Sezer left for Qatar.

[18] ''MARMARA SEA 2000'' SYMPOSIUM

Speaking at a symposium on ''Marmara Sea 2000'' organized at the Atakoy Marine Yachting Club by the Turkish Sea Researches Foundation, Mirzaoglu said that purchases of equipment and devices of the system had been concluded and they had finalized the tender with 19 million U.S. dollars.

''We finalized the tender and put the project into practice. The Vessel Traffic Passing System will be put into use on June 15, 2001 together with its radars, satellite communication systems and modern elctronic hardware. We are trying to prevent the pollution by the vessels passing the straits. We strongly advise these vessels to take a piloting captain,'' he said.

[19] FOREIGN MINISTER CEM MEETS WITH HIS SYRIAN AND EGYPTIAN COUNTERPARTS

''Meanwhile, Turkey's policy towards Israel will not change. We will utilize our good relations with Israel in order to improve peace process and to protect peace,'' he said.

Prior to the Ninth Summit of OIC which is due to start on Sunday, Cem held bilateral talks.

He met with Nabil Shaat, the Palestinian Minister for Development and Improvement of Foreign Relations; Farouk al-Sharaa, the Syrian Foreign Minister; and Amr Moussa, the Egyptian Foreign Minister.

Addressing journalists following the meetings, Cem said that meetings had focused on clashes between Israel and Palestine, and bilateral relations.

Cem said, ''during my meeting with Farouk al-Sharaa, we expressed our pleasure with improving bilateral relations. Turkey aims at further improving relations with Syria.''

''At my meeting with Amr Moussa, we discussed Egypt's natural gas project within framework of bilateral relations. The project envisages transportation of Egyptian natural gas to Turkey and then to Western Europe via Greece,'' he told reporters.

Noting that the meetings focused on the latest developments in Middle East, Cem said, ''our interlocutors in Middle East expect Turkey to maintain its contributions to peace process by using its privileged position. What I meant to say by the expression of privileged position is that both Israel and Palestine rely on Turkey. Turkey attributes great importance to their confidence. This position brings forth important responsibilities to Turkey. They want us to maintain our modest contribution to this end. We are determined to contribute to the Middle East peace process.''

When told by a journalist, ''Turkey has been expected to suspend its relations with Israel,'' Cem said, ''Turkey's policy towards Middle East is clear. We will maintain our policy. Meanwhile, Turkey's policy towards Israel will not change. We will utilize our good relations with Israel in order to improve peace process and to protect peace.''

Meanwhile, preparations are under way for the OIC Summit.

Diplomatic sources told the A.A correspondent that the Draft Joint Statement included harsh expressions against Israel.

Turkey has contributed to the Joint Statement for two issues.

Diplomatic sources said that the Joint Statement called on member countries to cut their relations with Israel.

Noting that Turkey's opinion was adopted after negotiations, sources said, ''Turkey has defended that the issue should be left to country's discretion. As the Turkish side, we think that utilization of relations with Israel for peace instead of cutting them, would be more beneficial for Palestine. Eventually, Turkey's opinion has been adopted.''

Noting that Turkey had been attending a negotiation on the issue of Middle East for the first time in its history as a member of OIC, sources told the A.A correspondent, ''negotiations were used to be held in Arabic language so far. Holding negotiations in English is an important development.''

Sources said that the Joint Statement envisaged member countries to give clear and definite support to President Yasser Arafat of Palestine.

Sources noted that Turkey would maintain its financial support to Palestine. Turkey which sent medicine to Palestine, will contribute to medical treatment of some injured Palestinians.

Diplomatic sources noted that issues of Cyprus, Kosovo, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Western Thrace were expected to be included in the Joint Statement.

Meanwhile, President Ahmet Necdet Sezer is expected to arrive in Doha later today.

President Sezer is scheduled to come together with President Yasser Arafat of Palestine within framework of his bilateral contacts.

President Arafat is expected to inform President Sezer on his contacts in the U.S.

Heads of state are expected to hold a special session tomorrow in which Middle East peace process will be high on the agenda.

President Sezer will also meet with United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan and Emir of Qatar.

[20] KESK'S RALLY IN ANKARA

Tens of thousands of KESK-member civil servants who came to Ankara from throughout Turkey to attend the rally, gathered in the hippodrome, and then marched to Kizilay Square.

The march lasted for about three hours.

They met in Kizilay Square with sivil cervants who have staged a sit-in protest in Ankara's Guven Park.

The KESK-member civil servants chanted slogans and carried placards.

The rally started with a speech of Siyami Erdem, the Chairman of KESK after civil servants took their places in Kizilay Square.

Defending that the 2001 Year Budget was not different than the previous ones, Erdem claimed that the budget was prepared upon instructions of the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

Bayram Meral, the Chairman of Turkish Trade Union Workers and Employers (Turk-Is); Ertan Yulek, the Deputy Chairman of Virtue Party (FP); Ufuk Aras, the Chairman of Freedom and Solidarity Party (ODP); Ahmet Turan Demir, the Chairman of People's Democracy Party (HADEP); and representatives of several political parties and non-governmental organizations attended the rally.

The KESK-member civil servants dispersed peacefully after the rally.

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