Anadolu Agency: News in English, 00-11-28

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NEWS

28 NOVEMBER 2000 Tuesday

CONTENTS

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

[02] FOREIGN MINISTER CEM IN BRUSSELS

[03] DEMIREL: ''AUTHORITIES OF THE COMMISSION ARE LIMITED''

[04] STATE MINISTER USENMEZ LEAVES FOR MEXICO

[05] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT: ''MIT WORKS IN GREAT OPENNESS''

[06] RUMKALE IN GAZIANTEP ATTRACTS PEOPLE

[07] THY AND AMERICAN AIRLINES SIGN A NEW COOPERATION AGREEMENT

[08] EXCAVATIONS IN ZEUGMA

[09] EUROPEAN YOUTH FESTIVAL TO BE HELD IN ANKARA

[10] CULTURE MINISTRY PUBLISHES TWO NEW BOOKS

[11] DEMIRBANK OBTAINS 140 MILLION U.S. DOLLAR LOAN

[12] WORLD BANK'S REPORT TO BE DISCUSSED

[13] TALKS ON AFGHANISTAN BETWEEN TURKEY AND RUSSIA IN MOSCOW

[14] RUSSIANS CHOOSE ADVERTISEMENTS OF TURKEY AS THE BEST MAGAZINE

[15] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT: (2)

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

TURKEY IN RIGHT PATH
Stanley Fischer, the Deputy Chairman of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), made a statement regarding Turkey's economy in the web-site of IMF on Monday. Fischer said that Turkey's economic program is progressing in the right route.

TUSIAD'S EU TOUR
A delegation of the Turkish Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association's (TUSIAD) Foreign Relations Commission went to Brussels to hold several contacts. The delegation headed by Aldo Kaslowski, the Chairman of the TUSIAD's Foreign Relations Commission, met with a delegation comprised of Alain Serventie, the European Union (EU) Commission's Turkey Desk Chief, and the officials of several general directorates responsible for candidate countries. The main item of the agenda of the meeting was the role of the private sector in the implementation of the Accession Partnership Accord.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

AUTOMOBILE SALES TO INCREASE IN DECEMBER
It is estimated that the automobile sales will reach its peak point in December. The vehicle purchasing tax which will increase 50 percent by the beginning of the year is one of the main factors of this increase. The sources said they expected that 60 thousand vehicles will be sold in December.

SABAH (LIBERAL)

THREE AWACS PLANES ARE FREE ON CHARGE
Turkey benefited from the competition between Boeing and Raytheon companies in tender of Awacs planes which will be bought to Air Forces. We will have seven Awacs planes, instead of four, by paying 1,5 billion U.S. dollars. Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said they would first meet with Boeing in the tender. The first Awacs will be delivered in 2003.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

FROM ALBRIGHT TO CEM: IT WAS A SURPRISE
Decision of Turkey and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) to withdraw from the U.N. proximity talks, caused veiled warnings from the U.S.

Madeleine Albright, the U.S. Secretary of State, talked to Foreign Minister Ismail Cem during Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Ministers Council meeting, and conveyed the concerns of Washington administration. Albright said, ''your decision has been a suprise for us. We think those talks are very important.''

RADIKAL (LEFT)

FOGG, SAYS TURKEY SHOULD MAKE EDUCATION AND HEALTH INVESTMENTS
Karen Fogg, the European Union's (EU) Turkey representative, said Turkey could compete with other countries if it invested money for health and education. Fogg noted that the financial support provided by the EU for Turkey, was mainly used in eastern and southeastern regions. Pointing out that the EU provided support for education and family planning, Fogg said the EU would launch a programme in the Southeastern Anatolia Project(GAP) region in the coming weeks. Fogg said the three basic elements of the programme were, development in rural areas, improving the Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (KOBI) and preserving the cultural heritage in the region.

YENİ BİNYIL (LIBERAL)

CYPRUS, EU AND AMNESTY ON THE AGENDA OF NSC
Cyprus, the European Union (EU), and amnesty will be discussed on the agenda of National Security Council (NSC) during its November regular meeting on Wednesday. The government will give information to the members of the Council about the amnesty. The NSC will also discuss the measures that will be taken again the probable developments that may erupt after withdrawal of Turkish side from the Cyprus talks.

The meeting will also focus on the strategy that will be followed within the framework of the statements in Accession Partnership Accord, which put Turkey into difficulty. Resolutions on so-called genocide on Armenians, adopted in parliaments of the EU countries one by one, will also top the agenda of the meeting.

TURKIYE (RIGHT)

ALBRIGHT THANKS CEM
The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Ministers' Council meeting is being held in Vienna, Austria. Foreign Minister Ismail Cem held a bilateral meeting with Madeleine Albright, the U.S. Secretary of State. The two ministers met in a working breakfast. Albright thanked Cem for his contributions to the peace in the Middle East.

JAPANESE BANKS PROMISE TO EXTEND SUPPORT
The Japanese banks promised to extend support to Turkey. State Minister Recep Onal, who is paying a visit to Japan, met with the administrators of the Japanese banks. The Japanese bankers said that they closely pursue the implementation of the economic program in Turkey and they support this program.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

THERE IS NO CONCESSION OF PRINCIPLES
Rauf Denktas, the President of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), said that they have to discuss the principles which they can accept to return to the negotiation table, by the officials. Denktas said that it is meaningless to sit down at a negotiation table by closing their eyes. Denktas said that they can only talk from state to state and they can only talk about confederation.

[02] FOREIGN MINISTER CEM IN BRUSSELS

Cem will hold contacts with the European Parliament (EP) and the European Union (EU) Commission.

Delivering a speech in the EP External Relations Commission meeting, Cem will respond to the questions of the parliamentarians.

Cem will meet with Guenter Verheugen, the EU Commissioner for enlargement.

Following his contacts, Cem will depart from Belgium on Wednesday evening.

[03] DEMIREL: ''AUTHORITIES OF THE COMMISSION ARE LIMITED''

Demirel said people should not expect much from the commission, adding that, ''we will be in an effort to fulfil the duty that has been given to us.''

Demirel said the commission, comprised of five people, will visit the region, including Jerusalem, West Bank and Gaza, and will meet with the Palestinians and Israelis.

Demirel said he met with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak, Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, King Abdullah of Jordan, and Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, adding that, ''all of them have confidence in us.''

Demirel said the committee will assess what would be done to prevent bloodshed anymore, and that it will give advise.

The report, which the commission will prepare at the end of the contacts, will be disclosed to the public after being confirmed by the U.N. Secretary General and the concerned sides.

[04] STATE MINISTER USENMEZ LEAVES FOR MEXICO

Prior to his departure, Usenmez told reporters that he will attend the ceremony held for the handing over the presidency in Mexico on behalf of President Ahmet Necdet Sezer.

Usenmez said that he will hold several contacts during his visit as the Co- president of the Turkey-Mexico Joint Economic Commission (JEC).

Turkey attributes importance to the improvement of its relations with Mexico, Usenmez noted.

Usenmez emphasized that he believes the cooperation between the two countries can be promoted by high-level contacts.

Efforts are underway to make the Mexico City and Istanbul sister cities, Usenmez said.

Usenmez stated that works are underway regarding a project for the construction of a Statue of Ataturk, the Founder of Modern Turkish Republic, in Mexico City.

They also carry out initiatives to establish a Turkish-Mexican Interparliamentary Friendship Group and to increase contacts of Turkish and Mexican business circles, Usenmez stressed.

Usenmez said that overcoming the difficulties in the visa application of Mexico, which creates an obstacle in the improvement of friendship and cooperation between Turkey and Mexico, gains importance in a period when the two countries started to get more interested in the tenders of the other.

He believes the contacts and visits between the two countries will promote the bilateral relations and friendship, Usenmez added.

[05] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT: ''MIT WORKS IN GREAT OPENNESS''

When a journalist recalled the statements of Senkal Atasagun, the MIT Undersecretary which appeared in some newspapers today, and asked his evaluations, Ecevit said, ''MIT works in a great openness. This is an important stage in Turkey. Statements of MIT Undersecretary and his colleagues should be evaluated with understanding.''

[06] RUMKALE IN GAZIANTEP ATTRACTS PEOPLE

The historical Rumkale which is situated on a hill covered by high rocks in the west bank of the Euphrates, became a peninsula after the waters of the Birecik Dam were released.

Thus, the Rumkale started to attract the people with its history and natural beauties.

Hasan Eliacik, the Provincial Culture Minister, told A.A correspondent on Tuesday that measures should be taken to prevent the walls of the Rumkale, a part of which was inundated by the waters of the Euphrates, from the negative effects of the waters.

Eliacik said that the environmental betterment efforts are underway in the region since May.

The Rumkale is one of the regions which is worth seeing, Eliacik noted.

Eliacik added, ''we target at making this region a touristical site. When the project regarding Rumkale is completed, there will be every kind of service in this region.''

The Rumkale, the ancient name of which was Hromgla, was under the rule of the Assyrians in the middle of 9th century B.C.

Later, it was under the rule of the Persians, Romans and Arabians.

It is said that Johannes, one of the apostles of the Jesus Christ, made Rumkale a center during the Roman rule and tried to spread Christianity from Rumkale. It is also said that the first New Testament was hidden in a chamber carved in the rocks and that later, the Bible was smuggled to Beirut.

The views that Johannes' grave is in Rumkale makes Rumkale a sacred region for the Christians.

The Rumkale was one of the main castles of the Urfa Crusaders which was set up in 1098 and which was centered in Sanliurfa.

The Rumkale and its vicinity were invaded by the Muslims in 1292.

There are many artifacts built during the Turkish-Islam era in the Rumkale and the region.

[07] THY AND AMERICAN AIRLINES SIGN A NEW COOPERATION AGREEMENT

Passengers who will fly from Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Detroit, Houston, Los Angeles, Orlando, San Fransisco, Seattle and Washington D.C. to Istanbul will benefit from the ''Codesharing'' agreement signed between the two airline companies.

The THY currently arranges direct flights to New York, Miami and Chicago.

The new agreement brings facilities to the passengers who will fly from ten cities in the U.S. to Turkey.

The agreement will also be valid in case the passengers who fly to Turkey by the American Airlines flight, fly to other countries by the connected flights of the THY.

Turgut Atay, the THY's Manager in the U.S. and Canada, said that the THY is seizing every opportunity to give better service to its North American customers.

Atay said that this agreement will fortify the power of the THY in the U.S. market and will provide advantages for not only the THY but also the American Airlines.

David Cush, an official of the American Airlines, said that they are pleased to offer new opportunities to their clients, adding that the agreement which they signed with the THY last year, was beneficial and successful.

[08] EXCAVATIONS IN ZEUGMA

Oxford Archeology Unit, which was assigned in coordination of the excavation, prepared a web site to promote and announce works in Zeugma ancient city. The web site said the lavatory, which is estimated to be open to the public, was in the section forming the suburbs.

The web site titled, ''The Zeugma 2000 Archaeological Project,'' shows the excavations in Zeugma.

Officials said in the web site that they got samples from the waste in the lavatory, adding, ''thus we will be able to obtain more information about what the inhabitants of Zeugma ate.''

(http://www.Zeugma2000.com)

[09] EUROPEAN YOUTH FESTIVAL TO BE HELD IN ANKARA

Music, dance and theatre groups from France, Italy, Britain, Spain, Belgium, Portugal, Malta, Jordan, Croatia, Greece and Turkey will participate in the festival.

Short movie projections, exhibitions, and workshops will be held within the framework of the festival.

The European Youth Festival aims at bringing European and Turkish youth organizations together and establishing a foundation for cooperation between the participants.

[10] CULTURE MINISTRY PUBLISHES TWO NEW BOOKS

The books handle the ''Armenian incidents'' in regard to the German sources and the Turkish people in regard to the letters of Pierre Loti.

The book titled ''Armenian Incidents'' which was written by Ramazan Calik, said that the book which was written by Priest Lepsius and titled ''Deutschland Und Armenian 1914-1918'' led to Turkish enmity. This book is still accepted as a basic source in Germany.

The book titled ''Death of Our Beloved France In East'' includes the letters written by Loti in which he defended the Turkish people whom he defined as the strongest, most honest and tolerant people of the east.

Calik said in his book titled ''The Armenian Incidents In the Rule of Abdulhamid The Second In Accordance With The German Sources'' that the book of Priest Lepsius, who was the enemy of the Turks and Muslims, was prepared by the permission and support of the German Foreign Ministry.

Calik said, ''it arises concerns that a person who is known as a Turkish enemy, who is married with an Armenian, and who evaluates the incidents as only Muslim-Christianity conflict, publishes a book on such an important issue by the permission and support of the state. There is enmity against the Turks in the book. When we look at the book objectively, it is seen that the book is biased.''

Ramazan Calik noted that the Armenians exert intensive efforts to keep the western public opinion in their favour and that the Armenians publish different books in many western countries, particullary in Germany, through the culture and research associations.

There are thousands of books against the Turks in the German libraries while there are very few books in favour of Turks, Calik stated.

Calik said, ''nowadays, many publications regarding Armenia and Armenians are being made especially in Germany. Some of these publications are made by the Armenians and some by the German researchers. But, there are not enough publications written in our country against the publications in foreign countries. The publications in foreign language are insufficient in Turkey. The Turkish researchers should make as much as publications as they can to reveal the realities regarding the Armenian issue. The Turkish researches should even put forward works in the light of the foriegn sources.''

Ramazan Calik stresses the importance of scrutinizing archives of Russia, Britain, Germany and France as well as the archives of the Ottoman Empire to obtain accurate information about the Armenian incidents.

Pointing out the importance of the works of arts written by foreigners, who visited Turkey and who knew about Turkish people, Calik said, ''because the negative atmosphere, which has been created in the West against the East, changes as they get to know about the East and the Turks.''

He said, ''some prejudiced western intellectuals could make their decisions after visiting Turkey and getting to know the two sides.''

Calik said works of Holstein, Hatzfeld, Bulow, and Radovitz, who worked in Istanbul as the ambassadors, were important in this respect.

Report of German Ambassador Saurma, dated October 8, 1895, which was took place in the book, says, ''Turks are calm and moderate as of nature. It only hits the rival if somebody extremely incites him. Moslems were extremely incited by the Armenians in this incident. You have seen the attitude of the Armenians against the civil servants. They used force against the moslems in Sasun as it happened in Istanbul.''

Paul Graf Von Hatzfeld, who worked in Turkey, said, ''I have sympathy over Turks. Armenians deserve nothing but a harsh reaction. They describe the British as ''wrong friends.'' I apologized from the sublime people who were the most kind-hearted. British press exaggerates the massacre and the incidents. It covers the incidents from the point of view of those who want to exagerrate the incidents, not the witnesses.''

The book titled, ''Death of Our Dear France in the East,'' published by the Culture Ministry, includes the letters of famous French author Pierre Loti about Turks and the Armenians.

Pierre Loti in his letter said Turkish Nation, who is known as notorious in the west, was not ''barbaric, wild, ignorant, and uncivilized,'' adding that Turkish people did not lose anything from their kind-heartedness even if they sometimes were wounded.''

Loti also said Europe did not do anything which the Turks would appreciate, adding that Europe always attributed importance to economic relations, and even France lost esteem in the eyes of Turks in this respect.

Loti, who also mentioned the incidents experienced between the Turks and the Armenians, said, ''I say the Turks, who were often slandered, are not our enemies, and that they fought with us reluctantly.''

''I also say Turks are the most honest people of the east, and have more tolerance than the Orthodox people who are themselves the intolerance.''

[11] DEMIRBANK OBTAINS 140 MILLION U.S. DOLLAR LOAN

The amount of loan that Demirbank has obtained since the beginning of the year through its web site reached 250 million U.S. dollars while the total amount of loan it has obtained from external markets reached 335 million U.S. dollars.

Demirbank said on Tuesday that it had obtained its third and last external loan with the 240 million U.S. dollar syndicated loan signed on November 22, 2000.

It said that 34 companies from 16 countries had participated in the syndicated loan arranged by a group including American Express Bank Ltd, Bayerische Hypo-und Vereinbank AG, The Bank of New York, The Bank of Tokyo Mitsubishi Ltd, The Dai-Ichi Kangyo Bank Ltd. and NBG International Ltd.

The syndicated loan which will be used to finance foreign trade has a libor+0.70 percent interest rate.

[12] WORLD BANK'S REPORT TO BE DISCUSSED

Sources said on Tuesday the conference on ''Report on Turkey: Structural Reform and Stable Growth'' would take place at the Lutfi Kirdar International Congress and Exhibition Palace in Istanbul.

Johannes Linn, the Deputy Chairman of World Bank; Zekeriya Temizel, the Chairman of Banking Regulation and Audit Board; Selcuk Demiralp, the Undersecretary of Treasury; and Ajay Chhibber, the Representative of World Bank in Turkey; will attend the conference as speakers.

Meanwhile, Andrew Buxton, the Chairman of British Union of Banks, member of Executive Board of British Central Bank and Adviser of Executive Board of Akbank; will address a conference on ''Importance of Banking in E-Trade in the New Millennium'' at the Sabanci Center in Istanbul.

[13] TALKS ON AFGHANISTAN BETWEEN TURKEY AND RUSSIA IN MOSCOW

Diplomatic sources said on Tuesday that it had been revealed at the end of the meeting that most of the opinions of Turkey and Russia about Afghanistan issue were similar.

The sides stated that the Afghanistan issue could be solved with a government in which all relevant groups in Afghanistan had representatives, sources said.

The sides stressed that the clashing parties should take good will steps and abide by relevant recommendations and rules of the international community in order to reach a solution, sources added.

The Russian Foreign Ministry made an official statement on the meeting between Erman and Loskuyov, saying that the sides were deeply concerned about continuation of clashes in Afghanistan, hampering international efforts for a solution.

According to the statement, the sides had expressed their concerns that the Afghan territories became one of the main centers of international terrorism and illicit drug trafficking.

The sides also agreed to make bilateral consultative meetings also on other issues more efficient.

[14] RUSSIANS CHOOSE ADVERTISEMENTS OF TURKEY AS THE BEST MAGAZINE

The survey which was carried out by TBWA Zao Partner Communications Inc, show that the advertisements of Turkey were chosen as the best advertisement and the best creative work by the Russians.

A total of 1200 people living in Moscow participated in the survey and the advertisement campaign of Turkey with the slogan of ''Feel the life in Turkey'' was selected as the best advertisement by the Russians.

[15] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT: (2)

Ecevit responded to reporters' questions at the Prime Ministry on Tuesday. ''I hope the EU Commission and the Council of Europe correct these mistakes in the coming days,'' he added. ''The Aegean and Cyprus problems are vital for Turkey. One can easily see the importance of Northern Cyprus for Turkey by looking at the map of the Eastern Mediterranean.''

Responding to a question on inflation, Ecevit said the government was running the economic stability programme with determination. ''However, high inflation and high interest lobbies are doing everything possible to prevent the inflation's decline,'' he added. ''The increase in oil prices and the fluctuations in the European currency unit are negatively affecting our economy.'' He also pointed out that the recent bank operations created unnecessary concerns in some circles. Ecevit declared that the goverment was taking all the necessary measures to deal with these problems.

''We are taking precautions to prevent civil servants from being crushed by the inflation. Our efforts to correct the unbalanced income distribution are also continuing. Civil servants' problems will be solved as Turkey will defeat the inflation. We have to be a little patient.''

Answering another question on the amnesty, Ecevit said he believed this issue would be resolved in the coming days.

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