Anadolu Agency: News in English, 00-12-16

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ANADOLU AGENCY

NEWS

15 DECEMBER 2000

Saturday

CONTENTS

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

TUSIAD SAYS ECONOMIC MEASURES ARE BEING DELAYED
Turkish Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association (TUSIAD) Chairman Bulent Eczacibasi has said that the government is delaying the measures that need to be taken to recover the economy. Eczacibasi said statements like ''we overcame the crisis, the money will come to Turkey and it will be okey'' are very misleading and they should stop. A very strict financial policy is needed to rebuild confidence in markets, he indicated. He also stated that privatization should be focused more than ever to achieve this.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

SEZER SENDS BACK AMNESTY
President Ahmet Necdet Sezer said that the draft law of amnesty was against the state of law, the priciple of equality and justice, and noted that ''amnesty will not bring justice, on the contrary it will hurt the conscience of the public opinion.''

SABAH (LIBERAL)

CASH IS COMING ON DEC. 22
Turkish representatives who have been travelling in Europe and the United States to ask for financial support to the disinflation programme are returning home with a minimum of 1 billion U.S. dollars. The delegation headed by Central Bank Chairman Gazi Ercel had contacts with foreign banks' representatives in Frankfut and Europe. At the meetings, it was agreed that Turkey would start getting the credit on Dec. 11.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

ERBAKAN LIKELY TO BE SENT TO PRISON
The veto of the amnesty bill by President Sezer shattered leader of the outlawed Welfare Party's (RP) Necmettin Erbakan's dreams to benefit from the amnesty. Unless a change takes place until Jan. 13, 2001, Erbakan will be sent to prison for four months and 26 days. Justice Minister Hikmet Sami Turk said no special changes could be made for a single individual.

RADIKAL (LEFT)

QUAKE IN AFYON KILLS FIVE
A three-storey building and one mosque collapsed in a quake that shook western Afyon province yesterday. The quake measuring 5.8 on the Richter scale, killed six persons. A total of 82 persons who were shocked and injured were hospitalized.

YENI BINYIL (LIBERAL)

NO COMPROMISE IN BRUSSELS
No result was taken from the NATO meeting held in Brussels. Turkey didn't surrender to pressures regarding the European Security and Defense Identity (ESDI) and didn't allow the formation of a EU army. The U.S. President Bill Clinton called Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit on the phone, but this also didn't change the result.

TURKIYE (RIGHT)

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

SIX DIE, 100 OTHERS WOUNDED
An earthquake measuring 5,8 on the Richter scale occured at 18.44 local time in western Afyon province. The epicenter of the quake was Bolvadin township of Afyon province. The quake was also felt in central Konya province. There are a total of 100 wounded persons in the quake.

-FOREIGN MINISTERS OF NATO AND EU COME TOGETHER
BRUSSELS - Foreign Ministers of the European Union (EU) and NATO member states came together for the first time in a ''dinner'' on Friday.

The ministers discussed the cooperation opportunities between the NATO alliance and the EU in the dinner which was held upon the invitation of EU Term President France.

No statement issued a statement after the meeting.

Together with the foreign ministers of 15 EU member countries, ministers of eight other non-EU members of NATO namely the U.S., Canada, Turkey, Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Iceland, Norway participated in the dinner.

Foreign Minister Ismail Cem will return to Turkey on Saturday.

-JUSTICE MINISTER TURK SAYS AMNESTY BILL WHICH WAS EARLIER
VETOED BY DEMIREL WAS MOST APPROPRIATE
ANKARA - Justice Minister Hikmet Sami Turk, commenting on President Ahmet Necdet Sezer's veto of the amnesty bill, has said that the amnesty model which he thought was the most appropriate was the one that was vetoed by former president Suleyman Demirel.

Speaking on a live programme at CNN Turk, Turk said there were other options that could be considered such as the one which was earlier vetoed by Demirel.

''My personal view from the very beginning is that the other bill was better,'' he said. ''That one was a bill which was very much worked on. Maybe we can do some retouches on that bill.''

Turk was asked to comment on High Court of Appeals Chief Prosecutor Vural Savas' and Ankara State Security Court (DGM) Prosecutor Nuh Mete Yuksel's welcoming of the bill's vote by the President. ''I would like to state that their assessments are political. I don't approve their making these statements which remain outside their responsibilities as prosecutors,'' he replied.

Responding to a question on the death fasts continuing in several prisons in Turkey, Turk said the responsibility now belonged to those who started and supported these protests. ''People who unfairly criticize the F type prisons also contributed to the protests,'' he indicated.

When asked if he could easily say ''I tried my best to prevent any deaths and now I hold no responsibility,'' Turk said ''he is living the hardest days of his life.'' ''I have to think of the state's and people's interest. If they are trying to give a message to the people through their protests, they have already achieved this,'' he said.

-U.S. ADMINISTRATION APPROVES SALE OF EIGHT MILITARY HELICOPTERS
TO TURKEY
WASHINGTON D.C. - As a gesture of friendship, the U.S. President Bill Clinton, approved the sale of eight military helicopters to the Turkish army and informed the U.S. Congress about its approval.

After 15 days which is the official waiting period, the sale can come true as of the beginning of the new year.

There is no counter initiative to prevent the sale of CH-53E Super Stallion helicopters due to the initiatives of the Clinton administration.

Joseph Biden, a Senator from the Democrat Party who is close to the Greek lobby in the U.S., announced last month that he would oppose the sale due to the Cyprus issue. Biden later withdrew his objection upon the initative of the U.S. State Department.

The famous Sikorsky Aircraft firm of the U.S. produces CH-53E helicopters.

The helicopters are expected to cost nearly 350 million U.S. dollars for Turkey under the contract which was signed last June. The helicopters which are foreseen to be delivered to Turkey in the year 2003, will contribute a lot to further improving the transfer of Turkish Armed Forces' rapid reaction troops.

-U.S. REPORT SAYS PKK FINANCES ITS TERRORIST ACTIVITIES
THROUGH DRUG SMUGGLING IN WESTERN EUROPE AND SOUTH EAST TURKEY
WASHINGTON D.C. - Terrorist organization PKK obtains its cash from heroin smuggling in Western Europe and South East Turkey and uses it to finance its terrorist activities, stated the International Crime Asssessment report which was prepared by the White House.

The report which was prepared under the directive of U.S. President Bill Clinton was announced at a press conference by Clinton's National Security Council spokesman P.J. Crowley. The report gave large coverage to PKK's terrorist activities.

The report said after the Cold War, terrorist and extremist organizations which had been fighting against legal national authorities are becoming more involved in traditional crimes and drug smuggling and focusing their activities more on classical and new types of crimes.

Members of the PKK in Western Europe are involved in drug smugging and other crimes and PKK is also obtaining a significant amount of income from heroin in South East Turkey, the report indicated.

Noting that Turkey is still an important transit country in drug trafficking, the report said Istanbul was a big center of drug smuggling. The White House also said that Turkish and Albanian smuggling gangs are cooperating to bring the Asian origin heroin to Turkey in its report.

-JAPAN GIVES AWARD TO RETIRED TURKISH DIPLOMAT WHO
SAVED LIVES OF 200 JEWS AT WORLD WAR II
TOKYO - Retired Turkish diplomat Selahattin Ulkumen who saved the lives of about 200 Jews during the World War II has been given a Humanitarian Award by Japan.

Japan awarded 22 diplomats from 13 countries on the 100th birth anniversary of Chiune Siguhara who was Japanese Deputy Consular in Lithuania during World War II years. Acting against the directives he was given, Sugihara had issued visas to Jews escaping the Nazi's cruelty during war years.

Ulkumen who prevented more than 200 Turkish Jews from being sent to Auschawitz in 1944 was also awarded by Japan. He was Turkey's Chief Consular in Rhodos at that time.

Second Secretary Tunca Ozcuhadar at the Turkish Embassy in Tokyo received the Humanitarian Award on behalf of Ulkumen at a ceremony held in Osaka.

During a speech made at the ceremony, it was said that Ulkumen's house was bombed by German invading forces because of his efforts to help the Jews. Ulkumen's wife who was pregnant at that time was seriously injured at the bombing.

-EUROPEAN HOT SPRINGS ASSOCIATION MEMBERS SAY TURKEY COULD
BENEFIT MORE FROM ITS HOT SPRINGS
ANTALYA - European Hot Springs Association Marketing Commission Chairman Reinhold Petry has said that Turkey did not benefit from health tourism as much as it should.

Drawing attention to Turkey's hot springs, Petry who is from Germany said Turkey was not making the necessary investments to use its hot springs, therefore not benefiting from the resources it possesses.

Marketing Commission members of the Brussels based European Hot Springs Association have came to Turkey upon the invitation of Oger Tour and Petro hotel marketing company in Pamukkale. After visiting Antalya, the commission members passed to Pamukkale today. They will hold a meeting in Pamukkale about the future of Turkey's hot springs and cure centers in European market.

Commission Chairman Petry told the A.A that they were closely monitoring the efforts of the Turkish Hot Springs Association and found their activities satisfactory.

Turkey can obtain a significant amount of income from its hot springs but it has to make investments in line with EU standards, Petry said. ''For example, Pamukkale can be turned into an important cure center by setting up a few golf fields and entertainment centers,'' he added.

Noting that the promotion of these hot springs are not at a desirable level, Petry said tourists who visit Pamukkale didn't even know the water's special characteristics and they returned home without benefiting enough from this natural resource.

''Pamukkale's water which is now wasted can be put into a good use at cure centers and this would turn the place to a cure center where people come to seek for remedies to their health problems,'' he added.

Stating that Turkey has hot springs in more than 10 spots, Petry said the health tourism would become a very important social activity in this century.

There are three Turks employed at the European Hot Springs Association in Brussels. Germany, France, Britain, Czech Republic, Hungary, Denmark, Belgium, Estonia, Austria and the Netherlands are also members of this association.

Huseyin Baraner who is the executive council member of the European Hot Springs Association said that Turkey could get a good share from the European hot springs market if it takes the necessary measures. He also stated that they had started activities to promote hot springs and health tourism in Turkey.

-ECEVIT SENDS MESSAGE OF CONGRATULATION TO BUSH
ANKARA - Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit sent a message of congratulation to George W. Bush who has been elected as the next U.S. President.

''I'm hoping that we will work together like Turkey did with previous administrations for the mutual interests of our people,'' Ecevit said in his message.

Noting that it is important to strengthen relations between the two countries, Ecevit said ''I believe the relations between Turkey and the United States which are two close allies and strategic partners depend on common values and interests,'' he went on to say. ''Turkey and the United States will not be the only countries which will benefit from our strategic partnership. Our partnership will continue to be vital for maintaining peace and security, and increasing prosperity level in an integrated Europe, Balkans, Middle East and Caucasia and Central Asia.''

-DAMAGE ASSESSMENT STARTS IN AFYON
AFYON - Damage assessment work started in Afyon province on Saturday following yesterday's quake whose epicenter was Bolvadin township of western Afyon province.

Citizens spent the night outside in Sultandagı, Bolvadin and Cay towns due to aftershocks.

Ahmet Ozyurt, the governor of Afyon told the A.A correspondent that the Crisis Desk they formed after the quake continues its work. They formed six teams this morning to assess the damage, he said.

No casualties were reported in Afyon, he said adding that there is no great damage on buildings, too.

-PARLIAMENT SPEAKER IZGI DENIES DEPUTIES' ROLE
IN POLICE DEMONSTRATIONS
ANKARA - Parliament Speaker Omer Izgi said it was very unlikely that some deputies telephoned to the police and encouraged them to hold demonstrations and added that Parliament didn't play a role in starting the police demonstrations.

When asked if he was going to investigate the allegations, Izgi said ''he read about these claims only in the press'' and that the deputies couldn't have led to the incidents.

-DUTCH CITY DONATES 100 BILLION TL TO CULTURAL CENTER
IN ADAPAZARI
ADAPAZARI - The Netherlands has sent a 100 billion TL donation to the cultural center which is being built in Adapazari.

The Delf Municipality, which is the sister city of Adapazari, made the donation for the cultural center whose constructed started in Ataturk Park after the earthquake.

Adapazari Mayor Aziz Duran said the donation will speed up the construction works. ''Adapazari which is a university town has students who need facilities where they can enjoy cultural activities. This facility will have the capacity to satisfy both students and people from all segments of the society,'' Duran said.

-U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT SAYS IMPORTANT DEVELOPMENTS ARE TAKING
PLACE IN BAKU-CEYHAN'S FINANCING
WASHINGTON, D.C. - About the financing of the Baku-Ceyhan oil pipeline, the U.S. State Department has said that financial institutions of the U.S. government and possible investors of the pipeline are having contacts which constitute important steps leading to the project's realization.

U.S. State Department Spokesman Richard Coucher said in a written statement that U.S. Eximbank and American Overseas Private Investing Firm OPIC authorities had a meeting with the executives of the investors group which will most likely undertake the pipeline's construction.

These contacts, Boucher said, are important steps taken toward the project's implementation and added that the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline's aim is to transport the Caucasian oil to world markets in a way which would be economically profitable and also environment friendly.

Several U.S. firms can participate in the pipeline's construction, Boucher said noting that the pipeline emerged as a new opportunity for U.S. firms.

-HEAVY FOG CAUSES CHANGES IN THY'S FLIGHT SCHEDULE
DIYARBAKIR - The Turkish Airlines (THY) had to cancel its Ankara-Diyarbakir and Istanbul-Diyarbakir flights due to heavy fog on Saturday.

A THY plane which came to Diyarbakir from Ankara early this morning had to return to Ankara after failing to land at the airport because of thick fog.

Authorities said the regular schedule will resume after the fog clears.

-SECOND INTERNATIONAL GIFT AND SOUVENIR FAIR OPENS IN
ANKARA'S AKM
ANKARA - The Second International Gift and Souvenir Fair opened at Ankara's Ataturk Cultural Center (AKM) with a ceremony on Saturday.

Cankaya Mayor Haydar Yilmaz attended the opening of the fair which is organized by Forum Fair Organization Coorp.

Pointing to the Turkish tradition of buying gifts, Yilmaz said he thought the visitors would enjoy seeing works which belong to various countries and cultures.

The fair which was also held last year in Ankara is being participated by 150 institutions from 17 countries. The fair is offering a wide range of choices for people who are looking for new year presents to buy for their relatives and friends. Indonesia, Tailand, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Georgia, Egypt, Kyrgyzstan, Tanzania, Iran, Kenya, Phillippines, Pakistan, Uzbekistan, India, Jordan, China and Turkey are represented at the fair.

Decorations made of glass, candles, jewellery, furniture, rugs, clothing, bagas, books and various decorative pieces are being sold at the fair. Some welfare institutions also have stands at the organization.

The fair will last until Dec. 24.

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