Anadolu Agency: News in English, 00-12-17

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ANADOLU AGENCY

NEWS

17 DECEMBER 2000

sunday

CONTENTS

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

GOVERNMENT DECIDES TO REFER LAW TO PRESIDENT AGAIN
The government decided to refer the law on conditional release to President Ahmet Necdet Sezer once again without amending it. Sezer does not have the right to veto it once again. Ecevit said that their decision was appropriate in social aspect. The parliament will take up the law again next week, and if the parliament adopts the law as it is, Sezer has to approve it but he can also apply to the Constitutional Court. A total of 40, 000 prisoners will be released and Necmettin Erbakan, the leader of the banned Welfare Party (RP) will be free if the law is approved.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

ISIKARA SURPRISED
Prof. Ahmet Mete Isikara was surprised that the earthquake measuring 5.8 by Richter scale whose epicenter was Afyon's Bovadin township caused so little damage. ''The earthquake was only 5 kilometers to the world's surface. It is very surprising that the damage is so minor,'' he said.

A family of four who was trapped under a three storey building in Aksehir's Adsiz region was rescued after staying under the rubble for an hour.

SABAH (LIBERAL)

WHAT CAN COURT DO?
The Constitutional Court can cancel the law on conditional release accepting the opposition of President Ahmet Necdet Sezer. Or the Court can reject the claims of the president and approve the law. As a last alternate, the Court can broaden the content of the law to forgive more prisoners.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

COALITION PARNERS RESOLVED TO PASS AMNESTY BILL
Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit, after having a meeting with coalition partners Yilmaz and Bahceli, stated that ''he found it appropriate to resend the amnesty bill back to Sezer with certain social reasons.'' If Parliament passes the bill without making any changes on it, the president has to approve it. However, the president has the right to take the bill to the Constitutional Court after signing it.

RADIKAL (LEFT)

EIGHT INMATES ARE ON BORDER OF DEATH
The death fast which has been continuing in Turkey's several prisons entered its 59th day. It was reported that 60 inmates are in serious condition. Eight of these could die anytime, doctors said. Noting that there is a very high risk of death at this point, they said that the inmates have started showing some neurological disorders.

YENI BINYIL (LIBERAL)

THERE HAS TO BE EU ARMY
Foreign Minister Hubert Vedrine of France, the EU Term President said that Turkey is right in her concerns regarding the share of military capabilities between NATO and the European Union (EU), adding that yet the security project of the EU shouldn't be prevented by these concerns. Speaking to reporters after the NATO's foreign ministers meeting, Vedrine said that ''we understand the concerns of Turkey, but we can't give up the security project of EU.''

TURKIYE (RIGHT)

GERMAN PRESIDENT VISITS GENC FAMILY IN GERMANY
German President Johannes Rau visited Genc family whose house was arsoned in Solingen five years ago causing the deaths of five members of their family. Rau told the family that ''I also didn't forget and I will never forget the pain you have.''

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

-TRNC PRESIDENT DENKTAS SAYS EU NORMS WOULD BE
DISASTROUS FOR TURKISH CYPRIOTS
LEFKOSA - Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Rauf Denktas has said that entering the European Union with the Greek Cypriot side meant regarding the TRNC ''non existing''.

Speaking at the TRNC Parliament on Saturday evening, Denktas said the TRNC was being forced to accept EU norms and stated that this meant ''electric chair'' for the Turkish Cypriots.

The TRNC president indicated that the Cyprus conflict would be resolved if they are offered reasonable conditions and if the Greek Cypriots are told that they can't spread to all Cyprus.

Stressing that EU norms would be devastating for the Turkish Cypriots, Denktas said they should not even ''mention'' the EU without bringing a solution to the issue of norms. ''We have to make the TRNC live, we have no other way,'' Denktas said. ''We have a long way ahead of us. I want you to support me during this journey.''

The UN Security Council's extending the mandate of the UN Peace Keeping Force in Cyprus is very inappropriate, Denktas said adding that the UN soldiers cannot be employed in the TRNC with the approval of the Greek Cypriot administration. The TRNC government has taken certain measures against the UN Peace Force and those who would not obey the rules will be taken out of the TRNC land, he indicated.

-TRNC PRIME MINISTER EROGLU SAYS ONLY WAY TO FIND SOLUTION
IN CYPRUS IS TO START NEGOTIATION PROCESS BETWEEN
STATE TO STATE
LEFKOSA - Dervis Eroglu, the Prime Minister of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) said on Saturday evening that the proximity talks ended for the TRNC side as the talks turned into a process wanting to lay a trap for the Turkish Cypriot side.

The only way to find an agreement on the island is to launch efforts in order to start a negotiation process between ''state to state,'' Eroglu said addressing to the TRNC's parliament which convened the same day to discuss the recent developments regarding the Cyprus issue.

Explaining the views of his party, Eroglu said that the Cyprus issue is not only the problem of joining the European Union (EU).

Both Turkey and Turkish Cypriots deserve to be in Europe, said Eroglu and stressed that ''yet a just, lasting solution in Cyprus which will provide our security must be found.''

Eroglu said that his party wants an agreement which will strengthen the independent identity of TRNC, which will ensure recognition of TRNC in the international arena, which will pay regard to the interests of the Turkish Cypriot people, which will respond to the equality, sovereignty and security needs of Turkey and which will ensure the effective guarantee of Turkey.

TRNC Premier Eroglu also criticized the report of the UN Security Council about the term of UN Peace Keeping Force's mandate and commented that TRNC will continue to insist on a different agreement and measures.

-TURKEY DRAWS ATTENTION AT BRUSSELS INTERNATIONAL TOURISM FAIR
BRUSSELS - The Turkish stand at the International Tourism Fair in Brussels is drawing attention of many visitors.

A research carried out by the Belgian Tour Operators Association (ABTO) revealed that Turkey draws the second highest number of Belgian tourists.

Executives of two leading Belgian tour operators, Neckermann and Jetair said that Turkey has the variety to satisfy all types of tourists due to its good quality and good prices. They said Turkey has become an important tourism country which is prefered both in summer and winter.

Turkey this year hosted more than 10,000 tourists and the number of Belgian visitors rose by 70 percent compared to last year.

-ARMENIAN PATRIARCH HOSTS DINNER FOR BOTH CHRISTIANS
AND MUSLIMS
ISTANBUL - Armenian Patriarch Mesrob II hosted a dinner on Saturday evening which marks the 27th day of the Christian Advent-Hisnag fasting and the 20th day of the Muslim fasting.

Before the dinner which was given at the Armenian Patriarchate, a Muslim and an Armenian clergymen read prayers from their holy books.

''Selfishness, ambition and arrogance are chains which condemn us,'' Mesrob II said. ''Faith, love for humanity and morality are the values that could help us break these chains. Today Muslims are getting ready for the Ramadan holiday while the Christian world is waiting for Christmas by singing Christmas carols. I would like to thank you all for eating with us on the same table. I'd look forward to meeting in the future holiday seasons.''

Eminonu Mayor Lufti Kibiroglu, Turkish American Businessmen's Association Chairperson Zeynep Abidin Erdem, representatives of some religious missions and a group of quake survivors from Duzce attended the dinner.

-UTRECTH'S FOUNDATION TO BUILD SCHOOL IN SAKARYA
SOGUTLU - Utrecth's Aid Foundation to Turkey laid on Saturday the foundation of the elementary school it will build in Sogutlu county of Sakarya province which was devastated by last year's earthquake.

Cahit Kırac, Sakarya governor said in the ceremony that the education and health sector which had a heavy blow due to the quake is being reconstructed by the contributions of domestic and foreign institutions.

''The school that will be built will meet one need of the region in respect of education,'' he said and noted that ''the aid sent for education and health are the most important ones. We've seen the concrete examples of that after the quake disaster.''

W. Kernkamp, the Acting mayor of Utrecht city of the Netherlands said in his part that his country was very sorry about the quake disaster in Turkey, adding that they are happy to lay the foundation of a school in Adapazarı.

''Not only Turks, but also the Dutch and other foreigners who live in Utrecht supported the building of the school. The Turkish society in Utrecht started an aid campaign right after the quake. Many institutions particularly the schools launched efforts to collect money. I hope this foundation ceremony will be the commencement of relations between the directors, schools, parents and children in Utrecht and Sogutlu,'' he said.

A total of 1500 students will have the chance to study in the school that will be built in Sogutlu.

Sogutlu municipality will complete the infrastructure and landscape of the school, which is expected to be ready in July, next year. The school is expected to cost one million dollars.

-IHD ISTANBUL CHAIRMAN KESKIN SAYS JUSTICE MINISTRY
AGREED TO MEET CERTAIN NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS
WHICH IS A PLEASING DEVELOPMENT
ISTANBUL - Human Rights Association (IHD) Istanbul Chairman Eren Keskin has said that the Justice Ministry gave appointments to Human Rights Foundation (IHV), Confederation of Revolutionary Workers' Union (DISK) and Confederation of Public Labourers' Union (KESK), IHD and Modern Lawyers' Association (CHD) which is a pleasing development.

Keskin who came to Bayrampasa prison with a group of 15 people said they were given an appointment by the Justice Ministry for 12 a.m. ''We regard this as a pleasing development and we will wait for the meeting's results, '' he said.

Keskin also claimed that intellectuals who contact inmates are misleading the public opinion.

-SOUTH EAST EXPORTS DRIED APRICOTS WORTH OF 41,1 MILLION
U.S. DOLLARS IN 2000
GAZIANTEP - South East Anatolia exported 28,189 tons of dried apricots in the first 11 months of 2000 with a 14.9 percent decrease compared to last year's same period. South East obtained 41 million 177,000 U.S. dollars from the export this year.

In 1999's same period, South East had exported 21,883 tons of dried apricots worth of 48 million 364,000 U.S. dollars.

According to the data of the South East Exporters' Association, Turkey exported dried apricots to France, Britain, the United States, Australia, Italy, Germany, Israel, Saudi Arabia, Romania and Greece on Jan.-Nov. 2000.

The unit price of dried apricots dropped by 34 percent compared to last year.

-BYZANTIAN LION SCULPTURE WEIGHING 4 TONS FOUND IN
OPERATIONS IN ANTALYA AND BURDUR
ANTALYA - Antalya Security Directorate's teams found a lion sculpture weighing four tons which belongs to the Byzantian era as well as two tombstones and five bronze coins. One person was arrested related to the incident.

Security forces learnt that a man named Karem Kara was looking for a customer to sell the historical objects he had.

Disguised like a customer, police bought two tombstones from Kara. Later the policemen went to Burdur's Cavdar township where the objects were excavated.

After digging the spot showed by Kara, the policemen found the marble lion sculpture, five bronze coins, and a necklace decoration with the sun goddess.

Kara was arrested after his interrogation.

The tombstones were given to the Antalya Museum Directorate. Other pieces will be submitted to the Burdur Museum Directorate.

-NATIONAL DEFENSE MINISTER CAKMAKOGLU SAYS MOST IMPORTANT PRINCIPLE
THAT GOVERNS OPERATION NORTHERN WATCH IS PROTECTION OF POLITICAL UNITY
AND TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY OF IRAQ
ANKARA - National Defense Minister Sabahattin Cakmakoglu said on Sunday that the most important principle that governs Operation Northern Watch is the protection of political unity and territorial integrity of Iraq.

''We regard Northern Iraq as a part of the Republic of Iraq,'' Cakmakoglu said.

The prime ministry note on extending the mandate of the Operation Northern Watch as of 31, Dec. 2000 for six months was read out at the parliament.

Explaining the views of the government on the issue, National Defense Minister Cakmakoglu said that Operation Northern Watch started to function as of Jan. 1, 1997 by the decision of the parliament.

''The note is read out in the parliament today in order to extend the mandate of the Operation Northern Watch for the eighth time. Northern Watch functions in line with the goals and spirit of the UN Security Council's Resolutions. Importance is given to Iraqi territorial integrity and political unity. Operation Northern Watch is composed of the aircrafts of the U.S and Britain and its mission is to conduct the reconnaissance flights in Northern Iraq known as the 36th parallel. Turkey adopted two documents to regulate these flights,'' he said.

Cakmakoglu commented that the prevention of a new immigration flow which threatens the economic and social order and border security of Turkey is to the interest of the country.

''The threat against our border security has not fully ended,'' he said and added that ''there is still no cooperation basis between Iraq and UN. No result has been taken from the negotiations held to persuade Iraq to make its mass destruction weapon system be open to inspection. The regional people continue to be restless. The continuation of the Operation Northern Watch in Northern Iraq where there is still uncertainty and tension, seems necessary for our foreign policy.''

Recounting that Kirkuk-Yumurtalık oil pipeline was partially opened by the resolution of the UN Security Council four years ago, Cakmakoglu said that Iraq has the opportunity to export oil now.

He said that the initiatives of the Foreign Ministry to make Turkey benefit more from Iraqi oil by pipelines and highway are underway.

Cakmakoglu stressed that the embargo imposed on Iraq also negatively affects the Turkish economy, adding that the factors which negatively affect the economy of southeast and eastern Anatolia regions will be removed.

Pointing out that the terrorist organization PKK tried to settle in Northern Iraq after the Gulf War, Cakmakoglu said that Turkey had achieved important advantages by the Operation Northern Watch.

The countries which joined the Operation shares the same view with Turkey that ''PKK is a terrorist organization,'' said Cakmakoglu and noted that finding realist and permanent solution to the problems in the region can only come true within the structure of the Republic of Iraq.

Cakmakoglu underlined the fact that Turkey will never permit the conditions in Northern Iraq to develop in a way that will enable the terrorist organization PKK to settle in the region.

Cakmakoglu said that the current situation in Northern Iraq is temporary, adding that it is not realist to isolate the solution of the problem in the region from the solution of the Iraqi problem.

-NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS MEET WITH JUSTICE
MINISTER TURK
ANKARA - Human Rights Association (IHD) Chairman Husnu Ongul has said that Justice Minister Hikmet Sami Turk should repeat his statement on the postponement of F type prisons in order to end the death fasts ongoing in several prisons.

Representatives of the IHD, Turkey Human Rights Foundation, Solidarity Association for the Oppressed, Modern Lawyers Association, Modern Journalists Association, Confederation of Revolutionary Workers' Union (DISK) and Confederation of Public Labourers' Union (KESK) had a meeting with Justice Minister Hikmet Sami Turk on the continuing death fasts on Sunday.

After the meeting, Husnu Ongul said democratic non-governmental organizations are vital to end the death fasts. ''We've been monitoring the prisons for years. After an agreement is reached, we will follow up on the developments to see if the sides are acting according to the agreement or not,'' he said.

Ondul indicated that Turk should repeat his earlier statement on the postponement of F type prisons which he made on Dec. 9. ''A dialogue should start to reach an agreement. Turk must form a delegation who will speak with the inmates on death fast. This is very important. We don't want a single person to die,'' he said.

When asked what Turk said during the meeting, Ondul said Turkey had not said anything different than his statement on Dec. 9. He said Turk did not clarify when the talks would start.

''We want him to repeat his earlier statement. His statements are positive but there is a lack of trust among inmates. We want to end the death fasts before it causes more mental and physical problems. We should act very quickly on this matter,'' he said.

-PARLIAMENT ADOPTS PRIME MINISTRY PROPOSAL FORESEEING EXTENSION OF
OPERATION NORTHERN WATCH'S MANDATE FOR SIX MONTHS
ANKARA - The prime ministry proposal which foresaw the extension of the Operation Northern Watch's mandate for six months as of Dec. 31, 2000 was accepted in the parliament on Sunday.

National Defense Minister Sabahattin Cakmakoglu said that the Operation Northern Watch is to the advantage of Turkey more than anybody else.

Responding to criticisms about the proposal, Cakmakoglu said that the continuation of Operation is seen as necessary for foreign policy balance while uncertainty and tension continue in northern Iraq.

Cakmakoglu pointed out that the Operation will prevent the PKK's settlement in Northern Iraq, it won't let another immigration flow, it will provide border security, it led to partial opening of the oil pipeline and sending food stuff and humanitarian aid to Iraq.

Explaining the views of the Motherland Party (ANAP) upon the issue, Bulent Akarcalı, a deputy from Istanbul said that the general uncertainty in Iraq continues. In such an atmosphere Turkey has to take measures, he stressed and noted that the isolation of Turkey from the European Security and Defense Cooperation and the continuation of the bloody clashes in Palestine showed that the tension in the region continues.

Speaking on behalf of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), Mehmet Kaya a MHP deputy said that in case of a division in Northern Iraq, this will to the disadvantage of al the regional countries. If there is no peace in the Middle East, there will be no peace in the world, too, he said and added that they are against all sorts of fait accomplis in Iraq.

-TENSION RISES IN PILE VILLAGE IN CYPRUS
LEFKOSA - Tension is rising in Pile village where Turkish and Greek Cypriots live together under the UN control in Cyprus.

One Turkish and one Greek Cypriot had been arrested by the police of the opposing side for drug smuggling. Recently the Greek Cypriot National Army set up a new emplacement on a hill causing uneasiness among Turkish Cypriots living in the village. Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) Security Forces Commandership warned the Greek Cypriot Army through the UN Peace Force and asked to remove the new emplacement.

The TRNC Security Forces Commandership, in its warning, indicated that the Greek Cypriot Army would be responsible of the outcome if the Greek Cypriot Army does not move back to their old emplacement.

The Greek Cypriot radio announced that the Greek Cypriot police and soliders had been put on high alert. Turkish security forces also intensified security measures in the area.

An authority from the TRNC Foreign and Defense Ministry told the A.A that Turkish Cypriots who live in Pile and work in the Greek Cypriot side could not go to work for a week since the contractors who take them to work did not come to pick them up claiming that their life is at risk.

British police who are under the control of the British Dikelya Base took measures in Pile Beyarmudu village and they are searching the vehicles who enter and leave the village.

-DYP DEPUTY LEADER KOZAKCIOGLU:''THERE IS NO NEED FOR
SHOW OF POWER BETWEEN THE PRESIDENT AND THE GOVERNMENT''
ANKARA - True Path Party (DYP) deputy leader Hayri Kozakcioglu has said that the government would make a mistake if it sends the bill on conditional release back to the president without making any changes on it.

''There is no need for a show of power between the president and the government on this matter,'' Kozakcioglu said. ''It would be very wrong if the government sends back the bill without changing it. Sezer found the law against the Constitution.''

Responding to allegations of certain deputies provoking the Rapid Forces policemen to start a demonstration, Kozakcioglu said ''those who put forward those allegations should prove their claims.'' ''Or I'll file a law suit against them,'' he added.

-INTERIOR MINISTRY SAYS THERE IS NO INFORMATION OR DOCUMENT PROVING
THAT POLICE'S DEMONSTRATION WAS ENCOURAGED BY SOME DEPUTIES
ANKARA, Dec 17 (A.A) - The Interior Ministry said on Sunday that they didn't have any information or document proving that the demonstration of the rapid force personnel, was encouraged or guided by some deputies.

Press Office of the Ministry issued a statement the same day upon the news published in some newspapers saying that certain deputies called on the rapid force personnel to act and a demonstration was held on Dec. 12 2000.

The Ministry added that the investigation to determine the reason and the ones who are responsible for it continues by examing well all sorts of information and claims.

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