Anadolu Agency: News in English, 00-12-19

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ANADOLU AGENCY

NEWS

19 DECEMBER 2000

Tuesday

CONTENTS

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

[02] SECURITY FORCES INTERVENE BURSA PRISON

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

BAHCELI, DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER SAYS THERE WOULDN'T BE ANY CONCESSIONS IN
ECONOMIC PROGRAMME
Devlet Bahceli, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State, said there wouldn't be any concessions in the economic programme. Noting that they reached succesful outcomes in disinflation programme, Bahceli said the disinflation program would lead Turkey to economic stability. Bahceli noted they were determined in struggle against inflation, adding that the inflation rate would decrease under 30 percent by the end of the year.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

The Minimum Wage Determination Commission finalized its works on amount of minimum wage on Monday. It also decided to increase the gross minimum wage by five percent to 146 million 947.5 thousand TL as of July 1, 2001.

SWISS AIRLINES COMPANY WANTS TO PURCHASE SHARES OF THY
Swiss airlines company Swissair and Italian airlines company Alitalia said they were interested in tender of the Turkish Airlines Company (THY). J.C. Donzel, the SairGroup press spokesman, said Swissair and Alitalia will form a consortium to take part as bidders in the tender for the THY shares.

SABAH (LIBERAL)

TURKEY IS MOST SUCCESSFUL COUNTRY IN FOREIGN BORROWING IN 2000
The International Financial Review (IFR) finance magazine chose Turkey the most successful country in foreign borrowing in 2000. In its yearly evaluation, IFR said despite the difficult borrowing conditions of international markets, Turkey realized successful borrowing both in maturity terms and borrowing conditions. The report said Treasury Undersecretariat Foreign Economic Relations General Director Aydin Karaoz and his team contributed to the country's success in this field.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

FAMILIES OF MARTYRS SEND PETITION TO ECHR
Ciler Savasan, the lawyer of the families of the martrys, told the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) that he wanted to attend the hearing regarding Abdullah Ocalan, the head of the terrorist organization, as an intervenor lawyer. Savasan sent 12-page defense petition and documents to the ECHR and said that 244 families were hurt by the terrorist activities of Ocalan.

RADIKAL (LEFT)

TURK CRITICIZES SEZER
Justice Minister Hikmet Sami Turk criticized President Ahmet Necdet Sezer who vetoed the Amnesty Law last week. Turk claimed that the veto of the draft on conditional release and suspension of punishments lacked legal basis. Turk said the draft would be put into effect if the parliament adopted the draft.

YENİ BİNYIL (LIBERAL)

MINIMUM WAGE TO BE NET 116 MILLION
The gross minimum wage will be 139 million 950 thousand Turkish lira (TL) as of January 1, 2001. The Minimum Wage Determination Commission determined the net minimum wage as 116 million 718 thousand TL. The Commission decided to increase the gross minimum wage by five percent to gross 146 million 947.5 thousand TL as of July 1, 2001. The net minimum wage as of July 1, 2001 will be 122.5 million TL.

TURKIYE (RIGHT)

4.2 BILLION U.S. DOLLARS TO COME
The loan, worth of 2.8 billion U.S. dollars, will be released following the Executive Committee Meeting of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on December 21.

Also, the financial reform loan of the World Bank, worth of 400 million U.S. dollars, will be sent within this week.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

The Court Delegation decided to sentence Agca to 18 years in prison on charges of robbing a taxi and a soda factory.

BAHCELI: AMNESTY SHOULD BE ISSUED BY COMPROMISE
Deputy Prime Minister Devlet Bahceli said on Monday that the amnesty issue should be solved by a compromise and Turkey should reach tranquility. Responding to questions of reporters on whether or not the law on conditional release and delay of punishment will be changed, Bahceli said that the law will be discussed at the commission meeting today and that the commission will decide whether or not to change the law.

[02] SECURITY FORCES INTERVENE BURSA PRISON

The gendarme forces and the commandoes who came from Bilecik and Nevsehir provinces, started to intervene the prison around 5.00 a.m.

The gendarme forces used tear bombs while the police outside the prison took tight security measures.

The fire brigade of the Bursa Municipality continues to wait outside the prison.

A total of 16 inmates in Bursa Prison have been death fasting since November 20.

Meanwhile, 16 ambulances entered into the prison around 5.50 a.m. Fifteen of the ambulances continue to wait in the prison while one of the ambulances went to the Bursa Military Hospital. Officials did not give any information about whether or not there was an injured person in the ambulance.

In the meantime, Bursa Governor Ali Fuat Guven came to the Bursa Prison.

-INTERIOR MINISTRY SAYS INMATES WHO WERE DEATH FASTING IN
PRISONS THROUGHOUT TURKEY TRANSFERRED TO HOSPITALS
ANKARA - The Interior Ministry said on Tuesday that the inmates who were on hunger strikes and death fasts in Kahramanmaras-Elbistan, Kirsehir, Nigde, Ankara-Ulucanlar, Adana and Usak prisons were transferred to the hospitals for medical treatment by saving them from the influence of the illegal organizations.

A statement of the Interior Ministry said that operations were launched in 20 prisons at 5.00 a.m. to take under medical treatment the inmates who have been forced to death fast by the terrorist organizations and who have continued their protest for 60 days despite all good will initiatives.

The statement said, ''the operations in the above mentioned prisons have been accomplished at 6.45 a.m. The operations in other prisons continue and efforts are underway not to hurt anybody.''

-JUSTICE MINISTER TURK (1):
-''THE STATE CANNOT BE IMAGINED TO REMAIN AS SPECTATOR TO
THE DEATHS OF PEOPLE. TO THIS END, OPERATIONS AGAINST
20 PRISONS WERE INEVITABLE''
ANKARA - Justice Minister Hikmet Sami Turk said on Tuesday that the state cannot be imagined to remain as spectator to the deaths of people, adding that to this end, operations against 20 prisons were inevitable.

Turk told reporters that the target of the operations was to save the lives of the inmates.

''As you all know, hunger strikes and death fasts in several prisons throughout Turkey continue due to the pressure of some terrorist organizations. The number of inmates who are on death fast reached 284 yesterday while the number of inmates who are on hunger strike reached 1, 139,'' Turk said.

Turk continued, ''yesterday was the 60th day of the protests in some prisons. The initiatives to put an end to these protests continued till the very end. But, unfortunately, the common sense did not prevail and the protest could not be ended with the consent of the inmates. The state cannot be imagined to remain as spectator to the deaths of people. To this end, operations against 20 prisons were inevitable.''

''The target of the operations was to save the lives of the inmates. To this end, this is an operation aiming at saving the lives of inmates. I expect the common sense to prevail in the prisons where death fasts still continue and the inmates to give up their protests. Because, some of the inmates who have been saved, thanked the state and said that we have saved them,'' Turk said.

Turk went on saying, ''operations against four prisons have been completed so far. These prisons are Ankara, Kirsehir, Nigde and Elbistan prisons. Operations in Buca, Aydin and Usak prisons are about to be ended. The operations have been carried out with success so far. There were no reports of casualties and I wish there will not be any. What we had paid attention till we launched the operations was the risks that can be caused by the operations. But, the operations were launched by taking all the measures and now, everybody should help the state.''

''I want to address the parents of the inmates: Trust the state. The target of this operation was to save your children and the state had extended a tender hand to them. Ending the death fasts and hunger strikes before anybody dies and without a permanent trace occurs, and taking under control those who started and carried out these protests, are the targets of the operations,'' Turk said.

Turk added, ''I thank to our security forces for this operation. The Justice Ministry, Interior Ministry and the Health Ministry have been in cooperation in carrying out the operations, in taking under medical treatment some inmates and in taking under control those who are responsible for the protests.''

-JUSTICE MINISTER TURK: (2)
''DEATH FASTS AND HUNGER STRIKES SHOULD BE ENDED IN
THE POSSIBLE SHORTEST TIME''
ANKARA - Justice Minister Hikmet Sami Turk said on Tuesday that the death fasts and hunger strikes should be ended in the possible shortest time. Turk said they succeeded in putting an end to the death fasts and hunger strikes in some of the prisons, adding that, ''I hope that operations will be completed successfully today in all the prisons throughout Turkey.''

Turk responded to the questions of reporters following his statements.

When asked in which prisons there were resistance, and if operation ended in Bayrampasa Prison, Turk said, ''the operation has not yet ended in Bayrampasa Prison. There were several prisons which we thought the operations would be difficult. Bayrampasa is one of these. Yet, I hope that the operation will end soon in that prison.''

''I once again reiterate that this resistance is meaningless and that those should act with common sense this time at this point. Unfortunately, the calls we have made so far were not responded positively,'' Turk said.

Turk said Interior Ministry would make a statement regarding the course of the operation, adding that they have not yet received information about the dimensions of the resistance.

When asked about the number of those who were rescued, Turk said ten people were rescued in Ankara, 12 in Kirsehir, six in Nigde, and one in Elbistan.

Turk said those in Kirsehir went through the medical treatment and sent back to the prison.

''I once again call on the familities of the inmates, this operation is to save your children,'' Turk stressed.

-TOTAL OF 19 INMATES IN MALATYA
PRISON TAKEN UNDER MEDICAL TREATMENT
DIYARBAKIR/MALATYA - A total of 19 inmates in Malatya Prison who have been on death fast, were taken under medical treatment on Tuesday.

Gendarme forces carried out an operation against the Malatya Prison, where inmates convicted of being members of terrorist organizations DHKP-C, TIKKO and TKPLM, have been death fasting.

Nineteen inmates were sent to several hospitals in Malatya.

Malatya Governor Mustafa Yildirim told A.A correspondent that the operation was accomplished.

Yildirim said, ''a total of 19 inmates who were on death fasts, were intervened. Inmates who were death fasting, were hospitalized.''

-U.S. PRESIDENT CLINTON EXTENDS SUPPORT TO TURKEY FOR ESDI
WASHINGTON D.C. - U.S. President Bill Clinton extended support to Turkey regarding the European Security and Defense Identity (ESDI).

Clinton met with French President Jacques Chirac and Romano Prodi, the President of the European Union (EU) Commission during the 15th U.S.-EU meeting.

Tony Blinkin, Clinton's National Security Council Europe Director, and Gene Sperling, Clinton's Economic Adviser, released a press statement regarding the issues taken up during the summit.

Blinken said that Clinton told during his contacts with Chirac and Prodi that countries like Turkey which are not the members of the EU, should participate in the EU security and defense.

Clinton requested a response from the EU which would satisfy Turkey, Blinken noted.

Blinken said that Clinton expressed pleasure over the close cooperation between the EU and NATO in European security and defense policies and urged this cooperation to continue.

A joint statement released following the summit had said that finding a comprehensive solution to the Cyprus question under the auspices of the United Nations (U.N.), finding a political solution to Chechnya, normalization of the relations between the South and North Korea, and the prevention of the AIDS and cyber crimes were listed among the issues which had priority for the U.S. and the EU.

-AL VEIS, IRAQI FOREIGN MINISTRY FIRST
UNDERSECRETARY VISITS FOREIGN MINISTRY
ANKARA - Nuri Al Veis, the Iraqi Foreign Ministry First Undersecretary, met with Faruk Logoglu, the Foreign Ministry Undersecretary on Tuesday.

Al Veis visited Ankara within the framework of political consultation mechanism between the two countries. The interdelegational talks, which will be led by Al Veis and Logoglu, are expected to continue till evening.

No statement has been made to the press before the interdelegationary talks.

-PREMIER ECEVIT: (1)
-''THIS INTERVENTION IS AN INITIATIVE LAUNCHED TO PROTECT AND
SAVE TERRORISTS FROM THEIR OWN TERRORISM''
ANKARA - Premier Bulent Ecevit said on Tuesday that the intervention to the prisons is an initiative launched to protect and save terrorists from their own terrorism.

Ecevit told reporters that they exerted efforts to prevent such an armed intervention for weeks.

''Not only the government, but also the reporters, writers, many non- governmental organizations, artists, prosecutors, doctors tried to persuade the terrorists to end their protests. But, no result was obtained. This intervention is an initiative launched to protect and save terrorists from their own terrorism. All the security forces is working in coordination,'' Ecevit said.

Ecevit added, ''the security forces are doing their best not to hurt anybody. To this end, settling tranquility in some prisons, particularly in Bayrampasa and Umraniye prisons, can take some time. Because the security forces are trying to solve the problems through peaceful methods and without causing financial damages. The problems in many prisons have been solved. Some inmates started to acccept medical treatment. I hope a positive result will come out of the Bayrampasa and Umraniye prisons in the possible shortest time.''

-JUSTICE MINISTER TURK:
-''FROM NOW ON, THE STATE AUTHORITY WHICH HAS BEEN SHAKEN
IN SEVERAL PRISONS SINCE 1991, WILL BE FULLY ENSURED''
ANKARA - Justice Minister Hikmet Sami Turk said that from now on, the state authority which has been shaken in several prisons since 1991, will be fully ensured.

Turk told reporters that the intervention to prisons was made because saving people's lives is the most important thing in life.

Sixty days have passed since inmates have started death fasts in prisons, Turk said.

Turk noted that 184 inmates were death fasting and 1,249 inmates were on hunger strike for sixty days.

Intensive efforts have been exerted to put an end to the protests in the shortest time but no result was obtained from these efforts, Turk stated.

Turk said that the security forces intervened in 20 prisons which were critical as of 5.00 a.m. this morning to save the lives of inmates and to take under control those who started and directed the protests, adding that the intervention in some prisons has been accomplished so far.

In accordance with the information given by Turk, the prisons where the death fasts and hunger strikes have ended are listed below:

Prison Number of death Number of inmates

fasting inmates who were on hunger

strike

------- ------------------ -------------------------
Bartin 20 26

Buca 14 29

Ankara 2 14

Nazilli 1 23

Nevsehir - 41

Usak 7 16

Elbistan 1 11

Kirsehir - 13

Nigde 3 3

Adana 2

Ermenek - 22

Turk said that resistance in some prisons still continues.

''Unfortunately, some prisons where the inmates who were convicted of terrorist crimes were kept, were places in which the state could not seriously entered since 1991. Now, we are entering in these prisons. But, the maximum care was paid not to hurt anybody,'' Turk said.

Turk noted that an inmate who set himself ablaze, died in Bayrampasa prison while two soldiers who intervened to Umraniye Prison were slightly injured.

''I want to make a call to the relatives of the inmates. This operation has been made to save your children. I also call on those who were saved, but who refuse to receive medical treatment. They should make use of this opportunity. The doctors will do their best. I also expect everybody to support the state at this intervention. Turkey is going through an examination. Saving a human life is the highest value. From now on, the state authority, which was shaken since 1991 in prisons, will be fully ensured.''

When recalled that there were deaths in some prisons during the operations, Turk said, ''as far as we are informed, one person set himself ablazed to death.'' He said the operation would continue till a result is obtained.

''This intervention has been planned multi-dimensionally. Every probability has been taken into consideration. Efforts are underway to enter the prison after soldiers are being dropped by helicopters onto the roof of Bayrampasa. I hope the resistance will end today as it is meaningless.'' Turk said.

Turk said, ''those who failed to act with common sense, and who acted within the tough discipline of organization, should see the facts from now on, and should give up resistance. Nobody should feel concern. This is an operation to save people.''

When asked what would be the second stage of the operation, and to where the inmates would be transferred after the operation, Turk said, ''as you know, the prisons are overcrowded above their capacity.''

Responding to another question, Turk said they intervened in 28 prisons as the condition of the inmates there were critical, adding that situation in other 20 prisons were not so much important.

Turk said everything what the operation required would be done.

-PREMIER ECEVIT (2):
-''WHEN THE CONCRETE STRUCTURINGS ARE MATERIALIZED,
TRANSITION INTO F TYPE PRISONS WILL BE MADE''
ANKARA - Premier Bulent Ecevit said on Tuesday that when the concrete structurings are materialized, transition into F type prisons will be made.

Responding to questions of reporters, Ecevit said that almost every part of the society have started to perceive that the F type prisons are compulsory.

When asked whether or not the goverment backs its statement regarding the postponement of F type prisons, Ecevit said, ''we should not discuss those issues now. We want to save Turkey from the ward system. The concrete evidences which occured in recent weeks indicated how harmful and inconvenient the ward system is. When the conditions are convenient and when concrete structurings and developments occur, transition into F type prisons will be made. But, this is not related with the cell type prisons. There will be common meeting places and areas in these prisons. I hope almost every part of the society have started to perceive that the F type prisons are compulsory.''

When asked about the claims saying that heavy weapons were found in Bayrampasa prison, Ecevit said, ''don't try to receive information from me about such issues. The powers of the state, commandoes, gendarme forces and police are working in coordination now. The details will be announced later.''

-JUSTICE MINISTER TURK:
''RESISTANCE AND INTERVENTION CONTINUE IN SIX PRISONS''
ANKARA - Justice Minister Hikmet Sami Turk said on Tuesday that intervention was accomplished in 11 prisons, yet noted that resistance and intervention continued in six prisons. Turk said, ''they encountered with weapons from some prisons. They encountered with kalashnikov from Bayrampasa Prison.''

Turk, who briefed the members of the Justice Commission, said operations started at 05:00 local time on Tuesday in 20 prisons, adding that three people were injured. He said one of the three was an inmate, and the two others were non-commissioned officers. Turk said one inmate in Bayrampasa prison set himself ablazed to death.

Turk said operations ended in 11 prisons, adding that intervention continued in Bayrampasa, Umraniye, Cankiri, Ceyhan, Aydin, and Malatya prisons.

''They have encountered with arms from some prisons. Umraniye and Bayrampasa prisons are among those. Inmates started fire in some prisons. Prisons of Bayrampasa, Umraniye, Cankiri, Canakkale, and Bartin are among these. Genderma forces are carefully exerting efforts to end the operations.''

Justice Minister said the inmates were taken under medical treatment in hospitals, yet noted that some of the inmates did not accept medical treatment.

Turk said, ''we believe that saving the life of a human being is the highest value. The state did its best. This operation targets saving human life. We expect the intervention to end within the day. We have waited till the last minute to put an end to the activities.''

-SECOND TERM MEETING OF TURKEY-UKRAINE INTERGOVERNMENTAL COMMERCIAL
AND ECONOMIC COOPERATION COMMISSION HELD IN KIEV
ANKARA - The second term meeting of the Turkey-Ukraine intergovernmental commercial and economic cooperation commission held in Kiev between December 13-15.

Releasing a written statement, the Foreign Trade Undersecretariat said that Rustu Kazim Yucelen, the minister of state, headed the Turkish delegation and Vasil Rogoyiv, the Ukranian minister of economy, headed the Ukranian delegation throughout the meetings.

The statement added Rustu Kazim Yucelen was received by Leonid Kuchma, the president of Ukraine, Ivan Plush, the speaker of parliament, and Juriy Ekhanurov, the first deputy prime minister, during his visit to Ukraine.

Commercial and economic relations and the measures that would increase the volume of the foreign trade between the two countries in a balanced way were discussed during the meeting.

During the meeting, the delegations decided to utilize the cooperation opportunities in every field of economy, especially in energy and contracting sector.

More than thirty Turkish businessmen who accompanied Yucelen during his visit, met with Ukranian businessmen in the Ukraine Chamber of Commerce and Industry to further improve the commercial and investment relations between the two countries.

The Protocol on Second Term Turkey-Ukraine Intergovernmental Commercial and Economic Cooperation Commission was signed by Yucelen and Rogoyiv on December 15.

-IMPORTS REGIME WHICH IS ''MOST ADJUSTED''
WITH EU SUBMITTED TO COUNCIL OF MINISTERS
ANKARA - Turkey will implement same customs duties as the European Union (EU) for imports of industrial products as of the beginning of 2001.

Thus, the customs union with the EU regarding the industrial products will be completely provided as of the beginning of the new year.

Sources said on Tuesday that the Foreign Trade Undersecretariat (DTM) had prepared the 2001 year imports regime and sent it to the Council of Ministers.

Under the import regime which is expected to be published in the Official Gazette to enter into effect as of January 1, 2001, commitments to the EU for the industrial products will be completely fulfilled and the extra protection of goods which are accepted as ''sensitive sector'' will be lifted.

At the stage of Customs Union, Turkey defined sectors like automotive, cement paper, shoe, furniture, glass and porcelain ware as ''sensitive sectors'', and it obtained protection rates implementation facility over trhe EU's joint customs tariff for these sectors.

In accordance with the agreement, the extra protection rates for these products should be decreased to the average of the EU's joint customs tariff within a five year period. With this objective, the customs duties for the products of sensitive sectors were decreased by 10 percent in 1997 and 1998, and they were reduced by 15 percent in accordance with the imports regimes in 1999 and 2000. The remaining 50 percent reduction in extra protection will be made under the imports regime in 2001.

In accordance with the new imports regime, concessions to the least developed countries will continue under the World Trade Organization agreements. Lower customs duties will be implemented towards fifty least developed countries like Afghanistan, Angola, Bangladesh, Liberia, Sudan, Somalia, Uganda, Yemen, Rwanda, Cambodia, Haiti, Djibouti, Chad, Ethiopia, Guinea, Nijer for imports of some goods.

The customs duties which will be implemented in accordance with international agreements and commitments will be shown in separate columns that will be between nine and twelve. Generally, the first column will include customs duties for the EU and European Free Trade Area (EFTA) countries and other columns will include customs duties for the countries like Israel, Romania, Lithuania, Estonia, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland, Macedonia with which Turkey signed free trade agreement, and for the least developed countries and other countries.

Turkey has signed free trade agreement with thirteen countries. In accordance with the EU regulations, the concessions given to the countries with which free trade agreements were signed will be equalized as of 2003.

-PARLIAMENT JUSTICE COMMISSION DEBATES BILL ON CONDITIONAL
RELEASE AND POSTPONEMENT OF SENTENCES
ANKARA - Justice Minister Hikmet Sami Turk has said that it was impossible to agree with President Ahmet Necdet Sezer who found the bill on conditional release unconstitutional.

During a speech he gave at Parliament's Justice Commission on Tuesday, Turk said Sezer did not veto the bill depending on the Article 104 of the Constitution as he explained in his statement, but he vetoed it depending on articles 89 and 104.

Noting that the president regarded the bill as ''unconditional amnesty'', Turk said the Constitutional Court, in 1991 and 1992, because of a similar situation, compared the concepts of ''conditional release'' and ''amnesty'' and finally decided that despite their similarities, they are different implementations.

''Mr. Sezer is talking about the Constitutional Court decisions in his statement,'' Turk went on to say. ''However, the court accepted two separate jurisdictions. The common point of these two implementations is that there is equality only for inmates who are in the same situation. Different implementations should be carried out for inmates who are in different situations.''

Virtue Party (FP) deputy Nazli Ilicak who spoke after Turk claimed that the government used some ''convoluted'' ways and in the end formed an unlawful bill. Ilicak called on deputies to change Article 87 of the Constitution, adding that several people, including Esber Yagmurdereli suffered from ''postponement of sentences''. She also said it was unfair to Haluk Kirci and asked parliament to widen the bill's context.

Mehmet Gozlukaya from the True Path Party (DYP) said he didn't understand why the government is discussing the vetoed bill without changing it and he added that the bill, with its present form, would not satisfy any social class of the society. Noting that he always admired Turk as a man of law and politics, Gozlukaya said, ''I know, you are not content with the bill. Would you consider resigning as a gesture and to be a good example to the nation?''.

Debates on the bill are continuing at the parliament.

-TURKEY IS EXPECTED TO RECEIVE 4.2 BILLION U.S. DOLLARS LOAN ON FRIDAY
ANKARA - The future of loans which foresee extension of almost 4.2 billion U.S. dollar financial assistance to Turkey will become clear on December 21.

International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank put forward privatization of Turkish Airlines (THY) and Turkish Telekom as condition for financial aid loans, and the tenders for these two companies, transfer of Electricity Market Law to parliament and passing of draft law on privatization of public banks by the parliament paved the way for almost 3.2 billion U.S. dollars loan from these two organizations.

The amount of financial assistance loan that will come to Turkey at the week-end will rise to 4 billion 190 million U.S. dollars together with the 1 billion U.S. dollars syndicated loan that the Treasury Undersecretariat will obtain from leading foreign banks.

The IMF Board which will convene on December 21 is expected to approve a 2.8 billion U.S. dollars loan to Turkey.

A total of 2 billion 250 million U.S. dollar part of this loan will be allocated from the 7.5 billion U.S. dollar of supplemental reserve facility and 550 million U.S. dollar part will be the third and fourth tranches within scope of the stand-by deal.

Besides, the World Bank Board which will convene on December 21 is expected to approve 390 million U.S. dollar part of the 1.5 billion U.S. dollar financial sector adjustment loan, and lend it to the Treasury on December 22.

Meanwhile, Treasury Undersecretariat will get a 1 billion U.S. dollars of syndicated loan from the leading foreign banks.

The syndicated loan will have a six-month maturity, libor+1 percent annual interest and 0.5 percent commission.

A meeting had been held in London with representatives of those banks.

The aim of the syndicated loan will be to provide liquidity to the financial market, and confirm confidence in Turkey.

The banks were invited to join the syndicated loan equally with 100 million U.S. dollars, and the loan is expected to be released by December 22, 2000.

-OPERATION OF GENDARME ENDS IN AYDIN E TYPE PRISON
AYDIN - The operation gendarme launched on Tuesday morning in Aydın E type prison to stop the death fast of inmates, ended the same day.

Gendarme officials told the A.A correspondent that a total of 24 inmates who are members of illegal leftist organization, permitted wardens to count them following the transfer of those inmates who were on death fast to Aydın state hospital.

Officials said that they counted the ward and found many documents of the illegal organization, adding that they didn't find any weapon there. Officials noted that when this ward has been completely evacuated, they saw that there was damage on the walls.

Officials at the Aydın state hospital said in their part that in the hospital there are six inmates who are on death fast and two inmates who were injured during the tension in the prison. Officials indicated that a part of those inmates who are on death fast accepted to be treated.

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