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Anadolu Agency: News in English, 00-12-25Anadolu Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Anadolu Agency Home Page at <http://www.anadoluajansi.com.tr/>Anadolu AgencyANADOLU AGENCY NEWS 25 DECEMBER 2000 Monday CONTENTS
[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCANThese are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in Turkey's press on December 25, 2000. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.HURRIYET (LIBERAL)SNOW IN AFYONTen thousands of people who left big cities to spend their holidays in touristic places, spent nearly two days on the road due to bad wheather and heavy snow in western province of Afyon. Thousands of people who were stuck in Afyon continued their way on Sunday afternoon and they accused officials. It is expected to get warmer starting from today. WEB PAGE OF DHKP-C COLLAPSES MILLIYET (LIBERAL)AFYON SEEMS LIKE HOLIDAY VILLAGEA total of 100,000 vehicles which left big cities for small touristic towns, stopped in Sandıklı township of Afyon on the road due to bad weather. Those who couldn't find any hotel to stay, spent the night in the car. PINAR SELEK LIVES SABAH (LIBERAL)MILITARY SAYS TURKEY CAN JOIN EU IN 2010A group of high ranking military officials from France came to Turkey last month. French military officials asked their Turkish counterparts when Turkey will be ready for EU. Turkish military officials said that the preparations can last for 10 years. ALL PRISONS WILL BE F TYPE CUMHURIYET (LEFT)TURK SPEAKSJustice Minister Hikmet Sami Turk staged a press conference at the Justice Ministry about the interventions in 20 prisons held between December 19-22 that were called ''Operation Return to Life''. Turk said that the operation would always be mentioned as one of the great successes of cooperation among state units. Turk said that security forces and gendarmerie had successfully concluded this perfectly organized operation by respecting human life. HUNGER STRIKERS CAN DIE RADIKAL (LEFT)MINISTERS ACCUSE EACH OTHERJustice Minister Hikmet Sami Turk responded to Interior Minister Saadettin Tantan who accused him. Staging a press briefing, Turk proposed the transfer of all the prisons to Interior Ministry. NUMBER OF DEATH FASTERS INCREASES YENI BINYIL (LIBERAL)''IT IS UNJUST AND MERCILESS''The operation return to life brought face to face the Ministry of Interior and Justice. Justice Minister Turk responded to the criticisms of Interior Minister Saadettin Tantan who accused him and said that ''it is unjust and merciless to accuse only the Ministry of Justice regarding the weapons found in prisons.'' TURKIYE (RIGHT)TURKEY PARALYZED BY HEAVY SNOWRoads of 1500 villages were closed by heavy snow in the country. Heavy snow paralyzed transportation accross the country hitting holiday goers hard on the first day of the ten-day holiday. Hundreds of road accidents were reported inside the cities as well as on the highways killing 26 persons and injuring others. ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)UMRANIYE PRISON LIKE HORROR HOUSEMilitans who resisted gendarme for four days, had turned Umraniye prison into a weaponry and ammunition store. The things found in the prison after the operation return to life was completed, showed the great dimensions of the horror. Many weapons and illegal documents were found in the prison. Hand made bombs, pipe bombs and even time bombs were produced in the prison. -THY PLANE RETURNS TO ANKARA DUE TO TECHNICAL FAILURE As there were no technicians in Diyarbakır Airport, the plane returned to Ankara's Esenboga Airport. -BOMB ATTACKS STAGED IN VARIOUS PARTS OF ISTANBUL Unknown assailants placed a bomb in ATM of Pamukbank in Sisli district which later exploded. No casualties were reported, but there is material damage in the ATM. Experts said that the bomb was a hand made, time bomb. A molotov cocktail was put in the ATM of Demirbank branch in Esenler district. The fire that broke out due to the explosion was extinguished by citizens. Police started an investigation in the two districts to capture the assailants. Meanwhile other assailants placed bombs in a bank and in front of the garage gate of a flat in Maltepe district. The explosions caused material damage in both buildings. Officials said that the target of the attack can be the Liberal Democrat Party's Maltepe centre which was beside the garage. Experts said that the bomb was hand made and pipe bomb. -12 MORE INMATES DISCHARGED FROM HOSPITAL The inmates who were treated at Haydarpasa Numune Hospital were discharged from hospital and sent to another prison. The treatment of nine other inmates in the prison continues. Tight security measures have been taken by police in Haydarpasa Numune Hospital and relatives of patients are not still allowed to enter the hospital. -7,600 ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS CAPTURED IN VAN IN ONE YEAR A total of 33 of these illegal immigrants were arrested and the remaining 7, 567 persons were sent back to their countries. Many of those immigrants who entered Turkey illegally in order to proceed to European countries, couldn't reach their goal. Officials said that 5,785 Iranians, 1,236 Afghans, 273 Iranians and 306 Pakistanis, totally 7,600 foreigners and 165 Turks who helped them were captured. They added that 33 out of 7,600 persons were arrested and put in prison and the remaining 7,567 persons were sent back to their countries for violating the Passport Law. Officials added that legal proceedings have been started about 165 Turks who helped the illegal immigrants. -BUSH'S ADVISER RICHARD PERLE SUPPORTS TURKEY REGARDING ESDI Speaking to A.A correspondent, Perle said that the U.S. won't leave Turkey alone regarding the European Security and Defense Identity (ESDI) initiative. Perle said that some members of the EU resorts to ways to decrease the importance of NATO, marginalize NATO and to set up a new decision making mechanism based on EU membership. ''This initiative isolates both Turkey and the U.S. Turkey and the U.S. are tried to be kept out because of the greed of France and some other countries,'' said Perle. Perle also accused the Clinton government for overlooking the initiatives of the EU which targets NATO. Perle stressed that the U.S. administration will determine a new policy when Bush comes to power, adding that this policy will underline the status of NATO as the minorstone of the transatlantic security. Perle said that he supports Turkey's attempts to prevent the unconditional usage of NATO capabilities by the ''EU reaction force'' that is planned to be founded, adding that Turkey did what she had to do. Perle said that he does not believe the U.S. will leave alone an important country like Turkey, adding that the U.S. will resist steps which aim at isolating Turkey in Europe. Richard Perle said that the EU will continue to be dependent on the U.S. particularly in logistics, intelligence, communications and air force, adding that this is not the role the U.S. wants to play. -NEW BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY ARISES FOR TURKISH CONTRACTORS Speaking to A.A correspondent, Sever said that a new programme namely EU Cards Programme started to be implemented for investments in five countries namely Yugoslavia, Bosnia, Croatia, Macedonia and Albania. Sezer said that Turkish contractors have been given the right to join the mentioned tenders alone. Sever said that Turkey can join the tenders now as a candidate country of EU, adding that the previous limitation brought on Turkish firms to participate in investments aiming at re-construction of Southeast Europe has been lifted in a considerable extent. Sever said that the Cards Programme will be used in financing the investments in five countries between 2000-2006, adding that Turkish firms will start to participate in these tenders as of 2001. Sever added that the Turkish contractor firms were invited to participate in tenders in Ireland, stressing that 19 Turkish firms are preparing to open an office in this country. He added that there is 30-35 billion dollars of trade volume in this country. -RELEASES FROM ELAZIG AND SIRNAK COMPLETED Officials at Elazıg Chief Prosecutorship said that the releases from the Elazıg prison which started after the publication of the law on conditional release in Official Gazette were completed. They added that 120 inmates were released from Elazıg E type prison, 15 inmates from Karakocan, 15 from Keban prison, 30 from Palu prison, 20 from Sivrice prison, 45 inmates were released from Elazıg reformatory. Meanwhile ten inmates were released from Sırnak prison. -12,313 PRISONERS RELEASED Nearly 35,000 prisoners are expected to benefit from the law which was published in the Official Gazette four days ago. -ONE INMATE WHO BURNS HERSELF DIES Bıckılar had burnt herself in the prison and she was hospitalized in western Izmir province. Bıckılar was captured in 1992 together with other members of the illegal Revolutionary People's Liberation Party-Front (DHKP/C) who were carrying many Kalashnikov rifles with them. She was imprisoned for carrying out activities on behalf of the terrorist organization in rural areas. -BOTAS DIRECTOR GENERAL YARDIM SAYS DAILY GAS AMOUNT TO TURKEY Responding to questions of A.A correspondent, Yardım said that they took all the measures to provide natural gas for the holiday that marks the end of Ramadan and the new year. Yardım said that if there is no problem in the natural gas and LPG ships that come to Turkey from Russia, there will not be a problem for Turkey regarding natural gas in winter, adding that the decrease in natural gas amount on Friday night in Ankara and Istanbul was overcome and the amount was increased. Yardım said that they completed their investments and there is no problem in the system. Yardım added that the daily gas amount that comes to Turkey can increase to 40, or even 43 cubicmeters in January next year. -IN FIRST ELEVEN MONTHS, 127 MILLION U.S. DOLLARS In the same period last year, the region had exported 148 million 566 thousand U.S. dollars of thread. Officials at the Southeastern Anatolia Exporters' Association, told the A.A correspondent on Monday that the majority of goods were exported to Saudi Arabia, Italy, Syria, Belgium, Germany, France, Jordan, Spain, the U.S., Israel, Portugal, Greece, Britain and Romania. -HEAVY SNOWFALL PARALYZES DAILY LIFE AND TRAFFIC THROUGHOUT TURKEY The Turkish Airways' (THY) flights between Istanbul and central Kayseri province were cancelled after Erkilet Airport in Kayseri due to icy runway. A total of 52 village roads in Pinarbasi, Sariz, Yahyali, Develi, Tomarza, Felahiye and Yesilhisar townships in Kayseri were closed to traffic due to heavy snowfall. A total of 63 village roads in Cicekdagi, Kaman and Akpinar townships of central Kirsehir province and 10 village roads in Ciftlik and Ulukisla townships in central Nigde province were closed to traffic. The highway between western Afyon province and Sandikli township which had been closed to traffic for the last three days, was re-opened to traffic. The bad weather conditions have also been effective in northwestern part of Turkey. In central Konya and Aksaray provinces, 150 village roads were closed to traffic. Highway teams have been working to re-open the roads. A total of 500 village roads in eastern Erzurum, Erzincan, Kars, Igdir, Ardahan and Agri provinces were closed to traffic. Snow reached 60 centimeteres in some parts of Eastern Anatolia Region. -NUMBER OF INMATES WHO WERE TRANSFERRED TO F Sources told the A.A correspondent on Monday that transfer of 357 members of terrorist organizations from Bayrampasa, Bursa, Gebze, Canakkale and Umraniye prisons to F type prison in Kocaeli was concluded. The F type prison in Kocaeli has a capacity of 368 inmates. -SECURITY FORCES SEIZE 46 PISTOLS Acting on a tip-off, security forces stopped and searched a lorry which was carrying fuel oil from Iraq to Turkey. They confiscated 46 pistols hidden in secret parts of the lorry. Driver of the lorry was taken into custody. A full investigation into the incident is under way. -PRESIDENT SHEVARDNADZE OF GEORGIA DUE TO TURKEY Sources said that President Shevardnadze would pay an official visit to Turkey between January 20 and 21. His contacts in Turkey are expected to focus on economic cooperation between Turkey and Georgia, and regional problems. -ERTOSUN, DIRECTOR GENERAL OF PRISONS: Responding to questions of the A.A corespondent, Ertosun said, ''inmates will be saved from pressure of terrorist organizations at F type prisons. We will set up a new prison system based on human rights by making new legal arrangements.'' ''Forcing people to burn themselves to death is an inhuman attitude. This attitude is the worst kind of fascism. Terrorist organizations' actions contradict with human rights. These inmates have been deprived of their own personality as a result of pressure put on them by terrorist organizations. They did not take their own decisions. They have been always under influence of terrorist organizations. At F type prisons, inmates will be saved from the pressure of terrorist organizations,'' he stressed. Ertosun told the A.A correspondent, ''F type prisons in Edirne, Kocaeli and Sincan township of Ankara were opened inevitably. There were not any other prisons to transfer these inmates. F type prisons in Tekirdag, Izmir and Bolu will be opened soon. Inmates who are members of organized gangs will be sent to these prisons. We suffer from lack of personnel in F type prisons. We have been working to solve this problem. We need 1,400 personnel for the time being. F type prisons in Sincan, Edirne and Kocaeli are new buildings. Therefore, there can be some deficiencies. During the first days, we could not heat the buildings although raiators were working. Now, there is not any problem in heating systems at the F type prisons.'' He noted, ''allegations saying that inmates at F type prisons could not receive medical treatment, are totaly baseless. Five inmates at F type prison at Sincan are still under medical treatment. Some of these inmates have been still continuing their hunger strikes and death fasts. We expect them to put an to their action. If they insist on their action, doctors will intervene. We will cooperate with the Health Ministry. We do not people to die.'' -PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT: Addressing journalists, Prime Minister Ecevit said, ''there were intense works in recent weeks. As you know, security forces succeeded in their intervention in prisons to put an end to death fasts. Ten-year diorder at prisons was removed. From now on, prisons will continue to serve in an healthier atmosphere. Interior and justice ministries will carry out joint works to set up a new order at the prisons in 2001. Meanwhile, adoption of law on conditional release and suspension of punishments will our efforts to set up a new order at the prisons.'' ''Turkey experienced an economic crisis in November and December, but we overcame this crisis in a short period of time. For the first time, Turkey has been provided a financial aid of more than 10 billion U.S. dollars. We will expend all necessary efforts to use this financial aid in a fruitful way. At the same time, we will accelerate privatization implementations in the new year,'' he told reporters. Responding to a question about relations with the EU, Prime Minister Ecevit said, ''Turkey has been struggling on the issue of European Security and Defense Identity (ESDI). They were unfair to us. But we had the opportunity to explain our problems. We stressed that our security would be jeopardized. Both U.S. President Bill Clinton and Secretary of State Madeleine Albright have assumed an understanding attitude. I believe that we would obtain a fruitful consequence. I also believe that relations with the EU would be more fruitful in 2001.'' When asked what would be Turkey's first three priorities in 2001, Prime Minister Ecevit said, ''economy comes on the forefront. Besides, we are determined to give priority to measures to provide social justice. Our economic, political and security relations with the EU are also important.'' -STATE MINISTER GEMICI: Recalling that a strong earthquake jolted Afyon and surroundings on December 15, Gemici said that social solidarity and cooperation foundations had sent financial aid to meet urgent requirements of residents in Afyon. He added, ''the foundations sent 60 billion TL to Aksehir township of central Konya province, 30 billion TL to Ilgin township of Konya, 10 billion TL to Tuzlukcu township of Konya, 25 billion TL to Sultandagi township of Afyon, and 5 billion TL to Bolvadin township of Afyon.'' -RELEASES FROM PRISONS CONTINUE A total of 1,219 inmates were released from Aydin, Izmir, Usak, Bitlis, Gaziantep, Diyarbakir and Adana prisons on Monday. -STATE MINISTER YALOVA: Staging a press conference, State Minister Yalova said, ''remaining installments of tender for 1800 Mhz GSM phone network licence form 2 billion U.S. dollars of this amount. 2.7 billion U.S. dollars obtained from the privatization implementations carried out by the Privatization Administration Board (OIB) this year.'' Recalling that the Eti Holding was taken into scope of privatization on December 20, Yalova said, ''preparation works will be concluded in the next six months for privatization of Eti Holding.'' He noted, ''we have also taken sugar factories, and partnerships of the Machinery and Chemical Industry (MKE) into the scope of privatization.'' Yalova told reporters that the works for the third public offering of Turkish Oil Refineries Inc. (TUPRAS) were accelerated. ''The public offering of almost 30 percent of the Petrol Ofisi will be held in domestic and foreign markets in August. We also plan to hold the public offering of the shares of Turkish Airlines (THY) and the Turkish Telecom in the same days,'' Yalova said. -ORTHODOX PATRIARCHS FROM 15 COUNTRIES TO PARTICIPATE Patriarchs who came to Turkey as guest of Fener Greek-Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomeos, will participate in a religious ceremony to mark Christmas in the Haghia Sophia Museum. Zeynel Abidin Turan, the Mayor of Iznik, said that consuls of relevant countries would accompany patriarchs. Turan said that tight security measures had been taken in Iznik for the ceremony will take place in the Haghia Sophia Museum. -ALTINOK, GOVERNOR OF ERZINCAN: Staging a press conference, Altinok stressed, ''the government should prioritize investments in provinces which have been affected negatively by terrorism for a long time. Transfer of tile factory from Kinik township of Izmir to Erzincan was concluded. The factory will become operational after the religious holiday. We will expend all efforts to develop economy in Erzincan.'' Noting that they had prepared projects to develop winter tourism in the province, Altinok said, ''we have applied to the Tourism Ministry to start using a part of Ergan Mountain as a centar for winter tourism.''
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