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Anadolu Agency: News in English, 01-01-19Anadolu Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Anadolu Agency Home Page at <http://www.anadoluajansi.com.tr/>Anadolu AgencyANADOLU AGENCY NEWS 19 JANUARY 2001 Friday CONTENTS
[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCANThese are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in Turkey's press on January 19, 2000. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.HURRIYET (LIBERAL)ADIEU FRANCEThe French parliament destroyed a historical friendship between the two countries by adopting the draft on so-called genocide on Armenians. The draft was adopted by the votes of 51 parliamentarians who participated in the voting session in the name of 577 parliamentarians. The draft also violates the freedom of thought as it brings punishment for those in France who say that there isn't a genocide on Armenians. GERMANY PRAISES TURKISH HEROS MILLIYET (LIBERAL)TEMIZEL SAYS HONEST ONES HAVE NOTHING TO BE AFRAID OFZekeriya Temizel, the chairman of Banking Supervisory and Regulatory Board (BDDK), said those who were complaining that the daily works hampered due to inspections, were trying to protect themselves. Noting that the honest people had nothing to be afraid of within the judiciary system of Turkey, Temizel said these claims were made by people who were afraid of investigations. Yesterday a daily had reported that the businessmen were in a difficult situation as the works hampered due to intensified inspections in many sectors. GREEK BUSINESSMAN SUPPORTS ACCESSION OF TURKEY TO EU SABAH (LIBERAL)FRANCE RECOGNIZES SO-CALLED ARMENIAN GENOCIDEFrench parliament officially recognized yesterday the so-called genocide against Armenians in 1915. France seems to have forgotton the violent attack of the Armenian terrorist organization ASALA which resulted in the deaths of eight Turks --including six diplomats-- in Paris. During the resolution's voting, fanatic Armenians watched the debates and they applauded strongly when the decision was announced. It was reported that the law's cancellation was very unlikely. TURKISH-FRENCH ECONOMIC RELATIONS LOOK SHAKY CUMHURIYET (LEFT)EUROPE PREJUDICED AGAINST TURKEYThe French parliament which has 577 members passed the Armenian resolution during a session participated by only 50 parliamentarians. The resolution says ''France recognizes the genocide Armenians were exposed in 1915.'' If 60 parliamentarians oppose the law within 15 days, the law will be sent to the Constitutional Court. However, political observers are saying that this was almost impossible since political parties don't want to lose any Armenian votes before the local elections which will be held in March. RESOLUTION'S PASSAGE TO NEGATIVELY INFLUENCE RELATIONS RADIKAL (LEFT)CRISIS WITH FRANCEThe French parliament officially recognized the so-called Armenian genocide. The law does not mention Turkey and has no binding force for Turkey. This still didn't stop Turkey from showing a strong reaction. Ankara recalled Turkish Ambassador in Paris, Sonmez Koksal. Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said, ''it is not possible to accept this unfair decision. If the French government does not use its authority to cancel the law, Armenians will suffer from it and this will have no benefits for France.'' MHP SAYS THEY WOULD NOT MAKE CONCESSIONS IN CRITICAL POINTS TURKIYE (RIGHT)SALOMON BARNEY SAYS COTTARELLI IS PLEASED WITH HIS CURRENTCONTACTS IN TURKEY Schroder Salomon Smith Barney(SSSB), an international rating institution, in its analysis said that Carlo Cottarelli, the Turkey Desk Chief of International Monetary Fund (IMF) was pleased with his current contacts in Turkey. The analysis said the Turkish government had already announced 29 projects that would be implemented on Build-Operate-Transfer model, adding that the structural measures that would be taken especially in energy sector had gained speed. ASO AND ATO CALLS ON FOR A BOYCOTTE AGAINST FRANCE ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)POWELL PROMISES SUPPORT TO TURKEYU.S. Secretary of State-designate Colin Powell promised to give support to Turkey during his term in office, adding that he would work hard to bring a solution to the European Security and Defense Identity (ESDI) problem between Turkey and European Union (EU). ''For long years, Turkey has been one of our closest allies,'' Powell said and added that he was very pleased about the good relations between his country and the Turkey. -ARMENIAN TERRORISM KILLS 40 TURKS IN 11 YEARS In the last period of the Ottoman Empire, the number of consulates of European countries in eastern Turkey increased rapidly. The same region was also crowded by Protestant missioneries. Later, Armenian comittees were founded following by terrorism and massacres. First Hinchaks and Tashnaks rebelled against the Ottoman Empire. Among the important uprisings of the era, there are 1890 Erzurum, 1892-93 Kayseri, Yozgat, Corum, Merzifon, 1894 Samsun, 1895 Babiali, Zeytun, 1896 Van, 1903 Samsun and 1909 Adana uprisings. Between 1920 and 1973, after the Turkish Republic was founded, Armenian terrorism did not have any presence. However in 1973, Turkish Consul General Mehmet Baydar in Los Angeles and Consul Bahadir Demir were killed by Armenian Migirdish Yanikyan which started a series of murders. Armenian terrorism gained power through Secret Armenian Army for the Salvation of Armenia (ASALA) and Justice Commandoes for Armenia Genocide (JCAJ) which were founded in 1973. These terrorist organizations targetted Turkish diplomats until mid-1980's. A total of 41 Turkish diplomats and many innocent people lost their lives in 197 violent attacks. Armenian terrorism speeded up after 1974 Cyprus Peace Operation. Starting this date, Armenians put their weapons down and started to work to make the world recognize their genocide allegations. Between 1973 and 1984, 40 Turks were killed by Armenian terrorist organizations. Below is a list of Turkish citizens who lost their lives in these attacks. -Turkish Consul General Mehmet Baydar and Consul Bahadir Demir were killed by the 78-year old Armenian American who invited the two Turkish diplomats to his home for ''tea''. Yanikian was sentenced to life imprisonment. He was released, however, in 1984. -Turkish Ambassador Danis Tunaligil was assassinated in his office at the embassy by three terrorists on Oct. 22, 1975. -Turkish Ambassador in Paris Ismail Erez and his driver, Talip Yener were murdered near the Turkish Embassy. -First Secretary of the Turkish Embassy Oktar Cirit was assassinated in a restaurant on Feb. 16, 1976. ASALA which claimed responsibility made its name heard internationally for the first time. -Turkish Ambassador in Vatican Taha Carim was killed in front of the embassy residence on June 9, 1977 when two terrorists opened fire at him. -Three terrorists opened fire against the car of Turkish Ambassador in Madrid Zeki Kuneralp on June 2, 1978. His wife, Necla Kuneralp, and retired Turkish Ambassador Besir Balcioglu died immediately in the rain of gunfire. The Spanish chauffeur, Antonia Torres, dies of his injuries in the hospital. -Turkish Ambassador in the Netherlands Ozdemir Benler's son Ahmet Benler was killed at an armed attack on Oct. 12, 1979. -Galip Ozmen, Administrative Attachee at Turkish Embassy in Athens and his 14-year old daughter Neslihan Ozmen were killed on July 31, 1980. Ozmen's wife and son survived the attack with injuries. -Turkish Consul General Sarik Ariyak and his bodyguard Engin Sever were killed on Dec. 17, 1980. -Terrorists opened fire at Turkish Ambassador in Vatican Vecdi Turel's car on Apri. 17, 1980. Turel and his bodyguard survived the attack with injuries. -Press advisor at the Turkish Embassy in Paris Selcuk Bakkalbasi was injured in an armed attack on Sep. 26, 1980. -Two terrorists opened fire on Resat Morali, the labour attache at the Turkish Embassy in Paris and Tecelli Ari, a religious affairs official on March 4, 1981. Both Morali and Ari died in the attack. -Mehmet Savas Yerguz, a secretary in the Turkish Consulate, was assasinated by the Armenian terrorist Madiros Jamgotchian on June 9, 1981. -Four Armenian terrorists raided the Culture Secretariat building of the Turkish Embassy in Paris on Sept. 24, 1981. They killed the security officer Cemal Ozen and injured Consul General Kaya Inal. -Turkish Ambassador in Copenhagen survived an armed attack with injuries on Apr. 2, 1981. He was attacked in an elavator. -Second Secretary at the Turkish Embassy in Rome, Gokberk Ergenekon was attacked while he was walking in a street on Oct. 25, 1981. Ergenekon survived the attack with minor injuries. -Turkish Consul General Kemal Arikan was killed on Jan. 28, 1982. -Turkish Honourary Consul General in Boston Orhan Gunduz lost his life after an armed attack on March 5, 1982. -Administrative Attache at the Turkish Embassy in Lisbon Erkut Akbay was killed when terrorist opened fire at his car on June 7, 1982. His wife Nadide Akbay who was with him at the time of the attack also died shortly after she was taken to the hospital. -Turkish Ambassador in Ottowa Atilla Altikat died in an armed attack Aug.
27, 1982. -Commercial Undersecretary at the Turkish Embassy in Ottowa was injured in an armed attack on Apr. 8, 1982. -Two ASALA terrorists killed eight people including six Turks at Ankara's Esenboga Airport on Aug.7, 1982. This was the first terrorist attack of Armenians in Turkey. -Administrative Attache at the Turkish Embassy in Brussels Dursun Aksoy was killed by Armenian terrorists on July 14, 1983. -Turkish Embassy in Lisbon was occupied by five Armenian terrorists who took the Embassy personnel hostage. Undersecretary Yurtsev Mihcioglu's wife Cahide Mihcioglu lost her life during the incident. Portuguese police saved the other hostages and killed all five terrorists. The terrorist organization threatened the Portuguese Prime Minister Mario Soarez with death because of the killings of the terrorists. -A bomb went off in front of Turkish Airlines office in Orly Airport in Paris. Two Turks, four French, one American, one Swedish totalling up to eight people died. 63 people including 28 Turks were injured in the explosion. -Secretary at the Turkish Embassy in Tehran Sadiye Yonder's husband and Turkish businessman Isik Yonder who was conducting trade between Iran and Turkey were killed by an ASALA militant on Apr. 28, 1984. -Labour Attache at the Turkish Embassy in Vienna died when a bomb planted in his car exploded on June 20, 1984. -Enver Ergun who was employed at Turkey's U.N. Representative office was killed also by a bomb planted in his car. -PARLIAMENT APPROVES DRAFT REGARDING EUROPEAN AGREEMENT ON Foreign Affairs Commission Chairman Kamran Inan said there were 200,000 homeless children only in Istanbul. Serious steps have been taken to protect children in the legal field; however, there are big handicaps in the implementation of these laws, he said. Democratic Left Party (DSP) Istanbul deputy Masum Turker stated that children's rights should be protected especially in divorce cases. Cengiz Gulec from the same party said according to 1990 census results, 10,884 girls between the ages of 12 and 14 were forced to marry someone by their parents and 483 of them had children. He said this should be defined as child abuse by law and banned for girls under the age of 18. The agreement covers children under the age of 18. In legal cases such as divorce, children will be given the information they need and they will be asked to tell their preferences and opinions. -ELPELEG APPOINTED AS TURKEY'S HONOURARY CONSUL GENERAL ISRAEL Elpeleg's title was recently approved by Israeli President Moshe Katsav and Foreign Minister Shlomo Ben Ami. Elpeleg was given his accreditation letter in Jerusalem on Saturday at a ceremony which was also attended by Turkish Ambassador to Israel Ahmet Uzumcu. A statement made by the Israeli Foreign Ministry said that former Turkish President Suleyman Demirel had proposed Elpeleg for this post, adding that Elpeleg will have important contributions to the development of Turkish- Israeli relations. Ambassador Uzumcu will host a reception next week for Elpeleg. Regional Cooperation Minister, Shimon Peres, who was the former prime minister, is also expected to attend the reception. -ISRAELI FOREIGN MINISTER BEN AMI IN ANKARA Ben Ami who is in Ankara for a one-day official visit is expected to brief Cem about the latest developments in the Middle East. Upon his arrival in Ankara, Ben-Ami made a short statement to the reporters at the airport. He said they were at a ''very critical'' point, adding that ''they had never been so close to peace before.'' During his visit in Ankara, Ben Ami is expected to be received by President Ahmet Necdet Sezer and Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit. Ben Ami will leave Turkey this afternoon. -PREMIER ECEVIT RECEIVES ISRAELI FOREIGN MINISTER BEN AMI Ben Ami, who was received by Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit, spoke to the press after the meeting. ''We are closer to peace than we have ever been before,'' he said, adding that the parameters put forward by the U.S. President Bill Clinton was also adopted by the new American administration. Ben Ami said that they exchanged views with Foreign Minister Ismail Cem and Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit, adding that Turkey has positive influences on the two sides due to its ''unique'' status in the region. Ben Ami said that Prime Minister Ecevit told him that Turkey would contribute to holding useful talks in the Middle East which will serve the peace in the region. Ben Ami noted that he is pleased to receive such a message from Turkey. Ben Ami stressed that there are powerful, healthy and developing relations between Turkey and Israel. When asked if the election process in Israel would affect the developments in the Middle East, Ben Ami said ''elections are necessity of democracy, you will have elections sooner or later.'' -PLANE CRASH IN KAYSERI Officials said that a CASA cargo plane which had taken off from the Erkilet 12th Air Transportation Main Air Base at about 11:00 a.m. crashed the shore of the Sarimsakli Dam lake near Sairmsakli village at about 11:15 a.m. Production Chief at the Cimsa Factory Erol Kirde who witnessed the crash told the A.A correspondent that the plane which had flown low two times crashed near the water collection region at the back of the the dam. A first lieutenant, a lieuteant, and a non-commissioned officer who have not been identified yet were killed in the crash. -BRIEFING AT CANKAYA PRESIDENTIAL PALACE (1) Addressing a weekly press briefing at the Cankaya Presidential Palace, Tacan Ildem, the Presidential Cabinet Chief and the Foreign Affairs Advisor, said, ''President Sezer expressed his regret over adoption of the draft resolution on so-called genocide on Armenians by the French parliament. He condemned aproval of the resolution accusing Turkey of a genocide which Turkey has never committed in its history. During his meeting with President Jacques Chirac of France at the United Nations' Millennium Summit, President Sezer emphasized that approval of such a draft resolution would be a serious mistake, and would play havoc with bilateral relations. President Sezer also underlined that approval of the draft resolution would contradict with friendly and ally relations between Turkey and France.'' Ildem told reporters, ''the President also sent written messages to his French counterpart, and reiterated with views. He underlined that approval of the draft resolution would hamper efforts to create an atmosphere of peace and stability in the Caucasus. He stressed that approval of the draft would not serve normalization of relations between Turkey and Armenia.'' He noted, ''President Sezer sent a message to his French counterpart Chirac on January 8, 2001. In his message, President Sezer recalled that the French parliament had earlier rejected a motion to launch an investigation into incidents in Algeria. President Sezer said that French parliament's rejection had consolidated the belief to leave the past to the historians. He pointed out that approval of the draft resolution on so-called genocide on Armenians would be a contradictory attitude.'' ''The resolution which was approved by parliamentarians with fears of losing vote, created deep sorrow among the Turkish people. This double- standard resolution will have serious and negative impacts on relations between Turkey and France,'' he told reporters. Ildem added, ''President Sezer expects President Chirac and the French government to expend efforts to render the resolution ineffective not to damage historical relations between the two countries.'' (To be continued) -PRESIDENT SEZER RECEIVES ISRAELI FM BEN AMI No statement was issued about the meeting in which Foreign Minister Ismail Cem was also present. Ben Ami who will have lunch with Foreign Minister Cem, is expected to leave Ankara in the afternoon. -TURKEY-FRANCE COMMERCIAL RELATIONS According to the statistics of the State Institute of Statistics, Exporters' Unions and Treasury Undersecretariat, total exports from Turkey to France had been 1 billion 305 million U.S. dollars in 1998, 1 billion 570 million U.S. dollars in 1999, and 1 billion 336 million U.S. dollars in the January-October period of 2000. Meanwhile, exports from France to Turkey had been 3 billion 34 million U.S. dollars in 1998, 3 billion 127 million U.S. dollars in 1999, and 2 billion 842 million U.S. dollars in the January-October period of 2000. France which is one of the most important commercial partners of Turkey had a 4.8 percent share in Turkey's total exports in 1998, had a 5.9 percent stake in 1999 while it had a 6.6 percent share in Turkey's total imports in 1998 and a 7.7 percent stake in 1999. In the first ten months of 2000, France got a 6.1 percent share in Turkey's total exports and a 6.4 percent share in Turkey's total imports. Automobiles, textiles and ready-to-wear constitute the major products in trade between Turkey and France. Turkey exported 456 million 886 thousand U.S. dollars of ready-to-wear clothings, 176 million 246 thousand U.S. dollars of textiles and raw materials, 379 million 34 thousand U.S. dollars of motor vehicles and by- industry products, and 268 million 711 thousand U.S. dollars of electric and electronic machines and devices to France in 2000. The total French capital in Turkey is 5.3 billion U.S. dollars and France comes first in list of permitted foreign capital. A total of 37.7 million U.S. dollars foreign capital permission was given to France in 2000 and the number of companies with French capital in Turkey reached 198. -FM CEM TO LEAVE FOR LIBYA ON SATURDAY Ismail Cem will come to Tripoli on Saturday and stay in this country for two days upon the invitation of Libyan Foreign Minister Abdurrahman Mohammed Salgam. Diplomatic sources said on Friday that the visit of Cem, who will be the first Foreign Minister visiting Libya after a long period of time, carries importance for bringing the opportunity of solving the problems and misunderstandings in the bilateral relations. Ahmet Kurtcebe Alptemucin, the then foreign minister visited Libya in 1992. The same sources added that the relations between Turkey and Libya are generally taken up in the field of economy, and its political platform has not been formed sufficiently. The aim of Cem's visit aims at meeting this deficiency, they said. The relations between Turkey and Israel, the Middle East peace process, struggle with fundamentalism, Turkey's opening policy to Africa and fight with terrorism are expected to be taken up during Cem's visit to Libya. No document is expected to be signed during Cem's visit. It is not certain yet if Cem will meet with the Libyan leader Muammar al- Qaddafi. The Turkish side didn't ask for an appointment from Qaddafi, but it gave the message that it can welcome the demand of the Libyan leader to meet with Cem. The relations between Turkey and Libya which have common historical ties due to the 500 years of Ottoman rule, started to be disturbed by the negative statements of Qaddafi starting from mid-1980s. The relations got tenser after the visit of the then Prime Minister Necmettin Erbakan to Libya between 4-6 October 1996. The Libyan leader issued statements which caused reaction in Turkey during his meeting with Erbakan and the relations got tenser by reciprocal accusations. Turkey recalled its ambassador to Libya on July 13, 1997, and the appointment of the new Ambassador has only become possible in February, 1998. Another crisis took place in the bilateral relations when the supporters of the terrorist organization PKK participated in the parade of ''revolution day'' on September 1998 in Libya. Ambassador Mufit Ozdes was recalled to Ankara for consultations. The crisis was overcome when Libya told Turkey that the participation of supporters of the terrorist organization in the parade was not planned and when Libya deported these persons. Turkey does not have any uneasiness about terrorism with Libya, which tries to remove its image of a terrorist country at the international platform and does not permit the activities of the terorrist organization PKK in its territory. -APPROVAL OF ARMENIAN RESOLUTION Speaking to reporters before the 31st General Assembly meeting of the Association of Turkish Industrialists and Businessmen (TUSIAD), Sabanci said that the Turkish people were unjustly treated and the Turkish population and its potential power were abused. ''The opposite side is not right. What the French did, is shameful and disgraceful thing and a biased point of view. We are getting very angry with them. We are saying to them 'you are making an injustice'. As the CarrefourSa, we will make a statement today. However, we should focus on our works instead of getting angry. I did this in my compartment. I called on the phone the chairmen of my partners. I made a request to them. I sent letters and sent copies of these letters to the Foreign Ministry but they all failed. What I am doing is insufficient too. I hope we will take lesson from this,'' he said. Responding to a question about the future of commercial relations between Turkey and France, Sabanci said, ''these relations will be affected, of course. A cold atmosphere destroys dynamism and prevents successes.'' -BRIEFING AT CANKAYA PRESIDENTIAL PALACE (2) When asked how President Jacques Chirac of France responded to messages of President Ahmet Necdet Sezer in a weekly press briefing at the Cankaya Presidential Palace on Thursday, Ildem told reporters, ''at a meeting in New York during the United Nations' Millennium Summit, President Chirac told President Sezer that he was aware of Turkey's sensitivity over the issue, and pledged to do his utmost. In the high-level messages, the sides explain their views to each other. The French side was informed at the highest level on our sensitivity over the issue. Turkey asked France to expend efforts to this end.'' When asked whether or not President Sezer had sent a letter to President Chirac following approval of the draft resolution on so-called genocide on Armenians by the French parliament, Ildem said, ''communication channels are still working between the two countries.'' When asked whether or not President Sezer was hopeful about submission of the resolution to French Constitutional Council, Ildem said, ''authorities who have the right to submit a resolution to the Constitutional Council are known. We hope French authorities would take steps to render ineffective the resolution.'' -BRIEFING AT CANKAYA PRESIDENTIAL PALACE (3) In a weekly press briefing, Ildem also responded to questions about Israeli Foreign Minister Sholomo Ben Ami's visit to Turkey. When asked whether or not Ben Ami brought in a message, Ildem told reporters, ''Israeli Foreign Minister is paying a working visit to Turkey. This visit can be considered as a part of our contacts with the sides of the Middle East peace process. Also, there has been a productive cooperation between Turkey and Israel. We have not received any information about such a message. Turkey encourage the sides to maintain negotiations with the aim of recording progress in the Middle East peace process.'' (End) -FOREIGN MINISTRY UNDERSECRETARY LOGOGLU DUE TO AZERBAIJAN Releasing a written statement, the Foreign Ministry said that Logoglu would pay an official visit to Azerbaijan between January 19 and 21. The statement noted that besides opportunities to further strengthen relations and cooperation between Turkey and Azerbaijan, regional, and international issues would be taken up during Logoglu's contacts. Logoglu is expected to be received by President Haydar Aliyev of Azerbaijan, and by Vilayet Guliyev, the Azerbaijani Foreign Minister within the framework of his contacts in Azerbaijan. Logoglu is expected to return to Turkey on January 21. -REACTIONS CONTINUE TO ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION ON SOCALLED GENOCIDE Resul Akay, the Chairman of the Turkish Civil Servants Union (Kamu-Sen) said in a written statement that ''the Turkish government and the Turkish people should give the necessary lesson to France.'' Akay said that the parliament should convene in an emergency session, adding that ''the government has to close all of France's installations in Turkey and its embassy in France till this decision is cancelled. The government has to start a campaign regarding the selling and buying of French products.'' Ali Rıza Ercan, the Chairman of the Ankara Tradesmen and Artisans Chamber (ATO) said that they will implement all the measures taken by the government against France including the decision of boycotting the French products. Ercan said that the resolution which was adopted by the French parliament will negatively affect the relations between Turkey and France. Hasan Ali Kilcı, the President of Kayseri Trade Chamber's Executive Board said in his part that the adoption of the resolution is just a mere ugly political show against the Turkish minority living in France. Issuing a written statement, Kilcı recalled that there has been an Armenian violence in Anatolia and Armenians killed thousands of muslims in the past. Ankara Trade Chamber's (ATO) Chairman Sinan Aygun sent a letter to France's Trade Chamber Chairman Michael France regarding the resolution on socalled Armenian genocide. ATO Chairman Aygun said in his letter that the political mistake done by France will negatively affect the business world more than the administrations of the two countries. Aygun added that the decision taken is against the French Constitution. Huseyin Uzulmez, the Executive Board member of the Turkey Chambers and Commodity Exchanges condemned France strongly and said that the history of France is full of massacres committed in its colonies. ''We announce that we will boycott the products of France with our members who are nearly 25,000 persons,'' he said. -ALPTURK, GENERAL DIRECTOR OF TURKISH TELEKOM: Staging a press conference, Alpturk gave information about the Turkish Telekom's targets in 2001. Alpturk said that Turkish Telekom had currently 18 million 500 thousand tlephone subscribers, 874,101 cable TV subscribers and 72,689 public telephones throughout Turkey. He said that they had spent 420 trillion Turkish liras (TL) on investments in 2000, adding that Turk Telekom had gained 491 trillion TL profit in 2000 and they expected to raise 604 trillion TL in net profit in 2001. Noting that Turksat 2A had been launched successfully, increasing its expire date by six months, Alpturk said Turkey should launch ten more satellites to the space as Turksat 1B satellite would expire in 2004 and Turksat 1C satellite would expire in 2007. Alpturk added Turksat 2A would be controlled from the Golbasi Satellite Ground Station as of January 21, 2001, adding that the satellite was expected to go into its orbit in 42 degrees longitude on Friday. Answering the questions of the journalists about the interest shown by the foreign consortiums in the privatization of Turkish Telekom, Alpturk said ''we will altogether see the interest of the foreigners in this process.'' -AIR FORCES COMMANDERSHIP: Releasing a written statement, the Air Forces Commandership said First Lieutenant Okan Divrik, Lieutenant Murat Orbay and Sergeant Huseyin Tufekci were killed in the accident. The statement added that the CASA cargo plane was on a training mission. Meanwhile, Kayseri Governor Nihat Canpolat said that the pilots had diverted the plane to the Sarimsakli Dam lake near Sarimsakli village not to crash in settlement units in Bunyan township. -REACTIONS CONTINUE TO ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION ON SOCALLED GENOCIDE Istanbul University condemned the adoption of the resolution on socalled Armenian genocide by the French parliament and decided to break off all sorts of scientific relations with France. Professor Kemal Alemderoglu, the Rector of Istanbul University said that the French parliament distorted the historical events which took place 85 years ago and it described the incidents of the First World War as genocide. ''France which has always been an advocate of democracy and human rights, has acted very irrespectfully towards the Turkish nation and world history, '' he said, adding that this resolution will be a black spot on the relations between Turkey and France. ''This decision will also have negative affects on installation of a peaceful atmosphere in Caucasus,'' he said, adding that this decision also made uneasy the citizens of Armenian origin living in Turkey. Alemderoglu said that they will break off their scientific cooperation with Descartes, Toulouse, Strasbourg Universities and ''Université Paris Sud,'' of France, adding that they will not accept lecturers from this university. Senal Sarıhan, the Chairwoman of the Republican Women's Association also condemned the adoption of the resolution in French parliament and said that the most radical measure that can be taken against the French parliament can be Turkey's withdrawal from the membership process to the European Union (EU). Issuing a written statement, Sarıhan said that this decision of the French parliament is a very serious development that will open eyes wide. Meanwhile, the youth branch of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) called ''Idealists'' protested the resolution and they laid a wreath in front of the French Embassy in Ankara. -KOC-ENKA JOINT VENTURE RAMSTORE BECOMES GREATEST RETAILER IN RUSSIA After inauguration of Ramstore shopping center ''Kashirskaya'', the number of Migros shopping centers in Russia increased to 3 and number of its shops in Russia increased to 8. Speaking at the inauguration, Koc Holding Executive Board Chairman Rahmi Koc said that they had laid the foundation of Kashirskaya on May 20, 2000, and it became the biggest complex they had opened so far. Koc said that Kashirskaya had a hipermarket and 80 shops selling world brand products. ''We have made almost 150 million U.S. dollars investment so far. We targeted to increase the number of our shops to twelve by the end of this year,'' he said. ENKA Holding Executive Board Chairman Sarik Tara said that the number of customers visiting their supermarkets in Russia would reach 25 million by the end of the year. Noting that they targeted to open two more hipermarkets in Moscow this year, Tara thanked Moscow Mayor Yuri M. Lujkov for his personal contributions. Turkish Ambassador to Russia Nabi Sensoy said that it was impossible for them to imagine finalization of such a big complex just in eight months. Sensoy stressed that Ramstores were the best examples of Turkish investments abroad. Istanbul Mayor Ali Mufit Gurtuna said that very important bridges of friendship had been set up between Turkey and Russia in the beginning of the 21st century. -ISRAELI FM BEN AMI LEAVES ANKARA Speaking to journalists prior to his departure from Ankara's Esenboga Airport, Ben Ami said that efforts should be increased to stop violence and revive peace talks process in the Middle East. Noting that an Israeli child was killed the same day in a clash, Ben Ami said that security issue would be taken up at cabinet meeting in Israel tomorrow. Ben Ami said that he was pleased with adoption of parameters drawn up by U.S. President Bill Clinton about the Middle East peace process by the international community. -REACTIONS CONTINUE TO ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION ON SOCALLED Fatih Ugurlu, the chairman of the labour union of civil servants (Memur- Sen) said that the adoption of the resolution is a historical mistake committed against humanity, adding that the massacres committed by France in Algeria have been proven by photograhps. He stressed that France, which permitted the Armenian terrorist organization ASALA to take shelter in France tries to convict Turkey for a crime which it didn't commit. ''We will take the necessary economic sanctions against France as the non- governmental organizations,'' he said, adding that they will start a campaign in Turkey not to use French made products. Ergun Atalay, the chairman of union of railway workers (Demiryol-Is) said in his part that touristic visits to France have to be cancelled. Mersin University condemned in a written statement the French resolution and said that the resolution is not concerned with the Ottoman Empire or the Turkish Republic. ''This resolution shows the ugly face of France which killed one million Africans and hundred thousands of Vietnamese people,'' the statement said. Samsun Trade and Industry Chamber's Executice Board President Adnan Sakoglu said that France made a historical mistake. Meanwhile, Bendevi Palandoken, the chairman of the Turkish grocers and salesman called on citizens to boycott the hyper and gross markets of France in Turkey. Issuing a written statement, Palandoken said that they warned all grocers not to buy and sell French products by issuing a circular. Palandoken also called on holdings which have partners with French firms to cut off their relations with their partners. -REACTIONS CONTINUE TO ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION ON SOCALLED GENOCIDE Levent Gok, the Provincial Chairman of Republican People's Party (CHP) in Ankara, and Haydar Yilmaz, the Mayor of Cankaya district of Ankara, laid a black wreath in front of the French Embassy in Ankara to protest approval of draft resolution of so-called genocide on Armenians by the French parliament. Gok stressed that approval of the draft resolution created deep sorrow in Turkey. He added, ''this resolution in unacceptable. We lay a black wreath in front of the French Embassy as a sign of our sorrow over this unfair resolution.'' Meanwhile, security forces did not allow Ali Topuz, the Provincial Chairman of CHP in Istanbul, and a group of CHP who wanted to lay a black wreath in front of French Consulate General in Istanbul. Speaking on behalf of the CHP members, Topuz said that they condemned approval of the draft resolution on so-called genocide on Armenians. Recalling that the resolution was approved with only 51 votes, Topuz said that those who did not participate in the vote could not dare to prevent approval of the resolution. Topuz stressed, ''France is responsible for ensuing developments.'' Later, the group dispersed peacefully. Security forces have tightened measures around the consulate building. In western Izmir province, members of CHP and the Nationalist Movement Party's (MHP) Youth Centers laid a black wreath in front of the French Consulate. Cemal Enginyurt, a deputy of the MHP from Ordu, and members of the MHP's Youth Centers marched from Cumhuriyet Square to the French Consulate with Turkish flags in their hands. They observed a minute of silence out of respect to Turkish citizens and diplomats who were killed by terrorist organization PKK and Armenian terrorist organization ASALA. Kemal Karatas, the Provincial Chairman of CHP in Izmir, and members of the CHP also laid a black wreath in front of the French Consulate. Stressing that France did not know historical facts, Karatas said, ''France put an end to a historical friendship for the sake of a handfull of vote. Approval of the draft resolution on so-called genocide on Armenians is a unfair treatment against Turkey. We call on Turkish people to boycott French products till the resolution is withdrawn. Meanwhile, the Senate of Mersin University released a written statement, and said, ''approval of the draft resolution will take place in shameful pages of French history. Mersin celebrates January 3 every year as the day of liberation from French occupation. French Army armed Armenian gangs, and sent them to attack defenseless Turkish villages. As Great Founder Mustafa Kemal Ataturk said before, the French Army watched with pleasure killing of innocent Turks by Armenian monsters wearing French uniforms.'' Prof. Dr. Ismail Calli, the Rector of Sakarya University, said, ''despite all warnings, the French parliament has approved the draft resolution by making a serious mistake. France has assumed a hostile attitude against Turkey for the sake of unimportant benefits.'' -PRIVATIZATION OF VAKIFLAR BANKASI FP Parliamentary Group Acting Chairman Yasin Hatipoglu submitted the 19- page case petition to Constitutional Court Secretary General Sadi Buyukeren. Later, Hatipoglu said that Vakifbank was actually a private bank which was liable to special laws so it couldn't be privatized. Hatipoglu said that the power had insisted on adopting laws which were contrary to the Constitution despite their warnings at the parliament so they were obliged to file a lawsuit. FP's petition said that neither the state nor the Treasury had any share in Turkiye Vakiflar Bankasi and that the state had not even one Turkish lira contribution to the capital of the bank. It said that it had been revealed with judicial decisions that the state was not the owner of the properties and assets of the bank and that sale of Vakifbank was not in line with the targets of foundation of the bank. The law on amendment to the law on Vakifbank which allows sale and public offering of Turkiye Vakiflar Bankasi's Group A and Group B shares was published in the Official Gazette on November 22, 2000. The law authorizes the Council of Ministers to set the procedure and rules for the sale and public offering of these shares. -AUCTION FOR BROADCASTING RIGHTS OF SOCCER MATCHES LIVE ON TV POSTPONED Officials said that the auction was postponed as none of the television channels submitted bids in line with the auction specifications. -THILDA KEMAL, WIFE OF NOVELIST YASAR KEMAL, LAID TO REST A number of artists and writers were in attendance at the funeral of Thilda Kemal. Yasar Kemal was burst into tears at the funeral of his 78-year-old wife. Thilda (Serrero) Kemal was born to a prominent Jewish family in Istanbul. Her grandfather, Jak Pasha, was Ottoman Sultan Abdulhamid's chief doctor. Thilda Kemal met and married Yasar Kemal, who has been nominated for the Nobel Prize in literature, in Istanbul fifty years ago while working for a literary agency. She translated 17 of her husband's works into English. -ISRAELI FM BEN AMI LEAVES ANKARA (2) Diplomatic sources said that no new proposal was put forward regarding the peace efforts in the Middle East during the meetings of Shlomo with President Ahmet Necdet Sezer, Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit and Foreign Minister Ismail Cem, but the officials decided particularly to end the violence in the region. Sources added that the Israeli side generally found the parameters drawn by the U.S. President Bill Clinton as positive, but it has some reservations. Sources said that Israel thinks that the reservations in question should be taken up within the framework of a plan. Sources recounted that the new administration will come to power in the U.S. and Israel is in election process, adding that the sides in the Middle East Peace Process which don't want to ''start everything from zero,'' are hopeful about the meeting they will hold in Taba city of Egypt. Meanwhile, President Sezer told Ben Ami that they will be pleased to see the Israeli President Moshe Katsav in Turkey. Sources added that they didn't make an official invitation to Israel yet. -PRESIDENT SEZER RECEIVES ISRAELI FM BEN AMI President Sezer received Israeli Foreign Minister Shlomo Ben-Ami and accompanying delegation at the Presidential Palace. Foreign Minister Ismail Cem was also in attendance at the meeting. Presidential Press Center released a statement saying that President Sezer expressed his pleasure with the level of development of historical relations between Turkey and Israel. Noting that President Sezer said that the countries in the region were affected negatively as peaceful and stable atmosphere in the Middle East couldn't be settled, the statement said that President Sezer stressed that Turkey attributed importance to reaching a fair and permanent peace in the Middle East peace process on the basis of United Nations Security Council resolutions no:242 and 338 by giving an end to bloodshed between the Israeli and Palestinian peoples as soon as possible. Stating that Turkey in which both Israel and Palestine have full confidence would continue to make every possible contribution to the Middle East peace process, President Sezer said that the sides should continue to expend efforts to reach a peaceful solution by assessing the benefits that they had got from the talks so far. Israeli Foreign Minister Ben-Ami said that Turkey made important contributions to especially last stage of the peace process, and that they were sure of continuation of those contributions and Israel attributed special importance to consultations with Turkey in peace process. Noting that the cooperation between Turkey and Israel was not damaging the stability in the region but on the contrary, it contributed to stability and peace in the region, Ben-Ami said that Turkey had a special position and constituted a special factor of balance as a result of its bilateral relations with the regional countries. Stressing that they were determined to protect the benefits they had got from the Middle East peace process so far, Ben-Ami said that return to the starting point of the peace process would create a chaos in the region and that the Israeli government did not want an interim agreement but a final solution. -SONMEZ KOKSAL, TURKISH AMBASSADOR TO FRANCE, RETURNS TO TURKEY Koksal said that he returned to Turkey upon the invitation of the government and the Foreign Ministery.
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