Anadolu Agency: News in English, 01-02-02

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ANADOLU AGENCY

NEWS

02 FEBRUARY

2001 Friday

CONTENTS

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

SIHANLIOGLU DIES OF HEART ATTACK
The preliminary report of the True Path Party (DYP) deputy Fevzi Sıhanlıoglu who died after a fight in the parliament has been announced. Experts said that the reason of his death is ''heart attack.''

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

ANGER TOWARDS MHP IN VIRANSEHIR
Fevzi Sıhanlıoglu, the DYP deputy was laid to rest yesterday in Viransehir where he was born. Premier Ecevit, Deputy Premier Mesut Yılmaz, Virtue Party (FP) leader Recai Kutan, DYP leader Tansu Ciller and former President Suleyman Demirel participated in the ceremony held in the parliament for Sıhanlıoglu. MHP leader Devlet Bahceli didn't come in order to prevent any tension.

SABAH (LIBERAL)

IZMIT GULF PASSAGE TENDER CANCELLED DUE TO BOYCOTT TO FRANCE
Public Works and Housing Ministry Koray Aydin said on Thursday that the tender for the Izmit Gulf Passage project has been cancelled since both consortia who participated in the tender had French partners. Aydin said that his Ministry will continue its firm attitude until the government continues its sanctions on France.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

TENDERS CANCELLED DUE TO FRENCH BIDDERS
The sanctions which are directed to France after its adopting a law on so- called genocide on Armenians are being implemented according to the action plan submitted to the prime ministry. The Ministry of Housing and Public Works said that it cancelled a bidding for the Izmit Gulf Passage project since both consortia who participated in the bidding had French partners.

RADIKAL (LEFT)

GONEN IS ALSO ROCKED: 4.0 ON RICHTER SCALE
An earthhquake rocked Gonen township of Balikesir province. Officials of the Kandilli Observatory Center and Seismology Institute said that the earthhquake measuring 4.0 on the Richter scale was recorded at 11.58 a.m. on Thursday. This tremor was announced as an independent earthquake. The earthquake was also felt in the Marmara Region and Tekirdag.

TURKISH-GREEK POLICE HAND IN HAND
The high-ranking security officials of Turkey and Greece decided to cooperate in struggle against organized crimes. The security officials of the two countries had earlier agreed to cooperate in the struggle against illecit drug trafficking. Turan Genc, the General Director of Security, and the high-ranking security officials attended a conference on cooperation in struggle against organized crimes. The Greek and U.S. security officials also participated in the conference.

TURKIYE (RIGHT)

COLD WEATHER ON THE WAY
The temperatures will decrease by 10-15 degrees Celcius at the weekend. A statement of the State Meteorology General Directorate said that the west parts of Marmara Region, Aegean and Mediterranean coasts will be rainy today. The northwest of Turkey will be snowy on Saturday.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

STATE SECURITY COURT RELEASES ALI YASAK
Ali Yasak and Abdullah Milcerli, who were taken into custody in connection with the operation carried out regarding the buffalo meat scandal last Friday, were released this Thursday. After being interrogated at the Ankara Police Organization, Yasak and Milcerli were transfered to the Ankara State Security Court (DGM). Ankara DGM judge Rustem Ciloglu released Yasak and Milcerli.

-AZERI-AMERICAN BUSINESS COUNCIL MEMBER MOLLAZADE SAYS
IT IS IN FACT ARMENIANS WHO CARRY OUT ETHNIC
CLEANSING TOWARDS AZERBAIJANIS
WASHINGTON D.C. - Turks, Azerbaijanis and Jews from Maryland state in the U.S. defended Turkish views against the resolution urging the local congress to recognize so-called genocide on Armenians and to include it in textbooks.

The Armenian lobby presented a so-called documentary prepared by journalist Peter Jennings and which was broadcast in ABC television channel as a evidence of claims.

Nearly 45 Turks who opposed the resolution were in the Congress, and some of them addressed the Congress.

Serdar Manizade, who lives in Maryland said that ''the inclusion of such a claim in the education programme will provoke racism.''

William Ali, the representative of Turkish-American Veterans Union said that the resolution is against the equality principle and it provokes racism, adding that such an initiative against Turkey, which is one of the most important allies of the U.S. will be unfair.

Noting that Turkey acts in an humanitarian way against its neighbours and it embraced refugees coming from the Balkans, Caucasus and other regions and helped them, Ali said that if Turkey was a country which committed genocide, refugees wouldn't want to come to this country. He added that regufees didn't prefer Greece or Syria, but preferred to come to Turkey, stressing that its reasons stems from the fact that Turkey is a modern and democratic country.

Ceyhun Mollazade, a member of Azeri-American Business Council said in his part that Armenians don't have the right to put forward claims of so-called genocide, adding that one million Azerbaijanis had refugee status because of the things done by Armenians and the ethnic cleansing policy of Armenians towards Azeris continues even today.

Ulku Ulgur, former chairman of American-Turkish Associations Assembly (ATAA) explained the difficulties of Turks living in the whole world caused by Armenian terrorism.

''As I was the chairman of ATAA, FBI wanted me to change my way back home every day,'' she said adding that her house's surrounding was lightened against Armenian attacks and she was worried for her children.

David Salzman, a jurist who is of Jewish origin said that the incidents which took place between Armenians and Turks didn't constitute genocide and it didn't have any similarity with the Holocaust.

Gunay Evinc, a member of ATAA said that ''this issue is still being discussed in American universities by professors, diplomats and historians.''

United Nations does not accept genocide on Armenians, she said adding it issued a statement denying this claim.

''You can't vote history in parliament. This issue is not white and black as you think,'' she said, adding that the resolution should be discussed in a specialized commission that will be formed.

Osman Tat, a member of ATAA said in his part that the telegrams and documents shown by Armenians as evidence are all fake.

The resolution can either be amended or voted. The Congress of Maryland didn't give a specific date for the voting.

-FRENCH INTEREST IN ANCIENT ZEUGMA SITE
GAZIANTEP - The ancient Zeugma site which is situated on the bank of the Euphrates in Nizip township of southeastern Gaziantep province, is being introduced in the web-site of the French Foreign Ministry.

The web-site ''http://www.zeugma2000.com/'' includes information about the French team working in Zeugma.

The web-site prepared by the Oxford Archaeological Unit (OAU) which participated in the excavations in the ancient site had the title ''The Zeugma 2000 Archaeological Project.''

The web-site said that the French team have carried out excavations in the ancient site under the auspices of the French Foreign Ministry since 1995.

''Until 1999 the archaeological excavations of this Franco-Turkish mission were undertaken in collaboration with Gaziantep Museum. On the French side, the team directed by Catherine Abadie-Reynal, Professor at the University of La Rochelle, is made up of about 30 people trained in rescue archaeology, from several French Universities (Rennes, Paris 1, Paris 4) as well as from the CNRS or AFAN,'' the web-site said.

The web-site continued, ''research undertaken has attempted to define the urban characteristics of the site as well as the history of its development that is closely linked to the Euphrates and its crossing point. A survey has enabled us to define the limits of the classical city, particularly with reference to the necropoleis. Excavations have been opened across the entire site that have enabled us to understand the function and type of occupation of the different areas of the city.''

''For example, it has been possible to locate a public square bordered with buildings as well as artisan areas and residential quarters. In the same way we have been able to further our understanding of the way in which the city has developed. It would seem that its population grew in a spectacular manner during the Roman period, which led to the development of the town towards the east. Finally during exploration work in the eastern part of the city, we found a luxurious villa decorated with mosaics and painted plaster. The objectives of our excavation campaign 2000 are once again to look at the organisation of the city. We will be looking at the domestic architecture of Zeugma as well as attempting to understand the mode of circulation in the city, in particular from one terrace to another, as the city is mainly built on terraces,'' the web-site said.

The web-site added, ''the results of our research are published each year in the Chroniques de fouilles de la revue de l'Institut français d'Etudes anatoliennes, Anatolia Antiqua. It is also possible to consult the Web site of the Ministère français des Affaires Etrangères, www.france.diplomatie.fr.''

-GAP EXPORTS PRODUCTS MAINLY TO ITALY, SYRIA,
GERMANY, BRITAIN AND ROMANIA
GAZIANTEP - The Southeast Anatolian Project (GAP) region exported goods mainly to Italy, Syria, Germany, Britain and Romania last year.

The GAP exports to these countries which has been 149,7 million U.S. dollars constituted 26,9 percent of the region's total exports which have been 556,1 million U.S. dollars.

According to the Southeast Anatolian Exporters Union data, GAP exported goods worth of 38,4 million dollars to Italy; 33,3 million dollars to Syria; 27,2 million dollars to Germany; 26,7 million dollars to Great Britain and 24,2 million U.S. dollars to Romania.

The exports increased by 1,1 percent to Italy, by 52.1 percent to Germany, 22,4 percent to Britain, 18.4 percent to Romania, but decreased by 54.1 percent to Syria when compared to last year.

-TURKSAT 2A READY TO START FUNCTIONING
ISTANBUL - The Turksat 2A, Turkey's third satellite in the space, is ready to start functioning.

A statement of the EURASIASAT, which is based in Monaco and which was established by the partnership of Turk Telekom, said on Friday that the orbital location tests of the Turksat 2A which was launched on January 8 were acomplished and that the satellite settled on its orbital location on January 31.

Co-located with Turksat-1C at 42°E, the Turksat 2-A will be the key driver for the deployment of the regional digital TV launch, the statement said.

The statement noted that the Turksat 2-A offers the flexibility to broadcasters and service providers who are looking for new TV applications and that first, it covers established and growing markets from Europe and Central Asia to India and South Africa.

Turksat 2A satellite will carry a 32 high powered transponders payload consisting of 20 of 33 MHz fixed beam transponders in BSS Band and 12 of 36 MHz transponders with 2 steerable beams in FSS Band, the statement pointed out.

The statement added that Turksat 2A fixed coverage bridges Europe to Asia and the 12 transponders on the 2 steerable beams, with inter-beam switching capability among fixed and steerable beams.

-IZTO CHAIRMAN DEMIRTAS SAYS BANGLADESH IS AN INVESTMENT COUNTRY
WHICH DOES NOT HAVE ANY RISK FOR DEVELOPED COUNTRIES
IZMIR - Ekrem Demirtas, the Chairman of Izmir Trade Chamber (IZTO) said that Bangladesh is an investment country which does not have any risk for developed countries.

Issuing a written statement, Demirtas said that the visit of Merve Celebi, an expert of IZTO Foreign Economic Relations Department to Bangladesh which will start on Saturday will end on Jan. 9.

Demirtas pointed out that Bangladesh has high competition power in sectors that need labour particularly in ready-to-wear sector due to its cheap labour.

The trade volume between the two countries is still very low, he said adding that Turkey's exports to Bangladesh have been 26 million dollars and its imports from this country have been 24,1 million dollars in 1999.

Demirtas said that Bangladesh has a strategic geographical status, adding that ''Since Bangladesh gained its independence it has always defended Turkey in decisions against us in various organizations by putting forward its reservations. The trade volume between the two countries has to be increased.''

Demirtas stressed that Bangladesh has the potential of being a suitable trade partner of Turkey in South Asia with its liberal foreign trade and investment laws. He added that Bangladesh has also strategic importance for Turkey to enter into regional markets.

-SABANCI'S CALLIGRAPHY COLLECTION TO BE EXHIBITED IN GERMANY
ISTANBUL - The calligraphy collection of businessman Sakip Sabanci will start to be exhibited in Berlin Guggenheim Museum on Saturday.

Sabanci, who went to Germany for the inauguration of the exhibition, will give a conference on ''Yesterday, Today and Future of Turkey'' to the Turkish businessmen on Saturday.

A statement of the Sabanci Holding said on Friday that the exhibition will be opened by Eberhard Diepgen, the Berlin State Prime Minister and Berlin Mayor.

The statement noted that the exhibition is titled ''The Seal of the Sultan.''

The exhibition which is sponsored by Deutsche Bank will be open until April 8.

This is the first time that the Ottoman calligraphy and Turkish paintings are displayed in Guggheim Museum, which is known for modern art exhibitions.

Sabanci's collection had earlier been exhibited in New York The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Los Angeles Country Museum of Art, Harvard University Museum and Paris Louvre Museum.

Almost one million people visited the exhibitions in the U.S. and Paris.

This collection carries importance because it is the first Turkish collection displayed in New York in The Metropolitan Museum of Art and Louvre Museum.

Sabanci's collection is comprised of artifacts belonging to centuries between 15th and 20th.

-TURKEY'S PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE TO NATO OYMEN
SAYS TURKEY HAS TO BE SATISFIED FIRST FOR STARTING
SPECIAL RELATIONS BETWEEN NATO AND EU
BRUSSELS - Onur Oymen, Turkey's Permanent Representative to NATO said on Friday that Turkey has to be satisfied first for starting special relations between NATO and EU and for EU to benefit from NATO's capabilities and capacities.

Speaking to A.A about the decisions taken by the EU in its Nice summit held in Dec. last year and the recent developments regarding Turkey's oppositions, Oymen said that NATO Secretary General George Robertson informed EU about the decisions of North Atlantic Council and EU high commissioner for defense and foreign policy Javier Solona responded to Robertson.

Oymen said that that an agreement has been reached for NATO council and EU's Commission for Foreign Policy to hold four meetings in six months.

''Two of them will be at the ministers level. These meetings will become frequent in cases of crisis. This process started and there will also be meetings at the level of experts and military officials. There is no change in the basic attitude of Turkey. We regard the issue of European security and defense issue as an issue that closely concerns the security interests of Turkey. In order to achieve a progress in this issue, a solution which also satisfies Turkey has to be put forward. This solution should solve the issue of Turkey's participation in the process particularly about EU's benefitting from the planning capacities of NATO,'' he said.

Oymen stressed that they informed EU about Turkey's expectations before Nice summit, adding that ''however they took these decisions in Nice. They probably thought that they can make us accept these issues. EU has to take up the issue again. All the decisions in NATO are taken unanimously. This issue can't be solved by the decisions that will be taken only by the EU. Contacts between NATO and EU at the level of ambassadors does not mean that special relations between the two institutions started. NATO has not shed green light to EU accepting it to benefit from NATO's capabilities.''

''The change of administration in the U.S. is a new factor. We must give time to Bush administration to examine the files first. The issue of European security and defense will be among the priorities of the new administration in Washington D.C. Our first impression is that the new U.S. administration will focus on to prevent the defense and cooperation process led by EU to have negative effects on the interests and security of NATO and NATO members. We think that the new administration in the U.S. will give priority to protection of NATO's integrity, activity, solidarity and respectability,'' Oymen said.

When asked ''the French is very angry with Turkey which didn't shed green light to EU and Turkey is angry with France due to the French law on so- called genocide on Armenians. Is this tension reflected to the EU?'' Oymen said that ''rather than being angry, we must have common sense and we must be wise. There is no need for them to be angry with Turkey. Turkey's expectation is full implementation of the decisions taken in Washington D.C. It is not an appropriate attitude to expect us to accept the decisions of EU. I don't think that the law in France about so-called genocide on Armenians is related to this issue. Turkey's views and reactions have been voiced. We think that these issues shouldn't be connected with each other. If this is the case, we will achieve no result. Even if the French parliament took different stance about the resolution on so-called genocide claims, our attitude in NATO wouldn't change. Nothing can impede us from protecting the basic interests of Turkey.''

-PRESIDENTIAL CABINET CHIEF ILDEM SAYS PRESIDENT SEZER WILL NOT
RESPOND TO OR GIVE A DIRECT REACTION TO STATEMENTS OF KOCHARIAN
ANKARA - Presidential Cabinet Chief and Foreign Relations Adviser Tacan Ildem said on Friday that President Ahmet Necdet Sezer will not respond to or give a direct reaction to the statements made by Armenian President Robert Kocharian.

Ildem responded to the questions of reporters in the weekly press conference held at the Presidential Palace.

When a reporter reminded him the messages of Kocharian who said that he wanted a direct negotiation rather than an indirect one with Turkey and that only the recognition of the so-called genocide on the Armenians will not be sufficient, Ildem said, ''our President will not respond to or give a direct reaction about a statement that Kocharian made in one of our press organs.''

Ildem continued, ''but, I would like to reiterate that there are not any changes in the policy we pursue for the normalization of Turkish-Armenian relations and that the conditions for the normalization of relations are known by the public.''

There are some principles that have to be taken into consideration in relations with neighbouring countries, Ildem pointed out.

Ildem continued, ''the sovereignty of the countries and the respect to the territorial integrity are among these principles. The countries should declare that they will comply with these principles. Secondly, there are territories which are under the occupation of Armenia. Withdrawing from these territories will contribute to regional peace and stability.''

''Another issue related with the normalization of the relations is accepting that the problems can be solved through peaceful methods. The attitude of Armenia in these issues will be determining in the future of the relations,'' Ildem added.

-NEW TENDER PROCESS FOR IZMIT GULF PASSAGE STARTS
ANKARA - Public Works and Housing Ministry Undersecretary Ali Helvaci said on Friday that the new tender process for the Izmit Gulf Passage has been started.

Helvaci told a press conference that if France continues to assume its current attitude, a provision will be added to the tender to prevent the French companies from taking part in the tender.

They have to give priority to the national interests in an issue which has strategic importance, Helvaci said.

Helvaci noted that some conditions and criteria are reviewed and the project will be implemented in Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) model.

The investment cost of the project is 1.1 billion U.S. dollars, Helvaci added.

-SYMBOLIC SOIL TO BE TAKEN FROM GELIBOLU
TO NEW ZEALAND IN A CEREMONY
CANAKKALE - A symbolic soil will be taken from Gelibolu to New Zealand in a ceremony in the memory of those Anzac soldiers who died in the Anzac landing on Geliboli peninsula 86 years ago.

Suleyman Kamcı, the governor of Canakkale said that a ceremony will be held in Anzac bay on Feb. 9 and some soil will be given to New Zealander Ambassador to Turkey to be sent to his country.

Kamcı said that the New Zealander officials requested to take soil from Geliboli and they took the permission from the concerned ministries.

Noting that Canakkale Battles constitute important place in the history of those countries who fought in Gelibolu, Kamcı said that ''Geliboli is a sacred place for these countries. Thus the soil to be taken will be an important element of developing friendship.''

-PRESIDENT SEZER TO ATTEND SUMMIT MEETING
WITH HIS BULGARIAN AND ROMANIAN COUNTERPARTS IN FEBRUARY
ANKARA - President Ahmet Necdet Sezer will attend a tripartite summit with his Bulgarian and Romanian counterparts between February 15 and 16.

Presidential Spokesman and Press Chief Adviser Metin Yalman and Presidential Cabinet Chief and Foreign Relations Chief Adviser Tacan Ildem staged the weekly press conference at the Presidential Palace on Friday.

Yalman said that Sezer will go to Cairo at the end of February to attend the D-8 meeting.

Touching on the initiatives which have been exerted since Sezer took the office in May 2000, Yalman noted that Sezer has approved 50 laws, 24 decrees with the force of law, 1241 decisions of the Council of Ministers, 33 Council of Ministers appointment dossiers.

Yalman said that Sezer has returned one law, seven decrees with the force of law since he took the office.

Two laws and four Council of Ministers decision are kept waiting, Yalman stated.

Yalman said that Sezer has signed 13 amnesty decisions since he took the office.

Tacan Indem in his part gave information about the activities of President Ahmet Necdet Sezer related to foreign politics.

Ildem recounted that Croatian President Stipe Mesic will visit Turkey between 7-8 Feb, 2001.

President Sezer will participate in the fourth of the tripartite meetings of presidents that will be held in Plovdiv, Bulgaria between 15-16 Feb, he said. Ildem stressed that the presidents will discuss issues related to Southeast Europe, Black Sea region, fight with organize crimes and terrorism, energy and transportation plans and other issues that carry importance for the regional peace and stability. The presidents will also hold bilateral contacts during this unofficial summit, he added.

Ildem said that President Sezer will go to Cairo for the D-8 meeting at the end of February. Turkey, Iran, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Indonesia, Egypt and Nigeria participate in D-8 meetings. These meetings are held to enable these developing countries to evaluate the cooperation opportunities, he said.

Ildem said that President Sezer sent message of condolence to Indian President after the quake in this country.

Upon a question, Ildem said that Sezer issued a statement after French President Jacques Chirac approved the resolution on so-called genocide on Armenians explaining his uneasiness. Ildem said that President Sezer didn't have any phone call with Chirac after the latter's approval of the resolution. When asked if a national meeting on the issue could be held, Ildem said that this issue is being taken up by the Foreign Ministry, government and the National Security Council (NSC), adding there is no need for such a meeting now.

Upon a question about the death of DYP deputy Fevzi Sıhanlıoglu, Yalman said that Sezer sent telegrams to the wife of Sıhanlıoglu, Parliament Speaker Omer Izgi and DYP leader Tansu Ciller and expressed his condolences for his death.

-FM CEM HAS PHONE CALLS WITH ARAFAT AND BEN AMI
ANKARA - Foreign Minister Ismail Cem had phone calls with Palestinian President Yasser Arafat and Israeli Foreign Minister Shlomo Ben Ami on Thursday in relation to the Palestinian-Israeli peace process.

Speaking in a weekly press briefing, Foreign Ministry Deputy Spokesman Huseyin Dirioz said on Friday that Turkey is one of the countries which strongly supports the Middle East peace process.

''Recently we have contributed to the peace process in line with the demands of Palestine and Israel,'' Dirioz said, adding that important progress was recorded to reach a final agreement in spite of all the difficulties in the talks held in Taba city of Egypt between the two sides.

''This is understood from the statements issued at the end of the meetings, we welcome this development,'' he said.

Dirioz stressed that the vital importance of the peace process for the region is well known, adding that ''we would like to see everybody launching efforts in this line. Our Minister spoke on the phone yesterday with Palestinian President Yasser Arafat and his Israeli counterpart and stressed the importance and use of putting into practice the things that have been achieved from talks till today. We wish the continuation of peace efforts without any interruption after the elections that will be held in Israel. In this respect we will continue to do the things that should be done by us,'' he added.

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