Anadolu Agency: News in English, 01-02-07

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ANADOLU AGENCY

NEWS

07 FEBRUARY

2001 Wednesday

CONTENTS

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

[02] CLOSURE CASE AGAINST FP

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

press on February 7, 2000. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories

and does not vouch for their accuracy.

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

measures which will facilitate overcoming economic crisis. Deputy Prime

Minister Mesut Yilmaz said, ''we will listen to problems of real institutions

and finance sector. At the Council of Ministers meeting next week, we will

announce a series of measures.''

''TURKEY HAS AN EXCELLENT ECONOMIC AND COMMERCIAL POTENTIAL''
Robert W. Pearson, the U.S. Ambassador to Turkey, said that Turkey had an ''excellent''

economic and commercial potential. Speaking at a seminar on ''the United

States' Commercial and Fiancial Services'' organized by Istanbul Chamber of

Commerce, Pearson said that the trade volume between the two countries had

increased 70 percent since 1994. He noted that exporta from Turkey to the

United States climbed by 15 percent in 1999 and 2000. Stressing that the

United States attributed great importance to Turkey, Caucasia and the Central

Asia, Pearson said that the U.S. businessmen were anxious to start working on

joint projects with them in the months to come. ''We want to strengthen the

commercial ties between Turkey and the United States,'' he added.

THERE IS NOT ANY PROBLEM IN U.S. PRESIDENT BUSH'S LETTER
Faruk Logoglu, the Undersecretary of the Foreign Ministry, said, ''some words

in U.S. President George W. Bush's letter to Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit have

given rise to discussions. These words are not related with problems between

Turkey and the United States, but they are regarded with problems in the

region.'' Logoglu came together with diplomacy correspondents at a luncheon.

Responding to a question, Logoglu said, ''in his letter, President Bush used

the word of 'challenge'. President Bush attributes importance to friendly

relations between the two countries, and his letter will open doors for us. In

his letter, President Bush said that some challenges might emerge in regional

issues concerning both Turkey and the United States. He added that the two

countries would overcome these challenges through cooperation,'' Logoglu

stressed.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

assassinated Gaffar Okkan, the Police Chief of southeastern Diyarbakir

province, and five other policemen would take time. Tantan made remarks on the

assasination of Okkan, and didn't want to make any clear statement on which

organization actually staged the attack. We don't know whether the attack has

a foreign connection or not, said Tantan, and added they would exert utmost

efforts to capture the terrorists.

WOMAN JANNISSERY BECOMES HERO OF CARTOONS IN U.S.
DC Comics, the most selling cartoons publisher in the U.S. started to use the

woman jannissery figure in its cartoons. The DC Comics Company is using the

Woman Jannissery in its best seller cartoon Justice League of America Super

Heroes. The Woman Jenissery is wearing a red garment with star and crescent

which is the emblem of the Turkish Republic. She is carrying a book in one

hand an holding an Ottoman sword in the other. The characters of the Justice

League of America will fight against devil in this weeks' edition.

SABAH (LIBERAL)

of 1.5 percent in Gross National Product of Turkey, is taken into the scope of

privatization. The selling procedure of Tekel will be completed in three

years. The reform in Tekel, which took place in the letter of intend submitted

to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), draws the attentions of many foreign

and local companies.

JUSTICE MINISTRY ACCEPTS AESTHETIC OPERATION REQUEST OF WOMEN INMATES
Nine women inmates who set themselves on fire in last year's intervention in

prisons applied to the Justice Ministry to undergo aesthetic operations. Three

of those women had already underwent asthetic operations as the Justice

Ministry approved their applications. Remaining six women inmates will also

undergo operations in Kartal State Hospital in coming days.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

Solidarity Party (ODP) and the Human Rights Association (IHD) will hold a

rally in Abide-i Hurriyet Square in Sisli district of Istanbul on Sunday to

protest the F type prisons, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and capital

policies.

NETHERLANDS' INTEREST IN GAP
Willem Tacken, the Chairman of the Agricultural Investments Consulting Firm

DLV Agricosult of the Netherlands, will come to southeastern province of

Sanliurfa. Tacken will be briefed by the Directorate of Southeastern Anatolia

Project (GAP) Regional Development Authority on the GAP and latest

developments in the region. Later, Tacken will visit Resarch Station in

Koruklu, fields under irrigation, Ataturk Dam and Koc-Ata Husbandry Facility.

RADIKAL (LEFT)

of parliament as no concrete outcomes obtained from the meetings headed by

Omer Izgi, the Speaker of Parliament. The discussion on the change in by- law

of the parliament is expected to be carried out starting from today. In the

meantime, Recai Kutan, the leader of Virtue Party (FP), said President Ahmet

Necdet Sezer should gather the leaders of the coalition parties to discuss the

issue.

NO INTEREST IN AUTOMOBILE PURCHASE CREDIT
The companies started campaigns to revive the automobile sales and to overcome

the financial crisis in the sector. The companies make big sales in cash

payments and no interest rate is applied in some options of the credit sales.

Tofas, Fiat, Opel, Hyundai, Toyota and Wolkswagen are some of the companies

that launched campaigns to overcome the crisis.

TURKIYE (RIGHT)

relieve the markets. ''We will hold a meeting especially with representatives

of real and finance sectors on Thursday. We will carry out a work to have the

burden of the program on social sections divided justly without making

concessions from the main targets and to prevent some cricles from suffering

from the program,'' he said.

DENKTAS IN MALATYA
President Rauf Denktas of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) will

address people in a demonstration which will be staged in Malatya to condemn

and protest approval of resolution on so-called genocide on Armenians by

France and its decision to erect a genocide monument in Paris. TRNC President

Denktas will also speak at a conference at Inonu University on ''Importance of

Cyprus Issue for Turkey''.

FEMALE MILITANTS OF TERRORISM
Sabanci family's lawyer Fernard Schmitz applied to the Belgian court for the

suspect of assasination of businessman Ozdemir Sabanci. The dossier submitted

to the court requested Fehriye Erdal's trial in Turkey. Meanwhile, Husnu Cemal

Aslan, female newsreader of MED TV which is known as the television channel of

the terrorist PKK organization, was sentenced to 12.5 years in prison by the

Erzurum State Security Court on charges of ''being a member of terrorist

organization''. Aslan said, ''I was deceived by the organization. I tried to

escape but they threatened me.''

TAX DEBTS TO BE PAID IN 18 INSTALLMENTS
The Finance Ministry allowed taxpayers who couldn't pay their tax debts in

time until December 31, to pay their tax debts in 18 installments with three

percent annual interest rate.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

for three days but only two of them succeeded in surviving. Alim, Ahmethan,

Viktor and Aleksi who were graduated from the Turkish High School were

studying in Turkey together with their friend Ruslan Settarov. They set off on

a journey to Crimea to spend their mid-term holiday. The ship they board sunk

in Black Sea. Fifty-one of the passengers managed to climb lifeboats. Some of

them were still in the sea. Ruslan Settarov couldn't board the ship's boat and

was frozen to death. Aboard the lifeboat where Ahmethan managed to climb, four

people were frozen to death and two others died when they went out of their

minds in three days. Two days after the accident, Alim was also frozen to

death. Ahmethan and Viktor were saved on the third day.

IT DOES NOT HAVE ANY CONNECTION WITH OPERATION WHITE ENERGY
Gendarmerie Commandership said that a Gendarmerie delegation's visit to

Britain did not have any connection with the ongoing criminal investigation

into allegations of corruption in energy tenders. It said that it was one of

the regular visits.

GOKCE ARRESTED
Diyarbakir State Security Court decided to arrest four of the 23 suspects who

were detained within scope of operations staged after assasination of

Diyarbakir Police Chief Gaffar Okkan. Nizamettin Gokce, one of terrorist

Hezbollah organization's triggers who surrendered to security forces is among

those arrested people.

PARLIAMENT'S ARCHITECTURE INNOCENT
A new discussion started upon Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit's statement which

said that fights at parliament stemmed from the interior design of the

parliament. The Chamber of Architects stressed that fights were made by MPs

not by seats.

AGREEMENT REACHED ON BY-LAW
Agreement reached on change in parliamentary by-law except Article 91, which

claimed life of a deputy. Parliament Speaker Omer Izgi said that also Article

91 would be debated at parliamentary general assembly in accordance with the

agreement among political parties.

[02] CLOSURE CASE AGAINST FP

on Wednesday that they would assess supplementary indictment submitted by

Supreme Court of Appeals Chief Prosecutor Sabih Kanadoglu regarding the

closure case of the Virtue Party (FP).

Responding to questions of journalists, Bumin stressed that they would begin

to assess the supplementary indictment prepared by Kanadoglu on the basis of

video footage related to the First Congress of the FP.

Bumin said, ''after taking a decision on this issue, we will debate whether or

not we should continue to hear the other case. These debates can be postponed

to Thursday.''

-TURKEY-CZECH REPUBLIC COOPERATION IN VETERINARY MEDICINE
ANKARA - Turkey will cooperate with Czech Republic to prevent entrance of

diseases in animals through exports and passages in transit.

The agreement which was signed between Turkey and Czech Republic on September

10, 2000 on cooperation in veterinary medicine, was published in the Official

Gazzette on Wednesday.

The agreement will come into force after the sides notify each other that they

have fulfilled the necessary conditions.

The agreement will be valid for five years.

The agreement will extend automatically at the end of the first five-year if

the sides do not decide to put an end to the agreement.

-TRNC PRESIDENT DENKTAS ARRIVES IN MALATYA
MALATYA - President Rauf Denktas of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC)

arrived in eastern province of Malatya on Wednesday to attend a rally to

protest approval of the resolution on so-called genocide on Armenians by

French parliament.

General Edip Baser, the Commander of the Second Army, and Malatya Mayor Mehmet

Yasar Cerci welcomed President Denktas at the Erhac Airport.

Denktas will attend the rally organized by provincial representatives of

the Democratic Left Party (DSP), the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), the

Virtue Party (FP), the Motherland Party (ANAP), the True Path Party (DYP), the

Republican People's Party (CHP) and Grand Unity Party (BBP), to protest

France's decision.

-PRESIDENT MESIC OF CROATIA ARRIVES IN ANKARA
ANKARA- President Stjepan Mesic of Croatia arrived in Ankara on Wednesday on

an official visit.

State Minister Fikret Unlu and other officials welcomed President Mesic at

Ankara's Esenboga Airport.

An official welcoming ceremony will be held at the Cankaya Presidential Palace

for President Mesic.

During his visit, President Mesic will meet with President Ahmet Necdet Sezer,

Parliament Speaker Omer Izgi, Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit and former

President Suleyman Demirel.

Croatian Foreign Minister Tonino Picula, Tourism Minister Pave Zupan Ruskovic

and European Integration Minister Ivan Yakovcic are accompanying President

Mesic.

-CENTRAL BANK GOVERNOR ERCEL: ''IMPORTANT BENEFITS HAVE
ALREADY BEEN OBTAINED FROM THE DISINFLATION PROGRAM''
ANKARA - Central Bank Governor Gazi Ercel said on Wednesday that important

benefits had already been obtained from the disinflation program which was put

into practice with a three-year perspective.

Releasing a statement on ''monetary policy implementation in coming period'',

Ercel said that the inflation rate had reduced for the first time to 2.3

percent in wholesale prices and 2.5 percent in consumer prices in January of

2001 after a long period of time.

Noting that the decreasing trend in inflation would continue also in coming

months, Ercel said that with this respect, Central Bank's highest level

contribution to the program would continue with its policies.

Ercel said that net domestic assets targeted figures had been revised downward

for the period following January of 2001 by taking into consideration the

current level.

''In accordance with the change in targeted net domestic assets figures, net

international reserves minimum figures were increased and revised for the same

period,'' he added.

-ULUABAT LAKE INCLUDED IN WORLD LIVING WATERS LIST
ANKARA - The Uluabat Lake in northwest of Turkey was included in World Living

Waters List, sources said on Wednesday.

The World Living Wetlands Platform which is a voluntary institution prepares

the World Living Waters list in accordance with their characteristics and

significance.

The platform which included Uluabat Lake in the list, considering it an eco

system that should be left to next generations.

Uluabat Lake is also in the list of the Ramsar Convention which comprised the

wetlands important to whole world. Turkey is also a side to Ramsar Convention.

Other lakes which were included in the Living Waters List are as follows:

Lake Constance (Central Europe), Lake St. Lucia (South Africa), Mono Lake (the

U.S.), Lake Biwa (Japan), Lake Baikal (Russia), Nestos Lakes (Greece), Lake

Tengiz (Kazakhstan), Dead Sea (Middle East), La Nava Wetlands (Spain),

Pantalan Wetlands (South America), Laguna mar Chiquita (Argentina), Milicz

Ponds (Poland), and Uluabat Lake.

-FINANCE MINISTER ORAL: ''THIS IS ABSOLUTELY NOT AN EXEMPTION,
IT IS AN IMPLEMENTATION TO MAKE PAYMENT OF TAX DEBTS EASIER''
ANKARA - Finance Minister Sumer Oral said on Wednesday, ''this is absolutely

not an exemption, it is an implementation to make tax debts payments easier

for taxpayers.''

Staging a press conference, Oral said that taxpayers would pay their tax debts

in 18 installments with a three percent annual interest rate.

Oral said that those who wanted to make use of this facility could make

applications by March 16, and pay their first installments till end of March.

He said that taxes would be paid without any reduction in their interests and

default interests.

''The annual default interest rate is still 36 percent but it was decreased to

three percent with this facility,'' he said.

''This is absolutely not an exemption, it is an implementation to make tax

debts payments easier for taxpayers,'' he added.

-COALITION PARTNERS TO MEET WITH REPRESENTATIVES
OF REAL SECTOR ON THURSDAY
ANKARA- Leaders of three political parties forming coalition government will

come together with representatives of real sector to discuss measures to be

taken to solve problems of this sector.

Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit, the leader of the Democratic Left Party (DSP);

Deputy Prime Minister and State Minister Devlet Bahceli, the leader of the

Nationalist Movement Party (MHP); Deputy Prime Minister and State Minister

Mesut Yilmaz, the leader of the Motherland Party (ANAP); and Deputy Prime

Minister and State Minister Husamettin Ozkan will be in attendance at the

meeting which will start at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday at the Prime Ministry

Office.

Representatives of the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

(TOBB), the Turkish Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association (TUSIAD),

the Confederation of Turkish Tradesmen and Artisans (TESK), the Confederation

of Turkish Employers' Unions, the Turkish Exporters' Assembly, the Textiles

Employers' Union, the Chamber of Maritime Trade and other employers'

organizations will attend the meeting.

At the meeting, measures to be taken to accelerate real sector's works and to

solve problems of this sector will be discussed.

Representatives of real sector will submit their proposals to the leaders.

Meanwhile, leaders of coalition partners will come together with ministers

responsible for economy on Friday to assess proposals put forward by

representatives of real sector.

-PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT: ''WE FACE SOME SUSPICIOUS AND
DISTRESSING GAMES AND NEGATIVITIES AND DARK SCENARIOS EACH DAY''
ANKARA - Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit, the leader of the Democratic Left Party

(DSP), said on Wednesday that they face some suspicious and distressing games

and dark scenarios each day, adding, ''however, we are determined to overcome

all of these with the help of services and progresses.''

Speaking at DSP Parliamentary Group meeting, Ecevit said that the inflation

rate reduced to below 30 percent for the first time in last 14 years.

Ecevit said that they were trying to form a source to remove insufficiencies

in salaries and wages.

Noting that the high chronic inflation was taken under control, Ecevit said

that government's determined struggle against inflation started to give

positive results.

Recalling that wholesale prices index reduced to 2.3 percent and consumer

prices index decreased to 2.5 percent in January, Ecevit stressed that the

inflation index for manufacturing industry which was called core inflation

reduced to 1.7 percent.

''We are offering payment facility in installments to taxpayers who couldn't

pay their tax debts, relieving the tradesmen, craftsmen and small and medium

scale enterprises,'' he said.

''We have given the start for a work at the Council of Ministers to bring a

rapid solution to problems of villagers and farmers. I hope that we can

announce results of this soon,'' he said.

The Prime Minister said that they would hold a meeting with the officials and

experts to determine measures and solutions which would accelerate works of

all productive circles.

''Our aim is not only to settle stability in the economy but also dynamism in

the economy, more investments and production, more employment and social

justice. One of the main conditions for achieving these is rapid working of

legislative and executive organs in harmony,'' he said.

''Yesterday, a spokesman from the oppostion said, 'don't do the jobs hastily

and carelessly'. However, not only the government but also Turkey has to act

quickly. Because, we are determined to solve long-standing problems and reduce

the inflation,'' he said.

Ecevit stressed that there were numerous draft laws to reduce inflation,

increase income level of people, prevent unemployment, revive productive

economy, activate promised foreign sources and develop democracy.

''All these entail a rapid work at the parliament. Therefore, we have to

change the parliamentary by-law. Last week's discussions on change in the

parliamentary by-law resulted in demise of Fevzi Sihanlioglu, a deputy from

the True Path Party (DYP). Sihanlioglu died of heart attack during the

fistfights overshadowing prestige of the parliament. Meanwhile, I want to

stress that the Parliamentary General Assembly Hall has some inconveniences

due to its architectural structure. On that night, those who wanted to prevent

speeches and votes, could easily occupy platform,'' he stressed.

Ecevit added, ''our government has been recording progress to achieve its

targets with determination despite all difficulties. As a result of our works,

separatist movements and terrorism have come to the level of eradication;

inflation has begun to decrease; and that all measures have been taken against

corruptions. We are determined to continue to expend all efforts for

prosperity of our people.''

-32 THOUSAND TURKISH AND FOREIGN TOURISTS VISIT YEDIGOLLER LAST YEAR
ZONGULDAK - A total of 32 thousand Turkish and foreign tourists visited

Yedigoller National Park in 2000.

Kadir Bilgili, an official from Zonguldak National Parks Directorate, said on

Wednesday that Yedigoller National Park was at the border of northern

Zonguldak and Bolu provinces, adding that there were seven lakes in the park.

Last year, a total of 32 thousand Turkish and foreign tourists visited

Yedigoller National Park, said Bilgili, and added that April and May were the

best months to visit the lakes.

There are 238 different plant species in the park, added Bilgili.

-TIM TO SUBMIT PROBLEMS OF EXPORTERS IN TOMORROW'S SUMMIT
ISTANBUL - Turkish Exporters Assembly (TIM), will bring demands of the

exporters' associations to the agenda of the real sector summit which will be

held with the leaders on Thursday.

Okan Oguz, the chairman of TIM, underlined importance of the initiative of the

governmnent which aimed at bringing solution to the problems of the real

sector in the summit that will be held with the participation of

industrialists, exporters and tradesmen, adding that discussion of those

measures was important.

Such meetings should be organized frequently, said Oguz and added that

tommorrow's summit was important as the problems of the real sector and

proposals for solution of these problems would be discussed.

Noting that he would represent TIM in the summit, Oguz said he would meet with

the chairmen of the exports sector and would prepare a report comprising of

their demands.

Oguz said that in the report, they would explain how the economic problems

which the exporters encounter due to the pressure on currency exchange, could

be solved.

Results of such summits are more important than organization of such meetings

said Oguz, and underlined the importance of implementing the measures that

would bring solutions to the problems of the real sector.

Oguz said the targets for exports in 2001 could be reached if the government

met the expectations of the sector about production, exports and investments.

-PASSENGER BUS COLLIDES WITH A LORRY, KILLING THREE
PEOPLE AND INJURING 31 OTHERS
TRABZON - A passenger bus collided with a lorry on Wednesday near Yoroz

Seneralti region in Akcabat township of northern Trabzon province, killing

three people and injuring 31 others.

Officials at Trabzon Governor's Office said that the passenger bus which was

on its way from Georgian capital of Tbilisi to Istanbul, collided with the

lorry near Yoroz Seneralti region in Akcabat township.

Lorry driver Ibrahim Aksahin, 31, Salim Hicyilmaz, 17, and bus driver Turgut

Yagci, 43, lost their lives in the accident.

A total of 31 passengers including 29 Georgians were injured in the accident.

They were rushed to hospitals.

-GONZALES, CUBAN DIRECTOR GENERAL
RESPONSIBLE FOR SPORTS VISITS TURKEY
ANKARA - Roberto Gonzales, the Director General responsible for youth and

sports institute of Cuba, came to Turkey on Wednesday.

Gonzales who visited Kemal Mutlu, the Director of the Directorate General of

Youth and Sports, asked Mutlu in which branches Turkey felt the need for

sports experts.

Inviting Mutlu to Cuba, Gonzales said that in his visit, he could give better

information about the sports experts.

Gonzales recalled that Turkey had achieved great success in Sydney 2000

Olympic Games, in wrestling and weight lifting, and that they wanted to

continue their cooperation with Turkey in sports.

Mutlu in his part said they appreciated the success of Cuba in training sports

experts adding that the Turkish federations were conducting works to determine

the fields in which Turkey and Cuba could cooperate.

We could cooperate in boxing, athletism, and swimming said Mutlu adding that

they needed experts especially in athletism.

Miguel Lamazares Puello, the Ambassador of Cuba to Turkey, was also in

attendance at the meeting.

-PRESIDENT SEZER:
-''CROATIA IS A COUNTRY WHICH HAS IMPORTANCE FOR THE PEACE,
STABILITY AND PROSPERITY OF SOUTHEASTERN EUROPE''
ANKARA - President Ahmet Necdet Sezer said on Wednesday that Croatia is a

country which has importance for the peace, stability and prosperity of

Southeastern Europe.

Sezer hosted an official ceremony for Croatian President Stjepan Mesic, who is

paying an official visit to Ankara, at the Presidential Palace.

President Sezer said that after Croatia gained its independence, the relations

between Turkey and Croatia have rapidly developed.

Sezer continued, ''Turkey and Croatia, which have developed their friendly

relations on the basis of mutual understanding and mutual interests, are the

elements of peace and stability in their region. We will search for

opportunities to further improve and intensify our relations and cooperation

during our contact.''

He appreciates the policies followed by Mesic and Croatian government, Sezer

noted.

Sezer stated that Croatia takes rapid steps to integrate with the Europe- Atlantic

institutions and organizations, adding, ''availing myself of this opportunity,

I would like to emphasize that our country is closely interested in and

supports the efforts of Croatia in this direction.''

Mesic said that Turkey was one of the leading countries which defended that

the Yugoslavia crisis had to be solved by peaceful methods.

Reminding that Milosevic declared a war in the former Yugoslavian territory,

Mesic said that Turkey was one of the countries which exerted most of the

efforts to end this war.

Mesic noted that the relations with Turkey and Croatia are further developing.

The two countries have joint strategic interests, Mesic stated, noting that

Croatia wants to become a NATO member.

Mesic stressed that to this end, they aim at integrating with the European

Union (EU) and similar organizations.

His visit proves the high-ranking good relations between the two countries,

Mesic said, adding that he expects this visit to be very beneficial.

Mesic invited Sezer to his country.

Parliament Speaker Omer Izgi, State Minister Fikret Unlu, Foreign Minister

Ismail Cem, Tourism Minister Erkan Mumcu, Foreign Ministry Deputy

Undersecretary Yigit Aypogan also attended the ceremony.

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