Anadolu Agency: News in English, 01-03-07

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ANADOLU AGENCY

NEWS

07 MARCH

2001 Wednesday

CONTENTS

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

[02] MACEDONIAN PRESIDENT CALLS SEZER ON THE PHONE TO GIVE INFORMATION

[03] SALES OF LARGE HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCES STOPS AFTER CRISIS

[04] TURKEY CONDEMNS TERRORIST ATTACKS ON MACEDONIA-KOSOVO BORDER

[05] WOMEN STILL FAR BEHIND MEN IN TURKISH WORK LIFE

[06] CULTURE MINISTRY TO CELEBRATE NEVRUZ ALL OVER TURKEY

[07] EFFORTS UNDERWAY TO ADOPT EU STANDARDS AT TURKISH HOSPITALS

[08] FARMERS IN SOUTH EAST RELIEVED AFTER LAST MONTHS'S RAIN

[09] MIRZAOGLU:''ECONOMY WILL RECOVER WITHIN SIX MONTHS''

[10] TRNC HOTELS ARE ONLY HALF FULL DURING HOLIDAY

[11] DSI INITIATES POTABLE WATER PROJECT IN ISTANBUL

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

GOVERNMENT HERALDS ADDITIONAL PAY RISE
Coalition leaders heralded additional pay rise after the Feast for government clerks and pensioners. Coalition leaders, in separate statements they made, assured that they would not let the civil servants get knocked down by the increasing inflation rate, and that the increase in the inflation rate would be reflected directly to the government clerks' and pensioners' wages.

MILLIYET

MYSTERIOUS WEALTH UNDER CLOSE SCRUTINY
The Finance Ministry is following the case filed against Umay Günay and Ayzit Türkes, the two daughters of the late-Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) Alparslan Türkes from his first wife, by his second wife. If the two sisters are proven to have drawn their father's TL 1,2 trillion from his account at a British bank, they will have to pay a TL 121 billion inheritance tax with an added fine.

SABAH (LIBERAL)

DISPUTED BIENNIAL STARTS
The Women's Biennial, held annually between March 8-31, aimed at a more wide-spread understanding of the importance of March 8, will take start on Thursday at Istanbul's Academy Istanbul, with the screening of Mississippi Masala. Various events, including concerts, conferences, exhibitions, and recitals will take place within the framework of the biennial.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

Association to Support Modern Life Chairwoman Prof. Turkan Saylan has said that women all around the world still faced discrimination and unfair treatment both at home and at work as well as killings, beatings and being sold like a property.

TURKISH TEXTILE SECTOR: ''STABILITY IS SOLUTION FOR
FOREIGN COMPETITION''
Textile sector which is Turkey's drawing force in export was directly affected by the economic crisis. Due to the increasing competition in domestic and foreign markets, the Turkish textile sector suffered serious problems in the recent years. Floating the foreign currency rates raised hopes in the textile sector since this could increase export. However the sales have almost stopped in doemstic markets disappointing many textile companies. Istanbul Ready-to-Wear and Textile Exporters Association Chariman Nuri Artok said that production and stability was preconditions for export. He also added that they should rebuild people's confidence in markets.

RADIKAL (LEFT)

BILL INTRODUCES HEAVY FINES AGAINST CHILD LABOR
A bill prepared by the Labor and Social Security Ministry proposed to fine employers two and a half billion TL for every child under the age of 18 they employ at dangerous and exhausting jobs, and a fine of five billion TL for the repetition of the offense. The bill foresees that children under the age of 18 cannot work at jobs that involve alcohol and cigarette production, in professions requiring them to work under the water, underground, in noisy environments, or in duties necessitating long hours of standing up. Children over the age of 14 will be able to be employed at fields to pick up flowers and vegetables, feeding animals, at fish farms, libraries, fairs and exhibitions, as sales people at bakeries and grocers', and at restaurants which do not serve alcoholic beverages, provided that they have completed their compulsory education.

TURKIYE (RIGHT)

DERVIS SAYS POWERFUL POLITICAL AND SOCIAL SUPPORT
ESSENTIAL FOR ECONOMIC PROGRAM
State Minister Kemal Dervis who is going to the United States today to submit his resignation to the World Bank has said that the government was resolved to continue the economic program. He pointed out that the program needed support from politicians and people to reach its goals. Dervis also said that foreign financing was essential for the program's success.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

-STATE MINISTER DERVIS SAYS BALANCE OF PAYMENTS WILL BE IMPORTANT
LEG OF ECONOMIC PROGRAM
ANKARA - State Minister Kemal Dervis has said that there was no economic program entirely shaped and added that he was not going to the United States to discuss this program.

Speaking to reporters at Ankara's Esenboga Airport prior to his departure to the United States on Tuesday evening, Dervis said he would get the views of certain circles in the United States which are interested in the Turkish economy. ''There will be no political discussions during my contacts. It will be only technical and economical,'' he stressed.

Responding to a question on IMF support to the program, he said the IMF and other international institutions should give stronger support to the program.

Stressing the national quality of the economic program will be good for Turkey, he contended.

The program definitely needs foreign financing, he continued. ''We'll receive a certain amount of support from these institutions. However, they want to see the entire program and they have the right to ask for this,'' he commented.

''More than the foreign support, the Turkish people should trust the program. Therefore, we should show everything as they are, we should explain all the truth openly in a way everybody could understand. If we do this, we'll have their support,'' he responded to another question.

Balance of payment will constitute an important leg of the economic program, he stated.

There is a series of regulations that they want Parliament to pass, Dervis said, adding that the program could not be formed without Parliament support.

Dwelling on inflation, he said they would work to bring down the inflation rate to a reasonable figure by the end of this year. The inflation will be high in the next one or two months, he said adding that there is no reason for the inflation fall down quickly if they form a program and regain people's confidence.

''There're also some good news. Turkey's export is already increasing and we're expecting a good tourism season,'' he said.

He also pointed out that bureaucrats will be appointed to fill the vacant positions in the shortest time possible.

-NINE TURKISH HAJ PILGRIMS DIE IN MECCA
MECCA - Nine more Turkish haj pilgrims died on Tuesday in Mecca.

The deaths brought the number of Turkish worshippers who lost their lives to 44 during this years pilgrimage.

Five of the pilgrims were killed in the stampede during a ritual symbolizing the stoning of satan on Monday. The other pilgrims died of natural causes.

[02] MACEDONIAN PRESIDENT CALLS SEZER ON THE PHONE TO GIVE INFORMATION

The Macedonian president expressed concern over the rising tension in the region. President Trajkovsky drew attention to the importance of his country as an element of balance and peace, in the troubled Balkan region. He expressed belief that Turkey, which he said had always exerted efforts to contribute to regional peace and stability, would continue its efforts.

''President Sezer, for his part, said that Turkey had always attached importance to peace and stability in the Balkans, and would do her best to tackle elements which pose a threat against Macedonia's security and stability. President Sezer condemned the latest terrorist attacks, and said it was essential to make sure that full respect was shown to the national unity and territorial integrity of the regional countries,'' the statement said.

[03] SALES OF LARGE HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCES STOPS AFTER CRISIS

Bursa Durable Consumption Products Association Chairman Lutfu Ulukardesler told the A.A that the floatation of the foreign currency stopped their sales. ''All sales campaigns were cancelled and we had to increase prices 11 percent,'' he pointed out.

''There is still uncertainties in foreign currency rates. The government has to overcome this crisis in the shortest time possible. Otherwise, nobody will use credits with an interest rate of 150 percent. Nobody will buy anything from us with these interest rates.''

[04] TURKEY CONDEMNS TERRORIST ATTACKS ON MACEDONIA-KOSOVO BORDER

The Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday that Turkey expressed its concern regarding the increasing tension in the region at the NATO Ministers Council meeting on Feb. 27, 2001. ''Turkey strongly condemns the incident which killed three Macedonian soldiers,'' the Foreign Ministry said.

The ministry pointed out that the extremists on the northern border of Macedonia escalated violeence and started threatening the stability in the Balkans. Turkey will support Macedonia's efforts to solve the problem through diplomatic ways, it was added.

''Turkey respects Macedonia's territorial integrity and its borders which were drawn by international agreements,'' the ministry said. ''It strongly supports the Macedonian Republic's authorities efforts to bring a solution to the problem with the international community. Turkey expects all countries to respect the officially recognized borders of Macedonia and other countries in the region and believes that this is a precondition to maintain stability and safety of the Balkans.''

[05] WOMEN STILL FAR BEHIND MEN IN TURKISH WORK LIFE

A research conducted by Sule Ozkuzukiran, an expert at Turk-Is Women Workers Bureau revealed that the number of men and women are close to equal among teachers, textile business and medicine.

Most working women are employed at positions which don't require any specialization while other work at temporary jobs or they work at home, therefore they are not registered. A majority of these women work at weaving and textile related works which are quite labourious.

Women's employment are low in big cities while their participation in work force is quite high in rural areas. However, more than 62 percent of women who work in rural areas don't receive any wages and work free to bring income to their families.

Women are employed 24 percent in scientific and technical fields, one percent as executives, 23 percent in administrative fields, four percent in sales, and 13 percent as maids and cleaning personnel.

Women, both in Turkey and all over the world, are paid 25 percent lower compared to men for doing the same job. They spend five times more time as men for housework and child care. Women constitute 44 percent of the literate population while only 3 percent of women have university degrees.

Law that protect working women in Turkey is limited by birth leave and nursing leave. When women have to continue working despite the increasing number of children she has, their performance at work declines and they causes more job accidents. They become worn out both physically and pyschologically. 70 percent of women have to quit working because of marriage and having children while 20 percent are fired from their jobs because of the same reasons.

Women's participation in work life is the highest between the ages of 20- 24. Their participation drops to 35 percent between 25-39 during which many women get married and have children. Meanwhile, men's participation in work life increases from 84 to 98 percent in the same age periods.

[06] CULTURE MINISTRY TO CELEBRATE NEVRUZ ALL OVER TURKEY

A cartoon film prepared by the TRT will be shown at TRT and other TV channels. Singers of the Ankara State Chorus Belkis Akkale and Bedri Ayseli will perform at concerts in Belgium.

The Ankara State Theaters will stage plays on March 20 while the State Opera and Ballet will perform a musical play for children on March 19.

A photography exhibition will open at Parliament on the Nevruz theme on March 21.

The National Lottery Administration will have a Nevruz drawing in Bitlis' Ahlat township.

[07] EFFORTS UNDERWAY TO ADOPT EU STANDARDS AT TURKISH HOSPITALS

Giray, who spoke to reporters about studies to bring hospitals attached to the Health Ministry to EU standards, said that a draft program was being prepared for this purpose, and it would soon be submitted to the Parliament for ratification. Their first goal was to provide a standard training for all hospital personnel. Noting that the Health Ministry personnel had first been provided with a 9-month language course, Giray said his directorate was working in coordination and cooperation with the Ankara University's European Organizations Research and Practice Center.

"We are carrying out studies and activities in order to catch up with EU standards also in hospital management and inspection. Within this context, the hospitals will have their own managers, but inspections will be carried out by inspectors from other institutions. This will help us maintain a standard quality in hospital services.''

"These councils will accept complaints and suggestions, and will be the mechanisms that will bring solutions. The three major problems we are faced with in Turkish hospitals are long queues of patients, physician malpractice, and wrong diagnosis. With the implementation of our adaptation program, these problems will hopefully be solved to a certain extent,'' Giray said.

"As a solution to the problem of long lines, we are planning to adopt an appointment system or a regional system. We should also make sure that all state hospitals adopted a computerized patient registration system, which will surely save a lot of time and energy for both the doctors, and the patients, and of course, the hospital management.''

"The duty of a chief of medical staff is to perform medical directorate, he or she is not supposed to be responsible of managing the doctors, the clerks, and the canteen staff. Our major problem is that we are not so good at setting up goals for ourselves. The Turkish state and government offices are like feudal lordships. I believe that rendering every single hospital staff clear about their job specifications, will be a major step towards solving this problem," he concluded.

[08] FARMERS IN SOUTH EAST RELIEVED AFTER LAST MONTHS'S RAIN

Farmers in Sanliurfa which is the second biggest wheat producer after Konya had been suffering from draught for three years. The farmers were a little relieved when it rained in the second half of last month. Sanliurfa Meteorology Director Hasan Altunpak said they had not received the rain they expected to in March, adding that they were expecting more rain after the Feast of Sacrifice.

Agriculture Director Rustem Coskun said an area of 783,600 hectars were planted with beans and grains in Sanliurfa region which meets a majority of Turkey's need. He said they would face no risk of draught if it also rains in March and April.

[09] MIRZAOGLU:''ECONOMY WILL RECOVER WITHIN SIX MONTHS''

''We were going to float the foreing currency in June but we had to do it five months in advance due to the row between the president and the prime minister. We'll bring the U.S. dollar to 800,000 TL in the shortest time possible,'' he told residents of in Icel's Erdemli township.

The government is taking a series of measures to pull the tradesmen out of its economic troubles such as delaying the farmers' debts and freezing interests, he explained.

Responding to a question, Mirzaoglu said ''We don't have to do everything the IMF wants us to do.'' ''However just like other countries, we get their views. It's the government's business to put them into practice or not. The IMF could only have recommendations,'' he added.

[10] TRNC HOTELS ARE ONLY HALF FULL DURING HOLIDAY

Due to the economic crisis in Turkey, 15 percent of reservations were cancelled leaving the hotels only half full. During last year's Ramadan holiday the hotels were almost hundred percent booked up.

Hotel owners pointed out that they didn't increase the prices after the foreign currency was floated.

[11] DSI INITIATES POTABLE WATER PROJECT IN ISTANBUL

The project's goal is to meet middle and long-run water demands of the crowded metropolitan. It is DSI's largest investment after GAP, which will have been completed at a cost of $ 1,5 billion.

The Great Potable Water Project involves two sub projects, namely Yesilcay and Buyuk Melen, and it aims to meet the potable water demand of Istanbul until 2040. Once completed, the two projects will provide Istanbul with an annual amount of 413 billion cubic meters of water, which makes it an annual investment per person of TL 75 million.

The Yesilcay project, which had been commenced in 1997, will have been completed by next year, and will provide Istanbul with an annual amount of 145 million cubic meters of water. It will have been completed at a cost of $271 million. The groundwork of the first stage of Melen Project will be laid this year in the month of April. The project will be fully operational in 2004, and it will provide the metropolitan with an annual amount of 268 million cubic meters.

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