Anadolu Agency: News in English, 01-03-11

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ANADOLU AGENCY

NEWS

11 MARCH

2001 Monday

CONTENTS

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

[02] TERRORISTS INJURE ONE PRIVATE IN TUNCELI

[03] TURKISH BUSINESSMEN DELEGATION TO VISIT IRAQ ON MONDAY

[04] AZERBAIJANI PRESIDENT ALIYEV'S VISIT TO TURKEY TO START ON MONDAY

[05] ADANA INDUSTRY CHAMBER CHAIRMAN OZGUMUS SAYS

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

COTTARELLI LEAVES TURKEY
Carlo Cottarelli, the IMF Turkey Desk Chief, who completed his contacts in Ankara, left Turkey on Saturday. Cottarelli who came to Istanbul from Ankara at 14.00 local time, later left for Rome.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

DERVIS MEETS WITH MEXICAN CENTRAL BANK GOVERNOR
State Minister met with Mexican Central Bank Governor in the U.S. and he learnt about the methods Mexico used in overcoming an economic crisis five years ago.

SABAH (LIBERAL)

DERVIS IS VERY FAST
State Minister Kemal Dervis called bureaucrats to a meeting at 06.30 local time tomorrow. The new programme will be discussed at tomorrow's meeting and the leaders summit will be held after that. Dervis will explain the decisions that should be taken at the meeting of Council of Ministers which will convene at 11.00 local time.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

ACCIDENT IN CANAKKALE STRAIT
A ship loaded with coal, hit a tanker which was sailing in front of it and which was carrying fuel oil in Marmara Sea entrance of Canakkale strait on Saturday. The 9,117 gross tons Cambodian flagged ship which was carrying coal from Ukraine, hit the Maltese-flagged tanker from its poop, when it entered the Canakkale strait from Marmara Sea. The 17,246 gross tons tanker namely ''Fair Skies'' was carrying 27,850 tons of fuel oil from Ukraine to Greece. The accident took place due to light fog in Doganaslan region of Gelibolu and it caused material damage in both ships. Officials said that there are no casualties in the accident.

RADIKAL (LEFT)

MINOR TREMOR IN MARMARIS
An earthquake measuring 3.3 on the Richter scale shook Marmaris township of western Mugla province on Friday night. Bogaziici University Kandilli Observatory said that the tremor which shook Marmaris at 22.39 local time, was also felt in neighbouring towns.

TURKIYE (RIGHT)

ALIYEV TO VISIT TURKEY
Azerbaijani President Haydar Aliyev will come to Turkey on Monday for a five-day official visit. Aliyev will discuss natural gas pipeline and Karabakh issues with Turkish officials. The guest president will come together with state officials and the ninth president Suleyman Demirel in Ankara.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

CHP LEADER BAYKAL SAYS HE WON'T DISMISS ANYBODY FROM PARTY
Deniz Baykal, the leader of the Republican Peoples' Party (CHP) reacted to the accusations of certain party members against him saying that he would dismiss certain party members. Baykal wanted the fight within the party to be finished.

-STATE MINISTER GEMICI SAYS EXISTANCE OF TURKS IN EUROPE
IS FELT IN ALL FIELDS
KOLN - State Minister Hasan Gemici, who is currently in Germany said on Saturday that the existance of Turks in Europe is felt in all fields.

Addressing the award ceremony held by the Association of Turkish Businessmen and Industrialists (ATIAD) for successful students in Koln city of Germany, Gemici said that 40 years passed since the arrival of Turks in Germany. ''The existance of Turks is felt in Europe and Germany now and they contribute significantly to the economies of their countries,'' said Gemici.

Noting that ATIAD's awarding successful students in Germany is very meaningful, Gemici said that ''our people living in Europe want to live in peace without losing their own existance, culture. As long as their education level gets higher, their contributions to German economy, industry, social and cultural life will further improve.''

Turkish Consul General in Koln Mehmet Donmez said in his part that ATIAD comes the first in non-governmental organizations (NGOs) which contribute to social, cultural and economic activities.

North Rhine Westphalia Education Ministry Undersecretary Marietrud Schrewen said that education and science have never had national and cultural limits.

The awards of ATIAD were given to Phd students, faculty and high school graduates and those who completed vocational and apprenticeship education.

-CEREMONY HELD AT TURKISH-SYRIAN BORDER UPON
RESUMING OF RAIL TRAVEL BETWEEN SYRIA AND IRAN
ISLAHIYE - A ceremony was held on the Turkish-Syrian border on Saturday upon the resuming of rail travel between Syria and Iran after 19 years.

Afrin head official Gen. Hasan Anbar, who attended the ceremony on behalf of Syria, said that the rail travel will pass via Turkey and this will further improve the relations between Turkey and Syria.

Anbar stressed that Turkey has contributed a lot to resuming of the rail travel, thanking Turkish officals.

Islahiye head official Ilhan Uran said in his part that the train travel is a positive step in improving the relations with Syria, adding that they will launch efforts for the continuation of the rail travel.

The Trans Asian Express which entered Turkey from Meydani Ekber Border gate of Syria, left for Tehran with one passanger namely Muhammed Sıh Seydi (23). The train which came from the northern Syrian city of Aleppo, will pass through Fevzipasa, Islahiye, Malatya, Elazıg and Van Kapıkoy border gate and arrive in Tehran, Iran.

Many officials from Turkey and Syria attended the ceremony.

[02] TERRORISTS INJURE ONE PRIVATE IN TUNCELI

A group of terrorists opened fire on the gendarme station and injured Ramazan Saltan, a private in the attack.

The injured private was hospitalized.

Operations against terrorists are underway in the region.

-FOREIGN MINISTER CEM SAYS ERECTING MONUMENT IN MEMORY OF
SO-CALLED GENOCIDE CLAIMS IN FRANCE IS A WRONG, INAPPRORIATE
AND DISRESPECTFUL BEHAVIOUR
ANKARA - Foreign Minister Ismail Cem said on Sunday that erecting a monument in the memory of so-called genocide on Armenians in Sevr suburb near Paris, France, is a wrong, inappropriate and disrespectful behaviour.

Cem responded to questions in the state-run television channel TRT-1 about claims of so-called genocide on Armenians, the situation in the Balkans, the Middle East and Turkey-U.S. relations.

Noting there are local elections in France, Cem said that the issue of so- called genocide on Armenians is manipulated by French politicians for political interests.

Cem said that a part of the Armenian society has the weakness of trying to realize its own unity by keeping alive an historical animosity.

Cem said that the West takes up the Kosovo problem by having certain mistakes. Cem stressed that the groups founded to find solutions to the problems in the Balkans are composed of countries which don't have information and special sensitivity about the Balkans. Cem noted that countries such as Turkey and Greece should take more role in solution mechanisms, adding that he told Macedonian Foreign Minister Sırcan Kerim on the phone on Saturday that Turkey's all sorts of support to Macedonia will continue.

Upon a question, Cem said that the Middle East policies of the U.S. are not clear yet, adding that ''Israel elections seem as a factor which will make difficult the things in the Middle East.'' Cem indicated that Turkey continues its contacts with both sides, adding that Turkey will be in the process when the sides feel the need of her.

Cem remarked that the the Cyprus issue and the Iraqi issue have priority in the relations between Turkey and the U.S., adding that he does not like the policies of the U.S. about Cyprus.

''I expect a more objective attitude from the U.S. regarding the Cyprus issue. The U.S.'s Cyprus policy should not be to persuade Turkey about the views of Greece and the Greek Cypriot side,'' Cem said.

Cem noted that the other important issue in the relations between Turkey- U.S. is the need to overcome the loss of Turkey due to the embargo imposed on Iraq, adding that Turkey expects more support from the U.S. about this issue.

-INVESTIGATION INTO SHIP ACCIDENT IN CANAKKALE STRAIT CONTINUES
CANAKKALE - The investigation into the ship accident which took place in Doganaslan region of Canakkale Strait on Saturday, continues.

The ship loaded with coal and the tanker loaded with fuel oil which were damaged by the collision, will be brought to Tuzla, Istanbul for repair.

Tuncay Sarı, Gelibolu Port head official started to question the captains and crew of both ships to find out the reason of the accident.

Officials said that following the clarification of the reason of the accident, the file will be sent to Gelibolu Chief Prosecutor's Office.

The Cambodian-flagged ship ''Yucetan'' carrying coal hit Maltese-flagged fuel oil tanker ''Fair Skies'' on its poop, while it entered Canakkale Strait from Marmara Sea.

-STATE MINISTER MIRZAOGLU LEAVES FOR U.S.
ISTANBUL - State Minister Ramazan Mirzaoglu said on Sunday that the ship traffic management and information system is planned to be set up in Turkish Straits in October or November this year.

Mirzaoglu went to the U.S. to hold contacts about maritime issues and to examine the ship traffic management and information system which will be set up in Turkish straits.

Staging a press briefing at Ataturk Airport before his departure, Mirzaoglu said that the project is an important step for further improving the security of passages through the Turkish straits and for protecting the historical, cultural and environment.

Mirzaoglu said that the tenders related to the system have been completed and the infrastructure constructions started last month, adding that Loockheed Martin Overseas firm in the U.S will produce the electronics and technological parts of the system.

The construction of the system's inrastructure will be completed in June this year and its electonics and technical parts will be assembled in July or August.

''Ship Traffic Management and Information System which will be set up in Turkish straits is planned to fully operate in October or November this year. We will examine the electronic devices produced by Loockheed Martin Overseas firm in the U.S. and the operations of the similar systems in Syracuse and New Orleans. We will also meet with U.S. coast guard officials and search for technical and education cooperation opportunities,'' he said.

Mirzaoglu pointed out that the cost of the system including the infrastructure services and electronic systems is 28 million U.S. dollars, adding that ''this is same as the cost of a middle-size cargo ship which sinks in Turkish straits. This is a very reasonable cost.''

-SIVEREK DEPUTY MAYOR INAL SAYS 25-KM OF SEWER SYSTEM
COLLAPSES IN FLOOD
SANLIURFA/SIVEREK - Siverek deputy mayor Sehmus Inal said on Sunday that the 25 kilometer of sewer system in Siverek township of southeastern Sanlıurfa province collapsed.

Siverek was seriously damaged by the flood disaster that took place on March 8, said Inal.

Inal said that people continue to discharge water from the inundated business places and houses, adding that water can't still be given to

Gulabibey, Fırat and Ofis districts, because the transformers are out of order.

[03] TURKISH BUSINESSMEN DELEGATION TO VISIT IRAQ ON MONDAY

Many businessmen from almost all sectors particularly from food, automotive and spare parts, food industry and medicine sectors will be in the delegation that will visit Iraq under the coordination of the Foreign Trade.

The first trade delegation went to Iraq at the end of Feb. last year within the strategy of the Foreign Trade Undersecretariat to increase trade with neighbouring countries.

Meanwhile newspapers published in Baghdad widely covered the visit of the Turkish trade delegation to Iraq.

[04] AZERBAIJANI PRESIDENT ALIYEV'S VISIT TO TURKEY TO START ON MONDAY

Aliyev will meet with President Ahmet Necdet Sezer, and receive Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit, the former president Suleyman Demirel, Parliament Speaker Omer Izgi, deputy premiers Devlet Bahceli and Mesut Yılmaz and Foreign Minister Ismail Cem.

Aliyev, who will proceed to Istanbul on Wednesday following his contacts in Ankara, will have contacts there and return to Ankara on Friday again and get honourary doctorate degree from Ankara University. Aliyev will leave Turkey the same day.

Both bilateral relations, Turkey's purchase of oil from Azerbaijan and Karabakh problem are expected to be taken up in the interdelegationary meetings that will be held under the leadership of Sezer and Aliyev.

Armenia which occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijani territories, had seized power in Hocali, Shusha, Lachyn, Kalbajar, Agdam, Fizuli, Agdere, Cebrail, Kubatlı and Zengelan in Upper Karabakh during its occupation which started in Feb. 1992. The sides signed cease-fire agreement on May 12, 1994 and the problem was left to be solved in time. No concrete result was taken from the bilateral contacts of the Azerbaijani and Armenian leaders had to date.

-FOUNDATION OF 2,556 PERMANENT DWELLINGS TO BE LAID DOWN
IN KOCAELI TILL END OF THIS MONTH
IZMIT - The Ministry of Public Works and Housing and the World Bank will construct 2,556 permanent dwellings in quake-hit Kocaeli province.

The Ministry will construct 300 houses in Derince, 500 in Korfez, the World Bank will finance the construction of 506 houses in Karamursel and 1,250 in Hisareyn town of Kocaeli.

The foundation of the buildings is expected to be laid down till the end of this month. The houses are planned to be delivered to quake victims till the end of this year.

The construction of 7,378 houses have been started by the Ministry and the construction of 7,926 houses by the World Bank in Kocaeli to date.

The owners of 15,900 permanent dwellings totally have been determined by lots in January, this year.

[05] ADANA INDUSTRY CHAMBER CHAIRMAN OZGUMUS SAYS

Speaking to A.A correspondent, Ozgumus said that the function of State Minister Kemal Dervis in improvement of the economy has been exaggerated a little bit.

''The structural problems which continue for 30 years can't be solved in few days or in 1-2 months ,'' said Ozgumus and noted that ''first of all the expectations have to be put on a proper basis. The new programme is a new hope. The deficiencies of the previous programme have to be taken into consideration and the same mistakes should not be repeated. The new programme should be directed at production and particularly exports. The officials have to meet with the representatives of various sections before implementing the programme and the final shape has to be given to the economic programme by taking into consideration their views. But if one has to be realistic, we should not expect a miracle, because State Minister Dervis does not have 30 billion dollars in his pocket,'' he said.

-EU'S NEW TARGET IS TURKEY'S PUBLIC PURCHASES MARKET
ANKARA - European Union (EU) started to take action for the public purchases market in Turkey, which is worth of billion dollars and which also includes great tenders of Turkey.

The negotiations started between the EU and Turkey for reciprocal liberalization of services sector and public purchases are held in a very contentious atmosphere.

Representatives of almost all sectors in Turkey participate in the negotiations on services sector held under the leadership of the Foreign Ministry, yet the Finance Ministry mainly coordinates the negotiations on public purchases.

EU side particularly attributes importance to public purchases in the negotiations held within the framework of the Accession for Partnership Accord's provision on reciprocal liberalization of services and public purchases markets.

EU, which wants the State Tender Law to be in line with the directives of the EU, also wishes full liberalization of public purchases reciprocally. EU tries to make EU member countries' firms participate directly and freely in the tenders of Turkey like domestic firms of Turkey. The EU wants to have a great advantage against third countries' firms in Turkey like the U.S, Japan and South Korea.

Foreign firms can't join the tenders in Turkey under the existing circumstances.

As the state's influence in the country's economy is still high, public purchases have a share which is more than 15 percent in Turkey's trade, a high ranking bureaucrat said, adding that public purchases market is very attractive for the EU. He added that EU firms will have great advantages by joining the tenders in Turkey when compared to the business the Turkish firms will undertake in EU member countries.

Turkish side in its part wants the services and labour to move freely between EU and Turkey.

Meanwhile bureaucrats who carry out the negotiations with the EU wanted the private sector to carry out studies in EU countries in the field of public purchases. They said that the private sector has to inform them about what kinds of public purchases can be undertaken by Turkish firms and in which EU countries.

''The loss and gain of Turkey should be calculated well in case of full liberalization of public purchases,'' they added.

-PREMIER ECEVIT SAYS APPOINTMENTS WILL BE MADE SOON AFTER
MEETING WITH STATE MINISTER DERVIS
ANKARA - Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said on Sunday that appointments will be made to the Treasury Undersecretariat and Banking Regulation and Inspection Council (BDDK) chairmanship soon after meeting with State Minister Kemal Dervis.

Speaking to reporters after the coalition leaders meeeting, Ecevit said that they discussed the appointments in bureaucracy and the issue of domestic sources.

''One of the issues which we took up was that of the appointments to the Treasury Undersecretariat and BDDK chairmanship,'' said Ecevit.

Noting that they focused on certain names, but they expect Dervis to come to Turkey to conclude this issue, Prime Minister Ecevit said that they carry out detailed work on domestic sources for a certain period of time.

''These studies will be concluded soon and they will be announced,'' Ecevit said.

Upon another question, Ecevit said that he expected a positive atmosphere in markets on Monday.

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