Anadolu Agency: News in English, 01-03-24

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ANADOLU AGENCY

NEWS

24 MARCH

2001saturday

CONTENTS

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

[02] 3.1 PERCENT RISE IN PETROL PRICES

[03] IPU CONFERENCE TO BE HELD IN HAVANA

[04] PRESIDENT SEZER SENDS MESSAGE TO AMERICAN-TURKISH COUNCIL MEETING

[05] FOREIGN MINISTER HAS INTENSE PROGRAM IN WASHINGTON D.C.

[06] STATE MINISTER DERVIS TO SEARCH FOR SUPPORT IN U.S.

[07] ALMOST 70 DWELLINGS AND WORKPLACES INUNDATED IN DIYARBAKIR DUE TO TORRENTIAL RAINS

[08] SAINT VINCENT-FLAGGED SHIP RUNS AGROUND OFFSHORE BEYKOZ

[09] STATE MINISTER KECECILER: -''CUSTOMS ADMINISTRATION IS THE INSTITUTION WHICH IS CLOSEST TO THE EU REGULATIONS''

[10] NATIONAL PROGRAM ISSUED IN OFFICIAL GAZETTE

[11] INDUSTRIALISTS FROM SIVAS DUE TO EGYPT

[12] WORLD WATER COUNCIL DELEGATION IN HARRAN

[13] BUDGETARY DEFICIT DECREASES 96.7 PERCENT IN TWO MONTHS

[14] MINOR QUAKE IN MARMARA SEA

[15] CITY HABITAT PROJECT TO BE PUT TO PRACTICE IN IZMIR

[16] AGRICULTURE MINISTER GOKALP DUE TO SYRIA

[17] NUMBER OF MACEDONIANS WHO ENTER TURKEY IS MORE THAN 7,000

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

HIS REPENTANCE APPLICATION WAS NOT ACCEPTED
The Diyarbakir State Security Court (DGM) rejected the application of Semdin Sakik, one of the top members of the terrorist organization PKK, who asked to benefit from the Repentance Law since he was the second top member in the terrorist organization. The Supreme Court of Appeals had earlier upheld the capital punishment given by the Diyarbakir DGM.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

Berk Ustundag and Lutfu Canyaran, the two engineers, who set up a station, predicted the quakes in Denizli and Afyon and informed about them to the prime ministry.

CONGRATULATIONS GERMANY
German government did not speak about the ''genocide.'' It said the issue concerns the historians. Germany's response to the written question asked by the Democratic Socialism Party was applauded. It said, ''the massacre issue, which was stated to be committed in 1915 and 1916, concerns Turkey and the historians.

SABAH (LIBERAL)

FAREWELL TO GOKCEN
Sabiha Gokcen, the adopted daughter of Republic of Turkey's founder Mustafa Kemal Ataturk and the first woman pilot in the history of the Republic of Turkey, was laid to rest on Friday. Gokcen was laid to rest in Cebeci Military Martyrdom.

LETTER FROM ECEVIT TO WORLD: ''THE SITUATION IS CONCERNING''
Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit sent messages to U.S. President George Bush, NATO Secretary General George Robertson, European Union (EU) Council Secretary General and EU Commissioner for security and foreign Policy Javier Solana, the prime ministers of Macedonia, Albania, Bulgaria, Romania, Yugoslavia and Greece. Ecevit expressed Turkey's concern over the latest developments in his messages. Ecevit emphasized that it is important that the international community exerts determined efforts to overcome this crisis which can have negative impacts on the security and stability of Macedonia and the region.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

DERVIS IN SEARCH FOR MONEY
State minister Kemal Dervis continues to search for the foreign source which economy needed. Dervis will meet with the economy officials of the Bush administration in Washington, and administrators of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank.

RADIKAL (LEFT)

KOC TO HOST FORMER U.S. PRESIDENT BUSH
George Bush, the former U.S. President and the father of new U.S. President, will come to Turkey. Bush, who will come to Turkey together with the administrators of The Carlyle Group in Washington D.C. which searches for cooperation oppotunities with the Koc Holding, will be hosted by a reception and dinner given by Rahmi Koc, the chairman of the Koc Holding Executive Board, on April 4.

TURKIYE (RIGHT)

DERVIS: ''TURKEY WILL CHANGE''
State Minister Kemal Dervis said that he is not pessimist about the future of Turkey, adding, ''the world is changing. Turkey will also change. The economic program which is to be put to practice is not a thing which can be implemented only by one sector. To this end, all the people should have confidence in the program and support it.''

CANKAYA BOOSTS MORALE
Tacan Ildem, the Presidential Cabinet Chief, said that President Ahmet Necdet Sezer will support the government to accomplish both the National Program, which is an important step for the European Union (EU) membership process, and the economic program.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

The industrialists who attended the survey, said the production reduced 31.3 percent, the that there was a 30.8 percent decrease in employment and 35.9 percent decrease in domestic sales.

REJECTION FROM BULGARIA TO CEYLAN HOLDING
Bulgarian government announced that the privilege given to Ceylan Holding last year for the hydroelectric project worth of 300 million U.S. dollars in Gorna Arda, was annulled.

It said the priviledge was annuled as Ceylan Holding could not prove the financial and technical facilities to realize the project.

[02] 3.1 PERCENT RISE IN PETROL PRICES

Officials said that one liter of unleaded petrol will be sold at 713 thousand Turkish liras (TL) in Ankara, at 713 thousand 400 TL in the Anatolian side of Istanbul and 714 thousand 600 TL in the European side of Istanbul and 711 thousand 800 TL in western Izmir province.

Below listed the former and new petrol prices in Ankara, Istanbul and Izmir:

. Unleaded Super Normal

. Former New Former New Former New

--------------- ------- ------ ------ ------- ------ --------
ISTANBUL
-Anatolian side 698.500 713.400 698.900 713.800 669.800 684.000

-European side 699.600 714.600 700.000 714.900 670.900 685.100

ANKARA 698.100 713.000 698.500 713.400 669.400 683.700
IZMIR 696.800 711.800 697.300 712.200 668.300 682.500
. Kerosene

. Former New

----------- ------ -----
ISTANBUL
-Anatolian side 548.400 565.400

-European side 549.600 566.600

ANKARA 558.600 576.100
IZMIR 546.700 563.700

[03] IPU CONFERENCE TO BE HELD IN HAVANA

A statement of the Parliamentary Press and Public Relations Directorate said on Saturday that the political, economic and social situation in the world, securing observance of the principles of international law in the interests of world peace and security, the role of education and culture as essential factors in promoting the participation of men and women in political life and as prerequisites for the development of peoples are on the agenda of the meeting.

Cavit Kavak, the chairman of the IPU Turkish Group; Abbas Bozyel, the deputy chairman of the IPU Turkish Group; and the group members Hanifi Tiryaki, Turhan Alcelik, Ziya Aktas, Bahri Zengin, Ismail Karakuyu, and Cengiz Gulec will attend the meeting.

A total of 140 countries are the members of the IPU which was established in 1889.

The IPU is an organization which works jointly by the United Nations (U.N).

The IPU is holding conferences every year since it was established.

The 96th IPU Conference was held in Istanbul in 1995.

[04] PRESIDENT SEZER SENDS MESSAGE TO AMERICAN-TURKISH COUNCIL MEETING

President Sezer said in his message that the past twenty years have brought profound changes to the world.

Sezer continued, ''most prominently, the end of the Cold War altered the very foundation of geo-political relations. But throughout this period, the Turkish-US alliance has not only endured the challenges but also prospered and expanded into a comprehensive and multi-faceted strategic partnership. This strong relationship, which united our countries initially in the defense of freedom in our wider region and around the world, now brings our peoples together in the pursuit of mutual prosperity through vigorous economic, cultural, and educational exchanges and cooperation.''

''The credit for the Turkish-American partnership's increasing dynamism cannot be confined to the achievements of our two governments, but also goes to other organizations, agencies and individuals. Though much has changed over the past two decades, the American-Turkish Council and its annual conventions remain a strong pillar of the Turkish-American economic cooperation. Undoubtedly, the future will be as challenging as the past, but I am certain that our relations with the United States will continue to progress and thrive,'' Sezer said.

Sezer added, '' I am equally convinced that the American-Turkish Council will continue serving our mutual interests and help further enhance the solid partnership between Turkey and the United States. I would like to thank the members and officers of the American-Turkish Council for organizing this convention and for their continuing efforts to promote the spirit of friendship, cooperation and partnership between our two countries and peoples.''

[05] FOREIGN MINISTER HAS INTENSE PROGRAM IN WASHINGTON D.C.

Cheney's meeting with Foreign Minister Cem is evaluated as an important gesture of Washington D.C. to Turkey.

Cem, who is expected to be in Washington D.C. on Monday, will address American-Turkish Council (ATC) conference on Tuesday.

Cem will address The Washington Institute, a think-tank organization, on March 28, and later listen to the concert of pianist Fazil Say.

Cem will meet with Marc Grossman, who was appointed as Assistant Secretary of State responsible for political affairs, on March 29, and later meet with Madeleine Albright, the former U.S. Secretary of State.

Cheney will receive Cem on March 30 in the White House, and later Cem will meet with Powell in the U.S. State Department Building.

Cem will later meet with Condoleezza Rice, the National Security Adviser of the U.S. President George Bush.

Diplomatic sources in Washington D.C. said Cem's meeting with the U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld was in question, noting that this meeting will take place only if the program is appropriate.

On March 30, Cem will proceed to New York for a special program, and is expected to proceed to Turkey afterwards.

Cem's contacts in the U.S. is important as it is the first comprehensive contacts that are set up with the new U.S. administration in high level.

Iraq, European Security and Defense Identity (ESDI), the Balkans, Caucasus, Upper Karabakh issue, Baku-Ceyhan pipeline, Middle East peace process, Turkish-Greek relations, and Cyprus are expected to be discussed during the meetings. Also, efforts of the Armenian lobby for the recognition of the so- called genocide on Armenians, are expected to be brought onto the agenda during the talks.

Ugur Ziyal, Mithat Balkan, and Yigit Alpogan, the foreign ministry deputy undersecretaries; Huseyin Dirioz, the foreign ministry deputy spokesman, and a delegation composed of the officials of foreign ministry regarded with the Middle East, the Balkans, European security, relations with the U.S., energy and economy affairs will accompany Cem during the visit.

[06] STATE MINISTER DERVIS TO SEARCH FOR SUPPORT IN U.S.

Dervis will start his program by attending the opening ceremony of the 20th annual conference of the American-Turkish Council (ATC) on Sunday.

State Minister Dervis will deliver a speech on Turkey's economy in the opening session of the annual conference on March 26.

Following his speech, Dervis will meet with Horst Kohler, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director.

Later, Dervis will meet with James Wolfensohn, the World Bank President.

After attending the luncheon given in his honour by Baki Ilkin, the Turkish Ambassador to the U.S., Dervis will meet with Paul O'Neill, the U.S. Secretary of the Treasury.

Dervis is expected to stage a press conference on Monday evening.

State Minister Dervis will attend the breakfast held by the ATC on Tuesday and later stage a press conference for the foreign press.

After attending the meeting held by the Turkish Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association (TUSIAD) and the Turkish Studies Institute, Dervis will attend a luncheon in which Don Evans, the U.S. Secretary of the Commerce, will deliver a speech.

Dervis is also expected to join the ''Q and A'' program which is broadcast on CNN channel.

State Minister Dervis is expected to return to Turkey on March 28 after attending the reception held at The National Building Museum by the ATC.

[07] ALMOST 70 DWELLINGS AND WORKPLACES INUNDATED IN DIYARBAKIR DUE TO TORRENTIAL RAINS

Almost 70 dwellings and workplaces in Baglar hamlet and Surici and Sehitlik districts of Diyarbakir were inundated by flood triggered by torrential rains which continued since last night without interruption.

The fire-fighters are exerting efforts to discharge the water from the workplaces and dwellings.

Officials of Diyarbakir Meteorology Regional Directorate said that rain is also expected today.

-TMMMB SIGNS COOPERATION PROTOCOL WITH JAPENESE CONSULTANTS' UNION
ANKARA - The Turkish Union of the Consultants, Engineers and Architects (TMMMB) signed on Saturday a cooperation protocol with the Japanese Consultants' Union (AJCE).

TMMMB Chairman Haluk Dogancay and AJCE Chairman Yumio Ishii signed the cooperation protocol.

Dogancay said that they will provide a universal cooperation opportunity as they sign this protocol.

Members of the AJCE will support them within the framework of this regional cooperation program, Dogancay added.

Ishii said that the TMMMB had an important role in the construction of highways and development of water resources.

The TMMMB is exerting important efforts for the promotion, Ishii added.

The protocol aims to exchange information and experience between the two organizations.

[08] SAINT VINCENT-FLAGGED SHIP RUNS AGROUND OFFSHORE BEYKOZ

The unloaded ship named ''Akado'' ran aground offshore Beykoz around 9.00 p.m.

The captain of the ship requested help from the Coastal Security and Ship Rescue Enterprises General Directorate at midnight.

Officials said that efforts are underway to rescue the ship, adding that the ship will later be pulled offshore Buyukdere by tugboats.

The ship which was 124 metres in length and 5,683 gross tons in weight, was en route from Russia to Greece.

[09] STATE MINISTER KECECILER: -''CUSTOMS ADMINISTRATION IS THE INSTITUTION WHICH IS CLOSEST TO THE EU REGULATIONS''

Kececiler told a press conference that the customs reforms are very important for Turkey's foreign trade and that a series of works have been launched in the customs to have a better competition.

They attribute utmost importance to the automation in the customs, Kececiler pointed out.

Kececiler said that computers are used in the customs systems in the world and that Turkey should not be away from these systems.

The customs gates have started to be automated by the 40 billion U.S. dollar loan from the World Bank, Kececiler noted.

Kececiler stated that 28 places and 31 points have been automated so far.

Modernization in the customs is not only automation, Kececiler said, and went on saying, ''automation is only a part of the modernization in the customs. Also, some other elements have to be completed. One of them is the regulation. The regulation problem in the customs have been overcome. The customs regulation has been made in compliance with the EU. The issue of one or two bulletins will be enough in the transition into EU full membership.''

Kececiler said that they are decreasing the customs gates, adding that they are trying to make the customs gates more efficient.

[10] NATIONAL PROGRAM ISSUED IN OFFICIAL GAZETTE

General principles about the implementation and coordination of the program were issued in the Official Gazette.

Underlining that it is important that all public institutions and organizations implement the targets of the National Program on time, the Official Gazette said that the National Program will be updated by taking into consideration the needs and priorities of Turkey, the annual performances, the Accession Partnership Accord and the Development Reports.

The Official Gazette said that the public institutions and organizations will apply to the State Planning Organization for the investments and to the Finance Ministry for the current and transfer expenditures by the consent of the General Secretariat for the European Union (EU) to meet the financial needs required in the implementation of the National Program.

The Finance Ministry and the State Planning Organization will give priority to meet the demands of the public organizations and institutions, the Official Gazette noted.

The Official Gazette said that the General Secretariat for the EU will be informed about the implementation of the legal, administrative and institutional targets of the program for times a year.

The General Secretariat for the EU had earlier wanted that the National Program be issued in the Official Gazette to emphasize Turkey's determination.

[11] INDUSTRIALISTS FROM SIVAS DUE TO EGYPT

Dogan said that they will visit Cairo to develop the commercial relations.

The Executive Board of the Sivas Chamber of Commerce and Industry attributes importance to the domestic and foreign visits, Dogan noted.

Dogan stated that they want the industrialists to improve their commercial relations and to open to new markets.

Sivas Governor Lutfullah Bilgin will also attend the tour which will be held between March 25 and 30.

The delegation will attend a reception which will be hosted by the Turkish Embassy in Cairo on March 29.

[12] WORLD WATER COUNCIL DELEGATION IN HARRAN

A luncheon was given in honour of the delegation.

Dogan Altinbilek, the general director of the State Water Works (DSI), and Olcay Unver, the chairperson of the Southeastern Anatolia Project (GAP) Administration, also attended the luncheon.

The delegation visited the Urfa Trade Market and the Yakubiye Multi-Purpose Society Center (CATOM).

The WWC delegation will proceed to Gaziantep in the afternoon.

After visiting the Gaziantep Museum, the delegation will return to Istanbul.

[13] BUDGETARY DEFICIT DECREASES 96.7 PERCENT IN TWO MONTHS

A statement of the Finance Ministry said on Saturday that the consolidated budgetary revenues were 7 quadrillion 292 trillion TL while the consolidated budgetary expenditures were 7 quadrillion 387 trillion TL by the end of February.

The taxes reached 4 quadrillion 860 trillion TL while the non-interest consolidated budgetary expenditures were 3 quadrillion 695 trillion TL and the non-interest budgetary surplus reached 3 quadrillion 597 trillion TL.

The consolidated budgetary revenues were 4 quadrillion 932 trillion TL, the taxes were 4 quadrillion 98 trillion TL, the consolidated budgetary expenditures 7 quadrillion 795 trillion TL, non-interest revenues 3 quadrillion 104 trillion TL, the interest payments 4 quadrillion 691 trillion TL and the non-interest budgetary surplus 1 quadrillion 828 trillion TL in the same period last year.

The consolidated budgetary revenues increased 47.9 percent, the tax revenues climbed 18.6 percent, the non-interest expenditures rose 19 percent, and the non-interest budgetary surplus increased 96.8 percent in the first two months of 2001 when compared to the same period last year.

The interest payments decreased 21.3 percent while the budgetary deficit fell 96.7 percent in the first two months o f2001 when compared to the same period last year.

Below listed the consolidated budget figures in January-February 2000 and 2001:

. JAN-FEB
. (Trillion TL) Change

. 2000 2001 (Percent)

------------------------- ---------- ---------- -------
Consolidated Bud. Revenues 4.932 7.292 47,9

-Taxes 4.098 4.860 18,6

Consolidated Bud. Expend. 7.795 7.387 -5,2

-Non-interest expenditures 3.104 3.695 19,0

-Interest payments 4.691 3.692 -21,3

-Non-interest bud. surplus 1.828 3.597 96,8

Consolidated bud. deficit 2.863 95 -96,7

[14] MINOR QUAKE IN MARMARA SEA

Bogazici University Kandilli Observatory and Seismology Institute said the quake, measuring 3.5 on the Richter scale, was recorded at 15:08 local time. The epicenter of the quake was off shores of Bakirkoy.

The quake was felt in many regions of Istanbul.

[15] CITY HABITAT PROJECT TO BE PUT TO PRACTICE IN IZMIR

The city forestry and green generation efforts of the projects have been completed.

Umit Erdem, the chairman of the Environmental Problems Research Center of the Ege University, prepared a report on the forestation of the district, the formation of the living units and the rehabilitation of the living conditions within the framework of the project carried out by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the Karsiyaka Municipality.

Erdem presented the report to Karsiyaka Mayor Sebnem Tabak.

Tabak said that they will put the project to practice and that Karsiyaka will become a very good settlement soon.

Erdem said that the soil of Karsiyaka and its vicinity are being examined and that they have determined how to plant the area.

They informed the consultative board which was formed by the representatives of the chambers, non-governmental organizations, public institutions and organizations and environmental organizations during the preparation stage of the project, Erdem noted.

Erdem added that the Ege University's Faculty of Communication is preparing the works to make the people concious about the environment.

[16] AGRICULTURE MINISTER GOKALP DUE TO SYRIA

A statement of the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Ministry said on Saturday that Gokalp will hold a bilateral meeting with Moustafa.

Following this meeting, the inter-delegationary deliberations will start.

Later, Gokalp will attend a meeting at the Syrian Chambers' Union.

Gokalp, who will be received by Syrian Prime Minister Moustafa Miro the same day, will visit the agricultural areas on March 27.

The technical and scientific cooperation protocol in agriculture will be signed on March 28.

A private sector delegation comprised of 25 people will accompany Gokalp during his visit to Syria to improve the commercial and agricultural relations between Turkey and Syria.

Gokalp and the accompanying delegation are expected to return to Turkey on March 29.

[17] NUMBER OF MACEDONIANS WHO ENTER TURKEY IS MORE THAN 7,000

Officials at the border gate told the A.A correspondent that 190 Macedonians had entered Turkey since 24:00 local time on Friday till 8:00 local time on Saturday.

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