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Anadolu Agency: News in English, 01-03-25Anadolu Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Anadolu Agency Home Page at <http://www.anadoluajansi.com.tr/>Anadolu AgencyANADOLU AGENCY NEWS 25 MARCH 2001 Monday -TURKEY-PRESS SCAN These are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in Turkey's press on March 25, 2001. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy. HURRIYET (LIBERAL) U.S. PRESIDENT BUSH: WE SUPPORT TURKEYThe U.S. President George W. Bush said they would support Turkey on the way of economic and social reforms. Bush said ''Modern Turkey's founder and visionary, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, rightly said, 'the government's most creative and significant duty is education,'' noting that he also attributed importance to this issue. YILMAZ: MARKETS TO REACH STABILITY IN THREE MONTHS Mesut Yilmaz, the state minister and deputy prime minister, said the markets would reach a certain stability within three months, noting that the right economic program would continue to be implemented by the end of this year from where it left. Yilmaz said the economic stagnation would end within six months. MILLIYET (LIBERAL) THEY AGAIN PREDICTED THE QUAKEThe station set up by Dr. Berk Ustundag and Lutfu Canyaran predicted Saturday's minor quake 41 hours before. The equipments, which were settled by Ustundag and Canyaran in six districts of Istanbul because of lack of financial support, predicted the quake. Ustundag and Canyaran earlier informed about the quakes in Denizli and Afyon. SPK AND BDDK TO MERGE UNDER ONE ROOF The government will merge Capital Market Board (SPK) and Banking Regulatory and Supervisory Board (BDDK), under one roof. The target is to protect the investors who purchased the shares of the banks which were transferred to the Savings Deposits Insurance Fund. SABAH (LIBERAL) LEAVE DERVIS ALONEPrime Minister Bulent Ecevit said that State Minister Kemal Dervis should not be kept busy with some made-up scenarios and that Dervis has to intensify on economy. About the scenarios that Dervis will enter into politics or will return to the U.S., Ecevit said, ''everybody who is involved in politics can face some problems and rumours. It is hard to bear them. Dervis can protect his morale. This is very pleasing. It is wrong to keep a person who has undertaken responsibilities for Turkey, busy. We have to provide comfortable working atmosphere.'' QUAKE IN ISTANBUL Istanbul was rocked by an earthquake measuring only 3.5 on the Richter scale but all the residents rushed into the streets. The earthquake, the epicenter of which was the Marmara Sea was felt in Bakirkoy, Yesilkoy and Avcilar the most. The tremor had a preliminary magnitude but it was enough to scare the people. CUMHURIYET (LEFT) KARAKAS RESIGNSResignations from the Republican People's Party (CHP) continued also on Saturday. Nearly 300 people, including Ercan Karakas, Perihan Argun, Halil Ergun, Tulay Ates, administrators of Social Democracy Foundation (SODEV), and members from Bakirkoy and Avcilar townships resigned from CHP. IOC GIVES HOPE FOR 2008 International Olympiad Committee (IOC) Evaluation Commission completed its works in Istanbul, which is one of the candidate cities to 2008 Olympic Games. Verbruggen, the commission chairman, said they saw that the government and people of Istanbul supported the 2008 Olympic Games. RADIKAL (LEFT) ''DEATH IS APPROACHING''Today is the 157th day of the death fasts of the inmates. A group of doctors in Ankara and Istanbul said that sudden deaths can be recorded. STILL PICASSO PAINTINGS Four people who had two paintings which were said to be the paintings of world-famous painter Picasso were detained in Uskudar district of Istanbul. Acting on a tip-off, the security forces seized two paintings which were claimed to be the paintings of Picasso. Four people were taken into custody in the operation. CIVIL CODE IN JUNE Justice Minister Hikmet Sami Turk said that he hopes the draft Civil Code which is a matter of discussion can be adopted in June. Turk said that the discussions on the property regime chapter of the draft were postponed and that the Justice Commission started to debate the provisions related with the kinship on Thursday. ''RESTRICTION HAS NO MEANING'' Mesut Yilmaz, the deputy prime minister and the leader of the Motherland Party (ANAP), said that the restrictions about the brodcasting and education in Kurdish do not have a meaning in practice. Speaking in a programme broadcast in the private CNN Turk channel, Yilmaz said, ''we have not fully met the expectations of the European Union (EU) about the language. Although Turkey is one of the 13 candidate states, it is the only country which has not started full membership negotiations with the union. TURKIYE (RIGHT) DERVIS HAS INTENSE PROGRAM IN THE U.S.State minister Kemal Dervis, responsible for economy, will carry out an intense program in the U.S. to provide urgent foreign source. Dervis will make evaluations regarding the situation of Turkish economy during the meeting of Turkish-American Council. SLAP FROM ARMENIAN PATRIARCH TO ARMENIA Mesrob II, who attended a religious ceremony in Kayseri Surp Srikor Lusarovic Church, harshly reacted to Armenia's demand from Turkey calling for territory, and said, ''those are some odd people. There is not an official demand. Also, Turkey does not have a territory to give.'' ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE) NEARLY 70 HOUSES INUNDATED IN DIYARBAKIRAlmost 70 dwellings and workplaces were inundated in southeastern Diyarbakir province due to torrential rains. The 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. LABOUR PLATFORM DISCUSSES ECONOMIC SITUATION Bayram Meral, the Chairman of the Confederation of Turkish Labour Unions (Turk-Is), said on Saturday that the country had a very serious heart attack today because of the economic crisis it experienced. Meral said, ''for years we have pointed out the mistakes of the IMF policies to the politicians. If savings will be made in the county, parliament should also make savings. We think 550 deputies are so much in the parliament.'' -EARTHQUAKE ROCKS ISPARTA ANTALYA - Two earthquakes rocked Uluborlu township of Isparta province in the Mediterranean Region on Sunday. Officials of the Bogazici University Kandilli Observatory Center and Seismology Institute said that two separate earthquakes measuring 3.6 and 3.2 on the Richter scale were recorded in Uluborlu at 7.52 and 8.02 a.m. There was no report of deaths or injuries in Isparta and Uluborlu. -VERBRUGGEN, CHAIRMAN OF IOC EVALUATION COMMISSION, SAYS OFFICIALS IN ISTANBUL ASSURED THEM ABOUT SECURITY ISSUES ISTANBUL- Hein Verbruggen, the chairman of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Evaluation Commission, said on Saturday that the officials in Istanbul assured them about the security issues. Following their observations in Istanbul, Verbruggen told a press conference that they consider transportation and environment as problems and that these problems are observed in every big city which is a candidate to host the olympic games. Verbruggen said that they were informed that if the olympiads were held in Istanbul, an olympic traffic commission would be set up and the traffic would be conducted only by one organ. Many people will come to the city, Verbruggen noted, and they were given the necessary assurances. Verbruggen stated that they were also assured about the security issues and that the security can never be totally ensured. Officials of the Istanbul Police Organization made a detailed presentation about this issue, Verbruggen said, and they were affected by this presentation. Verbruggen pointed out that it is important that the olympic project is of high quality. They will write a report after they visit all the five candidate cities, Verbruggen said. Verbruggen noted that the IOC members will choose among the candidates in respect to the quality of the projects. Holding the olympic games will improve the sports concept in that country, Verbruggen said. Verbruggen stated that the city which will provide the best standards will host the olympiads but that he can say it means that Istanbul proved that it can host the olympics because it is a candidate. They also take into consideration the former international meetings or conferences held in the candidate cities, Verbruggen said. Verbruggen noted that the experiences of the candidate cities have utmost importance. They discussed Turkey's problems with its neighbours during their four-day visit to Istanbul, Verbruggen said, and they were given necessary assurances. Gilbert Felli, the deputy chairman of the IOC Evaluation Commission, said that Istanbul will have sufficient number of installations to organize 2008 Olympic Games. Felli noted that they visited the Ataturk Olympic Stadium and Bagcilar Sports Hall. Responding to questions on social problems, Felli said that if the social problems do not affect the olympics, they will ignore them because they are technical committee. Bob Elphinston, a member of the commission, said that they saw the railway projects and that a perfect infrastructural plan has been prepared. Elphinston noted that the 152-kilometre long railway system will be built. CONTENTS
[01] JUSTICE MINISTER TURK:[02] ''RETURN FROM IMPLEMENTATION OF F TYPE PRISONS IS NOT IN QUESTION''IZMIR- Justice Minister Hikmet Sami Turk saidon Saturday that return from the implementation of the F type prisons is not in question. Turk visited the F type prison which is under construction in Buca township of western Izmir province. Turk later told a press conference that the Buca Kiriklar F type prison can imprison 373 people and that the construction was over but the prison was not opened due to some deficiencies. The one-person cells are ten square metres while the three-person cells are 50 square metres, Turk said. Turk noted that there are toilets and showers in the cells and that music can be listened in these cells. The inmates can buy television or refrigerator if they wish, Turk stated. Turk said that four F type prisons have started to function so far and that six F type prisons have been constructed while the construction of five others are underway. ''There are mainly inmates who were convicted of terrorism and interest crime gangs in F type prisons. There are 1109 people convicted of terrorism in Ankara, Kocaeli, Edirne and Tekirdag F type prisons and 57 people convicted of interest crime gangs. The total number of inmates in F type prisons is 1211,'' Turk said. Touching on ongoing hunger strikes and death fasts in prisons, Turk said that currently, 415 people are on limitless hunger strike and 319 people on death fast. Turk noted that the hunger strike and death fast are continuing in 21 prisons and that the number of the illegal organizations backing these incidents is 25. Reminding that an operation on prisons was staged as no result was gained in the efforts to persuade the inmates to end their protests, Turk said, ''those days, I told that the F type prisons would be postponed until a social compromise was provided to put an end to these protests. But, we have not marked any development in these efforts. This promise which was welcomed at the first stage, was later considered as insufficient due to the instruction from outside. The state sovereignty in the prisons was fully ensured after the operation.'' Turk continued, ''but, some inmates gave up their protests after they were transferred to other prisons while many of the inmates continued their protests. The calls to put an end to the protests did not give any result. This protest is a protest based on human life. The terrorist organizations pushed their friends to death.'' Cengiz Soydas, a death fasting inmate, died on March 21, Turk said. Turk went on saying, ''a person lost his life. Those who pushed him to death should be revealed. The prosecutors will do what is necessary for this issue. The protests in prisons should be ended in the possible shortest time. There are 36 inmates who are hospitalized for the time being. 35 of these inmates are in hospitals in Ankara and one of them in Izmir.'' ''We do not want any of our people to die due to these protests. I call on everybody to behave with common sense. The parents should make suggestions to their children. The support of the non- governmental organizations are needed. There is not any punishment for committing suicide but we have some initiatives to give heavy punishments to those who lead to this,'' Turk added. Pointing out that there would not be any return from the implementation of F type prisons, Turk said the F type prisons lifted the difficulties of the ward system. Turk said the ward system helped those strong to put pressure on the weak ones, noting that the ward system would be totally lifted. Turk said, ''there is not ward system in civilized countries.'' Stressing that the F type prisons were contructed according to the U.N. Prisons standarts and Council of Europe Prisons rules, Turk said they wanted to stage an international symposium that will open the prisons and the F type prisons to an evaluation. Turk said experts from Europe and the U.S. will be invited to this symposium, adding that imposing threats to the people in F type prisons were out of question. Turk said they prepared various draft laws regarded with prisons, stressing that Turkish Execution Law would be renewed totally. He said the commission, which was set up in this respect, continued its works on the issue. Turk said with an amendment to Article 16 of the Anti-Terrorism Law, they planned to change the mutual living areas in F type prisons so that they will be appropriate to cultural activities, and noted that judicial control will be provided for every kind of procedures in the prisons. Turk said efforts were underway for the establishment of a system which will enable the inmates to talk with their relatives on the phone. Turk said, ''we attribute great importance to the amendment to Article 16 of the Anti-Terrorism law to make the inmates pas their time with beneficial activities.'' Responding to a question that Sevgi Erdogan, a woman inmate who was on death fast, lost her life, Turk said they have not received such an information. [03] STATE MINISTER DERVIS IN WASHINGTON D.CWASHINGTON D.C- State Minister Kemal Dervisarrived in Washington D.C, the U.S, on Sunday. Dervis will hold an evaluation meeting with the economy officials who are in Washington D.C. to attend the American-Turkish Council (ATC) annual conference. State Minister Dervis will later attend the opening reception of the annual ATC conference. Dervis, who will deliver a speech about the current situation of Turkey's economy on Monday morning, will meet with Horst Kohler, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director; James Wolfensohn, World Bank President; and Paul O'Neill, the U.S. Secretary of the Treasury. State Minister Dervis will attend the breakfast hosted by the ATC on March 27. After staging a press conference for the foreign press, Dervis is expected to depart from Washington D.C. on March 28. [04] PARLIAMENT SPEAKER IZGI LEAVES FOR UZBEKISTANANKARA - Parliament Speaker Omer Izgi left onSunday for Uzbekistan. Prior to his departure for 13-day visit covering Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Turkmenistan, Izgi told reporters that he will discuss the ways to further improve the political, economic, cultural and parliamentary relations with his counterparts. Izgi said that he will meet with Uzbek President Islam Kerimov, Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev, Kygryz President Askar Akaev, Turkmen President Saparmurat Turkmenbasi and the parliament speakers of these countries. Parliament Speaker Izgi is accompanied by his wife Aysel Izgi; Beyhan Aslan, the acting group leader of the Motherland Party (ANAP); Avni Dogan, the acting group leader of the Virtue Party (FP); Ali Gunay, the acting group leader of the Democratic Left Party (DSP); Bedri Yasar, a deputy of the Motherland Party (MHP); Nihan Ilgun, a deputy of the True Path Party 'DYP); and Parliamentary General Secretary Vahit Erdem are accompanying Izgi. Izgi is expected to return to Turkey on April 6. -TANKER HIT BY A SHIP PULLED TO GREECE BY oil and which was hit behind by a ship loaded with coal 15 days ago was pulled to Greece by tugboats on Sunday. The 9,117 gross ton 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 ton tanker named ''Fair Skies'' was carrying 27,850 tons of fuel oil from Ukraine to Greece. The Maltese-flagged tanker was permitted to continue its course under security measures after it was repaired. The ''Fair Skies'' then was pulled to Greece by one tugboat and accompanied by four more tugboats. -LEADING JAPANESE CHOCOLATE COMPANY MAIJI SEIKA Maiji Seika Kaishe started test production by Turkish hazelnut. The promotion campaigns carried out by the Hazelnut Promotion Group set up under the coordination of the Foreign Trade Undersecretariat (DTM) since 1998 bear fruit. Advertisements were published in magazines and newspapers in Japan since January 1999 by the help of Daiko Advertising and World Morine Trade companies. By these efforts, the Japanese dry fruit importers were interested in Turkish hazelnut and the Japanese chocolate company Maiji Seika Kaishe started test production by Turkish hazelnut. Officials said that it is very pleasing to get positive signals from Japan in such a short time and that the second promotion campaign in this country will be launched in June. The Hazelnut Promotion Group also continues promotion campaigns to put the Turkish hazelnut into the U.S. and Chinese markets. Besides the advertisements in the U.S., competitions on recipes with hazelnut are being held. The Hazelnut Promotion Group will start its campaign in China in June. [05] PEARSON, U.S. AMBASSADOR TO TURKEY, EXPRESSESBELIEF THAT NEW ECONOMIC PROGRAM IN TURKEY BE ACCOMPLISHEDWASHINGTON D.C - Robert Pearson, the U.S. Ambassador to Turkey, expressed on Sunday belief that new economic program in Turkey will be accomplished. Businessmen from Turkey and some U.S. states participated in a conference held within the framework of the Appalachian- Turkish Trade Project. The project which is an initiative pushed by Senator Robert Byrd of West Virginia and organized by the U.S. Department of Commerce foresees establishment of direct links between the U.S. commercial and business circles and the Turkish businessmen. The Turkish-American businessmen exchange views about the investment opportunities in the conference held in Shepherdstown. Speaking in the meeting, Pearson said that by this project, the trade and investments between 13 states in the U.S. and Turkey will be encouraged. Pearson noted that this project is just the beginning of a high potential and that the U.S. supports investments in Turkey. As Paul O'Neill, the U.S. Secretary of the Treasury, had said, Turkey is an important friend and ally for the U.S., Pearson stated. Pearson said that the U.S. extends support to Turkish economic program backed by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). But, this is the program of Turkey, Pearson stressed. Pearson pointed out that the Turkish government has entered into an intensive process in which it increased the support of the labour unions and the private sector. The Turkish officials are working on the banking reforms and the free market economy for the time being, Pearson said, expressing belief that this new program will be accomplished. Pearson emphasized that the Turkish nation also wants this program to be accomplished and that within this framework, the financial discipline has vital importance. The confidence in the stock exchange should be built, Pearson said. Pointing out that taking Ataturk's reforms as a guide is important, Pearson said that the U.S. considers these reforms as essential values. Emphasizing the importance of economic opportunity equality, equality in front of laws, struggle against corruption, transparent economy and transparent society, Pearson praised the successful operations of Interior Minister Saadettin Tantan and said that the government headed by Premier Bulent Ecevit can overcome problems. Pearson noted that the U.S. and Turkey are strategic partners, adding that the two countries share similar values and targets. Baki Ilkin, the Turkish Ambassador to the U.S., said that Turkey is an important market for foreign investments. Ilkin noted that Turkey is determined to overcome the recent economic crisis and that the new economic program will be implemented. Stating that reforms will be made in banking and financial sectors, Ilkin said that Turkey will continue to work together with the IMF, World Bank, other international circles and the U.S. to overcome the economic crisis. [06] PRIME MINISTER'S CHIEF CONSULTANT ALP LEAVES FOR THE U.S.ISTANBUL - Prof. Dr. Ahmet Vefik Alp, the primeminister's chief consultant, left for the U.S. to attend 20th American Turkish Relations Conference, and to hold some contacts. Alp, who left for Miami, will later proceed to Washington D.C. and attend the conference titled, ''Turkish-U.S. Relations, '' which will last till March 28. It was also reported that Alp will hold contacts in various institutions and organizations regarding the quake resistant new building technologies and accelerated dwelling systems to replace shanty houses. [07] DSI DIRECTOR GENERAL ALTINBILEK:''HYDROELECTRIC ENERGY PRODUCTION WILL BECONSIDERABLY LOW THIS YEAR'' SANLIURFA- Dogan Altinbilek, the Director General of State Water Works (DSI), said on Sunday that some cuts in energy could be in question when any power plant breaks down. Responding to the questions of A.A correspondent, Altinbilek said there was drought in March, however noted that the situation is better than February. Pointing out that the farmers who grow products by getting water from the irrigation dams would not have problems this year, Altinbilek said, ''however, our dams on Euphrates river will not be filled this year, and will produce less electricity than last year. Hydroelectric energy production will be considerably low this year.'' When asked if there will be regular cuts in energy, Altinbilek said the natural gas coming from Russia was increased, and recalled that some power plants would take effect in July. He said, ''Turkey has come today without making regular cuts. Supply and demand balance are close to each other. Energy cuts can be in question if any power plant breaks down.'' Responding to a question about the works which foresee giving 19 dams of the DSI to the new electricity production company that will be set up with the Electricity Market Law, Altinbileck said, ''no work has been made so far in this respect.'' Altinbilek recalled that construction of hydro-electric dams with build-operate-transfer model became more difficult with the new Electricity Market Law, and noted that, ''we think number of dams that will be built by DSI will be more in this period. Construction of dams will be the only field which the state will be active.'' When asked if there was a problem regarding the water that is given to Syria, Altinbilek said the 500 cubic meters waters, which had to be given to Syria, could not be given in months when there was drought, noting that this was understood by Syria. Altinbilek said the water that was given last autumn was below 500 cubic meters, adding that around 460 cubic meters water was given last year. [08] DAY-LIGHT SAVING TIME STARTSANKARA- Day-light saving time started early onSunday. The time was advanced by one hour at 1.00 a.m. on Sunday in order to abide by the European countries and to decrease demand for energy, which is particularly high in the evenings. The day-light saving time will end on October 28 at 2.00 a.m. by setting the time back by one hour. A total of 4,448 billion kilowatthours (khw) of energy were saved since 1990 by day-light saving time. Turkey expects to save 600-625 million khw of electricity by the implementation of the day-light saving time this year. [09] ELECTRICITY MARKET REGULATORY BOARD TO BE SET UP UNTIL JUNEANKARA- The Electricity Market Regulatory Boardhas to be set up until June. After the Electricity Market Law took effect, the Electricity Market Regulatory Board which is foreseen to be set up under the law is expected to be set up as soon as possible. The members of the board have to be appointed by the Council of Ministers within three months. The board will be comprised of seven people, including a president and vice-president. The members have to be chosen among graduates of political sciences, law, administrative sciencies, public management, economics, engineering, management, or finace faculties. The members of the board have to serve the public or private sector for at least ten years. Personnel cannot be appointed before the board is set up. [10] TURKEY-WEATHER[11] TEMPERATURES TO BE 8-10 DEGREES ABOVE THE SEASONAL AVERAGESANKARA- No precipitation is expected on Mondaythroughout Turkey. The temperatures will be 8-10 degrees above seasonal averages. State Meteorology Affairs General Directorate told A.A correspondent that there will not be precipitation throughout Turkey on Monday. Northwestern regions will be partly cloudy, and northern and western regions will be clear. On March 27, northern and western regions will be partly cloudy and other regions will be open. On March 28, precipitation is expected in northern regions. On March 29, precipitation is expected in Eastern Black Sea and northern parts of Eastern Anatolia. On March 30, precipitation is expected in shores of Eastern Black Sea region. Minumum and maximum temperatures expected in the coming three days are as follows: PROVINCE MARCH 26 MARCH 27 MARCH 28 ------ ------------ ----------------ISTANBUL 14/21 11/17 13/17KOCAELI 13/25 11/22 13/23 BURSA 12/26 13/27 15/25 SAMSUN 10/22 9/15 11/20 TRABZON 10/18 11/16 13/21 IZMIR 17/28 18/29 20/27 MUGLA 11/27 13/28 15/26 AFYON 9/21 11/23 13/21 ANTALYA 16/27 16/28 18/28 ANKARA 8/24 10/25 12/25 SIVAS 5/18 7/20 7/20 ERZURUM 1/15 5/17 7/17 MALATYA 10/21 12/23 14/23 HAKKARI 1/18 6/22 8/24 SANLIURFA 11/24 13/26 14/26 . [12] EFFORTS UNDERWAY TO RESCUE SAINT VINCENT FLAGGED SHIPISTANBUL- Efforts are underway to rescue SaintVincent flagged ship which ran aground offshore Beykoz, Istanbul. The efforts to pull the ship which ran aground offshore Beykoz district of Istanbul on Friday night to deep waters did not give any result. Officials of the Coastal Security and Ship Rescue Enterprises General Directorate said that since the ship totally ran aground, it is very difficult to rescue it. 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. The ship which was 124 metres in length and 5,683 gross tons in weight, was en route from Russia to Greece. [13] WATER LEVEL IN DICLE DAM INCREASES 3 METRES BY RAINFALLDIYARBAKIR- The water level in Dicle Damincreased 3 metres on Sunday due to the 55 kilogram per square metre rain in southeastern Diyarbakir province. The rainfall in recent two months increased the water level in Dicle Dam by 23 metres. Thus the water level in the dam reached 705 metres. Officials said that the water level in Dicle Dam is enough for electricity production, adding that production will start this week. [14] AGREEMENT ON 35 MILLION U.S. DOLLAR LOAN FOR QUAKE ZONE SIGNEDANKARA- Agreement on 35 million U.S. dollarloan provided by the European Development Bank for the quake zone was signed. The agreement on the 35 million U.S. dollar portion of the 253 million U.S. dollar loan was signed by the Treasury Undersecretariat and the officials of the concerned loan organization in the previous week. The loan will be used to finance the construction of 2 thousand dwellings in the quake zone. Total of 275 of the dwellings will be constructed in Bolu, 500 in Korfez, 300 in Derince, 765 in Yalova and 260 in Istanbul. A total of 15 thousand 514 dwellings were built by 218 million U.S. dollars which was the first portion of the loan. A total of 12 thousand 68 dwellings were constructed by the loans provided by the World Bank following the massive earthquake which hit the Marmara Region in 1999. [15] NARCOTICS TEAM CONFISCATE 140 KG HEROINISTANBUL - Narcotics teams on Sundayconfiscated 140 kg heroin, and captured 12 people in connection with the heroin. The heroin had come from Iran and was destined for Britain and the Netherlands. Istanbul Narcotics Department Directorate issued a statement and said acting on a tip off, they confiscated the heroin, which was brought to Turkey from Iran and was tried to be smuggled to Britain and the Netherlands. The statement said the operation started after two-months works, and noted that they arrested Urfi Nedim Avran, the owner of the drug, and organizator Aga Karacan. Upon the interrogation of Avran and Karacan, the police widened the operation and arrested 10 other people in Bakirkoy, Buyukcekmece and Bahcelievler districts. The statement said the haul, having a market value of 3.500 trillion lira, was confiscated together with those people. [16] PRIME MINISTRY ASKS VIEWS OF CONCERNED MINISTRIESABOUT DRAFT NATURAL GAS MARKET LAWANKARA - The Prime Ministry asked the views of the concerned ministries about the draft Natural Gas Market Law. If the law takes effect, a Natural Gas Market Board will be set up. This draft is among the laws which are planned to be passed during the European Union (EU) harmonization process. When the magnitude of the investments which will provide the consumption of the additional natural gas which will come from Iran and Russia in the following year is taken into consideration, the draft which will permit the private investments gains importance. The draft aims to determine the people and institutions that will serve the importation, distribution and use of the natural gas, to determine the provisions, to authorize people and to control the institutions. The importation, distribution and sale of the natural gas are included within the scope of the law. The draft foresees the establishment of Natural Gas Market Agency while it envisages that the regulations on natural gas market be harmonized with the EU regulations. The Natural Gas Market Regulatory Board will be set up within three months after the law takes effect. The draft restricts the right of the Pipeline Transportation Inc. (BOTAS) to make the gas purchase contract. No natural gas purchase contract will be signed until the natural gas importation decreases around 20 percent of the national consumption after the draft takes effect. In accordance with the draft, BOTAS will decrease its share to 20 percent until 2009 and transfer the current natural gas purchase and sale contracts to other importing companies. The mentioned companies have to take licence from the agency. The city natural gas distribution service will be given to the company which wins the tender by the agency for 25 years for a city where the investments will be made for the first time. The company will be given the service for 15 years for a city where the gas network exists. [17] TURKISH-AMERICAN SCIENTISTS CONVENE IN WASHINGTON D.CWASHINGTON D.C - The 13th Science and EducationConference of the Association of Turkish American Scientists (ATAS) was held at the George Washington University on Sunday. The messages of President Ahmet Necdet Sezer, Foreign Minister Ismail Cem and National Education Minister Metin Bostancioglu were read out in the opening session of the conference. Oktay Ural, the ATAS President; Baki Ilkin, the Turkish Ambassador to the U.S.; Robert Pearson, the U.S. Ambassador to Turkey; and Kemal Guruz, the Chairman of the Institution of Higher Education (YOK); delivered speeches in the conference. Ilkin said that the anti-Turkish lobbies try to prevent the activities of the Turkish desks in the American universities and the formation of new desks. Representatives of Turskish society struggled against these efforts, Ilkin noted. Pearson said that Turkey and the U.S. attribute utmost importance to education and that U.S. President George Bush administration considers education as the prior issue. There are almost 14 thousand Turkish students in the American universities, Pearson noted, adding that these students have the opportunity to share the American system and values. Ural said that the two-year universities should be broadened in Turkey and that these universities should be upgraded. More students graduate from two-year universities than the four-year universities in the U.S., Ural added. Guruz said that almost 50 thousand Turkish students have education abroad. Lincoln McKurdy, the President of American-Turkish Council (ATC), said that Turkey ranks among first ten countries which sends the highest number of students to the U.S. McKurdy noted that the Turkish students having education in the American universities have 836 million U.S. dollar contribution to the American economy. Turkey is one of the best client of the U.S. in education, McKurdy said, expressing hope that some members of the U.S. Congress can understand this. Despite the high number of Turkish students who have education in the U.S., the number of American students who have education in Turkey is very low, McKurdy noted. McKurdy stated that this number should be increased, adding that it is important that the American students who have education in Turkey learns about the Turkish culture and bring it to the U.S. Meanwhile, the award of State Minister Kemal Dervis was presented to Ilkin since Dervis did not attend the meeting. [18] A.A PHOTO REPORTERS PRESENTED AWARDSIN ANNUAL PRESS PHOTOGRAPHS COMPETITIONANKARA- Two photo reporters of the Anadolu Agency (A.A) were presented awards in the 16th press photographs competition of the Photo Reporters' Association (FMD). Hikmet Saatci and Erhan Sevenler of the A.A were presented with awards in the competition. Below listed the categories in the competition and the winners: News Photographs: 1. Arif Akdogan (Star daily), ''Çakmağı Çaktı ve...'' (He lit his lighter and...) 2. Ates Tumer (Star daily), ''İmam Bayıldı'' (Imam faints) 3. Murad Sezer (AP), ''Dumanaltı'' (Under smoke) Free Photographs: 1. Adem Altan (Radikal), ''Protokolde Kedi Var'' (There is a cat in protocol) 2. Hikmet Saatci (Anadolu Agency), ''Sergi'' (Exhibition) 3. Sefa Ozkaya (Hurriyet daily), ''Kertenkola'' Sports Photographs: 1. Atilla Turker (Star daily), ''Saskin Halterci'' (Bewildered Weigh-lifter) 2. Suleyman Alasya (Hurriyet daily), ''Amerikan Degil Turk Futbolu'' (It is Turkish football not American) 3. Oner San (DHA), ''Biri Guresir, Biri Bakar'' (One Wrestles, one looks) Environment and Life: - Erhan Sevenler (Anadolu Agency), ''Son Çığlık'' (Last Scream) Jury Special Awards: - Hakan Denker (Hurriyet daily), ''Umut ve Kin'' (Hope and hatred) - Volkan Yildirim (Hurriyet daily, ''Kızılay'da Intifada'' [19] FOREIGN MINISTER CEM IN BRUSSELS[20] TURKISH-EU RELATIONS DISCUSSED IN EVALUATION MEETINGWITH AMBASSADORSBRUSSELS - Evaluation meeting between Foreign Minister Ismail Cem and the Turkish Ambassadors to 15 European Union (EU) member countries, ended on Sunday in Brussels. Turkey's ambassadors to EU member 15 countries, EU General Secretariat officials, and Turkey's permanent representatives to Council of Europe, EU, NATO and OECD attended the meeting which lasted for two days. It was reported that the participants comprehensively discussed relations with the EU, exchanged views on National Program, and examined how and to what extend the contents of the National Program coincided with the Accession Partnership Document. They also discussed how probable criticisms would be met. In the final part of the meeting the participants discussed the course of the EU, and how Turkey would connect to this course. It was reported that Cyprus and relations with Greece, which were brought onto the agenda within the strengthened dialogue, and human rights were discussed. Results of the meeting will be obtained within the framework of a written document and distributed to the Ambassadors and concerned units. Cem is scheduled to meet with Guenter Verheugen, the EU Commissioner for enlargement on Tuesday morning and leave for the U.S. [21] WORLD TRADE CENTER EXECUTIVE BOARD TO HOLD MEETING ON MARCH 31TRABZON - Trabzon Governor Adil Yazar said onSunday that the World Trade Center Executive Board will hold a meeting in Trabzon on March 31. Yazar told A.A correspondent that Mehmet Yildirim, the chairman of the World Trade Center Executive Board, and the members of the executive board will attend the meeting. They consider the World Trade Center which will be set up in Trabzon as a very important infrastructure, Yazar said. Yazar noted that the center will be an important impact in Trabzon's path to become a world city. By the World Trade Center, Trabzon will have an international trade identity, Yazar said. Yazar noted that Trabzon can become a center to organize fairs and congresses in the Black Sea Region and Black Sea littoral states. The establishment of World Trade Center will cost 80 million U.S. dollars, Yazar stated, adding that the share of the Private Administration is 38 percent. [22] TOBB-BANKING UNION MEETING TO TAKE PLACE ON MONDAYANKARA - Members of the Banking Union, ChambersUnion and chairmen of the linked Chambers will convene on Monday to discuss the high interests imposed by the banks on the real sector because of the economic crisis. Council Chairmen of Turkish Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges (TOBB), executive board chairmen of 11 Chambers of Industry, executive board chairmen of Ankara and Istanbul Chamber of Commerce, Turkish Exporters Assembly, the Confederation of Turkish Tradesmen and Artisans (TESK) and the Turkish Confederation of Employers' Union (TISK) were invited to the meeting. Members of the Banking Union will attend the meeting representing the banks.
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