Anadolu Agency: News in English, 01-03-31

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ANADOLU AGENCY

NEWS

31 MARCH

2001 Sunday

-TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

These are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in Turkey's press on March 31, 2000. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

The National Security Council took very important decisions yesterday since February 28 in the fight with the threat of fundamentalism. The authority of inspection of municipality companies will be taken from the Ministry of Interior to Prime Ministry Higher Inspection Council. Press prosecutors' offices have been set up in five provinces to monitor the publications supporting fundamentalism. A total of 33 institutions and companies and 15 foundations like Yimpas, Jetpa and Kombassan which have capital of the islamic sector will be monitored closely. Private mosques will be transferred to the Religious Directorate as soon as possible.

NO BODY WANTS TO BUY SHARES OF THY

A shocking event took place when no company wanted to buy shares of Turkish Airlines (THY) in the tender held yesterday. The tender was cancelled due to that development.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

The National Security Council (NSC) held its meeting yesterday and it denied strongly the debate on ''interim regime.'' After the four-hour meeting, the NSC said that such kind of useless debates can damage the image of Turkey abroad.

ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COUNCIL CONVENES TODAY

The Economic and Social Council will convene today under the leadership of Premier Bulent Ecevit. The Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB), and the Association of Turkish Businessmen and Industrialists (TUSIAD) will represent the employers in the meeting. The Confederation of the Turkish Labour Unions (Turk-Is) and Hak-Is will represent the employees. The government will ask both sections of the society to make more sacrifices.

SABAH (LIBERAL)

Ankara Mayor Melih Gokcek said that the construction of Batikent-Sincan subway line will start in April. GURIS company which won the bidding is now waiting for the Transportation Ministry's approval. Gokcek said the company is currently working on projects. Company officials said there were no problems regarding the project and they were getting ready to lay the foundation of Batikent-Sincan line.

LEGAL FOREIGNERS IN TURKEY INCREASING

The number of foreigners in Turkey who have work and residence permits is increasing. There are currently 7,000 diplomats in Turkey. Many students from Middle East and Africa are also preferring to stay in Turkey after they graduate from Turkish universities. Students coming from European countries and the United States on the other hand are settling in Istanbul. Many foreigners are getting married to Turks and applying for Turkish citizenship.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

People will pay the cost of the economic crisis. The Value Added Tax on items of luxury which was increased to 25 percent will rise to 30 percent. It was stated that this figure could also become 40 percent. This will also cause the inflation to increase. Items of luxury include cigarettes, alcoholic beverages, cell phones, cars and large household appliances.

INMATES TO BE GIVEN RELIGION CLASSES IN PRISONS

The Justice Ministry and the Religious Affairs Directorate signed yesterday a protocol proposing to educate inmates on religious and moral issues. Justice Ministry Undersecretary Ilhan Erbas said that this program which will be also implemented at F type prisons would be totally optional and the inmates would not be pressured to attend the classes. Inmates who are interested will also be taught Koran. The classes will start on May 15.

RADIKAL (LEFT)

Istanbul Stock Market Exchange (IMKB) which dropped down to 7100 during the week started increasing again after a long period. Transaction volume also increased to very high levels and became 329 trillion TL. Experts said the stock market was positively affected by the optimistic statements of President Ahmet Necdet Sezer and State Minister Kemal Dervis after a meeting. The same sources said the stock market might go up a little more beginning of next week if the Economic Program and Dervis received support from financial circles.

DERVIS FAILS TO SOLVE INTEREST PROBLEM

Industrialists who came to see State Minister Kemal Dervis after not reaching an agreement with banks regarding interest decrease told them to ''negotiate with the banks and reach an agreement.'' During the meeting, industrialist told Dervis that the production came to a halt because of high interest rates. The industrialists are expected to continue talks with the banks to bring a solution to the interest problem.

TURKIYE (RIGHT)

Dinc Bilgin, the former owner of Etibank, which was transferred to the Savings Deposit Insurance Fund, has been taken into custody. Bilgin is accused of Etibank's giving illegal credits and its off-shore accounts. Istanbul police started to question Bilgin.

GREAT INTEREST SHOWN IN CEM IN WASHINGTON

Foreign Minister Ismail Cem, who is currently in the U.S. met with Vice President Dick Cheney and State Secretary Colin Powell. Cem also came together with U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

Tradesmen at Mahmutpasa, one of Turkey's commercial areas with highest activity held a protest yesterday. About 5,000 tradesmen whose businesses suffered significant losses due to the financial crisis walked to Istanbul Chamber of Commerce (ITO) in Istanbul's Sirkeci district. The demonstrators chanted slogans and called on the government to resign. The crowd later dispersed upon the warnings of police.

CONTENTS

[01] FM CEM SAYS THEY HAVE PUT FORWARD THE RESOLUTION TO CONTINUE AND STRENGTHEN EXISTING COOPERATION WITH U.S.

[02] CEM MEETS WITH U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE POWELL

[03] 2,1 MILLION BARRELS OF OIL PRODUCED IN ADIYAMAN REGION IN 2001

[04] FM CEM SAYS U.S. DISPLAYS POSITIVE APPROACH IN IRAQ WHICH IS TO INTEREST OF TURKEY

[05] HISTORY MAGAZINE GIVES WIDE COVERAGE TO ANATOLIAN NEWS AGENCY

[06] NATIONAL DEFENSE MINISTER CAKMAKOGLU: ''TURKEY IS CLOSELY FOLLOWING DEVELOPMENTS IN YUGOSLAVIA''

[07] CAKMAKOGLU:''TURKEY'S DEFENSE BUDGET LOST ITS ONE THIRD DUE TO ECONOMIC CRISIS''

[08] ECONOMIC SOCIAL COOUNCIL MEETING -HAK-IS SECRETARY GENERAL BASKAN WANTS DAMAGE ASSESSMENT OF OLD STABILITY PROGRAM

[09] STATE MINISTER MIRZAOGLU: ''OUR STRAITS ARE OPEN TO ALL COUNTRIES BUT WE WANT FOREIGN SHIPS TO PASS WITHOUT DAMAGING ENVIRONMENT''

[10] TURKEY'S GROSS NATIONAL PRODUCT PER CAPITA IN 2000 ANNOUNCED AS 2,986 U.S. DOLLARS

[11] AZERBAIJAN MOURNS FOR ITS VICTIMS MASSACRED BY ARMENIANS ON MARCH 31 GENOCIDE DAY

[12] TURK-IS SAYS IMF'S AND WORLD BANK'S PROGRAMMES AND GOVERNMENTS WHICH MADE COUNTRY BE DEPENDENT ON THESE INSTITUTIONS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR RECENT ECONOMIC CRISIS

[13] ISTANBUL DGM ARRESTS ONE HEZBOLLAH MEMBER

[01] FM CEM SAYS THEY HAVE PUT FORWARD THE RESOLUTION TO CONTINUE AND STRENGTHEN EXISTING COOPERATION WITH U.S.

Staging a press briefing in the Turkish Embassy in Washington D.C., Cem said that all the issues that concern the two countries were taken up in his contacts with the U.S. administration.

Cem said that his personal views about the recent economic crisis in Turkey were asked in his contacts, adding that he explained his views in an objective way.

''I explained the economic difficulties of Turkey, but I stressed that they will be overcome. The government is resolved, it prepares an economic programme and IMF accepted the outlines of the programme. The government will put the programme into practice. State Minister Kemal Dervis works on it, and I told that the government fully extends support to it,'' said Cem.

Upon a question, Cem said that nobody from the American administration said that a change or reform is needed in Turkey.

''Our infrastructure is strong, we have the future and this difficulty is today's difficulty, we'll overcome it even if no aid comes from abroad. But I suppose we will have foreign support. Everybody is aware of the fact that Mr. Dervis carries out a serious work. There is economic difficulty in Turkey, there are certain weak points, but the U.S. is aware of the fact that these difficulties are temporary, but the importance fo Turkey is permanent,'' said Cem.

Cem noted that the U.S. is aware of the needs and importance of Turkey and of the fact that Turkey will overcome its difficulties.

Pointing out that the American officials didn't ask a particular question about the government's resolution regarding the economic programme, Cem said that he mentioned this issue himself. ''This programme is the programme of the government. What do we talk in Turkey? We talk about banks, and the issues which can be open to corruption. There are factors which hinder the operation of economy markets, yet these are not unknown things, '' Cem said.

Cem indicated that he talked to Premier Bulent Ecevit on the phone yesterday and he will talk with him again, adding that ''people know what Turkey wants. It is also said that Turkey is not alone. I will tell these to Premier Ecevit.''

Cem noted that the weakening of the economy won't affect foreign politics, adding that ''on the contrary foreign politics will have a good effect on Turkey's overcoming economic difficulties.''

(to be continued)

[02] CEM MEETS WITH U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE POWELL

Department spokesman Richard Boucher, during a press conference, said that the United States was working on a new sanction plan against Iraq which is also supported by Turkey. Boucher said the new plan would create new trade opportunities for Iraq's neighbors like Turkey.

Boucher said Cem briefed Powell about Turkey's current economic situation and emphasized the Turkish government's determination to carry out the necessary structural reforms. He said Powell supported Turkey's joint efforts with the IMF. Boucher also pointed to the letter U.S. President George W. Bush sent to the Turkish American Council which had the same tone.

About the sanctions against Iraq, Boucher said ''Powell explained to Cem how the United States want to implement these sanctions together with UN Security Council members and neighbor countries of Iraq. Iraq's neighbors could do trade with Iraq by selling this country some basic items Iraqi people need. At the same time, smuggling of oil and engine oil at the border is also worrying us. We're suspecting that Baghdad could strengthen its military through this income obtained from smuggling and it could have mass destruction weapons.''

''Therefore we're working with Turkey in order to increase control over mass destruction weapons and protect the interests of countries like Turkey who have economic relations with Iraqi civilians. Turkey imposed sanctions against Iraq although it suffered a very heavy economic loss after the Gulf War. We also conveyed our appreciation to the Turkish side today for allowing northern watch flights,'' he said.

Boucher said Powell and Cem also debated the Cyprus conflict. He said his government wanted the negotiations between northern and southern sides to continue. The two men also covered Turkish-Greek and Turkey-EU relations, Boucher said adding that the islands and the Aegean issues were not discussed specifically.

[03] 2,1 MILLION BARRELS OF OIL PRODUCED IN ADIYAMAN REGION IN 2001

Turkish Petroleum Cooperation (TPAO) extracted 90.1 percent of the oil while the rest was extracted by private companies.

Adiyaman and its surroundings possess the richest oil reserves in Turkey.

TPAO and private companies are active in Adiyaman, Karakus, Cemberlitas, Western Fırat (Euphrates), South Karakus, North Karakus, Cendere, Besikli, Tokaris, Esatern Besikli, Ikizce, Ozan Sungurlu, Karadut, Caylarbasi, Lilan, Yanankoy, Bozova and Akgun field.

[04] FM CEM SAYS U.S. DISPLAYS POSITIVE APPROACH IN IRAQ WHICH IS TO INTEREST OF TURKEY

Staging a press briefing in the Turkish Embassy in Washington D.C., Cem said that Turkey tried to contribute to U.S.'s forming policy in Iraq with its experience, adding that Turkey is positive about the model of sanction policy in Iraq.

''The U.S. displayed a general positive approach in Iraq which will be to the interest of Turkey. We've found it positive in respect of overcoming the difficulties of Iraq and also in respect of meeting Turkey's loss in a certain aspect. This structure can increase the trade with Iraq. We will continue to work together,'' said Cem.

Cem said that the importance Turkey attributes to the territorial integrity and national unity of Iraq was stressed in his contacts.

Upon a question about Turkey's appointing an ambassador to Iraq, Cem said that ''this issue has been exaggerated a little bit. Now we work on increasing our trade with Iraq.''

When a journalist asked whether or not Turkey wants to get support of the U.S. in economy by giving concessions in Iraq, Cem said that ''such a thing can't be requested from us, this is not possible. It is illogical and contrary to the relations. In fact the sanctions model of the U.S. in Iraq is a positive model for Turkey.''

Cem said that Turkey's increasing activity and interest in the Middle East was welcomed in the U.S., adding that the latter wants this effort to continue. ''I told the U.S. officials that we attribute great importance to the continuation of U.S.'s contribution to the peace talk process,'' Cem said.

Cem said that he stressed the importance Macedonia carries for Turkey in his contacts in the U.S. Cem added that he plans to organize a visit to Kosovo, Albania and Macedonia.

Cem indicated that the U.S. officials underlined the role Turkey plays for the continuation of the stability in problematic countries in the Balkans.

Cem indicated that they also took up the summit of the Azerbaijani and Armenian Presidents that will be held in Florida for the solution of Upper Karabakh problem, adding that a possible agreement shouldn't result in a new instability, because if this is the case, all the Caucasus would be negatively affected from that.

Cem said that there is a proposal of giving economic and political dimension to the security working group between Turkey and Georgia, adding that U.S. also welcomed that.

Upon a question, Cem said that the proposal of meeting of Turkish, Azerbaijani and Armenian foreign ministers is still valid.

Cem recounted that both the U.S. Secretary of Commerce Don Evans and the White House Secretary General Andrew Card extended support to the Bake- Ceyhan pipeline during the Turkish-American Council meetings.

Cem said that the relations with Russia also came to agenda, adding that Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov will come to Ankara in May.

Noting that the European Security and Defense Policy was taken up in details, Cem said that they will continue to work together. Cem said that the views of Turkey and the EU-member NATO allies about ESDI are still different, adding that this issue has to be solved in line with the agreements.

Upon a question about the Cyprus issue, Cem said that the U.S. didn't make a demand from Rauf Denktas, the President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) regarding his participation in the proximity talks.

Stressing that the U.S. attributes importance to the good will mission of the U.N., Cem said that ''we told them that we also atribute importance to U.N. mission and explained them that no result has been reached so far and noted that new parameters have to be formed for Cyprus. I didn't explain the Cyprus issue in details again. We had discussed this issue in details in Brussels. I had explained there the difficulties that will come out by supporting the southern Cyprus's joining the EU.''

Cem said that he thanked U.S. State Secertary Colin Powell who wrote a letter to the U.S. parliamentarians against the efforts to make the so- called genocide on Armenians be recognized in Maryland, adding that he stressed the importance of this against similar initiatives, in his contacts. Recounting that the former U.S. administration extended support to Turkey about this issue, Cem said that ''we conveyed our sensitivity about this nonsense claims.''

Foreign Minister Cem said that Turkey started a good page in the relations with the new U.S. government.

Cem stressed that the relations with the U.S. developed very much since 1995 by when the U.S. didn't want to deliver the frigates to Turkey, which the latter had paid for them earlier.

[05] HISTORY MAGAZINE GIVES WIDE COVERAGE TO ANATOLIAN NEWS AGENCY

The features story which was written by A.A Domestic News Department Assistant Director Safa Tekeli includes documents, photographs and memoires.

One story tells about Yunus Nadi Abalioglu and Halide Edip Adivar who discussed the idea of starting a news agency at Akhisar train station and their plans of telling this to Mustafa Kemal Ataturk. The article includes various correspondance of Ataturk during his efforts to found the A.A.

There are photographs of the agency's first building, first General Director Alaaddin Bey, and pictures demonstrating how the first news stories were written.

The article stresses the A.A's role during the War of Independence and how hard it worked to report the war news during those years.

[06] NATIONAL DEFENSE MINISTER CAKMAKOGLU: ''TURKEY IS CLOSELY FOLLOWING DEVELOPMENTS IN YUGOSLAVIA''

Speaking on the second day of the 11th Antalya International Security and Cooperation Conference in Belek, Cakmakoglu expressed Turkey's concern regarding the violent incidents which take place on the border area between Kosovo and Macedonia.

The EU must be in close cooperation with allies in the region, Cakmakoglu said and added that the support should contain political, economic and diplomatic fields.

He said Macedonia was a perfect example of a multi-ethnic nation with more than one religion and culture, therefore it should be supported in all fields.

Cakmakoglu said there were certain problems between Turkey and Greece which were not resolved. He said Turkey wanted to continue its relations with Greece on the status-quo formed by Lausanne Treaty and other agreements.

On the Cyprus issue, he said Turkey supported a peaceful solution on the island. He said guaranteeing political equality and sovereignty for the Turkish Cypriots in Cyprus was a prerequisite for a long lasting solution on the island.

Dwelling on the European Security and Defense Identity (ESDI), the national defense minister said Turkey wanted EU's safe access to NATO resources, including operation planning, to be decided on and voted at separate meetings each time in Washington and during the following ministers meetings.

European Ally Forces Commander Joseph W. Rolstorn who also spoke at the conference said many NATO member countries are decreasing the number of their soldiers and that NATO should adjust to these changing conditions.

Germany based Turkey Studies Center (TAM) Director Prof. Faruk Sen said the EU was trying to exclude Turkey from the ESDI's decision mechanism and stressed that this would be a historical mistake.

Drawing attention to Turkey's important mission it undertook in NATO's south wing, Sen said Turkey continues to be a part of Europe's security and defense equation due to its geo-strategical position.

''Turkey's importance, even after the Cold War, cannot be debated,'' he continued. ''It is a bridge which connects Europe to Asia and it's a door opening to this century's important energy regions. Its exclusion from the Rapid Action Force will prevent the EU from following an effective foreign security policy in the region. It would also be a very big injustice to 3,4 million Turks living in EU countries and contributing 107,8 billion German Marks to their gross national product every year.''

[07] CAKMAKOGLU:''TURKEY'S DEFENSE BUDGET LOST ITS ONE THIRD DUE TO ECONOMIC CRISIS''

Explaining economizing measures in his ministry, Cakmakoglu said the ministry was postponing and cancelling certain projects.

Sources said the number of early warning plane AWACS which the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) will include to its inventory will be limited to six. In the bid given to BOEING company, the number of AWACS was decided as eight. This way, the TSK will save 500 million U.S. dollars. The planes are expected to be in TSK's inventory as of 2003.

[08] ECONOMIC SOCIAL COOUNCIL MEETING -HAK-IS SECRETARY GENERAL BASKAN WANTS DAMAGE ASSESSMENT OF OLD STABILITY PROGRAM

At the Economic Social Council meeting which convened under Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit's leadership on Saturday, reporters were distributed copies of speeches that will be given by Baskan and Turkish Tradesmen and Artisans Confederation (TESK) Chairman Dervis Gunday.

According to the texts, Baskan said the new economic program should include a solution to poverty. ''Because the working class is paying the cost of this economic crisis like it happened during the previous crisis,'' Baskan's text said.

Baskan claimed that Turkey was now at a worse point than it was before the implementation of the stability program. ''Production stopped, businesses stopped, unemployment increase, and our purchasing power dropped,'' the text said.

Baskan also pointed out that the job security bill was still not passed adding that Parliament should pass this bill as soon as possible.

Gunday, in his text, said all involved sides should admit that the previous stability program ended with failure. He also remarked that it would be wrong to adopt a negative attitude towards the new program because of the previous program's failure.

[09] STATE MINISTER MIRZAOGLU: ''OUR STRAITS ARE OPEN TO ALL COUNTRIES BUT WE WANT FOREIGN SHIPS TO PASS WITHOUT DAMAGING ENVIRONMENT''

Speaking at a training program participated by 65 ship captains at the Middle East Technical University (METU), Mirzaoglu said there were works underway to encourage sea transportation among people living on coastal provinces to lighten the load on highways.

Mirzaoglu said there were ten ministries which are involved in maritime and his ministry was working to gather all activities under one roof. ''We'll present the bill to the Cabinet next week. I hope the bill would be passed before the end of this year.''

The minister said the Tengiz-Novorossiysk pipeline which will transport the Kazakh oil to the world through Black Sea and Turkish

straits has opened.

''The Russians will pump oil to the Black Sea through a 105 kilometer pipeline. Our straits are open to all countries. According to international agreements we can't ban the passage to any country. But we want foreign ships pass safely from the straits without damaging the sea and the environment.''

''At least 10 big tankers will pass from the straits. Each tanker takes two hours which will add up to 20 hours. What are the passanger and commerce ships going to do? This means that if we let the tankers pass the world trade will stop. This is what we're trying to explain to the world,'' he said.

As an effort to protect the Turkish straits from a possible disaster, his ministry is following the international standards for the ships which are passing from the straits, he also stated.

[10] TURKEY'S GROSS NATIONAL PRODUCT PER CAPITA IN 2000 ANNOUNCED AS 2,986 U.S. DOLLARS

Gross National Product per capita increased 58.1 percent compared to 1999 and became 1 billion 869.6 million TL annually. On U.S. dollar basis, the same figure increased by 6.7 percent to 2,986 U.S. dollars.

Sectors 1.term 2. term 3. term 4. term Total

--------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------
Agriculture 1.8 2.3 1.9 12.2 4.1

Industry 2.8 4.0 9.8 5.5 5.6

Construction -1.3 4.3 11.1 6.7 5.8

Trade 10.1 11.0 13.0 11.6 11.6

Transportation 5.1 5.1 4.2 6.1 5.1

and Communication

Financial inst. 2.1 1.4 0.7 -0.5 0.9

Residence ownership-1.1 -1.1 0.1 1.9 0.0

Self-employement 4.1 4.9 6.6 7.4 5.9

services

State Services 0.8 2.3 2.2 2.2 1.9

Non-profit

organizations 0.7 -0.4 0.7 3.2 1.1

Import tax 32.9 28.3 26.4 22.5 27.3

Gross national 5.6 6.4 7.8 8.3 7.2

Annual Product

Gross national 4.2 4.9 7.2 7.6 6.1

Product

[11] AZERBAIJAN MOURNS FOR ITS VICTIMS MASSACRED BY ARMENIANS ON MARCH 31 GENOCIDE DAY

The day was declared as a national mourning day in 1998 by President Haydar Aliyev. Azerbaijanis are holding ceremonies to commemorate the day all over the country.

On Saturday morning Aliyev went to the Victims' Memorial and observed a minute of silence here. He also spoke with the relatives of victims.

[12] TURK-IS SAYS IMF'S AND WORLD BANK'S PROGRAMMES AND GOVERNMENTS WHICH MADE COUNTRY BE DEPENDENT ON THESE INSTITUTIONS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR RECENT ECONOMIC CRISIS

The texts that constituted the views that would be voiced by Turk-Is and the Turkey Agriculture Chambers Union (TZOB) at the Economic and Social Council were distributed to the journalists during the meeting.

According to the text, Turk-Is said that Turkey lives the biggest crisis of its history, adding that Turkey's problems increased every passing day due to the wrong policies and applications.

Turk-is wants the proposals such as changing of the political parties act and the election law to restrict the parliamentary immunity of deputies in a way which will only be valid to the mission of legislation.

Turk-Is also wants fight with corruption, bribery, emptying the bank's coffers, stopping of privatization, giving up the rentier economy and putting into practice the social state understanding.

TZOB in his part said that it will ask for preparation of a national programme during the Economic and Social Council meeting. TZOB pointed out that this programme should be implemented and prepared by persons whose salaries are not more than 12 billion liras, but people whose salaries are equal to regular civil servants' wages.

[13] ISTANBUL DGM ARRESTS ONE HEZBOLLAH MEMBER

Three brothers, Abdulselam Gecgin, Hayrettin Gecgin and Mehmet Emin Gecgin were interrogated at the Anti-Terrorism Directorate and later they were sent to the alternating court. The court arrested Abdulselam Gecgin for being a member of an illegal organization. Gecgin was sent to Bayrampasa Prison.

Other two brothers were released to be tried without detention.

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