Anadolu Agency: News in English, 01-04-03

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ANADOLU AGENCY

NEWS

03 APRİL 2001 Tuesday

CONTENTS

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

AYHAN SAHENK PASSES AWAY
Ayhan Sahenk, the Chairman of Executive Board of Dogus Group, passed away of an heart attack at the age of 72.

DINC BILGIN ARRESTED
Dinc Bilgin, the former owner of Etibank which was transferred to the Savings Deposit Insurance Fund, was arrested on charges of ''embezzlement, '' ''swindle,'' and ''forming an organization to commit crime.''

ERDIS SENTENCED TO CAPITAL PUNISHMENT
Salih Izzet Erdis, the head of illegal Islamic Great Eastern Raiders Front (IBDA/C) organization, was sentenced to capital punishment by the Istanbul State Security Court (DGM) no: 6. Erdis who is also known as ''Salih Mirzabeyoglu'', was sentenced to capital punishment on charges of ''attempting to change the constitutional order by the force of arms'' in accordance with the Article 146/1 of Turkish Penal Code (TCK).

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

ATHENS ISN'T PLEASED FROM CRISIS IN TURKEY FOR THE FIRST TIME
George Papandreou, the Greek Foreign Minister, who met with Turkish journalists in Athens, said that none of the Greeks was pleased with the economic crisis in Turkey. Papandreou said, prior to the raprochement process, Turkish people were pleased with any crisis in Greece and Greek would feel the same way whenever a crisis had occured in Turkey. Noting that Greece was fully supporting the membership of Turkey to the European Union (EU), Papandreou said they demonstrated their support in the last one and a half year, through conveying their experience to Turkey.

SABAH (LIBERAL)

CALAMITY IN IZMIT
Fire broke out in a depot belonging to a company constructing natural gas pipelines in permanent quake-dwellings in Gundogdu region in northwestern province of Izmit, killing six people and injuring three others. The fire started when workers put oil to a stove they lit to warm up.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

ECONOMIC PROGRAM OF THE GOVERNMENT ISN'T READY YET
Although the political parties, scientists and representatives of the working class had announced many alternative economic programs, the program of the government isn't ready yet. The Economy Group of the Independent Social Scientists had announced its alternative program on February 28, which underlined that rapid steps should be taken in order not to deepen the crisis in the country. The Labour Platform and the Republican People's Party (CHP), have announced their programs and the Virtue Party (FP), which will stage a press conference today, is expected to announce its alternative program.

RADIKAL (LEFT)

At the second day of his visit, President Sezer will proceed to the Hague from Amsterdam, and meet with Prime Minister Wim Kok of the Netherlands.

President Sezer is scheduled to meet with speakers of parliament and senate, and with members of the Parliamentary Foreign Relations Commission. On April 4, President Sezer will receive representatives of Turkish community in the Netherlands at the Turkish Embassy.

LINN, VICE PRESIDENT OF WORLD BANK, DUE IN TURKEY
Jonannes Linn, the Vice President of World Bank, is expected to come to Turkey on April 4, 2001. Economic program and World Bank's possible contributions to the program together with reconstruction of banking sector in Turkey will be discussed during Linn's contacts in Turkey. Linn is expected to depart from Turkey on Friday.

FITCH IBCA DOWNGRADES TURKEY'S LONG-TERM LOCAL CURRENCY RATING
The international rating agency Fitch IBCA downgraded Turkey's long-term local currency rating to B from B+. The Fitch IBCA downgraded Turkey's long- term foreign currency rating to B+ from BB (-). A statement of the Fitch IBCA said that the negative general appearance in long-term currency and foreign currency continued. The statement noted that this action reflects the slow progress the authorities have made in formulating a credible revised stability program since Turkey abandoned its exchange rate peg in late February. Turkey rapidly needs to instigate a detailed plan for putting its stabilization program back on track, the statement said. The statement added that the new economic program has to include not only the banking sector, but also concrete macro-economic measures.

TURKIYE (RIGHT)

STATE MINISTER DERVIS TO INVITE KOHLER
State Minister Kemal Dervis is expected to send a letter to Horst Kohler, the Managing Director of International Monetary Fund (IMF), and invite IMF delegation to Turkey. IMF delegation is expected to come to Turkey at the weekend.

RELATIVES OF MARTYRS DENOUNCE PARLIAMENT TO DGM
Relatives of martyrs denounced parliament to Ankara State Security Court (DGM) Chief Prosecutor's Office. They reacted against the government's decision to keep file of Abdullan Ocalan, the head of terrorist organization PKK, at the Prime Ministry. They accused leaders of three political parties forming the coalition governmes of violating the Constitution, and MPs of misuing their authority.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

ORDINARY PEOPLE BECOME ECONOMISTS
Ordinary people has become economists due to the recent eceonomic crisis in Turkey. Economy has become the main topic of discussion leaving football discussions behind. We have to closely follow every development in the economy as they have direct impact on us, said many people. Ordinary people now know more about economic terms such as ''devaluation, budget deficit, crawling peg, and floating exchange rate policy.''

-GAP REGION EXPORTS AGRICULTURAL, ANIMAL AND INDUSTRIAL
PRODUCTS WORTH OF 134.3 MILLION U.S. DOLLARS
GAZIANTEP - The Southeastern Anatolia Project (GAP) region exported agricultural, animal and industrial products worth of 134.3 million U.S. dollars in the first three months of the year, sources said on Tuesday.

The region had exported products worth of 132 million 515 thousand U.S. dollars in the same period of last year.

The data from the Southeastern Anatolia Exporters' Union show that livestock and animal products worth of 3 million 302 thousand U.S. dollars; cereals, grain cereals, seeds worth of 25 million 983 thousand U.S. dollars; dried fruit worth of 11 million 16 thousand U.S. dollars; textile products worth of 83 million 473 thousand U.S. dollars; and fruit, vegetable and industrial products worth of 10 million 539 thousand U.S. dollars were exported from the region in January-March 2001 period.

The exports of livestock and animal products increased 629 percent, exports of cereals, grain cereals, seeds and products increased 16 percent and exports of textile products increased 14 percent when compared to the same period of last year.

Exports of dried fruit decreased 5 percent and the exports of fruit, vegetable and industrial products decreased 58 percent when compared to January March period of 2000.

-PRESIDENT SEZER LEAVES FOR NETHERLANDS (2)
ANKARA - President Ahmet Necdet Sezer said on Tuesday that further improvement of relations between Turkey and the Netherlands would be taken up during his visit to this country.

Addressing journalists at the Esenboga Airport in Ankara prior to his departure, President Sezer said that it would be the first visit between the two countries on the level of the head of state.

Noting that there had been relations between Turkey and the Netherlands since the 17th century, President Sezer told reporters that relations had been further improving with the Netherlands.

Pointing out that nearly 300 thousand Turkish citizens had been living in the Netherlands, President Sezer said that Turkish citizens had added a humanitarian dimension to the relations between Turkey and the Netherlands.

''The Netherlands had been supporting Turkey's candidacy to the European Union (EU) prior to the Helsinki Summit in 1999. The Netherlands has been continuing to support Turkey in its candiday process since the Helsinki Summit. We attribute great importance to consultation meetings with the Netherlands on the issues of formation of jouint security and defense in Europe,'' he stressed.

Noting that positive developments had been recorded in economic relations between the two countries, President Sezer said, ''trade volume between the two countries increased up to 2.5 billion U.S. dollars. There are nearly 300 Dutch firms in Turkey. We believe that cooperation between Turkish and Dutch companies would further develop.''

''During my contacts with Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands and with Prime Minister Wim Kok, bilateral relations and international problems will be taken up. Further improvement of bilateral relations will also be brought onto agenda of the contacts,'' he said.

President Sezer told reporters that he would meet with speakers of parliament and senate, and with members of the Parliamentary Foreign Relations Commission.

Recalling that he would come together with representatives of Turkish community in the Netherlands, and with Turkish students studying in the Netherlands, President Sezer said, ''we will discuss their problems and expectations from us. We will assess with the Dutch officials measures to be taken to assist Turkish citizens in adapting themselves with the Dutch society.''

President Sezer added, ''I believe that my visit to the Netherlands would make an important contribution to further improvement of relations between the two countries.''

(End)

-PARLIAMENTARY DELEGATION STARTS ITS CONTACTS IN WASHINGTON D.C.
WASHINGTON D.C. - The parliamentary delegation headed by Kamran Inan, the Chairman of Parliamentary Foreign Affairs Commission, started its contacts in Washington D.C., the U.S., on Tuesday.

The delegation met with Marc Grossman, the Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs, and Chuck Hagel, the Republican Nebraska Congressman, and Richard Perle, the former Secretary of Defense.

The delegation, which is comprised of Mehmet Ali Irtemcelik from the Motherland Party (ANAP), Oktay Vural from the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), Tahir Kose from the Democratic Left party (DSP), Ayfer Yilmaz from the True Path Party (DYP), and Abdullah Gul from the Virtue Party (FP), also met with Bob Livingston and Gerard Solomon, the directors of the company which carry out lobbying activities of Turkey in the U.S.

The delegation also met with representatives of Turkish community living in the U.S. and the recent economic developments in Turkey, facilities to promote Turkey, and resolutions on so-called genocide on Armenians were assessed.

The parliamentary delegation will meet with Paul Wolfowitz, the Deputy Secretary of Defense, and will attend the round table meeting with some congressmen at the U.S. congress.

The delegation will also hold private contacts with some U.S. congressmen.

The economic situation of Turkey, Armenian issue, the regional importance of Turkey, Iraq, and the European Security and Defense Identity (ESDI) will be taken up during the meetings.

It was stated that the visit of the parliamentary delegation had no link with the Armenian issue.

-STATE MINISTER SUKRU SINA GUREL STARTS HIS CONTACTS IN U.S.
WASHINGTON D.C. - State Minister Sukru Sina Gurel started his contacts on Tuesday in Florida, U.S., where he would listen to the problems of the Turkish people living abroad, and exchange views with the American officials on this issue.

Gurel accompanied by a delegation including representatives of Turkish community in the U.S., partook in a dinner hosted by Katherine Harris, the Secretary of Florida state from the Republican Party.

Gurel also came together with Peg Richardson, the Cultural Works Director of the Florida States' State Department. Cultural exchange opportunities were discussed at the meeting.

Gurel also exchanged views with Bob Ward, the Speaker of local House of Representatives, and officials from the Florida Chamber of Commerce.

Gurel will meet with many parliamentarians and senators within the framework of his contacts and will come together with the representatives of the Turkish-American Associations Assembly in Florida.

Gurel will meet with Turkish students living in the U.S., and listen to the problems of them.

Gurel will hold contacts to establish sister city relations between Tampa and western Izmir province, and Fort Lauderdale and western Mugla province.

Gurel is expected to return Turkey on April 9 after wrapping up his contacts in the U.S.

-NATIONAL DEFENSE MIINSTER CAKMAKOGLU TO GO TO SKOPJE ON WEDNESDAY
SKOPJE - National Defense Minister Sabahattin Cakmakoglu will go to Skopje, Macedonia on Wednesday to attend the Southeast European

Countries defense ministers meeting which will be held on Thursday.

Macedonian President Boris Trajkovski and Prime Minister Ljupco Gieorgievski will open the meeting in which officials from Albania, Bulgaria, Greece, Romania, Turkey, Yugoslavia, Croatia, Slovenia, Ukraine, Italy, U.S., Sweden, U.N, Nato, Ogranization of Security and Cooperation in Europe and EU will participate.

The geopolitical situation, the new crisis points and cooperation between regional countries will constitute the agenda of the meeting.

-YILMAZ:''INFLATION RATE FOR MARCH WILL GIVE IMPORTANT HINTS
ABOUT THE SEVERENESS OF THE ECONOMIC CRISIS''
ANKARA - Motherland Party (ANAP) leader and Deputy Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz has said that the Turkish economy, despite the problems its experiencing, will overcome the economic crisis with its great potential.

Yilmaz assessed the latest developments in the economy at his party's parliamentary group meeting.

Yilmaz said the inflation rate for the month of March which will be announced today will give a hint about the severeness of the crisis and added that all the consequences of the the economic crisis have not yet appeared.

''The people had to pay a very high cost for a series of incidents including the Asian crisis and the Marmara earthquake,'' Yilmaz said. ''This cost is not only high for Turkey but it would be high for many developed nations. Several EU countries don't have the strength to endure the situation we are in right now. Turkey and the Turkish economy, despite the troubles it is facing today, will pull itself out of this crisis. Turkey has the potential and strength to achieve this.''

The government has a strong will on this matter, Yilmaz said. ''The Economic and Social Council's representatives also supported the bills which stirred up debates last week. What is important is to draw a line that will be followed.''

The structural faults of the finance sector led to major troubles, Yilmaz said and added that one should start solving the problem from the finance sector. The indicated that this would also help to bring solutions to other economy related problems.

Turkey's only problem is not economy, he said adding that economic problems are the reflections of problems in other areas.

''The most important factor of the finance sector is the public banks. Public banks have fallen into a morass. This is because certain implementations which were started for reasons that could be excused, turned into a big load on these banks. This system which is a big burden on the public banks should be changed. Otherwise, even if we solve all the financial problems of public banks such as increasing their capital to a certain level, the system would collapse within a few years.''

-IZGI:''TURKEY IS AGAINST ANY DEVELOPMENT THAT WOULD THREATEN
THE SECURITY AND STABILITY IN KYRGYZSTAN''
BISHKEK - Parliament Chairman Omer Izgi has said that Turkey was against any development that would threaten the security and stability in Kyrgyzstan and other Central Asian republics which had a secular and democratic regime like Turkey.

Addressing to the Legislation Board in Kyrgzystan, Izgi said it was important for Turkey to develop relations with Kyrgyzstan in every field. He added that Turkey was ready to extend support to this country to implement economic and political reforms.

Pointing to the ''excellent'' level of relations between the two countries, Izgi said high level contacts help to further advance these relations. He also pointed out that Turkey didn't agree with the allegations that the Kyrgyz Parliament elections were performed in a transparent manner. ''I know that the Kyrgyz Parliament is playing an important role in the country's democratization,'' he said.

The parliament speaker said Turkey had no tolerance for terrorism, drug smuggling and Islamist fundamentalism which might have serious consequences for the Central Asia.

Izgi also remarked that Turkey would continue its defense aids to Kyrgyzstan within the limits of its means.

Dwelling on the economic relations between Turkey and Kyrgyzstan, Izgi said especially in the last decade, a sharp increase was observed in Turkish investments in Krygyzstan. ''However, our foreign trade volume is still below the desired level,'' he said.

At a press conference he held after his meetings in Kyrgyzstan, Izgi said he was very satisfied with his contacts with Kyrgyz officials.

Pointing to the cultural richness of the Central Asia, Izgi said Turkey wanted to introduce this culture to Europe.

Izgi later went to Turkmenistan, the last stop of his visit to Central Asia. Izgi will start his official contacts on Wednesday. He is expected to meet with Turkmen President Saparmurat Turkmenbasi and Parliament Speaker Sehet Muradov.

Izgi is also expected to deliver a speech at the Turkmen Parliament. After visiting Merv city, Izgi will return home on Friday.

-ISTANBUL SECURITY DIRECTOR ABANOZ SAYS ILLEGAL DHKP-C ORGANIZATION
CLAIMS RESPONSIBILITY OVER KILLING OF TWO POLICEMEN IN ISTANBUL
ISTANBUL - Istanbul Security Director Kazım Abanoz said on Tuesday that the illegal organization DHKP/C claimed responsibility over the armed attack on a police car killing two policemen in Bahcelievler district of Istanbul last Sunday.

Responding to questions of journalists, Abanoz said that ''the illegal organization DHKP/C claimed responsibility over the armed attack. The weapons used in the armed attack were also used in certain earlier attacks.''

''Terrorist organizations don't want people to live in peace, these people are traitors and enemies of the people. Two persons were killed only because they were policemen. The aim of the terrorists is to kill the common sense in the society.''

Abanoz stressed that these people will either come and surrender or police will capture them.

-INFLATION RATES ANNOUNCED
ANKARA - The State Institute of Statistics (DIE) said on Tuesday that the wholesale price increase has been 10,1 percent and consumer price increase has been 6.1 percent in March, 2001.

The annual inflation rate has been 35.1 percent in wholesale prices and 37.5 percent in consumer prices as of March, 2001.

The inflation rate for the first three months of 2001 has been 15,6 in wholesale prices and 10.7 percent in consumer prices.

Meanwhile, the 12-month average inflation rate has been 42.1 percent in wholesale prices and 46.5 percent in consumer prices as of the end of March.

-HASIPOGLU SAYS EU MEMBERSHIP WOULD BE DISASTROUS FOR THE TRNC
BEFORE ITS SOVEREIGNTY IS OFFICIALLY RECOGNIZED
LEFKOSA - Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) Parliament Speaker Ertugrul Hasipoglu has said that the Turkish Cypriot side's joining to the EU would be signing a ''death decleration'' before the Turkish Cypriots' sovereignty is officially recognized.

Speaking at a conference on Tuesday, Hasipoglu said the Greek Cypriot side should be strong both politically and economically. Drawing attention to Cyprus's geostrategic location, he said there was no nation called ''Cypriot'' lived on this island throughout the history.

He said that Cyprus became more important due to Baku-Ceyhan oil pipeline and this is the reason why Britain still keeps military bases on the island and has a confirmation that the bases will remain there if the island enters the EU. However, Britain does not accept the sovereignty of the Turkish Cypriots which is an important indicator of the balance of interests in the world.

TRNC Prime Minister Dervis Eroglu said that for 37 years the Turkish Cypriots were denied of international human rights and the right to determine their futures.

Eroglu indicated that the isolation and sanctions have been used to pressure people to make them make concessions and stressed that there were two separate nations in Cyprus.

The agreements are violated by the Greek Cypriot side which wants to destroy the Turkish Cypriots, Eroglu said. He indicated that the U.N. Security Council on March 4, 1964 declared the Greek Cypriot government legal and thus approved an illegal act.

''Turkish Cypriot people continue to live a sovereign existence under the guarantee of Turkey but it also fights against the illegality which lasted 37 years,'' he said.

Eroglu stated that the Greek Cypriots were trying to obtain, what they couldn't obtain through arms, through EU membership today. Eroglu explained the reasons that led to the TRNC's withdrawal from the talks.

Eroglu said the TRNC Cabinet decided on Nov. 20, 2000 that U.N. Secretary General's views could not form grounds for the negotiations and the TRNC announced its decision to withdraw from the talks after Turkish and TRNC presidents had a meeting in Ankara.

Turkey is determined to protect the TRNC's national interests, Eroglu said. ''Like we did so far, we'll continue to state at all platforms that there are two equal sovereign states in Cyprus and the TRNC would not give up Turkey's guarantee.''

-INFLATION RATES ANNOUNCED (2)
ANKARA - The State Statistics Institute (DIE) announced the inflation rate in wholesale prices index (WPI) in March as 35.1 percent and in the consumer prices index (CPI) as 37.5 percent.

The inflation rate in March 2000 was 66.1 percent in WPI and 67.9 percent in CPI.

The DIE said that the inflation rate in WPI increased 10.1 percent and 6.1 percent in CPI in March 2001 when compared with February 2001.

The increase in WPI in March 2000 was 3.1 percent and CPI was 2.9 percent.

The annual inflation rate as of March was calculated as 42.1 percent in WPI and 46.5 percent in CPI. The annual inflation rate in March 2000 was 57.8 percent and 66.1 percent in CPI.

Below listed the monthly and annual inflation rates in WPI and CPI in the last five years:

Monthly inflation

------ ---- ---- ---- ---- ----- ----- ---- ---- ---- ---
Jan 5.6 6.5 3.6 5.8 2.3 5.9 7.2 4.8 4.9 2.5

Feb 6.2 4.6 3.4 4.1 2.6 5.7 4.4 3.2 3.7 1.8

March 6.0 4.0 4.0 3.1 10.1 5.4 4.3 4.1 2.9 6.1

April 5.5 4.0 5.3 2.4 6.6 4.7 4.9 2.3

May 5.2 3.3 3.2 1.7 4.7 3.5 2.9 2.2

June 3.4 1.6 1.8 0.3 2.9 2.4 3.3 0.7

July 5.3 2.5 4.0 1.0 6.3 3.4 3.8 2.2

Aug 5.3 2.4 3.3 0.9 6.2 4.0 4.2 2.2

Sept 6.3 5.3 5.9 2.3 7.3 6.7 6.0 3.1

Oct 6.7 4.1 4.7 2.8 8.3 6.1 6.3 3.1

Nov 5.6 3.4 4.1 2.4 6.6 4.3 4.2 3.7

Dec 5.4 2.5 6.8 1.9 5.1 3.3 5.9 2.5

Annual inflation

------ ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---
Jan 78.0 92.5 50.0 66.4 28.3 75.7 101.6 65.9 68.9 35.9

Feb 78.6 89.6 48.3 67.5 26.5 77.7 99.3 63.9 69.7 33.4

March 77.0 86.0 48.2 66.1 35.1 77.3 97.2 63.5 67.9 37.5

April 72.8 83.3 50.0 61.5 77.2 93.6 63.9 63.8

May 74.6 79.9 50.0 59.2 77.5 91.4 63.0 62.7

June 75.7 76.7 50.3 56.8 78.0 90.6 64.3 58.6

July 80.7 72.1 52.4 52.3 85.2 85.3 65.0 56.2

Aug 83.4 67.4 53.7 48.9 87.8 81.4 65.4 53.2

Sept 85.4 65.9 54.4 43.9 89.9 80.4 64.3 49.0

Oct 87.5 62.0 55.2 41.4 93.2 76.6 64.7 44.4

Nov 88.4 58.6 56.3 39.1 95.8 72.8 64.6 43.8

Dec 91.0 54.3 62.9 32.7 99.1 69.7 68.8 39.0

-ISRAELI FOREIGN MINISTER PERES TO VISIT TURKEY ON APRIL 10
TEL AVIV - Israeli Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Shimon Peres will come to Ankara on April 10 for an official visit.

During his one-day visit, Peres will meet with President Ahmet Necdet Sezer, Foreign Minister Ismail Cem, and Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit.

Peres who came to Turkey for a working visit in April 1993, was the first Israeli prime minister who visited Turkey. Later the then Foreign Minister Hikmet Cetin paid a visit to Israel in November of the same year. Peres came back to Turkey in 1994, April, this time for his first official visit.

Israeli officials told the A.A that Peres, during his visit to Turkey, will emphasize Turkey's importance for Israel and encourage Turkish officials to further develop relations.

The same sources said Israel was content that the trade volume between the two countries exceeded one billion U.S. dollars. Increasing the trade volume and Manavgat Water project will be other topics that will be raised during the Israeli foreign minister's visit.

Peres is expected to stress his country's willingness to buy Manavgat's water from Turkey during his official visits. The issue was first brought up by Peres after his Turkey visit in 1994.

Prime Minister Ariel Sharon supports another project to solve Israel's water problem which is to extract drinkable water from sea water. Therefore Sharon doesn't support efforts to buy water from Turkey. However, officials expect the project to come to life through Peres' efforts.

An Israeli delegation is scheduled to visit Turkey end of April to debate the disagreements on price and other specifics. The difference of price demanded by the two sides is three or four cents, therefore sources said Turkey and Israel could overcome this problem.

Peres will brief Turkish government officials about the Middle East Peace Process of the recently found national union government. Peres will ask Ankara to persuade Arafat to stop violence to restart the peace talks. Peres will tell the government officials that Israel appreciates Ankara's contributions to the peace process.

Sources are expecting Turkish government officials to tell Peres that violence should first stop to start the talks.

Israel's newly elected President Moshe Katsav is also expected to visit Ankara in fall. The last presidential visit between the countries took place in 1999, July when Suleyman Demirel visited Israel.

Israeli Parliament Speaker Avraham Burg is also expected to come to Turkey in fall.

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