Anadolu Agency: News in English, 01-04-19

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ANADOLU AGENCY

NEWS

19 APRİL 2001 Thursday

CONTENTS

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

Parris defended that if the reform package of state minister Kemal Dervis is not put into implementation soon, Turkey would have to pay a more serious cost when compared with the past crises.

COUNCIL OF EUROPE: STOP DEATH FASTS
Council of Europe Committee for Prevention of torture will come to Turkey to determine ways to put an end to death fasts. Walter Schwimmer, the Secretary General of Council of Europe, called on the protestors to stop the death fasts to prevent new deaths.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

TUSIAD: DEATH FASTS SHOULD END
Turkish Industrialists and Businessmen Association (TUSIAD) wanted the government to put an end to the death fasts soon. TUSIAD also made a warning: tourism and foreign aid will be negatively affected because of the death fasts.

SABAH (LIBERAL)

Upon the request of state minister Kemal Dervis if it would be possible to make cuts from the current expenses, General Staff started works to shorten military service.

Easing of tension with Greece and decrease of PKK terrorism were also influential in this decision. The implementation will start in May or June if the preparations can be completed.

BUSH: WE SUPPORT YOU
Prime minister Bulent Ecevit, with the suggestion of state minister Kemal Dervis, telephoned the U.S. president George Bush on the phone and asked for support. Bush, who found this request as positive, pointed out that he was intended to extend the required support for Turkey to overcome this crisis.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

PRESIDENT SEZER APPROVES SUGAR LAW
President Ahmet Necdet Sezer approved the Sugar Law which will sentence three million people, who earn their living from sugar-beet, to hunger and which will bring sugar production to the point of halt. Sezer signed the Sugar law after examining it for 14 days. The Sugar Law is among the laws which the International Monetary Fund (IMF) linked to loan conditions.

RADIKAL (LEFT)

The government took the first step as preparations in state hospitals brought medical intervention to death fasts on the agenda. A mini summit took place in prime ministry following the statement of justice minister Hikmet Sami Turk that the interior ministry has some security concerns.

Turk, after meeting with deputy prime minister Husamettin Ozkan, and interior minister Saadettin Tantan, pointed out that the commission was about to reach an agreement on Article 16.

AGAIN EXTRADITION EXAMINATION
Justice ministry pushed the button for the extradition of Cavit Caglar. The ministry, which could not provide extradition of Gulay Asliturk and Fehriye Erdal, is now having another examination. Justice minister Hikmet Sami Turk said, ''there is an agreement, however extradition may take time.''

As translation proceedings start in the ministry, it was reported that some documents, which can be evidences to the request of the State Security Court (DGM) were not wanted.

TURKIYE (RIGHT)

TOURISM IS OUR CONSOLATION
Tourism minister Erkan Mumcu pointed out that an extremely positive year is exprienced in tourism, and noted that there will be 22 percent increase in number of tourists this season. Mumcu said Turkey is not unable to meet the demands, noting that, ''we have come to the limits of supplies. We can not meet the demands in 2002 if we fail to make preparations.''

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

Ecevit who briefed the U.S.president about the economic program and the legal arrangements, got the required support. Pointing out that he closely followed the crisis, Bush reiterated that the U.S. regards Turkey as an important friend and a valuable ally.

CAVIT CAGLAR TO REMAIN DETAINED
Businessman Cavit Caglar, who was detained in the U.S. on Tuesday as he was wanted with red bulletin, was tried on Thursday. The court decided for Caglar to remain detained.

-MESSAGE FROM BUSH TO TURKEY:
''TURKEY'S IMPLEMENTATION OF THE ECONOMIC REFORMS
HAVE CRITICAL IMPORTANCE''
WASHINGTON D.C. - Washington adminisration issued an official statement on Thursday regarding the telephone call of the U.S. president George Bush with prime minister Bulent Ecevit. The statement said Bush gave the message that Turkey's implementation of the economic reforms has critical importance.

White House spokesman's office told A.A correspondent that the U.S. president Bush, in his telephone conversation with prime minister Ecevit, conveyed his strong support to Turkey, which is a friendly country and a NATO member, in its progress toward resulting the economic reform program with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

The statement said U.S. president Bush stressed the criticial importance of Turkey's implementation of economic reforms, and stated that the U.S. support would continue to Turkey which advances her economic program, and her program with the IMF, working together with the international community.

-JAPANESE DELEGATION ARRIVES IN TURKEY
TO DISCUSS FINANCE SECTOR CREDIT
ANKARA - Concrete developments regarded with providing foreign source, began to be experienced after the announcement of the new economic program.

A delegation from Japanese Bank of International Cooperation (JBIC), the biggest official institute of Japan which provides high amount of foreign support, arrived in Ankara on Thursday to discuss finance sector credit.

The JBIC officials, following the talks, will also exchange views with the World Bank officials, and provide financial contribution.

Officials told A.A. correspondent that JBIC will commit to grant a co- finance loan of at least 750 million U.S. dollars to Turkey in line with the Financial Sector Adjustment Loan (FSAL), which is planned to be given by the World Bank to Turkey.

Officials said the FSAL 1 and FSAL 2 covered a credit worth of 1.5 billion U.S. dollars, noting that nearly 375 million U.S. dollars part of the FSAL 1 was used earlier, and that Japan could increase the rate of credit for the financial sector to 1.5 billion U.S. dollars considering the attitude of the World Bank.

It was reported that JBIC officials found the economic program, announced last week, as positive and applicable, adding that they would support financial sector of this program.

Meanwhile, it was reported that a delegation from the European Union Investment Bank came to Turkey and started to work on the project credits that will be given to Turkey.

It was reported that an increase will be seen in credit facilities which the EU Investment Bank would provide to Turkey. It was also noted that the Bank could provide a project credit to Turkey around 400-450 million U.S. dollars.

-TURKEY-EU JOINT CONSULTATION COMMITTEE MEETING
-DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ: ''BOTH THE EU AND TURKEY
SHOULD DETERMINE THEIR PATHS IN CONFORMITY WITH THE MAIN LINES
OF HISTORY AND THEIR SOCIETIES''
ANKARA - Mesut Yilmaz, the state minister and deputy prime minister, said on Thursday that both Turkey and the European Union (EU) should determine their paths in conformity with the main lines of history and their societies.

Yilmaz addressed the 11th EU-Turkey Joint Consultation Committe meeting which took place in Turk-Is headquartes, and evaluated Turkish-EU relations under the light of the National Program.

Pointing out that the National Program was one of the most important turning points of the Turkish-EU relations that has 40 year old past, Yilmaz said, ''we make commitments to our people as well as the EU with this program.'' Yilmaz said the core of the promise which they make to the people is, ''to provide Turkish people to live in a first class country, as a real citizen, and to maintain a contemporary life.''

Yilmaz said, ''both EU and Turkey should determine their paths in conformity with the main lines of the history and their societies.''

(to be continued)

-FINAL DECLARATION OF SYMPOSIUM ON TURKISH-ARMENIAN
RELATIONS THROUGHOUT HISTORY ISSUED
ANKARA - The final declaration of the symposium on Turkish-Armenian relations throghout history which was held at the parliament between April 13 and 14 said on Monday that the court which is authorized to determine whether or not genocide was made and to give a verdict about this issue is the court of place where genocide was made.

The final declaration of the symposium was issued. The declaration said that the parliaments, associations, other organizations or persons do not have the authority to give a decision about whether or not genocide was made.

If there is a conflict in the interpretation and implementation of the Genocide Convention, one of the sides can take the issue to the International Court of Justice, the final declaration noted.

The final declaration said within this framework, the French parliament does not have the right and authority to take a decision regarding genocide and to pass a law.

The French parliaments and other parliaments which took similar decisions took decisions which are not under their authorities, the final declaration stated.

The final declaration emphasized that the French government acted against international law by legalizing this decision.

Application of Turkey to the International Court of Justice to determine this unauthorized action was among the proposals put forward in the symposium, the final declaration said.

The final declaration pointed out that the majority of those who deal with the Armenian issue think that the Turkish and Armenian Ottoman citizens faced massacre during a tragedy of humanity in 1915 and that such actions are not attitudes which can be tolerated and appreciated although they were made during a wartime and they were mutual.

It is not correct to consider those agonies as non-existent and underestimate them, the final declaration said, noting that those agonies are still in the memories of the grandchildren of those who died in those actions.

''But, the support extended to the view that only one side suffered from those agonies by some provocateurs of those conflicts cannot be considered as an acceptable approach,'' the final declaration said.

The final declaration noted that the Armenia assumes an aggressive attitude in its region and this country continues to support the terrorist organization Asala.

The participants proposed that Turkey's humanitarian aid transportation to Armenia should be stopped, the flights between Istanbul and Yerevan should be ended, and the food exportation to this country should be limited, the final declaration stated.

The final declaration pointed out that besides these sanctions, the participants proposed that Turkey should complain about this country within the framework of international organizations and should provide the condemnation of this country.

A structure which will provide the coordination and cooperation among all the organizations that exert efforts to prove the incorrectness of the Armenian genocide allegations and to prevent the distortion of history, should be set up, the final declaration said.

The final declaration noted that in this context, it will be beneficial if the Armenian Researches Institute undertakes an active role.

Supporting the associations which function in the U.S. and Europe like the Assembly of Turkish American Associations, the Federation of Turkish American Associations, and Turkish Forum, carries vital importance, the final declaration said.

The participants appreciated the activities of the Turkish Democracy Foundation within the framework of standing against the Armenian genocide allegations and to impeding the progress of these allegations, the final declaration stated.

The final declaration said that the participants pointed to the importance of making joint researches and investigations to illimunate the historical realities by a scientific approach between Turkey and Armenia although Armenia does not assume a positive approach.

-TURKEY-EU JOINT CONSULTATION COMMITTEE MEETING (2)
-DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ: ''THE ISSUES INCLUDED IN NATIONAL
PROGRAM MAY HAVE BEEN MORE COMPREHENSIVE AND STRIKING''
ANKARA - Deputy Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz said on Thursday that the issues included in the National Program may have been more comprehensive and striking.

Speaking in the Turkey-European Union (EU) Consultation Committee Meeting held in the Conferedation of the Turkish Labour Unions (Turk-Is), Yilmaz said that despite this, the implementation of all of the elements of the program will be a historic success for Turkey.

Yilmaz noted that the National Program, which has been prepared in the end of a long and troublesome process, is a document which unites Turkey's determination in becoming an EU member and its national sensitivities.

The National Program is a product of both internal and external contacts, Yilmaz stated.

Yilmaz said that besides the public institutions, the non-governmental organizations also contributed to the preparation of the program.

Yilmaz emphasized that the program is one of the important milestones in Turkey-EU relations which go back to 40 years ago.

Most of the reactions against the National Program are positive and constructive, Yilmaz pointed out.

Yilmaz stressed that most of the reactions resulted from the expectations for a more comprehensive and striking program.

It is possible to increase the medium scale objectives of the program, Yilmaz said.

Yilmaz noted that the National Program is not the program of any party or the government but it is the program of Turkey.

It is a realistic program based on strong grounds which is possible to be implemented, Yilmaz stated.

Yilmaz continued, ''the EU harmonization process is an important chance for Turkey to overcome its problems rapidly. The short and medium term objectives of the program will contribute to overcoming the crisis which result from the structural problems.''

They aimed to finalize the program sooner and to reach most of the short term objectives by now, Yilmaz said, but the conditions of the country prevented them from reaching their target.

Yilmaz said that Turkey has reached the main and important milestone in the EU membership process with a delay, the cost of which was high.

''Our target is to reach the level at which we can start the full membership negotiations in the shortest time. We think it will be more beneficial to us if we can start the negotiations as soon as we can,'' Yilmaz also said.

Yilmaz noted that the National Program is a promise given to both the EU and Turkish nation.

''We are giving a full freedom promise in every platforms. We promise to provide the freedom to walk in the street without any fears. We promise that the justice will not be delayed, the equality of possibilities will be fully and definitely ensured, illegal and extraordinary taxes will not be taken, and the money will not lose its value. The National Program is a promise to live freely and in a civilized way in business life, in political life, in beliefs and culture,'' Yilmaz said.

Yilmaz drew the attention that Turkey is European since Mehmet the Conquerer and said that it was away from Europe because it could not adjust to some illumination and industry reforms in time.

A Turkey exists in Europe because of the Turkish workers living there, Yilmaz stated.

Yilmaz pointed out that Turkey cannot mark success in its efforts to overcome the problems of its citizens in Europe.

''Today, almost 4 million Turkish citizens in European countries are second- class people in these countries,'' Yilmaz said.

Yilmaz emphasized that the way to end the negative incidents against Turkey in the European platforms is not declaring Europe as an enemy but giving a struggle in Europe by taking place in Europe.

Those who are uneasy about the positive course of Turkey-EU relations are the ''marginal people'' in both sides, Yilmaz said.

Yilmaz added, ''the marginal groups and views cannot be a determinant in such an important issue.''

(To be continued)

-FOGG: ''ECONOMIC PROGRAM IS A GOOD OPPORTUNITY FOR TURKEY TO
IMPLEMENT RADICAL STRUCTURAL REFORMS''
ANKARA - EU Commission's Turkey Representative Ambassador Karen Fogg has said that State Minister Kemal Dervis's economic program was a good opportunity for Turkey to implement the necessary structural reforms.

Fogg assessed Turkey-EU relations in connection with Turkey's national economic program from the EU's point of view at a meeting held by the Turkish Confederation of Labor Unions (Turk-Is) on Thursday.

Fogg stated that the month of March was important due to the clarifications of the Accession Partnership Document and the national program and added that the new economic program was a significant step for Turkey on its way to the EU.

She remarked that the national program was a difficult document to prepare, and Turkey, compared to other EU candidates, suffered bigger difficulties since it found itself in this process too suddenly.

Fogg indicated that an important gathering in terms of Turkey-EU relations was going to take place in Brussels next week. The Turkish government and the government officials of 15 candidate countries will debate a number of difficulties faced in the implementation of EU's political criteria at the TUrkey-EU Political Directors meeting in the Belgian capital on April 26, she explained. Fogg also pointed out that financial cooperation with the EU was important during Turkey's pre-accession process.

Dwelling on State Minister Kemal Dervis's economic program, Fogg said maintaining macroeconomic stability was essential. She said that the the economic program was a good opportunity for Turkey to implement its radical structural reforms.

Secretary General for the EU Volkan Vural who also spoke at the meeting stated that the financial cooperation between Turkey and the EU was insufficient and said the level of financial cooperation should be raised to the same level with other EU candidate countries and the EU.

''The economic crisis in Turkey didn't weaken the importance of the pre- accession process, on the contrary it stressed it more,'' he said.

-FOREIGN MINISTER CEM RECEIVED BY SLOVENIAN PRESIDENT KUCAN
LJUBLJANA - Foreign Minister Ismail Cem was received on Thursday by Slovenian President Milan Kucan and Parliament Speaker Borut Pahor during his one-day visit to this country.

Bilateral relations and regional issues were discussed in the contacts of Cem, who is paying the first official visit to Slovenia in the level of foreign ministers after Slovenia gained its independence in 1991.

Sources said that the main item of the agenda of Cem's meetings was the European Union (EU) and NATO and that Cem exchanged views with Slovenia, which is ranked at the first stage in the EU full membership process, about the EU.

Diplomatic sources who said that Slovenia is a country which tries to become a NATO member besides the EU and that to this end, the officials of this country attributes importance to Turkey's support.

The sources said that the views of Turkish side about the Cyprus question were explained to Slovenia, which is closer to the thesis of Greek Cypriot administration.

Following his contacts, Cem attended a working lunch at Turkey's Embassy in Slovenia.

Cem will preside interdelegationary meetings together with his Slovenian counterpart Dimitrij Rupel.

Agreements on prevention of dual taxation and scientific and technological cooperation will be signed following the meetings.

Cem and the accompanying delegation will return to Turkey late in the evening.

-WOLFENSOHN SAYS WORLD BANK SUPPORT TO TURKEY WILL CONTINUE
ANKARA - In a letter he sent to Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit, World Bank President James Wolfensohn said that the World Bank support to Turkey would continue and added that he would try to expedite monetary aid to Turkey as a part of the World Bank's financial aid strategy.

Prime Ministry Press Center Thursday issued Wolfensohn's letter to Ecevit.

Wolfensohn started his letter by expressing his appreciation to Ecevit and his government. He wrote that an effective implementation of the new economic program would help Turkey overcome the latest economic crisis through political support and international financing. ''The key point in all successful economic programs is to get the support of all social sectors and to maintain political determination,'' Wolfenson wrote.

The World Bank President stated that the bank would try to speed up their monetary aid to Turkey as a part of its ''country aid strategy.''

He wrote that the government should act quickly regarding the state banks and the bailed-out banks and added that his experiences showed him that the countries which were late to restructure their banks caused their tax payers and societies pay high costs for this situation.

He stated that a number of his colleagues were working to develop a special social program to help children and women in poor families in Turkey and added that the World Bank successfully supported similar programs in other countries in the past.

Another important issue is how to maintain vital programs in health and education fields in a tight budget, he continued, adding that he insisted on the continuation of these social programs and to delay expensive capital investments to end extravagent spending to overcome the current economic troubles. Besides long term educational and health programs, we're hoping to continue our close cooperation with your government in agriculture, energy and communication fields.

Stating that he'd like to assure Ankara one more time that the World Bank support to Turkey will continue as long as Turkish government implements the new economic program, Wolfensohn concluded that Turkey can be sure that the negative social effects will decrease relatively if the economic recovery is maintained quickly.

-DECLARATION TO SAVE TURKISH STRAITS INTRODUCED TO PUBLIC
ISTANBUL - Peace with Nature Association Chairman Yuksel Ustun has said that the transportation of hazardous material through Turkish straits would increase after the Caspian pipeline opens to transport Kazakh oil to the Black Sea via Russia. He added that his association would continue its protests until the international transporters start guaranteeing safe passage.

A declaration written in Turkish, English, Russian and Bulgarian which was signed by 418 non-governmental organizations (NGOs) was introduced to public at a press conference held at Atakoy Marina on Thursday.

Ustun said over 500 sea accidents occured in the last 50 years in the Turkish straits, adding that the oil tankers constituted great risk at these water ways. He called on Black Sea countries and their governments to cooperate to eliminate this risk.

''When Tengiz-Novorossisk pipeline opens, first 26 million 500,000 and then 76 million 500,000 tons of oil will pass from the Turkish straits. This is way too much for the Black Sea and the straits. We're not talking about forbidding foreign tankers from passing from our straits, but we're expecting them to take some safety measures. We'll continue our protests until international transporters guarantee safe passage,'' he stated.

Turkish Foundation to Fight Erosion (TEMA) Chairman Umit Gurses who also spoke at the press conference called on all people to show their reaction to save the Turkish straits.

Marmara and Straits Municipalities' Association Advisor who is also a guide who helps foreign ships pass through the Turkish straits, Saim Oguzulgen said, ''I personally don't like to get on board those ships which carry hazardous material. My life is at risk.''

-PARLIAMENT ADOPTS CIVIL AVIATION LAW
ANKARA - The Parliamentary General Assembly adopted on Thursday the draft law on amendment to the Civil Aviation Law.

The law authorizes a company to determine the flight prices. The company will fix the flight prices and tariffs and announce the prices to the third persons three days before it starts to implement the new prices.

The flight tariffs will also be determined by the company but be put to implementation seven days after the ratification of the Transportation Ministry.

The law was among the urgent laws which set up the structural part of the economic program.

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