Anadolu Agency: News in English, 01-05-04

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ANADOLU AGENCY

NEWS

04 MAY 2001 Friday

CONTENTS

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

[02] BOMB EXPLODES NEAR HOUSE OF PRIME MINISTER EROGLU OF TRNC (2)

[03] AUTOMOTIVE SECTOR EXPORTS PRODUCTS OF 1.2 BILLION U.S. DOLLARS IN FIRST FOUR MONTHS OF YEAR

[04] NUMBER OF TOURISTS VISITING CAPPADOCIA REGION INCREASES 100 PERCENT

[05] A.A HOSTS SYMPOSIUM ON ''BALKAN SPIRIT-COMMON VALUES AND PEACE''

[06] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT MEETS SPANISH PARLIAMENT SPEAKER

[07] IMF:''TURKISH GOVERNMENT IN CHARGE OF TELEKOM BILL'S DETAILS''

[08] 2001 ADDITIONAL BUDGET TO BE ANNOUNCED IN SEPTEMBER

[09] RECORD PARTICIPATION EXPECTED AT TRADITIONAL TURKISH DAY MARCH ON MAY 19 IN NEW YORK

[10] KUTAN: ''NEW PROGRAM DOESN'T INCLUDE PEOPLE FACTOR''

[11] BOMB EXPLODES NEAR HOUSE OF PRIME MINISTER EROGLU OF TRNC (3)

[12] BREUER, CHAIRMAN OF DEUTSCHE BANK, DUE IN TURKEY

[13] A.A HOSTS SYMPOSIUM ON ''BALKAN SPIRIT-COMMON VALUES AND PEACE'' - ALPOGAN: ''MAINTAINING TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY OF BALKAN NATIONS IS A MUST FOR TURKEY''

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

The statement added that the gendarme was assigned to carry out the investigation by the State Security Court prosecutorship.

HERE IT IS: 963 PHONES WHICH ARE TAPPED
Hürriyet reveals 963 telephones which Ankara Security Directorate has tapped illegally for two years. The list includes firms, universities, political parties, public institutions, unions, funds, associations, cooperatives, and citizens.

Some sources claim that currently 3643 telephones are being tapped illegally without any court order.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

BLUE STREAM CRISIS
Cevdet Volkan, the Chief Prosecutor of Ankara State Security Court (DGM), took away the investigation into Blue Stream Project from DGM Prosecutor Nuh Mete Yuksel. After assessing the denouncement which had been made by Nazli Ilicak, a deputy of the Virtue Party (FP) from Istanbul, nearly three weeks ago, Prosecutor Yuksel launched a criminal investigation into the project. Volkan has not conveyed the investigation dossier to any prosecutor yet.

SHAMEFUL CONFESSION
The Prime Ministry Inspection Board prepared a report saying, ''foreign investors do not prefer Turkey because of corruptions.'' The report which was submitted to Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit enumerated eight reasons of foreign investors not to invest in Turkey: corruption, bureaucratic procedures, cost of labour force, size of local market, customs, political and economic stability, tax regime and benefit.

SABAH (LIBERAL)

The indictment also constitutes a headache for Alarko holding. It says the bidding process for Kirikkale natural gas combit circle was illegal and carried out without including any other firms. Along with Tara, Alaton and Garih can be included in the supplementary indictment.

LEADER PROMISE TO IMF
The IMF for the first time was not content with the letter of intent, and asked for a signed contract from the three coalition leaders. Until today, the stand-by agreements with the IMF were signed by minister responsible from the economy and Central Bank governor. This time, in addition, Ecevit, Bahceli and Yılmaz will sign a brief document which says the new economic program will be fully implemented. The letter of intent will be made public while the letter of the leaders will be kept confidential in a safe.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

MALTESE-FLAGGED OIL TANKER TO PASS THROUGH STRAITS BETWEEN 7-8 MAY
Association of Peace with Nature will protest the passage of Maltese flagged oil tanker between 7-8 May at Istanbul Strait with the participation of many boats. During the protest in the Strait, a message will be announced in Turkish, English, Russian and Bulgarian saying that ''straits are not a path of oil pipeline, but means of friendship and peace.''

RADIKAL (LEFT)

MINE COLLAPSES, KILLING TWO WORKERS
A coal mine collapsed in northern province of Zonguldak, killing two miners. Meanwhile, two other miners were injured slightly in the incident.

TURKIYE (RIGHT)

ECEVIT IN SPAIN
Addressing journalists at Ankara's Esenboga Airport prior to his departure for Spain as official guest of his Spanish counterpart Jose Maria Aznar, Prime Minister Ecevit said that developments about external source were very positive. Ecevit said, ''nearly 13 billion U.S. dollars of support was promised to be extended to Turkey as an International Monetary Fund contribution. It is seen that a 16 billion U.S. dollars of source has been obtained when 6 billion U.S. dollars of World Bank's promise is added to this source. It is a very positive development.''

DERVIS: ''THERE IS NOT ANY PROBLEM ON THE ISSUE OF TELEKOM''
State Minister Kemal Dervis FOR Economy said, ''I met General Yasar Buyukanit, the Deputy Chief of General Staff on the issue of privatization of Turkish Telekom. There is not any problem.'' Dervis stressed, ''We foresee a golden share in the law. The golden share will meet the needs of Turkey's security and defense. The Turkish Armed Forces is the biggest supporter of Turkey both in defense and in economy. There is not any difference of opinion between the program and the Turkish Armed Forces. On the contrary, the Turkish Armed Forces has been fully supporting the program.''

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

[02] BOMB EXPLODES NEAR HOUSE OF PRIME MINISTER EROGLU OF TRNC (2)

The bomb which was planted in a garbage can near house of Eroglu, exploded at about 02:00 a.m. shattering windows of a police cabin and damaging a vehicle.

A security official was injured in his foot.

Some ministers and deputies visited Prime Minister Eroglu following the bomb attack.

Savas Atakan, a deputy of the National Unity Party (UBP), said that Prime Minister Eroglu was in good health condition.

Security forces have tightened measures in the region, and closed the street to traffic.

A full investigation into the bomb attack is under way.

[03] AUTOMOTIVE SECTOR EXPORTS PRODUCTS OF 1.2 BILLION U.S. DOLLARS IN FIRST FOUR MONTHS OF YEAR

The Secretariat General of the Uludag Exporters' Unions told the A.A correspondent on Friday that they exported automobiles to nine free zones and 142 countries and autonomous regions.

Germany was ranked first with exports of automobiles of 336 million 353 thousand U.S. dollars.

Exports of automobiles to the U.S. decreased by 46.2 percent in the same period.

The automotive sector exported automobiles to 21 countries and autonomous region including Liberia, Haiti, Angola and Sierra Leone for the first time.

The first ten countries and free areas in exports of automobile between January 1 and April 30 are as follows:

. (thousand U.S. dollars) (difference)

Country 2000 2001 percent

------------- --------- -------- ----------
Germany 212.169 336.353 58.5

France 147.102 181.664 23.5

Italy 67.908 156.586 130.5

Istanbul Leather

Free Zone 51.279 47.705 -6.9

Britain 31.999 44.636 39.4

the U.S. 57.654 30.975 -46.2

Spain 16.976 30.680 80.7

Belgium 18.077 28.795 59.2

Egypt 21.871 26.152 19.5

United Arab Emirates 12.786 22.326 74.6

[04] NUMBER OF TOURISTS VISITING CAPPADOCIA REGION INCREASES 100 PERCENT

Officials at Nevsehir Directorate of Museum told A.A correspondent on Friday that a total of 312,736 tourists including 197,179 foreigners, visited

Goreme Open Air Museum, Zelve Ruins, Cavusin Church, Gulsehir St. Jean Church, Gulsehir Ruins and underground cities of Tatlarin, Mazi, Ozkonak, Kaymakli and Derinkuyu between January 1 and April 30, 2001.

In the same period last year, a total of 158,153 tourists including 81,489 foreigners had visited the region.

Officials expect the number of tourists visiting the region to exceed 1 million by the end of the year.

[05] A.A HOSTS SYMPOSIUM ON ''BALKAN SPIRIT-COMMON VALUES AND PEACE''

A symposium on ''Balkan Spirit, Common Values and Peace'' was held in Ankara within the framework of the activities of the Association of Balkan News Agencies (ABNA), of which the Anadolu Agency (A.A) is a member.

Speaking at the symposium which was hosted by the A.A, State Minister Yucelen said, ''the Balkans has a different place in the world geography with its natural and cultural assets.''

Pointing out that Balkan people had been known with their productivity, their ability to adapt themselves to developing and changing technology, their inclination to fine arts and their fondness to honor, Yucelen said, ''Balkan people have universal values of friendship, solidarity and cooperation.''

Noting that the Balkans had been the stage of many clashes throughout centuries, Yucelen said, ''both regional problems and impacts of other countries were influencial in these clashes. Recently, these territories have become a stage of unpleasant developments again. We wish that enmity and clashes would not be the fate of our geography any more.''

''Balkan nations have been cooperating with each other throughout centuries. As a result, they have been influenced from each other's traditions and cultural values. It is this common culture leading Balkan nations to work, to study and to visit in each other's countries. They do not feel unfamiliarity. This is the main reason in our relations which turn into friendship quickly. I believe that we could change this characteristics of our countries into mutual cooperation and solidarity easily. Steps have already been taken to this end. Foundation of the Association of Balkan News Agencies (ABNA) is another sign of it,'' he stressed.

Yucelen noted that the press was among the indispensable institutions of a country with its important duties and responsibilities such as informing and training the public opinion.

Noting that the press had undertaken important functions in regard to protection of human rights, democracy and freedom, Yucelen added, ''I consider the press an instrument contributing to international peace and seeking ways to overcome all difficulties. News agencies have the most important responsibility in the press. I believe that news agencies which cover the stories fastidiously, and the Association of Balkan News Agencies would consolidate friendship and rapprochement among the Balkan countries, and serve peace by contributing to exchange of accurate news. I am pleased to see you in Turkey.''

Meanwhile, Mehmet Guler, A.A General Director and President of Executive Board, who is also ABNA Term President said ''I have a dream. And this dream is shared by all the peoples living in the Balkan countries. My dream is to live like there are no borders. I want to keep an already existing spirit alive.''

''We have to work together in order to strengthen peace and solidarity in the Balkans. We have to review our activities in order to raise this awareness as the Balkan News Agencies and display the spirit of solidarity. We know that we can achieve certain results for the humanity more easily if we join our efforts,'' Guler said and added that it was easier to maintain peace in the Balkans than in other regions in the world.

''There are great similarities between our nations and we feel at home in each other's country. Our food, life styles, clothings, music and the most important of all, our dreams for the future are the same. Because of all these, we have to stay close to each other. We can save ourselves from isolation and alienation only by holding to each other. If you look at the Greek, Romanian, Albanian, Yugoslavian, Macedonian and Bulgarian participants of this meeting, you will see the world's most beautiful picture. When you look in the air in this hall, don't you see that all the borders became artificial? This demonstrates the importance of the ABNA.''

''However, in recent years, several journalists died in the Balkans. Our colleagues sacrificed themselves in order to show the absurdity and cruelty of war to the world,'' Guler stated.

He added that ABNA's efforts will continue to draw attention to peace and solidarity in the Balkans.

The general directors and high-ranking officials of the Albanian, Yugoslavian, Romanian, Macedonian, Bulgarian and Greek news agencies attended the symposium in the Conference Hall of the A.A General Headquarters in Tandogan district.

Aydin Sezgin, the Director General of Press and Information, and some ambassadors were also in attendance at the symposium.

Representatives of citizens of the above mentioned countries who are having education in Turkey, or who are working in Turkey, or who are participating in sporting activities in Turkey, will speak in the symposium.

The dean and the students of the faculties of communication in Ankara will also participate in the symposium.

The guests will be hosted in Cappadocia by the contributions of the Hacibektas and Avanos municipalities and Nevsehir Governorship on Saturday and Sunday and will visit the historical and touristic sites.

[06] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT MEETS SPANISH PARLIAMENT SPEAKER

The meeting lasted for about 50 minutes.

Foreign Minister Ismail Cem; Ugurtan Akinci, the Turkish Ambassador to Spain; and Erdal Tumer, the Prime Ministry Office's Consultant for Foreign Affairs; were also in attendance at the meeting.

[07] IMF:''TURKISH GOVERNMENT IN CHARGE OF TELEKOM BILL'S DETAILS''

The IMF official told the A.A that the Turkish government was in charge of deciding on the bill's details and it would also decide on the satellites' sales.

The main issues that interest the IMF are what percentage of Turk Telekom will be privatized, its sales program and the contribution of the sales to the economic program. Other details will be under the Turkish government's control and the IMF won't interfere in these matters.

Observers in Washington, D.C. said the IMF's attitude was in line with the conditionality principle which the IMF recently adopted. According to this principle, the IMF is planning to be involved only in the basics of economic programs and leave the details to the countries which it is working with.

Meanwhile, the IMF sources said the IMF Executive Directors Board was waiting for the Turkish Parliament to pass banking and telekom bills to approve the financial aid which Turkey is expecting. Therefore, a board meeting is expected to take place shortly after the two bills pass from Parliament.

[08] 2001 ADDITIONAL BUDGET TO BE ANNOUNCED IN SEPTEMBER

Officials said that this year's bugdet was estimated to be 48.2 quadrillion TL and it would increase to 60 quadrillion TL with an additional budget of 12-14 quadrillion TL. Certain changes could be done according to the incomes and spendings and cash inflow in summer months.

Economists are also expecting a 10 quadrillion TL of non-interest surplus. This amount could become 9.5 quadrillion TL but there will be efforts to make it 10 quadrillion by a number of measures to increase income and decrease spendings. This is important to reach the other targets of the economic program.

The program proposes a nine percent decrease in the spendings compared to last year. In order to achieve this result, public spendings will be cut off significantly and a number of funds decided by the Finance Ministry will be lifted.

No new public personnel will be employed except for health, education and security services. The number of civil servants will remain the same. Except for extreme situations, new projects will not be approved or no new positions will be created that might cause spending.

As for the State Economic Enterprises (SEEs), limitations will be brought in overtime and bonus payments to the employers.

Agricultural supporting prices will not exceed the inflation rate. The spendings at social security institutions will also be limited. The Vehicle Bill which significantly limits the driving of state-owned cars will be enforced.

The measures which were announced end of 2000 to increase tax income will be implemented strictly. Inspections will be widened in order to minimize tax evasion.

[09] RECORD PARTICIPATION EXPECTED AT TRADITIONAL TURKISH DAY MARCH ON MAY 19 IN NEW YORK

On the same day airplanes will write slogans on the sky inviting Americans to Turkey. Culture Ministry's folkloric dances team, Marmara Dance Troup, Kirikkale Municipality Band, the Janissary Band, and Malatya Municipality folkloric dances group will participate in this year's festival. Askin Nur Yengi, Izzet Altinmese, Armagan Elci and Taner Can are among the singers that will also perform in the festival.

Turkish American Association Federation Chairman Egemen Bagis said he was expecting a record participation in this year's march which will start at 12.30 p.m. on Madison Avenue.

Malatya Municipality is sending two tons of dried apricots which will be distributed to Americans and other tourists who are coming to watch the march.

State Minister Sukru Sina Gurel, Abdulhaluk Cay, Tourism Minister Erkan Mumcu, Turkish Ambassador in Washington, D.C Baki Ilkin, UN Permanent Representative Umit Pamir and New York Chief Consul Mehmet N. Ezen will join the march.

Erkan Mumcu will present an award to Atlantic Records cochairman Ahmet Ertegun for his accomplishments. Mehmet Öz, world famous heart surgeon who is a Turkish American employed at New York Presbytarian Hospital, will also be awarded on the same day.

[10] KUTAN: ''NEW PROGRAM DOESN'T INCLUDE PEOPLE FACTOR''

''Such a program has to have people's support to reach success,'' Kutan said and added that he and his friends had some proposals to Dervis about the economic program.

Kutan said Dervis was unlucky to be working with the present government who has no public support. ''The government asked for sacrifices from people but then the program collapsed. The new one also doesn't include the people, production and investment factors,'' he claimed. He said the program ignores the social aspects and that the government presents bills prepared by bureaucrats to Parliament without examining it.

The FP leader said that his party would be in closer contact with Dervis from now on. He said Dervis had good intentions but he didn't believe that he could be sucessful with the present government.

Responding to questions, Kutan said he didn't think that his party would be shut down since this would cause a big political, economic and social chaos.

[11] BOMB EXPLODES NEAR HOUSE OF PRIME MINISTER EROGLU OF TRNC (3)

The bomb which was planted in a garbage can, exploded at about 02:00 a.m. shattering windows of a police cabin and Democrat Party headquarters, and damaging a vehicle.

A security official was injured in his foot.

Ozer Hatay, the Chairman of Union of Turkish Cypriot Journalists, and the Association of Turkish Cypriot Mujahedins condemned the attack.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Eroglu refrained from making a statement about the attack.

[12] BREUER, CHAIRMAN OF DEUTSCHE BANK, DUE IN TURKEY

Sources told the A.A. correspondent that Breuer would come to Turkey as guest of Guler Sabanci, the Chairperson of Board of Trustees of the Sabanci University, and deliver a speech on ''Global Financial Market''.

Following the conference, Breuer is expected to meet with State Minister Kemal Dervis for Economy.

[13] A.A HOSTS SYMPOSIUM ON ''BALKAN SPIRIT-COMMON VALUES AND PEACE'' - ALPOGAN: ''MAINTAINING TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY OF BALKAN NATIONS IS A MUST FOR TURKEY''

Speaking at a symposium titled Balkan Spirit, Common Values and Peace hosted by the A.A on Friday, Alpogan briefed the audience on Turkey's Balkan policy.

Balkans are very important for Turkey which is an EU candidate and which has a central role in Eurasia, Alpogan stated. He said that Turkey lived with the Balkans for 500 years and placed great importance to territorial integrity, borders and sovereignty of the Balkan nations. Turkey wants to be in close cooperation with the Balkans, he stressed.

He indicated that supporting the EU and NATO memberships of Balkan countries is another dimension of the Turkish foreign policy.

Association of Balkan News Agencies (ABNA) Secretary General and Salonica News Agency General Director Sypros Kouzinopoulos, in his speech, said maintaining security in the region was one of the goals of the ABNA's foundation. Pointing to the Kardak crisis between Turkey and Greece, Kouzinopoulos said the news agencies of the two countries prevented the escalation of tension by broadcasting moderate news trying to calm down the people of both countries.

Other participants of the symposium also expressed their wishes that ABNA would bring sustainable peace to the Balkans.

During the symposium, people from Balkan countries who are living in Turkey also spoke about their experiences in Turkey. Greek MEGA TV Turkey representative Vasso Gildizi, Yugoslavian basketball player Mirco Milicevic, and Romanian journalist Dinc Hasan were among the speakers.

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