Anadolu Agency: News in English, 01-05-15

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ANADOLU AGENCY

NEWS

15 MAY 2001 Tuesday

CONTENTS

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

[02] IMF EXECUTIVE BOARD EXPECTED TO APPROVE TURKEY'S NEW LETTER OF INTENT

[03] REACTION TO DECISION OF ECHR REGARDING CYPRUS -ESER, CO-PRESIDENT OF TURKEY-EU JPC: ''DECISION OF ECHR DISREGARDS SUFFERINGS AND RIGHTS OF TURKS LIVING IN THE ISLAND TO PROTECT RIGHTS OF GREEK CYPRIOTS''

[04] FOREIGN TRADE INDICES

[05] STATE MINISTER GUREL IN U.S.: ''WE EXPECT UNITED NATIONS SECRETARY GENERAL ANNAN TO RE-DETERMINE PARAMETERS IN CYPRUS AND RESUME PROXIMITY TALKS''

[06] FOREIGN MINISTER CEM MEETS EU COMMISSIONER VERHEUGEN

[07] FOREIGN MINISTER CEM MEETS WITH HIS DUTCH COUNTERPART -THERE IS NO CHANGE IN TURKEY'S ATTITUDE TOWARDS ESDI

[08] STATE MINISTER DERVIS ADDRESSES TO FINANCIAL TIMES

[09] TREASURY SELLS 884.9 TRILLION TURKISH LIRAS NOMINAL-VALUED THREE-MONTH BONDS

[10] FOREIGN MINISTER CEM HOLDS PRESS CONFERENCE: -''IT WILL BE GOOD IF CERTAIN STEPS ARE TAKEN BY TURKEY AND EU''

[11] 12 RUSSIAN JOURNALISTS VISIT ANTALYA GOVERNOR DOKUZOGLU

[12] NATIONAL DEFENSE MINISTER CAKMAKOGLU: -''ATTENTION SHOULD BE PAID TO THE PRINCIPLE OF INDIVISIBILITY OF SECURITY IN THE CONTINENT OF EUROPE''

[13] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT GETS INFORMATION FROM ADANA GOVERNOR ABOUT FLOOD DISASTER

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

THREE TURKISH DIPLOMATS TO BE PRESENTED WITH MEDAL OF MERIT
The Foreign Ministry will present three Turkish diplomats who saved many Jewish people during the World War II, with the Medal of Merit. Necdet Kent provided Turkish passports to Jewish people to save them from being sent to concentration camps. Namik Kemal Yolga saved many Jewish people as he was working in French capital Paris. Selahattin Ulkumen prevented 42 Jewish families from being sent to concentration camps from Rhodes Island of Greece.

TURKEY'S LETTER OF INTEND TO BE ANNOUNCED
State Minister Kemal Dervis will announce Turkey's letter of intent to the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Meanwhile, Central Bank Governor Sureyya Serdengecti will hold a press conference, and inform the public opinion on the new monetary policy.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

BLAIR SENDS A LETTER TO ECEVIT
Prime Minister Tony Blair of Britain sent a letter to Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit. In his letter, Blair said, ''I recognise that this is a very difficult time for you, as you struggle to stabilise the Turkish economy. I want to assure you of our support. I agree with you that the best way to overcome the crisis is through an acceleration of structural reforms, and I am encouraged that you intend to pursue these reforms in full partnership with the IMF and the World Bank. I welcome the policy measures which State Minister Kemal Dervis has announced so far and the positive reaction to them at the IMF last week.'' Meanwhile, Blair sent another letter to congratulate Prime Minister Ecevit on the successful outcome of the hostage crisis at the Swissotel in Istanbul on 23 April.

SABAH (LIBERAL)

BAHCELI'S SIGNAL FOR REVISION IN COUNCIL OF MINISTERS
State Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Devlet Bahceli, the leader of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), told his ministers, ''the Council of Ministers can be revised. This revision will stem not from hostility but from current conditions. Therefore, do not be sensitive. In the revision of the Council of Ministers is planned to include three political parties forming the coalition government. In case of revision, some ministers will be asked to resign from their post.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

IMF EXECUTIVE BOARD TO CONVENE
International Monetary Fund (IMF) Executive Board will convene today and discuss Turkey's letter of intent. IMF Executive Board is also expected to approve the source of 14.3 billion U.S. dollars to Turkey.

TEN INMATES AT EDIRNE F-TYPE PRISON END THEIR DEATH FASTS
Ten inmates at the F-type prison in northwestern province of Edirne put an end to their death fasts. Number of inmates who put an end to their actions increased to 45. The inmates are in good health condition.

RADIKAL (LEFT)

A PAINTING CLAIMED TO BE OF PICASSO CONFISCATED IN GAZIANTEP
The gendarmerie forces confiscated a painting which was claimed to be of Picasso in southeastern Gaziantep province. The gendarmerie forces, disguised as buyers, contacted with Ali and Mehmet Soylemez who wanted to sell the Picasso painting. Ali and Mehmet Soylemez, who met with the gendarmerie forces, were taken into custody and the painting was confiscated. The painting is named Naked Women. Behind the painting, it was written that the painting was sold to the Kuwaiti National Museum by the Louvre Museum of France in 1982.

ADMIRAL THEODORAKOPOULOS DID NOT ATTEND CEREMONY IN MARMARIS
Greek Naval Force Commander Admiral Georgios Theodorakopoulos did not attend the handing over ceremony in Aksaz Naval Base in Marmaris township of western province of Mugla. A ceremony took place in the Aksaz Naval Base in which Greece handed over command of NATO Mine Counter Measures Mediterranean Force (MCMFORMED) to Turkey. Speaking at the ceremony, Admiral Ilhami Erdil, the Commander of Naval Forces, said, ''although there were many alternative methods of journey, Admiral Theodorakopoulos wanted to come to the ceremony by a military helicopter which would take off from Rhodes. In accordance with the Paris Treaty signed in 1947, Rhodes Island was disarmed. He was told that any military plane could not be deployed on the island.''

TURKIYE (RIGHT)

TURKEY WARNS UNITED NATIONS
Turkey sent a letter to the United Nations, and stressed that Armenian terrorism had still been constituting a threat.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

[02] IMF EXECUTIVE BOARD EXPECTED TO APPROVE TURKEY'S NEW LETTER OF INTENT

IMF Executive Board will convene and discuss Turkey's economic program.

Following the meeting, an official statement will be released about approval of Turkey's letter of intent.

Later, the first tranche of source will be sent to Ankara within framework of finance package prepared for Turkey.

In a previous statement, State Minister Kemal Dervis said that they expected 3.9 billion U.S. dollars to be sent to Turkey in May.

New tranches of source will be sent to Turkey as long as Turkey fulfils criteria in its letter of intent.

IMF Executive Board is formed by 24 members.

IMF Managing Director Horst Kohler or Deputy Managing Director Stanley Fischer presides the Executive Board meetings.

The U.S, Britain, Germany, France, Japan, Russia, the People's Republic of China and Saudi Arabia are represented in the Executive Board.

Other countries are represented in the Board in groups.

For instance, Belgium represents 10 European countries including Turkey.

A 10 billion U.S. dollars of finance package has been prepared for Turkey. IMF will provide 8 billion U.S. dollars while the rest 2 billion U.S. dollars will be sent to Turkey by the World Bank.

Sources at the World Bank said that the 2 billion U.S. dollars of source was expected to be approved in June.

[03] REACTION TO DECISION OF ECHR REGARDING CYPRUS -ESER, CO-PRESIDENT OF TURKEY-EU JPC: ''DECISION OF ECHR DISREGARDS SUFFERINGS AND RIGHTS OF TURKS LIVING IN THE ISLAND TO PROTECT RIGHTS OF GREEK CYPRIOTS''

Eser said in a written statement that the decision is a repetition of previous decisions taken in law suits filed against Turkey. ''Turkey deeply regrets to be subjected to such an unjust decision which lacks legal basis and which is against the realities on Cyprus.''

Emphasizing that the interlocutor of the ECHR decision can only be the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), not Turkey, Eser said the decision is not applicable for Turkey.

''Besides, the decision clearly disregards the extraordinary situation which exists on Cyprus for years, and it does not take into account the past and recent sufferings of Turks living on the Island in order to protect the rights of the Greek Cypriots.''

''That should not be forgotten: In order to find a just solution to Cyprus problem, the legal and political equality of two communities living on the Island must be accepted. The continuation of European Union full membership talks with the Greek Cypriot side and the activities of European Court of Human Rights which gives decisions protecting only one side and disregarding the facts on the Island, are far away from contributing to the process of finding the desired solution.''

[04] FOREIGN TRADE INDICES

According to the DIE, export volume index decreased by 7.5 percent while import volume index dropped by 10.9 percent in January of 2001.

When figures of January of 2000 and January of 2001 were compared, export volume index increased by 12.4 percent, import volume index rose by 21.8 percent, export price index climbed by 1.5 percent, and import price index increased by 3 percent.

According to the 12-month averages, export volume index rose by 10.6 percent, import volume index increased by 31 percent, and import price index climbed by 4.5 percent while export price index decreased by 3.4 percent.

The foreign trade price indices are as follows:

JANUARY OF 2001

-------------- -------------
Difference (%) Export Import Export Import

----------------- ------ ------ ------ -----
Previous month -7.5 -10.9 3.6 2.2

Same period last year 12.4 21.8 1.5 3.0

12-month average 10.6 31.0 -3.4 4.5

[05] STATE MINISTER GUREL IN U.S.: ''WE EXPECT UNITED NATIONS SECRETARY GENERAL ANNAN TO RE-DETERMINE PARAMETERS IN CYPRUS AND RESUME PROXIMITY TALKS''

Addressing students at the George Washington University, Gurel who is currently in the U.S. to attend the traditional Turkish Day March, stressed that it was not correct to connect Turkey's European Union (EU) membership with Cyprus issue.

''The Greek Cypriot side's membership application has been taken into consideration by the EU as if the Greek Cypriot side was the only representative of the island. United Nations Secretary General Annan has been seeking for a solution to Cyprus question within framework of Greek Cypriot side's views. Annan cannot reach any solution this way. Annan tried to adapt his efforts to find a solution to Cyprus question with efforts of the EU. But parameters have changed. As President Rauf Denktas of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) said before, if parameters of proximity talks are not re-determined and equality of the sides is not recognized, any success cannot be achieved in the proximity talks process. Now, everyone is waiting for elections in the Greek Cypriot side in May. We expect United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan to create the necessary ground by re-determining parameters in Cyprus and to resume proximity talks, '' he said.

When asked, ''what will be your attitude if the Greek Cypriot side is accepted as a full member of the EU?'' Gurel said, ''we will be ready to launch any initiative then. In that case, the EU will finalize its efforts to divide Cyprus. According to the international agreements, Cyprus cannot be a member to an international organization which both Turkey and Greece are not members. Turkey and Cyprus should be accepted as members of the EU at the same time.''

When asked whether or not some foreign policy concessions were made to provide source from International Monetary Fund (IMF) to overcome economic crisis, Gurel said, ''no one can dare to ask Turkey to make such a concession.''

Responding to a question about rapprochement between Turkey and Greece, Gurel said, ''we have recorded a rapprochement on secondary issues. Main problems between the two countries should be solved. Both countries should have the political will to resolve these problems. I do not believe that Greece has this will.''

[06] FOREIGN MINISTER CEM MEETS EU COMMISSIONER VERHEUGEN

As Verheugen wanted to receive information about the recent economic developments in Turkey, Cem explained the structural reforms, economic frame and the efforts of the parliament.

Cem said that all these efforts are complementary efforts for the implementation of the national program.

Both Cem and Verheugen emphasized the importance attributed to the preparations for the Turkish-EU Association Council that will be held in Luxembourg on June 26.

Cem and Verheugen said that a concrete and positive message should come out of this meeting.

Touching on the initiatives of the sub-committee, the programs of the community, Turkey's accession and the financial issues, Cem and Verheugen talked about the utilization of the possibilities provided to the candidates by the European Investment Bank, and the collection of EU's assistance to Turkey under a single umbrella.

Sources quoted Verheugen as saying that the issue will be brought to the agenda of the European Parliament (EP) and asked the situation in the prisons.

Cem informed Verheugen about the article 16 of the law on execution and anti-terrorism.

Sources said that issues like Cyprus, Aegean and border disputes were also debated in the meeting.

[07] FOREIGN MINISTER CEM MEETS WITH HIS DUTCH COUNTERPART -THERE IS NO CHANGE IN TURKEY'S ATTITUDE TOWARDS ESDI

The European Security and Defense Identity (ESDI) was debated in the meeting which was held upon the request of the Dutch minister.

Following the meeting, the diplomatic sources told reporters that Turkey's attitude towards the ESDI has not changed and that the Netherlands considered this attitude as positive.

Cem mentioned Turkey's views and expectations in the meeting, the diplomatic sources said.

The European Union (EU) continues its initiatives to set up an intervention force of 60 thousand soldiers till 2003.

The EU wants to use possibilities and capabilities of NATO in intelligence and advanced technology fields within the framework of the military identity that will be formed.

However, the EU excludes the non-EU European NATO allies like Turkey from the decision making mechanism of this force.

To this end, Turkey assumes an attitude in which it brings forward its national interests, in the searches for cooperation between the EU and NATO.

The EU has to take the consent of all the NATO allies to use the NATO possibilities and capabilities. Turkey refuses to approve this.

The sources said that Cem and van Aarstan discussed the ways to overcome the concerns.

[08] STATE MINISTER DERVIS ADDRESSES TO FINANCIAL TIMES

If the programme becomes successful, this will be a transformation for Turkey, said Dervis, adding that ''if it is not successful, this will be due to the attitude of others,'' said Dervis.

The newspaper noted that Dervis expected an improvement in the second half of this year.

The paper also included another statement of Dervis published on May 14 and noted that ''Kemal Dervis, Turkey's new economy chief, has vowed to resign if the government fails to implement reforms which are set on Tuesday to receive the backing of a new loan from the International Monetary Fund. ''I would resign,'' he said when asked what he would do if the three-party coalition stalled on the reforms to which the money's phased disbursement is tied. Mr Dervis said the programme had a ''good chance of success'' thanks to unprecedented public support - reflected in opinion polls - for a departure from corruption and populism. The most recent survey, published at the weekend, shows that if elections were held this week, none of the five major parties would cross the 10 per cent threshold needed to enter parliament. But 51.7 per cent of those surveyed said they would vote for a party headed by Mr Dervis. The public surveys also show that people count Dervis by 59 percent.

Dervis said that the reason of the previous programme's being unsuccessful is lack of coordination and claiming ownership on the programme.

Recounting that the previous economic programme was implemented by bureaucrats rather than politicians, Dervis said that he accepted the mission as state minister for economy upon the invitation of Premier Bulent Ecevit.

The paper said that Dervis launches efforts to undertake structural reforms from privatization to strengthening of independent institutions, adding that all of these efforts are launched to prevent politics from using the state institutions for its own purposes.

Dervis said that the people extends support to messages aiming at separating economy from politics, preventing the rentier system and corruption. Financial Times also noted that Dervis is also optimistic about the Turkish economy and noted his words that problems in the market can be overcome by the arrival of external aid to Turkey.

The paper stressed that Dervis believes the economy will improve in the second half of the year by the income to be gained in tourism and exports.

Dervis also noted that if the growth rate becomes minus 6 rather than minus 3, it will be difficult to reach the budget goals. The paper also published the words of Dervis who said that the most important danger for the programme will be the efforts of the rentier circles to take the programme from its track.

Dervis said that the chance for the programme to reach success is high. The paper also noted that Dervis does not have any political greed.

[09] TREASURY SELLS 884.9 TRILLION TURKISH LIRAS NOMINAL-VALUED THREE-MONTH BONDS

The total bid had become 1 quadrillion 744.4 trillion TL and the net sale became 754 trillion TL.

The annual simple interest rate became 69.48 percent and the annual composite interest rate became 89.78 percent.

The value date of these three-month bonds is May 15 and the maturity is August 15.

Meanwhile, Treasury will repay 1 quadrillion 644.9 trillion TL in domestic borrowing on Wednesday.

The total amount of domestic borrowing that the Treasury will repay in May is 5 quadrillion 27.1 trillion TL.

The Treasury sold 697.7 trillion TL bonds in the ten-month (302-day) auction held on May 8. The annual simple interest became 84.60 percent and the annual composite interest was 89.91 percent in that auction.

[10] FOREIGN MINISTER CEM HOLDS PRESS CONFERENCE: -''IT WILL BE GOOD IF CERTAIN STEPS ARE TAKEN BY TURKEY AND EU''

Cem, who is currently in Brussels to attend certain EU meetings, told a press conference that Turkey is in favour of the promotion of NATO-EU relations but that it will not change its attitude towards the European Security and Defense Identity (ESDI).

Touching on his bilateral meeting with Guenter Verheugen, the EU Commissioner for Enlargement, Cem said, ''it will be good if certain steps are taken by Turkey and the EU prior to the Turkish-EU Association Council. There are certain financial issues which have not been solved yet. We discussed these issues. We are recording developments. The Association Council and the Development Report are important for us. We talked about these issues.''

Cem noted that the relations with the EU are ''fairly good'' but that the financial relations ''should be better.''

''As a politician, I consider something as positive. Now, the ball is in our court. If we do not want to play from now on, we do not have the right to complain about anybody to anybody. We used to say that the EU is making injustice and discrimination against us and that it did not accept our candidacy. Now, we have achieved these. What I am saying for 20-25 years is that we have to exert efforts to remove certain democratic deficiencies. Now, the ball is in our court. This is a positive development,'' Cem said.

Cem noted that he told Verheugen that the EU's attitude towards the Aegean issue is wrong and that an atmosphere as if Turkey did not fulfil the requirements was created.

This is a mistake, Cem said, and went on saying, ''we are ready to discuss the Aegean issues. The United Nations (U.N), international law... The EU also knows that, but Greece does not approach due to certain reasons. We do not force them. When the EU makes statements as if Turkey was not taking action regarding this issue, we cannot accept these statements.''

The NATO-EU relations were debated in the meeting in which the foreign ministers of the EU countries and the European NATO allies attended, Cem stated.

Cem continued, ''Turkey welcomes and supports the promotion of NATO-EU relations but that we should not ignore the decision taken by the NATO. There is a two-dimensional dialogue. There is a dialogue between the NATO and the EU. And, the most important, the discussion in the NATO. If the NATO is to offer some of its capabilities to the EU, it should discuss the conditions and the frame. We do not have a discussion with the EU. We are discussing the support that the NATO will extend to the EU, the frame and conditions of this support, with the other NATO allies.''

Touching on his meeting with Dutch Foreign Minister Jozias Van Aarstan, Cem said, ''the Netherlands wants to further improve the ESDI issue with good will.''

Cem said that some news stories were published saying that the U.S. made pressure on Ankara regarding the ESDI and that these stories were unbiased.

''If a positive result is reached in the NATO Council in Budapest, this will be for the advantage of Turkey. But, we cannot accept Turkey to be a spectator. Our attitude is certain. We want accession, we do not want observation or consultation. We want this within an appropriate frame. If it does not happen, we do not mind. We will not change our rightful attitude,'' Cem said.

Cem stated that they debated the Balkans in the foreign ministers' meeting and that he informed the other participants about his latest contacts in Macedonia and Kosovo and expressed Turkey's views.

''Despite everything, I saw positive signs in Kosovo. There had earlier been a wide-spread pessimism. We should not exaggerate but it is positive now. There is an optimistic expectation now. We have marked a significant development in the expectations of the Turkish society there. We want more. The former condition of the Turks has further developed. We wish that the rights of the Turks stem from the constitution as was during the rule of Tito and Milosevic,'' Cem said.

Touching on the situation in Macedonia, Cem said, ''I said that we support the coalition in Macedonia. I told them that there is a danger caused by this success and that the formation of a coalition is not a solution itself. I said that the coalition is the first step and that the reforms will bring solutions.''

Cem added, ''I said that the expectations of the Macedonian citizens with Albanian origin should be met and that the conditions of the citizens with Slav origin should not be shaken in an unjust way. I drew the attention to the drug trafficking in the region. I also stressed that many political formations in the east of the Balkans have links with drug trafficking,'' Cem added.

[11] 12 RUSSIAN JOURNALISTS VISIT ANTALYA GOVERNOR DOKUZOGLU

Responding to questions of journalists, Dokuzoglu gave detailed information about Antalya and Turkish tourism.

Noting that Turkey recorded an important stage in tourism field in the last ten years, Dokuzoglu said that the highest growth rate in tourism field in the world is in Turkey.

Noting that 10 million tourists came to Turkey last year and 3,5 million of them preferred Antalya to spend their holiday, Dokuzoglu said that they expect the number of tourists who will come to Antalya to reach 4,5 milions. He said that 350,000 tourists came to Antalya last year and they expect this number to reach 450,000.

Upon a question of a Russian journalist, Antalya governor Ertugrul Dokuzoglu said that the necessary investment is undertaken for Turkish tourism both by the satet and by private sector.

Russian journalists said that they had good impressions about their contacts in Antalya, adding that they will convey their impressions to Russian people in broadcasting organs. They said that they will stay in Turkey till May 20, 2001, adding that such kind of organizations are very useful both for bilateral relations and also for tourism.

[12] NATIONAL DEFENSE MINISTER CAKMAKOGLU: -''ATTENTION SHOULD BE PAID TO THE PRINCIPLE OF INDIVISIBILITY OF SECURITY IN THE CONTINENT OF EUROPE''

Speaking in the meeting of the defense ministers of the European Union (EU) member countries and the non-EU European NATO allies, Cakmakoglu said that some concerns of Turkey regarding the European Security and Defense Identity (ESDI) are not overcome.

Cakmakoglu noted that Turkey's attitude towards the ESDI is constructive and that due to this attitude, some developments have been marked in NATO- EU relations.

A joint defense planning process, in which 23 countries which are the members of NATO and the EU will take place, is the only solution, Cakmakoglu stated.

Cakmakoglu said, ''we have to act in line with the realities and our security interests.''

When Sokrates Hasikos, the defense minister of the Greek Cypriot administration, expressed their wish to contribute to the military identity of the EU, Cakmakoglu explained Ankara's views and concerns regarding the participation of the Greek Cypriot administration in this formation.

Greek Defense Minister Akis Tsokhatzopoulos only said that they support the EU candidacy and accession of Turkey and the Greek Cypriot administration.

Cakmakoglu is expected to return to Turkey on Wednesday.

[13] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT GETS INFORMATION FROM ADANA GOVERNOR ABOUT FLOOD DISASTER

''We will also come out of this crisis like we did following the massive earthquake disasters in 1999,'' Ecevit said.

Premier Ecevit got information from Adana Governor and the Chairman of the Crisis Desk Oguz Kagan Koksal about the flood disaster and its results.

Koksal said that nearly 2,000 houses and business places and 719,000 cultivated fields were inundated by the gushing waters, adding that the infrastructure of the city collapsed and nearly 60 bridges were damaged. Koksal said that Rural Affairs Directorate General determined a damage worth of 700 trillion Turkish liras, adding that more than 250 work machines were in the region. Koksal said that 22 municipalities suffered from the flood disaster, adding that ''it is to the benefit of the province to prepare Antakya Rescue Plan.''

Premier Bulent Ecevit said that there ministers came to the region following the flood disaster, adding that the agenda of the cabinet meeting held yesterday was only the flood disaster.

''Today there are no longer power cuts in the city, the tax payment of persons who suffered by the flood disaster has been postponed till the end of June. Additional sources are provided to municipalities which were damaged by the flood. Totally 335 billion liras were sent to date and aid continues to be sent to the region,'' said Ecevit.

Ecevit pointed out that preparations are underway to put off the credit debts of farmers and tradesmen to Ziraat and Halk Bank.

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