Anadolu Agency: News in English, 01-05-20

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ANADOLU AGENCY

NEWS

20 MAY 2001 Sunday

-TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

These are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in Turkey's press on May 20, 2001. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

State Minister Kemal Dervis for Economy has given messages of leadership. Dervis who came to Turkey together with his wife Catherine Stachniak, told reporters, ''my wife has decided to live in Turkey. We will settle in Turkey. I will go all provinces in Anatolia to explain the new economic program.'' Meanwhile, Dervis received a standing ovation during ceremonies in Istanbul's Inonu Stadium to mark May 19 Youth and Sports Day.

SPANISH PRESS TALKS NONSENSE

Spanish press tried to put the blame of Friday's CASA-type plane crash in Ankara on the Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI). Spanish press claimed that TAI which produced 280 F-16 war planes, was incapable.

MRS. SEZER'S GREAT CAMPAIGN FOR EDUCATION

President Ahmet Necdet Sezer's wife Semra Sezer will pioneer women on the issue of education. Sezer will launch an initiative to support national education. Sezer called on all citizens to unite in line with this joint target.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

Spanish pilots were so sorry for the accident in eastern province of Malatya in which 34 soldiers lost their lives. They would make their first test flight with the CASA-type plane. They attirubuted great importance to the test flight. They were trying to prove that there was not any problem in the planes. They carried out tests in the plane on ground first. A failure was determined in one of the engines. But Spanish pilots decided to make the test flight by risking their lives. The Spanish pilot attempted to take off from the runway in 500 metres although the minimum range is 1,000 metres. The plane crashed, killing four people on board.

JET-SKI ACCIDENT IN DIDIM

Claire Caye, 18, and her 14-year-old sister Janny Caye who came to Turkey from Britain to spend their holidays, collided with a boat with their jet- ski due to high speed in Didim township of western province of Aydin. While Claire lost her life, Janny was injured in her head. She was rushed to a nearby hospital for medical treatment.

TURKISH DAY PARADE CHARMS NEW YORK

More than 50 thousand people watched the Turkish Day Parade in New York, the U.S. State Minister Sukru Sina Gurel; State Minister Abdulhaluk Cay; Baki Ilkin, the Turkish Ambassador to the U.S.; Umit Pamir, the Turkish Permanent Representative to the United Nations; Mehmet N. Ezen, the Turkish Consul General in New York; Aytug Plumer, the Representative of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) in New York; and representatives of Turkish associations attended the march.

SABAH (LIBERAL)

Alberto Fernandez, the Director General of the CASA firm, visited wife and relatives of Emin Kiran who lost his life in Friday's crash in Ankara, and offered his condolences. Kaya Ergenc, the Director General of the Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI), accompanied Fernandez during the visit.

UZNADZE WINS BRONZE MEDAL

Irakli Uznadze of Turkey competing in men's 81 kg category, won bronze medal at the European Judo Championships. Uznadze beat Fernandez of Spain, Hischier of Switzerland and Bevc of Slovakia. He was defeated by his Polish opponent Wolkowivcz, and won bronze medal.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

Following the plane crashes in last four months in Turkey, killing 41 people, CASA Director General Alberto Fernandez came to Turkey and said it is wrong to make speculations about the CN-235 planes before they finalize their investigation. He said that a six-member Spanish team will carry out investigations into the plane crashes together with Turkish officials. Fernandez said that there is not a reason for suspending CASA plane flights in other countries.

SELF-CRITICISM PERIOD

Union of Turkish Chambers and Commodity Exchanges (TOBB) Chairman Fuat Miras said that at the current point, all social sections should contemplate their responsibility for the current crisis in Turkey and should make self-criticism.

RADIKAL (LEFT)

For the first time since September 12, a president directly addressed the youth. President Ahmet Necdet Sezer called on young generation to develop a critical point of view and to be interested in developments both in Turkey and the world. He stressed that Turkish nation relied on the youth.

DIRECTOR OF TPAO REMOVED FROM OFFICE

Energy and Natural Resources Minister Zeki Cakan have accelerated investigations into allegations of corruption. Inspectors found out that Osman Demirag, the Director General of the Turkish Petroleum Corp (TPAO) had obtained an unfair wealth. The Energy and Natural Resources Ministry has decided to remove Demirag from the office.

''OUR HEARTS HAVE BROKEN''

Alberto Fernandez, the Director General of the CASA Firm, said that they had started an investigation into recent crashes of CASA-type planes. Holding a press conference together with Kaya Ergenc, the Director General of the Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI), Fernandez told reporters that he had come to Turkey to offer his condolences to families of soldiers who lost their lives in CASA-type plane crashes. ''Our hearts have broken,'' he said. Recalling that a six-member delegation also came to Turkey together with him, Fernandez said that they would work together with experts from the Turkish Airlines (THY), the Turkish Aircraft Industry Incorporated Company (TUSAS) and the TAI.

TREASURY TO AUTHORIZE A FOREIGN BANK TO CARRY OUT WORKS ON SWAP

Treasury will authorize a foreign bank next week to carry out works on swap which aims to exchange some of the domestic borrowing denominated in Turkish lira (TL) with foreign currency. This foreign bank will rapidly start works and hold contacts with the banks interested in such a swap. Treasury and this foreign bank would assess the opinions and bids of those banks. Current foreign currency will be valid for the bonds denominated in foreign exchange which would be exchanged with the bonds denominated in TL. Estimating that the amount of swap could be nearly 4 billion U.S. dollars, sources said that the swap operation could start as of June and cover also July and August of 2001.

TURKIYE (RIGHT)

CASA company Director General Alberto Fernandez came to Turkey and started investigating the crashes. Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) Director General Kaya Ergenc said that finalization of teir examination could take time. ''Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) officers are experts. They do not purchase plane like they purchase something from the market place. Our commanders do not collect planes from the streets,'' Ergenc said. Meanwhile, Fernandez said that CASA planes had been flying in safe in 25 countries including the United States and France since 1985, and those planes were above the world standards.

WE ARE HOPEFUL ABOUT YOUTH

The May 19 Youth and Sports Festival was celebrated throughout Turkey, at the Turkish representations abroad and in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). ''May 19'' remind the youth that they will undertake great responsibilities in restructuring of Turkey which suffered crises in every field.

FRIDAY PRAYERS IN SOFIA

Rahmi Koc, the Director General of Koc Holding, opened his market-chain Migros's Ramstore in Sofia, Bulgaria. There, he performed the Friday noon prayers.

LONGEST DAY

The Champions of the 2000-2001 season of the Turkish Division One may be acclaimed tonight. Leading Fenerbahce will host Bursaspor while their rivals Galatasaray will play away with Gaziantepspor. If Galatasaray draw or lose the game in Gaziantep, Fenerbahce will become the champions before the last day matches.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

Turkey is being restructured by internal and external dynamics. Civil organizations, state, economy and politics are being designed within the same scope. Speaking at a meeting in Istanbul, Interior Minister Sadettin Tantan said that people wants to control public sector through non- governmental organizations, giving the hint that civil organizations will be subjected to ''beneficial-dangerous'' separation. Tantan said that their security understanding is to struggle against every kind of illegal action which threats Turkey, before it comes to Turkey. The plan to design civil organizations started to be implemented abroad. National Security Council officials and Turkish citizens living abroad decided to found ''Turkish councils''. Shortly after this decision, ''National Public Movement'' organization was set up in the Turkish Republic of Northen Cyprus (TRNC).

CYPRUS QUESTION IS EU'S PROBLEM

EU Commissioner for Enlargement Guenter Verheugen said that Cyprus question is the most serious obstacle in front of EU enlargement. He said that Cyprus can enter the EU after a political solution.

(UK-MS)

CONTENTS

[01] PRESIDENT DENKTAS OF TRNC MEETS GUEHENNO, UNDER SECRETARY GENERAL OF UNITED NATIONS

[02] SPORTS - WRESTLING -FOURTH INTERNATIONAL UNDER-16 WRESTLING TOURNAMENT STARTS IN BURSA

[03] SPORTS - JUDO -UZNADZE OF TURKEY WINS BRONZE MEDAL IN EUROPEAN JUDO CHAMPIONSHIPS

[04] BRITISH GIRL DIES IN SEA ACCIDENT IN DIDIM

[05] KONYA AIRPORT OPENED TO INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS

[06] SALES OF IMPORTED PASSENGER CARS IN FIRST 4 MONTHS REACH 18,912

[07] TRADITIONAL TURKISH DAY PARADE HELD IN NEW YORK

[08] ''TURKEY: A COUNTRY OF TALES'' -GERMAN STATE-RUN ZDF TELEVISION CHANNEL PROMOTES TURKEY IN ITS WEBSITE

[09] FOREIGN INVESTMENT FUNDS

[10] ENVIRONMENT MINISTER AYTEKIN DUE TO SWEDEN

[11] FOREIGN MINISTRY UNDERSECRETARY LOGOGLU: -''IRAQ'S TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY IS ESSENTIAL FOR US''

[12] THIRD TURKISH-GREEK TOURISM FORUM IN MARMARIS ENDS

[13] NOC CHAIRMAN ERDEM: ''ISTANBUL HAS STILL THE CHANCE OF HOSTING 2008 OLYMPIC GAMES''

[14] A GROUP OF RELATIVES OF 118 SAILORS WHO LOST THEIR LIVES IN KURSK SUBMARINE LAST YEAR, ARRIVE IN ANTALYA

[15] TRIDENT D'OR-2001 MANOEUVRES TO BE PERFORMED IN MEDITERRANEAN

[16] ATIAD DELEGATION DUE IN ANKARA

[17] 51.7 MILLION U.S. DOLLARS OF THREAD EXPORTED FROM GAP REGION IN FIRST FOUR MONTHS

[01] PRESIDENT DENKTAS OF TRNC MEETS GUEHENNO, UNDER SECRETARY GENERAL OF UNITED NATIONS

Ergun Olgun, the Undersecretary of TRNC Presidency, and United Nations officials in Cyprus, were also in attendance at the meeting.

Upon a request of Guehenno, any statement was not made about agenda of the meeting.

[02] SPORTS - WRESTLING -FOURTH INTERNATIONAL UNDER-16 WRESTLING TOURNAMENT STARTS IN BURSA

A total of 270 wrestlers from 17 countries are participating in the tournament.

Meanwhile, 94 wrestlers are representing Turkey in the tournament.

[03] SPORTS - JUDO -UZNADZE OF TURKEY WINS BRONZE MEDAL IN EUROPEAN JUDO CHAMPIONSHIPS

Uznadze beat Oscar Fernandez of Spain in the first round, and Dormini Hischier of Switzerland in the second round, and qualified to the third round.

He beat Peter Bevc of Slovakia in the third round, and qualified to the semi final. He was defeated by his Russian opponent Lacha Pipia in the semi final.

Uznadze beat Wronislaw Wolkowicz of Poland, and won bronze medal.

Meanwhile, Deniz Silli of Turkey competing in men's 73 kg category, was defeated by his Polish opponent Krzystof Wilkomirski, and eliminated from the tournament.

On Sunday, Nese Sensoy of Turkey competing in women's 48 kg category, Sahriban Ergel of Turkey competing in women's 52 kg category, Selim Tataroglu of Turkey competing in men's open category, and Huseyin Ozkan of Turkey competing in men's 66 kg category, will vie with their opponents for medals.

[04] BRITISH GIRL DIES IN SEA ACCIDENT IN DIDIM

Sources told the A.A correspondent that Claire Caye, 18, and her 15-year- old sister Cemma Caye came to Turkey from Britain to spend their holidays.

The British sisters collided with a boat with their jet-ski due to high speed.

While Claire lost her life, Cemma was injured in her head.

She was rushed to a nearby hospital for medical treatment.

A full investigation into the accident is under way.

[05] KONYA AIRPORT OPENED TO INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS

The Council of Ministers decision on the issue was published in Sunday's Official Gazette.

In accordance with the decision, Turkish citizens and foreigners can enter and leave Turkey from the Konya Airport.

[06] SALES OF IMPORTED PASSENGER CARS IN FIRST 4 MONTHS REACH 18,912

According to the statistics of the Imported Automobiles Turkish Agents Association, 3,910 Opel cars were sold in Turkey while it was followed by Ford with 3,489 cars and by Renault with 2,455.

Below is the sales of imported cars in Turkey in the first four four months of 2001:

Number of Imported Cars

Sold In Turkey

------------ -----------------------
Opel 3,910

Ford 3,489

Renault 2,455

Volkswagen 2,364

Peugeot 1,195

Saab 13

Rover 9

Jaguar 8

Alfa Romeo 4

Ferrari 2

MG 1

[07] TRADITIONAL TURKISH DAY PARADE HELD IN NEW YORK

State Minister Sukru Sina Gurel; State Minister Abdulhaluk Cay; Baki Ilkin, the Turkish Ambassador to the U.S.; Umit Pamir, the Turkish Permanent Representative to the United Nations; Mehmet N. Ezen, the Turkish Consul General in New York; Aytug Plumer, the Representative of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) in New York; and representatives of Turkish associations attended the parade.

The parade started at 13:00 local time from the intersection point between Madison Avenue and the 56th Street, and continued to Dag Hammarskjold Park.

Turkish musicians including Askin Nur Yengi and Izzet Altinmese gave concerts in the park.

All poles on the route of the parade were decorated with ballons, Turkish and U.S. flags and carnations.

Representatives of the Ataturk School, the Federation of Turkish-American Associations (TADF), the Assembly of Turkish-American Associations (ATAA), the Union of Turkish-American Women, Turkish banks in New York, the Turkish Airlines (THY), the Inter-universities Turkish Students' Society, the Turkish-American Muslims' Culture Association, Besiktas and Fenerbahce associations, Hurriyet and Milliyet newspapers, the Kiska Construction Company, the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce and the Association of Turkish- American Architects, Engineers and Scientists also attended tha parade.

Meanwhile, President Ahmet Necdet Sezer, Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit, President Rauf Denktas of the TRNC, and U.S. President George W. Bush sent congratulary messages to the Turkish Day Parade.

In his message, President Sezer said, ''Turkish Day and Week symbolize the power of Turkish community in the U.S. and the solidarity between Turkey and the U.S. It is also a festival promoting our cultural assets to the U.S. public opinion. The Turkish community has accelerated its activities recently. The Turkish community has proved that it was one of the most important ethnic groups enriching the cultural and social mosaic of the U.S. We appreciated Turkish community's efforts to promote Turkey and to protect our national interests.''

President Bush stressed that the activity was a great opportunity to consolidate the friendly relations between the two countries.

Meanwhile, Malatya Municipalicty sent two tonnes of dried apricots to the U.S. to be distributed during the Turkish Day Parade.

[08] ''TURKEY: A COUNTRY OF TALES'' -GERMAN STATE-RUN ZDF TELEVISION CHANNEL PROMOTES TURKEY IN ITS WEBSITE

Huseyin Baraner, the Secretary General of Tour Operators, told the A.A correspondent on Sunday, ''the ZDF recommends German citizens to spend their holidays in Turkey. It eulogizes national and cultural assets of Istanbul, Bodrum, Kusadasi, Marmaris and Fethiye. More than 50 photographs of Turkey are displayed in ZDF's website: 'www.zdf.de'. Meanwhile, many German television and radio channels and tourism magazines promoted Turkey this year.''

[09] FOREIGN INVESTMENT FUNDS

According to the Capital Market Board (SPK) statistics, yields of these 20 foreign investment funds in March and first quarter of of 2001 are as follows:

March Q1

Name of Fund (percent)

---------------------------------------- -------- -----------
1-American Growth Portfolio (A) -9.4 -16.5

2-American Growth Portfolio (B) -9.5 -16.7

3-Alliance International Health Care Fund (A) -9.4 -19.9

4-Alliance International Health Care Fund (B) -9.5 -20.1

5-American Income Portfolio (A) -1.0 2.7

6-American Income Portfolio (B) -1.2 2.6

7-Short Maturity Dollar Portfolio (A) 0.4 1.5

8-Short Maturity Dollar Portfolio (B) 0.3 1.2

9-Money Manager 1 0.53 1.29

10-Money Manager 2 0.37 1.13

11-Citicelect Asia Tilt 300 Balanced -4.25 -4.54

12-Citicelect Asia Tilt 400 Growth -6.26 -6.78

13-Citiselect Asia Tilt 500 Growth -8.22 -8.63

14-USD Long Term Bonds 0.20 2.07

15-Global Bonds Euro 1.87 3.26

16-Global Bonds USD -1.81 -0.99

17-Global Balanced -6.25 -12.61

18-World Equities -9.15 -18.72

19-European Equities Euro -7.08 -17.55

20-US Large Company Equities -10.22 -15.31

[10] ENVIRONMENT MINISTER AYTEKIN DUE TO SWEDEN

Releasing a statement, the Environment Minisitry said on Sunday that a delegation formed by representatives of environment, health and foreign ministries would accompany Aytekin during his visit to Sweden.

The conference on ''Stockholm Convention on Some POPs'' organized by the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) will be held in Stockholm between May 22 and 23.

At the end of the meeting, the sides will sign a document as a confirmation for their acceptance of the Stockholm Convention.

The POPs are chemical substances that persist in the environment, bioaccumulate through the food web, and pose a risk of causing adverse effects to human health and the environment.

With the evidence of long-range transport of these substances to regions where they have never been used or produced and the consequent threats they pose to the environment of the whole globe, the international community has now, at several occasions called for urgent global actions to reduce and eliminate releases of these chemicals.

[11] FOREIGN MINISTRY UNDERSECRETARY LOGOGLU: -''IRAQ'S TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY IS ESSENTIAL FOR US''

Speaking at a television program on the state-run TRT television channel, Logoglu said, ''Turkey's policy towards Iraq has three main points. First of all, Iraq's territorial integrity is essential for us. Secondly, all communities living in Iraq will take a decision about the future of Iraq. And the last point is that Turkey will not allow division of Iraq. Also Turkey will not allow foundation of a Kurdish state in Northern Iraq,'' he stressed.

Expressing his concerns about escalation of tension in the Middle East, Logoglu added, ''we have been considering what could be done on this issue. Turkey is one of the rare countries which won confidence of both Arab countries and Israel. Turkey will use its position for peace and stability.''

[12] THIRD TURKISH-GREEK TOURISM FORUM IN MARMARIS ENDS

Turkish and Greek delegations decided to make recommendations to their governments on the issues of cooperation in tourism and maritime, facility in journeys between Turkey and Greece, sea tourism, tourism investments, and on training and promotion activities.

Bozkurt Aran, the Chairman of Turkish delegation and Director General of the Bilateral Economic Affairs Department of the Foreign Ministry, and Alexandros Migliaressis, the Chairman of Greek delegation, held a press conference following the forum.

Speaking at the press conference, Aran said that both countries had joint interests in the Aegean Sea.

''This forum held with the participation of Turkish and Greek delegations was a continuation of negotiations initiated by Foreign Minister Ismail Cem and Greek Foreign Minister George Papendreou, and an extension of friendly relations between the two neighboring countries,'' he stressed.

Aran added, ''we have decided to sign two agreements in maritime and tourism. We discussed cooperation opportunities in economy.''

Meanwhile, Migliaressis said in his part that the two countries could achieve more success in tourism by cooperating with each other.

Migliaressis said that the Mediterranean would become one of the most popular regions of the world with its nice climate and rich culture.

Underlining importance of promotion works, Migliaressis said, ''Greece does not implement unilateral visa. We are a member country to the European Union (EU). There are some agreements and we have to abide by them. But we are trying to facilitate mutual journeys between the two countries.''

[13] NOC CHAIRMAN ERDEM: ''ISTANBUL HAS STILL THE CHANCE OF HOSTING 2008 OLYMPIC GAMES''

Speaking at a meeting in Istanbul, Erdem said that Istanbul did not remain behind other candidate cities, adding, ''Istanbul was not excluded from the list of candidate cities and it will join the vote in Moscow on July 13.''

Stressing that none of the International Olympic Committee members had the right to exclude one of the candidates, Erdem said, ''Observation Committee prepared a report saying that investments in Istanbul and Osaka are insufficient. However, all of the five cities will continue to be candidates until the vote in Moscow and we continue our works.''

Noting that the right to host the games was gained as a result of bilateral contacts, Erdem said, ''the city which wins 54 out of 106 votes hosts the games. We will continue our works even if fail to win 54 votes. On my personal view, Istanbul deserves to be a host city. Besides, candidacy struggle is not carried out among the cities and olympic committees but it is made among the states.''

[14] A GROUP OF RELATIVES OF 118 SAILORS WHO LOST THEIR LIVES IN KURSK SUBMARINE LAST YEAR, ARRIVE IN ANTALYA

A total of 36 people came to Antalya as the guests of the Turkish-Russian Friendship Association and the Club Hotel Rixos in Belek township of Antalya.

Relatives of the sailors will be hosted in Antalya for a week.

Ali Dayanikli, the Director General of the Club Hotel Rixos, said that they had shared grief of relatives of the sailors.

Dayanikli stressed, ''we think that such visits would make a valuable contribution to further improvement of our relations with Russia.''

He said that they would invite relatives of 34 soldiers who lost their lives in Wednesday's plane crash near eastern province of Malatya, to their hotel.

Nuclear submarine Kursk plunged to the bottom of the Barents Sea last year killing all 118 sailors on board.

[15] TRIDENT D'OR-2001 MANOEUVRES TO BE PERFORMED IN MEDITERRANEAN

Releasing a statement, the Naval Forces Commandership said on Sunday that

vessels and planes from Turkey, France, Italy, Spain, the U.S., Britain, Germany, Belgium, Portugal, Denmark and Greece would participate in the manoeuvres.

The Standing Naval Force Mediterranean (STANAVFORMED), and the European Maritime Force (EUROMARFOR) will also take part in the manoeuvres.

TCG Yavuz (F-240) and TCG Zafer (F-253) frigates of the Turkish Naval Forces will represent Turkey.

Two Turkish officers will be appointed to the multinational headquarters to be established to command the manoeuvres.

TCG Yavuz will visit Cagliari Port of Italy between May 17 and 21.

[16] ATIAD DELEGATION DUE IN ANKARA

Releasing a statement, the ATIAD said on Sunday that the delegation would explain its views to the government officials during the two-day visit.

ATIAD delegation will be received by State Minister Kemal Dervis for Economy.

The delegation will submit its report on ''Entrepreneurs of Turkish Origin in Germany and Europe'' to State Minister Dervis.

Later, the delegation will pay visits to Volkan Vural, Turkey's Secretary General for the European Union (EU), and to former President Suleyman Demirel.

On Tuesday, the delegation will meet with Interior Minister Sadettin Tantan, Public Works and Settlement Minister Koray Aydin and State Minister Hasan Gemici.

[17] 51.7 MILLION U.S. DOLLARS OF THREAD EXPORTED FROM GAP REGION IN FIRST FOUR MONTHS

In the same period last year, the region exported 43 million 318 thousand U.S. dollars of thread.

Officials at the Southeastern Anatolia Exporters' Union told the A.A correspondent on Sunday that in January-April period of 2001, they exported 19 million 960 thousand U.S. dollars in cotton thread; and 31 million 777 thousand U.S. dollars in synthetic thread.

Most of the thread were exported to Syria, Saudi Arabia, Britain, Italy, France, Lebanon, Spain, Germany, the U.S., Belgium, Israel, Bulgaria, Greece and Portugal.

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