Anadolu Agency: News in English, 01-05-26

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ANADOLU AGENCY

NEWS

26 MAY 2001 Saturday

-TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

These are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in Turkey's press on May 26, 2000. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

Turkish Airlines started a discount betweeen 15 and 25 percent for one monthly, three monthly and yearly round trips in its domestic flights. The prices will take effect on June 1. THY Public and Press Relations Director Faik Akin said they started this program so that people who have flexible flight plans could fly on less crowded days and times and get a 25 percent discount. This will also keep the reservations high at all times.

SEARCH FOR 4-YEAR OLD CEM ENDS

Military units who have been looking for 4-year old Cem who got lost while his parents were building a hut for themselves in Kocaeli's Aytepe region stopped their search. Some civilian groups are continuing their search in the area. Gendarmerie teams interrogated all the members of the family. Gendarmerie units also searched the deep valleys and high altitudes where wild animals live including bears. But they found no trace of the little boy.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

Helmut Kohl's son Peter Kohl is going to get married with Elif Sozen, a Turkish woman in Cıragan

Palace, Istanbul today. When he was the German Chancellor, Kohl was against the sale of weapons to Turkey. Ironically it is written on the invitation card of his son's wedding that ''please give donation to Turkish Soldiers Foundation.''

RECTORS TO HOLD DEMONSTRATION

Rectors of universities who complain about the low wages of the lecturers prepare for a big demonstration. Akbulut, the rector of the Middle East Technical Universtiy (METU) in Ankara said that ''a professor has difficulties in supporting his four-member family with this low wage.''

SABAH (LIBERAL)

Ankara State Securtiy Court Prosecutor Cengiz Koksal, who carries out the investigation ''Blue Stream'' visited Turkish Electricity Inc. (TEAS) this time. Koksal was with police during his visit to TEAS rather than with gendarme during his visit to Turkish Pipelines Inc. (BOTAS) last Wednesday. Koksal asked TEAS officials to give him documents about the energy stations which operate by using natural gas.

WAIT FOR LEADERSHIP

Neslihan Taki, the ex-wife of State Minister Kemal Dervis who is in charge of economy, said that Dervis would be successful in his difficult mission, adding that ''yet it is very early for him to become the leader of a political party.''

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

Confederation of Public Employees' Labor Unions (KESK) are marching from Istanbul to Ankara to protest the bill on public workers which allegedly have antidemocratic articles. KESK Executive Council member Mustafa Avci said ''We'll march to Ankara's Kizilay. We have the power to do this despite the ban.'' Many workers in Bursa showed support to the protestors. Ankara Governor's Office banned the KESK's protest which is to take place in Ankara.

CHP:''LAST YEAR'S CENSUS IS A TOTAL FIASCO''

Republican People's Party's (CHP) Culture Platform said that last year's census was a total fiasco and that Turkey's population was still unknown. Platform Chairman Bulent Tanla said that although the census showed Turkey's population as 71.5 million people, four or five million of this was phantom people.

RADIKAL (LEFT)

State Minister Kemal Dervis and Agriculture Minister Husnu Ziya Gokalp couldn't reach an agrement on the price of wheat that will be announced. Gokalp insists on 178,200 TL, while the Treasury wants to give 155,000 TL.

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT RESTRAINED

The Interparties Compromise Commission couldn't reach an agreement on amendments that would be made in the Constitution to further improve the freedom of expression and basic rights and freedoms due to the attitude of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP). MHP wants these amendments to span over a certain period of time.

TURKIYE (RIGHT)

State Minister Yuksel Yalova told reporters in Izmir that 20 percent of Vakifbank would be sold and the preparations were almost completed. ''By privatizing the 20 percent of the bank, we can obtain a few hundreds of trillion TL. We want to sit down and talk with all the governors how this money could be used to restore historical sites and we want to keep this outside the politics,'' Yalova said and added that the banks's block sales will take place in June.

FLOOD SURVIVORS IN HATAY TO RECEIVE FINANCIAL AID SOON

State Minister Kemal Dervis said the flood sufferers in Hatay would very soon receive financial aid. Dervis told reporters that the Treasury was working to make a special adjustment to send money to these people. He also stated that they obtained a donation from the European Social Fund for Hatay.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

Security forces yesterday raided seven houses and detained 34 university students and one intern lawyer during operations against the terrorist organization Hezbollah. Ankara Security Director Kemal Iskender said the organization was trying to train university students and help them to get employment in the state. ''This is more dangerous than weapons,'' he said and also added that the security units revealed Hezbollah's strategies for future.

-DEMIREL GOES TO SOFIA TO ATTEND MEETINGS OF BALKAN POLITICAL CLUB

ANKARA - Former President Suleyman Demirel went to Sofia with former Parliament Speaker Hikmet Cetin to attend the meetings of the Balkan Political Club. Demirel and Cetin are founding members of the club.

Prior to his departure from Ankara's Airport, Demirel said the goal of the club was to contribute to peace in the Balkans and help the region become Europeanized.

''Non-governmental organizations have great responsibilities in bringing the nations closer. A rich Europe living in peace is our target and the Balkans should be included in this. I believe that Turkey will help the maintenance of peace both in Europe and the Balkans,'' Demirel stated.

The meeting will be participated by well-known statesmen, academicians and diplomats. Five documents will be debated and voted on the first day of the meeting. At the end of the second day of the meeting which will be attended by Bulgarian President Petar Stoyenov, the foundation of the club will be declared officially.

-FORMER KESK CHAIRMAN AND FOUR ORGANIZATION OFFICIALS DETAINED

ANKARA - Police took strict security measures in Kizilay due to the public meeting of the Confederation of Public Employees' Labor Unions (KESK). KESK former Chiarman Siyami Erdem and four other top officials were taken into custody.Police didn't allow KESK members coming from other cities who wanted to participate in the protests to enter the city. Security officials didn't say why Erdem and his four friends were detained.

Strict security measures are continuing in Kizilay square.

-MIDDLE EAST RAILROAD ADMINISTRATIONS CONFERENCE TO BE HELD IN ISTANBUL

ANKARA - Middle East railroad administrations will get together at a conference on June 4-6 in Istanbul.

The cargo and passenger railroad capacity will be assessed between Turkey and Iraq during the meeting. Iraq is participating in the meeting for the first time after 20 years since the Turkish-Iraqi railroad line has been closed for two decades. Turkey, Iraq, Syria, Jordan, Lebanon and Iran are also attending the meeting. Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan will join the meetings as observor.The participants of the conference will put forward proposals to solve the problems on railroad transportation in Middle Eastern countries as well as legal problems created by illegal railroad transportation.Turkish Republic of State Railroads (TCDD) officials said that about three million tons of goods were transported before the Turkish- Iraqi line was closed 20 years ago and that they expected that the transit transportation via Turkey would revive after the reopening of this line.

-ABOUT 4,000 KESK MEMBERS WAITING AT ANKARA'S ENTRANCE

ANKARA - About four thousand people who are participating in the Confederation of Public Employees' Labor Unions' (KESK) march are waiting at Istanbul Highway's Akincilar area near Ankara.

The crowd was asked to stop at the city entrance and Ankara Governor's Office banned the demonstration that was supposed to take place in Kizilay Square. The civil servants who came to Ankara on buses said they only wanted to hear the press statement but then they chanted slogans on the highway when the gendarmerie didn't allow them enter the city.Meanwhile, security forces asked another group of civil servants who came to Hipodrom on six buses. A total of 300 people were detained by the police when they insisted on their protest.

Strict security measures are continuing in Kizilay square.

-SPRING MASS HELD IN CAPPADOCIA

URGUP - Greek Cypriot Patriarch Bartholomeos said that the friendship between Turkish and Greek people should be examplary to others, when he spoke at the spring mass held at the patriarchate at Mustafapasa area on Saturday.

About 500 people coming from Greece and Istanbul attended the mass. Bartholomeos said he was very happy about the high participation of Greeks.

''Such visits are strengthening the Turkish-Greek relations. We'll continue to support such activities. The people of Cappadocia are hospitable as much as the rest of the Turkish people,'' the patriarch said.

When asked about the latest developments in the relations between the two countries, Bartholomeos said ''Don't get me involved in politics.''

Many Greek reporters also watched the mass.

-SOCIAL SUPPORT PROJECT AIMS TO HELP THE POOR BY 500 MILLION

U.S. DOLLARS OF WORLD BANK

ANKARA - State Minister Hasan Gemici said on Saturday that the outline of the Social Support Project which will be financed by the 500 million U.S. dollars of the World Bank had become clear. Gemici told the A.A that his ministry had been working with the experts coming from the World Bank for two months. He said the project's first goal was to help children who can't receive education, health care and who are malnourished because of poverty. ''We'll focus on this area since this is a situation which is most likely to weaken the society in the future. The project will meet the education, food, and health expenses of poor children. The ages between zero and six are very important in children. Poor nourishment and not getting enough medical care are causing irreversable conditions later in life. The project will help poor families to get milk and regularly have their children checked at a medical institution,'' he explained. Employment and social development are other important parts of the project. Gemici indicated that the project supports rug weaving, cattle breeding and handicrafts in rural areas to make people productive and contribute to family budget. The project also includes a number of programs to increase literacy, raise awareness on mother-child health care and population control in rural areas.

The Social Support Project is aiming to help three million people. The 500 million U.S. dollars of the World Bank will be used in the next four years.

-''A LIVABLE ISTANBUL'' SYMPOSIUM TO TAKE PLACE ON MAY 28-29

ISTANBUL - An international symposium will take place in Istanbul on May 28- 29 as a part of a project to create a ''livable'' Istanbul.Interior Ministry's Press and Public Relations stated on saturday that Interior Minister Saadettin Tantan will also attend the opening of the conference which will be held at Kalyon Hotel.

Transportation which is one of the biggest problems of the city is going to be the main topic of the symposium. Top officials of big cities of the world including Tokyo, Paris, New York, Mexico City and London will attend the conference besides Turkish authorities.

-NATO PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY TURKISH GROUP CHAIRMAN KOSE LEAVES FOR LITHUANIA

ANKARA - Tahir Kose, the NATO Parliamentary Assembly's Chairman of the Turkish Group and a deputy from the Democratic Left Party (DSP) left for Lithuania on Saturday to participate in the NATO Spring Term meetings.

Speaking at Esenboga Airport before his departure, Kose said that 16 reports on issues which closely concern Turkey like the European Security and Defense Identity (ESDI) will be taken during the meeting which will be held during 27-31 May.Noting that he explained many times the views of Turkey about European Security and Defense Policy (ESDP) in NATO meetings, Kose said that ''it will be stressed once again that EU has to include Turkey to the decision making mechanism within the framework of ESDP.'' Kose added that the parliamentarians with whom they met have understood well the position of Turkey. Declarations will be issued on the issues of ''Expansion of NATO'' and ''South-East Europe'' during the NATO Parliamentary Assembly General Council meetings.

Kose said that Azerbaijan's becoming an associate member of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly will come to the agenda of the meeting, adding that Turkey will support this proposal.The parliamentarians who will participate in the meeting in which NATO Secretary General George Robertson will also attend, will be received by Lithuanian President Valdas Adamkus and Premier Rolandas Paksas.

-KESK MEETING TO BE HELD IN KIZILAY SQUARE, ANKARA

ANKARA - A compromise has been reached between the members of the Confederation of Public Employees' Labour Unions (KESK) and security officials and the KESK has been allowed to hold its protest meeting in Kızılay square, Ankara on Saturday.Nearly 12,000-13,000 KESK members who were kept waiting at the entrance of Ankara city were allowed to enter the city. The civil servants will gather in Hipodrom and go to Kızılay and participate in the protest that will be held there.

-SEZER:''TURKEY WANTS TO DEVELOP ITS RELATIONS WITH GEORGIA IN EVERY FIELD''

ANKARA - President Ahmet Necdet Sezer sent a message to Georgian President Eduard Shevardnadze due to Georgia's National Day and said Turkey wanted to advance relations with this country in every field and it supported Georgia's independence, peace and stability.''The very good relations between the peoples of Turkey and Georgia are built on historical and cultural ties. Turkey places great importance to Georgia's independence and stability. Turkey is determined to advance its relations in every field with Georgia which became a respectable member of the international community. I send my best wishes to you and the Georgian people on this day, '' Sezer said in his message.

-ULUSOY:''TURKEY AND IRAN SHOLD FORM CLOSER TIES''

TRABZON - Turkish Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges (TOBB) Acting Chairman and Trabzon Trade and Industry Chamber Board Chairman Ali Osman Ulusoy Iran and Turkey which made great progress in a number of areas should form closer ties with each other.Ulusoy said Iran made significant improvements both in economic and sociel fields in the last five years. ''We'll try to make organizations to make Turkish people get to know Iran more closely. We'll organize touristic trips from East Black Sea region to this country as a way of increasing our relations with Iran. We believe that increasing of relations between Iran and East Black Sea region will also benefit our economy,'' he stated.

-TOBB 56TH GENERAL COUNCIL CONVENES IN ANKARA (2)

ANKARA - Fuat Miras, the Chairman of the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB) said on Saturday that ''it is understood once again in a very painful way that the political institution couldn't govern and does not govern the country.'' Fuat Miras who spoke in the 56th general council meeting of TOBB, said that the if the governments took the necessary measures proposed by them, the country wouldn't be in such a situation today.

Miras said that Turkey missed the chance of becoming a full member of the EU in 1970s, adding that Turkey has also difficulties today due to the customs union deal Turkey signed with the EU.

''Europe uses the advantages of the customs deal by selling at least 15 million dollars of more goods to our country every year and it benefits very well from the deal. If Europe brings obstacles on the path of Turkey to become a EU full-member, why does not Turkey sign a free trade agreement with the U.S.?,'' he said. Accusing the political system and politicians for the economic difficulties Turkey has today, Miras claimed that Turkey has given concessions to find a debt worth of 10-15 billion dollars. TOBB Chairman Miras said that if elections were held today, only one or two parties would pass the threshold, adding that there is no trust in the system.Noting that they don't want the state banks which politicians used anymore, Miras defended the view that the economic problems can't be solved only by strengethening the financial sector.''Unfortunately the Turkish private sector couldn't find the things it expected from the economic programme announced by State Minister Kemal Dervis,'' he said.Miras indicated that they expect Dervis to announce the economic package related to the real sector, asserting that the real sector collapsed.

Noting that Dervis didn't announce the names of the institutions which purchased U.S. dollar at the price of 680,000 TL just before the adoption of the floating exchange rate system in Turkey, Miras said that this does not mean transparency in the system administration.

-WOMEN'S GROUP PROTESTS REFUSAL OF SHARING OF EARNED ASSETS

IN

CIVIL CODE BILL

ISTANBUL - A group of women in Istanbul's Taksim square protested Saturday the refusal of the sharing of earned assets between the husband and wife in the Civil Code bill.About 30 members of the Istanbul Civil Code Bill Platform, marched from Taksim Square to Galatasaray Post Office giving purple ribbons to people.The group who read out a statement here criticized the not passing of the sharing of earned assets which the women's movement have been waiting for for many years. Later the group members sent letters with purple ribbons to Parliament Justice Commission members.

-FORMER PRESIDENT DEMIREL SAYS PEACE HAS BEEN MOST IMPORTANT

ISSUE OF THE BALKANS FOR YEARS

SOFIA - Former president Suleyman Demirel said on Saturday that the peace has been the most important problem of the Balkans for years, adding that ''Turkey has always wanted peace and stability in Europe and in the Balkans since the foundation of the republic by

Ataturk.'' The former and new well-known politicians of the Balkan countries gathered in Sofia, Bulgaria for the Balkan Political Club foundation meeting held by the initiative of former Bulgarian President Jelu Jelev. On the first day of the meeting which will end on Sunday, politicians discussed the regional problems. Speaking after the first part of the meeting, Demirel said that the initiative of Jelu Jelev is very important.

''This is really a good idea, these are voluntary institutions and they don't have a sanction power, yet their activities are very useful for preparing ideas which will bring closer the people. I congratulate Jelev,'' Demirel said.

''People have to come together and know each other to have peace. A united Europe will come true only if people come closer to each other,'' said Demirel adding that peace in the Balkans is to the interest of all countries.

Demirel said that ''the problem of Macedonia will be solved sooner or later.''Reponding to a question of a journalist who asked if there is fear of Turkey in the Balkans, Demirel said that ''those who governed the countries during the communist era didn't want any Turkish sympathizans in the region, on the contrary the policy of isolating Turks from Europe was dominant. The Ottoman Empire was set up as a European country and Europe tried to get rid of from Europe for 300 years. But it was not possible to do so. The culture, people and traditions still remain. Bridges, hamams and mosques are here. The Turkish Republic has never been imperialist, it has always been a peace-loving country. Even if we can't consider such fears natural, we should not find them

strange.''Demirel will meet with the last king of Bulgaria Simeon II, former Macedonian President Kiro Gligorov, Jelu Jelev, former Romanian president Emil Constinescu and Ahmet Dogan, the leader of the Rights and Freedoms Movement today.

A joint statement will be issued on Macedonia at the end of the meeting.

-FOREIGN MINISTRY:''TURKISH CYPRIOTS HAVE NEVER BEEN A MINORITY ON THE

ISLAND''

ANKARA - The Foreign Ministry said on Saturday that the Turkish Cypriots had never been a minority in Cyprus, referring to the statements of Greece and Greek Cypriots. A statement released from the ministry said ''The recent statements of Greek and Greek Cypriot politicians demonstrated that the Greek and Greek Cypriot mentality has not changed despite certain

developments.'' ''Turkish Cypriots have never been a minority and they will never be. The Greek Cypriot side should quit such obsessions and accept equal sovereignty between the two sides on the island to reach an agreement. Otherwise it is not possible to reach a consensus.''

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