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ANADOLU AGENCY

NEWS

12 JULY 2001 Thursday

CONTENTS

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

[02] TOBB: ''OUR UNION DOES NOT HAVE ANY PARTNERSHIP WITH EGS BANK''

[03] ASLAN, CHAIRMAN OF GAZIANTEP CHAMBER OF TRADE: ''TRANSPORTATION SHOULD BE MADE WITH SEA BUSES BETWEEN LAZKIYE-MAGOSA-MERSIN IN SCOPE OF STRENGTHENING RELATIONS WITH SYRIA''

[04] VISA FACILITY BROUGHT FOR D-8 MEMBER COUNTRIES' BUSINESSMEN

[05] 50 U.S. DOLLARS TO BE TAKEN FROM TURKISH CITIZENS WHO GO ABROAD

[06] 50 BILLION TL SENT TO DIGOR TO MEET THE URGENT NEEDS OF THOSE HIT BY FLOOD DISASTER

[07] PUBLIC EMPLOYEES TRADE UNIONS LAW PUBLISHED IN OFFICIAL GAZETTE

[08] MONTHLY EVALUATION OF DPT -RELATIVE REVIVAL EXPECTED IN ECONOMY IN SECOND HALF OF YEAR

[09] GARANTI BANK SAYS TALKS WITH ITALIAN INTESA BANK TO CONCLUDE SOON

[10] FRENCH INDUSTRIALISTS IN ISTANBUL

[11] ''REFORMISTS'' TO COME TOGETHER IN ABANT TO DISCUSS FORMATION OF NEW PARTY

[12] SARCOPHAGUS BROUGHT INTO DAYLIGHT DURING AN EXCAVATION IN SINOP

[13] INTERIOR MINISTER YUCELEN SAYS IT IS CLEAR THAT THERE IS NO SYSTEMATIC TORTURE IN TURKEY

[14] INDUSTRY AND TRADE MINISTER TANRIKULU SAYS NEWS TELLING ONE STATE MINISTER WANTED TO BE DISMISSED IS ONLY SPECULATION

[15] ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER SHARON EXPECTED TO VISIT TURKEY IN AUGUST

[16] CONSTITUTIONAL COURT CHAIRMAN BUMIN SAYS COURT WON'T ANNOUNCE DECISIONS ONE BY ONE

[17] CENTRAL BANK GOVERNOR SERDENGECTI: ''ARGENTINA INFLUENCES DEVELOPMENTS IN MARKETS''

[18] TURKISH SHIP CALLS FOR HELP OFF RHODES

[19] TUSIAD CHAIRMAN OZILHAN SAYS TUSIAD DOES NOT HAVE ANY CONCERN ABOUT TURKISH ECONOMY -MEDEF CHAIRMAN SEILLIERE SAYS THEY TRUST TURKEY

[20] FOREIGN MINISTRY IS CONCERNED ABOUT CLASHES ESCALATING BETWEEN PALESTINE AND ISRAEL

[21] EXTERNAL DEBT PAYMENTS -106.15 MILLION U.S. DOLLARS REPAID IN EXTERNAL DEBT BETWEEN JULY 1 AND 11

[22] RED ARMY CHORUS TO GIVE CONCERT IN SOUTHERN MERSIN PROVINCE

[23] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT SAYS GOVERNMENT DOES ITS BEST TO SAVE TURKEY FROM ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL SUFFERING

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

GOVERNMENT TO SEND THREE MINISTERS TO SEZER TO BRIEF ABOUT ECONOMY
The cabinet decided yesterday to send three ministers to President Ahmet Necdet Sezer to explain him the economic developments as Sezer vetoes certain laws adopted by the parliament. State Ministers Kemal Dervis, Tunca Toskay and Yılmaz Karakoyunlu were charged for this task. Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit will talk about the cabinet's proposal to President Sezer in their weekly meeting today.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

DEMIREL DOES NOT CONSIDER DERVIS AND ERDOGAN AS RIVAL
Former President Suleyman Demirel said that State Minister Kemal Dervis and Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the former mayor of Istanbul and the leader of the reformist wing which seperated from the banned Virtue Party (FP) can't be considered by the public as leaders as they are only handsome or speak well. The public opinion looks for other things like expertise to chose its leader, Demirel added.

SABAH (LIBERAL)

Thus, the four banks will convene under the same roof. The new administration in Garanti Bank will start their term in office in August.

OKSUZ GIVES DAMAGE TO COUNTRY
The paper says that Transportation Minister Enis Oksuz who insisted on his wishes regarding the administration in Telekom caused an unrepairable damage to Turkey. The relations with IMF have come to the point of breaking off due to Telekom crises which Oksuz has caused. Oksuz recently claimed that ''if a country is involved in a war, it can later solve its problems.''

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

RADIKAL (LEFT)

MHP DOES NOT WANT DERVIS
Deputy Premier Devlet Bahceli proposed Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit to transfer Telekom administration to Democratic Left Party (DSP) in return of dismissal of State Minister Kemal Dervis from his office. Prime Minister Ecevit turned back the propasal. Bahceli can't hide his insistance on dismissal of Dervis from the cabinet anymore.

TURKIYE (RIGHT)

The Council of Minister decided to expend every kind of support to the region. People can not still enter to their houses in Erzurum, meanwhile, one of the two people, who were lost in flood, was found.

FIRE IN HASDAL
Fire which broke out in a forested area in Hasdal Military Quarters in Istanbul was taken under control in an hour on Wednesday.

Sabri Yalin, the Istanbul Municipality's Fire Bridage Department Chief, and Forestry Regional Director Ismail Reis said that fire broke out in a forested area in the quarters at around 3.05 p.m. and that the reason for the fire was not immediately clear.

Fire-fighters, one reconnaissance plane, four fire-extinguisher planes and one helicopter joined the fire-extinguishing efforts.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

ARGENTINA PANIC
Turkey experienced another day similar to February crisis. The rumours caused collapse in stock exchange. The foreign exchange and interests increased very much.

When the rumours that Turkey's credit note would decrease added to the news reports that Argentina would not be able to pay its foreign debts, the markets, which were already in confidence crisis, were upside down.

[02] TOBB: ''OUR UNION DOES NOT HAVE ANY PARTNERSHIP WITH EGS BANK''

TOBB issued a written statement saying that various news reports, which appeared in some newspapers, talked about partnership between TOBB and EGS Bank, noting that their union did not have any partnership with the bank in question.

[03] ASLAN, CHAIRMAN OF GAZIANTEP CHAMBER OF TRADE: ''TRANSPORTATION SHOULD BE MADE WITH SEA BUSES BETWEEN LAZKIYE-MAGOSA-MERSIN IN SCOPE OF STRENGTHENING RELATIONS WITH SYRIA''

Aslan said within this scope, regular passenger transport could be made with sea buses between Lazkiye-Magosa-Mersin or Antalya, noting that positive relations could be further improved.

Pointing out that Turkey and Syria have neighborhood relations basing on history, Aslan said, ''there are villages and families which were splitted up. There are thousands of people in both countries having kinship. We believe that betterment of relations would have positive results as we are obliged to live together in the same geography and have neighborhood relations as long as the world exists.''

Stressing that Syria was the third market of the Southeastern Anatolia Region where the most exportation was made, Aslan said, ''exportation, worth of 15.719 million U.S. dollars, was made to Syria from the region. We have the potential to make more exportation. We can meet the needs of this country with a cheaper cost.''

[04] VISA FACILITY BROUGHT FOR D-8 MEMBER COUNTRIES' BUSINESSMEN

The agreement on Simplification of Visa Applications was published in the official gazette on Thursday and went into force.

According to the agreement, all the diplomatic and consular representations of D-8 countries will ease the visa applications of businessmen from other D-8 countries. The visa will be given to businessmen within five days.

Turkey, Pakistan, Nigeria, Bangladesh, Egypt, Indenosia, Iran and Malaysia are in the D-8 group.

[05] 50 U.S. DOLLARS TO BE TAKEN FROM TURKISH CITIZENS WHO GO ABROAD

Under the law, tax will be collected from Turkish citizens who will go abroad except the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). The tax will be 50 U.S. dollars.

The implementation will take effect starting as of August 1, 2001.

The Council of Ministers will be authorized to determine the methods and principles regarding the payment of the tax and increase the amount of the tax.

[06] 50 BILLION TL SENT TO DIGOR TO MEET THE URGENT NEEDS OF THOSE HIT BY FLOOD DISASTER

State Minister Hasan Gemici said Social Aid and Solidarity Fund sent 50 billion Turkish lira to meet the urgent needs of 100 families who were hit by the flood disaster on July 10, 2001.

Nearly 600 people will benefit from the aid.

[07] PUBLIC EMPLOYEES TRADE UNIONS LAW PUBLISHED IN OFFICIAL GAZETTE

which does not give the right to strike and the right of collective barganing to trade unions was published in the Official Gazette on Thursday.

The law gives the right to trade unions and confederation of trade unions founded by civil servants to come together with the Public Employers Council to discuss their problems, but not the right to go on a strike and to right to hold collective bargaining.

These unions and confederations can be founded without taking permission in advance.

High ranking state officials can't be members of these unions.

Trade unions and confederations can't accept material aid from public offices and political parties.

The confederation which has the highest members will have the right to meet with the Public Emplyoers Council.

[08] MONTHLY EVALUATION OF DPT -RELATIVE REVIVAL EXPECTED IN ECONOMY IN SECOND HALF OF YEAR

State Planning Organization (DPT) monthly evaluation recalled that domestic demand decreased 10.5 percent, private consumption decreased 3.4 percent, and private sector fixed capital investments decreased 12.6 percent in the first three-months period when compared with the same period of last year.

The evaluation said they expected the developments, seen in the first quarter of this year, to increase in the second quarter, and a relative revival is expected in the second half of this year.

The evaluation said Turkish Lira (TL) lost value again in June in real sense, noting that the real rate index, comprised of 1 U.S. dollar+1.5 German mark reduced ot 85.9 points with two points fall.

Also, in January-April period of the year 2000, net 5.4 billion U.S. dollars ''input,'' was realized in capital movements, and in the same period of this year, ''net output,'' worth of three billion U.S. dollars was realized.

The evaluation stressed that total consolidated budget expenses increased 17.7 percent in January-May period, and that primary surplus increased 38.4 percent.

It was reported that personnel expenses, which get the biggest share in primary surplus expenses, increased 37.8 percent and transfers to social security instutitions increased 37 percent.

[09] GARANTI BANK SAYS TALKS WITH ITALIAN INTESA BANK TO CONCLUDE SOON

Garanti Bank sent a statement to IMKB the same day and stated that Garanti Bank expected the negotiations carried out with Italian bank regarding the sale price are expected to be resulted soon.

The statement noted that public opinion will be informed about the result of the negotiations that continue between Dogus Holding, the main shareholder of Garanti Bank and Intesa.

[10] FRENCH INDUSTRIALISTS IN ISTANBUL

The French delegation, comprised of nearly 70 people, is led by MEDEF Chairman Ernest-Antoine Seilliere. Louis Schweitzer, the Co-Chairman of Turkish-French Business Council and Renault Executive Board, and high ranking representatives of many French companies are included in the delegation.

The guest delegation will visit IMKB after the meeting, and is expected to hold contacts in Ankara on Friday.

[11] ''REFORMISTS'' TO COME TOGETHER IN ABANT TO DISCUSS FORMATION OF NEW PARTY

Ertugrul Yalcınbayır, Bursa independent deputy told A.A that he will come together with independent deputies Abdullah Gul, Bulent Arinc and Huseyin Celik in Abant township of western Bolu province and hold consultation meeting for three days to discuss formation of the new party.

They will get together in Uludag township of northwestern Bursa province regarding the programme studies on July 16. The teams will try to prepare the programme and regulation of the party till July 19, he added.

[12] SARCOPHAGUS BROUGHT INTO DAYLIGHT DURING AN EXCAVATION IN SINOP

The sarcophagus, revealed in Bostancili village in main Samsun-Sinop Highway, has 230 cm length, 100 cm width, and 67 cm height.

Officials of Sinop Museum Directorate said a definite date could be assessed to the sarcophagus afterwards. Officials said they thought the sarcophagus was plundered off its valuables in the ancient period.

[13] INTERIOR MINISTER YUCELEN SAYS IT IS CLEAR THAT THERE IS NO SYSTEMATIC TORTURE IN TURKEY

Yucelen said that judiciary and administrative investigations were launched against 12,535 persons who were accused of torturing persons or treating them badly from January 1, 1995 to April 30, 2001.

Responding to Rize independent deputy Mehmet Bekaroglu's question with notice, Yucelen said that there is no systematic torture in Turkey.

''If this was true, there would not be any investigation launched about officials who are accused of torturing persons. Claims of torture are investigated very seriously,'' said Yucelen and noted that sanctions are brought for personnel who are accused of torturing persons.

''There is a very broad slander campaign against Turkey claiming that there is torture in Turkey. There is no evidence in the reports prepared by Forensic Medicine telling that torture is conducted on persons in Turkey. However, the doctor reports provided from certain circles support claims of torture and they are used against Turkey in the international platform. The officials who are determined to torture persons are punished under Article 243 of the Turkish Penal Code (TCK) and those who are determined to maltreat persons are punished under Article 245 of the TCK,'' said Yucelen.

Yucelen said that investigations have been launched against 12,535 persons accused of committing these crimes between January 1, 1995 and April 30, 2001.

Yucelen said that sexual harrasment in police stations is unacceptable, adding that the persons who are taken into custody are protected by the state.

Yucelen noted that the women who are taken into custody in police stations are searched by woman officials.

[14] INDUSTRY AND TRADE MINISTER TANRIKULU SAYS NEWS TELLING ONE STATE MINISTER WANTED TO BE DISMISSED IS ONLY SPECULATION

Tanrıkulu visited Izmir Tradesmen and Artisans Chmaber Union Chairman Mehmet Ali Susam the same day.

When a journalist recalled that there were press reports claiming that Deputy Premier Devlet Bahceli asked State Minister Dervis to be dismissed, Tanrıkulu said this is only speculation.

''I am not a party official, rather a minister, but I didn't hear such a thing, this is only speculation,'' said Tanrıkulu.

[15] ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER SHARON EXPECTED TO VISIT TURKEY IN AUGUST

Sharon's visit aims at improving the cooperation between the two countries.

Meanwhile, Israeli Chief of General Staff Shaul Mofaz will come to Ankara on July 31 for military talks between the two countries ''if everything goes fine.''

An official from the Israeli Embassy in Ankara told A.A on Thursday that Sharon plans to visit Ankara on August 7 or 8. He said he can't confirm the exact date of Sharon's visit.

Foreign Ministry sources also confirmed the visits of Sharon and Mofaz, but could not give a date.

[16] CONSTITUTIONAL COURT CHAIRMAN BUMIN SAYS COURT WON'T ANNOUNCE DECISIONS ONE BY ONE

Bumin said that the Court will issue an overall statement after finishing examination of all the files.

Speaking to A.A correspondent after the morning session of the Court, Bumin said that firstly they will determine the character of the law and later take up the files one by one.

''Our examination on the files will continue till July 20, by when the courts are closed. We don't know if our examination will finish by that date,'' he added.

[17] CENTRAL BANK GOVERNOR SERDENGECTI: ''ARGENTINA INFLUENCES DEVELOPMENTS IN MARKETS''

Speaking to private NTV television, basic reason of the three digit level of the interests in bond markets, falling stock markets, and increase in foreign exchanges was the developments in Argentina.

Serdengecti said, ''the developments in the markets can be explained with the influence of Argentina. IMF administration convenes today. All the conditions are met. When we consider why the markets are like this, we think Argentina influenced them.''

When recalled the rumours in the markets regarding partial consolidation or swap, and that crawling peg will start in exchange rate policy, Serdengecti said, ''markets love rumours.''

Serdengecti approached cautiously regarding intervention in the markets, and pointed out that, ''we may launch initiatives if the markets can not find stability. Central Bank considers price stability and intervenes in it. Intervention in short term interests is a separate issue regarded with inflation expectations.''

Upon the statements of State Minister Kemal Dervis responsible for economy that measures could be taken to reduce general interests, Serdengecti said, ''the things that will be done are definite.''

[18] TURKISH SHIP CALLS FOR HELP OFF RHODES

Greek Naval Trade Ministry officials told A.A that the call of the Turkish- flagged ship namely Angel, which has 68 passangers and three-person crew has been conveyed to Greece by Turkey and three Greek coast guard boats were sent to the region.

The ship which called for help due to a mechanical failure is 23 miles offshore Rhodes, Greek officials said adding that the sea is calm and the ship is not in danger.

Greek officials noted that three helicopters are kept waiting as a measure.

[19] TUSIAD CHAIRMAN OZILHAN SAYS TUSIAD DOES NOT HAVE ANY CONCERN ABOUT TURKISH ECONOMY -MEDEF CHAIRMAN SEILLIERE SAYS THEY TRUST TURKEY

Speaking to press together with Ernest Antoine Seilliere, the Chairman of MEDEF, the French Enterpreneurs Movement, Ozilhan said that ''we had a very good meeting with MEDEF today. France and MEDEF are very important for Turkey and TUSIAD. French firms are the most important investors in Turkey and they have always supported Turkey. France particularly extends support to Turkey in respect of EU membership.''

''Turkey goes through certain crises from time to time. Such an important French group is in Turkey. Investors regard the economic developments from the aspect of long-run. They are not affected by short term crises,'' Ozilhan said and noted that there was a good atmosphere in the meeting and they exchanged views with French businessmen.

MEDEF Chairman Seilliere said in his part that they trust Turkey, adding that Turkey's membership to EU will come true.

Noting that the meeting has been very beneficial, Seilliere noted that they exchanged views with academicians and businessmen.

TUSIAD and MEDEF was courageous to continue their dialogue when the tension between Turkey and France had escalated, said Ozilhan and noted that the existing cooperationwill bring the biletarel relations back to its normal level soon.

Recounting that Turkey signed a new stand-by agreement with IMF to overcome the heaviest crises of Turkey, Ozilhan said that the economic programme aims at strong growth and sustainable development.

''TUSIAD has also extended support to this programme, as it is pleased with the mentality of this programme and support its targets,'' Ozilhan said and noted that the parliament has approved the legal arrangements requested by IMF. The full implementation of this programme is very important, he said.

Ozilhan said that Turkey will have a minus economic growth this year, adding that the devaluation caused the Gross National Product to decrease 25 percent of the gross national product (GNP).

The economic programme aims at reducing interest rates and bringing a more sustainable domestic borrowing programme, said Ozilhan and noted that the Treasury had also carried out a successful swap operation.

''We will continue to support the programme and its principles,'' said Ozilhan and noted that the programme is the last chance to reach sustainbale growth.

Ozilhan noted that TUSIAD regards broadcast in all languages and it supports Copenhagen criteria.

Referring to the European Security and Defense Programme (ESDP) Ozilhan said that Turkey's inclusion in ESDP will complement Turkey's integration with the EU.

Ozilhan stressed that the Greek Cypriot side's entering the EU will damage the relations of Turkey with EU, adding that TUSIAD hopes U.N. Secretary General to find a solution on the island which is based on the political equality of two communities on the island.

The cooperation of MEDEF with TUSIAD is important in respect of Turkey's full membership to the EU, Ozilhan said and noted that the relations between the two countries have been damaged by the decision of the French parliament regarding genocide claims.

As being the private sector representatives of two countries, they should strengthen the relations between the two countries, he added.

[20] FOREIGN MINISTRY IS CONCERNED ABOUT CLASHES ESCALATING BETWEEN PALESTINE AND ISRAEL

Issuing a written statement on Thursday, Foreign Ministry said that there is an escalation in the clashes between Palestinians and Israelis which is against the spirit of the agreements reached between the sides to date.

The statement pointed out that the Israeli armed forces demolished the houses of Palestinians in East Jerusalem and Rafah, adding that ''Turkey is concerned by the fact that the developments will hamper the efforts aiming to decrease the violence and to provide security in the region. Turkey believes that no permission should be granted to developments which will strentgehen anti-peace groups in the region as this is not also wanted by the international society.''

The statement noted that Turkey expects steps to be taken to refrain from all sorts of activities which will escalate the tension and to install peace in the region. Foreign Ministry also invited the sides to set up dialogue on the basis of documents such as the Mitcheel Report in order to overcome the existing problem in the Peace Process.

[21] EXTERNAL DEBT PAYMENTS -106.15 MILLION U.S. DOLLARS REPAID IN EXTERNAL DEBT BETWEEN JULY 1 AND 11

The Central Bank data show that the Treasury repaid 73.10 million U.S. dollars; the Central Bank repaid 4.51 million U.S. dollars; and the administrations with general and consolidated budget paid the remaining 28.54 million U.S. dollars.

Turkey has repaid 6 billion 176.54 million U.S. dollars in external debt since the beginning of the year.

[22] RED ARMY CHORUS TO GIVE CONCERT IN SOUTHERN MERSIN PROVINCE

Yunus Ozdemir, the organizator of the concert, said the tickets of the concert were put to sale, noting that preparations were underway considering that approximately 3,000 people would come to watch the concert.

Pointing out that the chorus earlier gave concert in Ankara, Ozdemir said activities would be staged in Antalya, Alanya, Bodrum and Marmaris after Mersin.

Ozdemir said they were afraid of Chechen protest, noting that special security teams would get tight measures.

[23] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT SAYS GOVERNMENT DOES ITS BEST TO SAVE TURKEY FROM ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL SUFFERING

''Those who try to impede the efforts of the government to this end, give damage to the country more than to the government. The government looks at the future of Turkey with trust and it deserves the trust of our people,'' said Ecevit, adding that the coalition government fulfils the promises it gave in time in the international platform by the economic programme it adopted.

''In spite of that, certain people in Turkey and abroad talk about a lack of confidence regarding the government. This government discusses all issues within itself and sometimes openly and it reaches a consensus in the end. The government pays the debts of our state in time. The government has always stressed that it supports the economic programme and it proves its support not by words but with its acts. Recently wrong news is published, the aim of those who spread such lies is to cause chaos and to get benefit from crises. I hope the citizens would be sensitive about this issue,'' he said.

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