Anadolu Agency: News in English, 01-07-21

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ANADOLU AGENCY

NEWS

21 JULY 2001 Saturday

-TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

These are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in Turkey's press on July 21, 2001. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

The Virtue Party (FP) which was closed by Constitutional Court was divided into two. While Necmettin Erbakan, the former leader of the otlawed Welfare Party (RP) has 51 deputies, 54 deputies joined the reformists led by Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the former Mayor of Istanbul. Meanwhile, traditionalist wing of the outlawed FP headed by Erbakan, founded a new political party under the chairmanship of Recai Kutan, the former leader of the outlawed FP.

ECEVIT: ''I CANNOT SATISFY WITH MISLEADING STEPS''

Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said, ''the government should deal with order changes instead of making revision. I cannot satisfy with steps that mislead public opinion. Ministers resign whenever it is necessary. We cannot unnecessarily dismiss ministers on the pretext of economic crisis. These are temporary things. They do not help us to solve our problems.''

MINIMUM WAGE INCREASES TO 122 MILLION TURKISH LIRAS

The Minimum Wage Determining Commission set the new gross minimum wage as 167 million 940 thousand Turkish liras (TL). In accordance with decision of the commission, the new minimum wage will come into force as of August 1, 2001 and the net minimum wage will be 122 million 186 thousand 520 TL. Meanwhile, the gross minimum wage will be 142 million 749 thousand TL and net minimum wage will be 104 million 351 thousand 292 TL for the workers under age of 16.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

Together with sharp increase in temperatures, ozone pollution started to pose a serious danger for people in metropols. Ozone is absorbed through respiration and damages soft tissues in human body. Officials warn people not to go out between 11:00 and 17:00 hours.

OIL PRICES INCREASE

While oil prices decreased 10 percent in the world in the last two weeks, they increased continuously in Turkey. Oil prices increased 1.4 percent yesterday. Price of one liter unleaded gasoline became 1 million 80 thousand Turkish liras in Ankara while price of one liter normal gasoline became 1 million 35 thousand Turkish liras.

EURATEX'S SUPPORT TO TURKEY

The European Apparel and Textile Organization (EURATEX) will launch initiatives in the European Union (EU) to lift the U.S. quota on Turkish export products. The Turkish Cloth Industrialists' Association (TGSD) said that efforts of TGSD, which is represented by two members at the EURATEX Executive Board, has started to bear fruit. The statement said that TGSD, which is exerting several initiatives to lift the U.S. quota on the Turkish ready-made cloth exports for two years, had earlier requested that Turkey, which became a member of the Customs Union by fulfilling all the conditions, should have equal rights with EU member states in foreign trade. This request was supported by EURATEX, the statement pointed out.

SABAH (LIBERAL)

British bank HSBC said that it would merge Demirbank with its existing Turkish unit HSBC Bank A.S. to create a bank with a balance sheet of 2.35 billion U.S. dollars. HSBC said in a statement that its purchase of Demirbank involved buying selected assets and liabilities, which left the company with a balance sheet worth around 1.35 billion U.S. dollars. ''The bank has agreed to purchase the legal entity of Demirbank and has selected certain assets and liabilities to produce a balance sheet of approximately 1.35 billion U.S. dollars,'' HSBC said. HSBC intends to merge this with HSBC Bank A.S. to give a combined balance sheet of approximately 2.35 billion U.S. dollars and capital of 250 million U.S. dollars. HSBC said it expected final discussions and the transfer to take place by September 30.

FENERBAHCE TO TAKE ON WINNERS OF MARIBOR-GLASGOW RANGERS

Draw for the third qualifying round of the European Champions League was made in Nyon, Switzerland. According to the draw, Fenerbahce will take on winners of Maribor (Slovenia)-Glasgow Rangers (Scotland) second qualifying round legs. Fenerbahce will play the first leg away on August 7 or 8 and play the second leg in Istanbul on August 21 or 22. Meanwhile, Galatasaray will take on winners of PFC Levski Sofia (Bulgaria)-Brann SK Bergen (Norway) in the third qualifying round if they beat Vilazna Shkoder (Albania) in the second qualifying round.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

A Liberian flagged platform which will be used in the installation of the pipes on the sea ground to realize the Blue Stream project passed through the Canakkale Strait and sailed out to Marmara Sea. The platform which is called Castoro Otto passed from the Strait in five hours. Two tugboats, British flagged Porto Solve and Danish flagged Stevns Power towed the platform through the strait escorted by four Turkish ships. The strait was closed to traffic during the passage of the 191 meter long platform weighing 33,862 grosstons. The giant platform is expected to pass from the Istanbul Strait and sail out to Black Sea on early Saturday morning.

CAKMAKOGLU: ''THERE IS NO CONCRETE DEVELOPMENT IN ESDI''

National Defense Minister Sabahattin Cakmakoglu said that there was not any concrete development on the issue of the European Security and Defense Identity (ESDI). He noted that negotiations were under way between Turkey and the European Union (EU).

OPERATION AGAINST HISTORICAL WORK SMUGGLING

A total of 24 pieces of historical work of art were confiscated in an operation in Istanbul. Two people were taken into custody in the operation. Officials said that the market value of the historical works of art was nearly 750 billion Turkish liras.

RADIKAL (LEFT)

Anniversary of Turkey's Peace Operation on Cyprus on July 20, 1974 was celebrated in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). Speaking at the ceremonies, President Rauf Denktas of TRNC said that there was enough place on the island for both states. Meanwhile, President Ahmet Necdet Sezer and Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit sent congratulary messages to mark July 20 Peace and Freedom Day.

KAVAKLIOGLU BREAKS TURKISH RECORD

Ebru Kavaklioglu of Turkey ranked second in women's 3,000 metres in the Golden League Atletics Competion in Monaco. She broke the Turkish record with her score of 8.38.46. Meanwhile, Edith Masai of Kenya was ranked first in the race.

TURKIYE (RIGHT)

Istanbul Municipality Environment Protection Department Chairman Prof. Dr. Mustafa Ozturk who explained the ''ozone pollution'' said, ''pollution stems from traffic.'' Stressing that especially children were under serious threat, Ozturk said, ''ozone is a truculent substance. It destroys lungs and liver. Eyes become watery and it causes cataract, cold, flu, asthma and bronchitis. And color of clothes and cars fade due to ozone.'' Nobel Chemistry Prize-winning Paul Crutzen of Netherlands said that there would not have been a thing called ozone layer now if bromine had been used instead of chlorine in refrigerator and spray industry in 1970s.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

Turkey reiterated the ''reconciliatory'' role it is playing in the Middle East crisis, between Albanians and Slavs in Skopje two days ago. Foreign Minister Ismail Cem who listened to the sides without putting forward any projects exerted efforts to prevent a ''suspense of talks''. Turkey which is one of the very rare countries that won the the sides' confidence has a similar position in the Balkans. Historical accumulation in two regions makes unprejudiced approaches possible.

''DO NOT BLOOM TOO EARLY''

The Felicity Party (SP) which is the fifth party of the National Opinion was officially founded yesterday, 28 days after closure of the Virtue Party (FP). Recai Kutan addressed the reformists with Sheikh Edebal's words which said, ''O, son! Be patient. Don't blossom too early.''

CONTENTS

[01] NUMBER OF FOREIGN TOURISTS VISITING NEMRUT INCREASES 155 PERCENT

[02] TURKEY-BULGARIA JOINT MILITARY EXERCISE TO BE CARRIED OUT IN BOTH COUNTRIES BETWEEN JULY 23-24

[03] IZMIR TO HOST WORLDWIDE FAMOUS GUESTS

[04] GAP REGION EXPORTS 22.5 MILLION U.S. DOLLARS OF WOVEN TEXTILES

[05] USE OF ENERGY IN INDUSTRY

[06] BUSINESSMEN OF TRABZON TO VISIT IRAN

[07] GENERAL ERUYGUR DEPARTS FROM TRNC

[08] BARGE ''CASTRO OTTO'' PASSES THROUGH ISTANBUL STRAIT

[09] COAL MINE COLLAPSES -WORKER DIES

[10] STATE MINISTER DERVIS: ''PROCESS OF OVERCOMING THE CRISIS IS UNFORTUNATELY OBLIGED TO ENCOUNTER SOME FLUCTUATIONS''

[11] TORRENTIAL RAINS CAUSE FLOOD IN VAN

[12] BLUE STREAM PROJECT -ENI SNAM GROUP DIRECTOR GENERAL DISPENZE: ''GAS WILL START TO BE PUMPED FROM RUSSIA INTO TURKEY AS OF END-MARCH OF 2002''

[13] KESK'S ISTANBUL BRANCHES PLATFORM PROTESTS G-8 SUMMIT AND GLOBALIZATION

[01] NUMBER OF FOREIGN TOURISTS VISITING NEMRUT INCREASES 155 PERCENT

Number of Turkish tourists visiting Nemrut Mountain increased 33 percent and number of foreign tourists increased 155 percent in the last three months.

Historical works of art belonged to Commagene civilization on the Nemrut Mountain's peak of 2,150 metres are regarded as one of the most important heritage in Turkey's cultural tourism.

Archaeological circles define Nemrut as the eighth wonder of the world.

Nemrut Ruins was included in the list of world cultural heritage by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

Tourists climb to the peak of the mountain to watch dawn and sunset.

Nemrut Mountain is regarded as one of the best places to watch dawn and sunset.

Officials said that they expected number of Turkish and foreign tourists visiting Nemrut to exceed 100 thousand by the end of the year.

[02] TURKEY-BULGARIA JOINT MILITARY EXERCISE TO BE CARRIED OUT IN BOTH COUNTRIES BETWEEN JULY 23-24

The Land Forces Commandership Secretariat General said on Saturday that the military exercise would take place in both countries.

It said that exchange of troops would take place at 09:00 hours on July 23 and return of troops would take place at 20:00 hours on July 24 at the Kapikule Border Gate following fulfillment of the exercise.

During the exercise in Turkey and Bulgaria, troops will carry out hand gun, machine pistol, rifle and machine gun shootings.

It added that 1 major, 1 lieutenant, 3 non-commissioned officers and 15 privates from Bulgaria and 1 major, 1 lieutenant, 2 non-commissioned officers and 16 privates from Turkey would participate in the exercise.

[03] IZMIR TO HOST WORLDWIDE FAMOUS GUESTS

Russian Army Chorus and Dance Company, Spanish guitarist Ernesto Bitetti and Symirna Chamber Orchestra will greet Turkish people in the ancient Ephesus Theatre.

Concerts will be organized in cooperation among the Culture Ministry, the Promotion, Study, Democracy and Secular Formation Foundation of Turkey (TULOV), and the Izmir Municipality.

TULOV Executive Board members told the A.A correspondent on Saturday that the Russian Army Chorus would give a concert in the ancient city of Ephesus at 09:30 p.m. on July 28.

The chorus will be conducted by Viktor Eliseev and Valeri Kuznetsov.

Later, the ancient city of Ephesus will host Spanish guitarist Ernesto Bitetti who was born in Argentina.

Bitetti will give a concert at 21:30 p.m. on July 29.

He will play famous tunes of Rodrigo, Villa Lobos, Piazzola, Albeniz, Moreno, Granados, Dyens and Cardoso.

The last guests of the Ephesus will be Symirna Chamber Orchestra formed by female musicians.

The orchestra will give a concert at 09:30 p.m. on August 4.

It will play tunes of Vivaldi, Mozart, Bach, Kreisler and Beethoven.

[04] GAP REGION EXPORTS 22.5 MILLION U.S. DOLLARS OF WOVEN TEXTILES

In the same period last year, the region exported woven textiles of 19 million 203 thousand U.S. dollars.

Officials at the Southeastern Anatolia Exporters' Associations told the A.A correspondent on Saturday that most of the goods were exported to Italy, Belgium, the U.S., Greece, France, Israel and Algeria.

[05] USE OF ENERGY IN INDUSTRY

Use of energy which rose 26.2 percent in January decreased 15.4 percent from February when the economic crisis erupted to end of June.

According to the OSB statistics, use of energy which had been 375 million 791 thousand 583 kilowatt per hour (kWh) in the first half of 2000 became 338 million 843 thousand 464 kWh in the same period of 2001 despite increase in number of business places and capacity.

Use of energy in Gaziantep OSB in first half of 2000 and 2001 is as follows:

Month 2000 2001 Difference

.. (kWh) (kWh) percent

---------- ---------- ---------- ------
JANUARY 50.194.240 63.336.511 26.2
FEBRUARY 61.258.192 55.083.027 -10.1
MARCH 59.404.850 46.123.230 -22.4
APRIL 67.628.867 54.756.567 -19.0
MAY 69.855.140 57.326.414 -17.9
JUNE 67.450.294 62.217.715 - 7.8

[06] BUSINESSMEN OF TRABZON TO VISIT IRAN

TTSO Assistant Secretary General Mirac Dural said on Saturday that commercial relations between Trabzon and Iran had been accelerated in recent years.

''Our commercial relations with Iran has entered a process of settlement on a sound basis. As a result of this country's importance to our province, efforts are under way to increase number of mutual contacts. As a continuation of these works, we, as businessmen of Trabzon, will participate in the International Tabriz Fair that will be held between August 12-19, 2001,'' he said.

[07] GENERAL ERUYGUR DEPARTS FROM TRNC

Meanwhile, two frigates and a submarine which arrived at Girne Port on July 18 under the command of Southern Mission Group Commander Admiral Lutfu Sancar to attend the celebrations, also departed from TRNC.

[08] BARGE ''CASTRO OTTO'' PASSES THROUGH ISTANBUL STRAIT

The Liberian-flagged barge entered Istanbul Strait at about 09:30 a.m.

The strait was closed to traffic during the passage of the 191 meter long platform weighing 33,862 grosstons.

Two tugboats, British-flagged 192-meter-long Porto Solve weighing 1,869 grosstons and Danish-flagged 40-meter-long Stevns Power weighing 766 grosstons towed the platform through the strait escorted by two Turkish ships.

Meanwhile, a ceremony took place at the Ciragan Palace with the participation of directors of the ENI Company which has undertaken installation of pipeline.

The barge passed from Istanbul Strait in nearly three hours, and sailed out to the Black Sea.

[09] COAL MINE COLLAPSES -WORKER DIES

Sources told the A.A correspondent that Cevat Dogru, 40, had lost his life when coal mine collapsed.

A full investigation into the incident is under way.

[10] STATE MINISTER DERVIS: ''PROCESS OF OVERCOMING THE CRISIS IS UNFORTUNATELY OBLIGED TO ENCOUNTER SOME FLUCTUATIONS''

M/T Maria Jakobsen, a chemical substance/oil products tanker constructed at the Turkish Sagbas Holding's Desan Shipyard in Tuzla, Istanbul for the Danish Jens Jakobsen company, was launched with a cereony.

Speaking at the ceremony, Dervis said that it was pleasing to see such a day while the economy was suffering difficult days.

Stressing that Turkey was ready to promote its trade with foreign countries, Dervis said that despite this it was true that those opportunities couldn't be used sufficiently.

Noting that maritime was a sector which could be developed in regard to production, exports and employment, Dervis said, ''I congratulate my friends who achieved such successes against difficult conditions.''

Dervis said that a 12 million U.S. dollar-ship would be luanched with a ceremony and that he was attending such a ceremony for the first time.

''When you take also its monetary dimension in addition to physical dimension into consideration, it does contribute to the country if Turkey would launch such 100 ships,'' he said.

''Today, it is the relationship between real sector and finance sector which makes difficulties for the economy and makes us feel uneasy. As we see here today that there are not very serious obstacles in front of Turkey in regard to information, experience and working determination. However, we have a source problem. This is actually the problem of the state and private sector. We should absolutely resolve this problem. We can overcome this problem by activating all domestic opportunities and by obtaining external finance, and we have entered this path,'' he said.

Dervis said that Turkey had experienced a very positive process between March and June but this process ''had an accident'' in the end of June and beginning of July.

''However, we have entered the positive process again for the last four days. When we observe all countries suffering similar difficulties, overcoming the crisis is not linear. What I mean to say that the process of overcoming the crisis is unfortunately obliged to encounter some fluctuations. A recovery is achieved but another problem occurs one or two weeks after a recovery. The country overcomes them and a recovery is achieved. Maybe another crisis erupts. However, the country is relieved after it. When we observe international experiences, such a process takes nine to twelve months. So I strongly believe that we will overcome this serious crisis by the end of the year. Of course, the real sector is the key to this. The arrangements we made in finance sector and the program's financial and monetary policies dimension actually aim to enable the real sector to make investments, production and increase employment more easily, '' he said.

''We don't have a position to allocate special source. We expect the real sector to completely take action as a result of tax system, loan policies and decrease in interest rates,'' Dervis said.

Noting that they wanted to make every possible technical arrangement to this end, Dervis added, ''it is impossible for the real sector to work easily with such high interest rates. So our government is doing its best for decrease in interest rates and more easier production and investments. This ship-launching refreshed our hopes and we consider today's event as a part of rapid growth based on exports.''

[11] TORRENTIAL RAINS CAUSE FLOOD IN VAN

Ismail Ustaoglu, the Head Official of Saray township, told the A.A correspondent on Saturday that torrential rains which started at about 14:00 hours the same day, caused flood in Ozalp and Sagmali.

Ustaoglu said that some roads were closed to traffic due to stones carried by flood waters.

[12] BLUE STREAM PROJECT -ENI SNAM GROUP DIRECTOR GENERAL DISPENZE: ''GAS WILL START TO BE PUMPED FROM RUSSIA INTO TURKEY AS OF END-MARCH OF 2002''

Holding a press conference at Ciragan Palace in Istanbul after watching passage of the barge Castro Otto through the Istanbul Straits, Dispenze said that the Blue Stream project was a record in regard to technology, trade, finance and speed of construction.

''In accordance with the agreement between Turkey and Russia, 16 billion cubic meters of natural gas will be pumped. We earlier discussed protocols for 12 billion cubic meters but such a great amount of gas agreement was signed for the first time and this is another record,'' Dispenze said.

Recalling that total cost of the project was 2.3 billion U.S. dollars and 400 million U.S. dollars had been spent so far, Dispenze said that the first pipeline would be completed in December 2001.

Noting that water would be pumped into the pipes after finalization of the pipeline and it would be cleaned after discharge of water, Dispenze said those works would take two months.

[13] KESK'S ISTANBUL BRANCHES PLATFORM PROTESTS G-8 SUMMIT AND GLOBALIZATION

Nearly 200 people gathered in Iskele Square in Kadikoy district of Istanbul with placards in their hands.

They observed a minute of silence out of respect to the demonstrator who was killed during anti-globalization demonstrations in Genoa.

Speaking at the demonstration, KESK Chairman Sami Evren claimed, ''the most industrialized eight countries of the world make plan about everything from world nations' food to health and from their education to their way of thinking for sake of requirements of world capital. These plans cause famine, poverty, deaths and wars. As capital is globalizing, poverty, misery, starvation and unemployment are also becoming global.''

Security forces have taken tight measures in the area.

Later, the group dispersed peacefully.

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