Anadolu Agency: News in English, 01-07-23

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ANADOLU AGENCY

NEWS

23 JULY 2001 Monday

CONTENTS

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

[02] GAP REGION EXPORTS 84.6 MILLION U.S. DOLLARS OF THREAD

[03] TUPRAS MANAGES TO PROTECT ITSELF AGAINST NOVEMBER AND FEBRUARY CRISES

[04] TURKEY-BULGARIA JOINT MILITARY EXERCISE -EXCHANGE OF 20-MEMBER TROOPS MADE

[05] TREASURY TO SELL 3-MONTH BONDS ON TUESDAY

[06] BOTAS DEPUTY DIRECTOR GENERAL BIYIKOGLU REMOVED FROM OFFICE

[07] IKV CHAIRMAN ERIS:''TURKEY SHOULD CLOSELY FOLLOW THE TRANSFORMATION IN THE EU''

[08] NATIONAL DAY OF ARAB REPUBLIC OF EGYPT -PRESIDENT SEZER CONGRATULATES MUBARAK

[09] FIRST RESIGNATION FROM FELICITY PARTY COMES FROM KAHRAMANMARAS DEPUTY SEZAL

[10] STATE MINISTER AND DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ (1): -''THERE ARE MILESTONES DESIGNATING DESTINIES OF COUNTRIES''

[11] STATE MINISTER AND DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ: -''ECONOMIC PROGRAM IS CORRECT AND OUR ONLY ALTERNATIVE''

[12] FINANCE MINISTER ORAL: -''WE DO NOT CONCENTRATE ON REVENUE-INCREASING SUPPLEMENTARY MEASURES''

[13] IMF FIRST DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR FISCHER DUE IN TURKEY

[14] PRESIDENT SEZER: ''I BELIEVE THAT OUR COUNTRY WILL OVERCOME DIFFICULT PERIOD WITHIN FRAMEWORK OF CONSTITUTIONAL PRINCIPLES AND DEMOCRATIC RULES''

[15] STATE MINISTER DERVIS: ''WE ARE IN A BETTER SITUATION THAN COUNTRIES SUCH AS ARGENTINA AND BRAZIL''

[16] PRESIDENT SEZER: ''WE SHOULD SOLVE OUR PROBLEMS AND CRISES WITHIN THE PRINCIPLES OF DEMOCRACY''

[17] SCORCHING HEAT AFFECTS ALL OF ANATOLIA

[18] ''RETURN TO VILLAGE'' PROJECT PROCEEDS

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

Satici said the present conditions were not favorable for production and there would be no export without production.

TURKBANK SENDS LETTER TO IMF ASKING FOR HELP
Turk Ticaret Bank who has been shut down by the Council of State sent a letter to IMF Deputy Chairman Stanley Fischer and IMF Turkey Desk Chief Juha Kahkonen asking for help from the IMF to make Turk Ticaret Bank operational again. ''The Turkish banking system is being restructured under the IMF's instructions. Several banks are currently under the control of the Savings Deposit Insurance Fund. However, Turk Ticaret Bank is different from other banks regarding its structure. Turk Ticaret Bank is not a fund bank and it's a commercial bank. Besides, it's is run by commercial laws,'' it was stated in the letter.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

KUTAN:''REFORMISTS ARE ON THE WRONG ROAD''
Felicity Party leader Recai Kutan made its first trip to Corum after the foundation of his party. Kutan said he worked one or two decades with the people who were now in the reformist wing and he wouldn't call any of these people ''traitors''. ''However, they are on the wrong road, and sooner or later, they will join us,'' Kutan said.

SABAH (LIBERAL)

TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS DECREASE IN THE FIRST HALF OF YEAR
A noticeable decrease was observed in the traffic accidents in the first half of this year which causes many deaths and trillion TL worth of material damage every year. The traffic accidents decreased 9.61 percent compared to the same period of last year. The death rate dropped by 21.52 percent while the number of injured people decreased by 14.11 percent.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

''People want to see me in politics and it would be wrong to disappoint them. The only way to do is to form a new political party,'' Inonu said.

CILLER CALLS FOR A WOMEN'S MOVEMENT
True Path Party (DYP) leader Tansu Ciller called for support from all women ''who did not understand and support her so far''. ''I want a women's movement,'' she said when he addressed to people in Izmir. Ciller said she was always proud to have been the first women prime minister of the Turkish history.

Criticizing the government, Ciller said Turkey was like Russia in Yeltsin's time. ''A sick prime minister and a sick economy. This is the situation Turkey is in today. All the sources are being given to a communist state,'' she said.

RADIKAL (LEFT)

DRINKING NESCAFE BECOMES LUXURIOUS
Consumption habits were changed due to the economic crisis. According to a survey, many people gave up their ''expensive'' habits like ''drinking Nescafe''. People who earlier shopped at supermarkets are now shopping at bazaars.

JURISDICTION HARMONIZES WITH EUROPE
Izmir Bar denounced the Gendarme on charges of ''torturing'' inmates at Bakirkoy Women and Jouvenile Prison. However, Bakirkoy Head Official's Office did not give permission for investigation. Upon the Bar's rejection, the issue was brought to Istanbul Regional Administrative Court. By taking the European Court of Human Rights' (ECHR) rules into consideration, the court ruled for investigation of Gendarmerie soldiers. This decision which is the ''first'' in time in Turkey is expected to be an example to denunciations against state officials which couldn't bring any result.

TURKIYE (RIGHT)

TWO TURKISH MINISTERS IN NEIGHBOR
NMS-II and Turks' party Rights and Freedoms Movement (HOH) formed coalition government in Bulgaria. Menmet Dikme was appointed as Agriculture Minister and N. Ismail Molla was appointed as Fight Against Natural Disasters Minister.

DEFENSE NEWS' CLAIM: ARROW IN RETURN FOR MISSILES
U.S. defense circles' influential pediodical Defense News claimed that Turkey demanded deployment of Arrow air defense system in its territories in return for its participation in U.S. President George W. Bush's Missile Defense System.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

FORGET EVERYTHING, GET A LOAD OF DOLLAR
Fluctuations in the markets and uncertainty drag businessmen into illegal ways. Merchants doing business in several sectors from gallery to furniture have started exchanging their capital with U.S. dollar.

NASA PURCHASES AIR CONDITIONER FROM TEBA
Teba which was founded by Teoman Baygan in Izmir in 1967 became one of the leading electric households producers in Turkey. Teba which exports goods to America, China, Europe and Africa proved its manifacturing capability of high quality products by producing air conditioner main system to NASA's Goddard Space Flights Center. Besides, Teba, installed air conditioner system in U.S. Naval Forces, Air Forces and Moscow Parliament buildings.

ONE SOLDIER DIES IN CLASH WITH PKK
A captain died in a clash with PKK in Elazig's Alacakaya township on Sunday. One terrorist was also killed in the clash. Security forces encountered 20-25 terrorists who started firing against them when they were told to surrender. Captain Erol Uykusuz died in the clash.

[02] GAP REGION EXPORTS 84.6 MILLION U.S. DOLLARS OF THREAD

In the same period last year, the region exported 67 million 309 thousand U.S. dollars of thread.

Officials at the Southeastern Anatolia Exporters' Associations told the A.A correspondent on Monday that they exported 31 million 989 thousand U.S. dollars in cotton thread and 52 million 654 thousand U.S. dollars in synthetic thread in the January-June period of 2001.

They said most of the thread had been exported to Syria, Saudi Arabia, France, Italy, Lebanon, Spain, Britain, Germany, Belgium, Israel, Bulgaria, Portugal, U.S. and Greece.

[03] TUPRAS MANAGES TO PROTECT ITSELF AGAINST NOVEMBER AND FEBRUARY CRISES

Danis said that their final target was to be one of the first class refinery operating companies in the world.

He said that TUPRAS which was the biggest company in Turkey had made a 330 trillion Turkish liras (TL) profit in 1999 and 383 trillion TL profit in 2000.

Danis added that they expected the company to realize more than 10 billion U.S. dollars in sales in 2001 by marketing almost 25 million tons of products including imported goods after processing 23 million tons of crude oil.

-BOTAS GENERAL DIRECTOR DISMISSED
ANKARA - State Owned Turkish Pipeline Company (BOTAS) General Director Gokhan Yardim was dismissed from his position on Monday.

Energy and Natural Sources Ministry sent a notice to the Botas General Directorate on Monday morning informing Yardim about his dismissal.

Deputy Undersecretary Kenan Veziroglu will fill in for Yardim.

[04] TURKEY-BULGARIA JOINT MILITARY EXERCISE -EXCHANGE OF 20-MEMBER TROOPS MADE

A ceremony took place at the buffer zone between the Kapikule Border Gate and Bulgaria's Capitan Andreowe Border Gate on occasion of exchange og troops.

Turkey and Bulgaria will stage a joint military exercise for training of their border troops between July 23-24.

The military exercise will take place in both countries.

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

[05] TREASURY TO SELL 3-MONTH BONDS ON TUESDAY

The value date of these bonds is July 25, 2001 and maturity is October 24, 2001. Treasury foresees minimum net 772 trillion Turkish liras (TL) borrowing.

There won't be average sale in the tender in which single price system will be valid and the interest will be paid on October 24, 2001 and it will constitute basis for 2-year and 3-year state debenture bonds coupon payments.

Treasury will repay 5 quadrillion 150 trillion TL in domestic borrowing in July.

[06] BOTAS DEPUTY DIRECTOR GENERAL BIYIKOGLU REMOVED FROM OFFICE

Botas said that the notice about his removal from office, which had been signed by Energy and Natural Resources Minister Zeki Cakan, had been presented to Biyikoglu early the same day.

Botas Director General Gokhan Yardim was also removed from office the same day.

The notice said that Yardim and Biyikoglu were temporarily assigned in service of the ministry.

[07] IKV CHAIRMAN ERIS:''TURKEY SHOULD CLOSELY FOLLOW THE TRANSFORMATION IN THE EU''

''However, as we all know, activities do not proceed at the desired pace in our country to achieve this result,'' he remarked when he spoke at the IKV's 38th General Council Meeting in Istanbul on Monday.

Speaking about the IKV's activities and future projects, Eris said that a new period had begun for Turkey after its candidacy for EU membership was approved. Pointing to the series of radical reforms that have been started, Eris said these changes would help Turkey to reach the desired modernity level.

''However, we have too much work to do and very limited time ahead of us,'' Eris continued. ''First the measures to bring Turkey out of the economic crisis should be implemented urgently. It should be remembered that Turkey's pre-accession process should be speeded up by implementing reforms also in the social life, not only in economy.''

Eris indicated that the EU was undergoing a fast transformation in terms of its inner structure and its future perspectives. He remarked that the EU was planning to finalize the membership negotiations with some of the 12 member countries which means that Turkey will be facing an EU with more than 15 members within two years.

''We have to closely follow this transformation period within the EU and plan our place within the EU according to the parameters of tomorrow, not today. However, as we all know, the activities aiming this goal are not progressing at a desired pace. As long as we continue at this speed, we will inevitably be left behind the developments that are taking place in the EU and EU candidate countries,'' he commented.

Speaking about the current state of the Turkish Economy, Eris said ''Turkey has many problems that it has to tackle, and maintaining a stable economy should be its priority. Having a stable economy will also strengthen our integration with the EU. Another important issue is to raise democracy and human rights standards. Fulfilling the political and economic commitments in the National Program should be Turkey's number one priority.''

Eris indicated that the IKV would work to inform the public about EU related matters during its pre-accession process. ''I'd like to state that the Turkish business world will support all kinds of reforms to make Turkey a modern country in the 21st century. It is not impossible to create a functioning economy, an industrial and commercial infrastructure that could resist to competitive pressure and whose production could be at international standards. Enthusiasm and hard work are essential to achieve these results,'' Eris said.

[08] NATIONAL DAY OF ARAB REPUBLIC OF EGYPT -PRESIDENT SEZER CONGRATULATES MUBARAK

The Presidential Press Center said on Monday that President Sezer said in his message that on behalf of the Turkish nation, he was pleased to present his compliments to President Mubarak and friendly Egyptian people on occasion of National Day of Egypt.

The President said that whole world was aware of Egypt's contribution to peace and stability in the region under Mubarak's perfect leadership.

He wanted to reiterate his belief in further development and strengthening of friendly relations and cooperation between Turkey and Egypt, President Sezer stated.

[09] FIRST RESIGNATION FROM FELICITY PARTY COMES FROM KAHRAMANMARAS DEPUTY SEZAL

Sezal resigned before he attended the first parliamentary group meeting of the SP which will take place today.

Sezal told the A.A that he was not ''comfortable'' with being a SP member and added that he was not yet in contact with the Reformists and that his resignation didn't have a special meaning.

''I'll see the general course of things and act accordingly,'' he said.

Below is a table showing the seat distribution in Parliament after Sezal's resignation:

Democratic Left Party (DSP) :132

Nationalist Movement Party(MHP) :126

Motherland Party (ANAP) : 87

True Path Party(DYP) : 80

Felicity Party: : 50

Independents: : 67

Vacant: : 8

Total: :550

[10] STATE MINISTER AND DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ (1): -''THERE ARE MILESTONES DESIGNATING DESTINIES OF COUNTRIES''

Speaking at a meeting organized by the Economic Development Foundation (IKV) on ''Relations Between Turkey and the European Union (EU)'', Yilmaz said, ''defunct Turgut Ozal, the former president of Turkey, described the EU full membership as a difficult and long way. Turkey's EU full membership entered a new stage following the EU's Helsinki Summit in 1999.''

Noting that Turkey had been granted candidacy status, Yilmaz stressed that this status paved the way for full membership.

He described 2001 as the year when EU full membership's road map was drawn.

''The Accession Partnership Accord was submitted in order to support this process. Turkey has presented its National Program on March 19, 2001. The National Program is a comprehensive transformation project in political, economic and administrative fields. Despite some deficiencies, Turkey has pledged to reconstruct itself in accordance with the EU and modern civilization norms,'' he added.

[11] STATE MINISTER AND DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ: -''ECONOMIC PROGRAM IS CORRECT AND OUR ONLY ALTERNATIVE''

Speaking at a meeting organized by the Economic Development Foundation (IKV) on ''Relations Between Turkey and the European Union (EU)'', Yilmaz said, ''there are circles criticizing the economic program, but there is nobody proposing an alternative program instead of the current program. We have to remove all difficulties in cooperation with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank without damaging the main philosophy of the program. We do not have any other alternative. Even if international finance organizations such as the IMF and the World Bank had not provided monetary support, Turkey would have to implement the same program.''

Referring to Turkey's need for stability and confidence, Yilmaz called on all individuals and all sections of the society to contribute to the economic program.

Stressing that the EU put forward materialization of political and legal reforms as a pre-condition to start full membership negotiations, Yilmaz said, ''we want to call on the parliament to hold an extraordinary meeting on September 17, 2001, and to adopt 37-article constitutional amendment package. Its approval by the parliament will be beneficial for Turkey.''

[12] FINANCE MINISTER ORAL: -''WE DO NOT CONCENTRATE ON REVENUE-INCREASING SUPPLEMENTARY MEASURES''

Responding to questions of journalists following his meeting with Juha Kahkonen, the Chief of Turkey Desk of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Oral said, ''in order to achieve success in our economic program, other elements should progress in parallel with target envisaged for the program. The program should be implemented with political determination without any concession.''

When asked whether or not the issue of revision in the program was taken up at the meeting, Oral said, ''the issue was not brought onto agenda at the meeting. This issue is being discussed generally at the State Planning Organization and the Treasury Undersecretariat.''

''If financial balances are not determined in a country, that country cannot reduce its inflation rates and use its sources appropriately. Turkey should implement this program to overcome current negative situation, to determine its financial balances and to increase investment, production and development. The main goals of the program are increase investment and production in our country, and to increase welfare of our people,'' he added.

[13] IMF FIRST DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR FISCHER DUE IN TURKEY

Officials at the Treasury Undersecretariat told A.A correspondent on Monday Fischer would pay a farewell visit to Turkey.

Fischer is expected to leave his office on May 8, 2002.

Meanwhile, departure date of IMF delegation headed by Juha Kahkonen, the Chief of IMF Turkey Desk, who have been holding contacts in Ankara for a week within framework of the ninth review, became uncertain.

The delegation was scheduled to depart from Turkey on Wednesday.

[14] PRESIDENT SEZER: ''I BELIEVE THAT OUR COUNTRY WILL OVERCOME DIFFICULT PERIOD WITHIN FRAMEWORK OF CONSTITUTIONAL PRINCIPLES AND DEMOCRATIC RULES''

Addressing a meeting entitled ''Turkish-European Union Relations,'' Sezer evaluated the EU process and the conditions of the country.

Sezer recalled that Turkey had overcome economic difficulties which it met earlier in the most inconvenient conditions, expressing belief that the country will leave the difficulties behind without making concessions from its national interests.

Stressing that government models, which were put forward by some circles recently, but which contradict with the democratic principles and not included in the constitution, would not have any validity, Sezer said, ''in parliamentary regimes, which adopted separation of powers, government members are elected among the parliamentarians, except the exceptionals. This regime is adopted in our constitution. According to our constitution, sovereignty belongs to nation without any condition, and the Turkish nation uses its sovereignty within the framework of constitutional principles through authorized organs.

''Whenever there is a problem in the country, all the state organs, without any doubt, should exert necessary efforts to overcome the problem within the field of authority. However, in contemporary democratic regimes, the effort should be within the framework of principles. I believe that our country will overcome the difficulties within the framework of constitutional rules and democratic principles.''

[15] STATE MINISTER DERVIS: ''WE ARE IN A BETTER SITUATION THAN COUNTRIES SUCH AS ARGENTINA AND BRAZIL''

State Minister Dervis met with State Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Husamettin Ozkan.

Responding to questions of journalists following the meeting, Dervis said that International Monetary Fund (IMF) First Deputy Managing Director Stanley Fischer will come to Turkey to hold a series of contacts.

He noted that Fischer was among those expending support to Turkey's economic program.

Noting that Fischer knew Turkey well, State Minister Dervis stressed, ''Fischer is expected to come to Turkey on July 30. He will depart from Turkey on August 1. Fischer and I plan to hold a conference or a tele- conference. We will continue to cooperate on every issue. You already have information about foreign markets. Not only Turkey, but also many countries like Argentina and Brazil have been experiencing economic crises. Due to shrinkage in foreign trade volume in the world, many countries having average income, face difficulties. In fact, we are in a better situation than these countries in regard to our foreign trade and our balance of payments. We do not have any problems in our balance of payments and our current account. Our foreign currency revenue will be higher than foreign currency expenses at the end of this year.''

''According to the recent figures, there is not any deficit in current accounts. During Fischer's visit to Turkey, we will discuss all these developments,'' he noted.

When asked if a change would be in question in macro figures, and mainly the inflation, Dervis said they worked on those issues, noting that some small changes could take place.

Dervis said those would not be very important changes, noting that, ''you know, Turkey allows release of the IMF officials reports to IMF Board. In this respect, you will be able to cover the report, which they would submit to their Board. They work in cooperation with us in this respect to determine which figures we will put and how we will reflect the recent developments. I think those works will continue for a week. It will take the final shape when Fischer visits Turkey, and we will be able to give a very positive message to the markets.''

When asked about the rate of interests before the domestic borrowing tender of the Treasury on Tuesday, Dervis said he hoped the tender would be positive.

Dervis said, ''we really overcome last week's negative atmosphere. The markets progress gradually. Of course, we should continue to this. We work on every kind of measures and support that would help the markets. I think, the most important one is the developments in current foreign payments balance. Turkey gave a deficit of 10 billion U.S. dollars current accounts last year. Confidence is shaken toward a country which gave a deficit of 10 billion U.S. dollars. I will not be able to give a figure this year as the works continue, yet a serious increase in current accounts is in question.''

Responding to a reporter who said, ''2,5 billion was envisaged,'' Dervis said this would be more than 2,5 billion U.S. dollars. Dervis said, ''this is very important in every economy. I think there will be a general confidence as long as those figures are revealed.''

Dervis said he felt sorry over the developments recorded in the markets and the negative developments in interests and foreign exchange from the beginning of July, noting that, ''however, both the government and democracy worked. Because coordination, as it was stressed by the Prime Minister, is very important. Arrival of Fischer, regarded with the IMF issue, would be perceived as a development which will remove the tense atmosphere with the IMF.

[16] PRESIDENT SEZER: ''WE SHOULD SOLVE OUR PROBLEMS AND CRISES WITHIN THE PRINCIPLES OF DEMOCRACY''

Addressing a meeting entitled, ''Turkey-EU Relations,'' arranged by Economic Development Foundation, Sezer pointed out that the EU would enter into a new structuring in the coming years together with enlargement.

''We believe that Turkey, which is a part of Europe throughout the history, should take place within this new structuring. Naturally, the EU should give a stronger and concrete EU perspective to our country. For this, we should fulfil the commitments we have undertaken, and create an atmosphere where the EU would not reject our demands.''

Pointing out his views regarded with different government models which were brought onto the agenda in the recent period, Sezer said, ''we should improve the society to the level of contemporary civilization. We should solve our problems and crises within the rules of democracy. In case economic, political and social problems could not reach a solution, we should not forget that applying to national will would be the final place of solution of those problems.''

Sezer said Turkish people have the power, desire and patience to overcome this troublesome period within the framework of democratic principles, adding that, ''there is not any reason for us to preserve our belief and confidence that Turkey has the power to overcome the problems in every case and its faithfulness to democracy.''

Stressing that the criteria to be a developed country was the success recorded in fight against graft and providing transparency in administration, Sezer said corruption, which was one of the joint problems of the globalizing world, and varies according to the conditions of that country, was a concept which should be fought against.

President Sezer said, ''setting up a transparent state structure was a condition to prevent graft. Right of people to get information, and give information should be taken under gurantee in this respect. Providing transparency in administration, openness, and an effective inspection would prvent the corruption to a great extend. Our determination to create a clean society will increase the chance of success of measures that would be taken in fight against corruption. One of the most important reasons of the economic problems we experienced today, was the corruption that was made in some banks that were transferred to the Savings Deposit Insurance Fund (SDIF).''
Sezer said works which were launched to provide transparency in fight against corruption and to provide transparency in administration, and growing sensitivity in public gave hope for the future.

President Sezer said it should be the goal of everybody to live in a country where graft did not infuence economic and political life, and where transparency and responsibility are sovereign in each section of the administration.

Pointing out that adoption of the contemporary civilization principle by every section of the society would play an important role in accelaration of the membership process to the EU which they considered as a civilization project, Sezer said, ''in order to achieve this, the people should be informed about the organization of the EU, and the benefits of the EU membership to Turkey.'' He said the National Program should be promoted to people and prejudices, which may negatively effect this process, should be overcome.

Sezer said membership to EU not only brings accession to an interstate organization, but also brings being a part of the complicated relations network, and integration with the societies.

Stressing that adoption of the compromise culture which provides EU to develop within variety, was another requirement, Sezer said membership process to the EU required Turkey to have an intense interaction with Europe.

Sezer said the requirement to have a better communication between Turkey and the EU was well understood, and stressed that Turkey, being a candidate country to the EU, should closely follow the developments in Europe.

Noting that the EU would start to reconstruct itself together with the enlargement process, President Sezer said, ''I strongly believe that Turkey which has been a part of Europe throughout the history, should take its place in this reconstruction. At this point, the EU should grand Turkey a more powerful, stronger and more concrete perspective. In order to achieve this, we should fulfil our responsibilities. If the EU does not put forward such a perspective, Turkish public opinion's interest in the EU full membership will increase inevitably. Determination of our state and our government together with support of our people will designate success of this process.''

''Turkey should well-understand and assess the EU's structural transformation and enlargement. This is the only way of revealing our determination for the EU full membership. Turkey will take its place among leading industrialized countries of the world by progressing on the path of modern civilization and by maintaining its development. In order to achieve this target, Turkey should put into practice the necessary transformation as soon as possible,'' he said.

President Sezer said, ''responsibilities of public and private sectors and of non-governmental organizations are clear. We can overcome all difficulties through mutual and intense negotiations.''

Sezer added, ''I believe that we should seize this historic opportunity by fulfilling our commitments.''

[17] SCORCHING HEAT AFFECTS ALL OF ANATOLIA

People prefer to stay indoors in some cities, leaving the streets empty, while they crowd the beaches in coastal towns.

Housewives in Nevsehir's Derinkuyu township, where temperatures reached 38 degrees Celsius, are spending most of their time in the basements of their houses, which are much cooler than the other floors.

The basements are connected to those of other houses.

The women are doing most of the housework, from laundry to washing dishes, in these basements that are typical in Cappadocia region.

The temperatures in these basements range between 15 and 20 degrees Celsius, and offer some relief from the heat to the women who chat and knit together once they are through with their housework.

The women of Nevsehir know that they are lucky. ''We don't feel the scorching heat here. Hot weather is not a problem for us at all,'' one of them said.

Not all cities of Turkey are as lucky as the Cappadocia region. In Bolu, where temperatures reached 37 degrees Celsius, the heat melted about 100 kilometers of asphalt roads.

Highways Directorate Chief Ilkay Aktug told the A.A correspondent that his office was in charge of 512 kilometers of roads in Bolu.

He said that 30 kilometers of asphalt road in Mengen, 20 kilometers in Mudurnu, 15 kilometers in Yenicaga-Mengen, 10 kilometers in Cilimli, 10 kilometers in Abant and 15 kilometers in Golyaka, Melenagzi and Cumayeri had melted because of the very high temperatures.

Aktug indicated that five teams had been working to repair the roads since June.

Meanwhile, Bolu Meteorology Director Kadir Sanli said the temperature, which was 37 degrees Celsius on Saturday, had fallen to 27 degrees Celsius on Monday.

[18] ''RETURN TO VILLAGE'' PROJECT PROCEEDS

State Minister Mustafa Yilmaz, who replied to questions directed at Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit by Felicity Party Deputy for Rize Mehmet Bekaroglu, said that there was a growing demand by villagers to go back to their homes since 1997, when terrorist activities started being taken under control.

Noting that the government had decided to extend financial aid in 1998 to those villagers, who were going back to their hometowns to build their own houses, Yilmaz said, however that this method could not be implemented since villagers were not very willing to build their houses on their own.

Yilmaz pointed out that the government started providing grant-in-aid to the villagers in 1999 and initiated a planned re-settlement study, and that these activities were still being continued.

''South East Anatolia Project (GAP) Regional Development Directorate started carrying out two new projects dubbed as 'Return to Village and Rehabilitation' and 'Return to Village and Rehabilitation sub-regional Development Plan' under the 1999 investment plan. The project is aimed at helping the villagers who had to leave their hometowns due to security concerns return to their homes in an orderly manner, and make sure their life conditions and standards are sustainable,'' he explained.

Yilmaz said nine families were settled in Diyarbakir's Asagi Beyan village, and 68 others in Sirnak's Kaymakam and Cesme villages.

The construction of 555 housing units are being continued under the Immediate Implementation Project that covers 2,859 families in Diyarbakir, Bingol, Sirnak, Batman, Hakkari, Tunceli, Bitlis, Van, Mus, Siirt, and Kars.

The government is meeting such needs as housing, road network, and other infrastructure facilities. It is also providing the returnees with the necessary facilities to develop farming and animal husbandry, and building schools, mosques, and health centers.

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