Anadolu Agency: News in English, 01-08-05

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ANADOLU AGENCY

NEWS

05 AUGUST 2001 Monday

-TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

These are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in Turkey's press on August 5, 2001. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

IMF First Deputy Managing Director Stanley Fischer has said that there were indications that Turkey has come to the end of the economic crisis and congratulated the government for its efforts regarding the economic program. ''Continue the economic program, we are supporting you,'' Fishcher said and added that there were encouraging signs that the inflation was decreasing which will also bring down the interest rates.

OZTRAK:''JULY INFLATION RATE IS ENCOURAGING''

Treasury Undersecretary Faik Oztrak has said July inflation rate in consumer prices were below the expected level and it was at the expected level in wholesale prices. ''It seems like we can catch the average of monthly two percent inflation rate. This is quite encouraging,'' Oztrak said.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

Motherland Party (ANAP) leader Mesut Yilmaz was reelected as party leader at the ANAP 7th General Congress on Saturday night. Yilmaz got 921 votes of the 1,210 party members. Speaking at the congress, Yilmaz said the ''national security'' concept should be discussed and its borders should be redrawn. ''The key of change in Turkey is hidden in the national security concept,'' Yilmaz said.

''AMERICA GUIDE'' FOR TURKS LIVING IN THE UNITED STATES

Turkish-American Associations Federation prepared an ''America Guide'' to help the Turks who live in the United States. The number of Turks going to this country has increased after the economic crisis. The guide offers information about the services that Turks might need in the United States including transportation, legal ways of residing in this country and how to find employment. 5,000 copies of the guide will be printed and distributed to Turkish citizens free.

SABAH (LIBERAL)

ANAP leader Mesut Yilmaz who spoke at the ANAP General Congress on Saturday said Turkey was at a crossroads. He said there was increasing democracy, improving human rights, increasing income level, prosperity and social peace at the end of one road and there was decline, fight with crises and social animosity at the end of the other road. Yilmaz promised to make ANAP the ruling party at the party congress.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

IMF First Deputy Managing Director Stanley Fischer made a statement after the IMF approved the release of the third tranche of credit for Turkey. Fischer's observations on the Turkish economy were positive. Praising the government's determined efforts to implement the economic program, Fischer said ''These measures, in a macro economic framework, form the basis of a dymanimc economy which will bring growth.''

RADIKAL (LEFT)

Mudurnu Chicken Farm which went bankcrupt during the crisis was the source of income for many people. 500 families had to migrate to other places after they lost their jobs. Those who stay in Mudurnu are unemployed and they have no hopes for the future. Ugur Turesin, an executive of Mudurnu Chicken Farm, whose 2,000 chicks died because there was no money for the chicken feed, said they had trusted the government when they made investments. Turesin said they increased their production 80 percent by using a credit of 11 trillion TL.

TURKIYE (RIGHT)

Soccer player Mehmet Ozdilek who is known as Sifo Mehmet ended his soccer life with a match he played on Saturday. Sifo Mehmet donated two trillion TL he earned from the match for the education of one million children. Many people including President Ahmet Necdet Sezer congratulated Sifo Mehmet for his act.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

One four out of the one hundred people who were missing after the Marmara earthquake have been found. About 120 families whose relatives are missing started to lose their hopes of finding the missing people. Ali Kundakci, Chairman of an association formed by people whose relatives are missing after the quake disaster, said they didn't get a result although the Interior Ministry helped them. Most of the missing ones are children. Kundakci said they were suspecting that these children might have been killed by a mafia which sell organs.

CONTENTS

[01] YILMAZ:''NOW WE ALL HAVE A COMMON TASK. WE HAVE TO MAKE ANAP THE RULING PARTY''

[02] TREASURY EXECUTIVES SPEAK ABOUT ECONOMI PROGRAM (1)

[03] TREASURY EXECUTIVES SPEAK ABOUT ECONOMIC PROGRAM (2)

[04] JOINT PRODUCTION PROGRAM OF 30 COUGER HELICOPTERS TO BE COMPLETED IN 2003

[05] JOINT PRODUCTION PROGRAM OF 30 COUGER HELICOPTERS TO BE COMPLETED IN 2003

[06] FIGURES SHOW THAT TURKEY GIVES SUCCESSFUL FIGHT AGAINST FOREST FIRES

[07] ADVISORS OF U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES VISITING TURKEY

[08] FOREST MINISTRY PROMOTES BIOLOGIC VARIETY AND NATURAL SOURCES MANAGEMENT PROJECT WITH BROCHURES

[09] EXPORT FROM GAP REGION REACHES SECOND HIGHEST LEVEL OF LAST DECADE AFTER 1997

[10] TTSO CHAIRMAN EREN:''TRABZON IS THE SECOND MOST IMPORTANT CITY IN COMMERCIAL TOURISM AFTER ISTANBUL''

[11] PROKON-OPTIM-OBERMAYER CONSORTIUM WINS BIDDING FOR SECOND LINE OF ANKARA METRO

[12] DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER BAHCELI:''THE CRISIS WOULD HAVE BEEN DEEPER WITHOUT THE NATIONALIST MOVEMENT''

[13] TREASURY EXECUTIVES SPEAK ABOUT ECONOMIC PROGRAM (3)

[01] YILMAZ:''NOW WE ALL HAVE A COMMON TASK. WE HAVE TO MAKE ANAP THE RULING PARTY''

After the announcement of the result, Yilmaz thanked the party members in a speech. ''Now, we all have a common task. We must make the ANAP the ruling party and embarrass those who think that the ANAP would not live too long, '' Yilmaz said in his speech.

On Sunday, the members of the Central Decision and Executive Council (MKYK) and Central Disciplinary Council (MDK) will be elected.

Lutfullah Kayalar and Eyup Asik also made short speeches after Yilmaz. Kayalar said he would continue politics in the party adding that he respected the decision of the party members who reelected Yilmaz.

[02] TREASURY EXECUTIVES SPEAK ABOUT ECONOMI PROGRAM (1)

Treasury executives said that the Treasury never had an interest target but only estimations.

Authorities said manipulations could be in question in papers indexed to foreign currency. ''We took a meausure against manipulations by taking ten day averages, not daily. Interests are not open to manipulations,'' one Treasury official stated.

Authorities who remarked that domestic borrowing stock increased sharply since 2000, said that the borrowing stock reached 36.4 quadrillion TL at the end of 2000 and to 90.3 quadrillion TL at the end of July, 2001. There are many factors in the increase including the two crises that hit the Turkish economy, they explained.

''Interest rates become very sensitive when borrowing stocks are indexed. The increase and decrease in interest rates are reflected to borrowing stock. Theres is no limit in borrowing in foreign currency. The risk of the banking sector is the biggest reason why we are not borrowing in foreign currency. The sector cannot survive the increase in the foreign currency,'' one executive explained. ''Despite its risks, borrowing foreign currency has also certain advantages. Especially in terms of debt management. It has a low cost, it has a low real interest and we can sell it in longer maturity term.''

''If there is a demand, you can't make this demand disappear, you have to meet this demand in some way. When we can't meet the demand, it has several negative effects on the economy. We have no limits but we have to decrease the demand to a level where it won't hurt the economy.''

About the cash need of the Central Bank, the Treasury executives said ''We have no plans at the moment but the Central Bank will be able to use the markets for its cash need.

The public management will no longer increase the inflation to decrease debt stock, authorities said. ''Decreasing the inflation is not a disadvantage but it is an advantage. Drop in the interest rates would decrease the debt stock but this will have an effect in the 2002 budget. There is no need for a revision in interest spendings in 2001 budget,'' they said.

(to be continued)

[03] TREASURY EXECUTIVES SPEAK ABOUT ECONOMIC PROGRAM (2)

Executives indidcated that the experienced developments brought the politicians to a certain point regarding spendings reform. They said that Turkey signed with the World Bank Financial and Public Sector Credit Agreement which shows a political acceptance.

There is no non-governmental organization (NGO) which check the budget which is put out on the internet and people are only interested in the number of cars and free accomodation regarding the spendings reform, they indicated.

The authorities also claimed that no systematical measure was taken against corruption and added that corruption might arise again because of the current legal and spendings system. They stressed that a fight with corruption could only be effective if the rules are open and transparent and if an explanation is wanted about what the sources

were spent for. They said such a fight would help the public spending system.

Pointing to 5,000 small and larger sized public investments projects, Treasury authorities said these investments were included in programs due to political or other reasons. They added that the completion of these projects would take 16 years.

Treasury executives indicated that a different method would be followed during the preparation of 2002 year bugdet. The related institutions were sent macro sizes and growth figures, and they were asked to send their spending priorities and costs to the Treasury while remaining in these limits. This way, the institutions will have the chance to estimate how much funds they would be given and decide on their priorities accordingly.

The Spending Reform will also help to easily monitor the accounts systems of municipalities. The State Bidding Bill is an important factor to increase performance and there are efforts to make this bill in line with EU standards before October 15.

-JUSTICE MINISTRY:''NO INMATES WERE MISTREATED DURING THEIR
TRANSFER FROM GEBZE PRISON TO OTHER PRISONS''
ANKARA - The Justice Ministry stated that no inmates were mistreated during their transfer from Gebze prison to Kocaeli adn Bolu F type prisons due to the repair works at Gebze prison. The ministry said that during the transfer, a report was prepared for each inmate and they went under a medical check-up.

The ministry released a written statement to respond to allegations which appeared in a number of newspapers which wrote that the inmates were mistreated and beaten during the transfer.

''Due to the repair works at Gebze Prison, a number of inmates have been transferred to Kocaeli and Bolu F type prisons. During their transfers, the encessary medical check-ups were performed and nobody was mistreated. The inmates who are on death fast are being given salt, sugar, and fruit juice as well as B1 vitamine,'' the ministry said.

[04] JOINT PRODUCTION PROGRAM OF 30 COUGER HELICOPTERS TO BE COMPLETED IN 2003

As part of the agreement signed by the two countries, Turkish Aerospace Industry (TAI) produced 11 helicopters by the end of July. The program proposes to produce one helicopter each month. TAI will complete the production of 30 helicopters in the beginning of 2003. 20 of these helicopters will be produced for the Air Forces Commandership while ten of them will be given to the Land Forces Commandership.

[05] JOINT PRODUCTION PROGRAM OF 30 COUGER HELICOPTERS TO BE COMPLETED IN 2003

As part of the agreement signed by the two countries, Turkish Aerospace Industry (TAI) produced 11 helicopters by the end of July. The program proposes to produce one helicopter each month. TAI will complete the production of 30 helicopters in the beginning of 2003. 20 of these helicopters will be produced for the Air Forces Commandership while ten of them will be given to the Land Forces Commandership.

[06] FIGURES SHOW THAT TURKEY GIVES SUCCESSFUL FIGHT AGAINST FOREST FIRES

Gaziantep Forest Director Behzat Bilginer has said that this proved that Turkey was giving a successful fight against forest fires. ''Turkey is now aware of the value of its forests. It is taking the necessary measures and displaying a good performance in fight against forest fires,'' he said.

Below is a table covering years 1989-1998 on the forest fires of a number of coutnries including Turkey:

country average no. of forest area destroyed destroyed

forest area fires a year in forest fires area in 1

forest fire

----------- ------------- -------------- -------------- -----------
Turkey 20,003 1,889 14,662 7,76

France 13,110 5,269 27,336 5,08

Italy 6,750 11,499 106,664 10,65

Portugal 2,755 18,595 92,608 5,08

Spain 25,622 16,995 191,004 12,59

Greece 6,032 1,817 49,276 35,80

U.S.A 295,989 116,705 1,679,686 12,55
Canada 453,300 8,792 2,912,619 318,59

[07] ADVISORS OF U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES VISITING TURKEY

The delegation of 15 people will tomorrow visit the Foreign Economic Relations Council (DEIK). The delegation members will be given a briefing here.

The U.S. delegation will visit the Istanbul Stock Exchange (IMKB) on Tuesday. The delegation will leave Turkey on the same day and proceed to Kyrgyzstan.

[08] FOREST MINISTRY PROMOTES BIOLOGIC VARIETY AND NATURAL SOURCES MANAGEMENT PROJECT WITH BROCHURES

The project aims to preserve biological variety in four pilot areas chosen for the project and then spread the successful practices to all over the country.

The project is run by the Forest Ministry's Wild Life General Directorate. Culture and Environment ministries are also contributing to the project.

The four pilot areas are in Artvin, Kayseri, Antalya and Kirklareli. A total of 5,000 brochures were distributed to the related ministries, non- governemntal organizations and research organizations.

[09] EXPORT FROM GAP REGION REACHES SECOND HIGHEST LEVEL OF LAST DECADE AFTER 1997

Compared to the same period of 2000, the export increased 12.21 percent in 2001.

Below is a table showing export figures between 1992 and 2001.

. share of the 7

. JAN-JULY ANNUAL months in total

export

YEAR (1000 dollars)(1000 dollars)

------- ----------- ----------- -------------
1992 143,192 297,006 48.21
1993 155,536 334,787 46.45
1994 240,303 427,112 56.26
1995 248,138 396,286 62.61
1996 208,279 404,537 51.48
1997 357,267 649,365 55.01
1998 326,837 605,389 53.98
1999 305,943 577,735 52.95
2000 310,337 565,180 54.90
2001 348,237 -
South East Anatolia Exporters Associations (GAIB) Chairman Abdulkadir Cikmaz said the increase in the export was mainly rooted from the floating currency system.

[10] TTSO CHAIRMAN EREN:''TRABZON IS THE SECOND MOST IMPORTANT CITY IN COMMERCIAL TOURISM AFTER ISTANBUL''

Eren said there was a very sharp increase in the commercial activity in Trabzon. He added that the number of food, leather and glasswear businesses rose, the business volume increased and employment was created for many people.

''Since the Sarp Border Gate opened in Trabzon in 1988 August, hundreds of export and import companies have been founded creating jobs for hundreds of people. Entrepreneurs in Trabzon are working with great enthusiams to set up their economic organizations with their own efforts without receiving support from anyone,'' he explained. ''As a result of these efforts, many joint compnies have been set up with Russia and with other CIS countries and commercial relations developed with these countries. Trabzon became the second most important city after Istanbul in shuttle tourism.''

Eren remarked that Trabzon, which is getting ready to play a very big role in the international platforms, has many shortcomings and problems. ''Therefore a Trabzon based international transportation system project should be realized,'' he said and added that a highway and a railroad system on Trabzon-Sarp-Batum-Tbilisi-Baku route or a transportation net between Trabzon and South East Anatolia would be strategically very important.

[11] PROKON-OPTIM-OBERMAYER CONSORTIUM WINS BIDDING FOR SECOND LINE OF ANKARA METRO

A bidding for contracting and controller services was held last week and Prokon-Optim-Obermayer consortium won the bidding. Electricity, Gas and Bus (EGO) General Directorate and the consortium singed an agreement of 5 million U.S. dollars for the construction of the second line of Ankara metro.

The second line is expected to be completed in three years.

[12] DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER BAHCELI:''THE CRISIS WOULD HAVE BEEN DEEPER WITHOUT THE NATIONALIST MOVEMENT''

Speaking at the 12th Erciyes Victory Congress, Bahceli said the MHP had an important role in the successful implementation of the economic program.

He said that a solution should be brought to the poverty problem and the situation of people with low incomes should be improved. ''The first condition of this is, of course, to overcome the economic structure which is prone to crisess and defeat the negative psyshological environment,'' he added.

Speaking of the Cyprus issue, Bahceli said any solution that would not be approved by the Turkish Cypriots would not be permanent or fair. ''If we try to reach a solution in Cyprus using different tactics or pressures, these would only mean to create new problems. International organizations and the involved sides must understand this fact to reach a real solution, '' he said.

[13] TREASURY EXECUTIVES SPEAK ABOUT ECONOMIC PROGRAM (3)

The executives stated that a new plan should be prepared in a few years both to privatize this institution and to give it a more modern structure.

They remarked that very big investments were being made in the world in the telecommunication field and that Turkey also had to make investments in this field. The decrease of Turk Telekom's profit is partly because of the contracts signed with the GSM companies which are against the interests of Telekom. They said that Telekom would continue to lose money if the contracts are not renewed with the GSM companies.

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