Anadolu Agency: News in English, 01-08-16

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From: The Anadolu Agency Home Page at <http://www.anadoluajansi.com.tr/>

ANADOLU AGENCY

NEWS

16 AUGUST 2001 Thursday

-TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

These are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in Turkey's press on August 16, 2001. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

Former Interior Minister Saadettin Tantan rented a house by the Istanbul Strait. Tantan will pay only 150 million Turkish liras (TL) to the Istanbul Greek Orthodox Foundation, the owner of the house, every month. The real estates said that the exact rent of the house in the second floor of an apartment building in Arnavutkoy district of Istanbul is 3,000 U.S. dollars which is equal to almost 4 billion and 500 million Turkish liras (TL).

NO SLEEP TILL 03.02 A.M.

Two years have passed since the devastating earthquake which costed the lives of 16,986 people according to the official reports. Activities which will last till 03.02 a.m. will be held today due to the second anniversary of the massive earthquake. Kocaeli Governorship permitted the activities while the Sakarya Governorship did not.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

President Ahmet Necdet Sezer opposed to a draft law that will decrease the term in office of the president to five years and enable his election for an additional five years. Sezer said, ''president should be in office for only one term. The right to be elected for twice will jeopardize objectivity.''

LIGHT THE BULB NOW!

There is still no answer to the question what change Recep Tayyip Erdogan has brought. Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said, ''I am also curious and waiting. A sign has not been given regarding Erdogan and the ideology of his party so far. The citizens will expect an illumination as they have chosen an electric bulb as their symbol.''

THOSE WHO MAKE INVESMENT ON U.S. DOLLAR TO LOSE

The Central Bank will permit the increase of U.S. dollar against Turkish lira (TL) for some more time. But, it will later intervene in the market and decrease one U.S. dollar around 1 million 300 thousand TL. Thus, who buy U.S. dollars for speculative purposes will lose.

SABAH (LIBERAL)

Crisis assistance for poor families will start. At the first stage, 50 million Turkish liras (TL) will be given for every child who is at the age of starting education. The poorest families will be extended support by the World Bank loan for four years. The program foresees support in education, health, food and fuel. This year, mothers of 1 million 50 thousand children will be given 50 million TL. Children, to whom monetary aid will be extended, will be chosen by the cooperation of the school administrations and mukhtars (the elected head of a village or of a neighbourhood.)

NUMBER OF MINISTERS NOT TO BE DECREASED

Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said that his coalition partners and he want to decrease the number of the ministers and added, ''however, we all think that it is not the right time. When we go for an election, we can review the cabinet. But, it is not necessary to cause a chaos for the time being.''

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

The 15 millionth passenger at the International Flights Terminal of Ataturk Airport was Italian Alessandra Moretti. The terminal, which started to serve passengers 18 months ago, awarded Moretti with two-day free accomodation at Polat Renaissance Hotel and two-day Istanbul tour by a guide.

KUTAN: ''WE WILL SEE THE CHANGE''

Felicity Party (SP) leader Recai Kutan said that in time, they will see whether or not Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who is among the founder members of the Justice and Development Party (AK Party), has changed. Kutan noted that he has not seen what has changed.

RADIKAL (LEFT)

The bankers reacted to the increase of U.S. dollar against the Turkish lira (TL): ''The Central Bank had said that it would intervene in the market in big fluctuations. Can there be a bigger fluctuation than this? The money in the pockets of the citizens is melting day by day. We cannot predict the amount of the increase.''

SEZER'S SUPPORT TO EU PROCESS

President Ahmet Necdet Sezer supported the constitutional amendment bill except amendments to two laws and said, ''the prior issue of the parliament should be paving the way for the European Union (EU).'' Sezer, who received State Minister Nejat Arseven, said that the prior issue of the parliament which will convene next month is to make the constitutional amendments and pave the way for the EU.'' However, Sezer opposed to two draft laws in the bill. Sezer said, ''looking for three-fifth majority in closure cases of political parties may cause a problem at the Constitutional Court while the election of the president for a second term in office will make the president dependent on the will of the parliament.''

TURKIYE (RIGHT)

As the non-governmental organizations bought U.S. dollar due to the lack of confidence in the government, one U.S. dollar exceeded 1 million and 500 thousand Turkish liras (TL). The Central Bank, which did not stop the increasing U.S. dollar, found out that the U.S. dollar gained so much value because the non-governmental organizations also bought dollar. Concerns arose as the Union of Chambers of Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB) bought 25 million U.S. dollars and the Eximbank wanted TOBB to pay the 100 million U.S. dollar credit in U.S. dollars.

ECEVIT'S COMMENT: ''I HOPE IT WILL BE OVERCOME''

Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said, ''economy is good in the medium term, however, unfortunately there are still some problems in the short term. It is of vital importance to stop the increase in U.S. dollar. I hope it will be overcome. We are priorily trying to find solutions to revive production sector. Then, everything will be better.''

MONSTER TO BE LANCED

The Treasury Undersecretariat will convene all public institutions and debate the measures that will pave the way for direct investments. Following a report presented to the cabinet, 1.5 billion U.S. dollar foreign capital is expected to enter into Turkey at the first stage.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

None of the contractors, engineers and local administrators have been sentenced to several punishments in the cases filed after the massive earthquake which hit the Marmara Region in 1999. Those who were responsible for the death and injuries of thousands of people in the devastating earthquake have not been announced so far. Quake survivors who have been making a legal challenge for two years have been disappointed.

AK PARTY ENTERS INTO PARLIAMENT

The Justice and Development Party (AK Party) headed by Recep Tayyip Erdogan became the sixth party at the parliament with 51 deputies two days after it was founded. This situation will affect the structure of the parliamentary commissions and the chairmanship council.

CONTENTS

[01] ''45 SECONDS... 45 PHOTOGRAPHS...'' -FMD PUTS 45 PHOTOGRAPHS OF 17 AUGUST QUAKE TAKEN BY LOCAL AND FOREING PHOTO REPORTERS IN INTERNET PAGE

[02] ENVIRONMENTALISTS TO PROTEST OIL TANKER TO PASS STRAITS

[03] PRIME MINISTRY SAYS ISSUES CONCERNING SEZER NOT BROUGHT TO AGENDA OF EVALUATION MEETING BETWEEN ECEVIT AND HIS MINISTERS

[04] CENTRAL BANK SAYS IT IS NOT POSSIBLE FOR BANK OFFICIALS TO MAKE STATEMENTS THAT WILL INCREASE SPECULATIVE FOREX DEMAND

[05] FOREIGN MINISTER CEM SENDS MESSAGE TO HIS IRANIAN COUNTERPART TO EXPRESS SORROW OVER FLOOD DISASTER

[06] 2ND ANNIVERSARY OF MASSIVE AUGUST 17 EARTHQUAKE

[07] TURKISH-GERMAN PARTNERSHIP IN FROZEN FOOD

[08] JORDANIAN FOREIGN MINISTRY UNDERSECRETARY BAK IN ANKARA

[09] PRESIDENT SEZER ADDRESSES CEREMONIES TO HELD TO COMMEMORATE HACIBEKTAS VELI

[10] ONE MAN DIES IN IPSALA AFTER IGNORING ''STOP'' WARNING

[11] GENDARMERIE TEAMS INTERCEPT 21 AFGHANS

[12] ERDOGAN ELECTED AS AK PARTY LEADER UNANIMOUSLY

[13] KECECILER:''TURKEY AND PAKISTAN HAVE VERY STRONG POLITICAL RELATIONS''

[14] YILMAZ: ''TURKEY IS COOPERATING WITH NEIGHBORING COUNTRIES REGARDING GAP''

[15] INDUSTRIALISTS AND TRADESMEN IN TRNC SUPPORT PARTIAL ECONOMIC INTEGRATION WITH TURKEY

[16] U.S. AMBASSADOR IN ANKARA PEARSON PAYS COURTESY VISIT TO STATE MINISTER ARSEVEN

[01] ''45 SECONDS... 45 PHOTOGRAPHS...'' -FMD PUTS 45 PHOTOGRAPHS OF 17 AUGUST QUAKE TAKEN BY LOCAL AND FOREING PHOTO REPORTERS IN INTERNET PAGE

The section in FMD's web-page of ''www.fmd.org.tr'' is titled ''45 Seconds...45 Photographs.''

The photographs of agonies and problems which further increased after a second devastating earthquake hit Turkey on 12 November 1999, are available on the web-page.

Forty-five photographs were chosen among thousands of others by the coordination of Turkish media and international news agencies like the Associated Press, Reuters, EPA and Sipapress.

The web-page wrote, ''we could have said 'fairly short' for 45 seconds; but until when? However, that of the saddening 45 seconds of August 17 caused massive destructions in all our lives of which traces can be seen for long years, especially in the lives of our people living in the region of the disaster.

Here, we are offering you the story of the disaster after that of the 45 seconds, trying to summarize it in 45 photographs. Our aim is not to upset anybody, but refresh our social memory once again and contribute to ensure more sensitivity over problems of the people who had to experience the disaster.''

The web-site gives the names of those who died and were missing, and informs about what should be done in case of earthquakes.

The site also lists massive earthquakes that has rocked Turkey, and gives the ''painful balance sheet'' of the recent earthquake and a seismic map of Turkey.

[02] ENVIRONMENTALISTS TO PROTEST OIL TANKER TO PASS STRAITS

The environmentalist organization will spray environment-friendly paint on the tanker. This will be the first time that environmentalists stage such a protest.

Yuksel Ustun, the Chairman of Peace with Nature Association, speaking on behalf of the Turkish Environment Cocoon Initiative, told A.A correspondent on Thursday that the annual amount of oil that will be transported from the Black Sea and Turkish Straits will be 26.5 tons as the pipeline starts operation.

Ustun noted that this amount will increase to 76.5 tons in time and that transportation of this amount of oil through Black Sea and Turkish Straits is not possible.

They heard that the tanker loaded with oil from Tangiz-Novorossiysk pipeline will pass through Turkish Straits in coming days, Ustun stated.

Ustun pointed out that they plan to stage protests to prevent the passage.

The tanker will be obstructed by 20 fishing boats and a Zodiac boat at the intersection point of Istanbul Strait and Black Sea, Ustun said.

Ustun noted that environment-friendly paint will be sprayed on the tanker.

The tanker will be protested by 40 boats without causing any danger after it entered the strait, Ustun stressed.

Ustun stated that they will hold a press conference, publish advertisements, hang posters, and distribute booklets and 1000 CDs to increase sensitivity and participation in the protest.

This protest is supported by non-governmental organizations in not only Turkey but also Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Georgia, Moldova, Russia, Ukraine and Romania.

[03] PRIME MINISTRY SAYS ISSUES CONCERNING SEZER NOT BROUGHT TO AGENDA OF EVALUATION MEETING BETWEEN ECEVIT AND HIS MINISTERS

A statement of the Prime Ministry Press Center said that some news stories that the prime minister and ministers who are members of DSP mentioned that the staff of the Constitutional Court was appointed by the president during their meeting.

The statement said, ''such an issue was not debated neither prior to the meeting nor during or after the meeting. Besides, any issue concerning the president was not brought to the agenda.''

[04] CENTRAL BANK SAYS IT IS NOT POSSIBLE FOR BANK OFFICIALS TO MAKE STATEMENTS THAT WILL INCREASE SPECULATIVE FOREX DEMAND

A statement of the Central Bank noted that a television channel said on Wednesday that the information that the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB) bought U.S. dollar from the markets was acquired from the sources of the Central Bank.

The statement said, ''however, it is not possible for bank officials, charged to ensure financial stability, to make such statements that will increase speculative foreign exchange demands.''

[05] FOREIGN MINISTER CEM SENDS MESSAGE TO HIS IRANIAN COUNTERPART TO EXPRESS SORROW OVER FLOOD DISASTER

Cem said that he felt deep sorrow over losses of life and property in the flood triggered by torrential rains in the north of Iran.

Foreign Minister Cem expressed condolence and wished quick recovery to friendly Iranian people.

Turkey is ready to extend assistance to Iran, Cem added.

More than 300 people died while almost 150 people were missing in the flood which hit Golestan province of Iran last Friday.

[06] 2ND ANNIVERSARY OF MASSIVE AUGUST 17 EARTHQUAKE

Most of the permanent houses that have been constructed in the region were completed, and some of them were delivered to the owners.

A total of 309.319 trillion lira were paid to the quake victims, and 377, 569 meters of sewerage net was constructed.

Besides loss of lives, 376.685 houses and business places were damaged during August 17 and November 12 earthquakes which were experienced in Kocaeli, Sakarya, Yalova, Bolu, Bursa, Duzce, Eskisehir, Istanbul, Karabuk, and Zonguldak.

Construction of 42, 130 permanent houses was started in the quake region following various stages. A total of 21, 252 houses, out of 25,354 houses, were completed.

Settlement and Public Works ministry officials said 7,652 houses and 52,581 business places were demolished in the quake region.

A tender had been made on September 17, 1999, and construction of prefabricated houses started. The quake victims started to settle the houses on December 1, 1999. A total of 31, 596 temporary prefabricated houses were built in Kocaeli, Yalova, Sakarya, Duzce and Bolu. Number of prefabricated houses, which were constructed as donation, eached 12, 511. Thus, 44,107 temporary prefabricated houses were constructed.

After the temporary dwellings, a project to build permanent dwellings started in Istanbul, Kocaeli, Yalova, Sakarya, Bolu and Duzce in 42 separate fields totalling up to 1,207 hectares.

As part of the project, the infrastructure of 28 municipalities started to be reconstructed. Together with the additions, the constructions of 42,587 dwellings started in Bolu, Duzce, Sakarya, Kocaeli, Yalova and Istanbul. Some 559 dwellings were bought from Emlakbank for the quake survivors in Istanbul.

Settlement and Public Works Ministry prepared a decree about construction inspections in order to prevent poor quality constructions and unsafe buildings. The decree started to be implemented in 27 pilot regions as of July 10, 2000. Later a law on construction inspections passed on Aug.13, 2001.Earthquake insurance was also made obligatory through certain regulations.

The delivery of the permanent dwellings is continuing. A total of 107 kilometers long roads will be built to connect these settlement areas to city centers. The infrastructure of the permanent dwellings will cost 204 trillion TL.

[07] TURKISH-GERMAN PARTNERSHIP IN FROZEN FOOD

A statement sent by Penguen Food to IMKB recalled that the Penguen Food continued its works for financial and strategic partnership aiming to develop and take its place in globalizing world market.

The statement said the Penguen Food Company agreed with worldly famous DEG Group which had made investment, worth of 360 million Euro in various countries last year.

The statement said, ''the DEG institution, in principle accepted to realize capital partnership worth of 10 million Euro, by buying our bonds. The final detailed investigation will start in September.''

[08] JORDANIAN FOREIGN MINISTRY UNDERSECRETARY BAK IN ANKARA

Jordanian Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Shahir Bak and his Turkish counterpart Faruk Logoglu had a meeting in morning hours during which they discussed bilateral relations, regional and international developments.

After the meeting, Bak told reporters that both Turkey and Jordan wanted peace in the Middle East and they were ready to do their best to achieve this result.

[09] PRESIDENT SEZER ADDRESSES CEREMONIES TO HELD TO COMMEMORATE HACIBEKTAS VELI

Addressing the 38th Traditional 12nd International Haci Bektas Veli Comemoration Ceremonies, Sezer said he was pleased to live together with people of this country who absorbed humanitarian philosophy of Haci Bektas Veli, based on love and tolerance.

Sezer said he congratulated those who arranged the ceremonies and who protected views of Haci Bektas Veli, noting that, ''we respect to philosophy based on universal values like humanism, peace and tolerance.''

Sezer said, ''spreading of understanding of pluralist democracy, which is one of the basic criteria of modernism, to every section of the society, gives facilities for the continuation of cultural values.''

Sezer said Haci Bektas Veli invited all people, whatever their nation, sect, color and view are, to love, friendship and peace.

''I believe that humanity has many things to learn from those people of Anatolia and the historical experiences that were recorded with the help of those people. Tolerance is one of them,'' he noted.

Sezer said many merciless violence incidents and clashes that can not be stopped thoughout the world reveales the importance of the love, peace, and tolerance included by philosophy of Haci Bektas Veli.

Speaking of secularism, Sezer said that secularism was the essense of the Turkish Republic's existence.

''Under the secularism principle, the state's social, economic, political and legal regulations cannot be based on religious laws. Basic rights and freedoms cannot be used to create religious discrimination or to set up a religious state system. Nobody is allowed to use religion for personal or political benefits. Nobody could be condemned or accused for not performing the requirements of a certain belief or religion. Secularism is the basis for our national integrity,'' he continued.

''All international human rights declarations state that people are equal. All people are born equal and free. This is the most natural right. Therefore no discrimination could be made among people based on any quality. Under Article 10 of our Constitution, everybody is equal by law regardless of their sex, religion, race, color, political leaning, or similar factors. No individuals or class could be granted privileges. The equality principle prevents any religious class to have a different status.''

About the current economic troubles, Sezer said that economic difficulties should be overcome by strengthening integrity and increasing solidarity among people.

''All citizens and all sectors of the society have a responsibility in overcoming economic troubles. It is more important than ever to put aside our personal interests and focus on social interests. There is no doubt that the Turkish nation which has successfully fought against difficulties throughout the history will overcome the current difficulties by giving hand in hand.''

Sezer, before his speech, presented Friendship Award given by Haci Bektas Friendship Association to researcher-author Reha Camuroglu.

People's Republican Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal, CHP party executives, Mukremin Taskin from the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) and Motherland Party (ANAP) General Secretary Abdulkadir Bas attended the ceremony.

[10] ONE MAN DIES IN IPSALA AFTER IGNORING ''STOP'' WARNING

Yusuf Alver, 35, who assisted 26 foreigners to illegally pass the border to Greece was noticed by a soldier named Sedat Basakci. Basakci told Alver to stop. Alver ignored Basakci's warning and was seriosly wounded by the bayonet of Basakci's weapon as he was walking towards him.

Alver died on the road while he was being taken to Ipsala State Hospital.

Gendarmerie officials stated that 26 foreigners would be sent to Security Department's Foreigners Department after their investigation is over.

[11] GENDARMERIE TEAMS INTERCEPT 21 AFGHANS

Provincial Gendarmerie Command said patrolling teams stopped a bus near Beyciler Village and captured 21 Afghans.

Erdem Kayar, the driver of the bus, was taken into custody in connection with the incident.

[12] ERDOGAN ELECTED AS AK PARTY LEADER UNANIMOUSLY

A total of 121 of 124 members casted votes in election that was made to elect the leader.

Erdogan said, ''young brains in our country are looking for opportunities to go to other countries. Most of the business places are closed down. It is not possible to accept the situation of this country which has geopolitical importance.''

Erdogan said he was against politics based on polemics targeting individuals and personalities, noting that, ''we will keep away from vicious conflicts targeting people. We want to speak about this country from now on.''

Briefing about the outlines of his party program, Erdogan said, ''we consider our republic as the most important acquisition we obtained throughout our history. We target making our republic to reach a contemporary structure based on supremacy of law and human rights and freedoms. We accept the parliament as the platform to discuss and solve all national and international platforms.''

Erdogan said AK Party accepted the individual as center by accepting unity and integrity, unitary structure, secular, democratic and social legal state structure of Turkey, and democratization and equality of opportunity.

Erdogan said they accepted mistreatment, torture and terrorism as crime of humanity, adding that, ''limitation of freedom with the concern that it may be abused, is not a healthy mentality.''

[13] KECECILER:''TURKEY AND PAKISTAN HAVE VERY STRONG POLITICAL RELATIONS''

Kececiler briefed the reporters about his contacts in Pakistan on Thursday.

Kececiler said that he paid a three-day visit to the Pakistani capital of Islamabad and had useful meetings with Pakistani Head of State Pervez Musharraf as well as Pakistani ministers in charge of privatization, commerce and transportation. Kececiler said the timing of his visit was very good since it overlapped with Pakistan's National Day which greatly pleased the Pakistani people.

Kececiler said he presented Musharraf a written message by Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit. In his message, Ecevit emphasized the importance given by the Turkish government to Pakistan and said that Turkey wants to contribute to development efforts led by Musharraf.

Ecevit also said that Turk Telekom, together with three companies based in New York, London and Turkey, was interested in the privatization of Pakistani Telekom and it became one of the ten companies which were found adequate in the tender. Kececiler, during his visit, discussed the specifics of the matter with Pakistani Privatization minister.

Kececiler indicated that he briefed Pakistani officials about the problems faced by Turkish companies operating in this country. He also called on Pakistani companies to participate in Izmir Fair.

He said a Turkish company completed an irrigation channel of 214 kilometers 194 days before the deadline which was regarded as a big success by Pakistani business circles.

Before concluding his speech, Kececiler stressed that Turkey and Pakistan enjoy very strong political relations and any act that would weaken these relations should be avoided.

[14] YILMAZ: ''TURKEY IS COOPERATING WITH NEIGHBORING COUNTRIES REGARDING GAP''

Yilmaz had a meeting with Jordanian Foreign Ministery Undersecretary Shahir Bak on Thursday.

During the visit, Yilmaz said that Turkey and Syria were carrying out joint activities regarding the GAP and that Syrian Irrigation Minister was expected to visit Turkey on Aug. 21. He said Turkey wanted to cooperate also with Jordan and Iraq in this field.

Bak said Turkey and Jordan shared similar views regarding the peace process in the Middle East and that both countries wanted the region to live in peace.

Drawing attention to good political relations between Turkey and Jordan, Bak said relations in treade, transportation and economy need to be developed. He said joint committees should be formed to achieve this result.

Bak added that Jordan wanted to have the Joint Economy Meeting (KEK) meeting in the first months of 2002.

[15] INDUSTRIALISTS AND TRADESMEN IN TRNC SUPPORT PARTIAL ECONOMIC INTEGRATION WITH TURKEY

Industry Chamber Chairman Salih Tunar and Tradesmen and Artisans Chamber Chairman Tahsin Karagozlu said in a written statement on Thursday that they supported the deepening of relations between Turkey and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) and a partial economic integration with Turkey based on partnership.

In their statement, the two chambers also remarked that production would come to a complete halt in Northern Cyprus if the TRNC and Turkey economically integrates and lifts customs before the TRNC takes the necessary measures to attain the necessary capital, technological development, improved production conditions, increased competitive power which aim to strengthen the TRNC economy.

[16] U.S. AMBASSADOR IN ANKARA PEARSON PAYS COURTESY VISIT TO STATE MINISTER ARSEVEN

Robert Pearson, the U.S. Ambassador in Ankara, paid a courtesy visit to Arseven who newly became a state minister.

Pearson, who spoke to reporters following the meeting, pointed out that both Turkey and the U.S. were administered by democracy, and added that they were countries linked with high level human rights standarts.

Pointing out that the U.S. strongly supported the steps that were underway in Turkey regarding human rights, Pearson said Arseven told him that they were in an effort to improve this standart not because others wanted but as Turkish people deserved it.

Arseven said they exchanged views to implement the concepts like democratization of Turkey, human rights, and supremacy of law more intensely.

Pointing out that they also discussed constitutional changes which would be brought onto the agenda in the coming days, Arseven said, ''the U.S. Ambassador told me that they attributed great importance to the Constitutional changes and noted that they closely followed the developments in Turkey regarded with human rights.

Arseven said he paid a courtesy visit to President Ahmet Necdet Sezer, adding that Sezer supported constitutional changes, adding that Sezer told him that he would do his best to pass the changes from the parliament.

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