Anadolu Agency: News in English, 01-08-20

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ANADOLU AGENCY

NEWS

20 AUGUST 2001 Monday

-TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

These are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in Turkey's press on August 20, 2001. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

There is not any news from five mountaineers who went to Valla Canyon, which is known as the most dangerous passage of Turkey, since 02.00 p.m. on Thursday. The mountaineers, who told the mukhtar that the villagers could see them on a 1,200 metre hill on Saturday, have not been seen yet. Five mountaineers have been lost in Valla Canyon, which lies between Pinarbasi and Cide townships of northern Kastamonu province. Search and rescue operation has been launched. The search and rescue team comprised of Egemen Cakir, Murat Yuce, Nevzat Cetin and Erdinc Yilmaz headed by Bakirkoy Nature and Mountain Sports Association Chairman Murat Ceylan started to search the canyon. The rescue team entered the canyon from the waterfall between Ilica and Muratbasi villages at 02.00 p.m. on Thursday.

FOURTH TURK IN ATHENS

Following Ibrahim Kutluay, Gulsah Akkaya and Emre Ekim, Burak Sezgin was also transferred to a team in the neighbouring country. The 27-year-old player signed a two-year contract with Near East basketball team of Greece. Kutluay had earlier been transferred to Panathinaikos while Akkaya signed a contract with Panseraikos. Ekim became a player of Olimpiakos.

2012 OLYMPICS SHOULD BE HELD IN IZMIR

Izmir Mayor Ahmet Piristina said that it is western province of Izmir's right to host the 2012 Olympics. Piristina told Hurriyet that Izmir has the power to achieve this if laws that were passed for Istanbul are also adopted for Izmir. Piristina said, ''2005 World University Games will revive Izmir. This is the second biggest sportive organization following the olympics.''

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

Deputy Prime Minister Mesut Yılmaz said that he would bring the debate on national security to the National Security Council (NSC) within the scope of constitutional amendment. Military officials plan to listen first to Mesut Yılmaz at NSC meeting tomorrow and then to respond him. Military officials will reiterate their sensitivity over the concepts of national integrity and secularist regime.

SHARON TELLS ECEVIT THAT HE WON'T ESCALATE TENSION

According to the newspaper Jerusalem Post, Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon called Premier Bulent Ecevit, explained him the reason of closing the Orient House in Jerusalem and promised Ecevit that he would not escalate the tension in the area. Sharon said in the phone talk that ''the closing of Orient House is a retailiation to the terrorist attack launched in Jerusalem which claimed the lives of 15 persons. Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat could have prevented this attack if he wanted. I won't escalate the tension. I take measures to improve the living conditions of Palestinian people who are not involved in terrorism. But as Arafat does not take any measures, I will also continue to take measures to prevent the terrorist attacks on Israel.''

SABAH (LIBERAL)

The airplane which came to Istanbul from Hamburg city of Germany, overshot the runway due to rain after landing at Ataturk Airport. The plane which drifted for 50 meters, stopped with difficulty. Fire brigades and ambulances were transferred to the scene and the 135-passangers and the six- crew members were taken out from the plane. No casualties were reported. The plane's engine, body and landing gear suffered damages due to the accident. Hans Weinberg, the German pilot said that he landed at the airport in a normal way, yet the brakes of the plane didn't work due to the slippery ground.

BIG FOREST FIRE IN MARMARIS

The forest fire which started in Inbuku region between Marmaris and Datca towns of western Mugla province, was taken under control on Sunday morning as the wind stopped. The fire which had broken out after one of the transformers of Turkish Electricity Distribution Corporation (TEDAS) exploded, spread to an area of 150 hectares in a short time. It has been the biggest fire of the season. Helicopters and fire brigades extinguished the fire.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

National Security Council (NSC) will convene for the first time on Tuesday following the starting of the debate on national security. Deputy Premier Muset Yılmaz is expected to bring onto agenda the national security debate at the meeting. Military officials will come together today and evaluate the situation before the NSC meeting. President Ahmet Necdet Sezer and Premier Bulent Ecevit are not eager to discuss the issue.

IS DEMIREL BACK INTO POLITICS AGAIN?

It is claimed that former President Suleyman Demirel wants to return back to politics as a deputy of the True Path Party (DYP), the party which he had founded or by founding another party. Some people say that Demirel reads the bibliography of Winston Churchill, who became the British Prime Minister for the second time at the age of 77. Demirel has also a busy schedule in September. He will evaluate the situation of Turkey by speaking in various platforms including universities.

RADIKAL (LEFT)

European Union (EU) member countries except Britain, Sweden and Denmark will leave their own currencies, and adapt EURO instead. This development seems to be beneficial for Turkey. According to a study of German Central Bank Buundesbank, there are 90 billion German Marks outside Germany. It is reported that 30 billion Marks of this money is in Turkey and 19 billion Marks of it is under the mattress in Turkey, as being sent by Turkish workers to their relatives. Turkish Central Bank plans to urge people change this German Mark into EURO as it will revive the economy.

COUNTDOWN STARTS FOR DEVELOPMENT

European Union (EU) which will start to write down the Progress Report for Turkey 2001 in September, expects reports of Turkey telling the things to be done by Turkey in EU candidacy process. Secretariat General for EU Affairs and Foreign Ministry expect the parliament which will convene on September 17 to make the necessary amendments in the Constitution, noting that if this is not the case, Turkey's EU membership can be delayed.

TURKIYE (RIGHT)

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, who phoned Ankara, said that he would not escalate the tension. During the phone talk, Sharon said that measures have been taken to better the living standards of Palestinian people who were not involved in terrorism. Sharon gave the same promise to Russian President Vladimir Putin and British Prime Minister Tony Blair.

NATIONAL SECURITY ON NSC AGENDA

Sources said that national security concept which was opened to discussion by Motherland Party (ANAP) leader Mesut Yilmaz may be brought to the agenda at the National Security Council (NSC) meeting which will be held at Cankaya Palace on Tuesday. Yilmaz is expected to bring the issue, of which President Ahmet Necdet Sezer and Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit are not in favour, into the agenda.

IRAQI SON-IN LAW OF FOREIGN MINISTER ISMAIL CEM

Foreign Minister Ismail Cem's daughter Ipek Nur Cem married with a Iraqi businessman Shwan Taha. The wedding which was closed to press was held at the Ciragan Palace. The newly-wed couple said that they would spend their honeymoon abroad.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

Six members of the Bogazici University Speleology Club were stranded in Peynirlik Cave in southern Icel province. As the mountaineers started to descend from the cave, everything seemed to be normal at first. However, everything turned into a disaster after the strong rain of the previous day. The puddle at the entrance of the cave led to lack of communication with the mountaineers in the cave. During their last contact with Husam Sulemangil, the head of the team on the ground, the mountaineers wanted motor pump. Suleymangil contacted with Icel Civil Defense Directorate and search and rescue operations started. Suleymangil said, ''we think that our friends descended to 900 metres. We do not know whether they are stranded. But, all of them are experienced and there is enough food. There are also enough clothes and devices.''

TREASURY'S PUBLIC OFFERING

Treasury Undersecretariat will borrow money through public offering. 1-year state bonds and 58-day Treasury bonds which will be put to sale on August 20,21 and 22 will be sent in Central Bank branches and other state and private banks.

CONTENTS

[01] AIRPLANE OVERSHOOTS RUNWAY AT ATATURK AIRPORT -NO CASUALTIES

[02] TORRENTIAL RAINS HIT TURKEY

[03] FOREIGN TRADE UNDERSECRETARIAT SAYS EXPORTS GROWTH RATE TO INCREASE IN THIRD QUARTER OF 2001

[04] NSC TO CONVENE ON THURSDAY

[05] FOREIGN TRADE UNDERSECRETARY TUZMEN LEAVES FOR UKRAINE

[06] TREASURY STARTS SELLING BONDS THROUGH PUBLIC OFFERING

[07] CITIZEN CHAINS HIMSELF TO GARDEN BARS OF PRIME MINISTRY

[08] SYRIAN IRRIGATION MINISTER DUE IN TURKEY

[09] MACEDONIAN FOREIGN MINISTER MITREVA TO COME TO TURKEY ON TUESDAY

[10] CAPACITY UTILIZATION IN JULY 72.5 PERCENT

[11] PHOTOGRAPHS OF HAGIA SOPHIA AND KARIYE TO BE DISPLAYED IN PARIS

[12] TURKISH BUSINESSMEN TO VISIT PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA

[13] BRAZILIAN FOREIGN MINISTRY UNDERSECRETARY CORREA IN ANKARA

[14] AKBANK AUTHORIZES CO-ORGANIZER BANKS TO GET 250 MILLION DOLLARS LOAN

[15] DOMESTIC DEBT STOCK REACHES 96.4 QUADRILLION LIRAS AS OF END-JULY

[16] DEMONSTRATION IN FRONT OF PRIME MINISTRY OFFICE -YILDIZ SENTENCED TO PAY 49.5 MILLION TL IN FINE

[01] AIRPLANE OVERSHOOTS RUNWAY AT ATATURK AIRPORT -NO CASUALTIES

The plane belonging to ''Hamburg International'' airline could not stop after landing at the airport due to slippery runway as it was raining.

Fire brigades and ambulances were transferred to the scene and the 135- passengers and the six-crew members were taken out from the plane. No casualties were reported. The plane's engine, body and landing gear suffered damages due to the accident.

[02] TORRENTIAL RAINS HIT TURKEY

Ground floors of dwellings in Yesilirmak and Karsiyaka districts and workplaces on Sivas street were inundated by torrential rains, which continued for almost 45 minutes without any interruption.

Municipality workers started to discharge water from inundated places while experts will start damage assessment works on Monday.

In the meantime, ground floors of hundreds of dwellings were inundated due to torrential rains in Izmit.

Firefighters started to discharge water from the inundated dwellings and workplaces.

Traffic was obstructed due to insufficient sewage system while electricity was cut in Yenikoy hamlet.

Meanwhile, officials at Adana Meteorology Regional Directorate said that 23 kilograms rain fell per square metres in southern province of Adana in the last 24 hours.

Electricity was cut due to strong winds while the traffic was paralyzed.

Meteorology officials said that strong winds and rain would also continue on Monday.

[03] FOREIGN TRADE UNDERSECRETARIAT SAYS EXPORTS GROWTH RATE TO INCREASE IN THIRD QUARTER OF 2001

Undersecretariat said that according to the data of the Exporters Union, there has been an increase of 13,4 percent in exports in Jan-July this year compared to the same period last year.

Noting that there have also been increases in exports of vehicles, by- industry, textile and raw materials, iron and non-iron metals, electrical and electronical devices and machinery, the Undersecretariat said that the exportation of vehicles and by-industry increased by 47,6 percent and increased from 1,6 billion dollars to 2,3 billion dollars in the same period.

Undersecretariat indicated that the exports in ready-to-wear sector decerased contrary to other big sectors, adding that the sector's exports decreased by 5,5 percent in July this year and it decreased by 1,4 percent in the first seven months of 2001.

Foreign Trade Undersecretariat remarked that particularly vehicles, chemical materials, iron and non-iron metals, textile and raw materials, fresh fruit and vegetable were exported to EU countries in Jan-July this year and the exports increased. The increase of 68 percent in exportation of vehicles to EU countries particularly stemmed from the increase in exports to Italy, it was noted.

Foreign Trade stated that there has been an increase of 2,6 percent in exports to North American Free Trade (NAFTA) countries.

The exports to Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) increased by 3,1 percent and reached 956 million dollars in the same period. The exports to Central East European Countries increased by 21,5 percent.

Despite the decreasing exports to North Africa by 3,5 percent in the first half of the year, the exports to this region increased by 31,7 percent in July, 2001.

The Foreign Trade Undersecretariat said that the importation decreased 24.7 percent between January and July 2001 when compared with the same period last year.

The Undersecretariat noted that the total importation fell due to the decrease in the imports of all products, except crude oil, in May.

Increasing rate of importation strengthened the expectations of economic shrinkage in February, March, April and May, the Undersecretariat stated.

The Undersecretariat pointed out that importation decreased 16.5 percent between January and May when compared with the same period last year.

Importation of mainly fuel and oil, ships and pharmaceuticals increased in the first five months of this year, the Undersecretariat said.

The Undersecretariat stressed that fuel and oil worth of 334 million U.S. dollars, ships worth of 115 million U.S. dollars and pharmaceuticals worth of 29 million U.S. dollars were imported in the first five months of this year.

The Undersecretariat noted that increase rate of importation was around 23.2 percent in January 2001, 10.7 percent in February, 25.9 percent in March, April and May, and 33 percent and 24.7 percent in June and July.

The regression in importation since February increased in March, April and May due to economic stagnation, actual devaluation and crisis, the Undersecretariat pointed out.

The Undersecretariat added that the Value Added Tax (VAT) figures of June 2001 indicated that high regression in importation continued.

[04] NSC TO CONVENE ON THURSDAY

The meeting will start at 9.30 a.m. at the Presidential Palace in Cankaya district of ankara.

This will be the last time that Air Forces Commander Ergin Celasin and Naval Forces Commander Ilhami Erdil will attend the NSC meeting as they will retire as of August 30.

[05] FOREIGN TRADE UNDERSECRETARY TUZMEN LEAVES FOR UKRAINE

A statement of the Foreign Trade Undersecretariat said that Tuzmen will attend the inauguration of the Turkish Fashion Fair in Kiev and review commercial and economic relations with high-level Ukrainian officials.

The statement noted that Tuzmen will be received by Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Policy and Joint Economic Commission (JEC) Co- president Vasyl Rohovyy and Ukrainian Minister of Economy and meet Ukrainian Minister of Industrial Policy or his deputy.

During his contacts, Tuzmen will exchange views on cooperation mentioned in JEC protocol and debate measures to promote trade in a balanced way, the statement said.

The statement pointed out that trade volume between Turkey and Ukraine increased to 1.2 billion U.S. dollars in 2000 and that Turkey's exportation to Ukraine amounted to 243 billion U.S. dollars.

Turkey's importation from Ukraine was around 982 billion U.S. dollars, the statement added.

[06] TREASURY STARTS SELLING BONDS THROUGH PUBLIC OFFERING

Citizens, who came to intermediary banks and institutions, mainly demanded 58-day Treasury bonds.

All of the papers will remain on sale for three days.

The 1-year state bonds will be denominated in U.S. dollar and have a 2.75 percent interest payment once in every 3 months.

The maturity of the state bonds is August 19, 2002. These bonds' coupon period is 91 days, coupon interest rate is 2.75 percent, annual simple interest rate is 11 percent and annual composite interest rate is 11.46 percent.

Coupon payments will be made on November 19, 2001, February 18, 2002, May 20, 2002 and August 19, 2002.

All of the payments (principal, interest) about these U.S. dollar- denominated bonds will be made over Turkish lira.

The selling price of these bonds will be 1,000 U.S. dollars on August 20, 1, 001 U.S. dollars on August 21 and 1,002 U.S. dollars on August 22 while nominal value will be 1,000 U.S. dollars.

For today, one U.S. dollar will be calculated as 1 million 423 thousand 666 TL for the bonds while the U.S. dollar rate issued in the Official Gazette by the Central Bank will be taken as a base in the payments for the bonds on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Meanwhile, the maturity of the 58-day bonds will be October 17, 2001.

These bonds' period interest rate is 11 percent, annual simple interest rate is 69 percent and annual composite rate is 92.5 percent.

Selling price of these bonds will be 45 million 45 thousand TL on August 20, 45 million 122 thousand TL on August 21 and 45 million 199 thousand TL on August 22 for each bond worth of 50 million TL nominal value.

These bonds will also remain on sale for three days.

Meanwhile, intermediary banks and institutions are as follows:

Banks: Merkez Bankasi branches, Akbank, Alternatifbank, Anadolubank, Bank Ekspres, Bayindir Bank, Citibank, Demirbank, Denizbank, Disbank, EGS Bank, Fibabank, Finansbank, Halkbank, HSBC Bank, Iktisat Bankasi, Kentbank, Kocbank, MNG Bank, Osmanli Bankasi, Oyakbank, Pamukbank, Sekerbank, Sinai Yatirim Bankasi, Sumerbank, Ziraat Bankasi, Turk Ekonomi Bankasi, Garanti Bankasi, Is Bankasi, Kalkinma Bankasi, Sinai Kalkinma Bankasi, TAIB Yatirim Bank, Tarisbank, Tekfenbank, Testilbank, Toprakbank, Vakiflar Bankasi and Yapi Kredi Bankasi.

Institutions: Ak Yatirim Menkul Degerler, Alfa Menkul Degerler, Ata Yatirim Menkul Kiymetler, Eczacibasi Menkul Degerler, Is Yatirim, TEB Yatirim Menkul, Yapi Kredi Yatirim, Yatirim Finansman Menkul Degerler.

[07] CITIZEN CHAINS HIMSELF TO GARDEN BARS OF PRIME MINISTRY

The unidentified citizen around 35-40 years old chained himself to the garden bars of the Prime Ministry and shouted, ''I am a citizen of this country. I am a honorable person. And, I bankrupted.''

Prime Ministry guards rendered the protestor ineffective, cut the chains and sent him to Cankaya Police Station.

[08] SYRIAN IRRIGATION MINISTER DUE IN TURKEY

A statement of the State Ministry said on Monday that Atrash will meet Yilmaz and be briefed by GAP Administration Chairperson Olcay Unver.

Atrash will visit Energy and Natural Resources Minister Zeki Cakan on Wednesday and be briefed by the State Hydraulic Works (DSI) and Rural Affairs General Directorate on Thursday.

Syrian Minister who will visit GAP region will depart from Turkey on August 26.

[09] MACEDONIAN FOREIGN MINISTER MITREVA TO COME TO TURKEY ON TUESDAY

A Foreign Ministry statement noted on Monday that President Ahmet Necdet Sezer and Premier Bulent Ecevit will receive Mitreva who will also meet with Foreign Minister Ismail Cem.

Issues related to the implementation of the peace agreement signed on August 13 in Macedonia will be discussed in the contacts of Mitreva, who will leave Turkey on Wednesday morning.

Turkish officials will also get information from Mitreva about the developments in Macedonia and express its pleasure over the frame agreement reached. Turkey believes that the agreement should constitute the basis for the solution of the crisis in the region.

Turkish officials will also underline the importance of the security of the all communities living in Macedonia including the Turkish minority and give a message that the sides have to abide by the agreement and put it into practice.

Mitreva stressed during his contacts with officials of regional countries and representatives of international society that the financial support given for reconstruction efforts in Macedonia have to be increased in parallel with solution efforts.

The clashes in Macedonia continue despite the agreement signed between the security forces and the separatist Albanian militia.

[10] CAPACITY UTILIZATION IN JULY 72.5 PERCENT

DIE explaıned the result of the monthly tendency survey whıch reflect vıew of the 691 large scale manufacturıng ındustrıal establıshments ın manufacturıng ındustry about productıon, sales, stocks and prıces for the realızatıon ın July of 2001 and expectatıon ın August of 2001.

According to the statement of DIE, reasons for not working in full capacity to the same month of the previous year are as follows:

In July of 2000 In July of 2001

--------------- ---------------
From 49.4 % to 56.1 % Shortage of demands in domestic market

From 12.4 % to 9.1 % Shortage of demands in foreign market

From 2.0 % to 3.1 % Financial problems

From 9.2 % to 3.1 % Shortage of raw domestic materials

From 2.4 % to 2.3 % Labor problems

From 1.6 % to 2.2 % Shortage of raw imported materials

It said that when the weighted average view of the establishments for July of 2001 was compared to the same month of the previous year, establishments thought that their production, domestic sales, sale prices and raw material prices had increased.

DIE said that when the weighted average expectation of the same establishments for August of 2001 was compared to the same month of the previous year, establishments thought that their production would decrease, domestic sales, sale prices and raw material prices would increase.

[11] PHOTOGRAPHS OF HAGIA SOPHIA AND KARIYE TO BE DISPLAYED IN PARIS

The exhibition will be organized in Covent des Cordeilers Monastery within framework of the 20th International Byzantine Research Congress.

It will remain open till September 4, 2001.

The exhibition is comprised of 80 photographs taken by Ahmet Artug and Ahmet Kocabiyik.

The Hagia Sophia (also spelled Ayasofya) is the most important surviving work of Byzantine architecture in Istanbul. It was first built in the fourth century and inaugurated in 360. After a fire in 404 it was replaced by the second church which burned again in 532. The present church was mainly erected between 532 and 537 during the reign of Justinian. The structure was designed by the architects Anthemius of Tralles and Isidore of Miletus. On May 7, 558, the dome of the church collapsed due to a December 557 quake, and though a new dome was quickly rebuilt. In its architectural form, it tries to reconcile the traditions of longitudinal basilicas and central vaulted churches. The main dome which had a diameter of over 30 m was the biggest church dome until the fifteenth century. Hagia Sophia is not only the fourth largest cathedral in the world, it is also considered one of the architectural marvels of all time. Later, during the Ottoman ruler Mehmet II's reign, huge wooden medallions were hung on its walls, fabulous mosaics were whitewashed, and it became a mosque. Only in 1935, under the new Republican President Ataturk's command, the interior was restored. Centuries of plaster and whitewash were removed, revealing many of the glorious mosaics. Now a museum, Hagia Sophia, along with the ancient city of Ephesus, is the most popular visitors' site in Turkey.

Kariye, one of the Byzantine churches of Istanbul, attracts much attention because of its rich mosaics and frescoes. The original structure was built by the Holy Theodus in 534 in the reign of Justinian. In the 11th and 12th century, it was rebuilt by the Comnenus family and dedicated to Christ (thus the name, Christ in Chora). The structure suffered the great earthquake of 1296 and was later converted into a mosque in 1511 after the Turks conquered Istanbul. Since 1948, the building has been the Kariye Museum, a popular tourist attraction.

[12] TURKISH BUSINESSMEN TO VISIT PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA

Releasing a statement, the DEIK said on Monday, ''the People's Republic of China has taken very important steps in the last two decades to integrate with world economy. Its foreign trade volume which was 44 billion U.S. dollars in 1980, increased up to 474 billion U.S. dollars in 2000.''

''Turkish business world has consirede China as a homogeneous market so far. Most of Turkey's commercial activities in the People's Republic of China included only Beijing and Shanghai. Therefore, Turkey-People's Republic of China Business Council started a program to promote Turkish export products in different provinces of the People's Republic of China. A commercial delegation formed by representatives of various sectors, will paiy visits to Dalian, Changchun and Harbin cities between September 15 and 23,'' it said.

The statement added, ''Olympic Games will be held in Beijing in 2008. The games will create an important market for construction firms.''

[13] BRAZILIAN FOREIGN MINISTRY UNDERSECRETARY CORREA IN ANKARA

The two undersecretaries signed an agreement lifting visa exemption between the two countries.

Logoglu, following the signing ceremony, said that economic, commercial, cultural and humanitarian contacts between Turkey and Brazil would improve with the agreement. Stressing that during his meeting with Correa he particularly discussed strengthening of commercial relations, Logoglu said they would focus on improvement of business connections between Istanbul and Rio harbours.

Logoglu said cooperation in industry was also in question, adding that the Brazilian defense minister would visit Turkey in September to assess in detail the cooperation facilities. He said there would be a visit from Turkey to Brazil in October in state ministry level.

The guest undersecretary Correa said relations between the two countries improved recently, adding that visa exemption agreement would contribute to the commercial relations between the two countries.

Pointing out that Turkey and Brazil were the two big countries in their regions having important positions, Correa said the two countries should have intense cooperation.

Correa said preparation of a framework agreement, foreseeing scientific and technologic cooperation, was also taken up.

Correa will meet Hasan Gemici, the State Minister and Co-Chairman of Brazilian-Turkey Joint Economic Commission, and State Minister Kemal Dervis.

[14] AKBANK AUTHORIZES CO-ORGANIZER BANKS TO GET 250 MILLION DOLLARS LOAN

Sending a statement to the Istanbul Stock Exchange (IMKB), Akbank said that the co-organizer banks which would lead a 250 million U.S. dollar of syndicated loan were as follows:

''ABN Amro Bank N.V, Alpha Bank A.E, The Bank of New York, The Bank of Tokyo Mitsubishi Ltd., BNP Paribas, Citibank N.A, Commerzbank Aktiengesellschaft, Deutsche Bank A.G, First Union National Bank, J.P. Morgan Plc, Mizuho Financial Group (Fuji) Natexis Banques Popularies, NBG International Limited, Standard Chartered Bank, The Toronto Dominion Bank, Westdeutsche Landesbank Girozentrale.''

[15] DOMESTIC DEBT STOCK REACHES 96.4 QUADRILLION LIRAS AS OF END-JULY

Releasing a statement, Treasury said that domestic debt was composed of 84 quadrillion TL of debenture bonds and 12.4 quadrillion TL of bonds.

Meanwhile, at the end of July, domestic debt increased by 6.8 percent compared to June and by 164.7 percent compared to the beginning of the year.

Domestic debt stock was 36.4 quadrillion TL in the beginning of the year and 90.3 quadrillion TL at the end of June.

[16] DEMONSTRATION IN FRONT OF PRIME MINISTRY OFFICE -YILDIZ SENTENCED TO PAY 49.5 MILLION TL IN FINE

Security forces brought Yildiz to Justice Court, and Prosecutor Adnan Sahin interrogated him.

Sahin decided to sentence Yildiz to pay 49 million 591 thousand TL in fine in accordance with Article 547 of the Turkish Penal Code.

Yildiz has to pay the fine in the next ten days.

Earlier in the day, Yildiz chained himself to iron railings outside the Prime Ministry Office to protest economic crisis.

''I am a citizen of this country. I am an honest citizen. I am bankrupt,'' he shouted.

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