Anadolu Agency: News in English, 01-08-21

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ANADOLU AGENCY

NEWS

21 AUGUST 2001 Tuesday

-TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

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

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

Coskun Yildiz, 32 who lost his job four months ago, 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. Police silenced him by covering his mouth with their hands as they unchained him from the railings before taking him to police station for questioning. Later, he was sentenced to pay 49 million 591 thousand Turkish lira (TL) in fine in accordance with Article 547 of the Turkish Penal Code.

CAPACITY UTILIZATION DECREASES 72.5 PERCENT

The State Institute of Statistics (DIE) stated that rate of capacity utilization that is weighted by production value, decreased from 76.4 percent in July of 2000 to 72.5 percent in July of 2001.

BAHCELI TO WARN YILMAZ

State Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Devlet Bahceli, the leader of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), is getting prepared for the monthly meeting of the National Security Council. If State Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz, the leader of the Motherland Party (MHP) brings the issue of national security onto agenda of the meeting, Bahceli plans to tell Yilmaz, ''we approved National Program for the European Union (EU) with agreement. You also signed the National Program. If you have objections, announce them to public opinion. As the government, we should expend efforts to fulfil our commitments in the National Program. Let's give up useless discussions.''

YAHNICI OF MHP: ''CAPITAL PUNISHMENT MAY BE LIFTED''

The Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) surprisingly shed green light to lifting capital punishment. MHP Deputy Chairman Bulent Yahnici said, ''we do not have any objection to lift death sentence except for warfare and crimes of terrorism.'' Describing warfare and terrorism as two reserves, Yahnici said, ''these two reserves do not contradict with the European Convention on Human Rights. If necessary amendments are made in the Constitution and the Turkish Penal Code, Turkey can sign the provisional Article 6 of the European Convention on Human Rights.''

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

It was revealed that Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the leader of the Justice and Development Party (AK Party), which was set up last week, had called on Moslems to revolt against the secular republic and the parliament in 1994. He said, ''we are coming to power gradually, not like Algeria. Of course secularism will be destroyed.''

A private tv channel on Monday evening broadcasted a speech made by Erdogan in 1994. Erdogan in the speech said, ''those who prepare the laws will be the tool of lifting this order.''

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

Akbank T.A.S. authorized co-organizer banks to get a 1-year syndicated loan worth of 250 million U.S. dollars from international finance organizations. 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.''

SABAH (LIBERAL)

State Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz, the leader of the Motherland Party (ANAP), is determined to bring the issues of fundamental rights and freedoms, freedom of expression, freedom of press and the ban on Kurdish language onto agenda of the monthly meeting of National Security Council (NSC) which will be held today. The concept of national security was not taken to official agenda of the meeting. Despite warnings of President Ahmet Necdet Sezer and Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit, Yilmaz plans to bring the issue onto agenda.

SUMMER RAIN BECOMES PAINFUL RAIN

Torrential rains paralyzed daily life and traffic in Istanbul, Izmit, Tokat, Adana and Bursa. The E-5 highway's part between Pendik and Tuzla districts of Istanbul remained under flood waters. Many houses and business places were inundated. 12 workers were stranded in a factory. Railway services were postponed.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

Transport Minister Oktay Vural put the last point to the Ankara-Istanbul fast train project which Turkey waited for 26 years.

The minister pointed out that they gave up the idea of ''fast train project, '' which had started in 1975 and to which they had spent 315 million U.S. dollars.

Vural apologized from the citizens on behalf of the state.

AKGUL: DECISION OF ECHR SHOULD BE WAITED

Huseyin Akgul, the Chairman of Parliamentary Human Rights Follow-Up committee, said the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) would not issue a decision that will say Abdullah Ocalan, the head of the terrorist organization, should be executed.

Akgul said, ''the international agreements Turkey signed are also valid in internal by-laws. To this end, we should wait for the decision of the ECHR regarding capital punishment.''

RADIKAL (LEFT)

Number of traffic accidents decreased by 10.8 percent in the first seven months of 2001. Directorate General of Security said that a total of 228, 724 traffic accidents occurred throughout Turkey between January 1 and July 31, 2001. A total of 1,607 people were killed while 52,899 others were injured in the traffic accidents. Number of traffic accident decreased by 10.87 percent, death toll dropped by 24.20, and number of injured reduced by 16.53 percent in January-July period of 2001. In the same period last year, 2,120 people were killed while 63,372 others were injured in 256,612 traffic accidents.

CRADLE OF CIVILIZATION

Ancient city of Tyana in Kemerhisar hamlet in Bor township of central province of Nigde can be the oldest settlement unit in the world. Prof. Dr. Asim Tanis said, ''Ambartepe was unearthed in nortwest of Tyana. This finding strengthened our propability that Tyana was Tuwanuwa, the oldest settlement unit in the history of humanity.''

ENERGY SUMMIT AT TREASURY

State Minister Kemal Dervis for Economy, Finance Minister Sumer Oral and Energy and Natural Resources Minister Zeki Cakan came together within framework of efforts to put forward a joint opinion about energy policies. At the meeting, issues such as Treasury guaranty for 29 build-operate- transfer projects, transfer of operating rights for eight thermic power plants and operating rights for five distribution networks were taken up.

TURKIYE (RIGHT)

Coskun Yildiz who held a demonstration by chaining himself to iron railings outside the Prime Ministry Office to protest economic crisis, was sentenced to pay 49 million 591 thousand Turkish lira (TL) in fine.

Yildiz chained himself to iron railings of the Prime Ministry garden to protest the current situation in Turkey.

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

''CREDIT SUMMIT,'' TO REAL SECTOR

''Operation of credit,'' which caused problems between the real sector and finance sector, will be discussed at a meeting that will take place under the leadership of State Minister Kemal Dervis.

Economy administration will be in an effort to convene real sector and banking sector in a compromise platform for the credit payments which it could not intervene because of lack of resource.

The Treasury, under the leadership of State Minister Kemal Dervis, launches initiative to solve this problem which lead to conflict between finance sector and real sector.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

State Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz and commanders will come together for the first time since the ''national security'' crisis. President Ahmet Necdet Sezer and Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit who wanted to bring the 'discussion' to the National Security Council (NSC) have concerns about a possible crisis. The constitutional change package which was prepared will be discussed at today's NSC meeting. Yilmaz of the Motherland Party (ANAP) said, ''also the content of the package is related to the issues which are discussed. Within this framework, I will convey my opinions about national security.''

PUBLIC HELPS LIRA

Sale of Treasury's 1-year state debenture bonds denominated in U.S. dollars and 58-day bonds started. After institutional investors reduced U.S. dollar purchases, public started to avoid foreign exchange. In yesterday's auction, there was intense interest in 58-day bonds rather than papers denominated in foreign exchange. Experts said that interest in Turkish lira (TL) bonds meant that foreign exchange rates would decrease. Meanwhile, sale of bonds ended while debenture bonds will remain on sale for two days.

CONTENTS

[01] GAP REGION EXPORTS 10.6 MILLION U.S. DOLLARS OF AGRICULTURAL AND INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTS TO AFRICA

[02] MEHMEDOV, AZERBAIJANI PRESIDENTIAL FOREIGN POLICY ADVISOR: ''ALIYEV WILL VISIT IRAN IN THE SECOND HALF OF SEPTEMBER''

[03] SELCUK CITY WALL TO BECOME AN OPEN AIR MUSEUM

[04] MACEDONIAN FOREIGN MINISTER ARRIVES IN TURKEY

[05] STATE MINISTER ARSEVEN THINKS IT IS SO NATURAL TO DISCUSS COMPREHENSIVE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS

[06] INVESTIGATION OPENS AGAINST PREACHER SEZGIN WHO ACCUSES ALAWITES FOR TRYING TO FOUND ALAWISTAN

[07] SYRIAN MINISTER OF IRRIGATION ARRIVES IN TURKEY

[08] HASIPOGLU:''TRNC AND GREEK CYPRIOT SIDE CANNOT JOIN EU WITHOUT TURKEY AND GREECE''

[09] SISLI PROSECUTOR EVSEN STARTS INVESTIGATION ABOUT ERDOGAN

[10] KANADOGLU APPLIES TO CONSTITUTIONAL COURT TO ISSUE WARNING AGAINST AK PARTY

[11] 300 REFUGEES PROTEST U.N IN VAN

[12] KANADOGLU APPLIES TO CONSTITUTIONAL COURT TO ISSUE WARNING AGAINST AK PARTY (2)

[01] GAP REGION EXPORTS 10.6 MILLION U.S. DOLLARS OF AGRICULTURAL AND INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTS TO AFRICA

In the same period last year, the region exported 7 million 400 thousand of agricultural and industrial products to African continent.

Officials at Southeast Anatolian Exporters' Unions said on Tuesday that they exported 1 million 320 thousand U.S. dollars in grain-cereals; 372 thousand U.S. dollars in dried fruit; and 8 million 912 thousand U.S. dollars in textiles.

Most of the products were exported to Egypt, Algeria and Morocco.

[02] MEHMEDOV, AZERBAIJANI PRESIDENTIAL FOREIGN POLICY ADVISOR: ''ALIYEV WILL VISIT IRAN IN THE SECOND HALF OF SEPTEMBER''

Mehmedov told A.A correspondent that Aliyev's visit to Tehran was on the agenda, noting that this visit would absolutely take place.

Pointing out that friendship relations between Azerbaijan and Iran have historical roots despite the tensions experienced in the recent period, Mehmedov said the talks would take place in a very wide spectrum, and noted that many issues would be discussed.

Mentioning Mahir Cevadov, the Deputy Chairman of OMON Units who sheltered Tehran, Mehmedov said they did not attribute much importance on the issue but that the issue would be brought onto the agenda.

Recalling that ''Turkish Stars,'' would hold a show in August 24 and 25 in Baku skies, Mehmedov said those shows are an open indication of the strategic cooperation between the two countries.

Mehmedov said nobody should intervene to their domestic affairs, noting that nobody should feel concern about the shows of Turkish Stars on Baku.

[03] SELCUK CITY WALL TO BECOME AN OPEN AIR MUSEUM

Archeologists Mustafa Buyukkolanci and Kudret Ata told the A.A that they were aiming to repair the city wall completely.

The city wall on Ayasulu Hill was built in the Byzantian period and it was also used in the Ottoman times. The recent excavations done in the south of the city walls offered evidence proving that the capital of Arzawa Kingdom, Apasas was inside this city wall.

The archeologists said the city wall would become an important tourist attraction if it is turned into an open air museum after the excavations are completed.

[04] MACEDONIAN FOREIGN MINISTER ARRIVES IN TURKEY

Mitreva told reporters at Istanbul Ataturk airport that she will meet Foreign Minister Ismail Cem wihin the framework of her large Balkan tour.

The aim of her Balkan tour is to give information about developments in Macedonia and frame agreement that was signed on August 13, Mitreva said.

Mitreva noted that she will also give information about the developments in the disarmament process.

She will also touch on bilateral relations between Turkey and Macedonia during her contacts, Mitreva stated.

Mitreva said that Albanian terrorist groups attacked on her country to spoil the unity and peace. The Macedonian security forces are trying to repulse them, Mitreva said, adding that all the forces in her country are obeying the ceasefire for the time being.

Mitreva then flew to Ankara.

[05] STATE MINISTER ARSEVEN THINKS IT IS SO NATURAL TO DISCUSS COMPREHENSIVE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS

Arseven, who received Salim Uslu, the Chairman of the Moral Rights Workers Union (Hak-Is), told reporters following the meeting that they decided to exert concerted efforts with the confederations regarding human and workers' rights.

Asked if serious differences in point of views will occur if the national security concept is debated at the National Security Council (NSC) meeting, Arseven said, ''no, I do not think so. I want to comment on your question in respect of particularly constitutional amendments. Because, this issue was mentioned in a compromise text which was reached by representatives of political parties in the commission which I had earlier chaired. I think that it is so natural to debate and discuss comprehensive constitutional amendments, which are considered as social compromise texts, by all the parts of the community. To this end, I consider the current discussions as very natural.''

Arseven added, ''not only the ruling but also the opposition parties signed the constitutional amendment bill. The leaders had reached a compromise to launch these initiatives. We informed them about the results. So, I do not think that a discussion as you mean can occur particularly among coalition parties.''

In his part, Uslu said that Turkey has to overcome the problems in human rights and eliminate criticisms about human rights violations to become a modern state.

Uslu noted that a good report card in human rights will increase a country's esteem in international arena.

''Turkey has an ambition to become a democratic legal state and it has to fulfil the requirements of this ambition. If there are some arrangements in Turkey which violate human rights, these should be removed as soon as possible. There cannot be immunities and taboos in democracies. We believe that it is beneficial to discuss approaches which aim to reduce the effect and authorities of politics and violate human rights by causing immunities and taboos in democratic grounds,'' Uslu said.

Uslu noted that they are ready to cooperate with State Minister Nejat Arseven in provisions of labour laws which they consider as contrary to human rights.

All positive steps to be taken will contribute to quality, productivity and production, Uslu added.

[06] INVESTIGATION OPENS AGAINST PREACHER SEZGIN WHO ACCUSES ALAWITES FOR TRYING TO FOUND ALAWISTAN

Yilmaz told the A.A that his statement on Alawites was published incompletely in a newspaper and remarked that the Directorate of Religious Affairs, since its foundation, always tried to maintain integrity and unity among all citizens based on the basic principles of the Republic. He also indicated that Alawites and Bektasis were adding a cultural richness to Turkey.

Yilmaz pointed out that certain separatist forces in Turkey were working to create an Alawite-Sunni conflict in the society.

''They are abusing people's feelings and presenting Alawites as members of a different religion. I know that our Alawite and Sunni brothers will not allow this. In order to prevent such abuses, Alawism should be based on scientific findings and it should be kept away from political and ideologic approaches,'' Yilmaz said. He also added that the Directorate of Religious Affairs always avoided statements that would lead to a discrimination between Sunnis and Alawites.

Yilmaz said that Prophet Mohammed showed mosques to all Muslims as a place of worship but the Islam religion does not force anyone to go to a mosque and that this was left up to the person's choice.

''There is no forcing in Islam,'' Yżlmaz said, adding that those who want can go to a mosque, and others to the places they prefer.

Yilmaz stressed that Preacher Sezgin's statements did not reflect the views of the Directorate of Religious Affairs and added that an investigation was opened against Sezgin concerning the matter.

[07] SYRIAN MINISTER OF IRRIGATION ARRIVES IN TURKEY

Atrash, who did not make a statement about his visit at the Ataturk Airport of Istanbul, then flew to Ankara.

Syrian Minister of Irrigation will meet State Ministers Mustafa Yilmaz and Tunca Toskay and Energy and Natural Resources Minister Zeki Cakan today.

Atrash will visit GAP Administration and be briefed on the project on Wednesday.

Atrash will visit State Hydraulic Works (DSI) General Directorate and Rural Affairs General Directorate on Thursday.

The Syrian minister who will proceed to southeastern Sanliurfa province on Thursday will be briefed on Ataturk Dam and Akcakale Reprocessing Plant.

Atrash will depart from Turkey on August 26.

[08] HASIPOGLU:''TRNC AND GREEK CYPRIOT SIDE CANNOT JOIN EU WITHOUT TURKEY AND GREECE''

Hasipoglu who visited Antalya Governor Ertugrul Dokuzoglu on Tuesday told reporters that casinos in the TRNC had both advantages and disadventages and remarked that vacationing and gambling should be regarded separately.

Responding to a question on the lobbying activities of the Greek Cypriot side for EU membership, Hasipoglu said the TRNC and the Greek Cypriot side should enter the EU together.

''The Greek Cypriot side has efforts to expand. But I think Europeans are smart. The TRNC and the Greek Cypriot side cannot join the EU without Turkey and Greece. If the Greek Cyriot side enters the EU on its own, the TRNC will start integration activities with Turkey. There could be an agreement in Cyprus until 2004. I hope that the two sides join the EU together,'' he commented.

Speaking about the water transportation from Turkey to the TRNC, Hasipoglu said transportation of water by balloons was not healthy and pipes were needed for water transportation between Turkey and the TRNC. Pointing to water's strategical importance in the 21st century, Hasipoglu said Turkey must use this resource well.

[09] SISLI PROSECUTOR EVSEN STARTS INVESTIGATION ABOUT ERDOGAN

Sisli Prosecutor Turgay Evsen has opened an investigation about Erdogan for his statements on the cassette recently broadcast on Kanal D tv channel. Evsen asked for the cassette from the tv channel. Evsen, after completing his investigation about Erdogan, will ask for a permission from the Justice Ministry to file a suit against Erdogan. Erdogan made the statements on the cassette in 1994 and there is a ten year lapse of time for the crime.

A suit can be filed against Erdogan, asking one to six years of prison sentence, if the ministry approves it.

State Security Court (DGM) sources said that DGM Prosecutor Ayhan Godekmerdan who investigated Erdogan's statements in 1998 had taken a decision not to prosecute. Erdogan was interrogated at Istanbul DGM Prosecutor's Office on Aug. 22, 1998 as part of this investigation.

[10] KANADOGLU APPLIES TO CONSTITUTIONAL COURT TO ISSUE WARNING AGAINST AK PARTY

Kanadoglu also asked for the cancellation of Erdogan's authority as a party leader and the dismissal of six party founders who are Erdogan, Ayse Bohurler, Ayse Nur Kurtoglu, Habibe Guner, Sema Ramazanoglu, Fatma Unsal Bostan and Serap Yahsi Yasar under Article 104 of the Political Parties Law.

Kanadoglu's application is consisted of six pages.

(To be continued)

[11] 300 REFUGEES PROTEST U.N IN VAN

The refugees who are kept in Van to be sent to a third country read out a press statement in front of the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) building. The refugees claimed that the U.N was using the refugees for its own interests.

''We are seeing the same cruelty we were exposed in our countries from the U.N. We want to benefit from refugee rights until we are sent to a third country. We want to be provided protection, accomodation, education and health services,'' the statement said.

The refugees later chose six representatives among themselves to talk to the U.N officials. However U.N officials said they could only receive two representatives. Refugees, who insisted on sending six representatives, said they would continue their protest until the U.N officials accept to speak with the six representatives they have chosen.

[12] KANADOGLU APPLIES TO CONSTITUTIONAL COURT TO ISSUE WARNING AGAINST AK PARTY (2)

Kanadoglu who applied to the Constitutional Court to issue a warning against the AK Party explained his reasons in the first paragraph of his application.

Kanadoglu said Under Article 2 of the Constitution, Turkish Republic is a democratic, secular state of law and that Article 68 defines the political parties as essential elements of a democratic political life. He remarked that Article 69 defines the inspection and closure regulations of political parties.

Kanadoglu indicated that the foundation declaration and documents of the AK Party has been studied.

He said all political parties, starting from their foundation date, have to carry out their activities in line with the Constitution and laws. Because of supremacy of law, no political party could violate the law, he said.

Kanadoglu stated that Erdogan was sentenced to ten months in prison by Diyarbakir State Security Court (DGM) on April 21, 1998 for a crime he committed on June 12, 1997. He was later acquitted by Kirklareli Penal Court on July 13, 1999.

''Article 76 of the Constitution states that people who incite hatred among people based on religious, racial and regional differences cannot be elected as deputies even if they benefitted from an amnesty,'' Kanadoglu explained.

The application stressed that Erdogan, a founder member and leader of AK Party, was sentenced to 10-month imprisonment under Article 312/2 of Turkish Penal Code and to this end, the his election as a deputy is not adequate.

The application said, ''to this end, under Article 8 of the Political Parties Law, it is seen that he cannot be a founder member of a political party. However, he was asked to be a founder member of the party although this legal fact was obviously known by all the other founder members. We consider it as obligatory to ask for a warning to the political party to enable the party to act in compliance with the laws by dismissing the mentioned founder member from the membership under the Article 104 of the same law. The political party acted against the provision in the Article 8 of the Political Parties Law by choosing the mentioned person as the leader although it knew about the provision.''

''It is also another misfortune to choose the mentioned person who does not have the requirements to be elected as a deputy, and even who cannot be a member of a political party, as the leader of a political party which is represented at the parliament. By taking into consideration public order, public benefits and urgency, it is also considered as obligatory to ask for cancellation of Erdogan's authority as a party leader as a precaution because this authority may cause some problems in the future,'' the

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