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Anadolu Agency: News in English, 01-08-24

Anadolu Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

Anadolu Agency

ANADOLU AGENCY

NEWS

24 AUGUST 2001 Friday


CONTENTS

  • [01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

  • [01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

    These are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in Turkey's

    press on August 24, 2001. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and

    does not vouch for their accuracy.

    HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

    ''FORTUNATELY, THEY ARE MARXISTS''
    After police launched an investigation into corruption in state building

    contracts, Public Works and Housing Minister Koray Aydin said, ''fortunately

    detainees are Marxists. If they had been supporters of the Nationalist

    Movement Party (MHP), how would I explain this to the public opinion? I have

    nothing to worry about.''

    ERDOGAN DEFENS HIMSELF
    Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the leader of the Justice and Development Party (AK

    Party) said, ''the AK Party is a political party founded by politicians who

    believe that the Republic was one of the greatest acquisitions of Turkish

    people. The AK Party members accept that sovereignty belonged to the nation

    unconditionally, political legality depended on people's will, and that human

    rights, democracy, secularism and supremacy of law were the main foundations

    of the state and the nation. We have taken these principles including the

    Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the European Convention on Human

    Rights into regulations of our political party.'' Referring to the cassette

    which was brought onto agenda of Turkey, Erdogan said, ''the speech in the

    video cassette was delivered in 1992. These statements were under influence of

    a political understanding shaped in accordance with conditions of the Cold War

    era. This polarized political understanding affected both national and local

    policies. Our political style was shaped under influence of this polarization.

    Now, we believe that such a political understanding based on polarization or

    clash, would not be beneficial for anyone.''

    PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES TAKEN AGAINST STAR NEWSPAPER
    Is Bankasi said that Istanbul Basic Civil Court no: 4 had taken precautionary

    measures and stopped systematic publications of the Uzan Family's Star

    Newspaper against the bank. Releasing a written statement, Is Bankasi said, ''the

    Star Newspaper launched a campaign to wear Is Bankasi out by publishing

    baseless news stories claiming that Is Bankasi damaged balance of markets,

    caused value of U.S. dollar to increase against Turkish lira and released an

    imaginary budget.''

    MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

    BAHCELI: ''IF IT IS A POLITICAL MANEUVER, I WILL NOT FORGIVE IT''
    State Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Devlet Bahceli, the leader of the

    Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) said about the investigation into corruption

    in state building contracts at the Public Works and Housing Ministry, ''the

    facts should be brought to daylight. But if this operation is a political

    maneuver against the MHP, I will not forgive it.'' Bahceli held a meeting with

    Interior Minister Rustu Kazim Yucelen. Yucelen informed Bahceli on

    developments in the investigation.

    F-16 WAR PLANES DUE TO HUNGARIA
    The U.S. administration allowed Turkey to sell 24 F-16 war planes to Hungary.

    National Defense Ministry sources said that the fund to be raised from sale of

    F-16 war planes could be used to purchase new war planes.

    ALABAMA LIKE TURK
    Governor Don Siegelman of Alabama state of the U.S. declared August 30 as the

    Commemoration Day of the tragedy experienced by Turks in the path of

    independence, Sovereignty and Liberation. Siegelman said that millions of

    Ottoman citizens of different ethnic and religious origins lost their lives

    due to inter-communal clashes, exile and diseases during the World War I and

    decline of Ottoman Empire. The governor stressed that Turkish nation fought to

    preserve their sovereignty and independence under the pioneership of Mustafa

    Kemal Ataturk during the long War of Independence and founded the Turkish

    Republic on October 29, 1923.

    SABAH (LIBERAL)

    GET READY TO EXCHANGE YOUR GERMAN MARKS INTO EURO
    A total of 12 members of the European Union (EU) will give up their national

    currencies, and and put euro, the single currency of the EU, into circulation

    as of January 1, 2002. The Central Bank announced arrangements about

    transition of national currencies of Germany, France, Belgium, the Netherlands,

    Luxembourg, Ireland, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Greece, Finland and Austria into

    Euro. Turkish citizens having national currencies of these countries in

    foreign exchange accounts in banks and current accounts in private finance

    institutions will exchange them into euro till December 31, 2001.

    WILL KIVRIKOGLU INVITE ERDOGAN?
    The General Staff will host a reception to mark the Victory Day on August 30.

    General Huseyin Kivrikoglu, the Chief of General Staff, is expected to deliver

    a speech at the reception in which he will refer to the issue of national

    security. Kivrikoglu will invite leaders of political parties having seats at

    the parliament. Kivrikoglu could not decide whether or not to invite Justice

    and Development Party (AK Party) Leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan to the reception.

    High-ranking military officials do not welcome Erdogan due to his anti- secular

    statements targeting the Turkish Armed Forces.

    S&P CLAIMS A NEW ROW MAY BREAK OUT

    A leading international rating organization Standard and Poor's (S&P)

    claimed that investigations into corruption in energy and banking sectors

    could lead to a new row between President Ahmet Necdet Sezer and Prime

    Minister Bulent Ecevit. Noting that the total public debt burden could rise to

    110 percent of the gross national product (GNP) at the end of the year, the

    S&P defended that the banking sector still protected its fragility despite

    government's measures to strengthen the sector and decisions to close down

    weak banks.

    CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

    PUBLIC WORKS AND HOUSING MINISTRY BUREAUCRATS TARGETED
    Security forces detained eight people at the Public Works and Housing Ministry

    as part of an investigation into corruption in state building contracts. The

    investigation brought onto agenda alleged corruption in the construction of

    permament dwellings in northwestern Turkey which was devastated by a massive

    earthquake in 1999. Deputy Undersecretary Raci Akyol who was questioned over

    allegations that he favored certain companies and disqualified rivals from

    bidding for contracts by removing key documents from their files, is a

    relative of Public Works and Housing Minister Koray Aydin.

    TURKEY TO BE MORE ACTIVE IN CENTRAL ASIA
    According to an initiative which was brought onto agenda of the last meeting

    of the National Security Council (NSC), Turkey will pay more attention to

    problems of Turkish Republics in Central Asia. Turkey will strengthen its

    military cooperation with these countries. Visit of General Huseyin Kivrikoglu,

    the Chief of General Staff, to Azerbaijani capital Baku will be the first step

    of Turkey's new approach towards Central Asia and Caucasus.

    RADIKAL (LEFT)

    ''ARTICLE 312 OF TCK SHOULD BE RE-ARRANGED''
    General Staff Judicial Consultancy examined similars of Article 312 of the

    Turkish Penal Code (TCK) in the member countries to the European Union (EU).

    As a result of the examination, General Staff decided that Article 312 should

    be re-arranged in accordance with standards in laws of EU countries.

    IHD: ''COMPLAINTS ABOUT TORTURE INCREASED''
    Human Rights Association (IHD) Chairman Husnu Ondul disclosed IHD's report

    about human rights violations in the first six months of 2000 and 2001.

    According to the report, 263 out of 15,980 people who were detained in the

    first half of 2000, and 435 out of 21,812 people who were detained in the

    second half of 2001, complaint of torture.

    TURKIYE (RIGHT)

    TURKISH F-5 PLANES IN BAKU
    Turkish Stars' aerobatics show in Azerbaijani capital Baku and visit of

    General Huseyin Kivrikoglu, the Chief of General Staff, were changed into an

    argument of public demonstration against Iran. The legal status of the Caspian

    Sea escalated tension between Azerbaijan and Iran in recent days. The tension

    gained a different dimension with Turkish Stars' scheduled show today and

    General Kivrikoglu's visit to Baku. Iran expressed its concerns about Turkish

    jets' presence in the region while Azerbaijan was pleased with receiving

    support of Turkey. However, Turkey is uneasy about the arguments. Officials

    said that General Kivrikoglu's visit to Baku was planned three months ago.

    DEATH FASTS COME TO AN END
    A total of 65 prisoners at the F-type prison in Sincan township of Ankara put

    an end to their death fasts. Acting Chief Prosecutor Ahmet Soylu said that the

    prisoners submitted a petition to the prison administration saying that they

    had ended their death fasts. Noting that one prisoner had been continuing to

    fast to death at the F-type prison in Sincan, Soylu said that 15 others had

    been receiving medical treatment in hospitals.

    TRAFFIC DISASTER CLAIMS 13 LIVES
    A total of 13 people were killed while 34 others were injured in a bus crach

    on Erzurum-Erzincan highway. The passanger bus which was on its way from Izmir

    to Azerbaijan, swerved off the road to avoid a car overtaking in the opposite

    direction. The bus careered off a steep slope at the edge of the road and

    overturned, killing eight people instantly. Five more people died in a nearby

    hospital where they were taken for treatment.

    ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

    NUMBER OF TOURISTS VISITING HARRAN INCREASES BY 150 PERCENT
    Harran township of southeastern province of Sanliurfa has recorded great

    progress in tourism. Number of Turkish and foreign tourists visiting Harran

    which is famous with its traditional civil architecture, mudbrick houses with

    conic roofs, and with ruins of the first university of the history, increased

    150 percent in the first eight months of 2001.

    -KEMALIST THOUGHT ASSOCIATION SUPPORTS PRESIDENT DENKTAS OF TRNC
    LEFKOSA- Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) Kemalist Thought

    Association extended full support to President Rauf Denktas of TRNC about

    negotiations on the issue of the Cyprus question.

    Releasing a statement, TRNC Kemalist Thought Association Chairman Gokhan Guler

    said on Friday that they relied on Denktas to protect rights of Turkish

    Cypriots.

    ''We can encounter some unfair attitudes during the negotiations. Negotiations

    can be halted or can come to an end. But we, as Kemalist Turkish Cypriots,

    will welcome you with flowers,'' he added.

    -CONSTITUTIONAL COURT CHIEF JUDGE BUMIN SAYS THAT HE WOULD GIVE APPLICATION
    ABOUT AK PARTY TO RAPPORTEUR
    ANKARA- Constitutional Court Chief Judge Mustafa Bumin said on Friday, ''application

    of Supreme Court of Appeals Chief Judge Sabih Kanadoglu requesting to issue a

    warning for Justice and Development Party (AK Party), will be given to

    rapporteur. The report can be finalized in a week.''

    When asked whether or not the Constitutional Court would take a decision about

    Kanadoglu's application prior to beginning of judicial year, Bumin said, ''the

    application will be given to a rapporteur first. The report can be finalized

    in a week. Later, the agenda will be determined. I cannot set a date to take a

    decision about the application.''

    When asked whether or not reasoned verdicts of some decisions had been

    finalized, Bumin told reporters, ''all of these reasoned verdicts have been

    concluded. These verdicts will be published in the Official Gazette next

    month.''

    Bumin said, ''I can call on members of the Constitutional Court Delegation to

    a meeting before September 6, 2001, the beginning date of the judicial year,

    if it is necessary.''

    Reasoned verdicts of decisions such as closure of the Virtue Party (FP),

    annulment of some articles of the Law on Conditional Release form Prison and

    Suspension of Punishments, rejection of expulsion of Hasan Celal Guzel, the

    former leader of the Resurrection Party (YDP), annulment of decision

    envisaging a 10 percent increase in rents, have not been disclosed yet.

    -KOSKI MEHMET PASHA MOSQUE IN MOSTAR RESTORED BY DIRECTORATE GENERAL OF
    RELIGIOUS AFFAIRS
    ANKARA - The Koski Mehmet Pasha Mosque in Mostar which had suffered damage

    during the civil war in Bosnia-Herzegovina, was restored by the Directorate

    General of Religious Affairs.

    The mosque will be opened to service in a ceremony on August 31.

    Religious Affairs Head Mehmet Nuri Yilmaz will attend the ceremony.

    Restoration of the mosque which was built in 1618, cost 300 thousand U.S.

    dollar.

    The Koski Mehmet Pasha mosque has a fountain placed on eight columns.

    Sheikh Ishak Efendi who passed away in 1733, was laid to rest in a shrine in

    courtyard of the mosque.

    -ITALY, SYRIA AND GERMANY BECOME EXPORT CENTERS OF GAP REGION
    GAZIANTEP- Italy, Syria and Germany became export centers of Southeastern

    Anatolia Project (GAP) region in the first seven months of 2001.

    Exports from GAP region to these countries increased by 21.2 percent compared

    to same period last year.

    Officials at the Southeast Anatolian Exporters' Unions told the A.A

    correspondent on Friday that exports to Italy increased by 47 percent to 36

    million 398 thousand U.S. dollars, exports to Syria decreased by 5.2 percent

    to 18 million 533 thousand U.S. dollars,and exports to Germany rose by 13.1

    percent to 17 million 597 thousand U.S. dollars.

    The Turkish goods in greatest demand in Italy, Syria and Germany were dried

    apricot, cotton thread, textiles, synthetic thread and carpet.

    -CENTRAL BANK SELLS 60 MILLION DOLLARS
    ANKARA - Central Bank sold 60 million U.S. dollars in an auction it held on

    Friday to sell foreign exchange to banks.

    The average bid in the auction which the Central Bank held within framework of

    forex auctions program became 1 million 479 thousand 79 Turkish liras (TL).

    Maximum bid was 1 million 482 thousand TL and the minumum bid was 1 million

    474.2 thousand TL.

    -GREECE WITHDRAWS FROM 70TH INTERNATIONAL IZMIR FAIR
    IZMIR - Izmir Municipality Fair Organization Services, Culture and Arts

    Activities Corp (IZFAS) Director General Feyzi Hepsenkal said on Friday that

    Greece had decided not to attend the 70th Izmir International Fair (IEF).

    Hepsenkal said that Greece had decided to withdraw from the 70th IEF due to

    participation of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC).

    -INDIAN AMBASSADOR PAYS FAREWELL VISIT TO PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT
    ANKARA- Indian Ambassador to Turkey Melkulangang Bhadrakumer paid a farewell

    visit to Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit on Friday.

    The meeting at the Prime Ministry building lasted for almost 20 minutes and

    was closed to press.

    Sources said that Prime Minister Ecevit and Bhadrakumer who was apopointed to

    Baghdad had discussed bilateral relations between Turkey and India.

    Prime Minister Ecevit said that the motorway construction works of Turkish

    contracting sector continued in India and that several activities of Turkish

    investors in India would continue also in the future.

    Ecevit thanked Bhadrakumer for his contributions to development of bilateral

    relations during his mission in Turkey.

    -ASSESSMENT MEETING IN TRNC PRESIDENCY
    LEFKOSA - An assessment meeting takes place in Turkish Republic of Northern

    Cyprus (TRNC) Presidency prior to the meeting of TRNC President Rauf Denktas

    with the U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan on August 28.

    A delegation, led by Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Faruk Logoglu, also

    participate in the meeting that takes place under the leadership of Rauf

    Denktas.

    Denktas, who made a brief statement, pointed out that, ''we are having a joint

    meeting for a national case. We thank to Logoglu and his friends.''

    Denktas said the exchange of opinion was necessary to find a peaceful solution

    to the Cyprus issue which prolonged because of the intransigent attitude of

    the Greek Cypriots. Denktas said no statement would be made after the meeting.

    -PREPARATIONS FOR PUBLIC OFFERING OF TUPRAS AND POAS SHARES FINALIZED
    KARS- State Minister Yilmaz Karakoyunlu said on Friday that they were planning

    to start implementing Privatization Administration's working program in

    September.

    Speaking to the A.A correspondent, Karakoyunlu said they would firstly carry

    out two privatization practices worth of almost 850 million U.S. dollars

    through public offering.

    Within this scope, Turkish Oil Refineries Corp (TUPRAS) and gas retailer

    Petrol Ofisi A.S. (POAS) would be offered to public, he said.

    ''We are planning to obtain nearly 1.2 quadrillion Turkish lira income from

    public offering. This is a very important target. I don't suppose that we

    would encounter a hitch. All necessary arrangements were prepared. In coming

    days, we will publicly announce a detailed information about this,'' he said.

    -MARSHAL, MAYOR OF BRITAIN'S WESTMINISTER CITY, IN ANTALYA
    ANTALYA - Harvy Marshal, the Mayor of Britain's Westminister city, said on

    Friday that interest to Turkey increased in Britain, adding that 750,000

    tourists visited Turkey last year.

    Marshal and his wife Hazel, who visited Turkey as the official guest of

    Foreign Ministry, left for Antalya to have holiday following their contacts in

    Ankara.

    Marshal said he had visited Turkey 35 years ago, noting that he could not

    forget Antalya.

    Marshal said they closely observed tourism activities in Turkey, noting that

    Turkey was a very beautiful country with its nature, meals, and human

    relations.

    Pointing out that tourism can be improved with planning, Marshal said, ''international

    planning should be made for Turkey's development in tourism. Number of

    tourists is not important, their quality is important. Interest to Turkey

    increases in Britain.''

    -SOCCER-UEFA CUP FIRST ROUND DRAW
    -GENCLERBIRLIGI TO TAKE ON HALMSTADS BK
    AND GAZIANTEPSPOR TO TAKE ON HAPOEL TEL AVIV
    MONACO - Draw for the UEFA Cup first round matches was made on Friday.

    Genclerbirligi will take on Halmstad BK of Sweden while Gaziantepspor will

    take on Hapoel Tel Aviv of Israel.

    First legs will be played in Turkey on September 13 and second legs will be

    played on September 27.

    -SYRIAN IRRIGATION MINISTER TAHA AL-ATRASH IN GAP
    SANLIURFA - Syrian Irrigation Minister Taha Al-Atrash and an accompanying

    delegation held observations in Rural Services Talat Demiroren Research

    Institute and Southeastern Anatolia Project (GAP) Administration Koruklu

    Research Station.

    The guest minister and the accompanying delegation were given a briefing about

    the products in Harran and Akcakale plateau.

    The Syrian Minister was also given information about the irrigation systems.

    -CHINESE SHIP VARYAG WAITING IN BLACK SEA
    -STATE MINISTER GUREL TO CONVEY ECEVIT'S MESSAGE
    ANKARA- State Minister Sukru Sina Gurel, who will go on a tour to China on

    Saturday, will convey the message of Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit that he was

    in favor of the passage of Varyag, waiting at the Black Sea, from the straits.

    Gurel told A.A correspondent that he talked to Prime Minister Ecevit on the

    issue, adding that during his contacts with the Chinese officials, he would

    convey Ecevit's positive view that the ship could pass from the straits.

    The Maritime Undersecretariat saw passage of Varyag, waiting for permission

    since December 2000, from the straits as having drawbacks.

    However, a step toward compromise was taken upon the recommendations of

    General Staff, which said conditional ''yes,'' to the passage. The General

    Staff re-evaluated the issue upon the positive views of Ecevit, and Devlet

    Bahceli, the State Minister and Deputy Prime Minister.

    Passage of Varyag can only take place under minimum risk and certain

    conditions. It should take guide and five trailers should accompany the ship.

    Both sides of the strait should be closed to the traffic during the passage,

    and the ship should not have fuel, and explosive devices.

    Within the framework of his contacts, Gurel will sign a protocol pertaining to

    two thermic power plants which China would set up in Zonguldak, and will meet

    the Turkish citizens making business in this country.

    Gurel, who will later proceed to Australia after China, will meet various high

    ranking officials, including the foreign minister.

    -GARANTI-INTESABCI PARTNERSHIP TALKS CONTINUE
    ISTANBUL - Garanti Bankasi said on Friday that works on partnership talks

    between Italian bank IntesaBci S.p.A. and its main shareholder Dogus Holding

    A.S. were continuing as they were planned.

    Sending a statement to the Istanbul Stock Exchange (IMKB) as a response to ''extraordinary

    price and amount movements'', Garanti Bankasi said that there was not any

    special situation necessitating an explanation about those extraordinary

    movements.

    It said that works on partnership talks between Italian bank IntesaBci S.p.A.

    and its main shareholder Dogus Holding A.S. were continuing as they were

    planned.

    -IMF SAYS POSSIBILITY OF SPREAD OF CRISES IN ARGENTINA AND TURKEY TO
    EMERGING
    MARKETS LESS THAN ASIA CRISIS
    ANKARA - International Monetary Fund (IMF) said that possibility of spread of

    crises in Argentina and Turkey to emerging markets might be less than the Asia

    crisis in 1997.

    According to an analysis in IMF Survey, crises in Argentina and Turkey were

    different from the Latin America crises in 1995, Asia crisis in May 1997 and

    Russia crisis in October 1997 in regard to spreading to other emerging

    markets.

    Effects of economic problems in Argentina and Turkey in international area and

    the turmoil caused by those economic problems remained very low compared to

    other crises, it said.

    The latest crises did not spread as serious measures were taken by governments,

    ratings did not reduce sharply and investors avoided risky investments due to

    recession in global economy, it said.

    -FIRST GROUP OF TURKISH TROOPS TO LEAVE FOR SKOPJE ON AUGUST 27
    ANKARA- First group of Turkish troops which will fulfil weapons collection

    mission within structure of the multi-national forces in Macedonia within

    scope of the NATO, will leave for Skopje on August 27.

    The General Staff said on Friday that some of the Turkish troops in Bosnia- Herzegovina

    Battalion Force would proceed to Skopje on August 27.

    The remaining troops would go to Skopje with two cargo planes of the Air

    Forces on August 28, it said.

    Turkish troops will take part in operation ''Essential Harvest'' to collect

    weapons together with the Italian battalion.

    -GARANTI BANKASI OBTAINS 350 MILLION U.S. DOLLARS SYNDICATED LOAN
    ISTANBUL- Garanti Bankasi A.S. obtained a 1-year maturity syndicated loan

    worth of 350 million U.S. dollars with a libor+0.80 percent interest rate to

    finance exportation.

    The loan agreement was signed in London, Britain on Friday.

    Garanti Bankasi said that the syndicated loan had been led by Alpha Bank A.E,

    Bankgesellschaft Berlin AG, The Bank of New York, The Bank of Tokyo Mitsubishi

    LTD, Barclays Capital, BayernLB, Deutsche Bank AG, First Union National Bank,

    IntesaBci S.p.A, Mizuho Financal Group (Fuji), Natexis Banques Poplaires and

    Sanwa Bank Limited.

    It said that 52 banks from 26 countries joined the syndication.

    Garanti Bankasi had gotten a syndicated loan worth of 350 million euros in

    March 2001.

    -A.A AND GREEK MPA AGENCY TO AWARD THOSE WHO CONTRIBUTE TO FRIENDSHIP OF
    THE

    TWO COUNTRIES
    SALONICA- Anadolu Agency (A.A) and Macedonian Press Agency (MPA) in Greece

    decided to award those who would contribute to Turkish-Greek relations, with

    friendship awards every year.

    The first of the friendship awards will be given the Greek singer Maria

    Faranduri and famous composer Zulfi Livaneli on August 26 prior to the Turkish-Greek

    concert that will take place in Salonica. The awards will be given by the

    Neapolis Municipality of Salonica with the support of A.A and MPA.

    The awards will be given by Mehmet Guler, the President Director General of

    the A.A, and Spyros Kouzinopoulos, the MPA General Director.

    Famous Greek composer Mikis Theodorakis will be granted honorary residentship

    status by Neapolis Municipality.

    -VAN-TABRIZ TRAIN TOURS START TODAY
    VAN - Devlet Bahceli, the State Minister and Deputy Prime Minister, said on

    Friday that Van-Tabriz train tours started as of today.

    Speaking at an inauguration ceremony in Van, Bahceli said links with friendly

    country Iran would be further strengthened with the railway, adding that the

    railway will make an important contribution to the economic and commercial

    life of the region.

    -PROBLEMS OF REAL SECTOR TO BE DISCUSSED IN ISTANBUL
    ISTANBUL - Problems of the real sector would be discussed in Istanbul on

    August 27.

    State Minister Kemal Dervis is expected to participate in the meeting which

    will take place by Turkish Exporters Assembly (TIM) on Monday.

    Oguz Satici, the Chairman of TIM, recalled that they had a meeting two weeks

    ago with Dervis, adding that situation of the real sector and ways of solution

    were taken up in outlines at the meeting.

    He said, ''however, we did not have the time to discuss the issue in serious

    dimensions. We will discuss the issue in details on Monday.''

    Satici said finance problem of the exporters would be discussed, noting that,

    ''we should obtain a result to overcome the crisis in the country. The real

    sector waited too much.''

    -JUSTICE MINISTER TURK: ''A TOTAL OF 264 PEOPLE CONTINUE
    THEIR PROTESTS IN PRISONS''
    ANKARA - Justice Minister Hikmet Sami Turk said on Friday that death fasts

    continued, yet noted that there was a noteworthy decrease in death fasts.

    Responding to the questions of reporters, Turk said, ''264 people continue

    their protests in prisons as of today. 91 of them are hunger strikes and 173

    of them are death fasts.''

    Reiterating that continuation of death fasts would not be beneficial for

    anybody, Turk said all the institutions expending support to death fasts

    should give up their attitudes.

    Turk said, ''we don't want anybody to lose his or her life.''

    Stressing that the allegations which claimed that ''isolation'' was

    implemented in ''F-type prisons,'' Turk said those people did not attend the

    sports and cultural activities to continue their protest.

    Turk said those people isolated themselves, adding that the inmates were given

    the facilities to meet each other.


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