Anadolu Agency: News in English, 01-09-07

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

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

ANADOLU AGENCY

NEWS

07 SEPTEMBER 2001

Friday

CONDITION FOR BUSINESSMEN TO ENTER POLITICS- ''TRANSFER BUSINESS TO TRUSTEES''

Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said that trade relations of deputies before they are elected to this post will be limited in regard to political ethics. Ecevit said, ''the deputies will not end their commercial affairs; however, they will transfer the business to trustees as in the U.S. My proposal to pass a political ethics law was welcomed by other leaders. I hope we can reach a result soon.''

UMIT THE FIFTH TURK IN ITALY

Umit Davala, a player of Galatasaray soccer club, reached a definite deal with Milan of Italy. The contract will be signed following Galatasaray's match with Lazio on Tuesday. Davala, who will play for Galatasaray for the last time in this match, said, ''it is very difficult to leave Galatasaray but, I am a professional.''

EUROPEAN PATH WILL BE CLOSED IF WE DO NOT CHANGE IN THREE YEARS

For the first time, the European Union (EU) is putting a time limit to start negotiations with Turkey. If the proposal of ''5 years'' which is also supported by the EU Commission is adopted, Turkey will have only three years to start negotiations with the EU. Turkey's candidacy was announced at the Helsinki Summit in December 1999. If the proposal is adopted and if this date is considered as the start, negotiations with the EU will start in the end of the remaining three years or Turkey's candidacy will end.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

State Minister Kemal Dervis said they would not give up strict finance policies in order to enliven economy. He said, ''if we do this, the government would not be able to overcome the problem that will erupt. Inflation will increase, capital will go, and the banks will fall into a difficult situation. This time necessary measures can not be taken.''

Pointing out that the situation was still serious, Dervis said, ''we are not still able to put the debt in upward trend.''

PARLIAMENT TO CONVENE FOR CONSTITUTION

Acting group chairmen of the ruling parties presented 37-article Costitutional amendment package to Parliament Speaker Omer Izgi. All the parties agreed on the constitutional amendment package.

Izgi said the parliament would convene on September 17 extraordinarily and that Consultation Committee will convene on september 18 to determine discussion of the constitution.

SABAH (LIBERAL)

Supreme Court of Appeals Chief Sami Selcuk said the State Security Courts (DGMs) should be lifted immediately.

Selcuk, who addressed the opening of the new Judicial Year, made harsh statements as he had done in the previous years.

Selcuk said the constitution was like the police regulations which conflicted with the core of the constitutional state, and noted that, ''I can't understand why don't we make another constution.''

TOYOTA CHOSES TURKEY AS PRODUCTION BASE

Japanese automobile giant Toyota decided to produce new Corolla only in its factory in Adapazari. The new Corolla will be exported to Europe starting as of 2002. Toyota will also produce Station Wagon model in Turkey.

NO EVIDENCES COULD BE FOUND ON THE KNIFE

Neither the blood of businessman Uzeyir Garih, nor the finger prints of suspect Yener Yermez could be found on the knife which Yermez said he used to kill Garih. Experts said, ''the finger prints can be erased, but the blood prints had to be on the knife.''

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

Prof. Erdal Inonu said regulations of the new formation was completed to a great extend, noting that the final shape would be given in founders committee. Inonu said, ''the new party will be founded because of needs. Reactions of the citizens and public polls show this. The non-confidence of people is in great dimensions. This negatively influences democracy. Democracy is carried out with parties. How can participation be provided if there is not confidence on parties.''

TOSKAY TO REPLACE AYDIN

Difficult days are waiting for the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) due to internal balances following the resignation of Koray Aydin, the minister of Public Works and Housing.

There are rumours that allegations may be brought onto the agenda against some party administrators in the coming stages of the operation which was launched to the tenders of the Public Works and Housing ministry. There are corruption allegations regarded with the tenders.

State Minister Tunca Toskay is expected to be appointed in place of Koray Aydin.

RADIKAL (LEFT)

State Minister Kemal Dervis, who had a meeting with representatives of labour unions, said, ''the currency regime hit the country, however, it was necessary. My secretary had bought a car in U.S. dollars. The use of U.S. dollar was so wide-spread. I didn't know.''

BE CAREFUL WITH RAIN AND STRONG SOUTHWEST WIND

Turkey will be under the influence of precipitations. Cold and rainy weather is expected to be influential this weekend. Traffic was hit and many houses and workplaces were inundated in western Izmir province due to torrential rains. Meteorology officials said that rain will continue today and strong southwest wind will blow today. The temperatures will be back in seasonal normals by Sunday.

TURKIYE (RIGHT)

Delivering a speech upon the start of new judicial year, Supreme Court Chief Judge Sami Selcuk said, ''corruption has reached a level which cannot be financed. This is decaying, and end of this is fatal for the regime. Selcuk also said, ''the Constitutions resembles a police regulation. A brand new Constitution is needed. It is time that the politicians take their hands out of judiciary.''

CONSTITUTIONAL BILL SIGNED BY 289 DEPUTIES

The ruling and opposition parties extended full support for the constitutional amendment bill consisted of 37 articles. Parliament Speaker Omer Izgi presented the bill to the parliament.

CONFUSING DEVELOPMENTS IN GARIH MURDER

Conflicting statements and 'knife without blood stains' turned the murder of businessman Uzeyir Garih into a puzzle. The testimony of Pinar Konuskan, an important witness of the murder, led to confusion. Suspect Yener Yermez said that he did not recognize Pinar while Pinar said that Garih saw them in sexual intercourse and warned them. Yermez said that he went to buy a knife as Garih spoke sharply while Pinar said that Yermez had the knife on him when they were at the cemetery. The knife did not contain any blood stains and fingerprints.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

State Minister Kemal Dervis said that one U.S. dollar will be equal to 1 million 300-400 thousand Turkish liras. Dervis said that exportation increased 21 percent in August, adding that this exchange rate regime is very attractive for exporters.

HARSH REACTION FROM FOREIGN MINISTRY TO U.N AND EU

Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Faruk Logoglu said that the United Nations (U.N) has not put forward any new view regarding Cyprus since November 2000. Logoglu reacted harshly to Alvaro De Soto, the U.N. Secretary General's Special Envoy to Cyprus, and European Parliament's report on Cyprus.

(BRC-AY-AÖ)

CONTENTS

[01] JUSTICE MINISTER TURK: ''I AM IN FAVOUR OF RESTRUCTURING PARLIAMENTARY

[02] IMF DELEGATION STARTS CONTACTS IN TREASURY

[03] PARLIAMENT SPEAKER IZGI CALLS ON PARLIAMENT FOR EXTRAORDINARY

[04] EU TO DEBATE TURKEY IN ITS FIRST IMPORTANT MEETING AFTER RECESS

[05] PARLIAMENT TO CHOOSE MEMBERS OF CONSTITUTIONAL COMMISSION

[06] TURKEY DEMANDS ONE BILLION U.S. DOLLARS GUARANTEE FROM CHINA FOR THE PASSAGE OF VARYAG FROM THE STRAITS

[07] ANKARA BAR HARSHLY REACTS EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT'S CYPRUS REPORT

[08] CBE-2001 MILITARY EXERCISE TO BE STAGED IN AUSTRIA ON SEP 10-21

[09] BLACKSEAFOR'S FIRST ACTIVATION TO BE HELD IN GOLCUK ON SEP 27

[10] 3 PROJECTS FINANCED BY SWISS GOVERNMENT STARTS IN GAP REGION

[11] CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS BILL TO BE DEBATED AT PARLIAMENTARY GENERAL ASSEMBLY FOR 2 TIMES

[01] JUSTICE MINISTER TURK: ''I AM IN FAVOUR OF RESTRUCTURING PARLIAMENTARY

Supreme Court Chief Justice Sami Selcuk hosted a reception marking the beginning of the new judicial year at the State Guest House.

Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit, Acting Parliament Speaker Murat Sokmenoglu, state ministers Faruk Bal, Edip Safder Gaydali, Mehmet Kececiler, Recep Onal, Nejat Arserven, Justice Minister Hikmet Sami Turk, Finance Minister Sumer Oral, Forestry Minister Nami Cagan, Felicity Party (SP) leader Recai Kutan, Justice and Development Party (AK) leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan were among the guests.

Justice Minister Hikmet Sami Turk, who responded to the question of reporters at the reception if he shared the view of Selcuk to give High Tribunal's authority to Supreme Court of Appeals, said, ''it has been discussed for a long time. I don't think it will last long. I think the proposal is not meaningless.''

When asked if Aysegul Tecimer, the smuggler of historical works, could benefit from the law on conditional release, Turk said, ''Tecimer had been sentenced from Article 512 of the Turkish Penal Code. This is within the scope of the Law regarded with Conditional Release and Suspension of Punishments. Tecimer had not applied to benefit from the law. However, the Constitutional Court annuled this arrangement in question. I mean, Aysegul Tecimer could benefit from this according to a new arrangement.''

Responding to a question which said what the public prosecutors should do if they have an evidence about the ministers in an investigation, Turk said, ''allegations against the ministers are brought to the agenda of the parliament as a parliamentary investigation from at least 55 parliamentarians. Parliamentary Investigation Commission is set up against the prime minister and ministers if necessary. This is not included within the scope of the assignment of the prosecutors. The prosecutors don't have such an authority before the investigation commission is set up.''

Responding to a question about the same issue, Turk asked the prosecutors to send the evidence regarding ministers to the parliament in an investigation.

Turk said that he is in favour of the restructring parliamentary inquiry authority and immunity.

Asked about his views regarding closure of a political party, Turk said, ''closing a political party means ending its existence. Political parties are indispensable elements of multi-party regime in accordance with our Constitution. To this end, it is right to make closure of political parties difficult. The constitutional amendment bill consisted of 37 articles foresees providing three-fifth majority. That is, seven members will give a decision rather than six. This majority was provided in the closure case of the Virtue Party (FP).

Turk added, ''the Constitutional Court annuled the definitions of being a focus which was mentioned in Political Parties Law during the closure of the Welfare and Virtue parties (RP and FP). This decision was not an appropriate one. Now, it is necessary to define ''being a focus'' directly in the Constitution to remove the uncertainty. If this is defined, the political parties regime will be more secured. This issue also takes place in the constitutional amendment bill.''

When a reporter reminded him that there are criticisms that there is a delay in constitutional amendment bill, Turk said, ''there was a delay because the FP did not think the amendment package which had earlier been brought to the agenda was not sufficient. If they had been contented with the definition of 'being a focus' those days, this amendment would have been passed. However, they asked for the broadening of the package.''

Turk added, ''then, we could not reach a compromise. If they had been contented with the definition of 'being a focus' those days, the FP might not have been closed. As the Constitutional Court cancelled the definition of 'being a focus', at what point the conflict occured was revealed. However, the FP could not make use of this efficiently those days.''

Meanwhile, AK Party leader Erdogan said that they extend unconditional support to the constitutional amendment bill.

[02] IMF DELEGATION STARTS CONTACTS IN TREASURY

The IMF delegation is holding contacts with the officials at the Central Bank, Treasury, Finance Ministry and State Planning Organization (DPT).

Juha Kahkonen, the IMF Turkey Desk Chief, is expected to join the contacts in the afternoon.

The budge of 2002 is the prior item of the agenda of IMF's contacts.

Non-interest budgetary surplus, current balance, real economy, banking sector, domestic debt structure and interest rates, macro economic performances in the first nine months, macro predictions regarding 2001, program for 2002, general structure of State Economic Enterprises (SEEs), and inflation targets are the other issues to be discussed during IMF delegation's contacts.

The IMF delegation is expected to continue contacts at the weekend.

The tenth review is foreseen to be debated by IMF Executive Board in October while almost 3 billion U.S. dollar loan will be released if the board approves.

[03] PARLIAMENT SPEAKER IZGI CALLS ON PARLIAMENT FOR EXTRAORDINARY

Izgi's call for extraordinary meeting said, ''I am calling on the Turkish Grand National Assembly to convene on September 17 at 15:00 local time to discuss a bill on amending some articles of the constitition under Article 93 of the Constitution and Article 7 of the Internal Regulations of the Parliament.''

''I request the parliamentarians to attend General Assembly meeting at that day,'' Izgi said.

[04] EU TO DEBATE TURKEY IN ITS FIRST IMPORTANT MEETING AFTER RECESS

The ministers, who will convene in Genval town near Brussels, are expected to bring Turkey and Cyprus question into the agenda of the unofficial meeting.

Foreign Minister Ismail Cem will go to Brussels on Saturday to attend the meeting.

Foreign ministers of the EU member countries will meet with the foreign ministers of candidate countries, including Turkey, at a working meal on Sunday and debate the future of EU.

Cem is expected to meet with Javier Solana, the EU commissioner for foreign affairs and defense, Guenter Verheugen, the EU commissioner for enlargement, and Chris Patten, the EU commissioner for foreign relations, on Monday.

Foreign Minister Cem will return to Turkey on Tuesday.

[05] PARLIAMENT TO CHOOSE MEMBERS OF CONSTITUTIONAL COMMISSION

Under the Parliamentary By-Laws, if majority is ensured on September 17, the issue on the agenda of the extraordinary meeting will be debated.

If the parliament does not agree to continue the deliberations, it will continue the recess.

Also, if one-third of the majority of deputies, which is equal to 184 deputies, is not ensured on September 17, the invitation for this extraordinary meeting will be invalid.

The Parliamentary General Assembly will choose new deputy parliament speakers from the Motherland Party (ANAP) and True Path Party (DYP) and also the members of the Constitutional Commission from the Felicity Party (SP) and the Justice and Development Party (AK Party).

Three deputies will represent AK Party and two will represent SP in this commission.

The Constitutional Commission will convene on September 18 to debate the constitutional amendment bill.

[06] TURKEY DEMANDS ONE BILLION U.S. DOLLARS GUARANTEE FROM CHINA FOR THE PASSAGE OF VARYAG FROM THE STRAITS

Turkish technical delegation, comprised of Maritime Undersecretariat experts, conveyed the Chinese delegation the demand of Turkish side to ''decrease risk of accident for the passage.''

Here are some of the demands of Turkey composed of 20 articles:

-Giving one billion U.S. dollars strengthened guarantee against any kind of risk during the passage.

-Providing insurance systems besides letter of guarantee.

-100 percent increase in number of seven tug boats and powers which the Chinese side proposed for the passage.

-Illumination of the giant platform.

-Establishment of telecommunication network on the ship.

-Visit of Turkish technical delegation to Varyag ship to assess if Turkey's demands were met.

-Turkish Maritime Enterprises and Coast Guard to be guide to the tug boats which Chinese side will provide.

-Coast Guard General Directorate to set up fire extinguisher teams in the sea and land to intervene a possible fire in case of an accident.

-Extinguisher and rescue tug boats to be deployed both in the sea and land.

-There should not be fog at the moment of passage. The rate of wind should be appropriate to the known criteria.

-The passage will take place under the coordination of Turkish Maritime Enterprises, Coast Guard and Ship Rescue General Directorate equipments, technical personnel, guide captains, and Maritime Undersecretariat.

Officials of the Maritime Undersecretariat said the passage would start in the morning, noting that passage from the Marmara Sea would be at night.

Pointing out that they tried to decrease risk of accident with the measures that have been taken, the officials said, ''we are not able to decrease the risk of accident below 30-40 percent although measures are taken against the passage of Varyag as it is not equipped and could not be balanced with elements of balance.

[07] ANKARA BAR HARSHLY REACTS EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT'S CYPRUS REPORT

Releasing a statement on Friday, Ankara Bar said that it had assessed the European Parliament's ''Cyprus Report''.

''It is now time to make Turkey whose economy was destroyed accept an imposed solution regarding Cyprus issue while it is being forced to give in regarding Cyprus and Northern Iraq,'' said the statement, ''The European Parliament has given start for a political assault against Turkey with the 'Armenian genocide' decision it took last year, and now the decision it took about Cyprus shows that the attacks against Turkey continue,'' it said.

''With this decision, the European Parliament declares Turkey as 'invader' in Cyprus. It accepts the Greek Cypriot administration as the only representative of whole Cyprus and considers that it is ready for European Union. However, in accordance with the Zurich and London agreements which brought Independent Cyprus State into being and in accordance with the 'Guarantee Agreement' among Turkey, Greece and Britain, it is impossible for Cyprus to be a member of an international union or organization to which Turkey and Greece are not members simultaneously. Separating Cyprus from Turkey through EU membership is a clear violation of this agreement,'' it said.

''The plan is very clear: The Greek Cypriot administration's membership application will be accepted in near future and whole Cyprus will be declared as EU territory while Turkey will be brought to a position of invader of EU territories, and the Turkish Armed Forces will be asked to withdraw from the island immediately,'' it said.

Recalling that the EP has even determined its sanction against a refusal by Turkey; that is, integration with the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus will cause the refusal of Turkey's EU membership, the statement said, ''in spite of this, those who are very enthusiastic to see their hopes in the EU are in great awareness if not in betrayal.''

Recalling that 125 years ago, the Ottoman State had given up its sovereignty right over Cyprus which had continued for more than 300 years and hired the island to imperialists in return for 92 thousand gold coins a year, it said, ''today, Cyprus is being sold totally in accordance with similar reasons.''

Stressing that ''a Turkey which gave up Cyprus can't protect and defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity,'' it said, ''the inevitable outcome of this, will be acceptance of the imposed solution also on Northern Iraq. We are warning: You can't have the Turkish people accept this. We reiterate our statement which we made after European Parliament's 'Armenian genocide' decision: 'Then, a new world is formed and Turkey takes its place here.''

[08] CBE-2001 MILITARY EXERCISE TO BE STAGED IN AUSTRIA ON SEP 10-21

The Land Forces Commandership Secretariat General said on Friday that Cooperative Best Effort-2001 (CBE-2001) NATO/PfP military exercise's aim is to develop partnership for peace and support peace and form a common understanding among NATO and PfP countries.

It said that 7 NATO countries (Turkey, the U.S., Britain, Italy, Canada, Poland, Greece) and 14 PfP countries (Austuria, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Armenia, Georgia, Croatia, Latvia, Lithuania, Macedonia, Moldova, Uzbekistan, Romania, Slovakia and Ukraine) will participate in the exercise which will be staged in Graz, Austria under coordination of the Joint Command South Centre (JCSC).

[09] BLACKSEAFOR'S FIRST ACTIVATION TO BE HELD IN GOLCUK ON SEP 27

The Naval Forces Commandership said on Friday that the first activation of the BLACKSEAFOR which aims to enhance peace and stability in the Black Sea area and increase regional cooperation activities will be held with a ceremony in Golcuk on September 27.

BLACKSEAFOR was formed in accordance with an agreement signed in Istanbul on April 2, 2001 with the initiative of Turkey and participation of Black Sea littoral countries Georgia, Bulgaria, Russia, Ukraine and Romania.

Admiral Nusret Guneri from the Turkish Naval Forces will command BLACKSEAFOR for one year.

Following the activation which will be held at the Golcuk Base Poyraz Port with participation of the warships of the littoral states, a press conference will be held aboard the flagship TCG Fatih.

BLACKSEAFOR ships will depart from Golcuk on September 28 and carry out several naval training activities and search-rescue trainings during the activation between September 27 and October 16, 2001.

BLACKSEAFOR ships will visit Bulgaria's Varna, Romania's Constanta, Ukraine'nýn Odesa, Russia's Novorossiysk and Georgia's Poti ports during the activation.

[10] 3 PROJECTS FINANCED BY SWISS GOVERNMENT STARTS IN GAP REGION

The three projects are South East Anatolia Social Development Program for Young People, Mardin Urban Rehabilitation project and New Horizons projects. Three projects are being run by the cooperation of the UN, Istanbul Technical University and Habitat Gundem 21 Association.

Two youth centers will be opened in Diyarbakir and Siirt as part of the first project and later these centers will be made common in the whole GAP region.

As part of the second project, historical and ancient buildings in Mardin are being restored. This is expected to last for two years.

A delegation formed by Swiss and UN representatives are visiting Siirt, Diyarbakir and Mardin to meet the Turkish officials and observe the implementation of the projects.

[11] CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS BILL TO BE DEBATED AT PARLIAMENTARY GENERAL ASSEMBLY FOR 2 TIMES

Acceptance of the bill is possible with the secret votes of the three- fifths (330) of the 550-seat parliament.

In accordance with the Constitution and Parliament Regulations, second debate should start 48 hours after the end of the first debate.

An article which can't get necessary vote in first and second debates will be rejected.

The President can send the laws regarding constitutional amendments back to the parliament for discussion again.

If the parliament approves the law which was sent back by the President with two-thirds majority of votes exactly in the same way, the President can bring the law to referendum.

The law regarding the constitutional amendment which is approved by less than two-thirds majority (367) of votes will be published in the Official Gazette to bring it to referendum if the President did not send it back to parliament.

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