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

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ANADOLU AGENCY

NEWS

09 AUGUST 2001 Sunday

CONTENTS

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

[02] SPORTS - 14TH MEDITERRANEAN GAMES -TURKISH BOXERS WIN 4 GOLD, 2 SILVER AND 1 BRONZE MEDALS

[03] NUMBER OF FOREIGN TOURISTS COMING TO TURKEY EXCEEDS EIGHT MILLION

[04] 138 TURKISH COMPANIES ATTEND SALONICA TRADE FAIR

[05] SPORTS - 14TH MEDITERRANEAN GAMES -TURKISH WRESTLERS WIN 5 GOLD AND 3 BRONZE MEDALS

[06] FOUNDATION OF BATUMI-KOBULETI ROAD AND TUNNEL LAID

[07] TURKISH, ARMENIAN AND AZERBAIJANI JOURNALISTS MEET IN YEREVAN

[08] TREASURY TO SELL 105-DAY BONDS ON SEPTEMBER 11

[09] NUMBER OF MOTOR VEHICLES INCREASES TO 7.2 MILLION

[10] FOREIGN MINISTER CEM MEETS WITH HIS BELGIAN COUNTERPART MICHEL

[11] TURKISH, ARMENIAN AND AZERBAIJANI JOURNALISTS MEET IN YEREVAN

[12] SPORTS-BASKETBALL -EUROBASKET 2003 DRAW MADE IN ISTANBUL

[13] 27TH BALKAN ROWING CHAMPIONHIPS END -TURKEY WINS TWO GOLD, FOUR SILVER AND THREE BRONZE MEDALS

[14] SPORTS - 14TH MEDITERRANEAN GAMES -TURKEY TOPS LIST OF MEDAL WINNERS

[15] GAP REGION EXPORTS 65.6 MILLION U.S. DOLLARS OF GRAIN-CEREALS

[16] SPORTS-EUROBASKET 2001 -CROATIA: 93 - LATVIA: 91

[17] FOREIGN MINISTER CEM MEETS WITH HIS BELGIAN COUNTERPART MICHEL (2)

[18] STRAITS RADAR PROJECT NEEDS 12 TRILLION LIRAS SUPPLEMENTARY FUND

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

THERE ARE 90 BILLION GERMAN MARK IN TURKEY
German finance circles claimed that rate of German mark in circulation in Turkey was higher than in Germany. According to the Die Tele Borse, one of the leading financial magazines in Germany, there are 60 billion German mark in circulation in Germany while this amount is about 90 billion German mark in Turkey.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

3.6-MAGNITUDE EARTHQUAKE JOLTS ERZURUM
A moderate earthquake measuring 3.6 on the Richter scale jolted Pasinler township of eastern province of Erzurum at 06:20 p.m. on Saturday. There were not any immediate reports of casualties or damage in the earthquake. The earthquake caused panic among residents in Pasinler and in neighboring settlement places.

IZMIR SENDS THREE PACKAGES OF FIGS TO SHARON
Culture Minister Istemihan Talay sent three package of figs to Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon. During his visit to Turkey, Sharon tasted fig, and admired it. Sharon thanked Talay for his beau geste, and ordered his economy minister to import figs from Turkey.

SABAH (LIBERAL)

EU TO DISCUSS TURKEY
Unofficial meeting of foreign ministers of member countries to the European Union (EU) started in Genval township near Brussels. EU foreign ministers will discuss Cyprus question, the European Security and Defense Identity (ESDI) and Turkey's membership to the EU.

GREAT SUCCESS OF TURKEY IN MEDITERRANEAN GAMES
Turkish sporstmen and women won two gold medals in weight-lifting, four gold medals in boxing, and five gold medals in wrestling at the 14th Mediterranean Games in Tunisian capital Tunis. Turkey also took two silver and four bronze medals in the games.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

MINISTERS AT WORK IN GENVAL
The European Union (EU) foreign ministers unofficial meeting started yesterday. In today's sessions, Turkey will be taken up together with Macedonia, Africa and Cuba. In the session on Turkey, issues of Cyprus, European Security and Defense Identity (ESDI) and Turkey's EU full membership will be discussed.

12 HUGE MEN REACH FINAL
The National Basketball Team reached final in the 32nd European Championship by beating powerful rival Germany 79-78 in the semi final last night. The championship which has been continuing for nine days will end with the final game between Turkey and Yugoslavia tonight. The final at the Abdi Ipekci Sports Hall will start at 09:15 p.m.

RADIKAL (LEFT)

AP IS POSITIVE THIS TIME
In its progress report, the European Parliament which had earlier harshly criticized Turkey on the issue of Cyprus question, requested the European Union (EU) to assist Turkey in overcoming economic crisis by providing financial aid.

TURKIYE (RIGHT)

HOLIDAY ENDS
The new primary and secondary schools education year will start. 13 million students and almost 500 thousand teachers will ''greet'' the first semester of 2001-2002 education year tomorrow. The first semester will end on February 8, 2002.

GOLDEN BOYS
The National Team which beat Germany 79-78 in the semi final of the Eurobasket 2001 became the finalist for the first time. Our 12 huge men will take on Yugoslavia tonight.

3.4 PERCENT INCREASE IN CIVIL SERVANTS' SALARIES
In accordance with a decision of the Council of Ministers, a 3.4 percent increase was made in salaries of civil servants as of September 15, 2001.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

[02] SPORTS - 14TH MEDITERRANEAN GAMES -TURKISH BOXERS WIN 4 GOLD, 2 SILVER AND 1 BRONZE MEDALS

Abdulkadir Kocak of Turkey competing in men's 48 kg category defeated Cherif of Algeria 8-7, and won gold medal.

In men's 54 kg category, Agassi Agaguloglu of Turkey beat Djlassi of Tunisia 7-3, and brought the second gold medal to Turkey.

Ramazan Palyani of Turkey competing in men's 57 kg category, won gold medal in his final match against Melki of Tunisia.

In men's 71 kg category, Bulent Ulusoy of Turkey, beat his Algerian opponent Bemamar 8-3, and won Turkey's fourth gold medal in the boxing.

Firat Karagollu of Turkey competing in men's 75 kg category, was beaten by Ramdan of Egpty 8-1, and won silver medal, and Ihsan Yildirim Tarhan of Turkey was defeated by his Tunisian opponent Sahraoui 8-3, and took Turkey's second silver medal.

In men's 91 kg category, Ahmet Aksu of Turkey won bronze medal after beaten by Bellouati of France 6-2.

[03] NUMBER OF FOREIGN TOURISTS COMING TO TURKEY EXCEEDS EIGHT MILLION

Tourism Ministry officials told the A.A correspondent on Sunday that a total of 1 million 600 thousand foreign tourists visited Turkey in August of 2001.

In the January-August period of the year, number of foreign tourists coming to Turkey to spend their holidays increased by 18.9 percent to 8 million 147 thousand 983. In the same period last year, 6 million 855 thousand 174 foreign tourists visited Turkey.

Number of tourists coming to Turkey from member countries to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) increased by 29 percent to 5 million 598 thousand 983.

Number of tourists coming to Turkey from East European countries rose by 2.3 percent to 1 million 659 thousand 930.

Number of German tourists climbed by 40 percent to 1 million 957 thousand 352. Meanwhile, 595 thousand 540 British tourists, and 530 thousand 46 Russian tourists visited Turkey in the same period.

[04] 138 TURKISH COMPANIES ATTEND SALONICA TRADE FAIR

Foreign Trade Undersecretary Kursad Tuzmen who attended the opening reception of the fair told the A.A correspondent that there was a great increase in number of Turkish companies attending the fair.

Recalling that 90 Turkish companies had attended last year's fair, Tuzmen said the number of Turkish companies increased to 138 this year.

Stressing that Turkey's trade with its neighbors was only 5 percent of its total foreign trade, Tuzmen said trade with neighboring countries should be increased.

A total of 1,200 companies from 52 countries have stands at this year's Salonica Trade Fair which will remain open until September 16.

[05] SPORTS - 14TH MEDITERRANEAN GAMES -TURKISH WRESTLERS WIN 5 GOLD AND 3 BRONZE MEDALS

In the free-style, Tevfik Odabasi of Turkey competing in men's 58 kg category beat his Greek opponent Yakovidis 3-0, and won gold medal.

In men's 69 kg category, Yuksel Sanli of Turkey won gold medal by defeating Ahmed Osta of Syria 4-0.

In men's 76 kg category, Fahrettin Ozata of Turkey beat Atha Nasihadis of Greece 3-0, and wond gold medal.

Nuri Zengin of Turkey competing in men's 85 kg category won Turkey's fourth gold medal by beating Lazaros Loizidis of Greece 3-1.

In men's 130 kg category, Zekeriya Guclu beat his Egyptian opponent Adnan Hayiki, and won gold medal.

In men's 54 kg category, Muhittin Uzun of Turkey won bronze medal after he was beaten by Amiran Kartanov of Greece 0-6 but later beat Didiar Kais of France 4-2, in men's 63 kg category, Omer Cubukcu of Turkey won bronze medal after defeating his Egyptian opponent Hasanav Osta 10-0, and in men's 97 kg category, Kasif Sakiroglu of Turkey won Turkey's third bronze medal by beating his Syrian opponent Jalav Vbaer 10-0.

[06] FOUNDATION OF BATUMI-KOBULETI ROAD AND TUNNEL LAID

Speaking at the ceremony, Demirel said that foundation-laying of the project coincided with the 10th anniversary of Georgia's acquiring its independence.

Stressing that peace also meant welfare and development, Demirel said, ''Black Sea littoral countries founded the Black Sea Economic Cooperation. With this project, the Black Sea will become a sea of peace and friendship. We are trying to put into practice the Silk Road that will make a valuable contribution to integration of Caucasus to Europe.''

Demirel expressed his pleasure with participation of Turkish contractors and engineers in the project.

Meanwhile, President Shevardnadze of Georgia said in his part that the project was one of the most important projects between Turkey and Georgia.

President Shevardnadze said that Turkey, Georgia and Ajaria would serve Europe after finalization of the project.

State Minister Mehmet Kececiler noted, ''this project will contribute to our people's welfare. I hope that the road and tunnel would become the tunnel of friendship between our countries.''

Later, Demirel returned to Turkey.

[07] TURKISH, ARMENIAN AND AZERBAIJANI JOURNALISTS MEET IN YEREVAN

Journalists will discuss their role in efforts to settle lasting peace in Caucasus during the three-day meeting sponsored by Soros Foundation and Turkish Democracy Foundation.

Gulsen Solaker from the Anadolu Agency (A.A), Yavuz Tolun from EHA, Saadet Oruc from Turkish Daily News, Deniz Zeyrek from Radikal newspaper, Osman Sert from Channel 7 and Duygu Guvenc from Aksam newspaper are representing Turkey at the meeting.

Saturday's session focused on recent developments in relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia.

Underlining importance of restoring confidence among nations, Turkish journalists pointed out that the media could play an important role in removing prejiduces among the sides.

Meanwhile, Armenian security forces have taken tight measures for the meeting.

Previously, Turkish, Armenian and Azerbaijani journalists came together in Baku and in Ankara.

They discussed issues such as ''Relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia'', ''Regional Integration as a Part and Necessity of Global Integration'', ''Relations between Turkey and Armenia'', and ''Regional Problems and Integration to Europe''.

Turkish journalists are expected to return to Turkey on Tuesday.

[08] TREASURY TO SELL 105-DAY BONDS ON SEPTEMBER 11

Value date of these bonds is September 12, 2001 and maturity is December 26, 2001.

These bonds will be the re-issuance of the 112-day bonds issued on September 4.

In Treasury's auction on September 4, total bid was 734.1 trillion Turkish liras (TL), nominal sale was 321.6 trillion TL and net sale was 265.3 trillion TL.

In this auction, composite interest rate became 86.96 percent and simple interest rate became 69 percent.

[09] NUMBER OF MOTOR VEHICLES INCREASES TO 7.2 MILLION

The State Institute of Statistics (DIE) announced on Sunday that there were 1,271,072 motor vehicles in Istanbul, 828,180 in Ankara, and 521,340 in Izmir.

Number of automobiles rose to 4,480,530 by end-June.

In the period of January-June 2001, 97,753 motor vehicles were registered while 3,946 motor vehicles were withdrawn from the records. In the period of January-June 2000, 228,392 motor vehicles had been registered while 3, 721 motor vehicles had been withdrawn from the records.

The motor vehicles registered in this period were mostly in the provinces of Adana, Ankara, Antalya, Bursa, Hatay, Icel, Istanbul, Izmir, Kocaeli, Konya and Mugla. The rate of motor vehicles in these provinces is 75.3 percent.

[10] FOREIGN MINISTER CEM MEETS WITH HIS BELGIAN COUNTERPART MICHEL

Responding to questions of journalists following the meeting, Belgian Foreign Ministry Spokesman said that Cem and Michel had exchanged views about the Cyprus question and the European Security and Defense Identity (ESDI).
The spokesman said that Michel asked Turkey to expend efforts and put pressure on President Rauf Denktas of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) to return to the proximity talks sponsored by the United Nations.

At the meeting, Michel wanted Turkey to ease its attitude on the issue of the ESDI.

Cem will partake in a luncheon in which EU foreign ministers will come together with foreign ministers of the candidate countries.

The luncheon is expected to focus on the future of the EU.

Cem is also scheduled to meet with his British counterpart Robin Cook, Dutch counterpart Jozias Van Aartsens and Bulgarian counterpart Solomon Pasi.

[11] TURKISH, ARMENIAN AND AZERBAIJANI JOURNALISTS MEET IN YEREVAN

Speaking at the three-day meeting sponsored by Soros Foundation and Turkish Democracy Foundation, David Hovhannissyan, a member of Turkey-Armenia Compromise Commission, said that Armenia's biggest foreign policy problem was relations with Turkey.

Noting that there was a lack of confidence between Turkish and Armenian peoples, Hovhannissyan referred to allegations on so-called Armenian genocide, and claimed that Turkish people should propose its government to recognize the so-called genocide.

Hovhannissyan claimed that so-called genocide should be recognized by Turkey to overcome problems between the two countries.

Noting that Armenia did not plan to claim territory from Turkey, David Hovhannissyan said that Turkey and Armenia, two neighboring countries, should learn how to live side by side.

Pointing out that the so-called genocide was not a historical, but a political problem for Armenia, Hovhannissyan claimed, ''if there had not been such a problem, Turkey would have not wanted to talk to us.''

Meanwhile, Turkish journalists said, ''the real target of this meeting is not to solve some problems between Turkey and Armenia, but to discuss media's role in overcoming these problems. Not problems, but things in common should be brought forefront for a rapprochement between Turkish and Armenian peoples. It is not our duty to examine historical events. Allegations on so-called genocide constituted a serious obstacle in front of Turkish and Armenian peoples' future.''

Meanwhile, Armenian Foreign Affairs Ministry Spokesman Dzyunik Aghajanian expressed his satisfaction over journalists' initiative.

Gulsen Solaker from the Anadolu Agency (A.A), Yavuz Tolun from EHA, Saadet Oruc from Turkish Daily News, Deniz Zeyrek from Radikal newspaper, Osman Sert from Channel 7 and Duygu Guvenc from Aksam newspaper are representing Turkey at the meeting.

Previously, Turkish, Armenian and Azerbaijani journalists came together in Baku and in Ankara.

They discussed issues such as ''Relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia'', ''Regional Integration as a Part and Necessity of Global Integration'', ''Relations between Turkey and Armenia'', and ''Regional Problems and Integration to Europe''.

Turkish journalists are expected to return to Turkey on Tuesday.

[12] SPORTS-BASKETBALL -EUROBASKET 2003 DRAW MADE IN ISTANBUL

Sweden will host Eurobasket 2003. Sweden and the team which will win tonight's Eurobasket 2001 final will directly join the championship.

Draw:

Group A:

Lithuania, Ukraine, Netherlands, Bulgaria, Switzerland and silver medallist of Eurobasket 2001

Group B:

Spain, Greece, Israel, Belgium, Romania, Denmark

Group C:

Germany, Croatia, Bosnia Herzegovina, Macedonia, Ireland, Greek Cypriot side

Group D:

France, Latvia, Estonia, Poland, Hungary, Belarus

Group E:

Russia, Italy, Slovenia, Britain, Czech Republic, Portugal

Semi final qualifying group matches will be played on November 21,24,28, 2001, January 23,26, 2002, November 20,23,27, 2002 and January 22,25, 2003.

[13] 27TH BALKAN ROWING CHAMPIONHIPS END -TURKEY WINS TWO GOLD, FOUR SILVER AND THREE BRONZE MEDALS

The championships ended on Sunday.

Rowers from Turkey, Greece, Bulgaria, Macedonia, Romania and Yugoslavia attended the championships.

Romania which won 11 gold and a bronze medals, was ranked first, Greece which won 3 gold, four silver and 7 bronze medals, was ranked second, and Turkey was ranked third with two gold, four silver and five bronze medals.

[14] SPORTS - 14TH MEDITERRANEAN GAMES -TURKEY TOPS LIST OF MEDAL WINNERS

Turkish sportsmen and women competing in the categories of weight-lifting, wrestling and boxing carried Turkey to the top of the list.

A total of 384 medals including 123 gold, 124 silver and 137 bronze were distributed in the Mediterranean Games.

The medal winners are as follows:

COUNTRY GOLD SILVER BRONZE TOTAL

3-Greece 20 22 18 60

4-Italy 14 29 21 64

5-France 13 14 24 51

6-Tunisia 10 7 12 29

7-Egypt 4 12 10 26

8-Croatia 4 3 4 11

9-Algeria 4 3 2 9

10-Slovenia 3 3 4 10

11-Yugoslavia 1 1 4 6

12-Morocco 1 0 2 3

13-Syria 0 3 4 7

14-Greek Cypriot 0 1 2 3

15-Albania 0 1 0 1

[15] GAP REGION EXPORTS 65.6 MILLION U.S. DOLLARS OF GRAIN-CEREALS

In the same period last year, the region exported 57 million 356 thousand U.S. dollars of grain-cereals.

Officials at Southeast Anatolian Exporters' Associations told the A.A on Sunday that in the January-August period of 2001, they exported 19 million 11 thousand U.S. dollars in sugar; 17 million 429 thousand U.S. dollars in chocolate, candy, biscuit and cake; 9 million 584 thousand U.S. dollars in fodder;, 6 million 508 thousand U.S. dollars in lentil; and 13 million 119 thousand U.S. dollars in chickpea, bean, flour, vegetable oil and spice.

Most of the products were exported to Iraq, Germany, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Jordan, Iran and Azerbaijan.

[16] SPORTS-EUROBASKET 2001 -CROATIA: 93 - LATVIA: 91

Hall: Abdi Ipekci

Referees: Murat Biricik (Turkey), Philippe Leemann (Switzerland)

Croatia: Mulaomerovic 17, Gricek 14, Mamic 3, Skelin, Kovacic 5, Sesar 12, Mrsic 17, Prkacin 17, Tabak 8

Latvia: Stelmahers 16, Vitols 2, Miglinieks 5, Helmanis 16, Kambala 32, Cipruss, Valeiko, Laksa 9, Valters 10, Graft, Vecvagar 1

[17] FOREIGN MINISTER CEM MEETS WITH HIS BELGIAN COUNTERPART MICHEL (2)

Cem met with Foreign Minister Louis Michel of EU Term President Belgium.

At the meeting, Cem told Michel that the EU should realize that the Greek Cypriot side aimed at maintaining lack of solution to gain time.

Cem stressed that Cyprus negotiations should be resumed with a new understanding, a new parameter and a new spirit.

Stressing that the government was determined to make constitutional amendments envisaged in the National Program, Cem wanted the EU not to be late to start screening process with Ankara.

He noted that the European Security and Defense Identity (ESDI) was not problem of only Turkey, but also of NATO. He referred to the decision taken at Washington Summit.

Cem also met with his British counterpart Jack Straw, and informed him on Turkey's opinions about ESDI, Cyprus question and Turkey's candidacy to the EU.

[18] STRAITS RADAR PROJECT NEEDS 12 TRILLION LIRAS SUPPLEMENTARY FUND

The Maritime Undersecretariat applied to the Finance Ministry requesting it to give the relevant company 12 trillion Turkish liras (TL) of supplementary fund which was required for installation of those radars.

Officials said that three different radar systems and relevant devices ordered from the American Lockheed Martin company could be brought to Turkey in September if the Finance Ministry allocated necessary fund.

The system which is expected to cost nearly 28 million U.S. dollars will put into service in May of 2002.

Meanwhile, construction of 15 control towers within scope of the project will be completed in the beginning of 2002.

Turkish companies undertook construction of control towers and stations in Istanbul and Canakkale Straits.

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