Anadolu Agency: News in English, 01-11-05

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ANADOLU AGENCY

NEWS

05 NOVEMBER 2001 Monday

CONTENTS

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

[02] IMF DELEGATION HEADED BY KAHKONEN ARRIVES IN TURKEY

[03] MUTLU OF TURKEY, IN 56 KG, BREAKS WORLD RECORD IN SNATCH

[04] ''TURKISH WORLD'' CONFERENCE -STATE MINISTER CAY: ''SECURITY OF 8-12 MILLION TURKISH CITIZENS IN AFGHANISTAN SHOULD BE PROVIDED FOLLOWING WAR''

[05] IMF DELEGATION STARTS OFFICIAL CONTACTS IN ANKARA

[06] TREASURY TO HOLD TWO BOND AUCTIONS ON TUESDAY

[07] ENVIRONMENT MINISTER AYTEKIN LEAVES FOR MOROCCO TO ATTEND CONFERENCE OF THE PARTIES TO THE U.N. FRAMEWORK CONVENTION ON CLIMATE CHANGE IN MINISTERIAL LEVEL

[08] 20 MILLION TL BANKNOTES STARTS CIRCULATION

[09] STATE MINISTER GUREL: ''OUR FRIENDS SHOULD SEE FROM NOW ON THAT THE GREEK CYPRIOT ADMINISTRATION HAS TURNED INTO A CENTER OF TERRORISM AND MONEY LAUNDERING IN EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN''

[10] PRESIDENT SEZER DUE TO TAJIKISTAN AND GEORGIA

[11] PRESIDENT SEZER SAYS THEY DECIDED TO SEND MILITARY TROOPS TO AFGHANISTAN UPON A REQUEST OF UNITED STATES

[12] DEMONSTRATION HELD IN FRONT OF PRIME MINISTRY OFFICE

[13] DE SOTO HOLDS CONTACTS IN ANKARA

[14] TURKISH EMBASSY IN TOKYO LAUNCHES A SERIES OF INITIATIVE IN JAPAN

[15] FOREIGN MINISTER CEM SAYS IT IS NOT CORRECT TO DESCRIBE OUR RELATIONS WITH ISRAEL AS STRATEGICAL COOPERATION

[16] SECURITY FORCES LAUNCH AN OPERATION IN KUCUKARMUTLU DISTRICT OF ISTANBUL

[17] SECURITY FORCES LAUNCH AN OPERATION IN KUCUKARMUTLU (2) -TEN DEATH- FASTERS TAKEN TO HOSPITAL

[18] JUSTICE MINISTER TURK LEAVES FOR POLAND

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

Thus, the coordination of all ministries concerned with economy will be administered by one authority. State Minister Kemal Dervis and all other ministers will work under the coordination of Yilmaz.

TURKEY TO BREAK GROWTH RECORD IN 2003 IF IT OVERCOMES CRISIS
Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) estimated on Sunday that Turkey would grow 5.3 percent annually in 2003-2006 period.

The OECD said Turkey would rank the third with a growth rate of 5.3 percent. Ireland will rank the first with an 6.8 percent real growth rate, and South Korea will rank the second with 5.8 percent growth rate.

In the same period, the growth rate of the European Union (EU) member countries would be 2.5 percent and the OECD member countries would have an average growth rate of 3.1 percent.

The OECD estimated unemployment in Turkey for the year 2002 as 6.7 percent, and 6.2 percent for the year 2006.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

ONE SMALL GIANT MAN
Halil Mutlu lifted the World again. Mutlu, who took the stage after his rivals completed their three attempts, firstly guaranteed gold medal. Then, he attempted the world record and broke it.

SABAH (LIBERAL)

SPECIAL CLOTHES FOR SPECIAL TROOPS THAT WILL GO TO AFGHANISTAN
The Office of Chief of General Staff ordered new equipment for the special forces team of 90 people who will go to Afghanistan. The office ordered water-resistant boats, sleeping bags durable till minus 40 degrees, underwear durable to cold and hot weather, and special clothes.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

There are hydro-electric power plants which can not be completed for 16 years. Construction of culture centers have been waiting for 30 years.

GULAY ASLITURK CASE
Hearing of Gulay Asliturk, the former Sisli Mayor, will continue on Monday in London. The case was opened against Asliturk with the request of Turkey for her extradition.

The judge requested intense discussions on the case to take place for three days to reach the decision stage. The case will be heart in Bow Street Court of the Justice of Peace.

The judge is expected to give the right of response to Asliturk and her lawyer Yagiz Dagli against the accusations.

Asliturk in the previous hearing claimed that some politicians directed her unjust accusations aiming to stop her progress in politics.

RADIKAL (LEFT)

''EFFECTIVE'' RAIN FOR TWO MORE DAYS
Rain and wind are expected to be effective throughout the country for two more days. The temperatures will be around seasonal normals.

NOONE GIVING UP SULTANATE
As 26 thousand vehicles of public instutitions are expected to be sold due to savings measures, the institutions delivered only 2,048 of these vehicles in five months while 608 of these vehicles were sold. These vehicles were sold at approximately 1.5 billion Turkish liras (TL). People are not interested in buying these vehicles because they are old vehicles.

TURKIYE (RIGHT)

KAHKONEN IN ANKARA
International Monetary Fund (IMF) delegation headed by IMF Turkey Desk Chief Juha Kahkonen arrived in Turkey on Sunday.

The delegation which came to Turkey for the tenth review will start its official contacts on Monday.

However, the delegation met with State Minister Kemal Dervis, Treasury Undersecretary Faik Oztrak and some bureaucrats on Sunday evening.

Savings measures and reduction of Value Added Tax (VAT) imposed on some products are expected to be debated during the contacts of the delegation which will probably last for one or two weeks.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

Foreign Minister Ismail Cem, who had made the proposal on October 20 in Brussels, will reiterate this proposal in front of North African Islam countries.

RAINY WEATHER WILL BE INFLUENTIAL THIS WEEK
Rainy weather that started last week will continue to be influential throughout the country. Officials of Meteorology said the rain showers will continue till Thursday.

Dwellings and workplaces were inundated in southern province of Antalya due to torrential rains on Sunday.

A total of 107 kilograms of rain fell per square metre in the last 24 hours. Fire-fighters exerted efforts to discharge water from the inundated places.

[02] IMF DELEGATION HEADED BY KAHKONEN ARRIVES IN TURKEY

The delegation which came to Turkey for the tenth review will start its official contacts on Monday.

However, the delegation met with State Minister Kemal Dervis, Treasury Undersecretary Faik Oztrak and some bureaucrats on Sunday evening.

Savings measures and reduction of Value Added Tax (VAT) imposed on some products are expected to be debated during the contacts of the delegation which will probably last for one or two weeks.

[03] MUTLU OF TURKEY, IN 56 KG, BREAKS WORLD RECORD IN SNATCH

Mutlu, who lifted 138 kg in his second attempt, broke the world record and became the gold medalist.

William Vargas of Cuba won the silver medal while Shin-Yuan Wang of Thailand became the bronze medalist in the same event.

Mutlu won two more gold medals in clean and jerk and total.

Halil Mutlu lifted 162.5 kg in clean and jerk and 300 kg in total, also became gold medalists in these two events.

Shin Yuan Wang of Thailand became the silver medalist while Sergio Alvarez of Cuba won the bronze medal in clean and jerk while in total, Wang won the silver and William Vargas of Cuba became the bronze medalist.

[04] ''TURKISH WORLD'' CONFERENCE -STATE MINISTER CAY: ''SECURITY OF 8-12 MILLION TURKISH CITIZENS IN AFGHANISTAN SHOULD BE PROVIDED FOLLOWING WAR''

Addressing a conference entitled, ''Turkish World'', State Minister Cay said the U.S. could not put forward satisfactory evidences to the world public yet following September 11 attacks. He said, ''Afghanistan was chosen as target, and began to be bombed.''

Cay said, ''all the world have policies on the oil and natural gas reserves in the Caucasus and Central Asia. Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline enters to danger with the operation on Afghanistan. On the other side, everybody should know that there is nothing like Northern Alliance. On the contrary there is disagreement. This is only a formation which some politicians desired. If they want to set up Northern Alliance, security of 8-12 million Turkish citizens living in Afghanistan should be provided following the war and Taliban administration.''

Pointing out that Turkey would experience an important energy problem in case Ceyhan oil pipeline can not be completed, ''if the construction of the project is delayed, Turkey will meet a very important energy problem in 2005. Turkey should verify its energy production soon.''

[05] IMF DELEGATION STARTS OFFICIAL CONTACTS IN ANKARA

Treasury Undersecretary Faik Oztrak, officials from the State Planning Organization (DPT), Finance Ministry, Privatization Administration Board, Banking Regulation and Supervision Authority (BRSA), and some other concerned institutions will attend the meeting held at the undersecretariat.

The IMF delegation comprised of seven members will divide into groups on Tuesday and continue their contacts separately for the tenth review.

Formation of macro economic frame of 2002, budget of 2002 and State Economic Enterprises (SEEs), current deficit, non-interest surplus and savings measures to be taken will be debated during IMF delegation's contacts.

IMF delegation's contacts are expected to last for 10 to 15 days.

[06] TREASURY TO HOLD TWO BOND AUCTIONS ON TUESDAY

Both type of bonds will be issued on November 7, 2001 while the maturity of 147-day will be April 3, 2002 while that of 231-day bonds will be June 26, 2002.

The composite interest rate in the 154-day bond auction held on October 30 was 84.62 percent and the simple interest rate was 70 percent.

The total bid was 544.6 trillion Turkish liras (TL) while the Treasury sold 351.7 trillion TL nominal-valued bonds in the auction. The net sale became 271.3 trillion TL.

The Treasury will repay 7 quadrillion 784.2 trillion TL in domestic debt in November.

The Treasury will make the highest domestic debt repayment of this month on November 7 worth of 4 quadrillion 497.6 trillion TL.

[07] ENVIRONMENT MINISTER AYTEKIN LEAVES FOR MOROCCO TO ATTEND CONFERENCE OF THE PARTIES TO THE U.N. FRAMEWORK CONVENTION ON CLIMATE CHANGE IN MINISTERIAL LEVEL

Aytekin spoke to journalists before his departure from Istanbul's Ataturk Airport, and said the conference started on October 29 and will continue till November 9.

Aytekin said Turkey was represented as observer as it was not a party to the agreement, noting that he would attend the meeting that will take place with the participation of the ministers of the concerned countries.

Aytekin recalled that he had made some proposals regarded with Turkey's position during last year's 6th Conference of the Parties held in The Hague.

Aytekin, the Minister of Environment made a new proposal at the Conference of the Parties (COP) 6, whereby the name of Turkey would be deleted from Annex II, but would remain in Annex I, with an accompanying footnote indicating that Turkey should enjoy favourable conditions within ''common but differentiated responsibilities'', taking into consideration its early stage of industrialization. This would be indicated in the same manner as has been done for ''countries that are undergoing the process of transition to a market economy''.

Aytekin said his proposal was accepted in sub-unit meetings, noting that his proposal will be put to vote in ministers meeting probably on Thursday or Friday.

Environment Minister Aytekin is expected to return to Turkey on November 10.

[08] 20 MILLION TL BANKNOTES STARTS CIRCULATION

The banknote's dimension is 76x162 milimetres. The main colour of the new banknotes will be green.

On the front of the banknote, there is a portrait of Ataturk, the Founder of Turkish Republic. There is a world and a dove carrying a olive branch in its mouth on the left of Ataturk's portrait.

There would be a view of the ancient Ephesus site on the back of the banknote.

[09] STATE MINISTER GUREL: ''OUR FRIENDS SHOULD SEE FROM NOW ON THAT THE GREEK CYPRIOT ADMINISTRATION HAS TURNED INTO A CENTER OF TERRORISM AND MONEY LAUNDERING IN EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN''

Gurel spoke at the opening of ''Independent Administrative Authorities Symposium,'' which was held to mark the 4th foundation anniversary of Competition Board.

Pointing out that the world began to take a new shape following the terrorist attacks experienced on September 11 and that Turkey should take a right place within this formation, Gurel said, ''in fight against terrorism, we should get rid of hypocrisy based on interests like some EU member countries or our neighbours like Greece or like Greek Cypriot administration did in international arena.''

Gurel said, ''we should not receive with open arms those who get prepared to materialize their ill will to some other countries, states, Turkish people, or some other peoples.''

[10] PRESIDENT SEZER DUE TO TAJIKISTAN AND GEORGIA

Sezer will leave for Tajikistan on November 7 and proceed from Tajikistan to Georgia on November 8.

President Sezer will wrap up his official visits on November 9 and return to Turkey.

State Minister Abdulhaluk Mehmet Cay will accompany Sezer during his visits to Tajikistan and Georgia.

Latest international developments and their effects on Eurasian geography, regional issues and bilateral relations are expected to be debated during Sezer's contacts.

[11] PRESIDENT SEZER SAYS THEY DECIDED TO SEND MILITARY TROOPS TO AFGHANISTAN UPON A REQUEST OF UNITED STATES

President Sezer received Victor Tvircun, the Moldovan Ambassador to Turkey.

Tvircun submitted his credentials to President Sezer at the meeting.

Meanwhile, responding to questions of journalists during the meeting, President Sezer said, ''we have decided to send military troops to Afghanistan upon a request of the United States. We did not have to send military troops to Afghanistan. We have taken this decision on our own will.''

When a journalist quoted U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld as saying that Turkey had decided to send military troops to Afghanistan on its own will, President Sezer stressed, ''the United States has made similar requests to many other countries. We have decided to send military troops to Afghanistan upon a request of the United States. We did not have to send military troops to Afghanistan. We have taken this decision on our own will.''

[12] DEMONSTRATION HELD IN FRONT OF PRIME MINISTRY OFFICE

Suzan Ayiavlar, her husband Agit Ayiavlar and their three children came to Vekaletler Avenue where the Prime Ministry Office takes place, at about 11:15 a.m.

Suzan and Agit Ayiavlar started to shout, ''we are starving to death.''

Meanwhile, Suzan Ayiavlar attempted to set herself on fire by soaking herself with kerosene. Security forces intervened in her, and took kerosene away from her.

Suzan and Agit Ayiavlar were detained together with their children.

A full investigation into the incident is under way.

[13] DE SOTO HOLDS CONTACTS IN ANKARA

De Soto who is currently in Ankara, met with Foreign Affairs Ministry Undersecretary Ugur Ziyal.

Later, he came together with Foreign Minister Ismail Cem.

When asked of United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan's assessment about statements of Foreign Minister Cem and Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit, De Soto said, ''I cannot make any comment on behalf of United Nations Secretary General Annan. I do not think that these statements targeted the United Nations. I am paying a visit to Ankara within framework of my regional tour. I met with leaders in Cyprus, I will hold contacts in Athens tomorrow. The United Nations Security Council said that it supported Annan's good-will mission. I discussed these issues with Ziyal and Cem.''

When a journalists quoted President Rauf Denktas of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) as saying that De Soto did not put forward anything new, De Soto said that he preferred to keep contents of all developments secret.

Noting that they had continuous contacts with the European Union (EU) officials, De Soto told reporters that both the EU and the United Nations targeted a peaceful solution on the island.

Responding to another question, De Soto recalled that EU Commission President Romano Prodi stated earlier that efforts should be accelerated to find a solution to the Cyprus question before Greek Cypriot side's EU membership, and stressed, ''let's concentrate on this issue.''

After Foreign Minister Cem brought the Cyprus question onto agenda during the budget debates at the parliament, and Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said that if Greek Cypriot side becomes a member of the EU, the TRNC will be integrated with Turkey, the sides concentrated on De Soto's visit to Ankara.

De Soto who came to Ankara after paying an unexpected visit to the TRNC, informed the Turkish side on his contacts on the island.

Foreign Affairs Ministry Undersecretary Ziyal will pay a visit to the TRNC to hold contacts on the latest developments on the Cyprus question.

De Soto will proceed to Greece later in the day after wrapping up his contacts in Ankara.

[14] TURKISH EMBASSY IN TOKYO LAUNCHES A SERIES OF INITIATIVE IN JAPAN

Sources told the A.A correspondent on Monday the Turkish Embassy launched an initiative at the Japanese Foreign Ministry and stressed that Turkey was a safe country, and requested the decision in question to be lifted.

Embassy staff asked some ministers and members of Turkey-Japan Inter- parliamentary Friendship Group to extend support to their initiative.

Meanwhile, Turkish businessmen acting in Japan, sent letters to Japanese Foreign Ministry, and said that the assessment about Turkey was totally wrongful and baseless.

Japanese Foreign Ministry classifies countries in accordance with their safety, and announce its decision to Japanese citizens planning to spend their holidays abroad.

Turkey was declared as a second degree risky country on September 17 in the wake of the terrorist attacks in the United States on September 11 together with 19 other countries such as Syria, Lebanon, Egypt, Sudan, Iran, Uzbekistan and Saudi Arabia.

[15] FOREIGN MINISTER CEM SAYS IT IS NOT CORRECT TO DESCRIBE OUR RELATIONS WITH ISRAEL AS STRATEGICAL COOPERATION

Responding to questions of Zeki Celik, a deputy of the Felicity Party (SP) from Ankara province, about relations between Turkey and Israel, Cem said, ''Turkey has an important position in the region. Within this scope, mutual visits take place between Turkey and Israel. Mutual visits are made between Turkey and all other regional countries.''

Noting that the issue of setting up a ''Turkish-Israeli umbrella in the Middle East'' was not brought onto agenda during Israeli Defense Minister Binyamin Ben-Eliezer's visit to Ankara in October, Cem said, ''Israeli side did not put forward any proposal about joint defense. It is not correct to describe our existing relations with Israel as a strategical cooperation. Any joint military exercise between Turkish and Israeli land forces does not take place on our agenda. In one of the most difficult periods in the Middle East, Turkey could succeed in improving its relations with both Israel and with Arab countries. It should not be forgotten that Turkey has the confidence of both sides in the Middle East.''

''There is not any article about cooperation with Israel in the Coalition Protocol. Our relations with Israel have been progressing on the basis of mutual agreements,'' he said.

Referring to Turkey's relations with Iran, Cem said that relations with Iran were also improving.

Cem stressed that they were in favor of purifying the Middle East from weapons of mass destruction.

''If Turkey wants to possess Arrow missile defense system, it will prefer joint production instead of purchase.''

When asked by Celik whether or not Israel brought onto agenda sale of lands in Southeastern Anatolia in return for these weapons, Cem said, ''any bargaining on our territories is out of question. Such news reports are totaly baseless and wrongful.''

[16] SECURITY FORCES LAUNCH AN OPERATION IN KUCUKARMUTLU DISTRICT OF ISTANBUL

A number of policemen backed by panzers, started to advance towards central of the district at about 03:30 p.m.

Policemen removed road-side baricades set up by several groups.

They intervened in some houses in the district by using tear gas.

Some people were detained in the ongoing operation.

[17] SECURITY FORCES LAUNCH AN OPERATION IN KUCUKARMUTLU (2) -TEN DEATH- FASTERS TAKEN TO HOSPITAL

Security forces launched an operation in Kucukarmutlu where death-fasters have been staying.

A number of policemen backed by panzers removed road-side barricades set up by several groups.

Later, the operation concentrated on three houses where ten people have been fasting to death to protest last year's intervention in prisons, and F- type prisons.

Policemen used tear gas upon resistence of death-fasters and their supporters.

They took ten death-fasters out of the houses and took them to hospital for medical treatment.

Meanwhile, three people including a woman, were injured during the operation.

A person was reported to have attempted to set himself on fire.

Fire-fighting teams and ambulances are being kept ready in Kucukarmutlu where the operation is continuing.

[18] JUSTICE MINISTER TURK LEAVES FOR POLAND

Turk will represent President Ahmet Necdet Sezer at the conference to be started in capital Warsaw on Tuesday.

Addressing journalists at Ankara's Esenboga Airport prior to his departure, Turk said, ''the conference was organized to start a regional fight among central, east and southeast European countries which transited from socialist system to free and democratic system, against terrorism, and to extend support to the international coalition against terrorism.''

Noting that heads of state and government of 16 central, east and southeast European countries were expected to attend the conference, Turk said that Turkey, the United States, the Russian Federation, NATO, the European Union (EU), and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) would attend the conference as observer.

''As a country that has suffered much from terrorism for years, and gained important experience in fight against terrorism, we attribute great importance to that Turkey was invited to this international conference together with the United States, the Russian Federation and international organizations. I will deliver a speech at the conference in which I will inform the participants on Turkey's general attitude against terrorism. I will emphasized that it was not wrong to connect terrorism with any religion, and I will underline importance of international cooperation in fight against terrorism,'' he said.

Turk added that he would return to Turkey late on Tuesday after attending one-day conference.

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