Anadolu Agency: News in English, 01-11-12

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ANADOLU AGENCY

NEWS

12 MARCH

2001 Monday

CONTENTS

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

[02] FOREIGN MINISTER CEM MEETS SPANISH AND FRENCH FOREIGN MINISTERS

[03] STATE MINISTER KARAKOYUNLU:

[04] TBB SAYS EXCHANGING MONEY INTO EURO THROUGH FINANCIAL SYSTEM WILL PROTECT CITIZENS FROM POSSIBLE COUNTERFEITING

[05] PRESIDENT SEZER SAYS TURKEY CONTINUES EFFORTS TO OFFER BETTER POSSIBILITIES TO QUAKE SURVIVORS

[06] DEPUTY PARLIAMENT SPEAKER SOKMENOGLU SAYS IT IS NOT POSSIBLE TO ACCEPT UNJUST AND UNILATERAL POLICIES REGARDING CYPRUS QUESTION AND ESDI

[07] TRNC PRESIDENT DENKTAS SAYS GREEK CYPRIOTS RESORTED TO TERRORISM TO GET CYPRUS

[08] LABOR PLATFORM: ''TURKEY SHOULD NOT SEND SOLDIERS TO AFGHANISTAN''

[09] CAKAN SAYS HIS MINISTRY WOULD FIGHT AGAINST ILLEGAL ENERGY CONSUMPTION

[10] NATIONAL DEFENSE MINISTER CAKMAKOGLU SAYS A DIRECT RELATION SHOULD NOT BE SET UP BETWEEN TURKISH SPECIAL FORCES AND OPERATION OF NORTHERN ALLIANCE

[11] TURKEY TAKEN TO ILO'S DEVELOPED COUNTRIES LIST

[12] DENKTAS RECEIVES METU RECTOR AKBULUT

[13] TURKEY AND MONGOLIA SIGN MILITARY AGREEMENT

[14] FRENCH RADIO:''TURKEY'S SECULARISM IS A GOOD EXAMPLE FOR COUNTRIES IN THE REGION''

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

brief stories in Turkey's press on November 12, 2001. The Anadolu Agency does

not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

for General Mehmet Karli, the Commander of 28th Division in 1996, from the

Interpol. The Greek Cypriot administration accused 11 Turks of being

responsible for the incident in which two Greek Cypriot activists living in

Green Line in August 1996 died. The administration issued red bulletin for

these 11 people from the Interpol. The Greek Cypriots claimed that Rauf

Denktas, the President of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) who went

to the region on the day when Tasos Itzak, one of the Greek Cypriots, died,

was also responsible for the incidents. However, they could not dare to give

Denktas's name to Interpol. One of the other generals who was claimed to be

responsible for the incidents by the Greek Cypriot administration was Hasan

Kundakci.

LANDLIDE IN RIZE: 4 DIE AND 4 MISSING
Torrential rains caused landslide in

northeastern Rize province and its townships. Three people living in

Camlihemsin township and one other living in Camlik village died. Four people

living in Camlihemsin, Cayeli and Ardesen towships are still missing.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

organization who were wanted by the police fleed from Turkey by using the

passports sent from Iran. After Huseyin Velioglu, the head of the terrorist

Hezbollah organization, had died, Isa Altsoy became the head of the

organization. When the police department was searching for Altsoy, he escaped

from the border without any problems. Because, he had a passport in the name

of Mohammad Javad, a citizen of Iran. Isa Altsoy was accompanied by Adbullah,

the son of Velioglu, wheh he was escaping. Abdullah also carried an Iranian

passport.

IKTISAT BANKASI PUT TO SALE AGAIN
Iktisat Bankasi controlled by the Savings

Deposit Insurance Fund (SDIF) was put to sale again. Those who are interested

in the bank should apply to the Fund till November 20. An agreement had

earlier been signed with UniCredito Italiano Spa however, the Italian bank

later decided not to buy Iktisat Bankasi.

SABAH (LIBERAL)

billion U.S. dollars in 2000 decreased to 43.5 billion in the crisis. The

balance sheets of the banks, the transactions of which are made in the

Istanbul Stock Exchange (IMKB), in the first nine months revealed the losses.

The profit of 14 banks decreased 49 percent to 549 million U.S. dollars in the

first nine months.

ECEVIT: TURKISH PEOPLE SUPPORT THE OPERATION
Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit, who spoke at BBC

1 channel, said that 99 percent of Turkish nation was Muslim and noted, ''our

people do not like war, but the majority is supporting the operation against

Afghanistan. Ecevit was the guest of David Frost on Sunday morning and

expressed his views about the developments that could occur following the

operation against Afghanistan. Ecevit said, ''Turkey is a secular country and

it has showed to both the world and Islam world that Islam can exist together

with secularism, modernism and democracy.'' Ecevit noted that Taliban were not

only a threat for Afghanistan but also a threat for Caucasus, Central Asia and

Turkey. Ecevit stressed that it was so natural for Turkey to support fight

against terrorism and help its western friends to this end.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

Iktisat Bankasi, which is within its body, on sale again. The statement on the

issue said those who are interested in the sale should apply to SDIF till

December 7 with necessary documents.

BILD INVITES ITS READERS TO ISTANBUL FOR
SHOPPING
The Bild newspaper published in Germany invited

its readers to make shopping in Istanbul. Pointing out that Istanbul has cheap

and nice facilities, the newspaper said shopping could be made in markets.

The newspaper published the photographs of

sunset in Istanbul and the Covered Bazaar.

RADIKAL (LEFT)

a betterment of 3 quadrillion Turkish liras (TL). Half of this amount will be

met by rises in prices of goods and the other half by saving. People will

close the deficit of the state. The motorized vehicle tax will increase by 80

percent till the end of the year. The government aims to provide an additional

income of 100 trillion TL by increasing the special transaction tax by 50

percent. The fuel oil consumption tax was increased by 10 percent in November

and 526 trillions of additional income was obtained. New rises are expected.

25 percent rise in products of state-run Liqour and Tobacco Administration

(TEKEL) is expected till the end of November. A total of 130 trillion

additional income will be obtained by 12 percent rise in telephone calls. The

price of sugar was increased by 25 percent. 150 trillion income is expected to

be gained from this rise.

ATTACK FROM BOSSES
Turkish Industrialists' and Businessmen's

Association (TUSIA), Union of Chambers and Commoditx Exchanges of Turkey

(TOBB) and the Confederation of Turkish Employers' Unions (TISK) are preparing

a draft election law. The bosses will meet with the labour organizations.

Political reform was on the agenda of the meetings of the business circles

which was held for the sixth time. TUSIAD, TOBB and TISK which formed a joint

working group asked the scientists to form a new draft election law. Mixed

election system was adopted at the end of the discussions. After the draft is

completed, it will be sent to all labour organizations and social support will

be searched.

TURKIYE (RIGHT)

With Frost program which was broadcast live on BBC 1 on Sunday morning.

Pointing out that Turkey did not send soldiers

to Afghanistan in return for money, Ecevit said, ''however, we hope our allies

will think of this issue by themselves.''

Ecevit said, ''if they had not intervened

Taliban regime, it would become a danger in the region including Turkey.''

SAVINGS SUMMIT
Devlet Bahceli, the State Minister and Deputy

Prime Minister who also acts as the leader of the Nationalist Movement Party

(MHP), pointed out that measures regarded with savings would be discussed

during today's leaders' summit.

Bahceli said, ''economic program should be

implemented without any concession. Some measures should be taken to provide

primary surplus.''

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

Development (OECD) figures indicated that the number of civil sevrants in

Turkey was not so high in proportion to the population when compared with

other countries. The Finance Ministry said that the real problem in Turkey was

not the quantity but the imbalance in the distribution of civil servants.

Finance Ministry officials said that a majority of the civil servants were

teachers, health personnel or police.

[02] FOREIGN MINISTER CEM MEETS SPANISH AND FRENCH FOREIGN MINISTERS

Sunday called on terrorist PKK and DHKP organizations to be included in the

list of European Union (EU) terrorist organizations.

Foreign Minister Cem, currently in New York to

attend the U.N. General Assembly works, separately met Spanish Foreign

Minister Josep Pique and French Foreign Minister Hubert Vedrine.

Cem, during the meetings said, ''Ankara gave

the message that terrorist PKK and DHKP-C should absolutely be included in the

list of terrorist organizations which is prepared by the European Union (EU)

countries.''

Foreign Minister Cem said Ankara also wanted

Turkey to be take place among the participant countries as preparations are

underway regarded with the convention which will determine main principles

regarded with the future of the EU.

Cem, during his meetings with Pique and Vedrine,

mentioned the messages which the U.S. President George Bush gave about

terrorist organizations and recalled that resolution no: 1373, adopted by

Security Council, gave important responsibilities to the member countries.

Cem said Turkey wanted to see terrorist

organizations like PKK and DHKP-C in the terror list of the EU countries,

noting that Turkey would follow this.

Recent developments in Afghanistan were also

discussed during meetings.

Diplomatic sources said Spain, which will take

over the EU Term Presidency after Belgium, attributes close relations with

Turkey.

Meanwhile, it was reported that France expended

support to the EU-OIC conference which Turkey plans to convene in Istanbul

next year.

It was also reported that Turkey would

distribute a written text about the conference to the concerned countries on

Friday.

French Foreign Ministry in an earlier statement

stressed that the initiative would be very benefical.

[03] STATE MINISTER KARAKOYUNLU:

on Monday that Turkish Airlines (THY) decided to shrink its fleet in the year

2002.

Karakoyunlu responded the question motion with

notice, submitted by Felicity Party (SP) Hatay Parliamentarian Mustafa Gecer

regarded with privatization of the THY.

Karakoyunlu in his response recalled that THY

was taken within the scope of privatization in 1990, noting that the fleet was

comprised of 33 planes at that time.

Pointing out that the fleet grew more than two

times since it was taken within the scope of privatization, Karakoyunlu said

number of passengers increased to 10-12 million people from 4.5 million

people.

Karakoyunlu said number of flight points

increased from 50 to 108, stressing that the endorsement increased to two

million U.S. dollars from 700 million U.S. dollars. He said THY was awarded

being the institution which brought the highest number of foreign exchange.

Responding to a question which said what kind

of a public interest was thought in new investments to an institution which

made loss, Karakoyunlu said THY would remain as a small airlines company

making regional flights and which fails to make foreign currency

contributions.

Karakoyunlu said five-years fleet plan of the

THY was revised every year in parallel to the developments in the world,

noting that, ''2000-2006 fleet plan is revised evaluating the developments

which occurred in world civilian aviation following the terrorist attacks in

the U.S. on September 11.''

Karakoyunlu said the THY decided to shink its

fleet in the year 2002 due to the economic atmosphere of the country and the

stagnation in global economy. He said in the year 2001 six A310-200 planes

were sold, stressing that seven A310-300 planes were put on sale within the

strategy to rejuvenate the fleet.

[04] TBB SAYS EXCHANGING MONEY INTO EURO THROUGH FINANCIAL SYSTEM WILL PROTECT CITIZENS FROM POSSIBLE COUNTERFEITING

said on Monday that exchanging money into Euro, which would start to circulate

as of January 1, 2002, through financial system would protect the citizens

from possible counterfeiting.

A statement of TBB said that Euro was the

common monetary unit of 12 European Union (EU) member countries and that all

national currencies of EU countries would be changed into Euro as of January

1, 2002.
The statement noted that Euro banknotes and

coins would be used in all monetary transactions in Europe as of that date.

Turkey would start to use Euro at the same time

together with the EU and other countries.

The deadline to change money into Euro without

any losses was December 31, 2001, the statement said and noted that the banks

would have completed the money exchange in foreign currency accounts no later

than December 31, 2001.

Till that date, the banks will change the

foreign currency accounts into Euro free of cost.

Those who have cash foreign currencies of those

12 countries can come to the banks, change their money into Euro, and open

Euro accounts till that date.

The effective buying and selling rates of Euro

will be announced daily by January 1, 2002.

The national currencies of 12 countries which

will be withdrawn from circulation on January 1, 2002 are as follows: Austrian

schilling, German mark, Belgian franc, Finnish markka, French franc, Dutch

guilder, Luxembourg franc, Irish punt, Spanish peseta, Italian lira, Portugese

escudo and Greek drachma.

Below listed the exchange rates of 12 national

currencies into Euro:

1 Euro = 13.7603 Austrian Schilling

195583 German Mark

40.3399 Belgian Franc

5.94573 Finnish Markka

6.55957 French Franc

2.20371 Dutch Guilder

40.3399 Luxembourg Franc

0.787564 Irish Punt

166.386 Spanish Peseta

1936.27 Italian Lire

200.482 Portuguese Escudo

340.750 Greek Drachma

[05] PRESIDENT SEZER SAYS TURKEY CONTINUES EFFORTS TO OFFER BETTER POSSIBILITIES TO QUAKE SURVIVORS

Monday that Turkey continued its efforts to revive the faded hopes of the

quake survivors, to increase their desire to live, to enable them to look at

the future with confidence and to offer them better possibilities.

Sezer issued a message upon the second

anniversary of the devastating earthquake which hit Duzce province.

A statement of the Presidential Press Center

quoted Sezer as saying in his message that the grief that the Duzce earthquake

caused was still alive in the memories.

Sezer noted that Turkey faced a second

earthquake on November 12, 1999 when it could not overcome the shock caused by

August 17 devastating earthquake of Marmara.

All the citizens exhibited an example

solidarity to help the quake survivors and heal their wounds, Sezer said and

stated that all these efforts and solidarity were appreciated.

Sezer said, ''our state also exerted intensive

efforts to heal the wounds and to re-structure the region. Progress has been

marked in overcoming the problems. Our efforts continue to revive the faded

hopes of the quake survivors, to increase their desire to live, to enable them

to look at the future with confidence and to offer them better possibilities.

There is no doubt that these efforts helped Duzce to leave behind those

problematic days. There is also no doubt that Duzce will take its place among

developing cities of Turkey.''

The reality that Turkey was situated on a quake

belt made it obligatory to learn how to live together with the earthquakes and

be ready for earthquakes, Sezer stressed.

Sezer pointed out that it was of utmost

importance to find out the deficiencies, eliminate the deficiencies and needs

and start implementing efficient initiatives to overcome earthquakes with the

least loss.

''I would like to implore God's mercy for our

citizens who lost their lives in the earthquake and offer condolences to their

families on the second anniversary of the Duzce earthquake. We wish that our

nation will not face such griefs and pains again,'' Sezer added.

[06] DEPUTY PARLIAMENT SPEAKER SOKMENOGLU SAYS IT IS NOT POSSIBLE TO ACCEPT UNJUST AND UNILATERAL POLICIES REGARDING CYPRUS QUESTION AND ESDI

Sokmenoglu said on Monday that it was not possible to accept unjust and

unilateral policies and double standards regarding Cyprus question and

European Security and Defense Identity (ESDI).

Speaking at a panel discussion on main

approaches in Turkish foreign policy in the post cold war era held by the

Turkish Parliamentary Union and Turkish Foreign Policy Institute, Sokmenoglu

said that Turkey was situated in one of the most critical regions in Eurasia.

Sokmenoglu noted that Turkey's participation in

international arena and its preferences during the cold war costed too much.

''The costs that Turkey paid and socio-economic

costs had a negative impact on its development process. But, despite

everything, Turkish Republic has always been loyal to its international

commitments and become stronger as a respected and reliable country,''

Sokmenoglu said.

Sokmenoglu stated that the most evident

features of the new process in the world were political and economic

globalization and integration.

Main elements of the new era was to accept

informative and technological development, democratic development and economic

cooperation, Sokmenoglu said and went on saying, ''however, the reality that

globalization has also brought some conditions and reservations regarding

sovereignty concept and especially the double standards imposed by those who

have the power lead to hesitations and concerns in the searches of common

interests and security.''

Sokmenoglu noted, ''is it possible to accept

especially double standards and unjust and unilateral policies regarding

Cyprus question and new European Security and Defense Identity like in

Turkey's fight against separatist terrorism? Turkey has in fact declared its

views and policies regarding all three issues in every level and platform with

determination and strong arguments. There is not any explanation for the

continuation of unrealistic and insincere approaches other than disloyalty and

hidden intention.''

Turkey was situated in the most important

transit point of rich oil and natural gas beds in the Middle East, Central

Asia and Caucasus triangle, Sokmenoglu said.

Sokmenoglu added, ''it is a realistic approach

to consider Turkey as a shining star due to its location. To this end,

restoring security and stability in the mentioned region and offering them to

the use of humanity are of utmost importance for the maintenance of world

peace.''

[07] TRNC PRESIDENT DENKTAS SAYS GREEK CYPRIOTS RESORTED TO TERRORISM TO GET CYPRUS

Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) said on Monday that Greece and

Greek Cypriots resorted to terrorism by guns to get the island and they pursue

the same policy since 1974.

Denktas said that Turkish Cypriots didn't

surrender to Greek Cypriots in spite of the pain they suffered and Greek

Cypriots didn't accept the peace opportunities which the two sides faced after

1974, besides the Turkish Cypriot side was seen as guilty.

Denktas received the same day veterans who took

part in the Cyprus Peace Operation in 1974.

Noting that the Greek Cypriot side wants to

join the European Union (EU), Denktas said that Greek Cypriots also want to

unite the island with Greece by Enosis.

Cyprus is the castle of security for Turkey, he

said, adding that the rights of Greece on Cyprus stem from terrorism.

''Giving Cyprus to Greek Cypriots and making it

a unitary state by putting Turks in the position of minority means giving the

island to Greece. They prepare and they are getting armed. Greece is the one

who give arms to the Greek Cypriot side. I think that if the Greek Cypriot

side joins the EU, they will cause an incident in Cyprus in order to make the

U.S., Greece intervene and make them tell to Turkey to withdraw its forces.

This is their scenario. They play the game of making Turkey and EU confront

each other. They won't succeed in that,'' Denktas said.

Dentas pointed out that the Greek Cypriot side

started the incidents in 1963 with this dream and divided the island into two,

adding that everything can be expected from the Greek Cypriot side.

Pointing out that they were invited to

proximity talks to prepare a basis for face to face negotiations, and that

they had four rounds, Denktas said the basis was revealed, adding that, ''two

equal sides will form a new partnership, this means they accept that we are

the two former founder partners.''

Denktas said an impartial, simple framework was

revealed like, ''the two equal sides would form a new partnership and one of

the sides does not have the right to represent the other side,'' noting that

they accepted this statement but the Greek Cypriots reacted and made the

parliament issue a decision saying this was ''unacceptable.''

Denktas said they did not go to the talks for

this, noting that the Greek Cypriots did not want partnership. He said the

U.N. Secretary General's Cyprus Special Envoy Alvaro De Soto came to the

island one year after the interruption of the talks, stressing that they told

him that the TRNC would attend the talks if the partnership statement is

confirmed.

Denktas said De Soto had not confirmed the

statement and even did not use the word partnership. Denktas said he saw that

they did not have any remedy but to resist.

Denktas said the Greek Cypriot side published

newspapers with the money of foreigners and tried to demoralize the Turkish

Cypriots and to give hope to its people saying, ''of course one day they will

collapse.''

Underlining that the Turkish Cypriots did not

bow the Greek Cypriot side while living in small enclaves in poverty, Denktas

said those who think that Turkish Cypriots will surrender while living under

the flag of its own state and that Turkey will give up Cyprus to enter the

European Union (EU), do not know the facts.

Denktas said the train, which goes to the EU,

and which is called ''Cyprus train'' was a Greek Cypriot train and will hit

the granite Turkish wall while going rapidly.

Denktas said this will yield to results which

are not good, noting that he wanted to have a tete-a-tete meeting with the

Greek Cypriot leader Glafcos Clerides to say those things.

Complaining about the approach of the Turkish

press to Cyprus issue, Denktas said not even one news report or photograph was

published in leading newspapers regarded with July 20 Peace and Freedom Day.

Denktas said they saw an intention in this,

noting that there were people who see Cyprus as an obstacle for Turkey to

enter the EU. Denktas said Cyprus was not an obstacle in front of Turkey,

adding that Greece was trying to create this atmosphere.

[08] LABOR PLATFORM: ''TURKEY SHOULD NOT SEND SOLDIERS TO AFGHANISTAN''

Turkey should not send soldiers to Afghanistan, and that it should exert

efforts to strengthen peace in the world.

Emek Platform issued a written statement and

defended that the policies of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) brought

Turkey to bankruptcy, and that the Parliament and the political parties were

insensitive against the difficulties Turkey and the Turkish people experience.

The statement listed the demands of the

Platform as:

-''Incomes of civil servants and the retired

people should be increased to a level that will provide them to live humanely.

Proposal for the 10 percent price is rejected.

-The premiums, the seniority pay, and other

vested rights should not be changed.

-Unwilling retirement of civil servants and

workers should be removed from the agenda.

-Privatizations should be stopped.

-Trade union rights and right to political

activities should be given to civil servants.

-Labor guarantee should be provided.

-Turkey should improve friendship with its

neighbours and should not send soldiers to Afghanistan. Turkey should exert

efforts to strengthen peace in the world.

-Dismissals and impositions for retirement

should be ended.

-Money collected in compulsary savings fund

should be paid to owners.

-The laws which were issued with the directives

of the IMF, and which will destroy our economy and cause great social problems

should be annuled.

-2002 budget draft, which puts the burden of

the crisis on working section, and which threaten the future of our people,

should be rejected.

-Policies should be covered which provide

humane living conditions and which will increase employment and exportation.

-As the first step to save our country from

collapse, and to provide an honorable and human life to our people, Political

Parties Law and Election Law should be democratized and early elections should

take place.

[09] CAKAN SAYS HIS MINISTRY WOULD FIGHT AGAINST ILLEGAL ENERGY CONSUMPTION

Zeki Cakan has said that Turkish Electricity Distribution Corporation (TEDAS)
has an energy pool of ten billion U.S. dollars and if the 1.5 billion U.S.

dollar loss and illegal energy consumption is deducted from this amount, the

income to the pool would increase employment and export.

Speaking at a meeting on Monday, Cakan said

that his ministry was aiming to decrease the rate of illegal energy

consumption in Turkey which is about 21.6 percent currently. ''We'll follow

the results of the instructions and targets we earlier gave to all directors.

We have to fight against loss of energy and illegal energy consumption,'' he

said. He also indicated that all tenders of TEDAS would be open and

transparent.

[10] NATIONAL DEFENSE MINISTER CAKMAKOGLU SAYS A DIRECT RELATION SHOULD NOT BE SET UP BETWEEN TURKISH SPECIAL FORCES AND OPERATION OF NORTHERN ALLIANCE

Cakmakoglu said on Monday that a direct relation should not be set up between

Turkish Special Forces and the operation started by the Northern Alliance in

Afghanistan.

Cakmakoglu responded to questions of

journalists when he was signing the Turkey-Mongolia Defense Industry

Cooperation Agrement.

''The land operation started in Afghanistan.

Can there be a change in the task of the Turkish Special Forces Unit that will

be headed to Afghanistan?'' asked journalists to Cakmakoglu who said that ''Turkey's

point of view about terrorism is definite. We are not concerned with the

differences of nationality, race, belief, religion and views in the fight with

terrorism. It is clear that the special forces will carry out the tasks that

were earlier stated in the Prime Ministry statement. There should not be a

direct relation between our forces and operation started by Northern Alliance.''

''One news story which appeared in the British

press today said that Turkish soldiers came near Mosul. Is there such

information?'' asked journalists to Cakmakoglu who said that ''Turkish

soldiers didn't enter Mosul. It is not possible for us to accept it.''

[11] TURKEY TAKEN TO ILO'S DEVELOPED COUNTRIES LIST

with its economic potential in spite of the economic crises it suffered, has

been included in the annual report of the International Labour Organization (ILO)'s

list of Developed Countries.

Although Turkey is among the G20 countries, it

is accepted as a developing country by many institutions including United

Nations Trade and Development Conference (UNCTAD) and U.N. Development

Programme (UNDP).

As the report namely ''Basic Signs in Business

Market 2001-2002'' which has 900 pages is the most compherensive report of ILO,

Turkey's inclusion in the category of developed countries carries importance.

The report notes that women started to take

part more in the business life than men, adding that the decrease of

youngsters ratio in the total unemployment rate continues showing that the

working population becomes younger.

In 1980, 55 percent of the unemployed persons

were youngsters, this rate decreased to 46 percent in 1999. The young women

constituted 70 percent of the unemployed population in 1980, this ratio

decreased to 54 percent nowadays.

The unemployment rate which earlier decreased

in 1990s, increased to 8,3 percent again in 2000. The unemployment rate in

other developed countries is around 3 percent. The number of persons who work

more than 40 hours a week is 85 percent in Turkey and it is more than the ones

in developed countries.

This rate is 21.4 percent in France, 68 percent

in Switzerland, 75.9 percent in Japan and 43,7 percent in Germany.

The number of those persons who work part time

is few in Turkey, with 7,1 percent. The rate is higher in other developed

countries.

[12] DENKTAS RECEIVES METU RECTOR AKBULUT

President Rauf Denktas has said that opening of a campus of the Middle Eastern

Technical University (METU) in Guzelyurt would give the message to the Turkish

Cypriots that Turkey exists in the TRNC and those lands will not be returned

to the Greek Cypriots.

Dentkas received METU Rector Prof. Ural Akbulut

who is visiting the TRNC on Monday.

Denktas said that they were very pleased about

the decision to set up a campus in Guzelyurt which is suffering from economic

hardships and unemployment, therefore the people living in the region

appreciate the decision. The TRNC president indicated that the campus would

have great cultural and academic contributions to the TRNC.

Akbulut said that Muslim countries who study in

the United States, after Sept. 11 attacks, have been trying to continue their

education outside the United States and this could be an advantage for the

TRNC.

He maintained that the METU was an

international university and it was founded to serve to people in the Middle

East, therefore it had many students and teachers from the Middle East and

Gulf region. He stressed that METU graduates, with the level of education they

received at the METU, can continue their studies at the best universities in

the United States and Europe. He added that the students who will study in the

TRNC campus would have the same conditions and there wouldn't be a difference

in the education quality.

''The campus in the TRNC could have an economic

contribution to the TRNC. Besides, the young people who will graduate from

this school, when they hold important administrational positions after they go

back to their countries in ten or twenty years, they will help the TRNC to

solve political problems in the international field I believe,'' he commented.

[13] TURKEY AND MONGOLIA SIGN MILITARY AGREEMENT

Defense Industry Cooperation Agreement.

National Defense Minister Sabahattin Cakmakoglu

met Mongolian Defense Minister Gurragchaa Jugderdemid at the ministry building

and signed Defense Industry Cooperation Agreement.

Cakmakoglu said he hoped the agreement to be

benefical for new developments and results in defense industry field between

Turkey and Mongolia.

Pointing out that they had beneficial bilateral

relations with the Mongolian Defense Industry, Cakmakoglu said they believed

that the relations would be accelerated.

Cakmakoglu said he and the Mongolian Defense

Ministry exchanged views on military issues and issues concerning the defense

ministers, noting that the two countries earlier signed Military Training

Technical and Scientific Cooperation Agreement and Military Training

Cooperation Agreement.

Cakmakoglu said fight against terrorism and

Afghanistan issues were also discussed.

When asked about the contents of the agreement,

Cakmakoglu said, ''Turkey formed a serious defense industry and infrastructure

to preserve and improve its power. It wants to present its defense industry

infrastructure to the benefit of its friendly and ally countries.''

Jugderdemid in his part said the agreement

would further improve cooperation between the two countries.

Pointing out that Military Training Technical

Scientific Cooperation Agreement and Military Training Cooperation Agreement

were signed between the two countries in 1999, Jugderdemid said this

cooperation would form the legal basis.

[14] FRENCH RADIO:''TURKEY'S SECULARISM IS A GOOD EXAMPLE FOR COUNTRIES IN THE REGION''

was a good example for the countries in the region, in a program recently

broadcast on France-Inter radio station.

During the program which focused on Islam and

secularism, it was said that Turkey was the only country where state and

religious affairs were kept separate and Turkey's secularism was influential

in Central Asia, Balkans and especially in Bosnia-Herzegovina.

The commentator on the program which also

provided information about Ataturk's reforms, said that Ataturk saved Turkish

women from wearing chadors and that Turkey turned its face to the West with

the foundation of the Republic.

The commentator said that almost a majority of

the nation shared the same religion in Turkey, the public life was not

regulated by religious rules. It was also pointed out that there were

different religious communities in large cities like Istanbul.

''The Orthodox Patriarch is living in Turkey,

not in Greece. Turkey achieved to preserve its secular status. If Turkish

immigrants who live a number of EU countries including Germany and the

Netherlands managed to overcome their adjustment problem, this is only because

they come from a secular principle,'' the commentator said.

Vorld

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