Anadolu Agency: News in English, 01-11-16

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

16 NOVEMBER 2001

Friday

-TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

These are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in Turkey's press on November 16, 2001. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

As Turkish national team kicked the fourth goal, Austrian Vice Chancellor Susanne Riess-Passe told Deputy Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz, ''ok, you have won. Please stop the match.'' Riess-Passe, who attended a programme broadcast in private CNN Turk television channel yesterday, said that she thought that they lost following Turkey's second goal. Austrian Vice Chancellor said, ''I told Yilmaz after the fourth goal that it was enough. Yilmaz was trying not to sadden me.''

AS IF A MAGICAL STICK HAS TOUCHED

The news that additional sources would come from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) made everybody forget about the economic crisis. The stock exchange reached its highest level in recent months and one U.S. dollar decresead to 1 million 552 thousand Turkish liras (TL). IMF did not took a decision related with the loan it would extend to Turkey in the following year during the meeting it held the previous day. Despite this, morale of markets was boosted yesterday morning. IMF Managing Director Horst Koehler said that IMF Executive Board would convene for Turkey. The stock exchange increased 557 points to 11,193 points. The index reached its highest level since July 2, 2001. The U.S. dollar fell to 1 million 522 thousand TL.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

Economic crisis also hit Halis Agha. Prominent businessman Halis Toprak, who sold his private plane, is also looking for customers who will buy his luxurious yacht and mansion in London. Toprak's mansion is situated on Bishop's Avenue of London, which is known as the street of the billionaires. The price of 2,600 spuare metre mansion is 66 trillion Turkish liras (TL).

LEADERS SIGN LETTER OF INTENT

Coalition leaders signed the supplementary letter of intent. Following the Council of Ministers meeting, the letter of intent was opened to the signature of Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit and Deputy Prime Ministers Devlet Bahceli and Mesut Yilmaz. The letter of intent was signed by the leaders and State Minister Kemal Dervis, who left for Canada last night, took the letter of intent, which was the ''key'' of 10 billion U.S. dollar source, with him.

SABAH (LIBERAL)

As the United States announced Turkey as a risky region, passenger boat tours were cancelled at the first stage. The invoice of this decision is 250 million U.S. dollars. The U.S. administration took a decision which would hit Turkish tourism for security concerns and announced Turkey as a secondary risky region. The U.S. and European companies excluded Turkey form their lists. This means that a total of 700 thousand tourists will not come to Turkey this summer. Tourism Minister Mustafa Tasar, who learned about the cancellations when he was in London, will meet with the U.S. Ambassador in Ankara on Tuesday. If the decision is not withdrawn, holiday resorts, particularly Kusadasi, will be empty and there will be a stroke of 250 million U.S. dollars on Turkish tourism. Turkey, which plans to send a special force comprised of 90 soldiers to Afghanistan, is getting prepared to increase its contributions. Turkey instructed 28th Mechanized Infantryman Brigade to be ready for a mission in Afghanistan.

GOOD NEWS FROM DERVIS

State Minister Kemal Dervis said that Turkey's way would be paid by the additional loan that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) would give. Dervis said, ''markets will be revived. I have received news. Foreign investors will come back within ten days.''

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

Ankara is trying to let the world see the realities that southern Cyprus' application to the EU violates international laws and that it cannot join an international organization in which Turkey and Greece do not have membership. Turkey made distinguished British jurist Q.C. Mendelson's report on September 12, 2001 released as a U.N. document. Mendelson says that southern Cyprus' EU membership should be prevented by Turkey, Greece and Britain.

THREAT OF GENOCIDE

President Ahmet Necdet Sezer and Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said support to Cyprus which entered a critical period would continue under every condition. Sezer said the problem could not be solved by ignoring the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) while Ecevit said Turkish Cypriots were under threat of genocide and that Greek Cypriots could occupy the north of the island.

RELATIONS ARE OVERSHADOWN

EU Commission Director General for Enlargement Michael Leigh warned Turkey about Cyprus issue. Noting that relations between Turkey and EU would be owershadowed if a solution could not be found to the question, Leigh said there was still sufficient time and the process should be accelerated.

WE HAVE ALWAYS PAID COST

President Rauf Denktas of the TRNC spoke at the 18th anniversary celebrations of the founding of the TRNC, and said, '' we are aware that we are a state.'' Meanwhile, State Minister Sukru Sina Gurel said Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots had become the side which had always paid the cost.

RADIKAL (LEFT)

Turkey's Progress Report for 2001 caused ''fault lines'' in the coalition government. Deputy Prime Minister and Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahceli said that finding the European Union (EU) as right was questioning common will on National Program eight months later. Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit and Bahceli reacted to Motherland Party (ANAP) leader Mesut Yilmaz, who found the criticisms made against Turkey in Progress Report for Turkey announced by the EU as right. Ecevit said that the expressions in the Cyprus chapter of the report would lead to a genocide in the island. Bahceli criticized both the EU and Yilmaz in his written statement although there were not any names mentioned in the statement: ''Evaluations and criticisms in the report are unjust and baseless. Finding them as right means questinoning the common political will put forward in the National Program eight months later.''

WE WILL SHIVER AT WEEKEND

Turkey has been influenced by cold and rainy weather coming from Black Sea since last night. Temperatures will decrease by 12-15 degrees throughout the country.

TURKIYE (RIGHT)

Democratic Left Party (DSP) leader and Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said there were people picking on DSP, adding, ''no scenario, no effort can prevent the strengthening of DSP as long as the party itself stands strong.'' Speaking at DSP Parliamentary Group meeting, Ecevit said those absolutely did not upset him, adding, ''parties can be damaged not from outside but only from inside. No scenario, no effort can prevent the strengthening of DSP as long as the party itself stands strong.'' Noting that it had been seen in last years that there could not be coalition without DSP, Ecevit said his government blew a heavy stroke on separatist terrorism and fought with corruption and anti-secular movements. He said EU opened its door to Turkey and structural reforms were undertaken.

U.S. DOLLAR COLLAPSES

News about 10 billion U.S. dollars of supplementary source doped finance markets. One U.S. dollar which had started at 1 million 547 thousand Turkish liras (TL) reduced to 1 million 523 thousand TL. Besides, one German mark decreased to 689 thousand TL. Meanwhile, the stock exchange became turbulent after IMF Managing Director Horst Koehler said Turkey fulfilled its responsibilities. The nation index exceeded 11.000 points for the first time in last 4 months and closed at 11.193 points.

ECEVIT WARNS U.N.

Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit who said ''no'' to United Nations solution said, ''in such a development, Turkish Cypriots will face the situation before the peace operation, and Greek Cypriots will attempt genocide by occupying the north of the island.'' Meanwhile, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) celebrated the 18th foundation anniversary with magnificent ceremonies. President Rauf Denktas of the TRNC said, ''they cannot consider us non-existent.''

BUREAUCRACY TO END FOR INVESTORS

The bill which ends bureaucratic process that prevents direct foreign and domestic investments was sent to Prime Ministry. Investments can be made by approval of one or two authorities.

THEY AGREE ON 10 PERCENT

True Path Party (DYP) leader Tansu Ciller who visited leaders of other political parties to discuss amendment to Political Parties and Election Law received support of Felicity Party (SP) leader Recai Kutan and Motherland Party (ANAP) leader Mesut Yilmaz. Ciller said, ''also Yilmaz defends 10 percent of limit in elections for stability.''

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

Ankara which knows well about the groups in Afghanistan announced that it could give troops to international peacekeeping force, laying down powerful participation in decision-making mechanisms as a condition. A high-ranking military official said, ''our army is getting prepared to this mission.'' Troops which will go to Afghanistan will be selected from the 28th Brigade in Mamak, Ankara.

ECEVIT: ''THERE CAN BE GENOCIDE IN CYPRUS''

On the 18th anniversary of the founding of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), Turkey affirmed once again that any concession won't be made from Cyprus for the EU. President Ahmet Necdet Sezer said he believed it would be understood in a short time that a lasting solution could not be reached by ingnoring the existence of the TRNC. Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said, ''if Turkish Cypriots are forced to live alongside with Greek Cypriots on the island, they will be confronted with worse than the genocide that was faced before the Turkish peace operation.''

(BRC-MS-AÖ)

-OGER TOUR TO BRING ONE MILLION GERMAN TOURISTS TO TURKEY NEXT SEASON

ANKARA, Nov 16 (A.A) - Tour operators will bring German families to Turkey in 2002.

Oger Tour has chosen German families as its target group in 1 million catalogues it has published.

Oger Tour Coordinator Huseyin Baraner told A.A correspondent on Friday that they planned to bring 1 million tourists from Germany to Turkey in the following tourism season.

Baraner noted that the German families who had spent a holiday in Turkey were all pleased about their holidays and said, ''we have published 1 million catalogues this year. We have started to send these catalogues to 18,000 points. Our target is to bring 1 million Germans to Turkey.''

The developments which occured following the September 11th terrorist attacks in the United States would not affect Turkey's tourism at a great extent, Baraner stated.

Baraner pointed out that they expected a high increase in reservations in Turkey in November and that German tourists would start to flow in Turkey as of March.

''Our target is families. To this end, our catalogues aim at attracting families,'' Baraner said.

Baraner stated that they would introduce and promote Turkey and host 40 foreign reporters in Turkey every month starting from January.

They would give priority to hospitality of Turkey in their promotion, Baraner said.

Baraner noted that they would introduce Turkey as a country of Europe with the richest cultural heritage besides its sea and sun, adding that they would stress that Turkey was an ideal country for types of tourism like health, beauty, thermal and sports.

(BRC-AÖ)

-A.A LAUNCHES LEGAL FIGHT AGAINST PRESS ORGANS AND WEB-SITES USING A.A NEWS WITHOUT PERMISSION

ANKARA, Nov 16 (A.A) - Anadolu Agency (A.A) launched on Friday legal fight against press organs and web-sites that have been using A.A news without permission.

A.A filed a declaratory action against some press organs and web-sites on charges that these organs use of its news items illegally and without permission and market these news items to third persons.

The agency applied to the 14th Civil Court of Peace by an expert report regarding some web-sites and press organs using A.A news without permission.

Under the decision of the concerned court, the legal adviser of A.A made a denounciation to the chief prosecutors' offices by requesting that broadcasting and publishing of the mentioned web-sites and press organs be stopped and opened compensation cases in civil courts.

(BRC-AÖ)

-STATE MINISTER DERVIS SAYS THEY AGREE WITH IMF DELEGATION ON SUPPORTING ECONOMIC PROGRAM WITH STRONG STRUCTURAL AND FINANCIAL MEASURES

ANKARA, Nov 16 (A.A) - State Minister Kemal Dervis said on Friday that they agreed with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) delegation on supporting economic program with strong structural and financial measures as of the beginning of 2002.

A written statement issued by the office of Dervis noted that they reached an agreement with the IMF on supporting the economic program with strong structural and financial measures as of the beginning of 2002 and on gradually implementing reforms in public sector in line with the decisions of the coalition leaders.

The statement said, ''IMF Managing Director Horst Koehler stressed that he would recommend the Executive Board to meet almost 10 billion U.S. dollar additional financing need of Turkey to support the ambitious economic program that is being implemented. Technical works on the additional foreign financing to be provided from the IMF will continue with the IMF delegation that will come to Ankara in December.''

(BRC-AÖ)

-DERVIS SAYS IMF'S ADDITIONAL FINANCIAL SOURCE WILL BE ONE OF IMPORTANT ITEMS OF HIS AGENDA IN OTTOWA AND WASHINGTON (2)

ANKARA - State Minister Kemal Dervis said on Friday that the additional source that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) would extend to Turkey would be one of the important items of the agenda of his contacts in Ottowa and Washington D.C.

A written statement issued by the office of Dervis noted that IMF delegation headed by Turkey Desk Chief Juha Kahkonen departed from Turkey on Thursday following their ten-day contacts for the tenth review.

The statement said that there were two main issues on the agenda of IMF's contacts in Turkey and continued, ''within the framework of the current stand-by agreement, mutual fulfillment of commitments and responsibilities on periodic basis in the remaining part of the ongoing economic program in 2001 year, completion of tenth review process and strengthening of finance policy implementations and determination of financing deficit within scope of the economic program in 2002 by taking into consideration effects of negative developments in global economic situation on Turkish economy following the September 11th terrorist attacks in the United States.''

IMF Managing Director Horst Koehler would recommend Executive Board to meet Turkey's almost 10 billion U.S. dollar additional financing need to complete the tenth review soon and to support ambitious economic program that was being implemented, the statement pointed out.

The statement said that Dervis, who would go to first Canadian capital Ottowa and then to U.S. capital Washington D.C, was being accompanied by Treasury Undersecretariat Faik Oztrak and Central Bank Governor Sureyya Serdengecti.

Dervis and the accompanying delegation would attend G-20 economy ministers' meeting and IMF and World Bank meetings, the statement noted.

The statement said that the delegation headed by Dervis would proceed to Washington D.C on November 20 and held contacts with officials of international finance organizations and U.S. Department of the Treasury.

The delegation would make presentations to international investor organizations and financial circles in New York and Washington D.C, the statement noted.

The statement added that Dervis would meet with Koehler, World Bank President James Wolfensohn, finance ministers of G-7 countries, and officials of EU and international finance organizations.

-ANKARA FEELS CONCERN OVER THE STATEMENT OF POLISH HEAD OF STATE KWASNIEWSKI SAYING ''ARMENIAN GENOCIDE IS REAL''

ANKARA - Ankara felt uneasy over the statements of Polish Head of State Aleksander Kwasniewski which he said during a visit to Armenia. The Polish Head of State claimed the 1915 Armenian genocide was real.

Kwasniewski, during a visit to ''genocide monument'' in Yerevan, said the 1915 Armenian genocide was real, noting that he wished such kind of tragedies would not be repeated.

The statements of Kwasniewski were conveyed to Ankara by the Embassy of Turkey to Warsaw.

The Warsaw Embassy, feeling concern over the statements of Kwasniewski, briefed the Foreign Ministry on Thursday.

Foreign Ministry officials said they were following the incident, noting that the necessary response would be given in the possible shortest time.

Ugur Ziyal, the Foreign Ministry Undersecretary, is waited to return from Istanbul for the response that will be given to Poland.

Pope II Jean Paul from Poland had paid a visit to Armenia in September 25 and 28, had made a joint statement with Armenian Patriarch IInd Garegin and used the word ''genocide''.

Following this development, Vatikan Ambassador in Ankara was summoned to Foreign Ministry and was conveyed Ankara's regret.

-PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT: ''WE WILL ENDURE THIS, AND LATER RECOVER TURKEY DUE TO ECONOMIC MEANS''

ANKARA - Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said on Friday that, ''we will endure for some time, and later recover Turkey due to economic means.''

Responding to a question about the saving measures that were announced, Ecevit said he believed that Turkey would bear this for some time, and later recover Turkey due to economic means.

Ecevit said, ''of course there are wounds in our economy caused by long years. It was not possible to overcome those at once. However, the government does its best. I believe that we will be able to recover economy in the remaining few months.''

''If our determination in this respect has not been seen, if it was not perceived by the world, the aid which are in question recently, would not be in question. As I said before, we will have difficulty for some time, but after a short period of time, we will reach healtiness. Yet, there should not be some unexpected incidents again.''

-CEM SAYS PEACE IN MIDDLE EAST DEPENDS

ON FOUNDATION OF PALESTINIAN STATE

NEW YORK - Foreign Minister Ismail Cem said, ''it is a pleasing development that an important part of the international community has realized the fact that the peace in the Middle East depended on foundation of Palestinian state.''

Speaking at coordination meeting of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC), Cem said that Israel should finalize its withdrawal from the regions under control of the Palestinian Liberation Organization as soon as possible. We call on Israel to give up policies that will make the situation in the region more serious. Peace and security can be reached only through negotiations.''

Referring to the issue of terrorism, Cem said, ''unemployed people can be involved in acts of violence easily.''

Stressing that Turkey wanted solution in Cyprus, Cem said, ''recognition of equal rights of Turkish Cypriots will facilitate solution of the Cyprus question.''

Cem thanked member countries to the OIC for their solidarity on the issue of the Cyprus question.

''OIC members are the factor of confidence and support for Muslim Turkish Cypriot people. Greek Cypriots should be encouraged to resume the talks in line with the United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan's statement he made in September of 2000. We welcomed proposal of President Rauf Denktas of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) to Greek Cypriot leader Glafcos Clerides,'' he said.

Cem said that they planned to bring together European Union (EU) member countries with OIC member countries at an international conference in Istanbul in 2002.

Stressing that terrorism was a crime againts humanity, Cem added that international cooperation was necessary to fight againts terrorism.

-IMF MANAGING DIRECTOR TO PROPOSE EXECUTIVE BOARD TO CLOSE TURKEY'S FINANCING GAP

WASHINGTON D.C - International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Horst Koehler said on Friday that he would propose the Executive Board to close Turkey's financing gap around 10 billion U.S. dollars.

Koehler made a statement after an informal meeting of the Executive Board on Turkey.

IMF Managing Director Koehler noted that he also intended to recommend completion a new stand-by agreement to be negotiatied over the next month.

Koehler continued, ''directors welcomed the assessment of the mission recently in Ankara that implementation of the program has been very strong. However, in the aftermath of September 11 a financing gap of approximately $10 billion for the remainder of 2001 and 2002 has arisen. In light of this external shock, Turkey is committed to strengthen further its effort in the areas of fiscal policy, banking and structural reform, and to seek continued support from the private sector.

''On the basis of a very constructive discussion today, I intend to recommend completion of the tenth review in the near future and a new stand- by arrangement, to be negotiated over the next month, to support the authorities' ambitious reforms and close the financing gap. This is an appropriate response by the Fund,'' Koehler added.

-O'NEILL SAYS TURKEY IS POWERFULLY IMPLEMENTING REFORM POLICIES

WASHINGTON D.C. - The United States supported the International Monetary Fund's (IMF) proposal for a new stand-by deal to close Turkey's 10 billion U.S. dollars of financing gap and to support continuation of reforms.

Making a statement following announcement of IMF Executive Directors Board meeting's decisions by IMF Managing Director Horst Koehler, U.S. Secretary of Treasury Paul O'Neill praised Turkey and IMF's proposals.

Stressing that Turkey's performance of implementing the reform policies was very powerful, O'Neill said they were pleased with IMF's proposal to close the 10th review period and its other proposals.

O'Neill said that those measures in addition to Turkey's determination to implement reform measures would contribute to formation of the basis of economic growth.

-TURKEY AMONG 20 COUNTRIES THAT WILL DETERMINE FUTURE OF AFGHANISTAN

NEW YORK - Turkey will determine the future of Afghanistan together with 20 countries and Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC).

Sources said early on Friday that the mentioned countries would meet in Washington D.C. under the pioneership of the United States in the following week.

The preparatory works of that meeting would me made in the level of permanent representatives under the umbrella of the United Nations (U.N) in New York on Friday, the sources noted.

The sources stated that the group would be comprised of United States, Turkey, China, Egypt, France, Germany, India, Iran, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Pakistan, the Netherlands, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.

Turkey expressed the importance that Ankara attributed to being included in the political decision making mechanism related with the future of Afghanistan during the meeting between Foreign Minister Ismail Cem and the U.S. Deputy Secretary Marc Grossman.

Engin Soysal, the adviser of Cem, said that efficient role that the coalition would undertake in Afghanistan was also discussed during Cem- Grossman meeting.

Cem and Grossman also debated the lists of terrorist organizations while Cem requested terrorist organizations PKK and DHKP-C be included among terrorist organizations.

Sources quoted Cem as saying that international community should also show the necessary sensitivity about terrorism against Turkey similar to the sensitivity shown about terrorism against the United States and that international community should assume an attitude.

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