Anadolu Agency: News in English, 01-11-24

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ANADOLU AGENCY

NEWS

24 NOVEMBER

2001 Saturday

CONTENTS

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

[02] STATE MINISTER BAL INFORMS TURKISH PEOPLE IN GERMANY ABOUT INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES

[03] TOWEL EXPORTATION FROM SOUTHEASTERN GAZIANTEP PROVINCE

[04] LABOUR MINISTRY REPORT SAYS 14,875 WORKPLACES CLOSED IN EIGHT MONTHS

[05] STATE MINISTER GUREL DUE TO THE NETHERLANDS

[06] CHINESE TOUR OPERATOR DECIDES TO INVEST IN HOTELS AND RESTAURANTS IN TURKEY

[07] FOREIGN MINISTRY DEPUTY UNDERSECRETARY OZSOY IN IRAN

[08] PROMOTION SEMINAR FOR THE NEW CIVIL CODE -JUSTICE MINISTER TURK: ''SUCCESS OF NEW CIVIL CODE DEPENDS ON THE DECISIONS THAT WILL BE GIVEN BY THOSE WHO WILL IMPLEMENT IT''

[09] IRANIAN TOURING SALE DIRECTOR SAYS IRANIANS PREFER TURKEY FOR ITS COASTS, SCENERY, SECURITY AND PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

[10] COOPERATION BETWEEN TURKEY AND SYRIA ON FIGHT AGAINST TERRORISM PUBLISHED IN THE OFFICIAL GAZETTE

[11] BRITISH AMBASSADOR IN ANKARA AND CONSULS CONVENE IN MARMARIS

[12] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT SAYS TURKEY WILL ENSURE AFGHAN CHILDREN TO HAVE CONTEMPORARY EDUCATION

[13] NARCOTICS TEAMS CONFISCATE 32 KG HASHISH

[14] COAST GUARD INTERCEPT 12 FOREIGNERS IN MUGLA

[15] TRANSFER OF TARISBANK TO SDIF -TARIS GENERAL DIRECTOR OZER: ''WE ARE WAITING FOR THE BRSA TO EVALUATE JURISDICTION DECISION''

[16] TOURISM MINISTER SAYS ANKARA PROJECT LAUNCHED TO PROMOTE CAPITAL ANKARA

[17] SECURITY FORCES INTERCEPT 58 FOREIGNERS IN CESME

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

TAX ACCUSATIONS AGAINST LADIN'S KADI
Companies of Al Kadi, which are claimed to have links with terrorist Osama bin Laden, in Turkey are in difficult condition due to tax evasion. Finance inspectors demanded to impose precautionary sequestration to the shares of the companies of which Yassen Abdullah Azizuddin al Kadi was a partner. These companies are claimed to be the 'till' of Osama bin Laden.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

RETIRMENT IN STAGES
Labour and Social Security Minister Yasar Okuyan said that they started works for a new arrangement in line with the reasoned verdict of the Constitutional Court pertaining to the annulment of retirement in stages. Okuyan said the new arrangement could be ready after the new year.

Okuyan said that the reasoned verdict regarded with the decision of the Constitutional Court was issued in Today's Official Gazette, noting that, ''our friends started efforts for a new arrangement. We earlier had preparations. We will complete those preparations under the light of the reasoned verdict and present it to the Council of Ministers and later to the Council of Ministers soon.''

SABAH (LIBERAL)

DERVIS BOOSTS MORALE OF HIS ARGENTINIAN COUNTERPART CAVALLO:
''WE ARE RECOVERING. NOW IT'S YOUR TURN''
Turkey and Argentina suffered from an economic crisis at almost the same time. Turkey entrusted its economy to Kemal Dervis, who was working at the World Bank those days while Argentina put its economy in the care of Domingo Cavallo, working at the Wall Street the. Two friends met during the G-20 summit held in Ottowa last weekend. Dervis was in good spirits because Turkey was recovering. Cavallo was in bad spirits because Argentina was still suffering from the crisis. Dervis boosted the morale of his friend: ''We have left behind the crisis. Now, it's your turn. Have a good luck.''

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

Moreover, the investigation, which has been opened against 56,000 teachers who wanted their rights during the ''December 1 Looking for Rights Day'' continues.

DERVIS DISCUSSES RELATIONS WITH THE EU
State Minister Kemal Dervis, responsible for economy, met with Guenter Verheugen, the European Union (EU) Commissioner for Enlargement.

The meeting between Dervis and Verheugen was held at Frankfurter Hof Hotel early the same day. After the meeting, Dervis did not make any statement to reporters while Verheugen said that they had discussed Turkey's relations with the EU. Dervis later attended Frankfurt European Banking Congress 2001 at Frankfurt's ancient Opera building.

RADIKAL (LEFT)

Presidential Office Foreign Affairs Chief Adviser Tacan Ildem said on Friday, ''President Ahmet Necdet Sezer thinks it would be beneficial to implement a pre-election system also within the election system. The political parties should hold pre-elections in election areas to determine all its registered members and candidates of parliamentarians.''

Sezer thinks 10 percent threshold is appropriate to the Constitution.

PROTEST IN FRONT OF PRIME MINISTRY
A person was taken under custody on Friday as he tried to hold a protest in front of Prime Ministry Central Building.

Mehmet Bozyel (32), married with six children, came to Vekaletler Street and began to shout.

The body guards took Bozyel under custody and brought him to Cankaya police station.

Police said Bozyel's actions was ''mentally unbalanced''.

TURKIYE (RIGHT)

The Parliamentary General Assembly convened at 01:00 p.m. under the chairmanship of Deputy Parliament Speaker Yuksek Yalova. The session lasted for more than four hours. Although the Parliamentary General Assembly was decided to work till 04:00 p.m., the session continued till talks were finalized.

Mehmet Ali Irtemcelik, an independent deputy from Istanbul province, and Foreign Minister Ismail Cem delivered a speech at the session.

AUCTION TO BE HELD FOR TRANSFER OF SDIF BANKS' DEPOSITS TO OTHER COMMERCIAL
BANKS THROUGH 4 DEPOSIT POOLS
An auction was opened for transfer of Savings Deposits Insurance Fund (SDIF) banks' deposits to commercial banks in return for state domestic borrowing notes. According to the SDIF's notice which was published in Friday's Official Gazette, those deposits will be transferred through four deposit pools.

Information about those deposit pools two of which will be Turkish lira and two others will be foreign currency deposit pools will be available as of November 26, 2001 at the SDIF or SDIF Asset Management Department or through internet at ''www.bddk.org.tr'' web site.

Those who are interested in the auction will submit their sealed bids with nominal-valued state domestic borrowing notes in return for deposit pool by November 28, 2001 to the SDIF.

After evaluating those bids, SDIF will select reasonable bids and transfers will be made as of December 3, 2001.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

TEMPERATURE FALLS TO MINUS 34 DEGREES CELCIUS IN ERZURUM
Following the snowfall which influenced the Eastern Anatolia Region, the coldest November night of the last 20 years was experienced in Erzurum. Temperature fell to minus 34 degrees Celcius in Erzurum while the snow width was 25 centimetres. Electricity was cut in the city due to an explosion in the transformer.

[02] STATE MINISTER BAL INFORMS TURKISH PEOPLE IN GERMANY ABOUT INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Bal, who attended a dinner hosted by Turkish businessmen in his honour, said that they came to Germany to inform Turkish businessmen living in Europe about the ways to make investments in Turkey.

Their contacts were positive, Bal noted and stated that the high-level officials and bureaucrats gave information about legal practices and secure investment means.

Bal hoped that the citizens would make use of this information.

State Minister Bal later visited Turkish Federation Munich Culture Society.

Bal and the accompanying delegation will leave for Ankara on Saturday.

[03] TOWEL EXPORTATION FROM SOUTHEASTERN GAZIANTEP PROVINCE

Towels, bathrobes, beach and bath towels, worth of 5.1 million U.S. dollars were exported in 10 months.

In the same period last year, exportation worth of 1.6 million U.S. dollars was made.

According to the data of Southeastern Anatolia Exporters Unions, the towels were exported to Germany, U.S., France, Spain, Belgium, Italy and Romania.

[04] LABOUR MINISTRY REPORT SAYS 14,875 WORKPLACES CLOSED IN EIGHT MONTHS

According to the report entitled ''Situation of Turkish Economy'' prepared by the ministry, 1 million 7 thousand 931 people ended their working life due to retirement, health problems, job change, dismissal or closure of the workplace.

The report indicated that 25.4 percent (equal to 16 million 88 thousand) of Turkey's population was comprised of children between 6-17 years old and that 10.2 percent (equivalent to 1 million 635 thousand) of these children was working.

The report showed that 61.8 percent of the child labour was consisted of boys and 38.2 percent of it was comprised of girls.

According to the report, 57.6 percent of the children was working in agricultural sector, 21.8 percent in industrial sector and 10.4 percent in services sector.

The report indicated that majority of the children was working to contribute to economy of their families while a decrease was recorded in child labour in recent years.

Illegal foreign labour force had increased in recent years, the report stressed.

According to the report, almost 1 million illegal foreigners were working with a low wage in non-registered sectors.

[05] STATE MINISTER GUREL DUE TO THE NETHERLANDS

State Ministry issued a statement and said Gurel is scheduled to meet Dutch Minister of Urban and Minority Policies Roger van Boxtel. Gurel will also meet the representatives of Turkish community in the Netherlands.

The immigration movements, different policies covered by the countries regarding the entrance of foreigners, and effects of those policies on harmonization of foreigners to the community are expected to be discussed at the conference that will take place in November 26-30.

Nearly 700 representatives from 42 countries are expected to attend the conference.

[06] CHINESE TOUR OPERATOR DECIDES TO INVEST IN HOTELS AND RESTAURANTS IN TURKEY

Aristo Tour, the only tour operator which brings tourists from China to Turkey, set up a partnership with giant Chinese company CITIC Holding.

Aristo Tour Executive Board Chairperson Sema Bakacak told A.A correspondent on Saturday that their company was the only company which brought tourists from China to Turkey.

Bakacak said that they brought 6,000 Chinese tourists by scheduled flights that year.

China announced Turkey as ''official holiday country'', Bakacak noted and stated that cooperation agreement would be signed between two countries during the visit of a Chinese tourism delegation due in Turkey between December 12-18.

Bakacak said, ''even if this agreement is not signed, we aim to bring 15 thousand tourists from China in 2002. However, if the agreement is signed, we can bring 50 thousand tourists in 2002.''

Bureaucratic hurdles would be lifted following the agreement, Bakacak pointed out.

Bakacak said that number of Chinese tourists visiting Turkey in the following five years could reach to 300 thousand annually.

Aristo Tour and CITIC Holding set up a company named ''Olimpika Tour'' to operate in Turkey, Bakacak noted.

Bakacak stated that they planned to establish hotels and Chinese restaurants in Turkey and bring Chinese tourists to Turkey by this company, the annual turnover which was 50 billion U.S. dollars.

This holding would be the first Chinese investor in Turkey, Bakacak drew the attention and said, ''I hope that commercial relations between two countries will be further improved as this giant holding starts to take steps in Turkey.''

Bakacak pointed out that efforts were under way to set up a Turkish restaurant in a five-storey building in Beijing.

Bakacak added, ''Aristo Tour is organizing cultural tourism tours, congress and fair tourism tours from Turkey to China. Commercial relations between Turkey and China are for the advantage of China. When Turkey is making 1 billion U.S. dollar importation from China, its exportation to this country is around 50 million U.S. dollars. There are many goods that Turkish businessmen can sell to China. This opportunity should be made use of.''

[07] FOREIGN MINISTRY DEPUTY UNDERSECRETARY OZSOY IN IRAN

Ambassador Ozsoy is expected to meet with Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Asia and the Pacific Mohsen Aminzadeh, Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs Mohammad Javad Zarif as well as Iranian Foreign Ministry Director General for West Asia Siyavus Yakubi.

Situation in Afghanistan after Taliban, structure of the government that will be set up, coordination of humanitarian aid, Afghanistan Conference that will start in Bonn in Monday, and related problems are expected to be discussed during Ozsoy's contacts.

[08] PROMOTION SEMINAR FOR THE NEW CIVIL CODE -JUSTICE MINISTER TURK: ''SUCCESS OF NEW CIVIL CODE DEPENDS ON THE DECISIONS THAT WILL BE GIVEN BY THOSE WHO WILL IMPLEMENT IT''

Justice Ministry initiated a seminar aiming to promote the new Turkish Civil Code.

Addressing the opening of the seminar, Turk said the Turkish Civil Code, which was adopted in 1926, was re-arranged by taking into consideration the changes occurring in the world and in Turkey.

Turk said the new civil code was prepared in the direction of new interpretations and the scientific developments and that language of the new Civil Code was simplified.

Pointing out that women-men equality was realized totally, Turk said Turkey took a very important step with the new law that will take effect on January 1, 2002.

The seminar will continue till January 1, 2001.

[09] IRANIAN TOURING SALE DIRECTOR SAYS IRANIANS PREFER TURKEY FOR ITS COASTS, SCENERY, SECURITY AND PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Iran has become one of the most important tourism markets of Turkey with its 65 million population and 7,000 U.S. dollar income per capita.

Iranian tourism employees who attended Mediterranean International Travelling and Tourism Fair in southern Antalya province made business contacts with administrators of touristic facilities in the region.

Javan told A.A correspondent that their company was operating 76 hotels in Iran and that 1 million Iranian people visited Turkey every year.

A total of 150 thousand of these Iranian people attended package tours in Turkey that year, Javan said.

Javan noted that they guessed that the number of Iranian tourists visiting Turkey by seasonal package tours would increase by at least 10 percent.

Some Iranians preferred sea and sun in Turkey and made shopping, Javan stated. But, he said, some of the Iranians visited Istanbul for cultural purposes.

Turkish police and gendarmerie forces recorded progress in security for the last 15 years, Javan said.

Javan noted that security was an important factor for holidays and that also, hotels in Turkey were offering high-quality service. He noted that this was also important for them.

Seyfullah Javan said that they arranged three flights from Iran to Antalya by airbuses carrying 300 people a day in the summer season and that they could increase the number of flights from Iran to Turkey on some days to four this day.

Noting that there was 60 thousand touristic bed capacity in Iran, Javan called on Turkish businessmen to build hotels in Iran and to jointly run those hotels.

[10] COOPERATION BETWEEN TURKEY AND SYRIA ON FIGHT AGAINST TERRORISM PUBLISHED IN THE OFFICIAL GAZETTE

The agreement, signed with Syria on September 10, 2001, foresees cooperation between the two countries in fight against organized crimes and terrorism.

The agreement said, ''each side, within its borders, will take measures to prevent terrorist and armed attacks that are forwarded to the security of the citizens of the other side.'' Also with the agreement an effective exchange of information will take place between the two countries on terrorism incidents.

Joint Commission which was set up within the framework of the Tourism Agreement signed with Russia in 1995, had convened in March 28-31, 2001. According to the Protocol that took place in the Official Gazette, it was reported that tourism administrations of the two countries, the organizations and enterprises should set up close dialogue.

According to the protocol, Turkey and Russia would promote joint investments in field of tourism.

[11] BRITISH AMBASSADOR IN ANKARA AND CONSULS CONVENE IN MARMARIS

Consul Generals, Consuls and assigned officials of Britain in Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, Antalya, Bodrum and Marmaris attended the meeting held in western Marmaris township.

Speaking after the meeting, Logan said the tourists left Turkey with pleasure, noting that this formed a positive image for Turkey.

Logan said most of the times his citizens return to the country without spending anay money, stressing that the understanding of hospitability was still sovereign in Turkey.

[12] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT SAYS TURKEY WILL ENSURE AFGHAN CHILDREN TO HAVE CONTEMPORARY EDUCATION

Ecevit received National Education Minister Metin Bostancioglu and the accompanying delegation comprised of teachers upon the November 24 Teachers' Day.

Prime Minister Ecevit said that progress had been recorded in education since the foundation of the republic.

Ecevit noted that Turkey tried to shed the same education light on its neighbouring countries.

Turkey had significant contributions to contemporary education in Afghanistan during 1930s, Ecevit stated.

Ecevit said that similar contributions had been made recently, adding, ''of course, Turkey will ensure Afghan children, of which they had been deprived so far, after a new and robust administration is formed in the country.''

[13] NARCOTICS TEAMS CONFISCATE 32 KG HASHISH

Police, acting on a tip off, captured three people as they were about to sell the hashish.

Police said they continue to fight against drug smuggling.

[14] COAST GUARD INTERCEPT 12 FOREIGNERS IN MUGLA

Coast guard captured two Afghans who wanted to sneak into Greek island of Greece on a boat in Turgutreis hamlet of Bodrum while one Iranian and nine Iraqis were intercepted in Hisaronu village of Marmaris.

The Iranian and Iraqis wanted to proceed to Greece illegally.

The foreigners will be deported following legal proceedings.

[15] TRANSFER OF TARISBANK TO SDIF -TARIS GENERAL DIRECTOR OZER: ''WE ARE WAITING FOR THE BRSA TO EVALUATE JURISDICTION DECISION''

Speaking to A.A correspondent, Ozer said they began to look for their rights through legal ways following the transfer of Tarisbank to Saving Deposits and Insurance Fund (SDIF) on July 10.

Ozer said, ''we began to look for our rights considering the rightful demands of our partners and the rooted past of the bank. Two cases which we had opened were rejected. We had opposed to the decision and a re- evaluation has been made. This time, the decision was in favor of us. We don't know how the legal and technical process will continue from now on. The BRSA should evaluate the jurisdiction decision and give a decision about us.''

The Council of State Administrative Case Departments General Assembly suspended the Banking Regulation and Supervision Agency's (BRSA) decision on transfer of Tarisbank to the Savings Deposits Insurance Fund (SDIF).

The BRSA had decided on July 10, 2001 to transfer Tarisbank to the SDIF together with Bayindirbank, EGS Bank, Kentbank and Sitebank.

[16] TOURISM MINISTER SAYS ANKARA PROJECT LAUNCHED TO PROMOTE CAPITAL ANKARA

Tasar told a press conference that they aimed to offer Ankara's tourism potential to internal and external tourism services and to revive historical atmosphere of the capital.

''Ataturk World Peace Village'' project was the most important part of the initiative called ''Ankara project'', Tasar said.

Tasar noted that they considered this project as an important and meaningful project for the 120th anniversary of Ataturk's birthday.

''A land of 1 million or 1.5 million square metres has to be allocated for Ataturk World Peace Village Project. We propose that a part of Ataturk Culture Center or Ataturk Orman Cifligi or a land which is not far than 30- 40 kilometres of the city, should be allocated for this project. We aim build houses which will reflect architecture of different countries and in which artifacts of different cultures will be exhibited within the framework of the project. After the land is allocated and necessary infrastructural works are completed, announcements will be made in different countries and houses which will reflect the cultures and architectures of those countries will be built,'' Tasar said.

Tasar noted that they planned to fulfil the project in 2006 in coordination with Ankara Governorship and Tourism Provincial Directorate and that Foreign Ministry, Public Works and Housing Ministry, Culture Ministry, local administrations and touristic institutions should support the project.

They also planned to build a ''Turkish village'' within the framework of the same project, Tasar added.

[17] SECURITY FORCES INTERCEPT 58 FOREIGNERS IN CESME

Security forces captured 30 Turks, 2 Moroccans and 26 Iraqis hidden in a truck aboard a ferryboat in Cesme Port.

Driver of the truck said that he would take the foreigners to Italy in return for 3-5 thousand German marks.

Foreigners, three people involved in human smugling, and driver of the truck were

detained.

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