Anadolu Agency: News in English, 01-11-25

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ANADOLU AGENCY

NEWS

25 November 2001 Sunday

These are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in Turkey's press on November 25, 2001. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

''Discount Days'' campaign attracted many people. People rushed into Akmerkez and Carousel, biggest shopping malls in Istanbul. Traffic around the shopping malls was paralyzed due to rain and the inflow of people. Cem Boyner, the boss of Beymen, said, ''there were people who rushed to shop in Akmerkez especially after they exchanged their foreign currencies.''

TELEKOM COLLAPSES, LIFE IN ANKARA STOPS

Data services were out of order due to a malfunction in Ankara. The credit cards could not be used due to the malfunction while internet communication stopped. Banks could not make any transactions. 70 percent of internet subscribers in Ankara could not benefit from computer services since last Wednesday evening. The malfunction in Turk Telekom was not only limited with Ankara. Data systems in Adana, Eskisehir, Samsun and Kayseri were also paralyzed due to the malfunction.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

Despite 31 percent wholesale inflation target of the government, estimations of industrialists reached 70 percent.

According to the economic tendency inquiry of the Central Bank which was made in private sector manufacturing industry business places, Wholesale increase rate for the coming 12 months will be 61-70 percent.

A total of 22.7 percent of the bussiness places made an estimation of more than 70 percent for inflation.

BRITISH AMBASSADOR LOGAN: ''YOU DON'T LET PEOPLE SPEND MONEY''

Britain's Ambassador in Ankara David Logan, while evaluating Turkish tourism, pointed out that most of the British people return to their country without spending any money, and noted that the understanding of hospitability was still sovereign in Turkey.

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.

SABAH (LIBERAL)

The vaccination which started with Value Added Tax (VAT) reduction was effective. The markets have revived. Citizens, whose morale started to be boosted, rushed into shops after they exchanged their foreign currency. Long queues occured in front of shops in Akmerkez shopping mall of Istanbul. Police closed the streets around the shopping mall to traffic. The turnover increased by 10 folds.

DISASTER IN ANKARA: STORM COLLAPSES MINARET KILLING TWO

Minaret of Ebubekir Siddik Mosque in Kayas district of Ankara collapsed due to strong storng last night. The minaret which fell on citizens who were leaving the mosque following the ritual of worship centered in prayer (namaz) killed two people and injured eight others.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

A total of 15 percent of elderly population of in Turkey don't know reading and writing.

In a report prepared by the World Bank in the field of education, and in which various countries were examined, it was revealed that 15 percent of Turkey's population don't know reading and writing.

The report revealed that Turkey ranked the 9th among the world countries in respect to the rate of those who don't know reading and writing. Pakistan ranks the first according to the report.

THE COLDEST NIGHT OF THE PAST 20 YEARS

Following the heavy snowfall which continued in Southeastern Anatolia Region, the coldest nights of the past 20 years are being experienced in eastern Anatolia Erzurum province.

Tonnes of fruits and vegetables were frozen because of the extreme cold weather.

A person was frozen to death in Iskenderun township in southern Hatay province.

RADIKAL (LEFT)

Environment Minister Fevzi Aytekin did what nobody had done and cornered Radikal daily. It is a crime either to publish or not publish the secret disclaimer. Everything started with the news story of Radikal entitled ''Environment Cleanness'' published on September 27, 2001. Environment Minister Fevzi Aytekin, who claimed that all the information in the news story was inaccurate, sent a disclaimer to Radikal. Jurists were confused of the secret disclaimer. All jurists said that that was the funniest thing they had ever seen. Article 137 of the Turkish Penal Code foresees at least three years of heavy imprisonment term for those who make public 'secret' documents. To this end, Radikal cannot publish the disclaimer.

FRIGHTENING FIGURES

According to figures of Labour and Social Security Ministry, 14 thousand 875 workplaces were closed in the first eight months of this year. 1 million 7 thousand 931 people quitted their jobs due to several reasons in the first nine months of this year.

TURKIYE (RIGHT)

Turkish national basketball team defeated Switzerland in its second group elimination match 70-53. Turkish basketball players who was being defeated by their rival in the first half of the match reached a victory by their performance in the second half. Twelve giant men will host Ukraine in Istanbul in their third match on Wednesday.

UNJUST PENSION TO 89 THOUSAND PEOPLE

Labour and Social Security Minister Yasar Okuyan said that they had found out the people who were paid unjust pension. Okuyan said that they would make a denounciation to the prosecutors' offices related with this matter. Okuyan noted that they were paying a monthly pension of 3 trillion Turkish liras (TL) to these people and that they would allocate that money together with the interest rate.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

The foreıgn currency, whıch the Turkısh workers workıng abroad brought to the country, reached 74 bıllıon U.S. dollars ın 40 years.

A total of 40 years passed after Turkey had began to send workers abroad.

Accordıng to the offıcıal data, the workers brought 74 bıllıon U.S. dollars to Turkey.

STORM COLLAPSES MINARET IN ANKARA KILLING TWO

The minaret of a mosque in Ankara collapsed due to storm on Saturday, killing two and injuring five others.

Minaret of Ebubekir Siddik Mosque in Kayas district of Ankara collapsed due to storm, killing Basri Cagtekin and Mithat Koreken and injuring five others. The injured were taken under medical treatment in Ankara Hospital.

-STORM COLLAPSES MINARET IN ANKARA KILLING TWO

ANKARA, Nov 25 (A.A) - The minaret of a mosque in Ankara collapsed due to storm on Saturday, killing two and injuring five others.

Minaret of Ebubekir Siddik Mosque in Kayas district of Ankara collapsed due to storm, killing Basri Cagtekin and Mithat Koreken and injuring five others.

The injured were taken under medical treatment in Ankara Hospital.

-NSC TO CONVENE ON TUESDAY

ANKARA - National Security Council (NSC) will convene on November 27 under the leadership of President Ahmet Necdet Sezer.

NSC's November regular meeting will start at 09:30 local time in Cankaya Presidential Palace.

Internal and external developments will be evaluated during the meeting.

-SHIP RUNS AGROUND IN MANAVGAT

ANTALYA - A ship ran aground on Saturday due to torrential rains and strong southwest wind in Manavgat township of southern Antalya province.

Manavgat Head Official Mehmet Capraz told A.A correspondent that the ship, from where it was coming could not been learned yet, ran aground 500 metres off the coast.

Capraz noted that it was not possible to reach the ship due to strong winds and waves.

The ship was probably a cargo ship, Capraz added.

Coast guard was alarmed to rescue the ship named ''Sveto Slova.''

Officials think that the cargo ship, on the deck of which 20-30 people are seen, is probably carrying foreigners who wanted to enter Turkey illegally.

-OGER TOURS LAUNCHES ''WILLINGLY TO TURKEY'' CAMPAIGN IN GERMANY

ANTALYA - Turkish tour operator Oger Tours, which brings the highest number of German tourists to Turkey, has launched a campaign entitled ''Willingly to Turkey'' in Germany.

Oger Tours Chief Adviser Huseyin Baraner told A.A correspondent on Sunday that Oger Tours was organizing several campaigns to bring more German tourists to Turkey and that they were carrying out that campaign through 15 thousand agencies in 18 metropolises of Germany.

Baraner said that Europe had started to understand Turkey's importance and value and that to this end, especially the Germans wanted to come to Turkey to spend their holiday and to have closer relations with Turkish people.

Around 4.5 million tourists came to southern Antalya province in 2001 tourism season, Baraner noted.

Baraner stated that 1 million 850 thousand of those tourists came from Germany and that there would be 30 percent increase in number of German tourists coming to Antalya in 2002.

At least 2.5 million Germans would spend their holidays in Antalya in 2002, Baraner pointed out.

Baraner said that they received 100 thousand reservations in a short time thanks to their catalogues and campaigns.

Oger Tours would bring 40 journalists from Germany to Turkey every month, Baraner noted and added that they would promote Turkey's touristic heritage to those journalists.

-JAPANESE MINISTER CONTRIBUTES PROMOTION OF TURKEY

TOKYO - Japanese Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Atsuko Toyama shared the impressions she got during the years when she had worked as the Japanese Ambassadress in Ankara. Toyama's book entitled, ''Turkey between 20th and 21st Century'' was published.

The woman minister in her book tells about Turkey's historical and natural beauties as well as political, economic and cultural aspects of Turkey. Toyama in her book stresses that Turkey, being an Islam country, adopted the principle of secularism, and appreciates Great leader Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the Founder of Modern Turkish Republic.

In the preface of the book bearing the title, ''Why Now Turkey? View From the Middle East to Japan'' Toyama says she had a very heavy burden on her shoulders during the three years when she worked as Ambassadress in Turkey.

Toyama said many ministers, politicians, economists and academicians expended support to her when she was appointed as Education Minister in Japan.

Noting that she saw that Turkey was not known well in Japan when she returned to her country, Toyama said to this end she decided to write articles to promote Turkey.

The years when Toyama had worked as Ambassadress in Turkey, coincides with the years when talks were underway regarded with Turkey's membership to the European Union (EU), when Abdullah Ocalan, the head of the terrorist organization, was captured, and depressed days like the massive Marmara quake.

Toyama in her book narrated the culture treasures, mainly Cappacodia, which she visited in Turkey, and the Turkish citizens she met there.

The book, comprised of nine chapters together with the preface, Turkey's historical riches, its understanding of democracy and secularism, Turkey's relations with the neighboring countries, its policy and economy, Turkish culture, education system, Japan's support to Turkey during the Marmara quake, interest of Turkish people in Japan.

Toyama in her book pointed out that principle of secularim was existing in foundation basis of Turkey which becomes modernized, western and targeting the EU membership, and noted that, ''Turkey is an Islam country but against fundamentalism. At the same time, Turkish people feels closeness to Japan and Japanese people.''

Toyama said Mustafa Kemal Ataturk targeted setting up a democratic state and keeping politics and relgion as separate, stressing that, ''it was very difficult to achieve this in Islam world. He exerted all kinds of efforts to make Turkey reach a western contemporary level. Ataturk resurrected a demolished country, and created a republic from there. Ataturk also continued on his way with a series of contemporary reforms.''

Toyama worked as Ambassadress in Ankara in 1996-1999. She exerted great efforts to improve relations between Turkey and Japan during her term in office, and played a very important role in aid sent by Japan to Turkey during the massive earthequake.

After she returned to her country, she worked as honorary Ambassadress of Turkey and wrote articles in important newspapers of the country promoting Turkey.

-OLIVE AND OLIVE OIL EXPORTATION INCREASES THE MOST IN TEN MONTHS

ANKARA - Olive and olive oil exportation increased the most in the first ten months of this year.

Olive and olive oil exportation increased by 324.5 percent between January and October 2001.

The sector in which exportation decreased the most became carpet exportation with 17.1 percent in the same period.

According to figures of Exporters' Association, Turkey obtained 140 million U.S. dollars from olive and olive oil exportation in first ten months of this year.

Automobile and by-industry product exportation increased 50.5 percent to 3 billion 240 million U.S. dollars while Turkey obtained 422 million U.S. dollars from tree and forestry product exports with 33.2 percent increase in the same period.

Live animal and water product exportation increased 26.4 percent to 177 million U.S. dollars between January and October 2001.

In the same period, carpet sector was the sector in which exportation recessed the most while dry fruit exportation followed the carpet exports. Turkey obtained 124 million U.S. dollars from carpet exports while gained 313 million U.S. dollars from its dry fruit exportation.

Turkey's tobacco exports decreased by 6.7 percent while its fruit and vegetable exportation fell by 2.6 percent. Mineral exportation decreased by 0.6 percent while ready made cloth exports recessed by 0.8 percent in the same period.

Turkey obtained 339 million U.S. dollars from tobacco exports, 105 million U.S. dollars from fruit and vegetable exportation, 5 billion 895 million U.S. dollars from ready made cloth exports, and 477 million U.S. dollars from mineral exportation.

-ISRAELI TOUR OPERATORS BOTH PROMOTE THEIR COUNTRY

AND AT THE SAME TIME SEARCH FOR WAYS TO BRING MORE TOURISTS TO TURKEY

ANTALYA- The Israeli tour operators, who attended Mediterranean International Travel and Tourism Fair (MEDITT-Antalya) both invite the Turkish people to their country, and at the same time look for ways to attract more tourists to Turkey from Israel.

Joseph Ashkenazy, the Israeli Tour Operator, told A.A correspondent that Turkey was a holiday country near to Israel, adding that cheap prices, quality in service, quality of hotels, and smiling face of personnel, were effective on Israeli tourists to prefer Turkey.

Ashkenazy said approximately 300,000 tourists visited Turkey per year, stressing that they like the taste of Turkish food, the shopping centers and the standards of hotels.

Meanwhile Israeli Tourism Ministry Central and Southern Europe Department Director Yehuda Shen distributed brochures telling about Israel's historial, cultural and natural beauties, and invited Turkish people to Israel.

-PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT SPEAKS AT LIVE TV BROADCAST

ANKARA- Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said on Sunday that there was no difference between sacrificing Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) and a part of Turkey. Ecevit said, ''I think its inevitable that Turkish Cypriots living there wold absolutely meet a genocide if now a solution is brought onto the agenda and tried to be implemented in the direction of the Greek Cypriots and the European Union (EU).

Ecevit responded to the questions at a live program ''Sunday Panorama'' broadcast in state-run TRT-1 channel.

When asked about the statements of Turkey's Ambassador in Washington D.C. Faruk Logoglu regarded with the possibility of the spreading of Afghanistan operation to Iraq, Ecevit said, ''I don't know his intention by making this statement.''

Evaluating the probability of the spreading of the operation on Iraq, Ecevit said, ''the U.S. has a pluralist society and administration. There are people who are authorized and not authorized on Iraq issue. There are also circles which think of action.''

''However,'' Ecevit noted that was not the official policy of the U.S. administration, stressing that, ''I wish such a negative action will not occur near our border.''

Ecevit said all the attention should be focused on Afghanistan.

Prime Minister Ecevit said Taliban forces were defeated but that there was not a state, administration or authority in Afghanistan. Stressing that there were generals who fought with each other in the region, Ecevit said, ''to this end, instead of focusing on operation on other countries, we should direct all our attention to the establishment of a healthy administration in Afghanistan.''

When recalled the earlier news reports that ethnic groups in Afghanistan would convene in Turkey, and asked why this meeting did not take place, Ecevit said, ''we are not the one who invited that delegation. They found this meeting appropriate. It was also a problem to meet the expenses of this meeting. I think they probably met the expenses of the meeting from Germany.''

Responding to a question which said, ''sending troops to the region is a matter of discussion. Spain and Italy announced that they would send soliders. What is our recent position,'' Ecevit said, ''I am not in a position to give a response in respect to number. But 90 people may not adequate. There are many things that should be done even if the war ends actively. For example, there is an important airport beyond 40-50 km of Kabul. Many personnel would be needed for the protection, security and technical services of this.''

''It is natural for us to have assignment in that airport. Also, there are many things that should be done on social and economic issues. Our soldiers have so much experience. As it is known our military unit make important contributions to Bosnian people although there is not any military function there. However, I wish there would not be any need for an armed war,'' Ecevit said.

Responding another question, Ecevit said different states have different plans regarded with the region.

When reminded that some important developments related with Cyprus were recorded and asked if Turkey would make a concession of Cyprus or what it would do, Ecevit said, ''making a concession or paying a price were not even discussed as an assumption. None of us think that. There is not any difference between sacrificing TRNC and a part of Turkey. TRNC is of vital importance for not only security of Turks living on Cyprus but also for the security of Turkey. We are imperfect in this issue because we have not sufficiently explained what Turks living in Cyprus had felt and experienced before the Cyprus Peace Operation to new generations and politicians. We have behaved with the thought that they knew about the realities. We have to launch an intense campaign related with this matter.''

Reminding that a few genocide attempts were made against Turks by the Greek Cypriots prior to the peace operation, Ecevit said, ''however, they were stopped as Turkey's voice was heard. Meanwhile, the Greek Cypriot administration backed the terrorists during the incidents in Bosnia- Herzegovina. In my opinion, it is inevitable for Turks living in Cyprus to face a new genocide if a solution in the direction of the demands of the Greek Cypriots or the EU is brought to the agenda and tried to be implemented. Because, the Greek Cypriot administration's officials are in the mood that they will start to swim in Girne and go back to their old houses again. They are clearly stating this. Thousands of cases have been filed at the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) by the Greek Cypriots to return to their houses.''

Ecevit noted, ''think that two states will come together and row will start on the following day. Some people, authors, intellectuals and even politicians in Turkey say that genocide will not be made in this era. So what was the genocide in Bosnia-Herzegovina? The Greek Cypriot administration backed those who made that genocide.''

Stating that ''the West's perception of the matter as a Rauf Denktas matter was unbelievable'', Ecevit said, ''this is Turkey's problem. They are deceiving themselves. They will make a new evaluation as they realize that we will not make any concessions.''

Asked how the meeting expected to be held between TRNC President Rauf Denktas and Greek Cypriot administration leader Glafcos Clerides, would be concluded, Ecevit said, ''it will be beneficial to be optimistic. I hope that a reconciliation ground will be laid but, I am not so much hopeful.''

Ecevit expressed his belief that problems would be overcome as long as Turkey continued its determination.

When Ecevit was reminded that Turkey's EU full membership process was linked with Cyprus question and that some disagreements had been faced, Ecevit said, ''it is clear that some rows occur. Turkey is very important for the EU. The Americans perceive how much important we are for EU better than the Europeans. There are people who ignore this in Europe.''

Ecevit said, ''I want to remind something to Europe related with Cyprus: In fact, Europe does not have any case with Cyprus. What happens in Cyprus can only concern Greece and Greek Cypriots. There are not anything that concerns none of the European or world countries. To this end, this is a strange fantacy. I believe that we can overcome it and we have to overcome.''

-FOURTEEN VILLAGE ROADS CLOSED TO TRAFFIC IN KIRKLARELI

KOFCAZ/ANTALYA/FETHIYE - Fourteen village roads were closed to traffic due to heavy snowfall in Kofcaz township of northwestern Kirklareli province on Sunday.

Kofcaz Mayor Nihat Ozturk told A.A correspondent that snowfall which started on Saturday and ended on Sunday paralyzed daily life.

Ozturk said that roads to Kocayazi, Kula, Karaabalar, Ahlatli, Ahmetler, Topcular, Tatlipinar, Beyci, Malkoclar, Asagikanara, Yukarikanara, Terzidere, Kocatarla and Devletliagac villages were closed to traffic due to snowfall.

Efforts had been launched to re-open the roads to traffic, Ozturk noted.

Ozturk said that electricity could not be given to those villages.

Meanwhile, five village roads in Kirklareli and Demirkoy were also closed to traffic due to heavy snow.

In the meantime, heavy rain and storm paralyzed daily life in southern Antalya province and its townships.

Roofs of some houses, trees and poles were demolished and greenhouses were damaged in the storm and rain.

Officials of Meteorology Regional Directorate said that 177.5 kilograms of rain fell per square metres in Antalya in the last two days and winds blew at a speed of 85 kilometers per hour.

Officials of Antalya Municipality Fire Brigade said that roofs of two houses and almost 100 trees were demolished in Antalya last night.

Kemer Head Official Nazmi Gunlu said that some trees were demolished and electricity was cut in the township due to last night's storm.

Greenhouses in Kumluca township were flooded due to heavy rains and storm while minarets of three mosques in Finike township were demolished. There were no reports of casulties due to demolition of minarets.

Efforts were under way to discharge water from inundated houses and greenhouses and to give electricity to all the townships of Antalya.

In the meantime, whirlwind caused major damages in Karaculha hamlet in Fethiye township of western Mugla province.

A hundred greenhouses were damaged, roofs of 20 houses were demolished and minaret of a mosque collapsed due to the whirlwind.

Karaculha Mayor Mustafa Kiremitli said that the whirlwind was effective in an area of 800 metres in width and 4 kilometres in length.

Kiremitli noted that many olive and citrus trees were uprooted due to whirlwind, energy transmission lines were cut and electricity was cut in some districts.

They would start damage assessment works on Monday, Kiremitli said, adding that they would extend necessary help to those who suffered from the whirlwind.

-ENVIRONMENT MINISTER AYTEKIN IN BRUSSELS

BRUSSELS - Environment Minister Fevzi Aytekin came on Sunday to Brussels.

Aytekin will represent Turkey at the Meeting of Danube and Black Sea Environment Ministers on Monday.

Environment problems, projects for solution of these problems, financial support needed for implementation of those projects will be debated during the meeting.

Aytekin will attend the Unofficial Meeting of the European Union (EU) Candidate Countries Environment Ministers.

Advantages of candidate countries' adjustment of environmental acquis will be discussed and initiatives to develop joint strategies will be launched during the meeting.

Aytekin will return to Turkey on November 28.

-AID FROM RED CRESCENT TO AFGHAN REFUGEES

TEHRAN- Turkish Red Crescent distributed 51,000 tones of food stuff and 6, 000 blankets to 15,000 people living in two refugee camps in Afghanistan.

Turkish Red Crescent Association Disaster Intervention and Aid Director Omer Tasli told a news conference held in Turkey's Embassy in Tehran that the Turkish Red Crescent team directly distributed the 51,000 tonnes of food stuff and 6,000 blankets to the refugee families in Makaki and 46th Mile camps that set up on Afghan territories which are close to Iran- Afghanistan border. The aid is comprised of flour, sugar, rice and olive oil.

Tasli said Iranian Red Crescent Association did its best to send aid to the refugees but that this would not be adequate. Tasli said the United Nation (U.N.), international public and institutions should urgently send aid to the refugees in those camps.

Tasli said the refugee group in Makaki camp, comprised of 150 families, had nothing including the tents, stressing that they could not get food stuff aid. He said urgent aid should be sent to those families.

Pointing out that health services were also inadequate, Tasli said the refugees were in need of urgent health and hygenic equipment, clothing for winter, and that the children needed shoes.

Tasli said return of the refugees to the countries would start in April-May 2002, adding that inflow of refugees to the camps still continued.

-TRNC PRESIDENT DENKTAS SAYS THEY WILL NEVER GIVE UP THEIR RIGHTS AND STATE

LEFKOSA- President Rauf Denktas of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) said on Sunday that they would never give up their sovereignty, rights and state.

Prior to his departure for Ankara, Denktas told reporters that rights granted to Turkish Cypriots should be based on sovereignty.

Denktas said that he would undergo a check up in Ankara and evaluate recent developments in Cyprus question with President Ahmet Necdet Sezer.

There was an atmosphere in the country recently like ''what has happened, what is happening and what will happen, Denktas noted.

Denktas said, ''what's done is done'' and noted that the Greek Cypriot played a game to possess whole of the island with the 1963 coup.

Turkish Cypriots did not yield, Denktas stated and said that July 20, 1974 Cyprus Peace Operation was staged.

Denktas pointed out that they continued contacts under the guarantee of Turkey.

The intention of the Greek Cypriots was to possess whole of Cyprus and to make Turkish Cypriots and Turkey give up the case by making them fed up, Denktas said.

Denktas noted that the Greek Cypriots could not achieve their intention.

They had to found their own state and continued talks with good will, Denktas stated.

Denktas pointed out that they realized in 1997 that the Greek Cypriots tried to do what they could not do by gun force and terrorism through the European Union (EU) and said that EU rapporteurs considered the Greek Cypriots as right and yielded to the blackmail of Greece.

What Turkish Cypriots should do under these conditions was to claim and protect their state, herald that they would never make concessions of Turkey's guarantorship and announce that Turkey and TRNC were in unity and solidarity and declare that the news stories that Turkish Cypriots give up its motherland, national case and everything were inaccurate and lie, Denktas stressed.

Denktas said that Turkish Cypriots who lived in very bad conditions in ghettos for 11 years would never yield and surrender just because it had some economic problems.

''Rights given for us should be based on sovereignty,'' Denktas said and noted that they preserved their sovereignty.

Denktas stated, ''if we cannot ensure our sovereignty and protect our state, we are a minority and obliged to be a minority under the written agreement regardless of what kind of rights they will give us. This nation has never been a minority, never signed 1960 Agreements as a minority, and will never be a minority.''

Pointing out that it should be well known what Greek Cypriots made, Denktas said a few people tried to make people confused by making use of economic difficulties.

Stressing that protecting the state was an honorable duty, Denktas said, ''if there are those who want to escape from this duty, the doors are open, they may go to the other side. However, those who stay here will absolutely protect this state.''

Denktas said he wanted to meet with the Greek Cypriot leader Glafcos Clerides to convey them that they were on a wrong path, adding that they wanted to hold a sincere meeting with the Greek Cypriot leader.

Denktas said, ''I want to learn what he wants to do. I will give a message to my people and Turkey according to this. Of course the decision will be given by our parliament and people. It is the duty of all of us to say ''stop'' to this course. No Turkish Cypriots should be included in this course. Efforts of a few Turkish Cypriots to demoralize our people in no way will affect the future. The future is the sovereignty and equality of the TRNC.''

Denktas said he would give information to the parliament and the government after meeting with Clerides, adding that he would hold a new contact with Ankara.

Pointing out that they were ready to set up partnership with the Greek Cypriots under equal conditions and to make Cyprus a peace bridge between Turkey and Greece, Denktas stressed that they would not give up their rights as the world considers the Greek Cypriots as ''legal government''.

Underlining that the TRNC and Turkey have rights on EU issue stemming from the 1960 agreements, Denktas said entrance of the Greek Cypriots to the EU was not legal unless Turkey gives up its rights, and noted that the EU itself will also suffer from the results of this if the Greek Cypriots are included in the EU in this way.

Briefing about his visit to Rome that will start on Monday, Denktas said he would hold a comprehensive contact in Rome, and noted that he would give information about Cyprus.

Denktas said the Greek Cypriots, after learning his visit to Rome, brought a group of Italian journalists to the Greek Cypriot side and set up links between the Saudi terrorist Osama bin Laden and the TRNC, and that they spread the lies that bin Laden produced atom energy in TRNC, noting that he would be in an effort to clarify this issue.

Denktas said he would meet the Deputy Parliament Speaker, Deputy Foreign Minister, some ministers, parliamentarians, and businessmen and give conference in Rome.

-PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT BELIEVES SERIOUS PROGRESS WILL BE MARKED IN ECONOMY

ANKARA- Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said on Sunday that he believed serious progress would be made in economy in 2002.

Ecevit responded to questions at the program entitled ''Sunday Panoroma'' broadcast in state-run TRT-1 channel.

Prime Minister Ecevit said that the lights of that progress had started to be seen in recent days.

When he was reminded that there was an atmosphere as if Turkey was overcoming the economic crisis and asked if this was true and what he thought about the course, Ecevit said, ''we have entered into a positive process in general sense.''

Ecevit noted that Turkey's importance increased especially following the September 11th terrorist attacks in the United States and that Turkey was very determined about the implementation of stability program.

''This situation gave assurance to financial organizations, particularly the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank. The confidence that we have built abroad started to increase confidence of Turkish people. The stock market started to increase and dollar started to decrease. The recent sales are very interesting. This is also very important. We have reduced Value Added Tax (VAT). This increased consumption. I am sure that consumption will accelerate production,'' Ecevit said.

When touched on the discussions related with ''Istanbul approach'' and asked on which sector of economy priority was given, Ecevit said that it was not possible to make a discrimination between big or small companies.

Ecevit said, ''Istanbul is considered as the center of economy and private sector. But, making such a discrimination cannot be in question. Moreover, importance of small and medium scale enterprises has increased not only in Turkey but also in whole world. We cannot neglect them.''

Ecevit, who expressed sadness about closure of thousands of workplaces, noted that the Prime Ministry had launched an initiative to solve the problem.

A letter was sent to all governorships in which the Prime Ministry requested some information about how many workplaces were closed, why they were closed, why production was recessed, Ecevit said.

Ecevit stated that they received detailed information and pointed out that they started to announce all that information from web-site of Prime Ministry ''www.basbakanlik.gov.tr''.

They were giving information about the companies which stopped or recessed production in the web-site, Ecevit said and noted that these companies would be revived if some people in Turkey or abroad were interested in them.

Ecevit continued, ''to this end, we are determined to give information. We have plans. We have received 120 e-mails from 25 cities in eight days. We have received 9 messages from abroad. The applicants chose 763 companies. There is a great interest for the time being. But, it is not enough. We have to launch a campaign in the world. Thus, I hope that we can make a giant step forward against unemployment and problems of the factories which are closed or recessed production.''

When he was reminded that there were criticisms that foreign investors were afraid of Turkey and asked what should be done to overcome this, Ecevit said, ''bureaucratic hurdles are the main reason of reservations in foreign capital inflow in Turkey. Foreign investors who apply to found a workplace had to wait for years and knock on 40 doors. This was annoying.''

Ecevit continued, ''however, Turkey should attract investments due to its geopolitic location. We have taken a decision. There is a draft law on industrial zones which has started to be discussed at the parliamentary commission. Some measures to facilitate investments are foreseen to be taken within the framework of the draft law.''

''Commissions will be set up in some cities. Those who want to make investments in Turkey will apply to these commissions. They will knock on one door rather than 40 doors and get a response in three months. If a response is not given in three months, the governorship will give its official decision. Thus, we will eliminate the biggest obstacle in front of investors who are interested in Turkey,'' Ecevit added.

Briefing about problems of financial sector, Prime Minister Ecevit said, ''in fact financial sector has the most problems. I don't know if we made a mistake or we did the right things. Many autonomous institutions were set up in Turkey. Some institutions were set up within the country which are more authorized than the state. We can not make our words listened by them. They may be rightful or they may not be rightful, but it is a serious problem. I think, we should make effectiveness of the state operational again within democratic principles.''

When asked why village-city project was only put into effect only in Mesudiye, Ecevit said, ''because there were many people in the society who don't consider this seriously. However, in the recent years the concept village-city began to be evaluated well. It was not possible to implement such a project without setting up such a public atmosphere. Now that such a public opinion has been established.''

''There are still people who make fun of this project but they will in time realize they are mistaken. They have allegations saying that 'this is the era of internet. Can a village be developed in this era' they don't know that children in village-city in Mesudiye began to open to the world with computers through internet,'' Ecevit said.

Pointing out that the world bank also supported the village-city project, Ecevit said many villages wanted to be village-city.

When asked which provinces and villages were waiting to be village-city, Ecevit said, ''we will start to spread this project as of coming april or march. It came to a point that can not be stopped.''

Ecevit said they did not form this project on table and noted that they talked with the villagers and discussed which facilities could be constructed where.

''We are leaving aside the rural area word. Rural area and development of industry can not be separated. There are people in Turkey who have misunderstandings in this respect. They thought we should develop as an industrial society at first. Countries which are developed in industry are at the same time countries which are developed in agriculture. The U.S. is a good example for this,'' Ecevit said.

Responding to a question about the problems of agriculture, Ecevit said they discussed this issue during the recent meeting of council of ministers.

Pointing out that they formed a group from the related ministers, Ecevit said, ''ı hope a result will be obtained soon. We should quickly review agriculture policy and implementations regarded with agriculture.''

Ecevit said production could not be ignored, noting that, ''we have set up a group to overcome those, and I will follow those.''

Speaking about the betterment of the position of public workers, Ecevit said, ''we could not take necessary steps in general to improve the financial positions of the civil servants. However, we could only provide them protect themselves against inflation. This is a problem of resource. We are determined to improve our resources. I believe that there will be serious steps in our economy in the year 2002.''

-PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT SAYS TURKEY'S CONTRIBUTIONS TO AFGHANISTAN WILL BE

MAINLY ON SOLUTION OF STATE, ADMINISTRATION AND AUTHORITY PROBLEMS

ANKARA - Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said on Sunday that there were not any state, administration or authority in Afghanistan.

Responding to questions of reporters, Ecevit said, ''we have to find solution to these problems. Our contributions will mainly be on these issues.''

Asked a question, ''you said during the program broadcast in TRT channel that there were some financial organizations which cannot be made do what is said. What are these organizations'', Ecevit said, ''it is so natural not to achieve in these organizations to make do what is said. Because, autonomous organizations are outside the intervention of the government. Of course, these are beneficial. But, we have some problems. I do not want to detail them and problems will be overcome in time.''

Asked if he mentioned Banking Regulation and Supervision Agency (BRSA), Ecevit said, ''no. I did not mention anything or anybody. In fact, the problems are gradually overcome. But, every renewal brings some new problems.''

When asked if the schedule of dispatch of Turkish troops to Afghanistan became definite, Ecevit said, ''there is not any schedule because the situation in Afghanistan is not clear yet. It is seen that Taliban has surrendered. But, many giant leap forwards and progress should be made in Afghanistan from now on. There is not any state, administration or authority in Afghanistan. We have to solve this problem. Our contributions will be mainly on this matter. Our armed forces are experienced about this matter.''

Ecevit noted, ''our unit in Bosnia-Herzegovina meets almost all of the social needs of the region. Our armed forces do the same thing in some other regions. We think that the armed forces can exert efforts to meet social, economic and security needs of that region.''

When a reporter reminded the statement of European Union (EU) Commissioner for enlargement Guenter Verheugen who said that ''Turkey would not pay a price for Cyprus and Denktas would be left alone in the island'' and asked about his evaluations, Ecevit said, ''Verheugen and some other European politicians are making a mistake. They are showing Denktas as the person responsible for the problems related with Cyprus. But, he is not alone, we are existing together with Denktas, there is Turkey, there is Turkish nation and there is Turkish Cypriot nation. Assuming that this is the personal view and behaviour of Denktas means deceiving oneself. This is a big mistake.''

Asked if he was hopeful that a solution could come out of the meeting of Denktas and Glafcos Clerides to be held on December 4, Ecevit said, ''I hope.''

-DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ SAYS MUSEUM OF TURKISH JEWS IS A MONUMENT

BUILT BY JEWISH PEOPLE FOR TURKISH PEOPLE'S TOLERANCE, JUSTICE AND LIBERALISM

ISTANBUL, Nov 25 (A.A) - Deputy Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz said on Sunday that the 500th Year Foundation Museum of Turkish Jews was a monument built by Jewish people for Turkish people's tolerance, justice and liberalism.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony of the museum, Yilmaz said that the monument was proving those characteristics.

Yilmaz said, ''we are the common owners of a state tradition which presents criteria of existence of people of different religions, languages and cultures together in peace, tolerance and brotherhood as a gift to humanity. We have to possess these criteria which we present as a gift to the humanity when we are trying to keep the European Union (EU)'s and contemporary world's criteria. Turkish Jews society which has seen the tolerance, justice and freedom of our state and society has never left these unanswered.''

Yilmaz later visited the museum.

Responding to questions of reporters, Yilmaz said, ''Turkey has earlier announced that it would not be indifferent to the developments in Afghanistan. Turkey will be one of the countries which will shape up new political formation in Afghanistan. Nobody should have a doubt.''

When he was reminded about the claims that Turkey would not insist on Cyprus question due to EU, Yilmaz said, ''those claims belong to those who tell them. We always state that our relations with EU is an independent issue than Cyprus. EU is also aware of our sensitivity towards this matter. To this end, it is the EU that should review its attitude at this stage.''

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