Anadolu Agency: News in English, 01-11-27

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ANADOLU AGENCY

NEWS

27 NOVEMBER 2001 Tuesday

CONTENTS

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

LADIN'S BANK ERBAKAN'S CLOSE FRIEND
It was revealed that Muslim Ahmet Huber of Switzerland who is a close friend of outlawed Welfare Party's (RP) banned leader Necmettin Erbakan is one of the financiers of Saudi Arabian terrorist Osama bin Laden. Ahmet Huber is one of the 62 people and manager of ''Al Takva Bank'' whose properties and possessions were seized by the U.S. Treasury Department in this month.

SECRET VOTE FOR COMMISSION
The first implementation of the constitutional amendments will be carried out for the vote on Felicity Party's (SP) interrogation motion against former Public Works and Housing Minister Koray Aydin. Formation of a commission to interrogate Aydin will be put to secret vote, and deputies will cast their votes without the pressure of their leaders. If this interrogation motion which the SP submitted to Parliament after investigation into corruption in Public Works and Housing Ministry's tenders is accepted, a parliamentary commission will be formed, and this commission will prepare a report on whether or not Koray Aydin should be transferred to the Constitutional Court. And this report will also be put to secret vote at the Parliament.

TUSIAD MAKES WARNINGS ABOUT CYPRUS
The Association of Turkish Industrialists and Businessmen (TUSIAD) warned both the EU and Turkey about Cyprus. To Europe: ''Don't expect all steps for solution of Cyprus question from Turkey. If you accept Greek Cypriot side's membership, problems which can't be corrected occur in your relations with Turkey.'' To Ankara: ''We don't approve of Turkey's support to Rauf Denktas' intransigent attitude. We expect for solution of the question at the negotiating table.''

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

EITHER CYPRUS OR MEMBERSHIP
EU-Turkey Joint Parliamentary Commission Co-Chairman Daniel Cohn Bendit said that annexation of Cyprus to Turkey would mean annexation of a part of European territories. Bendit said, ''Cyprus' membership is one of the priorities of EU enlargement. Cyprus should be a member of EU as a whole.'' Noting that Turkey's EU membership was impossible if a solution could not be found, Bendit said, ''this is a contradiction. While Cyprus is going to be a member, Turkey is still a candidate country. The state which wants to be a member finds the solution. Unity of the island and single representation of the two communities is the only solution. A Greek solution can't be Turkish solution. A joint solution should be found.''

CEM: ''MEMBERSHIP IS A GIFT TO GREEK CYPRIOTS''
Foreign Minister Ismail Cem said that Turkey would bring its relations with the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) to the ''highest level'' if the EU accepted Greek Cypriots' membership. Cem said, ''this is not a threat. As the EU gives membership as a gift, EU membership of the Greek Cypriot side which thinks 'why should we cope with these problems?' creates problems to everyone.''

TURKISH BRIGADE TO BE SENT TO AFGHANISTAN
A high-level official told Milliyet newspaper that Turkish Armed Forces would send a brigade to Afghanistan and number of soldiers in this brigade would be between 3-5 thousand. This brigade would protect the Kabul Airport and there is a possibility that this brigade would be reinforced by tank and artillery battalions.

SABAH (LIBERAL)

DENKTAS SHOULD SIT AT TABLE
TUSIAD Chairman Tuncay Ozilhan said, ''it is not true to set up connection between Cyprus and Turkey's EU membership. All of the steps for solution of the Cyprus question should not be expected only from Turkey. However, we think that Ankara's support to Rauf Denktas' intransigent attitude is wrong. Denktas should sit at the negotiating table.''

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

PROGRESS IN ESDP WITHOUT AGREEMENT
The fourth round of talks on the European Security and Defense Policy (ESDP) among Turkey, Britain and the United States was held in Ankara. During the talks which lasted ten hours, compromise was reached on several matters while Turkey's demand for not making use of EU rapid deployment force in clashes that might occur among NATO allies was accepted. Matters on which a compromise was reached would be presented to politicians.

RADIKAL (LEFT)

Pointing out that Rauf Denktas, the President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) should sit at negotiation table for the soution of the problem, Ozilhan said they did not find right Turkey's support for intransigent attitute of Denktas.

CRITICISM AT NSC
National Security Council (NSC) regular monthly meeting will take place in Cankaya Presidential Palace today under the leadership of President Ahmet Necdet Sezer.

The European Union (EU) Progress Report and Cyprus issues are expected to top the agenda of the meeting. Eastern and Southeastern Anatolia Action Plan implementation process is also expected to be evaluated at the meeting.

It was reported that the military wing of the NSC would critize the government bringing onto the agenda the view that, ''no party apart from Peoples Democracy Party (HADEP) is able to set up political ties with the people of the region. It is the duty of the politicans to increase the economic and social welfare of people.''

TURKIYE (RIGHT)

ANKARA: ''WE CAN'T MAKE CONCESSION''
Ankara is waiting to host Powell. The Turkish government which warned Europe about Cyprus and said, ''Turkey can't make concessions from Cyprus'', is expected to display the same determination to Powell.

IMF TO APPROVE USD 3.1 BILLION LOAN TRANCHE
International Monetary Fund (IMF) Executive Directors' Board is expected to approve 3 billion 124 million U.S. dollars fourth tranche of loan to Turkey in its meeting on Wednesday. Meanwhile, an IMF delegation headed by IMF'S Turkey Desk Chief Juha Kahkonen will come to Turkey in the week end and start holding official contacts on Monday.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

The Karapinar Basic Criminal Court decided that the passenger buses' fuel tanks were so defective that it had caused the fire in the bus, and ruled to ask the company to call in all 0 403 Mercedes passenger buses produced in 1995, 1996, 1997 and 1998. The court decision asks the company to correct the defects in the fuel tanks and hand over the buses to their owners.

Officials of Mercedes-Benz Turk said they would appeal the decision taken by the court.

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.

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.

-WORLD BANK PLANNING TO GIVE USD 200 MILLION LOAN TO SECONDARY EOUCATION
ANKARA - World Bank is planning to give a 200 million U.S. dollars (or nearly 300 trillion Turkish liras) loan support to the National Education Ministry's Secondary Education Project.

National Education Ministry officials said on Tuesday that World Bank would support the works that would be carried out within framework of restructuring of secordary education, particaluarly vocational and technical education.

Within this framework, the National Education Ministry continues works on project development to make use of the 200 million U.S. dollars of World Bank loan.

If the World Bank approves of those projects, the loan in question will start to be used as of July 1, 2002.

Officials said that the ministry had also demanded an increase in amount of the World Bank loan.

The Secondary Education Project includes restructuring works containing 4- year hihg school education in addition to 8-year compulsory primary education.

The project aims to consolidate physical infrastructure of high schools, increase number of students receiving secondary education and increase quality and standards of education.

The ministry is planning to finalize the project by 2005 and estimates that the project would cost 6 quadrillion Turkish liras.

-GLOBAL SECURITIES WANTS TO BUY 3 INTERMEDIARY INSTITUTIONS IN FUND
ISTANBUL - Global Securities wants to buy the three intermediary institutions controlled by the Savings Deposits Insurance Fund (SDIF) through a consortium it set up with the Avrasya Investment Holding.

Sending a statement to the Istanbul Stock Exchange (IMKB), Global Securities said on Tuesday that their consortium had given a preliminary bid to buy SDIF's shares in Ege Investment, Sumer Investment and Eti Securities.

-JBIC LOAN DEPENDS ON APPROVAL OF WORLD BANK'S USD 1.3 BILLION FSAL
ANKARA - Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) is waiting for approval of 1.3 billion U.S. dollars of World Bank finance sector adjustment loan (FSAL) to give nearly 1.5 billion U.S. dollars of loan to Turkey.

Sources said on Tuesday that JBIC would act in parallel to approval of FSAL that the World Bank committed itself to give to Turkey in December.

Following approval of 1.3 billion U.S. dollars of FSAL, JBIC is expected to give nearly 1.5 billion U.S. dollars of loan to Turkey within framework of co-financing.

Sources said JBIC experts would visit Turkey early in 2002 to observe developments in finance sector.

Officials said that works on World Bank loan were continuing, and that the loan in question could be given to Turkey in February of 2002 due to delay in joint works of Turkey and the World Bank.

-BELGIAN PRIME MINISTER VERHOFSTADT DUE IN ANKARA TODAY
ANKARA - Guy Verhofstadt, the Prime Minister of Belgium which acts as the Term President of the European Union (EU), will pay a short working visit to Ankara today.

Diplomatic sources said Verhofstadt is expected to meet Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit.

Verhofstadt, the Prime Minister of Belgium which is the Term President of the EU, had hold contacts in the Middle East countries in the past weeks. Belgium will hand over EU Term Presidency by the end of December.

Verhofstadt, who will proceed from London to Ankara in the evening, will meet Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit and visit Belgian Embassy in Ankara.

The guest prime minister will depart from Turkey following this short visit.

Turkey's EU membership process and Cyprus issues would be discussed during the contacts of Verhofstadt.

-IMF DELEGATION EXPECTED TO COME TO TURKEY ON DECEMBER 3
ANKARA - An IMF delegation headed by Turkey Desk Chief Juha Kahkonen is expected to come to Turkey and start to hold talks on new program on Monday, December 3.

Sources said on Tuesday that those talks would focus on structural measures within framework of the new economic program which would be supported by nearly 10 billion U.S. dollars.

Officials said that those talks would focus on structural measures which aimed to increase effectiveness of public sector, particularly banking system, provide recovery in the economy and draw foreign capital.

Sources said that the new program which would be implemented as a stand-by deal, would be a three-year program in principle but amount of repayments and interest rates would become definite after talks with the IMF.

Noting that the IMF delegation could include several experts, sources said that Executive Director Will Kiekens and European One Director Michael Deppler could come to Turkey through the end of the talks to contribute to preparation of the new letter of intent.

The IMF delegation is expected to conclude its works and return to Washington D.C. until the Feast of Ramadan.

Meanwhile, the IMF Executive Directors' Board is expected to discuss the Tenth Review and approve nearly 3.1 billion U.S. dollars tranche of loan to Turkey on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, the fifth tranche of loan worth of nearly 3.1 billion U.S. dollars is foreseen to be given to Turkey in December within framework of the Eleventh Review.

-PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT DUE TO LAEKEN ON DECEMBER 14 TO ATTEND EU LEADERS'
SUMMIT

ANKARA - Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit will go to Belgium's Leaken city on December 14 to attend European Union (EU) Leaders' Summit.

Prime Minister Ecevit will leave for Belgium on December 14 in the evening hours.

Ecevit will attend the summit on December 15 in Leaken which will take place with the participation of the leaders of EU member and candidate countries.

Ecevit is expected to hold brief bilateral contacts during and after the summit.

Ecevit will be accompanied by his wife Rahsan, Foreign Minister Ismail Cem, and some bureacrats from Prime and Foreign Ministry.

Ecevit, is expected to return to Turkey the same day.

-GOKALP SAYS THEIR TARGET IS TO BRING TURKISH FOOD INDUSTRY TO LEVEL OF
DEVELOPED COUNTRIES
ANKARA - Agriculture and Rural Affairs Minister Husnu Yusuf Gokalp said on Tuesday that their target was to remove problems of the food sector and bring the Turkish food industry to the level of developed countries.

Making the opening remarks of a panel discussion on ''Vision of Quality in the 21st Century'' hosted by the Turkish Institute of Standards (TSE) on the occasion of the European Quality Week, Gokalp said that it was inevitable for European Union (EU) candidate Turkey to reach the level and standards in the developed countries in regard to food safety and quality of products and standards.

Noting that they were aware that food was one of the most strategic matters of the new century, Gokalp said that they were offering services within this framework.

Meanwhile, responding a question while he was leaving the panel discussion about the opinions of the Association of Turkish Industrialists and Businessmen (TUSIAD) about Cyprus, Gokalp said that Turkey was being governed by the coalition government.

-22 CREW ABOARD VESSEL WHICH RUNS AGROUND OFF EREGLI
EREGLI- The vessel which ran aground off Eregli township of Zonguldak province in Black Sea region on Monday due to strong winds while carrying coal from Australia to the Eregli Steel and Iron Factories (ERDEMIR) has 22 crew.

Vira Maritime Agency official Tufan Kullu told the A.A correspondent on Tuesday that the relevant insurance company would start damage assessment works and later they would decide on what should be done.

Kullu said captain Chun Pin Hwang and 22 Chinese crew were aboard the vessel and they were not facing any problem at the moment.

The Panama-flagged 180 DTW M/V Hengshan which is 289 meters in length and 45 meters in width ran aground nearly 500 meters off Eregli harbor due to strong winds on Monday while it was carrying 165 thousand tons of coal from Australia to ERDEMIR.

-MODERATE QUAKE IN SOUTHEASTERN SANLIURFA PROVINCE
SANLIURFA - Moderate quake measuring 4.1 on the Richter scale shook Siverek township of southeastern province of Sanliurfa on Tuesday.

Bogazici University Kandilli Observatory and Seismology Institute said the epicenter of the quake, which occurred at 10:53 a.m. local time, was Siverek.

There are not any immediate reports of casualties or damage.

The quake which was felt in Sanliurfa and environs caused panic in public institutions and schools in Siverek.

-ECO SUMMIT TO BE HELD IN TURKEY
TEHRAN- The heads of states of Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) will convene in Turkey next year.

Speaking at the news conference held upon Nov 28, the ECO Day, Abdulrahim Gavahi, the ECO Secretary General said that the ECO summit will be held in Turkey next year.

The last summit was held in Tehran last year.

Gavahi said that they plan to have a railway from Istanbul, Turkey to Almaty, Kazakhistan.

Noting that the passanger transportation in this line between Istanbul and Tehran started this year, Gavahi said that efforts are underway to start the trips between Tehran and Almaty next year.

Gavahi said that ''there are existing railways in various countries. This project only aims to connect them to each other.''

Gavahi said that the trade between the ECO countries constitutes only 5-6 percent of their total trade volume, adding that recently Iran approved he law on establishment of ECO Development and Trade Bank, which will be based in Istanbul.

The bank will have two branches in Islamabad, Pakistan and Tehran, Iran, Gavahi said and noted that an ECO Insurance Company will also be founded.

He added that three countries applied to ECO to be observers without giving ther names, adding that no decision has been taken about this issue yet.

-INTERROGATION OF TWO TURKS CONTINUES IN PAKISTAN
ANKARA - The Pakistani government gave verbal information to the Turkish Embassy in Islamabad, Pakistan about the two Turks caught by Pakistan during their illegal passages.

The real names of these two Turks are Abdullah Celik and Bedir Han.

Diplomatic sources told A.A on Tuesday that the Pakistani administration informed the Turkish Embassy after Turkey asked for information about the issue.

The interrogation of these two persons continued and Turkey also asked Pakistan for photocopies of these persons' passports.

Pakistani customs officials captured the Turks together with 14 Pakistanis and four Albanians on Nov. 14. These two Turks misinformed the Pakistani officials about their names.

-EU TERM PRESIDENT'S VISIT TO ANKARA
-BELGIAN PRIME MINISTER VERHOFSTADT DUE IN TURKEY FOR
''LAEKEN BARGAINING''
BRUSSELS - Guy Verhofstadt, the Prime Minister of Belgium, which is the Term President of the European Union (EU), decided to pay a visit to Ankara following his meeting with British Prime Minister Tony Blair in London.

Belgian Prime Ministry sources said on Tuesday that Verhofstadt will launch initiatives for ''convincing'' after a positive result could not be obtained from the talks regarded with the European Security and Defense Policy (ESDP) that took place in Ankara with the participation of officials from Turkey, U.S., and Britain. Ankara did not ''make concession'' during the talks.

Sources said success of Leaken summit, that will take place in December 14 and 15, depended on the those contacts and initiatives.

The EU, which is seeking for a military identity, during Helsinki Summit in 1999, had decided to set up a ''rapid reaction force'' of 60,000 soldiers till the year 2003. Efforts are underway to make this formation to be ready for intervention in 60 days if necessary, and to have an ability that may continue mission at least for one year.

The EU, within the framework of the military identity it would establish, wants to utilize NATO's assets and capabilities in fields of planning, intelligence, and high technology. The EU feels itself inadequate in those fields. However, the EU while doing this, excludes European NATO allies like Turkey, which are not EU members, from the decision mechanism.

Ankara, because of this negative approach, exhibits an attitute attributing importance to its national interests in searches for cooperation between the EU and NATO. Approval of all Alliance countries is needed for the EU to utilize NATO's assets and capabilities automatically. Turkey refuses to give this approval.

Taking concrete decisions on ESDP and ''shedding green light for the operation whatever Turkey's attitute would be,'' is foreseen in Leaken summit.

It was reported that the EU was aware that there would be serious problems in ESDP project which could not benefit from NATO's assets and capabilities adequately without getting the approval of Turkey.

Belgian sources said positive response could be given to some expectations of Turkey within the framework of ''moderate bargainings'' that would be made before the summit. Sources said Ankara is expected to exhibit a more constructive and positive approach on ESDP issue in return for this.

Laeken Summit, that will be held by Belgian Term Presidency, is very important in respect of Turkey-EU relations. The signs which will determine the future of relations will be reflected to public opinion.

Despite the ''clear messages'' given by the Turkish government officials on Cyprus issue, in case the EU expresses determination and will pertaining to the full membership process of Greek Cypriot side, the first point of tension would be determined.

Leaken summit, which will bring concrete statements and decisions on ESDP, will create a negative atmosphere if the attitute excluding Turkey from the decision mechanism of the new formation continues.

Another issue which will be clarified during the summit would be the formation of the platform which will be named ''Convention'' and in which the future of the EU would be discussed. Brussels, which mentions ''hesitations'' regarded with participation of Turkey to this platform which will bring together the EU member and candidate countries, will create another source of tension in case it continues to cover the attitue excluding Ankara.

The annual Progress Report of the EU includes unjust criticisms toward Turkey despite the ''moderate language'' used in the report.

Failure to shed green light to transition of ''Screening Process'' which is the final stage before starting of full membership negotiations, caused reaction of Ankara.

The Turkish diplomatic sources said the most important aspect in Laeken summit was the list of terrorist organizations.

Sources said failure to include names of terrorist PKK and DHKP-C organizations to a list which will be formed, will create great reaction in Turkish public opinion, and that this would be considered as an attitute which is impossible to defend.

Meanwhile the EU sources give the message that they did not see much hope in this respect. They said the possibility of including the names of terrorist organizations like ETA, and IRA into the list was not high also. Sources defended that discussions continued seriously on terrorism.

All those issues are expected to be discussed during Belgian Prime Minister Verhofstadt's meeting with Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit today.

-PRESIDENT SEZER SENDS MESSAGES TO THE LEADERS OF ECO MEMBER COUNTRIES
ANKARA- President Ahmet Necdet Sezer said on Tuesday that Turkey, which always contributed to peace, stability and cooperation in its region and the world, was aware of the determining role which the regional cooperation played in this respect.

Presidential Press Center issued a statement and said President Sezer sent messages to the leaders of the member countries on November 28, the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) Day.

In his message Sezer said ECO, which recorded important stages in evaluation of the broad economic facilities with the joint efforts and cooperation of the member countries, became a model regional institution.

Sezer said the new millenium created new opportunities for the ECO as well as the member countries, stressing that, ''recent developments, experienced in connection with the terrorist incidents, showed that joint plans in the region covered by ECO should be implemented rapidly to improve economic and trade cooperation.''

-SUSURLUK CASE
-SUPREME COURT OF APPEALS TO DISCUSS OBJECTION OF
CHIEF PROSECUTOR KANADOGLU ON DEC. 4
ANKARA- Supreme Court of Appeals General Council will discuss the objection of Chief Prosecutor Sabih Kanadoglu regarding the verdict of Eighth Penal Chamber of the Court which annuled the decision given for Susurluk case due to ''incomplete investigation.''

The Supreme Court of Appeals will discuss the objection on December 4.

According to the Law of Supreme Court of Appeals, at least two thirds of the members of the Court have to cast votes for rejection or acception of the objection. If this majority can't be provided, the votes of the absolute majority of the members will be necessary in the second tour.

If the General Council of the Supreme Court of Appeals accepts the objection of Kanadoglu, the Eight Penal Chamber will discuss the case in its merits.

-NSC DECLARATION SAYS TURKEY WILL CONTINUE TO SEARCH FOR SOLUTION OF CYPRUS
ISSUE

WHICH CAN BE ACCEPTED BY BOTH SIDES IN CYPRUS
ANKARA- National Security Council (NSC) said on Monday that Turkey with its good will continue to search for solution of Cyprus issue which can be accepted by both sides in Cyprus.

NSC declaration stated that it supports the call of TRNC President Rauf Denktas to Greek Cypriot leader Glafcos Clerides to meet face to face, adding that ''yet Turkey will not permit a formation which violates international agreements, which threatens the security of Turkey and TRNC and which turns the status of Turkish Cypriots into a minority living under the Greek Cypriot sovereignty.''

NSC General Secretariat said that the attendees evaluated the Regular Report on Turkey's Progress Towards Accession adopted by the EU Commission on Nov. 13.

The statement by the NSC secretariat said:

During the meeting,

''A- Information has been given to the Council about the Regular Report on Turkey's progress towards accession adopted on November 13, 2001, and the Annual Progress Report pertaining to Turkey; and a general evaluation was made on the issue, and the works that will take place in the coming period were discussed.

Also, developments regarded with the full membership of Southern Cyprus Greek Cypriot Administration to the European Union (EU) and the measures taken by Turkey against those developments were evaluated.

Within this scope, Turkey, with good will, will continue to look for a solution which will jointly be accepted by the two sides on Cyprus. With this understanding, Turkey supports the call of Mr. Denktas for a meeting.

However, Turkey will not permit a formation which would violate international agreements, which would threaten the security of Turkey and TRNC, and which would turn the status of Turkish Cypriots into a minority living under the Greek Cypriot sovereignty.

B- Foreign political developments, which occurred in the past one month, and which closely concern Turkey's security, were reviewed, and ongoing military operations in Afghanistan, and initiatives to provide peace and stability in this country following the operations were evaluated.

C- On the other side, under the light of the reports prepared by the concerned authorities, security throughout the country and internal and external developments effecting this were reviewed.''

-BDBSO TO GIVE CONCERT CONDUCTED BY RENCHANG FU OF CHINA
BURSA - Bursa State Symphony Regional Orchestra (BDBSO) will give a concert conducted by Renchang Fu of China on November 30 in Tayyare Culture Center.

BDBSO said on Tuesday that pianist Emre Elivar would accompany the concert in which the works of Beethoven would be played.

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