Anadolu Agency: News in English, 01-12-14

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ANADOLU AGENCY

NEWS

14 December 2001

Friday

-TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

These are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in Turkey's press on December 14, 2001. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

Foreign Minister Ismail Cem will be the first foreign minister who will visit Afghanistan following Taliban rule. Cem, who will fly to Kabul on Monday, will be protected by Presidential Counter Attack Team (KAT).

DEMOCRACY OF YOK

Professor Dincer Ucak, who got only 13 votes in favour among 2,261 people in the election of the rector of Istanbul University, was ranked the top at the list to be sent to the president for approval. The Institution of Higher Education (YOK) General Assembly ranked Ucak at the top of the list with 16 votes out of 20. Professor Kemal Alemdaroglu, who received 1,268 votes and who became the first in the election, was placed in the second place in the list by YOK.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

The government launches initiatives to eliminate the injustice in the salaries of public personnel. Finance Minister Sumer Oral announced that they would eliminate the imbalance in salaries by decrees to be passed as of January 2002. Oral is talking about two main principles. One of them is ''paying the equal salary if their status is equal'' and the second is ''the importance that the duty of the personnel carry for the state.''

FINANSBANK BECOMES FRENCH

French BNP Paribas will buy 55 percent of Finansbank shares in return for 180 million U.S. dollars. The official agreement will be signed in Paris in February.

FOREIGN CAPITAL OFFICE IS BEING SET UP

The government has launched initiatives for foreign capital. Under the agreement reached with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the office to be set up will solve all the problems of the foreigners.

SABAH (LIBERAL)

Former Interior Minister Saadettin Tantan was accused of transferring two assets belonging to Fatih Municipality to Koc Holding illegally. The same people requested his immunity be lifted. Finance inspectors found two initiatives that Tantan had exerted when he was Fatih Mayor which were against the laws. The inspectors prepared a report in which they asked for the lifting of Tantan's legislative immunity. The report accused Tantan of two things. Firstly, it accuses Tantan of allocating a land of the Fatih Municipality to Migros, one of the companies of Koc Holding, without any tender process. Secondly, it accuses Tantan of transferring a part of the land donated to the municipality for dispansery construction to Rahmi Koc Foundation and condoned to the construction of a restaurant there.

TEA ARGUMENT IN GOVERNMENT

State Minister Kemal Dervis and Deputy Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz argued due to 50 trillion Turkish liras (TL) to be paid to the tea producers. Dervis said that there was not enough source at the moment while Yilmaz said that they had to pay that money.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

If Ankara assures Germany that it will not carry out capital punishment for Metin Kaplan, the head of the Union of Islamic Communities and Societies, and his supporters, the way for the extradition of the members of the organization to Turkey will be paved. Mafia boss Alaattin Cakici was brought from France to Turkey in the same way. Berlin thinks positively about the extradition of Kaplan and his supporters but wants Ankara's assurance that capital punishment will not be executed. If two countries agree on ''Cakici formula'' which will be brought to the agenda during Interior Minister Rustu Kazim Yucelen's visit to Berlin on December 18, Kaplan and his supporters can be extradited to Turkey.

END-OF-FAST MEAL IN CHURCH

Many guests attended the end-of-fast meal hosted by Armenian Patriarch Mesrob Mutafian while participants requested the continuation of dialogue and tolerance. Mesrob II, the Partriarch of Armenians in Turkey, hosted an end-of-fast meal at the Armenian church in Galatasaray, Istanbul the previous day.

RADIKAL (LEFT)

Due to the law which excluded the articles 313 and 314 of Turkish Penal Code regulating the formation of gangs to commit crimes from the scopes that the State Security Courts (DGMs) examined, real estate agent Nevzat Ak's file was sent to heavy criminal court. Almost 3 thousand people who are being tried on charges of emptying bank coffers' and other types of corruption are waiting for the court day to be 'saved.'

DOLLAR OF FEAST IS 1 MILLION 410 THOUSAND TL

Treasury Undersecretariat increased euro issue, citizens sold euros and one U.S. dollar decreased to 1 million 410 thousand against Turkish lira (TL). The stock exchange, which increased to 13,045 points in the first session, closed the day at 12,655 points.

TURKIYE (RIGHT)

The insistent attitude of Energy and Natural Resources Minister Zeki Cakan gave result. The government opened to signature the decree which decreases tax taken from natural gas per cubic meter from 25 thousand to 5 thousand Turkish liras (TL).

AMOUNT OF IMF LOAN IS NOT DECREASING

State Minister Kemal Dervis for economy said that the 10 billion U.S. dollar additional loan would not be reduced. Dervis noted that th e cost and maturity of the loan would be more reasonable.

APPEAL FOR ERBAKAN

European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) decided to discuss the application of the outlawed Welfare Party (RP) executives who appealed at the Grand Chamber. ECHR had earlier found RP's complaint as unjust.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

The parliament is an attractive place for the civil servants when compared with the other public institutions and offices because it pays higher salaries. A total of 4,339 people are working at the parliment while a total of 576 people, including 398 women and 178 men, are working with ''temporary personnel status'' at the parliament. The ''temporary personnel'' who continue to also take their salaries from the institutions they are working with permanent quadre are being paid a salary of 400-500 million Turkish liras (TL) at the parliament. 400 personnel of the parliament do not retire because ''there will be a decrease in their salaries'' although they have reached the age of retirement.

ETIBANK AND KENTBANK ALSO CLOSING

The Banking Regulation and Supervision Agency (BRSA) decided to cancel the permission of Kentbank and Etibank to carry out banking activities and to accept deposits as of December 28, 2001. Interbank and Esbank which had been under the control of Savings Deposits Insurance Fund (SDIF) had been merged under Etibank five and a half months ago.

-SECURITY FORCES INTERCEPT 129 PEOPLE WHO WANT TO DEPART TURKEY ILLEGALLY IN KAS

ANTALYA - Security forces intercepted on Friday 129 people who wanted to depart Turkey illegally in Kas township of southern Antalya province.

The crew of the ship asked the foreigners and Turks, who were aboard a cargo ship en route from Alanya towship to Italy which started to sail from Alanya, to get off the ship at Kalkan Port as the ship started to take in water.

Sixty-one of the foreigners who tried to escape were captured by coast guard and gendarmerie teams.

The security forces captured a total of 129 people who wanted to probably sneak into Italy in the vicinity.

Kas Head Official Halil Ibrahim Kayapinar told A.A correspondent that 53 of the detainees were Turks, four were Afghans, 10 were Palestinians, 47 were Iraqis, 12 were Iranians, 2 were Moroccan and one was Romanian.

The ship was kept waiting at Kalkan Port, Kayapinar said and added that it was not immediately clear whether or not the captain and crew of the ship were among the detainees.

-EU TERM PRESIDENT BELGIUM'S PRIME MINISTER SAYS TURKEY WILL

DEFINITELY PARTICIPATE IN CONVENTION

BRUSSELS - Guy Verhofstadt, the Prime Minister of Belgium, the European Union (EU) Term President, said on Friday that Turkey would definitely participate in Convention.

Verhofstadt told reporters that the candidate countries which would participate in the Convention would not only be ''simple observers.''

One government and two parliament representatives from each EU member and candidate country are expected to participate in the Convention.

The Convention, which is expected to start its works at the beginning of 2002, will complete these works prior to the EU summit which will be held in June 2003.

Belgium, the Term President of EU head of states and governments, had said during the Gand Summit held last month that they were ''hesitant'' about the participation of Turkey, ''the only candidate country which had not started the full membership negotiations'' in the Convention.

It is noted that EU Commission assumed an attitude not to make any discrimination against Turkey and warned about problems that could occur in an opposite behaviour.

The European Parliament had also expressed a view in favour of all candidate countries' participation in the Convention under equal conditions.

-JAPANESE SENATOR YAMAMOTO ARRIVES IN TURKEY

ISTANBUL - The youngest member of the Higher Board of Japan, Kanaya Yamamoto, who is a good friend of Turkey, arrived in Turkey on Friday.

Yamamoto aims to increase the number of Japanese tourists visiting Turkey.

Japanese senator Yamamoto told A.A correspondent that there was a decrease in the number of Japanese tourists visiting Turkey following the September 11th terrorist attacks in the United States.

Yamamoto said that Turkey felt sad about that decrease and they had heard that Turkish people had called on the Japanese officials to see the situation.

So, she wanted to come to Turkey, Yamamoto noted and said that she came to see the current situation in Turkey and to tell the Japenese people when she returned to her country that Turkey was a secure country and suggest them go to Turkey.

She knew well about Turkish nations and Turkey, where she had earlier come to learn Turkish and have a master's degree in international relations in Istanbul University, Yamamoto said.

Yamamoto stressed that she was grateful to Turkish nation and she came to Turkey because she was thinking of what she could do to further improve bilateral relations between Turkey and Japan.

Turkey was ranked among ''secure countries'' at the moment, Yamamoto said.

Yamamoto stated that she would meet with Istanbul Police Chief Hasan Ozdemir and receive information about the current situation of Turkey and Istanbul.

Then, she would meet with Tourism Minister Mustafa Tasar to debate what could be done between Japan and Turkey from now on, Yamamoto said.

Yamamoto noted that they would discuss the things to be done in 2003 which was declared as the ''Year of Turkey'' in regard to tourism in Japan.

Pointing out that it was very cheap to come from Japan to Turkey at the moment, Yamamoto said that Turkey was a country which has a special place for Japan.

They should increase the number of Japanese tourists visiting Turkey and to explain the Japanese people that Turkey was not a risky country from now on, Yamamoto added.

-LAEKEN SUMMIT STARTS

BRUSSELS - European Union (EU) Laeken Summit which brings together the heads of state and government of the member countries started in Brussels on Friday.

Many issues will be debated at the summit which will last for two days.

The European Security and Defense Policy (ESDP) declaration will be issued at the summit while that ESDP was ''operational'' would be announced.

EU's future and reforms will be discussed while the structure and head of the platform named ''Convention'' will be set at the summit.

Searches for a compromise on fight against terrorism which will be one of the most important items of the agenda of the summit will continue while the issue of list of terrorists is expected to be excluded from the agenda.

In the final declaration, the EU is expected to touch on each Cyprus question and relations with Turkey in one paragraph.

In the draft Laeken final declaration, it was said that Helsinki resolutions brought Turkey and EU closer to each other and increased Turkey's EU enthusiasm.

EU Council welcomed the reforms that Turkey had fulfilled for full membership and said that it supported the approach and proposals of the EU Commission towards Turkey within the framework of the accession strategy.

In the paragraph regarding Turkey, the draft final declaration encouraged Ankara to continue to make economic, social and policial reforms to fulfil the Copenhagen criteria and adjust to EU and asked Ankara to behave very carefully in improvement of human rights.

The draft also demanded Turkey to make an efficient contribution to the solution of Cyprus question.

The draft final declaration also touched on Cyprus question in one paragraph and expressed the support extended to the searches for a political solution under the auspices of the United Nations (U.N).

EU heads of state and government, who reiterated their wish to find a solution to Cyprus question before the full membership negotiations with Greek Cypriot administration were concluded, noted that ''they would give a decision regarding full membership of Greek Cypriot administration in the direction of the Helsinki resolutions'' if the question was not solved.

On the second day of the summit, heads of state and government of EU member and candidate countries will meet. Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit and Foreign Minister Ismail Cem are expected to represent Turkey at this meeting.

-IMF DELEGATION DEPARTING FROM TURKEY

ANKARA - International Monetary Fund (IMF) delegation headed by IMF Turkey Desk Chief is departing from Turkey on Friday.

Officials said on Friday that the IMF delegation had been in Turkey for 12 days to work on the new economic program within the framework of the stand- by deal.

Some of the members of the delegation will depart from Turkey today while Kahkonen and the other experts will leave Turkey at the weekend.

A working group headed by Kahkonen and Treasury Undersecretary Faik Oztrak continue works on the draft letter of intent the same day.

IMF Turkey Representation is expected to release a statement about the contacts of IMF delegation after the markets are closed.

-PRESIDENTIAL FOREIGN AFFAIRS CHIEF ADVISOR ILDEM HOLDS NEWS CONFERENCE

ANKARA - Presidential Foreign Affairs Chief Adviser and Cabinet Chief Tacan Ildem said on Friday that President Ahmet Necdet Sezer found right certain views expressed when he received administrators of Confederation of Turkish Labour Unions (Turk-Is), but he didn't issue any statement.

Upon a question at the weekly news conference, Ildem said that the statements issued by Turk-Is Chairman Bayram Meral after the meeting and on Thursday were right.

Noting that Turk-Is administrators expressed views about various issues at the meeting, Ildem said that President Sezer found some of these views right, but he didn't make any statement.

Upon another question asking if President Sezer would bring the law that restricted the tasks of State Security Courts (DGMs) to the Constitutional Court, Ildem said that President has a period of 60 days under the Constitution.

''Mr. President can resort to the Constitutional Court within this period, but we can't say anything for the moment about it,'' he added.

-AYCELL STARTS COMMERCIAL ACTIVITIES

ISTANBUL - Aycell, founded by Turk Telekom Inc., started its commercial activities on Friday.

Aycell, the fourth GSM operator of Turkey, will speed up the competition in the sector with the start of its commercial activities.

Aycell will give services in Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, Bursa, Antalya, Adana, Mugla, Cesme, Foca, Kemalpasa, Urla, Kumluca, Alanya, Side, Manavgat, Kemer, Belek, Kas, Kale, Marmaris, Fethiye, Gocek and Bodrum.

Aycell will take all Turkey to its coverage area in the second half of 2002 by its investments.

The calls will be charged per second in Aycell so all Aycell subscribers will pay only the fee as much as they talk.

There is no monthly fixed fee in Aycell whose code number is 0505 for both calls which are paid by invoices and which are made by mobile phone cards.

-JAPANESE SENATOR YAMAMOTO VISITS ISTANBUL SECURITY DIRECTOR

ISTANBUL - Japanese senator Kanaya Yamamoto, the youngest member of the Japanese House of Councillors, which is the upper parliament in Japan, visited on Friday Istanbul Security Director Hasan Ozdemir.

Yamamoto (30), who is currently in Turkey to bring Japanese tourists to Turkey, who is a friend of Turkey, and who speaks fluent Turkish, met with Ozdemir.

Upon the question of A.A correspondent, Yamamato said that her visit was related with Japanese tourists who would come to Turkey.

Noting that Istanbul is a safe city for Japanese tourists, Yamamato said that she got information from Ozdemir about the public security in Istanbul.

The Japanese senator who put the badge of Istanbul Security Directorate on her collar, said that her visit was very productive.

-PRESIDENTIAL FOREIGN AFFAIRS CHIEF ADVISOR ILDEM HOLDS NEWS CONFERENCE (2)

ANKARA - Presidential Foreign Affairs Chief Advisor and Cabinet Chief Tacan Ildem said on Friday that President Ahmet Necdet Sezer didn't issue any statement in his meeting with the Chairman of Confederation of Turkish Labour Unions (Turk-Is).

Upon a question in the weekly news conference about the criticisms of the president about the government, Ildem said that ''when asking this question, I think you don't take into consideration the fact that Mr. President didn't issue any statement, but he only shared the views of Turk-Is Chairman in the meeting.''

Ildem later noted that TRNC President Rauf Denktas evaluated the situation in Cyprus following his tete-a-tete meeting with Greek Cypriot leader Glafcos Clerides on Dec. 4, in their meeting between Denktas, Sezer and Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit yesterday.

Reminding that Denktas is in Turkey for a private visit, Ildem said that Sezer and Denktas came together yesterday. President Sezer also invited Ecevit to the meeting, said Ildem and noted that ''Turkey supports the initative as it believes that the direct talks which will start on Jan. 16 would lead to a dynamism to bring out a fair and permanent solution to Cyprus problem. We believe that the views covered by the letter sent by Denktas to U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan which was published as a U.N. document and the issues expressed by Denktas when opening the meeting with Clerides on Dec. 4 incorporate factors which will give the opportunity to bring a permanent solution on the basis of a new partnership. This also shows that Mr. Denktas regards the issue by thinking about the future. We believe that the direct talks process will bring an opportunity for the concerned sides to solve the existing problems in a reciprocal understanding atmosphere. Turkey will extend all sorts of support to make Mr. Denktas be successful in his productive initiative. The international society has also understood the fact that the Cyprus problem can only be solved by the problem's own dynamics. In this respect the international society should also encourage and support the concerned sides to find a permanent solution on the island.''

Upon a question about the video footage of Osama Bin Laden which was broadcast on tv yesterday, Ildem said that Mr. President didn't talk to him on the issue. ''But I believe that the footage clearly shows that Osama Bin Laden and his group had assumed a role in the terrorist attacks in the U.S.''

-DENKTAS CALLS ON TURKISH CYPRIOTS TO UNITE AROUND THEIR NATIONAL CAUSE

LEFKOSA - Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) has said his biggest wish was to reach a satisfactory conclusion in the Cyprus issue and he called on the Turkish Cypriots to unite around their national cause.

''If we want this result, we should unite. We should know what we're going to defend and why. We should support each other,'' Denktas said in a message he released for the Ramadan Holiday.

Denktas said that he expected his meeting with Greek Cypriot leader Glafcos Clerides to lead to a solution that would satisfy both sides.

Denktas asked Turkish Cypriots not to have too high expectations and not to make extreme comments or gossips.

''We've to trust Turkey and we have to make an agreement that protects its guaranteur rights on Cyprus,'' the TRNC president said and added that without Turkey's guarantee, the balance between Turkey and Greece would be disrupted.

Denktas stated that Cyprus was the land of both Turkish and Greek Cypriots and therefore the two communities should seek for ways to live on the island like brothers and work together.

-PRESIDENTIAL FOREIGN AFFAIRS CHIEF ADVISOR ILDEM HOLDS NEWS CONFERENCE (3)

ANKARA - Presidential Foreign Affairs Chief Advisor and Cabinet Chief Tacan Ildem said on Friday that Turkey reiterates the view that the tense atmosphere in the Middle East has to calm down.

Upon a question in the weekly news conference about the approach of Turkey about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Ildem said that Turkey still shared the view that the tension in the region should calm down.

''Turkey believes that Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat is the representative of the Palestinian people and a person who should be definitely be communicated. We hope the sides to act with common sense and with caution, not to refrain from acts which will lead to calming down of the tension, to ending of acts of violance and use of power and to the coming together of them for a meeting. Turkey has always contacted with the sides, and it will continue to take the necessary steps from nown on,'' he said.

When asked if Sezer had contacts with any leaders in the region, Ildem said that Azerbaijani President Haydar Aliyev called Sezer on the phone yesterday. Ildem said that the two leaders had a general evaluation about the bilateral relations and expressed good wishes to each other upon the Ramadan Holiday.

(END)

-DENKTAS GIVEN ''MAN OF THE YEAR'' AWARD BY TURKISH METAL WORKERS UNION

ANKARA - Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) Rauf Denktas has said he was working to set up a partnership that could become a bridge of peace between Turkey and Greece. ''And I tell the EU not to encourage the Greek Cypriots, to show them the right way to reach a compromise with us. The right way is the way of the law,'' he said.

Denktas was given the ''Man of the Year'' award by Turkish Metal Workers Union on Friday.

Speaking at the ceremony, Denktas said ''Our partnership should not remain only on the paper. The sovereignity should exist on the land. This is what we said for years and we continue to stress the same thing now. What we want from the EU is not to encourage the Greek Cypriots.''

Commenting on the certain news that appeared in the Turkish press, Dnektas said ''Some attacks started in the press. They say Denktas should immediately return to the talks and revolve the problem. After reading these, of course the Greek Cypriots felt stronger and EU officials started saying that Turkey would give up Cyprus.''

He stressed that Turkey would not give up its rights in Cyprus and it would not sacrifice the TRNC for the EU.

-PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT LEAVES FOR BRUSSELS

ANKARA - Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit left for Brussels, Belgium on Friday to participate in the heads of states and governments meeting of EU member and candidate countries.

Ecevit's wife Rahsan Ecevit, Foreign Minister Ismail Cem, Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Ugur Ziyal and Secretary General for EU Affairs Volkan Vural accompany Ecevit in his visit.

-TURKEY AND CHINA SIGN AGREEMENT TO INCREASE TOURISM TRAFFIC BETWEEN THEM

ISTANBUL - Tourism Minister Mustafa Tasar and Chinese People's Republic National Tourism Administration (CNTA) Chairman He Guangwei signed a memorandum of understanding to make Turkey-China line an ''official tourist route.''

Tasar, who spoke to the press after the signature ceremony on Friday, stressed the importance of the agreement and said that the relations between the two countries would advance further in the future.

''Through this agreement which we signed today, we're aiming to increase the tourist traffic between our countries,'' said. He also pointed out that they decided to hold Turkey-China Joint Commission Meeting in China.

According to the World Tourism Organization's data, China would become the world's largest tourism market, Tasar said and added that in the next two decades, China would draw the highest number of tourists and also send the highest number of tourists to other countries.

He declared that tourism had become one of the three main sectors in the world and last year's tourism income was 476 million U.S. dollars.

Tasar also announced that Turkey would open a tourism office in China which will promote Turkey to the Chinese people in the best way.

Tasar pointed out that his ministry allocated one milion U.S. dollars for tourism and promotion activities in China.

He Guangwei said last year 6 million 250,000 Chinese people travelled abroad and added that a significant part of these people would start considering spending their vacations in Turkey from now on.

Guangwei said last year some 80 million people visited his country and China's tourism revenues were 16 billion 200 million yens.

''As the Chinese economy rapidly developed, people started not being satisfied travelling within China and they want to travel abroad,'' he explained.

Guangwei said, after the signing of this agreement, Turks should also start travelling to China and during his speech, he invited Turks to China several times. ''China has 5,000 years of history and it has very rich sources. I'm sure Turks would be very satisfied if they visit China,'' he said.

Guangwei indicated that Chinese people mostly prefer Tailand and secondly Russia to spend their vacations.

Transportation and the kinds of services they will be offered in Turkey will determine the number of tourists who will visit Turkey, Guangwei said.

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