Anadolu Agency: News in English, 01-12-16

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ANADOLU AGENCY

NEWS

16 December 2001

Sunday

-TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

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

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

Greece, a full member of the European Union (EU), arrested 14 European tourists who took photographs of an aircraft. Tourists including 12 Britons and two Dutchs were accused of spying for Turkey. They had been kept in a prison for 37 days, and exposed to intense pressure. They were released on a bail of 9 thousand British pound. Perdita Norris, one of the British tourists, said, ''my husband does not want to even hear the name of Greece. We will never visit Greece again. In Greece, a person is considered guilty till he/she proves his/her innocence.'' European tourists' experiences in Greece have surpassed the film ''Midnight Express'' in which unrealistic claims are put forward against Turkey.

ONE GOOD ONE BAD NEWS FROM EU

During its summit meeting in Laeken, Belgium, the European Union (EU) included Turkey in the EU Platform that will determine future of the union. However, former French President Valery Giscard d'Estaing who is known as a close friend of Greece, was appointed as the chairman of the EU Platform.

NUMBER OF TOURISTS COMING TO TURKEY EXCEEDS 11 MILLION

Number of tourists coming to Turkey reached 11,173,011. The Tourism Ministry said that in the January-November period of the year, a total of 11,173,011 tourists came to Turkey. In the same period last year, 10,004, 589 tourists visited Turkey. Number of tourists coming to Turkey increased by 11.68 percent compared to figures of last year. A total of 7,594,962 tourists came to Turkey from member countries to the OECD, and 2,376,354 tourists came to Turkey from East European countries.German tourists accounted for 25 percent, British tourists 7.5 percent and Russian tourists 6.6 percent.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

Economic crisis has also affected people's holiday. Most of the citizens will spend four-day religious holiday at their homes instead of going holiday resorts. Meanwhile, number of bus and airplane passengers decreased sharply. People preferred train for its cheap price.

WORLD TO CELEBRATE NEW YEAR WITH TARKAN

Tarkan, one of the leading pop singers of Turkey, will give a concert at Antalya's Zigana Club. A total of 72 countries will broadcast the concert live. The concert will also broadcast live through internet.

IMF SAYS NEW LOANS ARE NOT REGARDED WITH TURKEY'S GEOPOLITICAL ROLE

International Monetary Fund (IMF) officials said that the new aid package of 10 billion U.S. dollars that was expected to be given to Turkey, was not regarded with Turkey's new geopolitical role. The IMF plans to give a second aid package of 10 billion U.S. dollars to Turkey except for the 19 billion U.S. dollars of aid. However, the IMF says that the government should make some reforms to receive the second aid package.

SABAH (LIBERAL)

During its summit meeting in Laeken, Belgium, the European Union (EU) said, ''Turkey has made progress towards complying with the political criteria established for accession, in particular through the recent amendment of its constitution. This has brought forward the prospect of the opening of accession negotiations with Turkey. Turkey is encouraged to continue its progress towards complying with both economic and political criteria, notably with regard to human rights. The pre-accession strategy for Turkey should mark a new stage in analysing its preparedness for alignment on the acquis.''

ECEVIT: ''NOW IT IS OUR TURN''

Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said that a new era had begun after attending the summit meeting of the European Union (EU) in Belgium. He stressed that membership schedule depended on steps to be taken by Turkey. He noted, ''first of all, we should remove deficiencies in field of economy. I believe that our deficiencies in regard to regime, democracy and Copenhagen criteria should not be blown up out of proportion. I believe that we will remove these deficiencies in a short time frame. Such a will does exist our parliament and political life. Constitutional amendments and adjustment laws will come onto the parliament's agenda in coming weeks. The steps we take in these matters are accepted in general. If we can record a rapid progress in this field and support it with the progress in the field of economy, I believe that the steps we will take on EU full membership path will gain momentum.''

TEARFUL HOLIDAY

A passenger bus carrying soldiers overturned in central province of Kayseri, killing six people and injuring 38 others. The passenger bus which was on its way from eastern province of Malatya to Kayseri overturned at the 28th kilometer of Kayseri-Malatya highway after driver had lost control of the vehicle. The bus carrying soldiers who were going to their hometowns for the end of Ramadan, plunged into shoulder of the road. Six soldiers were killed while 38 others were injured in the accident.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

The Foreign Affairs Ministry said, ''the decision taken by the United Nations Security Council on extension of mandate of the United Nations Peace-Keeping Force (UNFICYP) states, 'the decision was taken with approval of the Cypriot government'. This expression ignores political equality of the sides on Cyprus, and it is unacceptable. Inclusion of such an expression in the decision no: 1384 extending mandate of the UNFICYP till June 2002, contradicts with the fact that there has not been any political authority representing the whole island since 1963.''

THIRD UFO CONGRESS HELD

The Third International UFO and New Millennium Congress organized by the Sirius UFO Space Sciences Study Center, held at Istanbul's Lutfi Kirdar Congress and Exhibition Hall. A retired colonel from the Land Forces, a former war-plane pilot and two mountain climbers who claimed that they took photograph of a UFO in 1996, were in attendance at the congress.

THERE IS NO PLACE FOR WOMEN IN WORKING LIFE

Rate of Turkish women's participation in work force that had been 34.1 percent in 1990 decreased to 25.1 percent in 2001. According to the data of the Istanbul Chamber of Industry and the Turkish Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association (TUSIAD), rate of Turkish women's participation in work force that had been 34.1 percent in 1990 decreased to 25.1 percent in 2001. 65 percent of women participating in work force is working without contracts, 25 percent of them works under contract, 9 percent of women holds commercial activities, and 1 percent of them has the status of employer.

RADIKAL (LEFT)

U.S. President George W. Bush invited Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit to the United States. Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis was also invited to the United States. Diplomatic sources said that a surprising development might occur during visits of Ecevit and Simitis to the United States.

RELIGIOUS HOLIDAY COMES WITH PRICE INCREASES

Fuel oil consumption tax was increased by 20 percent. The government has decided to increase fuel oil consumption tax by 20 percent after oil prices decreased in the international markets.

2,816 FOREIGNERS CAPTURED IN 11 MONTHS

Interior Minister Rustu Kazim Yucelen said that human smuggling incidents from the Turkish coasts to Greek islands, Italy and France increased recently due to economic, social and political reasons. Yucelen noted that the Coast Guard units had intercepted a total of 6 thousand 743 foreigners since January 1, 1996. 2,816 of these foreigners were captured in the first 11 months of 2001, he added.

THREE THOUSAND VILLAGE ROADS CLOSED TO TRAFFIC DUE TO HEAVY SNOWFALL

More than 3 thousand village roads in eastern provinces of Erzurum, Kars, Agri, Mus and Ardahan have been closed to traffic due to heavy snowfall in the region. Snow reached 70 centimeters in some places.

TURKIYE (RIGHT)

In his message to mark the holy Ramadan feast, President Ahmet Necdet Sezer sent message to the government, saying, ''the government should be supported in regard to overcoming of economic problems while the government should pay careful attention to fair distribution of burden to be created by measures that it will take, to all sections of the society.'' Meanwhile, Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said, ''Ramadan feast will contribute to consolidation of peace and tranquility in Turkey and in the world.'' Deputy Prime Minister Devlet Bahceli said, ''we should be calm by avoiding every kind of attitude and behaviour which can destroy social peace and tranquility.'' Deputy Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz said, ''economic crisis is not reflected in social life. And this is the power of our national and moral values.''

LOTTERY GIVES HOPE TO ALSO MPS

Everybody's wish is to win the 5 trillion Turkish liras (TL) of prize in the lottery on December 31. Yildirim Ulupinar, a deputy from the True Path Party (DYP), said that he would buy 500 houses and let newly married people to settle in those houses for nothing if he won the prize.'' Another DYP deputy said that he would spend the prize on many things while another DYP deputy said he would pay his debts.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

Under a new bill prepared by the Labor and Social Security Ministry, women can retire at the age of 39 and men can retire at the age of 44 in the earliest.

BLOOD STAIN ON EID GREETING CARD

A passenger bus carrying soldiers had an accident, killing 6 people including 5 soldiers. An Eid greeting card of an injured soldier was found in the scene of accident and there was a blood stain on the greeting card.

''I'M A PARLIAMENTARIAN BUT I CANNOT SPEAK''

Firat Dayanikli, a deputy from the Democratic Left Party (DSP), is protesting the difficulties of addressing the parliament in his web site. Dayanikli is complaining that a parliamentarian who wants to express his personal opinions about a draft law or draft budget should get in the queue early in the day in order to address the parliament.

PALESTINIANS BARRED FROM EL-AQSA MOSQUE ALSO IN RAMADAN FEAST

The El-Aqsa Mosque which is one of the most important holy worship places of the Islam world cannot host the Muslims coming from Palestine also for morning pray on the first day of this year's holy Ramadan feast. Meanwhile, Muslims who are Israeli citizens can enter El-Aqsa under control of security forces.

CONTENTS

[01] EU CONVENTION DEPUTY CHAIRMAN DEHAENE SAYS

[02] EU TERM PRESIDENT VERHOFSTADT SAYS EU HAS

[03] ESDP'S ''OPERATIONAL'' CAPABILITY ADOPTED

[04] CYPRUS PARAGRAPH OF LAEKEN STATEMENT APPROVED

[05] STATE MINISTER DERVIS TO ATTEND MONACO WORLD SUMMIT

[06] CEM STARTS HIS TOUR TO PAKISTAN AND AFGHANISTAN

[07] TURKEY BECOMES CHEAPEST COUNTRY FOR TOURISTS

[08] IS-KUR SENDS WORKERS TO 42 COUNTRIES IN JAN-OCT PERIOD OF 2001

[09] CEM STARTS HIS TOUR TO PAKISTAN AND AFGHANISTAN (2)

[10] OTTOMAN CUISINE PRESENTED WITH HONORARY AWARD

[11] ORAL SAYS BUDGET DEFICIT IS 25 QUADRILLION 553 TRILLION LIRAS

[12] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT ASSESSES LAEKEN SUMMIT (1)

[13] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT ASSESSES LAEKEN SUMMIT (2)

[01] EU CONVENTION DEPUTY CHAIRMAN DEHAENE SAYS

Responding questions of the A.A correspondent, Dehaene said, ''a process has been started at Helsinki summit in 1999. I support this process.''

Noting that Turkey would reach its target of EU full membership, Dahaene said that Turkey's inclusion in the EU Convention was sign of this belief.

[02] EU TERM PRESIDENT VERHOFSTADT SAYS EU HAS

Speaking at a press conference held at the end of summit meeting of heads of state and government of member and candidate countries to the EU, Prime Minister Verhofstadt said that extremely positive development had been recorded in Turkey, and added that they had given an encouraging and positive message to Turkey.

He read out the paragraph of the Laeken Statement about Turkey.

Verhofstadt noted that the paragraph was proposed by the EU Commission.

Noting that the European Security and Defense Identity (ESDI) was declared operational, Verhofstadt said that the ESDI's functions would increase after reaching a compromise with NATO.

[03] ESDP'S ''OPERATIONAL'' CAPABILITY ADOPTED

The statement said, ''through the continuing development of the ESDP, the strengthening of its capabilities, both civil and military, and the creation of the appropriate EU structures, the EU is now able to conduct some crisis-management operations. The Union will be in a position to take on progressively more demanding operations, as the assets and capabilities at its disposal continue to develop. Decisions to make use of this ability will be taken in the light of the circumstances of each particular situation, a determining factor being the assets and capabilities available.''

''On the basis of the approved exercise policy and programme, the Union has begun to test its structures and procedures relating to civilian and military crisis-management operations. The European Union has established crisis management structures and procedures which enable it to analyse and plan, to take decisions and, where NATO as such is not involved, to launch and carry out military crisis-management operations,'' it said.

''The Union's crisis-management capability has been strengthened by the development of consultations, cooperation and transparency between the Eu and NATO in crisis management in the Western Balkans,'' it said.

The statement said, ''the Union intends to finalise the security arrangements with NATO and conclude the agreements on guaranteed access to the Alliance's operational planning, presumption of availability of pre- identified assets and capabilities of NATO and identification of a series of command options made available to the Union. These agreements are essential for the ESDP and will substantially increase the Union's available capabilities.''

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt of EU Term President Belgium said that Greek obstacle would be overcome and compromise between NATO and EU would become concrete in coming weeks or months.

[04] CYPRUS PARAGRAPH OF LAEKEN STATEMENT APPROVED

It said, ''the European Council welcomes the recent meetings between the leaders of the Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities and would encourage them to continue their discussions with a view to an overall solution under the auspices of the United Nations consistent with the relevant resolutions of the United Nations Security Council.''

Meanwhile, Greek Cypriot side was mentioned among candidates that can become full members of the EU before the European Parliament elections in 2004.

Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou said that expressions and messages in the Laeken Statement about Turkey and Cyprus were very positive.

Noting that they hoped that further progress would be recorded in Cyprus, Papendreou added that they should find ways in which Turkish Cypriots would fell themselves at ease.

[05] STATE MINISTER DERVIS TO ATTEND MONACO WORLD SUMMIT

Sources said on Sunday that Dervis who would be one of the prominent and distinguished speakers of the summit would deliver a speech on ''Turkey: Key Actor in Mediterranean and Asia'' on December 20.

Eczacibasi Holding Director Bulent Eczacibasi, Dogus Holding Director Ferit Sahenk, Central Bank Deputy Governor Aydin Esen and Foreign Affairs Ministry Deputy Undersecretary Mithat Balkan will also represent Turkey in the summit meeting that is expected to focus on stagnation in world economy in the wake of the terrorist attacks in the United States on September 11, 2001.

Dervis will meet with Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa, Algerian Coordination of Reforms Minister Noureddine Boukrouh and European Union representative Robert Madeline at breakfast on December 21.

Kemal Dervis had also attended the forum's annual meeting held under auspices of Prince Albert of Monaco in Crans Montana.

The World Summit will end on December 21.

[06] CEM STARTS HIS TOUR TO PAKISTAN AND AFGHANISTAN

Speaking to reporters at Ankara's Esenboga Airport, Cem said that he would meet with Pakistani Foreign Minister Abdul Sattar late on the same day and that he would proceed to Kabul, Afghanistan early on Monday and hold several contacts there throughout the day.

Noting that the aim of his visit was the Turkish nation's and Afghan nation's coming together in the Ramadan feast, Cem said he would convey the Turkish nation's best wishes and compliments to the Afghan nation.

Recalling that General Staff Operation and Planning Department Chairman Vice-General Bekir Kalyoncu, Foreign Ministry Afghanistan Coordinator Aydemir Erman and Turkish Ambassador to Afghanistan were accompanying him, Cem said that they would officially open the Turkish Embassy in Kabul during their visit.

Noting that they would visit the Ataturk Hospital in Kabul and meet with some Afghan representatives if they would have the opportunity, Cem said that they were taking the national aid organization Kizilay's (Red Crescent) medical equipment aid and the technical equipment and devices that the Turkish Radio and Television (TRT) donated to the Afghan Radio- Television.

Stressing that Afghanistan had an important place in Turkey's point of view toward the world and Central Asia, Cem recalled that Great Leader Mustafa Kemal Ataturk had foreseen importance of Afghanistan and intensified relations with Afghanistan, adding that they were walking on the path opened by Ataturk and trying to continue those efforts.

''I hope that this visit would be a new beginning for the two nations in coming period and bring results in favor of the two nations,'' Cem added.

[07] TURKEY BECOMES CHEAPEST COUNTRY FOR TOURISTS

According to the public survey carried out by comparing prices of a groups of goods and services such as camera film, taxi and dinner in various countries, Turkey became 34 percent cheaper for tourists in 2001.

The public survey said that a German tourist could buy basic consumer goods in return for 100 German marks in Germany while he/she paid 40 German marks for the same goods in Turkey.

The situation is also same for British, French, American and Japanese tourists.

[08] IS-KUR SENDS WORKERS TO 42 COUNTRIES IN JAN-OCT PERIOD OF 2001

According to the October Bulletin of the Is-Kur, the agency sent 16,618 workers to 42 countries in first ten months of 2001.

The number of workers sent abroad rose 40.5 percent in the January-October period of 2001 when compared to same period of 2000. The agency had sent 11, 828 workers to 40 countries in the same period last year.

Is-Kur sent 2 workers to St. Vincent, 1 worker to Panama, 1 worker to the Bahamas, 3,780 workers to Saudi Arabia, 3,528 workers to Russia, 2,813 workers to Israel, 2,018 workers to Germany and 1,295 workers to Turkmenistan in first ten months of 2001.

Meanwhile, the agency did not send any worker to Portugal, Switzerland, Norway, Japan, Bermuda, Bahrain, United Arab Emirates and Luxembourg in the January-October period of 2001 although it had sent a total of 110 workers to these countries in the same period of 2000.

[09] CEM STARTS HIS TOUR TO PAKISTAN AND AFGHANISTAN (2)

Speaking to reporters at Ankara's Esenboga Airport before start of his three-day tour to Pakistan and Afghanistan, Cem said that two important developments which were directly related with Turkey had happened at the summit.

Noting that the first development was inclusion of Turkey in the EU Convention, Cem said that Turkey would be represented at the Convention which could be defined as EU's consultative assembly, by Foreign Ministry officials and two parliamentarians.

Recalling that the Convention's first meeting was planned to be held in March 2002, Cem said that Turkey would make valuable contributions to the Contribution as a result of its peculiar experiences and opinions.

Noting that the other development which was directly related with Turkey was the expression that the prospect of the opening of accession negotiations with Turkey had been brought forward, Cem said that as the Foreign Ministry, they had worked on the matter for a long time.

Cem added, ''I consider this development very important and define it as a new page in Turkey-EU relations.''

[10] OTTOMAN CUISINE PRESENTED WITH HONORARY AWARD

Releasing a written statement, the Culture Ministry said on Sunday the book was published by the Culture Ministry Directorate General for Folk Cultures Studies in 1999 within framework of activities to mark the 700th anniversary of foundation of Ottoman Empire.

The book gives detailed information about the Ottoman cuisine.

Culture Minister Istemihan Talay said, ''the book aims at promoting the Ottoman cuisine, one of the most important parts of cultural heritage of the Ottoman Empire to the Republic of Turkey, and at giving recipes of prominent Ottoman dishes. Turkish cuisine has an important place among world cuisines. The book promotes such a rich food tradition to the whole world.''

The book includes articles written by Nezihe Araz, Dr. Tugrul Savkay, Prof. Dr. Gunay Kut, Sabahattin Turkoglu, Ayse Erdogdu and Turgut Kut, and 39 recipes.

[11] ORAL SAYS BUDGET DEFICIT IS 25 QUADRILLION 553 TRILLION LIRAS

Releasing a statement, Oral announced budgetary performance in the January- November period of 2001.

Oral said that the positive trend of the ''primary budget'' which was the most important factor of the ongoing economic programme was under way.

Stressing that the results achieved in first 11 months of 2001 would constitute a sound basis in 2002, Oral said that tax revenues had exceeded the targets both in first 11 months and in November.

According to Oral's statement, total budget incomes was 47 quadrillion 118 trillion TL, total tax incomes was 36 quadrillion 23 trillion TL, total non- interest expenditures was 33 quadrillion 152 trillion TL, non-interest budget surplus was 13 quadrillion 965 trillion TL and budget deficit was 25 quadrillion 553 trillion TL.

[12] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT ASSESSES LAEKEN SUMMIT (1)

''Also in coming period, our government will continue its determination to take necessary steps on EU membership path,'' he said.

Prime Minister Ecevit released a written statement on the Laeken Summit of EU heads of state and government in Brussels, Belgium.

Recalling that he had attended the summit together with Foreign Minister Ismail Cem, Ecevit said that the most important matter at the summit was the works that would be carried out in the coming period on Europe's future.

Noting that the document which had been accepted by Turkey regarding the European Security and Defense Policy (ESDP) was still in front of the EU, Ecevit said that the Greek government had not yet confirmed its approval to this document.

Ecevit said, ''we do not have the responsibility regarding this matter. In this situation, the EU is responsible of providing harmony within itself.''

Ecevit said, ''the relations between Turkey and the EU will reach a new stage within framework of the positive developments at the Laeken Summit. Also in coming period, our government will continue its determination to take necessary steps on EU membership path.''

[13] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT ASSESSES LAEKEN SUMMIT (2)

''Such a concrete expression about membership perspective took place for the first time in statements accepted so far by the EU about Turkey. We consider it an important development,'' he stressed.

Prime Minister Ecevit released a written statement on the Laeken Summit of EU heads of state and government in Brussels, Belgium.

He stressed that the most important issue taken up at the summit meeting was works to be carried out in coming period on future of Europe.

Prime Minister Ecevit noted that issues such as enlargement of the EU, Europe's security and defense dimension, and transition into Euro were taken up at the summit meeting.

Noting that fight against terrorism and other regional problems were also brought onto ageanda of the meeting, Prime Minister Ecevit said he had an opportunity of explaining Turkey's views on several issues during his speech he delivered at the joint meeting of member and candidate countries.

''Within this framework, I informed the participants on measures taken in Turkey recently as a candidate country, and I explained Turkey's expectations from the EU. I reiterated our opinions on the issues of fight against terrorism, Afghanistan, the Middle East and Cyprus,'' he said.

Prime Minister Ecevit said, ''the Laeken Statement approved by member countries at the end of the summit meeting, gave place to important developments concerning also Turkey. One of the most important of these developments is approval of the paragraph about Turkey within framework of enlargement of the EU. It said that Turkey's making progress towards complying with political criteria established for accession has brought forth forward the prospect of the opening of accession negotiations with Turkey. Such a concrete expression about membership perspective took place for the first time in statements accepted so far by the EU about Turkey. We consider it an important development.''

Noting that the document which had been accepted by Turkey regarding the European Security and Defense Policy (ESDP) was still in front of the EU, Ecevit said that the Greek government had not yet confirmed its approval to this document.

Ecevit said, ''we do not have the responsibility regarding this matter. In this situation, the EU is responsible of providing harmony within itself.''

Ecevit said that another positive development about Turkey at the summit was its participation in the Convention's works on the future of Europe which would start in March 2002 together with other candidates without being exposed to any discriminative implementation.

''Our country does have the position of making important contributions to the Convention as a result of its extensive historical experiences,'' he said.

Stressing that they were also closely following the steps taken at the Summit Meeting by the EU in fight against terrorism, Ecevit said, ''within framework of these positive developments happened at the Laeken, our relations with the EU will reach a new stage from now on. Also in coming period, our government will continue its determination to take necessary steps on EU membership path.''

Prime Minister Ecevit added, ''the harmony and determination displayed by our coalition government became the main factor of development of our relations with the EU and of these positive results. Besides, the Parliament's works on constitutional amendments have made an important contribution to these developments.''

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