Anadolu Agency: News in English, 02-01-04

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From: The Anadolu Agency Home Page at <http://www.anadoluajansi.com.tr/>

ANADOLU AJANSI

HABERLER

04 January

2002 Saturday

Türkiye

Dünya

Parlamento

Ekonomi

Spor

Sanat-Magazin

Sağlık

T

urkey

These are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in Turkey's press on January 4, 2002. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

The inflation in wholesale prices was 88.6 percent 2001, when the biggest shrinkage since the World War II had been observed. An increase of 68.5 percent has been recorded in the consumer prices. The inflation in 2001 when Turkey faced the deepest crisis was announced as 88.6 percent. According to the figures announced by the State Statistics Institute (DIE), the annual inflation was 55.9 percent higher in wholesale prices and 29.5 percent higher in consumer prices when compared with the inflation of 2000. The inflation in the previous year was 32.7 percent in wholesale prices and 39 percent in consumer prices.

350 SOLDIERS TO AFGHANISTAN

Turkey has decided the number of soldiers it will send to Afghanistan. A total of 350 soldiers will be send to Afghanistan mid-January. This number will not exceed 1,000 during the command of Turkey.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

Members of the gang are very distinguished people. Each member of the gang is personally defending himself. However, the figures show the reality. Here is the table and invoices are in your hands: Pipeline Transportation Inc. (BOTAS) is making a profit of 138 thousand Turkish liras (TL) which is equal to 131 percent per cubic metre of natural gas it sells to municipalities. For instance, Istanbul Gas Distribution Industry and Trade Inc. (IGDAS) is buying cubic metre of natural gas from BOTAS at 243,000 TL and selling it to citizens at 338,500 TL. This rate is almost the same in Ankara. That is, they are making a profit of 95,000 TL which is equal to 46 percent per cubic metre. The Finance Ministry considers natural gas which is a ''compulsory consumption need'' as ''luxurious consumption need'' and imposes a high Value Added Tax (VAT) of 18 percent. As this is not enough, it takes 5 percent profit to the price under the name of Fuel Oil Consumption Tax. Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit, the head of the Council of Ministers, and Kemal Dervis, who administers the economy, sign all these decisions and remain spectators to this swindling.

SOMA MIRACLE

Selahattin Topuz was appointed to Soma Thermic Power Plant a month ago and production increased by seven folds in a month.

Gendarme started the miracle at first. When 1 million tons of coal disappeared on the way to the power plant, 45 administrations were taken under custody. Former director was dismissed. New director Topuz, who saw that the workers were lazy, gave an instruction: ''Know the value of your jobs. We will work with full capacity.'' Then, production rose to the optimum.

SABAH (LIBERAL)

Turkey will be under the influence of a new cold and rainy weather today. Snowfall will re-start from the west today. Temperatures will be below zero degrees. Showers and storm in the Mediterranean and icy roads in other regions are expected.

KANADOGLU BEYOND HIS AUTHORITY

Constitutional Court Chairman Mustafa Bumin responded to Supreme Court Chief Prosecutor Sabih Kanadoglu, who accused the Constitutional Court of being late in the cases of People's Democracy Party (HADEP) and Justice and Development Party (AK Party). Bumin said, ''the chief judge goes beyond his authority. We do not need anybody to remind our duties and make suggestions and recommendations to us.''

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

Disagreement on Iraq which is an item of agenda between Turkey and the United States has turned into a disturbance with the reciprocal statements coming from capitals of both countries. It is noted that the disturbance which occured before the meeting of Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit and U.S. President George Bush scheduled for January 16 was caused by the statements of the Prime Minister and Chief of General Staff regarding Iraq.

TROUSER BAN LIFTED

Women civil servants can wear trousers except ''jeans and strech pants'' in public institutions and organizations. The regulation which was changed by instruction of Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit following the initiatives of Public Employees' Union (KESK) to lift the ban on women civil servants' wearing trousers was issued in the Official Gazette on Thursday.

RADIKAL (LEFT)

Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahceli supported encouragement of banks. Calling the coalition partners to ''refrain from any plans which would harm the productivity'', Bahceli said, ''we are trying to develop control mechanisms in the sector, especially 'early warning system' by our recent works.''

ECEVIT: ''CAPITAL PUNISHMENT WILL BE LIFTED''

Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said that capital punishment would be definitely lifted. Ecevit responded to questions of journalist Mehmet Ali Birand at private CNN Turk Channel. Ecevit said that a military operation on Iraq would have very negative impact on Turkey.

TURKIYE (RIGHT)

Ministry and municipalities are trying to find a solution to high natural gas invoices. Discussions which started as people quitted using natural gas and returned to stoves and as the state had a natural gas surplus started to give result. Energy and Natural Resources Minister Zeki Cakan said that he would meet with mayors and ask for a reduction in natural gas prices. ''I will intervene if nothing changes,'' Cakan also noted.

ANNUAL RISE IN ELECTRICITY: 117 PERCENT

Following the 2 percent rise in electricity price which was made in the end of last year and which was in practice for 8 days, Turkish Electrical Distribution Corporation (TEDAS) increased the price of electricity by 3 percent valid as of January 1, 2002. Unit price of electricity used in houses was increased from 11,100 Turkish liras (TL) to 114,430 TL till 150 kilowatts. Houses using more than 150 kilowatts per hour electricity will pay 171,650 TL per unit.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

Constitutional Court will debate the annulment of provision in Article 450 of the Turkish Penal Code (TCK) which foresees capital punishment for homicide regarding the merits of the case. Constitutional Court delegation which convened on Thursday made the first examination on the request of Mardin Heavy Criminal Court for annulment of the expression in Article 450 of TCK saying, ''... assailant is sentenced to capital punishment.'' Crimes except terrorism, war or close war threats were excluded from the scope of capital punishment under an amendment to Article 38 of the Constitution.

SUMMIT OF POLITICAL PARTIES IN CYPRUS

Representatives of Turkish and Greek Cypriot political parties will meet on Saturday. The meeting to be held at Ledra Palace aims to intermingle political parties and organizations of two sides. Such meetings are expected to continue after two dinners hosted by Rauf Denktas, the President of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), and Glafcos Clerides, the leader of the Greek Cypriot administration.

CONTENTS

[01] IMKB FIRST SESSION CANCELLED

[02] EXCHANGE RATES AT COVERED BAZAAR IN ISTANBUL

[03] WASHINGTON CONSIDERS PROGRESS IN CYPRUS AND ESDP AS POSITIVE

[04] BRSA CHAIRMAN SAYS BANKING OPERATION WILL COST ALMOST 4 BILLION U.S. DOLLARS

[05] SNOWFALL PARALYZES DAILY LIFE AND TRAFFIC IN ISTANBUL

[06] FOREIGN MINISTER CEM MEETS WITH U.S. CONGRESS MEMBERS

[07] BRSA CHAIRMAN SAYS RE-CAPITALIZATION IS NECESSARY FOR SOUND OPERATION OF REAL SECTOR

[08] IMKB SECOND SESSION CANCELLED

[09] CHIEF PROSECUTOR KANADOGLU MEETS WITH OZKAN

[10] 127 KG HASHISH SEIZED IN OPERATION IN BASKALE

[11] BRSA CHAIRMAN AKCAKOCA: ''FINANCING, WHICH IS TO ARRIVE AT THE TREASURY, SHOULD BE A FOREIGN RESOURCE''

[12] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT RECEIVES U.S. CONGRESS MEMBERS

[13] TRNC PRESIDENT DENKTAS: ''WE WISH 2002 TO BE THE BEGINNING OF COMPROMISE''

[14] JAPANESE FOREIGN MINISTER TANAKA ARRIVES IN ANKARA

[15] A MAN FREEZES TO DEATH IN GAZIOSMANPASA DISTRICT

[16] JUSTICE MINISTER TURK SAYS TURKEY HAS TO RE-ARRANGE ISSUE OF FALSE CHEQUE WITH A MODERN UNDERSTANDING

[17] TRNC PARLIAMENT SPEAKER SERTER RESPONDS GREEK CYPRIOT PARLIAMENT SPEAKER HRISTOFIAS: -''HE STARTED A CAMPAIGN AGAINST PEACE AND COMPROMISE PROCESS WITH HIS STATEMENTS''

[18] SP LEADER KUTAN SAYS SP IS INFORMED ABOUT CONSTITUTIONAL COURT'S DECISION ON CLOSURE OF FP

[01] IMKB FIRST SESSION CANCELLED

Sources said that transactions were expected to resume at 2.00 p.m. in the second session depending on the snowfall.

[02] EXCHANGE RATES AT COVERED BAZAAR IN ISTANBUL

Meanwhile, selling price of 1 Euro started at 1 million 285 thousand TL.

The buying price of 1 U.S. dollar is 1 million 420 thousand TL while the buying price of 1 Euro is 1 million 278 thousand TL.

One German mark is bought at 651 thousand 500 TL and sold at 658 thousand TL.

At the free market on Thursday, 1 U.S. dollar was 1 million 435 thousand TL and 1 Euro was 1 million 300 thousand TL.

[03] WASHINGTON CONSIDERS PROGRESS IN CYPRUS AND ESDP AS POSITIVE

Sources close to the U.S. administration told A.A correspondent on Friday that Turkey's stance in Cyprus and ESDP issues especially in the last two months gave the message that ''it was totally ready for a cooperation'' aiming at solution of those issues.

Same sources pointed out that Turkey removed its ''uncompromising'' image which occured in some circles in Washington D.C with those steps.

If progress continued in Cyprus question, rapprochement between Turkey and the European Union (EU) would increase, the sources stated.

The sources noted that this was the aim of the United States and said that Turkey's stance open to cooperation in Cyprus and ESDP issues blew a positive air in Washington prior to Ecevit's visit.

U.S. sources said that Washington administration also considered Turkey's contributions in Afghanistan and role in peace force as positive.

U.S. President George Bush administration was closely watching Turkey's warnings about Iraq.

Ecevit, who will pay a visit to the United States between January 14 and 18, will meet with President George Bush on January 16.

[04] BRSA CHAIRMAN SAYS BANKING OPERATION WILL COST ALMOST 4 BILLION U.S. DOLLARS

Akcakoca told a press conference that what was important was to act fast and with determination.

If a capital contribution was to be made to banks, this should be estimated correctly and at one time, Akcakoca stressed.

Akcakoca said that private sector should share burdens and liabilities of the banking sector for a successful restructuring in the sector.

[05] SNOWFALL PARALYZES DAILY LIFE AND TRAFFIC IN ISTANBUL

Istanbul Municipality Transportation Department Chief Rafet Bozdogan told A.A correspondent that snowfall was paralyzing traffic in the city.

Bozdogan said that municipal teams were exerting efforts to open the roads and highways.

Meanwhile, education was recessed in Bahcesehir, Fatih and Koc universities due to snowfall.

[06] FOREIGN MINISTER CEM MEETS WITH U.S. CONGRESS MEMBERS

Members of the U.S. Congress headed by Senator Joseph Lieberman who came to Ankara on Friday morning within the framework of a tour to the region had a meeting with Cem at the Foreign Ministry Residence.

No statement was released regarding the meeting.

The delegation is expected to exchange views about fight against terrorism and recent developments in Afghanistan.

Senators will continue their tour which also covers Afghanistan, Pakistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Oman after wrapping up contacts in Ankara that are expected to be concluded on Saturday evening.

[07] BRSA CHAIRMAN SAYS RE-CAPITALIZATION IS NECESSARY FOR SOUND OPERATION OF REAL SECTOR

Akcakoca told a press conference that the Savings Deposits Insurance Fund (SDIF) would continue to take over the management of the banks, the capitalization ratio of which was in minus degrees.

Public sources were used to strengthen capital structures of banks in many countries like Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, Thailand, Sweden, Spain and Polan, Akcakoca said.

Akcakoca noted that operational efficiency of the sector had to increase and costs had to diminish in the end of those practices and said, ''to this end, mergers are very important.''

If a capital contribution was to be made to banks, this should be estimated correctly and at one time, Akcakoca stressed.

Akcakoca said that private sector should share burdens and liabilities of the banking sector for a successful restructuring in the sector.

Touching on the draft law passed from the Parliamentary Planning and Budget Commission, Akcakoca said that the state would make as much as contribution that the shareholder made for the banks, the ratios of which ranked beteen 0 and 5.

Akcakoca pointed out that bond would be given for contribution capital if the ratios of banks were ranked between 5 and 9 percent.

Such bond could be turned into a stock if it was not re-paid on time, Akcakoca said.

Akcakoca noted that after the capital and losses were set in the direction of the principles put forth by BRSA by a supervision company, another supervision company would control them and then a result would be reached with the contributions of BRSA and Banks Authorized Auditors.

If the capital of the bank was negative, the main shareholder would be asked to increase capitalization ration over zero, Akcakoca stated and said that the aim was to reach 8 percent.

Akcakoca pointed out that there was not any change in the strategy and that the aim was to minimize the costs.

''Since a restructuring will be in questin in Istanbul approach, passive structures of our banks have to be strengthened. So, all these initiatives are necessary. Re-capitalization is necessary to prevent growth of credit risk in the sector. Also, credit amount which was 11 percent by the end of 2000 rose to 17 percent by the end of September 2001.''

[08] IMKB SECOND SESSION CANCELLED

Sources said that transactions, which were expected to resume at 2.00 p.m. in the second session, were cancalled.

[09] CHIEF PROSECUTOR KANADOGLU MEETS WITH OZKAN

Kanadoglu met with Deputy Prime Minister and State Minister Husamettin Ozkan the same day. Speaking to reporters after his meeting, Kanadoglu said that he fully respected the Constitutional Court.

[10] 127 KG HASHISH SEIZED IN OPERATION IN BASKALE

Acting on a tip-off, the security teams raided the house of Sukru Yagız who stays in Azıklı village.

The teams found 127,2 kg of powder hashish buried in the ground near Yagız's house.

Five people were taken into custody in connection with the haul worth of 100 billion liras. An operation is underway to capture Yagız.

[11] BRSA CHAIRMAN AKCAKOCA: ''FINANCING, WHICH IS TO ARRIVE AT THE TREASURY, SHOULD BE A FOREIGN RESOURCE''

Akcakoca responded to the questions of reporters at a news conference which was held on strengthening capital structure of the banks by benefiting from public resource.

Akcakoca said if the public would transfer such a support, it would be beneficial if it reaches a more intensified power.

When asked about the cost of such a transfer of resource, Akcakoca said this could be around four billion U.S. dollars.

Responding to a question what kind of an atmosphere would be created if this is not implemented, Akcakoca said the banks would end this year without profit and in difficulty.

[12] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT RECEIVES U.S. CONGRESS MEMBERS

U.S. Senator Joseph Lieberman who headed the U.S. delegation told the press after the meeting that the fight with terrorism would not end until the Saddam regime in Iraq is overthrown, adding that the U.S. delegation told Prime Minister Ecevit that the U.S. would be in solidarity with Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit about the issue.

Referring to Iraq, Lieberman said that important discussion took place in this issue, adding that they thanked Turkey for its ''critical and important'' support to the U.S.'s fight with terrorism.

''This is a fight with terrorism, not with Islam. Turkey is a model Islamic country which embraces modernization, tolerance and democracy,'' he said.

U.S. Senator John McCain said in his part that there is no common decision about Iraq, adding that ''yet there is a common view that Saddam regime constitutes a threat for the security of the U.S. and sources of all sorts of terrorism have to be eradicated. These issues will also be evaluated during the visit of Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit to the U.S. The U.S. knows the sensitivity of Turkey about the territorial integrity of Iraq,'' he said.

When a journalist recalled the discussion regarded with the possibility of Turkey's mediation between the U.S. and Iraq, Lieberman said this issue was not discussed.

Pointing out that situation in Afghanistan was the main item of the agenda of the visit, Lieberman said education and infrastructure in this country were very important, and what Ataturk had done in Turkey in 1920's could be an example for Afghanistan.

When a journalist pointed out the financial losses of Turkey during the Gulf War, and asked if Turkey's losses would be met in a probable new operation against Iraq, McCain said they defended improvement of trade relations and lifting of trade obstacles.

He said it was very hard to meet this, but noted that those issues would be discussed during Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit's visit to the U.S.

Lieberman, responding another question, described Turkey's being in the command of an international force, which will be assigned in Afghanistan, as a ''good idea'' stressing that they supported it.

[13] TRNC PRESIDENT DENKTAS: ''WE WISH 2002 TO BE THE BEGINNING OF COMPROMISE''

Denktas received Omar Mutually, Egypt's Ambassador in Greek Cypriot side.

Speaking at the meeting, Denktas said he wished 2002 to be better than last year, and wished a world where terrorism, murders, attacks, and death because of hunger don't exist.

Stressing that people died because of hunger and lack of medicine and that refugees were left homeless, Denktas said all the countries should concentrate on those people who suffer and should do their best for them.

Denktas said, ''we hope for a better and more understanding world based on supremacy of law. We again hope that the disagreements will be defined basing on the principle of supremacy of law, not on artificial allegations as it has been made on Cyprus for 38 years.''

Denktas said they wished 2002 to be a year when compromise would start in Cyprus as well as in other countries.

Egyptian Ambassador Omar Mutually in his part said he wished 2002 to bring peace and tranquility to Cyprus as well as the world.

Mutually said they were pleased over the developments in negotiation process.

[14] JAPANESE FOREIGN MINISTER TANAKA ARRIVES IN ANKARA

Tanaka, who is currently in Turkey as the official guest of Foreign Minister Ismail Cem, arrived late in Ankara due to heavy snowfall.

The guest minister is expected to be received by Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit and meet with Foreign Minister Cem in Ankara.

[15] A MAN FREEZES TO DEATH IN GAZIOSMANPASA DISTRICT

Officials told the A.A correspondent that a dead body of a 70-year man was found by the citizens in an empty building in Gaziosmanpasa district.

Meanwhile, a 60-year man, while returning his home, slipped and fell down on an icy road. Later, he had a heart attack and died.

[16] JUSTICE MINISTER TURK SAYS TURKEY HAS TO RE-ARRANGE ISSUE OF FALSE CHEQUE WITH A MODERN UNDERSTANDING

Speaking in a news conference held by Istanbul Trade Chamber and Istanbul University on the daily problems of laws of cheque, Turk said that the most important development that was made was the adoption of the new Turkish Civil Code and the constitutional amendments in 2001.

Turk said that totally 320,327 cases were filed in 1999 due to claims of false cheques, adding that this figure constituted 18,4 percent of the total cases related to enforcement law. The number of the similar cases were 262,611 in 2000.

''The total number of suits filed in Turkey is 1,749,853. This shows that there is a heavy burden on the courts to solve disputes related to false cheques. The issue of false cheques has turned into a social disaster. We must bring effective, legal and penal sanctions in this issue. We prepared a cheque bill and we respected this principle,'' he added.

[17] TRNC PARLIAMENT SPEAKER SERTER RESPONDS GREEK CYPRIOT PARLIAMENT SPEAKER HRISTOFIAS: -''HE STARTED A CAMPAIGN AGAINST PEACE AND COMPROMISE PROCESS WITH HIS STATEMENTS''

Serter issued a written statement and said Hristofias exhibited the ''new examples of a destructive mission'' during his meeting with the so-called mayors elected from the TRNC's Girne, Lapta and Alsancak regions during the elections held last month in Greek Cypriot side.

Serter said Hristofias with his statements incited a confidence crisis, and that he also encouraged the fanatic elements in Greek Cypriot community.

Pointing out that he once again wanted to remind Hristofias and the fanatics that Turkish Cypriots would not sit at negotiation table to hand over their honor and territories, Serter invited Greek Cypriot leader Glafcos Clerides to stop such kind of destructive activities.

Stressing that a lasting peace and compromise could be based on realities, not the dreams, Serter said those realities included Turkey's effective and active security, two states, political equality, and sovereignty rights.

[18] SP LEADER KUTAN SAYS SP IS INFORMED ABOUT CONSTITUTIONAL COURT'S DECISION ON CLOSURE OF FP

Speaking in a news conference, Kutan said that the Chief Prosecutor of the Supreme Court of Appeals filed a suit requesting the closure of the Virtue Party (FP) on May 7, 1999, adding that the Constitutional Court decided to close the FP, which was the main opposition party on June 22, 2001.

Kutan said that the reasoned verdict of the Constitutional Court is expected to be published in the Official Gazette on Saturday, adding that the decision to close FP is also an issue of Turkey, rather than Virtue Party (FP) alone.

''This decision is related to democratization of Turkey, it is closely related to human rights and freedoms in Turkey. Unfortunately, many political parties are closed in Turkey unlike any other democratic country. A part of these closed parties applied to the European Court of Human Rights which found the Turkish state guilty,'' alleged Kutan.

Kutan said that his party's experts of law will examine the decision detailly and SP will announce its view within one week.

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