Anadolu Agency: News in English, 02-01-13

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ANADOLU AJANSI

HABERLER

13 January

2002 Sunday

Türkiye

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CONTENTS

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

[02] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT TO LEAVE FOR THE U.S. ON MONDAY

[03] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT HAS AN INTENSE AGENDA IN THE U.S.

[04] TOURISM MINISTER HOSTS DINNER FOR FRENCH TOUR OPERATORS AND JOURNALISTS

[05] 100 PEOPLE PROTEST DEMOLITION OF OTTOMAN-ERA AL-AJYAD FORT IN MECCA

[06] STEP BY STEP TOWARD SECURITY OF STRAITS

[07] DRIED FRUIT EXPORTS FROM SOUTHEAST INCREASE BY 8 PERCENT

[08] EXPORTATION AND IMPORTATION FROM SOUTHERN ADANA PROVINCE

[09] A TOTAL OF 112.2 MILLION TONS OF OIL PRODUCED IN TURKEY SO FAR

[10] JAPANESE DEPUTY SENATE SPEAKER VISITS HISTORICAL PLACES IN ISTANBUL

[11] TREASURY TO SELL 112-DAY BOND AUCTION ON TUESDAY

[12] SECURITY FORCES CONFISCATE 916.9 KG OF DRUG IN VAN

[13] ISRAELI IMI COMPANY RANKS THE FIRST IN TENDER OF AVIONIC MODERNIZATION C-130 CARGO PLANES

[14] A TOTAL OF 11.5 MILLION TOURISTS VISIT TURKEY

[15] PREMIER ECEVIT'S MEETING WITH MINISTERS, BUREAUCRATS AND A

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

BLACK VOICE TO BE NEIGHBOUR OF OCALAN IN IMRALI
Metin Kaplan, the head of Union of Islamic Community and Societies publicly known as ''Black Voice'' for whose extradition Germany had pushed the button, will be put in Imrali prison like Abdullah Ocalan, the head of the terrorist organization. This time, Black Voice will be in front of justice in the court hall previously built on the island for the trial of Ocalan.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

''SEZER WILL EXAMINE THE LAW FOR 15 DAYS''
State Minister Kemal Dervis said that he had got the impression that President Ahmet Necdet Sezer would examine the banking law for 15 days. The Banking Regulation and Supervision Agency (BRSA) announced that the banks which would be supported would firstly undergo an internal cleaning.

SABAH (LIBERAL)

ECEVIT'S REQUEST FROM UNITED STATES: ''ERASE 5 BILLION
U.S. DOLLAR MILITARY DEBT''
Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit unveiled the agenda of his tour to the United States which would start on Monday to one of the leading press agencies of the world, the Associated Press (AP). Ecevit will bring into agenda the possible operation on Iraq and Turkey's military debts during his meeting with U.S. President George Bush. Ecevit said, ''formation of a kurdish state in northern Iraq could pose a threat to Turkey's unity. We definitely can't accept that. We will never allow that.'' Touching on military debts, Ecevit said, ''it would certainly be an added burden on the economy. Also, the United States knows this. We will be very pleased if our defense debts are erased or reduced. We will try to erase our military debt to the United States worth of 5 billion U.S. dollars.''

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

AMBASSADOR ONUR OYMEN: ''NEGOTIATIONS SHOULD BEGIN''
Onur Oymen, Turkey's Permanent Representative to NATO, said that it was a deficiency for the European Union (EU) not to begin full membership negotiations with Turkey. Oymen said, ''it will be a right thing to begin the negotiations.''

RADIKAL (LEFT)

Cooperation projects will have primary importance as there is no bilataral problem between the two countries. Economy will top the agenda of the visit, however, serious messages will be given about Cyprus and Iraq.

TO DERVIS: YOU MAY GO
Devlet Bahceli, the leader of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), speaking at his party group meeting, said during the leaders' summit, he responded to the threats of State Minister Kemal Dervis that he would leave.

Bahceli said nobody was indispensable, noting that, ''what is your job in the government you are complaining about? You should take a decision. You may go. You are not sine qua non.''

TURKIYE (RIGHT)

Bahceli said some EU countries still have a misleading idea that terrorism, which did not direct to itself, was not in fact terrorism.

Pointing out that the EU administrations could not put forward an effective and open fight against terrorism for years, Bahceli said it was seen that some Western European countries gave permission to activities of those organizations.

DERVIS: ARRANGEMENT WILL PROVIDE GROWTH
State Minister Kemal Dervis said that they hoped that the banking sector would be a stronger sector which could give credit to real sector and support growth.

Following his meeting with bank officials, Dervis told reporters that they informed the bank officials about the law on banking sector.

Dervis said that the law had not entered into force yet and noted that the president was examining it.

Dervis stated that the real aim of the law was to accelerate growth, facilitate investments and exportation in Turkey, and transfer credits to real sector.

The main target of a strong banking system was in fact all the above mentioned aims, Dervis said.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

A group of 200 people laid the black wreath, opened placards and chanted slogans condemning the demolition of the al-Ajyad Fort in Mecca.

The group burnt the picture of King Fahd.

OYAKBANK AND SUMERBANK MERGED
Oyakbank and Sumerbank completed their merging.

Oyakbank General Director Mehmet Ozdeniz said that the total deposits of the bank were 2 quadrillion 570 billion Turkish liras (TL), its net profit was 167 trillion TL, its total assets were 3.1 quadrillian and its credits were 378 trillion TL as of the end of 2001.

Ozdeniz noted that the bank had 149 branches in Turkey and two branches abroad, one in Berlin and another in Bahrein.

The total number of Oyakbank branches would reach 187 in Turkey as 32 Etibank branches and 6 branches of Kentbank that Oyakbank had purchased started to operate, Ozdeniz stated.

Ozdeniz added that their first target was to rank among first five banks of Turkey.

-ONE PERSON FREEZES TO DEATH IN SIVAS
SIVAS - Lutfi Culha, who lives alone at a house in Central Anatolian Sivas province, was frozen to death on Saturday evening. Citizens of the district found dead body of Culha.

[02] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT TO LEAVE FOR THE U.S. ON MONDAY

The private plane, that is rented from the Turkish Airlines (THY) will depart from Ankara's Esenboga Airport at 11:00 local time.

The plane is expected to land at Washington's Andrews Military Airport on January 14, at 15:40 local time.

Ecevit will start his contacts on January 15 by meeting the World Bank President James Wolfensohn.

Following his meetings with the American-Turkish Council (ATC) members, Ecevit will attend a lunch that will be hosted by the ATC, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and Foreign Economic Relations Council.

Ecevit will meet the U.S. State Department Undersecretary for Political Affairs Marc Grossman. Ecevit later will meet the IMF Managing Director Horst Koehler.

On January 16, Ecevit will start his contacts by meeting the U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld.

Rahsan Ecevit will meet First Lady Laura Bush at a meeting in the morning the same day.

Prime Minister Ecevit will meet Richard Armitage, the Acting U.S. Secretary of State as Colin Powell, the U.S. Secretary of State, had to go on a tour suddenly within the scope of Pakistan-India tension.

Ecevit will later meet the U.S. President George Bush following his meeting with Armitage.

Following his meeting at the White House which is the most important part of his tour to the United States, Ecevit will receive U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Paul O'neill at the Blair House.

Ecevit will hold a press conference on January 17. The same day, he will receive the representatives of Jewish organizations and members of the Turkish friendship group at the U.S. Congress.

The Prime Minister is expected to respond to questions of foreign press at National Press Club and later receive U.S. Secretary of Commerce Don Evans at Ritz Carlton.

Ecevit will proceed to New York on January 18. The Prime Minister, who will lay a wreath on the rubble of World Trade Organization in the memory of those killed in the September 11th terorist attacks, will return to Turkey the same day.

Ecevit and the accompanying delegation are expected to arrive in Ankara on January 19.

Prime Minister Ecevit will be accompanied by his wife Rahsan Ecevit, State Ministers Kemal Dervis and Tunca Toskay, Foreign Minister Ismail Cem, Energy and Natural Resources Minister Zeki Cakan, General Staff Planning and Principles Head Resat Turgut.

Some foreign ministry bureaucrats, Central Bank Governor Sureyya Serdengecti, Treasury Undersecretary Faik Oztrak, Foreign Trade Undersecretary Kursad Tuzmen, Energy and Natural Resources Ministry Undersecretary Yurdakul Yigitguden, Religious Affairs Directorate Head Mehmet Nuri Yilmaz, Democratic Left Party (DSP) deputy Tayyibe Gulek, Deputy Parliament Speaker Murat Sokmenoglu, Motherland Party (ANAP) deputy Emre Kocaoglu, True Path Party (DYP) deputy Oguz Tezmen, Justice and Development Party (AK Party) Ali Coskun, Felicity Party (SP) deputy Bahri Zengin, independent deputy Ahmet Ozal, almost 100 businessmen and around 40 journalists will also go to the United States together with Ecevit.

[03] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT HAS AN INTENSE AGENDA IN THE U.S.

Cooperatin in fight against terrorism, situation in Afghanistan and Iraq issues are expected to be mainly discussed at the visit. Turkish-Greek relations, Middle East Peace Process and foreign policy issues are also on the agenda of the visit.

Turkey is expected to express readiness for cooperation with the U.S. regarded with re-structuring of Afghanistan.

Turkey will state that it may send teachers and doctors to Afghanistan as it had done in the period of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the Founder of the Modern Turkish Republic. Turkey will also say that it may help establishment of Afghan army and police forces, and will demand economic support in this respect.

As concerns are expressed regarded with a military operation on Iraq, diplomatic sources said the U.S. administration did not take a definite decision against Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein yet.

The U.S. expects Turkey, which has diplomatic relations with Iraq, to suggest this country to abide by the U.N. Security Council resolutions. Diplomatic sources said there was not any fundamental difference of opinion between Turkey and the U.S. on Iraq issue, adding that Turkey wanted Iraq to abide by the U.N. Security Council decisions and also wanted Iraq to accept weapon observers to the country again.

Turkey and the U.S. have always been in consultation on Iraq issue.

The U.S. officials point out that Turkey's views would be asked in every step that will be taken pertaining to Iraq. As Turkey insists on preservation of Iraq's territorial integrity, the U.S. says it shares the same views.

The difference of opinion between the two countries, that is described as ''technical issues'' regarding Iraq is noted as Turkey's plan to open a second border gate to Iraq.

The Turkish diplomatic sources said the U.S. opposed to these issues with strong statements and that Turkey carefully noted this view.

On January 16, when Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit will meet with U.S. President George Bush, President Rauf Denktas of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) and Greek Cypriot administration leader Glafcos Clerides will have a direct meeting.

Turkey believes that a solution can be found to Cyprus question within this year. Before the European Union (EU) gives a decision about full membership of the Greek Cypriot administration, an agreement between the sides in Cyprus is considered as the ideal thing.

As the negotiations are under way in Cyprus, it is believed that EU's making a progress in Greek Cypriots' full membership would hamper the solution initiatives.

Turkey, as a guarantor country, hopes Greece to handle Cyprus question and exert efforts for a solution rather than being a spectator.

During his contacts with the U.S. officials, Ecevit is expected to voice the necessity of acknowledgement of two independent states in the island and request that direct talks between Denktas and Clerides be supported and no intervention be made in these contacts from outside.

The European Security and Defense Policy (ESDP) issue is expected to be high on the agenda of Ecevit's visit to the United States.

Turkish, U.S. and British delegations had agreed on a formula which would eliminate the objections of Turkey regarding ESDP but Greece had voiced its reservations to that compromise in different platforms.

Sources drew the attention that Baku-Ceyhan pipeline was of strategic importance for the United States and said that the United States continued to back the project.

The sources noted that this support was expected to be reiterated during Ecevit's visit.

Economy is also ranked at the top of Ecevit's agenda during the visit in which economy staff and many businessmen will also take part.

Ecevit will request an increase in textile quotas, erasion or reduction in military credit debt interests, incerase in investments of U.S. companies in Turkey and exportation from Turkey to the United States during his contacts.

Diplomatic sources expressed pleasure about the support and sources extended by the United States to Turkey, particularly through the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and said that this support was very important and valuable for Turkey.

[04] TOURISM MINISTER HOSTS DINNER FOR FRENCH TOUR OPERATORS AND JOURNALISTS

Responding to questions prior to the dinner, Tasar said that the guests visited Sultanahmet, Topkapi Palaca, Yerebatan Cistern and some other historical places.

Tasar noted that France was an important market for Turkey and that 550 thousand tourists came from France to Turkey last year.

Tasar noted that there was a 20 percent increase in number of French tourists visiting Turkey and that they aimed to increase the number over 600 thousand.

He guessed that there could be a more increase in the number of French tourists visiting Turkey in the following year in the direction of today's meetings, Tasar pointed out.

Tasar said that the French people were giving importance to history and culture.

''Istanbul, Cappadocia. From now on, we are expecting French tourists to Antalya region, Bodrum and Mugla and their townships for summer tourism,'' Tasar noted.

Tasar pointed out that the visit of tour operators to Turkey was the evidence of security in Istanbul and Turkey and said that this organization was made with the contributions of Turkish Airlines (THY).

He would host his Romanian counterpart in Turkey within this month, Tasar stated and said that he would attend a working meal that the Oger Tour would host for tour operators in Frankfurt.

Tasar added, ''that is, I will take part in any tourism initiative. We are exerting these efforts to have more expectations from tourism in 2002.''

[05] 100 PEOPLE PROTEST DEMOLITION OF OTTOMAN-ERA AL-AJYAD FORT IN MECCA

Mustafa Er, the Deputy Provincial Chairman of Alperen Youth Associations in Istanbul, said some values belonging to the Ottoman State were demolished by some nations.

Pointing out that demolition of the al-Ajyad Fort was sorrowful, Er said, ''those attacks are treachery to the Islam civilization. What is more grave is that Saudi Arabia a year ago had promised the Turkish Foreign Ministry that al-Ajyad Fort would not be demolished.

Following this protest, nearly 200 people, members of Istanbul Rights Associations, tried to hold a demonstration.

Security forces did not allow this group to approach near Chief Consulate.

Levent Temiz, who made a press release on behalf of the group, said, ''there is no difference between Milosevic and King Fahd. Of course we will perform our hajj duty but spend as less money as you can in this country.''

The group later chanted slogans and dispersed.

[06] STEP BY STEP TOWARD SECURITY OF STRAITS

A total of 15 watchtowers will be constructed on Istanbul and Canakkale straits. Three others will be constructed in the Marmara Sea. Construction of the watchtowers are expected to be completed by the end of this year.

Ship traffic systems will provide passage security with computer system and ship passage traffic in Istanbul and Canakkale Straits and Marmara Sea will be taken under control.

The system is expected to cost approximately 30 trillion Turkish lira.

[07] DRIED FRUIT EXPORTS FROM SOUTHEAST INCREASE BY 8 PERCENT

According to figures of Southeast Anatolia Dried Fruit and Products Exporters' Association, the region raised 33 million 650 thousand U.S. dollars from dried apricot exportation, 12 million 469 thousand U.S. dollars from pistachio nut exports, and 7 million 426 thousand U.S. dollar roasted chickpeas, peanut and several products last year.

France, the United States, Britain, Israel, Australia, Germany, Canada, Italy and Spain were among countries where the region exported its products.

[08] EXPORTATION AND IMPORTATION FROM SOUTHERN ADANA PROVINCE

Textile, cement, olive oil, citrus fruits, detergent, beer without alcohol, and frog were the products exported from the province.

In the same period, importation worth of 241 million 345 thousand and 793 U.S. dollars was made. The importation was made from Britain, Germany, Norway, Denmark, Belgium, Spain, Canada, Japan, Switzerland, France, Austria, Ireland, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Italy, Sweden and the U.S.

Laboratory equipments, water products, chocolate, milk products, chemical items, labels, generators are among the goods imported from those countries.

[09] A TOTAL OF 112.2 MILLION TONS OF OIL PRODUCED IN TURKEY SO FAR

Domestic oil production decreased by 6.5 percent while natural gas production fell by 12.6 percent in 2000.

Turkey produced 2 million 749 thousand 105 tons of crude oil and 639 million 222 thousand 969 cubic metres of natural gas in 2000.

[10] JAPANESE DEPUTY SENATE SPEAKER VISITS HISTORICAL PLACES IN ISTANBUL

Japanese Deputy Senate Speaker Motooka and the delegation will return to Japan on Sunday evening.

[11] TREASURY TO SELL 112-DAY BOND AUCTION ON TUESDAY

The bonds will be issued on January 16 and re-paid on May 8.

The Treasury had held two bond auctions, including 238-day and 140-day, on January 8.

In the 238-day bond auction, the total bid was 3 quadrillion 420.2 trillion Turkish liras (TL) while the Treasury sold 2 quadrilliıon 695.8 trillion TL nominal-valued bonds. The net sale became 1 quadrillion 895.8 trillion TL.

In the same tender, the composite interest was 71.34 percent while the simple interest became 64.54 percent.

The total bid was 1 quadrillion 606.5 trillion TL in the 140-day bond auction. he Treasury sold 1 quadrililon 501.8 trillion TL nominal-valued bonds while the net sale became 1 quadrillion 221.9 trillion TL.

In the same tender, the composite interest was 70.99 percent while the simple interest was 59.58 percent.

[12] SECURITY FORCES CONFISCATE 916.9 KG OF DRUG IN VAN

In the end of the operations, 462.5 kilograms of hashish, 184.7 kilograms of heroin, 269.5 kilograms of base morphine, 5 grams of opium and 347 litres of acid anhydride were confiscated.

Van Police Chief Zeki Catalkaya told A.A correspondent on Sunday that 679.4 kilograms of drug had been seized in 41 operations in 2000.

Catalkaya said that their fight against drug trafficking with determination and stability and that the route of drug trafficking had changed in the end of their fight.

The route of drug trafficking earlier known as Turkey-Balkans and Europe had changed from south to north, Catalkaya noted.

Catalkaya stated that they would continue to be determined to fight against drug trafficking, adding that they would not allow young people to be poisoned.

[13] ISRAELI IMI COMPANY RANKS THE FIRST IN TENDER OF AVIONIC MODERNIZATION C-130 CARGO PLANES

Following the completion of final works in this respect, a decision will be taken by Defense Industry Executive Committee to sign a contract with the Israeli IMI company.

Rockwell-Collins, Radom Aviaton System, Marshal Aerospace, Melyhis International, U.S. Lockheed Martin Aircraft and Logistic Centers, Singapore Technologies Aerospace, Honoywell, Spanish Casa, French, Thomso- CSF International, Elybit System, Sogerma, Certified Aircraft and BAE systems from the United Arab Emirates were among the companies which received files calling for the modification of C-130 cargo planes cost of 30 million U.S. dollars.

[14] A TOTAL OF 11.5 MILLION TOURISTS VISIT TURKEY

The statement noted that 10 million 428 thousand 153 people had visited Turkey in 2000.

The Germans ranked the first among tourists visiting Turkey. A total of 2 million 875 thousand 446 Germans came to Turkey last year. The number of German people visiting Turkey increased by 26.25 percent in 2001 when compared with 2000.

Britain followed Germany with 844 thousand 649 tourists and Russian Federation with 752 thousand 921 tourists. The Netherlands, Bulgaria, France, the United States, Austria, Iran, Italy and Belgium were the other countries from where tourists came to Turkey.

The number of tourists coming from Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) increased by 16.43 percent and that coming from East Europe climbed by 4.42 percent. A total of 7 milion 779 thousand 330 people came from OECD countries and 2 million 530 thousand 121 people from East European countries.

In December 2001, 396 thousand 839 people visited Turkey. 46.5 percent of these people came from OECD countries, and 38.7 percent from East European countries.

Germany, Bulgaria and Russian Federation were the countries from where tourists came to Turkey in December 2001.

[15] PREMIER ECEVIT'S MEETING WITH MINISTERS, BUREAUCRATS AND A

Following the meeting, Ecevit met the four ministers who would accompany him during the visit to the U.S.

Ecevit, during his meeting with the businessmen, said the U.S. once again understood the importance of Turkey following the terrorist attacks on September 11, yet noted that economic relations between the two countries were not in the desired level. Ecevit said he would call on financial support from the U.S. due to the contributions which Turkey would expend pertaining to re-structuring of Afghanistan. Ecevit also said he would demand Turkey's 5 billion U.S. dollars military credit debt to be erased.

The businessmen, who would attend the meeting, said this meeting, which was held prior to the visit, was very benefical.

State Ministers Kemal Dervis and Tunca Toskay, Foreign Minister Ismail Cem, Energy and Natural Resources Minister Zeki Cakan as well as Rifat Hisarciklioglu, the Chairman of the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges (TOBB), Tuncay Ozilhan, the Chairman of Turkish Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association (TUSIAD), Zafer Caglayan, the Chairman of Ankara Chamber of Industry, Sinan Aygun, the Chairman of Ankara Chamber of Commerce, and nearly 30 businessmen attended the meeting.

Treasury Undersecretary Faik Oztrak, Foreign Trade Undersecretary Kursad Tuzmen, Foreign Ministry Deputy Undersecretary Baki Ilkin, and Erdal Tumer, Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit's Chief Consultant, were also at the meeting.

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