Anadolu Agency: News in English, 02-01-15

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ANADOLU AJANSI

HABERLER

15 January

2002 Thursday

Türkiye

Dünya

Parlamento

Ekonomi

Spor

Sanat-Magazin

Sağlık

Türkiye

CONTENTS

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

[02] DIRECT CYPRUS TALKS TO BEGIN ON WEDNESDAY

[03] PM ECEVIT ARRIVES IN WASHINGTON D.C.

[04] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT EXPECTED TO MEET U.S. VICE PRESIDENT

[05] STATE MINISTER BAL IN IRAN

[06] CONSTITUTIONAL COURT TO LISTEN TO SUPREME COURT CHIEF PROSECTOR IN HADEP CLOSURE CASE

[07] CAKMAKOGLU'S PLANE FAILS TO TAKE OFF FOR TUNISIA DUE TO HEAVY FOG

[08] PHARMACISTS CLOSE SHOPS TO PROTEST TEN PERCENT REDUCTION IN MEDICINE

[09] ISRAELI FOREIGN MINISTRY UNDERSECRETARY AVI GIL TO COME TO ANKARA

[10] OSD MEMBERS' INCOME THROUGH EXPORTS INCREASES OVER TO USD 1.8 BILLION

[11] MOODY'S REVISES OUTLOOK ON TURKEY'S COUNTRY RATINGS TO STABLE FROM NEGATIVE (1)

[12] CAPPADOCIA TO HOST TURKISH-GREEK PARLIAMENTARIANS FRIENDSHIP RALLY

[13] DENKTAS SAYS AN ACTION STARTS TO DEBASE FACE-TO-FACE MEETINGS

[14] MOODY'S REVISES OUTLOOK ON TURKEY'S COUNTRY RATINGS TO STABLE FROM NEGATIVE (2)

[15] TRNC PRESIDENT DENKTAS: ''OUR DOCUMENT ABOUT MISSING PEOPLE IS READY''

[16] NATIONAL DEFENSE MINISTER CAKMAKOGLU LEAVES FOR TUNISIA

[17] GENERATOR EXPLODES IN MILITARY UNIT KILLING ONE SOLDIER AND INJURING ANOTHER

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

ECEVIT GOES WITH OZAL FORMULA
Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit began his tour to the United States by conveying the message ''no aid, but trade'' to Washington administration like during the prime ministry of Turgut Ozal. Chatting with reporters on the plane, Ecevit said, ''we request more cooperation and more investments in Turkey from the United States. It is our right to ask for ensuring the trade facilitations provided to the European Union (EU).'' Meanwhile, Ecevit's tour to the United States began with a problem. The plane hired from the Turkish Airlines (THY) which would carry Ecevit to the United States took off with one-hour delay due to a defect in its left engine. After Prime Minister Ecevit and his wife Rahsan Ecevit had boarded the Airbus A-340 type plane, the door was closed. Meanwhile, a defect was observed in the left engine of the plane. After the malfunction had been repaired, the plane took off. Ecevit, who has been protected by extraordinary measures following the September 11th terrorist attacks on the United States, was also protected under tight security measures during the seeing off ceremony and the one-hour delay. Special teams at the Esenboga Airport ensured the security of Ecevit and the accompanying delegation.

PHARMACISTS TO CLOSE THEIR SHOPS
Pharmacists will close their pharmacies on Tuesday and Wednesday to protest the Health Ministry's reducing their profits in medicines by 10 percent. On the other hand, the Health Minister threatens the pharmacists and said, ''whoever closes his or her pharmacy will bear the consequences.'' Turkish Pharmacists' Union (TEB) Chairman Mehmet Domac said that they had decided not to open the pharmacies on Tuesday and Wednesday to protest the implementation of the Health Ministry. Domac noted that only the pharmacies on duty would be open. Domac claimed that the implementation would push pharmacists into a more difficult situation and added that 6-7 thousand pharmacies might be closed.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

TURKEY GIVES US HOPE
Ford Motor Deputy Chairman Schulz said that they expected many things from the operation in Turkey despite the economic crisis. Schulz noted that there had not been any change in their plans for Turkey. Schulz said that Turkey could turn into a production center for Europe.

THE BEDOUIN GIVES LESSON
Saudi Arabian Ambassador Al-Bassam ridiculed at a press conference: ''Al- Ajyad fortress dated back to 200 years ago. It is made of mud and stone. We are changing its place. You sacrificed the artifacts in ancient Zeugma site for dam. How about Sinop Castle?''

SABAH (LIBERAL)

NEW LOAN FROM WORLD BANK
World Bank's Turkey Director Ajay Chhibber said that the World Bank had prepared a new country assistance program for Turkey till 2005 and noted that the loan would be put into practice in the second half of 2002 after it was approved. Chhibber met with Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit prior to Ecevit's visit to the United States. Chhibber told Sabah that World Bank was in cooperation with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to support the economic program in Turkey but that they were also preparing their own special loan programs.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

COOPERATION WITH MOSCOW
Turkey has brought the rapprochement it started with Russia after the cold war, to the furthest point. Turkey and Russia signed a military cooperation agreement. Chief of General Staff General Huseyin Kivrikoglu stressed that he believed this cooperation would make positive contributions to peace in the region and in the world.

RADIKAL (LEFT)

SHARES INCREASE TO HIGHEST LEVEL
The textile share prices in Istanbul Stock Exchange (IMKB) increased to the highest level on Monday due to the expectations that the U.S. would lift textile quotas. However, the majority of the companies, the shares of which rised rapidly, have not exported their products to the U.S. so far.

TURKIYE (RIGHT)

ECONOMIC CRISIS CAUSE PEOPLE TO GO MAD
Experts say that economic problems make people aggressive and that the State Ministry for Sports, Youth and Sports Directorate General, media, managers and football players have great responsibilities. Experts say that also the surveys carried out in Britain and Canada proved that economic problems make people aggressive. They mention that aggressiveness both in football fields and stadium benches has an inclination of a rapid increase and this was caused by the intense economic crises which started at the end of 2000 and continued in 2001 and by the increase in number of dismissed people.

THEY SET FORTH THEIR FINAL OPINION
The crisis due to decrease in medicine prices is escalating. Health Minister Osman Durmus said, ''I cancel your licences if you close pharmacies'' while pharmacists announced they would pull down the shutters to protest Durmus's decision to decrease pharmacies' ten percent of limit of profits on drugs, saying, ''this decision will actually cause us to go bankrupt.''

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

ARSENIC FOUND IN GROUNDWATER
Health Ministry's Anti-Cancer Department announced that the arsenic, including cancerous substances, was found in some underground water. Department Chief Professor Murat Tuncer said that the reason of this was the earthquakes. He noted that the groundwater in some regions was polluted by arsenic which has cancerous effect. Tuncer added that there was a very firm connection between cancer disease and the geological structure of Turkey.

[02] DIRECT CYPRUS TALKS TO BEGIN ON WEDNESDAY

The talks which will start at 10.00 a.m. on Wednesday aim to reach a lasting agreement on Cyprus.

Two sides want to continue direct meetings till a result is gained.

Four people from each Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot sides will participate in the direct talks while United Nations (U.N.) Secretary General's Special Envoy to Cyprus Alvaro De Soto will attend the talks as an observer. De Soto and a delegation of jurists are currently on the island.

During this new process which was initiated by President Denktas and continued with the exchange of letters, Denktas and Clerides decided to begin direct talks at their meeting on December 4, 2001 which was held after a four years of interval.

The two leaders who reached a consensus on holding the talks without any pre-condition and bringing all matters to the negotiating table, also reached a compromise that there won't be any agreement on any matter until they reach consensus on all matters.

Denktas and Clerides agreed to continue the negotiations with good will until an integrated agreement is reached on the Cyprus issue.

Talks will be held at a building which was prepared especially for this process at the Lefkosa International Airport in the buffer zone under control of the United Nations.

U.N. Secretary General's Special Envoy to Cyprus Alvaro De Soto who will attend talks as an observer separately met with Denktas and Clerides on Monday on the procedure of direct talks.

[03] PM ECEVIT ARRIVES IN WASHINGTON D.C.

Turkish Ambassador in the United States (U.S.) Faruk Logoglu, Turkish Military Attaché Orhan Ugurluoglu and the U.S. State Department officials welcomed Ecevit.

[04] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT EXPECTED TO MEET U.S. VICE PRESIDENT

Ecevit will also receive U.S. State Department Undersecretary for Political Affairs Marc Grossman, World Bank President James Wolfensohn, International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Horst Koehler.

Prime Minister Ecevit will later attend the luncheon hosed by American Chambers of Commerce, Foreign Economic Relations Board (DEIK), and American Turkish Council (ATC).

Ecevit will meet with U.S. President George W. Bush at the White House on Friday. Foreign Minister Ismail Cem, State Minister Kemal Dervis and Tunca Toskay, Energy and Natural Resources Minister Zeki Cakan, Turkey's Ambassador Faruk Logoglu in Washington, Deputy Undersecretary Baki Ilkin, Cem's Cabinet Chief Engin Soysal are also foreseen to participate in the meeting.

Prime Minister Ecevit will separately receive U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, Acting U.S. State Secretary Richard Armitage, U.S. Department of Commerce representative Robert Zoellick and U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Paul O'Neill the same day.

Ecevit is expected to hold a press conference for Turkish journalists on January 17 and later address foreign press at National Press Club. The same day, Ecevit will be presented a special award by the American Jewish Committee and BB'nai Brith.

Besides the Jewish leaders, Ecevit will receive the representatives of Turkish Friendship Group comprised of almost 32 people which was established at the U.S. Congress a short time ago.

Ecevit will later meet with U.S. Secretary of Commerce Don Evans.

Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit will go to New York on January 18 and visit the World Trade Center ruins. Ecevit is foreseen to hold a meeting with Turkish citizens at the Turkish House.

Ecevit is expected to leave for Turkey the same day.

[05] STATE MINISTER BAL IN IRAN

Issues of cooperation between Turkish and Iranian construction and contracting sectors especially in construction of permanent housing units, increase in trade of construction equipment and cooperation between Turkey and Iran in rebuilding of Afghanistan will be discussed during Bal's contacts in Iran.

State Minister Bal and accompanying delegation will also meet with Turkish- Iranian Joint Economic Commission Co-Chairman and Iranian Minister of Roads and Transport Ahmad Khoram, Minister of Energy Habibollah Bitaraf, Economic Affairs and Finance Minister Tahmasb Mazaheri and Minister of Commerce Mohammad Shariat-Madari.

Bal is scheduled to meet also with Iranian President Mohammad Khatami's brother Mohammad Reza Khatami, Parliamentary Public Works Commission Chairman Mohsen Neriman and Iranian Contractors' Union Chairman and parliamentarian Bahaaddin Edeb.

Bal who will participate in a meeting that will be held at the Iranian Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Mining is expected to attend the dinner that will be hosted by Abdol-Alizadeh.

State Minister Bal will return to Turkey on January 18.

[06] CONSTITUTIONAL COURT TO LISTEN TO SUPREME COURT CHIEF PROSECTOR IN HADEP CLOSURE CASE

The Court will listen to Kanadoglu's verbal statements in HADEP closure case filed on charges that the party became the focus of activities against inseparable integrity of the state and nation.

Vural Savas, the Supreme Court Chief Prosecutor then, filed a lawsuit at the Constitutional Court asking for the closure of HADEP on January 29, 1999.

HADEP administrations presented their pre-defense on April 5, 1999 while Savas expressed his views regarding the merits of the case on April 9, 1999. On June 23, 1999, the party administrators made their final defense against the merits of the case.

Kanadoglu will make his verbal statements on January 17 while HADEP administrators will make their verbal defense on January 30.

Following these two procedures, the Constitutional Court delegation will examine the file and hear the closure case on a determined date.

The indictment claimed that HADEP had organic connection with the terrorist organization PKK. It noted that HADEP was totally under the control of the terrorist organization PKK like People's Labour Party (HEP) and Democracy Party (DEP) which had earlier been closed down.

The indictment said that this organization staged activities in the direction of the orders and instructions of the Central Committee. It claimed that HADEP congresses were turned into grounds where demonstration in favour of Abdullah Ocalan, the head of the terrorist organization, was made.

People who attended seminars organized by HADEP branches and meetings held by youth, woman, health and worker commissions of HADEP were tried to be imposed views like enmity towards the constitutional order and unitary state structure, the indictment said.

The indictment stated, ''acitivities like organizing citizens of Kurdish origin around the terrorist organization PKK, carrying out activities to send militants to mountain quadre of PKK through internal and external terrorist camps are carried out in HADEP provincial and town organizations. Thus, it has been clearly seen that HADEP has turned into 'enlisting units' of the terrorist organization PKK.''

The indictment asked for the closure of HADEP under Article 68 of the Constitution which regulates the conditions ''for a party to become the focus of activities against the indivisable integrity of the state and nation'' on charges that the party acted against Article 78 of the Political Parties Law about ''laws on protection of democratic state order'', Article 79 of the Political Parties Law regulating ''the protection of independence'', Article 80 of the Political Parties Law foreseeing ''the principle of uniqueness of the state'', Article 81 covering ''prevention of creation of minority'', Article 82 foreseeing ''ban of racism and regionalism.''

[07] CAKMAKOGLU'S PLANE FAILS TO TAKE OFF FOR TUNISIA DUE TO HEAVY FOG

The plane of Cakmakoglu who will pay an official visit to Tunisia was scheduled to take off at 9:30 from the Etimesgut Military Airplane in Ankara.

However, the flight was delayed for two hours due to heavy fog.

Sources said that Cakmakoglu's visit to Tunisia might be cancelled if heavy fog continued.

[08] PHARMACISTS CLOSE SHOPS TO PROTEST TEN PERCENT REDUCTION IN MEDICINE

Almost 50 pharmacies on duty are open, however, they only sell emergency medicine.

Pharmacists said that they would not sell parfumery and cosmetic products.

Turkish Pharmacists' Union (TEB) Chairman Mehmet Domac told A.A correspondent that almost 150 of 4,300 pharmacies were open in Istanbul and said that all pharmacists obeyed the decision to close the shops throughout Turkey.

Domac claimed that the Health Ministry could not cancel the licence of the pharmacists who closed their pharmacies and said that the pharmacists had the right to close their shops in accordance with the law on pharmacies and pharmacists.

Health Minister Osman Durmus had noted that legal proceedings would be launched for the pharmacies which were not open due to the protest and said that those pharmacies might be closed down.

[09] ISRAELI FOREIGN MINISTRY UNDERSECRETARY AVI GIL TO COME TO ANKARA

Sources told A.A correspondent that Gil would pay a one-day work visit to Ankara and meet with Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Ugur Ziyal.

Gil and Ziyal will debate recent developments in the Middle East peace process, releations between Turkey and Israel and the regional issues under the regular political consultations.

Gil had postponed his visit to Ankara on December 26, 2001 due to the internal problems in his country.

[10] OSD MEMBERS' INCOME THROUGH EXPORTS INCREASES OVER TO USD 1.8 BILLION

Tofas was ranked first among the 17 members of the Automotive Manufacturers Association (OSD) by raising 683 million 971 thousand 692 U.S. dollars from exports last year while Oyak Renault was ranked second with a 657 million 643 thousand 615 U.S. dollars of exports.

OSD members raised a total of 1 billion 824 million 471 thousand 151 U.S. dollars through exports including 1 billion 671 million 456 thosaund 768 U.S. dollars of motor vehicles and 153 million 14 thousand 383 U.S. dollars of spare parts.

Exports of motor vehicles and spare parts by OSD members in 2001 are as follows:

. (U.S. DOLLAR)
Company Motor Vehicles Spare Parts Total

------------- ------------- ------------- -----------
TOFAS 627,258,095 56,713,597 683,971,692
OYAK-RENAULT 594,009,522 63,634,093 657,643,615
M. BENZ TURK 175,910,521 8,880,713 184,791,234
M.A.N. 78,727,065 2,011,417 80,738,482
FORD OTOSAN 63,549,923 1,450,184 65,000,107
UZEL 29,434,442 1,155,063 30,589,505
OTOYOL 19,275,033 5,496,451 24,771,484
KARSAN 20,478,219 668,900 21,147,119
HYUNDAI ASSAN 18,229,249 87,903 18,317,152
TEMSA 15,718,631 282,346 16,000,977
OTOKAR 9,110,314 1,412,160 10,522,474
TURK TRAKTOR 316,169 8,553,709 8,869,878
ANADOLU ISUZU 7,068,390 1,317,888 8,386,278
B.M.C. 6,098,688 1,193,923 7,292,611
ANADOLU HONDA 2,603,167 76,904 2,680,071
TOYOTA 1,907,470 14,504 1,921,974
CHRYSLER 1,761,870 64,628 1,826,498
------------- ------------- ------------ -----------
OVERALL 1,671,456,768 153,014,383 1,824,471,151

[11] MOODY'S REVISES OUTLOOK ON TURKEY'S COUNTRY RATINGS TO STABLE FROM NEGATIVE (1)

This means that the outlook can be raised to positive or rating can be increased in the following stage if the positive course in economy continues.

A statement of Moody's said that the likelihood of ratings downgrades had diminished over the following year because of the improved refinancing and pricing prospects for domestic as well as external debt.

The statement stressed that the economic recovery in Turkey in 2002 was likely to be softer than earlier anticipated.

[12] CAPPADOCIA TO HOST TURKISH-GREEK PARLIAMENTARIANS FRIENDSHIP RALLY

Releasing a statement, Cevik said that the aim of such an organization was to develop the friendly relations between Turkey and Greece also at parliamentary level.

Noting that also he would join the rally and he had applied to the organization committee, Cevik said, ''I am pleased with organization of such a rally in Cappadocia region. The race will be held on the runway at the Cappadocia Airport in Nevsehir in May.''

Cevik said the second leg of the rally would take place in the Acropolis in Greece and added that they expected many Turkish and Greek parliamentarians to join the rally.

[13] DENKTAS SAYS AN ACTION STARTS TO DEBASE FACE-TO-FACE MEETINGS

Denktas said that a plan had been put into practice to settle direct talks on framework of continuation of intercommunal talks.

A ceremony was held to commemorate Dr. Fazil Kucuk who led the Turkish Cypriots' struggle for freedom.

Speaking at the ceremony, Denktas said, ''a game is being played in order to settle these talks on a framework as if they are the continuation of intercommunal talks which were left half finished by removing the concept of face-to-face talks. However, we are going to the table by knowing what we will protect and defend.''

Denktas said that all political parties agreed that the Greek Cypriot side was not and could not be the government of the Turkish Cypriot side and it did not have such a right as the Turkish Cypriots had their own state.

Stressing that it was everybody's task to protect the state and keep the flag waving and not to give in to external pressures, Denktas said that commemoration of Kucuk boosted their morale and showed again the path they should advance on the eve of the start of direct talks.

Denktas said, ''this is the path of independence, freedom and this is a path in which we try not to make our people second class citizens. This is a path closed to enosis (union with Greece). This is a path closed to the path of enosis through the European Union (EU)'' and implored God's mercy on Fazil Kucuk.

TRNC President Denktas signed the Memorial Special Book and wrote that the years had not changed some realities. Denktas stressed that they said yes to peace and compromise while no to being colonized under the name of peace and compromise.

State, government and military officials attended the ceremony to commemorate Fazil Kucuk.

Wreath was laid on the memorial and a minute of silence was observed out of respect to Fazil Kucuk.

President Denktas, Turkey's Ambassador Hayati Guven in TRNC, Turkish Cypriot Peace Forces Commander Ahmet Ozteker, TRNC Security Forces Commander Galip Mendi signed the Memorial Special Book.

Some schools and universities are organizing ceremonies to commemorate Kucuk.

[14] MOODY'S REVISES OUTLOOK ON TURKEY'S COUNTRY RATINGS TO STABLE FROM NEGATIVE (2)

Moody's also revised the outlook on Turkey's B3 lira-denominated debt rating to stable from negative.

Moody's said that the likelihood of ratings downgrades has diminished over the next year because of the improved refinancing and pricing prospects for domestic as well as external debt.

Moody's emphasized that the Turkish economic and political situation remains vulnerable to both global and local disruptions, and that the domestic political scene is especially capable of presenting surprises for the markets at any time. The agency also indicated that it is not yet possible to say whether the turning point has been reached following last year's deep recession and that the recovery in 2002 is now likely to be softer than earlier anticipated. Even with lower growth, however, the current account surplus will not be as large as once expected because of weaker export and tourism performance in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks on September 11.

Moody's also pointed out that the banking system has required additional capital injections from the government to restore capital adequacy, given the depressed economic climate and elevated interest rates. Still, the implementation of economic reform progressed quite well in the past year once the exchange rate was allowed to float and in spite of negative capital market developments after September 11, leading to comfortable achievement of the IMF program targets in 2001. As a consequence, the exchange rate recently has strengthened, inflation is slowing, and domestic interest rates have tumbled, signifying market recognition of the policy achievements.

Moody's reiterates that additional efforts to lower inflation and interest rates are crucial to regain growth momentum and to assure the sustainability of the public debt dynamics. On the other hand, with renewed access to the international market, and having apparently secured additional funding from the IMF for the coming year, the rollover risks for the domestic and external debt are sufficiently mitigated over the near term to warrant the stable ratings outlook.

[15] TRNC PRESIDENT DENKTAS: ''OUR DOCUMENT ABOUT MISSING PEOPLE IS READY''

Responding to questions of journalists in his meeting with Chinese representative to Cyprus Song Aeguo, Denktas said that the documents were not exchanged yesterday due to the difficulties the Greek Cypriots faced.

Denktas said that he would not meet with U.N. Secretary General's Special Representative to Cyprus Alvaro De Soto today who came to Cyprus to participate in the direct talks.

''There is no need to meet with De Soto, who wants to tell the news as if the former intercommunal talks would start in the island. I will meet with Clerides,'' Denktas said.

Stressing that the task of De Soto is to inform U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan about their direct talks with Clerides upon the demand of Clerides.

Denktas added that there is no need for unnecessary visits to the island for show-off.

[16] NATIONAL DEFENSE MINISTER CAKMAKOGLU LEAVES FOR TUNISIA

Speaking to reporters prior to his departure, Cakmakoglu said that he would visit Tunisia as the official guest of Tunisian National Defense Minister Dali Jazi.

Noting that Turkey and Tunisia had several things in common, Cakmakoglu said that relations between the two countries had recorded multi- dimensional progress as a result of their common religion, culture and history.

Stressing the importance of Tunisia for Turkey, Cakmakoglu said that Tunisia was one of the first secular Muslim countries that took Ataturk as a model.

Emphasizing that Tunisia had an important place in Turkey's foreign policy, Cakmakoglu said he believed such visits would be beneficial to further development of bilateral relations.

Noting that military issues would top the agenda of his contacts in Tunisia, Cakmakoglu said, ''we will make an evaluation to revive relations in defense industry.''

Responding a question, Cakmakoglu said that military training issue and projects about the defense industry would be taken up during his contacts.

Noting that Tunisia purchased radios from Military Electronics Industry (ASELSAN) and Turkey sold armored vehicles, ammunitions and weapons to Tunisia and they wanted to revive those issues, Cakmakoglu said that Turkey was interested in the cartography and photography issues which had been put out to tender.

Recalling that Tunisia had also put out the M-113 armored vehicles modernization project to tender, Cakmakoglu said, ''as Turkey, we will tell them to accept our existence regarding this matter.''

[17] GENERATOR EXPLODES IN MILITARY UNIT KILLING ONE SOLDIER AND INJURING ANOTHER

Tatvan Head Official A. Yener Ercin said generator of Rehva Artillery Unit exploded nearly at 10:00 local time. The reason of the explosion could not be determined yet.

Ercin said fire broke out following the explosion, pointing out that a private was killed, and another one was injured.

Ercin said the injured private was immediately hospitalized, and that the fire was extinguished.

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