Anadolu Agency: News in English, 02-02-14

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ANADOLU AJANSI

NEWS

14 February

2002 Thursday

Türkiye

Dünya

Parlamento

Ekonomi

Spor

Sanat-Magazin

Sağlık

T

urkey

ONE SOLUTION, TWO STATES IN MIDDLE EAST

In the joint press statement issued at the end of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC)-European Union (EU) Joint Forum held in Istanbul, it was stressed that the best solution for the Israeli and Palestinian people was the ''two state'' formula. The statement said, ''terrorism cannot be explained or justified. We have a joint responsibility to counter every kind of terrorism.''

YILMAZ WARNS UNITED STATES

Deputy Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz said that they were against an intervention in Iraq which could harm the balances in the region by ignoring Turkey's security. Yilmaz said, ''the direct or indirect damages that Turkey may face should also be taken into consideration.''

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

The U.S. judge will give on Friday a verdict about a precautionary measure on shares of GSM operator Telsim in the swindling case worth of 3 billion U.S. dollars. The case filed against the Uzan family for the receivables of Motorola and Nokia worth of 3 billion U.S. dollars started to be heard in New York. Motorola's lawyers requested the court to impose precautionary measure on the shares of Telsim in return for their 2 million U.S. dollar loss. Judge Rakoff said that he would announce his verdict on Friday.

SABAH (LIBERAL)

The prosecutor's office has launched an investigation to capture those who illegally read the e-mails of European Union (EU) Representative Karen Fogg. A scandal has occured when Worker Party (FP) leader Dogu Perincek leaked out the e-mails of Fogg to the press and asked for ''her extradition.'' Foreign Ministry conveyed Fogg's complaint petition to the prosecutor's office. Ankara Prosecutor's Office then launched an investigation to find ''internet mice'' who prevented the right of communication. Those who leaked out the e-mails to the press will face three years of imprisonment. Meanwhile, the National Intelligence Organization (MIT) Undersecretariat denied the claims that the e-mails were leaked by a group in the organization. The statement said, ''we have filed ten separate cases against the magazines that published the documents and their administrators.'' On the other hand, Foreign Minister Ismail Cem defined the e-mail scandal as ''one of the ugliest crimes in the world'' and said that Fogg would continue to be in the office.

''U.S. OFFICIALS SUPPORTED US''

Foreign Minister Ismail Cem told private television channel ATV that the United States had supported Turkey since they put forth the proposal to organize Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC)-European Union (EU) Joint Forum. The summit which gathered together the Islam and the West in Istanbul led to positive reactions around the world. The perfect organization made by contributions of Cem was praised.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

Foreign Minister Ismail Cem, the architect of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC)-European Union (EU) Joint Forum, and his Greek counterpart George Papandreou drew the attention to the importance of mutual respect, dialogue and understanding in overcoming the current problems between the two countries at a panel discussion on ''Who is 'the Other?' Does it Really Exist?'' Cem said that the nation which was the most suitable for Turkey's concept of ''the other'' was the Greek people while it was the Turks for Greeks five years ago. Cem said, ''we hope that we will totally end this soon.'' Papandreou, who addressed Cem with his first name, said that they had to exert utmost efforts for a solution. Papandreou said that only this way, they could overcome the cliches dividing the two nations.

BAN TO SATANISM

Transportation Minister Oktay Vural said that they had launched initiatives to ban the web-sites that threaten the human life, particularly the satanist web-sites and the web-sites about child pornography, without any delays. Vural said that the measures should be taken as censure.

RADIKAL (LEFT)

Istanbul Prosecutorship announced that the 16 people revealed by ''Swordfish Operation'' of 36 could not be sued. Because, the suspects have the documents which prove the claim ''the loans which were given in our period were paid''. Big scandal exploded when State Supervision Board (DDK) sent the report about the 36 Emlakbank ex-administratives to Sisli Prosecutorship. 16 suspects submitted the document which shows that the credits which were given in their period were paid to Istanbul Prosecutorship. After that Istanbul Prosecutorship transferred the report to Sisli prosecutorship by saying that firstly the investigation should be completed because firstly whether the credits were paid or not are not inspected. Sisli prosecutorship later submitted the report to DDK to search the issue.

BALKAN QUARTET HAND IN HAND FOR NATO

The foreign ministers of Turkey, Greece, Bulgaria and Romania who held a mini summit during AB-IKO forum put forward their wills on NATO centered cooperation in the Balkans. Within this framework, Turkey and Greece gave full support to the membership of Romania and Bulgaria to NATO. The four foreign ministers decided to hold the second meeting in Athens.

TURKIYE (RIGHT)

Two members of Osama bin Laden's Al Qaida organization, of Tunisian origin who planned to make suicide attacks entered Turkey. Police headquarters which alarmed 81 provinces determined that Tunisian Abderraouf Jdey entered Turkey from Edirne Kapikule border gate in January 24, 2002 and Abdelaziz Boussora entered Turkey secretly from Adnan Menderes Airport in December 28, 2001. It is reported that the two Tunisians have not departed from Turkey yet. Police took necessary measures in some strategic places against a possible suicide-bomb attack. Interior Minister Rustu Kazim Yucelen said, ''they are currently in Turkey and we are looking for them. However, we could not obtain any evidence to catch them so far.''

WE ARE EXPECTING TURKISH BUSINESSMEN

Egyptian Prime Minister Atif Ubeyd, addressing to Turkish businessmen, said that he promised that he would bring immunity from all kinds of tax and duty to Turkish businessmen who would make investments in his country. Ubeyd said that he would provide all kinds of easiness to Turkish companies which want to make investment in Egypt.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

Istanbul State Security Court (DGM) acquitted Fatih Tas, who published the book of U.S. philosopher, writer and linguist Noam Chomsky entitled ''American Interventionalism.'' The demand for the trial of Chomsky as a suspect in the case was also rejected. In the end of the case, DGM prosecutor Nazmi Okumus asked Chomsky to sign his book and Chomsky signed the book.

QUARTET BALKAN SUMMIT HELD WITHIN SCOPE OF OIC-EU FORUM

Foreign Ministers of Turkey, Greece, Romania, and Bulgaria said that the enlargement of NATO towards Southeastern Europe will ensure peace, security and stability in the Balkans, but also add a strategic depth to the Alliance in this part of Europe. Foreign Minister Ismail Cem, Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou, Romanian Foreign Minister Mircea Geoana, Bulgarian Foreign Minister Solomon Pasi released a joint statement at the end of their quartet meeting. The press release said that the foreign ministers of Turkey, Bulgaria, Greece and Romania extended support to NATO's enlargement process and said that ''the Alliance's enlargement process presents a historic opportunity for NATO to strengthen the Euro- Atlantic security and stability.''

-UNDP DEPUTY EUROPEAN DIRECTOR SAYS TURKEY'S NEW FOREIGN CAPITAL LAW IS

AN IMPORTANT STEP TO ATTRACT DIRECT FOREIGN CAPITAL

ANKARA - Jakob Simonsen, the Deputy Director of Regional Bureau for Europe and Commmonwealth of Independent States (CIS) of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), said on Thursday that Turkey's new foreign capital law was an important step to attract direct foreign capital.

Simonsen delivered a speech at the conference on betterment of investment medium and promotion model for Turkey.

The conference is organized by the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB), YASED and Finans Dunyasi (Finance World) with the contributions of UNDP and Treasury Undersecretariat.

Simonsen said that there was less inflow of direct foreign capital to Turkey when compared to other European countries facing a transition period.

Despite this, the experts thought that the investment medium in Turkey was more attractive and stable when compared to Eastern and Central European countries, Simonsen stressed.

Simonsen said that direct foreign investment not only replaces borrowing, but also could provide capital for sustainable development.

Direct foreign investment was also an important factor in increase of national income per capita, Simonsen noted.

Simonsen stated that direct foreign capital had increased in the last decade especialy in the countries facing transition period and the developing markets.

Turkey was making important regulations to attract foreign capital, Simonsen said.

Simonsen pointed out that as State Minister Kemal Dervis had said, there was the potential to increase direct foreign capital, currently around 1 billion U.S. dollars per annum, to 7 billion U.S. dollars.

Direct foreign capital flew in a country facing transition period through food processing based on privatization, retail and other sectors based on consumers, energy and metallurgy, banking and telekom, engineering companies, Simonsen added.

-WORLD BANK VICE PRESIDENT PROPOSES TURKEY TO REVISE ITS INVESTMENT

REGULATIONS IN ORDER TO ATTRACT INVESTMENTS FROM EU

ANKARA - World Bank Vice President Johannes Linn proposed on Thursday Turkey to revise its investment regulations in order to attract investments from the European Union (EU).

Linn delivered a speech at the conference on betterment of investment medium and promotion model for Turkey.

The conference is organized by the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB), YASED and Finans Dunyasi (Finance World) with the contributions of United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Treasury Undersecretariat.

Linn said that Mexico modified its investment regulations to attract U.S. investments and said that Turkey could do the same thing to attract EU investments. He sincerely proposed Turkey to do the same as soon as possible.

Turkey could not fully make use of advantages of Customs Union with the EU since it could not attract enough direct foreign investments, Linn noted.

Linn stated that in fact, Turkey had an important position for the global companies that wanted to have a place in the EU market.

But, the majority of those companies made their investments that should have be realized in Turkey, in the EU or other surrounding countries, Linn said.

Linn pointed out that Mexico, which had provided more than annual 10 billion U.S. dollars of direct foreign capital till the end of 1990s by using its free trade agreement with the United States, was an example for Turkey.

-TOBB CHAIRMAN SAYS TURKEY TOOK 118 BILLION U.S. DOLLARS AS A DEBT

BECAUSE IT COULD NOT GET IT AS AN INVESTMENT

ANKARA - Rifat Hisarciklioglu, the Chairman of the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB), said on Thursday that Turkey took 118 billion U.S. dollars as a debt because it could not get it as an investment.

Hisarciklioglu delivered a speech at the conference on betterment of investment medium and promotion model for Turkey.

The conference is organized by the TOBB, Foreign Capital Association (YASED) and Finans Dunyasi (Finance World) with the contributions of United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Treasury Undersecretariat.

Hisarciklioglu said that Turkey had to take the necessary steps for growth this year without losing any time.

International direct foreign investments totalled 1 trillion 270 billion U.S. dollars in 2000, Hisarciklioglu noted and stated that the direct foreign investments that Turkey attracted that year was 982 million U.S. dollars.

Hisarciklioglu said that without making any discrimination between domestic and foreign, the arrangements to be made to lift the bureaucratic hurdles, lack of coordination and transparency and similar other obstacles should be listed.

Turkey had to attract foreign capital by fast promotion campaigns this year, Hisarciklioglu noted.

Hisarciklioglu pointed out that Turkey was a promising market with ''its transparent production structure, strategic position, closeness to big markets, young and dynamic population and internal market and said, ''not only us, but also foreigners should not be feared of our problems.''

-TREASURY UNDERSECRETARY SAYS INITIATIVES LAUNCHED TO SET UP INVESTOR COUNCIL

ANKARA - Treasury Undersecretary Faik Oztrak said on Thursday that initiatives had been launched to set up Council of Investors.

Oztrak delivered a speech at the conference on betterment of investment medium and promotion model for Turkey.

The conference is organized by the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB), Foreign Capital Association (YASED) and Finans Dunyasi (Finance World) with the contributions of United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Treasury Undersecretariat.

Oztrak said that if Turkey explained the steps it had taken, it could mark significant process this year.

There was significant decrease in foreign capital investments following the global stagnation in 2000 and the September 11th terrorist attacks, Oztrak noted.

Oztrak said that Turkey prepared a new direct investment regulation and carried out efficient promotion campaigns.

Turkey was at the same time trying to ensure transparent management in private and public sectors, Oztrak noted.

Oztrak stated that they had launched efforts to set up a Council of Investors which was functioning in many countries.

In this context, they had contacted with important international companies, Oztrak said. He added that they planned to fulfil this initiative this year.

-TRNC PRESIDENT DENKTAS RECEIVES GALATASARAY HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS

LEFKOSA - Rauf Denktas, the President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) received on Thursday that the students of Galatasaray High School of Istanbul.

Students, who are members of the computer society of the school told Denktas in the meeting that they prepared a CD about the Cyprus question and Peace Operation, adding that the preparation of the CD lasted for two years.

Thanking the students for the CD, Denktas said that the CD contributed a lot to their common national cause.

Calling young persons to come to Cyprus frequently, Denktas said that ''all Turkish young persons have to know the answers of questions like what the Turkish cause means for Turkey, why Turkey makes so many sacrifices, and why Turkish martrys died in Cyprus?''

Noting that the Turkish Cypriots have always supported the national cause, and the cause ended by the formation of a state, Denktas said that they started peace talks with the Greek Cypriot side.

''If the two sides want compromise, they should found a new partnership in line with the realities. Certain sacrifices can be made to found a new partnership, but the people can't return to their old territories as if nothing had happened. We are in a long fight. We must continue this fight with patience,'' Denktas added.

-JOB ASSURANCE BILL PRESENTED TO PARLIAMENT SPEAKER'S OFFICE

ANKARA - The job assurance bill which foresaw amendment in the labour law and trade union law, was presented to the Parliament Speaker's Office on Thursday.

Acccording to the bill, the employer who terminates the contract of an employee who has been working there for at least six months, must have a valid reason to do that.

The participation of an employee in the activities of trade unions (not during office hours), being the representative of trade union in the office, applying to the court to protect his-her rights stemming from the laws and labour contract won't be regarded as a reason to terminate his/her contract. The labour contracts won't be terminated due to differences of race, colour, gender, religion, marital status, family obligations, pregnancy, political views, ethnic and social origin.

The employers will be obliged to notify the termination of the labour contract in written form and clearly state the reason of the termination of the contract. The contract of an employee can't be terminated without listening to the defense of an employee in return to claims against him/her.

The employee whose contract has been treminated, has to apply to labour court within one month claiming that he/she was not informed about the reason of termination of his/her labour contract or claiming that the reason of the termination can't be valid. It will be the employer who will be responsible to prove that the termination of the employee's contract is based on a valid reason. The case will be concluded within two months. If one of the sides appeals the case, the Supreme Court of Appeals will take a decision within one month.

If the court decides that the reason of the employer in terminating the labour contract is not valid or no reason was given by the employer, the latter has to re-admit the employee to within one month. If the employer does not do that, he/she will be obliged to pay compensation to the employee.

The job assurance bill also foresees employers who want to dismiss more than one employee, the obligation to notify this to the Turkish Employment Agency. If the employer wants to dismiss the labour contracts of at least ten workers, he/she has to notify this to the trade union and Turkish Employers Union 30 days in advance.

If the employer terminates the labour contract of the trade union representative only due to the latter's acitivities regarding trade union, he/she will be obliged to pay compensation.

-WORLD BANK VICE PRESIDENT SAYS TURKEY'S STRUCTURAL REFORM PROGRAMME

CONSTITUTES AN INSTITUTIONAL GROUND FOR FULFILMENT OF PERMANENT

REHABILITATION IN INVESTMENT

ANKARA - World Bank Vice President Johannes Linn said on Thursday that Turkey's structural reform programme constituted an institutional ground for fulfilment of permanent rehabilitation in investment medium.

Linn delivered a speech at the conference on betterment of investment medium and promotion model for Turkey.

The conference is organized by the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB), Foreign Capital Association (YASED) and Finans Dunyasi (Finance World) with the contributions of United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Treasury Undersecretariat.

Linn said that the World Bank would help Turkey, which has a developing market economy, attract more investments.

Legal arrangements of Turkey in banking, telecommunication and energy was increasing transparency and clarified the rules of the game for the private investors, Linn stressed.

Linn noted that institutional arrangements, liberalization of markets including the agricultural sector of strategic importance, and privatization were creating new opportunities for private enterpreneurs.

Strong measures implemented to fight against corruption and rehabilitate efficient management in line with the public sector reform programme would lift the hidden obstacles before the investment and increase competition, Linn stated.

Linn pointed out that those reforms would help Turkey establish its macro economic stability, re-ensure sustainable growth and reach social targets.

What was important at that point was to provide the maximum benefit from the developments and to reveal Turkey's development potential, Linn said.

Linn noted that Turkey's magnitude, position and dynamic population made it an ideal place for foreign investors. But, he said, the foreign investments in Turkey were lower than the international regional standards.

The direct foreign investment in Turkey was below 0.5 percent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 1990s, Linn pointed out.

Linn stated that it was very difficult to explain this because Turkey was a country open abroad in many aspects.

Turkey had attributed importance to portfolio investments in the short term and could not attract long term international capital which was more stable and advantegous, Linn said.

Linn pointed out that Turkey missed the opportunity to increase living standards, increase productivity and competition power, and create more business opportunities since it could not fully make use of direct foreign investments.

This situation had an impact on the heavy foreign debt burden and macro economic instability problems of Turkey, Linn said.

Linn stated that Turkey had invited World Bank's Foreign Investment Advisory Service (FIAS) to attract foreign capital and noted that FIAS had prepared a report about the administrative obstacles before the investments together with YASED and other relevant parties.

According to the report of FIAS, many of the arrangements related with working life were considered appropriate by foreign investors, Linn said.

However, the bureaucratic hurdles and lack of coordination were considered as obstacles, Linn noted.

Linn stated that the probability of extension of the period needed for land purchase and arrangement of workplace till four years was another important obstacle. This period lasted only a few months in Mexico and Central European countries, he said.

Linn said that the investors considered complicated tax and encouragement regime and unfair implementation of this regime among the important obstacles and stressed the need for counter corruption activities.

With the action plan prepared for the encouragement of direct investments and rehabilitation of investment medium adopted by the Council of Ministers, the government had started to handle other issues on the agenda, Linn said.

Linn noted that the plan covered various measures from the decrease of bureaucracy in company foundation, investment consent proceedings to the simplification of tax and encouragement regime and protection of intellectual property rights.

The government asked FIAS to help preparation of new investment regulation and carry out feasibility works for an Investment Encouragement Agency, Linn stated.

Linn pointed out that an independent Investment Encouragement Agency should strengthen institutional frame in order to provide better medium for investments and help Turkey's efforts to attract more direct foreign investments.

The government had also decided to set up an Investment Council, Linn stressed.

-VERHEUGEN SAYS SUBSEQUENT STEP THEY EXPECT FROM TURKEY IS LAUNCHING

OF CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS LIKE CAPITAL PUNISHMENT AND EDUCATION

ANKARA - Guenter Verhuegen, the European Union (EU) Commissioner for enlargement, said on Thursday that the subsequent step they expected from Turkey was the launching of constitutional amendments regarding capital punishment and the right to education.

Verheugen and Foreign Minister Ismail Cem held a joint press conference following their meeting.

EU Commissioner Verheugen said that the constitutional amendments made by Turkey so far were a progress but that they had some expectations about capital punishment and the right to education.

Verheugen noted that they wanted to see Turkey as an EU member and that their stance was very clear.

Negotiation process would begin after the fulfilment of political criteria, Verheugen stated.

Verheugen said that there was a development in Turkey in that respect and that they were encouraging Turkey to continue those developments.

They would follow the process in Turkey, Verheugen noted and said that the negotiation date was dependant on the progress to be recorded by the country.

Verheugen pointed out that if those were achieved, he could promise that there would not be a delay in the date of opening of negotiations in their respect. But, in the end, the date depended on the developments marked by Turkey, he said.

When asked in which fields there were problems, Verheugen said that they expected Turkey to deal with the issues which had not been touched in the first amendment package, including the capital punishment and education right.

Verheugen said that 2002 was an important year in Turkey-EU relations and pointed out that the way the constitutional amendments would be implemented was also important.

When they considered the issue in point of view of Turkey, some developments had been marked but according to the European point of view, there were still some question marks, Verheugen noted.

Verheugen stated that he understood that this was a process.

Touching on the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC)-European Union (EU) Joint Forum, Verheugen said that it was a forum held with the initiative of Turkey and participation of many countries.

Verheugen noted that there were two important factors. One of them, he said, if the dialogue was serious, there could be a more comprehensive fight against terrorism.

The second important point was that the meeting indicated the values that Europe could take from Turkey as a member, Verheugen said.

Verheugen stated that those values were standing there but they had become obvious now and showed that Turkey had things that nobody could offer.

They also supported the negotiation process in Cyprus, Verheugen said and added that however, there was not any change in the timing of the membership process of the Greek Cypriot administration.

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