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Anadolu Agency: News in English, 00-06-04

Anadolu Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

ANADOLU AGENCY

NEWS

04 June Sunday


CONTENTS

  • [01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN
  • [02] COMMEMORATION CEREMONY HELD IN KUSHIMOTO ON 110TH
  • [03] SWEDISH RADIO CHANNEL OPENS REHABILITATION CENTER
  • [04] DEFENSE MINISTER CAKMAKOGLU GOES TO THE U.S.
  • [05] U.S. ESTIMATES END OF YEAR INFLATION RATE AS 35 PERCENT IN TURKEY
  • [06] SIXTH ONE OF TURKEY-SYRIA SECURITY AND COOPERATION
  • [07] MUSTAFA ALTINOK, INDUSTRIALIST FROM IZMIR PLANS TO OPEN FIVE
  • [08] FINANCE MINISTER ORAL RETURNS TO ANKARA
  • [09] AGREEMENT RELATED WITH BAKU-CEYHAN OIL PIPELINE IS EXPECTED
  • [10] PARLIAMENTARY INVESTIGATION COMMISSIONS CONTINUE TO WORK
  • [11] JPC DELEGATION IN BRUSSELS
  • [12] TEMPERATURES TO INCREASE STARTING AS OF JUNE 7
  • [13] UN WOMEN'S CONFERENCE TO START ON MONDAY
  • [14] NAZIM HIKMET REMEMBERED ON HIS DEATH ANNIVERSARY
  • [15] PROTEST OF ENVIRONMENTALISTS IN CANAKKALE STRAIT
  • [16] TURKISH BUSINESSMAN KILLED IN ARMED ATTACK IN BULGARIA
  • [17] HOUSE OF ST. JOHANNES TO BE CONVERTED TO MUSEUM


  • [01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

    These are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in Turkey's press on June 4, 2000. The Anadolu Ajansi does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

    HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

    STATE COMES TO NAZIM'S TOMB
    Famous poet Nazim Hikmet was for the first time commemorated on his death anniversary with an official ceremony organized by the state at Russia's Novodevici Cemetery. A total of 200 people attended the ceremony including Turkish Ambassador to Russia, Nabi Sensoy. A planetree was planted on his tomb with soil brought from all over Turkey. At the ceremony, a campaign was started to renaturalize Hikmet and restore his Turkish citizenship. The Ministry of Culture also started working to make 2002, the Year of Nazim Hikmet.

    CIVIL SERVATS' WAGES INCREASING BY 4.1 PERCENT
    Wages of civil servants will be increased by 4.1 percent due to inflation. After lifting ''compulsory economy'' deductions, civil servants' wages will increase by 1.7 percent. According to the Budget Law, if the inflation rose above 15 percent in the first half of the year, the civil servants will be compensated for the inflation with a two points of ''prosperity'' addition.

    MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

    15 PERCENT PAY RAISE OF CIVIL SERVANTS LEFT BEHIND INFLATION
    In the month of May, whole sale prices (TEFE) increased by 1.7 percent and consumer prices (TUFE) increased by 2.2 percent. State Statistics Institute (DIE) announced the annual inflation rate as 59.2 percent in TEFE and 62.7 percent in TUFE as of end of May. The avarage inflation rate of the first five months is 18.2 percent in TEFE and 17.1 percent in TUFE.

    SEVEN CARS REQUESTED FROM SECURITY DEPARTMENT FOR DEMIREL
    An interesting correspondence began in the capital for the cars that will be given to the service of Suleyman Demirel, Turkey's ninth president. Opel Vectra worth of 16 billion Turkish Liras was not available in the Security Department, therefore it was taken from the Police Foundation. Prime Minister Ecevit last month added an article to the regulations saying ''sufficient number of vehicles, equipment, and security personnel should be provided to the former president.'' Following this, two 1998 model Vectra's, three 2000 model Renaults and one 2000 model Ford Taunus minibus have been assigned to Demirel's service. Another V6 model Opel Vectra will be paid by the Police Foundation and assigned to Demirel by Ankara Security Department.

    SABAH (LIBERAL)

    CALL FOR COMMON SENSE
    Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said Turkey would receive damage if there is not harmonization between the coalition partners. Ecevit gave the message to the Motherland Party (ANAP), and the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), that confidence and solidarity should continue in the parliament as well as in the government. Prime Minister Ecevit intervened in order to prevent tension between between ANAP and MHP which erupted after voting against Yżlmaz. Ecevit said the government was very successful and noted that there were many services to do for the country. Ecevit said the government is successful due to the confidence atmosphere and solidarity between the p artners. ''If reciprocal confidence of the coalition partners both in the government and the parliament is overshadowed, Turkey will receive great damage. I hope we won't meet with such a situation.''

    KUTAN VISITS BIRDAL IN PRISON
    Recai Kutan, leader of the Virtue Party (FP), visited Akin Birdal, former Chairman of Human Rights Association, in Ulucanlar prison.

    Speaking to reporters following the meeting, Kutan said Birdal was in good health condition, adding that, ''it is sorrowful that a person, who had acted as the chairman of human rights association, and who struggled for human rights, is in prison because he expressed his views. This is a shame of democracy according to our criteria.''

    CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

    FOREIGN MINISTRY OFFICIALS IN GAP REGION
    A delegation of 60 Foreign Ministry members headed by Foreign Ministry Deputy Undersecretary Sencar Ozsoy, came to Sanliurfa on Saturday.

    The delegation visited Sanliurfa Governor Sahabettin Harput who briefed them about Sanliurfa's history and culture.

    Deputy Undersecretary Ambassador Sencar Ozsoy said GAP is Turkey's future and added that they are visiting Sanliurfa to see the project's development. ''GAP Administration is organizing the trip,'' Ozsoy noted. ''We have come to Sanliurfa after Diyarbakir and Mardin. We are very pleased about the things that we saw. GAP changed the region's destiny. Everyday there is a new project and a new development in the region. Also, Sanliurfa is considered sacred by three religions. The religious variety of this city is a treasure. We have to promote it well.''

    GRAIN PURCHASING PRICES TO BE ANNOUNCED NEXT WEEK
    Agriculture and Rural Affairs Minister Husnu Yusuf Gokalp said on Saturday that grains purchase prices will be depated next week at the Ministers Council meeting since this week's meeting has been postponed due to Defense Industry Executive Committee's meeting and Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit's trip to Norway.

    When reminded that World Bank did not approve the project to develop cattle breeding as a part of the agricultural reform, Gokalp said ''unfortunately that is true.'' ''But we are rediscussing it. The World Bank did not expect us to finish the projects in time. But we did and submitted our projects. However they cannot meet our needs because they are not ready. Our projects are ready and we're waiting for a resource.''

    RADIKAL (LEFT)

    PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT DUE TO NORWAY
    Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit will officially visit Norway on Sunday. On June 5, Prime Minister Ecevit will participate in Turkish-Norwegian official talks which will be headed by the prime ministers of the two countries. Ecevit and Norwegian Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg will stage a joint news conference following the talks.

    Prime Minister Ecevit will meet with Kristi Kolle Grondal, Norwegian Parliament Speaker, after attending a luncheon that Norwegian King 5th Harald will host in his honor. Ecevit will also hold a meeting with Norwegian Parliament Foreign Relations Commitee.

    Norwegian Prime Minister Stoltenberg will host a dinner in honor of Ecevit the same day.

    On June 6, Ecevit will address a conference on ''Turkey on the Threshold of 21st Century'' at the Nobel Institute.

    YENI BINYIL (LIBERAL)

    YILMAZ'S TRIAL AT CONSTITUTIONAL COURT CAUSES GOVERNMENT CRISIS
    Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit and leader of the Motherland Party (ANAP) Mesut Yilmaz harshly warned leader of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) Devlet Bahceli who said ''the government and the Parliament are two different bodies.'' Ecevit responded to these words quickly and said trust and solidarity among the coalition partners should also continue at the Parliament. Yilmaz, on the other hand said ''Bahceli either should reveal evidence of the crime or withdraw from coalition.''

    TURKIYE (RIGHT)

    ECEVIT DUE TO OSLO TODAY
    Turkey is hopeful for the investment funds of Norway, where Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit will pay an official visit. Norway took Turkey into the list of countries which it will make investments. Unemployment rate is very low in Norway.

    FALL IN INFLATION CONTINUES
    Wholesale prices increased 1. percent, and consumer prices increased 2.2 percent in May. Monthly inflation decreased when compared with the same month of last year. Annual inflation as of May was 59.2 percent in wholesale, and 62.7 percent in consumer prices.

    AMNESTY IS ON THE AGENDA OF THE PARLIAMENT
    Hikmet Sami Turk, Minister of Justice, said on Saturday that amnesty issue has not been excluded from the agenda of the Parliament, adding that, ''I don't want to determine a new date in this respect in order not to cause a new disappointment.''

    ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

    WHO IS THE INTERLOCUTOR IN BAKU-CEYHAN?
    As efforts are underway to materialize Baku-Ceyhan oil pipeline, position of the oil producer companies has not been clarified yet. Turkey, as one of the sides, will sign ''Host Country Agreement.'' Yet, the other sides are not certain.

    HEAVY PRESSURE ON MHP
    Confidence crisis, which erupted after sending Mesut Yilmaz, leader of the Motherland Party (MHP), to Constitutional Court with the votes of parliamentarians from the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), continues. Devlet Bahceli, leader of MHP, said, ''the government and parliamentary works are separate. Don't confuse them.'' Ecevit does not think like Bahceli, and warned: ''confidence and solidarity atmosphere between the partners should continue not only in government level, but also in the parliament.''

    If Yilmaz is not acquitted, ANAP parlaimentarians will give an investigation motion against parliamentarians from MHP.

    [02] COMMEMORATION CEREMONY HELD IN KUSHIMOTO ON 110TH

    ANNIVERSARY OF SEA ACCIDENT WHERE 534 TURKISH SAILORS DIED
    KUSHIMOTO - A commemoration ceremony was held on Saturday in the Japanese city of Kushimoto for Ertugrul Ship which was sent by Abdulhamit the Second to Japanese Emperor Tenno Miji in 1890 and later sunk on its way back from Japan.

    Ertugrul Ship which was under the command of Admiral Osman Pasa paid a visit of courtesy to Emporor Meiji and stayed there for three months in 1890. After departing from Yokahoma Port on September 15, 1890, the ship got caught in a big storm and its compass was broken. The ship sank after hitting the rocks. A total of 534 sailors including Osman Pasa died in the accident while 68 sailors were rescued by Japanese people.

    On Saturday, on the 110th anniversary of the accident, a ceremony was held at Turgutreis Frigate which came to Kushimoto. The frigate later went to the spot where the ship had sunk.

    Speaking at the ceremony, Rear-Admiral Omer Esenturk said this sad incident brought the two countries closer.

    Turkish and Japanese authorities including Prince Mikasa and Turkish Ambassador to Tokyo Yaman Baskut laid flowers on the sea.

    A second ceremony was held at a monument constructed specially for the sailors who lost their lives in the accident. Turkish and Japanese authorities spoke at the ceremony.

    Turgutreis Frigate will leave for Tokyo Port on Sunday. Here, the ship will open to Japanese visitors. There will be a reception at Turgutreis on June 8.

    [03] SWEDISH RADIO CHANNEL OPENS REHABILITATION CENTER

    FOR QUAKE SURVIVORS IN BOLU
    BOLU - The rehabilitation center whose construction was financed by the the Swedish radio channel, Radio Monet Schaffhausen, opened to the quake survivors in Bolu on Saturday.

    Prof. Turkan Saylan, Chairwoman of Association to Support Modern Life (CYDD) said the employees of Radio Monet Schaffhausen asked for help from them and they built the center through joint efforts on an area of 250 square meters. The rehabilitation center cost 40 billion Turkish Liras.

    Saylan thanked to those who contributed to the project. ''Our 17,000 members will continue their works in the area,'' she noted.

    Nora Winze from Radio Monet Schaffhausen who also spoke at the ceremony said they started a campaign for the survivors immediately after the quake disaster. Winze also submitted the remaining 27,300 U.S. dollars as a cheque to the authorities to be used for the victims.

    [04] DEFENSE MINISTER CAKMAKOGLU GOES TO THE U.S.

    ISTANBUL - National Defense Minister Sabahattin Cakmakoglu said on Sunday that the European Union (EU) must consider Turkey's situation while deciding about a formation which concerns Europe's security and defense.

    ''Turkey wants to have complete and equal participation in a formation that will be created for Europe's security and defense unity,'' Cakmakoglu said.

    Cakmakoglu who was invited to the U.S. by the U.S. Secretary of Defense, spoke at Istanbul's Ataturk Airport prior to his departure. Here, Cakmakoglu said he will attend the opening of the National Victory Museum on the anniversary of the Normandy landing of the allies on June 5 and 6 during the Second World War.

    Following the celebrations, Cakmakoglu said he will fly to Brussels where he will attend NATO Defense Ministers Meeting.

    ''Turkey's views regarding Europe's common security and defense policies are clear,'' Cakmakoglu said. ''The EU must consider Turkey's situation while creating a formation on Europe's security and defense. Turkey must actively participate in this formation. At the meeting, I will once again express Turkey's views on this matter.''

    The EU will take a decision over Europe's security and defense before the end of this year, Cakmakoglu noted, and also added that the same issue will be debated at the EU Ministers Council Meeting which will be held in the coming days in Portugal.

    Cakmakoglu noted that the latest developments in Bosnia-Herzegovina and Kosovo will also be discussed at the NATO Defense Ministers Meeting in Brussels.

    Cakmakoglu will return home on June 13.

    [05] U.S. ESTIMATES END OF YEAR INFLATION RATE AS 35 PERCENT IN TURKEY

    WASHINGTON,D.C/ANKARA - The U.S. Treasury and Trade Ministry authorities estimated the inflation rate in terms of Consumer Prices Index (TUFE) as 35 percent by the end of 2000 in Turkey.

    The authorities said the drop in the inflation will continue also in the coming years if the government continues structural reforms and the economic programme.

    U.S. economy experts noted that Turkey has a great potential in its region and is one of the ten biggest emerging markets in the world. They also said Turkey has a very dynamic private sector.

    The experts said Turkey is displaying a good economic performance through the government's economic reforms which caused the interest rates to drop.

    In the meantime, the foreign trade volume between Turkey and the U.S. reached 6 billion U.S. dollars. Currently, the U.S. firms have a total investment of 2.5 billion U.S. dollars in Turkey. U.S. businessmen are interested in investing in energy, infrastructure, telecommunication and agriculture fields in Turkey.

    [06] SIXTH ONE OF TURKEY-SYRIA SECURITY AND COOPERATION

    MEETINGS WILL TAKE PLACE IN ISTANBUL ON JUNE 6
    ISTANBUL - The sixth of the Security and Cooperation Meetings between Turkey and Syria will be held in Istanbul's Military Museum on June 6.

    In a written statement made from Army No.1 Commandership, it was stated that Turkey and Syria had signed Adana Agreement on October 20, 1998 to agree on a common understanding on security and cooperation issues and work together against PKK terrorism.

    The statement also noted that Turkish and Syrian football teams will play a peace game at Beylerbeyi Stadium on the same day.

    [07] MUSTAFA ALTINOK, INDUSTRIALIST FROM IZMIR PLANS TO OPEN FIVE

    FACTORIES IN EUROPE
    IZMIR - Mustafa Altinok, an industrialist from Izmir is working to open five forest products factories in Europe, starting from Italy.

    Altinok told A.A correspondent that ''he is determined to become the number one in his field in Europe.'' Altinok is planning to open his factories in Milan, Barcelona, Essen, Hamburg and Paris in the next seven years. ''We will start investment with Italian credit without spending a penny from our pocket,'' he said.

    Altinok's factory will be financed by an Italian bank. He will buy machinery, trucks and other equipment with the 5 million Euro credit. He said the factory will start operation in the first three months of 2001.

    There is a big competition in wooden pallette sector in Turkey with more than 2000 producers, Altinok explained. In Europe, on the other hand wooden pallettes are very popular, he noted. ''Instead of starting a business in an other field, I've decided to do business in my own field,'' Altinok said.

    [08] FINANCE MINISTER ORAL RETURNS TO ANKARA

    LEFKOSA - Finance Minister Sumer Oral who went to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) where he was given an honourary doctorate degree by Girne American University returned to Ankara on Sunday.

    Oral, before his departure from Ercan Airport in TRNC, told reporters that he had the chance to speak with President Rauf Denktas and other government authorities during his visit. His contacts were beneficial and were mostly on economic issues, he noted.

    TRNC Finance Minister Mehmet Bayram said the economic matters will be discussed further when a Turkish economic delegation led by State Minister Recep Onal goes to TRNC on Tuesday. They need time to overcome the economic difficulties, Bayram said and also noted that Turkey and TRNC can sign another economy agreement during the visit of the Turkish economy delegation.

    [09] AGREEMENT RELATED WITH BAKU-CEYHAN OIL PIPELINE IS EXPECTED

    TO BE DISCUSSED THIS WEEK IN THE PARLIAMENT
    ANKARA - Parliamentary General Assembly is expected to discuss a draft resolution this week saying that the agreement related with Baku-Ceyhan Oil Pipeline was found convenient.

    Parties of the coalition government, who had a very short holiday last year, and who worked intensely in the legislation year, are in an effort to work very hard in June to have a holiday in July. With this aim, Parliamentary Consultation Committee will convene on Monday or on Tuesday.

    The draft resolution, that ratification of agreement related with Baku-Ceyhan Pipeline was found convenient, is expected to have priority in the discussions.

    Justice Commission, which will convene on Monday or on Tuesday, will make amendment to Anti-Terrorism Law, and discuss a draft resolution foreseeing closure of the business places of those who aided and abetted members of the terrorist organization.

    Constitutional Commission, in its meeting on Wednesday, will discuss proposals for amendment to internal regulations.

    Meanwhile, parliamentary investigation commissions will continue their efforts.

    A decision is expected to be taken in the commission which had been set up to investigate the allegations against Mesut Yilmaz, Prime Minister of the time, and Necdet Menzir, Transportation Minister of the time, about the GSM tenders to Telsim and Turkcell companies.

    Political party groups will convene on Tuesday and Wednesday and make their weekly evaluations.

    [10] PARLIAMENTARY INVESTIGATION COMMISSIONS CONTINUE TO WORK

    ANKARA - A total of 15 separate Parliamentary Investigation Commissions had been set up in the previous legislation period to investigate the allegations on various issues. Ten of the 15 separate Parliamentary Investigation Commissions have given their decisions.

    A total of six commissions, out of eight separate ones, which had been established to investigate the allegations against former Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz, have given their decisions. The Parliamentary Investigation Commission had decided to refer former Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz and former Minister of Industry and Trade Yalim Erez to the Constitutional Court for prosecution regarding the claims accusing them of misusing authority by giving a land to Ford Automotive Inc. free of charge.

    The commission, which was set up against Necati Celik, former Labour and Social Security Minister, that he misused authority in examination arranged for Social Security Authority (SSK), had decided to send Celik to Constitutional Court. The Commission, which was established to investigate the allegations against Yasar Topcu, decided to transfer Topcu, the former Minister of Public Works and Housing, to the Constitutional Court on charges of ''giving financial damage to the state by making corruption in the tender for construction of roads attached to the Black Sea Coast Motorway''.

    Other seven commissions, decided not to send former Prime Minister or Ministers to Constitutional Court to stand trial.

    Works of the Commissions will continue till June 20. Five of the commissions have not yet reached to the stage of decision.

    Under Article 112 of Parliament Internal Regulations, reports of the investigation commissions will be distributed to the parliamentarians after being published. Seven days after its distribution, it will be taken onto the agenda of the next session, and will be discussed primarily.

    Decision to send constitutional court would only be taken by 276 votes, which is the absolute majority of members. If General Assembly decides to send them, the file would be send to the Constitutional Court Chairmanship within seven days. Political party groups would not be able to have discussions or take decisions related with Parliamentary investigation.

    [11] JPC DELEGATION IN BRUSSELS

    BRUSSELS - Turkish flank of Joint Parliamentary Commission (JPC), which is a dialogue organ between the European Parliament and the Turkish Parliament, arrived in Brussels to participate in the meetings which will start on Monday.

    Co-Chairmen Kursat Eser, Parliamentarian from the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), and Daniel Cohn-Bendit, French Greens Group member, will lead the meetings that will last for two days. State Minister Yuksel Yalova, and Guenter Verheugen, the EU Commission member responsible for enlargement, will attend the meetings.

    A total of 12 parliamentarians who form Turkish flank of JPC, will have contacts with various commissions and members of the European Parliament.

    JPC meetings will end on Tuesday with a joint news conference of the co-chairmen.

    [12] TEMPERATURES TO INCREASE STARTING AS OF JUNE 7

    ANKARA - Cool and rainy weather, which has been influential in central and northern parts of the country, will replace with warm weather as of June 7. Temperatures will increase as of Wednesday, and will be above normal season levels.

    General Directorate of State Meteorology Affairs said eastern parts of Marmara, Black Sea, northern parts of Central and Eastern Anatolia would be rainy today, and other regions would be partly cloudy. Rain showers will be effective in the Black Sea region.

    Northeastern parts of Central Anatolia, the Black Sea, and northern parts of Eastern Anatolia would be rainy on Monday.

    Temperatures will begin to increase on June 7.

    [13] UN WOMEN'S CONFERENCE TO START ON MONDAY

    NEW YORK - ''Women 2000: Men-Women Equality and Problems'' conference will start in New York on Monday.

    A delegation headed by Hasan Gemici will represent Turkey at the conference. The UN women's summit will end on June 9, Friday.

    Experts say that considerable progress has been made in the lives of the world's women, since the women's summit held in Beijing in 1995. However, they say there is still too much to do.

    Women have gained power in the following points:

    Women who generally live longer and healthier lives than men have easier access to food. Female students are now receiving elementary and secondary school education. Women can find employment more easily than before. Women are given more national and international rights. Rape during war has been officially defined as a war crime and many countries agreed that sexual violence against women is a crime.

    On the other hand, women constitute the majority of 1,5 billion people who support themselves with less than one U.S. dollar a day. Domestic violence against women is increasing. Women are exposed to mistreatment in war areas. They benefit from health services less than men do. Women's rights are purposely violated in some countries and women are employed at either part-time or low paying jobs. Two thirds of the world's 875 illiterate people are women. Female students are forced to quit school to marry at an early age or to work.

    In the meantime, research carried out in various countries revealed some shocking realities about women's treatment in some countries. Some of them are listed below:

    -A person who rapes a woman is released if he marries the victim. Whether the woman wants to marry the raper or not, is of little importance.

    -In many Muslim countries, it is still acceptable to kill women ''who bring bad reputation to family honour'' and the interpretation of ''bad reputation'' is up to men's appreciation.

    -In rape cases in Pakistan, women witnesses' statements are not valid.

    -Even in Kuwait, one of the most modern Arabic countries, women still don't hold the right to vote.

    [14] NAZIM HIKMET REMEMBERED ON HIS DEATH ANNIVERSARY

    IN ANKARA AND ISTANBUL
    ANKARA/ISTANBUL - Famous poet Nazim Hikmet was remembered on Saturday at various activities held in Ankara and Istanbul.

    Speaking at a meeting in Modern Arts Center in Ankara, Cankaya Mayor Haydar Yilmaz said ''Hikmet was a great master of the Turkish language and he was a fervent patriot.''

    Author Mustafa Serif Onaran read out some parts of Hikmet's life while actor Rustu Asyali read out some of Hikmet's poems. Musician Ufuk Karakoc played and sang some songs whose lyrics were written by Hikmet.

    In another activity in Istanbul, Chairman of Nazim Hikmet Foundation, Cevat Capan said he had the honour to meet Hikmet. ''The longing in Hikmet's poetry is also our longing. Unfortunately, we could not to bring him to Turkey but he is buried in our hearts,'' he said.

    The activity ended with a documentary prepared by the German WDR television channel on Hikmet's life.

    [15] PROTEST OF ENVIRONMENTALISTS IN CANAKKALE STRAIT

    CANAKKALE - Environmentalists of Canakkale toured the strait with boats to protest the oil tankers passing from the strait.

    Nearly 50 boats attended the protest. Canakkale Strait has been closed to sea traffic for one hour because of the protest.

    Coast Security Boat provided the security of the environmentalists.

    Ibrahim Deniz, Environment Provincial Director, pointed out that they staged the protest against the risk of pollution of Canakkale Strait. ''Passage of the big oil tankers fro the straits is not right,'' he pointed out.

    [16] TURKISH BUSINESSMAN KILLED IN ARMED ATTACK IN BULGARIA

    SOFIA - A Turkish businessmen was killed in an armed attack in the Bulgarian city of Plovdiv on Sunday.

    Bulgarian Interior Ministry said the 53-year old Halil Balkan who owned Balkan Restaurant on E-5 highway out of Plovdiv was attacked by unidentified armed people.

    Balkan who was shot on the heart died at the scene.

    Bulgarian police started a wide operation to catch the murderers.

    Balkan's body is expected to be sent to Turkey on Sunday night.

    [17] HOUSE OF ST. JOHANNES TO BE CONVERTED TO MUSEUM

    NEVSEHIR - The house of St. Johannes in Urgup township in central Anatolian Nevsehir province, who is a sacred figure for the Orthodoxes, will be converted to a museum by Urgup municipality.

    Urgup Mayor Bekir Odemis told A.A correspondent that St. Johannes was an important religious figure for Fener Greek Orthodox Patriarchate in Turkey and other members of the Orthodox religion who live in Greece and Russian Republics.

    People of Urgup who migrated to Greece in 1924 set up the village Prokopi, meaning New Urgup. They held commemoration ceremonies in Prokopi every year. The ceremony is attended by 300,000 Orthodoxes every year and it has a big contribution to the region's tourism.

    Odemis said the museum will also help Urgup's tourism significantly. He noted that the museum will be decorated with materials used by St. Johannes and they will start organizing commemoration ceremonies also in Urgup. Odemis noted that Fener Greek Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomeos is also supporting the project.

    The house in Urgup's Kayakapi district is expected to be visited by an avarage of 150,000 Orthodoxes after it is turned to a museum.


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