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Anadolu Agency: News in English, 00-06-12Anadolu Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Anadolu Agency Home Page at <http://www.anadoluajansi.com.tr/>ANADOLU AGENCYNEWS 12 JUNE 2000 Monday CONTENTS
[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCANThese are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in Turkey's press on June 12, 2000. The Anadolu Ajansi does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.HURRIYET (LIBERAL)TWO IMPORTANT MESSAGES OF ECEVITPrime Minister Bulent Ecevit went to southeastern province of Diyarbakır for the congress meeting of his party and gave two important messages. Ecevit said that ''if we abolish death penalty, we will both have the opportunity to bring criminals to Turkey from abroad and try them, thus one of the biggest obstacles which impede Turkey's full membership to the European Union (EU) will be removed.'' Secondly Ecevit said that ''terrorism started to tend towards political struggle, this has to be prevented.'' MOSQUE WORTH OF 26 MILLION DOLLARS CONSTRUCTED IN SWEDEN MILLIYET (LIBERAL)ECEVIT: ''PKK MEMBERS TRY TO DIVIDE TURKEY POLITICALLY''Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit who attended the Democratic Left Party's (DSP) Second Provincial Congress in Diyarbakir province, said, ''political dimension of the separatism became influencial in recent days. It is as dangerous as the armed dimension. We will take political measures against it.'' Ecevit also stressed, ''we are determined to start a development campaign for Eastern and Southeastern Anatolia. We should encourage private sector and foreign investors to make investments in the region.'' TURKISH-GREEK RAPROACHEMENT IN BANKING SECTOR PRESIDENT SEZER NOT TO ATTEND SYRIAN PRESIDENT'S FUNERAL SABAH (LIBERAL)PEOPLE CRY AFTER LOSING MATCHThe Turkish national soccer team was beaten by its Italian counterpart in the EURO 2000 held in Belgium. The paper claims that this was due to the mistakes of Mustafa Denizli, the coach of the team. Firstly Denizli didn't make his footballers play a preparation match before the real match, the paper said. He also ordered many footballers who were not ready for the match to play in the match, it added. EXILE IN TANTAN'S METHOD CUMHURIYET (LEFT)DIPLOMATIC SEARCH FOR LATE ASSAD'S FUNERALIt is not clear yet who will represent Turkey in the funeral of late Syrian President Hafez Assad which will take place on Tuesday. President Ahmet Necdet Sezer doesn't have a specific program on the date by when the funeral will take place. Meanwhile Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit is not expected to attend the funeral. DECISION FOR YILMAZ TO BE GIVEN TODAY RADIKAL (LEFT)FOREIGN SUPPORT TO ANCIENT ZEUGMA CITYInternational organizations have taken action to protect the ancient Zeugma city that will remain under waters of Bricik Dam in coming days. The U.S. Packard Humanities Institute (PHI) said that they were ready to send financial and moral assistance to protect the ancient ruins. The PHI said that they would allocate 5 million U.S. dollars to the protection of Belkis Ruins. GUSTS INJURE THREE PEOPLE IN ISTANBUL ANKARA WANTS ''STABILITY'' YENİ BİNYIL (LIBERAL)SECURITY FORCES IMPOUND 49 KG OF HEROIN IN ISTANBULSecurity forces impounded 49 kg of heroin in an operation in Istanbul.Acting on a tip-off, security forces stopped and searched a truck, and confiscated 49 kg of heroin hidden in secret parts of the vehicle. Market value of the drug which was brought to Turkey from Iran, was nearly 500 billion Turkish liras. In the operation, security forces detained eight people including three Bulgarians and an Iranian. Security forces also confiscated three weapons, 146,500 German marks, 3 thousand Dutch guilders, one truck, four automobiles, one false passport and one false identity card. VOYAGE TO HOPE ENDS IN DALAMAN CENTRAL BANK TO INTRODUCE GAP TURKIYE (RIGHT)ECEVIT CHEERS UP PEOPLEPrime Minister Bulent Ecevit who is also the leader of the Democratic Left Party (DSP) who participated in the Democratic Left Party (DSP) provincial meeting in Diyarbakır came together with governors and discussed regional issues with them. Ecevit cheered up regional people by his visit. While Ecevit was talking at the desk, a supporter of the terrorist organization PKK shouted slogan saying ''we want freedom for Ocalan and peace.'' Upon the intervention of his bodyguards, Ecevit told them that ''don't hurt him.'' BEHBANI IS FORGER ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)TURKISH ARMENIAN COMMUNITY PRAY FOR SULTAN MEHMET II THE CONQUERORA religious ceremony was held in the Virgin Mary Armenian Church in Kumkapi district of Istanbul to mark the 539th anniversary of foundation of Turkish Armenian Patriarchate. Patriarch Mesrob Mutafyan II performed the religious ceremony. Sultan Mehmet II the Conqueror, Founder of the Armenian Patriarchate in Istanbul, and 83 former patriarchs were commemorated in the religious ceremony. MINIBUS PLUNGES INTO SHOULDER OF ROAD, INJURING 20 PEOPLE [02] CLASHES ERUPT BETWEEN POLICE AND SOCCER FANS IN BELGIUM EURO 2000BRUSSELS- Clashes erupted on Sunday between police and soccer fans who were watching the Europe 2000 Championships match between Turkish and Italian national teams in Gent, Belgium.Belgian police intervened in a group of Turkish and Italian soccer fans who attempted to enter the play ground where giant screens were set up to broadcast live the match.Police's harsh intervention escalated tension in the stadium.Turkish and Italian soccer fans united against the police.Some people were reported to be injured in the clashes, and several soccer fans were taken into custody.[03] GUSTS INJURE THREE PEOPLE IN ISTANBULISTANBUL- Gusts injured three people including one child, in Istanbul on Sunday.The gusts uprooted a tree in Gulhane Part. The tree fell on a table where eight members of Kengel family were having apicnic.Ayten Kengel, 48, and her three-year-old granddaughter Beyza Aykut were injured in the accident.They were rushed to a nearby hospital for medical treatment.Meanwhile, a post fell on Hamza Yuzgec in Fatih Part due to the strong gusts.He was taken to the Gumussuyu Military Hospital for medical treatment.[04] TURGUTREIS FRIGATE IN SHANGHAIBEIJING - TCG Turgutreis Frigate of the Turkish Naval Forces arrived at the Shanghai Port in the People's Republic of China on Monday.Officials told the A.A correspondent that a Turkish military vessel was visiting the People's Republic of China for the first time.A group of crew will visit the Naval Base Commendership, the Shanghai Municipality and the TV Tower.The TCG Turgutreis Frigate will depart from Shanghai on June 14.The frigate which set sail from Golcuk on April 24, visited Port Said in Egypt, Djibouti, Madras Port in India, Singapore and Japan before arriving in Shanghai.The TCG Turgutreis Frigate participated in a commemoration ceremony in Kushimoto, Japan, to mark the 110th anniversary of the ''Ertugrul Frigate Disaster''.The Ertugrul vessel which had left Ottoman Empire in 1890 to convey the courtesy messages of Abdulhamit II to Japanese Emperor Tenno Meiji, sank near Kushimoto due to typhoon. A total of 597 sailors, including Osman Pasha, the commander of the ship, had died in the sea calamity. Only 68 members of the crew of Ertugrul ship were rescued. The sailors who lost their lives in the sea calamity, are commemorated by the ceremonies held every year.[05] BULGARIAN RYTHMIC GYMNASTICS CHAMPION TAKEN BACK TO HER COUNTRYISTANBUL - Dimitrina Gancheva Todorova of Bulgaria, a rythmic gymnastics champion who had been seriously injured in a traffic accident in Turkey, was taken back to Bulgaria on Monday by her relatives.Todorova, 24, had been seriously injured in a traffic accident occurred late on May 30 near Silivri township of northwestern Tekirdag province in a car driven by her boyfriend Nikolay Atanasov Kotrulev.She underwent two successful surgeries due to brain hemorrhage at the private Silivri Millet Hospital.Doctors said that she had not recovered yet.Todorova became European champion for three times between 1988-1992 in ryhtmic gymnastics, and is a member of the Bulgarian team which won the world championships in Sarajevo in 1991.[06] MINISTER OF ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES ERSUMER RETURNS TO COUNTRY FROM JAPANISTANBUL - Energy and Natural Resources Minister Cumhur Ersumer who participated in the ''World Geothermal Congress'' meeting held in Japan as the member of the Honourary Committee, returned to Turkey on Sunday evening.Speaking at Ataturk Airport, Ersumer said that he informed the congress attendees about geothermal energy sources and the use of geothermal in heating and energy.The next meeting of the World Geothermal Congress will take place in 2005 in Antalya, said Ersumer and added that ''during the congress it was determined that Turkey came the fifth among the countries which use geothermal for heating purposes. We aim at coming the first in 2010.''Ersumer said that he represented Turkish government at the funeral of the late Prime Minister of Japan Keizo Obuchi.Ersumer added that he also visited Turgut Reis Frigate which was at Tokyo Port due to the commemoration ceremony to mark the 110th anniversary of the ''Ertugrul Frigate Disaster''.Ersumer stated that he also met with Japanese Foreign Minister Yohei Kono, adding they reached a consensus to further improve the Turkish-Japanese relations.Ersumer added that he also had a beneficial meeting with Japanese Minister of International Industry and Foreign Trade, adding they particularly evaluated the cooperation in the field of energy at the meeting.Ersumer stated that in a conference organized by United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), Japanese Foreign Trade Organization and Overseas Japan Aids Institute he explained the enegry situation of Turkey, its international links and its views about being a west-east corridor.[07] PROFILE OF EXPORTS FROM GAP REGIONGAZIANTEP - The exports of agricultural, animal and industrial products to 81 countries from the Southeastern Anatolia Project (GAP) region in the first four months of 2000 decreased 1.6 percent to 178 million 699 thousand U.S. dollars.In the same period last year, the region exported 481 million 566 thousand U.S. dollars of agricultural, animal and industrial products to 83 countries.In the January-April 2000 period, Turkey entered into new markets like Dagestan, Latvia, Slovenia, Congo, Libya, Senegal, Colombia, Venezuela, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Indonesia and Malaysia while she lost the markets of Ireland, Oman, Benin, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Ivory Coasts, Belarus, the Gambia, Nigeria, Sudan, Dominican Republic, Honduras, the People's Republic of China and Sri Lanka.Abdulkadir Cikmaz, the Chairman of the Southeastern Anatolia Exporters' Union, told the A.A correspondent on Monday that in the first four months of the year, they exported 98.1 million U.S. dollars in textiles; 30.3 million U.S. dollars in grain-cereals; 15.1 million U.S. dollars in dried fruits; 701 thousand U.S. dollars in livestock; and 34.3 million U.S. dollars in industrial products.''The majority of the goods were exported to Iraq, Syria and Italy and the Turkish goods in greatest demand were carpets, synthetic thread and cotton thread,'' he noted.''We realized 62.7 million U.S. dollars to Europe in exports; 43.3 million U.S. dollars in exports to the Middle East; 13.4 million U.S. dollars in exports to the Turkish Republics; 2.6 million U.S. dollars in exports to the Commonwealth of Independent States; 3.8 million U.S. dollars to Africa; 10.7 million U.S. dollars to the American continent; 1.1 million U.S. dollars to Asia and 40.7 million U.S. dollars in exports to other countries in the first four months of 2000,'' Cikmaz added.[08] WORLD BANK AGRICULTURE REFORM DELEGATION VISITS PILOT REGIONSANKARA- The World Bank Agriculture Reform delegation started to visit pilot regions and get information about the Direct Income Support project.The World Bank delegation came to Ankara and started to watch the developments about the pilot project which will be undertaken by the contributions of 8,000 farmers in four provinces.The delegation is expected to prepare a report and submit it to the World Bank administration following its studies.A total of 26 villages in Ankara, 6 in Manavgat and 8 in Serik townships of Antalya, 8 in Adıyaman and 2 in Kahta township of Adıyaman, 10 in Akcaabat and 11 in Surmene townships of Trabzon were chosen for the pilot project.The payments which will be provided from Treasury Undersecretariat and World Bank credits will be in the form of cash and paid two instalments.World Bank is expected to give 1.6 million dollars for the project.The first payment is expected to be in June and the second one in October.Turkey plans to end subvention system in agriculture sector and aims at implementing the Direct Income Support Project by 2002.[09] TENDER FOR AKKUYU NUCLEAR POWER PLANTANKARA- The Westinghouse Consortium bidding for the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant tender opened by the Turkish Electricity Production and Transmission Corp. (TEAS), extended the bidding period for the last time.The Westinghouse Consortium said in a letter sent to the TEAS on May 12 that they would fulfil TEAS's request regarding extension of bidding period till July 24.TEAS requested three consortia to extend the period without making any change in their bids on April 21.The three consortia bidding for the tender are as follows: Westinghouse-Mitsubishi Consortium: Westinghouse (the U.S.), Raytheone and Duke (the U.S.), Mitsubishi Heavy Int. (Japan), Enka (Turkey), MNG (Turkey).AECL Consortium: AECL (Canada), Hitachi (Japan), Itochu (Japan), Gama (Turkey), Guris (Turkey), Bayindir (Turkey), Ansoldo (Italy), Daiwoo (South Korea).NPI Consortium: Siemens (Germany), Hochtief (Germany), Framatom (France), Gec-Alsthom (France), Campenon Bernard (France), Garanti-Koza (Turkey), Tekfen (Turkey).[10] INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION INCREASES BY 3.4 PERCENT IN FIRST THREE MONTHS OF 2000ANKARA - Production in the industrial sector increased by 3.4 percent in the first three months of 2000 compared to figures for the same period last year.The State Institute of Statistics (DIE) announced on Monday thatproduction in the mining sector decreased by 4.1 percent while production in manufacturing sector increased by 2.8 percent and production in electricity, gas and water sector increased by 11.8 percent in the January-March 2000 period compared to the figures for the same period last year.While production in state-run industrial sector decreased by 8 percent, production in private industrial sector increased by 8.7 percent in the same period.[11] CONFERENCE ON ''GAP'S POSITION IN FUTURE OF TURKEY''ANKARA- Sureyya Serdengecti, the Central Bank Governor said on Monday that the Southeast Anatolia Project (GAP) which is one of the biggest development projects of the world, was not known well in Turkey.The conference on ''the GAP's Position in Future of Turkey'' started in Ankara the same day.Speaking in the opening of the conference, Serdengecti said that the past, present and future of GAP which has an important place in Turkish economy will be taken up in the conference.Kamran Inan, a Motherland Party (ANAP) deputy said that the GAP project which was foreseen to end by the beginning of 2000, couldn't be completed and its cost is expected to reach 32 billion dollars.GAP is not only a national project, but it is also important for the Middle East region, said Inan, adding Turkey is not a water rich country.[12] 12 NEW VILLAGES FORMED IN SANLIURFASANLIURFA - Twelve new villages have been formed in Sanliurfa.Governor Sahabettin Harput said at a meeting that Sanliurfa had a scattered structure and this causes problems while providing infrastructure services to settlements. He also noted that scattered settlements cause fragmented agricultural land.At the meeting, it was decided to unite a few meadows to form a village. According to this, four meadows of Siverek village, three meadows of Viransehir, three meadows of Akcakale, one madow of Bozova and another one of Sanliurfa center became villages.[13] 8TH FIVE YEAR DEVELOPMENT PLAN DISCUSSED AT PARLIAMENTANKARA - Industry and Trade Minister Ahmet Kenan Tanrikulu said that the Gross National Product which is 3,000 U.S. dollars in 2000 is expected to increase to 4,300 U.S. dollars in 2005.Tanrikulu spoke about the 8th Five Year Development Plan at the Parliament Planning and Budget Commission on Monday and informed the listeners about the macroeconomic policies, targets and estimations.Tanrikulu said the government has so far taken important steps in order to maintain political and economic stability. As a part of the economic programme, the government is targeting to pull down the inflation to single digit figures by 2002.Speaking about budgetary and non-budget funds, Tanrikulu said the budgetary funds and non-budgetary funds which don't operate will be liquidated. He also noted that they will not set up new funds.Tanrikulu said they will give priority to investments in education, health, technology, energy, irrigation, urban infrastructure and transportation.Tanrikulu said they are expecting to decrease agriculture's share in Gross National Product from 17.2 to 14.0 percent and increase industry's share from 23.3 to 23.8. He also said they are estimating an increase of 6.3 percent in private consumption expenses.Turkey's export is expected to increase by 11 percent and become 46.5 billion U.S. dollars in 2005. In the same period, Turkey's import is expected to increase 10 percent and become 79 billlion U.S. dollars, he explained.Speaking about Turkey's tourism income, Tanrikulu said Turkey's income in this field is estimated to be 7.2 billion U.S. dollars by the end of 2000 and it is expected to reach 11.6 billion U.S. dollars in 2005. Foreign investments in Turkey is expected to reach 2.7 billion U.S. dollars in 2005.Tanrikulu stressed that they are aiming to meet Maastricht criteria which is an important stage for Turkey's full membership to EU by 2005.[14] AQUA FANTASY TO BE OPENED IN IZMIR ON JUNE 17IZMIR - Aqua Fantasy, an aqua park similar to that of the U.S., will be opened in Pamucak coast between western Kusadasi and Selcuk townships on June 17.Rumi Doganay, the Chairman of Aqua Fantasy Executive Board, said on Monday that they are pleased to construct the safest aqua park of Turkey.There are 35 slides in the aqua park, and the total length of the slides exceed two kilometres, Doganay added.The Aqua Fantasy which costed 17 million U.S. dollars, includes an artificial river.The Aqua Fantasy can host 5,000 people at the same time.[15] STFA CONSTRUCTION WINS TENDER IN QATARISTANBUL- STFA Construction Corp. won a port construction and installation tender in Ras Laffan which was put out by Qatar General Petroleum Corporation in Qatar.According to a statement STFA Holding made on Monday, the company won the tender worth of 11 million 613,000 U.S. dollar among eight companies.[16] WORLD'S SEVENTH SPACE CAMP OPENS IN TURKEYIZMIR- The seventh space camp of the world opened in Izmir's Aegean Free Region (ESBAS) with a light and simulator show on Monday.Foreign Trade Undersecretary Kursat Tuzmen said the opening ceremony that the Space Camp will help Turkish youth to acquire a scientific formation which they need in the 21st century. Tuzmen said the camp was the first in South Europe and Middle East. He said scientists and astronauts of the future will have the chance to discover their skills in a fun atmosphere.U.S. Astronaut Scott Carpenter who was one of the seven astronauts chosen for Mercury programme in 1959 was also present at the opening.Carpenter said a space camp teaches children and young people how to work in a team and how to become a leader. He also said he hopes children of the world would experience a cultural exchange in the space camp. ''In the past, the space looked like it was the right of the U.S. and Soviet Union but now it is a field open to all countries,'' Carpenter said.Apollo Engineer Ismail Akbay who worked for NASA for 31 years said the space camp is a very important project. Akbay said he received many letters from Turkish children inquiring about space during the time he worked for NASA. ''They would ask me how it felt to be in the space. Now they have the chance to experience it,'' he noted.ESBAS Chairman Kaya Tuncer said many institutions sponsored for the project which cost 5 million U.S. dollars. ''Space Camp Turkiye'' aims to inform children between the ages of 7 and 16. In summer months, the camp will host 288 students and each group will stay in the camp for one week, Tuncer explained.As a part of the Greek-Turkish rapproachment, 12 Greek students from the islands will be hosted at the camp for one week. Thirty Turkish children in the quake hit region will also participate in the camp's activities.At the four storey building, children will be taught how to move in the space or walk on the moon. They will be shown how the astronauts can walk around in the space without being tied to the space shuttle.The simulators at the space camp have been designed similar to the training equipment used by NASA astronauts in Mercury, Gemini and Apollo programmes. NASO also sent some equipment and machinery as a contribution to the space camp.
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