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Anadolu Agency: News in English, 00-07-25

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

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

Anadolu Agency

ANADOLU AGENCY

NEWS

25 JULY 2000

Tuesday


CONTENTS

  • [01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN
  • [02] NSC TO CONVENE ON WEDNESDAY
  • [03] FIRE-BOMB ATTACK ON A MINIBUS IN ISTANBUL
  • [04] SPORTS - SOCCER -BESIKTAS TO PLAY AGAINST PFC LEVSKI SOFIA OF BULGARIA IN EUROPEAN CHAMPIONS LEAGE SECOND QUALIFYING ROUND
  • [05] SECURITY FORCES INTERCEPT 81 ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS
  • [06] HAZELNUT EXPORTS -675 MILLION U.S. DOLLARS OF HAZELNUTS EXPORTED SINCE SEPTEMBER 1, 1999
  • [07] TWO MONUMENTS AT FLEET COMMANDERSHIP TO IMMORTALIZE THOSE WHO DIED AT LAST YEAR'S EARTHQUAKE
  • [08] DEPOSITORS' DEMONSTRATION IN TRNC -NUMBER OF DETAINEES INCREASES TO 55
  • [09] ERBAKAN, FORMER LEADER OF BANNED RP, APPLIES TO ECHR
  • [10] MOSAIC PIECE WHICH WAS STOLEN FROM ZEUGMA 32 YEARS AGO TO BE PLACED ON ITS ORIGINAL SPOT
  • [11] CYPRUS PROXIMITY TALKS -TRNC PRESIDENT DENKTAS: ''THE STATE IS ON DUTY''
  • [12] CHINESE CONSUL GENERAL SAYS TRADE VOLUME BETWEEN TURKEY AND CHINA SHOULD INCREASE
  • [13] COUNCIL OF MINISTERS CONVENES
  • [14] TALABANI, LEADER OF PUK, IN TURKEY
  • [15] NORDIC INVESTMENT BANK DELEGATION VISITS GAP
  • [16] TRANS-CASPIAN OIL PIPELINE PROJECT -DRAFT, CONFIRMING CONVENIENCE OF INTERGOVERNMENTAL DECLARATION SUBMITTED TO THE PARLIAMENT
  • [17] NIGERIAN PRESIDENT OBASANJO DEPARTS FROM TURKEY
  • [18] TREASURY ARRANGES THREE-MONTH BOND TENDER
  • [19] DRAFT LAW APPROVING EUROPEAN CONVENTION OF CHILDREN'S RIGHTS SENT TO PARLIAMENT
  • [20] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT: (1) -''IT WILL BE APPROPRIATE TO POSTPONE TENDER FOR NUCLEAR POWER PLANT''
  • [21] HASIPOGLU, ACTING PRESIDENT OF TRNC: -''YESTERDAY'S INCIDENTS WERE PROVOKED BY ANTI-STATE ORGANIZATIONS WHICH ARE PRO-GREEK CYPRIOT SIDE''
  • [22] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT: (2) -THE CANCELLATION OF TENDER FOR AKKUYU NUCLEAR STATION DOES NOT MEAN THAT WE QUIT CONSIDERING NUCLEAR ENERGY''
  • [23] ECEVIT: ''TAKING DECISIONS UNANIMOUSLY AT MGK MEETINGS HAVE BEEN A BENEFICIAL TRADITION''
  • [24] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT: -''WE SHALL HAVE A NUCLEAR POWER STATION ONE DAY. IT IS JUST A MATTER OF TIME''
  • [25] FOURTH EURASIA ISLAM COUNCIL MEETING STARTS IN SARAJEVO
  • [26] NIGERIAN PRESIDENT OBASANJO INVITES TURKISH BUSINESSMEN TO HIS COUNTRY
  • [27] CYPRUS PROXIMITY TALKS -PRESIDENT DENKTAS OF TRNC: ''PROXIMITY TALKS ARE GOING WELL''
  • [28] MINISTERS COUNCIL MEETING -STATE MINISTER TOSKAY SAYS THEY DISCUSSED SEE'S AND DEVELOPMENTS IN FOREIGN TRADE IN LAST SIX MONTHS
  • [29] GEORGIAN FOREIGN MINISTER MENAGARISHVILI IN TURKEY
  • [30] 19 INMATES TRANSFERRED TO OTHER PRISONS FOLLOWING INCIDENTS AT NEVSEHIR PRISON IN WHICH ONE PERSON WAS KILLED

  • [01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

    These are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in Turkey's

    press on July 25, 2000. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and

    does not vouch for their accuracy.

    HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

    RESIGNATION CALL TO EROGLU
    Certain members of the National Unity Party (UBP), the senior partner of the

    coalition government of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, called on

    Prime Minister Dervis Eroglu to step down from his post. The UBP deputies

    alleged that the Turkish Cypriot people had lost all the confidence they had

    in the government, and because of this, the government would not be able to

    continue for long under Eroglu's leadership.

    WARM WELCOME TO FIRST OFFICIAL GUEST
    President Ahmet Necdet Sezer hosted his first official guest, President

    Olusegun Obasanjo of Nigeria yesterday in Ankara. Obasanjo, impressed by

    Sezer's hospitality, expressed his gratitude for the warm welcome he had

    received, and invited his Turkish counterpart over to his country. On monday,

    the two countries put signature on two documents foreseeing increased

    cooperation between the two countries.

    MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

    MGK SHOULD EXPAND
    Military expressed strong support to the EU's request to increase the number

    of civilian members in the National Security Council (MGK). Answering Milliyet

    correspondent's question, Chief of General Staff Huseyin Kivrikoglu said ''They

    have consulted us. There can be hundreds of civilian members in the MGK. We

    don't mind it.''

    THERE IS STILL HOPE FOR ZEUGMA
    Private Sector, TEMA and scientists started a new initiative to save Zeugma

    ancient city which is slowly drowning by the waters of the the Birecik Dam.

    The group is aiming to carry the second terrace of Zeugma to a higher

    altitude. The representatives of the group who are working to save Zeugma said

    ''this was not an initiative which accuses the government, but it was a

    completely positive approach to save Zeugma.''

    SABAH (LIBERAL)

    RADICAL FUNDAMENTALIST POLICE AND CLERKS TO BE DISCHARGED
    Interior Minister Saadettin Tantan, upon a warning by the National Security

    Council, prepared a decree having the force of law (KHK) foreseeing the

    removal from office of those government clerks and policemen who had involved

    in radical fundamentalist activities, and submitted it to the Prime Minister's

    Office. According to the KHK, these persons would not have another chance of

    being employed at public services.

    SECOND REDUCTION TO CREDIT CARD INTERESTS
    Turkish Bank are reducing their credit card interest rates for a second time.

    Following Pamukbank's decision to pull down the credit card interest rate from

    5.95 percent to 5.90 percent, Kocbank has resolved to pull down this rate from

    6.25 to 5.5 percent.

    CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

    GOKCEK ''FREE PASS CARD'' GAME
    Ankara mayor Melih Gokcek distributed 2 million 400,000 free pass bus cards to

    the elderly people in Ankara which has a total population of 3,5 million.

    Ankara Municipality received a bill of 1,5 trillion TL from the Directorate of

    Electricity Gas and Bus (EGO) in June and half of this bill covers the costs

    of free pass bus cards. Gokcek has cancelled the free bus cards which were

    earlier given to the handicapped, retired teachers, foreign students and

    municipality workers.

    HIGH SPEED KILLS 39 PEOPLE IN TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS ON MONDAY
    On Monday, 39 people died and 46 others were injured in the traffic accidents

    that occured all around Turkey. The accident in Malatya resulted in the

    highest number of deaths. 13 people died and seven passengers were injured

    when a minubus driver lost control of the vehicle because of a flat tire and

    crashed head-on into the truck which was coming from the opposite direction.

    Other accidents took place in Elazig, Istanbul, Sakarya, and Ankara's Golbasi

    district.

    RADIKAL (LEFT)

    THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE RAID PARLIAMENT IN TRNC
    About 3,000 people who had their money at the bankcrupt banks in the Turkish

    Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) rebelled when the government failed to pay

    back their investments. ''Bank-victims'' first walked to the Presidency

    building, later they broke into TRNC Parliament and manhandled some of the

    deputies. Prime Minister Dervis Eroglu who was asked to come to the rostrum

    said the ''people will definitely be paid back their cash.'' Later security

    forces took the angry crowd out of Parliament. One person was injured in the

    incident while 29 others were detained.

    SEZER: ''YOK'S SYSTEM WILL CHANGE''
    President Ahmet Necdet Sezer who vetoed the rector candidate list of the

    Higher Education Council (YOK) said the system to elect rectors should change.

    Sezer said the current system is creating mistrust and chaos and he promised

    to members of Lecturers Association (TUMOD) that the current system will

    change.

    YENI BINYIL (LIBERAL)

    POWER COMMUNICATION LINE TO BULGARIA
    A new power communication line will be installed between Turkey and Bulgaria.

    Ivan Shilyashki, Chairman of Bulgaria's State Energy and Energy Sources Agency

    Chairman said that a 260 kilometer-long power communication line between

    Turkey and Bulgaria would be installed, and that Bulgaria's portion would cost

    about 31 million dollars. Shilyashki said that the 200 kilometer portion of

    the line would be within Turkish territory, and each country would be

    responsible of financing its own portion.

    SUSURLUK HEARING LASTS 3 MINUTES
    The 22nd hearing of the Susurluk case was heard yesterday at Istanbul State

    Security Court No 6, but the case was adjourned for one more time, in order to

    give time to one of the defendants to recover from his state of

    unconsciousness. Ugur Onder, Ibrahim Sahin's lawyer said his client had

    rcently had a traffic accident, that he would be undergoing a surgery in the

    month of September, and called for an adjournment. The case was adjourned to

    October 2.

    TURKIYE (RIGHT)

    HYK TO GIVE PASS TO DIGITAL BROADCASTS
    The Supreme Communication Council convened at an extraordinary session

    yesterday under the chairmanship of State Minister and Deputy Prime Minister

    Husamettin Ozkan. The Council agreed to turn on the green light to a shift

    from cable and satellite broadcasts to digital, provided that the

    rearrangements required to secure national interests are made within three

    months.

    VAKIFBANK SUPPORT TO QUAKE STRICKEN INDUSTRIALISTS
    The Vakiflar Bank will provide credits to industrialists who had suffered

    losses in last year's earthquakes. Vakifbank's Project Loans Director Nese

    Aslan Kayacan said about the bank's decision to provide credits to quake

    stricken industrialists, that the bank had reserved a 150 million euro portion

    of a total of 600 million euros provided by the European Bank of Investment,

    to provide as credits in compensation of the losses that the sector suffered.

    ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

    FOURTH EURASIA ISLAM COUNCIL MEETING IN SARAJEVO
    Mehmet Nuri Yilmaz, the Head of Religious Affairs, arrived in Bosnian capital

    of Sarajevo to attend the Fourth Eurasia Islam Council meeting between July

    25-27. Representatives of Turkish Republics in Central Asia, Albaia, Romania,

    Russia, Croatia, Iraq, Yugoslavia, Syria, Bulgaria, Mongolia and Poland will

    be in attendance at the meeting.

    CAGIRICI SENTENCED TO CAPITAL PUNISHMENT
    Trial of 41 members of the illegal Islamic Movement Organization who were

    accused of committing a number of homicides including assasinations of

    journalist-writer Cetin Emec, journalist-writer Turan Dursun, and Iranian

    opponent Ali Aksar Gorbani, and staging bomb attacks held at the Istanbul

    State Security Court (DGM) no: 3. At the end of the trial, Irfan Cagrici, a

    member of the organization's execution council, was sentenced to capital

    punishment on charges of attempting to change the constitutional order with

    armed struggle. The Istanbul DGM no: 3 sentenced four suspects to life in

    prison. While 17 suspects were sentenced to imprisonment terms from three- year-nine-month

    to twelve-year-six-month, 20 suspects were acquitted.

    [02] NSC TO CONVENE ON WEDNESDAY

    ANKARA - The National Security Council (NSC) will convene in Istanbul on

    Wednesday under the chairmanship of President Ahmet Necdet Sezer.

    The monthly meeting of the NSC will start at 02:00 p.m. at the War Academies.

    Following the meeting, President Sezer and members of the NSC will attend

    graduation ceremony at the War Academies.

    [03] FIRE-BOMB ATTACK ON A MINIBUS IN ISTANBUL

    ISTANBUL - Unidentified assailants hurled a fire-bomb on a minibus in

    Bahcelievler district of Istanbul early on Tuesday.

    Fire broke out in the minibus after the bomb went off.

    Fire-fighting teams and local residents extinguished the fire.

    The attack caused major damage in the minibus.

    Officials told the A.A correspondent that the assailants had left a placard

    near the minibus on which name an illegal organization was written.

    A full investigation into the attack is underway.

    [04] SPORTS - SOCCER -BESIKTAS TO PLAY AGAINST PFC LEVSKI SOFIA OF BULGARIA IN EUROPEAN CHAMPIONS LEAGE SECOND QUALIFYING ROUND

    ANKARA - The first leg of the second qualifying round between Besiktas and PFC

    Levski Sofia of Bulgaria will be played on July 26 in Istanbul.

    The match will start at 08:45 p.m.

    Fiorenzo Treossi, Fabrizio Babini and Lorenzo Fornasin of Italy will referee

    the match.

    The second leg will be played in Sofia on August 2.

    The program of first leg matches in the second qualifying round of Euponean

    Champions Leage are as follows:

    06:00 p.m. Shaktar Donetsk (Ukraine) v Levadia Maardu (Estonia)

    07:00 p.m. SK Slavia Prag (Czech Republic) v FC Shamkir (Azerbaijan)

    07:30 p.m. Brondby IF (Denmark) v KR Reykjavik (Iceland)

    07:30 p.m. Zimbru Kisinev (Moldova) v NK Maribor Banik (Slovenia)

    08:00 p.m. Helsingborgs IF (Sweden) v Bate Borisov (Belarus)

    07:00 p.m. Haka Valkeakoska (Finland)v ASK Inter Bratislava (Slovakia)

    09:45 p.m. Glasgow Rangers (Scotland) v FBK Kaunas (Lithuania)

    10:00 p.m. FC Shelbourne (Ireland) v Rosenborg BK Trondheim (Norway)

    09:15 p.m. HNK Hajduk Split (Croatia) v Dunaferr SE (Hungary)

    09:30 p.m. SK Sturm Graz (Austria) v Hapoel Tel Aviv (Israel)

    08:45 p.m. BESIKTAS (Turkey) v PFC Levski Sofia (Bulgaria)

    09:00 p.m. Dinamo Bucharest (Romania) v KP Polonia Warsaw (Poland)

    09:00 p.m. Kizilyildiz Belgrad (Yugoslavia)vTorpedo Kutaisi (Georgia)

    09:00 p.m. Anderlecht (Belgium) v Anorthosis Famagusta (Greek Cypriot

    side)

    [05] SECURITY FORCES INTERCEPT 81 ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS

    ANTALYA - Security forces intercepted on Tuesday 81 people in Aralik township

    of eastern Igdir province who had entered Turkey illegally.

    The immigrants including 77 Pakistanis and 4 Iranians, were taken into custody

    for violating the Turkish borders and the passport law.

    Officials told the A.A correspondent that the illegal immigrants would be

    deported once the legal proceedings are completed.

    [06] HAZELNUT EXPORTS -675 MILLION U.S. DOLLARS OF HAZELNUTS EXPORTED SINCE SEPTEMBER 1, 1999

    GIRESUN - Turkey has obtained 675 million 482 thousand 155 U.S. dollars from

    her exports of hazelnuts since September 1, 1999 which was the first month of

    the 1999-2000 export year.

    Officials at the Black Sea Union of Hazelnut Exporters told the A.A

    correspondent on Tuesday that Turkey exported 194 thousand 434 tonnes of

    hazelnuts, and obtained an income of 675.4 million U.S. dollars.

    Turkey exports hazelnuts mainly to the European countries.

    In the same period last year, Turkey had exported 171 thousand 920 tonnes of

    hazelnuts, and obtained an income of 711 million 634 thousand 873 U.S.

    dollars.

    [07] TWO MONUMENTS AT FLEET COMMANDERSHIP TO IMMORTALIZE THOSE WHO DIED AT LAST YEAR'S EARTHQUAKE

    ANKARA - Two monuments have been built at the Fleet Commandership to remember

    the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) personnel who lost their lives at last year's

    devastating earthquake.

    Naval Forces Commandership said in a written statement that the 441 people who

    died on August 17 will be immortalized by the monuments which will open with a

    ceremony on Wednesday. The monuments, one built in the Headquarts Building and

    the other at the Naval Officers House, bear the names of those who lost their

    lives in the quake.

    Chief of General Staff Huseyin Kivrikoglu, Land Forces Commander Atilla Ates,

    Naval Forces Commander Ilhami Erdil, Air Forces Commander Ergin Celasin and

    Gendarme General Commander Resim Betir will be present at the opening

    ceremony. President Ahmet Necdet Sezer is also expected to attend the

    ceremony.

    People who lost their relatives, including the family of British Major James

    Shermor Acton who was staying at the military guest house when the quake

    stroke, have been invited to the ceremony.

    [08] DEPOSITORS' DEMONSTRATION IN TRNC -NUMBER OF DETAINEES INCREASES TO 55

    LEFKOSA - Number of detainess increased to 55 on Tuesday after yesterday's

    demonstration of depositors in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC).
    Officials told the A.A correspondent that following overnight's search and

    investigation, number of detainees which was declared as 29, increased to

    55.

    A full investigation into the incidents is underway in the TRNC.

    Meanwhile, those who were injured during the incidents and taken to the Dr.

    Burhan Nalbantoglu State Hospital for medical treatment, are in good

    condition.

    Officials told the A.A correspondent that 17 out of 19 people who were taken

    to the hospital, were discharged after their medical treatments were

    completed.

    Meanwhile, the Turkish Cypriot newspapers covered the story on their first

    pages. The newspapers defended that provocateurs distorted righful

    demonstration of the depositors.

    A group of nearly 2 thousand depositors who demanded repayment of their

    savings at banks which were sequestrated by the state, stormed the parliament

    building by breaking doors and windows. They later continued their

    demonstration in the General Assembly Hall by throwing all official documents

    into the air, and chanting slogans urging President Rauf Denktas and the

    government to resign.

    [09] ERBAKAN, FORMER LEADER OF BANNED RP, APPLIES TO ECHR

    ANKARA - Sevket Kazan, a former deputy from the banned Welfare Party (RP),

    said on Tuesday that they had applied to the European Court of Rights (ECHR)

    with the request of suspension of implementation of court ruling about

    Necmettin Erbakan, the former leader of the RP.

    Kazan recalled that the Appeals Court had upheld one-year imprisonment

    sentence against Erbakan in accordance with the second paragraph of Article

    312 of the Turkish Penal Code (TCK).

    Noting that Erbakan would apply to the Appleas Court Republican Chief

    Prosecutor's Office for the correction of the verdict, Kazan said that a

    request for correction of verdict did not prevent implementation of court

    ruling in accordance with the Criminal Trial Procedure Law.

    Kazan said that Erbakan's French lawyer had applied to the ECHR with the

    request of suspenzion of the implementation of court ruling.

    Kazan added that their application also included their objections regarded

    with the merits of the case.

    [10] MOSAIC PIECE WHICH WAS STOLEN FROM ZEUGMA 32 YEARS AGO TO BE PLACED ON ITS ORIGINAL SPOT

    GAZIANTEP - Gaziantep Culture Director Hasan Eliacik said that the mosaic

    piece which was stolen from Zeugma ancient city 32 years ago will be placed

    back to its original spot. The mosaic was brought back to Turkey from the U.S.

    on June 19.

    Eliacik told A.A correspondent that the mosaic depicting the love of Partenope

    and Metiox has been put together by experts and it will be promoted to public

    by a ceremony which will be attended by Culture Minister Istemihan Talay.

    Eliacik said the mosaic, after the ceremony, will be restored and it will open

    to visitors soon.

    The mosaic which is 2,5 meters to 2,5 meters was found in the U.S. in 1993

    through the joint efforts of Gaziantep Museum and Prof. david Kennedy from

    West Australia University. It was found out that the mosaic was stolen from

    Turkey in 1968. Through the initiative of Istemihan Talay, the valuable piece

    was brought home on June 19.

    [11] CYPRUS PROXIMITY TALKS -TRNC PRESIDENT DENKTAS: ''THE STATE IS ON DUTY''

    GENEVA - Official contacts held within the second stage of the third round of

    Cyprus proximity talks are continuing on Tuesday, in Geneva under the

    mediation of the United Nations.

    Alvaro de Soto, U.N Secretary General Kofi Annan's Special Cyprus

    Representative met on Tuesday morning with President Rauf Denktas of the

    Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC).

    Speaking to Greek Cypriot reporters about Monday's incidents in the TRNC,

    Denktas said that similar things were taking place also in the Greek Cypriot

    sector, but that this did not mean that the State was not on duty, watching

    over its people.''

    De Soto was to meet with Greek Cypriot leader Glafcos Clerides after his

    meeting with Denktas.

    The second stage of the third round of proximity talks are expected to last

    until August 4.

    [12] CHINESE CONSUL GENERAL SAYS TRADE VOLUME BETWEEN TURKEY AND CHINA SHOULD INCREASE

    BURSA - Istanbul Consul General of China, Kun Xu said on Tuesday that the

    trade volume between his country and Turkey should further increase.

    Kun Xu who paid a visit of courtesy to Bursa governor Ali Fuat Guven said that

    the Chinese economy has been growing very rapidly in the last decade and added

    that the economic crisis which hit the southeast Asia could not even stop this

    growth. Kun Xu stated that China's growth rate is expected to be about seven

    percent this year.

    Noting that Turkey and China enjoy very good political relations, Kun Xu said

    the trade volume should also increase as parallel to the good relations.

    Kun Xu said last year's trade volume was 700 million U.S. dollars. ''This

    figure should increase because there is a big potential between the two

    countries. Both sides should work hard to increase their trade volume.''

    The economic recovery in China is also pulling up the prosperity level in the

    country, he said and noted that last year many Chinese people travelled

    outside China as tourists. Kun Xu said there will be a sharp rise in the

    number of Chinese tourists visiting Turkey if the Chinese economy further

    improves in the coming years.

    [13] COUNCIL OF MINISTERS CONVENES

    ANKARA - The Council of Ministers convened on Tuesday under the chairmanship

    of Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit.

    Mesut Yilmaz, the leader of the Motherland Party (ANAP) who was appointed as

    the deputy prime minister and minister of state on July 13, is also in

    attendance at the meeting which started at 11:00 a.m.

    At the meeting, the Council of Ministers will take a decision about the tender

    for Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant.

    Husamettin Ozkan, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State, and Tunca

    Toskay, the State Minister, will inform the Council of Ministers on the recent

    economic developments.

    Selcuk Demiralp, the Undersecretary of Treasury; Kursad Tuzmen, the

    Undersecretary of Foreign Trade; Muzaffer Selvi, the Director General of the

    Turkish Electricity Production and Distribution Corp (TEAS); and Ahmet

    Kilicoglu, the Director General of the Eximbank, are also in attendance at the

    meeting.

    [14] TALABANI, LEADER OF PUK, IN TURKEY

    ANKARA - Jalal Talabani, the leader of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK)

    of Iraq, arrived in Ankara on Monday to hold talks.

    Addressing journalists at the Esenboga Airport in Ankara after his arrival,

    Talabani said that he came to Turkey from Syrian capital of Damascus.

    When asked of news reports claiming that President Saddam Hussein of Iraq was

    preparing to stage an attack on Sulaymaniyah, Talabani said, ''these news

    reports are not new. We hear about such news reports from time to time. But I

    do not suppose that Saddam could stage such an attack.''

    When asked whether or not he would request support from Turkey, Talabani, ''we

    always want support of our friends.''

    Meanwhile, the second meeting of the Peace Monitoring Group that was scheduled

    to be held later today, was postponed due to Talabani's visit to Turkey.

    The first meeting of the Peace Monitoring Group was held last week in

    Ankara.

    The Peace Monitoring Group was set up to protect cease-fire between Iraqi

    Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK).

    [15] NORDIC INVESTMENT BANK DELEGATION VISITS GAP

    SANLIURFA - A delegation from the Nordic Investment Bank which provided

    foreign loan for Sanliurfa's Yaylik Valley irrigation project is visiting

    southeastern Sanliurfa and Adiyaman provinces.

    GAP Regional Development Administration authorities told A.A correspondent on

    Tuesday that the bidding for the Yaylak Valley project took place some time

    ago and the project will provide irrigation to 20,000 hectares of land.

    Nordic Investment Bank delegation which is formed by six representatives have

    been briefed on the latest situation at GAP by the authorities. The delegation

    later went to Yaylak Valley.

    Delegation members will later visit Ataturk Dam and Hydro Electric Power

    Plant. On Wednesday, the delegation will tour some historical sites in

    Adiyaman before they leave Turkey.

    [16] TRANS-CASPIAN OIL PIPELINE PROJECT -DRAFT, CONFIRMING CONVENIENCE OF INTERGOVERNMENTAL DECLARATION SUBMITTED TO THE PARLIAMENT

    ANKARA - The draft confirming the convenience of the intergovernmental

    declaration, pertaining to the realisation of the Trans-Caspian Oil Pipeline

    project, was submitted to the Parliament on Tuesday.

    In the draft, it was said that the purpose in the signing of the

    Intergovernmental Declaration Pertaining to the Implementation Principles of

    the Trans-Caspian oil Pipeline Project was to encourage domestic and foreign

    investors to take part in transportation projects through the host countries,

    namely Turkmenistan, Georgia, Azerbaijan, and Turkey, to establish a regional

    pipeline network that would be sufficient enough to meet the demands of the

    countries concerned, to form an export pipeline network in the region, and to

    develop a project that would eventually transport Turkoman natural gas to

    Turkey and from there, to European markets.

    It also said that the signatories had agreed to provide the necessary support

    to sponsors, which they could need to complete the project before the end of

    the last quarter of the year 2002.

    ''Turkey has been developing various projects in order to meet her increasing

    demand for energy and create reliable and economical alternatives to diversify

    her energy resources on one hand, and to become one of the major energy

    terminals of the world on the other. The Trans-Caspian Oil Pipeline Project is

    not only an economical alternative for Turkey in meeting her increasing

    demands, but also one, that is strategically important in the integration of

    the regional countries with the west.

    This project will become part of the pipeline network that will be formed

    along the East-West Energy Corridor, together with the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan

    Main Oil Pipeline.

    With these facts in hand, the approval of the aforementioned declaration,

    which includes stipulations pertaining to the realisation of the Trans- Caspian

    Natural Gas Pipeline Project that is to contribute greatly to Turkey's

    political and economic priorities, is highly significant,'' the draft said.

    [17] NIGERIAN PRESIDENT OBASANJO DEPARTS FROM TURKEY

    ISTANBUL - Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, who was in Turkey on an

    official visit, took off from Istanbul's Ataturk Airport for home at 01:15

    p.m. on Tuesday.

    President Obasanjo was seen off by State Minister Edip Safder Gaydali,

    Governor of Istanbul Erol Cakir, Istanbul Central Base Commander General

    Niyazi Hatipoglu, Police Chief Hasan Ozdemir and various other officials.

    [18] TREASURY ARRANGES THREE-MONTH BOND TENDER

    ANKARA - The Treasury Undersecretariat arranged a three--month bond tender on

    Tuesday.

    The bonds will be issued on July 26 while the repayment of bonds will be

    realized on October 25, 2000.

    The Treasury realized a net sale of 307 trillion Turkish Liras (TL) at the

    tender.

    Meanwhile, Treasury will realize 429 trillion 836 billion TL in domestic

    borrowing repayment on July 26.

    [19] DRAFT LAW APPROVING EUROPEAN CONVENTION OF CHILDREN'S RIGHTS SENT TO PARLIAMENT

    ANKARA - Draft law approving the European Convention of Children's Rights has

    been presented to the Parliament Chairmanship.

    The European Convention of Children's Rights is based on the 4th and 12th

    articles of the UN Children's Rights Convention which expects the countries

    which signed the convention to take all types of legal, administrative and

    other measures to protect children's rights and enable children to express

    their views on every field freely.

    The convention proposes to give legal rights to children which aims to protect

    children's rights as a human being and an individual. Some points in the

    convention aim to facilitate children to use their rights or another

    institution or person to use these rights on behalf of the children.

    The convention also intends to allow children express their opinions at a

    court during family trials such as divorce. The convention says children's

    views should be taken into consideration and the court should decide on a

    solution which would benefit the children most.

    The convention suggests to form a common international attitude to set up

    institutional mechanisms which will guarantee that the court decision will be

    applied.

    Turkey had earlier stated that it will act in line with the convention in

    cases related to divorce, guardianship of children, and parent-children

    relationships.

    [20] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT: (1) -''IT WILL BE APPROPRIATE TO POSTPONE TENDER FOR NUCLEAR POWER PLANT''

    ANKARA - Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said on Tuesday, ''it will be

    appropriate to postpone tender for nuclear power plant for a period of

    time.''

    Addressing journalists following the Council of Ministers meeting, Prime

    Minister Ecevit said, ''as a country that had decided construction of a number

    of natural gas and hydroelectric power plants, it is unnecessary for us, for

    the time being, to invest in nuclear energy like the other member countries to

    the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). At the same

    time, it is inconvenient in regard to our economy. Our economic stability

    program can be seriously hampered.''

    Prime Minister Ecevit added, ''eventually, it will be appropriate to postpone

    the tender for nuclear power plant for a period of time. Cancellation of

    tender for Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant will not mean giving up nuclear energy.''

    [21] HASIPOGLU, ACTING PRESIDENT OF TRNC: -''YESTERDAY'S INCIDENTS WERE PROVOKED BY ANTI-STATE ORGANIZATIONS WHICH ARE PRO-GREEK CYPRIOT SIDE''

    LEFKOSA - Ertugrul Hasipoglu, the Acting President of the Turkish Republic of

    Northern Cyprus (TRNC) and Speaker of Parliament, said on Tuesday, ''yesterday's

    demonstrations held by depositors were provoked by anti-state parties, trade

    unions and organizations who are pro-Greek Cypriot side.''

    Addressing a press conference, Hasipoglu said, ''security forces launched an

    investigation following the incidents and determined ten provocateurs among

    the depositors.''

    Hasipoglu said that the incidents were taken under control as a result of

    determined attitude of the Security Forces Commandership.

    He told reporters, ''the parliament is not an executive organ. It is the main

    source of democracy reflecting the people's will. No one can reach anywhere by

    storming the parliament. I wish such incidents would not occur again.''

    ''There may be circles who want to benefit from the situation in the country.

    Our people should claim their rights with common-sense. They should not be

    provoked by these circles. It is very meaningful that these incidents had

    coincided with the third round of proximity talks in Geneva, Switzerland. We

    are experiencing a very critical period. A concensus should be provided.

    Otherwise, such incidents may lead to a change in the regime,'' he stressed.

    Noting that the depositors were righful, Hasipoglu told reporters, ''the

    government could not keep its promises due to recent economic difficulties.

    The government plans to pay back depositors' savings at the banks which were

    sequestrated by the state, by dividing into 18 instalment. The first three

    payments have already been made. Jurisdiction process regarding the banks in

    question should not be delayed.''

    Hasipoglu said that 53 people were arrested during yesterday's incidents.

    He added that three police vehicles and six official vehicles were damaged in

    the incidents.

    Meanwhile, seven detainees are expected to stand trial later today on charges

    of damaging state's properties.

    [22] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT: (2) -THE CANCELLATION OF TENDER FOR AKKUYU NUCLEAR STATION DOES NOT MEAN THAT WE QUIT CONSIDERING NUCLEAR ENERGY''

    ANKARA - The tender for the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Station wa cancelled on

    Tuesday. Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit, in a statement he made in the wake of

    this development, said that the cancellation of the tender did not mean that

    Turkey would quit considering nuclear power in the future.

    ''The Council of Ministers are in full accord in their decision to take up the

    nuclear power station issue, once the economic program reaches its targets, ''

    he stressed.

    Prime Minister Ecevit, who made a statement pertaining to the cancellation of

    the tender for Akkuyu Nuclear Power Station during the Council of Ministers

    meeting, which started at 11.00 hours and which is still continuing said:

    ''The Council of Ministers have agreed to make an assessment of the Turkish

    Atomic Energy Authority (TAEK) report. According to this report, the Chernobyl

    disaster occurred not when the station was at production, but during an

    experiment. The report also stresses on the negligence of the Soviet

    authorities of the time, who had not taken into consideration the fact that

    such a reactor needed steel protection buildings. There exists and operates

    many nuclear power stations in neighboring countries, whose technological

    standards are not so up-to-date, and which again carry the risk of causing

    disasters. This means that Turkey will still be under the threat of a possible

    disaster even if she does not have any nuclear stations.

    Nuclear power stations are not a threat against tourism either. One of the

    most popular countries that tourists choose to go, is France, which at the

    same time, has the greatest number of nuclear power stations within its

    borders. We have other reasons to delay the construction of a nuclear station

    in Turkey, reasons that have to do with our economy.''

    Ecevit pointed out that Turkey did not need to consider nuclear power stations

    for the time-being, and added:

    ''It would be better if we consider building nuclear power stations after we

    have solved our economic problems. It is better for us to put the 'nuclear'

    file to the shelf, and not take it down until we have implemented the whole

    economic reform program successfully.

    The TAEK report says that natural gas resources could fall insufficient only

    after 15 or 20 years. Then, we might reconsider nuclear energy as an

    alternative.

    When and if natural gas shortage emerges as a serious problem, we will, most

    probably need more than one nuclear power stations. But at present, we have no

    financial sources for such a thing. And the Treasury Undersecretariat has

    warned us against this financial situation.

    According to the TAEK report, nuclear power station designers are working on

    projects that would reduce the cost of future generation power stations by 25

    percent, and prolong their operational lives to 40-50 years.

    Since we are not faced with serious energy problems for the time being, and

    since we'd better concentrate on solving our economic problems, it would be

    much better if we consider a nuclear power station after 10 or 20 years from

    now.''

    (end)

    [23] ECEVIT: ''TAKING DECISIONS UNANIMOUSLY AT MGK MEETINGS HAVE BEEN A BENEFICIAL TRADITION''

    ANKARA - Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said on Tuesday that compromising and

    taking decisions unanimously has been a beneficial tradition at the National

    Security Council (MGK).

    Following his statement during which he announced that the Akkuyu Nuclear

    Power Project has been postponed once again, Ecevit answered reporters'

    questions.

    When reminded of Chief of General Staff Huseyin Kivrikoglu's words regarding

    increasing the number of civilian members in the MGK, Ecevit said ''Kivrikoglu

    only stressed a truth with his statement.'' ''Taking decisions unanimously and

    through compromise at MGK meetings has been a beneficial tradition.''

    Responding to another question, Ecevit said he has no information about the

    decree having the power of law which foresees dismissing civil servants who

    were involved in fundamentalist and separatist acts.

    [24] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT: -''WE SHALL HAVE A NUCLEAR POWER STATION ONE DAY. IT IS JUST A MATTER OF TIME''

    ANKARA - Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said on Tuesday, that sooner or later,

    Turkey would have a nuclear power station, adding, ''It is just a matter of

    time.''

    Prime Minister Ecevit told reporters that Turkey could have her own nuclear

    power station 15-20 years from now, that all the participants of the Council

    of Ministers meeting were in accord over Turkey's adoption of nuclear energy,

    but that it was just a matter of time.

    In reply to a question on when the Energy and Natural Resources Ministry

    report pertaining to limitations of electricity consumption would be issued,

    Ecevit said that they were still working on the report.

    [25] FOURTH EURASIA ISLAM COUNCIL MEETING STARTS IN SARAJEVO

    SARAJEVO - Mehmet Nuri Yilmaz, the Head of Religious Affairs, said on Tuesday,

    ''adherents of three monotheistic faiths should work together to provide peace

    and happiness.''

    The Fourth Eurasia Islam Council meeting started at the Holiday Inn Hotel in

    Bosnian capital of Sarajevo with participation of 49 religious leaders from 26

    countries and 10 autonomous regions.

    Addressing the opening session of the meeting, Yilmaz said, ''we have decided

    to hold the meeting in Bosnia-Herzegovina because it is a country in the

    middle of Europe which is densely populated by Muslims.''

    Yilmaz said, ''human has been asking questions 'who am I?', 'where do I come

    from and where do I go?', 'what is the purpose of my existence?' since the

    beginning of his existence. Religion responded his questions. Philosophers and

    metaphysicians tried to respond these questions. But only religion's answers

    were satisfied the human. The religion aims at unifying people by leading them

    to happiness. Adherents of three monotheistic faiths should work together to

    provide peace and happiness.''

    Jack Klayn, a representative of the United Nations, underlined importance of

    dialoque among different cultures and religious beliefs in efforts to provide

    peace in the world.

    Prime Minister Ethem Bicakcic of Bosnian Federation was also in attendance at

    the opening session of the three-day meeting.

    Meanwhile, Yildirim Akbulut, the Speaker of Parliament; Prime Minister Bulent

    Ecevit; Devlet Bahceli, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State; Mesut

    Yilmaz, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State; Husamettin Ozkan, the

    Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State; and Recai Kutan, the leader of

    the Virtue Party (FP) sent congratulary messages to Yilmaz.

    [26] NIGERIAN PRESIDENT OBASANJO INVITES TURKISH BUSINESSMEN TO HIS COUNTRY

    ISTANBUL - Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo said on Tuesday, that his

    country was presently in a process of reconstruction and democratisation after

    15 years of military rule, and called on Turkish businessmen to make

    investments in his country.

    ''There are very profitable investment opportunities in Nigeria for Turkish

    companies,'' Obasanjo said.

    Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo and the delegation accompanying him

    attended a meeting on Tuesday, organised by the Foreign Economic Affairs

    Council (DEIK), and had talks with the representatives of Turkish business

    circles.

    Noting that Turkish and Nigerian busines circles could cooperate in launching

    joint projects in Nigeria in the fields of energy, natural gas, oil, mining,

    potable water, food, agriculture and various branches of industries, and said:

    ''We have to further develop our economic cooperation relations with Turkey, a

    country with which Nigeria has been entertaining good and friendly relations

    for centuries. We invite Turkish businessmen to Nigeria, to make investments

    and run businesses. Nigeria has rich natural resources, so it has much to

    offer to Turkish businessmen. Our sources are rich, but we are in need of

    investments to exploit them.''

    DEIK Executive Board Director Yavuz Zeytinoglu said that the trade volume

    between Turkey and Nigeria had been around 61 million dollars in the year

    1999, 37 million being exports from Turkey and 24 million exports from Nigeria,

    and that the major Turkish goods exported to Nigeria were non-metal minerals,

    iron and steel, textiles, vitamins, and medicine.

    He went on to say that 21 million worth of Turkey's imports from Nigeria was

    constituted by natural gas, and that the remainder, by oily seeds, fruits,

    coffee, tea, and various spices.

    State Minister Edip Safter Gaydali, Governor of Istanbul Erol Cakir, Mayor of

    Istanbul Ali Mufit Gurtuna, Turkey's Ambassador to Nigeria Sahin Kaya,

    Assembly Speaker of the Istanbul Chamber of Trade Atalay Sahinoglu and various

    Turkish businessmen attended the DEIK meeting.

    [27] CYPRUS PROXIMITY TALKS -PRESIDENT DENKTAS OF TRNC: ''PROXIMITY TALKS ARE GOING WELL''

    GENEVA - President Rauf Denktas of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC)

    said on Tuesday, ''the third round of proximity talks in Geneva, Switzerland,

    are going well.''

    Addressing journalists following his meeting with Alvaro de Soto, the Special

    Representative of United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan to Cyprus,

    President Denktas said, ''they listened to us and invited to talks again. We

    do not know when we will hold talks again, but we have been satisfied with the

    talks.''

    Meanwhile, the United Nations officials said that de Soto would not come

    together with Glafcos Clerides, the leader of the Greek Cypriot administration,

    today.

    Referring to yesterday's incidents, President Denktas called on the depositors

    to remain calm.

    He stressed that the depositors' problems would be resolved soon.

    President Denktas added that the government should keep its promises.

    [28] MINISTERS COUNCIL MEETING -STATE MINISTER TOSKAY SAYS THEY DISCUSSED SEE'S AND DEVELOPMENTS IN FOREIGN TRADE IN LAST SIX MONTHS

    ANKARA - State Minister Tunca Toskay said on Tuesday that at the Ministers

    Council meeting they have discussed the public economic enterprises (SEEs) and

    the developments in the foreign trade in the last six months.

    ''The currency and parity situation caused by the economic policy is

    negatively affecting our export but the figures are not worrying and they are

    going quite well,'' Toskay said.

    A committee of three ministers headed by Deputy Prime Minister Husamettin

    Ozkan will work on the measures that need to be taken to remove the obstacles

    in front of export and to support export.

    Speaking about the SEEs, Toskay said they first focused on those which are in

    energy sector. He added that Ozkan and Treasury Undersecretary Selcuk Demiralp

    informed the Ministers Council about these institutions.

    Toskay said the Ministers Council has taken some decisions of principle but he

    declined to say what these decisions these were. However, he noted that they

    have agreed to carry out more detailed studies regarding other measures.

    Dwelling on the foreign trade, Toskay said at the meeting they had a

    presentation about the developments in the foreign trade in the last six

    months. The presentation, he noted, tried to draw a general picture of the

    economy including balance sheet of payments, foreign trade, production,

    capacity usage rates and price changes.

    According to the figures of the Exporters Associations, the export increase in

    the last six months was 4.9 percent, he said and stressed that this should

    continue increasingly.

    ''Works have started these days to prepare the budget and economic programme

    of 2001. While these are at the beginning stage, we will carry out studies to

    remove the obstacles in front of export, and to take measures to support

    export.''

    ''To carry out these studies, a committee will be formed under the supervision

    of Deputy Prime Minister Ozkan and it will include me and State Minister in

    charge of economy Recep Onal,'' Toskay said.

    [29] GEORGIAN FOREIGN MINISTER MENAGARISHVILI IN TURKEY

    TRABZON - Ismail Cem, the Foreign Minister, said on Tuesday, ''Georgia is a

    key country in Turkey's policy towards Caucasus.''

    Cem met with his Georgian counterpart Irakli Menagarishvili in Trabzon

    province in the Black Sea Region.

    The meeting focused on recent regional and international developments.

    Addressing journalists following the meeting, Cem said, ''Georgia is a key

    country in Turkey's policy towards Caucasus. We tried to assist Georgia in its

    recent political dificulties. We contributed to its territorial integrity and

    security. Our contributions will continue in the future.''

    Noting that they had exchange opinions on the issues of Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan

    oil pipeline and East-West energy corridors at the meeting, Cem said, ''we

    discussed security of joint natural gas lines. Host countries will undertake

    great responsibilities in providing security of the lines. We envisage to work

    together with contribution of all relevant countries.''

    ''The issue of using Gargabani Electricity Power Plant in Georgia was also

    taken up at the meeting. We will convey our opinions to our energy ministers

    in coming days. Another issue that was discussed at the meeting was Caucasian

    Stability Pact. We have decided to further develop the Caucasian Stability

    Pact. Materialization of the pact depends on peace in Caucasus,'' Cem told

    reporters.

    Referring to importance of Kars-Tbilisi Railway, Cem said, ''this route will

    not connect only Turkey and Georgia to each other. It will connect whole

    Caucasus to Western and Eastern Europe. But we have some difficulties in

    financing the project. It is expected to cost about 1 billion 200 million U.S.

    dollars. Turkey cannot undertake it on its own. Joint works are continuing

    between the two countries.''

    Meanwhile, Menagarishvilli said in his part that Turkey had an important role

    in Georgia's acquisition of its independence and its integration with Europe.

    He added that Turkey's role became much bigger after its candidacy to the

    European Union (EU) was announced at last year's Helsinki Summit.

    [30] 19 INMATES TRANSFERRED TO OTHER PRISONS FOLLOWING INCIDENTS AT NEVSEHIR PRISON IN WHICH ONE PERSON WAS KILLED

    NEVSEHIR - A total of 19 inmates were transferred to other prisons on Tuesday

    following the incidents at Nevsehir Prison in which one inmate was killed

    while two others were injured.

    Isik Keskin Ozbay, the Republican Chief Prosecutor in Nevsehir, told the A.A

    correspondent that 19 inmates who were involved in the incidents were

    transferred to prisons in Pozanti, Nigde, Sinop, Samsun, Gumushane, Ordu,

    Giresun and Trabzon due to security reasons.

    Ozbay said that security forces seized 12 skewers during the search in the

    prison building.

    Fighting broke out among inmates at C-8 and D-2 wards of the Nevsehir Prison

    on Sunday due to ongoing bullying. Erdal Asal who was sentenced to life

    imprisonment on charges of committing homicide, was killed in the fighting

    while Kadir Yilmaz and Sacit Caki were injured. Administrative and judicial

    investigation has been launched against 50 inmates who were involved in the

    fighting.


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