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Anadolu Agency: News in English, 00-08-08Anadolu Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Anadolu Agency Home Page at <http://www.anadoluajansi.com.tr/>Anadolu AgencyANADOLU AGENCY NEWS 08 AUGUST 2000 Tuesday CONTENTS
[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCANThese are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in Turkey's press on August 8, 2000. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.HURRIYET (LIBERAL)OUR TEAMS IN EXAMINATIONBesiktas will play a match with Lokomotiv Moskova in Inonu Stadium in Istanbul to join the Champs League while Antalyaspor will play its first match in pre-elimanary tour for the UEFA Cup with Kapaz Ganja in Baku. Galatasaray will play a match with St.Gallen in Switzerland on Wednesday. HEROIN WORTH OF 2.5 TRILLION TL MILLIYET (LIBERAL)RAIN EXPECTED IN MARMARA AND BLACK SEATurkey which was under influence of normal seasonal temperatures, will be under influence of a rainy wave in the following days. Rain is expected in the east of Marmara Region and the Black Sea coasts. Officials of Meteorology General Directorate said that it will be rainy in Marmara and Black Sea regions on August 10 and 11. SABAH (LIBERAL)APO BECOMES A BOOK WARMPKK leader Abdullah Ocalan read 72 books including the Homer's Illiad and Einstein's Relativity Theory, in the 1.5 years he spent in his prison cell in Imrali island. After reading some major works in western and eastern mithology, Ocalan started reading books on various religions as well as works of Shakespeare and Goethe. Psychologist Alanur Ozalp said that this could be because of Ocalan's worries to have a new intellectual accumulation. RELIGIOUS AFFAIRS FOUNDATION UNDER SCRUTINY CUMHURIYET (LEFT)STUDENTS FROM SOUTHEAST IN ISTANBULA total of 35 students including 17 girls who are living in southeastern Mardin, Mus, Diyarbakir and Batman provinces, arrived in Istanbul as the guests of Air War Academy. Students who landed at Yesilkoy Military Airport, were welcomed by Ali Derya Cinar, Air War Academy Commandership's Protocol Director. OPERATION IN SOUTHEAST CAKMAKOGLU IN MOLDOVA RADIKAL (LEFT)GOVERNMENT LOOKING FOR A SOLUTION IN CANDLE LIGHTThe government is taking various measures to deal with the energy shortage. After issuring a circular asking people to economize on electricity, the government is now working to collect the 400 trillion TL which many institutions owe the government. It will soon issue another circular to cut off the electricity of institutions which fail to pay their debts. In the meantime, works have been intensified to meet the energy demand which increases ten percent every year. Afsin-Elbistan power plant's damaged unit will be repaired, the Birecik Dam will start production in November and Can power plant will be completed in the next three years as a part of the efforts to meet Turkey's electricity need. LABOUR PLATFORM GETTING READY TO VISIT SEZER YENI BINYIL (LIBERAL)SECURITY FORCES INTERCEPT 80 ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTSSecurity forces intercepted 80 foreigners in Meric and Ipsala townships of northwestern Edirne province in the last three days as they were trying to proceed to Greece illegally. The immigrants including Iranians, Iraqis, Afghans, Azerbaijanis, Pakistanis and Moroccans, were taken into custody for violating the Turkish borders and the passport law. They will be deported once the legal proceedings are completed. TURKEY, DO NOT SLEEP ON AUGUST 17 TOURISM COOPERATION BETWEEN TURKEY AND UKRAINE TURKIYE (RIGHT)TURKEY REQUESTS EXTRADITION OF ERDAL AGAINHikmet Sami Turk, the Justice Minister, sent a letter to his Belgian counterpart Marc Verwilghen, and requested extradition of Fehriye Erdal, a member of the illegal Revolutionary People's Liberation Party-Front (DHKP- C) and one of the suspects of assasination of businessman Ozdemir Sabanci in 1996. TRAFFIC ACCIDENT CLAIM 59 LIVES BESIKTAS TO PLAY WITH LOCOMOTIV MOSCOW OF RUSSIA ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)OPERATION WIDENEDFake invoice worth of 35 trillion Turkish liras (TL) was confiscated during operations against fictitious exports in Aegean Izmir province. Twenty people were taken into custody during operations. TURKEY HOLIDAY TO TEN U.S. COUPLE [02] TURKISH-GREEK FRIENDSHIP IN HARBIYE OPEN AIR THEATREISTANBUL - Famous Turkish singer Sezen Aksu and famous Greek singer Haris Alexiou gave on Monday night a joint concert in Harbiye Open Air Theatre in Istanbul.Aksu and Alexiou, who took the stage together at the beginning of the concert, sang a Greek song together. Alexiou, who later took the stage alone, sang 14 songs, including songs composed from Greek poems and by Theodarakis, Vardis and Mikroutsikos. After Sezen Aksu had sung eight songs, two singers again took the stage together and sang Turkish songs named ''Sarisin'' and ''Doktor Civanim''. Haris Alexiou will give two concerts in Harbiye Open Air Theatre on August 8 and 9. [03] ADMIRAL ERDIL LEAVES FOR ROMANIAANKARA - Admiral Ilhami Erdil, the Commander of Naval Forces, left for Romania on Tuesday as the official guest of his Romanian counterpart Admiral Traian Atanasiu.Admiral Erdil meet with Admiral Atanasiu and visit several military facilities in Romania. He will lay a wreath to the Turkish Military Cemetery in Romanian capital of Bucharest on Friday. After paying a visit to General Mircea Chelaru, the Romanian Chief of General Staff, Admiral Erdil is expected to return to Turkey later in the same day. [04] 15,645 HECTARES OF FOREST BURNT BETWEEN JANUARY AND JULYANKARA - A total of 15,645 hectares of forest were burnt between January and July 2000.In accordance with the reports of the Forestry Ministry, a total of 1,118 forest fires broke out in first seven months of 2000. A total of 914 forest fires broke out in first seven months of 1999 in which 1,511 hectares of forest were destroyed. Forest fires increased ten times in first seven months of 2000 when compared with the same period in 1999. Almost half of forest fires in first seven months of 2000 broke out due to ''negligence and ''carelessness.'' Some fires broke out due to the fire lit by a shepherd, a cigarette bud, or picnickers. A total of 196 forest fires broke out as people intended to have some fields for cultivation. [05] TURKEY-AFGHANISTAN -GENERAL ABDULMELIK KHAN SAYS THEY EXPECT TURKEY'S SUPPORTANKARA - General Abdulmelik Khan, a member of the ally group fighting against Taleban in Afghanistan said they are in difficult situation and expected Turkey's support.Abdulmelik Khan told A.A that Afghanistan experienced serious financial troubles after Taleban's rule and that people went to Pakistan to work in return of food and shelter. Abdulmelik Khan claimed that about 5,000 people of Turkish origin were killed after Taleban entered Afghanistan's northern region, and the relatives of these people were sold like slaves in Pakistan. He noted that mostly Taleban benefited from the humanitarian aid Turkey has sent to Afghanistan so far. ''Turkey forgot us for the last three years,'' he reproached. ''About 40,000 people fighting in Afghanistan have great expectations from Turkey. We are always expecting Turkey's support,'' he said. Noting that he came to Turkey a week ago together with General Abdulrasid Dostum, Abdulmelik said he asked for an appointment from Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit and now he is waiting for a reply from him. He also said he met with State Minister Abdulhaluk Cay and representatives from the Foreign Ministry where he reiterated that they need Turkey's support. The Foreign Ministry undertook a project to improve 500 water sources in Kabul as a part of the humanitarian aid for Afghanistan. Turkey will finance the 20,000 U.S. dollar project. The only dialysis machine that is in working condition in Afghanistan was set up by Turkey in Ataturk Children's Hospital in Kabul. Foreign Ministry officials visited Afghanistan twice in the last two years and had meetings with the ousted state minister Rabbani. During the contacts with Taliban, Turkish authorities made it clear that it was not possible for Turkey to recognize this organization. Abdulmelik Khan said they have ended the animosity with General Rasid Dostum and now they are fighting in the same front against Taleban. He noted that he is in charge of political affairs of the their ally group while Dostum is responsible for military matters. [06] YOUNG PEOPLE FROM 7 COUNTRIES GATHER IN CAPPADOCIANEVSEHIR - A total of 32 young people from seven countries gathered in Nevsehir's Avanos township on Tuesday as a part of the ''Jeunesse Sans Frontiere'' project of the French based Youth Express Network institution.Youth Services General Coordinator Ertugrul Senoglu told A.A correspondent that the project aims to bring together young people from different cultures. A total of 32 young people from Turkey, France, Italy, Portugal, Jordan, Bulgaria, and Britain came together at Yiltok Hotel in Avanos. The young people will be trained by Italian dancer and actor Elvire Frosini and French social worker Wima Farzan on dancing and kite making. This way, people from different cultures come together and get to know each other's culture creating an atmosphere of tolerance. The training will last eight days and the participants will also have the chance to see the region's tourism attractions during the activity. [07] NARCOTICS OFFICIALS IMPOUND 55.5 KG OF HEROINISTANBUL - Narcotics officials impounded on Tuesday 55.5 kg of heroin in an operation in Bagcilar district of Istanbul.Acting on a tip-off, the narcotics officials stopped and searched an automobile. They confiscated 55.5 kg of heroin hidden in secret parts of the automobile. In the operation, three people were taken into custody. Officials told the A.A correspondent that market value of the drug was about 1 trillion Turkish liras. [08] ''OPEN SKIES'' INSPECTION FROM RUSSIA TO TURKEYMOSCOW - Russia will carry out military inspections in Turkey between August 7 and 11 within framework of Open Skies Agreement.Russian official Promexport company which is among organizations carrying out military inspections, said on Tuesday that an AN-30B type plane flew to Turkey on Monday night. The Promexport company noted that the plane carried representatives of ''National Center For Eliminating Nuclear Threat'', a formation of the Russian Defense Ministry. The plane is equipped with ''AFA-41/10'' type camera to watch Turkey's territory from the air, the company stated. The company added that the Open Skies Agreement has key importance in the global system aiming at inspecting military activities. The Open Skies Agreement was signed by 27 countries in Helsinki on March 27, 1992. [09] PATRIARCH BARTHOLOMEW I TO VISIT AGIRNASKAYSERI - Fener Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomew I will attend a religious ceremony that will be held at the Agiosprokeopios Church in Agirnas hamlet in Melikgazi township of central Kayseri province.Speaking to the A.A correspondent, Agirnas Mayor Mehmet Osmanbasoglu said that also Patriarch Bartholomew and Komotini Mayor Niko Parasopoulos of Greece would attend the ''First Agirnas Friendship Festival'' on August 23. Osmanbasoglu said that sixty Greek people who had emigrated to Greece from Agirnas in accordance with the exchange of people in 1924 would attend the religious ceremony at the historical Agiosprokeopios Church. ''We will be very pleased with hosting our Greek friends in Agirnas. We will sing together Turkish and Greek songs,'' he said. Osmanbasoglu added that the festival would take place in the picnic area near the underground city which was dedicated to ''Neslihan'' who was the daughter of Mimar Sinan. [10] INTERNET SITE PROTESTS SO-CALLED GENOCIDE MONUMENT PLANNED TO BE BUILT IN NETHERLANDSANKARA - The internet site which was prepared by FORSNET Information Technologies, protests the so-called genocide monument that is planned to be built in the Netherlands.The address of the site is ''www.ermenisorunu.gen.tr'' and it stresses that such a monument will enable the Armenian society to present the realities to the world public opinion in a wrong way. ''We protest the so-called genocide monument Armenians plan to build in the Netherlands,'' the site notes. ''By this attitude, everybody will think that the Dutch government and people support the claims of the Armenians and ignore the historical realities proving that the Turkish people is right. We suggest the Dutch government and people to search for the historical realities about the so- called genocide on Armenians and not to permit the construction of that monument which will insult Turkish people,'' the site noted. The site also gives detailed information about the emergence of the Armenian committees, revolts, displacement, the losses of Armenians, Turkish diplomats killed by Armenians, Turks which were massacred in various regions, mass graves, Asala terrorist organization, PKK-Armenia relation and Armenians today.'' -ARMENIANS LIVING IN OTTOMAN TERRITORIES Beginning from the last quarter of the 19th century the nationalist/separatist Armenian bands started fomenting insurrection among the Armenian population of the Ottoman Empire. These bands organized several rebellions in various provinces like Zeitun (1862-1895), Erzurum (1890), Van (1895-96), Adana (1909) etc. during which thousands of muslims were killed. -MASSACRES COMMITTED BY ARMENIANS In response to these uprisings and massacres by the Armenians, the Ottoman government ordered the relocation of the Armenian population from the war zone to southern regions of the Empire. -SPEAKING ABOUT GENOCIDE IS INACURATE, INAPPROPRIATE AND UNJUSTIFIED Scores of distinguished academicians, past and present, focusing on Ottoman history conclude that speaking about genocide victimizing Ottoman Armenians is inacurate, inappropriate and unjustified. Armenian insistence on viewing themselves as the only victims of the sufferings in Anatolia during the World War I fuels today racial animosity and is a feeble attempt in justify Armenian terrorism, which has already claimed lives of 75 people belonging to different nationalities, 36 of them Turkish diplomats and their families. [11] SEZER RETURNS BACK KHK DRAFT ON CIVIL SERVANTS (1)ANKARA - President Ahmet Necdet Sezer returned back on Tuesday the draft decree having the power of law (KHK), which foresees new arrangements for dismissal of civil servants, to the Prime Ministry.Presidential Press Centre said in a written statement that the President believes that the the arrangements wanted to be undertaken by KHK draft must be done by a ''law.'' ''Mr. President acknowledges the fact that no opinion or view against the territorial integrity and the principles and reforms of Ataturk can be protected and he holds himself liable for protecting these lofty values. Mr. President has always adopted secularism, which is one of the basic characteristics of the Turkish Republic, as a guiding principle. When Mr. President was elected as the member and Chairman of the Constitutional Court and President, he took the oath saying that he will protect the existence and independence of the state and the national integrity and keep loyal to the Ataturk principles and reforms and the secularism principle. When the speeches of Sezer are examined when he was a member and Chairman of the Constitutional Court and as the President, everybody will see the importance he attributes to the national integrity and the principle of secular Republic. The reason of Mr. President to return back the KHK draft is because of his sensitivity about the 'legal state' he promised to protect. Mr. President returned back the decree thinking that the principle of legal state necessitates the arrangements wanted to be undertaken by KHK to be undertaken by law,'' the Press Centre noted. The reason of President Sezer's returning back the draft KHK was also sent to the Prime Ministry in written form. [12] INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION INDEXANKARA - The State Institute of Statistics (DIE) said on Tuesday that the monthly industrial production index increased 3.4 percent in the first half of 2000 compared to same period of 1999.DIE explained the result of the monthly industrial production index using production information of 403 the most important items for June 2000 taking 1997 as a base year. DIE stated that industrial production increased 2.4 percent in June 2000, over to the same month of the previous year from the result of monthly industrial production index. Growth rate of industrial production (percent) June First Half Economic Activities 2000 1999 2000 1999 ------------------- ---- ----- ---- ---- Mining Industry -10.8 -6.5 -4.4 -7.4 Manufacturing Industry 3.0 1.1 3.3 -5.3 Electricity, Gas & Water 4.6 6.3 8.6 4.8 DIE declared that mining industry production decreased by 10.8 percent, manufacturing industry production increased by 3.0 percent, and electricity, gas and water production increased by 4.6 in June 2000, over to the same period of the previous year. The statement released by DIE said that during average of six months total industrial production increased by 3.4 percent and manufacturing industry increased by 3.3 percent, electricity, gas and water industry increased by 8.6 percent and mining industry decreased by 4.4 percent in June 2000. Also DIE explained production quantity of some important goods for June 2000. Figures of monthly industrial production index taking 1997 as a base year and monthly production quantity of the selected goods: Growth rate of industrial production (percent) June First Half Economic Activities 2000 1999 2000 1999 ------------------- ---- ----- ---- --- Food products & beverages 5.4 7.6 2.5 -0.7 Tobacco products 8.5 7.3 5.2 -2.4 Textile products industry 1.4 -2.8 10.4 -11.9 Wearing apparel 19.8 -5.8 18.9 -12.0 Dressing of leather -7.9 5.7 -6.9 -12.3 Wood products except furniture -2.7 21.4 -1.4 9.7 Manufac.of paper & paper prod. 6.4 2.4 10.6 -0.6 Publishing and printing 15.7 -2.6 5.5 -3.2 Manufac.of coke, refined oil -17.1 17.2 -24.3 11.8 Manufac. of chemical industry -10.6 6.2 -3.5 -4.4 Rubber and plastics products 31.3 -4.6 21.4 -6.9 Manufac.of non-metallic prod. 7.4 -5.3 -0.1 -4.6 Basic metal industry 6.9 -6.0 10.9 -7.7 Metal products exc. mechinery -28.8 -0.6 -4.9 5.1 Machinery and equipment n.e.c. 16.4 -7.7 14.7 -9.1 Office accounting comp.machin. 86.6 -45.8 189.9 -40.3 Electrl.mach.&apparatus n.e.c. -4.7 -2.3 -2.5 -4.6 Radio, TV, commun.equipment 16.7 57.1 32.8 22.3 Medical,precision,opticalinstru. -17.7 7.6 -4.0 -16.8 Manufac.of motor vehicles,trailers 44.0 -13.4 51.8 -33.3 Other transport equipment 275.8 -85.8 103.5 -89.6 Manufac. of furniture % n.e.c. -18.8 20.1 -15.8 15.4 [13] TURKEY-ISRAEL -LAST BARGAINING FOR MANAVGAT WATERTEL AVIV - Contacts between Turkey and Israel for the Manavgat water reached the final stage.An Israeli delegation is expected to leave for Turkey through the end of August to make the final bargaining for the purchase of the Manavgat water. Sources said on Tuesday that the Israeli government had opened a tender for the transportation and delivery of the Manavgat water so the Israeli government would first of all evaluate the results of this tender. A high-level Israeli delegation will go to Ankara to make the final bargaining on the price and amount of the water after the cost of the transfer of the water becomes clear. The delegation is expected to visit Ankara after the results of the tender at the end of August. Sources said that Israel was planning to increase the amount of potable water it would purchase from Turkey from 50 million to 100 million cubic meters annually. Sources added that Turkey and Israel had reached an agreement on price and amount of water in principle during the contacts held between the experts of the two countries. Turkey and Israel are expected to sign a contract in case they reach an agreement at the the end of the the final bargainings in Ankara. [14] CHINESE DELEGATION IN TRABZON -JUXIAN MAYOR SHIZENG:''WE WANT TO IMPROVE THE COMMERCIAL AND ECONOMIC RELATIONS''TRABZON - Xie Shizeng, the mayor of the Juxian township of Rizihau city of China, said on Tuesday that the friendship between Trabzon and Rizhau will improve by the developing commercial and economic relations.Shizeng and the accompanying delegation visited Trabzon Trade and Industry Chamber (TTSO), Trabzon Trade Exchange and Trabzon Exporters Union. Speaking at TTSO, Shizeng said that after the signing of sister city agreement between Trabzon and Rizhao, the bilateral relations further improved, Shizeng said that ''a foundation has been laid down by the agreement. We want to further improve the friendship between the two cities by further improving commercial and economic relations.'' Kenan Bıyık, TTSO Acting Chairman said in his part that China is far from Turkey, but distance does not have any meaning to improve the relations in contemporary world. While the negotiations between the two delegations continue for cooking Trabzon bread in Rizhao city of China, the Chinese delegation also visited the Chamber of Bakers. Later, Trabzon Trade Exchange gave detailed information to the delegation to start exporting hazelnuts to China. [15] BARMEK'S TRANSFORMER CENTER IN KYRGYZSTAN INAUGURATEDTALAS - President Askar Akayev of Kyrgyzstan inaugurated on Tuesday the Semetey Transformer Center which was constructed in the Talas region by the Turkish Barmek Holding.Addressing the inauguration, Kyrgyz President Akayev said that they were earlier purchasing electricity energy from Kazakhstan, stressing that they could meet the dometic demand with the operation of the transformer center. Noting that they would not encounter the problem of power cuts any more when the Semetey Transformer Center was operated, Akayev stated that they would start operating the Jeruskaya Gold Mine in 2001 together with the transformer center. President Akayev stressed, ''we thank our Turkish brothers and sisters.'' Akayev stated that most of the infrastructural investments in Kyrgyzstan would be finalized within ten years if the countries including Turkey would continue to assist Kyrgyzstan. Later, Kyrgyz President Akayev visited the 550-kilowatt Anabel Transformer Center which was contructed by Barmek Holding. Turkish Ambassador to Kyrgyzstan Dogan Akdur said that on behalf of Turkey, he was pleased with the confidence of Kyrgyzstan in a Turkish company for this project which would be a bridge of cooperation between Turkey and Kyrgyzstan. Stressing that Barmek Holding was one of five leading companies in the world in this field, Ambassador Akdur said that he wished that Kyrgyzstan would continue to assign Turkish companies in several projects. Officials said that construction of those two transformer centers which was financed by the European Investment Bank cost almost 18 million U.S. dollars, adding that it was the biggest investment in Kyrgyzstan. [16] KHK DRAFT ON DISMISSAL OF CIVIL SERVANTS -PREMIER ECEVIT:''I WILL DISCUSS THE ISSUE WITH THE LEADERS OF THE COALITION PARTIES''ANKARA - Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said on Tuesday that he will meet with the leaders of the coalition parties to discuss President Ahmet Necdet Sezer's returning back the draft decree having the force of law (KHK) which brought new arrangements for the dismissal of civil servants.Upon questions of journalists, Ecevit said that ''I will discuss the issue with the leaders of the coalition parties.'' Ecevit didn't respond to questions asking for the time of his meeting with coalition leaders. [17] SEZER RETURNS BACK KHK DRAFT ON CIVIL SERVANTS (2)ANKARA - President Ahmet Necdet Sezer said on Tuesday that the regulation of the disciplinary crimes and punishments by decrees having the force of law (KHK) is impossible.''Rules foreseeing disciplinary crimes and punishments should be regulated by laws, rather than by decrees having the force of law. Certain rules which are in force can be applied particularly for civil servants till a regulation will be undertaken by a law,'' President Sezer said in his letter listing the reasons of his returning back the KHK. The letter was sent to the Prime Ministry. President Sezer said that ''Article 91 of the Constitution notes that the parliament can empower the government to issue decrees having the force of law. However, the same article says that ''the fundamental rights, individual rights and duties included in the First and Second Chapter of the Second Part of the Constitution and the political rights and duties listed in the Fourth Chapter, can not be regulated by decrees having the force of law except during periods of martial law and states of emergency.'' ''Disciplinary crimes and punishments can't be regulated by decrees having the force of law under the description noted under Article 91 of the Constitution,'' Sezer noted. They can only be regulated by laws, said Sezer, adding that ''the sixth article of the law no 657 stresses that civil servants will start working by signing the oath document. The oath includes all the issues that are wanted to be regulated by the KHK. Action against that can be punished by dismissal.'' (END) [18] ERENKOY RESISTANCE COMMEMORATED IN TRNC -PRESIDENT DENKTAS OF TRNC: ''WE SHOULD REALIZE THE WORTH OF OUR FREEDOM VERY WELL''ERENKOY - President Rauf Denktas of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) said on Tuesday that they gained their freedom and were saved with the help of the martyrs, stressing that they should realize the value of their freedom very well.Those who were killed during the Erenkoy resistance were commemorated with a ceremony held in the 36th anniversary of the resistance in Erenkoy. People who attended the ceremony arrived in Erenkoy by sea as the Greek Cypriot administration had not allowed them to go to Erenkoy by motor vehicles. Addressing the ceremony, TRNC President Denktas said that confidence of the Turkish Cypriots in Turkey and the bridges of cooperation between Turkey and the TRNC cannot be destroyed. TRNC President Denktas stressed that there are still some people who are helping the Greek Cypriots openly or secretly as they did during the resistance. There are people who are trying to infect the TRNC by assuming the economic problems as a ground, TRNC President Denktas said. Denktas emphasized that the Turkish Cypriots won't be deceived by these games, and they are loyal to Turkey. Stating that those who are trying to offend Turkey should feel ashamed as many people lost their lives for the sake of the TRNC, Denktas said that Turkey stood up to the world and many Turkish soldiers died for the freedom of Turkish Cypriots. ''The motherland Turkey is the stronghold of our existence. We can't exist without the motherland Turkey. We won't allow destruction of bridges,'' TRNC President Denktas stressed. [19] JUSTICE MINISTER TURK: ''DEATH PENALTY EMERGES AS AN OBSTACLE IN RELATIONS OF TURKEY WITH EU COUNTRIES''ADAPAZARI - Hikmet Sami Turk, the Minister of Justice said on Tuesday that the abolishment of the death penalty will open the way to Turkey in its relations with the European Union (EU) countries.Responding to questions of journalists about the recent developments regarding the extradition of Fehriye Erdal from Belgium, Turk said that ''we explained to Belgian officials that death penalty is not executed in Turkey since 1984 and requested them not to give asylum right to Erdal and wanted her extradition to Turkey. Belgium informed us that there is death penalty in Turkey and they won't extradite Erdal because of that. Death penalty is still an impediment for Turkey in the relations with the European Union countries.'' ''In fact important success was reached in the last one year about extradition of criminals. Many criminals were extradited to Turkey. Death penalty is not de facto executed in Turkey. But it is still in our laws, this should be corrected as soon as possible,'' Turk said. Responding to another question about F type prisons, Turk said that the construction of these prisons, which were planned for terror and organized crimes, continues. Turk noted that ''the transfer of prisoners to certain prisons will be determined at the end of the trial process. The trial of Alaattin Cakıcı and Mehmet Ali Agca continues. The prisons where they will stay will be clear after the conclusion of their cases. It is not possible to say their transfer to this or that prison for the moment.'' [20] LEADERS OF COALITION PARTIES EXPECTED TO COME TOGETHER ON WEDNESDAYANKARA - The leaders of the political parties are expected to come together on Wednesday and evaluate the developments after President Ahmet Necdet Sezer returned back the draft decree having the force of law (KHK) on the dismissal of civil servants.At the possible leaders meeting on Wednesday, the developments about the KHK No. 605 which brings new regulations about the dismissal of civil servants and which was returned by Sezer, are expected to be discussed. [21] FOREIGN MINISTER CEM TO VISIT UZBEKISTANANKARA - Foreign Minister Ismail Cem will leave for Uzbekistan on October 2 for an official visit.Uzbek Foreign Ministry told A.A correspondent on Tuesday that Cem will pay a two-day official visit to Uzbekistan upon the invitation of Uzbek Foreign Minister Abdulaziz Kamilov. Uzbek officials informed Turkish officials about the date of the visit on Tuesday. [22] TRNC PRIME MINISTER EROGLU: ''THE ECONOMIC PACKAGE IS NOW BEING TAKEN UP AT TECHNICAL LEVEL IN ANKARA''LEFKOSA - Prime Minister Dervis Eroglu of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) said on Tuesday that the economic package was being taken up by the Turkish and TRNC bureaucrats at technical level in Ankara.Speaking to reporters, Eroglu said that they would put into practice the feasible articles of the package by taking into consideration the sensitivities of several circles. ''The Turkish and TRNC technical delegations had earlier carried out a work. According to the opinion of the TRNC technical delegation, some of the articles are not approriate to the TRNC's structure. When they informed us about this issue, we evaluted this in the meeting of the TRNC Council of Ministers. And we conveyed our results to Ankara. The technical delegations are now discussing the package in Ankara and put forward their opinion,'' he said. When asked what kind of a procedure would be followed after this evaluation, Eroglu said, ''we will put into practice the feasible articles without ignoring the sensitivities of the society.'' Stressing that they expected the labor unions and civil organs to support the implementation of the economic package, Eroglu said that they were in a period during which they should take measures to relieve the TRNC economy. [23] GREEK CYPRIOTS HARASS TURKISH SHIPS IN CYPRUSLEFKOSA - Turkish ships which went to Erenkoy on Tuesday to commemorate the 36th anniversary of the Erenkoy resistance, were harassed by Greek Cypriot coast guards.Ships belonging to the TRNC Coast Security Guards were harassed by Greek Cypriot coast guards for three-five minutes offshore Pirgo village which is in the Greek Cypriot part. Meanwhile, nearly 800 Turks went to Erenkoy by ship as Greek Cypriots didn't permit them to go there by land. TRNC President Rauf Denktas who participated in the ceremony, went to Erenkoy by a helicopter. Meanwhile, According to Greek Cypriot radio, Sarah Russell, the Press Spokesman of the U.N. Peace Keeping Force on Cyprus (UNFICYP) claimed that Turkish ships violated the sea security line by going to Erenkoy.
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