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Anadolu Agency: News in English, 00-08-15

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

15

AUGUST 2000 Tuesday


CONTENTS

  • [01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN
  • [02] SUPPORT FROM IIF TO TURKEY -IIF CHAIRMAN DALLARA SAYS TURKEY'S DISINFLATION PROGRAMME IS BOTH RATIONAL AND STRONG
  • [03] DECREE ON CIVIL SERVANTS SENT TO PRESIDENT SEZER
  • [04] DECREE ON CIVIL SERVANTS SENT TO PRESIDENT SEZER (2)
  • [05] EXPORTS FROM SOUTH EAST ANATOLIA INCREASES BY 12.5 PERCENT
  • [06] TURKEY'S HAZELNUT EXPORT NEARS TO 200,000 TONS IN 1999-2000 EXPORT SEASON
  • [07] BELGIUM REPORTERDLY RESOLUTE ABOUT EXTRADITING ERDAL TO A THIRD COUNTRY
  • [08] PREMIER ECEVIT: -''PRESIDENT SEZER SAID THAT HE WANTS TO MEET WITH ME TOMORROW''
  • [09] DENKTAS:''WE SHOULD COOPERATE WITH MOTHERLAND IN EVERY FIELD''
  • [10] KAYSERI'S EXPORT REACHES 193 MILLION U.S. DOLLARS IN SEVEN MONTHS
  • [11] FIRST ANNIVERSARY OF DEVASTATING EARTHQUAKE
  • [12] TURKEY-LIBYA FRIENDSHIP GROUP IN LIBYA
  • [13] FIRST ANNIVERSARY OF DEVASTATING EARTHQUAKE (2)
  • [14] FIRST ANNIVERSARY OF DEVASTATING EARTHQUAKE (3) -70,000 VICTIMS TAKE SHELTER IN 36 TENT CITIES SET UP AFTER QUAKE
  • [15] FIRST ANNIVERSARY OF DEVASTATING EARTHQUAKE (4) -GOVERNOR OKTEM UNDERTAKES DISASTER REGION COORDINATION
  • [16] INITIATIVE IN ANKARA AGAINST GLOBALIZATION
  • [17] TREASURY ARRANGES TWO-YEAR BOND TENDER
  • [18] FIRST ANNIVERSARY OF DEVASTATING MARMARA EARTHQUAKE -40,665 PERMANENT HOUSES CONSTRUCTED IN QUAKE REGION
  • [19] ZEUGMA ANCIENT CITY AND GAP
  • [20] 120 BED CAPACITY HOSPITAL, CONSTRUCTED BY SINGAPOREAN RED CRESCENT FEDERATION, OPENED TO SERVICE
  • [21] GREENPEACE DEMONSTRATION IN IZMIT BAY -12 ACTIVISTS TAKEN INTO CUSTODY
  • [22] LOCAL ELECTIONS IN MACEDONIA -LEADERS OF TWO TURKISH PARTIES BECOME CANDIDATES

  • [01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

    These are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in Turkey's press on August 15, 2000. The Anadolu Ajansi does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

    HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

    SEZER RETURNS TO ANKARA WITH 160 KM/HR
    President Ahmet Necdet Sezer who had gone to Istanbul four days ago without having his weekly meeting with Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit, returned to Ankara on Monday. Sezer who obeyed all the speed limits and traffic rules on his way to Istanbul, drove between 160-180 kilometers /hr, sometimes reaching 200 km/hr, on his way back to Ankara. Sezer's surprise return to Ankara caused rumours that the ''appointment crisis'' might be overcome this week. The decree having the power of law (KHK) was sent to the Presidential Palace on Monday night. Sezer and Ecevit are expected to have a meeting on Wednesday or Friday.

    HAGIA SOPHIA CANDIDATE TO BECOME ONE OF THE NEW SEVEN WONDERS
    OF THE WORLD
    UNESCO and an institution called Seven Wonders of the World started a survey on the internet to elect the world's new seven wonders. Hagia Sophia Museum is also one of the candidates. Taj Mahal, the Great Wall of China, Eiffel Tower, Red Square, and Pizza Tower are among the other candidates. You can visit www.new7wonders.com to participate in the survey.

    MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

    'MATADOR' CAPTURED
    Security forces captured Orfi Cetinkaya, a notorious drug trafficker and his men at the end of operations they carried out jointly with the securtiy forces of five other countries, namely Germany, Portugal, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Spain, and under the supervision of the State Security Court (DGM). Talat Salk, Ankara DGM Prosecutor will investigate into issues of fictitious export and money laundering within the framework of the operation. Cetinkaya and his ten men are expected to be brought over to Ankara today to be interrogated on these accounts, as well as on charges of drugs trafficking.

    BAKU-CEYHAN'S CAPACITY COULD BE INCREASED
    The 50-million-ton planned annual capacity of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline could be doubled if Kazakhstan happens to demand to use this pipeline to transport her oil to be produced in newly-discovered fields. Gokhan Bildaci, the Baku-Ceyhan Project Director of the Pipeline Transportation Inc. (BOTAS) said that there were allegations that Kazakhstan had vast oil reserves, about 5-6 times more than what the Tenghiz region had to offer, that the exact amount would be announced sometime in August, that the Kazakh government could come up with a request to use the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline to transport her oil to western markets, and that negotiations to increase the capacity of the line to 100 million tones from 50 million, would get started right away, if Kazakhstan were to be willing to make use of this line.

    SABAH (LIBERAL)

    ''KARTAL'' OPERATIONS DEEPEN AS MORE FACTS COME INTO LIGHT
    The extent of the 'Kartal' (Eagle) Operation, launched against fictitious exporters by the Bursa Security Department is gradually widening. The Bursa Securtiy Department detained Sedat Bayrak, Bursa Assistant Accountant, Tahir Demirkol, Yesil Tax Deparment Director, and Sebahattin Bicim, Uludag Tax Department Deputy Director. Officails are now investigating into any possible connections of Orhan Asliturk, the husband of former Mayor of Sisli, Gulay Asliturk with fictitious exports.

    QUALITY EXPERTS TO MEET IN ISTANBUL
    Istanbul is going to host the leading names of international business circles between September 27th and 28th. The European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM) annual meeting will take place this year in Istanbul at the Lutfi Kirdar International Congress and Exhibition Hall with the participation of international strategy, management, and quality experts.

    CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

    KEY NAMES REMAIN SILENT
    The case regarding ''Umut'' (Hope) Operation in which the assailants of some assassinations including Ugur Mumcu and Ahmet Taner Kislali, prominent journalists writing in Cumhuriyet, started. In the first court session of the trial which requests capital punishment for nine suspects, Ferhan Ozmen and Necdet Yuksel, the key names of illegal ''Jerusalem Army'' organization and the assassinations, claimed that they were tortured and they received the indictment very late and did not defend themselves in the court session. The court delegation rejected the request of the suspects who asked for being released.

    ALMOST 10 THOUSAND PEOPLE DIED IN EARTHQUAKE
    In accordance with the information gained by the Disaster Regional Coordinator Governorship, 9,477 people died in Golcuk, Korfez and Gebze townships and Degirmendere and Hali hamlets in the massive earthquake that hit Marmara Region on August 17, 1999. Golcuk was the place where the highest number of people had lost their lives. A total of 5,383 people died in Golcuk. A total of 9,881 people were injured in the deadly earthquake. Golcuk also had the biggest share in the number of injured with 5,252. A total of 101 people became disabled after the devastating earthquake.

    OZIPEK TO BE LAID TO REST ON WEDNESDAY
    Guzin Ozipek, a theatre player and actress who died on Saturday, will be laid to rest on Wednesday. A ceremony will be held in the Istanbul State Theatres Auditorium in Taksim district at 11.00 p.m. on Wednesday. Following the ceremony, Ozipek will be laid to rest in Zincirlikuyu Cemetery.

    RADIKAL (LEFT)

    HEAD OF DRUG SMUGGLING NETWORK CETINKAYA CAUGHT IN
    INTERNATIONAL OPERATION
    Head of an international drug smuggling network, Orfi Cetinkaya and his 17 men were captured in a joint operation carried out by six countries. The operation had started two years ago through the joint efforts of Spanish, Portugese, Dutch, German and Belgian governments. Cetinkaya was caught two years ago but he was released with a court decision because of this international operation. It was also noted that the drug smuggling network was allowed to smuggle drugs worth of 100 million U.S. dollars to these countries as a part of the operation. Cetinkaya who became paralyzed during a clash with police years ago owns exchange offices, insurance, foreign trade, constuction companies in Turkey. He also has a marble factory in Afyon, two ships and many assets in the country.

    A LOT OF DAMAGE BUT NO CREDIT
    A big part of the two quadrillion TL which entered the budget after the earthquake did not benefit the quake survivors. Cracks still exist on the walls of thousands of buildings in the region. Only 200 million U.S. dollars of the 2 billion U.S. dollars repair credit were distributed to quake survivors. Some quake survivors are also acting irresponsibly and hiring the contractors of collapsed buildings to repair their buildings because they charge less than other contractors.

    YENİ BİNYIL (LIBERAL)

    STOCK MARKETS BEGINS THIS WEEK WITH INCREASE
    The Istanbul Stock Exchange (IMKB) began this week by recording an increase. The IMKB index which gained 2.12 percent in value, closed the day by 13 thousand 586 points. A total of 166 of the 298 shares gained in value while 90 of them lost in value.

    NO EASE AT SUMMIT
    President Ahmet Necdet Sezer's returning back to Ankara immediately had raised the hopes for a meeting but the expectations for an ease at the summit faded away. Neither Premier Bulent Ecevit nor President Sezer gave a sign for an initiative to overcome the tension escalating due to the decree having the power of law on civil servants. Ecevit continued to assume the same attitude of not taking a backward step. The decree having the power of law which Sezer considered as contrary to the Constitution, was re- submitted to the Presidential Office with an appendix including the detailed reason for re-submitting.

    RAY CHARLES TO GIVE CONCERT IN HISAR
    Rumeli Hisari of Istanbul will host legendary Ray Charles tonight. The concert will start at 9.00 p.m. Charles won thousands of gold records and twelve Grammy awards. He became very successful in many music types, including rythm/blues, jazz and rock'n roll. Although he was congenital blind, he made his fingers dance on the piano.

    TURKIYE (RIGHT)

    SUSPECTS DENIED ALLEGATIONS
    Seventeen suspects of the crimes including the killings of journalist- writer Ugur Mumcu, Prof. Ahmet Taner Kislali, Muammer Aksoy and Dr. Bahriye Ucok denied the allegations against them at the court hearing on Monday. The suspects rejected their earlier statements which they gave at the police station and claimed that they were forced to sign those statements and exposed to heavy torture.

    SABANCI TO ENTER NEW BUSINESS FIELDS
    One of Turkey's industry giants, Sabanci Holding has decided to shrink and restructure itself. In a news story which appeared in the Wall Street Journal, it was stated that Sabanci Holding which is active in many fields including textile, tourism, automobile and banking will sell unprofitable companies and will focus on energy, internet and telecommunication in the future. Sabanci Holding Executive Council Chairman Sakip Sabanci told the newspaper that ''he has to enter new fields.'' ''And if necessary, I will sell, close or merge companies.''

    ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

    THIRD MEETING WITH IMF IN SEPTEMBER
    A delegation of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) will come to Turkey on August 30 to pay its third meeting within framework of stand-by programme. Carlo Cottarelli, the Turkey Desk Chief of the IMF, will stay in Ankara until September 12 and will take up the initiatives launched to prepare the budget of 2001.

    DRUGS WORTH OF TRILLIONS
    Police seized 229.6 kilograms of morphine in operations in Yuksekova township of southeastern Hakkari province. Police captured five people during the operations. Officials said that the morphine had a market price of two trillion Turkish liras (TL). Meanwhile, security forces confiscated 30 kilograms of heroin in eastern Van province and 165 kilograms of hashish in southeastern Diyarbakir province. Police also seized 13.5 kilograms of heroin in Aegean Izmir province.

    GIANT VESSELS PUT OUT TO AEGEAN SEA
    The Bahamian-flagged ''S.G.Enterprise'' vessel passed through Canakkale Strait and put out to Aegean Sea. After the vessel which was 312 metres in length, had passed through Istanbul Strait, it was kept waiting in Inceburun since the tanker traffic was very intensive in Canakkale Strait. The vessel which was permitted to pass through Canakkale Strait by being accompanied by tugboats, completed its passage in almost two hours and 40 minutes and opened to Aegean Sea. Canakkale Strait was closed to traffic as the vessel was passing through it.

    [02] SUPPORT FROM IIF TO TURKEY -IIF CHAIRMAN DALLARA SAYS TURKEY'S DISINFLATION PROGRAMME IS BOTH RATIONAL AND STRONG

    ISTANBUL - Institute of International Finance (IIF) Chairman Charles H. Dallara said on Monday that Turkey's disinflation programme was both rational and strong.

    ''If the Central Bank, Turkish people, business world and the government work together, this programme would definitely reach success,'' Dallara said.

    Dallara who held a press conference with Central Bank Foreign Relations Department General Director Omer Altay said he was in Turkey to spend his vacation and during his stay he also met with Central Bank Chairman Gazi Ercel.

    Noting that he will come back to Turkey two months later with his team, Dallara said he ''wanted to share the results of the programme which he had been supporting from the very beginning.''

    Dallara said the IIF acts like a mediator between loan takers and loan givers, and stressed that the institution has been also active in Turkey.

    Pointing out that there are seven Turkish banks who are members of the IIF, Dallara said they have very good relations with these banks and the Central Bank.

    The world is undergoing a change and Turkey can have more opportunities in this stage, he said. ''This is both an opportunity and a challange for Turkey. Make use of that as much as possible.''

    Dwelling on the government's disinflation programme, Dallara said privatization is creating big opportunities for the budget's financing and this is very important for the success of the government's economic programme as much as the developments in the social security field.

    He also noted that besides the prices of goods, it is important to keep the wages and rents in line with the inflation rate. ''My team is not seeing the balance of payments as a problem. The IMF's signing such a programme shows its trust in Turkey. If there were a problem over balance of payments, the IMF would have outlined a different programme for Turkey.''

    Stressing the importance of fight against inflation in Turkey's integration with the EU, Dallara said Turkey will reach the targeted inflation rate as soon as it takes the matter seriously and will make important progress in its integration with the EU.

    Dallara said the government's current currency and monetary policies should be supported and there is no need to revise the currency rates. ''The last five months were very important for inflation. The result shows that the currency policies are implemented correctly. What is important is to support this with a financial income policy.''

    Dallara stressed that the inflation target is realistic and added that Turkey will draw foreign investors if the inflation rate drops to 10 percent.

    The IIF's task is not to provide financing but to present reports to creditors about countries, Dallara said and added that Turkey has great geographical, political and social importance and it is an attractive country for investors with its financial markets and stock market.

    Dallara said he had ''mixed feelings'' about the Turkish banking system, and stated that the sector's problems were not only financial but also economic.

    Noting that it was a positive step to form the Banking Regulation and Inspection Council, Dallara said he believed the Council will do important services for the banking sector.

    [03] DECREE ON CIVIL SERVANTS SENT TO PRESIDENT SEZER

    ANKARA - The note prepared by the commission which was formed by the Council of Ministers regarding submitting the decree having the power of law (KHK) which foresees dismissal of civil servants who carry out fundamentalist and separatist activities, to President Ahmet Necdet Sezer for the second time, said, ''our Constitution puts forward what a President who thinks that a decree having the power of law which was prepared by our government and submitted to President's approval, is against the Constitution under the Article 104, should do.''

    The note continued, ''returning the decree having the power of law which is not an authority included in the Constitution, is arbitrary rather than legal and contradicts especially with the principle of state of law.''

    ''In accordance with the Article 6 of the Constitution, noone or no organ can use the authority which is not foreseen in the Constitution. Using an authority which is against the Article 6 of the Constitution contradicts with the provision included in the Article 104 of the Constitution which says the President regards the implementation of the Constitution.'', the note said.

    The note added, ''President's opinion that the decree prepared by the government is against the Constitution is a personal opinion. The organ that can cancel and abolish this decree having the power of law is the Constitutional Court.''

    [04] DECREE ON CIVIL SERVANTS SENT TO PRESIDENT SEZER (2)

    ANKARA - The note prepared by the commission which was formed by the Council of Ministers regarding the submission of the decree with the force of law (KHK) which foresees dismissal of civil servants who carry out fundamentalist and separatist activities, to President Ahmet Necdet Sezer for the second time, said, ''The use of any other authority than those mentioned in the Constitution is most likely to lead to a government crisis that will prevent the legislative, executive, and judicial organs from working in harmony.''

    The note stressed that Article no. 104 of the Constitution, which delineates the duties and powers of the President, granted the President with the authority of filing a suit of nullity at the Constitutional Court against KHK's which fall into contradiction with the Constitution, and with the authority of putting the last signature of approval on KHK's.

    ''According to the Article no. 105 of the Constitution, all Presidential decrees except those which the President of the Republic is empowered to enact by himself without the signatures of the Prime Minister and the minister concerned, in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution and other laws, shall be signed by the Prime Minister, and the ministers concerned. The Prime Minister and the ministers concerned shall be accountable for these decrees.

    Article no. 104 of the Constitution states that the President is in charge of issuing decrees having the force of law, in accordance with the decisions of the Council of Ministers under his chairmanship, and the President's signature is a symbolic necessity, whose only exception is cases of issuing of state of emergency decrees having the force of law.

    As a result, the President is not authorised to turn down KHK's, and is obliged to put his signature underneath.

    Yet, the process pertaining to laws in the wake of the refund of the KHK has been commenced. And thus, as it is impossible for the President to turn down the KHK for a second time, it is also impossible for him to refund the KHK for another time.''

    (end)

    [05] EXPORTS FROM SOUTH EAST ANATOLIA INCREASES BY 12.5 PERCENT

    GAZIANTEP - Fresh fruit and vegetables and industrial products worth 57 million 867 thousand U.S dollars were exported from South East Anatolia region over the past 7 months with an increase by 12.5 percent as compared to the first seven months of the previous year, officials said on Tuesday.

    Last year's fresh fruit and vegetable and industrial products exports had totalled to 51 million 415 thousand U.S dollars in worth.

    According to the information given by the Union of South East Anatolian Exporters, the share of fresh fruit and vegetables and industrial products exports in the region's total exports rose from 16.8 percent to 18.6 in the first seven months of the year 2000.

    The Union statement said that fresh fruits and vegetables worth 15 million 633 thousand dollars, chemicals worth 14 million 343 thousand dollars, electronic instruments worth 3 million 797 thousand dollars, ready-made clothing worth 8 million 49 thousand dollars, iron and non-iron products worth 2 million 948 thousand dollars, cement worth 6 million 374 thousand dollars and 6 million 723 thousand dollars worth of other goods had been exported from South East Anatolia in the January-July period of 2000.

    The major importers of South East Anatolian fresh fruit and vegetables and industrial goods were Middle Eastern and European Union countries, the statement said.

    [06] TURKEY'S HAZELNUT EXPORT NEARS TO 200,000 TONS IN 1999-2000 EXPORT SEASON

    GIRESUN - Turkey's hazelnut export has reached 198,000 353 tons.

    Black Sea Hazelnut and Bi-Products Exporters Association announced on Tuesday that a total of 688 million 681,000 U.S. dollars were gained from the hazelnut export in the 11 and a half month period which started on September 1, 1999.

    Fiskobirlik had a share of one ton in this export and the remaining export belongs to merchants. A total of 163,000 tons of hazelnuts were sold to EU countries.

    Authorities said 173,000 104 tons of hazelnuts were exported in the previous hazelnut season and Turkey gained 717 million U.S. dollars from it.

    It was stated that the hazelnut export might exceed 200,000 tons by the end of 1999-2000 export season which is ending on August 30 and Turkey will provide 700 million U.S. dollars from it.

    Once cental of hazelnuts were exported at 346 U.S. dollars in the 50th week of this export season. Last year in the same week, one cental of hazelnuts were sold at 454 U.S. dollars.

    [07] BELGIUM REPORTERDLY RESOLUTE ABOUT EXTRADITING ERDAL TO A THIRD COUNTRY

    BRUSSELS - Belgium's VRT Radio, on Tuesday, reported Interior Minister Antoine Duquesne, as having expressed resoluteness to extradite Fehriye Erdal, one of the defendants of the Sabanci assassination case, to a third country.

    Erdal, who is alleged to have been on a hunger strike for the past 20 days at Bruges Prison, had lost her case last Friday, which she had filed in demand of her release.

    Erdal had filed another case at the Gent Court of Appeals, but the Belgian Interior Minister had not wanted to wait until the hearing of this case, and had demanded for Erdal's immediate extradition to a third country.

    The Foreign Ministry had said that this third country was most likely to be an African country, with whom Turkey had not signed any accords or agreements pertaining to the extradition of criminals.

    [08] PREMIER ECEVIT: -''PRESIDENT SEZER SAID THAT HE WANTS TO MEET WITH ME TOMORROW''

    ANKARA - Premier Bulent Ecevit said on Tuesday that President Ahmet Necdet Sezer wanted to meet himself at 11.30 a.m. on Wednesday.

    Ecevit told reporters en route from Ankara to Hacibektas township of central Nevsehir province that he will visit Sezer.

    Ecevit said, ''I hope the problems between us will be solved. Three ruling parties give an example of compromise for more than one year which is appreciated by the whole world. I believe that there will not be any difficulties in having a similar compromise between the President and the government.''

    Responding to a question, Ecevit said that he and Sezer will discuss the decree having the power of law on civil servants during their meeting.

    [09] DENKTAS:''WE SHOULD COOPERATE WITH MOTHERLAND IN EVERY FIELD''

    LEFKOSA - President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) Rauf Denktas said the TRNC should cooperate with Turkey in every field in order to overcome its troubles and added that de facto integration with Turkey is inevitable.

    As a part of the celebrations held for the 2nd stage of the Cyprus Peace Operation, a ceremony was held for people of Taskent who were massacred by Greek Cypriots.

    During a speech he made, Denktas said Turkey opened all its doors widely to the TRNC, but TRNC government still keeps its doors closed. He stressed that TRNC government should pronounce integration with Turkey without reluctance and added that this was a cooperation, not an annexation.

    Criticizing the government's activities, Denktas called on the government to work together with him.

    Adressing to the leader of the Greek administration, Glafkos Clerides, Denktas said they would never trust him as long as he keeps protecting the murderers of the Turks, and works to lift Turkey's guarantorship over the TRNC.

    TRNC Prime Minister Dervis Eroglu and some ministers also attended the ceremony.

    Ninety Turkish Cypriots who were killed by the Greek Cypriots are buried in Taskent Cemetery.

    [10] KAYSERI'S EXPORT REACHES 193 MILLION U.S. DOLLARS IN SEVEN MONTHS

    KAYSERI - Kayseri's export reached 192 million 908,000 960 U.S. dollars in the first seven months of 2000.

    Authorities from Kayseri Chamber of Industry and Chamber of Commerce said they observed a seven percent increase in Kayseri's export rate compared to the same period of last year. Last year in the same period, Kayseri's export was 179 million 954,000 285 U.S. dollars.

    Authorities said textile products such as jean fabric, machine woven rugs, towels, and thread constituted a big part of their export products. Kayseri also exported fiber optic and telephone cables, furniture, electrical home equipment, various food products, steel ropes, beds and duvets.

    The products were sold to mainly EU countries. The United States, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, Yemen, Russia, Japan, Israel, Romania, Bulgaria, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) and Malaysia also imported goods from Kayseri.

    [11] FIRST ANNIVERSARY OF DEVASTATING EARTHQUAKE

    IZMIT/YALOVA - One year has passed since a devastating earthquake rocked Marmara Region on August 17, 1999.

    In accordance with the official figures, the earthquake which jolted Turkey at 03.02 a.m. on August 17, 1999 killed 16,899 people and injured 23,781.

    The earthquake which was centered on Golcuk township and had a magnitude of 7.4 on the Richter scale, demolished huge buildings as if they had been made of cardboard.

    As a result, earthquakes which were taken serious for many years, demolished and damaged the heartland of Turkey.

    Barbaros Tantan, the Anadolu Agency (A.A) correspondent in Izmit, had a poignant experience following the earthquake, which he could never forget during his life. As he was trying to reach a person whom he thought he could rescue, a woman was begging under the rubble. ''That was my husband and he died. Rescue me.''

    Most of Golcuk township collapsed. A dust cloud was rising over Golcuk where 90 percent of the buildings collapsed.

    Besides the scene, the clamors of the people who were waiting under the rubble to be rescued were heard.

    The communication of the quake-hit zone was cut off.

    The massive earthquake also hit Yalova, which was very near to Golcuk.

    Clamors of people, noises of police cars and ambulances started to be heard in Yalova like in many other quake-hit places.

    Turkey started to be shocked by the dimensions of the earthquake as the speakers reported the increasing death toll every minute on the television channels.

    Dursun Eroglu, one of the A.A correspondents who reached Yalova a short time after the earthquake, said that he heard voices as he got closer to the collapsed buildings.

    Eroglu said, ''some of them were asking for help while some of them were trying to raise the hopes of others by saying 'I am allright. Do not worry. They will rescue us.' Hundreds of buildings collapsed. I received the first official information from Governor Nihat Ozgol. The Governor was estimating the death toll as 4-5 thousand, but he was trying not to pronounce any number. The Governor said that the communication was cut off.''

    ''We went to Orhangazi township to report news on my cell phone. I had difficulties in telling my friends in Ankara that hundreds of buildings had collapsed and the death toll had been estimated to be around two to three thousand. I was crying when I was reporting. Thus, we informed public about the first news from Yalova. When I returned to Yalova, the Governor thanked our agency because after the news was reported throughout Turkey, aid started to flow in Yalova,'' Eroglu added.

    [12] TURKEY-LIBYA FRIENDSHIP GROUP IN LIBYA

    MISURATA - Libya called for support from Turkey on Tuesday, to clear her territories off landmines.

    The members of the Turkey-Libya Friendship Group got together on Monday evening with Ahmad Ibrahim, Vice Secretary of the General People's Committee.

    At the meeting, the Libyan party was said to have retiterated that there were still World War II minefields in Libya, which had to be detected and cleared, and noted that they constituted a serious threat against Libyan people.

    Libyan officials told their Turkish counterparts that the locations of these mine fields could be found from NATO archives, and called for a helping hand from Turkey in eliminating this serious threat of detecting and clearing these hidden mines.

    The Turkish party was said to have sympathised with the concerns of the Libyan officails, and was reported as having pledged support to Libya in this process.

    Meanwhile, the sides reached accord over defining their common interests and further developing cooperation elations in all the possible fields.

    Diplomatic sources said that the sides had also reached accord to take the necessary measures in order to prevent ''unnecessary disappointments'' from spoiling the relations between the two countries.

    The Friendship Group conveyed Parliament Speaker Yildirim Akbulut's friendship and good will message to Ibrahim during their meeting.

    [13] FIRST ANNIVERSARY OF DEVASTATING EARTHQUAKE (2)

    YALOVA/IZMIT - Officials exerted efforts to prevent epidemics for the days following the devastating earthquake in Yalova, which could not be given electricity or water.

    Many municipalities, especially Istanbul and Bursa, were mobilized to overcome the infrastructural problems.

    Residents of Yalova who could not overcome the shock of the earthquake, faced a danger resulting from the leakage of hazardous material from Aksa factory.

    This leakage killed many ovine animals and withered fruit trees.

    Search and rescue teams from many countries started to rush into Turkey as the death toll was increasing. The Israeli search and rescue team was the first international team that reached Yalova. Besides Israel, Austria, Greece, South Korea, Japan, France, Britain, Germany, Armenia, Russia, Argentine and Switzerland sent rescue teams to the quake-stricken zone.

    The teams which arrived in Yalova mostly exerted efforts to pull people alive under the rubble in Hacimehmet Plain and Cinarcik township of Yalova.

    The search and rescue teams pulled more than 150 people under the rubble.

    Meanwhile, the voluntary search and rescue team AKUT also became very successful in search and rescue operations in Adapazari, Izmit and Yalova.

    Although many military personnel lost their lives in Fleet Commandership in Golcuk, the Turkish Armed Forces rushed out to help the citizens. The military personnel not only tried to pull people under the rubble and but also set up tent-sites. The Turkish Armed Forces also met all the needs of the quake survivors who were settled in the tent-sites. The military personnel started to extend psychological support to the quake survivors by the centers formed in the tent-sites.

    Also, legal process regarding the contractors who built the houses that collapsed in the earthquake, was launched.

    [14] FIRST ANNIVERSARY OF DEVASTATING EARTHQUAKE (3) -70,000 VICTIMS TAKE SHELTER IN 36 TENT CITIES SET UP AFTER QUAKE

    IZMIT - One year passed from the 17 August quake which led everybody to pain...The temporary shelter problem was solved and the urgents needs were met. However, the pain of those people who lost their relatives still continue.

    After the first shock, the quake victims started to take shelter in tents and huts formed by using their own opportunities. Later the Red Crescent, the International Red Cross organization, world states and non-governmental organizations of various countries started to set up tent cities and meet the needs of the people taking shelter there.

    Memduh Oguz, the then Governor of Kocaeli said in his first press briefing that ''our 500,000 people live outdoors. We have thousands of people who died and many people were injured. But we will overcome our difficulties by our belief.''

    State Minister Hasan Gemici was the first person who was charged by the Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit to help Kocaeli. Gemici stayed in Izmit for months and witnessed the difficulties of the quake victims there.

    The tents sent to Turkey by the other countries and international organizations and those of the Red Crescent were distributed to all provinces devastated by the quake.

    A total of 36 separate tent cities were formed and nearly 70,000 quake victims took shelter there by using all the opportunities in Kocaeli province.

    The United Nations organization, Italian, Norweigian and German governments set up tent cities in the region to meet the needs of the quake victims.

    The Turkish Armed Forces launched efforts in the search-rescue orperations.

    Today in Kocaeli there are 8,723 people who took shelter in seven tent cities.

    In the meanwhile 42 prefabricated city centers were formed in Kocaeli by the contributions of the Public Works and Rural Affairs Ministry and various public institutions.

    Today totally 51,303,000 people took shelter in 16,089,000 prefabricated huts.

    [15] FIRST ANNIVERSARY OF DEVASTATING EARTHQUAKE (4) -GOVERNOR OKTEM UNDERTAKES DISASTER REGION COORDINATION

    IZMIT - A year passed over the sufferings which we experienced after devastating August 17 quake of the last year. Disaster Region Coordinatorship, which was set up to heal the wounds of the quake in provinces where thousands of people died and injured, became an example for the world countrıes regarding what should be done after natural disasters.''

    Disaster Region Coordinatorship was set up on September 23, 1999, after decree having the force of law, prepared by the government, issued in the official gazette. Governor Kutluay Oktem, who was sent to the region following the quake as the Humanitarian Aid Coordinator, undertook the responsibility of the coordinatorship afterwards.

    The coordinatorship sequestrated the Gulfstar Shopping center and exterted efforts to distribute the aid coming from foreign countries. The Disaster Region Coordinatorship later set up statistics for damage assessment works and to determine existing needs of quake victims.

    Damage assessment statistics revealed that 285,211 houses and 42,902 business places received damage because of the devastating quake.

    Devastation of heavily damaged buildings and removal of wreckage in Kocaeli, Sakarya, Yalova, Bolu and Duzce were tendered to Turkish and foreign companies.

    Public and private sector institutions assembled 16, 312 prefabricated houses in Kocaeli, 10, 583 in Sakarya, 6, 691 in Duzce, 5, 678 in Yalova, and 3, 886 prefabricated houses in Bolu and thus planned to provide temporary sheltering facilities to quake survivors.

    Data of the Disaster Region Coordinatorship as of August 14 reveal that 67.656.250 trillion lira was provided to the quake survivors.

    [16] INITIATIVE IN ANKARA AGAINST GLOBALIZATION

    ANKARA - A platform, named ''Ankara Initiative Against Globalization,'' was set up by the unions and non-governmental organizations against the international economy institutions.

    The initiative was reported to hold protests between August 30 and September 5, the date when International Monetary Fund (IMF) delegation would be in Turkey.

    A written statement issued by the platform said various institutions gathered on August 10 after the call of Confederation of Revolutionary Workers' Unions (DISK) representative Tayfun Gorgun, adding that the initiative decided to protest the IMF delegation scheduled to be in Turkey in August 30-September 5.

    [17] TREASURY ARRANGES TWO-YEAR BOND TENDER

    ANKARA - The Treasury Undersecretariat held an auction on Tuesday to sell two-year debenture bonds.

    In this auction, Treasury sold 81.5 trillion Turkish liras (TL) nominal- valued bonds while the total bid had become 722.4 trillion TL and the net sale became 81.6 trillion TL.

    The annual simple interest rate became 32.07 percent and the annual composite interest rate became 36.13 percent.

    The minimum simple interest rate became 31.85 percent and the maximum simple interest rate became 36.21 percent.

    The value date of these two-year bonds is August 16, 2000, and the maturity is May 15, 2002.

    Treasury foresees to raise 150-250 trillion TL through this auction.

    [18] FIRST ANNIVERSARY OF DEVASTATING MARMARA EARTHQUAKE -40,665 PERMANENT HOUSES CONSTRUCTED IN QUAKE REGION

    ANKARA - As one year passed after the quake disaster experienced on August 17 in Marmara Region, efforts are underway to heal the wounds.

    A total of 40, 665 permanent houses were constructed for the solution of sheltering problem which still continues as the most important problem of the region. A total of 5, 879 people will contruct their houses and get aid, and a total of 9, 729 people will be given six billion lira for prefabricated houses.

    Officials of Settlement and Public Works Ministry pointed out that 40,665 permanent houses will be constructed, and noted that nearly half of them would be built up in Kocaeli. A total of 17,348 houses will be built in Kocaeli, 8,004 in Duzce, 7,028 in Sakarya, 5,508 in Yalova, 1,458 in Bolu, 1,209 in Istanbul, 80 in Bursa, and 30 houses in Eskisehir.

    Premiership Project Implementation unit will construct 12, 068 of the houses with the financing of the World Bank. A total of 2, 610 of them would be built up by donation. Settlement and Public Works Ministry will construct 15, 460 houses with the financing of Council of Europe Development Bank. The Ministry also tendered 7, 650 houses, and will put 2, 877 houses to tender.

    Right for permanent houses was given to 38, 738 people in the region.

    A total of three billion lira will be given to those who construct their own houses in villages, six billion will be given to those who built up their houses in cities.

    A total of 11.7 billion lira were spent for the efforts exerted to remove the wreckage following August 17 and November 12 quakes.

    [19] ZEUGMA ANCIENT CITY AND GAP

    ANKARA - State Minister Mustafa Yilmaz said on Tuesday that there would be a magnificient open air museum after excavations in Zeugma-Belkis ancient city are completed.

    Addressing a news conference held in GAP administration, Yilmaz briefed about the studies carried out in Zeugma ancient city by the GAP administration.

    Yilmaz stressed that efforts to save cultural, and historical values in Zeugma ancient city were coordinated by GAP Administration, adding that professional teams carried out a comprehensive work with developed archeological technics in excavation site.

    Yilmaz said GAP deserved the ''Millenium Award,'' which International Water Resources Association (WRA) decided to give for one time, adding the award will be given on August 17 during Stockholm Water Symposium.

    Olcay Unver, GAP Administration Chairman, said GAP was an integrated regional development project which not only depended on the economic welfare, but to sustainable humanitarian development philosophy.

    [20] 120 BED CAPACITY HOSPITAL, CONSTRUCTED BY SINGAPOREAN RED CRESCENT FEDERATION, OPENED TO SERVICE

    IZMIT - A hospital, having 120-bed capacity, constructed by Singaporean Red Crescent, opened to service on Tuesday.

    Haluk Tokucoglu, the Health Ministry Undersecretary, said August 17 quake was a great disaster, adding that, ''I wish such disasters would not be experienced in our country and in the world again.''

    Pointing out that disasters make people approach to each other, Tokucoglu said, ''all the world states exerted efforts to heal our wounds after this disaster. We are grateful to all the International Red Crescent and Red Cross Federations of the world which did not leave us alone.''

    Tokucoglu said, ''with the contributions of these institutions, foundations of three new state hospitals will be laid. Hospital, having 250 bed capacity will be constructed in Adapazari and Duze and another one having 75 bed capacity will be constructed in Korfez township in Kocaeli.''

    Ertan Gonen, Chairman of Red Crescent, pointed out that Turkish nation worked very had to heal the wounds of the quake. ''We had great sufferings in August 17 quake. Yet, we left all these in the past. Many regions need hospitals and schools. Red Crescent cooperates with Red Cross Federations to meet these needs.''

    Governor Kutluay Oktem, Disaster Region Coordinator, said he congratulated the health personnel who did not allow the epidemics to spread.''

    Pointing out that massive Aug 17 quake was felt in nine provinces, Oktem said 18, 303 people died and nearly 50,000 citizens were injured in the quake. He said 357,000 houses, and 53,000 business places were destroyed. Oktem expressed gratitude to the Red Crescent and Red Cross Federations who rushed to the help of Turkey after the quake.

    Lim Team Poh, Foreign Relations Director of Singapore Red Cross, said there was a long distance between Turkey and Singapore, yet noted that they felt Turkey's sufferings in their hearts.

    [21] GREENPEACE DEMONSTRATION IN IZMIT BAY -12 ACTIVISTS TAKEN INTO CUSTODY

    KORFEZ - The International Greenpeace activists protested the dangerous sides of the chemical industry at Petrochemical (Petkim) Yarımca Refinery on Tuesday. A total of 12 activists were taken into custody.

    The ship namely ''MV Greenpeace'' carrying 30 activists, came in front of Petkin Yarımca Refinery from Izmit city this morning.

    Speaking in the name of the organization, Tolga Temuge said that they wanted to draw attention to the danger created by the industrial institutions which produce goods by hazardous and toxic chemicals.

    Claiming that the Izmir Bay was killed by irresponsible industrialists before the massive earthquake that took place on August 17 last year, Temuge pointed out that ''we don't only want the chemical industry to leave the region, but we also want prohibition of the use of the toxic chemicals.''

    The activists hung a 25 meter-long banner written ''Quake One Day, Petro- Chemical Everyday'' on it. A debate started between the activists and the security officials of the factory who wanted to stop the activists to hang the banner.

    Security forces came and they took into custody 12 activists who resisted to leave the factory.

    [22] LOCAL ELECTIONS IN MACEDONIA -LEADERS OF TWO TURKISH PARTIES BECOME CANDIDATES

    SCOPJE - Leaders of two Turkish parties became candidates for the local elections which will take place in Republic of Macedonia on September 10.

    Turkish Democracy Party (TDP) compete for 10 municipalities. TDP showed 38 candidates for municipality committee.

    Turkish Action Party (THP), will compete with four candidates for municipalities and with eight candidates for the committee.


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