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Anadolu Agency: News in English, 00-08-23Anadolu Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Anadolu Agency Home Page at <http://www.anadoluajansi.com.tr/>Anadolu Agency ANADOLU AGENCY NEWS 23 AUGUST 2000 Wednesday CONTENTS
[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCANThese are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in Turkey's press on August 23, 2000. The Anadolu Ajansi does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.HURRIYET (LIBERAL)THREE IMPORTANT DECISIONS IN CRITICAL SUMMITThe leaders of three ruling parties took three important decision in the critical summit. The leaders decided to ease the crisis. But, the government will continue to be determined. The leaders will press on the President during the National Security Council (NSC) meeting. The leaders agreed to take the decree having the power of law on civil servants on the agenda of the parliament, which will open on October 1. ELCIBEY DIES GALATASARAY HARDLY QUALIFIES MILLIYET (LIBERAL)THREAT TO THE MINISTERA note, saying ''protect your child well,'' was left to the house of Yuksel Yalova, the State Minister. Circles that want annulment of the tender regarding privatization of Dalaman- Turkish Cellulose and Paper Factories Enterprises (SEKA), threaten State Minister Yalova. The Minister said the threat comes from some companies which worked with SEKA, and which were afraid that their business will collapse after the privatization. KUWAIT WAITS FOR PICASSO PAINTINGS ''La Fermiere,'' and ''Dora-Maar,'' paintings of Picasso were found in Izmir, and ''The Portrait of a Young Woman,'' was found in operations staged in Sanliurfa province. SABAH (LIBERAL)THE MOST CRITICAL NSC MEETING 3 AND A HALF YEARS AFTERToday, the National Security Council (NSC) will convene. This NSC meeting will be the most critical one since the NSC meeting held on February 28, 1997. President Ahmet Necdet Sezer, the government and the commanders will come together for the first time following the crisis which escalated due to the decree having the power of law on civil servants. The special agenda of the meeting is the point reached in struggling against fundamentalism within framework of decisions taken on February 28, 1997. ERCEL: ''S&P WILL COME IN SEPTEMBER'' Central Bank Governor Gazi Ercel said that the Standard & Poors (S&P) will come to Turkey in September to evaluate the present situation. Ercel said that as Turkey decreases the risk factor, its rating will increase. Ercel added that Turkey does not deserve a single B. CUMHURIYET (LEFT)TWO INVESTIGATIONS TO GULENNuh Mete Yuksel, Prosecutor of Ankara State Security Court (DGM), will file two separate investigations for the ''open,'' and ''secret,'' structuring of Fetullah Gulen. Decision in absentia had earlier been given against Gulen on grounds that he ''set up organizations and launched activities to establish state based on Shariah by demolishing secular state order.'' Gulen will be the only defendant in the case expected to be opened till next week. ERCEL: ''WE ARE NOT IMPATIENT TO OMIT ZERO FROM TURKISH LIRA'' RADIKAL (LEFT)PRAISE FOR DEVELOPMENTS MARKED IN INFLATIONAlexandre Iwanchuk Bibbee, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development's (OECD) Turkey Desk Chief, said that many things changed in Turkey's economy within framework of programme to struggle against inflation. Carlo Cottarelli, the International Monetary Fund's (IMF) Turkey Desk Chief who listened to the conference given by Central Bank Governor Gazi Ercel in New York, said that Turkey achieved to keep its inflation at a low rate in the last six months despite the oil shock. WOULD YOU TEACH ME HOW TO DANCE? OPERATION AGAINST SECTS YENİ BİNYIL (LIBERAL)SUPPORT FROM SUPREME JURISDICTION TO THE GOVERNMENTErol Cirakman, the Chairman of the Council of State said the decrees having the force of law (KHK) should be regarded as the laws, adding that when the draft KHK on civil servants was submitted to the President for the second time, it had to be signed. Cirakman said that the KHKs were adopted within the framework of the Authority Law, adding that the Council of Ministers uses the authority and will the parliament gives to it for a temporary period of time. ''Now the KHK has to be adopted by the parliament as a law,'' Cirakman noted. When asked whether the KHK in question is against the Constitution and the Authority Law, Cirakman noted that the KHK is not against the Authority Law. GOVERNMENT TO BRING THE DECREE TO THE PARLIAMENT ''Chairmen of the three parties did not find Mr. President's explanation convincing and they agreed that his excuses were against the Constitution, '' the statement said. President Sezer by not signing the decree has encouraged enemies of the regime even if he did not intend to do so. The decree openly aimed to prevent separatist and anti-secular activities from leaking into the state and eliminate those which already exist in the state. The Ministers Council will work to make Parliament discuss the law as a priority.'' TURKIYE (RIGHT)TURKISH WORLD LOSES ELCIBEYEbulfeyz Elcibey, the former President of Azerbaijan and the leader of Azerbaijani Public Front Party, lost his life in Ankara yesterday. Elcibey's coffin wrapped in Turkish flag was sent to Baku on a Turkish Airlines (THY) plane after the state ceremony. Elcibey will be laid to rest today in Baku at 06:00 p.m. State Ministers Abdulhaluk Mehmet Cay, Hasan Gemici and Edip Safter Gaydali and Transportation and Communications Ministers Enis Oksuz will attend the funeral. TRANSFER TO PARLIAMENT EARTHQUAKE SHOCKS ANKARA ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)THERE IS NOT A CRISISPoliticians believe that the difference of opinion between the President and the government would be solved through dialogue. They think that the tension was temporary and unnecessary. Members of Parliament want the decree in question to be brought to the Parliament for discussion. The Motherland Party (ANAP) does not accept that there is a crisis in the government. They believe that an opinion should be made sovereign in ordder to rapidly remove the crisis. IMPRISONMENT VERDICT ON ERBAKAN SENT TO PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE [02] PERFORMANCE OF FOREIGN INVESTMENT FUNDSANKARA - Nineteen of the twenty foreign investment funds which are offered to public in Turkey made profit to their investors in June 2000.According to the Capital Market Board (SPK) data, yields of the 20 foreign investment funds in June 2000 and first half of 2000 on the U.S. dollars basis are as follows: June First 6 Months Name of Fund (percent) ---------------------------------------- -------- ---------- 2-American Growth Portfolio (B) 2.95 3.30 3-Alliance International Health Care Fund (A) 9.39 17.07 4-Alliance International Health Care Fund (B) 10.21 16.60 5-American Income Portfolio (A) 2.50 3.80 6-American Income Portfolio (B) 2.50 3.50 7-Short Maturity Dollar Portfolio (A) 0.40 2.00 8-Short Maturity Dollar Portfolio (B) 0.30 1.70 9-Money Manager 1 0.39 2.56 10-Money Manager 2 0.31 2.63 11-Citicelect Asia Tilt 300 Balanced 3.60 -1.78 12-Citicelect Asia Tilt 400 Growth 4.73 -3.75 13-Citiselect Asia Tilt 500 Growth 5.71 -5.39 14-USD Long Term Bonds 1.67 15-Global Bonds Euro 0.28 16-Global Bonds USD 1.51 17-Global Balanced 3.47 18-World Equities 4.43 19-European Equities Euro -0.06 20-US Large Company Equities 1.30 Note: The last seven funds were not included in the statistics for the first six months of 2000 as their sale in Turkey started as of February 28. [03] EXPORTS OF HAZELNUTS REACHES 199 THOUSAND TONSGIRESUN - Exports of hazelnuts from Turkey reached 198 thousand 790 tons.The Black Sea Hazelnut Exporters' Union said on Wednesday that Turkey had obtained 690 million 142 thousand 359 U.S. dollars from exports of hazelnuts since September 1, 1999, the beginning of the 1999-2000 export year. Turkey exported hazelnuts to nearly 80 countries including the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). The amount of hazelnuts exported to the European Union (EU) countries this export season reached 163 thousand 235 tons. Officials said that in the same period last year, Turkey had exported 173 thousand 549 tons of hazelnuts, and obtained 718 million 749 thousand U.S. dollars foreign exchange income. Officials added that they thought exports of hazelnuts would reach 200 thousand tons and the foreign exchange income would increase to 700 million U.S. dollars. The 1999-2000 export season will end one week later. [04] WORLD BANK'S TURKEY DIRECTOR CHIBBER IN MARDINMARDIN - Culture Minister Istemihan Talay and World Bank's Turkey Director Ajay Chibber visited on Wednesday Temel Kocaklar, the Governor of southeastern Mardin province.Talay and Chibber, who watched the slides of historical and touristic sites in Mardin, later proceeded to Kasimiye Madrasah. Talay and the accompanying delegation drank water from 600-year-old fountain. Visiting Kirklar Church, Talay received information from Priest Gabriel Akyuz. Akyuz told Talay that they expect assistance to restore the cemetery belonging to Morst Muni Church. Joining the inauguration of Mardin Culture Museum, Talay said that he is very pleased to be in Mardin, where the religions, beliefs and cultures intermingle. Talay continued, ''this visit is important because the people of this region were very friendly and close to us during our two-day visit. I want to emphasize that we will make significant contributions to the social and cultural activities in the region by knowing that the region has many touristic sites.'' Talay added, ''The Republic of Turkey and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) have shown Mardin as a candidate for the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage. If Mardin's constructive structure is preserved and if Mardin is transferred to forthcoming generations, the beauty of the region will continue to exist till eternity.'' -69TH INTERNATIONAL IZMIR FAIR TO BE OPENED ON AUGUST 26 Staging a press conference, Fevzi Hepsenkal, the Director General of Izmir Fair Services and Art Affairs Corp (IZFAS), said on Wedneday that they expected nearly 3 million people to visit the fair. Hepsenkal said that a total of 860 firms including 320 foreign firms would take part in the fair. He stressed that Moldova would be the honorary guest of this year's fair. Hepsenkal told reporters that opening ceremony of the 69th International Izmir Fair would be held at Ataturk Open Air Theatre. He noted that President Petru Lucinschi of Moldova would be in attendance at the ceremony. Fevzi Hepsenkal said that a series of conferences on ''Entrepreneurship in the New Millennium and the Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMSEs)'' would be held within scope of the 69th International Izmir Fair. He added that a new stand was formed under the title of ''World Cuisines'' in order to promote food of different countries. [05] IRANIAN PRESIDENT PROMISES TO WORK FOR SOLUTION OF SECURITYPROBLEMS BETWEEN TURKEY AND IRANANKARA - President Ahmet Necdet Sezer said on Wednesday that Iran's support to Turkey in fighting against terrorist organizations such as the PKK and Hezbollah, will be a determining factor in the relations between Turkey and Iran. The Foreign Ministry said that Sezer gave important messages to Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Mohsen Aminzade who is currently visiting Turkey. During the meetings, Aminzade presented Sezer a written message from Iranian President Mohammed Khatami and once again invited Sezer to his country. Khatami's message said, ''Iran targeted to maintain a safe environment and understanding through dialogue in the world, especially with its neighbours.'' His message which also included historical, cultural and social ties between the two countries, stressed that ''Iran would make all the effort necessary for the solution of security problems between the two countries.'' Sezer, during their contacts, noted that maintenance of security atmosphere was a key element in Turkey-Iran relations. He also noted that the support that will be given by Iran to Turkey to fight against the terrorist organizations like the PKK and Hezbollah will be a determining factor in reaching a desirable point in the bilateral relations. Thanking for Khatami's invitation, Sezer said he ''wishes to visit Tehran when the expected developments take place between Turkey and Iran.'' [06] PRESIDENT DENKTAS OF TRNC:-''WE HAVE PROPOSED A CONFEDERATION WITHTWO STATES TO PROVIDE PEACE ON CYPRUS'' LEFKOSA - President Rauf Denktas of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) said on Wednesday, ''we have proposed a confederation with two states to provide peace on Cyprus.'' Addressing journalists in his office, President Denktas stressed, ''the issue of membership to the European Union (EU) will be discussed after the Turkish Cypriots' rights and status are recognized. Membership application in the name of Cyprus is nothing but a forgery.'' Noting that there was not a Republic of Cyprus, President Denktas told reporters, ''the Republic of Cyprus is the Greek Cypriot republic. The Greek Cypriots applied for the full membership to the EU. Their target is to eradicate the Turkish Cypriots and their rights. They also aim at making whole Cyprus a Greek Cypriot Republic. We have been resisting against them. The world has begun to understand reasons of our resistance.'' Following the press release, President Denktas met with Edward Clay, the High Commissioner of Britain to Lefkosa. No statement has been issued yet about agenda of the meeting. [07] NUMBER OF FRENCH TOURISTS VISITING TURKEY INCREASESPARIS - A sharp increase has been observed in the number of French tourists visiting Turkey this year.Paris Tourism Consultancy office said that the number of French tourists who came to Turkey in July increased by 112 percent and reached 74,155. The increase in July is also 37 percent higher compared to July of 1998. French tourists mostly prefer Istanbul and Cappadocia to spend their vacations. The total number of tourists who visited Turkey in July rose by 60 percent compared to last year and reached 1 million 490,976. Since the beginning of 2000, about 5,5 million tourists came to Turkey. [08] STATE MINISTER ONAL RECEIVES IRANIAN FOREIGN MINISTER AMINZADEANKARA - State Minister Recep Onal received Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Mohsen Aminzade and his delegation on Wednesday.Following the meeting which was held in Treasury Undersecretariat building, Aminzade told reporters that his contacts were constructive. Aminzade noted that economic relations between Turkey and Iran are advancing and added that the Iranian natural gas would reach Turkey in less than a year. Noting that the project is a 25-year long agreement, Aminzade said the agreement would bring Turkish and Iranian people closer and also increase their welfare levels. Pointing out that a group of Turkish businessmen visited Iran in recent months, Aminzade said their visit was fruitful and a similar delegation of Iranian businessmen would also visit Turkey soon. Aminzade told reporters that during the meetings they agreed that Turkey and Iran would make joint investments in third countries and increase their trade volume. When asked if they reached any concrete results in the security matter, Aminzade said ''he believed his contacts were beneficial.'' Noting that there is a Security Cooperation Mechanism between the two countries, Aminzade said authorities from both countries will come together to discuss these issues which are part of this mechanism. ''There are many things to do and many issues that need to be focused on between Turkey and Iran. If there is a problem, it could be solved through dialogue. There is no problem that cannot be overcome,'' he added. [09] ANAP DEPUTY CHAIRMAN CELEBI:''I CONGRATULATESEZER FOR HIS POSITION REGARDING KHK''IZMIR - Motherland Party (ANAP) Deputy Chairman Isin Celebi said President Ahmet Necdet Sezer displayed a correct attitude regarding the decree having the power of law (KHK) which would have facilitated dismissal of civil servants who were involved in separatist and fundamentalist Islamist activities. ''Turkey should be a state of law,'' Celebi said. ''All requirements of democracy should be fulfilled. Discussing KHK at Parliament is a right decision. We should approach the matter lawfully. I thank Mr. President for his attitude on this matter and congratulate him as a citizen. As ANAP, we don't have to accept everything that is stated by the government.'' Noting that political ethics should should exist in all fields, Celebi suggested passing a political ethics law. He also said that political immunity of deputies should be lifted. He pointed out that they are working hard to complete their projects in Izmir, Celebi asked for the cooperation of deputies from other political parties on this matter. [10] DENKTAS:''THOSE WHO WANT PEACE IMMEDIATELY SHOULD STATECLEARLY WHAT KIND OF PEACE THEY WANT''LEFKOSA - President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) Rauf Denktas said on Wednesday that ''the people who want peace should immediately and clearly state what kind of peace they want.'' ''Do we have to accept all proposals of the Greek Cypriots for peace? We want confederation which means one state in international relations and two states in domestic affairs,'' Denktas told reporters. Responding to accusations that he is not informing anyone about the Cyprus talks, Denktas said such allegations aim to mislead people. ''Proximity talks are run under confidentiality as requested by UN Secretary General Kofi Annan. We are informing our people and political party leaders about the negotiations. The government is receiving information from the Foreign Ministry.'' On August 28, Monday, Denktas will brief deputies about proximity talks and developments on Cyprus at the TRNC Parliament. [11] COUNTDOWN STARTS FOR CITRIC ACID FACTORY IN ADIYAMANADIYAMAN - The biggest investment with foreign capital of the South East Anatolia Project (GAP) will be set up in Adiyaman.Mehmet Sirri Ozen from Adiyaman GAP Center to Support Enterpreneurs said that they are about to complete the legal procedures to found the citric acid factory which will cost 60 million U.S. dollars. The citric acid is a water soluble substance found in limes and lemons and it is chiefly used in the flavoring of beverages and confections. The factory will be built jointly by HYGEA and an Israeli giant firm GADOT, Ozen said and added that HYGEA firm's owners Mehmet Gunyeli and Cem Bozkurt are planning to start two more big investments of foreign capital after this one. ''This factory will be the biggest step to reach the social and economic targets set by the GAP Master Plan,'' he said and added that the factory will make GAP region a center of attraction for other foreign investments. The factory will first employ 250 people and 10,000 tons of its production will be exported annually. [12] DELEGATION FROM BAKU MUNICIPALITY VISITS ANKARA MAYOR GOKCEKANKARA - A delegation of four people headed by Baku Municipality Coordination Council Chairman Iskender Israfilov visited Melh Gokcek, Ankara Mayor, at his office on Wednesday.Briefing Gokcek about municipality activities in Azerbaijan, Israfilov said they had contacts with various units of the Ankara Municipality which were very beneficial. Gokcek said in his part that he was planning to visit Baku before the end of the year and exchange experiences between the municipalities.
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