Anadolu Agency: News in English, 00-09-08

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ANADOLU AGENCY

NEWS

08

SEPTEMBER 2000 Friday

CONTENTS

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

[02] THIRD TURKEY ENERGY CONFERENCE TO START NEXT WEEK

[03] TOTAL OF 667 YACHTES ANCHOR AT KAS HARBOUR

[04] INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION INCREASES

[05] WWF DETERMINES 13 SEA REGIONS TO BE PROTECTED IN THE MEDITERRANEAN

[06] TOURISM MINISTER MUMCU SAYS TURKEY IS HAVING MOST FRUITFUL YEAR IN TOURISM OF LAST DECADE

[07] PREMIER ECEVIT:''A SOLUTION WHICH DOES NOT CONSIDER THE SOVEREIGN EXISTENCE AND EQUALITY OF TRNC AS THE BASIS CAN'T BE LASTING''

[08] OECD ISTANBUL CENTER OPENS

[09] LOGOGLU, THE UNDERSECRETARY OF FOREIGN MINISTRY, DUE TO BRUSSELS

[10] AKBULUT TO REPRESENT TURKEY AT SOUTH EASTERN EUROPE STABILITY PACT PARLIAMENTARIANS SUMMIT

[11] DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ RECEIVES IMF TURKEY DESK CHIEF COTTARELLI

[12] TRNC PRESIDENT DENKTAS: ''ISSUE OF MISSING PEOPLE IS A SHAME FOR GREEK CYPRIOTS''

[13] TRNC AMBASSADOR BULUNC SAYS ECEVIT'S STATEMENT ON CYPRUS TALKS WAS ''EXTREMELY IMPORTANT AND VALUABLE''

[14] TRNC PRESIDENT DENKTAS TO LEAVE FOR NEW YORK ON SATURDAY MORNING

[15] BRITISH SECRETARY OF STATE RAYNSFORD IN TURKEY ON SATURDAY

[16] PARLIAMENT SPEAKER AKBULUT RETURNS HOME FROM NEW YORK

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

GOODBYE PARRIS
Mark Parris, the U.S. Ambassador to Turkey, and his wife Joan Parris are departing from Ankara, where they came three years ago, today. Residents of Ankara recognized Joan Parris with the Mamak Garbage Area action. Joan Parris said that she wants to plant a sapling in the garbage area when she comes to Ankara again.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

FIRST INTERNATIONAL MEETING IN TRNC
Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, which is not recognized by any countries in the world except Turkey, hosted an international meeting on Thursday. This is the first time that TRNC hosts an international meeting since the day it was founded. The World Association of Press Councils (WAPC) convened in Gazimagusa to discuss the freedom of the press. The Secretary of the WAPC said that when they decided to organize this conference in TRNC, they faced several threats of the Greek Cypriots and that the Greek Cypriots sent letters to the delegates to prevent them from attending the conference. More than 150 delegates from 16 member and eight observer countries are participating in the conference.

SABAH (LIBERAL)

TELEKOM PROBLEM
Ugur Bayar, the Head of Privatization Administration Board, said that the only problem in privatization is Turk Telekom. Carlo Cottarelli, the International Monetary Fund's (IMF) Turkey Desk Chief, said that the privatization of Turk Telekom is a very important initiative and that he hopes this privatization will be accelerated. Bayar said that there are only three months left to the end of the year and that it has almost become definite that there will be deviation from the programme.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

DGM announced its verdict which sentenced 33 suspects to death at the end of the third trial. The Court said in its reasoned verdict that the sacred books consider killing even an ant a sin. ''The suspects didn't fell pity while the 37 persons burnt to death. The Turkish-Islam history didn't see such a grave incident in its history,'' it noted.

TURK RESOLVED ON OMBUDSMANSHIP
Justice Minister Hikmet Sami Turk submitted the draft law regarding formation of ''Ombudsmanship,'' to the Council of Ministers. A commission would be set up to hold works on the draft. Some ministers from the Motherland Party (ANAP), said the institution would cause ''authority disorder.''

RADIKAL (LEFT)

A total of 350 kilograms of stout leather, four metres of lace, 200 kilograms of glue were used to produce the giant shoe.

''WE WILL OVERCOME THE PROBLEM WITH PREFABRICATED SCHOOLS''
Education, which was interrupted because of demolished schools and lack of teachers in the wake of the massive Marmara quake, will start on September 11, like the other schools throughout Turkey. Metin Bostancioglu, the National Education Minister, pointed out that education, which has been carried out in the region in tents in the region, will turn to normal after the prefabricated schools are opened. He said, ''prefabricated schools are not permanent, but also not temporary. I don't want the students and their parents to feel uneasiness.''

YENİ BİNYIL (LIBERAL)

DEMIRALP HOPEFUL ABOUT PROGRAMME
Selcuk Demiralp, the Treasury Undersecretary, said that economic program, in general, gave positive results. Responding to questions of journalists, Demiralp said that the economic balances of 2000 should be reviewed to determine the basic principles for 2001. Demiralp added that the budget of 2001 should be assessed according to that.

ISRAELI FILM FESTIVAL STARTS
The Israeli Film Festival started in Ankara. The festival organized jointly by the Israeli Embassy in Ankara and Ankara Cinema Association will introduce Israeli films to people of Ankara until September 10.

TURKIYE (RIGHT)

HISTORIC DECISION FROM THE SUPREME COURT
Criminal Court no:1 annuled the six months imprisonment terms given to Tayfun Ozyolu, who caused two people to die in traffic accident in Kirikkale township, and demanded 48 years imprisonment terms for Ozyolu on charges of intentional killing.

''GAY'' ALARM IN ISTANBUL POLICE
A total of 833 gay tourists, arrived in Istanbul after Kusadasi and Ephesus. Police took extraordinary security measures for the ''gays,'' who visit historical and touristic sites.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

30 ARRESTS IN WHALE OPERATION
A total of 30 people, including customs chief directors, and directors of tax departments, who were captured within the framework of fictitious operation launched in Aegean Izmir province, were arrested.

SEZER, HOPE OF THE U.S.
The U.S. President Bill Clinton expects ''personal'' contribution of President Ahmet Necdet Sezer with his ''respectable'' identity, for adjustment to the European Union (EU). Clinton expressed his sympathy to Sezer and Turkey by including him to the list of his bilateral meetings. Clinton, at the meeting, stressed the respectable identity of the President like the other leading Western leaders.

[02] THIRD TURKEY ENERGY CONFERENCE TO START NEXT WEEK

A written statement issued by the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, said the conference which will be staged in September 12 and 12 will take place in Hilton Hotel.

The conference will open with the speech of Yurdakul Yigitguden, the Undersecretary of Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, and will be completed with the closing speech of Cumhur Ersumer, the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources on Turkey's energy policy.

Energy policy and restructuring, de-regulation of electricity and natural gas, improvement of Turkey's electricity production capacity, natural gas balances and projects, and structural problems in energy will be discussed at the conference.

[03] TOTAL OF 667 YACHTES ANCHOR AT KAS HARBOUR

The officials said that some tourists prefered to anchor in beautiful bays of Kas.

The yachtes anchored at Kas Harbour mostly carried German, French and Italian tourists, the officials noted.

The officials added that British and Israeli tourists were also interested in yacht tourism.

[04] INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION INCREASES

The State Institute of Statistics said in a written statement that when first seven months of last year is compared to the same period of this year, the production in metal industry has decreased 5.8 percent, while production in manufacturing industry has increased 3.4 and production in electricity, gas and water industry has increased 8.3 percent.

During the seven months period of last year, the production in overall industry had decreased 4.3 percent, the production in metal industry decreased 7.8 percent, and the production in the manufacturing industry decreased 5.1 percent, while gas and water sector displayed an increase of 4.9 percent.

This year during July, production of overall industry has increased 3.5 compared to the same month of this year.

During this period, production of metal industry has decreased with the rate of 12.3 while the production of manufacturing industry has increased 4.2 percent and electric, gas and water industry displayed an increase of 6.6 percent.

Last year during July, production in overall industry had decreased 3.5 percent, the production in metal industry decreased 9.9 percent, the production in manufacturing industry decreased 4

[05] WWF DETERMINES 13 SEA REGIONS TO BE PROTECTED IN THE MEDITERRANEAN

Authorities from Wild Life Preservation Association, the associate of WWF in Turkey stated that the WWF has warned the governments about the urgent need to preserve at least 10 percent of Mediterranean sea and shores for the coming ten years.

The Sea regions that WWF asks to be preserved are as follows:

1. Alboran Sea (Spain, Morocco,Algeria)

2. Balearic Islands (Spain)

3. Liguria-Provence shore (France, Italy, Monaco)

4. Corso-Sardinia shore (France, Italy)

5. South Tiren shores (Italy)

6. Dalmation shores (Croatia)

7. East Ioanian shores and islands (Albania, Greece)

8. Aegean Sea and Anatolia shores (Foca, Karaburun, Cirali-Turkey, Megisti Island-Greece)

9. Cilicia shores(Shores between Anamur and Samandag and Yumurtalık Gulf- North Shores of Turkey and Cyprus)

10. Cyrenaic shores (Libya)

11. Sirte Gulf (Libya)

12. Gabes Gulf (Tunisia)

13. Algeria-Tunisia shores (Algeria, Tunisia)

WWF, called Mediterranean countries and the governments to take precautions to preserve the areas mentioned.

[06] TOURISM MINISTER MUMCU SAYS TURKEY IS HAVING MOST FRUITFUL YEAR IN TOURISM OF LAST DECADE

Noting that they obtained very good results in the first eight months, Mumcu said there was a 40 percent increase in the number of visitors compared to August 1999. A total of 1.5 million tourists came to Turkey last month.

''We hosted 7 million tourists in eight months. The closest figure to this was 6.5 million in 1997,'' Mumcu told A.A correspondent.

Mumcu stated that they would continue the same promotion strategy. He also added that they would focus on public relations more in the remaining of the year.

[07] PREMIER ECEVIT:''A SOLUTION WHICH DOES NOT CONSIDER THE SOVEREIGN EXISTENCE AND EQUALITY OF TRNC AS THE BASIS CAN'T BE LASTING''

''Mr. Denktas proposed a realist arrangement which foresees cooperation on the basis of a confederal structure between the two states on the island. We share and support the proposal of Mr. Denktas,'' said Ecevit.

Issuing a written statement, Premier Ecevit said that TRNC President Rauf Denktas will leave for New York on September 9 to participate in the fourth round of the proximity talks on Cyprus.

The aim of the proximity talks is to prepare the negotiation basis aimed at starting the comprehensive negotiations by the U.N. Secretary General, said Ecevit and stressed that this means that unless the negotiation basis is formed, the proximity talks will continue. ''The direct and comprehensive negotiations will start when the negotiation basis is prepared and when the sides are considered equals. This is the understanding of the President Rauf Denktas and us,'' said Ecevit.

''Turkey wishes the peace and stability that continue in Cyprus since 1974 to be permanent and it continues to support the proximity talks for this reason. No return back to the period before 1974 is possible. We, as the guarantor country, can't permit that in respect of the physical, economic, political and social security of the Turkish Cypriot nation. TRNC is a sovereign state which continues to exist for 17 years in spite of all the impediments and it has formed all of its institutions,'' said Ecevit and he also wished success to Denktas for the proximity talks.

[08] OECD ISTANBUL CENTER OPENS

State Minister Abdulhaluk Mehmet Cay who spoke at the opening said Istanbul Private Sector Development Center which has been active since 1994 will be more productive at its new and better equipped building.

Cay noted that OECD, Turkish Cooperation and Development Agency (TIKA) and the German government's Techical Aid Association (GZT) will jointly run the activities at this center. He also said that the partners signed a 5-year agreement.

Cay, OECD Secretary General Donald Johnston, Istanbul Governor Erol Cakir, and Istanbul Stock Market Exchange (IMKB) Chairman Osman Birsen attended the opening.

[09] LOGOGLU, THE UNDERSECRETARY OF FOREIGN MINISTRY, DUE TO BRUSSELS

A statement from the Foreign Ministry said, Logoglu will meet with the officials from the European Union (EU) Commission and Council during his visit to Brussels.

At the meetings various aspects of Turkey-EU relations will be discussed.

[10] AKBULUT TO REPRESENT TURKEY AT SOUTH EASTERN EUROPE STABILITY PACT PARLIAMENTARIANS SUMMIT

Parliament representatives of South East European countries will attend the summit titled ''The Role of Parliamentarians in the Implementation of Stability Pact and Strengthening European-Atlantic Integration''. Western European Union (WEU), NATO and OSCE Parliamentarians Board, Council of Eruope, European Parliament and parliaments of 38 countries including Russia, Britain, France, Canada, Greece, Spain, Sweeden and Switzerland will also be represented at the summit.

Croation Parliament Speaker Zlatko Tomcic will deliver a speech at the opening day of the summit on September 12, Tuesday. Later the attendees will start discussions on the main subjects.

Parliament Speaker Yildirim Akbulut who will leave for Zagreb on September 10 will represent Turkey at the summit. He will give a speech on September 13 at the General Council and return home on September 14.

A declaration is expected to be announced at the end of the summit titled ''the Zagreb Declaration.'' The declaration will emphasize the importance of the stability pact in the integration OF South Eastern European countries with European-Atlantic world. The participants will call for more stability in the world. The declaration will state that advancing cooperation among parliaments will help to realize the targets of the Stability Pact.

The European Union brought together the member countries of the Stability Pact in the German city of Koln in 1999. At the end of the meeting, it was stated that the Stability Pact aimed to support democracy, respect to human rights, and economic prosperity to maintain peace and stability in South Eastern European countries.

The member countries agreed to work together to end tension and crisis, to sign multilateral and bilateral agreements and to take national measures to overcome existing conflicts.

[11] DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ RECEIVES IMF TURKEY DESK CHIEF COTTARELLI

After a 45-minute meeting, Cottarelli told reporters that he and Yilmaz discussed macro economic issues and Turkey's relations with the European Union.

Following his meeting with Cottarelli, Yilmaz attended the EU Interior Coordination and Adjustment Committee's ''Inter-Ministries Coordination'' meeting.

[12] TRNC PRESIDENT DENKTAS: ''ISSUE OF MISSING PEOPLE IS A SHAME FOR GREEK CYPRIOTS''

Denktas said that the issue which could be sorted out 27 years ago easily has been suspended by the Greek Cypriot side for making it an issue of propaganda and political attack, deceiving the families of the missing people.

Denktas said that the things told by Clerides about the missing people are only propaganda, adding that ''we feel sad when we hear those lies.''

''The acts of the Greek Cypriot side calling the immigrants to return back and the applications to the European Court of Human Rights show that they don't want to make an agreement with us.''

''It is possible to solve the issue between the two equal states, but the path followed by the Greek Cypriots is not that,'' said Denktas.

Glafcos Clerides had brought onto agenda the issue of missing people in New York in his meeting with U.N. Secretary General.

[13] TRNC AMBASSADOR BULUNC SAYS ECEVIT'S STATEMENT ON CYPRUS TALKS WAS ''EXTREMELY IMPORTANT AND VALUABLE''

Bulunc was at the Prime Ministry when Ecevit was reading out his statement to reporters. He said Ecevit clearly stated that there would be no return to the past situation in Cyprus and the only realistic solution would be based on a confederation between two equal states.

''Ecevit clearly stated that there could be no face to face talks before the equality of two nations and two states is officially recognized. His statement was very important and valuable to us,'' Bulunc said. ''The forthcoming talks will take place within this framework. It is impossible for us to accept a negotiation ground which is outside this frame.''

When asked what he expected from the negotiations in New York, Bulunc said President Denktas was going to New York with good intentions and they could get a positive result if the Greek Cypriot and Greek sides change their previous attitude on the matter.

Greek Cypriot Administration leader Glafcos Clerides on Thursday announced that if they don't obtain any results from the fourth round, they would apply to the U.N. Security Council. Regarding Clerides' statement, Bulunc said, ''his words were threatening and also he indicated that they would not take a step back. If these are taken into consideration, then we won't get any result from the talks.''

''Getting a result from the negotiations is possible if the Greek Cypriot and Greek side take a step back from their previous policies and if they accept the TRNC's existence and sovereignty,'' Bulunc said.

[14] TRNC PRESIDENT DENKTAS TO LEAVE FOR NEW YORK ON SATURDAY MORNING

Foreign and Defense Minister Tahsin Ertugruloglu; Presidency Undersecretary Ergun Olgun; Foreign and Defense Ministry Undersecretary Osman Ertug; President's advisor on constitution and legal issues, Prof. Mumtaz Soysal; President's Advisor on political affairs, Necati Munir Ertekun and Political Affairs Director Mustafa Evran are in Denktas' delegation.

The delegation will arrive in Istanbul at 6 a.m. on Saturday morning and then leave for New York at 12.15 p.m. The delegation members will stay at UN Plaza Hotel in New York during the talks.

Denktas will also come together with Foreign Minister Ismail Cem in New York before the negotiations start.

UN Secretary General Kofi Annan will attend the opening of the talks like he did beginning of the third round. Later, Annan's Special Cyprus Representative Alvaro De Soto will supervise the negotiations.

Representatives of countries which are closely following the Cyprus issue such as the United States and Britain will also be in New York while the talks continue.

[15] BRITISH SECRETARY OF STATE RAYNSFORD IN TURKEY ON SATURDAY

The British Embassy said on Friday that he will come together with Koray Aydın, the Minister of Public Works and Housing the same day and he will submit the action plan of reconstruction to him.

The plan determines certain infrastructure projects for Yalova province and the British firms are expected to take part in the implementation of these projects.

Raynsford will later meet with Recep Onal, the State Minister and National Education Minister Metin Bostancıoglu and other officials.

The British Secretary of State will proceed to Antalya on September 13 and participate in the regional development seminar that is held by the British Embassy.

[16] PARLIAMENT SPEAKER AKBULUT RETURNS HOME FROM NEW YORK

Akbulut returned home on Friday after attending the National Parliament Speakers Meeting in New York which was organized jointly by the United Nations and Inter-Parliamentary Association.

Speaking at a press briefing, Akbulut said they have discussed measures that would strengthen international cooperation and ways to get more participation from national parliaments in the international decision making mechanism.

''I emphasized the need to make improvements in health and education fields and promote democracy, tolerance and human rights in our countries,'' he said. ''I stated that this would be possible if the UN and regional organization fulfil their responsibilities in the region. Turkey is ready to do its share in this cooperation. In New York, I said that the Turkish Parliament is willing to undertake more responsibility in international relations.''

Akbulut said the parliament speakers who attended the meeting agreed on a declaration titled ''Parliamentarian Vision for International Cooperation Beginning of the Third Millennium.''

The declaration included a series of points including international peace, security, democracy, respect for human rights, equality between the sexes, unarmament and lifting of mass destruction weapons including biological and chemical weaopons, and protection of environment.

Noting that he had bilateral contacts with parliament speakers of Belgium, Croatia, Azerbaijan and Bulgaria, Akbulut said they discussed increasing cooperation between parliaments as well as various developments in the region.

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