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Anadolu Agency: News in English, 00-09-27

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

27 SEPTEMBER 2000

Wednesday


CONTENTS

  • [01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN
  • [02] INVENTORY LIST OF CULTURAL AND HISTORICAL HERITAGES OF GAP REGION TO BE PREPARED
  • [03] JOURNALISTS FROM BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA TO VISIT GAP REGION
  • [04] ''MERHABA ATHENS, HERE ISTANBUL'' PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBITION OPENED IN ISTANBUL
  • [05] A PRICELESS OLD TESTAMENT CONFISCATED
  • [06] VERHEUGEN: ''TURKEY IS INDISPENSABLE FOR EUROPE''
  • [07] CHIEF OF GENERAL STAFF: ''ALLEGATIONS IN THE BILL ON SO-CALLED GENOCIDE ON ARMENIANS ARE TOTALLY ON WRONG BASIS''
  • [08] TPAO AND EL PASO START JOINT EXPLORATIONS IN MERSIN GULF
  • [09] ST.PAUL CHURCH IN ADIYAMAN EXPECTED TO DRAW MORE TOURISTS
  • [10] STATE MINISTER MIRZAOGLU: ''TURKEY IS FACING THE MOST SERIOUS DEFAMATION IN ITS HISTORY''
  • [11] SYRIAN INTERIOR MINISTER HARBA: ''WE WILL OPEN A NEW PAGE IN OUR RELATIONS''
  • [12] TURKEY AND GEORGIA TO HOLD JOINT MILITARY EXERCISES
  • [13] FOREIGN MINISTRY DEPUTY SPOKESMAN DIRIOZ:''OUR EFFORTS WILL CONTINUE TILL THE LAST MINUTE TO PREVENT THE PASSAGE OF THE BILL''

  • [01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

    These are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in Turkey's press on Sept 27, 2000. The Anadolu Ajansi does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

    HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

    AYTUFAN: ''I HAD PLANTED BOMB ON KISLALI'S CAR''
    Interrogation of Rustu Aytufan, a member of the illegal Jerusalem Warriors organization and one of the suspects of the bomb-attacks on journalist- writer Prof. Dr. Ahmet Taner Kislali and Jewish Yuda Yurum, is continuing. During his interrogation, Aytufan confessed that he had planted the bomb on Kislali's car. Aytufan said that the bomb had been prepared by Oguz Demir, the bomb expert of the illegal organization who could not be captured yet.

    ONE MORE PICASSO PAINTING SEIZED
    Pablo Picasso's painting depicting two people holding wine glasses at a table was seized in Mardin. Five people were captured during the operation. Acting on a tip-off, security forces were disguised as buyers, and they contacted the dealers. The teams captured a man red handed after he gave them the painting which is 80 to 60 centimeters. The painting of Picasso dated 1920 has an estimated market value of 15 to 20 trillion TL.

    MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

    COLD SHOWER FOR KUTAN
    Virtue Party (FP) leader Recai Kutan who went to Europe to seek support for his party, instead listened to advice from European Parliament Socialist Group Deputy Chairman Swoboda. Swobodo told Kutan that ''secularism is the basis element of the EU.'' All political parties would accept secularism and respect it, Swoboda said and advised him ''not to use religion as a tool in politics.'' Kutan didn't find what he expected during his contacts on Tuesday.

    ONE MORE DECREE, ONE MORE VETO FROM SEZER
    President Sezer returned the decree regarding the privatization of state banks to the government and said ''tax issues cannot be solved through a decree.'' Responding to Ecevit's criticism, Sezer said ''I have no conflicts.''

    SABAH (LIBERAL)

    COMPULSORY EARTHQUAKE INSURANCE TO START
    The ''Compulsory Earthquake Insurance'' which was brought onto the agenda following the devastating earthquakes will come into force as of September 27. The procedures at the deed office will be suspended if the landlords do not make to Compulsory Earthquake Insurance, and the law on the Compulsory Earthquake Insurance foresees fine to the landlords. Turkey is separated in five regions in calculations of the insurance premium. The insurance premium will be high in the risky regions.

    TWO QUAKE-SURVIVOR CHILDREN DIE IN FIRE
    Two children lost their lives in a fire which broke out in their hut in Hendek township of quake-stricken Sakarya province. A fire broke out in a hut erected by quake-survivor Balikci family in Hendek after the devastating earthquake, killing one and a half-year-old Ufuk Balikci and his brother Hasim, 4.

    CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

    PRESIDENT VETOES AGAIN
    President Ahmet Necdet Sezer vetoed the decree with the force of law (KHK) on privatization of three public banks. The government reacted to this second veto after the KHK on civil servants. The government stated that the President had approved amendement to Law on Security Organization which included same arrangements as the KHK on public banks, and defined the veto as a contradiction. President Sezer said that the KHK was including an arrangement which did not take place in the Income Law. Evaluating the veto as an ''unexpected development'', the government decided to re-submit the KHK to the President. In order to overcome the Presidency obstacle, Prime Minister Ecevit said that they would do what was necessary. These words were considered as a government's search for a method which does not include the President.

    BESIKTAS SEE SIX GOALS IN THEIR NET
    Besiktas made Turkey upset this time. Besiktas which wanted to gain at least one point from the game with Leeds was defeated 0-6. In another group match, AC Milan of Italy beat Barcelona of Spain 2-0. The goals came from Coco and Biefhoff.

    AYTUFAN EXPLAINS ASSASINATION
    Rustu Aytufan, the bomber of the Jerusalem Warriors, did re-enactment of assasination of Ahmet Taner Kislali in front of his house in Ankara. Aytufan who received training in Iran confessed that he had planted the bomb on Kislali's car.

    RADIKAL (LEFT)

    ONE MORE PICASSO
    One more painting of Picasso has been found in Mardin and five people related to the incident were arrested. This is the fourth painting of Picasso seized in the last four months in Turkey. The famous artist made the painting depicting two people holding wine glasses at a table in 1920. The estimated market value of the painting is 15 to 20 trillion Turkish Liras.

    BAYKAL MISSES HIS SEAT
    Former leader of the People's Republican Party (CHP), Deniz Baykal announced that he will be a candidate to be the CHP chairman again during the party convention on September 30. Baykal said he was encouraged to be a candidate by his party members as well as people.

    YENİ BİNYIL (LIBERAL)

    SERVANTIE:''TURKEY MADE VER LITTLE PROGRESS SINCE HELSINKI''
    EU Turkey Desk Chairman in charge of englargement Alain Servantie spoke pessimistic about the progress Turkey made in his EU membership process. Servantie said the annual report on Turkey's progress will be out in mid- October, but he refrained from telling about the report's content. Servantie said Turkey, unfortunately, managed to implement only 10 percent of te EU regulations since Helsinki summit and the only concrete development has been the foundation of the EU General Secretariat. Servantie underlined that Parliament has not passed any laws yet. With his excellent Turkish, Servantie explained to Turkish businessmen what areas need progress. ''I hope I didn't scare you, but the EU membership is an important opportunity for you,'' he told them.

    POLIBAK IN IMKB IN NOVEMBER
    Bakioglu Holding is planning to start public sales Polibak Plastic Film Industry and Trade Coorp in November. Bakioglu Holding is one of the 21 companies which are active in packaging, plastic industry, marketing, construction, insurance, transportation, and media sectors. Polibak products are used in the packaging of food, cigarettes, textile, and stationery.

    TURKIYE (RIGHT)

    THIS BILL WON'T BE APPROVED
    Foreign policy experts Paul Henze and Prof. Willard Hardman of the United States said that the bill on so-called genocide on Armenians came onto the agenda in every election period but a result could never be achieved. They said that the bill would remain as a proposal. Expert Edward Tasci said, ''Turkey faces traders of enmity. This decision is the dishonesty of rich Armenians and money-lover politicians.''

    OUTAGE TO START IN OCTOBER
    The ''Savings Campaign'' will start on next Sunday in accordance with a Council of Ministers decision. There will be a two-hour power outage a day.

    BAYKAL TO RUN FOR CHP LEADERSHIP
    Deniz Baykal, the former leader of the Republican People's Party (CHP), welcomed the invitation of CHP leader Altan Oymen and said, ''I am a candidate, too.'' Baykal who wants the chaos in the CHP to be finished said, ''now, I am running for the CHP leadership bu using my democratic right.''

    ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

    DENKTAS: ''OUR CASE WAS UNDERSTOOD BETTER''
    President Rauf Denktas of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) said that the fourth round of proximity talks in New York, the U.S., were beneficial. Denktas said, ''on my personal view, this round was not a waste of time. We have found the opportunity to strongly put forward our case. We believe that our case was understood better by representatives of the United Nations, the U.S., Britain, and Russia.'' He noted that the fifth round of proximity talks on Cyprus would start in Geneva, Switzerland on October 1, 2000.

    [02] INVENTORY LIST OF CULTURAL AND HISTORICAL HERITAGES OF GAP REGION TO BE PREPARED

    GAZIANTEP - Dr. Olcay Unver, the Director of Southeastern Anatolia Project (GAP) Development Administration, said on Tuesday that they would prepare an inventory list of cultural and historical heritages of the GAP region, and added that they would also prepare an action plan within framework of the list.

    Recalling that the region was the center of many ancient civilizations, Unver said, ''we are responsible for protection and promotion of these heritages.''

    Reiterating that they were preparing an action plan and an inventory list, Unver said, ''we will take all necessary measures to rescue and protect the historical and cultural heritages which might be damaged by infrastructure projects and development investments. We will inform residents of the region and all Turkish people on these cultural heritages. These heritages will be used in tourism facilities and urban services.''

    [03] JOURNALISTS FROM BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA TO VISIT GAP REGION

    SANLIURFA - A group of journalists from Bosnia-Herzegovina will visit the Southeastern Anatolia Project (GAP) region.

    GAP Regional Development Management said on Wednesday that eight journalists working at several media organs in Bosnia-Herzegovina would visit the GAP region between September 28-30.

    It said that the journalists would visit Zeugma Ancient city, Birecik and Ataturk Dams and receive information from the officials.

    [04] ''MERHABA ATHENS, HERE ISTANBUL'' PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBITION OPENED IN ISTANBUL

    ISTANBUL - ''Merhaba Athens, Here Istanbul'' photography exhibition which was organized by the Pamukbank with the aim of making an artistic contribution to friendly relations between Turkey and Greece, opened on Tuesday in Istanbul.

    In the exhibition, a total of 42 photographs taken in Istanbul and Athens by five Turkish and Greek photographers, are being displayed.

    The exhibition will remain open till October 28.

    Ara Guler, Izzet Keribar, Arif Asci, Cem Turgay and Sinan Kocaslan from Turkey, and Nicos Ecomopulos, Nici Typaldou, Alcis X. Xanthakis, Nicos Desyilas and Stathis Efstathiadis from Greece are participating in the exhibition with their photographs.

    Izzet Keribar noted that they were very kindly welcomed in Athens, adding that the exhibition would make a valuable contribution to the friendly relations between the two countries which was set up in the wake of last year's devastating earthquake disasters.

    Arif Asci pointed out that he had the chance to observe similar characteristics of two countries' people in Athens.

    Further joint cultural activities should be organized said Sinan Kocaslan, and added that he enjoyed taking the pictures of Athens within the framework of this joint work.

    Meanwhile,''Merhaba Athens, Here Istanbul'' album which will be published in Turkish, Greek, and English languages will be ready for sale in 2001.

    The exhibition will also be displayed in Athens in 2001.

    [05] A PRICELESS OLD TESTAMENT CONFISCATED

    KAYSERI - A number of historical works were confiscated in an operation in Bunyan township of central Kayseri province on Wednesday.

    Acting on a tip-off, the gendarmerie teams raided a house in Yenice neighborhood in Bunyan township.

    They confiscated 22 candlesticks stolen from several mosques in Istanbul, Konya and Afyon; 30 manuscript Koran stolen from the Nasurullah Mosque in Kastamonu; a priceless Old Testatement written in Hebrew on deer-hide, busts and silver coins in the operation.

    A total of four people were taken into custody.

    A full investigation into the incident is underway.

    [06] VERHEUGEN: ''TURKEY IS INDISPENSABLE FOR EUROPE''

    ULM - Guenter Verheugen, a European Union (EU) Commissioner for Enlargement, said on Wednesday that Turkey was indispensable for Europe.

    Delievering a speech in Ulm city of Germany on the occasion of ''Priests and Women Priests Day'', Verheugen said that Turkey had recorded important progress in the EU full-membership path.

    Verheugen stressed that Turkey had made the preparation for very important reforms targeting the future.

    Defending that a NATO ally Turkey was not ready for the EU at the moment regarding the issue of violation of human rights, Verheugen said that the intellectuals in Turkey were in favor of the reforms and EU membership.

    Verheugen said that perspective should be offered to Turkey which was indispensable for Europe.

    Noting that it could be proved wit the Turkey example that the Christian Europe could set up a ''values unity'' with an Islamic country, Verheugen said that this would have a very important influence on the whole Islamic World.

    [07] CHIEF OF GENERAL STAFF: ''ALLEGATIONS IN THE BILL ON SO-CALLED GENOCIDE ON ARMENIANS ARE TOTALLY ON WRONG BASIS''

    IZMIR - The Chief of General Staff General Huseyin Kivrikoglu said on Wednesday that the allegations in the bill on so-called genocide on Armenians were totally on wrong basis.

    General Kivrikoglu who came to Izmir to attend a ceremony on the occasion of laying the foundation of the Fleet Commandership's new headquarters, visited Izmir Governor Alaaddin Yuksel.

    Responding to a question about the bill at the United States House of Representatives during the meeting, General Kivrikoglu said that the bill was totally on a wrong basis.

    ''It was a wrong decision. The people who took such a decision are trying to have the House approve the bill to gain more votes in the election although they know what they are doing is wrong. First of all, countries should take into consideration what they did in their history before taking such a decision about another country. If there were more serious incidents in their history, they should firstly focus on those matters and clean them. There are many things to do regarding the issue. The government and relevant authorities evaluate this and do what is necessary. As the military authority, we are holding several contacts, of course. However, it was a wrong decision. I want to stress this point,'' he said.

    [08] TPAO AND EL PASO START JOINT EXPLORATIONS IN MERSIN GULF

    ANKARA - The Turkish Petroleum Inc (TPAO) gave the start for joint explorations with the American El Paso company in the Mersin Gulf which is believed to have an important hydrocarbon potential.

    TPAO said on Wednesday that the seismic vessel had started its researches in the Mersin Gulf in accordance with the joint exploration agreement which had been signed in July.

    It said that two exploration wells would be installed in 2000-2500 meters depth in a year, and the El Paso would meet the 20-30 million U.S. dollars cost of this installation together with seismic etudes.

    TPAO said that the expenses after the exploration and production would be met equally by the TPAO and El Paso.

    In accordance with the agreement, El Paso, at the first stage, started collection of two-dimension 1,520-kilometer seismic data in Mersin and Iskenderun Gulfs.

    [09] ST.PAUL CHURCH IN ADIYAMAN EXPECTED TO DRAW MORE TOURISTS

    ADIYAMAN - Adiyaman Tourism Acting Director Fehmi Eraslan said St. Paul (Petrous Bulus) Church which opened to service last Sunday was a big opportunity for Adiyaman's promotion and tourism.

    Eraslan told A.A correspondent that the inscription dated 1905 found in the church suggests that the old building was completely demolished before the new one was erected. The church which is believed to be 250-300 years old reflects the region's architectural characteristics.

    Almost all the church's community immigrated to other cities or countries, Eraslan noted and invited them to come back to visit the church and see their old friends whom they left behind. He also called on Turkish Armenians to give financial and moral support to the church.

    Eraslan said a crowded group attended the ceremony which was held for the first time since 1970. ''If a priest is appointed to the church, the tourists who are visiting the region can practice their religion. Such a development might increase tourism activities, and therefore help economy of Adiyaman,'' he commented.

    Adiyaman Trade and Industry Chamber (ATSO) Chairman Zafer Ersoy said Sunday's ceremony brought together hundreds of Syrian Christian families who did not see each other for about 40 years. He said many members of the Syrian Christian community coming from Istanbul, Ankara, Antakya, Gaziantep, Mardin, Diyarbakir, Sanliurfa, Germany, United States and many other countries formed a very nice picture in the church.

    ''Despite differences of religion, all people are brothers,'' Ersoy said. ''Adiyaman is home to the Syrian Christian community. We want to see our friends who had to leave Adiyaman in the past among us again. We lived together on this land for many years.''

    ''We are inviting you here with your jobs, culture, and investments,'' Ersoy said, and added that he hoped the opening of the church would have positive results in economy and social life of Adiyaman.

    Last Sunday, Syrian Orthodox Filuksinos Yusuf Cetin supervised the religious ceremony which is held for the first time since 1970.

    [10] STATE MINISTER MIRZAOGLU: ''TURKEY IS FACING THE MOST SERIOUS DEFAMATION IN ITS HISTORY''

    ELAZIG - State Minister Ramazan Mirzaoglu said on Wednesday that Turkey was facing the most serious defamation in its history.

    Mirzaoglu who came to eastern Elazig province to attend a ceremony on the occasion of the start of new semester at the Firat University visited Elazig Governor Osman Aydin.

    Speaking at the meeting, State Minister Mirzaoglu said that Turkey was facing the most serious defamation in its history regarding the ''Armenian issue''.

    ''The Armenians who had stabbed the Turkish army in the back during the World War I were sent into exile in Syria and Lebanon,'' Mirzaoglu said, adding that ''digging into the issue nearly a century later won't bring any benefit to anyone. Armenians are trying to prove themselves to be right. All of the developments about this issue were recorded in the Ottoman archieves. The issue will be clarified if these archieves are observed.'' he said.

    [11] SYRIAN INTERIOR MINISTER HARBA: ''WE WILL OPEN A NEW PAGE IN OUR RELATIONS''

    ANKARA - Interior Minister Saadettin Tantan said on Wednesday that relations with Syria can raise to a much higher level if Turkey and Syria create a security atmoshphere between them and also increase economic and cultural activities.

    Syrian Interior Minister Mohammad Harba and his delegation are continuing their official visit in the capital. Syrian and Turkish Interior Ministry delegations had a meeting at Security General Directorate's building in Ankara's Dikmen building. After the meetings, Tantan and Harba came to the Security General Directorate where he was welcomed with an official ceremony. Following the ceremony, Tantan, Harba and Security General Director had a meeting which was followed by a press statement.

    Tantan told reporters that the meetings between Turkish and Syrian delegations have passed in a very positive atmosphere. Tantan noted that an agreement protocol will be signed between the delegations at the Interior Ministry on Thursday.

    ''I am hoping that once we sign the security agreement, a security environment will be formed and our relations will be fortified by cultural activities,'' Tantan said.

    Speaking about the agreements that will be signed on Wednesday, Harba said the agreements aim to advance relations between the two countries. The Syrian minister said Turkey and Syria can benefit from cultural, social, and geographic factors to develop their relations. ''These areas were raising some doubts but now those doubts are no longer existing. We will open a new page in our relations,'' Harba said.

    [12] TURKEY AND GEORGIA TO HOLD JOINT MILITARY EXERCISES

    ANKARA - The ''Joint Border Military Exercises'' between Turkey and Georgia will be staged at the Turkgozu Outpost in eastern Posof township of Ardahan on September 29.

    The Land Forces Commandership said on Wednesday that the ''Turkey-Georgia Joint Border Exercises-2000'' would be staged as an active field military exercises in Turkey and Georgia.

    It said that the scenario of the military exercises was based on prevention of illegal border crossings from one country to another.

    [13] FOREIGN MINISTRY DEPUTY SPOKESMAN DIRIOZ:''OUR EFFORTS WILL CONTINUE TILL THE LAST MINUTE TO PREVENT THE PASSAGE OF THE BILL''

    ANKARA - Foreign Ministry Deputy Spokesman Huseyin Dirioz said their efforts will continue till the last minute to prevent the passage of the bill recognizing the so-called Armenian genocide from the U.S. House of Representatives International Relations Committee.

    Noting that they will continue their contacts in Ankara and Washington, D.C., Dirioz said they are also getting ready for a possible negative result.

    ''What we should do is to create a reaction that takes into consideration the special texture of Turkey-U.S. relations,'' Dirioz said.

    Responding to a question, Dirioz noted that there are no diplomatic relations between Turkey and Armenia and said it is clear that Armenia does not follow a friendly policy towards Turkey.

    When reminded that similar bills also exist in the Italian and Dutch parliaments, he said they are closely following these developments and taking counter initiatives.

    The bill will be voted at the U.S. House International Relations Committee on Thursday and if approved, the bill will be included in the U.S. House General Assembly's programme to be discussed.

    There are two different possibilities at this stage. The bill, after being discussed at the U.S. House Regulation Committee, could be sent to the U.S. House of Representatives General Assembly for voting. A second possibility might be transfering the bill directly to the U.S. House of Representatives General Assembly.

    In the former situation the process will take longer; however, absolute majority will be enough to pass the bill. In the latter case, two thirds of the votes will be required to pass the bill.


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