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Anadolu Agency: News in English, 00-12-17Anadolu Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Anadolu Agency Home Page at <http://www.anadoluajansi.com.tr/>Anadolu AgencyANADOLU AGENCY NEWS 17 DECEMBER 2000 sunday CONTENTS
[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCANThese are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in Turkey's press on December 17, 2000. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.HURRIYET (LIBERAL)TANTAN SAYS HE DOESN'T FORGIVE POLICE OFFICERSInterior Minister Saadettin Tantan said that he won't forgive the Rapid Force personnel who recently held a demonstration. Noting that illegal organization members have been targeting anti-terrorism teams, Tantan said these people especially target the Rapid Force of the police organization which has to be taken into consideration. The Rapid Force unit was founded in 1982 according to the needs of that time but today it has become insufficient to meet the current needs, he said. GOVERNMENT DECIDES TO REFER LAW TO PRESIDENT AGAIN MILLIYET (LIBERAL)TURKEY'S ACTION PLAN FOR EUTurkey completed the economic part of its National Programme which it will submit as a reply to the EU's Accession Partnership Document. The economic part of the programme is consisted of two volumes which is 17,000 pages. Financial policies are given priority in the programme's economic section. The programme's aim is to adjust Turkey's social structure, capital, services, free travel of individuals to EU principles. Forestry, fishing, communication, and tourism policies will also be adjusted to EU standards through Turkey's national programme. ISIKARA SURPRISED A family of four who was trapped under a three storey building in Aksehir's Adsiz region was rescued after staying under the rubble for an hour. SABAH (LIBERAL)THREE CHOICES OF SEZERPresident Ahmet Necdet Sezer can either approve the law on conditional release after the government decided yesterday to sent it back to him or he can also apply to the Constitutional Court requesting to cancel it. He can also apply to the Court and ask it to stop the execution of the law. WHAT CAN COURT DO? CUMHURIYET (LEFT)TURKEY IS NOT TRUSTING EUForeign Minister Ismail Cem who returned from Brussels after attending NATO Foreign Ministers meeting said the result of the meeting was satisfactory under the present circumstances. Noting that the countries agreed to continue contacts between NATO and EU in the coming days, Cem said Turkey would use this time to express itself better and obtain most of the results it wants. ''Turkey is not trusting the EU on security matters. If excluded from the decision making mechanism of the EU, Turkey fears that it might be left alone in a situation which concerns its own security,'' Cem said. COALITION PARNERS RESOLVED TO PASS AMNESTY BILL RADIKAL (LEFT)DEMAND FOR HIGH SCHOOLS TEACHING KORAN DECREASES THIS YEARThe number of students who are going to high schools which teach Koran known as ''Imam Hatip schools'' decreased by 32 percent this year compared to 1999. There are more than 44,000 female and 46,000 male students stuyding at these schools this year. The drop in the number of female students is more significant than that of the male students. EIGHT INMATES ARE ON BORDER OF DEATH YENI BINYIL (LIBERAL)LAST GESTURE FROM CLINTONAs a gesture of friendship, the U.S. President Bill Clinton, approved the sale of eight military helicopters to the Turkish army and informed the U.S. Congress about its approval. After 15 days which is the official waiting period, the sale can come true as of the beginning of the new year. There is no counter initiative to prevent the sale of CH-53E Super Stallion helicopters to Turkey due to the initiatives of the Clinton administration. THERE HAS TO BE EU ARMY TURKIYE (RIGHT)U.S REPORT SAYS PKK IS DRUG SMUGGLERTerrorist organization PKK obtains its cash from heroin smuggling in Western Europe and South East Turkey and uses it to finance its terrorist activities, stated the International Crime Asssessment report which was prepared by the White House. The report which was prepared under the directive of U.S. President Bill Clinton was announced at a press conference by Clinton's National Security Council spokesman P.J. Crowley. The report gave large coverage to PKK's terrorist activities. GERMAN PRESIDENT VISITS GENC FAMILY IN GERMANY ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)JUSTICE MINISTER TURK SAYS AMNESTY SHOULD BE ADOPTEDJustice Minister Hikmet Sami Turk, commenting on President Ahmet Necdet Sezer's veto of the law on conditional release from prison, said that the amnesty model which he thought was the most appropriate was the one that was vetoed by former president Suleyman Demirel. ''My personal view from the very beginning is that the other law was better,'' he said. ''That one was a bill which was very much worked on. Maybe we make some re- arrangements on that law.'' -TRNC PRESIDENT DENKTAS SAYS EU NORMS WOULD BE Speaking at the TRNC Parliament on Saturday evening, Denktas said the TRNC was being forced to accept EU norms and stated that this meant ''electric chair'' for the Turkish Cypriots. The TRNC president indicated that the Cyprus conflict would be resolved if they are offered reasonable conditions and if the Greek Cypriots are told that they can't spread to all Cyprus. Stressing that EU norms would be devastating for the Turkish Cypriots, Denktas said they should not even ''mention'' the EU without bringing a solution to the issue of norms. ''We have to make the TRNC live, we have no other way,'' Denktas said. ''We have a long way ahead of us. I want you to support me during this journey.'' The UN Security Council's extending the mandate of the UN Peace Keeping Force in Cyprus is very inappropriate, Denktas said adding that the UN soldiers cannot be employed in the TRNC with the approval of the Greek Cypriot administration. The TRNC government has taken certain measures against the UN Peace Force and those who would not obey the rules will be taken out of the TRNC land, he indicated. -TRNC PRIME MINISTER EROGLU SAYS ONLY WAY TO FIND SOLUTION The only way to find an agreement on the island is to launch efforts in order to start a negotiation process between ''state to state,'' Eroglu said addressing to the TRNC's parliament which convened the same day to discuss the recent developments regarding the Cyprus issue. Explaining the views of his party, Eroglu said that the Cyprus issue is not only the problem of joining the European Union (EU). Both Turkey and Turkish Cypriots deserve to be in Europe, said Eroglu and stressed that ''yet a just, lasting solution in Cyprus which will provide our security must be found.'' Eroglu said that his party wants an agreement which will strengthen the independent identity of TRNC, which will ensure recognition of TRNC in the international arena, which will pay regard to the interests of the Turkish Cypriot people, which will respond to the equality, sovereignty and security needs of Turkey and which will ensure the effective guarantee of Turkey. TRNC Premier Eroglu also criticized the report of the UN Security Council about the term of UN Peace Keeping Force's mandate and commented that TRNC will continue to insist on a different agreement and measures. -TURKEY DRAWS ATTENTION AT BRUSSELS INTERNATIONAL TOURISM FAIR A research carried out by the Belgian Tour Operators Association (ABTO) revealed that Turkey draws the second highest number of Belgian tourists. Executives of two leading Belgian tour operators, Neckermann and Jetair said that Turkey has the variety to satisfy all types of tourists due to its good quality and good prices. They said Turkey has become an important tourism country which is prefered both in summer and winter. Turkey this year hosted more than 10,000 tourists and the number of Belgian visitors rose by 70 percent compared to last year. -ARMENIAN PATRIARCH HOSTS DINNER FOR BOTH CHRISTIANS Before the dinner which was given at the Armenian Patriarchate, a Muslim and an Armenian clergymen read prayers from their holy books. ''Selfishness, ambition and arrogance are chains which condemn us,'' Mesrob II said. ''Faith, love for humanity and morality are the values that could help us break these chains. Today Muslims are getting ready for the Ramadan holiday while the Christian world is waiting for Christmas by singing Christmas carols. I would like to thank you all for eating with us on the same table. I'd look forward to meeting in the future holiday seasons.'' Eminonu Mayor Lufti Kibiroglu, Turkish American Businessmen's Association Chairperson Zeynep Abidin Erdem, representatives of some religious missions and a group of quake survivors from Duzce attended the dinner. -UTRECTH'S FOUNDATION TO BUILD SCHOOL IN SAKARYA Cahit Kırac, Sakarya governor said in the ceremony that the education and health sector which had a heavy blow due to the quake is being reconstructed by the contributions of domestic and foreign institutions. ''The school that will be built will meet one need of the region in respect of education,'' he said and noted that ''the aid sent for education and health are the most important ones. We've seen the concrete examples of that after the quake disaster.'' W. Kernkamp, the Acting mayor of Utrecht city of the Netherlands said in his part that his country was very sorry about the quake disaster in Turkey, adding that they are happy to lay the foundation of a school in Adapazarı. ''Not only Turks, but also the Dutch and other foreigners who live in Utrecht supported the building of the school. The Turkish society in Utrecht started an aid campaign right after the quake. Many institutions particularly the schools launched efforts to collect money. I hope this foundation ceremony will be the commencement of relations between the directors, schools, parents and children in Utrecht and Sogutlu,'' he said. A total of 1500 students will have the chance to study in the school that will be built in Sogutlu. Sogutlu municipality will complete the infrastructure and landscape of the school, which is expected to be ready in July, next year. The school is expected to cost one million dollars. -IHD ISTANBUL CHAIRMAN KESKIN SAYS JUSTICE MINISTRY Keskin who came to Bayrampasa prison with a group of 15 people said they were given an appointment by the Justice Ministry for 12 a.m. ''We regard this as a pleasing development and we will wait for the meeting's results, '' he said. Keskin also claimed that intellectuals who contact inmates are misleading the public opinion. -SOUTH EAST EXPORTS DRIED APRICOTS WORTH OF 41,1 MILLION In 1999's same period, South East had exported 21,883 tons of dried apricots worth of 48 million 364,000 U.S. dollars. According to the data of the South East Exporters' Association, Turkey exported dried apricots to France, Britain, the United States, Australia, Italy, Germany, Israel, Saudi Arabia, Romania and Greece on Jan.-Nov. 2000. The unit price of dried apricots dropped by 34 percent compared to last year. -BYZANTIAN LION SCULPTURE WEIGHING 4 TONS FOUND IN Security forces learnt that a man named Karem Kara was looking for a customer to sell the historical objects he had. Disguised like a customer, police bought two tombstones from Kara. Later the policemen went to Burdur's Cavdar township where the objects were excavated. After digging the spot showed by Kara, the policemen found the marble lion sculpture, five bronze coins, and a necklace decoration with the sun goddess. Kara was arrested after his interrogation. The tombstones were given to the Antalya Museum Directorate. Other pieces will be submitted to the Burdur Museum Directorate. -NATIONAL DEFENSE MINISTER CAKMAKOGLU SAYS MOST IMPORTANT PRINCIPLE ''We regard Northern Iraq as a part of the Republic of Iraq,'' Cakmakoglu said. The prime ministry note on extending the mandate of the Operation Northern Watch as of 31, Dec. 2000 for six months was read out at the parliament. Explaining the views of the government on the issue, National Defense Minister Cakmakoglu said that Operation Northern Watch started to function as of Jan. 1, 1997 by the decision of the parliament. ''The note is read out in the parliament today in order to extend the mandate of the Operation Northern Watch for the eighth time. Northern Watch functions in line with the goals and spirit of the UN Security Council's Resolutions. Importance is given to Iraqi territorial integrity and political unity. Operation Northern Watch is composed of the aircrafts of the U.S and Britain and its mission is to conduct the reconnaissance flights in Northern Iraq known as the 36th parallel. Turkey adopted two documents to regulate these flights,'' he said. Cakmakoglu commented that the prevention of a new immigration flow which threatens the economic and social order and border security of Turkey is to the interest of the country. ''The threat against our border security has not fully ended,'' he said and added that ''there is still no cooperation basis between Iraq and UN. No result has been taken from the negotiations held to persuade Iraq to make its mass destruction weapon system be open to inspection. The regional people continue to be restless. The continuation of the Operation Northern Watch in Northern Iraq where there is still uncertainty and tension, seems necessary for our foreign policy.'' Recounting that Kirkuk-Yumurtalık oil pipeline was partially opened by the resolution of the UN Security Council four years ago, Cakmakoglu said that Iraq has the opportunity to export oil now. He said that the initiatives of the Foreign Ministry to make Turkey benefit more from Iraqi oil by pipelines and highway are underway. Cakmakoglu stressed that the embargo imposed on Iraq also negatively affects the Turkish economy, adding that the factors which negatively affect the economy of southeast and eastern Anatolia regions will be removed. Pointing out that the terrorist organization PKK tried to settle in Northern Iraq after the Gulf War, Cakmakoglu said that Turkey had achieved important advantages by the Operation Northern Watch. The countries which joined the Operation shares the same view with Turkey that ''PKK is a terrorist organization,'' said Cakmakoglu and noted that finding realist and permanent solution to the problems in the region can only come true within the structure of the Republic of Iraq. Cakmakoglu underlined the fact that Turkey will never permit the conditions in Northern Iraq to develop in a way that will enable the terrorist organization PKK to settle in the region. Cakmakoglu said that the current situation in Northern Iraq is temporary, adding that it is not realist to isolate the solution of the problem in the region from the solution of the Iraqi problem. -NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS MEET WITH JUSTICE Representatives of the IHD, Turkey Human Rights Foundation, Solidarity Association for the Oppressed, Modern Lawyers Association, Modern Journalists Association, Confederation of Revolutionary Workers' Union (DISK) and Confederation of Public Labourers' Union (KESK) had a meeting with Justice Minister Hikmet Sami Turk on the continuing death fasts on Sunday. After the meeting, Husnu Ongul said democratic non-governmental organizations are vital to end the death fasts. ''We've been monitoring the prisons for years. After an agreement is reached, we will follow up on the developments to see if the sides are acting according to the agreement or not,'' he said. Ondul indicated that Turk should repeat his earlier statement on the postponement of F type prisons which he made on Dec. 9. ''A dialogue should start to reach an agreement. Turk must form a delegation who will speak with the inmates on death fast. This is very important. We don't want a single person to die,'' he said. When asked what Turk said during the meeting, Ondul said Turkey had not said anything different than his statement on Dec. 9. He said Turk did not clarify when the talks would start. ''We want him to repeat his earlier statement. His statements are positive but there is a lack of trust among inmates. We want to end the death fasts before it causes more mental and physical problems. We should act very quickly on this matter,'' he said. -PARLIAMENT ADOPTS PRIME MINISTRY PROPOSAL FORESEEING EXTENSION OF National Defense Minister Sabahattin Cakmakoglu said that the Operation Northern Watch is to the advantage of Turkey more than anybody else. Responding to criticisms about the proposal, Cakmakoglu said that the continuation of Operation is seen as necessary for foreign policy balance while uncertainty and tension continue in northern Iraq. Cakmakoglu pointed out that the Operation will prevent the PKK's settlement in Northern Iraq, it won't let another immigration flow, it will provide border security, it led to partial opening of the oil pipeline and sending food stuff and humanitarian aid to Iraq. Explaining the views of the Motherland Party (ANAP) upon the issue, Bulent Akarcalı, a deputy from Istanbul said that the general uncertainty in Iraq continues. In such an atmosphere Turkey has to take measures, he stressed and noted that the isolation of Turkey from the European Security and Defense Cooperation and the continuation of the bloody clashes in Palestine showed that the tension in the region continues. Speaking on behalf of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), Mehmet Kaya a MHP deputy said that in case of a division in Northern Iraq, this will to the disadvantage of al the regional countries. If there is no peace in the Middle East, there will be no peace in the world, too, he said and added that they are against all sorts of fait accomplis in Iraq. -TENSION RISES IN PILE VILLAGE IN CYPRUS One Turkish and one Greek Cypriot had been arrested by the police of the opposing side for drug smuggling. Recently the Greek Cypriot National Army set up a new emplacement on a hill causing uneasiness among Turkish Cypriots living in the village. Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) Security Forces Commandership warned the Greek Cypriot Army through the UN Peace Force and asked to remove the new emplacement. The TRNC Security Forces Commandership, in its warning, indicated that the Greek Cypriot Army would be responsible of the outcome if the Greek Cypriot Army does not move back to their old emplacement. The Greek Cypriot radio announced that the Greek Cypriot police and soliders had been put on high alert. Turkish security forces also intensified security measures in the area. An authority from the TRNC Foreign and Defense Ministry told the A.A that Turkish Cypriots who live in Pile and work in the Greek Cypriot side could not go to work for a week since the contractors who take them to work did not come to pick them up claiming that their life is at risk. British police who are under the control of the British Dikelya Base took measures in Pile Beyarmudu village and they are searching the vehicles who enter and leave the village. -DYP DEPUTY LEADER KOZAKCIOGLU:''THERE IS NO NEED FOR ''There is no need for a show of power between the president and the government on this matter,'' Kozakcioglu said. ''It would be very wrong if the government sends back the bill without changing it. Sezer found the law against the Constitution.'' Responding to allegations of certain deputies provoking the Rapid Forces policemen to start a demonstration, Kozakcioglu said ''those who put forward those allegations should prove their claims.'' ''Or I'll file a law suit against them,'' he added. -INTERIOR MINISTRY SAYS THERE IS NO INFORMATION OR DOCUMENT PROVING Press Office of the Ministry issued a statement the same day upon the news published in some newspapers saying that certain deputies called on the rapid force personnel to act and a demonstration was held on Dec. 12 2000. The Ministry added that the investigation to determine the reason and the ones who are responsible for it continues by examing well all sorts of information and claims.
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