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Anadolu Agency: News in English, 01-02-03

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

03 FEBRUARY

2001 Saturday


CONTENTS

  • [01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

  • [01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

    These are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in Turkey's press on February 3, 2000. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

    HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

    TRIAL OF MHP DEPUTIES STARTS
    Trial of Cahit Tekelioglu and Mehmet Kundakci, deputies from the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) who were involved in the fight at the parliament which resulted in demise of Fevzi Sihanlioglu, a deputy from the True Path Party (DYP), started. The Ankara Criminal Court decided to try Tekelioglu and Kundakci without detention, and it adjourned the hearing.

    PRESIDENT CHIRAC OF FRANCE SENDS A LETTER TO PRESIDENT SEZER
    France has taken the first step to normalize relations with Turkey after ratification of resolution on so-called genocide on Armenians. President Jacques Chirac of France sent a letter to President Ahmet Necdet Sezer. In his letter, President Chirac said that he could not oppose to parliament's will. Chirac added that France would continue to support Turkey's full membership to the European Union (EU).

    U.S. PRESIDENT BUSH SENDS A LETTER TO PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT
    U.S. President George W. Bush sent a letter to Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit. In his letter, Bush said that the friendship and cooperation between Turkey and the U.S. would be further improved. Stating that the two countries might face some obstacles in coming years, Bush expressed his belief that the two countries could overcome these obstacles by mutual respect, cooperation and frank dialogue. Bush said that future would bring new opportunities, adding that they could benefit from these opportunities to further improve peace, freedom and welfare of both nations.

    MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

    EXPORTS INCREASE BY 21.8 PERCENT IN FIRST MONTH OF 2000
    Exports increased by 21.8 percent in January 2001 when compared with January 2000. The figures of Turkish Exporters' Assembly (TIM) indicated that 2 billion 353 million 53 thousand U.S. dollar exportation was realized in January 2001. Increase was marked in exports of all the sectors expect than the fruits and vegetables in January 2001. The exports of ready made cloths increased by 10.3, of vehicles and by-industry climbed by 32 percent, of iron and other metals rose by 35.8 percent and of electrical and electronical devices increased by 28.5 percent. The increase in textile and raw material and cereal exports was 21.2 percent and in tobacco was 29.5 percent.

    HEZBOLLAH MEMBER OZDEMIR INTERROGATED
    Sabri Ozdemir, the military official of terrorist Hezbollah organization who is claimed to have planned and ordered armed attack in Diyarbakir in which Police Chief Gaffar Okkan and five other policemen were killed; was taken from Siirt Prison to Diyarbakir for interrogation. Ozdemir gave important information about the assasination.

    TRAFFIC ACCIDENT IN ANKARA CLAIMS SIX LIVES
    A total of six people were killed while 17 others were injured when a lorry collided with a passenger bus in Kutludugun hamlet in Ankara. The injured people were rushed to nearby hospitals for medical treatment.

    SABAH (LIBERAL)

    SNIFFER DOG BARNEY BECOMES A HERO
    The Directorate of Civil Defense's sniffer dog Barney helped search and rescue teams to find 17 people who were trapped beneath debris of collapsed buildings in India in the wake of last week's massive quake disaster. The 35-member Turkish search and rescue team returned to Turkey from India.

    ALCATEL TELETAS: ''OUR COMPANY IS A TURKISH COMPANY''
    Alcatel Teletas Telecommunication Industry and Trade Inc. said that it was a Turkish company, whose 35 percent shares are open to public and which has 700 personnel. The Alcatel Teletas sent a letter to the Istanbul Stock Exchange (IMKB) upon the news story that the Turk Telekom administration decided to exclude Alcatel from the tender for laying infrastructure for the cell phone lines. The statement said that it was not correct to show the company as the interlocutor of the economic sanctions imposed on France. The letter noted that this news story did not reflect the realities.

    CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

    DON'T CREATE CRISIS
    Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said that there was not any regression in criminal investigation into energy corruptions and that he did not refer to essence of State Security Court (DGM) Public Prosecutor Talat Salk's initiative but he considered its national dimension. He said, ''fights at the parliament stem from wrong architecture of the general assembly hall. Nobody can apply to the IMF and World Bank, acting on impulse. This has a method and style. Turkey can't endure a new general election. We shouldn't hurt us while hurting France. There is not any deviation but postponement in the EU process. Carrying hand gun is an outdated addiction. Existence of Republican People's Party (CHP) at the parliament is not required.''

    GOOD WILL LETTER FROM CHIRAC
    French President Jacques Chirac who approved the resolution on so-called genocide on Armenians adopted by the French parliament sent a letter to President Ahmet Necdet Sezer saying that he understood the reaction of the Turkish nation. Noting that the law won't make a change in France's foreign policy, Chirac said that their support to Turkey's EU full-membership would continue. He said that the law shouldn't damage relations between Turkey and France as it was adopted by initiative of legislative members not by executive members.

    IT ROCKS ALSO BURDUR
    Southern province of Burdur and its surroundings were rocked by an earthquake measuring 4.2 on the Richter scale at 11:51 a.m. yesterday. Burdur Governor Kaya Uyar said that there were not any casualties or financial damage.

    RADIKAL (LEFT)

    4.2-MAGNITUDE EARTHQUAKE JOLTS BURDUR
    An earthquake measuring 4.2 on the Richter scale jolted southern Burdur province at 11:51 a.m. on Friday. The Istanbul-based Kandilli Observatory Seismology Institute stated that the earthquake was centered on Burdur. The quake which lasted for about ten seconds, sent people out to the streets in panic. Kaya Uyar, the Governor of Burdur, said that there were not any immediate reports of casualties or damage in the province.

    EU:''ALLEGATIONS ON GENOCIDE SHOULD BE DISCUSSED BY HISTORIANS''
    Guenter Verheugen, the European Union (EU) Commissioner for enlargement, said that allegations on so-called genocide on Armenians should be discussed by historians. Addressing a television program on CNN-Turk Channel, Guenter Verheugen said that relations between Turkey and the EU should be set up in an atmosphere of mutual confidence. Verheugen also denied allegations saying that Turkey was excluded from the EU's plans for the coming ten years.

    TURKIYE (RIGHT)

    FRANCE IS THE PROTECTOR OF ARMENIA
    Speaking to the newspaper, Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said, ''France is pioneering Armenian issue. However, we should be very careful in the issue of economic boycott. We will issue a circular on this issue. Unfortunately, Europe submitted to this lie.''

    LETTER OF EXCUSE FROM CHIRAC
    In his letter in reply to President Ahmet Necdet Sezer's letter, French President Jacques Chirac said that he did not have any other option except approving the resolution.

    RAPID TRIAL OF TWO MPS
    Mehmet Kundakci and Cahit Tekelioglu, two MPs from the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), gave testimony to prosecutor after Fevzi Sihanlioglu, a deputy from the True Path Party (DYP) died of heart attack during a fist fight at the parliament. The prosecutor listened to five more deputies from the MHP as witnesses. The prosecutor filed a lawsuit against Kundakci and Tekelioglu and transferred them to court. The High Criminal Court no:9 tried two MPs who pleaded not guilty. They were released for their trial without arrest.

    ORDER FOR ASSASINATION OF OKKAN GIVEN FROM PRISON
    Mehmet Sabir Ozdemir who is claimed to have given the order for assasination of Diyarbakir Police Chief Gaffar Okkan together with five policemen was taken from Siirt Prison to Diyarbakir. Sources said that Ozdemir played a key role in assasination of Okkan whose interrogation by the Diyarbakir Anti-Terrorism officials continues. Sources said that Ozdemir had said during his detention period that he would give the order for assasination of Okkan.

    INVESTIGATION LAUNCHED AGAINST HOUSE WHICH PUBLISHED OCALAN'S BOOK
    The Istanbul DGM launched an investigation against the MEM Publishing House which published head terrorist Abdullah Ocalan's book ''How To Live?'' he wrote at Imrali prison, on charges of making separatist propaganda. Istanbul DGM had decided on December 22, 2000 to collect the book which is claimed to have been written by Ocalan at Imrali prison, praising the terrorist organization.

    ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

    IT IS NOT BRIBE BUT MONEY TO BUY A BOX OF CIGARETTE
    Beyaz Nokta Foundation said that according to public surveys, four of every ten people in Turkey believe that bribery is normal. They said, ''it is not bribe but money to buy a box of cigarette.''

    THERE WILL BE A CRISIS IF THIS COALITION GOVERNMENT COLLAPSES
    Speaking to a group of journalists at the parliament, Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said, ''any allegation about the Energy and Natural Resources Minister has not been put forward yet. Possibility of a new general elections or government crisis turns the economic stability program upside down. I don't have a successor. I will again become a candidate for the leader of Democratic Left Party (DSP) at the DSP Convention. I am not planning to withdraw.''

    LIVE BROADCAST OF SOCCER MATCHES TO START TODAY
    The contract for broadcast rights of Turkish division one soccer matches was signed. Matches will be broadcast live on Isik TV, a cable television channel broadcasting via Digiturk.

    -TURKEY'S TOURISM OFFICE IN NEW YORK INAUGURATED
    NEW YORK - Turkey's new tourism office at the Turkish House in New York, the U.S., was inaugurated by Tourism Minister Erkan Mumcu.

    Umit Pamir, the Permanent Representative of Turkey to the United Nations; Mehmet N. Ezen, the Turkish Consul General in New York; Aytug Plumer, the Representative of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) in New York; Selami Karaibrahimgil, the Turkish Tourism Advisor in New York; and a number of diplomats were in attendance at a reception hosted to mark inauguration of the new tourism office of Turkey.

    Speaking at the inauguration, Mumcu thanked everyone expending efforts in opening of the office.

    The office decorated by Elif Onural and Haluk Velidedeoglu reflects architecture of old Turkish houses.

    The office will inform people on Turkey's assets.

    -FRENCH THOMSON COMPANY EXCLUDED FROM ''RADAR TENDERS''
    ANKARA - The Directorate General of State Airports (DHMI) decided to exclude French Thomson company from this year's tenders for radar systems.

    Officials at the DHMI said on Saturday that the DHMI decided to exclude Thomson from this year's tenders after approval of resolution on so-called genocide on Armenians by French President Jacques Chirac.

    Meanwhile, the DHMI has two new radar projects. One of these projects is about installation of new modern radar systems at Ankara's Esenboga and Istanbul's Ataturk airports and some eastern provinces within framework of aviation standards of European civil aviation authority EUROCONTROL, and it is expected to cost almost 35 million U.S. dollars.

    The DHMI planned to hold the tender for this project within six months and finalize it by the end of the year.

    The second project for ''Modernization of Turkish Air Traffic Control Center'' necessitates almost 150 million U.S. dollar investment.

    The DHMI will hold the tender for this project this year and it foresees to conclude the project within five years.

    -EXPORTS FROM AUTOMOTIVE SECTOR RISE 32.9 PERCENT IN JANUARY
    BURSA - Exports from automotive sector rose 32.9 percent to 266.2 million U.S. dollars in January of 2001.

    According to the Uludag Exporters' Society (UIB) statistics, total exports from the sector in January of 2000 had been 200 million 179 thousand U.S. dollars.

    Exports from the sector in January of 2001 are as follows:

    . Exports

    Name of Product (U.S. dollar)

    -------------------------------- --------------
    Tractors 1.557.539

    Buses-Minibuses-Midibuses 14.636.299

    Passenger Cars 58.429.836

    Motor Vehicles for Transportation 12.655.863

    Motor Vehicles with Special Purpose 172.574

    Tow Trucks 0

    Work Machines 2.880.340

    Vessels and Floating Vehicles 10.816.930

    Air and Spacecrafts 1.211.964

    Two-Wheel Vehicles 672.363

    Agricultural Machines 500.638

    Tanks and Armored Vehicles 19.197.001

    Other Two Trucks with Special Purpose 10.126

    Automotive By-Industry 143.457.008

    -------------------------------- --------------
    Total 266.198.481

    -INTERIOR MINISTER TANTAN IN DIYARBAKIR
    -TANTAN MEETS WITH GOVERNORS AND POLICE CHIEFS
    OF SEVEN PROVINCES IN EMERGENCY RULE REGION
    DIYARBAKIR - Interior Minister Sadettin Tantan has been meeting in southeastern Diyarbakir province with governors and police chiefs of seven provinces in the Emergency Rule Region on Saturday.

    Governors and police chiefs of Diyarbakir, Batman, Mardin, Siirt, Sirnak, Bingol and Sanliurfa provinces are attending the meeting.

    Ramazan Er, the Deputy Director General of Security who came to Diyarbakir after the armed attack on January 24 in which Police Chief Gaffar Okkan and five other policemen were killed, is also in attendance at the meeting which is closed to the press.

    -POET-WRITER SEVKET YUCEL PASSES AWAY
    KAHRAMANMARAS - Sevket Yucel, a prominent poet and writer, passed away on Saturday.

    Yucel, 71, had been receiving medical treatment at Cukurova University's Balcali Hospital in southern Adana province.

    Yucel will be laid to rest in southern Kahramanmaras province on Sunday.

    -MUGLA PRISON TRANSFERS FROM DORMITORY SYSTEM TO ROOM SYSTEM
    MUGLA - Mugla prison transferred from large dormitory system to room system.

    Ibrahim Dikmet, the Republican Chief Prosecutor in Mugla, told the A.A correspondent on Saturday, ''we have finalized our works to transfer from large dormitory system to room system at Mugla prison in accordance with the United Nations and European Union standards for prisons. Dormitories have been turned into 58 rooms. A total of 505 inmates have been settled in these rooms.''

    Dikmen added, ''we have formed rooms having capacity of 1, 3, 6, 8, 10 and 14 beds. This system will prevent terrorist organizations' efforts to become dominant over the inmates.''

    -PUBLIC TENDER EMBARGO ON FRENCH COMPANIES
    ANKARA - Cancellation of tenders in which French companies participate won't create a problem regarding international liabilities as Turkey did not sign World Trade Organization (WTO) Public Purchases Agreement, sources said on Saturday.

    Turkey did not sign Public Purchases Agreement by benefitting from its developing country status although it signed World Trade Agreement.

    The Public Purchases Agreement has been signed by 27 countries. WTO wants to include this agreement in coming talks but developing countries do not welcome this issue.

    Sources said that it won't be possible to cancel the public tenders with political reasons, and restriction can't be put on country basis if Turkey signs this agreement.

    They said that if Turkey cancels tenders after signing the agreement, payment of compensation to participating companies can be in question, and that tenders can be cancelled only with economic reasons.

    Meanwhile, Turkey can't take measures, preventing or blocking imports from any country in accordance with its customs union deal with the European Union (EU), sources said.

    They said that if French products are not given control documents or blocked at customs, France can bring the issue to the Customs Union Partnership Committee.

    This committee can ask for information from Turkey, and France can retaliate if the committee finds this information insufficient, sources said.

    However, any observation or determination have not been made so far that French products are discriminated or procedure is blocked at customs during the importation, they said.

    -MUFTIS CONDEMN FRENCH PARLIAMENT'S DECISION AND TERRORIST
    ATTACK ON DIYARBAKIR POLICE CHIEF OKKAN
    ANKARA - Muftis condemned French parliament's approval of resolution on so- called genocide on Armenians, and terrorist attack in which Diyarbakir Police Chief Gaffar Okkan and five policemen were killed.

    The meeting in Ankara with the participation of muftis from 81 provinces of Turkey, ended on Saturday.

    A written statement was issued at the end of the meeting.

    Stressing that Turkey had been attracting attention of whole world with its strategical position, the statement noted that Turkey became focus of some foreign powers to this end.

    The statement noted, ''we harshly condemn French parliament's approval of resolution on so-called genocide on Armenians. This resolution does not reflect historical facts. It was approved due to French parliamentarians' fear of losing votes in upcoming elections.''

    Meanwhile, muftis expressed their profound sorrow over assasination of Diyarbakir Police Chief Gaffar Okkan and five policemen on January 24, 2001.

    They implored God's strength upon all who are grieving for their beloved ones.

    ''Islam orders tolerance, affection, mercy and peace to all of its followers. Therefore, violence and terrorism contradict with Islam. Our religion forbids violence and terrorism. We condemn violence and terrorism whatever their reasons

    are.''

    -TURKEY'S TOURISM REVENUES INCREASE BY 47 PERCENT
    ANKARA - Tourism revenues of Turkey which hosted nearly 10 million tourists in 2000, increased by 47 percent compared to figures in previous years.

    Officials at the Tourism Ministry told the A.A correspondent on Saturday that Turkey obtained 6 billion 873 thousand U.S. dollars tourism incomes in the first ten months of 2000.

    Turkey's total tourism revenues in 2000 is expected to be announced as 7.8 billion U.S. dollars in coming days.

    Meanwhile, number of foreign tourists coming to Turkey to spend their holidays, increased by 40 percent.

    Number of tourists coming to Turkey from member countries to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) increased nearly 70 percent in 2000.

    -SECURITY DIRECTOR GENERAL GENC RETURNS FROM GREECE TO TURKEY
    ISTANBUL - Turan Genc, the Director General of Security, returned to Turkey on Saturday after wrapping up his contacts in Greece.

    Addressing journalists at Istanbul's Ataturk Airport after his arrival, Genc said that cooperation with Greece in field of security had been continuing.

    Recalling that 513 kg of heroin was impounded in an operation launched in cooperation between Turkey and Greece, Genc told reporters that coordinated works with Greece in struggle against human smuggling, organized crimes and other crimes would continue.

    Genc said that the Greek Interior Minister and Security Director General would come to Turkey in coming months.

    He stressed, ''struggle against organized crimes will continue within framework of security cooperation with neighboring countries, European and Asian countries.''

    Responding to a question about assasination of Diyarbakir Police Chief Gaffar Okkan and five other policemen on January 24, 2001, Genc said, ''we have found clues. The investigation into the armed attack is continuing. We will capture the assailants as soon as possible. I will go to Diyarbakir in coming days.''

    -''TURKISH DAYS FAIR'' IN ALGERIA
    ANKARA - A delegation led by State Minister Hasan Gemici will leave for Algeria to attend Turkey-Algeria Joint Economic Commission (JEC) meeting and inauguration of ''Turkish Days Fair''.

    The Foreign Trade Undersecretariat (DTM) said on Saturday that the delegation would pay this visit between February 5-8 within framework of invitation made by Algerian Trade Minister Mourad Medelci.

    State Minister who will be received by Algerian Prime Minister Ali Benflis is expected to meet with Algerian National Solidarity Minister Djamel Ould- Abbes, Energy and Mines Minister Chakib Khelil, Finance Minister Abdelatif Benachenhou, Transportation Minister Hamid Lounanouci, Housing and Urbanization Minister Abdelkader Bounakraf.

    State Minister Gemici will also inaugurate ''Turkish Days Fair'' in Algeria.

    DTM said that 125 Turkish companies operating in ready-made clothing, electric-electronic, machinery, foodstuffs and chemistry, consumer goods and construction materials sectors would attend the fair.

    It said that exports from Turkey to Algeria had been 408 million U.S. dollars and imports from Algeria had been 682 million U.S. dollars in 1999.

    Within this framework, Algeria ranked 12th in exports from Turkey and 16th in imports made by Turkey while Turkey ranked 7th in Algeria's trade with foreign countries.

    Algeria is an important market for Turkey regarding foodstuffs, medicine, telecommunication, steel-iron, automotive, textilies and ready-made clothing, electric kitchenware and construction equipment while it is shown as a country where especially small and medium scale enterprises can make direct investments.

    -YEREVAN CLAIMS TURKEY CLOSED ITS AIRSPACE TO ARMENIAN PLANES
    -ANKARA: ''RIDICULOUS CLAIM''
    YEREVAN/ANKARA - Armenian Airways Director Stanislav Mkrtumyan claimed on Saturday that Turkey closed on Friday its airspace to Armenian plane which was flying from Yerevan to Athens without showing any reason.

    However, Turkish officials said that it was a ''ridiculous'' claim.

    Noting that such a thing happened between the two countries for the first time, Mkrtumyan said that the Turkish side did not make any statement.

    Stanislav Mkrtumyan said that Turkey promised to allow this flight late on Saturday and that the plane was still waiting for this permission to depart from Yerevan.

    Armenian Foreign Ministry announced that Ankara had not informed Yerevan on the issue yet.

    Meanwhile, Turkish officials said that Armenia's claiming that Turkey had closed its airspace to Armenian plane was ''ridiculous''.

    Officials said that Ankara did not take any decision to ''close its airspace'' and that same procedures and rules were still valid.

    In accordance with the international aviation rules, an airways company has to apply to the relevant authorities of the country to get permission at least three days before the flight for the airspace it will pass in international flight.

    Officials said that the Armenian airlines company had not applied before its Friday's flight to Athens and it couldn't get permission to the flight in question.

    Sources said that Armenian airlines company put forward this claim as it couldn't say to its passengers that postponement of the flight stemmed from their mistake.

    -INTERIOR MINISTER TANTAN:
    -''ARMED ATTACK IN DIYARBAKIR DID NOT TARGET ONLY
    SECURITY FORCES, BUT IT ALSO TARGETED WHOLE NATION''
    DIYARBAKIR - Interior Minister Sadettin Tantan said on Saturday, ''armed attack in southeastern Diyarbakir province in which Police Chief Gaffar Okkan and five other policemen were killed, did not target only security forces, but it also targeted whole nation.''

    Tantan met in Diyarbakir with governors and police chiefs of Diyarbakir, Batman, Mardin, Siirt, Sirnak, Bingol and Sanliurfa provinces in the Emergency Rule Region.

    Addressing journalists following the meeting, Tantan said, ''security forces have been working hard to capture assailants who martyred Okkan and five other policemen on January 24, 2001.''

    Tantan told reporters that security forces' efforts to capture the assailants were reviewed at today's meeting.

    He stressed, ''we believe that we would eradicate all terrorist activities and illegal formations with the support of our people. Our duty is to create a secure atmosphere in every part of the country, and to revive economic and cultural activities. First of all, poverty should be removed to eradicate terrorist organizations. The government has put into practice an action plan for the Emergency Rule Region to this end.''

    Emphasizing that fundamentalist organizations brought Islam to the forefront in their statement, Tantan added, ''according to Islam, honor of a person cannot be damaged. When we examine activities of such organizations, we see that their actions contradict with Islam's doctrines. They use people suffering from poverty for their own benefits.''

    -GENDARMERIE TEAMS CONFISCATE 30 KG OF GOLD BULLIONS
    HAKKARI - Gendarmerie teams confiscated 30 kilograms of gold bullions near Esendere Border Gate in Yuksekova township of sountheastern province of Hakkari, and detained four people including two Iranians.

    Sources said on Saturday that acting on a tip-off, gendarmerie forces had stopped a passenger car near the border gate.

    In their search, gendarmerie teams found 30 kilograms of gold bullions, 57 gold coins, 10 gold bracelets and 4 gold rings.

    Officials detained four people including two Iranians.

    Interrogation of suspects is under way.

    -A MONUMENT TO BE ERECTED IN TARSUS OUT OF RESPECT
    TO MULLAH KERIM WHO WAS KILLED BY FRENCH SOLDIERS
    TARSUS - Burhanettin Kocamaz, the Mayor of Tarsus township of southern Icel province, said on Saturday, ''we have decided to erect a monument in Tarsus out of respect to Mullah Kerim who was killed by French soldiers.''

    Kocamaz said, ''Mullah Kerim and his friends had resisted against French soldiers during occupation of Tarsus. He was decapitated by French soldiers on July 28, 1920 on Pac Bridge. We will erect a monument out of respect to him and his friends. This monument will also symbolize French soldiers' carnage and atrocity in the region.''

    (UK-MS)
    a Turkey which has become the powerful leading country in its region. However, we won't give up this target. We won't waste such great targets for political desires of individuals. With this respect, we should continue to walk on our path by analyzing the incidents in detail. Everybody should know that on behalf of our nation, we will expend every effort to follow these problems,'' he said.

    -RALLY TO CONDEMN FRANCE HELD IN VAN
    VAN - Members of political parties' headquarters and non-governmental organizations and residents in eastern province of Van on Saturday protested France which approved resolution on so-called genocide on Armenians.

    Almost seven thousand people attended the rally. They marched from the Cumhuriyet Boulevard to the Governor's Office building, chanting slogans like ''Europe can't revive Sevr Treaty'' and ''French parliament is a denying army''.

    Assistant Professor Bekir Koclar from the Yuzuncu Yil University History Department said that the Turkish nation had not oppressed and behaved unjustly towards any community throughout its history.

    Stressing that there were many examples to the importance attributed by Turkey to honor of humanity, Koclar said, ''any sensible scientist can't say that a community had been oppressed in Turkey. On the contrary, it allowed them to bring their assets and existence to the future. The real aim of imperialist European states is to exclude Turkey from the scene of history under the mask of Armenian issue. We should protect our unity and solidarity.''

    Almost 300 of the people who attended the rally went to the Zeve Martyrdom to pray for the Turkish people killed by Armenians in 1915.

    Later, people who attended the rally dispersed peacefully.

    -INTERIOR MINISTER TANTAN (2)
    -''HEZBOLLAH IS A TERRORIST ORGANIZATION KILLING ITS OWN CHILDREN''
    DIYARBAKIR - Interior Minister Sadettin Tantan said on Saturday, ''Hezbollah is a terrorist organization killing its own children.''

    Tantan met in Diyarbakir with governors and police chiefs of Diyarbakir, Batman, Mardin, Siirt, Sirnak, Bingol and Sanliurfa provinces in the Emergency Rule Region.

    Addressing journalists following the meeting, Tantan said, ''at this point, I cannot put the blame of assasination of Diyarbakir Police Chief Gaffar Okkan and five other policemen in and armed attack on January 24, 2001 on Hezbollah. But all you know how dangerous Hezbollah is. Hezbollah is a terrorist organization killing its own children. Our works to enlighten the assasination are continuing.''

    Tantan stressed, ''no one can reach anywhere by criticizing the country. The state administration cannot be criticized due to mistakes of persons. Because the state comprises of national unity of Turkish people. No one can make policy on it. All security officials are ready to sacrifice their lives to protect the Republic of Turkey, and Great Founder Mustafa Kemal Ataturk's reforms and principles against any threats.''

    When asked whether or not security officials received concrete information about the assasination, Tantan said that they had been carrying out their works confidentially.

    Interior Minister Tantan said, ''armed attack in southeastern Diyarbakir province in which Police Chief Gaffar Okkan and five other policemen were killed, did not target only security forces, but it also targeted whole nation.''

    -INFLATION RATES IN JANUARY OF 2001 (1)
    ANKARA - The State Institute of Statistics (DIE) announced on Saturday that wholesale prices increased 2.3 percent and consumer prices rose 2.5 percent in January of 2001.

    DIE said that as of January of 2001, the annual inflation rate became 28.3 percent in wholesale prices, and 35.9 percent in consumer prices.

    Meanwhile, the annual inflation rate according to 12-month averages as of January of 2001 became 48 percent in wholesale prices, and 52 percent in consumer prices.

    -INFLATION RATES IN JANUARY OF 2001 (2)
    ANKARA - The State Institute of Statistics (DIE) announced on Saturday that the annual inflation rate became 28.3 percent in wholesale prices, and 35.9 percent in consumer prices as of January 2001.

    The annual inflation rate had been 66.4 percent in wholesale prices, and 68.9 percent in consumer prices in January 2000.

    The monthly and annual inflation rates in wholesale and consumer prices since 1996 are as follows:

    . Monthly Inflation

    . ----------------
    . Wholesale Consumer

    -------------------------------- -----------------------------
    Month 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001

    ----- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----- ----- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
    Jan 5.6 6.5 3.6 5.8 2.3 8.3 5.9 7.2 4.8 4.9 2.5

    Feb 6.2 4.6 3.4 4.1 4.5 5.7 4.4 3.2 3.7

    Mar 6.0 4.0 4.0 3.1 5.6 5.4 4.3 4.1 2.9

    Apr 5.5 4.0 5.3 2.4 6.7 6.6 4.7 4.9 2.3

    May 5.2 3.3 3.2 1.7 4.5 4.7 3.5 2.9 2.2

    Jun 3.4 1.6 1.8 0.3 2.5 2.9 2.4 3.3 0.7

    Jul 5.3 2.5 4.0 1.0 2.1 6.3 3.4 3.8 2.2

    Aug 5.3 2.4 3.3 0.9 4.8 6.2 4.0 4.2 2.2

    Sep 6.3 5.3 5.9 2.3 6.1 7.3 6.7 6.0 3.1

    Oct 6.7 4.1 4.7 2.8 6.5 8.3 6.1 6.3 3.1

    Nov 5.6 3.4 4.1 2.4 5.2 6.6 4.3 4.2 3.7

    Dec 5.4 2.5 6.8 1.9 3.4 5.1 3.3 5.9 2.5

    . Annual Inflation

    . ---------------
    Wholesale Consumer

    ------------------------------- -----------------------------
    Month 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001

    ----- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---
    Jan 78.0 92.5 50.0 66.4 28.3 78.1 75.7 101.6 65.9 68.9 35.9

    Feb 78.6 89.6 48.3 67.5 77.5 77.7 99.3 63.9 69.7

    Mar 77.0 86.0 48.2 66.1 79.3 77.3 97.2 63.5 67.9

    Apr 72.8 83.3 50.0 61.5 80.8 77.2 93.6 63.9 63.8

    May 74.6 79.9 50.0 59.2 82.9 77.5 91.4 63.0 62.7

    Jun 75.7 76.7 50.3 56.8 82.9 78.0 90.6 64.3 58.6

    Jul 80.7 72.1 52.4 52.3 81.2 85.2 85.3 65.0 56.2

    Aug 83.4 67.4 53.7 48.9 81.9 87.8 81.4 65.4 53.2

    Sep 85.4 65.9 54.4 43.9 79.3 89.9 80.4 64.3 49.0

    Oct 87.5 62.0 55.2 41.4 76.6 93.2 76.6 64.7 44.4

    Nov 88.4 58.6 56.3 39.1 80.4 95.8 72.8 64.6 43.8

    Dec 91.0 54.3 62.9 32.7 79.8 99.1 69.7 68.8 39.0


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