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Anadolu Agency: News in English, 01-02-07Anadolu Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Anadolu Agency Home Page at <http://www.anadoluajansi.com.tr/>Anadolu AgencyANADOLU AGENCY NEWS 07 FEBRUARY 2001 Wednesday CONTENTS
[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCANThese are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in Turkey'spress on February 7, 2000. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy. HURRIYET (LIBERAL)GOVERNMENT TO MEET WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF INDUSTRY AND BANKING SECTORSGovernment will meet with representatives of industry and banking sectors for measures which will facilitate overcoming economic crisis. Deputy Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz said, ''we will listen to problems of real institutions and finance sector. At the Council of Ministers meeting next week, we will announce a series of measures.'' ''TURKEY HAS AN EXCELLENT ECONOMIC AND COMMERCIAL POTENTIAL'' economic and commercial potential. Speaking at a seminar on ''the United States' Commercial and Fiancial Services'' organized by Istanbul Chamber of Commerce, Pearson said that the trade volume between the two countries had increased 70 percent since 1994. He noted that exporta from Turkey to the United States climbed by 15 percent in 1999 and 2000. Stressing that the United States attributed great importance to Turkey, Caucasia and the Central Asia, Pearson said that the U.S. businessmen were anxious to start working on joint projects with them in the months to come. ''We want to strengthen the commercial ties between Turkey and the United States,'' he added. THERE IS NOT ANY PROBLEM IN U.S. PRESIDENT BUSH'S LETTER in U.S. President George W. Bush's letter to Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit have given rise to discussions. These words are not related with problems between Turkey and the United States, but they are regarded with problems in the region.'' Logoglu came together with diplomacy correspondents at a luncheon. Responding to a question, Logoglu said, ''in his letter, President Bush used the word of 'challenge'. President Bush attributes importance to friendly relations between the two countries, and his letter will open doors for us. In his letter, President Bush said that some challenges might emerge in regional issues concerning both Turkey and the United States. He added that the two countries would overcome these challenges through cooperation,'' Logoglu stressed. MILLIYET (LIBERAL)HOPES FADE AWAY TO CAPTURE TERRORISTS WHO ASSASINATED OKKANSaadettin Tantan, the Interior Minister, said that seizure of terrorists who assassinated Gaffar Okkan, the Police Chief of southeastern Diyarbakir province, and five other policemen would take time. Tantan made remarks on the assasination of Okkan, and didn't want to make any clear statement on which organization actually staged the attack. We don't know whether the attack has a foreign connection or not, said Tantan, and added they would exert utmost efforts to capture the terrorists. WOMAN JANNISSERY BECOMES HERO OF CARTOONS IN U.S. woman jannissery figure in its cartoons. The DC Comics Company is using the Woman Jannissery in its best seller cartoon Justice League of America Super Heroes. The Woman Jenissery is wearing a red garment with star and crescent which is the emblem of the Turkish Republic. She is carrying a book in one hand an holding an Ottoman sword in the other. The characters of the Justice League of America will fight against devil in this weeks' edition. SABAH (LIBERAL)TURKISH PEOPLE TO DRINK ''PRIVATIZED TURKISH RAKI''The Turkish Tobacco and Alcoholic Drinks Authority (TEKEL) which has a share of 1.5 percent in Gross National Product of Turkey, is taken into the scope of privatization. The selling procedure of Tekel will be completed in three years. The reform in Tekel, which took place in the letter of intend submitted to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), draws the attentions of many foreign and local companies. JUSTICE MINISTRY ACCEPTS AESTHETIC OPERATION REQUEST OF WOMEN INMATES prisons applied to the Justice Ministry to undergo aesthetic operations. Three of those women had already underwent asthetic operations as the Justice Ministry approved their applications. Remaining six women inmates will also undergo operations in Kartal State Hospital in coming days. CUMHURIYET (LEFT)RALLY TO PROTEST IMF AND F TYPE PRISONSThe Work Party (EMEP), the People's Democracy Party (HADEP), the Freedom and Solidarity Party (ODP) and the Human Rights Association (IHD) will hold a rally in Abide-i Hurriyet Square in Sisli district of Istanbul on Sunday to protest the F type prisons, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and capital policies. NETHERLANDS' INTEREST IN GAP DLV Agricosult of the Netherlands, will come to southeastern province of Sanliurfa. Tacken will be briefed by the Directorate of Southeastern Anatolia Project (GAP) Regional Development Authority on the GAP and latest developments in the region. Later, Tacken will visit Resarch Station in Koruklu, fields under irrigation, Ataturk Dam and Koc-Ata Husbandry Facility. RADIKAL (LEFT)BY-LAW TO BE DISCUSSED IN PARLIAMENT AGAINThe leaders of the coalition decided to discuss the proposal of change in by-law of parliament as no concrete outcomes obtained from the meetings headed by Omer Izgi, the Speaker of Parliament. The discussion on the change in by- law of the parliament is expected to be carried out starting from today. In the meantime, Recai Kutan, the leader of Virtue Party (FP), said President Ahmet Necdet Sezer should gather the leaders of the coalition parties to discuss the issue. NO INTEREST IN AUTOMOBILE PURCHASE CREDIT the financial crisis in the sector. The companies make big sales in cash payments and no interest rate is applied in some options of the credit sales. Tofas, Fiat, Opel, Hyundai, Toyota and Wolkswagen are some of the companies that launched campaigns to overcome the crisis. TURKIYE (RIGHT)EXPECTED DECISIONDeputy Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz said that some measures would be taken to relieve the markets. ''We will hold a meeting especially with representatives of real and finance sectors on Thursday. We will carry out a work to have the burden of the program on social sections divided justly without making concessions from the main targets and to prevent some cricles from suffering from the program,'' he said. DENKTAS IN MALATYA address people in a demonstration which will be staged in Malatya to condemn and protest approval of resolution on so-called genocide on Armenians by France and its decision to erect a genocide monument in Paris. TRNC President Denktas will also speak at a conference at Inonu University on ''Importance of Cyprus Issue for Turkey''. FEMALE MILITANTS OF TERRORISM suspect of assasination of businessman Ozdemir Sabanci. The dossier submitted to the court requested Fehriye Erdal's trial in Turkey. Meanwhile, Husnu Cemal Aslan, female newsreader of MED TV which is known as the television channel of the terrorist PKK organization, was sentenced to 12.5 years in prison by the Erzurum State Security Court on charges of ''being a member of terrorist organization''. Aslan said, ''I was deceived by the organization. I tried to escape but they threatened me.'' TAX DEBTS TO BE PAID IN 18 INSTALLMENTS time until December 31, to pay their tax debts in 18 installments with three percent annual interest rate. ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)72 HOURS IN SEAFive Crimean students studying in Turkey struggled against waves in Black Sea for three days but only two of them succeeded in surviving. Alim, Ahmethan, Viktor and Aleksi who were graduated from the Turkish High School were studying in Turkey together with their friend Ruslan Settarov. They set off on a journey to Crimea to spend their mid-term holiday. The ship they board sunk in Black Sea. Fifty-one of the passengers managed to climb lifeboats. Some of them were still in the sea. Ruslan Settarov couldn't board the ship's boat and was frozen to death. Aboard the lifeboat where Ahmethan managed to climb, four people were frozen to death and two others died when they went out of their minds in three days. Two days after the accident, Alim was also frozen to death. Ahmethan and Viktor were saved on the third day. IT DOES NOT HAVE ANY CONNECTION WITH OPERATION WHITE ENERGY Britain did not have any connection with the ongoing criminal investigation into allegations of corruption in energy tenders. It said that it was one of the regular visits. GOKCE ARRESTED were detained within scope of operations staged after assasination of Diyarbakir Police Chief Gaffar Okkan. Nizamettin Gokce, one of terrorist Hezbollah organization's triggers who surrendered to security forces is among those arrested people. PARLIAMENT'S ARCHITECTURE INNOCENT said that fights at parliament stemmed from the interior design of the parliament. The Chamber of Architects stressed that fights were made by MPs not by seats. AGREEMENT REACHED ON BY-LAW claimed life of a deputy. Parliament Speaker Omer Izgi said that also Article 91 would be debated at parliamentary general assembly in accordance with the agreement among political parties. [02] CLOSURE CASE AGAINST FP-BUMIN, CHAIRMAN OF CONSTITUTIONAL COURT:-''WE WILL ASSESS SUPPLEMENTARY INDICTMENT SUBMITTED BY SUPREME COURT OF APPEALS CHIEF PROSECUTOR KANADOGLU'' ANKARA - Mustafa Bumin, the Chairman of the Constitutional Court, said on Wednesday that they would assess supplementary indictment submitted by Supreme Court of Appeals Chief Prosecutor Sabih Kanadoglu regarding the closure case of the Virtue Party (FP). Responding to questions of journalists, Bumin stressed that they would begin to assess the supplementary indictment prepared by Kanadoglu on the basis of video footage related to the First Congress of the FP. Bumin said, ''after taking a decision on this issue, we will debate whether or not we should continue to hear the other case. These debates can be postponed to Thursday.'' -TURKEY-CZECH REPUBLIC COOPERATION IN VETERINARY MEDICINE diseases in animals through exports and passages in transit. The agreement which was signed between Turkey and Czech Republic on September 10, 2000 on cooperation in veterinary medicine, was published in the Official Gazzette on Wednesday. The agreement will come into force after the sides notify each other that they have fulfilled the necessary conditions. The agreement will be valid for five years. The agreement will extend automatically at the end of the first five-year if the sides do not decide to put an end to the agreement. -TRNC PRESIDENT DENKTAS ARRIVES IN MALATYA arrived in eastern province of Malatya on Wednesday to attend a rally to protest approval of the resolution on so-called genocide on Armenians by French parliament. General Edip Baser, the Commander of the Second Army, and Malatya Mayor Mehmet Yasar Cerci welcomed President Denktas at the Erhac Airport. Denktas will attend the rally organized by provincial representatives of the Democratic Left Party (DSP), the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), the Virtue Party (FP), the Motherland Party (ANAP), the True Path Party (DYP), the Republican People's Party (CHP) and Grand Unity Party (BBP), to protest France's decision. -PRESIDENT MESIC OF CROATIA ARRIVES IN ANKARA an official visit. State Minister Fikret Unlu and other officials welcomed President Mesic at Ankara's Esenboga Airport. An official welcoming ceremony will be held at the Cankaya Presidential Palace for President Mesic. During his visit, President Mesic will meet with President Ahmet Necdet Sezer, Parliament Speaker Omer Izgi, Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit and former President Suleyman Demirel. Croatian Foreign Minister Tonino Picula, Tourism Minister Pave Zupan Ruskovic and European Integration Minister Ivan Yakovcic are accompanying President Mesic. -CENTRAL BANK GOVERNOR ERCEL: ''IMPORTANT BENEFITS HAVE benefits had already been obtained from the disinflation program which was put into practice with a three-year perspective. Releasing a statement on ''monetary policy implementation in coming period'', Ercel said that the inflation rate had reduced for the first time to 2.3 percent in wholesale prices and 2.5 percent in consumer prices in January of 2001 after a long period of time. Noting that the decreasing trend in inflation would continue also in coming months, Ercel said that with this respect, Central Bank's highest level contribution to the program would continue with its policies. Ercel said that net domestic assets targeted figures had been revised downward for the period following January of 2001 by taking into consideration the current level. ''In accordance with the change in targeted net domestic assets figures, net international reserves minimum figures were increased and revised for the same period,'' he added. -ULUABAT LAKE INCLUDED IN WORLD LIVING WATERS LIST Waters List, sources said on Wednesday. The World Living Wetlands Platform which is a voluntary institution prepares the World Living Waters list in accordance with their characteristics and significance. The platform which included Uluabat Lake in the list, considering it an eco system that should be left to next generations. Uluabat Lake is also in the list of the Ramsar Convention which comprised the wetlands important to whole world. Turkey is also a side to Ramsar Convention. Other lakes which were included in the Living Waters List are as follows: Lake Constance (Central Europe), Lake St. Lucia (South Africa), Mono Lake (the U.S.), Lake Biwa (Japan), Lake Baikal (Russia), Nestos Lakes (Greece), Lake Tengiz (Kazakhstan), Dead Sea (Middle East), La Nava Wetlands (Spain), Pantalan Wetlands (South America), Laguna mar Chiquita (Argentina), Milicz Ponds (Poland), and Uluabat Lake. -FINANCE MINISTER ORAL: ''THIS IS ABSOLUTELY NOT AN EXEMPTION, not an exemption, it is an implementation to make tax debts payments easier for taxpayers.'' Staging a press conference, Oral said that taxpayers would pay their tax debts in 18 installments with a three percent annual interest rate. Oral said that those who wanted to make use of this facility could make applications by March 16, and pay their first installments till end of March. He said that taxes would be paid without any reduction in their interests and default interests. ''The annual default interest rate is still 36 percent but it was decreased to three percent with this facility,'' he said. ''This is absolutely not an exemption, it is an implementation to make tax debts payments easier for taxpayers,'' he added. -COALITION PARTNERS TO MEET WITH REPRESENTATIVES come together with representatives of real sector to discuss measures to be taken to solve problems of this sector. Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit, the leader of the Democratic Left Party (DSP); Deputy Prime Minister and State Minister Devlet Bahceli, the leader of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP); Deputy Prime Minister and State Minister Mesut Yilmaz, the leader of the Motherland Party (ANAP); and Deputy Prime Minister and State Minister Husamettin Ozkan will be in attendance at the meeting which will start at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday at the Prime Ministry Office. Representatives of the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB), the Turkish Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association (TUSIAD), the Confederation of Turkish Tradesmen and Artisans (TESK), the Confederation of Turkish Employers' Unions, the Turkish Exporters' Assembly, the Textiles Employers' Union, the Chamber of Maritime Trade and other employers' organizations will attend the meeting. At the meeting, measures to be taken to accelerate real sector's works and to solve problems of this sector will be discussed. Representatives of real sector will submit their proposals to the leaders. Meanwhile, leaders of coalition partners will come together with ministers responsible for economy on Friday to assess proposals put forward by representatives of real sector. -PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT: ''WE FACE SOME SUSPICIOUS AND (DSP), said on Wednesday that they face some suspicious and distressing games and dark scenarios each day, adding, ''however, we are determined to overcome all of these with the help of services and progresses.'' Speaking at DSP Parliamentary Group meeting, Ecevit said that the inflation rate reduced to below 30 percent for the first time in last 14 years. Ecevit said that they were trying to form a source to remove insufficiencies in salaries and wages. Noting that the high chronic inflation was taken under control, Ecevit said that government's determined struggle against inflation started to give positive results. Recalling that wholesale prices index reduced to 2.3 percent and consumer prices index decreased to 2.5 percent in January, Ecevit stressed that the inflation index for manufacturing industry which was called core inflation reduced to 1.7 percent. ''We are offering payment facility in installments to taxpayers who couldn't pay their tax debts, relieving the tradesmen, craftsmen and small and medium scale enterprises,'' he said. ''We have given the start for a work at the Council of Ministers to bring a rapid solution to problems of villagers and farmers. I hope that we can announce results of this soon,'' he said. The Prime Minister said that they would hold a meeting with the officials and experts to determine measures and solutions which would accelerate works of all productive circles. ''Our aim is not only to settle stability in the economy but also dynamism in the economy, more investments and production, more employment and social justice. One of the main conditions for achieving these is rapid working of legislative and executive organs in harmony,'' he said. ''Yesterday, a spokesman from the oppostion said, 'don't do the jobs hastily and carelessly'. However, not only the government but also Turkey has to act quickly. Because, we are determined to solve long-standing problems and reduce the inflation,'' he said. Ecevit stressed that there were numerous draft laws to reduce inflation, increase income level of people, prevent unemployment, revive productive economy, activate promised foreign sources and develop democracy. ''All these entail a rapid work at the parliament. Therefore, we have to change the parliamentary by-law. Last week's discussions on change in the parliamentary by-law resulted in demise of Fevzi Sihanlioglu, a deputy from the True Path Party (DYP). Sihanlioglu died of heart attack during the fistfights overshadowing prestige of the parliament. Meanwhile, I want to stress that the Parliamentary General Assembly Hall has some inconveniences due to its architectural structure. On that night, those who wanted to prevent speeches and votes, could easily occupy platform,'' he stressed. Ecevit added, ''our government has been recording progress to achieve its targets with determination despite all difficulties. As a result of our works, separatist movements and terrorism have come to the level of eradication; inflation has begun to decrease; and that all measures have been taken against corruptions. We are determined to continue to expend all efforts for prosperity of our people.'' -32 THOUSAND TURKISH AND FOREIGN TOURISTS VISIT YEDIGOLLER LAST YEAR Yedigoller National Park in 2000. Kadir Bilgili, an official from Zonguldak National Parks Directorate, said on Wednesday that Yedigoller National Park was at the border of northern Zonguldak and Bolu provinces, adding that there were seven lakes in the park. Last year, a total of 32 thousand Turkish and foreign tourists visited Yedigoller National Park, said Bilgili, and added that April and May were the best months to visit the lakes. There are 238 different plant species in the park, added Bilgili. -TIM TO SUBMIT PROBLEMS OF EXPORTERS IN TOMORROW'S SUMMIT exporters' associations to the agenda of the real sector summit which will be held with the leaders on Thursday. Okan Oguz, the chairman of TIM, underlined importance of the initiative of the governmnent which aimed at bringing solution to the problems of the real sector in the summit that will be held with the participation of industrialists, exporters and tradesmen, adding that discussion of those measures was important. Such meetings should be organized frequently, said Oguz and added that tommorrow's summit was important as the problems of the real sector and proposals for solution of these problems would be discussed. Noting that he would represent TIM in the summit, Oguz said he would meet with the chairmen of the exports sector and would prepare a report comprising of their demands. Oguz said that in the report, they would explain how the economic problems which the exporters encounter due to the pressure on currency exchange, could be solved. Results of such summits are more important than organization of such meetings said Oguz, and underlined the importance of implementing the measures that would bring solutions to the problems of the real sector. Oguz said the targets for exports in 2001 could be reached if the government met the expectations of the sector about production, exports and investments. -PASSENGER BUS COLLIDES WITH A LORRY, KILLING THREE Seneralti region in Akcabat township of northern Trabzon province, killing three people and injuring 31 others. Officials at Trabzon Governor's Office said that the passenger bus which was on its way from Georgian capital of Tbilisi to Istanbul, collided with the lorry near Yoroz Seneralti region in Akcabat township. Lorry driver Ibrahim Aksahin, 31, Salim Hicyilmaz, 17, and bus driver Turgut Yagci, 43, lost their lives in the accident. A total of 31 passengers including 29 Georgians were injured in the accident. They were rushed to hospitals. -GONZALES, CUBAN DIRECTOR GENERAL sports institute of Cuba, came to Turkey on Wednesday. Gonzales who visited Kemal Mutlu, the Director of the Directorate General of Youth and Sports, asked Mutlu in which branches Turkey felt the need for sports experts. Inviting Mutlu to Cuba, Gonzales said that in his visit, he could give better information about the sports experts. Gonzales recalled that Turkey had achieved great success in Sydney 2000 Olympic Games, in wrestling and weight lifting, and that they wanted to continue their cooperation with Turkey in sports. Mutlu in his part said they appreciated the success of Cuba in training sports experts adding that the Turkish federations were conducting works to determine the fields in which Turkey and Cuba could cooperate. We could cooperate in boxing, athletism, and swimming said Mutlu adding that they needed experts especially in athletism. Miguel Lamazares Puello, the Ambassador of Cuba to Turkey, was also in attendance at the meeting. -PRESIDENT SEZER: country which has importance for the peace, stability and prosperity of Southeastern Europe. Sezer hosted an official ceremony for Croatian President Stjepan Mesic, who is paying an official visit to Ankara, at the Presidential Palace. President Sezer said that after Croatia gained its independence, the relations between Turkey and Croatia have rapidly developed. Sezer continued, ''Turkey and Croatia, which have developed their friendly relations on the basis of mutual understanding and mutual interests, are the elements of peace and stability in their region. We will search for opportunities to further improve and intensify our relations and cooperation during our contact.'' He appreciates the policies followed by Mesic and Croatian government, Sezer noted. Sezer stated that Croatia takes rapid steps to integrate with the Europe- Atlantic institutions and organizations, adding, ''availing myself of this opportunity, I would like to emphasize that our country is closely interested in and supports the efforts of Croatia in this direction.'' Mesic said that Turkey was one of the leading countries which defended that the Yugoslavia crisis had to be solved by peaceful methods. Reminding that Milosevic declared a war in the former Yugoslavian territory, Mesic said that Turkey was one of the countries which exerted most of the efforts to end this war. Mesic noted that the relations with Turkey and Croatia are further developing. The two countries have joint strategic interests, Mesic stated, noting that Croatia wants to become a NATO member. Mesic stressed that to this end, they aim at integrating with the European Union (EU) and similar organizations. His visit proves the high-ranking good relations between the two countries, Mesic said, adding that he expects this visit to be very beneficial. Mesic invited Sezer to his country. Parliament Speaker Omer Izgi, State Minister Fikret Unlu, Foreign Minister Ismail Cem, Tourism Minister Erkan Mumcu, Foreign Ministry Deputy Undersecretary Yigit Aypogan also attended the ceremony.
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