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Anadolu Agency: News in English, 01-02-09Anadolu Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Anadolu Agency Home Page at <http://www.anadoluajansi.com.tr/>Anadolu AgencyANADOLU AGENCY NEWS 09 FEBRUARY 2001 Friday CONTENTS
[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCANThese are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in Turkey's press on February 9, 2000. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.HURRIYET (LIBERAL)NO MORE CIGARETTE ADS ON VARIOUS CLOTHESThe Supreme Board of Struggle Against Drugs, which was set up upon the advise of National Security Council (MGK) issued a series of decisions that would completely take the cigarette under control. According to this decision, the cigarette ads would be removed from any kind of clothing including shoes, boats and hats. ECEVIT: ''DON'T BE AFRAID, THERE WON'T BE EARLY ELECTIONS'' MILLIYET (LIBERAL)ANOTHER MARITIME ACCIDENT IN ISTANBUL STRAITSOne Turkish-flagged cargo ship and one Cambodian-flagged cargo ship collided with each other at the Black Sea end of the Istanbul Strait. The Istanbul Strait, which is one of the busiest maritime routes in the world, is under threat of sea accidents that occur very frequently. The officials said 323 maritime accidents occured in the Istanbul Straits in last four years. DEPPLER PRESIDENT OF IMF SAYS THERE WON'T BE ANY DRAMATICAL SABAH (LIBERAL)SSK TO PAY 119 BILLION TL TO LITTLE AYSENAfter a trial which lasted for six years, the Social Security Agency(SSK) was sentenced to pay 119 billion TL, the highest compensation in its history, to little Aysen whose arm had to be amputated because of a malpractice when she was three and a half years old. Aysen Basaran's family had taken her to a SSK hospital to be treated for flue in 1995. Pakize Ozkan who was working as a nurse in the hospital had made the shot from a wrong vein causing her arm to be amputated from the wrist. Ozkan was sentenced to 22 days in prison, but later the court changed her prison sentence to a fine. TURKISH READY-TO-WEAR PRODUCERS PARTICIPATE IN FASHION CUMHURIYET (LEFT)SEZER DOESN'T APPROVE RESOLUTION THAT COULD HAVE HEARTENEDRADICAL ISLAMISTS President Ahmet Necdet Sezer found the resolution proposing the burial of Nakshi leader Mahmut Esad Cosan and his son-in-law in Suleymaniye Mosque's yard unconstitutional. The Council of Minister's decision was turned down by Sezer with a 3-page explanation and it was returned to the government. The efforts to look for a privileged tomb for the sect leader caused a new crisis in the government. Sezer, in his explanation, said that burying Cosan in Suleymaniye Mosque's yard was against the equality principle. METU STUDENTS START CAMPAIGN AGAINST MCDONALD'S RADIKAL (LEFT)NO MILITARY TENDERS FOR FRENCH COMPANIESTurkey's action plan against France which is mostly in military tenders is continuing. The National Defense Ministry banned the French Alcatel Space Industries and Matro Marconi Joint Enterprise from participating in the military tenders for one year. The decision was published in Thursday's Official Gazette. The Chief of Staff also cancelled all the visits scheduled to France from Turkey for 2001. FORMER LAND FORCES COMMANDER FISUNOGLU DENIES BEING INVOLVED TURKIYE (RIGHT)COALITION MEMBERS LISTEN TO PROBLEMS OF BUSINESS WORLDGovernment partners met with the representatives of the business world and discussed the economic problems at Thursday's Economy Summit. Ecevit said, ''We know that there is a problem between the real and the banking sector. We'll do our share to bring a solution.'' Turkish Union of Chambers and Commodities Exchange (TOBB) Chairmas Miras said that ''At the summit they had the impression that the government will solve some of their problems''. The leaders will announce the decisions they have taken on Monday. TURKISH ARMED FORCES SUSPEND ITS RELATIONS WITH FRENCH MILITARY ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)SUCCESS OF TERIM BOOSTS PROJECTION MACHINE SALESRecent successes of Fatih Terim, the Turkish coach of Italian Fiorentina soccer club, increased the projection and plasma tv sales in Turkey. People who want to watch the football matches of Fiorentina on a wider screen started to purchase the projection televisions. Companies such as Sony, Nec, Panasonic and Pioneer, which are marketing the projection tvs, are targetting to sell 15 thousand projection televisions this year as Fiorentina will play the final match in the Italian Cup. VURAL, SECRETARY GENERAL FOR EU SAYS DETERMINED ATTITUDE IS [02] CULTURE MINISTRY PARTICIPATES IN SARAJEVO WINTER FESTIVALANKARA - The Culture Ministry will participate in the Sarajevo Winter Festival that will be held between February 7 - March 21.Releasing a written statement, the Ministry of Culture said Anadolu Selen Choir will represent Turkey in the festival and give a concert on March 8 in Sarajevo within the framework of the festival. The choir will also give a concert in Mostar on March 9, and in Zenica, the city where Turkish troops are deployed, on March 10. [03] TURKISH FASHION DESIGNER'S COLLECTION TO BE DISPLAYED IN NEW YORKFASHION WEEKNEW YORK - The collection of Atil Kutoglu, a famous Turkish fashion designer, will be displayed in New York on February 13 within the framework of Traditional New York Fashion Week, which is one of the most important events of the fashion sector. The 2001 fall-winter collections of famous fashion designers are being promoted in the week. Mehmet Ezen, the Consul General of Turkey in New York, will give a reception in honour of Atil Kutoglu on February 14. Officials from Istanbul Textile and Confection Exporters Association (ITKIB) which sponsors Kutoglu will also attend the reception. [04] JUSTICE MINISTER TURK CONTINUES HIS CONTACTS IN GERMANYBERLIN- Hikmet Sami Turk, the minister of justice, who is currently in Germany as the guest of Herta Daeubler-Gmelin, the German minister of justice, met with Gunther Hirsch, the chairman of federal supreme court, in Karlsruhe on Thursday.Following the meeting, Turk said just like Germany they wanted to set up regional supreme courts in Turkey. Noting that the function of these courts and maintaining a law unity among those courts were important, Turk said he received information from the chairman of the supreme court about how the problems faced in practice were solved in Germany. We exchanged our views on the judicial system, said Turk and added that the regional courts which are foreseen to be set up in Turkey would both speed up the judiciary system and would contribute to the system in pursuit of fair trials. Turk, who will attend a cocktail party that will be given by the mayor of Tubingen, will give a conference titled ''Law in Turkey and the Judiciary Reform'' in Tubingen University on Saturday. Turk, will then return to Turkey. [05] CEM AND POWELL TO MEET FIRST TIME AT NATO MEETINGWASHINGTON - Foreign Minister Ismail Cem and U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell will meet for the first time at the NATO foreign ministers meeting in Brussels on Feb. 27.Diplomatic observers in Washington, D.C said that they were expecting a close dialogue to start between Turkey and the United States after the meeting of Cem and Powell. Sources said Bush administration's approach in Iraq and developments that will follow Ariel Sharon's election as prime minister in the Middle East will require Turkey and the United States maintain close and continious contacts. The same sources indicated that the latest developments in the Middle East will increase Turkey's strategic importance even more for the United States. Washington D.C.'s support to Ankara on the European Security and Defense Initiative (ESDI) will be vital at the NATO meeting in Brussels. The Bush administration is expected to adopt a satisfying attitude for Turkey on the ESDI issue. Turkey and the United States share the same concerns about European Union's efforts to form a defense system partially independent from NATO. Turkey is concerned about being excluded from this defense formation while the United States thinks that ESDI would seriously weaken NATO. Turkish government officials will ask the Bush administration to continue support for Baku-Ceyhan oil pipeline project which was supported by former U.S. President Bill Clinton, during the contacts with U.S. government representatives in the next few months. Defense cooperation and Cyprus are the other topics that are to be raised during the meetings. [06] PRECIPITATION DROPS BY 40 PERCENT THROUGHOUT TURKEYANKARA - In the last four months, precipitation throughout the country decreased by 39.5 percent compared to seasonal averages.The drop is 23.8 percent compared to the same period of last year. Decrease in rain and snow is 30 percent in coastal line while it is as high as 50 percent in central regions. The State Meteorology General Directorate have studied the measurements done at 107 stations in Turkey. In the last four months, 190.1 milimeter of rain fell in one square meter compared to the average of 313.9 milimeter. Last year's average was 249.4 milimeter. The rain analysis of last 40 years in Turkey demonstrated a decrease of rain in 1999 and 2000. However, similar decrease in precipitation was also observed between 1970 and 1974 and between 1989 and 1990. Meteorologists are expecting rain fall at seasonal averages in the next three months. Temperatures are estimated to be over the seasonal averages. [07] DSP DEPUTY PRESENTS DRAFT LAW TO FORBID MARRIAGESBETWEEN PEOPLE LINKED BY BLOODANKARA - Esvet Ozdogu from the Democratic Left Party has presented Parliament a draft law which would forbid marriages between two people who are linked by blood. Ozdogu's proposal suggests to forbid marriages also between children of paternal and maternal uncles and aunts. The proposal's goal is to decrease the number of handicapped children who are born to couples who are linked by blood. Around 3.7 percent of babies are born with birth defects in Turkey. A study carried out among handicapped people showed that 24 percent of blind people and 20 percent of deaf people have parents who are linked by blood. Ozdogu said that the next generations will be healthier if the draft law is passed. [08] GERMAN EXPERTS TO GUIDE TO TURKISH COLLEAGUESTO RESTRUCTURE STATE PLANNING ORGANIZATIONANKARA - German experts will guide their Turkish colleagues to restructure the State Planning Organization (DPT) as a part of the Technical Cooperation Agreement between Turkey and Germany. The project's goal is to develop human resources in the DPT by creating a new personnel policy and strategy. Germany will send experts and educational equipment worth of 100,000 German Marks. It will also pay 23,000 German Marks for the project's implementation. The Turkish government will appoint educators who will give on the job training to DPT personnel and executives. It will also provide coordination services to the project. German experts coming from Germany will give consultancy to their Turkish partners. Improving the current personnel policy and on the job training programs of the DPT are targetted through the project. A second project between the two countries aims to protect Bayburt region from erosion. One of the goals of the project is to raise the standard of living for people who live in rural areas in Eastern Turkey. [09] TURKEY AND SWITZERLAND SIGN AGREEMENT REGARDINGTRADE AND ECONOMIC CONSULTATIONSANKARA - Turkey and Switzerland signed a memorandum of understanding regarding high level trade and economic consultations during Foreign Trade Undersecretary Kursad Tuzmen's visit to this country on Feb 5-7, it was reported on Friday. Tuzmen paid an official visit to Switzerland as the guest of Swiss Economy Secretary of State David Syz. During his 2-day visit, Tuzmen delivered a speech on the latest developments in the Turkish Economy and economic relations between Turkey and Switzerland at a conference held in Zurich. Tuzmen and Syz signed the memorandum of understanding on high level trade and economic consultations on behalf of their countries on Feb. 6, in Bern. On the same day, Turkish and Swiss sides also exchanged views on increasing bilateral trade, prevention of double taxation, investment opportunities, cooperation between the small and medium sized enterprises of the two countries, activities of the Turkish-Swiss Business Council, highway transportation and energy cooperation. On Jan.-Nov., 2000 Turkey's export to Switzerland was 212 million U.S. dollars and its import from this country was 814 million U.S. dollars. [10] FOREIGN EXCHANGE RESERVES OF CENTRAL BANKINCREASE BY 6.3 BILLION U.S. DOLLARS IN FIVE WEEKSANKARA - Foreign exchange reserves of the Central Bank increased by 6 billion 293 million U.S. dollars between December 26, 2000 and February 2, 2001. According to the Central Bank's weekly bulletin, the Central Bank's foreign exchange reserves which had been 19 billion 635 million U.S. dollars on December 26, 2000 increased to 25 billion 928 million U.S. dollars on February 2. Meanwhile, total foreign exchange reserves of banks and private finance organizations decreased by 1 billion 410 million U.S. dollars from 16 billion 717 million U.S. dollars to 15 billion 307 million U.S. dollars as of January 19. Meanwhile, the international reserves comprising gold reserves of Turkey and foreign exchange reserves of the Central Bank, commercial banks and private finance organizations increased 5 billion 97 million U.S. dollars from 37 billion 362 million U.S. dollars to 42 billion 459 million U.S. dollars as of January 19. Gold reserves remained at 1 billion 9 million U.S. dollars. [11] SECURITY FORCES CAPTURE 65 ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS IN GURPINARVAN - Gendarmerie units captured 63 Iraqis and 2 Afghans in Gurpinar township of eastern province of Van.Sources said on Friday that Gendarmarie teams patrolling around Sungubayir hamlet of Topsakal village in the township intercepted a group of people who had entered Turkey illegally and were about to be frozen to death. Officials said that 63 of those people were of Iraqi origin and two of them were Afhgan origin, and they would be deported once the legal procedures were completed. [12] PARLIAMENTARY DELEGATION DUE IN IRAQANKARA - A total of 12 deputies will go to Baghdad, Iraq to observe the health conditions of the Iraqi people particularly children and mothers.The parliamentary delegation will stay in Iraq between 12-15 February and the delegation will also take medical stuff with it. The delegation headed by deputy Suat Caglayan, from the Democratic Left Party (DSP) has six doctors in it. The delegation will visit hospitals and non-governmental organizations in Baghdad and will be received by some Iraqi ministers. Caglayan said that Iraq has become one of the most important neighbours of Turkey both politically and strategically in the last ten years. Recounting that the United Nations (U.N) decided to implement some sanctions on Iraq after the Gulf War, Caglayan said that the embargo which was implemented in the beginning without any concessions, was appeased a little bit within the framework of the programme ''Oil for Food'' as mothers and children suffered a lot by the embargo. ''Negotiations are held at every level to improve the trade between Iraq and Turkey,'' said Caglayan, adding that Turkey also extended medical aid to Iraq. [13] TOTAL TRANSACTIONS MADE BY FOREIGN INVESTORSAT IMKB REDUCE BY 70.23 PERCENT IN JANUARYISTANBUL - Total transactions made by foreign investors at the Istanbul Stock Exchange (IMKB) in January of 2001 reduced by 70.23 percent compared to those in January of 2000. Total stock market transactions realized in January of 2001 on behalf of account of foreign banks, brokerage houses or individuals became 1 billion 725 million 98 thousand U.S. dollars while it had been 5 billion 793 million 594 thousand U.S. dollars in January of 2000. According to the IMKB statistics, foreign investors' total purchases became 989 million 579 thousand U.S. dollars and their total sales became 735 million 519 thousand U.S. dollars last month. The top ten shares transacted on behalf of account of foreign banks, brokerage houses or individuals in January of 2001 are as follows: . (USD) ----------------- ------------ ---------- Garanti Bankasi 112,780,052 64,153,029 Turkcell 96,728,822 94,315,570 Is Bankasi-C 98,399,798 39,153,029 Koc Holding 67,897,831 37,735,811 Vestel 45,996,884 53,048,931 Akbank 56,834,125 37,757,597 Tupras 46,679,366 11,774,327 Dogan Yayin Holding 28,849,418 26,750,544 Sabanci Holding 36,752,615 15,937,325 [14] GENDARMERIE TEAMS CONFISCATE 154 KG BASE MORPHINE IN BASKALEVAN - Gendarmerie teams confiscated 154 kilograms of base morphine in an operation in Baskale township of eastern province of Van.Sources said on Friday that acting on a tip-off, gendarmerie teams raided a house in Duztepe hamlet in Yolmacayir village in the township, seizing 154 kg 830 grams of base morphine. Officials said that market price of the illicit drug was almost 900 billion Turkish lira. They added that gendarmerie teams took two people into custody in connection with the drug smuggling. [15] G-20 DEPUTY FINANCE MINISTERS AND CENTRAL BANK DEPUTYGOVERNORS TO MEET IN ISTANBUL BETWEEN FEBRUARY 18-19ANKARA - The meeting of G-20 international group of Deputy Finance Ministers and Central Bank Deputy Governors will be held in Istanbul between February 18-19. Treasury Undersecreatriat said on Friday that the meeting aimed to prepare the ground for the annual meeting of G-20 platform's ministers and set the schedule, place and agenda of this annual meeting. It said that Turkey would be represented by the Treasury Undersecretary at the meeting. ''The meeting will focus on decisions which can be taken by international organizations and national authorities to maximize benefits of globalization and minimize its negative effects, strategies which can be developed at international platform, fair participation of all nations in international trade and steps which can be taken to increase this level,'' it added. [16] TURKEY-ALGERIA-STATE MINISTER GEMICI: ''TURKISH BUSINESSMEN SHOULD UTILIZE MORE THEBUSINESS AND INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES BY MAKING PARTNERSHIPS IN THE ALGERIAN MARKET'' ANKARA - State Minister Hasan Gemici said that Turkish businessmen should utilize more the business and investment opportunities by making partnerships in the Algerian market. The Foreign Trade Undersecretariat (DTM) said on Friday that a delegation headed by State Minister Gemici had paid a visit to Algeria between February 5-8 to hold several contacts, open the Second Turkish Days Fair and make preliminary preparation for the Sixth Term Joint Economic Commission (JEC) Review meeting and Seventh Term JEC meeting upon invitation of Algerian Trade Minister Mourad Medelci. It said that Gemici and Medelci had opened the fair on February 6, and that 130 Turkish companies representing food, electric-electronic, machinery, automotive by-industry, textiles-ready-made clothing, durable consumer goods and construction equipment sectors joined the fair. Within framework of the visit, State Minister Gemici had met with Algerian Prime Minister Ali Benflis, Trade Minister Mourad Medelci, Energy and Mines Minister and Turkey-Algeria JEC Co-Chairman Chakib Khelil, Transportation Minister Hamid Lounaoucu, Public Works and Settlement Minister Amara Ben Younes and National Solidarity Minister Djamel Ould Abbes, the DTM said. DTM said that State Minister Gemici had held a meeting with the Turkish businessmen who attended the fair. Speaking at the meeting, Gemici said that Turkish businessmen should utilize more business and investment opportunities by settling in Algeria and making partnerships in the Algerian market which was opening to international competition. Noting that Algeria would be the starting point for reaching the other African countries, Gemici said that initiatives aimed at joint investments in mounting and production in Algeria would create new market opportunities. During the visit, Turkish and Algerian sides had agreed to open a Turkish- Algerian Joint Bank or a brach office of a Turkish bank in Algeria and hold the Sevent Term JEC meeting in May of 2001 in Algeria and send a Turkish engineering delegation to Algeria in the shortest time frame. [17] FOREIGN MINISTRY DEPUTY SPOKESMAN DIRIOZ: ''WE ARE PLEASED WITHTHE GREEK AUTHORITIES' COOPERATION IN ESCORTING A TURKISHMILITARY TEAM WHICH ACCIDENTALLY CROSSED THE GREEK BORDER'' ANKARA - Foreign Ministry Deputy Spokesman Huseyin Dirioz said on Friday that they were pleased with the Greek authorities' cooperation in escorting back a Turkish military team which accidentally crossed the Greek border. When asked about the Turkish military unit which accidentally crossed the Greek border yesterday, Dirioz said at a weekly press briefing, ''the General Staff has made the necessary statement. We are pleased with the Greek authorities' cooperation in this issue.'' The General Staff Secretariat General released a statement and said, ''a team of four military personnel who were patrolling around the Turkish- Greek border on February 8, 2001, accidentally crossed the Greek border at 05:30 p.m. The personnel who were hosted at the Greek Border Headquarters for a period of time were escorted back to the Turkish side at midnight the same day.'' When asked whether or not there was a certain date for visit of Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou to Turkey, Dirioz said, ''at the moment, there is not a detailed information. However, such visits are beneficial if they aim at continuation of constructive cooperation between Turkey and Greece.''
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