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Anadolu Agency: News in English, 01-03-10Anadolu Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Anadolu Agency Home Page at <http://www.anadoluajansi.com.tr/>Anadolu AgencyANADOLU AGENCY NEWS 10 MARCH 2001 Saturday CONTENTS
[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCANThese are some of the major headlines and theirbrief stories in Turkey's press on March 10, 2000. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy. HURRIYET (LIBERAL) Businessmen Ali Sen had told Health Minister Osman Durmus after a Russian firm Kamow won the five ambulance helicopters tender with 31 million dollars that he could have bought them 11 million dollars cheaper. Durmus told reporters that he didn't cancel the tender, but he just suspended it till April 30, 2001. Durmus now expects Ali Sen to keep his promise. DERVIS SAYS CRISIS CAN BE AN OPPORTUNITY Washington D.C. said that ''a crisis in a country can create the opportunity of solving certain structural problems, we can do the things which we couldn't do for years. Between 1970-1980, the economy was stopped up, we even couldn't find coffee to drink. But within few years, Turkey's exports increased more than any other country. That crisis had brought an important structural change with it,'' he said. Dervis noted that the coming weeks and months had to be used well. MILLIYET (LIBERAL) IMF and the World Bank which gave positive messages to State Minister Kemal Dervis is afraid of the fact that politicians in Ankara can resist the new economic programme due to their political interests. The IMF and World Bank officials are worried about certain politicians' not accepting the new ''monetary policy, banking reform and privatization.'' HERE IS NEW PROGRAMME expected: ''A part of the domestic debt stock will be turned into foreign exchange. The authority of closing the banks will be given to the Banking Regulation and Inspection Board (BDDK). The inflation target of 2001 will be increased to 40 percent at least. Early retirement will come true in order to decrease the number of civil servants and workers. Public banks will be united under the roof of Ziraat Bank and privatized within one year. The law necessary to privatize 51 percent of Turkish Telecom will be adopted as soon as possible. SABAH (LIBERAL) State Minister Kemal Dervis got his retirement bonus from the World Bank for serving this organization for 23 years. The paper says Turkey also expects money from the international finance organizations. Dervis met with IMF Managing Director Horst Kohler yesterday and told him that Turkey prepares a new stand-by, which he will brought to Washington D.C. after two weeks. FLOODS KILL FOUR PERSONS hundreds of homes and shops in southeastern Turkey yesterday. A woman and her daughter drowned, swept away by gushing waters while crossing a bridge over a rain-swollen stream near the town of Siverek in Sanliurfa province, Governor Muzaffer Dilek said. Authorities found their bodies Friday, caught in bushes about a kilometer away. A 75-year-old woman drowned while inspecting her field in the nearby village of Halfeti. In the neighboring province of Adiyaman, the roof of a tobacco storehouse collapsed, crushing a middle-aged man. CUMHURIYET (LEFT) Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said that he talked to State Minister Kemal Dervis on the phone on Thursday night, adding that there is no new development. Upon questions of reporters, Ecevit said that he got information from Dervis, who is currently in Washington D.C. Meanwhile Central Bank Deputy Governor Sukru Binay also holds contacts in Washington D.C. HEZBOLLAH ALARM provincial headquarters about possible attacks of terrorist Hezbollah organization. The Security Directorate General called for taking tight measures against the terrorist organization, stressing that the terrorist organization could stage assassination attacks on high ranking officials. The decree noted that there are many unknown Hezbollah militants in Adana, Gaziantep, Mersin and Sanlıurfa provinces, adding that attacks and assassinations could be staged by these militants in these provinces. RADIKAL (LEFT) The paper asks why Kemal Dervis who was appointed as the State Minister responsible for treasury by the ''political decision'' of the three leaders, stressed the need of a political support for his programme during his press briefing in the U.S on Thursday. Dervis seems to be stuck between two opposing views. The government wants to see the loan that will be given from the U.S. and the World Bank first, before preparing the economic programme, however the latter want to see the economic programme first before giving a loan to Turkey. CELIK INVITED TO EP stage the Turkey-Europe Joint Parliamentary Commission (JPC) meetings in southeastern Diyarbakır province for a long time, invited Feridun Celik, the mayor of Diyarbakır from the Peoples' Democracy Party (HADEP) to Strasbourg this time. Turkey had reacted to attempts of EP to hold JPC meeting in Diyarbakır. Celik will go Strasbourg next week and respond to questions of European parliamentarians about southeastern Turkey. TURKIYE (RIGHT) Markets expect good news from State Minister Kemal Dervis who holds contacts in the U.S. Turkish businessmen, tradesmen, workers, villagers, in fact people from all the sectors wait for Dervis. ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE) Turkey can't allocate money for investment as it always pays for its debts and the interest rates of these debts. State's expenditures in January have been paying debts (2 quadrillion TL) and paying the wages of civil servants (936 trillion TL). State could only allocate 75 billion liras for investments in January, 2001. [02] STATE MINISTER DERVIS MEETS WITH IMF MANAGING DIRECTOR KOHLERWASHINGTON D.C. - State Minister Kemal Derviswho is charged in economy, met with IMF Managing Director Horst Kohler on Friday evening. No statement was issued about the content of the meeting. Dervis said in his press briefing on Thursday that the new economic programme of Turkey would be prepared in less than ten days, adding it was not possible for the international finance circles to promise giving source to Turkey without the economic programme is prepared. Dervis is expected to return to Turkey in the weekend after completing the proceedings related to his resignation from the World Bank. State Minister Kemal Dervis was World Bank Vice President. Dervis met with U.S. Treasury Secretary Paul O'Neill, IMF First Deputy Managing Director Stanley Fischer and World Bank President James Wolfensohn in Washington D.C. [03] CENTRAL BANK DEPUTY GOVERNOR BINAY MEETS WITH WORLD BANKAND IMF OFFICALS IN U.S.WASHINGTON D.C. - Following State Minister Kemal Dervis's visit to Washington D.C., Central Bank Deputy Governor Sukru Binay also came to Washington D.C. Binal held contacts with IMF and World Bank officials related to the new economic programme which is being prepared. Binay had technical meetings with representatives of Turkish Treasury Undersecretary working in IMF and World Bank. [04] 39 PERSONS RELEASED IN GEBZEGEBZE - The 39 persons who were taken intocustody in Gebze township of northwestern Kocaeli province as they attempted to stage an illegal demonstration on Thursday marking International Women's Day, were released on Friday evening. Security forces had prevented members of teachers labour union (Egitim-Sen), Freedom and Solidarity Party (ODP) and People's Democracy Party (HADEP) who wanted to walk to the Republic Square. The 39 persons including 12 women were taken into custody after warnings by the police that the demonstration had not been officially authorised. ODP Provincial Chairman Omer Cimen and HADEP Provincial Chairman Mahmut Uysal were also among those who were taken into custody. The Prosecutor's Office on duty released the persons. [05] CULTURE MINISTRY TO ATTEND TEHRAN BOOKS FAIRANKARA - The Ministry of Culture willparticipate in the 14th International Tehran Books Fair that will be held between 8-18 May in Iran. The Ministry said on Saturday that books which promote Turkey and Turkish writers will be displayed in the fair. Culture Minister Istemihan Talay noted that the fair carries importance as it will help Turkey's and Turkish writers' being promoted abroad. [06] 50 WORKERS POISONED BY FOODSEYDISEHIR - Fifty workers who work in EtiAliminium factory in Seydisehir township of central Konya province were poisoned by the food they aet on Friday night. The workers were hospitalized after they had their dinner in the factory. Part of the workers were treated and discharged from hospital, while two workers were transferred to Konya Hospital as their condition is critical. An investigation is underway. [07] SHIP LOADED WITH COAL HITS TANKER IN CANAKKALE STRAITGELIBOLU - A ship loaded with coal, hit atanker which was sailing in front of it and which was carrying fuel oil in Marmara Sea entrance of Canakkale strait on Saturday. The 9,117 gross tons Cambodian flagged ship which was carrying coal from Ukraine, hit the Maltese-flagged tanker from its poop, when it entered the Canakkale strait from Marmara Sea. The 17,246 gross tons tanker namely ''Fair Skies'' was carrying 27,850 tons of fuel oil from Ukraine to Greece. The accident took place due to light fog in Doganaslan region of Gelibolu and it caused material damage in both ships. Officials said that there are no casualties in the accident which happened in the morning, adding that an investigation is underway and the ships are not allowed to leave the strait. [08] STATE MINISTER GEMICI'S CONTACTS IN GERMANYDUSSELDORF - State Minister Hasan Gemici, whois charged in social services, came to Germany on Friday evening as the guest of the Association of Turkish Businessmen and Industrialists (ATIAD). Following his arrival, Gemici visited ATIAD'S office in Dusseldorf. ATIAD Chairman Esref Unsal said that they can contribute to the economy of Turkey by orienting the savings of Turkish citizens living in Germany, to Turkey. Gemici said in his part that they are proud of the activities of the association in Germany, adding that they are ready to support ATIAD which also contributed a lot to earthquake victims in Turkey. Gemici will attend the award ecermony that will be organized by ATIAD on Saturday for the successful students the association gave scholarship in Germany. State Minister Gemici will also watch the night that will be organized by Turkish Disabled Persons Association on Sunday. [09] AZERBAIJANI PRESIDENT ALIYEV'S VISIT TO TURKEY TO START ON MONDAYANKARA - Azerbaijani President Haydar Aliyevwill come to Turkey on Monday for a five-day official visit. Aliyev will meet with President Ahmet Necdet Sezer, and receive Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit, the former president Suleyman Demirel, Parliament Speaker Omer Izgi, deputy premiers Devlet Bahceli and Mesut Yılmaz and Foreign Minister Ismail Cem. Aliyev, who will proceed to Istanbul on Wednesday following his contacts in Ankara, will have contacts there and return to Ankara on Friday again and get honourary doctorate degree from Ankara University. Aliyev will leave Turkey the same day. Both bilateral relations, Turkey's purchase of oil from Azerbaijan and Karabakh problem are expected to be taken up in the interdelegationary meetings that will be held under the leadership of Sezer and Aliyev. Armenia which occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijani territories, had seized power in Hocali, Shusha, Lachyn, Kalbajar, Agdam, Fizuli, Agdere, Cebrail, Kubatlı and Zengelan in Upper Karabakh in its occupation which started in Feb. 1992. The sides signed cease-fire agreement on May 12, 1994 and the problem was left to be solved in time. No concrete result was taken from the bilateral contacts of the Azerbaijani and Armenian leaders had to date. [10] STATE MINISTER MIRZAOGLU TO LEAVE FOR U.S. ON SUNDAYANKARA - State Minister Ramazan Mirzaoglu willleave for the U.S. on Sunday to hold contacts about maritime affairs. State Ministry Press Office said on Saturday that Mirzaoglu will examine the Ship Traffic Administration and Information System that will be set up in Turkish straits, in the U.S. Mirzaoglu will return to the country on March 18. [11] SANLIURFA GOVERNOR DILEK SAYS 384 BUILDINGSINUNDATED BY FLOOD AND 358 LIVESTOCK KILLEDSANLIURFA - Sanlıurfa Governor Muzaffer Dilek said on Saturday that 384 houses, offices, mosques, schools and stables were inundated by the flood which also killed 358 livestock in Yukarı Goklu hamlet of Halfeti and Siverek townships of Sanlıurfa province. Speaking to A.A correspondent, Dilek said that the torrential rains, which started on March 8, have been effective in Siverek and Halfeti townships and the rains caused flood. Dilek noted that the planted fields were not affected by the flood in Siverek, but certain fields in Yukarı Goklu were inundated. He added that the defects in telephone, electricity and water networks are tried to be solved. Three persons were killed by the flood in Siverek and Halfeti towns. [12] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT SAYS IMF IS A REALITY OF THE WORLDANKARA - Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said onSaturday that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is a reality of the world irrespective of how much it is criticized by people. Responding to questions of journalists, Ecevit said IMF can't be ignored in issues of giving aid and helping the countries which have economic difficulties. When asked when the national programme would be completely ready, Ecevit said they expected the return of State Minister Kemal Dervis from the U.S. to Ankara. ''He will be in Ankara on Sunday evening or Monday morning, meanwhile his friends make their preparations in Ankara. After Mr. Dervis's arrival in Turkey, the programme will be ready.'' ''Kemal Dervis told in his press briefing in the U.S. that there should be full political support to the new economic programme. Do you think that the minister has any hesitation about this issue?'' asked a journalist. Ecevit responded to that saying ''there is no such a thing. As you know we had long meetings with coalition leaders. Mr. Dervis also attended these meetings. There is no problem or difficulty. He stressed the importance of one's regarding the government as a whole in respect of getting foreign sources to Turkey. There is no atmosphere of pessimism.'' When asked about the amount of foreign source, Ecevit didn't make any comment but he only said that ''Turkey has to benefit from its own sources and possibilities first before searching for foreign sources.'' Upon another question about the increase in civil servants' wages in parallel to the inflation increase, Ecevit said that ''our principle has always been to compensate for the sufferings of the civil servants due to the inflation. We will keep our promise during the term of the new economic programme period, too.'' Responding to another question about the statements of ANAP leader Mesut Yılmaz and himself about IMF, Ecevit said ''I don't think that I used the word ''outdated.'' IMF is a reality of the world anyway.'' Upon a question, Ecevit said that there are many domestic sources in Turkey which can't be neglected and which should be used in a way which won't cause any sufferings for the people. [13] SHIP ACCIDENT OFFSHORE GELIBOLU[14] INVESTIGATION CONTINUESGELIBOLU - An investigation is underway relatedto the ship accident which took place on Saturday morning in Marmara Sea entrance of Canakkale strait. Officials told A.A that no fuel oil spilt to the sea from the tanker when another tanker loaded with coal hit it on its poop, adding there is no other danger for the moment. Officials noted that the expert-witnesses delegation continue their investigation about the accident and the ship namely ''Sorduren-4'' was sent to the accident scene. The 9,117 gross tons Cambodian flagged ship which was carrying coal from Ukraine, hit the Maltese-flagged tanker from its poop, when it entered the Canakkale strait from Marmara Sea. The 17,246 gross tons tanker namely ''Fair Skies'' was carrying 27,850 tons of fuel oil from Ukraine to Greece. The accident took place due to light fog in Doganaslan region of Gelibolu and it caused material damage in both ships. Ships were asked to anchor by officials. [15] IMF TURKEY DESK CHIEF COTTARELLI LEAVES TURKEYISTANBUL - Carlo Cottarelli, the IMF TurkeyDesk Chief, who completed his contacts in Ankara, left Turkey on Saturday. Cottarelli who came to Istanbul from Ankara at 14.00 local time, later left for Rome. Cottarelli, who has been in Ankara between 12-21 Feb. for the sixth review of the economic programme prepared within the framework of the stand-by with IMF, returned to Ankara again on Feb. 22 with the adoption of the floating exchange rate system by the government. [16] 41 ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS CAPTURED IN DIDIMDIDIM - A total of 41 illegal immigrants whowanted to sneak to Greek islands were captured in Didim on Saturday. Four Turkish persons who brought these immigrants from Istanbul to Didim by minibuses were taken into custody. Acting on a tip-off, gendarme searched for passangers in two minibuses, and captured 25 Palestinians, ten Indians and six Afghans who came from Istanbul to proceed to Greek islands through illegal ways. [17] RETURN OF FAMILIES FROM SYRIA TO TURKEY ENDSCEYLANPINAR - All of the families who went toSyria from Ceylanpınar township of southeastern Sanlıurfa province to see their relatives for 48 hours upon the feast of sacrifice, returned to Turkey on Saturday. Ceylanpınar border gate officials told A.A that the visits of families between the two countries for religious holidays, which continue for two years, ended for this bayram. Noting that all of the 2,863 persons composed of 1,018 families returned to Turkey, officials said that ''there has been no problem on the Turkish side, because all of the proceedings were done by computers. Certain small problems took place in the Syrian side and this slowed down the departures and returns.'' [18] ANIMAL SCULPTURE, VASE AND FAKE COINS SEIZED IN KAYSERIKAYSERI - An animal sculpture, a vase belongingto Roman era and 26 fake golden coins were seized in an operation in central Kayseri province on Saturday. Three persons were taken into custody. Acting on a tip-off, police found 26 fake coins on a man in Talas township. Police captured two other persons who wanted to buy the coins. An animal sculpture, a vase and five fez accessories belonging to the Ottoman era were seized in the house of the suspects. The value of the historical artifacts except the fake coins is 20 billion TL, officials said, adding that the investigation continues.
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