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Anadolu Agency: News in English, 01-03-11Anadolu Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Anadolu Agency Home Page at <http://www.anadoluajansi.com.tr/>Anadolu AgencyANADOLU AGENCY NEWS 11 MARCH 2001 Monday CONTENTS
[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCANThese are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in Turkey's press on March 11, 2000. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.HURRIYET (LIBERAL)TARGETS OF NEW PROGRAMMEThe targets of the new economic programme are as follows: ''firstly reform will be undertaken in the banking sector particularly for public banks. There won't be change in the targets of decreasing the inflation rate, ending the financial deficits of the state and implementation of the strict monetary policy. The new programme will have social dimension and the parliament will have an intense programme in order to prepare the legal ground related to the banking sector and privatization.'' COTTARELLI LEAVES TURKEY MILLIYET (LIBERAL)ECEVIT SAYS PEOPLE SHOULDN'T BE AFRAIDPrime Minister Bulent Ecevit said that the coalition parties will support in resolution the economic programme that will be implemented and the State Minister Kemal Dervis. While Dervis is in the United States seeking foreign financing to bolster the economy, Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said the country should look for help from exports. We have to use our domestic resources first, said Ecevit. Nothing is certain about the foreign financial help right now, but Turkey has remarkable domestic resources too, said Ecevit. He said the ''recent devaluation of the Turkish lira would increase exports because Turkish goods are now cheaper abroad. That, in turn, would boost domestic employment.'' DERVIS MEETS WITH MEXICAN CENTRAL BANK GOVERNOR SABAH (LIBERAL)''I AM ONE OF THE TARGETS''Deputy Prime Minister and the leader of the Motherland Party (ANAP) Mesut Yılmaz said that ''certain circles which take Italy as a model want to end the existing political structure as they want to set up a connection between the politicians and corruption. They want to create a new political structure and I am one of the targets of them.'' DERVIS IS VERY FAST CUMHURIYET (LEFT)MANY PEOPLE DIE IN TRAFFIC ACCIDENTSThere have been traffic accidents due to the Bayram holiday which started nine days ago. A total of 122 persons died and 221 persons were injured in the accidents to date. ACCIDENT IN CANAKKALE STRAIT RADIKAL (LEFT)WE SHOULD FIRSTLY PREPARE PROGRAMMEPrime Minister Bulent Ecevit said that firstly the new economic programme should be prepared as this can bring support against the recent economic crisis. Noting that the frame of the programme will be determined this week, Ecevit noted that the programme will be presented to the creditors later. Ecevit said ''nobody gives us money before seeing our programme.'' MINOR TREMOR IN MARMARIS TURKIYE (RIGHT)DERVIS TO RETURN BACKState Minister Kemal Dervis, who completed his contacts in the U.S. by meeting with IMF and World officials, will arrive in Turkey tonight or on Monday morning. Dervis who held technical meetings related to the new economic programme and who searched for credit sources in the U.S., comes to Turkey in an optimistic mood. ALIYEV TO VISIT TURKEY ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)CHAOS IN RED CRESCENTThe opposing group within the Red Crescent convened the general council yesterday in spite of the warning of the government commissioner. The new administration was determined in the meeting. Yusuf Topcu was elected as the new leader of the Red Crescent. The commissioner had warned that the absolute majority was not reached in the congress. CHP LEADER BAYKAL SAYS HE WON'T DISMISS ANYBODY FROM PARTY -STATE MINISTER GEMICI SAYS EXISTANCE OF TURKS IN EUROPE Addressing the award ceremony held by the Association of Turkish Businessmen and Industrialists (ATIAD) for successful students in Koln city of Germany, Gemici said that 40 years passed since the arrival of Turks in Germany. ''The existance of Turks is felt in Europe and Germany now and they contribute significantly to the economies of their countries,'' said Gemici. Noting that ATIAD's awarding successful students in Germany is very meaningful, Gemici said that ''our people living in Europe want to live in peace without losing their own existance, culture. As long as their education level gets higher, their contributions to German economy, industry, social and cultural life will further improve.'' Turkish Consul General in Koln Mehmet Donmez said in his part that ATIAD comes the first in non-governmental organizations (NGOs) which contribute to social, cultural and economic activities. North Rhine Westphalia Education Ministry Undersecretary Marietrud Schrewen said that education and science have never had national and cultural limits. The awards of ATIAD were given to Phd students, faculty and high school graduates and those who completed vocational and apprenticeship education. -CEREMONY HELD AT TURKISH-SYRIAN BORDER UPON Afrin head official Gen. Hasan Anbar, who attended the ceremony on behalf of Syria, said that the rail travel will pass via Turkey and this will further improve the relations between Turkey and Syria. Anbar stressed that Turkey has contributed a lot to resuming of the rail travel, thanking Turkish officals. Islahiye head official Ilhan Uran said in his part that the train travel is a positive step in improving the relations with Syria, adding that they will launch efforts for the continuation of the rail travel. The Trans Asian Express which entered Turkey from Meydani Ekber Border gate of Syria, left for Tehran with one passanger namely Muhammed Sıh Seydi (23). The train which came from the northern Syrian city of Aleppo, will pass through Fevzipasa, Islahiye, Malatya, Elazıg and Van Kapıkoy border gate and arrive in Tehran, Iran. Many officials from Turkey and Syria attended the ceremony. [02] TERRORISTS INJURE ONE PRIVATE IN TUNCELITUNCELI, March 11 - Terrorists who attacked eastern Tunceli province's Gokcek village Gendarme Station with long-barrel weapons on Saturday night, injured one private.A group of terrorists opened fire on the gendarme station and injured Ramazan Saltan, a private in the attack. The injured private was hospitalized. Operations against terrorists are underway in the region. -FOREIGN MINISTER CEM SAYS ERECTING MONUMENT IN MEMORY OF Cem responded to questions in the state-run television channel TRT-1 about claims of so-called genocide on Armenians, the situation in the Balkans, the Middle East and Turkey-U.S. relations. Noting there are local elections in France, Cem said that the issue of so- called genocide on Armenians is manipulated by French politicians for political interests. Cem said that a part of the Armenian society has the weakness of trying to realize its own unity by keeping alive an historical animosity. Cem said that the West takes up the Kosovo problem by having certain mistakes. Cem stressed that the groups founded to find solutions to the problems in the Balkans are composed of countries which don't have information and special sensitivity about the Balkans. Cem noted that countries such as Turkey and Greece should take more role in solution mechanisms, adding that he told Macedonian Foreign Minister Sırcan Kerim on the phone on Saturday that Turkey's all sorts of support to Macedonia will continue. Upon a question, Cem said that the Middle East policies of the U.S. are not clear yet, adding that ''Israel elections seem as a factor which will make difficult the things in the Middle East.'' Cem indicated that Turkey continues its contacts with both sides, adding that Turkey will be in the process when the sides feel the need of her. Cem remarked that the the Cyprus issue and the Iraqi issue have priority in the relations between Turkey and the U.S., adding that he does not like the policies of the U.S. about Cyprus. ''I expect a more objective attitude from the U.S. regarding the Cyprus issue. The U.S.'s Cyprus policy should not be to persuade Turkey about the views of Greece and the Greek Cypriot side,'' Cem said. Cem noted that the other important issue in the relations between Turkey- U.S. is the need to overcome the loss of Turkey due to the embargo imposed on Iraq, adding that Turkey expects more support from the U.S. about this issue. -INVESTIGATION INTO SHIP ACCIDENT IN CANAKKALE STRAIT CONTINUES The ship loaded with coal and the tanker loaded with fuel oil which were damaged by the collision, will be brought to Tuzla, Istanbul for repair. Tuncay Sarı, Gelibolu Port head official started to question the captains and crew of both ships to find out the reason of the accident. Officials said that following the clarification of the reason of the accident, the file will be sent to Gelibolu Chief Prosecutor's Office. The Cambodian-flagged ship ''Yucetan'' carrying coal hit Maltese-flagged fuel oil tanker ''Fair Skies'' on its poop, while it entered Canakkale Strait from Marmara Sea. -STATE MINISTER MIRZAOGLU LEAVES FOR U.S. Mirzaoglu went to the U.S. to hold contacts about maritime issues and to examine the ship traffic management and information system which will be set up in Turkish straits. Staging a press briefing at Ataturk Airport before his departure, Mirzaoglu said that the project is an important step for further improving the security of passages through the Turkish straits and for protecting the historical, cultural and environment. Mirzaoglu said that the tenders related to the system have been completed and the infrastructure constructions started last month, adding that Loockheed Martin Overseas firm in the U.S will produce the electronics and technological parts of the system. The construction of the system's inrastructure will be completed in June this year and its electonics and technical parts will be assembled in July or August. ''Ship Traffic Management and Information System which will be set up in Turkish straits is planned to fully operate in October or November this year. We will examine the electronic devices produced by Loockheed Martin Overseas firm in the U.S. and the operations of the similar systems in Syracuse and New Orleans. We will also meet with U.S. coast guard officials and search for technical and education cooperation opportunities,'' he said. Mirzaoglu pointed out that the cost of the system including the infrastructure services and electronic systems is 28 million U.S. dollars, adding that ''this is same as the cost of a middle-size cargo ship which sinks in Turkish straits. This is a very reasonable cost.'' -SIVEREK DEPUTY MAYOR INAL SAYS 25-KM OF SEWER SYSTEM Siverek was seriously damaged by the flood disaster that took place on March 8, said Inal. Inal said that people continue to discharge water from the inundated business places and houses, adding that water can't still be given to Gulabibey, Fırat and Ofis districts, because the transformers are out of order. [03] TURKISH BUSINESSMEN DELEGATION TO VISIT IRAQ ON MONDAYANKARA-BAGHDAD - The second visit of the Turkish businessmen delegation headed by the Foreign Trade Undersecretary Kursad Tuzmen, to Iraq will start on Monday.Many businessmen from almost all sectors particularly from food, automotive and spare parts, food industry and medicine sectors will be in the delegation that will visit Iraq under the coordination of the Foreign Trade. The first trade delegation went to Iraq at the end of Feb. last year within the strategy of the Foreign Trade Undersecretariat to increase trade with neighbouring countries. Meanwhile newspapers published in Baghdad widely covered the visit of the Turkish trade delegation to Iraq. [04] AZERBAIJANI PRESIDENT ALIYEV'S VISIT TO TURKEY TO START ON MONDAYANKARA - Azerbaijani President Haydar Aliyev will 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 during 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. -FOUNDATION OF 2,556 PERMANENT DWELLINGS TO BE LAID DOWN The Ministry will construct 300 houses in Derince, 500 in Korfez, the World Bank will finance the construction of 506 houses in Karamursel and 1,250 in Hisareyn town of Kocaeli. The foundation of the buildings is expected to be laid down till the end of this month. The houses are planned to be delivered to quake victims till the end of this year. The construction of 7,378 houses have been started by the Ministry and the construction of 7,926 houses by the World Bank in Kocaeli to date. The owners of 15,900 permanent dwellings totally have been determined by lots in January, this year. [05] ADANA INDUSTRY CHAMBER CHAIRMAN OZGUMUS SAYSNEW ECONOMIC PROGRAMME IS A NEW HOPEADANA - Umut Ozgumus, the Chairman of Adana Industry Chamber (ASO) said on Sunday that the new economic programme will be a new hope, adding that if it is backed by the society, the crisis can be overcome within 5-6 months. Speaking to A.A correspondent, Ozgumus said that the function of State Minister Kemal Dervis in improvement of the economy has been exaggerated a little bit. ''The structural problems which continue for 30 years can't be solved in few days or in 1-2 months ,'' said Ozgumus and noted that ''first of all the expectations have to be put on a proper basis. The new programme is a new hope. The deficiencies of the previous programme have to be taken into consideration and the same mistakes should not be repeated. The new programme should be directed at production and particularly exports. The officials have to meet with the representatives of various sections before implementing the programme and the final shape has to be given to the economic programme by taking into consideration their views. But if one has to be realistic, we should not expect a miracle, because State Minister Dervis does not have 30 billion dollars in his pocket,'' he said. -EU'S NEW TARGET IS TURKEY'S PUBLIC PURCHASES MARKET The negotiations started between the EU and Turkey for reciprocal liberalization of services sector and public purchases are held in a very contentious atmosphere. Representatives of almost all sectors in Turkey participate in the negotiations on services sector held under the leadership of the Foreign Ministry, yet the Finance Ministry mainly coordinates the negotiations on public purchases. EU side particularly attributes importance to public purchases in the negotiations held within the framework of the Accession for Partnership Accord's provision on reciprocal liberalization of services and public purchases markets. EU, which wants the State Tender Law to be in line with the directives of the EU, also wishes full liberalization of public purchases reciprocally. EU tries to make EU member countries' firms participate directly and freely in the tenders of Turkey like domestic firms of Turkey. The EU wants to have a great advantage against third countries' firms in Turkey like the U.S, Japan and South Korea. Foreign firms can't join the tenders in Turkey under the existing circumstances. As the state's influence in the country's economy is still high, public purchases have a share which is more than 15 percent in Turkey's trade, a high ranking bureaucrat said, adding that public purchases market is very attractive for the EU. He added that EU firms will have great advantages by joining the tenders in Turkey when compared to the business the Turkish firms will undertake in EU member countries. Turkish side in its part wants the services and labour to move freely between EU and Turkey. Meanwhile bureaucrats who carry out the negotiations with the EU wanted the private sector to carry out studies in EU countries in the field of public purchases. They said that the private sector has to inform them about what kinds of public purchases can be undertaken by Turkish firms and in which EU countries. ''The loss and gain of Turkey should be calculated well in case of full liberalization of public purchases,'' they added. -PREMIER ECEVIT SAYS APPOINTMENTS WILL BE MADE SOON AFTER Speaking to reporters after the coalition leaders meeeting, Ecevit said that they discussed the appointments in bureaucracy and the issue of domestic sources. ''One of the issues which we took up was that of the appointments to the Treasury Undersecretariat and BDDK chairmanship,'' said Ecevit. Noting that they focused on certain names, but they expect Dervis to come to Turkey to conclude this issue, Prime Minister Ecevit said that they carry out detailed work on domestic sources for a certain period of time. ''These studies will be concluded soon and they will be announced,'' Ecevit said. Upon another question, Ecevit said that he expected a positive atmosphere in markets on Monday.
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