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Anadolu Agency: News in English, 01-04-08

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

08 APRİL 2001 Sunday


CONTENTS

  • [01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN
  • [02] IMF DELEGATION ARRIVES IN TURKEY
  • [03] STATE MINISTER DERVIS
  • [04] DEATH-FASTING PRISONER DIES
  • [05] LAND MINE KILLS 12-YEAR-OLD SHEPHERD BOY IN MUTKI
  • [06] SPORTS - WRESTLING
  • [07] MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENTARY FOREIGN AFFAIRS COMMISSION RETURN TO TURKEY
  • [08] TURKISH FILMS WEEK STARTS IN BAGHDAD
  • [09] INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION DECREASES 5.3 PERCENT IN FEBRUARY
  • [10] TREASURY TO ARRANGE SIX-MONTH BOND TENDER ON TUESDAY
  • [11] COAST GUARD OFFICIALS INTERCEPT 299 ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS
  • [12] KUTAN, LEADER OF FP:
  • [13] AKARCALI, DEPUTY CHAIRMAN OF ANAP:
  • [14] AYGUN, CHAIRMAN OF ATO:
  • [15] FOREIGN TRADE DELEGATION IN DUBAI
  • [16] WORLD BANK ACCEPTS FLEXIBLE TERMS FOR AGRICULTURAL REFORM LOAN
  • [17] FOREIGN TRADE UNDERSECRETARY TUZMEN:
  • [18] IMF EXPERTS COME TOGETHER WITH BUREAUCRATS
  • [19] STATE MINISTER GAYDALI:
  • [20] OPERATIONS AGAINST ILLICIT DRUG TRAFFICKING
  • [21] STATE MINISTER AND DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER BAHCELI:

  • [01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

    These are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in Turkey's press on April 8, 2001. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

    HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

    ECEVIT: ''WE WILL DISCLOSE SOME MEASURES TO RELIEVE TRADESMEN''
    Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said, ''we will disclose measures to relieve tradesmen. Tradesmen are in extremely difficult conditions. Their reaction is normal.'' Ecevit refrained from giving details of the measures.

    G-7 COUNTRIES EXPECTED TO PROVIDE AN AID OF 6 BILLION U.S. DOLLARS
    Member countries to the Group-7 (G-7) are expected to provide an aid of 6 billion U.S. dollars within framework of foreign support to Turkey's new economic program. Meanwhile, World Bank will provide a support of 5 million U.S. dollars. Together with International Monetary Fund's financial assistance of 6.25 billion U.S. dollars, the amount of foreign support will exceed 17 billion U.S. dollars.

    11 PEOPLE DETAINED IN DEMONSTRATIONS IN KAYSERI
    Tradesmen continued to hold demonstrations throughout Turkey yesterday to protest government's handling of the crisis. Clash erupted between security forces and demonstrators in central province of Kayseri. A policeman was injured during the clash. Security forces detained 11 demonstrators. Meanwhile, 54 people were taken into custody during a demonstration in Mamak district of Ankara.

    MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

    MEASURES TO OVERCOME CRISIS
    Bureaucrats who have been seeking source to overcome economic crisis, gave priority to sale of state-dwellings of parliamentarians. Prime Ministry, Finance Ministry and State Planning Organization (DPT) undersecretaries have been preparing a report. The report will be submitted to the Council of Ministers at tomorrow's meeting. All spendings are expected to be limited.

    COTTARELLI TO HAND OVER HIS MANDATE TO KAHKONEN
    Carlo Cottarelli, who has been acting as the Chief of International Monetary Fund's (IMF) Turkey Desk for two years, will come to Ankara for the last time. Cottarelli will hand over his mandate to Uha Kahkonen, an expert of Finnish origin, in mid-May. Kahkonen has been serving as Chief of IMF's Bulgaria Desk.

    RUSSIA ARRESTS TWO TURKS
    Russia arrested two Turkish citizens on charges of spying. Russian Federal Security Service accuses Hakki Mutludogan and Nesrin Uslu of spying.

    SABAH (LIBERAL)

    FIRST SERIOUS STEP
    A total of 25 thousand vehicles of public institutions will be sold. The Finance Ministry has prepared a decree limiting use of state-vehicles. Any state official except for undersecretaries, chairmen of higher courts, rectors, the Head of Religious Affairs, governors, police chiefs and head officials, will not be allowed to use these vehicles.

    THREE GOOD NEWS TO TRADESMEN
    Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said that the Council of Ministers would convene on Monday to solve problems of tradesmen. He said, ''we will take some very serious decisions to relieve the tradesmen.'' Interests of loans will be reduced, tax payments will be eased and increase in SSK payments will be decreased.

    CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

    TWO DEATH-FASTING PRISONERS DIE
    Adil Kaplan, 38, who had been transferred to F type prison in Edirne from Bursa Prison following the intervention in prisons, and Bulent Coban, 27, who had been taken to State Hospital in Sagmalcilar from Kandira Prison, died. Both prisoners had been fasting to death for a long time.

    TESK: ''GOVERNMENT HAS GONE TO BANKRUPT''
    Dervis Gunday, the Chairman of the Confederation of Turkish Tradesmen and Artisans (TESK), accused the government of being deaf and dumb. Gunday said, ''if we all take the streets, Turkey will never be the same Turkey.'' Noting that the government did not take into consideration tradesmen's problems, Gunday said that both the government and the tradesmen had gone to bankrupt.

    RADIKAL (LEFT)

    MILD EARTHQUAKES JOLT YOZGAT AND AFYON
    Mild earthquakes in Cekerek township of central province of Yozgat and in Bolvadin township of western province of Afyon sent people out to the streets in panic. An earthquake measuring 3.2 on the Richter scale jolted Cekerek at 05:42 a.m. on Saturday, and an earthquake measuring 4.1 on the Richter scale hit Bolvadin at 07:09 a.m. There were not any immediate reports of casualties and damages in the quakes.

    ANKARA LAUNCHES NEW DIPLOMATIC INITIATIVES
    As NATO is getting ready to take a decision on the issue of the European Union's (EU) independent defense formation in May, Ankara has launched new diplomatic initiatives. Ankara sent documents to its allies. In the documents, Ankara said, ''countries like Turkey will be jeopardized if the EU puts into practice decisions without assessment of NATO allies.''

    TURKEY WINS FOUR SILVER AND FOUR BRONZE MEDALS IN
    Turkish sportsmen and women won four silver and four bronze medals in the

    4th European Youth's Taekwondo Championship in Pamplona, Spain.

    TURKIYE (RIGHT)

    EVREN: ''THE PRESIDENT SHOULD INTERVENE IN CRISIS''
    Kenan Evren, the former President of Turkey, said, ''Turkey did not deserve this crisis. State of emergency can be declared either in a serious economic crisis or in a threat to security. The President could declare state of emergency in current economic crisis.''

    14 MEMBERS OF ILLEGAL DHKP-C CAPTURED
    A total of 14 members of illegal Revolutionary People's Liberation Party- Front (DHKP-C) were captured and taken into custody in an operation in Istanbul. Security forces also confiscated two handguns, 17 fire-bombs and a number of illegal documents in the operation. During their interrogation, the detainees confessed that they had been involved in many illegal demonstrations in Istanbul.

    ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

    TRADESMEN ARE NOT ALONE
    Tradesmen continued to hold demonstrations throughout Turkey yesterday to protest government's handling of the economic crisis. The Labour Platform plans to organize a rally on April 14 in order to support tradesmen in their protest.

    [02] IMF DELEGATION ARRIVES IN TURKEY

    ANKARA - International Monetary Fund (IMF) delegation arrived in Ankara on Saturday.

    The two-member delegation will hold contacts with Turkish officials on new economic program which is expected to be disclosed next week.

    Meanwhile, Carlo Cottarelli, the Chief of IMF Turkey Desk, does not take place in the delegation.

    He is expected to come to Turkey late on Sunday together with Uha Kahkonen.

    Cottarelli will hand over his mandate to Kahkonen, an expert of Finnish origin, in mid-May.

    Earlier, State Minister Kemal Dervis said that negotiations with the IMF delegation would start on Sunday.

    [03] STATE MINISTER DERVIS

    -''NEWS STORY ABOUT MY MEETING WITH GREEK FOREIGN
    MINISTER PAPANDREOU IS NOTHING BUT A LIE''
    ANKARA - State Minister Kemal Dervis said on Saturday that news story about his meeting with Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou was nothing but a lie.

    Dervis responded to questions of journalists about his meeting with Papandreou.

    When asked, ''your meeting with Greek Foreign Minister Papandreou gave rise to some discussions. What will say about it?'', Dervis said, ''new story about my meeting with Papandreou is nothing but a lie.''

    [04] DEATH-FASTING PRISONER DIES

    ISTANBUL - Bulent Coban, a member of illegal Revolutionary People's Liberation Party-Front (DHKP-C) who had been fasting to death at F type prison in Kandira district of Istanbul, died late on Saturday.

    Coban who had been taken to State Hospital in Sagmalcilar district, had refused medical treatment.

    Body of Coban was sent to morgue of the Forensic Medicine Institute.

    Bulent Coban had been arrested on charges of being a member of an illegal organization.

    [05] LAND MINE KILLS 12-YEAR-OLD SHEPHERD BOY IN MUTKI

    MUTKI/YUKSEKOVA - A 12-year-old shepherd boy was killed on Saturday when he stepped on a land mine in rural area near Geyikpinar village in Mutki township of eastern province of Bitlis.

    Seyithan Cakirgoz stepped on the mine while herding animals.

    In another incident in Tokagac village in Yuksekova township of eastern province of Hakkari, Erdal Acar, 7, and his 8-year-old sister were wounded when a hand grenade they found went off.

    They were rushed to hospital for medical treatment.

    [06] SPORTS - WRESTLING

    -19TH INTERNATIONAL VEHBI EMRE GRAECO-ROMAN WRESTLING TOURNAMENT STARTS
    TRABZON - The 19th International Vehbi Emre Graeco-Roman Wrestling Tournament started in northern province of Trabzon on Saturday.

    A total of 69 wrestlers from Turkey, Azerbaijan, France, Georgia, Iran, Slovakia and Sweden are participating in the two-day tournament.

    Names and categories of Turkish wrestlers are as follows:

    54 kg: Bayram Ozdemir and Ferhat Gul

    58 kg: Seref Tufenk, Erguder Bekisdamat and Ercan Yildiz

    63 kg: Seref Eroglu, Mustafa Arici and Bunyamin Emek

    69 kg: Selcuk Cebi, Ali Arikoglu and Selahattin Gungor

    76 kg: Taner Akbulut, Muttalip Yerlikaya and Huseyin Gocoglu

    85 kg: Nazmi Avluca, Hamdi Eraslan Kilic and Tekin Caglar

    97 kg: Mustafa Cetinyurek and Mehmet Ozal

    130 kg: Yilmaz Gul, Erhan Ozturk and Yucel Unsal.

    -TRNC FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND DEFENSE MINISTRY:
    -''WE CALL ON EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT TO BE MORE
    REALISTIC AND PRODUCTIVE''
    LEFKOSA - The Foreign Affairs and Defense Ministry of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) condemned European Parliament's decision about initiatives of some Greek parliamentarians regarded with Panikos Chakurmas, a Greek Cypriot who was arrested in the TRNC on charges of illicit drug trafficking.

    Releasing a written statement, the TRNC Foreign Affairs and Defense Ministry said, ''we call on the European Parliament to be more realistic and productive. The European Parliament cannot make any contribution to efforts to find a peaceful solution to the Cyprus issue with its unilateral attitudes.''

    Expressing its regret over the European Parliament's decision about initiatives of some Greek parliamentarians regarded with Chakurmas, the statement noted, ''the European Parliament intervened in our domestic affairs and in our independent jurisdiction on an issue including a serious crime like illicit drug trafficking. The European Parliament also put forward baseless allegations on the Cyprus issue.''

    Noting that the TRNC authorities had always been respectful to Chakurmas' legal rights from the very beginning, the statement emphasised, ''Chakurmas has been provided all kinds of opportunities to defend his legal rights. Our doctors showed great interest to his health. United Nations Peace Keeping Force on the island is aware of the situation, and can confirm our statement.''

    The statement said, ''the European Parliament's putting forward baseless allegations about the TRNC and Turkey by distorting the facts, is unacceptable. We harshly protest its attitude. The European Parliament has made itself a tool of propaganda of Greece and the Greek Cypriot side. The European Parliament describing itself as an institution defending democracy and human rights, violated the principle of impartiality. We expect the European Parliament talking about supramacy of law on every occassion, to be respectful to the law.''

    ''The TRNC is neither a state under occupation of Turkey nor a local administration. It seems that the European Parliament putting forward such baseless allegations, was uneasy about Turkey's saving the Turkish Cypriots from a mass desctruction by using its rights and commitments stemming from the guarantee agreement of 1960. It was also understood that the European Parliament was not able to stand existence of the sovereign state of TRNC, '' the statement added.

    The European Parliament claimed that Panikos Chakurmas who was captured in the TRNC on Dcember 13, 2000 with illicit drug in his luggage, was innicent, and wanted his release from prison.

    [07] MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENTARY FOREIGN AFFAIRS COMMISSION RETURN TO TURKEY

    ISTANBUL - Members of the Parliamentary Foreign Affairs Commission who had paid a visit to the U.S. to hold contacts with the new U.S. administration and members of the U.S. Congress, returned to Turkey on Sunday.

    Tahir Kose from the Democratic Left Party (DSP); Oktay Vural from the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP); Abdullah Gul from the Virtue Party (FP); and Ayfer Yilmaz from the True Path Party (DYP); returned to Turkey after wrapping up their contacts.

    Kamran Inan, the Chairman of Parliamentary Foreign Affairs Commission and a deputy of the Motherland Party (ANAP); and Mehmet Ali Irtemcelik from the ANAP; will return to Turkey via Switzerland.

    The delegation had held talks with Marc Grossman, the Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs; Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz; and with Richard Perle, the former Deputy Defense Secretary; and come together with representatives of Turkish community living in the U.S.

    [08] TURKISH FILMS WEEK STARTS IN BAGHDAD

    BAGHDAD - Turkish Films Week started on Sunday in Iraqi capital Baghdad.

    Speaking at the opening ceremony, Faysal Elabbasi, the Director General of Iraqi Cinema and Theatre Institute, said that the organization would make a valuable contribution to further improvement of relations between Turkey and Iraq.

    Meanwhile, Mehmet Akat, the Turkish Ambassador to Iraq, said that the relations had been further improving between the two neighboring countries.

    The festival organized in cooperation between the Turkish Embassy in Baghdad and the Iraqi Culture Ministry, will continue till April 12.

    A total of six films and two documentaries will be shown within framework of the festival.

    [09] INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION DECREASES 5.3 PERCENT IN FEBRUARY

    ANKARA - The production in the industrial sector decreased 5.3 percent in February of 2001 compared to figures for the same period last year.

    The State Institute of Statistics (DIE) said on Sunday that the decrease in mining sector was 9.9 percent, decrease in manufacturing sector was 5.0 percent, and decrease in electricity, natural gas and water sector was 5.2 percent in February of 2001.

    In February of 2000, production had increased 6.5 percent in mining sector, 6.3 percent in manufacturing sector, and 14.6 percent in electricity, natural gas and water sector.

    Meanwhile, production in the industrial sector increased 0.9 percent in January-February period of 2001 compared to figures for the same period last year.

    Production increased 3.1 percent in mining sector and 1 percent in manufacturing sector while it decreased 0.8 percent in electricity, natural gas and water sector in the first two months of the year.

    [10] TREASURY TO ARRANGE SIX-MONTH BOND TENDER ON TUESDAY

    ANKARA - The Treasury Undersecretariat will arrange a six-month bond tender on Tuesday.

    The bonds will be issued on April 11 while the repayment of bonds will be realized on October 10, 2001.

    The Treasury foresees a minimum 500 trillion Turkish Liras (TL) of net borrowing at the tender on Tuesday.

    [11] COAST GUARD OFFICIALS INTERCEPT 299 ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS

    FOCA - Coast guard officials intercepted on Sunday 299 illegal immigrants including many children as they were trying to proceed to Greece illegally on two boats.

    A caller tipped the coast guard officials in Foca township of western province of Izmir fearing that one of the two boats would sink.

    Acting on the tip-off, the coast guard officials intercepted the illegal immigrants.

    The immigrants including 120 Turks, Iraqis, Moroccans and Nigerians were taken into custody for violating the Turkish borders and the passport law.

    Officials also detained the boats' Turkish captains and a crew member on charges of attempting to smuggle people.

    A full investigation into the incident is under way.

    [12] KUTAN, LEADER OF FP:

    -''ONLY KINGS AND DICTATORS HAVE NO ALTERNATIVES''
    ISTANBUL - Recai Kutan, the leader of the Virtue Party (FP) said on Saturday that only kings and dictators had no alternatives, referring to a remark by Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit that his government had no alternatives.

    Speaking at a FP rally at Caglayan Square in Istanbul, Kutan said that people had had enough of the torturing crisis, and demanded the government to step down.

    ''I have been walking around shops and businesses and talking to businessmen and tradesmen over the past few days. I figured that everybody's fed up with the crisis and the ruling government and its policies. There should be about 400-500,000 people today, here at Caglayan Square, all shouting in unison that FP is the alternative to the ruling coalition. Only kings and dictators have no alternatives. So, I would like to ask Ecevit: Are you a dictator or a king?'' he claimed.

    ''Everybody is out on the streets shouting out their despair. This incompetent government has dragged the country into bankruptcy. Although more than 100,000 businesses were closed last year, and many factories

    were shut down, the government remained insensitive. This is the first time in the history of the Republic of Turkey that people are marching on the streets, protesting a ruling government. The 54th government had succeeded to pull down the inflation rate, as well as the country's foreign and domestic debts. But now, the country is on the verge of bankruptcy. All this is because there is no democracy whatsoever. This crisis is not just an

    economic crisis. It is also a political and a democratic one,'' he said.

    Kutan noted, ''they brought Kemal Dervis over from the U.S., upon

    the recommendations of the World Bank. And they call it democracy. Ecevit says he supports Dervis fully, as if he were a commissary of the world's capital. Yet there is no need to be hopeless and pessimistic. We shall see brighter days. I'm pretty sure that our party will not be dissolved, and I also believe that the coalition parties will be shut down permanently

    for what they have caused. Turkey shall better its democratic record. Now, there are certain circles trying to benefit from by-elections for which they are trying to pave the way. But we shall prevent these tricksters from dragging the country into an even worse situation.''

    The meeting, held with the participation of about 40,000 people ended without any unpleasant scenes.

    [13] AKARCALI, DEPUTY CHAIRMAN OF ANAP:

    -''TURKEY SHOULD PREPARE FOR MEMBERSHIP NEGOTIATIONS''
    IZMIR - Bulent Akarcali, the Deputy Chairman of the

    Motherland Party (ANAP), said on Saturday that Turkey should prepare as

    if membership negotiations with the European Union (EU) were to start by 2003.

    Speaking at a panel discussion on ''EU, Non-governmental Organizations, Urbanization, Mediterranean Countries Program and Aegean Region'', Akarcali said that human rights and democracy were the cement of the EU.

    Drawing attention to the role of the non-governmental organizations (NGOs) within the EU, Akarcali said that the lack of NGOs created certain problems for Turkey's EU accession process.

    In Turkey, there is a tradition which expects everything to be taken care of by the state, he indicated, and remarked that there were circles who

    fear that EU membership might cause Turkey's disintegration.

    Stressing that this was a baseless fear, he said on the contrary of this belief, the EU membership might help Turkey to develop further.

    The Accession Partnership Document and Turkey's National Program proved wrong those who had been claiming that the EU will not accept Turkey to the

    Union, Akarcali said.

    He stated that there were groups which were against Turkey's membership in the EU, but they could be ignored because they are very few.

    ''We have to prepare as if membership negotiations with EU will start as of 2003,'' he continued, ''this is an important date, because we have to start negotiations before the Greek Cypriots do.''

    Akarcali pointed out that this was also important to fight for the rights of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC).

    Akarcali said that he believed parliament will work in harmony and pass the constitutional amendments necessary for Turkey's EU membership, and pointed to the need of forming an EU specialization commission which will particularly work to achieve this result.

    Meanwhile, Prof. Faruk Sen, the Chairman of Germany-based Turkish Studies Center (TAM), observed that the EU's approach to Turkey changed in

    1999 and now the union was more focused on forming its foreign and defense policy.

    He stated that the EU was aware of Turkey's importance and therefore greenlighted Turkey.

    ''Believe me, we would become an EU member earlier than we expect if we

    fulfill the conditions that are included in the National Program,'' he asserted.

    ''EU members and 12 Mediterranean countries including Turkey started a new partnership in 1995,'' he said, and drew attention to Meda programs' importance for Turkey as a part of Euro-Mediterranean partnership especially after the Helsinki Summit.

    He explained that Meda programs proposes a series of financial and technical measures for non-EU member Mediaterranean countries to raise their social and economic standards.

    [14] AYGUN, CHAIRMAN OF ATO:

    -''TRADESMEN HAVE 23 MAJOR PROBLEMS''
    ANKARA - Sinan Aygun, the Chairman of Ankara Chamber of Commerce (ATO), said on Sunday that tradesmen had 23 major problems.

    Responding to questions of the A.A correspondent, Aygun noted that he determined 23 major problems after talking to tradesmen about the economic

    crisis.

    He enumerated these problems as follows:

    ''Halt in production due to high and floating foreign currency rates.

    - The high interest crisis that followed March 30 credits' paybacks.

    - High interest rates imposed on Halkbank credits, which especially tradesmen prefer.

    - Tradesmen's failure to pay the first portion of paybacks on March 30 due to the crisis.

    - Dramatic increase of interests and its reflections on tax debts.

    - Conveniences brought to SSK and Bag-Kur, social security authorities, premium payments.

    - Lay-offs, wage and salary decreases, and other employment problems due to the halt in production and sales.

    - Increase in production expenses.

    - Discomfort with utilization of tax incomes on interests payments and anti- corruption efforts.

    - Announcement of a prospective 50 percent increase in SSK premiums.

    - Fear of possible additional taxes.

    - Money holders' refusal to make payments.

    - Lack of purchasable goods even for tradesmen offering cash.

    - Shrinkage of purchasing power.

    - Frequent changes in tax rates.

    - Halt in imports.

    - Banks' refusal to give credits.

    - Imposition of a life standard principle.

    - Government's insistence on labor security bill despite the crisis.

    - Inability of even the government to give a reply to the question of what is going to happen tomorrow morning.

    - Implementations requiring serious compromises from masses to save the banking sector.

    - Clumsiness and indifference of government.

    - Pessimism created by the delay in issuing the National Program.''

    [15] FOREIGN TRADE DELEGATION IN DUBAI

    DUBAI - Foreign Trade Undersecretary Kursad Tuzmen said on Sunday, ''Turkey needs foreign currency. We can overcome this problem with export. We have adequate source, but we cannot benefit from this source.''

    Tuzmen and accompanying delegation held a meeting in Dubai.

    Speaking at the meeting, Tuzmen said, ''Turkey will provide the most rapid and the cheapest finance to overcome current crisis with export. We will organize visits to the United Arab Emirates and to Kuwait to increase Turkey's activity in petroleum exporting countries. A trade volume of 300 million U.S. dollars between the two countries is not adequate. We should increase our trade volume up to 1 billion U.S. dollars.''

    Later, Tuzmen paid a visit to Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Finance and Industry Minister of the United Arab Emirates.

    Trade volume between Turkey and the United Arab Emirates increases 10 percent every year. In 2000, Turkey's exports to the United Arab Emirates were nearly 418 million U.S. dollars.

    Turkey has been trading with the United Arab Emirates in the sectors of iron-steel, foodstuff, textiles, electronics, construction equipment and chemicals.

    [16] WORLD BANK ACCEPTS FLEXIBLE TERMS FOR AGRICULTURAL REFORM LOAN

    ANKARA - Important developments were recorded in conditions of World Bank's loan for agricultural projects in Turkey.

    During contacts of World Bank Vice President Johannes Linn in Turkey, the Bank has provided important facilities in use of the loan.

    The first part of World Bank's agricultural reform loan of 600 million U.S. dollars was envisaged to be released in 2001-2004 period and the remaining part of the loan was envisaged to be released in 2004-2006 period.

    Following Linn's contacts in Turkey, the World Bank has lifted the six-year term condition in use of the loan.

    The loan will be provided in a shorter period of time in accordance with Turkey's speed in putting the project in practice.

    Meanwhile, Turkey asked for support from the World Bank for its projects about livestock sector.

    Although the World Bank stated earlier that it could not allocate source to livestock projects, Linn said during his visit to Turkey that they could assess Turkey's livestock projects.

    The Agriculture and Rural Affairs Ministry will introduce its projects to the World Bank in coming days.

    [17] FOREIGN TRADE UNDERSECRETARY TUZMEN:

    -''DUBAI CAN BE A CENTER TO DISTRIBUTE TURKISH PRODUCTS''
    DUBAI - Foreign Trade Undersecretary Kursad Tuzmen said on Sunday, ''trade volume between Turkey and Dubai should be increased. Dubai can be a center to distribute Turkish products.''

    Turkish delegation headed by Tuzmen, continues to hold contacts in the United Arab Emirates to improve economic and commercial relations between the two countries.

    Speaking at a seminar on ''Commercial Relations between Turkey and Dubai'', Tuzmen said, ''the two countries have common benefits in trade. Our contacts in the United Arab Emerates can be the beginning of a cooperation. Turkish firms will take part in five fairs in Dubai this year. There are many opportunities in Dubai for Turkish businessmen. During our contacts, we will seek for ways to further improve bilateral relations. Turkey attributes great importance to its relations with Dubai and the United Arab Emirates.''

    Meanwhile, Abdurrahman S. Alghuriar, the Deputy Chairman of the Dubai Chamber of Industry and Commerce, said that they wanted Turkey to open a commercial representation in Dubai.

    Alghuriar stressed that Turkey could benefit from competition atmosphere in Dubai by making re-export.

    [18] IMF EXPERTS COME TOGETHER WITH BUREAUCRATS

    AT TREASURY UNDERSECRETARIAT
    ANKARA - International Monetary Fund (IMF) delegation which came to Turkey yesterday, held a technical meeting with bureaucrats on Sunday at the Treasury Undersecretariat.

    Bureaucrats from the State Planning Organization (DPT), Finance Ministry, Central Bank and Treasury Undersecretariat attended the meeting.

    Bureaucrats conveyed Turkey's views about growth rate and inflation to IMF experts.

    [19] STATE MINISTER GAYDALI:

    -''GOVERNMENT'S RESIGNATION WILL BE BETRAYAL TO THE NATION''
    ADANA - State Minister Edip Safter Gaydali said on Sunday that the government's resignation would be a betrayal to the nation since the government had no alternative. He added that this would make the money

    markets collapse and the recovery would last at least three to five years.

    ''Turkey will overcome this crisis, nobody should doubt that. Sixteen Turkish states were founded throughout the history but there'll not be a seventeenth one as long as the world exists,'' he said, and criticized

    those who were provoking people and triggering protests throughout the country.

    ''There are countries which pulled themselves out of similar crisis such as Korea and Japan, and there are others which were drowned like Indonesia,'' he continued. ''Let's act together and pass the necessary bills. We should privatize state institutions and make the state smaller,'' he said.

    Recalling the times when Turkey was a 99 percent agricultural country which had to import everything from other countries during the War of Independence, Gaydali said the country today was the 17th among 137

    countries in terms of its trade volume.

    Gaydali said that today's economic troubles were the accumulation of long- standing negligence, and added that the current government was not responsible for the situation in Turkey.

    ''The current government never followed populist policies. If it had, the situation would have been much worse,'' he added.

    [20] OPERATIONS AGAINST ILLICIT DRUG TRAFFICKING

    ISTANBUL - Security forces captured a total of 12 people sending illicit drugs to European countries in suitcases by airway.

    In an operation launched in cooperation between Istanbul and Antalya security departments, a drug trafficking gang was revealed.

    Security forces exchanged information with security departments in the Netherlands, Belgium, Britain and Germany about activities of the gang.

    On March 8, 2001, Hans Albert Kaiser of German origin, was captured at Antalya Airport with 18 kg of heroin hidden in his luggage.

    Security forces launched a series of operations in Avcilar, Sirinevler and Beylikduzu districts of Istanbul, and captured 12 members of the gang.

    In the operations, security forces confiscated 28.2 kg of heroin, two handguns and five automobiles.

    In an another operation launched in cooperation between Istanbul and Hatay security departments, security forces captured two people trying to sell 7 kg of heroin.

    Two members of another gang trafficking illicit drug to European countries, were captured in Bahcelievler district of Istanbul on April 7 with 23.9 kg of heroin.

    Security forces confiscated 77.1 kg of heroin, 100 gr of cocaine, 1.2 kg of hashish, 1,500 drug pills, two handguns, a lorry and five automobiles in 26 separate operations in Istanbul in the last two weeks. A total of 83 people were detained in the operations.

    [21] STATE MINISTER AND DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER BAHCELI:

    -''SEEKERS OF NON-DEMOCRATIC AND EXTRA-PARLIAMENTARIAN SOLUTIONS
    IN SUCH TIMES OF CRISIS END UP IN DISAPPOINTMENT''
    ADANA - State Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Devlet Bahceli, the leader of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), said on

    Sunday that Turkey's primary need was re-maintaining confidence in the markets and overcoming the economic crisis, adding, ''seekers of non- democratic and extra-parliamentarian solutions in such times of

    crisis end up in disappointment.''

    Speaking at the MHP's 4th Region Organizational Meeting, Bahceli said, ''we can establish social order and peace, national solidarity, and mutual trust only by sincerely wishing for these ideals and working hard hand in hand. In this respect, the government, with its ruling and opposition parties, and all non-governmental organizations have important responsibilities to fulfil. Those who don't fulfil these responsibilities in such times of crisis, will have no respectability in the eyes of the people when these bitter days are over. Seekers of non-democratic and extra-parliamentarian solutions are bound to end up in disappointment.''

    ''Those who think of dragging the situation into deeper gravity by benefiting politically from the turmoil, must have second thoughts about their plans. This nation shall ask for the account of wrongdoings. Our

    success in overcoming this crisis depends not only on economic measures, but also on political stability. Our wish is that things would be settled soon, before the crisis spreads across a wider scale. It really is worth a deep concern that certain circles are fanning people's fury in an effort to gain greater political respect in the eyes of the people by degrading and humiliating the ruling government, and reducing this crisis to a solely governmental problem,'' he said.

    Bahceli noted, ''through these efforts, they are trying to pave the way for by-elections, about which they bear high hopes. However, it is quite visible that a technocrats or a national accord government wouldn't work,

    especially at a time like this. It is quite visible that there is no political will or determination behind these government plans, either. Especially today, we have no time or energy to waste in such adventurous initiatives. No one has the right to turn Turkey into an anti-democratic, underdeveloped country.''

    ''There are certain points about which we have to be extra-cautious in the structural reform program. We must arrange the affairs between the real sector and the finance sector in such a way as to maintain a sustainable, stable growth rate. We must implement fully rational measures so that the public sector operates in a more productive way,'' he said.

    Bahceli stressed, ''also, we must adopt healthy savings, investment, and

    income distribution policies so as to maintain a more balanced distribution of income and fight inflationist imbalances. And we should also adopt a competitive industrialization strategy to get rid of unearned income and corruption economy.''

    Noting that the high level officials had to respect people in the harsh reaction they displayed and demonstrations they staged in protest of the crisis, Bahceli said, ''the efforts of people to guarantee making full use of their rights, however, should not force the limits of democracy and social order.''

    ''The efforts of those who try to obtain political benefits from this turmoil, are to drag us into a worse situation. Therefore, we should all be cautious about such initiatives, which are likely to wreak great harm on our democracy record. Things may seem too dark and vague at the time, but when these dark clouds are gone, we will be able to see how far we have in fact come when the sun shines again,'' he emphasized.

    Bahceli said, ''I would also reply briefly to criticisms directed on the government for having signed agreements with the IMF. Before the 57th government, Turkey has sat at the negotiation table with the IMF 16 times to sign many agreements. Now those, who have their signatures under those agreements, are criticizing the 57th government, only for the sake of criticizing.''

    The second part of the meeting was held behind closed doors with the participation of State Minister Tunca Toskay, State Minister Faruk Bal, State Minister Ramazan Mirzaoglu, State Minister Suayip Usenmez, Agriculture and Rural Affairs Minister Husnu Yusuf Gokalp, Transportation Minister Enis Oksuz, Health Minister Osman Durmus, Trade and Industry Minister Ahmet Kenan Tanrikulu, and various other party officials.


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