Anadolu Agency: News in English, 01-05-01

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ANADOLU AGENCY

NEWS

01 MAY 2001 Tuesday

-TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

These are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in Turkey's press on May 1, 2000. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

Sema Piskinsut, a deputy of the Democratic Left Party (DSP) from Aydin who had applied to candidacy for DSP leadership, was not allowed to deliver her speech during Sunday's fifth regular congress of the DSP. Her son Yuce was beaten. All press organs, especially private television channels Star, Kanal D, CNN Turk, Show, NTV and TGRT invited her to their programs. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit, the leader of the DSP, criticized Piskinsut saying, ''she did not want to deliver her speech. Because she had earlier delivered a speech blackening people in Anatolia. Her speeches are far away from our understanding of humanity.''

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

Muhammed Tokcan and his 12 friends who hampered Turkish tourism by storming Swisshotel in Istanbul and took people hostage for almost 12 hours, were transferred to Istanbul State Security Court (DGM). Tokcan was arrested on charges of ''leading an organization which was formed to commit crimes, threatening freedom and opening fire in settlement in a way to create panic'' while the other 12 gunmen were arrested on charges of ''being a member of an organization which was formed to commit crimes.'' The DGM did not consider them terrorists.

YILMAZ ACCUSES PROSECUTOR

State Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz, the leader of the Motherland Party (ANAP), criticized Talat Salk, the Prosecutor of the State Security Court (DGM) who has been carrying out the investigation into allegations of corruption in energy tenders, saying, ''it was understood after announcement of indictment regarded with investigation into allegations about corruption in energy tenders, that there was not any concrete evidence connecting Cumhur Ersumer with the crime of bribery.'' Yilmaz said, ''a prosecutor attempted to discuss Turkey's energy policy. Jurisdiction has been politicized.''

SABAH (LIBERAL)

Sweden did not want Turkey to attend the European Union (EU) Foreign Ministers' meeting this weekend. Sweden changed its attitude as a result of Athen's reaction.

U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT: ''TURKEY OVERCAME TERRORISM''

The annual global terrorism report released by the U.S. State Department said that number of terrorist actions decreased as a result of Turkey's successful and determined works.

18TH INTERNATIONAL ANKARA MUSIC FESTIVAL STARTS

The 18th International Ankara Music Festival organized by Sevda & Cenap And Foundation started. The Borusan Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Gurer Aykal, played the Ninth Symphony of Ludwig van Beethoven. Wiener Singverein Choir of Austria accompanied the Borusan Philharmonic Orchestra. Meanwhile, Dimitris Sgouros, one of the leading musicians of Greece, gave a concert.

Sgouros accompanied by the Borusan Philharmonic Orchestra, played Edward Grieg's concerto for piano.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

Ten prisoners who have been fasting to death were taken to hospital upon demand of their relatives. Sources said that five of the prisoners were in critical condition. Meanwhile, Kamer Genc resigned from his post at the Parliamentary Human Rights Inquiry Commission saying, ''whenever I go to a prison, I feel ashamed from my humanity.''

GUNMEN ARRESTED

Thirteen gunmen who stormed the Swisshotel in Istanbul and took people hostage for almost twelve hours, were arrested by Istanbul State Security Court (DGM). Muhammed Emin Tokcan was arrested on charges of ''leading an organization which was formed to commit crimes, threatening freedom and opening fire in settlement in a way to create panic'' while the other 12 gunmen were arrested on charges of ''being a member of an organization which was formed to commit crimes.'' The gunmen were sent to Kartal Prison in Istanbul.

RADIKAL (LEFT)

Guenter Verheugen, the European Union (EU) Commissioner for enlargement, said that the concerns of the EU people over the ongoing hunger strikes in the prisons of Turkey increase. Verheugen sent a message to the seminar on Turkey and Europe held in Istanbul by Daimler Chrysler. Guenter Verheugen said in his message that urgent solutions should be found to the issue to prevent more deaths.

TURKIYE (RIGHT)

After resignation of Cumhur Ersumer from the Energy and Natural Resources Ministry post and arrest of many bureaucrats, Turkish Electricity Distribution Corp (TEDAS) Director General Osman Nuri Dogan and his aides Hamit Ozkan and Hasan Tiftik were detained in accordance with instructions of Ankara State Security Court Prosecutor Talat Salk.

YILMAZ DEFIES

Motherland Party (ANAP) leader and Deputy Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz called everybody who has evidences to make explanation and claimed that the real danger is politicization of judgement. He said that Cumhur Ersumer resigned from Energy and Natural Resources Minister post as he couldn't endure erosion of the government and politics by his name although he did not have any legal, ethical and political wrongdoing and responsibility.

ANY HITCH COSTS TURKEY A LOT

State Minister Kemal Dervis for Economy said, ''everything goes well. However, any hitch or delay in implementation of the new economic program costs Turkey a lot. Each minister should work hard, rapidly and seriously.'' He said that 4 billion U.S. dollars of the external source would come in May. Dervis said that the total support would reach 6 billion U.S. dollars when 2 billion U.S. dollars would come by the end of June.

RESPONSIBILITY WILL REST WITH YOU

IMF Managing Director Horst Kohler said that the economic program implemented by the government totally belonged to Turkey. ''We fully support Turkey's program. However, the responsibility will rest with the Turkish government.''

GUNMEN ARRESTED

Istanbul State Security Court arrested the 13 gunmen who stormed Swisshotel in Istanbul and took people hostage for nearly 12 hours, and sent them to Kartal prison in Istanbul.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

Mesut Yilmaz of the Motherland Party (ANAP) said that Prosecutor Talat Salk was meddling with the issues which are non of his business. Yilmaz said that the authority which determines whether it was politically wrong or appropriate is the Parliament not the State Security Court.

COMPANIES SUFFER FROM LOAN DEBTS

The loan debts of companies and private finance organizations to banks rose 17.9 percent to 29 quadrillion 821 trillion 360.1 billion Turkish liras (TL) in February when compared to their debts in January. Textiles is the sector which has the highest amount of debt to banks.

CONTENTS

[01] ISTANBUL POLICE CHIEF ABANOZ: -''FIVE MEMBERS OF AN ILLEGAL ORGANIZATION WERE CAPTURED. WE SEIZED A GREAT DEAL OF WEAPONS IN THE OPERATION''

[02] KARAKUS AND OZCAN RESIGN FROM DSP

[03] PARLIAMENT SPEAKER IZGI MEETS LI RUIHUAN, CHAIRMAN OF PEOPLE OF CHINA POLITICAL CONSULTATION CONFERENCE

[04] TRABZON TO HOST SECOND INTERNATIONAL BLACK SEA LITTORAL STATES THEATRE FESTIVAL BETWEEN MAY 16 AND 24

[05] MAY DAY CELEBRATIONS -THOSE WHO WILL ATTEND RALLY IN TANDOGAN SQUARE, START MARCHING TO SQUARE

[06] MOODY'S TURKEY ANALYST LINDOW: -''SUPPORT EXTENDED BY IMF, WORLD BANK AND GROUP-7 TO TURKEY IS VERY ENCOURAGING AND IT WOULD POSITIVELY AFFECT THE MARKETS''

[07] ANKARA TO HOST A SUMMIT MEETING ON LOCAL ADMINISTRATIONS IN EU PROCESS BETWEEN MAY 3 AND 4

[08] MAY DAY CELEBRATIONS IN ISTANBUL

[09] CRUDE OIL PRODUCTION IN ADIYAMAN IN FIRST 4 MONTHS REACHES 2.8 MILLION BARRELS

[10] KUONI, BIGGEST TRAVEL AGENCY OF SWITZERLAND, PRESENTS SIDE TURQUOISE HOTEL WITH GREEN PLANET AWARD

[11] ILLEGAL ORGANIZATION SUFFERS SERIOUS BLOW IN ISTANBUL OPERATION

[12] NATIONAL DEFENSE MINISTRY: -''FOUR F-4 FIGHTERS REPAIRED, 11 MORE ON THE LINE''

[13] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT DUE TO SPAIN

[14] STATE MINISTER YALOVA LEAVES FOR U.S. -''WITH THE NEW ECONOMIC PROGRAM, TURKEY CAME TO THE POINT OF NO RETURN''

[15] TREASURY SELLS 789.6 TRILLION LIRAS NOMINAL-VALUED 140-DAY BONDS

[16] CLOSURE CASE AGAINST FP -CONSTITUTIONAL COURT INVITES KANADOGLU, CHIEF PROSECUTOR OF SUPREME COURT OF APPEALS, TO MAKE HIS VERBAL STATEMENT ON MAY 8

[17] TUSIAD TO INTRODUCE TURKISH ARTS TO U.S.

[18] PRESIDENT SEZER RECEIVES LI RUIHUAN, CHAIRMAN OF PEOPLE OF CHINA POLITICAL CONSULTATION CONFERENCE

[19] STATE MINISTER YALOVA LEAVES FOR U.S. (2) -''UNFORTUNATELY, TURKEY SUFFERED MORE LOSS THAN THOSE WHO WANT PRIVATIZATION OF TURKISH TELEKOM''

[20] RALLY IN TANDOGAN SQUARE ENDS

[21] MAY DAY CELEBRATIONS IN ISTANBUL

[22] FOREIGN MINISTRY UNDERSECRETARY FALL OF SENEGAL DUE IN TURKEY

[23] NIGERIAN FOREIGN MINISTRY POLITICAL DIRECTOR ASHIRO DUE IN ANKARA

[24] TURKEY-EU JOINT PARLIAMENTARY COMMISSION CO-PRESIDENT BENDIT MEETS STATE MINISTER AND DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ

[25] TURKEY AND BULGARIA SIGN A PROTOCOL TO COPERATE IN THEATRE

[26] COHN BENDIT AND SWOBODA EXPRESS THEIR CONCERN ABOUT DEATHS RESULTING FROM HUNGER STRIKES

[01] ISTANBUL POLICE CHIEF ABANOZ: -''FIVE MEMBERS OF AN ILLEGAL ORGANIZATION WERE CAPTURED. WE SEIZED A GREAT DEAL OF WEAPONS IN THE OPERATION''

Staging a press conference at Directorate of Security, Abanoz said, ''a total of five members of an illegal organization were captured. They were acting as provincial committee of the organization in Istanbul, and planning to stage actions.''

''Security forces seized a great deal of weapons including two anti-tank guided missiles and two flame-throwers in the operation,'' he added.

[02] KARAKUS AND OZCAN RESIGN FROM DSP

After their resignation, number of DSP deputies decreased to 132 while number of independent deputies increased to 10.

The recent distribution of seats at the parliament is as follows:

DSP..................................:132
Nationalist Movement Party (MHP).....:126

Virtue Party (FP)....................:102

Motherland Party (ANAP)..............: 89

True Path Party (DYP)................: 83

Independent..........................: 10

Vacant...............................: 8

[03] PARLIAMENT SPEAKER IZGI MEETS LI RUIHUAN, CHAIRMAN OF PEOPLE OF CHINA POLITICAL CONSULTATION CONFERENCE

Parliamentary Delegation of People's Republic of China who are currently in Turkey as guests of Izgi, started holding contacts in Ankara.

Izgi and Li Ruihuan held a tete-a-tete meeting.

Later, interdelegationary negotiations were held.

Addressing journalists following the meetings, Izgi and Li Ruihuan said that there had been historical friendship ties between Turkey and People's Republic of China.

''Diplomatic relations restarted 30 years ago following an interruption. We have not encountered a series problem in our diplomatic relations with People's Republic of China,'' Izgi added.

[04] TRABZON TO HOST SECOND INTERNATIONAL BLACK SEA LITTORAL STATES THEATRE FESTIVAL BETWEEN MAY 16 AND 24

Releasing a statement, the Provincial Directorate of State Theatres said on Tuesday that seven countries would participate in the festival that would be organized in cooperation among Culture Ministry, Directorate General of State Theatres and Trabzon Governor's Office.

Theatre societies from Turkey, Russia, Romania, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia and Belarus will participate in the festival.

[05] MAY DAY CELEBRATIONS -THOSE WHO WILL ATTEND RALLY IN TANDOGAN SQUARE, START MARCHING TO SQUARE

People gathered in Toros Street in Sihhiye district to attend the rally organized by the the Confederation of Turkish Labour Unions (Turk-Is), the Confederation of Revolutionary Workers' Unions (DISK), the Moral Rights Workers Union (Hak-is), the Confederation of Turkish Tradesmen and Artisans (TESK), the Union of Chambers of Architects and Engineers (TMMOB).

Later, they started marching from Toros Street to Tandogan Square.

They are carrying Turkish flags and placards which said, ''we take to streets to oppose to the corruption and to prevent illegal labor'', ''we take to streets for Turkey's unity and independence'', ''we want neither the U.S. nor Europe, we want an independent Turkey'', ''Stop IMF Program'', ''general strike, general resistance'' and ''go away IMF, this country is ours''.

Tight security measures have been taken in Tandogan Square.

Surrounding roads have been closed to the traffic.

[06] MOODY'S TURKEY ANALYST LINDOW: -''SUPPORT EXTENDED BY IMF, WORLD BANK AND GROUP-7 TO TURKEY IS VERY ENCOURAGING AND IT WOULD POSITIVELY AFFECT THE MARKETS''

Responding to questions of the A.A correspondent, Lindow said that Turkey had suffered serious economic problems due to crises in November of 2000 and February of 2001, and it would take time to remove the damages created by devaluation and high interest rates on the economy.

Stressing that the re-settlement of confidence at the markets was vital, Lindow said that structural measures should be legalized as soon as possible and the program should be implemented without any delay or hitch.

Noting that the support extended by the IMF, World Bank and G-7 was a support which was given as a result of confidence in the program and the most important effect of this support would be observed at domestic markets in short term, Lindow said that the external markets' confidence would be formed if the program was implemented without a delay.

Lindow added that they should see all of the details of the program to upgrade Turkey's ''negative'' outlook and that they were expecting Turkey to adopt structural measures and implement the program in order to upgrade its rating.

[07] ANKARA TO HOST A SUMMIT MEETING ON LOCAL ADMINISTRATIONS IN EU PROCESS BETWEEN MAY 3 AND 4

The summit meeting organized in cooperation between the Union of Turkish Municipalities and the Comart International Fair Services Limited Company, will take place at Altinpark EXPO Center.

State Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz, the leader of the Motherland Party (ANAP) will deliver a speect at opening of the summit.

More than 1,500 mayors, officials and Turkish and foreign guests will be in attendance at the summit meeting.

The summit meeting is expected to focus on the issue of cooperation and implementation of draft law on local administrations during integration process with the EU.

[08] MAY DAY CELEBRATIONS IN ISTANBUL

A group of people including Sami Evren, the Chairman of Confederation of Public Sector Trade Unions (KESK); Suleyman Celebi, the Chairman of Confederation of Revolutionary Workers' Unions (DISK); Salim Uslu, the Chairman of Moral Rights Workers Union (Hak-is); Huseyin Karakoc, the Secretary General of Confederation of Turkish Labour Unions (Turk-Is); Ufuk Aras, the leader of the Freedom and Democracy Party (ODP); Bahattin Gunel, the Deputy Chairman of the People's Democracy Party (HADEP); and Algan Hacaloglu, the Deputy Secretary General of Republican People's Party (CHP); marched to Kazan Street.

They observed a minute of silence out of respect to 34 people who lost their lives in the incidents on May 1, 1977, and left carnations on the street.

Later, they laid a wreath to Republic Monument in Taksim Square.

Meanwhile, people started marching to Caglayan Square in Sisli district where a rally will be organized by the Turk-Is, DISK, Hak-Is and KESK.

They are carrying placards saying, ''cooperation for democracy'', ''its is time for democracy'' and ''solidarity against privatization''.

Tight security measures have been taken in the square.

[09] CRUDE OIL PRODUCTION IN ADIYAMAN IN FIRST 4 MONTHS REACHES 2.8 MILLION BARRELS

According to the Adiyaman Governor's Office and Turkish Petroleum Corp (TPAO) statistics, 90.1 percent of oil was extracted by TPAO and the remaining part was extracted by private companies.

The statistics show that 47.5 percent of total oil production in Turkey was met from 163 wells in 18 regions in Adiyaman, Sanliurfa and Kilis with daily extraction of 23,557 barrels of high gravity oil.

[10] KUONI, BIGGEST TRAVEL AGENCY OF SWITZERLAND, PRESENTS SIDE TURQUOISE HOTEL WITH GREEN PLANET AWARD

The Kuoni organized a contest among hotels in different countries, and presented 23 hotels with Green Planet Award.

The Kuoni asked its customers to choose the best one from 335 hotels in Far East, the U.S. and Europe.

The Turquoise Hotel in Side took place among these 23 hotels.

Ahmet Colakoglu, the Director General of the Turquoise Hotel, said on Tuesday, ''the Turquoise Hotel is the first Turkish hotel presented with Green Planet Award. We are very pleased with being presented with this award.''

The awards will be given to their owners in a ceremony in Switzerland in coming days.

[11] ILLEGAL ORGANIZATION SUFFERS SERIOUS BLOW IN ISTANBUL OPERATION

Abanoz indicated that the criminals formed Istanbul committee of the organization and were preparing to launch a violent attack in the city.

Abanoz said the two electronic missiles which are called 9k111 Fagot were military weapons and that his team never saw this type of a weapon before.

''We even found difficult to name it,'' he said, and added that studies revealed that the weapon was produced in 1975 in an iron curtain country.

The weapon which weighs 35 kilos has to power to pierce through an armor.

It is effective in 2,500 meters and could be used to fire to the air and to the tanks.

Abanoz stated that the missile was believed to have been brought to Turkey in the last one year but added that they didn't have other information about where it came or who smuggled it to the country.

Abanoz stated that a group of policemen were suspicious of three men who were in an empty field behind Bahçelievler Hasglu Highschool and they wanted to pat them down on April 25.

The suspects took the gun of a policeman by force and managed to escape on foot. The three men were cornered in Merter district of Istanbul and they caused the death of a man named Engin Aslan when they started firing against the policemen with the gun they earlier stole from them. Aslan died in a hospital.

Later, the police detained three other men. After interrogating all suspects, the security forces found a big part of the weapons in a house in Gebze township.

Abanoz said that security forces raided another house in Fatih and discovered a great amount of explosives, fire bombs and organizational documents. He said the Marxist-Leninist organization suffered a big blow in the recent operations.

The organization was involved in a number of incidents including pickpockeing, painting slogans on an Ataturk monument, bombing of an ATM machine and stealing licence plates from cars.

[12] NATIONAL DEFENSE MINISTRY: -''FOUR F-4 FIGHTERS REPAIRED, 11 MORE ON THE LINE''

Releasing a statement, the National Defense Ministry said, ''on April 27, some newspapers reported that 15 of the F-4 planes modernized by the Israeli IAI company turned out to have a fuel leak problem due to insufficient fuel tank isolation, that the flights of defected planes had therefore been cancelled, and that the Israeli company had agreed to pay 600 thousand U.S. dollars.''

The statement noted, ''the Turkish F-4 planes modernized within the context of the F-4 Modernization Contract in Israel, were delivered to Turkey in active status, after going through a series of test flights. Until 15 of them had been discovered recently to have a leakage problem, the planes continued to serve at the First Main Jet Base Command.''

''At the end of a series of talks, the Israeli company assuming the modernization project agreed to meet the repair expenses of the defective F- 4s, and signed a pertinent agreement with the First Air Maintenance Center, '' it said.

The statement added, ''according to this agreement, the Israeli company will pay 620 thousand U.S. dollars to the Maintenance Center to compensate the repair expenses, and the necessary tools and equipment will be provided free of charge.''

[13] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT DUE TO SPAIN

Airplane carrying Prime Minister Ecevit, his wife Rahsan Ecevit, Foreign Minister Ismail Cem and bureaucrats from the Prime Ministry and the Foreign Ministry will take off from Ankara's Esenboga Airport at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday.

At the first day of his visit to Spain, Prime Minister Ecevit will hold a tete-a-tete meeting with Aznar.

Following the meeting, interdelegationary negotiations will be held.

Later in the day, Prime Minister Ecevit and his Spanish counterpart Aznar will stage a joint press conference.

Prime Minister Ecevit and his wife will partake in a dinner to be hosted in their honor by Spanish Prime Minister Aznar.

At the second day of his visit to Spain, Prime Minister Ecevit will pay a visit to Loisa Fernanda Rudi, the Speaker of Spanish Parliament.

Ecevit will be received by King Juan Carlos of Spain at the Zarzuela Royal Palace.

He is also scheduled to attend the Turkish-Spanish Business Council meeting the same day.

Prime Minister Ecevit's contacts in Spain are expected to focus on further improvement of political, economic, commercial and cultural relations between the two countries, relations between Turkey and the European Union (EU), and other regional and international problems.

Ugurtan Akinci, the Turkish Ambassador to Spain, will host Prime Minister Ecevit and his wife at the residence.

Prime Minister Ecevit and accompanying delegation will leave Spain for Turkey after visiting Ren Sofi Museum.

[14] STATE MINISTER YALOVA LEAVES FOR U.S. -''WITH THE NEW ECONOMIC PROGRAM, TURKEY CAME TO THE POINT OF NO RETURN''

Yalova left for New York, the United States to hold contacts with international investment and finance organizations officials.

Staging a press conference prior to his departure, Yalova said that the economy of Turkey was among the important factors of the new economic program and one of those important factors was privatization.

''Within framework of the program, we have submitted several draft laws to the parliament and they were passed. Now, other necessary draft laws will be submitted to the parliament, and we, as the Privatization Administration, will hold talks with high-level officials of the global capital in New York and Boston on works of privatization of enterprises in our portfolio and on assessment of public organizations which will be taken into privatization scope and program,'' he said.

''On my personal view, Turkey has failed to promote itself as it is. As the Privatization Administration, we target to introduce Turkey, explain its new economic program in detail and show our determination to implement the program at tete-a-tete meetings,'' he said.

Noting that he would have talks with nearly fifteen finance organizations in the U.S., Yalova said, ''now, we are entering a period in which we will compete against days and even hours.''

[15] TREASURY SELLS 789.6 TRILLION LIRAS NOMINAL-VALUED 140-DAY BONDS

The total bid had been 1 quadrillion 529.7 trillion TL while the net sale became 612.8 trillion TL.

The composite interest rate became 93.28 percent while the simple interest rate became 75 percent.

Meanwhile, Treasury sold 46 trillion TL to public before the auction.

Treasury had foreseen the net minimum borrowing at 500 trillion TL in today's auction to sell 140-day bonds of which maturity date is September 19, 2001.

[16] CLOSURE CASE AGAINST FP -CONSTITUTIONAL COURT INVITES KANADOGLU, CHIEF PROSECUTOR OF SUPREME COURT OF APPEALS, TO MAKE HIS VERBAL STATEMENT ON MAY 8

Hasim Kilic, the Deputy Chairman of Constitutional Court, told reporters that Kanadoglu would make his verbal statement at 02:00 p.m. on May 8.

Kilic noted that the Constitutional Court would listen to the FP's verbal defense at 02:00 p.m. on May 15.

Later, Mehmet Turan, the rapporteur of the case, will prepare an additional report by taking into consideration the additional indictment, the defense of FP, the views of the chief prosecutor about the merits of the case.

Mustafa Bumin, the Chairman of the Constitutional Court, will submit the report to court members, and set a date to debate the case.

[17] TUSIAD TO INTRODUCE TURKISH ARTS TO U.S.

Releasing a statement, the TUSIAD said, ''within framework of cultural activities of our association, a performance will be staged in Washington D.C. on Wednesday evening to display evolution of the Turkish arts throughout the history. The performance will be staged by Prof.Dr.Talat Halman and Yildiz Kenter. The performance aims at introducing Turkish poetry, architecture, miniature, literature, tile, textiles, decorative arts and theatre from Central Asia to Anatolia.''

The statement noted that more than 200 guests were expected to watch the performance at the Library of Congress.

Baki Ilkin, the Turkish Ambassador to the U.S.; Lloyd Doggett, a member of the U.S. House of Representatives; Tedo Japaridze, the Georgian Ambassador to the U.S.; Mark Parris, the former U.S. Ambassador to Turkey; and Stanley Fischer, the First Deputy Managing Director of International Monetary Fund (IMF) will be among the guests.

[18] PRESIDENT SEZER RECEIVES LI RUIHUAN, CHAIRMAN OF PEOPLE OF CHINA POLITICAL CONSULTATION CONFERENCE

Izgi was also in attendance at the meeting which was closed to the press.

[19] STATE MINISTER YALOVA LEAVES FOR U.S. (2) -''UNFORTUNATELY, TURKEY SUFFERED MORE LOSS THAN THOSE WHO WANT PRIVATIZATION OF TURKISH TELEKOM''

Yalova answered questions of journalists during the press conference he staged prior to his departure for the United States.

Responding to a question about privatization of the Turkish Telekom, Yalova said, ''unfortunately, Turkey suffered more loss than those who want privatization of the Turkish Telekom.''

Noting that with its legal arrangements, Turkey had declared to the whole world that it would lift ''Telekom monopoly'' by the end of 2003, Yalova said, ''this means that as Turkey, we are wasting time each day. The world considers an instituton of concrete symbol of our determination in the economy. Turkey will be assessed with its performance and implementations if it makes statement on privatization. And Telekom comes first at this point. As the Treasury Undersecretariat and Privatization Administration, we earlier announced our agreement with State Minister Kemal Dervis. Every hesitation about Telekom will reduce the value of Telekom and affect our determination in the new economic program.''

''I think that some few problems which we had left to experts at our meeting with Kemal Dervis and the Minister of Transportation and Communications will be overcome. I hope that also the Telekom Law would be submitted to the Council of Ministers before we return from the United States,'' he said.

[20] RALLY IN TANDOGAN SQUARE ENDS

Workers, students and representatives of non-governmental organizations attended the rally.

They observed a minute of silence out of respect to those who lost their lives during incidents on May 1, 1977.

Speaking at the rally, Hasan Hayir, a member of Executive Board of the Confederation of Public Sector Trade Unions (KESK), said, ''today, workers all over the world take to the streets as an expression of their struggle against poverty, starvation, atrocity and war. We came together in Tandogan Square to explain our demands against bitter stability packages and to call politicians to account for their wrongdoings. We are here to defend labour and people's program against Turkish and foreign capital trying to mortgage our future by signing agreements with International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank.''

Enver Oktem, the Deputy Chairman of Confederation of Revolutionary Workers' Unions (DISK), said, ''our demands are known. It is not difficult to realize them. We expect politicians to listen to our demands instead of IMF and World Bank.''

Following the speeches, participants dispersed peacefully.

Meanwhile, a group of members of the People's Democracy Party (HADEP) chanted slogan in favor of Abdullah Ocalan, the head of terrorist organization PKK.

[21] MAY DAY CELEBRATIONS IN ISTANBUL

Workers, representatives of political parties and non-governmental organizations attended the rally.

Participants chanted slogans and carried placards during the two-hour rally saying, ''unity of labour will defeat capital'', ''if there is no food, there is also no peace'', ''we want independent jurisdiction'', ''government should resign'', and ''neither IMF nor Dervis; we want general strike and general resistance''.

Later, they dispersed peacefully.

Meanwhile, some people changed slogans in favor of illegal Revolutionary People's Liberation Party-Front (DHKP-C), illegal Turkish Workers and Peasant Liberation Army (TKP/ML/TIKKO), and of Abdullah Ocalan, the head of terrorist organization PKK.

Another group held a five-minute sit-in protest to support death-fasting prisoners.

Meanwhile, security forces detained six people who attempted to hold an illegal demonstration in Taksim Square.

[22] FOREIGN MINISTRY UNDERSECRETARY FALL OF SENEGAL DUE IN TURKEY

Releasing a statement, Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday that political, economic, commercial, cultural and military relations between Turkey and Senegal would be reviewed and exchange of opinion on regional and international issues would be made during Fall's visit.

The statement said that a ''Cooperation Protocol'' which foresaw foundation of a political consultation mechanism between the Turkish and Senegalese foreign ministries was planned to be signed during Fall's visit.

It said that there was a potential which was appropriate to development in every field between Turkey and Senegal which was a stable country in its region and was one of the African continent countries with which both European countries and the United States had intense cooperation. ''With this respect, it is undoubtful that the Senegalese Foreign Ministry Undersecretary's visit will contribute to further development of our relations.''

[23] NIGERIAN FOREIGN MINISTRY POLITICAL DIRECTOR ASHIRO DUE IN ANKARA

Releasing a statement, Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday that political, economic, commercial, cultural and military relations between Turkey and Nigeria would be reviewed and exchange of opinion on regional and international issues would be made during Ashiru's visit.

The statement said that Ashiru would pay this visit within framework of the cooperation protocol which had been signed by the Turkish and Nigerian foreign ministries in Ankara on July 24, 2000.

It said that there was a potential which was appropriate to development in every field between Turkey and Nigeria which had a characteristic to determine the future of the African economy as a result of its dynamic population, rich natural resources and geographical situation, and the complementary characteristics of the Turkish and Nigerian economies created important opportunities of cooperation in production, investment and trade.

The Nigerian delegation headed by Ashiru will proceed to Istanbul after wrapping up its contacts in Ankara and hold contacts with the Foreign Economic Relations Board officials.

[24] TURKEY-EU JOINT PARLIAMENTARY COMMISSION CO-PRESIDENT BENDIT MEETS STATE MINISTER AND DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ

Cohn-Bendit had a meeting with State Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz.

Bulent Akarcali, the Deputy Chairman of the Motherland Party (ANAP), and Cavit Kavak, the Chairman of Turkish Group in Interparliamentary Union, were also in attendance at the meeting which was closed to the press.

Addressing journalists following the meeting, Cohn-Bendit said that they had exchanged views about efforts to put an end to death-fasts in prisons.

Cohn-Bendit said that they had put forward some proposals to end death- fasts in prisons, and added that they expected Turkish government to assume an attitude toward these proposals.

He underlined importance of setting up dialogue between the two sides to solve problem of death-fasts.

Cohn-Bendit told reporters that he would come to Turkey again in June.

Meanwhile, prior to his meeting with Yilmaz, Cohn-Bendit came together with Kursat Eser, the Co-President of Turkey-the EU Joint parliamentary Commission, in a luncheon.

[25] TURKEY AND BULGARIA SIGN A PROTOCOL TO COPERATE IN THEATRE

Faruk Gunugur, the Director General of State Theatres; Tamer Levent, the Deputy Director General of State Theatres; Krassimira Filipova, the Chairperson of Bulgarian National Theatre Center; and Bojidar Manev, the Deputy Chairman of Bulgarian National Theatre Center; were in attendance at the signing ceremony.

Meanwhile, Gunugur gave information about the Second International Black Sea Littoral States Theatre Festival to be organized in northern province of Trabzon will host between May 16 and 24.

Gunugur said that theatre societies from Turkey, Russia, Romania, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia and Belarus would participate in the festival that would be organized in cooperation among Culture Ministry, Directorate General of State Theatres and Trabzon Governor's Office.

[26] COHN BENDIT AND SWOBODA EXPRESS THEIR CONCERN ABOUT DEATHS RESULTING FROM HUNGER STRIKES

Cohn-Bendit and Swoboda held talks in Ankara concerning the continuing hunger strikes.

In the written statement they made following their visits, Cohn-Bendit and Swoboda said, ''following our talks with the Deputy Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz, Justice Minister Hikmet Sami Turk, members of Parliamentary Human Rights Inquiry Commission, the Turkish Medical Association and representatives of Bar Associations, we want to express our concern about the continuing hunger strikes in Turkey and the deadlock we face.''

''Although we appreciate that the government has started a project of prison reform, we also take into consideration the scepticism and criticisms expressed by Members of Parliament, civil society organisations and Bar Associations. Practice will show to what extent the envisaged legislative measures are capable of bringing about a human system in prisons. In this regard, the abolition of the current practices of solitary confinement will be an important criterion to be considered,'' they said.

Cohn-Bendit and Swoboda noted, ''at the end of our discussions, we confirm our belief that the most pressing issue is the end of hunger strikes as soon as possible. Only in this way further losses of lives can be prevented.''

They added, ''a dialogue between official representatives appointed by the government and representatives of the prisoners can be started to ensure that the hunger strikes are ended. This will be possible only if both sides are flexible and reach a compromise in good faith. We do not want Turkey-EU relations and with the European Parliament and the European public to be adversely affected in an unnecessary way. Every further death due to the hunger strikes would increase the concern and horror felt by the European Parliament and public.''

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