Anadolu Agency: News in English, 01-05-10

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ANADOLU AGENCY

NEWS

10 MAY 2001 Thursday

CONTENTS

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

[02] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT: -''A COMPROMISE HAS BEEN REACHED ON DRAFT LAW ENVISAGING PRIVATIZATION OF TURKISH TELEKOM''

[03] IMF EXECUTIVE BOARD TO CONVENE ON MAY 15

[04] FOREIGN MINISTER CEM LEAVES FOR KOSOVO

[05] SUPREME COURT OF APPEALS ANNOUNCES ITS VERDICT ABOUT INCIDENTS IN SIVAS

[06] CILLER STAGES A PRESS CONFERENCE IN WASHINGTON D.C.: -''TURKEY NEEDS IMPORTANT REFORMS''

[07] FOREIGN MINISTER CEM ARRIVES IN KOSOVO

[08] INTERIOR MINISTER TANTAN PROCEEDS FROM TEHRAN TO TABRIZ

[09] SUPREME COURT OF APPEALS ANNOUNCES ITS VERDICT ABOUT INCIDENTS IN SIVAS (2)

[10] PRIVATIZATION OF TURK TELEKOM -TELECOMMUNICATION AGENCY TO BE AUTHORIZED TO SIGN CONTRACTS, GIVE PERMITS AND LICENCES FOR ALL TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES

[11] PARLIAMENT SPEAKER IZGI SAYS HE IS CONCERNED ABOUT TAPPING OF KAVAK'S TELEPHONE TALKS WITHOUT COURT ORDER

[12] DSP GROUP MEETING HELD (1) -PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT SAYS TURKEY IS AT A HOPEFUL STAGE REGARDING FINANCIAL DIMENSION OF NEW ECONOMIC PROGRAMME

[13] DSP GROUP MEETING HELD (2)

[14] PRIVATIZATION OF TURKISH TELEKOM -ALL SHARES OF TELEKOM EXCLUDING PRIVILEGED SHARE TO BE SOLD -SHARE OF FOREIGNERS IN TELEKOM CAN'T EXCEED 45 PERCENT

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

IF A MINISTER TALKS LIKE THAT
Justice Minister Hikmet Sami Turk said, ''I have not got the impression that my telephones were tapped throughout my political life. At the same time, I do not have any issue to hide. Therefore, I am not concerned about my telephones.'' Turk added, ''the Law on Struggle against Profiteering Criminal Gangs no: 4422 grant some exceptional authorities. One of these authorities is to tap telephones. But this authority should be used in accordance with its legal purposes. Otherwise, it will be a violation of basic rights and freedoms.''

COMPROMISE REACHED AT LAST
Compromise has been reached on the draft law regarded with privatization of Turkish Telekom. Leaders of three political parties held a meeting last night which lasted for four and a half hours. State Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Husamettin Ozkan, State Minister Kemal Dervis for Economy and Transportation Minister Enis Oksuz were also in attendance at the meeting. Following the meeting, Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit told reporters that a compromise had been reached on the draft.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

U.S. PRESIDENT BUSH INVITES PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT TO BRUSSELS
U.S. President George W. Bush sent a letter to Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit through Robert Pearson, the U.S. Ambassador to Turkey. In his letter, President Bush said, ''through hard work, sacrifice and close cooperation, we have made important progress towards resolving Turkey's recent crisis and towards reaching our common goals. I look forward to seeing you in Brussels on June 13, when we and other allied leaders will review progress in our joint endeavours.''

846 THOUSANDS TOURISTS VISIT TURKEY IN APRIL
The number of tourists who visited Turkey in April increased 17.4 percent to 846 thousand 640. The Tourism Ministry said that Germany was ranked first in the list of countries visiting Turkey the most with 28 percent while French with 7.7 percent and Russian Federation with 6 percent followed Germany.

SABAH (LIBERAL)

KAVAK TO FILE A LAWSUIT AGAINST GENDARME
Cavit Kavak, a deputy of the Motherland Party (ANAP) whose telephones have been tapped by gendarme for the last two years, said that he would file a lawsuit against the gendarme.

MUMCU CRISIS RESOLVED
Tension escalated between State Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz, the leader of the Motherland Party (ANAP), and Tourism Minister Erkan Mumcu who has also been acting as the Interior Minister. Mumcu submitted his resignation to Yilmaz, but Yilmaz tore it. As a result of Yilmaz's initiatives, difference of opinion with Mumcu was removed.

FLOOD WATERS MIX WITH TEARS
Flood waters triggered by torrential rains swallowed Antakya by causing major damage. A state of disaster has been declared in the city. Yusuf Malta, 65, and Bekir Hatatoglu, 27, lost their lives in the flood. Meanwhile, Antakya Mayor Iris Senturk was burst into tears as she was watching Antakya's yielding to flood waters.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

CEM DUE TO SKOPJE
Foreign Minister Ismail Cem will start a one-day tour to Kosovo and Macedonia. After holding a series of contacts in Kosovo, Cem will proceed to Macedonian capital Skopje. Cem is expected to convey Turkey's message of support to Macedonian officials. Meanwhile, Turkey condemned incidents which had occurred during ceremonies marking the start of re-building of mosques destroyed in the 1992-1995 war in Trebinje and Banja Luka. Turkey called on Bosnian Serb Republic administration to take action as soon as possible to identify and punish responsibles of these incidents.

THEODOROULAKIS' VISIT TO TURKEY CANCELLED
Greek Naval Forces Commander Admiral Georgios Theodoroulakis' scheduled visit to Turkey was cancelled. Ankara rejected Admiral Theodoroulakis' desire to come to the delivery ceremony in Aksaz by a military helicopter which will take off from Rhodes. Huseyin Dirioz, the Deputy Spokesman of Foreign Ministry, said, ''in accordance with the Paris Treaty signed in 1947, Rhodes Island was disarmed. Therefore, any plane not only of Greece but of any countries, cannot be deployed on the island. The Greek Embassy in Ankara was recalled that any military plane of any country could not take off from Rhodes Island.''

RADIKAL (LEFT)

SEZER GETS FULL POINT FROM EU
President Ahmet Necdet Sezer hosted a luncheon in honor of ambassadors of member countries to the European Union (EU) to mark the Europe Day. Speaking at the luncheon, President Sezer stressed that Turkey was determined to become a full member of the EU. He noted that Turkey would fulfil necessary legal and constitutional reforms. The EU appreciated Sezer's statement. One of the ambassadors described Sezer as a reformist president.

TURKIYE (RIGHT)

TURKEY MARKS EUROPE DAY FOR THE FIRST TIME
Turkey whose candidacy to the European Union (EU) was announced at the Helsinki Summit in 1999, marked May 9 Europe Day for the first time. Speaking at a meeting in Istanbul, President Sezer said that Turkey attributed great importance to become a full member of the EU.

TURKEY RANKED THIRD IN MATHEMATICS
Turkey won six medals in the 18th Balkans Mathematics Olympiad held in Yugoslavia. The Scientific and Technical Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK) said that the Turkish team was ranked third in the 18th Balkans Mathematics Olympiad held in Yugoslavia between May 3 and 9.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

TURKEY-IRAQ RAIL SERVICES TO START
Turkey and Iraq decided to start scheduled rail services after a suspension of 19 years. Meanwhile, the U.S. administration is uneasy about train journeys between Turkey and Iraq. The U.S. State Department said that they were concerned about any action that could give the impression to Iraq about trade opportunities except for the United Nations' oil for food program.

48TH EUROPEAN GRAECO-ROMAN WRESTLING CHAMPIONSHIPS TO START IN ISTANBUL
The 48th European Graeco-roman Wrestling Championships will start in Istanbul on Thursday. 319 wrestlers from 33 countries will participate in the championships.

[02] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT: -''A COMPROMISE HAS BEEN REACHED ON DRAFT LAW ENVISAGING PRIVATIZATION OF TURKISH TELEKOM''

Leaders of three political parties forming the coalition government re- convened at 00:05 a.m. on Thursday.

State Minister Kemal Dervis for Economy and Treasury Undersecretary Faik Oztrak were also in attendance at the meeting.

Addressing journalists following the meeting, Prime Minister Ecevit said, ''a compromise has been reached on draft law envisaging privatization of the Turkish Telekom. The draft will be submitted to the parliament on Thursday morning.''

Prime Minister Ecevit refrained from responding to questions of journalists about details of the draft.

[03] IMF EXECUTIVE BOARD TO CONVENE ON MAY 15

IMF officials told the A.A correspondent on Thursday that members of the Executive Board would convene on May 15.

IMF Executive Board is expected to debate and approve Turkey's new economic program and finance package at the meeting.

[04] FOREIGN MINISTER CEM LEAVES FOR KOSOVO

In Kosovo, Cem will meet with Mahir Yagcilar, the Chairman of Turkish Democratic Union; Daan Everts, the Chief of Kosovo Mission of Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE); and representatives of Albanian political parties.

Cem will partake in a luncheon to be hosted in his honor by the Turkish battalion in Kosovo.

Later, Cem will proceed to Macedonian capital Skopje from Kosovo.

He will be received by President Boris Traykovski of Macedonia and Prime Minister Ljubco Georgievski.

Traykovski has postponed his scheduled visit to Turkey after tension had escaleted in the region.

Cem is expected to return to Turkey later in the day.

[05] SUPREME COURT OF APPEALS ANNOUNCES ITS VERDICT ABOUT INCIDENTS IN SIVAS

Previously, the Ankara State Security Court (DGM) no: 1 sentenced 33 suspects to capital punishment.

The Supreme Court of Appeals Criminal Department no: 9 annulled capital punishments given to two suspects.

Meanwhile, the court approved imprisonment terms of 14 suspects, and annulled another suspect's imprisonment sentence.

A total of 37 people lost their lives while many others were injured in incidents in central province of Sivas on July 2, 1993.

[06] CILLER STAGES A PRESS CONFERENCE IN WASHINGTON D.C.: -''TURKEY NEEDS IMPORTANT REFORMS''

Ciller staged a press conference at Turkish Embassy in Washington D.C., the U.S., after wrapping up her contacts.

Speaking at the press conference, Ciller defended, ''as a result of the government's implementations, public debt increased from 50 billion U.S. dollars to 75 billion U.S. dollars. There is a serious gap of will in the government. Coalition partners could not provide a harmony among themselves.''

[07] FOREIGN MINISTER CEM ARRIVES IN KOSOVO

Turkish Coordination Center officials and representatives of Turkish community in Kosovo welcomed Cem at the airport.

Cem will meet with Mahir Yagcilar, the Chairman of Turkish Democratic Union; Daan Everts, the Chief of Kosovo Mission of Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE); and representatives of Albanian political parties.

Cem will partake in a luncheon to be hosted in his honor by the Turkish battalion in Kosovo.

Later, Cem will proceed to Macedonian capital Skopje from Kosovo.

He will be received by President Boris Traykovski of Macedonia and Prime Minister Ljubco Georgievski.

[08] INTERIOR MINISTER TANTAN PROCEEDS FROM TEHRAN TO TABRIZ

Yahya Muhammedzade, the Governor of Eastern Azerbaijan, and Kadir Hidayet Eris, the Turkish Consul General in Tabriz, welcomed Tantan at the Tabriz Airport.

Addressing journalists at the airport, Tantan said, ''my visit to Iran aims at holding talks on the issue of joint struggle against cross-border crimes jeopardizing security of regional countries.''

Tantan recalled that a memorandum of understanding envisaging joint struggle against terrorism, illicit drug trafficking, illegal migration and organized crimes was signed earlier today by himself and his Iranian counterpart Abdol Vahed Musavi-Lari.

''If we succeed in putting this memorandum of understanding into practice, an atmosphere of security will be provided in the region. This atmosphere will also enable Turkey and Iran to carry our joint economic activities,'' he stressed.

Tantan told reporters, ''I held a series of contacts with Iranian officials. All of them are determined to further improve relations with Turkey. They wanted to expend efforts to create an atmosphere of security in the region without intervening in each other's domestic affairs.''

Tantan will attend inauguration of new building of Turkish Consulate General in Tabriz.

[09] SUPREME COURT OF APPEALS ANNOUNCES ITS VERDICT ABOUT INCIDENTS IN SIVAS (2)

The Supreme Court of Appeals Criminal Department no: 9 announced its appeal verdict about the third decision of the Ankara State Security Court (DGM) no: 1.

In its 23-page written verdict, The court said, ''a constitutional amendment came into force on June 18, 1999, ending the presence of military judge at the DGMs. Participation of military judge in the case of incidents in Sivas, does not constitute a reason to annul the case.''

The written verdict said, ''at about 01:30 p.m. on July 2, 1993, a group of people gathered in front of the Madimak Hotel after the mid-day prayer. They did not obey to security forces' warnings to disperse. They chanted slogans against writer Aziz Nesin. Later, they set on fire the hotel. 35 people died of severe burns and gas poisoning while two others were shot dead. 14 security forces were injured in the incidents.''

''Incidents in Sivas aimed at destroying republic and secularism, two of most important principles of constitutional order, by using writer Aziz Nesin's thoughts and attitudes as excuse,'' it added.

[10] PRIVATIZATION OF TURK TELEKOM -TELECOMMUNICATION AGENCY TO BE AUTHORIZED TO SIGN CONTRACTS, GIVE PERMITS AND LICENCES FOR ALL TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES

The draft law on the privatization of Turk Telekom was presented to the parliament on Thursday.

The preamble of the draft law said that the aim of the law was to re- arrange the telecommunication services in a way that it will meet the increasing needs due to new technological developments in an efficient, reliable and productive way.

The preamble noted that the most important development in telecommunication in recent years is the separation of the functions like the determination of policy, administrative arrangement and management.

Another important development is the execution of each function within the framework of principles appropriate to the quality of that function, the preamble stated.

The preamble said that it was obligatory to comply the telecommunication sector in Turkey with the current conditions to reconstruct the sector as in all around the world.

The main aim of the draft law is to widen the authorities of the Telecommunication Agency, which is administratively and financially autonomous and which is charged to re-arrange and control the telecommunication sector that is reconstructed.

The other aim of the draft law is to provide the sector to be opened to competition and within this framework, to make re-arrangements regarding the sale of the shares of Turke Telekom.

Under the law, the Telecommunication Agency will be authorized to sign contracts regarding all the telecommunication services and to give permits and licences.

The preamble said that all shares except the privileged share which will give the state the right to express its opinion and the right to approve the decision that will be taken by the authorized councils of the company to protect the national economic and security interests and prevent occurrence of any problem which may be caused by its monopoly characteristic.

The foreign real and legal bodies cannot own the majority of the shares of the company, the preamble stated.

The preamble said that 5 percent share will be allocated for the employees of the Postal Service (PTT) General Directorate and the Turk Telekom and the small saving owners. These shares will be sold by public offering.

Metin Sahin, the chairman of the Parliamentary Planning and Budget Commission, said that the draft law will be debated in the commission meeting on May 14.

[11] PARLIAMENT SPEAKER IZGI SAYS HE IS CONCERNED ABOUT TAPPING OF KAVAK'S TELEPHONE TALKS WITHOUT COURT ORDER

Izgi said that the surveillance of telephone talks is possible under the laws if there is evidence about somebody's relations with organized crime groups.

Noting that the surveillance of telephone talks is only possible by court decision, Izgi said that this didn't take place in the case of Cavit Kavak.

Izgi said that he favours broadening the parliamentary immunity limit covered by Article 83 of the Constitution, adding that ''as this article is in force, the surveillance of telephone talks is not possible. Moreover, the telephone tapping of deputies with unsound doubts means violation of the law no 4422.''

Izgi said that they asked for information from the State Security Court (DGM) about the issue, adding that he considered it necessary to announce the serioussness of the issue to the public opinion now.

[12] DSP GROUP MEETING HELD (1) -PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT SAYS TURKEY IS AT A HOPEFUL STAGE REGARDING FINANCIAL DIMENSION OF NEW ECONOMIC PROGRAMME

Addressing the party group meeting, Ecevit said that the letter sent by U.S. President George W. Bush is the proof of the fact that Turkey is at the hopeful stage regarding the financial dimension of the new economic programme.

Ecevit said that the IMF and the World Bank will give 16 billion U.S. dollars to Turkey, adding that the support of the U.S. in providing this loan to Turkey has been an important factor. Ecevit said that Bush stressed the U.S. leadership in supporting the Turkish economy in his letter.

''This development is an important stage in our relations with the U.S. Mr. Bush praised the efforts we launched in implementation of the reform programme. We must know the value of the trust of the U.S., other friendly countries, the IMF and World Bank to our country and our government. If this trust didn't exist, we couldn't reach this hopeful stage today. The reforms expected by the IMF, World Bank, the U.S. and the EU from us are reforms which are to our interest. The laws foreseen by the economic programme are going into force one after another,'' he said.

Prime Minister Ecevit said that the fast and harmonious working tempo of the parliament should be appreciated, adding that the number of laws which were adopted reached 277. Ecevit thanked deputies of both the coalition and opposition parties for their studies.

Ecevit recounted that a series of measures have been taken to improve the conditions of state banks and the bill on privatization of Turkish Telecom has been submitted to the parliament, Ecevit said that ''we will come out of our economic problems by the implementation of the economic programme in resolution.''

[13] DSP GROUP MEETING HELD (2)

Speaking in his party group meeting, Ecevit said that the measures taken by his government to fight with corruption are beyond those which were taken to date. Ecevit said that this is a source of pleasure for the government and the parliament.

Noting that abstaining from signing documents in bureaucracy has become widespread, Ecevit said that this has to end. If this does not end, the trust for the state will end and the revival of the economy will also be difficult, Ecevit said.

Giving detailed information about the flood disaster that took place in Hatay and Osmaniye provinces, Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said that 260 billion liras were sent to the region from Emergency Support Fund, 142 billion liras from the Social Solidarity and Assistance Fund and 20 billion liras from the Disaster Fund to the region to date.

Ecevit said that the Red Crescent took measures to distribute food stuff in the region, adding that preparations are underway as the rains will get heavier on Sunday.

Ecevit said that the Disabled Week has started today, adding that the decision to allocate quotas for disabled persons in business places is not implemented effectively.

''DSP headquarters have charged two disabled persons and one former inmate to be an example for others,'' said Ecevit.

[14] PRIVATIZATION OF TURKISH TELEKOM -ALL SHARES OF TELEKOM EXCLUDING PRIVILEGED SHARE TO BE SOLD -SHARE OF FOREIGNERS IN TELEKOM CAN'T EXCEED 45 PERCENT

The bill which was transferred to the Parliamentary Planning and Budget Commission is composed of 14 permanent and 6 provisional articles.

In accordance with the bill, changes in the company's principal agreement will be approved by the Transportation and Communications Ministry and come into force until the public share in the company reduces below 50 percent. When the public share reduces below 50 percent, all monopoly rights of the Turkish Telekom will be annuled although they are valid until December 31, 2003. Turkish Telekom won't be subjected to regulations which is valid for public institutions, organizations and their partners half of whose capital belongs to public. All of its shares except the privileged share which gives the state the right to approve and express its opinion about the decisions taken by the Turkish Telekom's authorized boards can be sold in order to protect national interests about the economy and security.

The privileged share will have the authority to approve and express its opinion about the issues like changes in principal agreement, foundation of new companies or participation in established companies, participation in international telecommunications associations or international agreements, transfer of registered shares or record of transfer of registered shares in stock register in order to protect national interests.

The Treasury Undersecretariat will appoint a member at the Turkish Telekom Board as the representative of the privileged share. The owner of the privileged share will have the right to participate in and speak at General Assembly. The owner of the privileged share won't join increase in capital and won't get share from profit.

The share of foreigners in Turkish Telekom won't exceed 45 percent and foreigners won't possess majority share directly or indirectly. Foreign real and legal persons won't get majority of vote in management and control of Turkish Telekom. This condition and reciprocity principle will be taken into consideration in all sales transactions and procedures.

A five percent share will be allocated to personnel of Turkish Telekom and Post and Telegram Directorate General and small investors in this privatization. The sale this five percent share will be carried out by public offering and in accordance with the capital market regulations. The Council of Ministers will take the decision on the amount and sale method of shares upon opinion of the Privatization Administration Board and proposal of the Transportation and Communications Ministry. The final procedures for the block sale will be approved by the Council of Ministers.

All of the incomes which will be obtained by sale of Turkish Telekom's public shares, GSM duty and privilege agreements regarding telecommunications agreements and licence and general permissions and certificates will be transferred to the Treasury.

All contracts, agreements and protocols which were signed between the Turkish Telekom and Turkish Armed Forces, National Defense Ministry, Security Department, Gendarme and other public institutions and organizations on operation of telecommunications services will be valid also after privatization of Turkish Telekom.

An assessment commission which will set the value of Turkish Telekom share and an auction commission which will carry out the sale procedures will be formed. Privatization Administration Board will have two members, Transportation and Communications Ministry will have two members and Treasury Undersecretariat will have one members in each of these commissions.

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