Anadolu Agency: News in English, 01-05-31

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ANADOLU AGENCY

NEWS

31 MAY 2001 Thursday

CONTENTS

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

[02] SUMERBANK PUT OUT FOR SALES

[03] UNITED STATES PLANNING TO DEPLOY DEFENSE SYSTEMS AGAINST IRAN'S AND IRAQ'S MISSILES IN SOUTH EAST TURKEY

[04] PAKSOY:''TURKEY HAS TO START EMPLOYING ALTERNATIVE ENERGY SOURCES''

[05] FOREIGN TRADE INDICES

[06] CRUDE OIL PRODUCTION IN SOUTHEAST

[07] ALBANIAN DELEGATION VISITS TURKEY STUDIES CENTRE

[08] CROP DUSTER OVERSHOOTS RUNWAY AND SOMERSAULTS IN ADIYAMAN -PILOT INJURED SLIGHTLY

[09] STATE MINISTER YALOVA: ''RESPONSIBILITY WILL REST WITH THE PERSON WHO WROTE AND SIGNED THE LETTER OF INTENT ON LEGALIZATION OF TOBACCO BILL BY END OF MAY''

[10] SYRIAN NATIONAL WEIGHT-LIFTING TO GET PREPARED FOR 14TH MEDITERRANEAN GAMES TOGETHER WITH TURKISH NATIONAL TEAM

[11] DSP GROUP MEETING HELD -PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT SAYS TURKEY HAS TO LAUNCH EFFORTS TO REVIVE PRODUCING ECONOMY

[12] FOREIGN MINISTER CEM LEAVES HUNGARY

[13] SIX TURKISH CANDIDATES TO RUN IN ELECTIONS IN BRITAIN

[14] CHHIBBER, WORLD BANK TURKEY REPRESENTATIVE: ''PROGRAM STARTS POSITIVELY''

[15] EXTERNAL DEBT PAYMENTS -700.09 MILLION U.S. DOLLARS REPAID IN EXTERNAL DEBT BETWEEN MAY 1 AND 30

[16] STATE MINISTER YALOVA SAYS TOBACCO BILL TO BE READY TILL NEXT CABINET MEETING

[17] IMF DELEGATION DUE IN ANKARA ON FRIDAY

[18] RAPID RECOVERY AT STOCK EXCHANGE

[19] WORLD BANK TURKEY REPRESENTATIVE CHHIBBER: ''THE MOST IMPORTANT THING AT THIS STAGE IS THE IMPLEMENTATION AND CONTINUATION OF THE IMPLEMENTATION''

[20] EMLAKBANK EMPLOYEES PROTEST EMLAKBANK'S LIQUIDATION

[21] BOTAS: ''ANY INFORMATION OR DOCUMENT HAVE NOT BEEN REQUESTED REGARDING BAKU-TBILISI-CEYHAN PROJECT''

[22] STATE MINISTER YALOVA RESIGNS FROM HIS POST -PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT: - ''TODAY'S STATEMENT OF YALOVA WAS A MISFORTUNE''

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

GOVERNMENT TO FOCUS ON REAL SECTOR
The government took action after the criticism that the real sector was neglected. The leaders of the coalition parties decided to have a Higher Planning Council meeting next week. Drawing attention to the difficulties encountered in the real sector, Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said the government has to take a series of measures to eliminate these problems and to enliven economy. He said the Higher Planning Council will discuss the issue more in detail next week.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

DERVIS: ''WE CAN'T AFFORD TO BE UNDECISIVE''
State Minister Kemal Dervis who attended the Ankara Industry Chamber's (ASO) meeting yesterday said that the failure in one leg of the economic program would cause the total collapse of it. ''There are no secret letters or commitments in this program. Everything is open. I think you can even find the program's Japanese translation in the IMF web page. Everyone would be affected if there is a diversion from the targets therefore we have to be very decisive in implementing this program,'' Dervis said. He also admitted that certain parts of the program might have been too much rushed and it might need correction. Responding to the criticism of businessmen about high taxes, Dervis said this situation could be corrected in the budget of 2002.

SABAH (LIBERAL)

BAD NEWS FOR STUDENTS' PARENTS
With the price increases, the education expenses of one student will be between four or five billion TL at private schools in the next education year. This is a 50 or 60 percent increase from this year's figures. The cost of books and other stationary increase this figure further.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

During the meeting, Cem also stressed cooperation in the Balkans.

PIRI REIS CAUSES TENSION BETWEEN ANKARA AND ATHENS
Turkey and Greece came to the brink of a crisis because of Piri Reis ship which will carry out scientific works in the Aegean and Mediterranean.

Diplomatic sources said Turkish and Greek officials stayed up late on Tuesday night and prevented a possible crisis between Ankara and Athens. The Turkish Foreign Ministry said Turkey didn't make any commitments to Greece by telling that the ship will not sail in the Aegean.

RADIKAL (LEFT)

JUSTICE MINISTER TURK IN THE HAGUE
Justice Miniser Hikmet Sami Turk went to the Hague to attend a conference on Fight against Corruption. The Queen of the Netherlands Beatrix and three Duthch deputy prime ministers will also attend the conference. Turk will explain Turkey's efforts to combat against corruption and stress that the country is willing to do its share to contribute to international activities to fight corruption.

TURKIYE (RIGHT)

LEADERS DISCUSS ECONOMY
Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit, Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahceli and Motherland Party (MHP) leader Mesut Yilmaz had a half hour meeting yesterday where they discussed economy and the necessary meausures. ''The real sector has some problems,'' Ecevit told reporters after the meeting. ''The HIgher Planning Council will convene next week and we'll evaluate what needs to be done more in depth,'' he said.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

[02] SUMERBANK PUT OUT FOR SALES

The announcement said that the interested investors will send their offers to Sumerbank Management Council latest by June 22, 2001. The offers will be assessed by the bank's Executive Council before June 25, 2001 and sent to the TSMF.

The TSMF will evaluate the offers by June 28, 2001 and the Banking Regulation and Supervising Authority (BDDK) will announce the results.

The candidates will be allowed to carry out examinations at Sumerbank until June 21, 2001.

[03] UNITED STATES PLANNING TO DEPLOY DEFENSE SYSTEMS AGAINST IRAN'S AND IRAQ'S MISSILES IN SOUTH EAST TURKEY

Diplomatic sources in Washington, D.C. told the A.A that the United States is planning to deploy defense missile ramps in South East Turkey to destroy Iran's or Iraq's ballistic missiles in the air.

The same sources said U.S. and Turkish officials debated the outline of this subject and it is not yet certain whether Turkey will be given such a role in the project or not. The matter will be discussed more in depth during U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld's visit to Ankara on June 4.

Defense experts in Washington, D.C. said Turkey is given special importance in the project because of its geographical closeness to Iran and Iraq which are regarded as the source of missile threat. Besides, Turkey has a more positive approach to the project than other NATO allies.

If an agreement is made on the missile defense system, the United States will deploy special defense missiles which are called interceptors in South East Anatolia. Any ballistic missiles which would be launched from Iran or Iraq targetting the United States or Europe will be destroyed in the air by defense missiles in Turkey. Even if the interceptors are not deployed in Turkey, an early warning sytem will be placed in the Turkish land.

Another project envisages providing an air defense system for Turkey against any possible missile attacks targetting Turkey. There is no direct link between the two systems. Experts are saying that U.S. patriot or U.S.- Israel joint production Arrow systems are likely to be used in the project that aims to protect Turkey against the missiles.

Russia, China and many NATO countries are still opposing the U.S. President George W. Bush's plan. Diplomatic sources said the plans regarding Turkey are only in the developing stage.

[04] PAKSOY:''TURKEY HAS TO START EMPLOYING ALTERNATIVE ENERGY SOURCES''

Following the meeting Aksoy said participants from Germany, Belgium, Japan, Canada, the Netherlands, Sweden and the United States discussed Turkey's energy shortage. ''It was agreed that Turkey should start using recycable energy sources by employing thermal energy storage technologies to bring a solution to its energy need. The meeting had positive results for Turkey,'' she said.

Paksoy indicated that Cukurova University gained a lot of experience in thermal energy storage systems since 1995 but no project was yet put into practice.

''We have the necessary knowledge and experience to use thermal energy storage technologies. The participants of the meeting also agreed with us after seeing the activities carried out so far. The system is the most favorable alternative energy source for industry, agriculture and transportation systems and it is used with success in many countries. Turkey has the right climate and technical conditions to use this method,'' she explained.

Paksoy said coal, fuel oil and natural gas constituted more than half of the energy sources which was causing environmental and economic problems. ''The lack of these sources in Turkey is making us dependent on other countries. We will face a very serious energy problem in the coming years if Turkey doesn't take the necessary precautions. Therefore, we have to start using thermal energy storage technologies as soon as possible,'' she said. Paksoy indicated that this system would offer less expensive and cleaner energy to the country. ''The system will allow us to use the hot water stored in summer months in winter and the cold water stored in winter months in summer. This way Turkey could economize between 40 to 80 percent, '' she concluded.

[05] FOREIGN TRADE INDICES

According to the DIE, export volume index decreased by 10.0 percent and import volume index reduced by 1.8 percent in February of 2001.

When figures in February of 2000 and in February of 2001 were compared, export volume index increased by 18.7 percent while import volume index fell by 11.2 percent, and export price index reduced by 0.4 percent while import price index increased by 3.9 percent.

[06] CRUDE OIL PRODUCTION IN SOUTHEAST

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

The daily average of high-gravity oil extracted from 163 wells in 18 regions in Adiyaman, Sanliurfa and Kilis was 23,557 barrels.

[07] ALBANIAN DELEGATION VISITS TURKEY STUDIES CENTRE

The Albanian delegation expressed pleasure over the studies of TAM about the Balkans and also got information from TAM about its studies in Central Europe.

''Albania is interested in the studies of TAM in the region,'' Zaganjori

said, adding that they are pleased as these studies will unveil the reasons of the clashes in the region to the public opinion in the EU and Turkey. He added that the Albanian sports clubs want to make cooperation with the Turkish sports club in North Rhine Westphalia state of Germany.

Cigdem Akkaya, the deputy director of TAM said in her part that ''the end of the Cold War has started a new period in the relations of Turkey with East European and the Balkan countries. The relations of Turkey with the region and also the developments within the region are announced to both German and EU public opinion.''

[08] CROP DUSTER OVERSHOOTS RUNWAY AND SOMERSAULTS IN ADIYAMAN -PILOT INJURED SLIGHTLY

The crop duster somersaulted due to strong wind when it took off.

Veysel Duman, the pilot is fine.

[09] STATE MINISTER YALOVA: ''RESPONSIBILITY WILL REST WITH THE PERSON WHO WROTE AND SIGNED THE LETTER OF INTENT ON LEGALIZATION OF TOBACCO BILL BY END OF MAY''

Yalova visited Association of Turkish Agriculture Chambers (TZOB) Chairman Faruk Yucel.

Responding to questions of journalists about the Tobacco bill, Yalova said, ''in our regular talks both with the International Monetary Fund and World Bank, I clearly stated that the Tobacco bill is not a simple bill so any fait accompli can't be made regarding this bill and that I won't sign such a bill and submit it to the Council of Ministers.''

''Nobody should exceed the limits by using the concepts like letter of intent or military letter or letter of something at the point where the World Bank and IMF say, 'yes, we actually know your method, and we know that this is the job you will do'. Such a draft law which concerns almost 600 thousand people can't be prepared so hastily in order to fulfil a commitment,'' he said.

[10] SYRIAN NATIONAL WEIGHT-LIFTING TO GET PREPARED FOR 14TH MEDITERRANEAN GAMES TOGETHER WITH TURKISH NATIONAL TEAM

The Turkish Weight-Lifting Federation which welcomed this offer decided on Thursday to send a letter to the Syrian Weight-Lifting Federation to start a joint preparatory camp on June 20.

An 18-member Syrian national weight-lifting team will come to Turkey and join the 15-day preparatory camp.

The 14th Mediterranean Games will be held in Tunisia between September 3- 15.

[11] DSP GROUP MEETING HELD -PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT SAYS TURKEY HAS TO LAUNCH EFFORTS TO REVIVE PRODUCING ECONOMY

Ecevit told the DSP group meeting that they will take up the issue in the Higher Planning Board meeting to be held next week.

''We must work on new reforms like the judiciary reform now. I believe that we must speed up the works. We also have to take up the development of villagers as they constitute half of the population. Turkey's development without the development of villagers is not possible. We are resolved to speed up the village-city and central village projects this year,'' Ecevit said.

Recounting that the villagers of Cat in eastern Erzurum province requested the government to built a village-city in Cat, Ecevit said that he will go to eastern Sırnak province this Sunday for the opening of the central- village built in Basagac village of Sırnak.

Return to villages has started as the security in the east and southeastern Turkey has been provided, Ecevit said that this development has increased the importance of village-city and central village projects.

Ecevit pointed out that the development of villagers is not only important for the prosperity of villagers, but for the whole nation.

Turkey's imports of agricultural products are more than its agricultural exports, said Ecevit and added that ''this is a worrying situation. Turkey was once one of the few countries which could meet its own needs in agriculture, but today I am worried about the fact that Turkey has to bring food from other countries. Thus, we must atribute great importance to the development of villagers.''

Mentioning the position of real economy, Ecevit said, ''we are obliged to exert great efforts to enliven the producing economy. We have some problems in this respect, but those are not problems that can not be solved.''

Ecevit said, ''we will convene High Planning Committee next week. With the participation of concerned ministers and the representatives of concerned institutions, we will be in an effort to determine what kind of urgent measures can be taken to enliven real economy and production.''

''When we activate domestic resources to a great extend, which are obliged to do, we will try to meet the needs of public officials to an adequate extend. Also, we will begin to take absolute steps to provide a just balance in incomes,'' Ecevit said.

Pointing out that the universities have rightful complaints and demands, Ecevit said those rightful demands and complaints were pointed out at a meeting he had with the rectors. Ecevit said the issues brought by the rectors were discussed with the concerned ministers, adding that, ''of course, sometimes urgent responses and urgent solutions can not be found on every issue. However, we are resolved to focus on the problems of universities in the coming few weeks. I had a pre-study in this respect. Tomorrow, we will be able to convey our preparations to the public in the direction of the demands given by the university rectors.''

Ecevit said banks problem continued to be an important problem, adding that they took some concrete steps on the issue. Stressing that establishment of a healthy order in banking would accelerate passing to real and producing economy, Ecevit said Banking Regulatory and Supervisory Supreme Board would be set up in the coming days.

Noting that public banks executive board was determined to make reduction because of the savings in number of banks, Ecevit said they learned that some wrong decisions were about to be taken while implementing this decision. Ecevit said they conveyed to the board that any tendency which reduces the number of banks especially in rural areas would not be right. Ecevit said utmost importance should be shown to Ziraat Bank and Halk Bank, noting that those have some important duties apart from their banking actions.

Ecevit said, ''I hope our warning will be considered by the concerned committee.''

[12] FOREIGN MINISTER CEM LEAVES HUNGARY

Cem visited former Hungarian chief of general staff and Hungarian Ambassador to Turkey Ferenc Vegh in hospital the same day.

Vegh was hospitalized and brought to Budapest after having a traffic accident with his wife while returning from Ankara to Kızılcahamam district of Ankara nearly one month ago. He is in intensive care unit of the hospital.

After his visit, Cem left for Istanbul, Turkey.

[13] SIX TURKISH CANDIDATES TO RUN IN ELECTIONS IN BRITAIN

Turkish Cypriot Meral Ece from the Liberal Democrat Party which is expected to be a key party in the House of Commons, is running a very strong election campaign.

Ece worked at the Labour Party's regional organization in Hackney for many years but later joined the Liberal Democrat Party due to conflicts within the Labor Party. Ece's biggest rival is Diana Abbot who is a strong candidate of the Labor Party. A very fierce competition is expected to take place between the two candidates in Hackney-Stoke Newington region which is largely inhabited by Turks and blacks.

Five more Turks from the Reform 2000 party which was founded by businessman Erol Basarik, are also trying to get the votes of Turks living in London. Party leader Basarik is a candidate from Edmonton region which is home to many Turks. Turkish Cypriot Erdil Ataman from Hornsey-Wood Green, Tuygun Sevki from Tottenham, lawyer Emine Hsan from North Islington and Saim Köksal from Hackney-Shorditch regions are other Turkish candidates. The common goal of all Turkish candidates is to enter the House of Commons and protect the rights of the Turkish community in Britain.

The candidates called for all Turks to vote on June 7 and stressed that voting was a way to protect their rights.

Meanwhile, big parties like the Labor Party and the Conservative Party are also working vehemently to get the votes of Turks who mostly live in North London. The parties which are worried about splitting of votes due to the Turkish candidates are promising Turkish voters that they would work to protect their rights if they are elected. Candidates from these parties recently attended May 19 Sports and Youth Day celebrations to demonstrate the importance they place on Turkish voters.

There are about 250,000 Turks and Turkish Cypriots living in Britain, most of them in London. Therefore, they are expected to affect the election results in North London.

[14] CHHIBBER, WORLD BANK TURKEY REPRESENTATIVE: ''PROGRAM STARTS POSITIVELY''

Chhibber held a news conference and announced his views regarded with the new economic program that was implemented.

Chhibber said although the new economic program started positively, the important thing was to continue with it in determination and unity of power. He said any delay in the new program would cost high.

Recalling that the World Bank would provide four billion U.S. dollars financial resource to Turkey in two years, Chhibber said 1.1 billion U.S. dollars part of this amount would be discussed this week and a result would be reached.

[15] EXTERNAL DEBT PAYMENTS -700.09 MILLION U.S. DOLLARS REPAID IN EXTERNAL DEBT BETWEEN MAY 1 AND 30

The Central Bank data shows that the Treasury repaid 622.40 million U.S. dollars; the Central Bank repaid 28.85 million U.S. dollars; and the administrations with general and consolidated budget paid the remaining 48.84 million U.S. dollars.

Turkey has repaid 4 billion 197.87 million U.S. dollars in external debt since the beginning of the year.

[16] STATE MINISTER YALOVA SAYS TOBACCO BILL TO BE READY TILL NEXT CABINET MEETING

''The tobacco bill will be ready till next cabinet meeting,'' Yalova told A.A correspondent.

The tobacco bill will be ready for the IMF meeting that will be held till the end of June, he said, adding that ''I don't think that there will be a delay.'' Yalova said that they act meticulously by taking into consideration the tobacco producers, cigarette distributors and those working in State monopolies (TEKEL) to prevent occurance of social problems.

Noting that they met with World Bank Director Ajay Chhibber and foreign tobacco producers, Yalova said that agreement was reached with them.

Yalova said that the speech he delivered at the Association of Turkish Agriculture Chambers (TZOB) should not be misinterpreted, adding that the claims saying that he is at odds with State Minister Kemal Dervis are not true.

''The main thing in international relations is element of trust. Turkey has to abide by the element of trust and also the views of the sides in such issues which concern millions of Turkish people should be taken into consideration while preparing a bill. I am one of the ministers who knows well the sensitivity of the three coalition leaders towards tobacco producers. It is my main mission to make a regulation which foresees social results. The main element of our agreemeent with IMF and World Bank depends on the will of both sides to abide by the economic programme and with the priviatization decisions. The tobacco bill has to be adopted till the end of June,'' he said.

When the reporter reminded Yalova about the statement of Prime Minister Ecevit who said that the statements of Yalova don't coincide with the harmony of the government, Yalova said that ''I can't issue statements in contradiction with the coalition's harmony. Our performance in the last two years is the clearest evidence of that.''

[17] IMF DELEGATION DUE IN ANKARA ON FRIDAY

The IMF delegation, led by Juha Kahkonen, will evaluate the economic developments at a meeting in which IMF Ankara representative Odd Per Brekk will attend.

The IMF delegation will start contacts in Treasury Undersecretariat starting as of Saturday. Officials of State Planning Institute (DPT), Finance Ministry, Privatization Administration Chairmanship, Banking Regulatory and Supervisory Board will attend the meetings which will continue in Treasury Undersecretariat.

State Minister Kemal Dervis is expected to participate in the works of the IMF delegation at the weekend.

The IMF delegation is expected to stay in Turkey for nearly 10 days within the framework of eight review.

The delegation will observe whether or not performance criteria have been fulfilled, and it will propose IMF Board to approve the 1.5 billion U.S. dollars of second tranche of loan after June 25 if those criteria have been fulfilled.

Those are the conditions required to complete the eighth review:

''Lifting of the overnight obligations of banks which were transferred to the Savings Deposit and Insurance Fund (SDIF) and public banks, repo stocks of banks transferred to SDIF and public banks with Central Bank should not be above seven quadrillion lira, closure of Emlak Bankasi and transfer of its some commitments and assests to Ziraat Bankasi, foundation of a second transition bank for the four banks which did not receive any offers at the moment and transfer of those banks, appointment of a professional executive board and administration for Turk Telekom, passage of Tobacco Law from the Parliament, adoption of additional budget which is in line with the program expenditure figures, implementation of the tax arrangement regarded with spreading of usage of tax identity numbers.

Turkey is obliged to fulfil the above conditions till June 25 to get the 1.5 billion U.S. dollars of second tranche of loan.

Meanwhile, it was reported that officials of the IMF and the World Bank, in their separate meetings held in Washington D.C., evaluated the recent developments in Turkish economy.

It was also reported that the IMF officials wanted information from the economy officials in Ankara regarded with the arrangements included in Letter of Intent.

It was noted that information has been sent to the IMF officials regarded with the mass bargainings in public, and results of the purchasing prices of cereals.

In Ankara visit of the IMF delegation, other arrangements included in the Letter of Intent, and domestic borrowing policy would mainly be discussed.

[18] RAPID RECOVERY AT STOCK EXCHANGE

The market was recovered as a result of statements of Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit and State Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz.

The second session started with intense stock purchases and in the first 30 minutes of the second session, the index recovered itself at 10,500 points level and increased over to 10,750 points after fluctuating for some time.

[19] WORLD BANK TURKEY REPRESENTATIVE CHHIBBER: ''THE MOST IMPORTANT THING AT THIS STAGE IS THE IMPLEMENTATION AND CONTINUATION OF THE IMPLEMENTATION''

Chhibber, who held a news conference today, evaluated the new economic program that was put into implementation.

Chibber said as the World Bank, they worked on reform of banking and public sector, agriculture reform, and aid to those who were affected by the crisis within the framework of support to the new economic program that was put into implementation in Turkey.

Chhibber said the World Bank will provide nearly four billion U.S. dollars resource in the coming two years regarding banking and public sector reform.

Pointing out that 1.1 billion U.S. dollars of this amount would be discussed and that a decision would be given next week, Chhibber said at this stage, closure of Emlakbank, rehabilitation of Ziraat and Halk Bankasi, merging of banks which were transferred to the Savings Deposit and Insurance Fund (SDIF), and their clearing up will be supported.

Chhibber said they would complete the ongoing talks regarding agriculture reform implementation project, which is nearly 600 million U.S. dollars, noting that within the framework of the project, direct income support would be spread to the whole country. He said similarly rehabilitation of agriculture sales co-operatives would be supported, noting that support will be given to provide the farmers to produce other goods from tobacco and nuts which have surplus. Chhibber said they believed that most of the farmers would be in a better situation in the new system due to this project in case it is implemented better by the Industry and Trade Ministry and Agriculture and Rural Affairs Ministry.

Chhibber said the World Bank worked on a 500 million U.S. dollars loan support aiming to help the families who were affected by the economic crisis.

Pointing out that the project would be carried out through Social Solidarity and Aid Fund, Chibber said they hoped this project would be completed till September.

Chibber said they would sit at the table again with second projects in the second half of the year in case implementationof the economic program is continued.

Chibber said the World Bank envisaged to extend more than three billion U.S. dollars aid to Turkey in the year 2001, and noted that the remaining part would be given in 2002.

[20] EMLAKBANK EMPLOYEES PROTEST EMLAKBANK'S LIQUIDATION

The group which convened in front of Emlakbank's branch in Kızılay, shouted slogans saying that ''Emlakbank can't be closed.''

Turgay Gokal, the chairman of trade union of bank employees (Bank-Sen) said that they won't permit the liquidation of the bank.

[21] BOTAS: ''ANY INFORMATION OR DOCUMENT HAVE NOT BEEN REQUESTED REGARDING BAKU-TBILISI-CEYHAN PROJECT''

Releasing a statement, Yardim said that Botas had never received information request from prosecutor's office about the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan project within scope of any criminal investigation so it was out of question for the prosecutor's office to seize any document at the Botas on the project.

Recalling that Botas had submitted all of the certified copies of the agreements requested by the prosecutor's office, Yardim said that there was not an agreement signed between Botas and Russian Stroytrans Gaz company.

[22] STATE MINISTER YALOVA RESIGNS FROM HIS POST -PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT: - ''TODAY'S STATEMENT OF YALOVA WAS A MISFORTUNE''

Releasing a written statement, Prime Minister Ecevit said, ''Turkey has been experiencing a very sensitive period. During this period, all ministers should pay careful attention to provide harmony in government's works. They should not take their arguments out of the Council of Ministers.''

''Today's statement of Yalova was a misfortune. His statement caused panic in the stock market. He contributed to efforts to remove this panic by resigning from his post. I want to thank him for his sensitivity and works. State Minister Kececiler will be the Acting State Minister for Privatization,'' he said.

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