Anadolu Agency: News in English, 01-07-29

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From: The Anadolu Agency Home Page at <http://www.anadoluajansi.com.tr/>

ANADOLU AGENCY

NEWS

29 JULY 2001 Sunday

-TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

These are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in Turkey's press on July 29, 2001. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

IMF First Deputy Managing Director Stanley Fischer who met with academicians, columnists, bankers and businessmen in Istanbul yesterday, gave positive messages to the market. ''Don't worry, be patient. There will be an improvement in the market in the two-three weeks time. We also tell the same thing to investors abroad. If the trust is assured in the markets again, the value of the foreign exchange against TL will decrease. On Friday, August 3, the Executive Board of the IMF can meet to discuss approval of the tranche of about 1,5 billion dollars related to the completion of this review. My discussions with the political leadership in Ankara and with private sector representatives in Istanbul have been very encouraging.''

DERVIS SAYS INFLATION TO DECREASE

Speaking in the joint press briefing together with IMF First Deputy Managing Director Stanley Fischer, State Minister Dervis said that the government expected the improvement in economy to reflect to daily life of citizens in September, October this year. Dervis said that real sector wants to see the future more clearly, adding that this will come true by the positive development in the balance of foreign exchange income and outcome and decrease in the inflation rate. Dervis noted that adopting the inflation targetting system is an important development, adding that Turkey can't return from the floating exchange rate system. ''We must bring confidence economically, politically and socially. Then we must sustain stability in economy by fiscal, monetary policy and inflation targetting policy,'' he said. ''There are positive developments in macro economy. But we can't still say that Turkey has come out of the crisis,'' he added.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

State Minister Kemal Dervis said that the government expected the consumer prices index (TUFE) to be between 30-35 percent in the coming 12 months. ''We will include this figure both to our letter of intent and the programme,'' told Dervis in the news conference he held together with IMF first deputy managing director Stanley Fischer. Responding to a question about the new inflation targets in 2002 and 2003, Dervis said that ''we have common targets as the government and the Central Bank. We can't put a clearer inflation target other than consumer prices index. We think of 30- 35 percent in the coming 12 months. This covers the second half of 2001 and the first half of 2002. When we take 2002 as one year, an inflation rate below that figure is also possible and Turkey has to be successful on this issue.''

ORHAN ASLITURK WANTED BY INTERPOL

Interpol issued an ''international arrest warrant'' for Orhan Aslıturk, the husband of Gulay Aslıturk, the former mayor of Sisli district of Istanbul regarding five seperate crimes. Whereever Orhan Aslıturk is captured, he has to be extradited to Turkey.

SABAH (LIBERAL)

IMF First Deputy Managing Director Stanley Fisher seemed more optimistic than businessmen, economists, bankers during his contacts in Istanbul yesterday. Those who participated in the meeting of Fischer, were more optimistic when they left the meeting. Fischer said that Turkey won't have another economic crisis as its exchange rate regime is strong and the support of the government and the people to the programme is impressive. He said that the support of IMF to Turkey would continue, adding that Turkey will be at ease within 2-3 weeks.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

It has been claimed that Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the leader of the new political formation composed of former Virtue Party (FP) deputies

met with Israeli Ambassador to Turkey David Sultan on July 13 and gave him assurance that his new party won't be anti-Zionist. The new party is expected to founded in the coming days.

RADIKAL (LEFT)

IMF First Deputy Managing Director Stanley Fisher said that the things the government did in the last six months were pretty amazing. Noting that the markets will be comforted within three weeks, Fischer said that interest rates will reduce. He said that there will be no other economic crisis in Turkey, adding that markets can't sufficiently perceive the improvement in economy.

TURKIYE (RIGHT)

IMF first deputy managing director Stanley Fischer who met with Deputy Premier and the leader of the Nationalist Movement party (MHP) Devlet Bahceli in Ankara on Friday told him that ''I was informed that MHP was against IMF.'' Bahceli said in his part that ''on the contrary, our party backs the economic programme and we don't have any problem with IMF.'' Fischer said that he was relieved and he invited Bahceli to the U.S.

TURKS IN ECONOMY LEAGUE

There are seven Turkish economists who are among the most important 1000 economists of the world according to a study carried out by European Economic Association (EEA). Massachusetts Technology Instutute (MIT) Economy Professor Daron Acemoglu has become the 12th, Prof. Dani Rodrick from Harward University has become the 50th, Prof. Erinc A. Yeldan from Bilkent University in Ankara has become the 131rd, Prof. Abdullah Yavas from PA State University has become the 175th, Prof. Selahattin Imrohoroglu from South California University has become the 432nd, Prof. Timur Kuran from South California University has become the 585th and Prof. Tayfun Sonmez from Michigan University has become the 735th. Tom Coupe, a Phd student on economy carried out the study by taking into consideration the economic reports written by economists, the news published about them and their theories.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

In spite of amnesty, prisons are still over-crowded. There are 60,000 inmates in prisons today. Justice Minister Hikmet Sami Turk said that ''there are special problems of Bayrampasa prison of Istanbul which is over- crowded. There are nearly 3,000 inmates and 1,500 wardens there. We must build at least ten prisons each for only 500 inmates in Istanbul.''

CONTENTS

[01] NEA VISA MAYOR KARABAGLIDIS VISITS EDIRNE MAYOR VARNATOPU

[02] ROMANIAN DEPUTY SALI SAYS CRIMEAN TURKS FIGHT TO PROTECT THEIR EXISTANCE IN ROMANIA

[03] MITROVICA TURKISH COMMUNITY JOINS KOSOVO DEMOCRATIC TURKISH PARTY

[04] ''COE 2001 YEAR HONOURARY FLAG'' HOISTED IN ANKARA

[05] FOREIGN TRADE INDICES IN MAY 2001

[06] NATIONAL DEFENSE MINISTER CAKMAKOGLU COMES TO TUNCELI

[07] GAP EXPORTS GOODS TO 106 COUNTRIES AND SIX FREE TRADE ZONES IN FIRST HALF OF 2001

[08] ATO CHAIRMAN CLAIMS IMF DOES NOT CARE ABOUT WORKERS, CIVIL SERVANTS, TRADESMEN AND REAL SECTOR

[09] TPAO'S REVENUE FROM AZERI OIL REACHES 300 MILLION DOLLARS

[10] ANAP DEPUTY LEADER TASAR GIVES INFORMATION ABOUT ANAP'S GREAT CONGRESS TO BE HELD ON 4-5 AUGUST

[11] HEZBOLLAH HIT MAN BROUGHT TO DIYARBAKIR

[12] TOUR OPERATORS INCREASE THEIR TURKEY TOURISM MARKET SHARES BY 40-100 PERCENT

[01] NEA VISA MAYOR KARABAGLIDIS VISITS EDIRNE MAYOR VARNATOPU

Varnatopu said that the friendship between the two cities continues for two years and he gave information to his guests about the municipality building and its administration.

Apostolos Karabaglidis, the Nea Visa mayor of Greece said in his part that Turkey and Greece are two sister countries which are similar to each other, noting that Greece wanted peace and fraternity in the whole world. ''We will be together after few years by EU membership like we are today,'' Karabaglidis said.

The delegation later visited Kırkpınar House, Selimiye Mosque, Alipasa Bazaar and Beyazıt historical complex.

[02] ROMANIAN DEPUTY SALI SAYS CRIMEAN TURKS FIGHT TO PROTECT THEIR EXISTANCE IN ROMANIA

Sali who visited Eskisehir Crimean Turks Culture and Solidarity Association, said that the Crimean Turks who live in Romania launched efforts to adapt to the style of living in Romania and they have been successful in that.

Sali said that Crimean Turks in Romania are supported by Turkey giving the visit of President Ahmet Necdet Sezer to Romania as a good example of that.

Responding to questions, Sali said that they don't face with any problem in Romania regarding their own culture, traditions, education and belief, stressing that the Romanian government extends support to Crimean Turks on these issues.

[03] MITROVICA TURKISH COMMUNITY JOINS KOSOVO DEMOCRATIC TURKISH PARTY

Koroglu said that the Kosovar Turks whose number is decreasing has to act together.

[04] ''COE 2001 YEAR HONOURARY FLAG'' HOISTED IN ANKARA

COE Environment Commission Chairman Franciszec Adamcyzk gave the flag to Ankara mayor Melih Gokcek in a ceremony held at Akay Junction in Kızılay district.

Speaking in the ceremony, Ankara Mayor Gokcek said that his municipality made the capital Ankara a European city, noting that he and his team want to govern the country, too.

Gokcek said that his municipality made Ankara the greenest city centre of the country, adding that they solved the problem of infrastructure in the city.

Criticizing the energy saving policy of the government, Gokcek said that Kızılay is in darkness due to energy saving measures.

Adamczyk said in his part that he was honoured to give the award to Ankara, adding that he was also impressed by the social and cultural activities held in Ankara.

COE member John Taylor said in his part that Ankara developed much compared to five years ago, noting that the traffic problem in the city has been solved and utmost attention is paid to environment.

Later the officials hoisted the flag.

[05] FOREIGN TRADE INDICES IN MAY 2001

According to the State Institute of Statistics (DIE) data announced on Sunday, Turkey's exports rose by 19.1 percent while its imports decreased by 24.7 percent in May 2001, compared to the same month last year.

Turkey exported goods worth of 1,4 billion dollars to EU countries, 873,4 million dollars to non-OECD countries. Total exports amounted to 2,7 billion U.S. dollars in May, 2001.

Turkey exported 65.7 percent of goods to OECD countries, 31,4 percent to non-OECD countries and 2,9 percent to Turkey Free Trade Zones in May 2001.

Turkey imported goods worth of 3,5 billion dollars in May 2001. Goods worth of 1,4 billion dollars were imported from EU countries, and 1,2 billion dollars from non-OECD countries.

The imports from EU decreased by 37,9 percent and the imports from non-OECD countries decreased by 12.7 percent in May 2001 when compared to the same month last year.

Turkey sold goods worth of 463,8 million dollars to Germany, its biggest trade partner and purchased goods worth of 430,6 million dollars from this country. In May last year, Turkey exported goods worth of 375.9 million dollars to Germany and imported goods worth of 630.9 million dollars.

Turkey exported 18 percent of its goods to Germany, 11,4 percent to U.S, 7, 7 percent to Italy and 6,6 to Britain in Jan-May, 2001.

The total exports in this period amounted to 12,6 billion U.S. dollars.

Turkey imported 12,4 percent of goods from Germany, 9 percent from Italy, 7, 6 percent from U.S. and 7,6 from Russia in the same period. The total imports amounted to 17,1 billion U.S. dollars.

[06] NATIONAL DEFENSE MINISTER CAKMAKOGLU COMES TO TUNCELI

Cakmakoglu came to eastern Tunceli province the same day to hold various contacts and to participate in the ''Second Munzur Nature and Culture Festival'' held in the city.

Speaking at Tunceli Governor's Office, Cakmakoglu said that the economic crisis took place due to certain deficencies stemming from the past, adding that the crisis will be over after October this year. Cakmakoglu said that the people have to be hopeful.

Noting that the incidents which took place during the festival in the city are over, Cakmakoglu said that everybody has to know that peace prevails in the city.

Cakmakoglu said that majority of the people in Tunceli wants this peace to continue, adding that ''peace has been sustained in Tunceli and people want to benefit more from it.''

Cakmakoglu said that efforts are launched to overcome the deficiencies of Tunceli, adding that particularly the initiatives taken in tourism sector are very important.

Tunceli governor Mustafa Erkal informed Cakmakoglu about the tension that erupted during Munzur festival.

Erkal said that their aim in organizing the festival was to show the existing peace in Tunceli, adding that certain unlucky events took place.

''They had a very nefarious plan for Tunceli, but they couldn't reach their goal,'' Erkal said adding that ''we made preparations for two months, but certain groups started to porvoke people against us.'' Criticizing the attitude of Peoples Democracy Party (HADEP), Governor Erkal said that the party wanted to be seen as if it was it which organized the festival.

Noting that terrorist incidents decreased significantly in the province, Erkal told Cakmakoglu that this shows the self-sacrificing work of security forces.

[07] GAP EXPORTS GOODS TO 106 COUNTRIES AND SIX FREE TRADE ZONES IN FIRST HALF OF 2001

The exports from GAP region to 90 countries and nine free trade zones was 272,7 million dollars in the same period last year. This year the exports increased by 8,1 percent.

Abdulkadir Cıkmaz, the chairman of Southeast Anatolian Exporters Union told A.A on Sunday that GAP region exported 183,8 million dollars of textile, 49, 8 million dollars of cereals, 21,7 million dollars of dry fruit, 6 million U.S. dollars of animal and animal products and 33,5 million dollars of fresh fruit and vegetable and industrial goods in January-June this year.

Cıkmaz said that GAP region exported most of its goods to Italy and synthetic thread has been the mostly exported good.

[08] ATO CHAIRMAN CLAIMS IMF DOES NOT CARE ABOUT WORKERS, CIVIL SERVANTS, TRADESMEN AND REAL SECTOR

Issuing a written statement, Aygun said that the people was not paid attention during the ten-day contacts of the IMF delegation in Turkey, asserting that the issues on which a consensus was reached between the economy bureaucrats and IMF didn't coincide with the real problems of Turkey.

''Fischer's having contacts with few persons who are pleased with the economic situation in the country and his persuading them about the economic programme does not mean that the Turkish people thinks in the same way,'' he said.

Aygun noted that it was IMF which proposed crawling peg system in Turkey which later collapsed. ''IMF has to give an account and meet the costs of Turkey if the floating exchange rate system also collapses in Turkey,'' he said.

[09] TPAO'S REVENUE FROM AZERI OIL REACHES 300 MILLION DOLLARS

The share which Turkish Petroleum Inc. (TPAO) got to date from the project reached 300 million U.S. dollars.

The production in the project started in 1998 and the first year a crude oil revenue worth of 30 million dollars was earned.

The Azeri oil is transported by tankers through the straits by the marketting firm formed by international oil firms consortia including TPAO before commencement of Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan crude oil project, which is strongly supported by Turkey in the international arena.

[10] ANAP DEPUTY LEADER TASAR GIVES INFORMATION ABOUT ANAP'S GREAT CONGRESS TO BE HELD ON 4-5 AUGUST

Giving information about ANAP's seventh congress which will be held between 4-5 August in a news conference, Tasar said that Turkey does not need political formations which are called ''new or reformist.''

The ANAP congress will put forward a reformist programme, said Tasar and noted that ANAP's goal is to come to power by itself.

Tasar said that there is no advanced party other than ANAP regarding democracy within the party.

''What ever we want and plan for our country and nation, we put them into practice in our party first,'' said Tasar.

Responding to a question asking if there would be resignations from ANAP following the foundation of new parties in Turkey, Tasar said that ''when there is a real reformist ANAP party, I don't think that our deputies will join the fake ones.''

[11] HEZBOLLAH HIT MAN BROUGHT TO DIYARBAKIR

Security Directorate said on Sunday that one of the hit men of the terrorist organization was captured in Bursa on July 19 in operations and he was brought to Diyarbakır to be questioned.

The statement noted that the hit man is a member of Hezbullah since 1989 and he was involved in the killings of Feyzi Kazıcı, Mehmet Sah Tekalp, Nuri Yagmur, Nazmi Yıldırmaz and Mufit Ek and injuring four others in Silvan township.

Operations are underway in the region against the terrorist organization.

[12] TOUR OPERATORS INCREASE THEIR TURKEY TOURISM MARKET SHARES BY 40-100 PERCENT

Huseyin Baraner, the Secretary General of Tour Operators Association said on Sunday that increase in tour operators' Turkey sales by three folds made them to consider Turkey more seriously in 2002 tourism season.

''TUI, which is one of the tour operators in Germany that brings the highest number of German tourists to Turkey, increased its Turkey sales by 60 percent, Neckermann increased them by 96 percent, Oger tours by 95 percent, Nazar by 40 percent, FLY by 60 percent and ALLTours by 100 percent, '' he said.

Baraner said that German tourists are particularly interested in Side region of southern Antalya province, adding that ''Belek, Kemer, Alanya, Marmaris, Bodrum and Kusadası follow Side. There is also great interest for Anatolian tours and blue voyage. Tour operators in Germany think of organizing charter trips to central Kayseri province and Pamakkale.''

Turkey came the second after Spain in this year's sales in Germany, Baraner said noting that German tourists showed more interest to Turkey than Greece this year.

''Last year 2,2 million German tourists came to Turkey, we expect this number to reach 3,5 million in 2001,'' he added.

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