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Anadolu Agency: News in English, 01-09-13Anadolu Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Anadolu Agency Home Page at <http://www.anadoluajansi.com.tr/>Anadolu AgencyANADOLU AGENCY NEWS 13 AUGUST 2001 Thursday CONTENTS
[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCANThese are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in Turkey's press on September 13, 2001. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.HURRIYET (LIBERAL)NATO READYThe NATO Standing Council which convened in Brussels took a joint war decision and decided to implement Article 5 for the first time in NATO's history. In accordance with this, attack on the United States is considered an attack on 19 NATO allies. Also Turkey will join the retaliation. SUICIDE BOMBER HAS 1.5 KG C-4 ANKARA TO GET DOWN PLANES WHICH CHANGE COURSE MILLIYET (LIBERAL)ECEVIT: ''THE U.S. WAS CAUGHT UNAWARES''Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit stressed that there could be an organization behind the attacks in the United States, adding, ''I don't know what kind of an organization is this. The United States intelligence was caught unawares.'' ONE-DAY MOURNING IN TURKEY FIRST REPORT ON TERRORISM TO ECEVIT SABAH (LIBERAL)THERE ARE 500 TURKS IN COLLAPSED TOWERSAs the works on pulling the rubbles of the collapsed twin towers of the WTC away have just started, it is still not known whether or not there were Turks among the victims. Association of Turkish-American Architects and Engineers member Ogus Alpoge who worked at the WTC for long years said that at least 500 Turks were working at the collapsed towers. He said that it was probable that nearly 50-60 Turks were at the towers as visitors. YALCINTAS JOINS AK PARTY DOLLAR CAN'T INCREASE CUMHURIYET (LEFT)WE SUPPORT U.S.The Council of Ministers discussed the measures package it prepared according to extraordinary conditions. Proposing ''new methods and strategies'' against international terrorism, Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said, ''we stand by the United States.'' State Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz said, ''it is very sad that such an horrifying incident proved our rightfulness regarding terrorism.'' Flags will be flied at half-mast today out of respect to victims in the United States. RADIKAL (LEFT)SEZER: ''INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION SHOULD BE INCREASED''President Ahmet Necdet Sezer said that the attacks in the United States proved the ''importance of international cooperation in fight against terrorism'' which Turkey expressed in every platform. ''International cooperation in fight against terrorism should be increased. I suppose that western countries' point of view toward terrorism has been changed since yesterday. We have always defined terrorism as a crime committed against humanity,'' the President said. President Sezer said that a regional security assessment could be made with padticipation of relevant units. U.S.: ''WE THANK TURKEY'' TURKIYE (RIGHT)WAR ALARMFollowing the terror attacks in the United States, the world was seized with ''terrorism fear''. The highest twin towers, Petronas, in Malaysia, German Foreign Ministry building and United nations Headquarters were evacuated upon bomb tip-offs. UEFA announced that all club competition matches were postponed. Japan, Israel and Taiwan officials declared ''war'' alarm. Security measures increased to highest level in Germany, France, Russia and England. EU and NATO Military Commission convened in Brussels and decided to support the United States in fight against terrorism. ECEVIT: ''THE MOST HORRIFYING ACT IN THE HISTORY'' NO PROBLEM IN IMF LOANS ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)DISPLAY OF 2 MOVIES ON TERRORISM POSTPONEDFollowing the most serious terrorist attack in the history, the Hollywood studios postponed display of two movies including ''Collateral Damage'' of Arnold Schwarzenegger. JOINT ATTITUDE AGAINST TERRORISM HIJACKERS CLAIMED TO HAVE BEEN OF EGYPTIAN AND SAUDI ARABIAN ORIGIN [02] FLAGS FLIED AT HALF-MAST THROUGHOUT TURKEYANKARA - All flags throughout Turkey were flied at half-mast early on Thursday.In accordance with the Council of Ministers decision, flags were flied at half-mast at 08.00 a.m. today for victims of the terrorist attacks in the United States on September 11. [03] SECURTY FORCES KILL 2 TERRORISTS IN SIRNAKDIYARBAKIR - Security forces killed 2 PKK terrorists and captured another in operations in southeastern province of Sirnak.The Emergency Rule Region Governor's Office said on Thursday that during security forces operations in the rural area in Sirnak on Wednesday, a group of PKK terrorists had clashed with security forces. It said that 2 terrorists were killed and 1 terrorist was captured in the clash. Meanwhile, 4 terrorists who had escaped from the terrorist PKK organization surrendered to security forces in Sirnak. Operations are under way in the region. [04] STOCK EXCHANGE NATIONAL-100 INDEX DECREASES SHARPLYISTANBUL - The Istanbul Stock Exchange (IMKB) index suffered a sharp decrease in the opening session on Thursday after a one-day suspension.The decrease in National-100 Index which reduced by 325 points in the opening reached 576 points in a few minutes, and shares lost 6.20 percent in value. Index was about 8,700 point in first ten minutes of the morning session. [05] EXPORTS OF CARPETS DECREASE 5.4 PERCENTGAZIANTEP - Exports of carpets from southeastern province of Gaziantep reduced 5.4 percent to 49 million 321 thousand U.S. dollars in first eight months of 2001.In the same period last year, a total of 52 million 109 thousand U.S. dollars of carpets had been exported. Officials at the Southeast Anatolian Exporters' Associations said on Thursday that carpets were exported to Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, Romania, the United States, Saudi Arabia, Israel and Greece. [06] TURKEY AND BURKINA FASO TO COOPERATE IN TRAINING OF GENDARME TROOPSANKARA - Turkey and Burkina Faso signed on Thursday an agreement of cooperation in training of gendarme troops.Prior to the signing ceremony at the Gendarme Commandership in Ankara, Gendarme Commander General Aytac Yalman said that he believed the agreement would bring successful results. Later, General Yalman and Defense Minister Kouame Lougue of Burkina Faso signed the training cooperation protocol. Meanwhile, a totay of 200 military personnel from Albania, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Gambia, Georgia, France, Kyrgyzstan and Tunisia have received training at the Gendarme Commandership facilities between 1984 and 2000. [07] THY'S TODAY'S FLIGHTS TO U.S. CANCELLEDISTANBUL - Turkish Airlines (THY) today's flights to New York and Miami were cancelled as the U.S. airspace was closed to air traffic.Sources said on Thursday that THY's flights to Miami and New York from Istanbul's Ataturk Airport were cancelled as the U.S. airspace had not been re-opened yet. Meanwhile, THY's flights to Tel Aviv, Israel resumed early the same day. [08] TURKISH COMPANIES WIN CONTRACTS WORTH OF 65 MILLION DOLLARS IN BAGHDADANKARA - Turkish companies won contracts worth of 65 million U.S. dollars during the Health Fair in Iraqi capital Baghdad.Sources said on Thursday that Turkish companies had recorded great success and awarded with several contracts during the Health Fair fair between September 10-14. Sources said 44 million U.S. dollars part of the contracts was for construction of cancer and diabetes hospital, 15 million U.S. dollars part was for medicine and medical equipment and 6 million U.S. dollars part was for ambulances. The fair which served Turkey's strategy to increase exports to neigboring countries was organized by a Turkish fair organizer company and opened upon request of the Iraqi Health Ministry. The Health Ministry carried out three surgical operations and held eight seminars at the fair in which 28 Turkish companies are attending. Turkish companies attending the fair have held eight seminars. Previously, a 350 million U.S. dollars contract had been signed during the visit of a trade delegation comprising 200 businessmen headed by Foreign Trade Undersecretary Kursad Tuzmen. [09] HOISTING FLAG CEREMONY ABOARD NEMTAS-1 VESSEL POSTPONEDIZMIR - The ceremony which was scheduled to be held on Friday in Aliaga port in western province of Izmir on the occasion of hoisitng flag aboard M/V Nemtas-1 vessel was postponed on Thursday due to terrorist attacks in the U.S.State Minister Ramazan Mirzaoglu for Maritime were to attend the ceremony. Nemrut Port Enterprises Chairman Samim Sivri said that the 50,000 dead- weight tons M/V Nemtas-1 cargo vessel which had been constructed in Japan would contribute to the Turkish Naval Fleet. Stressing that they condemned terrorist attacks in the U.S., Sivri said that they had postponed the ceremony. [10] CENTRAL BANK SAYS NEGATIVE EFFECTS OF TERRORIST ATTACKS ARE REDUCINGANKARA - Central Bank said on Thursday that negative effects of terrorist attacks in the U.S. both on international and Turkish markets started to reduce as of Wednesday, and any problem had not occurred in payment systems.Releasing a statement, Central Bank said that the measures which had been taken to minimize negative reflections of the uneasiness created in international finance markets by the terrorist attacks in the U.S. on the Turkish markets had been started to be implemented as of Wednesday morning. It said that within this framework, it was targeted to provide sufficient liquidity to Turkish lira (TL) markets and prevent possible speculative movement in foreign exchange markets. It was observed that negative effects of terrorist attacks on both international and Turkish markets since September 12 started to reduce while any problem had not occurred in payment systems, it said. While money markets interest rates remained at normal levels as there was not any need to extra liquidity, banks did not use supplementary liquidity facility provided by the Central Bank. ''As the market participants acted imperturbably, forex markets have followed a relatively balanced trend,'' it said. ''The Central Bank will continue providing extra liquidity that the TL markets may require. Meanwhile, it is an important development that secondary market transactions at the Istanbul Stock Exchange Bonds and Bills Market will resume as of September 13, 2001,'' the bank said. Central Bank will continue daily forex auctions. Today, Central Bank will sell 40 million U.S. dollars. [11] ERDAL TO BE TRIED IN BELGIUM ON CHARGES OF CRIMES SHE COMMIT IN TURKEYBRUSSELS - The Brussels court decided on Thursay that Fehriye Erdal, one of the suspects of businessman Ozdemir Sabanci murder, would be tried in Belgium on charges of crimes she had committed in Turkey.After Ozdemir Sabanci's son Demir Sabanci filed a lawsuit at the Brussels court requesting Erdal's trial in Belgium on charges of crimes she committed in Turkey, the court took a decision in accordance with Demir Sabanci's request. Referring to the decision previously taken in favor of Fehriye Erdal regarding the automatic weapon incident, Judge De Wolf said, ''I don't care whether or not it was an automatic or half-automatic weapon. Because, a very serious crime was committed and we must punish this offense. I accept the case filed by Demir Sabanci at Brussels. I consider this a very serious incident. As the judge, I am not obliged to abide by the previous decisions of the Gend Prosecutor and the government.' Speaking to the A.A correspondent after the decision was announced, Demir Sabanci said, ''I have always trusted the Belgian justice. I am very excited. I request the authorities not to allow re-occurence of such incidents. Otherwise, I can't be satisfied and be happy.'' Meanwhile, Fehriye Erdal's lawyers said they would appeal the decision. [12] NATO PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY TURKISH GROUP PRESIDENT KOSE SAYS HE CONSIDERS DECISION AS CORRECTANKARA - Tahir Kose, the President of the Turkish Group in the NATO Parliamentary Assembly and a deputy of the Democratic Left Party (DSP), said on Thursday that he considers the decision of NATO to invoke Article 5 of the NATO charter for the first time in the alliance's history as correct.This article states that an armed attack against one or more of the Allies in Europe or North America shall be considered an attack against them all. Kose told A.A correspondent that such a serious terrorist attack had not been seen before and said, ''the decision to invoke this article for the first time results from occurance of such a serious terrorist attack for the first time.'' The alliance is obliged to respond to any attack on any of the members as an attack on all, Kose said. Kose continued, ''if a country is found out to be behind the terrorist attacks in the U.S. and if a decision is taken to make a counter-operation, all the allies will act as if the attack on the U.S. was made on them. Of course, this does not mean that an attack will be made immediately. This decision also concerns Turkey. It is so natural that Turkey takes part in this. Our permanent ambassador to NATO also acted in line with this decision.'' ''What the U.S. has faced is a serious terrorist attack. Tens of thousands of people died. Such a thing might have occured in Turkey. Then, I believe a similar sensitivity would be shown. To this end, I consider this decision as a correct one,'' Kose said. Kose noted that NATO's strategical concept has changed in the post Cold War era and that terrorism was also included in this concept. To this end, the decision that the North Atlantic Council has taken, coincides with the new identity of NATO, Kose stated and said, ''nobody thinks that big wars may occur from now on. However, everybody thinks that there may be a serious terrorism or ethnic conflict threat.'' Kose said that Turkey, as a country which has suffered much from terrorism, condemns the terrorist attacks on the U.S. and shares the grief of American people. ''I hope countries which back terrorism and hide terrorists will review their behaviours after this attack,'' Kose also said. Kose noted that NATO Parliamentary Assembly will hold its meeting as was scheduled before, adding that terrorist attack on the U.S. will be debated at the plenary session which will be held in Ottowa on October 5. [13] CONSTITUTIONAL COURT DECIDES TO DEBATE ANNULMENT OF ELECTRICITY MARKET LAWANKARA - Constitutional Court decided on Thursday to debate the application asking for annulment of the electricity market law regarding the merits of the case.The True Path Party (DYP) applied to the Constitutional Court on September 4 asking for the annulment of the provision in the law which said that the contracts of companies, which are foreseen to be privatized or the operation rights of which are foreseen to be transferred, will be considered as invalid if they cannot complete their transfer activities till October 31, 2001. Constitutional Court Deputy Chief Judge Hasim Kilic told reporters that the court will give a decision about delay of enforcement of the law at a later date. The court will debate DYP's application for the annulment of the article on a date to be set after the report of the rapporteur is distributed to the members. [14] AK PARTY LEADER ERDOGAN RECIEVES LEBEDEV, RUSSIAN AMBASSADOR IN ANKARAANKARA - Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the leader of the Justice and Development Party (AK Party), speaking about the terrorist attacks in the U.S., said, ''I believe that it is not right to judge a person, society or state unless their crime is proved.''Erdogan received Alexandr Lebedev, the Russian Ambassador in Ankara. Pointing out that there were positive relations between Turkey and Russia stemming from the history, Erdogan said a process based on cooperation should be initiated in Central Asia and the Caucasus. He said the relations should not be based on competition. Erdogan said a very serious confidence was built in Turkey toward Russia with the Blue Stream project, adding that he wished a similar confidence to be exhibited from Russia to Turkey with Baku-Ceyhan Oil Pipeline. Meanwhile, Lebedev in his part said terrorism did not have a race, religion or limits, adding that it was not right to declare war against any country. He said the headquarters should be hit if a retalliation is in question, noting that action against innocent people was not right. Pointing out that Turkey ranked the third in the world due to the Moslem population, Lebedev said he was pleased that AK Party was an Islamist party having pioneering and progressive thoughts. When journalists asked Erdogan how he evaluated Lebedev's describing AK Party as ''pioneering and progressive,'' he said, ''I think there was a mistake in translation. Understanding of AK Party is conservative democracy, an advanced democracy.'' Lebedev in his part said they knew that AK Party was not a religion party. When journalists asked Erdogan if they want to continue their support in case of a narrowing in Constitutional amendment package, he said an agreement was provided in Constitutional Compromise Commission, adding that they would continue to support even if a new agreement is provided. A journalist recalled the interpretations that suspects of terrorist attacks in the U.S. were intensified in moslem countries, Erdogan said they closed followed this intensity, adding that it would not be right to make a comment before the incidents are clarified. When a journalist said the probability of war appeared with the decision taken by NATO on Wednesday, and asked if Turkey could take place at a war, Erdogan said it was government to talk about it. He said the NATO decision would be evaluated in NATO countries as well as Turkey. Lebedev, who responded the same question, said Russian President Vladimir Putin was authorized to talk on the issue, noting that Russia was open to every kind of cooperation against terrorism. [15] TURKISH-BRITISH BUSINESS COUNCIL TO ORGANIZE SEMINAR ON CAPITAL MARKETS IN TURKEYISTANBUL - Turkish-British Business Council will organize a seminar on capital markets and investment opportunities in Turkey on September 18.A statement of Foreign Economic Relations Board (DEIK) said on Thursday that Hasan Colakoglu and William Alexander, the co-presidents of Turkish- British Business Council, and Westminster Mayor Harvey Marshall will address the opening remarks of the conference to be held in London. The statement noted that State Minister Kemal Dervis, Treasury Undersecretary Faik Oztrak, Central Bank Governor Sureyya Serdengecti, State Banks Joint Executive Board Chairman Vural Akisik, Istanbul Stock Exchange Chairman Osman Birsen, and International Monetary Fund's Turkey Desk Chief Juha Kahkonen wil give information about Turkey's economy and the economic program that is being implemented. Representatives of international finance organizations will evaluate recent economic developments at the seminar. Also, three working groups on company merge and purchase, private capital and reconstruction will hold meetings within the framework of the seminar. [16] KAVAK SAYS MOST IMPORTANT RESULT OF CONFERENCE ON FIGHT WITH RACISM IS ACCEPTION OF SLAVERY AND SLAVE TRADE AS CRIME AGAINST HUMANITYANKARA - Interparliamentary Union Turkish Group Head and Motherland Party (ANAP) deputy Cavit Kavak said on Thursday that the most important result of the U.N. Conference on Fight With Racism has been the acception of slavery and slave trade as crime against humanity.Speaking to A.A about the conference held in South Africa, Kavak said that the attendees have assumed a new approach to fight with racism and xenophobia. ''The countries which attended the conference expressed sorrow over slavery, slave trade, colonialism, apartheid and tragedies caused by genocide and decided to support those persons and countries who suffered from them,'' Kavak said and added that the Turkish group opposed the demands of Armenia, China, South Korea, Iran and Barbados which wanted the denial of genocide as a crime and these demands were not included in the Action Programme. ''Action Programme which was adopted at the end of the conference covered comprehensive measures in fight with racism, xenophobia and all sorts of discrimination. The documents which were adopted to protect immigrants, immigrant workers and foreigners, education against racism, prevention of racist publications in media and internet, and fight with Neonazism and Neofascism are very important for Turkey. Our group launched efforts for adoption of such issues and it prevented the attempts to recognize new rights for minorities and non-governmental organizations,'' it said.
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