Anadolu Agency: News in English, 01-11-23

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ANADOLU AGENCY

NEWS

23 November 2001

Friday

-TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

These are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in Turkey's press on November 23, 2001. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

Bulgarian Prime Minister and former Bulgarian King Simon Saxkoburggotski said that ''Turkey and Bulgaria are friends on the way that goes to the European Union (EU).'' He also invited Turkish businessmen to make investment in his country. The Bulgarian Prime Minister who met with Dogan Holding's Executive Board President Aydın Dogan in the Prime Ministry headquarters in Sofia, said that Bulgaria has become a very attractive country for investment. Dogan said in his part that they were ready to make cooperation with Bulgaria to improve the commercial relations between the two countries, adding that they came to Bulgaria to make investment.

TRT RECIEVES SUSPICIOUS MAIL

Turkish Radio and Television Corporation (TRT) received yesterday a suspicious mail which had white powder in it. Ankara Health Directorate started to examine the envelope which was sent to TRT Voice of Turkey Radio. The letter was sent from Germany. The personnel working in the mail section of TRT Voice of Turkey, got panic when they received the letter. Ankara Health Directorate will find the personnel who contacted with the letter.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

Parliament General Council passed yesterday the new Civil Code after a month long debates at Parliament. The Civil Code which is consisted of 1, 030 articles introduces important changes in family law. The language of the Civil Code was also simplified compared to the old one. The most important change brought by the Civil Code is equality between the husband and wife in a marriage. Under the old law, the man is head of the family and the woman must seek her husband's permission to go out to work. Under the new law, she would no longer need a husband's consent to get a job and man will no longer be head of the family and both wife and husband will have equal rights in the management of the household.

NATIONAL DISCOUNT DAYS START

The discount days which started in Sisli district of Istanbul spreaded to big shopping centres and to Ankara and western Izmir province. There will be 50 percent discounts in many shops in the weekend. The shops will have big discounts in Akmerkez and Carousel malls between 25-26 October. In Ankara, nearly 200 shops will have discounts this weekend. Shops whose sales decreased by 30-40 percent due to the economic crisis decided to make a discount.

SABAH (LIBERAL)

While the economic crisis caused great losses in many sectors and companies, the Armed Forces Mutual Support Fund (OYAK) gained a profit of 600 trillion liras. OYAK's Director General Coskun Ulusoy said that ''we implemented war tactics in our administration and we won.'' OYAK which was founded 40 years ago, announced its activity report for the first time. Coskun Ulusoy said that 2001 has been a good year for OYAK. ''We had an income increase of 250- 300 percent in TL basis and 50 percent in U.S. dollar basis. Our profit reached 500 trillion liras and it will reach 600 trillion liras soon. Why didn't we affect adversely from the crisis? That was because we focused on foreign exchange by foreseeing the devaluation of TL. We had made savings and we stopped investments which could be under threat when the crisis erupted. We have good amount of liquidity and we don't have any debt today, '' he said.

ECEVIT CRITICIZES MUMCU

Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit who addressed his party group meeting yesterday, stressed that the village city project in Mesudiye yielded positive results within one year, adding that the appearance of Mesudiye changed. There are persons who don't appreciate that, Ecevit said without giving the name of deputy Motherland Party (ANAP) leader Erkan Mumcu who criticized Ecevit for his idea of starting development from villages saying that those who defended this view for years told a big lie. ''The obstacle which could not be overcome was landlords for land reform when Ataturk lived, today intellectuals who just talk without doing anything impede the development of villages. These obstacles will be overcome,'' Ecevit said.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

Fatih Sarac, the business partner of Yassin Al Kadı, the financier of Osama bin Laden, the notorious terrorist has close relations with Islamic Community Denominational Vision. Sarac brought together Necmettin Erbakan, the former leader of the banned Welfare Party (RP) and Recep Tayyip Erdogan in his house in Istanbul in order to prevent the seperation of AK party movement following the closure of the Virtue Party (FP). Sarac family is a close friend of Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Sarac, who was also one of the owners of Yeni Safak newspaper had transferred his shares to Albayraklar Holding. Cuneyt Zapsu, the owner of Azizler Holding and BIM company has also connections with Al Qaeda. Zapsu is the founder and central decision executive board member of AK Party.

VILLAGERS ARE MASTERS OF NATION

Bulent Ecevit, the prime minister said that there were many Kemalists in Turkey without understanding well the views of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founder of modern and secular Turkish Republic. These people could not understand well the words of Ataturk who had said that ''villagers have to be the masters of the nation,'' Ecevit said. Ecevit stressed that the village city project in Mesudiye yielded positive results within one year. There are persons who don't appreciate that, he added.

RADIKAL (LEFT)

The reasons of closing the Democratic Mass Party (DKP) were published. the Constitutional Court said that it closed the party in 1999 which said that ''there is a Kurdish nation in the country which has an ethnic identity, which is subject to pressure and assimilation.'' The then Chairman of the Court Ahmet Necdet Sezer objected to the party's closure saying that the party programme had propasals for coexistance of various ethnic and belief groups on the basis of equality. ''The party programme didn't want seperation of the country,'' Sezer had noted. Hasim Kılıc, the deputy chairman of the Court today also objected to the party's closure.

TURKIYE (RIGHT)

Constitutional Court rejected the suit filed asking for abolishment of the parliamentary decision which authorized the government to send soldiers abroad and to accept the stationing of foreign armed forces in the country within the scope of operation ''Enduring Freedom'' in Afghanistan without discussing the application in respect of merits. ''This is a parliamentary decision, it can't be examined,'' deputy chairman of the Constitutional Court Hasim Kılıc said.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

The soldiers who will be sent to Afghanistan within the scope of operation ''Enduring Freedom'' continue their preparations. The 28th Mechanized Infantry troop in Mamak, Ankara which will be the backbone of the the Turkish units that will join the peace force started its training to adapt themselves to the difficult winter conditions in Afghanistan.

CONTENTS

[01] GSO CHAIRMAN KOCER SAYS SMSEs SERIOUSLY SUFFER FROM ECONOMIC CRISIS

[02] SCHOOLS CLOSED FOR ONE DAY IN AGRI

[03] NEW CIVIL CODE ENDS MAN'S BEING HEAD OF FAMILY

[04] STATE MINISTER ONAL TO GO TO ALGERIA TO ATTEND SEVENTH TERM JEC MEETING

[05] ERZURUM HAS COLDEST NOVEMBER NIGHT IN THE LAST 20 YEARS

[06] SECOND INTERNATIONAL SHORT FILM FESTIVAL TO START IN IZMIR

[07] U.S. DOLLAR REDUCES BELOW 1.5 MILLION TURKISH LIRAS

[08] GAP REGION EXPORTS PRODUCTS OF 154.8 MILLION DOLLARS IN TEN MONTHS

[09] DAILY LIFE GETS NORMALIZED IN VAN, HAKKARI AND BITLIS PROVINCES

[10] MEETING ON ''TOURISM RELATIONS BETWEEN TURKEY AND TRNC'' IN ADANA

[11] 500TH YEAR FOUNDATION TURKISH JEWS MUSEUM TO BE INAUGURATED

[12] TARISBANK PUT UP FOR SALE

[13] ANNIVERSARY OF MOLLN INCIDENT -BERLIN AMBASSADOR KORUTURK: ''RACISM AND XENOPHOBIA ARE SOCIAL DISEASES THAT NEED TO BE FOUGHT ALTOGETHER''

[14] DANISH INDUSTRY GROUP DANFOSS OPENS OFFICE IN ISTANBUL

[15] MEASURES TO BE TIGHTENED AT AIRPORTS AGAINST POSSIBLE TERRORIST ATTACKS

[16] CONSTITUTIONAL COURT'S REASONED VERDICT ON SOCIAL SECURITY LAW

[17] COUNCIL OF STATE SUSPENDS BRSA'S DECISION ON TARISBANK'S TRANSFER TO SDIF

[18] AUCTION TO BE HELD FOR TRANSFER OF SDIF BANKS' DEPOSITS TO OTHER COMMERCIAL BANKS THROUGH 4 DEPOSIT POOLS

[19] NAZIM HIKMET WEEK IN FRANCE -HIKMET TO BE COMMEMORATED IN MEDITERRANEAN FESTIVAL THAT WILL TAKE PLACE IN STRASBOURG

[20] PANEL DISCUSSION ON ''VISION OF QUALITY IN 21ST CENTURY''

[21] ATATURK CHILDREN HOSPITAL IN KABUL -FOREIGN MINISTRY: ''ATATURK CHILDREN HOSPITAL GIVES SERVICE AS ONE OF THE BEST HOSPITALS OF AFGHANISTAN''

[22] AGREEMENT ON SALE OF GORBON ISIL'S 51 PERCENT SHARES TO E.M.E.A TECHNOLOGIES ANNULLED

[01] GSO CHAIRMAN KOCER SAYS SMSEs SERIOUSLY SUFFER FROM ECONOMIC CRISIS

Noting that SMSEs are the backbone of the country's economy, Kocer said that ''SMSEs which deal with many problems from taking credits to working conditions, from use of technology to marketting, fight to survive.''

Kocer said that they see these problems very well in southeastern Gaziantep province which is the centre of SMSEs, adding that state has to bring facilities to SMSEs in the latter's use of information technology. ''They have to unite their powers to stand on their feet,'' Kocer said and noted that GSO will always assume a leading role in efforts that will try to improve the position of SMSEs.

[02] SCHOOLS CLOSED FOR ONE DAY IN AGRI

The schools will start on Nov. 26.

[03] NEW CIVIL CODE ENDS MAN'S BEING HEAD OF FAMILY

The Civil Code which is consisted of 1,030 articles introduces important changes in family law and it completed the efforts launched for 50 years to amend the Civil Code dated 1926.

Justice Minister Hikmet Sami Turk said that the Turkish Civil Code was renewed as a result of 50-year study, adding that ''the legal reform undertaken in 1926 in Turkey has been renewed in the beginning of the 21st century by the adoption of the new civil code, which is a very important development.''

Turk said that that the new civil code code which will go into force on January 1, 2002 is a product of 50-year work, adding that the code also brought changes in respect of legal technical proceedings. Turk added that the parliament worked for one month to adopt the new civil code.

Justice Commission Chairman Emin Kara said in his part that the parliament allocated 170 hours for the adoption of the civil code.

The language of the Civil Code was simplified compared to the old Civil Code.

The code also covered regulations related to foundations and associations. No association or foundation which aims to act against the law and morals can be founded.

Under the new code, a person who wants to change his/her sex can apply to the court personnaly and ask the court to give a permission to him-her on the issue. Those who are over the age of 18, single, who obtain a special health report may be allowed to have a sex change.

But the most important change brought by the Civil Code is equality between the husband and wife in a marriage. Under the old law, the man is head of the family and the woman must seek her husband's permission to go out to work. Under the new law, she would no longer need a husband's consent to get a job. Either partner could ask his or her spouse not to take a job that would disrupt calm in the marriage union.

Under the new law, man will no longer be head of the family and both wife and husband will have equal rights in the management of the household.

Under the current law, husband choses the house where the couple will live and his wife has to conform with his choice. Under the new law, the couple will chose their house together.

Under the new law married women will be able to use their maiden surnames along with their new surnames. Men will be able to change their surnames to the surname of their wives by a court decision.

The new code also raises the legal age for marriage to 18 from the current 17 for men and 15 for women. It sets a legal separation period of six months before couples can file for divorce.

No religious marriages will be allowed without a state approved marriage document.

Under the new law, men will no longer be ''responsible for the care of the wife and children'' since the new Civil Code brings ''equal responsibility''. Husband and wife will contribute to the household expenses depending on their income or financial sources.

The new Civil Code grants out-of-wedlock offspring the same inheritance rights as others. Marrying your adopted child is being strictly banned under the new law.

''Humiliating behaviour'' will be considered a reason for divorce. The period of one of the reasons of divorce which is ''leaving the house'' is increased from three months to six months. And in divorce cases, one of the parties can ask the judge to hear the case in closed sessions. The judge can accept that request. Men will be able to request alimony from wives who are better off.

The new law is making adopting children easier. The code lowers the legal age for adopting children from 35 to 30 and allows a single parent to adopt a child. Persons who have children haev also given the right to adopt children.

The code also ensures that women are better off in the event of a divorce, guaranteeing that all assets accumulated during the union are shared equally. Currently, a divorced woman is only entitled to assets legally

registered under her name. If one of the spouses dies, the spouse who lives can get the right of properties and the house they use if he/she gives up the right of inheritance.

The new civil code also restricts the freedom of individuals who constitute a danger in the society.

The new civil code also forbids neighbours to give damage and suffering to each other.

[04] STATE MINISTER ONAL TO GO TO ALGERIA TO ATTEND SEVENTH TERM JEC MEETING

The two sides will discuss the methods of improving the economic and commercial relations between the two countries during the JEC meeting which will be held between 26-29 November.

Algeria will be headed by Algerian Energy and Mining Minister Shekip Halil during the meetings.

The sides will also discuss the issue of signing a free trade agreement between Turkey and Algeria.

Onal will also meet with Algerian officials including Algerian Prime Minister Ali Benfis in his contacts in Algeria.

Foreign Trade Undersecretariat said in a written statement that the meetings between Turkish and Algerian technical delegations will start on Nov. 25.

The existing commercial and economic relations between the two countries will be reviewed, measures that can be taken to improve the bilateral trade and cooperation opportunities in various fields will be discussed in the JEC meeting.

Foreign Trade Undersecretariat said that Algeria has an important place in Turkey's foreign trade. Algeria comes the first in Turkey's exports to Africa and it is a potential market in the construction sector.

Turkey's exports to Algeria was 384 million dollars in 2000 and its imports reached 1,19 billion dollars in 2000.

[05] ERZURUM HAS COLDEST NOVEMBER NIGHT IN THE LAST 20 YEARS

Meteorology officials said that the temperature in Erzurum decreased to minus 34 degree on Thursday night.

The temperature in Ardahan province reached minus 25 degree and minus 23 degree in Agri and Kars provinces the same night.

The heavy snowfall on Wednesday in Erzurum, Kars, Agri, Ardahan, Mus and Bingol provinces continues to paralyze the daily life.

Rural services teams continue their efforts to re-open 800 village roads to traffic in Erzurum, Kars, Agri, Ardahan, Bingol and Mus provinces.

A total of 700 village roads have been re-opened to traffic so far in those provinces.

Meanwhile, meteorology officials said that the decreases in temperatures would continue for another 3 days.

[06] SECOND INTERNATIONAL SHORT FILM FESTIVAL TO START IN IZMIR

A total of 154 short-feature films from Turkey, France, Germany, Italy, Australia, Poland, Britain, Sweden, Russia, Azerbaijan and Georgia will be shown in the festival organized in cooperation between the Dokuz Eylul University and Konak Municipality Directorate of Culturel and Social Affairs.

The festival will end on December 8.

[07] U.S. DOLLAR REDUCES BELOW 1.5 MILLION TURKISH LIRAS

Sources said on Friday that 1 U.S. dollar's selling price which had started at 1.5 million TL later decreased to 1 million 494 thousand TL.

Meanwhile, selling price of 1 German mark which started at 675 thousand TL reduced to 671 thousand TL.

Meanwhile, U.S. dollar quatotations at interbank foreign exchange market fluctuates between 1 million 485 thousand TL and 1 million 490 thousand TL for buying and between 1 million 496 thousand TL and 1.5 million TL for selling.

[08] GAP REGION EXPORTS PRODUCTS OF 154.8 MILLION DOLLARS IN TEN MONTHS

In the same period last year, the region obtained 117 million 703 thousand U.S. dollars from those products.

The exportation of the region increased by 31.57 percent to these 5 countries when compared to the same period last year.

Southeast Anatolian Exporters' Associations said that the region exported products of 51 million 381 thousand U.S. dollars to Italy, 28 million 214 thousand U.S. dollars to Syria, 27 million 101 thousand U.S. dollars to Germany, 24 million 95 thousand U.S. dollars to Saudi Arabia and 24 million 81 thousand U.S. dollars to Britain.

The Turkish goods in greatest demand were dried fruit; cotton thread; cotton and knitted textile; polypropylene, acrylic and synthetic thread, carpet and sheep.

[09] DAILY LIFE GETS NORMALIZED IN VAN, HAKKARI AND BITLIS PROVINCES

Snowfall has paralyzed daily life and traffic in Eastern Anatolia region for 3 days.

A total of 500 village roads had been closed to traffic in Bitlis, Van and Hakkari provinces due to heavy snowfall. Later, 164 of them were re-opened to traffic.

Officials said that efforts were continuing to re-open other village roads to traffic.

The snow reached 30 cm in those provinces and one meter in high altitudes.

The highways between Van and Hakkari; Catak and Bahcesaray; Yuksekova and Semdinli; Caldiran and Dogubeyazit; Muradiye and Caldiran; and Van and Tatvan have been re-opened to traffic since this morning.

Meanwhile, the flights between Ankara-Van and Istanbul-Van have resumed after the snowfall stopped.

Meteorology officials said that the snowfall was not expected in Van province and its neighbourhood in coming days.

[10] MEETING ON ''TOURISM RELATIONS BETWEEN TURKEY AND TRNC'' IN ADANA

The TRNC Tourism and Environment Ministry said on Friday that the meeting on ''Tourism Relations Between Turkey and TRNC'' would be held at the HiltonSa Hotel in Adana, and TRNC Tourism and Environment Minister Serdar Denktas, Undersecretary Yalcin Vehit and Tourism Promotion and Marketing Director Mehmet Basel would attend the meeting.

It said that the aim of the meeting was to introduce the TRNC and inform sector representatives, non-governmental organizations and media on developments about tourism, exchange opinions about the matter and increase cooperation.

[11] 500TH YEAR FOUNDATION TURKISH JEWS MUSEUM TO BE INAUGURATED

Releasing a written statement, the 500th Year Foundation said on Friday that the museum aimed at promoting 700-year story of peaceful presence of Jewish people on Turkish territories and Turkish people's tolerance to the whole world.

The museum will compile, protect and display data regarded with cultural heritage of Turkish Jews.

Zulfaris Synagogue will serve as the 500th Year Foundation Turkish Jews Museum.

The synagogue which was constructed in 1671, was restored in 1904 and in 1968. It has been turned into a museum through the contributions of businessman Jak Kamhi.

[12] TARISBANK PUT UP FOR SALE

The sale notice of the SDIF was published in the Official Gazette on Friday.

According to the notice, interested investors should apply to the SDIF until November 30, 2001 and submit their sealed bids to the SDIF by December 21, 2001.

After evaluation of those bids, SDIF will select satisfactory bidders and inform them until December 4, 2001.

Meanwhile, secrecy agreements will be signed with satisfactory bidders and they will be allowed to make observations in the bank until December 19, 2001.

[13] ANNIVERSARY OF MOLLN INCIDENT -BERLIN AMBASSADOR KORUTURK: ''RACISM AND XENOPHOBIA ARE SOCIAL DISEASES THAT NEED TO BE FOUGHT ALTOGETHER''

Koruturk issued a message on the 9th anniversary of an arson attack that was launched in Molln city of Germany on November 23, 1992 by Neo-nazis, resulting in the death of three Turkish citizens.

In the message, Koruturk said, ''this disease, in atmospheres where it finds basis, erupts as a social danger held by extreme elements and fanatics, and targets innocent people.''

Pointing out that German authorities developed training programs and campaigns to prevent racism and xenophobia, Koruturk said Germany fought against this disease with belief and determination. Koruturk said it is pleasing to see that most of the German people actively supported this fight.

Koruturk said although nine years passed after Molln incident, they covered with regret continuation of the racist incidents to some extent. Koruturk said, ''as the Turkish Republic, I would like to stress that we expect continuation of effective contributions of German authorities for the preservation of cultural identities of Turkish society living in Germany and facilitation of those people's harmonization to this country.''

Koruturk said, ''terrorist attacks in the U.S. on September 11, and international developments which were recorded after this incident shook the world deeply, and showed that peace atmosphere could be fragile. Those incidents once again revealed that tolerance and multi-culture were very important for the joint future of humanity and social tranquility.''

Koruturk in his message said German President Johannes Rau and Chancellor Gerhard Schroder made statements having common sense, and exerted efforts to prevent creation of enmity between cultures and religions. Koruturk said it was pleasing that most of German people covered a moderate attitute in this direction and Turkish citizens did not show an extreme attitude.

Stressing that Turkish society living in Germany were mostly comprised of individuals sharing same universal, humanitarian and moral values with German society within the framework of the principles of Turkish Republic, Koruturk said nearly 2,5 million Turkish people living in Germany wanted to have equal rights and obligations in the society they are living in.

[14] DANISH INDUSTRY GROUP DANFOSS OPENS OFFICE IN ISTANBUL

The office in Gayrettepe district in Istanbul was opened by Danish Foreign Ministry State Secretary Ambassador Birger Riis-Jorgensen and Danfoss A/S Vice President Carsten L. Sorensen.

Speaking at inauguration, Birger Riis-Jorgensen said that Turkey was going through difficult economic conditions and that they wanted to satnd by their Turkish friends in their difficult times and overcome those problems together.

Riis-Jorgensen said that opening of this office in Turkey constituted an important step in industrial and technical cooperation between Turkey and Denmark, adding that he thought Danfoss A/S would play important role in recovery of heating and energy sector in Turkey and increase its market share.

Meanwhile, Carsten Sorensen said that opening of an office in Turkey was very important for them.

[15] MEASURES TO BE TIGHTENED AT AIRPORTS AGAINST POSSIBLE TERRORIST ATTACKS

According to the decision, an academic unit will be opened within structure of the Police Academy, and a branch will be formed within structure of the Directorate General of Security about airport security.

The National Civil Aviation Security Board convened on November 16, 2001 under tha chairmanship of Interior Ministry Undersecretary Muzaffer Ecemis.

The Transportation Ministry Deputy Undersecretary, the Customs Undersecretary, the Civil Aviation Director General, the State Airports Enterprises Director General, representatives of the Foreign Ministry, the Gendarme Command, the National Security Council Secretariat General and the National Intelligence Agency (MIT) Undersecretariat, and the Security Deputy Director General were in attendance at the meeting.

The meeting focused on security measures to be taken against possible terrorist attacks at airport.

Some of these measures are as follows:

- X-ray devices at airports will be renewed or will be integrated with new systems.

- Closed circuit television systems will be installed at all airports.

- Heads of departments at airports will be authorized to punish or to reward the personnel.

- Heads of departments and policemen at airports will not be changed frequently.

- Security personnel at airports will be given special training.

- An academic unit will be opened within structure of the Police Academy about airport security.

- A branch will be formed within structure of the Directorate General of Security about civil aviation security.

- Weapons of civil policemen, soldiers and customs officials will be taken away as they are entering airports.

- Private sector and public personnel who violate airport security, will be punished.

- Construction of terminal building aiming at tightening security checks at Istanbul's Ataturk Airport will be finalized as soon as possible.

- Security measures will be tightened in cargo terminal at Istanbul's Ataturk Airport, and personnel specialized in cargo and hazardous substances will be charged.

Meanwhile, Turkey will act in line with decisions of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the European Civil Aviation Conference (ECAC) on the issue of measures to be taken against possible terrorist attacks.

[16] CONSTITUTIONAL COURT'S REASONED VERDICT ON SOCIAL SECURITY LAW

The Constitutional Court did not find retirement of women at 58 years of age and retirement of men at 60 years of age contrary to the Constitution if they were employed after September 8, 1999, the day when the Social Security Law entered into force.

The Constitutional Court annulled the articles which foresaw retirement in stages for people who were employed before the Law entered into force. This decision which annuls articles that foresee retirement in stages, will enter into force six months later as of today.

The Constitutional Court approved the article which gives women the right of retirement at 58 years of age and gives men the right of retirement at 60 years of age while it stressed that lifespan in Turkey had risen.

The Constitutional Court noted that increase of retirement age of workers and number of premium payment days within a specific criteria and balance in order to remove negativities in front of functioning of social security organizations cannot be defined as a decision which removed social security right or restricted this right.

The Constitutional Court annulled the transition in stages to retirement of workers who were insured on the day when the Law entered into force as it did not considered it ''just, reasonable and moderate''.

The Counstitutional Court finalized on February 23, 2001 the case filed by the banned Virtue Party (FP) which requested abolition of 33 articles and suspense of some articles of the Unemployment Insurance Law.

In its reasoned verdict on abolition of article on retirement ages of women and men, Constitutional Court said that this article increased the number and period of compulsory premium payment days and such a situation would remain below the world standards and that problems would increase if those conditions were not corrected.

[17] COUNCIL OF STATE SUSPENDS BRSA'S DECISION ON TARISBANK'S TRANSFER TO SDIF

The General Assembly accepted the rejection and suspended BRSA's decision in question.

BRSA has the right to make a request for correction of this decision. If BRSA's request is rejected by the General Assembly, the decision on merits of the case will be made by the Council of State Department no:10.

The sides have the right to appeal the decision of the Council of State Department no:10. And the appeal case will be heard by the Council of State Administrative Case Departments General Assembly.

The BRSA had decided on July 10, 2001 to transfer Tarisbank to the SDIF together with Bayindirbank, EGS Bank, Kentbank and Sitebank.

[18] AUCTION TO BE HELD FOR TRANSFER OF SDIF BANKS' DEPOSITS TO OTHER COMMERCIAL BANKS THROUGH 4 DEPOSIT POOLS

According to the SDIF's notice which was published in Friday's Official Gazette, those deposits will be transferred through four deposit pools.

Information about those deposit pools two of which will be Turkish lira and two others will be foreign currency deposit pools will be available as of November 26, 2001 at the SDIF or SDIF Asset Management Department or through internet at ''www.bddk.org.tr'' web site.

Those who are interested in the auction will submit their sealed bids with nominal-valued state domestic borrowing notes in return for deposit pool by November 28, 2001 to the SDIF.

After evaluating those bids, SDIF will select reasonable bids and transfers will be made as of December 3, 2001.

The value date of the 184-day and 3-year state domestic borrowing notes that will be given in return for transfer of foreign currency deposits will be December 3, 2001.

The value date the 2-year state domestic borrowing notes of Treasury bonds in return for transfer of TL deposits will also be December 3, 2001.

[19] NAZIM HIKMET WEEK IN FRANCE -HIKMET TO BE COMMEMORATED IN MEDITERRANEAN FESTIVAL THAT WILL TAKE PLACE IN STRASBOURG

The activities, which are hold with the initiatives of Association of Turkish Refugee Workers, will take place in November 24 and December 8.

Turkish and French amateur theater artists will stage a theater play promoting the works of the famous Turkish poet.

Musician Fuat Saka, accompanied by guitar and saz (a traditional Turkish stringed instrument), will read the poems of Nazim Hikmet.

Also, within the framework of the festival, an open session will be held on ''influence of Hikmet's poems on Turkish literature'' where Prof. Server Tanilli, Prof. Cevat Capan and poet Ataol Behramoglu will attend.

Various concerts will be given in the festival.

[20] PANEL DISCUSSION ON ''VISION OF QUALITY IN 21ST CENTURY''

TSE said on Friday that the panel discussion would take place at TSE Conference Hall and that State Minister Ramazan Mirzaoglu, State Minister Suayip Usenmez, Industry and Trade Minister Ahmet Kenan Tanrikulu, Health Minister Osman Durmus, Agrivulture and Rural Affairs Minister Husnu Yusuf Gokalp, several undersecretaries and general directors were expected to attend the panel discussion.

Telecommunications Agency Chairman Mehmet Fatih Yurdal would preside the panel discussion while TSE Secretary General Enver Basarir, CE Finland Director General Risto Lintula, EOQ Hungary National Committee Chairman Pal Molnar, EOQ France Secretary General Bertrand Jouslin de Noray, Excellence Ireland Director General and EOQ former chairman Sean Conlan would present reports during the panel discussion, it said.

[21] ATATURK CHILDREN HOSPITAL IN KABUL -FOREIGN MINISTRY: ''ATATURK CHILDREN HOSPITAL GIVES SERVICE AS ONE OF THE BEST HOSPITALS OF AFGHANISTAN''

The ministry statement said the hospital, which was rehabilitated by Turkey after being damaged in civil war in 1980's, was also reinforced with new equipments and technics in May 2001 and opened to service.

The statement said, ''we did our best to meet the needs of the hospital so far even under the worse conditions,'' noting that medicine and materials were sent to the hospital in May recently.

The statement said, ''Turkey continuosly covers the needs of the Ataturk Children Hospital following the recent developments in Afghanistan. In the same way, we requested the officials of the hospital to state the needs of the hospital at the beginning of the operations carried out against Taliban. In the direction of the assessments that were made, necessary works have been initiated to meet the medicine, equipment and similar needs of the hospital.''

[22] AGREEMENT ON SALE OF GORBON ISIL'S 51 PERCENT SHARES TO E.M.E.A TECHNOLOGIES ANNULLED

Gorbon Isil, a leading ceramics producer, sent a statement to the Istanbul Stock Exchange (IMKB) on Friday and said that the agreement which had been signed on October 5, 2001 was annulled mutually on November 21, 2001 as E.M.E.A Technologies company failed to fulfil its commitments due to economic crisis.

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