Anadolu Agency: News in English, 98-08-02

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

02 AUG 1998

CONTENTS

[01] POLICE CAPTURE 143 PEOPLE TRYING TO ESCAPE TO ITALY ILLEGALLY

[02] MASHADOV, HEAD OF STATE OF CHECHEN-INGUSH AUTONOMOUS REPUBLIC, TO ARRIVE IN TURKEY ON SUNDAY

[03] WORLD CHILDREN CHESS OLYMPICS TO TAKE PLACE IN ISTANBUL BETWEEN 20-31 AUGUST

[04] EXPORTS OF HAZELNUTS - FOREIGN EXCHANGE INCOME NEARLY REACHES ONE BILLION DOLLARS

[05] ANAP GROUP MEETING - PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ: ''THOSE WHO CLAIMED THAT THE PARLIAMENT WOULDN'T ADOPT A DECISION ON EARLY ELECTIONS HAVE BEEN ASHAMED''

[06] INVESTMENTS IN FIELD OF EDUCATION IN GAP REGION

[07] TEMPLE, THE WORLD BANK REPRESENTATIVE TO TURKEY LEAVES TURKEY: ''THE TURKISH ECONOMY HAS GROWN BY 27 PERCENT IN FIVE YEARS WHEN I WAS WORKING'' - ''TURKEY COMES THE FIRST AMONG COUNTRIES GROWING FASTLY IN SPITE OF INFLATION''

[08] CHP MEETING ON TOURISM - BAYKAL, CHP LEADER: ''A NEW STRUCTURING HAS TO START AND NEW POLICIES HAVE TO BE PRODUCED TO PREVENT THE DISCONTENT IN TOURISM''

[09] FLOOD IN CALDIRAN COUNTY OF VAN - 30 HOUSES FLOODED, 40 SHEEP DIED

[10] ASIAN CRISIS AND TURKEY - EFFECTS OF CRISIS STARTED TO BE FELT IN TURKEY IN OCTOBER 1997

[11] TURKISH-GREEK COOPERATION IN LOCAL ADMINISTRATION

[12] BASESGIOGLU, THE MINISTER OF INTERIOR: ''THE DRUG SEIZED BY TURKEY IN 1997 CONSTITUTES 40 PERCENT OF THE HEROIN SEIZED IN THE WORLD AND 60 PERCENT OF HEROIN SEIZED IN EUROPE''

[13] TURKEY'S EXPORTS OF HERBS - TURKEY BECOMES THIRD AFTER CHINA AND INDIA IN REVENUE GAINED FROM EXPORTS OF HERBS

[14] 29 TURKISH AND FOREIGN DELEGATIONS VISIT GAP LAST MONTH

[15] IMPORTANT DEVELOPMENTS FOR NEMRUT MOUNTAIN - INTERNATIONAL NEMRUT FOUNDATION PREPARES A RESCUE PLAN FOR NEMRUT RUINS

[16] MASHADOV, HEAD OF STATE OF CHECHEN-INGUSH AUTONOMOUS REPUBLIC, ARRIVES IN TURKEY - MASHADOV: ''SOME PEOPLE TRIED TO CAUSE CHAOS IN OUR COUNTRY FOLLOWING THE WAR. WE TOOK EVERY MEASURE AT THE RIGHT TIME''

[01] POLICE CAPTURE 143 PEOPLE TRYING TO ESCAPE TO ITALY ILLEGALLY

Acting on a tip-off, the Antalya Security Department's Rapid Deployment Force policemen captured 28 people including mostly Iraqis.

The police, who broadened the operation, stopped two coaches in Kepezustu region in Antalya and took into custody the passengers of two buses. Together with the passengers, the number of people, who were trying to escape abroad, reached 143.

Questioning those people, the police said that those people wanted to escape to Italy from Kemer county of Antalya via sea.

Police said 28 people including Afghans, Egyptians and Iraqis will be sent to the Foreigners Office and that the Turkish people will be transferred to judicial organs after the conclusion of their interrogations.

[02] MASHADOV, HEAD OF STATE OF CHECHEN-INGUSH AUTONOMOUS REPUBLIC, TO ARRIVE IN TURKEY ON SUNDAY

Berkan Yasar, the Representative of Chechen-Ingush Autonomous Republic in Turkey, said in a written statement that Aslan Mashadov will pay a visit to Turkey between August 2-5 and hold political and economic consultations with Turkish officials.

Aslan Mashadov, who will arrive in Istanbul at 12:45 p.m., will proceed to the US on Wednesday.

[03] WORLD CHILDREN CHESS OLYMPICS TO TAKE PLACE IN ISTANBUL BETWEEN 20-31 AUGUST

Tevfik Sarpkaya, the General Director of Youth and Sports; Emrehan Halici, the Chairman of the Chess Federation, and Yevgeniy Vasiukov, the Trainer of the Turkish National Team, held a press conference and gave information about the organization.

Pointing out that the Directorate General of Youth and Sports will give every support and assistance to chess, Tevfik Sarpkaya said, ''our target is to display the activity of Turkish children in international platform.''

Stressing that the leading chess champions of the world will also come to Turkey within the framework of the olympics, Sarpkaya said, ''thus the promotion of Turkish chess will be made''.

Emrehan Halici said that the World Chess Olympics will be organized in Turkey in the year 2000.

Yeygeniy Vasiukov said that their target is to get more experience.

Nearly 250 children from 25 countries will participate in the Chess Olympics.

[04] EXPORTS OF HAZELNUTS - FOREIGN EXCHANGE INCOME NEARLY REACHES ONE BILLION DOLLARS

The officials from the Black Sea Hazelnut Exporters' Union told the A.A correspondent that they exported 210 thousand tonnes of hazelnuts up until now during the 1997-1998 export-season, which started on 1 September 1997, and obtained more than 950 million US dollars of foreign exchange income.

The income is expected to increase over to one billion US dollars when the export-season will finish on 31 August 1998.

Officials said that in the same period in previous season, a total of 183 thousand tonnes of hazelnuts were exported for 715 million US dollars.

Officials said they will achieve successes also in the 1998-1999 export- season, adding that the production of hazelnuts this season was higher than the production in previous season.

[05] ANAP GROUP MEETING - PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ: ''THOSE WHO CLAIMED THAT THE PARLIAMENT WOULDN'T ADOPT A DECISION ON EARLY ELECTIONS HAVE BEEN ASHAMED''

Addressing the press before the Motherland Party (ANAP) Central Decision and Executive Board meeting, Prime Minister Yılmaz said that the necessary steps will be taken in August-September concerning the important projects for Turkey.

Prime Minister Yılmaz said that the issue of ''amnesty,'' which is being discussed by public opinion nowadays, will also be taken up at the meeting.

Recalling the meeting held with the leaders of the coalition parties, Prime Minister Yılmaz said that ''I promised Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit that I would discuss the amnesty proposal with my party. We'll convey our respond to our partners in line with the decision taken today.''

Noting that his party set up a commission having three members in order to examine the issue of amnesty last week and the commission completed its work, Prime Minister Yılmaz said that the report has been submitted to the ANAP Central Decision and Executive Board.

''Inclusion of crimes described under the Article 14 of the Constitution into the Amnesty law is out of question. ANAP is completely against any possible change concerning this issue,'' he added.

Stressing that the scope of amnesty lies within the authority of the parliament, Prime Minister Yılmaz said that ''according to a decision taken by the Constitutional Court in 1979, the parliament can keep several crimes out of the scope of the amnesty and no body can claim that this is contrary to the principle of equality. In this respect, the parliament is the competent authority.''

Pointing out that the amnesty can be adopted either in special or general form, Prime Minister Yılmaz stated that they will take up both internal and foreign policy developments and economic developments at the meeting.

[06] INVESTMENTS IN FIELD OF EDUCATION IN GAP REGION

While the 1998-1999 primary schools investment planning was being prepared, the number of students for each classroom in the GAP provinces was targetted to be 39 as in the whole country.

The distribution of investments, which were realized by public sources, in the provinces that were put into the scope of the GAP is as follows:

Adiyaman: construction of 258 classrooms at 50 primary schools continues. Besides, construction of four primary schools having capacity of 82 classrooms has been planned.

Batman: construction of 304 classrooms at 47 primary schools continues. Also, construction of seven primary schools including one boarding school having capacity of 131 classrooms has been planned.

Diyarbakir: construction of 399 classrooms at 32 primary schools continues. Also, construction of 16 primary schools including two boarding schools having capacity of 344 classrooms has been planned.

Gaziantep: construction of 389 classrooms at 40 primary schools continues. In addition to these classrooms, construction of 13 primary schools having capacity of 304 classrooms has been planned.

Kilis: construction of 81 classrooms at 10 primary schools continues. Also, construction of one primary school with 26 classrooms has been planned.

Mardin: construction of 487 classrooms at 83 primary schools continues. Also, construction of 10 primary schools including one boarding school having capacity of 170 classrooms has been planned.

Siirt: construction of 147 classrooms at 17 primary schools continues. Also, construction of four primary schools including one boarding school having capacity of 59 classrooms has been planned.

Sanliurfa: construction of 101 classrooms at 9 primary schools continues. Also, construction of 13 primary schools with 230 classrooms has been planned.

Sirnak: construction of 70 classrooms at 5 primary schools continues. Also, construction of six primary schools including one boarding school having capacity of 100 classrooms has been planned.

Within the scope of the eight-years of compulsory education, the Istanbul Stock Exchange (IMKB) will build seven primary schools with 250 classrooms and seven boarding schools.

The Turkish Chambers and Commodity Exchanges (TOBB) will construct one primary school having 12 classrooms. The Koc Holding will built a primary school with 16 classrooms.

[07] TEMPLE, THE WORLD BANK REPRESENTATIVE TO TURKEY LEAVES TURKEY: ''THE TURKISH ECONOMY HAS GROWN BY 27 PERCENT IN FIVE YEARS WHEN I WAS WORKING'' - ''TURKEY COMES THE FIRST AMONG COUNTRIES GROWING FASTLY IN SPITE OF INFLATION''

Addressing to A.A, Temple explained his impressions about the Turkish economy by saying that ''inflation, which is the leading problem of Turkey, became chronic due to the imbalance in budget and other structural problems. While the western and northwestern parts of Turkey have been developed, the eastern and southeastern regions of Turkey are poorer. There are differences between women and men in underveloped regions of Turkey particularly in respect of education. In spite of inflation, Turkey comes the first among countries which develop fastly. Besides the government has been successful in decreasing inflation and implementing several reforms. Turkey has started to use World Bank sources more often today.''

''Important success has been reached in solution of structural problems particularly in the recent period. The tax reform has been adopted and privatization continues very fastly. However the wide public sector makes the solution of economic problems difficult,'' he said.

Noting that the political stability is important for the solution of problems in Turkey, Frederick Temple said that ''governments are not very successful in Turkey in implementing their policies.''

Temple pointed out that the Turkish society should be fully made conscious about social security, adding that the Southeastern Project (GAP) has great importance for the sustainable development in Southeastern Anatolia.

''This project will strengthen the private sector in the region, will attract more investments and this will remove the unequality in distribution of income,'' he said, stressing that he believes Turkey will become a very important power in the 21st century and will set up a strong cooperation not only with the European Union (EU), but also with Central Asian countries and Russia.

Pointing out that Turkey has a very dynamic private sector, Temple stated that the exports of Turkey will increase under the leadership of her private sector.

Temple showed the eight years compolsory education as the one of the most important decisions taken by the Turkish government, adding that World Bank will continue to contribute to the basic education project of Turkey.

[08] CHP MEETING ON TOURISM - BAYKAL, CHP LEADER: ''A NEW STRUCTURING HAS TO START AND NEW POLICIES HAVE TO BE PRODUCED TO PREVENT THE DISCONTENT IN TOURISM''

Addressing the clossing session of the CHP Meeting on Tourism, Baykal stated that they discussed tourism, which is one of the important sectors of Turkey.

Noting that tourism is carried out ''in an amateurish and optimist way,'' Baykal stated that the sector launches efforts to become professional.

''There is discontent and worry in tourism sector, this is natural. A negative atmosphere has dominated the sector in the first half of 1998. We have to correct the situation now and there isn't a big crisis in the sector. More attention has to paid to ecologic, cultural and historical introduction of Turkey and a new identity has to be acquired to the tourism. We have double the number of tourists, which is eight-ten million, '' he added.

[09] FLOOD IN CALDIRAN COUNTY OF VAN - 30 HOUSES FLOODED, 40 SHEEP DIED

Heavy rain caused flood in Yukarıyanıktas village and it also damaged cultivated fields.

[10] ASIAN CRISIS AND TURKEY - EFFECTS OF CRISIS STARTED TO BE FELT IN TURKEY IN OCTOBER 1997

According to the study titled ''Southeast Asian Crisis: Turkish Economy and Its Effects On Istanbul Stock Exchange (IMKB)'', which was prepared by the IMKB Research Directorship, net foreign capital inflow in the form of portfolio investment in Turkey was realized during 1997 summer when the crisis emerged.

The capital outflow started to affect badly the markets as of October 1997 when the crisis reached serious dimensions while international investors preferred purchase in spite of leaving the market due to the spreading of bad affects of the crisis.

Mentioning that the crisis, which emerged in Southeast Asian countries and then showed a trend spreading rapidly throughout the world, was foreseen to affect the Turkish economy, especially the balance of payments, the study said that it is probable that Turkey's current deficits, which stem from foreign trade, may increase more by the inclining competition power of Asia.

Noting that the offering of cheap products to world markets by Asian countries whose currency units lost in value due to financial crisis, may cause a market contraction for all exporting countries and also for Turkey, the research said the reflection of demand shrinkage on export volume will be limited when it is taken into consideration that the Southeast Asian countries do not have big stake in exports of Turkey.

Stating that Turkey and the Southeast Asian countries produce similar goods, the reasearch said that this may create weakness for Turkey in the exports of mentioned products against Asian countries whose power of competition increased following the devaluations in their national currency units.

According to the study, the mostly affected sector was the steel-iron sector. The leather sector was among the sectors badly affected from the crisis while the durable goods sector isn't expected to be affected more from the Asian crisis.

The textile sector, from which the highest foreign exchange income is obtained, has several superiorities like supplying rapidly changing demands in the European Union (EU) countries and providing the entrance of Turkish products into the EU market without quotas.

Meanwhile, there was a ten percent decrease in the imports from Far East in the first two months of 1998 in the automotive sector.

According to the specifications of the IMKB Research Directorship, the US Dollar/Turkish Lira parity continued its inclining trend in 1997 in parallel to the US dollar's gaining in value throughout the world.

During this process, Turkey, which continued to pursue high interest policy offered by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to developing economies, did not enter into a serious crisis atmosphere but the Turkish capital market affected by the Asian crisis especially as of October 1997 due to the effect of global conjuncture.

During the Southeast Asian crisis period, there was a positive development in the banking and electricity sectors while the steel-iron, metal, textile and transportation sactors entered into negative trend.

The reasearch said, ''when the stock exchange yield performance related to the sectors, which were determined to be mostly affected, are observed, it is seen that the yield performance of automobile and sub-industry companies were very low. The situation is the same for the shares of other companies as of October 1997.''

''Together with the prices, which have been in inclining trend in the IMKB share market since August 1996, there was a synchronous increase in market value and price/profit rate. In the same period, the net purchase of foreigners were positive. The first effects of the crisis was felt in July- August. In these months, the net purchase of foreigners were negative and continued be negative between September 1997 and February 1998,'' it stressed.

''The priorities in the economy for Turkey, which foresaw a three percent grow and 8.1 percent budget deficit for 1998, are to strengthen financial structure and to take under control foreign trade deficit,'' the study added.

[11] TURKISH-GREEK COOPERATION IN LOCAL ADMINISTRATION

Addressing a joint statement after the meeting where the Turkish delegation headed by Mehmet Canseven, the Edirne Governor participated, the two sides said that positive developments have been recorded in the trade of agricultural products due to the meetings which started in 1997 in Edirne province of Turkey. The statement added that continuation of these meetings will be useful for the both sides.

Addressing a joint press briefing with Stravropulos, Canseven said that they will continue to cooperate and hold reciprocal visits in spite of all difficulties.

Stergios Stravropulos, the Rhodope Governor said in his part that they have been succesful in doing a thing which could not have been done for 40 years and they proved that Turkish and Greek people can convene around a same table and talk. Stravropulos said that the governments of the two countries should take this as an example.

The Turkish delegation including 15 people left for Turkey by highway the same day.

Greek Foreign Ministry had opposed to the visit of the Turkish delegation headed by Mehmet Canseven to Greece by claiming that Edirne governor was not elected and he is a high ranking official of the Turkish state, adding that such visits do not contribute to rapproachment between local communities.

[12] BASESGIOGLU, THE MINISTER OF INTERIOR: ''THE DRUG SEIZED BY TURKEY IN 1997 CONSTITUTES 40 PERCENT OF THE HEROIN SEIZED IN THE WORLD AND 60 PERCENT OF HEROIN SEIZED IN EUROPE''

Addressing a press briefing, Murat Basesgioglu evaluated the activities of the Ministry of Interior in the last one year and stated that the separatist terrorist organization has been pacified in a considerable extent by the operations staged against it and it lost power. Noting that the former number of the seperatist terrorists, which was 15,000-20,000; Basesgioglu pointed out that it decreased to 4500-5000 and its militant structure has changed a lot.

Stressing that 1299 terrorist incidents took place between July 1, 1997- June 30, 1998, Basesgioglu said that ''1665 terrorists died, 346 terrorists were wounded and 185 terrorists surrendered to security forces in the operations during this period. Morover 3157 militants, who helped the separatist terrorist organization, were captured.''

Noting that Turkey also faces with the problem with extreme leftist terrorist organizations, Basesgioglu noted that these organizations lost their effectivity in a considerable extent during the operations staged against them.

Totally 302 actions were carried out by Marxist-Leninist organizations within the last one year and three security officers, 15 citizens and 13 security officers and citizens were injured in these terrorist activities, Basesgioglu added that ''22 terrorists were killed, 1603 terrorists were captured.''

Basesgioglu added that 247 incidents were committed by fundamentalist organizations during the same period and 853 militants were captured and 10 citizens died and 24 were wounded in these accidents.

Stressing that 152,697 crimes were committed in the first six months of 1998 in Turkey, Basesgioglu added that a partial decrease has been realized.

Pointing out that traffic accidents are one the most important problems of Turkey, Basesgioglu said that structural insufficiency and mistakes of drivers are the most important reasons of the traffic accidents, adding that the Ministry of Interior has taken measures to decrease traffic accidents.

Minister of Interior said that 31 out of 34 investigates have been completed concerning the ''Susurluk Incident,'' adding that the Susurluk scandal is before the judiciary.

[13] TURKEY'S EXPORTS OF HERBS - TURKEY BECOMES THIRD AFTER CHINA AND INDIA IN REVENUE GAINED FROM EXPORTS OF HERBS

The Association of Protection of Natural Life, the Ankara and Istanbul Universities' Pharmacy Faculties and Britain-based Association of Protection of Fauna and Flora prepared a report including the herb species.

According to the report, Turkey exports a total of 347 different herbs and obtains 50 million US dollars of revenue.

Carobs have 36 percent share in total exports. It is followed by thymes with 17 percent, capers with 12 percent and laurels with 10 percent. The future of other ten different herbs (orris, salep, gentian, soapwort, jalap, hop, Mexican tea, medical peony and blackberry) are in danger.

According to the suggestions in the report, the list of plants, which are exported to foreign countries and sold in the country, should be prepared and the scientific analyses of samples should be carried out by the concerned departments of universities to protect the herb species.

[14] 29 TURKISH AND FOREIGN DELEGATIONS VISIT GAP LAST MONTH

The officials from the GAP Regional Directorate of Development Administration told the A.A correspondent that 29 Turkish and foreign delegations paid visits to Sanliurfa province to make observations at the Ataturk Dam and Urfa tunnels.

Officials said the Turkish and foreign delegations including politicians, ambassadors, investment companies' representatives, people engaged in tourism, university officials, scientists and representatives of foreign companies from the US to India visited the GAP.

Officials said that the number of people visited the GAP to see the Ataturk Dam, Urfa-1 and Urfa-2 irrigation tunnels reached one thousand last month and that those visitors were informed about the GAP.

[15] IMPORTANT DEVELOPMENTS FOR NEMRUT MOUNTAIN - INTERNATIONAL NEMRUT FOUNDATION PREPARES A RESCUE PLAN FOR NEMRUT RUINS

Mahmut Arslan, the Secretary General of the International Nemrut Foundation, which is centred in the Netherlands, said that they are ready to restore the Nemrut ruins, which have been shown as a candidate to the Award of ''Golden Apple-1999,'' which is described as the ''Tourism Oscar.''

''Unfortunately these miracles which attracted the interest of the world could not see the support they deserved. The International Nemrut Foundation aims to rescue these works of art and to win them in respect of world cultural tourism,'' Arslan added.

Pointing out that they aim the restoration, protection of the works of art which were destructed, establishment of a musuem by the name of ''Kommagane'' and to display works of art which will be exavated by opening the monumental grave, he said ''We have prepared a master plan which will be valid for five years, we've applied to the Ministry of Culture and said that we could finance the master plan we've prepared.'' Arslan noted that if the plan is implemented, the number of tourists who visit the region will increase to 200,000 this year and it will increase to two millions in 1999.

[16] MASHADOV, HEAD OF STATE OF CHECHEN-INGUSH AUTONOMOUS REPUBLIC, ARRIVES IN TURKEY - MASHADOV: ''SOME PEOPLE TRIED TO CAUSE CHAOS IN OUR COUNTRY FOLLOWING THE WAR. WE TOOK EVERY MEASURE AT THE RIGHT TIME''

Mashadov said at the Ataturk Airport, ''some people tried to cause chaos in our country following the war with Russia. We took necessary measures at the right time. From now on, the peace and friendship will dominate our country.''

Speaking to reporters, Mashadov said that the protocols, which were signed at the end of earlier meetings, were reviewed during his meeting with Russian Prime Minister.

Pointing out that he will proceed to the US on 5 August to participate in the Islamic Committee meeting in Washington D.C., Mashadov said that he has not a planned official contact in Turkey.

''Particularly the Arab countries tried to teach us the Islam. Islam is the most perfect religion in the world and we learned Islam from the Koran excellently. We didn't give an opportunity to those people trying to create chaos. Peace and friendship will dominate Chechenya from now on,'' he said.

Responding to a question about assasination attempt against him, Mashadov said, ''we fought against a super country but we won. Don't pay attention to such easy issues. But those people will be regretful.''

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