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Anadolu Agency: News in English, 99-08-01Anadolu Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Anadolu Agency Home Page at <http://www.anadoluajansi.gov.tr/>AA Daily01 August 1999 SundayCONTENTS
[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCANThese are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in Turkey's press on August 1, 1999. The Anadolu Ajansi does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.HURRIYET (LIBERAL)SIGNATURE WHICH CONCERNS PRESIDENT DEMIRELPresident Suleyman Demirel talked about the capital punishment given to Abdullah Ocalan, the head of the terrorist organization. Demirel said that the legal procedure has not been over yet and that it was necessary to wait what will happen after the procedures are over. Demirel said, ''what we discuss is not the laws but the punishment. What we discuss is whether or not to implement the punishment. The implementation is a political issue.'' 11 PEOPLE KILLED BY TERRORISTS MILLIYET (LIBERAL)THEY VOWSThey are playing with the destiny of one million students. The students know their marks they got from the Student Selection Exam. Any postponement disrupts the schedule and any backward step will harm the confidence in the system. Devlet Bahceli of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) said, ''be patient for another two days, it will be OK.'' Mesut Yilmaz of the Motherland Party (ANAP) said, ''the government will do what is necessary.'' Recai Kutan of the Virtue Party (FP) said, ''all of us are discontented.'' VENIZELOS' HOLIDAY IN AEGEAN SABAH (LIBERAL)PREMIER ECEVIT: ''DO NOT INCLUDE IRAN IN THE AGENDA''Premier Bulent Ecevit said that the meetings on the release of two Turkish soldiers detained by Iran continue. When asked whether there was a development to ease the tension between Turkey and Iran, Ecevit said, ''no, there is not any development. Foreign Minister Ismail Cem told me that his meeting with Kamal Kharrazi, Iranian Foreign Minister, in Bosnia was very positive. I don't have any more information.'' When asked at which stage the relations with Iran are, Ecevit said, ''the meetings with Iran continue. I think that inclusion of this issue in the agenda is wrong. I earlier stated my ideas, concerns and expectations about this issue.'' INTEREST IN ALTIN PORTAKAL CUMHURIYET (LEFT)WHAT GOVERMENT WANTS TO COME TRUEThe Draft Law on Social Security was accepted in the Parliamentary Planning and Budget Commission after 13 hours of discussions. The draft law will be discussed at the Parliamentary General Assembly next week. Meanwhile, the ''Labour Platorm'' from which the Confederation of Turkish Labour Unions (Turk-Is) withdrew because it refused to go on a general strike, will convene two days later and will announce thier joint decision. TRNC NATIONAL RESISTENCE DAY ONE MORE RECORD IN SWIMMING CHAMPIONSHIPS RADIKAL (LEFT)COMMAND IN ARMED FORCES TO CHANGEAt the end of the Supreme Military Council meeting, which will start on Monday, the chief commanders will be retired. Admiral Salim Dervisoglu, the Chief Commander of the Naval Forces; General Atilla Ates, the Chief Commander of the Land Forces; General Ilhan Kilic, the Chief Commander of the Air Forces; Rasim Betir, the Chief Commander of the Gendarmerie; General Cevik Bir; the Chief Commander of the First Army; General Dogu Aktulga, the Chief Commander of the Aegean Army; and General Necati Ozgen, the Commander of the War Academies, will turn over their missions and be retired. IRAN SAYS NOTHING TÜRKİYE (RIGHT)U.S. SLAP TO ARMENIANSThe effort of an Armenian lobby member and U.S. Congress deputy aimed at preventing the Baku-Ceyhan oil pipeline project by adding a new Article into a draft law, which is being discussed at the House of representatives, failed at the first stage. Sources said the House of Representatives Speaker's Office met Robert Andrews, a Democrat Party deputy who submitted the proposal, and provided the withdrawal of the discussion of the additional Article which foresees the freeze of the U.S. spendings on the Baku-Ceyhan project till the solution of the Nagorna-Karabakh problem. UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE ON THE WAY ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)KILL BUT DO NOT STEALIn accordance with the Turkish Penal Code, the punishment of murdering, wounding and raping people is less than the sentence for usurping the belongings of other people like eye-glasses and bracelets. Here are the unjust sentences: the punishment for stealing the eye-glasses of a woman after slapping her while she is walking on a street is ten years in prison but the sentence for raping a woman without touching her eye-glasses is seven years in prison. Three young men were sentenced to 11 years imprisonment with charges of stealing two pigeons which were sold for ten million Turkish Liras. The children, who stole 20 kg pistachio nuts and 2 kg pastry, were sentenced to nine years imprisonment, they are still staying in prison. The children of the criminals, who steal tomato, chicken, can't be a judge or policemen but the murderers can be judge or policemen if they want. [02] EUROPEAN WESTERN THRACE TURKISH FEDERATION: - ''PAPANDREU'S STATEMENTS ABOUT THE TURKISH IDENTITY WERE NOT SATISFACTORY''OBERHAUSEN, August 1 (A.A) - Necmi Hasanoglu, the Chairman of the Federation of European Western Thracian Turks (ABTF), said on Saturday that Greek Foreign Minister Yorgo Papandreu's statements about recognition of the ''Turkish Identity'' living in the Western Thrace were not satisfactory and did not include a concrete content for the Western Thracian Turkish community.Releasing a statement, Hasanoglu, the Chairman of the Witten, Germany-based ABTF, said, ''Mr. Papandreu's statements about the Turkish existence were pleasing as those statements brought this reality, that is well-known by the world, into the attention of the Greek public opinon but we expect actions and performances following those statements.'' Noting that Greece was trying to rescue herself from the impasse in her policies about the minorities, Hasanoglu said, ''if Mr. Papandreu is sincere in his statements, as a first concrete step, he has to prove this by attending the opening ceremonies of the associations which were closed in Komotini as they have the word 'Turkish' in their names.'' Stressing that the Greek government should give up the policies based on enmity against Turks, Hasanoglu said the national minorities should be recognized by a political will, and their social, cultural, economic, political and religious rights should be given back. [03] TALAY, CULTURE MINISTER: ''EPHESUS WILL BE ILLUMINATED AND OPENED TO VISITORS ALSO AT NIGHT''SELCUK, August 1 (A.A) - Istemihan Talay, the Culture Minister said on Sunday that the Ephesus Ancient Site will be illuminated and will be opened to the visitors at night.Talay told the A.A correspondent that a part of the Ephesus Ancient Site is sometimes illuminated for the cultural activities and that he was affected by this illumination. Emphasizing that a company will sponsor the illumination of the Ephesus Ancient Site and that there is a project for this illumination, Talay noted that the illumination of Ephesus will be nice and useful. Talay said, ''the Ephesus Ancient Site is one of the most visited museums and sites in Turkey. To this end, it is obligatory to illuminate the Ephesus and open it at nights. The Culture Ministry launches initiatives on a project which was prepared for the illumination of the Ephesus. We will ensure the illumination of the Ephesus by realizing this project as soon as possible.'' [04] BAHCELI, DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER: ''IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO STOP TURKEY WITH TERRORISM OR ANOTHER THING''KAYSERI, August 1 (A.A) - Devlet Bahceli, the Minister of State and the Deputy Prime Minister, said on Saturday that it is impossible to stop Turkey with terrorism or another thing, stressing, ''the enemies of Turkey are seeking futile methods to force Turkey to accept somethings by showing the murderers as a pretext.''Addressing the panel discussion on ''Turkey: The Leading Country In 21st Century'', Bahceli said that the Turkish nation is trying to create with common sense the social and economic development, and this scares other countries. ''The ones, who scare of a developed and industrialized great Turkey, have supported terrorism for years. All of these are futile. It is impossible to stop Turkey with terrorism or another thing. The terrorist organization collapsed and its leading terrorists were captured one by one. Other terrorists are now incurable. The enemies of Turkey are seeking futile methods to force Turkey to accept somethings,'' Bahceli stressed. Bahceli stated that all of the Turkish people, especially the Kurdish speaking Turkish citizens will continue their struggle against the Sevres Treaty. ''The Turkish nation is capable of overcoming the obstacles within unity and solidarity. Political solution words of terror, the pressures that the western countries are trying to put and the manoeuvres of Syria and Iran have a single target, and that is to stop Turkey. However, nobody has the power to waylay Turkey,'' Bahceli emphasized. [05] FIGURES OF SIX-MONTH EXPORTS FROM GAP REGIONGAZIANTEP, August 1 (A.A) - The exports of agricultural products from the Southeastern Anatolia Project (GAP) region in the first half of 1999 to the African countries increased 116.5 percent to 6 million 137 thousand U.S. dollars, it was reported on Sunday.The exports of agrcultural products to the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) countries decreased 64 percent to 3 million 81 thousand U.S. dollars and exports of agricultural products to the Eastern European countries reduced 25.7 percent to 13 million 710 thousand U.S. dollars. In the same period last year, the exports to African countries were 2 million 834 thousand U.S. dollars; the exports to the CIS countries were 8 million 558 thousand U.S. dollars and the exports to the Eastern European countries were 18 million 443 thousand U.S. dollars. The Southeastern Anatolian Exporters' Unions data shows that in the first six months of 1999, a total of 660 thousand U.S. dollars grain-cereals and seeds, 75 thousand U.S. dollars dried fruits and 5 million 402 thousand U.S. dollars textiles were exported to the Arican countries; a total of 895 thousand U.S. dollars grain-cereals and seeds, 9 thousand U.S. dollars dried fruits and 2 million 177 thousand U.S. dollars textiles were exported to the CIS countries; and a total of 239 thousand U.S. dollars grain- cereals and seeds, 669 thousand U.S. dollars dried fruits and 12 million 802 thousand U.S. dollars textiles were exported to the Eastern European countries. [06] CREDIT FROM WORLD BANK - AGREEMENTS FOR 407.5 MILLION U.S. DOLLARS CREDITS OBTAINED FROM WORLD BANK TO BE SIGNED IN ANKARA TOMORROWANKARA, August 1 (A.A) - The agreements for the credits worth of 407.5 million U.S. dollars which were obtained from the World Bank to finance the exports and the industrial technology projects, will be signed in Ankara on August 2; it was reported on Sunday.The officials told the A.A correspondent that Ajay Chhibber, the Turkey Director of the World Bank, Aydin Karaoz, Foreign Economic Relations Director General, will sign the loan agreements. The Industrial Technology Project will cost nearly 155 million U.S. dollars; there will be no repayment in the first five years of the 17-year credit. The interest rate will be libor+ 0.75 percent. The project aims at increasing the technological capacity of Turkish industry, catching up the international standards in Turkish industry, developing new products and production technologies, encouraging the quality and measurement technologies which carry importance for the integration of Turkey with the European Union (EU). The Export Finance Project will cost almost 252.5 million U.S. dollars and will aim at encouraging the real sector concerning Turkey's exports. The Eximbank will be the debtor while the Treasury will be the guarantor in this credit. The Eximbank will give the credit to maximum five private banks, including four commercial and one development bank, which are in export field. There will be no repayment for the first three years of the 3-year credit. The interest rate will be libor+ 0.75 percent. [07] NATIONAL RESISTENCE DAY CELEBRATED IN TRNCLEFKOSA, August 1 (A.A) - The National Resistence Day is being celebrated in the Turkish Republic of Nothern Cyprus (TRNC) on Sunday.The first ceremony was held in front of Ataturk's Monument in Lefkosa. Speaking in the ceremony, Ugur Ergulen, a high-ranking officer, said that the Ottoman Empire brought peace to Cyprus in 1571 and that it recognized the right of free worship and represent themselves. Ergulen said that the Greek Cypriots started to expend efforts to realize 'enosis' (union with Greece) after the Island was handed over to the Britain. Emphasizing that the Greek Cypriots did the same thing which the Serbs did in Kosovo, to the Turkish Cypriots and that the world turned a blind eye to this, Ergulen noted that Turkish Resistence Organization (TMT) was founded in those days. Stressing that the TMT members set up the basis for the TRNC, Ergulen stated that the Cyprus Peace Operation was launched in 1974 following the Greek-Greek Cypriot military coup. Ergulen said that Turkish Cypriots gained their freedom by the Peace Operation; adding that the world is trying to make the Turkish Cypriots being oppressed by the Greek Cypriots but that this is not possible. Later, the second ceremony was held in Martyrs' Monument in Lefkosa. [08] FOREIGN TRADE FIGURESANKARA, August 1 (A.A) - The mineral fuels and mineral oil became the leading products of which exports increased by 72.4 percent in the first five months of the year, it was reported on Sunday.The State Institute of Statistics (DIE) data shows that Turkey's total exports in the first five months decreased by 6.2 percent and her total imports reduced by 23.1 percent. The names of some products and decreases or increases in exports and imports of these products in first five months of 1999 according to the DIE statistics are as follows: Export Increase Decrease Name of Product (percent) (percent) -------------------- --------- --------- Grains 71.8 - Land Vehicles 51.1 - Vegetal oil 27 - Inorganic chemicals 17.4 - Rubber 19.2 - Ceramics 4.1 - Live-stock - 80.4 Mill products - 72.5 Flour - 61.4 Shoe - 50.3 Vegetables - 28.5 Fruits - 9.2 Sugar - 15.3 Leather products - 36.6 Wooden products - 25 Import Increase Decrease Name of Product (percent) (percent) -------------------- --------- --------- Tobacco 48.8 - Remains of food industry 24.2 - Leather - 77.8 Metal ore - 52.3 Cotton - 44.3 Knitted products - 39.2 Shoes and gaiters - 43 Steel and iron - 40.5 Furniture - 16.1 Aircrafts - 35.2 </PRE> [09] KOH, U.S. ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE, IN MARDIN - KOH: ''TURKEY ATTACHES IMPORTANCE TO HUMAN RIGHTS BUT THE PEOPLE OF THIS REGION ARE FACING DIFFICULTIES''MARDIN, August 1 (A.A) - Harold Koh, the U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for human rights, said on Sunday that Turkey attaches importance to human rights but the people of the Southeastern Anatolia are facing difficulties.Koh and the accompanying delegation went to southeastern Mardin province. Speaking to reporters after visiting Kiziltepe county of Mardin, Koh said that they came to Turkey to investigate how the human rights are in Turkey and that they welcomed the importance that Turkey attaches to human rights. Emphasizing that the economic problems in this region distress the people, Koh noted that Turkey attaches importance to human rights but the people of this region are facing difficulties. Stressing that when he was on the way to Derik county, he noticed the villages which were deserted, Koh stated that they carry out examinations on how they can enable the people to return back to their villages. Koh said that they are trying the find out which countries can help the return of the villagers to their own villages; adding that the most important issue for them is the issue of human rights and that a humanitarian aid package is necessary for the region. Koh and the accompanying delegation will proceed to southeastern Diyarbakir province after completing their investigations in Mardin. A.A Anadolu Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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