Anadolu Agency: News in English, 99-09-18

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AA Daily

18 Sept 1999 Saturday

CONTENTS

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

[02] MUMCU, TOURISM MINISTER, TO PARTICIPATE IN WTO GENERAL ASSEMBLY

[03] PREMIER ECEVIT'S VISIT TO U.S. - TURKEY AND U.S. TO SIGN TRADE AND INVESTMENT AGREEMENT

[04] PREMIER ECEVIT'S VISIT TO U.S. - ECEVIT TO MEET WITH TURKISH SOCIETY IN NEW YORK

[05] FM CEM LEAVES FOR U.S.

[06] TURK, JUSTICE MINISTER: ''WHAT TURKEY EXPECTS FROM HELSINKI SUMMIT IS BEING INCLUDED IN THE CANDIDATE LIST''

[07] MUMCU, TOURISM MINISTER: ''THERE ARE NEW HORIZONS IN FRONT OF TURKEY'S TOURISM''

[08] TWO TURKISH COMPANIES PURCHASE BULGARIAN GORUBSO MINE PITS AND SUMNU ALIMINIUM FACTORY

[09] PRIME MINISTRY CRISIS ADMINISTRATION CENTER STATEMENT: - ''DEATH TOLL RISES TO 15,637 WHILE THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO ARE UNDER MEDICAL TREATMENT IS 24,941''

[10] A HIGH RANKING FINANCE DELEGATION TO MAKE OBSERVATIONS IN INSTALLATIONS OF ADAPAZARI, KOCAELI, YALOVA AND DUZCE

[11] NURBALA, CHAIRMAN OF IRANIAN RED CRESCENT: ''WE REGARD THE LOSS OF TURKEY CAUSED BY THE QUAKE AS OUR OWN LOSS''

[12] FOGG, EU COMMISSION'S REPRESENTATIVE TO TURKEY: ''I HOPE TURKEY WILL ALSO BE INTEGRATED INTO UNION PROCESS LIKE OTHER CANDIDATE COUNTRIES IN HELSINKI''

[13] SPANISH RED CROSS HANDS OVER ITS EQUIPMENT TO TURKISH RED CRESCENT

[14] PREMIER ECEVIT: ''RED CRESCENT CAN HAVE SOME ASPECTS WHICH CAN BE CRITICIZED, BUT THESE CRITICISMS SHOULDN'T REACH THE LEVEL OF HARMING THAT ORGANIZATION OR STATE''

[15] RED CRESCENT SAYS PREMIER ECEVIT VISITED RED CRESCENT'S WAREHOUSE IN ETIMESGUT DISTRICT OF ANKARA TO CARRY OUT OBSERVATIONS OVER VARIOUS TENTS WHICH ARE SUITABLE FOR WINTER

[16] GEMICI, STATE MINISTER IN ADAPAZARI: ''WE AIM AT SERVING PEOPLE IN A MORE PLANNED AND REGULAR WAY BY TRANSFERRING ADMINISTRATION OF TENT CITIES TO RED CRESCENT''

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

HURRIYET (LIBERAL) POLITICS BAN TO ILLEGALLY CONSTRUCTED BUILDINGS
The massive earthquake which hit the Marmara Region last month showed that Turkey will never permit illegally constructed buildings. The bill which was not discussed in the previous parliamentary term, has been put onto the agenda of the parliament again. Under the bill, those who constructed illegal buildings and squatters and those who condone these constructions, will lose their right to vote and be elected. These people will be banned from the politics for five years.

FOGG, EU COMMISSION PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE, SAYS THEY HAVE ALWAYS
CONSIDERED TURKEY AS A MEMBER
Karen Fogg, the European Union (EU) Commission Permanent Representative, said that they have always considered Turkey as a member. Fogg said that they will issue the report they prepared about Turkey in October and that if Turkey takes steps in the light of this report, she can mark concrete steps in the Helsinki summit.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

ONLY 15 PERCENT OF RUBBLE SHIFTED IN A MONTH
The efforts to shift the rubble which became the graves of thousands of people continue. Only 15 percent of the rubble could be shifted in a month. 327 of 8,644 buildings which are determined to be demolished, were demolished.

SABAH (LIBERAL)

A TOTAL OF 40 MILLION U.S. DOLLAR ALLOCATED FOR PROMOTION
Nevzat Saygilioglu, the Tourism Ministry Undersecretary, said that the loss in tourism sector is two billion U.S. dollars and that they allocated 40 million U.S. dollars for the promotion in 2000. The number of tourists visiting Turkey decreased 20 to 25 percent and the revenues from the tourism sector reduced 25 to 30 percent in 1999.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

CEM:WE WON'T FORGET YOUR FRIENDSHIP
The Foreign Ministry gave thank-you plates to countries and institutions which extended aid to Turkey following the massive earthquake that shook Marmara region of Turkey on August 17. Turkey didn't give plates to Yugoslavia and Libya which sent messages to Turkey one week after the massive earthquake. Ismail Cem told in the ceremony that ''we won't forget your friendship.''

RADIKAL (LEFT)

YALOVA GETS HIGHEST NUMBER OF PREFABRICATED HOUSES
The distribution of prefabricated houses among the provinces devastated by the massive earthquake on August 17 made everybody uneasy. Only 5332 prefabricated houses are planned to be given to Sakarya where 31,000 houses collapsed. However Yalova, where 15,000 buildings collapsed, will probably get 4642 buildings.

TÜRKİYE (RIGHT)

A PLAN AMONG THREE PARTIES ON CYPRUS
The Turkish and Greek Cypriots living on Cyprus will be independent regarding internal affairs, but ''one'' party regarding foreign affairs. The plan claimed to be put forward by the U.S. regarding the Cyprus question aims at bringing a triple structure of state. A supreme structure is planned to represent Cyprus state in the world. Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots will take part in this supreme administration.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

[02] MUMCU, TOURISM MINISTER, TO PARTICIPATE IN WTO GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Officials told A.A correspondent that the WTO 13th General Assembly will be held between September 24 and October 1, 1999 and that the tourism ministers of nearly 60 countries are expected to participate in the meeting.

The officials said that the ministers will discuss ''the draft on the ethical principles in tourism'' which lists the rules that the member countries should obey as of 2000.

The officials noted that if the principles are approved in the general assembly, they will become the principles which the countries that are members of the WTO should obey and these principles will impose some sanctions.

Below listed ten articles of the draft which will be discussed in the general assembly:

-Respect to host societies,

-Respect to humanitarian values of the country which is visited,

-Sensitivity to the environment and the protection of natural life,

-Care for the protection of the country's culture,

-Protection of the interests of the local societies,

-Consumers rights,

-Workers rights,

-Tourism for everybody,

-Freedom of movement,

-Promotion right for tourism in the applications.

[03] PREMIER ECEVIT'S VISIT TO U.S. - TURKEY AND U.S. TO SIGN TRADE AND INVESTMENT AGREEMENT

Before the official working visit of Premier Ecevit to the U.S. between September 26-October 1, a delegation headed by Kursat Tuzmen, the Undersecretary of Foreign Trade and an American delegation headed by Don Johnson, will negotiate to increase textile quotas.

The U.S. promised to broaden the textile quota applied to Turkey after the massive earthquake that shook Marmara region of Turkey. The negotiations will be held between 22-23 September.

Premier Ecevit will also meet with James Wolfensohn, the Chairman of the World Bank and Michel Camdessus, the President of the IMF.

William Daley, the U.S. Secretary of Commerce, who requested to meet with Premier Ecevit, will be out of town and this meeting has been cancelled.

Diplomatic sources point out that Premier Ecevit will come together with U.S. President Bill Clinton in Oval Office on September 28, a meeting will be held in the cabinet room together with the U.S Secretaries later and finally a lunch will be given with a group of 10 people.

A delegation of 55 people including Ismail Cem, the Foreign Minister, Cumhur Ersumer, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, Recep Onal, the State Minister responsible from economy, Kenan Tanrıkulu, the Minister of Industry and Trade, deputies, businessmen and journalists will accompany Premier Ecevit.

Diplomatic sources in Washington D.C. said that Ecevit and Clinton are not expected to stage a joint statement after their meeting.

Ecevit can also meet with Al Gore, the Vice President.

Rahsan Ecevit, the wife of Premier Ecevit is expected to drink tea with Hillary Clinton, the first lady in the U.S.

Bulent Ecevit will stay in Blair House state guest house in Washington D.C. in which high ranking guests are hosted.

Ecevit who will later proceed to New York after wrapping up his contacts in Washington D.C., will come together with Henry Kissinger, one of the former state secretaries of the U.S. in a meeting on October 1. Kissinger invited Premier Ecevit to breakfeast due to their friendship.

The number of Turkish journalists who will follow the contacts of Premier Ecevit in the U.S. will be 74.

[04] PREMIER ECEVIT'S VISIT TO U.S. - ECEVIT TO MEET WITH TURKISH SOCIETY IN NEW YORK

Dr. Ata Erim, the Chairman of the Federation of the Turkish-American Associations told A.A that Premier Bulent Ecevit will meet with Turkish origin citizens living in eastern states of the U.S. on September 30. Dr. Erim said that nearly 1000 persons are expected to participate in the meeting in New York together with the ones coming from New Jersey, Connecticut, Philadelphia and Virginia states.

Meanwhile Foreign Minister Cem will arrive in New York today to participate in the U.N. General Assembly meeting.

Cem who will spend Sunday at Turkey's Permanent Representation and who will prepare for the General Assembly meeting with Turkish diplomats, will start his contacts by meeting with Abel Matutes, his Spanish counterpart on Monday.

Ismail Cem will meet Belgian, Luxembourg, Danish and Russian foreign ministers on Monday and on Tuesday he is expected to come together with his Austrian, German, Pakistani and Iranian counterparts. On Wednesday Cem will meet with Israeli, Syrian and Iraqi foreign ministers.

Cem will address the U.N. General Council on Thursday evening and meet with Madeleine Albright, the U.S. Secretary of State the same day.

Ismail Cem will meet with Yorgo Papandreu, the Greek Foreign Minister on Friday.

After the end of the first week activities of the General Assembly, Cem will proceed to Washington D.C. on September 26 and participate in the official visit of Premier Ecevit.

Cem will return to New York on September 30 together with Premier Ecevit.

Premier Ecevit will address the Foreign Politics Association which will host a lunch in his honour on October 1 and the same day the Turkish delegation will leave the U.S.

[05] FM CEM LEAVES FOR U.S.

Prior to his departure from the Ataturk Airport, Cem said that he will hold bilateral contacts with the foreign ministers of 30 countries in five days.

Emphasizing that he will have the opportunity to express Turkey's ideas about the global issues and the bilateral relations, Cem noted that he hopes that the U.N. meeting will be useful for Turkey.

Cem added that he will return to Turkey together with Premier Bulent Ecevit who will also visit the U.S. next week.

[06] TURK, JUSTICE MINISTER: ''WHAT TURKEY EXPECTS FROM HELSINKI SUMMIT IS BEING INCLUDED IN THE CANDIDATE LIST''

Turk went to northeastern Trabzon province to carry out observations in some units which are bound to his ministry.

Emphasizing that Turkey and Greece started to approach to each other before the quake disasters, Turk noted that the quake indicated that the people of the two countries are close to each other.

Stressing that thus, the relations between the two countries started to soften, Turk stated that they expect this to be reflected in the European Union (EU) and that to this end, the EU should fulfil its responsibilities.

Turk said, ''maybe, the members cannot give a decision about the membership but can solve the problems within the framework of mutual trust. What Turkey expects from the Helsinki Summit is being included in the candidate list. Turkey's name should be included in that list.''

Responding to a question about the Amnesty Law, Turk said that he thinks that some aspects of the law is unjustly criticized because this law was prepared in accordance with the line of the amnesty laws which were earlier issued.

Turk added that some criticized parts of the amnesty law will be revised at the parliament in October.

[07] MUMCU, TOURISM MINISTER: ''THERE ARE NEW HORIZONS IN FRONT OF TURKEY'S TOURISM''

Speaking in an opening ceremony in Kemer county of southern Antalya province, Mumcu noted that Turkey's success in tourism sector in 15 years is more than the success of the other countries.

Stressing that the number of tourists visiting Turkey increased from 250, 000 to 10 million, Mumcu stated that Turkey should revise what she deserves in tourism and how she can reach these targets.

Emphasizing that Turkey's long coast line, warm people and the quality of the touristic installations are the significant advantages in tourism sector, Mumcu stressed that tourism sector can be improved by all these advantages.

Mumcu added that the growth in tourism sector can be possible by the big targets of a country.

[08] TWO TURKISH COMPANIES PURCHASE BULGARIAN GORUBSO MINE PITS AND SUMNU ALIMINIUM FACTORY

The ''Soma Komur'', a Turkish coal company, purchased ''Gorubso Mine Pits'' which is one of the giant mine enterprises of Bulgaria. Soma Komur company will run this Bulgarian company together with a Russian company titled ''Vostak Invest''.

The ''FAF Metal'', a Turkish metal company, bought the aliminium factory in Sumnu. Faf Metal will be a partner with a Bulgarian company in this factory and will invest 38 million U.S. dollars for the modernization of the factory.

Thus, Turkish investments in Bulgaria reached 130 million U.S. dollars.

[09] PRIME MINISTRY CRISIS ADMINISTRATION CENTER STATEMENT: - ''DEATH TOLL RISES TO 15,637 WHILE THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO ARE UNDER MEDICAL TREATMENT IS 24,941''

The Prime Ministry Crisis Administration Center statement said that 65,385 houses and 10,761 workplaces are determined to be heavily damaged or collapsed; 64,565 houses and 9,746 workplaces are determined to be moderately damaged and 76,452 houses and 9,413 workplaces are determined to be lightly damaged in the quake zone.

Emphasizing that the rubble of 1,396 buildings has been shifted, the statement noted that a total of 7,497 buildings should be demolished in the shortest time.

The statement added that the quake survivors shelter in a total of 105,613 tents.

[10] A HIGH RANKING FINANCE DELEGATION TO MAKE OBSERVATIONS IN INSTALLATIONS OF ADAPAZARI, KOCAELI, YALOVA AND DUZCE

A high ranking finance delegation will visit the disaster region and hold inquiries in industrial installations of Adapazarı, Kocaeli, Yalova and Duzce. This delegation aims at cancelling certain tax payments of these installations in the disaster region and it will evaluate the damage- assessment reports of the Ministry of Public Works and Housing.

Under Article 115 of the Tax Procedure Law, those citizens who lost at least one third of their properties, won't pay the taxes stemming from these properties.

The delegation will also determine the tax loss of the state.

[11] NURBALA, CHAIRMAN OF IRANIAN RED CRESCENT: ''WE REGARD THE LOSS OF TURKEY CAUSED BY THE QUAKE AS OUR OWN LOSS''

Nurbala told A.A correspondent that they wanted to contact Turkey since they had heard the quake disaster but that they could not have a contact with Turkey because the communication lines were cut off.

Emphasizing that they could only contact Turkey through the Red Cross, Nurbala noted that Turkey's first international aid demand was first aid and blankets and to this end, they sent 5,000 blankets and tents to Turkey at the first stage.

Stressing that the Iranian Red Crescent informed Turkey that it is ready to send medical and rescue teams to Turkey and to treat the injured people in Iran, Nurbala stated that the Iranian Petroleum Ministry was ready to send a team to put out the fire in Turkish Petroleum Refineries Corp. (TUPRAS) and that Mohammed Ferhadi, Iranian Health Minister, reiterated this proposal to the Turkish officials during his visit to Turkey.

Noting that they visited the disaster zone during their visit to Turkey together with Ferhadi, Nurbala stressed that the losses were more than they had expected and they saw that the losses of life and property were more than they had thought.

Stating that they share the pain of the people and received information from the officials during their visit, Nurbala emphasized that they met with President Suleyman Demirel; Premier Bulent Ecevit; Yasar Okuyan, the Labour and Social Security Minister; Saadettin Tantan, Interior Minister; Osman Durmus, Health Minister, and Kemal Demir, the chairman of Turkish Red Crescent.

Pointing out that the losses were so much, Nurbala said that the national unity and solidarity and the fact that all the aid organizations were in the disaster zone carried importance and that nearly 60 countries participated in aid campaigns for the survivors.

Nurbala noted that they sent aid worth of 456,166 U.S. dollars to Turkey and that the bank accounts opened for aid to the survivors are still kept open.

Stressing that he thinks that it will take too much time for the compensation of the damages and losses caused by the quake, Nurbala stated that Iran and Turkey are two countries which are on the fault line and that to this end, they can exchange views and carry out joint aid campaigns.

Noting that they will ask for reaching a consensus on the reconstruction of the disaster zone and for launching initiatives through the Islamic Red Crescent Organizations Union, Nurbala stressed that they will submit this proposal in the following meeting of the Union.

Drawing the attention to the improvement of the cooperation between the Red Crescent organizations of the two countries, Nurbala said that they proposed Kemal that they should declare Istanbul Branch of the Red Crescent and the Urmia Branch of Red Crescent as ''sister Red Crescent organizations''.

Nurbala added that Kemal welcomed this proposal.

[12] FOGG, EU COMMISSION'S REPRESENTATIVE TO TURKEY: ''I HOPE TURKEY WILL ALSO BE INTEGRATED INTO UNION PROCESS LIKE OTHER CANDIDATE COUNTRIES IN HELSINKI''

Karen Fogg, who participated in the Turkey-EU Joint Consultation Committee meeting held in Trabzon on Friday, visited the Association of Journalists and responded to questions.

Noting that Turkey undertakes many economic and political reforms with its new government; Fogg said that ''this will contribute to having a common consensus of opinion in relations with the EU. There is a strong bound between Turkey and Europe, which wish to continue their bilateral relations. I am optimistic about the integration of Turkey into the Union enlargement process. But I am not 100 percent sure of that.''

Responding to a question asking what does the EU expect from the Turkish government about Kopenhagen criteria, Fogg pointed out that the mentioned criteria are for membership, not candidacy.

''At this stage, no candidate country has fulfilled these criteria. Economic and political criteria are important. When we look at the last 12 months, there are signs showing that Turkey has achieved progress in these fields and she is in the process of serious reforms in all fields. The government has to show its resolution about these reforms for the Turkish nation,'' she added.

[13] SPANISH RED CROSS HANDS OVER ITS EQUIPMENT TO TURKISH RED CRESCENT

The Red Crescent statement said that the Spanish Red Cross donated two fully-equipped field hospitals with 20 bed capacity, one pediatrics polyclinic, one gynaecology polyclinic, health materials, six sheltering units, many sleeping bags and blankets and three generators.

Emphasizing that the Red Crescent donated nearly 5.5 trillion Turkish liras to the survivors, the statement noted that 250 personnel and 100 transitory workers serve the survivors in the quake zone.

Noting that the Red Crescent sent 66,680 tents, 145,999 blankets, 9,900 sleeping bags, 315,290 kilograms of food to the disaster zone, the statement stressed that the Red Crescent distributes hot meal to 76,500 people three times a day.

[14] PREMIER ECEVIT: ''RED CRESCENT CAN HAVE SOME ASPECTS WHICH CAN BE CRITICIZED, BUT THESE CRITICISMS SHOULDN'T REACH THE LEVEL OF HARMING THAT ORGANIZATION OR STATE''

After having an ear examination, Bulent Ecevit said that he had a regular ear examination.

''I visited the Red Crescent's central depot in Eimesgut district of Ankara yesterday. One newspaper covered this news by giving the title of ''Ecevit's Raid Into Red Crescent.'' I was surprised when I saw that. There were examples of tents that are resistant to winter and which were sent from other countries. We visited there to see them.''

Responding to a question asking when the tents will be installed in the region, Premier Bulent Ecevit said that ''we are trying to conclude that as soon as possible. Firstly these examples will be seen and we will later give our orders. We evaluate all the possibilities. We target to have good tents for citizens before the winter sets in.''

When one journalist said that there are some reactions towards handing over the tent cities's management to the Red Crescent, Ecevit said ''this is Red Crescent's business. Red Crescent worked very well during the quake in the Black Sea. Its work in Kosovo was appreciated by the whole world. This state is our state. Everybody can critize the government. But the state of the Turkish Republic is our state. If some of its aspects don't function well, everybody in the society is responsible for that. We don't have the right to wear out the Red Crescent.''

[15] RED CRESCENT SAYS PREMIER ECEVIT VISITED RED CRESCENT'S WAREHOUSE IN ETIMESGUT DISTRICT OF ANKARA TO CARRY OUT OBSERVATIONS OVER VARIOUS TENTS WHICH ARE SUITABLE FOR WINTER

The Directorate General of Red Crescent statement said that the Prime Ministry Crisis Administration Center earlier handed over various kinds of tents which were provided from the foreign countries on the instruction of the Foreign Ministry.

Emphasizing that Ecevit carried out observations over the tents which are suitable for winter yesterday, the statement noted that Turkey will start buying the tents which are suitable for the winter after the Prime Ministry Crisis Administration Center decides upon the purchase of one type of the various types of tents.

[16] GEMICI, STATE MINISTER IN ADAPAZARI: ''WE AIM AT SERVING PEOPLE IN A MORE PLANNED AND REGULAR WAY BY TRANSFERRING ADMINISTRATION OF TENT CITIES TO RED CRESCENT''

Visiting Yener Rakıcıoglu, the governor of Sakarya, Gemici got information from him about the need of shelter in the province.

Responding to questions of journalists about the transfer of the tent cities' administration to Red Crescent, Gemici stated that ''just after the massive earthquake, great support was extended from inside and outside of Turkey. We thank all the institutions which helped us. However one month passed after the quake. The state has to take back its main function of regulating the aids. We try to organize the life in all tent cities.''

A.A

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