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Anadolu Agency: News in English, 99-10-15

Anadolu Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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


[01] AA Daily

15 October 1999 Friday

[02] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

[03] These are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in Turkey's press on October 15, 1999. The Anadolu Ajansi does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

[04] HURRIYET (LIBERAL) - ------------------ COOPERATION REACHED FROM HISTORICAL SUMMIT A cooperation was reached to broaden rights and freedoms from the human rights summit held in Ankara. Non-governmental organizations wanted 1982 Constitution to be changed. Mehmet Ali Irtemcelik, Minister of State responsible for human rights, said they will hold such meetings continuously.

[05] ONE CONTRACTOR ARRESTED IN ADAPAZARI Saban Kanbur, the contractor of the building in which 23 persons died under wreckage in Adapazari in the massive earthquake on August 17, was arrested on Thursday. After his interrogation at Sakarya security, he was arrested by the court and put in prison for ''causing the deaths of people by not using standard-equipment in the construction of the building.'' Two other contractors who were also taken into custody were released.

[06] MILLIYET (LIBERAL) - ----------------- GERMAN WHO PAVES WAY FOR EU Gunter Verheugen, the official of the European Union (EU) Commission for enlargement, has the biggest share in the blow of the EU wind towards Turkey. Verheugen urged the Commission accept giving a clear message to Turkey despite the serious pressures of some groups in the commission and this clear message was reflected in the report.

[07] LUCKY QUAKE SURVIVOR Ramiz Uzum, a citizen whose house and workplace was damaged in the devastating quake, won 166 billion Turkish liras from the lottery. Uzum said that firstly, he will buy a house and a car and that he will help the other quake survivors.

[08] DEATH TOLL EXCEEDS 17,000 The Prime Ministry Crisis Administration Center announced the death toll as 17,118 as of 2.00 p.m. on Thursday. The Center said that the number of the injured is 43,953. The Center added that a total of 112,462 tents have been erected in 121 tent-sites so far.

[09] SABAH (LIBERAL) - -------------- U.S. PRESIDENT CLINTON TO SPEAK AT PARLIAMENT Bill Clinton, the U.S. President, will come to Istanbul on November 15, 1999 to participate in the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) summit. Clinton will go to Ankara for one-day official visit as the official guest of President Suleyman Demirel. Sources said that Clinton will make a speech at the parliament.

[10] COALITION PARTNERS AGREES ON BUDGET The leaders of the coalition parties convened under the chairmanship Premier Bulent Ecevit. The leaders discussed the budget of 2000. Ecevit said that they target a budget which takes into consideration the stability and decreases the inflation. Ecevit added that the public workers will not be overwhelmed by the inflation in 2000 and the budget will be submitted to the parliament on October 17, 1999.

[11] CUMHURIYET (LEFT) - ---------------- ATHENS TO REMAIN ALONE Officials of Foreign Ministry who said ''Advancement Report'' prepared by European Union Commission was accepted generally by the Council, pointed out that the report will be accepted in Helsinki Summit. Noting that oppositions to Turkey's candidacy came from Sweden, Denmark, and Greece, the officials said if Scandinavian countries can be convinced, Greece will remain alone and can not oppose more.

[12] DEMIREL DUE TO KOSOVO President Suleyman Demirel will go to Kosovo together with Gen. Huseyin Kivrikoglu, Chief of General Staff, and Sabahattin Cakmakoglu, Minister of National Defense. Presidential Press Center statement said Demirel will visit headquarters of Turkish Forces in Mamusa and Prizren.

[13] RADIKAL (LEFT) - --------------- MOODY DOES NOT GIVE NOTE BUT GIVES HOPE Hanan Amin Salem, Turkey analyst of the rating organization Moody, thinks that Turkey will overcomethe quake disaster easily. Salem believes that the inflation will be 75 percent due to the quake. Salem guesses that Turkey's economy will rapidly grow in the second half of next year in case Turkey takes some measures.

[14] MOSES, U.S. SPECIAL ENVOY TO CYPRUS, TAKES PULSE Alfred Moses, U.S. President Bill Clinton's Special Envoy to Cyprus, started his contacts in Ankara. Moses said that their aim is to start the comprehensive meetings between Rauf Denktas, the President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), and Glafcos Clerides, the leader of the Greek Cypriot side, before the autumn ends. Turkey said that she wants to start indirect meetings and these meetings to lay the groundwork for the direct meetings.

[15] TÜRKİYE (RIGHT) - ---------------- TAX REFUND CRISIS The adoptation of ceasing the tax refund application in the Supreme Planning Board (YPK) caused anger among the retired people who have low incomes. The people react against the government aiming at providing 500 trillion Turkish liras from the retired people by ceasing the tax refund application. The retired people ask the government to give up this decision.

[16] PROMISE TO 'TIGHTEN BELT' TO IMF The letter of intent of the government given to International Monetary Fund (IMF) for 501 million dollars of quake aid noted that the government will reach the targets of 2000 year by a macro economic programme that will be supported by a stand- by agreement to be signed with IMF. The letter of intent of the government written by Recep Onal, the State Minister for Economic Affairs and Gazi Ercel, the Governor of Central Bank said ''Extensive damage to buildings, with an estimated 115,000–200,000 housing units and business premises completely destroyed or requiring repair.

[17] ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE) - -------------------- DESIRED STEP Turkey who came to the door of European Union (EU), took an important step and held a comprehensive human rights summit embracing non-governmental organizations. Mehmet Ali Irtemcelik, Minister of State responsible for human rights, said Turkey has important problems regarding human rights, and noted that these could be solved by coming together. Irtemcelik also said 1982 Constitution should be changed.

[18] REPROACH FROM RUSSIANS Foreign Economic Relations Committee (DEIK) Turkish-Russian Busness Council 7th Joint Meeting convened in southern Antalya province on Thursday. Businessmen and ministers from Turkey and Russia participated in the meeting. Poaskow Vyakhirev, Executive Board Chairman of Russian gas company Gasprom said Russian side was ready to fulfil its committments regarding Turkish-Russian natural gas pipeline issue, yet added that the things were halted as the Turkish side did not sign the protocol that was signed.

[19] PRESIDENT DEMIREL LEAVES FOR KOSOVO

[20] ANKARA, Oct 15 (A.A) - President Suleyman Demirel said on Friday that a new era started in Kosovo after the NATO accomplished its operation, the Peace Plan and after the resolutions of the United Nations (U.N.) Security Council were adopted. Prior to his departure from the Esenboga Airport of Ankara, Demirel noted that now it's time to heal the wounds and establish peace. Stressing that he leaves for Kosovo for one-day visit, Demirel stated that a delegation including General Huseyin Kivrikoglu, Chief of General Staff; Sabahattin Cakmakoglu, National Defense Minister; and high- ranking officials accompanies him during his visit. Noting that they will visit the Turkish Mission Force Commandership working under the auspices of Kosovo Force (KFOR), Demirel stressed that they will later visit the Turkish Coordination Offices in Prizren and Pristina and receive information about the efforts. Stating that he will meet with the administrators of the U.N. Kosovo Mission which carries out efforts in Kosovo, Demirel emphasized that he will come together with the representatives of the Kosovars and the kinsmen and will address the people. Recalling that the humanitarian tragedy in Kosovo had a dimension which threatened the peace and security in the Balkans and Europe in the first half of this year, Demirel said that this development caused many Kosovars becoming refugees. Demirel continued, ''as a result of NATO's determined struggle, the humanitarian tragedy ended. As the NATO accomplished its operations and as the Peace Plan and the resolutions of the U.N. Security Council are adopted, a new era started in Kosovo. Now, it's time to heal the wounds and to establish peace.'' Drawing the attention that some new problems are faced in this era, Demirel said, ''but, the efforts to provide a safe atmosphere in Kosovo and to have a pluralist democratic regime which will meet the expectations of all the Kosovars and bring a lasting peace in the region by healing the wounds, continue. Turkey actively contributes to these efforts. The Kosovars who were urged to leave their homes, could return to their homes before the winter comes. This was what we targeted. We are pleased about achieving our target.'' ''Turkey will continue to contribute to the international efforts regarding the establishment of peace and stability in Kosovo and the initiatives of reconstruction of Kosovo from now on,'' Demirel added. Demirel will return to Turkey this evening.

[21] PRESIDENT DEMIREL: - ''EU COMMISSION'S REPORT IS A PROGRESS''

[22] MAMUSHA, Oct 15 (A.A) - President Suleyman Demirel said on Friday that the European Union (EU) Report on Turkey is a positive step. Responding to questions of journalists in the plane to Kosovo, President Demirel said ''the EU report does not mean everything, but the confirmation of this report in Helsinki meeting and declaration of Turkey as a candidate will improve our relations with Europe.'' Noting that his visit to Kosovo is a belated one, President Demirel said that ''the peace in the Balkans closely interests Turkey.'' Turkey wishes stability in the Balkans, said President Demirel, adding this is to the interest of everybody. ''We launched all kinds of efforts both in our Balkan policy, and European policy to install this stability,'' he said. Pointing out that he will see the situation in Kosovo, President Demirel said that ''we'll see one million Kosovo people, who were earlier refugees.'' Demirel reminded that there are Turkish minority and soldiers in Kosovo. Upon a question about EU Commission's report, President Demirel said ''this is a positive step. We always say that there is an image problem of Turkey and I suppose that Turkey's joining G-20 and the report of EU will contribute well to this image.'' ''What do you think about the coup in Pakistan?'' asked journalists to President Demirel, who stressed that Pakistan is a sister country of Turkey. ''I've always wanted the solution of problems in Pakistan within the framework of constitution. I wish such a coup didn't happen. I wish Pakistan to stay on the legitimate basis and govern its legitimate civilian adiminstration. This is not intervention with their internal affairs. I hope a civilian administration can be established as soon possible by basing on the will of the nation and within the framework of the constitution,'' said President Demirel. ''What kind of a feeling is it to visit Turkish soldiers again in the Balkans as a Turkish leader after 100 years,'' asked a Wall Street Journal reporter to Demirel who said that ''our historical feelings remain in the past. There are many events to be proud of in the history, but we don't base our future on our past. We don't carry the past to present. Today the Turkish Republic and the Turkish nation wish to set up good relations with her neighbours. Turkish soldiers are in the Balkans today to keep the peace.'' ''We'll see what kind of problems the Turkish minority in Kosovo have. There are still 60,000-70,000 Turkish people there. Besides there are many people of different ethnic origins in Kosovo. These people should be the holder of rights in the future of Kosovo. Many painful events took place in Kosovo. We want peace and stability, we want people to live together. There are successful steps taken in that direction. We greet all Kosovo people,'' said President Demirel. President Demirel later had a briefing in the Turkish Force Headquarters in Mamusha.

[23] PRESIDENT DEMIREL IN KOSOVO - DEMIREL ADDRESSES TO KINSMEN IN MAMUSHA: - ''A NEW PERIOD STARTED IN KOSOVO''

[24] MAMUSHA, Oct 15 (A.A) - President Suleyman Demirel arrived on Friday in Kosovo for a one-day visit. Addressing in a meeting to the kinsmen living in Mamusha city, Suleyman Demirel said, ''I am happy to be with you here today. I bring you your 65 million brothers' and sisters' kind regards. The whole world clearly knows that you have been trying to protect your existence and live in peace under difficult conditions for long years.'' Noting that a serious humanitarian tragedy was experienced in Kosovo, Demirel said the people, who wanted to take revenge from the history, caused great pains, sufferings and grief in the Balkans. ''While you, our Kosovar brothers and sisters, are trying to protect your most natural right of living here, the minds, hearts and prayers of the Turkish nation are always been with you. We have always shared your grief and concerns,'' he said. Stressing that Turkey did her best to ease those concerns and pains, and will continue to do so, Demirel said, ''Kosovo is very important for Turkey. Your existence here creates first of all a great spiritual responsibility for us. Our interest in Kosovo is based on the historical, cultural and humanitarian ties.'' ''The Turks, Albanians, Serbs and other ethnic groups have lived in peace and harmony in the free climate of the Balkans for centuries. However, the winds of ethnic nationalism resulted in the definition of the region as a powder keg where a strife could break out at any moment since the 19th century. The enmity of those who lived together has been incited. Thus great pains have been suffered. The aggressive ethnic nationalism, which takes the discrimination as a basis in 20th century, has made the Balkans be one of the hot regions in the world. The Balkans became a region, which is full of ethnic tensions. The Balkans became a region which once again threatens the peace and stability in whole Europe. The Balkans became a region where ethnic cleansing policies are carried out, hundred thousands of people are forced to abandon their homelands, innocent people are killed, mass graves are dug, '' he said. Stating that the ethnic discrimination did not bring anything to the Balkans except bloodshed and tears, Demirel said, ''the region, which has suffered a lot till today, has to see the reality. The incidents occurred in Bosnia-Herzegovina and Kosovo should not happen again.'' Noting that a new period started in Kosovo, the President said he wants the wounds of the past healed rapidly, the traces of war removed, and Kosovo be the region of peace and stability in spite of being the center of disputes. Recalling that Turkey opened her doors to the Kosovars who escaped from ethnic cleansing, and made efforts to host those people, Demirel said this was a humanitarian duty. ''I emphasized especially this issue at the Stability Pact Summit in Sarajevo on July 30. We wished the Summit to be a historical turning point in the bad fortune of the Balkans. I stressed at that Summit that important steps should be taken in the shortest time-frame to heal the wounds in Kosovo, otherwise, the stability pact, which aimed at bringing stability in whole Balkans, would fail. I called on the international cummunity to help Kosovo urgently,'' he said. ''The only way to succeed in working and living together in peace is the respect for democracy, supremacy of law and human rights,'' the President stressed. ''Settlement of peaceful atmosphere in Kosovo and continuation of the Turkish existence in Kosovo are very important for Turkey. The Turkish public opinion is very sensitive in this issue. Turkey has always been with her kinsmen, and will continue to do so. What Turkey is seeking in Kosovo is peace, brotherhood and cooperation. Turkey wishes these for all Kosovar people,'' he said. Emphasizing that Turkey's support and assistance to overcome the troublesome period in the shortest time will continue increasingly, Demirel said, ''we opened coordination bureaus in Pristina and Prizren. One of the basic duties of these bureaus is to contribute to solution of problems of all Kosovar people, and help in supplying the urgent demands of these people.'' Stressing that the Turkish military unit serves the peace in Kosovo, Demirel said, ''within this framework, deployment of our one squadron in Mamusha pleased both you and us.'' Stating that almost 60 thousand kinsmen are living in Kosovo, and they announced to the world that the kinsmen have to participate in the administration, Demirel said, ''having equal rights and the opportunity to be represented equally as the Turkish community in the new political structure of Kosovo is your most natural human rights. We will continue to be the defender of your rights.''

[25] PRESIDENT DEMIREL IN KOSOVO

[26] MAMUSHA, Oct 15 (A.A) - President Suleyman Demirel said on Friday that when the negotiations regarding the final status of Kosovo start, Turkey will continue to defend the representation of Turkish society in Kosovo in this process within the framework of equity principle. Addressing in a meeting to the kinsmen living in Mamusha city, Suleyman Demirel called on Kosovar people to help the efforts of civilized world, adding ''all Albanians, Turks and Serbs should launch efforts to live together and help all the U.N. officials.'' ''We are follower of your rights, but no result can be taken if you are not in unity. We only want you to be in unity,'' said President Demirel, who was applauded by the crowd which shouted slogans of ''father, father.'' ''All of you had lived through difficult years. All of you share the future's fate in Kosovo,'' said President Demirel. ''Turkey will always behind you in protecting your identity and developing your culture,'' said President Demirel, adding ''each of you function as a friendship bridge between the Balkans and Turkey. You lived in these territories and will continue to live. The bad fortune of the Balkans is behind. We must create an integrated, democratic, prosperous and peaceful Balkans now.'' ''I all calling the countries in the Balkans from here, let's unite our powers to write a new history. Let's build a new Kosovo and new Balkans,'' said President thanking all U.N. officials including Turkish soldiers who serve the peace. ''The world's eyes are on Kosovo. I came here to help all U.N. officials and the soldiers of all countries,'' he added.

[27] PRESIDENT DEMIREL IN KOSOVO: ''A LASTING PEACE HAS TO BE INSTALLED IN KOSOVO IN COMING DAYS''

[28] PRIZREN, Oct 15 (A.A) - President Suleyman Demirel said on Friday that a lasting peace has to be installed in Kosovo in the coming days. After concluding his contacts in Mamusha, President Demirel proceeded to Prizren by helicopter. President Demirel was welcomed by Turks there. The representatives of kinsmen explained their problems and wishes from Turkey to President Demirel. They told Demirel that they want Turkish language to be official, television channels to broadcast in Turkish language, radio TRT FM to broadcast in Prizren, a Turkish high school to be founded in Prizren. They also stressed that a discrimination was shown against Turks in Kosovo. ''Turkey has to help Kosovo to protect our identity, we want to live here as Turks,'' the representatives said. ''You are the first Turkish head of state who came here after Sultan Resad,'' they told Demirel. President Demirel said in his part that a violence was seen in Kosovo, although Turkey warned the world before these developments took place. ''We owe you spiritually, therefore we closely monitor the developments in Kosovo. We wish Kosovo to have many languages, religions, ethnics and the Turks to get the place which they deserve in formation of Kosovo,'' President Demirel said.

[29] PRESIDENT DEMIREL IN K0SOVO - DEMIREL VISITS TOMB OF MURAT THE FIRST

[30] PRISTINA, October 15 (A.A) - President Suleyman Demirel who came to Pristina from Prizren visited the tomb of Murat the First who was killed by the Serbian Milos Obilic during the Kosovo Battle in 1386. Here, Demirel prayed and later signed the special notebook of the tomb. Responding to a question of a tv reporter, Demirel said Murat the First was one of the first Ottoman rulers who advanced to Central Europe. Demirel also sent his love and respect to Turks who live in Pristina. President Demirel later went to Turkish Cooperation Bureau and met with the temporary government authorities. He also visited the Turkish Troop in Prizren and had dinner there. Demirel submitted 10,000 U.S. dollars to the Commander of the Turkish Troop to be used to meet their needs. He also visited the tents where Turkish soldiers stay. President Demirel was given a briefing when he visited Mamusha. He later thanked Izzet Cetingoz, the Commander of the military unit for the briefing and wished success to all the soldiers in the unit. ''Despite all difficulties, Turkish Armed Forces is fulfiling its task here in accordance with the decision of the United Nations. You have come a long way to turn the life back to normal. I congragulate you and wish you success. I am sure that you do everything perfectly. I have brought much love to you from Turkey,'' President Demirel told Turkish soldiers.

[31] DEMIREL IN KOSOVO

[32] PRISTINA, October 15 (A.A) - President Suleyman Demirel received General Klaus Reinhardt, the IFOR Commander and Bernard Kouchner, the Chairman of UNMIC at the Turkish Coordination Bureau in Pristina on Friday. Demirel later came together with the members of Kosovo Turkish Representation Delegation and called on Turks in Kosovo to act in unity. President Demirel later addressed to Turks who waited for hours in front of the Turkish Cooperation Bureau. He told them that Turkey wanted peace, welfare and happiness in Balkans. ''The suffering will end in Kosovo. Turkey, like it has done before, will continue to help Kosovo,'' Demirel said. Turks, Albanians, Serbians, Bosnians and everybody who lives in Kosovo should live in peace in a multi-national environment, Demirel stressed.

[33] VISIT OF U.S. PRESIDENT CLINTON TO EPHESUS

[34] IZMIR, Oct 15 (A.A) - Preparations are underway due to the visit of U.S. President Bill Clinton and his family to Ephesus and the Virgin Mary House in Selcuk county of western Izmir province. Two high ranking U.S. officials visited Selcuk two days ago, while a delegation of 70 persons arrived in Selcuk county on Friday from the U.S. and they got information from Cengiz Icten, the Ephesus museum official. A special team of 200 persons will come to Turkey from the U.S. starting from November 10 to protect Bill Clinton and his family. Clinton will come to Turkey to participate in the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Summit in Istanbul in November.

[35] TURKISH-GREEK FRIENDSHIP AT EU TAMPERE SUMMIT

[36] TAMPERE, Oct 15 (A.A) - The recently warming relations between the Turkish and Greek nations once again came to the agenda during the meetings of European Union (EU) heads of states and governments which started on Friday in Tampere, Finland. Turks and Greeks living in Tampere together with their Finnish friends held a demonstration in front of the building where the meetings take place. The banners expressing the desire of the continuation of brotherhood and friendship between the two countries were opened in the demonstration at which the Turkish and Greek flags waved together. The people who attended the demonstration stressed that the development of the Turkish-Greek friendship will also contribute to development of global peace. Meanwhile, officially announcement of Turkey's EU candidacy at the Helsinki Summit will be discussed at the dinner of the leaders although the issue was not included in the official agenda of the Tampere Summit. The EU leaders will also evaluate the enlargement of EU at the dinner. The EU Commission requested on last Wednesday the EU to grant Turkey candidacy status at Helsinki Summit.

[37] EU TAMPERE SUMMIT - FRANCE WANTS ANNOUNCEMENT OF TURKEY'S EU CANDIDACY AT HELSINKI

[38] TAMPERE, Oct 15 (A.A) - France requested announcement of Turkey's candidacy to European Union (EU) at Helsinki Summit. Staging a press conference on Friday during the EU Tampere Summit, Catherine Colana, the Spokesman of French President Jacques Chirac, said they support announcement of Turkey as a candidate country. Colana said Turkey's EU candidacy will be brought onto the agenda of the dinner of the EU leaders, and France hopes to reach a positive result till the Helsinki Summit. The EU Commission on last Wednesday requested the EU to grant Turkey candidacy status at the Helsinki Summit in December. Meanwhile, European Parliament Speaker Nicole Fontaine claimed that Turkey has to make a gesture concerning the Cyprus question before announcement of her EU candidacy in Helsinki. Speaking to Turkish reporters, Fontaine said the start of intercommunal talks on Cyprus under the supervision of the U.N. will be an important gesture of Turkey, adding, ''Turkey can't prevent another's candidacy while it wants to be a candidate.'' The European Parliament, which is advisory organ of the EU, does not have the right of taking a binding decision for Turkey's candidacy. However, the European Parliament has the right to veto during the process of full-membership after candidacy.

[39] EU TAMPERE SUMMIT - GERMANY TO SUPPORT TURKEY'S EU CANDIDACY IN HELSINKI

[40] TAMPERE, Oct 15 (A.A) - Germany announced on Friday at the European Union (EU) Summit in Tampere, Finland, that she will support announcement of Turkey's EU candidacy at the Helsinki Summit. Michael Steiner, the foreign policy advisor of German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder, said that Germany, as its was proposed by the EU Commission, will extend support to Turkey's candidacy. Steiner said Germany supports also the Commission's proposal for the start of negotiations with other six countries. Catherine Colana, the Spokesman of French President Jacques Chirac, staged a press conference early the same day during the Tampara Summit, and said that they support announcement of Turkey's EU candidacy in Helsinki.

[41] COUNCIL OF MINISTERS' MEETING ENDS - 2000 YEAR BUDGET TO BE TRANSFERRED TO PARLIAMENT

[42] ANKARA, Oct 15 (A.A) - The Council of Ministers' meeting held under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit ended on Friday. The Council of Ministers approved the 2000 year consolidated budget bill, and decided to transfer it to the Parliament. Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit authorized a commission to take concrete decisions aiming at reviving the economic life in the quake zone and concerning the situations necessitating considerable amount of financial sources. State Minister and Government Spokesman Tunca Toskay briefed the journalists on the issues discussed at the 5 hour 15 minute-meeting of the cabinet. Noting that the 2000 year consolidated budget was discussed at the meeting, Toskay said the Council of Ministers reviewed the budget bill, which was approved by the Higher Planning Council and on which the coalition-partner political parties' leaders reached a complete compromise, and approved the budget bill, and decided to transfer it to the Parliament. Pointing out that the unpaid borrowings of the Social Security Agency for Artisans and the Self-Employed (BAG-KUR), and Labour and Social Security Minister Yasar Okuyan briefed the cabinet on the issue, Toskay said the cabinet took a decision to solve the problem. Stating that Health Minister Osman Durmus presented the Draft Law on Establishment of Directorate General of Health Fund Institution, Toskay said the concerned ministers made their own opinions about the draft law. Toskay said the Council of Ministers decided to transfer the draft law in question to a commission, which will be established by the concerned ministries. Noting that Interior Minister Sadettin Tantan, who is also the chairman of the commission established concerning the earthquake zone, presented a detailed information, Toskay said other ministers put forward their own reports on the quake zone. Toskay said the information about temporary and permanent residence were evaluated at the meeting. When asked if he could give an amount concerning the increase in civil servants' wages, Tunca Toskay said, ''all of the macroeconomic figures constitute an integrity within the consolidated budget. This is now transferred to the Parliament. You will have more detailed information on Monday by Finance Minister Sumer Oral.'' Responding to the questions about the budget bill, Toskay said the budget would be more than 46 quadrillion Turkish Liras, and the budget deficit would be about 14.4 quadrillion Turkish Liras.

[43] JAPAN SENDS 500 PREFABRICATED HUTS

[44] ANKARA, Oct 15 (A.A) - Three vessels of the Japanese Fleet are carrying 500 prefabricated huts, which were donated by the Japanese government for the survivors of the strong earthquake in Turkey. The vessels will arrive at the Haydarpasa Port on October 19. The General Staff Secretariat General said on Friday that the prefabricated houses will be transferred by train from Haydarpasa Port to Arifiye railway station in Adapazari. The vessels which are commanded by Commodore Staff Captain Yoshio Komoriya, departed from Kobe on September 24 and will stop by Alexandria Port in Egypt between October 16-17. The vessels will arrive at the Haydarpasa Port on October 19.

[45] TUSIAD'S EUROPE TOUR

[46] BRUSSELS, Oct 15 (A.A) - The Association of Turkish Industrialists and Businessmen (TUSIAD) delegation continues its contacts in the capitals of the European Union (EU) countries. The delegation led by Erkut Yuvaoglu, the Chairman of the TUSIAD Board, wrapped up its contacts in Sweden and Finland on Friday. Stressing the importance of contacts in Sweden which is ''suspicious'' about Turkey's EU candidacy, the delegation members said they held contacts at the Union of Swedish Industrialists and the Union of Swedish Employers, they formed the common opinion of the Turkish and Swedish private sectors, adding, ''we conveyed the compromise we reached with the Swedish unions that Turkey's EU membership is for the common benefit of the two sides to the political flank.'' The TUSIAD delegation, which met with Leif Pagrotsky, the Swedish Minister of Foreign Economic Affairs, and the members of the Swedish Parliament's Foreign Affairs Commission, also visited the editors in chief of two biggest dailies in Sweden. TUSIAD emphasized that ''Turkey contributed to very clear, friendly and detailed dialogue concerning the acceptance of her EU candidacy.'' The TUSIAD delegation was received by Finnish President Martti Ahtissari and government officials. Evaluating the delegation's contacts in Sweden and Finland, Bahadir Kelagasi, the TUSIAD's Representative to Brussels, said, ''we gave the message that there can be differences in position towards the problems and solution methods but when it is believed that Turkey's participation will be advantageous, a compromise should be reached on the method for reaching this target.'' ''We reached a compromise that acceptance of Turkey's EU candidacy and her participation in the enlargement process together with other candidates will be the rightest thing,'' he said. The TUSIAD delegation, which defined the EU Commission's progress report as a positive move, announced that it will continue its contacts in EU capitals by visiting Italy and France next week, adding that those visits will be followed by the visits to Denmark and Greece. ''Meanwhile, our immense contacts with the German industrialists and companies continue,'' Kelagasi said.

[47] 316 PREFABRICATED HUTS TO BE DELIVERED ON SUNDAY IN KOCAELI

[48] KORFEZ, Oct 15 (A.A) - The keys to 316 prefabricated houses, which were erected in Korfez county of Kocaeli, will be delivered with a ceremony on Sunday to those who were left homeless in the strong quake. A total of eight thousand families were left homeless in Korfez county in the quake. The keys to 30 square-meter 216 huts, which were constructed by the Sabanci Holding and Philips Morris, and first 100 of the 500 huts, which were erected by the Ministry of Public Works and Housing, will be given to 316 of those families. President Suleyman Demirel, Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit and Public Works and Housing Minister Koray Aydin are expected to attend the ceremony on October 17.

[49] PREFABRICATED HUTS IN DISASTER AREA - DISASTER AREA COORDINATOR GOVERNOR: - ''WE GAVE ANOTHER ORDER FOR 40 THOUSAND WINTER-TENTS''

[50] KOCAELI, Oct 15 (A.A) - Kutluay Oktem, the Disaster Area Coordinator Governor, said on Friday that they gave another order for 40 thousand winter-tents. Staging a press conference in Kocaeli, Oktem said a total of 126,325 people are now living in the 133 tent-cities established by the state. Stressing that they are making every kind of efforts before the winter to enable the survivors to live in more healthy conditions, Oktem said, ''we have erected a total of 2,700 winter-tents in Kocaeli, Adapazari, Yalova, Golcuk and the surroundings. We gave another order for 40 thousand winter-tents. All of these tents are purchased from foreign countries especially from Pakistan.'' Oktem said the construction of prefabricated houses by the Ministry of Public Works and Housing will be concluded by November 30.

[51] CUSTOMS TO BE MODERNIZED - ULUDAG, CUSTOMS UNDERSECRETARY: ''120 CUSTOMS GATE CLOSED, 50-60 OTHER TO BE CLOSED ALSO''

[52] ANTALYA, October 15 (A.A) - Ramazan Uludag, Undersecretary of Customs, saıd on Friday that efforts are underway for the modernization and automation of Turkey's customs. Uludag told A.A correspondent that the number of Turkey's customs gates will be decreased within the framework of the modernization initiatives. Emphasizing that they attributed importance to modernization and automation of Turkey's customs to adopt them to the global norms, Uludag noted that Turkey should dominate the customs and modernization is necessary for this domination. Stressing that 120 customs gates out of 414 were closed within a month, Uludag stated that 50 or 60 customs gates will also be closed soon. Uludag continued, ''the world starts using electronic systems. It is too hard to work with 'manual' systems in the customs as we do. We are working with a foreign trade system worth of two billion U.S. dollars in the customs nowadays. But, our foreign trading volume is around 100 billion U.S. dollars at the moment. Our foreign trading volume will be 200 billion U.S. dollars in 2010. We cannot fulfil this trading volume by using manual system.'' Noting that half of Turkey will buy products through the Internet in 2010, Uludag stressed that to this end, it is necessary to fulfil the infrastructural works in legal, financial and telecommunication fields for this. Stating that the countries that are the members of World Trade Organization (WTO) will lift the customs tax in 2005, Uludag emphasized that the customs will be lifted in 2005 in the WTO member countries in accordance with a related agremeent. Uludag said, ''customs tax will be taken from the products of the countries which are not the members of WTO. The role of the customs will change as of this date. The role of customs will only be the prevention of the illegal product trade. The drugs and arms cannot pass from the customs. Present functions of the customs will end.''

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