Anadolu Agency: News in English, 99-11-13

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

[01] AA Daily

13 November 1999 Saturday

[02] U.S. PRESIDENT CLINTON SENDS A MESSAGE TO PRESIDENT DEMIREL: - ''WE ARE READY TO ASSIST TURKEY''

In his message, President Clinton underlined that the U.S. was ready to assist Turkey to heal wounds of quake disaster.

Clinton also expressed condolences to those who lost their relatives and friends in the disaster, on behalf of overall American people.

A high-level U.S. official told the A.A correspondent that there was no change in President Clinton's scheduled visit to Turkey.

President Clinton is expected to arrive in Turkey late on Sunday.

He will attend the Organization for Security and Cooperation (OSCE) Summit in Istanbul.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Fairfax search and rescue team which had participated in operations to rescue those who were trapped under rubble of collapsed buildings when an earthquake measuring 7.4 on the Richter scale on August 17, will come to Turkey.

The 80-member Fairfax team equipped with special devices, is expected to arrive in Istanbul later today.

The Fairfax team had succeeded in pulling alive 4 people days after the earthquake which hit Marmara Region on August 17.

[03] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

STEVE HANKE: ''GET READY FOR AN ECONOMIC QUAKE''
Prof. Steve Hanke, a renowned economist, warned Turkey against an economic earthquake. Hanke said Turkey lacked the qualified human resource who could follow a good economic policy, and reminded that Turkey failed 16 times after having agreements with the IMF. On the other hand, Hanke said they thought a tight money management programme and the budget for 2000 would be successful. He said the foreign currency flow will start, and Turkey's credit note will increase two points. Hanke noted that they focus on Turkey as a rising market.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

CLINTON'S VISIT NOT POSTPONED
Following Friday's earthquake, Sandy Berger, U.S. President Clinton's National Security Advisor, said there was no change in Clinton's scheduled visit to Turkey. President Suleyman Demirel also said the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) summit would not be postponed. Many entertainment places in Istanbul closed and concerts were cancelled on Friday. Athens sent a message, and said they were ready to help.

SABAH (LIBERAL)

TURKISH FIRM IN GIANT COMPETITION
Vestel is a candidate to become a powerful market in the world internet market. Next year, the company will start marketing its internet based products in the U.S., the world's biggest information technologies market. In the meantime, Vestel signed agreements with some U.S. firms including Microsoft.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

SOLDIERS IN CHARGE
Following the quake, the Land Forces Commandership mobilized its Natural Disasters Coordination Center. Two generals from Land Forces Commandership, a 20-member health team, and many ambulances of Gulhane Military Hospital left for Duzce. The injured were brought to Ankara. Prof. Muftuoglu from Numune Hospital said they evacuated all intensive care units of the hospital and increased the number of doctors.

RADIKAL (LEFT)

ISIKARA: ''IT IS NOT AN AFTERSHOCK''
Director of Kandilli Observatory Prof. Ahmet Mete Isikara said the Bolu earthquake was not an aftershock but an independent one. Isikara said such a quake was expected. ''The east of Bolu-Duzce was broken. It was also felt strongly in Ankara. This could be an indication that it is shifting towards east. A big system was activated and it could also affect its north, south, and west. People living in those regions should not enter damaged houses and wait for damage assessment,'' he said.

TURKIYE (RIGHT)

STAND-BY GOES SMOOTHLY
It looks almost certain that the stand-by agreement will be signed with the IMF. The two sides are now discussing details. Michael Deppler, the IMF Europe Chairman said they were hopeful about signing the agreement, but added that there were many voids that need to be filled. Selcuk Demiralp, the Treasury Undersecretary told reporters that the stand-by agreement will be valid for three years.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

[04] CLINTON RELEASES HIS NEW CYPRUS REPORT

Clinton sent his report which covered August and September, to Dennis Hastert, the Chairman of the House of Representatives and to Jesse Helms, the Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

In the report, Clinton reminded that he had a meeting with Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit in Washington, D.C. on September 28. During his meeting with Ecevit, Clinton emphasized that finding a fair and permanent solution to Cyprus problem was one of his priorities. Clinton, in his report, also noted that he agreed with Ecevit that no solution which could lead to a situation similar to the conditions before 1974, could be accepted. ''All Cypriots should live in security,'' he wrote. He described his meeting with Ecevit as ''friendly and fruitful''.

Clinton summarized the contacts of Alfred Moses, his special representative to Cyprus, who visited the island in September.

Clinton referred to Glafkos Clerides, the leader of the Greek

Cypriot administration, as ''President of Cyprus Republic'' in his first appearance, however wrote ''Mr. Clerides'' throughout the rest of the report. Diplomatic sources said this was done to give an impression that the U.S. was treating equally to both sides.

Clinton also included in his report the contacts of Thomas Weston, the U.S State Department's Special Cyprus Coordinator, and Donald Bandler, the U.S. Ambassador to Lefkosa.

Madeleine Albright, the U.S. Secretary of State, had also told Foreign Minister Ismail Cem that her country would continue to give priority to Cyprus issue when she met him in September in Turkey.

[05] TURKISH ARMED FORCES MOBILIZES ALL ITS UNITS TO JOIN RESCUE EFFORTS IN QUAKE AREA

The General Staff, immediately after the quake, mobilized its Natural Disaster Coordination Center and Gendarmerie General Commandership.

One general and four officers were appointed at the Prime Ministry Crisis Management Center, and all activities are run from this center. Rasim Betir, the Commander of Gendarmerie Forces, went to Bolu to visit the disaster area. Erol Tutal, the Ankara Garrison Commander, and six generals were appointed to work in the quake area to supervise the troops. The troops which were deployed in the area intervened immediately after the incident, and more troops were sent to the area from other provinces. Support forces are also kept ready.

The army sent water, generators, tents, blankets, mobile kitchens, medicine, ambulance, doctors and nurses. Four sniffer dog teams at Gemlik Military Veterinary School were sent to Bolu to join the rescue operations. Helicopters were consigned to carry the Search and Rescue Association (AKUT) teams to the disaster area.

Gulhane Military Medical Academy completed preparations to treat patients and also sent a 19-member health team to Bolu.

The General Staff said the Turkish Armed Forces were continuing its rescue and security activities in the disaster area.

[06] PRESIDENT DENKTAS OF THE TRNC: - ''I WOULD NOT MEET WITH CLERIDES BEFORE TRNC'S STATUS IS CLARIFIED''

Denktas said he hoped that the decisions that will be taken at the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Summit, will not be encouraging for the Greek Cypriot side.

Denktas noted that the Turkish side wanted peace, but they would not make peace if this will put them under the Greek Cypriot domination. On the Cyprus question, Denktas said they would continue to defend their case on the same line with Turkey.

Ali Hihat Ozeyranli, the Security Forces Commander of TRNC, said the Turkish Cypriots, since 1974, gave a big struggle. TRNC's social, economic, cultural and military development continues and this is known by the whole world, Ozeyranli said.

[07] HELVACI, UNDERSECRETARY OF PUBLIC WORKS AND HOUSING MINISTRY: - ''NEARLY 300 BUILDINGS COLLAPSED OR SUFFERED DAMAGES''

Helvaci told the A.A correspondent that most of the collapsed buildings were those which were damaged when a strong earthquake measuring 7.4 on the Richter Scale had devastated Marmara Region on August 17.

He said, ''a damage assessment team has arrived in the province.

Initial reports showed that there were no serious damage in water and sewer systems.''

Helvaci also added that quake survivors have begun to settle in 1,053 prefabricated huts.

[08] ITALIAN FOREIGN MINISTER DINI SENDS A MESSAGE OF CONDOLENCE TO HIS TURKISH COUNTERPART CEM

In his message, Dini expressed profound sorrow over the loss of lives in the quake disaster.

Dini implored God's strength upon all who are grieving for their beloved ones.

He noted that Italian civilian relief organizations have mobilized to assist Turkey.

Italy has sent two airplanes carrying humanitarian aid for those who were left homeless and destitude by the quake.

[09] RUSSIAN PRESIDENT YELTSIN SENDS A MESSAGE CONDOLENCE TO PRESIDENT DEMIREL

Yeltsin expressed deep sorrow over loss of lives in 7.2-magnitude earthquake which hit Duzce county of Bolu province yesterday.

Meanwhile, a Russian airplane carrying search and rescue team, and humanitarian aid for quake survivors, could not take off due to bad weather conditions.

The airplane carrying 70-member rescue team, 4 sniffer dogs, one mobile hospital, and diverse equipment, will leave for Turkey as soon as the snowfall stops.

A.A

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