Anadolu Agency: News in English, 00-06-08

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NEWS

08 JUNE 2000 Thursday

CONTENTS

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

[02] CENTRAL BANK'S ADVISER PROF. RODRIK:

[03] ''TURKEY'' DOCUMENTARY ON U.S. CHANNEL PBS PROMOTES

[04] TCG FATIH FRIGATE TO GO TO U.S.A

[05] GAP REGION EXPORTS 13.4 MILLION DOLLARS

[06] CAPPADOCIA BECOMES FOCUS OF ATTENTION FOR FOREIGN TV CHANNELS

[07] EFFORTS CONTINUE TO SAVE MANYAS BIRD PARADISE

[08] CRIMINAL COURT DECIDES TO ARREST CAKICI IN ABSENTIA

[09] ERSUMER ATTENDS FUNERAL OF FORMER JAPANESE PRIME MINISTER

[10] TURKEY, NETHERLANDS AND BELGIUM SIGN

[11] 23TH EUROPEAN JUSTICE MINISTERS' CONFERENCE STARTS

[12] FOREIGN MINISTER CEM IN LITHUANIA

[13] INTERIOR MINISTRY SAYS ALL MEASURES

[14] 113.4 BILLION TL CULTIVATED AREA DAMAGED IN KARABUK DUE TO FLOOD

[15] PARLIAMENTARY FOREIGN AFFAIRS COMMISSION ADOPTS DRAFT LAW ON

[16] FOREIGN EXCHANGE RESERVES OF CENTRAL

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

SEZER NOT GO TO IRAN
President Ahmet Necdet Sezer announced that he won't take part in the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) summit that will take place in Tehran, the capital of Iran. State Minister Mehmet Kececiler will represent Sezer in the summit.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

In the meantime, the total number of damaged buildings in Cankiri has been revised as 4,842. Quake survivors spent the night outside despite the cold weather. Four thousand tents were distributed to survivors. A tent city was set up in Cubuk with 675 tents and people are given food three times a day.

SOMEBODY SHOULD CHECK TEMPERATURE OF SPRING WATERS
Cankiri's Cavundur mayor Yunus Tatlipinar said the thermal springs in their province became warmer during Marmara and Duzce earthquakes and its temperature rose also before the recent earthquake whose epicenter was Cerkes. He said two weeks before the earthquake the temperature of the thermal spring in Cavundur rose from 49 to 55 Celcius. He said they didn't inform the authorities about the temperature change.

SABAH (LIBERAL)

y gifts, plane tickets from Yasin Altınbas and spent holiday in a five star resort and this was paid by Atınbas again. Another investigation was also launched for Tuncay Armagan, the former chief judge of Gaziantep Regional Administration Court.

ECEVIT WARNS HIS PARTNERS
''There are floods and earthquakes taking place in Turkey. In the meanwhile the parties shouldn't muddy the water,'' Ecevit told in the opening of his party group meeting.Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said that if a government crisis appears, this will damage the positive developments both in and outside Turkey. No party or leader can hold liability of a crisis for the moment, Ecevit said and added that all parties and politicians should abstain from escalating the tension. ''Style is very important in politics,'' said Premier Ecevit and added that ''Parties can always need each other. We shouldn't hurt each other. I regard this important as an old politician who has experience.''

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

ters Insurance Institution that has been formed in the Treasury Undersecretariat, said Isıkara and added that the insurance firms will only act as mediators and it will be state's liability to pay for the damages.

SEZER'S ATTITUDE TOWARDS IRAN
President Ahmet Necdet Sezer officialy announced that he won't participate in the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) summit that will be held on June 10 in Tehran, Iran. Sezer gave the decision himself as he does not want to make his first official visit to Iran. State Minister Mehmet Kececiler will represent Turkey in the meeting. Meanwhile Foreign Ministry conveyed the file on Hezbollah which covers the support given to it by Iran to the Iranian side through diplomatic channels.

RADIKAL (LEFT)

ANKARA RUNS OUT OF PATIENCE
Turkey reacted harshly to the EU for its inclination to exclude non-EU member countries like Turkey and Norway from European Security and Defense Initiative (EDSI). Turkey submitted a note to eleven EU member countries and warned them over the matter. This latest initiative of Ankara is considered as the ''last warning'' before Feira summit on June 19-20 where the attendees will reach a final decision.

YENİ BİNYIL (LIBERAL)

YILMAZ:IF WE ARE GUILTY, DON'T CONTINUE
THIS PARTNERSHIP WITH US
Mesut Yılmaz, the leader of the Motherland Party (ANAP) said on Wednesday that ''if we have done something which deserves to be judged in the Supreme Court (Constitutional Court), we should be sent there and this partnership should not continue. I don't c

ritize that a decision was given against us, but there is a contradiction with the findings and the decision,'' Yılmaz said, adding that ''there were probably political motivations behind this decision, as my signature for SEKA land didn't constitute any

crime. SEKA file can't be criticized in respect of law or political ethics.''

TURKIYE (RIGHT)

ECEVIT:''DON'T CAUSE CONFUSION''
Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit warned Motherland Party (ANAP) and Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) and asked them to give an end to the political tension caused by ANAP leader Mesut Yilmaz's trial by the Constitutional Court. Yilmaz said MHP commission members deliberately took the decision to try him to damage his party. ''If there is something that would make my trial necessary, then they should not continue being partners with us,'' Yilmaz said.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

[02] CENTRAL BANK'S ADVISER PROF. RODRIK:

Responding to questions of A.A correspondent, Prof. Rodrik said that he thought the results of May monthly inflation were positive.

The increase of prices in special manufactured goods production industry is important, he said adding that this increase rate was 2.5 percent in May as dollar gained value against EURO.

The inflation in Turkey, particularly in the manufactured goods is more sensitive to dollars, he said adding the result in inflation of May was due to the reasons beyond Turkey's power.

Prof. Rodrik stressed that the program aiming at reducing the inflation is on its right track and the implementations so far are successful.

He added that there is no problem in the economic program as long as the political will and support extended to it continues.

[03] ''TURKEY'' DOCUMENTARY ON U.S. CHANNEL PBS PROMOTES

The 50 minute documentary which was also supported by the Tourism Ministry was produced by Amy Bucher. The documentary includes interesting information such as how the whirling dervishes could whirl for hours without getting dizzy or how 500 women lived together in Topkapi Palace's harem rooms in its most crowded time.

The film starts from Istanbul and follows a route which passes from Izmir, Antalya and Cappadocia and it is full of striking images of Topkapi Palace, Treasury Compartment, Kasikci Diamond, Closed Bazaar, Sultanahmet and Mimar Sinan's masterpiece Selimiye Mosque in Edirne.

Kirkpinar oil wrestling competitions, House of Virgin Mary in Ephesus-Izmir and fairy chimneys in Cappadoccia are also included in the documentary.

''Turkey is a friend of foreigners, especially U.S. people. Therefore, more and more U.S. tourists are visiting Turkey'', it was stated in the film.

According to official figures, 438,000 U.S. tourists visited Turkey last year.

[04] TCG FATIH FRIGATE TO GO TO U.S.A

Chief of General Staff, in a statement said that, Fatih frigate will first visit the Spanish port of Cadiz and later arrive in Norfolk Port of Virginia on June 26.

After participating in the International Naval Forces Parade in New York and Sail Boston 2000 activities, Fatih frigate will leave Boston port on July 16.

The frigate will stop by Barcelona Port in Spain on its way back home and complete its trip on August 2, 2000 in Golcuk.

[05] GAP REGION EXPORTS 13.4 MILLION DOLLARS

It is a 4.1 percent increase in the exports of GAP region to the Turkish Republics. GAP exported goods worth of 12,9 million dollars to these countries in the same period last year.

GAP exported goods worth of 3,9 million dollars to Azerbaijan, 3,8 million dollars to Uzbekistan and 2,5 million dollars to Kazakhstan.

Carpets, plastic sacks, flour, margarine, candy, biscuits, cakes and chocolate were among the products which were exported mostly to the Turkish Republics from GAP region.

[06] CAPPADOCIA BECOMES FOCUS OF ATTENTION FOR FOREIGN TV CHANNELS

Museum Directorate authorities told A.A correspondent that 19 television teams coming from France, United Arab Emirates, New Zealand, Austria, the U.S., Poland, Russia and Japan shoot documentaries in historical places in Goreme, Urgup, Avanos, Mustafapasa, Cat Valley, Ortahisar, Uchisar, Zelve, and Cavusin.

[07] EFFORTS CONTINUE TO SAVE MANYAS BIRD PARADISE

Environment Protection Director of the Environment Ministry, Serap Kuleli said European Protection Union supports the ''Life Project'' which will be implemented in Manyas lake. Through this, Kuleli said they are targeting to form a ''Marshy Lands Administration Plan'' for the first time in Turkey.

As a part of the project, lake water analysis will be over by the end of the year and a land programme will start, Kuleli explained. She also noted that the water level in the lake has been reduced to normal level as a result of efforts of Balikesir Governorship. Kuleli said there are undergoing efforts to plant more trees in the area and also to make the Bird Observation Tower actively used again.

As a part of the protocol signed with the Forest Ministry, the houses in Bereketli village near Kuscenneti will be repaired if necessary financement is found. There are also efforts to turn the area to a ''aqua products center'', similar to the one that is found in southern France. The same project might also be implemented for Uluabat lake in the future, she said.

[08] CRIMINAL COURT DECIDES TO ARREST CAKICI IN ABSENTIA

The court started to hear the case again after its decision was repealed by the Supreme Court of Appeals.

Cakıcı, who didn't attend the court session as he has a medical report valid for 10 days, is in prison for ''forming an armed organization to commit crime.''

The Court took this decision believing that ''if Cakıcı is set free from the case on ''gang'' pending before the Istanbul State Security Court (DGM) No. 6, he will be free and go abroad.''

This case constitutes one of the two cases that enabled Cakıcı's extradition from France to Turkey.

[09] ERSUMER ATTENDS FUNERAL OF FORMER JAPANESE PRIME MINISTER

Ersumer who has been in Japan for three days to attend the World Energy Congress 2000 which is held by World Geothermal Energy Insitution in Morioka, attended Obuchi's funeral accompanied by Turkish Ambassador to Japan Yaman Baskut and Ministry Protocol Director Suha Gunel.

U.S. President Bill Clinton, as well as presidents of South Korea, Philippines, Indonesia and Micronesia Islands also attended the funeral which started at 2.05 p.m. Various countries were represented by 350 people at the funeral. Ersumer represented Turkey at the ceremony.

Many Japanese people who were not allowed to enter the ceremony at Budokan Hall formed long lines outside the hall.

[10] TURKEY, NETHERLANDS AND BELGIUM SIGN

The General Directorate of Security said on Thursday that 15 matches of the EURO 2000 which will be held between June 10 and July 2, will be played in Belgium and 16 matches will be played in the Netherlands.

The General Directorate of Security noted that 1.2 million fans are expected to go to these two countries to watch the matches and that to this end, it is necessary to take security measures to ensure the public order.

All the participant countries launched initiatives to have a comprehensive cooperation in security, the General Directorate of Security stated.

The General Directorate of Security continued, ''bilateral and international meetings on the ticket sales, the security of our national team, match analysis, threats and dangers, formation of Turkish Police Team, cooperation among security teams, ensuring international law, were held. In the end of these meetings, a joint statement was signed between the interior ministers of Turkey, the Netherlands, and Belgium.''

Turkey formed a 10-member police team, and set up connection with the concerned institutions, the General Directorate of Security stressed.

[11] 23TH EUROPEAN JUSTICE MINISTERS' CONFERENCE STARTS

Justice Minister Hikmet Sami Turk is representing Turkey in the conference.

Addressing the opening remarks, Hans Christian Kruger, the Council of Europe (COE) Deputy Secretary General, said that the aim of the conference is ensuring harmony in the judicial system of European countries and increasing the speed and quality of the judicial services.

Kruger noted that they should be sure that all the people can get use of an efficient and fair judicial system.

Especially the Southeastern European countries which are in a adjustment process with Europe, should fortify their judicial systems and make their justice independent, Kruger stated.

Kruger pointed out that the COE is exerting the necessary efforts regarding the fortification and independence of judicial systems.

Justice Minister Turk and Seref Unsal, the Justice Ministry Deputy Undersecretary, will make speeches in the afternoon session of the conference.

[12] FOREIGN MINISTER CEM IN LITHUANIA

Lithuanian President Valgan Adamkus, Lithuanian Prime Minister Andrius Kubilius, and Lithuanian Parliament Speaker Vytantas Landsbergis received Cem this morning.

Prior to the meeting, Adamkus conveyed his congratulatory messages to President Ahmet Necdet Sezer through Cem and said that he also had close cooperation with the former president.

Kubilius said prior to his meeting with Cem that Turkey carries importance for their country and that the present relations between Turkey and Lithuania should be improved.

Landsbergis said that he wants to express his deep sorrow over the quake disaster and that he has a sympathy for Turkey.

Sources said that the improvement of the economic relations between two countries was discussed in the meetings and that Lithuania requested the support of Turkey for its NATO membership.

The soures quoted Cem as saying that Turkey supports Lithuania's NATO membership but that he does not think that Lithuania can become a NATO member in a short time.

The relations with the European Union (EU) were also taken up in the meeting, and the EU full membership processes of Turkey and Lithuania were evaluated, the sources added.

Cem will meet with Lithuanian Foreign Minister ALgirdas Saudargas in the afternoon.

Ismail Cem will join the dinner given in his honour this evening.

Foreign Minister Ismail Cem will proceed to Estonia, the third and last leg of his Baltic tour, on Friday morning.

[13] INTERIOR MINISTRY SAYS ALL MEASURES

A statement issued by Interior Ministry pointed out that Ankara Civilian Defense Association sent rescue personnel as well as seven vehicles, and two teams having sniffer dogs were sent to the region. It said the search and rescue team pulled out a dead body under the rubble, adding that the team was still working in Orta township and that efforts were underway to set up tent sites.

A helicopter from General Directorate of Security Aviation Department Chairmaship was assigned in the quake region.

Two helicopters belonging to Land Forces Land Aviation Commandership made assessment works in the region.

Disaster Regional Coordinatorship Governor's Office said 4,000 tents, 1,425 beds, 5,000 blankets, 800 sofa, as well as food stuff, and medicial equipment were given under the order of Cankiri Governorship.

General Directorate of Red Crescent sent 400 tents and Ankara Governorship sent 100 tents.

The statement said two people died in Cubuk and Orta towships of Ankara, and 90 people injured in Cankiri provincial center, Orta, Cerkes, Sabanozu, Eldivan towships of Cankiri and Cubuk township of Ankara.

[14] 113.4 BILLION TL CULTIVATED AREA DAMAGED IN KARABUK DUE TO FLOOD

Recep Cendek, the Provincial Agricultural Deputy Director, said on Thursday that the cultivated area of 21 farmers were damaged in Oglebeli district and Cemaller and Kiyi villages due to the flood.

Cendek noted that the damage was 113 billion 49 million TL, adding that 17 irrigation systems were also damaged in the flood.

[15] PARLIAMENTARY FOREIGN AFFAIRS COMMISSION ADOPTS DRAFT LAW ON

The draft law foresees the encouragement of two countries to make investments in the other country and to prevent the investments which are in consonant with the concerned laws and regulations.

In accordance with the draft law, the companies can choose their high-ranking administrators and technicians without taking into consideration their nationalities.

The draft law also foresees two countries to behave equally to the investors of the other side who make a loss due to the internal disorder, war or rebellion, as they behave to the investors of third countries.

The Commission also adopted the Draft Law on the Ratification of the Economic Cooperation Agreement Between Turkey and Greece.

This draft foresees the two sides to exert efforts to improve the economic cooperation in every field under mutual interests.

In accordance with the draft which envisages the encouragement of cooperation of the enterprises, institutions, and all companies including the small and medium scale enterprises, Turkish-Greek Joint Economic Commission will be established.

[16] FOREIGN EXCHANGE RESERVES OF CENTRAL

The Central Bank data shows that the foreign exchange reserves, which had been 22 billion 621 million U.S. dollars on May 26, increased 984 million U.S. dollars to 23 billion 605 million U.S. dollars as of June 2.

Meanwhile, according to the May 18-based statistics, Turkey's total international gross reserves were 36 billion 743 million U.S dollars.

The international gross reserves of Turkey had been 37 billion 194 million U.S. dollars on May 12.

As of May 18, Turkey's international reserves were composed of 1 billion 11 million U.S. dollars in gold reserves; 22 billion 951 million U.S. dollars in the Central Bank's foreign exchange reserves; and 12 billion 782 million U.S. dollars in the commercial banks' foreign exchange reserves.

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