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Anadolu Agency: News in English, 00-06-16Anadolu Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Anadolu Agency Home Page at <http://www.anadoluajansi.com.tr/>ANADOLU AGENCYNEWS 16 JUNE 2000 Friday CONTENTS
[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCANThese are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in Turkey's press on June 16, 2000. The Anadolu Ajansi does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.HURRIYET (LIBERAL)HISTORICAL DAYFor the first time in history, a Turkish head of religious affairs will hold a tete-a-tete meeting with the pope in Vatican. Mehmet Nuri Yilmaz, the Head of Religious Affairs, will convey President Ahmet Necdet Sezer's invitation to Pope Jean Paul II. Yilmaz will propose Pope Jean Paul II cooperation against terrorism and xenophobia. Later, he will perform midday prayer in the Rome Mosque opposite to St. Pier Church in Vatican. Pope Jean Paul II had paid his first official visit to a foreign country to Turkey in 1979. MINA URGAN PASSES AWAY AGAR ACQUITTED MILLIYET (LIBERAL)FIGHTING BREAKS OUT BETWEEN TURKISH AND SWEDISH SOCCER FANSFighting broke out between Turkish and Swedish soccer fans in Eindhoven, the Netherlands prior to Euro 2000 Championship match. Turkish and Swedish people gathered in the city centre, but the atmosphere suddenly became tense due to sale of alcohol. Security forces intervened in the groups, and dispersed them peacefully. Four people including one policeman, were injured in the fighting. PEACE FORCE TENSION ON CYPRUS SABAH (LIBERAL)WE LOST MINA URGANMina Urgan, a professor of English literature and writer who became famous by her book titled ''Bir Dinazorun Anilari'' (The Memories of an Dinosaur) died at the age of 85 on Thursday. Urgan was hospitalized two weeks ago at Istanbul School of Medicine, and was in intensive care unit. KUTAN, FP LEADER: BAHCELI DREAMS OF CUMHURIYET (LEFT)AEGEAN TO BE DISCUSSEDPolitical directors meeting which will be held between Turkey and Greece on June 23, will form an important step in rapproachement process between the two neighboring countries. At the meeting, Turkey will reiterate its proposal regarding setting up a committee to solve the Aegean dispute. Yigit Alpogan, the Deputy Undersecretary of Foreign Ministry, will represent Turkey while Ambassador Anastas Scopelitis will represent Greece at the meeting. MAFIA BOSS CAKICI TAKEN TO DGM FROM HOSPITAL RADIKAL (LEFT)MEASURES TAKEN FOR A SAFE UNIVERSITY ENTRANCE EXAMDr. Fethi Toker, the Chairman of the Student Selection and Placement Center (OSYM), said, ''the Interior and Justice ministries have taken all necessary measures for a safe nationwide university entrance exam on Sunday.'' Staging a press conference, Dr. Toker said, ''a total of 1,414,820 students will take the exam at 09:30 a.m. on June 18 throughout Turkey and in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). The Foreign Language Exam will be held on June 25.'' The nationwide university entrance exam was cancelled less than 14 hours before the exam, after two question sheets were stolen in Istanbul last year. AUTOMOBILE COLLIDES WITH A LORRY, KILLING NINE PEOPLE TURKEY REPAYS 275.05 MILLION U.S. DOLLARS IN FOREIGN DEBT STOLEN HISTORY TO BE RETURNED TO TURKEY YENI BINYIL (LIBERAL)PRIME MINISTER EVALUATES CONSTITUTIONAL COURT CRISISTension between the Motherland Party (ANAP) and the Nationalist Movement Party (ANAP), escalates everyday. None of the sides step back. Husamettin Ozkan, Deputy Prime Minister, tries to intervene to solve the crisis. He requests appointment from Devlet Bahceli, leader of MHP, but Bahceli refuses to give an appointment. Meanwhile, ANAP waits for the voting in the Parliament. Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit feel extremely uneasy over the developments. ''Turkey has just caught a good opportunity, but it may be destroyed. Everything will be upside down if there is an early or interim election. Relations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the European Union (EU) will be effected negatively. Those who caused this will not be able to defend themselves in front of public,'' he said. BUSINESSMEN DIRECT THEIR INVESTMENTS TO FAR EAST AND EASTERN EUROPE TURKIYE (RIGHT)AGCA TO BE TRIED TODAYTerrorist Mehmet Ali Agca, who is currently jailed in Kartal Prison, will be tried in Kadikoy Courthouse today. Agca, who was extradited to Turkey from Italy, will be tried on charges of exortion which he did on April 4, 1979. Nusret Ince, the Chief Judge of the High Criminal Court of Kadikoy No. 2 said on Thursday that statute of limitations is out of question in the ''extortion'' case of terrorist Mehmet Ali Agca. Upon questions of journalists, Ince reminded reporters that Agca will be tried in relation to extorting money and an commercial vehicle from Fruko Gazoz Factory. MEHMET AGAR ACQUITTED ON GANG ALLEGATIONS TOSKAY CALLS FOR SUPPORT FROM THE EXPORTERS ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)NSC CAUTIOUS AGAINST EUIt has been revealed that there are very big conflicts between the report of National Security Council (NSC), and the views to adjust the Copenhagen criteria for the European Union (EU) that takes its place in the 8th Five-Year Development Plan of State Planning Institute. NSC report, which evaluated the EU criteria as a threat to Turkey's unitary structure, defined requests of the EU as ''extreme and unjust'' demands which are not convenient to Turkey's conditions. It has been reported that NSC report will cause serious arguments while drawing the future of the country. Foreign Ministry officials said it was impossible for Turkey to do the things it wants from the EU criteria, and opposed the report. ANAP PARLIAMENTARIANS: TRY US ALSO [02] TURK-IS CHAIRMANSHIP COUNCIL TO SUBMIT A REPORT REGARDING PROBLEMS OF WORKERS TO PRESIDENT SEZERANKARA, June 16 (A.A) - The Confederation of the Turkish Labour Unions (Turk-Is) Chairmanship Council will submit a report regarding problems of workers to President Ahmet Necdet Sezer on June 21. Cetin Altun, the Secretary Turk-Is, told A.A correspondent on Friday that they would pay a visit to Cankaya Presidential Palace to congratulate Sezer who was sworn in as the 10th President of Turkey on May 16, and to brief him on problems of workers. Altun added that the same report would also be submitted to Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit.[03] IN FIRST FIVE MONTHS, 124.1 MILLION U.S. DOLLARS OF TEXTILE PRODUCTS EXPORTED FROM GAP REGIONGAZIANTEP, June 16 (A.A) - The exports of textile products from the Southeastern Anatolia Project (GAP) region in the first five months of 2000 increased 5.2 percent to 124 million 103 thousand U.S. dollars. In the same period last year, the region exported 117 million 939 thousand U.S. dollars of textile products. Officials at the Southeastern Anatolia Exporters' Union, told the A.A correspondent on Friday that in the first five months of the year, they exported 54 million 276 thousand U.S. dollars in thread; 61 million 638 thousand U.S. dollars in cotton fabric; and 8 million 189 thousand U.S. dollars in various textile product. The majority of the goods were exported to Syria, Saudi Arabia, Italy, Belgium, Jordan, Spain, Israel, Portugal, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, France, Uzbekistan, Romania, the U.S., Russia, Greece, Algeria and Azerbaijan, and the Turkish goods in greatest demand were carpets, synthetic thread and cotton thread.[04] TURKISH AND GREEK GOVERNORS AND MAYORS TO CONVENE ON MARMARA ISLANDERDEK, June 16 (A.A) - Turkish and Greek governors and mayors will convene on Marmara Island on Saturday within framework of the Local and Regional Administrations European Cross-border Cooperation Convention. Officials at Marmara Island Municipality told A.A correspondent on Friday that Turkish and Greek governors and mayors would discuss issues such as pollution in the Aegean Sea, and transportation problem among Turkish and Greek islands in the Aegean Sea at the two-day meeting.[05] AID FROM ISRAEL TO QUAKE REGIONANKARA, June 16 (A.A) - A new school has been constructed in place of Yarbay Refik Cesur Primary School in Izmit Province, which was destroyed after massive Marmara quake. The school was constructed with the contributions of Israeli people. The new school, named ''Modern Living Primary School,'' was constructed in Tepekoy region of Izmit with the aid of Turkish people living in Israel, and Israeli people. A total of 800 students will be educated in the school. There is a classroom which was equipped with computers. A total of 175,000 U.S. dollars has been spent for the construction of the school.[06] OPERATIONS AGAINST TERRORIST HEZBOLLAH ORGANIZATION -12 PEOPLE TAKEN INTO CUSTODY IN GAZIANTEPGAZIANTEP, June 16 (A.A) - A total of 12 people were taken into custody on Friday in operations against the terrorist Hezbollah organization in southeastern Gaziantep province. Officials told the A.A correspondent that security forces launched their 17th operation against the terrorist Hezbollah organizations in June 13. They detained 12 people, and confiscated a great deal of illegal and banned documents. Interrogation of the detainees is continuing.[07] ARREST IN ABSENTIA DECISION AGAINST CAKICIISTANBUL - Upon the opposition of the Prosecutor, arrest in absentia decision was given against Alaatin Cakici, notorious mafia boss, who was released by Istanbul State Security Court (DGM) after being interrogated on charges of staging an armed attack at Sports Club in Karagumruk district of Istanbul on March 26, 2000 in which 15 people were injured. Hadi Salihoglu, Republican Prosecutor, opposed to the decision of Alternate Judgeship which released Cakici to be tried without detention. Istanbul DGM no:6, which discussed the opposition, and decided to issue arrest in absentia decision against Cakici. Atalay Cebesoy, lawyer of Cakici, said he could oppose to this decision.[08] GERMAN DELEGATION IN GAPSANLIURFA - A delegation from German Technical Cooperation Institution (GTZ) and Embassy Economic Cooperation Undersecretariat continues contacts in Southeastern Anatolia Project (GAP) Region. Germany will provide financing and technical cooperation to GAP. Isabel Mattes-Kucukali, Director of German GTZ Ankara Office, and another delegation led by Andreas Gies, German Embassy Economic Cooperation Undersecretary, got information about the recent situation in GAP. German delegation later left for southeastern Diyarbakir province.[09] TURKISH-ALBANIAN JEC PROTOCOL SIGNEDANKARA - Turkish-Albanian Joint Economic Commission (JEC) protocol regarded with the 6th Term Meeting was signed by State Minister Faruk Bal and Albanian Agriculture and Food Minister Lufter Xhuveli. Speaking at the signing ceremony, Bal said talks, carried out in Ankara for two days, were held in good will and reciprocal cooperation understanding. Bal said cooperation fields between the two countries should be improved apart from the protocol which will positively effect trade and economic relations. Stressing that there was an important potential about the economic relations of Turkey and Albania, Bal said he believed that officials of the two countries would exert efforts to evaluate this potential well. Lufter Xhuveli, Albanian Minister, thanked to the warm welcome he received, and noted that the protocol was an important step to improve bilateral commercial and economic relations. Cooperation facilities in standardization, customs, Turkish-Albanian Business Council, banking, credit relations, energy, industry, transportation, tourism, agriculture as well as free zones were evaluated during the meeting. Albanian side pointed out that Turkish investors should attend more effectively to the privatizations and infrastructure investments that will be realized. Both countries will support efforts of Balkan Countries Trade Development Center, fairs, and exhibitions.[10] TRAVELLER MAGAZINE PUBLISHES ARTICLE ABOUT BODRUM'S COASTSLONDON - The famous British ''Traveller'' magazine published an article about ''blue tour'' at Turkey's fascinating coasts stretching from Bodrum to the Aegean with attractive photographs. The article written by Stephen Fay praises Turkey's food, sea and friendly people. Besides fascinating images of Turkish coasts around Bodrum, the magazine also had colourful pictures of open markets in the area.[11] CRIMES OF AGCA LISTED IN AN INDICTMENT (2) PREPARED BY ISTANBUL MILITARY PROSUCUTORISTANBUL - The three documents of Istanbul Emergency Rule Commandership Military Court dated January 16, 1984 states that Mehmet Ali Agca confessed that he killed Abdi Ipekci, however he denied the murder during his interrogation in Italy. The 53 page indictment prepared by the then Military Prosecutor says that Agca during his interrogation on October 11, 1979 said ''it is true that I killed Abdi Ipekci.'' The indictment also states that on June 30, 1979 and July 6, 1979, Agca writes that he killed Ipekci in two separate notes. The indictment says Agca studied at Ankara University's Faculty of Language, History and Geography on 1977 and 1978 but he did not like the subject he was studying so he decided to take the university entrance tests again and study economy. After taking the exam Agca registered to Istanbul University's Economy Faculty. Years later it was found out that before the exam he and another friend of his made up a fake document necessary to take the exam. It was also revealed that one of his friends took the exam for him disguising himself like Agca. An investigation was opened against him upon this incident and Agca, during his interrogation in Italy, did not disclose the name of his friend who took the test for him. Agca was taken under custody. He and another prisoner tried to escape but failed when a soldier noticed them. Later Agca was put in Maltepe Military Prison but this time he managed to escape by bribing the guards. After the escape Agca was provided a false passport by Oral Celik and with this passport he escaped to Iran via Erzurum and Igdir. Agca was sentenced to death in the trial during which he was tried for killing Abdi Ipekci. The indictment said there was no need to open a separate case about Agca for attempting to kill Pope Jean Paul and his involvement in an extortion at Fruko soda Factory in Istanbul's Kosuyolu district, because public cases have been previosly opened on these crimes.[12] AGCA AT KADIKOY COURT HOUSEISTANBUL - Mehmet Ali Agca, who was extradited to Turkey by Italy, was brought to Kadıkoy Court House from Kartal prison nearly in 46 minutes in an armoured vehicle accompanied two police buses, four police cars and one gendarme minibus on Friday. Agca who was taken out from the prison at 12.37 local time and was brought to Kadıkoy court house around 13.23 local time. The police surrounded the armoured vehicle while gendarme took him to the court building. Many Turkish and foreign press members launched efforts to cover the developments. Meanwhile eight separate television channels broadcast live police's taking Agca to Kadıkoy court house.[13] AGCA:''I AM NOT THE MURDERER OF ABDI IPEKCI''ISTANBUL - Mehmet Ali Agca, a terrorist who was brought to Kadıkoy Court House, claimed on Friday at court that ''I am not the murderer of Abdi Ipekci, I was only an actor.'' Before sitting at the place giving to him at the court room, Agca turned to the court delegation and said ''I am not the murderer of Abdi Ipekci, I was only an actor. I was an actor who played the role of a murderer in that scenario... That is all. The secrets of Ipekci murder was lost by the death of Bekir Celenk. The stories of extortion and robbery are all fairy tales. I am innocent, absolutely innocent. I swear that I am innocent.'' Meanwhile the chief judge warned Agca saying he should give his testimony to the court, not to the press. Later the press members were taken out from the court room. Agca who was seemed to be tense, said when all the cameras were on him that ''I am uneasy.'' The hearing about ''extortion'' crime of Agca heard at Kadıkoy High Criminal Court No. 2 ended at 14.27 local time. Agca was taken from the court house to be brought to Kartal Special Type Prison.[14] BRITISH TRADE DELEGATION TO VISIT ISTANBULISTANBUL - A British trade delegation formed by Northeast Britain Development Institution will visit Istanbul on June 19. According to a statement made by the British Consulate in Istanbul, the delegation is formed by representatives of firms which produce hygenic wrapping for industrial products, sweeteners for food industry, various springs and wires, spare parts for vehicles, unalcoholic beverages, centrifuge equipment to separate solid and liquid substances, and metal decorative metal products. The delegation aims to advance commercial relations between the two countries through their visit.[15] TURKEY AND TRNC SIGN MARITIME COOPERATION AGREEMENTANKARA - State Minister Ramazan Mirzaoglu who is in charge of maritime and Turkish Republic of Northern Cyrpus (TRNC) Public Works and Transportation Minister Salih Miroglu signed the Maritime Cooperation Development Protocol between Turkey and TRNC on Friday. Speaking at the signature ceremony, Minister Mirzaoglu said the protocol aims to make rescue efforts in the sea more efficient as a part of the Search and Rescue Agreement (SAR) signed between the two countries on September 3, 1996. The protocol also suggests cooperation in yacht traffic and tourism fields which constite a significant potential in the Eastern Mediterranean. ''We are aiming to work together with TRNC to set up ship construction and repair facilities and meet the need for shipyards which are almost non-existent in the region,'' Mirzaoglu said. Noting that TRNC is an unseparable part of Turkey, Mirzaoglu said ''whatever we're doing in Turkey in the field of maritime, we will do the same in TRNC.'' Mirzaoglu said for the first time in the history of the Republic, 13 SAR stations have been opened this year in Turkey and added that similar stations will also be set up in TRNC. Salih Miroglu said TRNC is formed by people who have been struggling for years to take a respectable place among world's countries. ''However the world which we call ''modern'' has not come to the point to officially recognize TRNC.'' ''Although we are disturbed by this attitude of the world, we have not lost anything from our resistance or faith. The motherland Turkey has been our biggest support during this struggle,'' Miroglu said.[16] RELIGIOUS AFFAIRS HEAD YILMAZ MEETS WITH POPE JEAN PAULROME - Mehmet Nuri Yılmaz, the Head of the Religious Affairs who is currently in Rome for two days upon the invitation of Vatican, met with Pope Jean Paul on Friday. Yılmaz said that the meeting was held in a very sincere and constructive atmosphere, adding Pope told him first that ''Turkey is a great state and Ataturk is an important leader.'' Pope also told Yılmaz that he visited Turkey in 1979 when he was 59 years old. Pope has very positive views about Turkey, said Yılmaz and added that he conveyed the best wishes of President Ahmet Necdet Sezer and Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit to Pope. Yılmaz said Pope also sent his good messages to the two. Yılmaz invited Pope to Turkey in the meeting. Pope told Yılmaz that he won't be able to come to Turkey this year due to the celebrations of 2000th anniversary of Christianity, adding he plans to come in 2001. The two decided to act together to increase interreligious dialogue, to prevent hunger in the world and acts of violence and terror at the meeting. Yılmaz said ''it was a very beneficial meeeting, both sides expressed the hope of coming together again.'' Pope asked Yılmaz to protect the historical places in Turkey which are important for Christians and noted that he would call Christians to visit Turkey. Altan Guven, Turkish Ambassador to Turkey and five-people Religious Affairs delegation accompanied Yılmaz in his visit to Pope. After the meeeting, Yılmaz went to Rome Mosque for the Friday prayer.[17] BRUSSELS MAYOR SAYS THEY WILL PROTECT TURKS AGAINST BRITISH HOOLIGANSBRUSSELS - Brussels Mayor Francois Xavier de Donnea said on Friday that ''they will protect the Turkish community in Brussels against hooligans'' during the football game which will be played between Turkey and Belgium on Monday. De Donnea confirmed that the reports of British and Dutch intelligence services say ''British fans want to take revenge from Turks.'' ''Turkish community proved its maturity. We will protect Turkish community and we will be very careful about any provocations done against them. Turks have gained our confidence,'' he said. Brussels Mayor who is also in charge of managing security units said the Turkish community living in Brussels have always been responsible citizens and asked the Turks' support in their efforts to maintain security before the football match. Belgian authorities said 3,300 policemen and gendarme will work during the game. British fans are regarded with suspicion, they said and also noted that although Britain promised, it failed to prevent some notorious hooligans from coming to Belgian for the match. Authorities said a British hooligan who said ''he will knock off a few Belgian policemen'' was caught in Brussels bus terminal and extradited. Belgian police said starting Friday, they will intensify security measures in Brussels and keep a high number of policemen especially in the neighbourhoods inhabited by Turks.[18] TURKEY AND KYRGYZSTAN SIGN MILITARY COOPERATION AGREEMENTBISHKEK - An agreement foreseeing military cooperation in the realm of education, science and technology was signed between Turkey and Kyrgyzstan in Kyrgyzstan's capital Bishkek on Friday. General Staff Head of Logistic Deparment Unal Ozsipahioglu and Kyrgyz Deputy Defense Minister and Chief of General Staff Nuredin Comoyev signed the agreement which included training of Kyrgyz military units, increasing defense and assault capacity of these units and financial and technical assistance to Kyrgyz army. According to the agreement, Turkish General Staff will extend equipment and technical assistance worth of one billion U.S. dollars to the Kyrgyz army. Ozsipahioglu said at a press briefing that Turkey's main goal is to help Kyrgyzstan to fight against terrorism and help it maintain security not only in its own land but also in its border regions.[19] TWO INMATES DIE IN FIGHT AT BAYRAMPASA PRISONISTANBUL - Two inmates died, and two guards and four inmates were injured in the incident that broke out between two opposing groups at Istanbul's Bayrampasa prison on Friday. Two groups of gang members staying in wards D-2 and D-10, started fighting in the afternoon. Two prisoners died during the fight whose names have not yet been disclosed. Four other prisoners and two guards were also injured. The injured people were hospitalized. Prison authorities had earlier announced the death toll as five.
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