Anadolu Agency: News in English, 00-06-21

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NEWS

21 JUNE 2000 Wednesday

CONTENTS

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

[02] SHARE OF GAP IN HYDROELECTRIC PRODUCTION INCREASES TO 41.7 PERCENT

[03] WORLD BANK TO TRANSFER FIRST PART OF ERL IN A WEEK

[04] FOREIGN MINISTER CEM MEETS WITH HIS BOSNIAN COUNTERPART

[05] LABOUR MINISTER OKUYAN RECEIVES GERMAN AMBASSADOR SCHMIDT

[06] TURKISH-SYRIAN RELATIONS -NUSAYBIN-KAMISLI RAILROAD TO BE OPENED TO TRANSPORTATION AFTER 20 YEARS

[07] GERMAN POLITICIANS TO CYCLE TO ISTANBUL

[08] FRENCH CHURCH PRIEST DIES

[09] INDUSTRIALISTS OF BURSA TO VISIT GREECE

[10] SEMINAR ON ''IMPORTANCE OF WOMEN IN DEVELOPMENT: GAP EXPERIENCE''

[11] PRLIC, BOSNIAN FOREIGN MINISTER, IN ANKARA

[12] SEVEN OF INVESTIGATION COMMISSION'S REPORTS TO BE DISCUSSED IN PARLIAMENTARY GENERAL ASSEMBLY

[13] TURKEY-EU RELATIONS -''SCANNING PROCESS'' TAKES START

[14] FOREIGN MINISTRY: ''ELECTIONS IN UPPER KARABAKH ARE ILLEGAL''

[15] HEZBOLLAH TERRORISTS ON TRIAL

[16] PRESS RELEASE FROM ADNAN AGCA, BROTHER OF MEHMET ALI AGCA

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

DRAFT LAW ON VAKIFBANK IN PARLIAMENT
The draft law on privatization of Vakıfbank was submitted to the parliament. The impediment that stands in front of buying and selling 55 percent A group shares belonging to Vakıflar General Directorate and 20 percent B group shares, will be lifted by the new draft. The administration of the bank will also be made autonomous.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

GOOD NEWS
The Chairman of Marmara Research Centre said that ''the Marmara fault line does not consist of only one single line, thus no earthquake bigger than 7.0 on the Richter scale can shake Istanbul.'' SISMIK-1 and Cubuk-1 research ships drew the map of the fault line in Marmara Sea. The findings of the ships refuted the claims led by Professor Celal Sengor saying that ''the fault line consists of one single line and it will be broken at one time.''

SABAH (LIBERAL)

CONSOLIDATED BUDGET DEFICIT IS 6.7 QUADRILLION
The consolidated budget deficit was 7 quadrillion 633 trillion Turkish liras (TL) in May. The Finance Ministry sad that the non-interest surplus was 4 quadrillion 70 trillion TL in January-May period. The consolidated budget expenditure was 20 quadrillion 512 trillion TL while the total revenues were 12 quadrillion 879 trillion TL in the same period.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

TURKEY-EU DISPUTE
The final statement issued at the end of the two-day European Union (EU) Summit in Feira, Portugal said that Turkey was expected to record concrete progress in fields of human rights, state of law and jurisdiction. The EU decided to automatically benefit from NATO facilities and capabilities within framework of the European Security and Defense Identity (ESDI). The Foreign Ministry said Turkey won't accept the decision taken about NATO. National Defense Minister Sabahattin Cakmakoglu said they were inviting Turkey's allies and EU countries to think once again.

ALAIN SEVANTIE IN ANKARA
Alain Sevantie who was newly appointed as the EU Commission's Turkey Desk Chief arrived in Ankara. The ''National Program'' that Turkey will prepare will be taken up during his contacts.

THIRD ROUND TALKS SHOULD BE HELD
U.N. Special Representative to Cyprus Alvaro de Soto met with Foreign Minister Ismail Cem. Soto said a positive atmosphere was created for solution of Cyprus question, adding that they hoped the recent tensions won't affect the process.

COACH DENIZLI: ''TRUST THIS TEAM''
Turkey Coach Mustafa Denizli said, ''trust this team, It won't be a surprise if we reach the final.'' Meanwhile, midfielder Tugay Kerimoglu was sent home from Euro 2000 after he had thrown his shinpads towards Denizli when he was substituted in only the 37th minute of the game with Belgium in Brussels.

RADIKAL (LEFT)

EU OF DEMOCRACY
Turkey drew a route map for the European Union (EU) Association Partnership Document. A part of the preparations will finish in 2001 and the remaining ones will end in 2002 and they will be enacted in 2003. A total of 41 laws will be amended and brought in line with EU norms.

YENİ BİNYIL (LIBERAL)

MERVE IS ALONE
Merve Kavakci, a former deputy of the Virtue Party (FP) who wanted to enter into the parliamentary general assembly by wearing a headscarf, was hit by a stroke of her party after the Council of State ratified the denaturalization sentence given to her. Recai Kutan, the FP leader, and Necmettin Erbakan, the former leader of the banned Welfare Party (RP), did not respond to Kavakci, who wanted to meet with them. Then, Kavakci returned to the U.S.

TURKIYE (RIGHT)

TEMPERATURE TO INCREASE
The temperature will increase by 10 to 15 degrees Celcius. The State Meteorology General Directorate said that the rainy and cold weather will live Turkey as of today.

HORROR IN TENT-SITE
Ten tents burned, three quake survivors were injured in the fire which broke out in Italian Tent-Site in Bolu. Fire broke out in a tent due to short circuit. The fire spread to other tents in the tent-site due to the wind. Ten tents were burned and three quake survivors, including two children, were injured in the fire.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

WE WILL ANNOUNCE DOCUMENTS
Adnan Agca visited his brother Mehmet Ali Agca in Kartal Prison. After the visit, Adnan Agca said they had very important evidences about the assasination of Abdi Ipekci, and they would announce them on Wednesday.

TARGETS FOR PRIVATIZATION WILL BE ACHIEVED
Privatization Administration Board Chairman Ugur Bayar said that the first five-month figures had indicated that the 7.6 billion U.S. dollars privatization target for end-2000 would be achieved.

PRISONERS CAN REVOLT
Justice Minister Hikmet Sami Turk warned the government saying that the issue of amnesty became very complicated especially after extradition of Mehmet Ali Agca. Turk said that revolts that couldn't be prevented might occur in prisons if amnesty issue was not solved.

[02] SHARE OF GAP IN HYDROELECTRIC PRODUCTION INCREASES TO 41.7 PERCENT

Erkan Alemdaroglu, the Director of the GAP Regional Development Administration, told A.A correspondent on Wednesday that 5 billion 83 million kilowatts per hour (kwh) electricity was produced from four dams and hydroelectric power stations in the GAP region in the first five months of 2000.

Alemdaroglu said that with this electricity produced from Karakaya, Ataturk, Kralkizi, and Kargamis Dams, the share of the GAP region in hydroelectric production of Turkey increased to 41.7 percent.

''The share of GAP in 48.6 billion kwh electricity production is 11.9 percent. This energy was produced from both hydroelectric and thermic power stations,'' Alemdaroglu also said.

Alemdaroglu noted that the 2.27 billion kwh electricity was produced from Karakaya Dam, 3.35 billion kwh electricity was produced from Ataturk Dam, 6 million kwh electricity was produced from Kralkizi Dam, and 15 million kwh electricity was produced from Kargamis Dam in the first five months of this year.

Alemdaroglu added that the total value of the electricity produced from these four dams is around 350 million U.S. dollars.

[03] WORLD BANK TO TRANSFER FIRST PART OF ERL IN A WEEK

Sources said on Wednesday that there wouldn't be any limitation in expenditure of the 384.6 million U.S. dollars first part and the Treasury would be totally free in use of the loan.

The agreement for the ERL was signed by State Minister Recep Onal and World Bank President James Wolfensohn last month.

Lagalization of the Law on Agricultural Sales Cooperatives was the pre- condition for the use of the first part while the World Bank will seek the conditions of reconstruction of energy sector and conclusion of social security and agricultural reforms to release the second part of ERL.

The ERL which was extended by the World Bank to support the program that was prepared within framework of the stand-by deal between Turkey and the International Monetary Fund has a fifteen-year maturity.

The macroeconomic program which also includes public spendings reform, social security reform, agricultural reform, telecommunications reform, energy sector refrom and privatization program will be financed by the ERL.

[04] FOREIGN MINISTER CEM MEETS WITH HIS BOSNIAN COUNTERPART

Following the tete-a-tete meeting of two ministers, the inter-delegationary meetings started.

Two countries are expected to sign ''Cooperation Agreement on Struggling Against Terrorism, Drug Trafficking, and Organized Crimes'' and ''Protocol on Consultations Between Foreign Ministries of Two Countries'' in the end of the inter-delegationary meetings.

[05] LABOUR MINISTER OKUYAN RECEIVES GERMAN AMBASSADOR SCHMIDT

Following his meeting with Schmidt, Okuyan said that they had a very beneficial meeting regarding the Turkish citizens living in Germany.

Okuyan noted that two countries share the similar ideas about the rehabilitation of the life conditions of the Turkish people living in Germany and their integration with Germany.

Turkish citizens have been going to Germany as workers for 40 years, Okuyan stated.

Okuyan stressed that the Turkish people who went to Germany 40 years ago, are now representing themselves in every part of the society by becoming doctors, employers, and engineers.

Schmidt said that they have realized that two countries have many common targets.

He and Okuyan are in close cooperation regarding the Turkish citizens living in Germany, Schmidt noted.

Schmidt added that the integration of these people with Germany without being assimilated, is the common target of both countries.

[06] TURKISH-SYRIAN RELATIONS -NUSAYBIN-KAMISLI RAILROAD TO BE OPENED TO TRANSPORTATION AFTER 20 YEARS

As a part of the protocol signed by Turkey and Syria in Damascus a while ago, efforts continue to improve border trade.

Sukru Kara, Nusaybin Governor, told A.A correspondent that Syria continued repair efforts aiming to re-open the closed railroad to transportation.

Kara said the railroad extending from Nusaybin to Baghdad could not be used nearly for 20 years, and noted that works started by Syria in the section that is from Haseki to Nusaybin, will be completed in the coming days.

Governor Kara said there will be vitality in border trade with the opening of railroad extending to Baghdad, mutual transportation will be made with the railroad.

Kara said physical works did not start yet, and added that he thought they would start within this year.

''After the start of physical works, existing road will be broadened, and new routes will be determined from eastern and western directions. A second Habour Border Gate will be formed with the opening of this transit road.''

[07] GERMAN POLITICIANS TO CYCLE TO ISTANBUL

Thomas Will told the A.A correspondent that he would be setting off Thursday morning together with 15 colleagues of his, that seven of the cycling politicians would be returning back halfway to Istanbul, and that he and his 8 colleagues were planning to have reached Istanbul on July 14.

Will said that the journey would start from their hometown Bischofsheim, and their route would include Regensburg, Passau, Germany; Vienna, Austria; Budapest, Hungary; Bucharest, Romania; and Burgaz, Bulgaria, and Kirklareli, Turkey on July 12, and Istanbul on the 14th.

Noting that their aim was to meet new people of different cultures, Will said that they would also have proven that Turkey is a part of the European continent by completing thes 2,900 kilometer long journey.

[08] FRENCH CHURCH PRIEST DIES

Police officials said that the priest had dropped his cigarette end on the sofa on which he was lying when he fell asleep, and was poisoned by the smoke fuming from the sofa.

All doors and windows of the room were shut, which prevented a possible fire, but which also caused the priest to choke to death.

The 62 year old priest had been in Turkey for four months.

[09] INDUSTRIALISTS OF BURSA TO VISIT GREECE

Vatan said that the visit, planned to take place between June 22 and 25, had been aimed at further developing commercial relations, and seeking joint investment opportunities.

Noting that they had recently hosted a business delegation from Salonica, that their relations with their Greek counterparts were close and friendly, and that the good relations between the Trade and Inudstry Chambers of Bursa and Salonica were sure to contribute to the further development of the commercial and economic relations between the two countries.

Vatan added that the business delegation would consist of about 70 businessmen.

[10] SEMINAR ON ''IMPORTANCE OF WOMEN IN DEVELOPMENT: GAP EXPERIENCE''

During the course of the five-day seminar, such issues as ''The Role of Social Gender Analysis in Development'', ''The Position of Women in GAP Socio-Cultural Structure'', and ''Multi-Functional Community Centers'' will be taken up.

[11] PRLIC, BOSNIAN FOREIGN MINISTER, IN ANKARA

Following the interdelegational talks, Cem and Prlic signed ''Protocol Related with Consultations between Foreign Ministries,'' and ''Cooperation Agreement in the Field of Struggle Against Terrorism, Drug Trafficking, and Organized Crime.''

Cem said the talks took place being aware of the historical and cultural dimensions of the relations between the two countries, and noted that, ''Turkey has always supported Bosnia, and will continue to do so.''

Pointing out that Bosnia-Herzegovina was an indispensable part of Europe, Cem said, ''Bosnia is a country which should integrate with the whole Europe, and should play an effective role in Council of Europe, European Union, and NATO. Our works aim at improving bilateral relations.''

Prlic, who is of Croatian origin, said he was pleased to pay his first official visit to Turkey since the signing of Dayton Peace Agreement. He said Turkey has always been a strategic partner of Bosnia, and that they wanted play a constructive role in the region, ''political consultations are very important in this respect. Bosnia plays a key role in solution of problems in the region.''

Pointing out that Bosnia was the only country where people from three different ethnic roots live together, Prlic said, ''I am here together with my two aides. We three are from different origins. Today, we agreed to improve relations between Turkish and Bosnian businessmen. We are trying to upgrade th level of trade between the two countries.''

Meanwhile, it was reported that Turkey conveyed the uneasiness it felt over the decision of Bosnia-Herzegovina to improve diplomatic relations with Greek Cypriot side. Bosnian side said they would not open embassy in Greek Cypriot side, and noted that they would not allow Greek Cypriot side to open embassy in Bosnia.

An official from Foreign Ministry said the decision to improve relations with Greek Cypriot side would not mean anything unless embassies are not opened.

The official also pointed out that efforts are underway to prevent double taxation and to improve trade volume between the two countries.

[12] SEVEN OF INVESTIGATION COMMISSION'S REPORTS TO BE DISCUSSED IN PARLIAMENTARY GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Also, reports of the commission against Yilmaz, former State Minister Eyup Asik, and Yasar Topcu, former Minister of Settlement and Public Works, regarding ''gang'' allegations, and ''SSK'' commission report against Necati Celik, former Minister of Labour and Social Security and ''Izmit Gulf Passage,'' against Yilmaz, will be discussed.

The commission, which was set up against Yilmaz and Erez to investigate the allegations regarding appropriation of SEKA land in Izmit to Ford Automotive Company, decided to refer Yilmaz and Erez to Constitutional Court.

Another commission which was set up against former Minister Necati Celik on grounds that he misused authority in recruiting personnel to SSK, also decided to refer him to Constitutional Court.

Meanwhile, it was reporterd that ''secret fund'' report against former Prime Minister Tansu Ciller, and ''Maritime Undersecretariat,'' report against former State Minister Burhan Kara, will probably be discussed on Thursday. Also, ''Kurtkoy Airport,'' report against Yilmaz, ''Black Sea Coastal Road'' and ''Izmit Gulf Passage'' reports against Yasar Topcu, former Minister of Housing, ''Tourism Centers,'' report against Yilmaz, and ''Turkcell-Telsim,'' report against former Transportation Minister Necdet Menzir, and ''forming crime organization,'' report against former Interior Minister Mehmet Agar will probably be taken up next week.

Reports of the investigation commissions will be distributed to Parliamentary Chairmanship, and discussed in the parliament primarily.

The reports will be voted after the talks on the reports. A total of 276 votes, the absolute majority, is required for the acceptance of the report.

If Parliament decides to send Constitutional Court, the file will be sent to Constitutional Court within seven days.

[13] TURKEY-EU RELATIONS -''SCANNING PROCESS'' TAKES START

Diplomatic sources said that a total of 31 topics were gathered in 8 categories.

The EU carries out membership talks with the candidates on 31 main topics. In the negotiations, held between the national representatives and EU officials, the files are taken up separately, in accordance with the fields they are concerned with.

Thursday's talks between Turkey and the EU will include ''Agriculture and Fishing''. On June 30, the officials will take up ''Transportation, Environment, and Energy'', and the negotiations will continue until all the topics have been covered in detail.

The representatives of the EU member countries will be able to attend the talks in observer status if they wish.

Turkish Foreign ministry officials, and officials of the related ministries will be representing Turkey at the talks.

[14] FOREIGN MINISTRY: ''ELECTIONS IN UPPER KARABAKH ARE ILLEGAL''

A statement released by Foreign Ministry Spokesmanship pointed out that conflict in Upper Karabakh was an obstacle in front of peace and cooperation in the Caucasus, and noted that this problem should be discussed within the scope of Azerbaijan's territorial integrity and principles of international law.

The statement recalled that Turkey exerted active efforts within Minsk Group for the solution of the problem within the framework of international law principles.

Pointing out that elections made finding a just and lasting solution difficult, the statement said, ''elections, which were held in Upper Karabakh, that is under Armenian occupation, are illegal. The so-called elections are a new indication that Azerbaijan's territorial integrity and sovereignty are violated.''

[15] HEZBOLLAH TERRORISTS ON TRIAL

Mehmet Murat Yürekli, Bahri Bozak, Abdullah Cetin, Mehmet Sah Yürekli, Salih Aslan, Abdullah Ferit Erkan, Hasan Yildirimdagi, Mehmet Ozdalan and Suat Temel, the defendants of the case attended the Wednesday session. The other defendant, Halil Ozbiber, tried without detention, did not attend today's session.

Following the identity check, the prosecutor read out the indictment, in which it was said that the persons on trial were convicted of carrying out terrorist activities on behalf of the outlawed Hezbollah organisation, with the purpose of disturbing the existing political system by using arms in order to establish another state based on the Islamic laws.

The indictment also said that Mehmet Murat Yurekli, Bahri Bozak, and Ibrahim Halil Gezer had travelled to Afghanistan via Iran to reach Chechnya, where they were to carry out activities on behalf of the terror organsation, but had had to return to Birecik when they failed to access Chechnya.

The prosecutor demanded for a capital punishment for Mehmet Murat Yurekli, and upto 15 years of imprisonment for the remaining 9 defendants.

In reading out their defenses, the terrorists denied to have had any connection with the terror organisation, and asked for release.

After a short break, the court ruled for the continuation of the detention of the defendants, and adjourned the case indefinitely for the gathering of the missing pieces of information.

[16] PRESS RELEASE FROM ADNAN AGCA, BROTHER OF MEHMET ALI AGCA

Addressing a news conference, Adnan Agca said several media organs gave them money in return for an interview, when Mehmet Ali Agca was in prison in Italy.

Adnan Agca claimed that a journalist individually gave money to Mehmet Ali Agca for interview.

When asked about the role of his brother in Abdi Ipekci murder, Adnan Agca said, ''my brother says Abdi Ipekci murder was totally under control of foreign powers, he says foreign forces committed the murder.''

Defending that his brother was extradited to Turkey ''on his own will,'' Adnan Agca said, ''Mehmet Ali Agca does not have a role in Ipekci murder. Agca came to Turkey although many countries from Latin America, Asia and Europe granted him political asylum. This incident is the scenerio of the games which international forces played on Turkey.''

Recalling that Mehmet Ali Agca earlier accused Yalcin Ozbey and Oral Celik in connection with Ipekci murder, Adnan Agca said, ''my brother says he did not commit the murder. He says he had to undertake responsibility for the murder under pressures. Name of Bekir Celenk is mentioned in the murder. Organized incidents are in question.''

Pointing out that his brother was unjustly accused of Ipekci murder, Agca said, ''we want the real murderers to be found. We believe that my brother is innocent, and we want re-trial.''

When asked what were the forces he mentioned, Adnan Agca said, ''Agca should be free if you want to learn something. My brother accuses Bulgarian agents and communist agents who are influential on Turkey as the foreign forces.''

Responding to a question if he was able to prove that his brother did not commit the murder, Adnan Agca said, ''he relies on himself. This means he has information and documents. He says he would disclose them from time to time. He wants re-trial.''

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