Anadolu Agency: News in English, 00-06-22

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NEWS

22 JUNE 2000 Thursday

CONTENTS

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

[02] PARLIAMENT RATIFIES DRAFT LAW ON APPROVAL OF PROTOCOL ON BAKU-CEYHAN OIL PIPELINE

[03] DENKTAS:''IF UN INSISTS ON NOT RECOGNIZING TURKISH CYPRIOTS, WE WILL NOT COOPERATE WITH UN PEACE FORCE''

[04] GALATASARAY SIGNS TWO YEAR AGREEMENT WITH LUCESCU

[05] STATE MINISTER YUCELEN:''TURKEY IS ONE OF THE FEW COUNTRIES WHICH MADE PROGRESS BEFORE NEGOTIATIONS STARTED WITH EU''

[06] IMF'S ASSESSMENT OF TURKISH ECONOMY

[07] JUSTICE MINISTER TURK SPEAKS ON CHILDREN'S RIGHTS

[08] FOREIGN MINISTER CEM: ''TURKEY WILL NOT PERMIT THE STRAITS BE CONVERTED INTO AN OIL PIPELINE''

[09] TURKEY-GEORGIA POLITICAL CONSULTATION MEETINGS TO BE HELD BETWEEN JUNE 27 AND 28

[10] ERDAL TO APPEAR AT GENT APPEALS COURT AS PLAINTIFF

[11] U.S. AMBASSADOR PARRIS IN BURSA

[12] GERMAN AMBASSADOR TO TURKEY SCHMIDT TO VISIT SOUTH EAST

[13] GERMAN AMBASSADOR TO TURKEY SCHMIDT TO VISIT SOUTH EAST

[14] GERMAN ASSOCIATION TO PROVIDE SCHOLARSHIP TO 22 STUDENTS IN IZMIT

[15] PRESIDENT SEZER ARRIVES IN TRNC

[16] TRNC PRIME MINISTER EROGLU: ''WE SHOULD TAKE A FEASIBLE DECISION TO LIMIT THE ACTIVITIES OF UN PEACE FORCE''

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

DELON AND MUTI EXPECTED IN TURKEY
Famous French actor Alain Delon and famous Italian actress Ornella Muti are coming to Turkey in September as members of the grand jury, in a beauty contest to take place within the framework of a film festival. The grand jury will also include such famous journalists as Ali Kýrca, Ugur Dundar, Reha Muhtar, Ali Baransel, Mesut Yar as well as famous Turkish film stars.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

YILMAZ MEETS POPE
Director of Religious Affairs Mehmet Nuri Yilmaz, who is in Vatican upon the invitation of Pope John Paul II, said, after a thirty-minute meeting with the Catholic leader, that they agreed to cooperate against terrorism, poverty, violence, and hunger. The Pope said he had two requests, to look well after Ephesus and Miletos, two important religious sites in Turkey, and added that he was planning to visit these sites in 2001.

THY TO BE PRIVATIZED BY SEPTEMBER
Privatization Administration Board Director Ugur Bayar said that the block sales of 25-30 percent of Turkish Airlines' shares, and the public offering of another 20 percent would have been concluded by September. Bayar said that the privatization of the Turkish Airlines would gain it a greater competitive power and better quality services. The share of the State will be below 50 percent.

SABAH (LIBERAL)

MGV OFFICES AND HEADQUARTERS SEALED
The headquarters and 38 offices of the National Youth Foundation (MGV) were sealed on grounds that the foundation carried out illegal activities targeting the integrity of the country. The Istanbul Republican Court Prosecutorship gave instructions for an operation against the headquarters of the MGV in Fatih, Istanbul upon receiving information that the foundation had been involved in activities targeting and threatening the Republic and the democratic system. The police discovered a number of documents and took its findings to the headquarters for examination. The headquarters and the 38 offices of the MGV were sealed at the end of the operations.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

MARMARIS WANTS TO ATTRACT MORE TOURISTS
Ismet Karadinc, Mayor of Marmaris said that the contribution of Marmaris to Turkey's tourism income will reach 1 billion dollars in the year 2000. Noting that the lack of an airport near Marmaris was a hindrance to tne further development of the tourism sector in and around Marmaris, Karadinc said that they were trying to compensate this shortcoming by focusing more on touristic activities and attractions, and providing better facilities every year.

IBDA-C CASE HEARD
The trials of Salih Izzet Erdis, leader of the illegal Islamist IBDA-C organization and two other members, convicted of attempting to tear down the democratic system by use of force, continued on Wednesday at the Istanbul State Security Court No. 6. The lawyers of the defendants called for the release of their clients, but the court turned down their request, and adjourned the hearing to a later date, in order to give the lawyers time to supply the missing pieces of information.

LETTERS OF ENCOURAGEMENT FOR MORE MASSACRES
Members of the outlawed Hezbollah organization are sending letters to their imprisoned comrades, provoking them that their 'fight continues'. The letters say 'Victory will remain an utopia until the world is watered with blood'. The letters, checked by the prison authorities before they are delivered to their addressees, were sent to the Diyarbakir State Security Court on grounds that they constituted violent elements.

RADIKAL (LEFT)

TOBB TO SET UP 'ZEUGMA MUSEUM'
The Union of Chambers and Stock Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB) announced that it will establish a museum in which the findings from the antique city of Zeugma will be exhibited. After visiting the ancient site, Fuat Miras, President of the TOBB said that the region had to be promoted to the whole world, especially with its rich archaeological presence, and that he would negotiate with the Minister of Culture and ask for permission to establish a museum in Zeugma, to exhibit the findings.

YENI BINYIL (LIBERAL)

PARACHUTE ACCIDENT KILLS TWO
A parachute accident in Oludeniz, Fethiye resulted in the deaths of two people. Pilot Mevlut Delibas and his British customer Colin Mitchelson, who had jumped off the plane with the same parachute, were caught by an adverse wind and were swept away to finally crash the ground. Both were killed instantly.

TURKIYE (RIGHT)

FORESTS SABOTAGED
The forest fires that broke out one right after the other in Bodrum, Marmaris and Serik created question marks in minds. The possibility of criminal intention is high especially for the forest fire in Serik. The Forestry Ministry banned lighting a fire in forested areas including picnic places till September.

AMNESTY FOR STUDENTS APPROVED
Parliament approved the draft law foreseeing amnesty for the students who were discharged from universities due to any reason including wearing Islamic-style headscarf.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

NORTHERN IRAQ: TIME BOMB
Sources said that terrorist PKK organization had deployed its four thousand armed terrorists in As Suleymaniyah to back Jalal Talabani while Massaud Barzani had deployed five thousand armed peshmargas near Arbil. A tank battalion of the Turkish Armed Forces is being kept ready at the Haj Facilities in Silopi. A Turkish officer said Turkey would launch every kind of operation to prevent occurrence of any clash.

WHAT HE SAID AS EVIDENCE IS A STATEMENT OF ACCOUNT
Mehmet Ali Agca's brother Adnan Agca who said that he would announce important evidences claimed that Abdi Ipekci had been killed by external powers and his brother had been used as a pawn. Agca distributed a statement of account showing the money paid by a journalist for an interview.

[02] PARLIAMENT RATIFIES DRAFT LAW ON APPROVAL OF PROTOCOL ON BAKU-CEYHAN OIL PIPELINE

Addressing the Parliament, Energy and Natural Resources Minister Cumhur Ersumer said they had reached this point after a three-year work.

Ersumer said that Turkey would raise 300 million U.S. dollars a year through oil transportation, and the transportation fee would increase within process.

''While we are putting the pipeline project into practice, we are minimizing the risk at the Black Sea and our Straits,'' he stated.

Ersumer noted that if the pipeline couldn't be constructed for 1.3 billion U.S. dollars, Turkey would finance the cost exceeding this amount.

Later, the draft law was put to the vote, and the Parliament approved it.

[03] DENKTAS:''IF UN INSISTS ON NOT RECOGNIZING TURKISH CYPRIOTS, WE WILL NOT COOPERATE WITH UN PEACE FORCE''

After visiting the military units of Security Forces Commandership, Denktas said within a few days they will announce their reaction over the renewal of the UN Peace Force's existence in Cyprus.

TRNC will not remain passive, Denktas said. ''The Security Council and the whole world will see our reaction.''

Denktas also said that Turkish soldiers are protecting peace on the island.

[04] GALATASARAY SIGNS TWO YEAR AGREEMENT WITH LUCESCU

Press Speaker of Galatasaray Ali Durust said Lucescu will start working with the team on June 26, Monday. Durust said he believed they will continue to become a successful team with Lucescu.

Goal keeper coach Eser Ozaltindere will keep his job, Durust said. Bulent Under can also keep his job if he likes, he said and added that Lucescu will bring his assistant Balint to Istanbul. Durust added that Hagi will stay in the team as a player.

[05] STATE MINISTER YUCELEN:''TURKEY IS ONE OF THE FEW COUNTRIES WHICH MADE PROGRESS BEFORE NEGOTIATIONS STARTED WITH EU''

''This report has been prepared by taking the last section of Copenhagen criteria into consideration,'' Yucelen said. ''Under the light of this criteria, we have accepted this report which defines the measures Turkey has to take. I would like to state that Turkey is different than other EU candidate countries on one point: Turkey has a long tradition of democracy. The Turkish Republic was founded on the principle of human rights and it guarantees people's individual rights without regarding racial, religious or ethnic variations.''

''The decision to enter the EU was ours,'' Yucelen went on to say. ''We are one of the few countries which made progress in democracy before the full membership negotiations began with the EU.''

Yucelen noted that representatives of all related institutions who attended the meeting totally agreed on the report and added that they had no disagreements.

When a reporter asked him when the report foresees to abolish death penalty, Yucelen said the Turkish Penalty Law will be discussed by the end of 2001.

[06] IMF'S ASSESSMENT OF TURKISH ECONOMY

Since January 1990, Turkey made five anti-inflationist initiatives based on monetary and foreign exchange targets; and although it did hit a near-the- target point in the inflation rate, it failed to hit the overall target.

The 1990's staged the implementation of a base money targeting disinflation program; and at the end of the first year of the implementation of the program, there was a decrease by 12,8 percent in consumer prices, from 66,8 percent to 54.

The inflation rate for the first six months of 1990 was recorded at 61,3 percent.

Yet another base money targeting disinflation program was put into implementation in January 1992, when the inflation rate stood at 70,9 percent. By the end of the first six months, the inflation rate had dropped to 56,1 percent. That same year, the inflation rate, in real terms, plunged to 39,2.

In May 1994, a nonbinding exchange rate floor disinflation program was launched, when the inflation rate stood at 115,9 percent. The target of this program was to pull down the inflation rate as low as 45,4 percent, but by the end of the first six months, the inflation rate could only be dropped down to 71,9 percent.

The interest rates in real terms regressed to 47 percent in 1994.

In January 1995, Turkey launched an 'enhanced' crawling floor foreign exchange based policy. At the beginning of the program, the inflation rate had already reached 125,1.

Though the inflation rate target was 40 percent within the framework of this program, it could only be pulled down to 100,4 percent; and interest rates in real terms regressed to 44,5 percent.

The IMF said in the study, that of all the programs implemented through the past decade was the one in 1998. In January 1998, Turkey attempted at a target-based disinflation program. The inflation rate stood at 90,4 percent before the implementation program, and the aim was to pull it down to 50 percent.

The first six months were reflected in consumer prices at 46,8 percent. That same year, interest rates in real terms, plunged down to 28 percent.

The greatest rate of increase in wholesale price index took place in 1994, at 120,7 percent; and at 106,3 percent in consumer prices, again that same year.

It was also the first time that inflation rate of wholesale prices surpassed that of consumer prices.

The IMF study said that the latest economic reform program, launched in 1999 was the first of its kind. The new disinflation program, supported by the Stand-By Agreement that the IMF had approved,was a program resting on three pillars: a large front-loaded fiscal adjustment, a strong exchange rate commitment underwritten by a no sterilization monetary policy rule and income policies, and a wide range of upfront structural reform measures.

The study drew attention to the fact that the program had already started yielding positive results in its fight against the 20 year old chronic inflationist trend.

[07] JUSTICE MINISTER TURK SPEAKS ON CHILDREN'S RIGHTS

''Threats against children have grown,'' Turk said. ''On one hand technical opportunities of our age are helping us to reach bigger masses of people, but on the other hand it brings along some threats. Children are abused, they are becoming targets for sexual exploitation, children are sold and they are pushed into prostitution. These acts do not remain limited within the borders of a certain country, it is much beyond that. Therefore, protection of children requires international cooperation. The Children's Rights Agreement aims this.''

''The problems faced by children are usually those which are faced by adults,'' Turk went on to say. ''However, children have a different situation due to their young age. They should be protected againt picking up bad habits. They should be protected against drugs, prostitution, alcohol, and pornography. Children should receive a good education. If we can't defeat ignorance, we cannot prepare our children for the future.'' He also said starting from secondary shool, children should be trained in a way to help them get a profession.

Speaking about juvenile crime, Turk said children might commit crimes just like adults under bad conditions.

''In Turkey, children can be held responsible of a crime if they are over 11. Between 11 and 15 they get lighter punishments compared to the adults. We must train these children and help them become productive individuals who can function in harmony with the rest of the society,'' he noted.

Turk said in the articles about juvenile crime in the Turkish Penalty Law draft have been prepared with a modern understanding of our age. He also said that some changes will be made in the law regarding the Children's Courts and their responsibilities.

[08] FOREIGN MINISTER CEM: ''TURKEY WILL NOT PERMIT THE STRAITS BE CONVERTED INTO AN OIL PIPELINE''

The consultation meeting held by the Foreign Ministry started in Ankara. Ambassadors of the republics in the Caucasus and Central Asia are participating in the meeting.

Addressing the opening remarks, Cem said that Turkey plays an important role in the transfer of the energy resources to the markets.

Reiterating that Turkey will not permit the Straits be converted into an oil pipeline, Cem continued, ''nobody should make plans on this wrong thought. Nobody can think that we will endanger the nature and a city on the bank of the straits which is the symbol of 2000-year history and in which two million people are living. We will not endanger lives of our people for the oil-owner countries which are making plans to transfer the oil more easily and cheaper.''

Cem noted that Turkey respects to the international law and Montreux Agreement and that all measures within the framework of international law, will be taken.

Cem stated that Turkey is open to cooperation with all countries which have energy resources and that the implementation of Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan project with the participation of more states and companies was an idea supported by Turkey till the very first day.

''Turkey and Russia do not have battle of influence in the Central Asia and the Caucasus. There is only a serious and peaceful competition,'' Cem said.

Cem stressed that Turkey does not have battle with any of the countries in the region, but that it will be in a serious and peaceful competition with not only Russia, which influences the region for 50 years, but every country which will want to become effective in the region.

Becoming a determining center in the Central Asia and Caucasus and the EU membership is among Turkey's foreign policy priorities in the new century, Cem said.

Cem noted that the region is under the threat of terrorism resulting from ''ethnical separatism'' and ''exploitation of belief.''

''Unfortunately, we have gained serious experience in these issues. We will share our experience with our friends,'' Cem said.

Cem stressed that the political relations with the regional countries reached a good place and that the step that should be taken from now on, should be institutionalization.

Cem continued, ''Turkey has worked hard for this region. We are in this geography with our businessmen, workers, educationalists, artists, and military cooperation. Turkey has a function in the improvement of the relations between this region and Western Europe for the last six months.''

Efforts will be exerted to improve the dialogue, including the economic relations, Cem said.

Cem stressed that he touched this issue during his contacts in Baku, Astana, and Bishkek and that the reactions were positive.

He will also meet with the foreign ministers of this region in the Islamic Development Organization's (IDO) Kuala Lumpur summit and in New York in September, Cem emphasized.

Cem stated that the bilateral visits will gain momentum and that Turkmen foreign minister is expected to visit Turkey at the first stage.

Cem added that they plan to make public the resolutions they reached following the meetings which will last for two days.

[09] TURKEY-GEORGIA POLITICAL CONSULTATION MEETINGS TO BE HELD BETWEEN JUNE 27 AND 28

The Foreign Ministry said on Thursday that Yigit Alpogan, the Foreign Ministry Deputy Undersecretary, will head the Turkish delegation during the meetings which will be held in Tbilisi.

The Foreign Ministry added that the bilateral relations, and the international issues concerning two countries are expected to be discussed in the meetings.

[10] ERDAL TO APPEAR AT GENT APPEALS COURT AS PLAINTIFF

Turkey's request from Belgium to return Erdal to Turkey was rejected and now she wants to be released on bail to be tried without detention. She had opened a case against the Belgian Interior Ministry which is preventing her release and the case still continues.

Belgian Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt had announced on May 26 that Turkey's request to get her back from Belgium would be rejected. On the same day, Belgian Foreign Ministry authorities had called Turkish Ambassador to Belgium Temel Iskit and conveyed this message to him verbally. Despite the warnings of the Turkish Foreign Ministry, Belgium did not send an official decision to Ankara so far explaining its reason.

The Belgian Justice Ministry, after pressures coming from Erdal's lawyers, sent an order to the Bruges prison to release her on June 5. When Erdal was being released ''in theory'', the Interior Ministry intervened and reminded authorities that Erdal had earlier sought political asylum from Belgium and ordered to keep her under arrest until her application for asylum is replied. The Interior Ministry said she was a terrorist who is a threat against the Belgium government and people's security.

Following this development, Erdal's lawyers filed a complaint about the Interior Ministry. Her lawyers said she should be tried without detention for the crimes she committed in Belgium and also noted that other suspects who were arrested with her are not under arrest. They said there is no legal reason to keep her under arrest. The lawyers applied to the Appeals Court when the Bruges court rejected Erdal's case on June 8.

On Thursday's hearing at the Gent Appeals Court, Interior Ministry's lawyers will read out their defense one more time and state that keeping her under arrest is a legal act.

The Belgian government keeps people who seek political asylum under arrest until their application is finalized although there are women and children among them. These foreigners who did not commit any crime are sometimes held under arrest over a year. These people are kept in places called ''closed centers'' where riots occur frequently.

If the Gent Court decides that there is no legal reason to keep her under arrest, more reactions are expected in these places. This will also prove that Belgium is keeping hundreds of people under arrest with ''no legal reason.'' In this case, Belgium which claims to be a ''state of law'' will have to release all these people who are seeking political asylum.

Thursday's hearing will be closed to the public and the verdict is expected to be announced on the same day.

On the other hand, the possibility of Belgium's giving political asylum to Erdal is very low and it was said that this country made several attempts to extradite her. It was also noted that Belgium is looking for a country who might accept a terrorist.

Belgium is expected to take this decision after the European Football Championship is over. Delaying the decision over political asylum might put the Belgian government in a difficult position in front of the law. After some time, the courts will not accept prolonging her arrest period.

[11] U.S. AMBASSADOR PARRIS IN BURSA

Parris whose term in Ankara will end in fall and U.S. Consul in Istanbul Frank Urbancic visited Bursa governor Ali Fuat Guven and mayor Erdogan Bilenser.

After the meeting, Parris told reporters that they discussed how to develop U.S.- Turkey cooperation in Bursa and noted that there is a big dynamism in the city. He added that they want to advance relations in all fields including agriculture and tourism.

Parris and his delegation later went to Organized Industry Region and visited Bursa Trade and Industry Chamber chairman Celal Sonmez and board members.

[12] GERMAN AMBASSADOR TO TURKEY SCHMIDT TO VISIT SOUTH EAST

The German Embassy said in a statement that Schmidt will meet with economy circles, bar chairmen, and representatives of the Human Rights Association during his three day visit. The German Ambassador will have a meeting with press members on June 28 at Diyarbakir Dedeman Hotel.

The statement said Turkish and German sides decided to focus on Turkey's eastern region in economic cooperation. Schmidt will also meet with Emergency Rule Regional governor, Diyarbakir governor and mayor during his visit.

The German Ambassador will be accompanied by his wife Dr. Uta Schmidt- Clausen and Economy Undersecretary of the German Embassy Andreas Gies.

[13] GERMAN AMBASSADOR TO TURKEY SCHMIDT TO VISIT SOUTH EAST

The German Embassy said in a statement that Schmidt will meet with economy circles, bar chairmen, and representatives of the Human Rights Association during his three day visit. The German Ambassador will have a meeting with press members on June 28 at Diyarbakir Dedeman Hotel.

The statement said Turkish and German sides decided to focus on Turkey's eastern region in economic cooperation. Schmidt will also meet with Emergency Rule Regional governor, Diyarbakir governor and mayor during his visit.

The German Ambassador will be accompanied by his wife Dr. Uta Schmidt- Clausen and Economy Undersecretary of the German Embassy Andreas Gies.

[14] GERMAN ASSOCIATION TO PROVIDE SCHOLARSHIP TO 22 STUDENTS IN IZMIT

The Association was founded by Turks and Germans in the German city Bensheim following the Marmara quake.

Association Chairperson Jurgen Lehmberg said they have so far collected 100, 000 German Marks and added that this money will be distributed every month to students who lost their relatives in the quake to meet their education costs.

[15] PRESIDENT SEZER ARRIVES IN TRNC

TRNC President Rauf Denktas met Sezer at Ercan Airport. Sezer's wife Semra Sezer is accompanying him during his visit.

TRNC Parliament Chairman Ertugrul Hasipoglu, Prime Minister Dervis Eroglu, Foreign Minister Tahsin Ertugruloglu, Turkish Ambassaador to TRNC Ertugrul Apakan and Cyprus Turk Peace Forces Commander Sukru Sariisik were also present at the airport to meet Sezer.

State Minister Sukru Sina Gurel and Foreign Ministert Ismail Cem also came to the TRNC with Sezer.

Sezer and Denktas are expected to hold a press briefing on Thursday.

Ercan Airport was decorated with small flags of Turkey and TRNC and many Turkish Cypriots came to the airport to see Sezer. This is Sezer's first visit to a foreign country.

[16] TRNC PRIME MINISTER EROGLU: ''WE SHOULD TAKE A FEASIBLE DECISION TO LIMIT THE ACTIVITIES OF UN PEACE FORCE''

''We should take a decision which we can implement without taking a step back,'' he said. ''We have to know what we want and implement these decisions.''

Eroglu said they are discussing to change regulations so that soldiers of the UN Peace Force would be considered like a ''tourist'' and have to go through the same procedures as tourists.

''We are discussing whether the existence of the Peace Force is necessary or not in TRNC. These soldiers have no use for us anyway,'' Eroglu said.

Eroglu also responded to questions over whether or not TRNC President Rauf Denktas will attend the third round of talks in Cyprus. He noted that the Security Council's decision was a part of the plot of the Greek Cypriots. Eroglu added that they should not give an impression like they ''avoided the talks.''

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