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Anadolu Agency: News in English, 00-07-01

Anadolu Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

ANADOLU AGENCY

NEWS

01 JULY 2000 Saturday


CONTENTS

  • [01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN
  • [02] TWO TURKISH FISHERMEN WHO WERE ARRESTED IN UKRAINE RETURN HOME
  • [03] LIST OF TRNC MINISTERS WHO ARE GOING TO GENEVA ANNOUNCED
  • [04] PARLIAMENT DISCUSSES TRAFFIC TERRORISM
  • [05] TRNC PRESIDENT DENKTAS HAS MEETING WITH UN SECRETARY GENERAL'S SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE TO CYPRUS WLOSEWIC
  • [06] SEZER SPEAKS AT GRADUATION CEREMONY OF POLICE ACADEMY -''STATE OF LAW GUARANTEES INDIVIDUALS' RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS''
  • [07] STATE MINISTER GUREL SAYS THEY ARE FORMING NEW POLICY TO DEAL WITH PROBLEMS OF TURKISH CITIZENS LIVING ABROAD
  • [08] ISRAELI DELEGATION TO COME TO TURKEY NEXT WEEK TO FURTHER DISCUSS PURCHASING MANAVGAT'S WATERS
  • [09] OIC 27TH FOREIGN MINISTERS MEETING -OIC SUPPORTS TRNC IN JOINT DECLERATION
  • [10] SEVEN OF 11 HEZBOLLAH TERRORISTS SENT TO PRISON
  • [11] MARITIME AND CABOTAGE DAY -PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT: ''AFTER THE IMPLEMENTATION OF CABOTAGE LAW, MARITIME SECTOR GREW MORE RAPIDLY AND STRENGTHENED''
  • [12] GAP BECOMES TURKEY'S NEW ''LAKES REGION''
  • [13] NESTS OF CARETTAS IN BELEK INCREASE FROM 385 TO 600
  • [14] TOURISM MINISTER MUMCU SAYS THEY ARE PREPARING ''NICE SURPRISES'' FOR VAN
  • [15] GENC, DIRECTOR GENERAL OF SECURITY: ''NEW PRISON BUILDINGS AND ARRANGEMENTS TO SOLVE PROBLEMS''
  • [16] STATE MINISTER ONAL SAYS NO DELAYS WOULD OCCUR IN GOVERNMENT'S ECONOMIC STABILITY PROGRAMME


  • [01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

    These are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in Turkey's press on July 1, 2000. The Anadolu Ajansi does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

    HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

    FOREIGNERS MORE POSITIVE TOWARD TURKEY
    Robert Scott, Chairman of Standart Bank's Loan Department, one of the well known banks of Britain, said the banks which believed that Turkey's international rating will increase in short term period are now more positive toward the requests of Turkish banks for credits.

    LAWYERS: ERDIS ATTEMPTED SUICIDE
    Lawyers of Salih Izzet Erdis, head of the illegal terrorist IBDA-C organization, who said Erdis fell from the chair when he attempted suicide, on Friday confirmed that he attempted suicide. Harun Yuksel, Guven Yilmaz, and Ahmet Arslan, the lawyers, said ''Fazil Aslanturk saved our client who attempted suicide.''

    MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

    INVITATION TO YILMAZ
    Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said Mesut Yilmaz, leader of the Motherland Party (ANAP), was acquitted from all the allegations against him and that there was no obstacle anymore preventing him from entering to the government. Recalling that Parliament will recess for three months, Ecevit said, ''in fact members of the parliament will pass their holiday by consulting with the citizens.''

    AMNESTY IN POSITIVE PROCESS
    Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said they have entered to a positive process in issuing of Amnesty Law, and noted that, ''I think, we have entered to a positive process due to the issuing of Amnesty Law. I hope amnesty problems will reach a just solution. I advise patience to our citizens who are in expectation of amnesty.''

    SABAH (LIBERAL)

    FULL SUPPORT TO NATURAL GAS
    A high level official of the U.S. State Department, speaking against the speculations toward withdrawal of GE Capital, one of the partners of Turkmen Natural Gas Project, said, their support to the project did not depend on the companies. He said there was not change in their interest to the Caspian region and Turkmen project. The official said it was not right to consider approach of the U.S. companies as the policy of the U.S. administration.

    PARLIAMENT DISCUSSES TRAFFIC TERRORISM
    Parliamentary General Council accepted research proposals which were prepared to reveal the causes of traffic accidents in Turkey and also to decide on measures to prevent them.

    Later, the deputies decided to form a Parliament Research Commission to reveal the causes of traffic accidents and decide on the measures that need to be taken.

    CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

    SEZER:''HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS CANNOT BE DENIED''
    President Ahmet Necdet Sezer who spoke at the graduation ceremony of the Police Academy said the most important aspect of democracies is that the state exists for people. Sezer noted that human rights violations cannot be denied in Turkey and also said no discriminations should be allowed in justice.

    COMMANDERS CONTINUE THEIR WARNINGS AGAINST SHARIAH
    Messages released by Full General Ates and Full General Celasin once again displayed the determination of the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) to protect secularism. Ates' message included harsh warnings against countries which support fundamentalist terrorism in Turkey, mainly Iran. Celasin stressed that TSK is the guarantee of the Republic against fundamentalist threats.

    RADIKAL (LEFT)

    TURKISH AND GREEK HARLEY DAVIDSON FANS COME TOGETHER FOR
    THIRD TIME
    Seventy-one Harley Davidson riders from Turkey went to Greece and joined Greek Harley Davidson fans. A group of 114 ''peace ambassadors'' were welcomed at every place they went. More than 100 Turks and Greek Harley Davidson fans rode on the streets of Athens drawing a lot of attention from people. Their next target is to get the participation of all Harley Davidson riders in their peace tour.

    TOURISM EXCITEMENT IN EASTERN TURKEY
    Provinces in eastern and south eastern Turkey has started drawing attention of tourists after it is cleared of terrorism. Hotels in Sanliurfa have no empty rooms left. In Adiyaman, hotels are 70 to 80 percent full due to the International kommagene Festival. Experts are saying that the bookings will not drop below 70 percent during summer in these areas.

    YENI BINYIL (LIBERAL)

    60,000 CHILDREN IN THE STREETS
    State Planning Organization announced that there are 60,000 homeless children living in the streets in Turkey. 15,000 to 20,000 of these children live in Istanbul. Majority of these kids are boys although there are also girls. These children sniff the thinner chemical and most of them are addicts. Girls are sometimes kidnapped and they are forced to work as prostitutes. Homeless children get food poisoned quite often as they find their food in piles of trash. They don't wash their hands or cut their nails and hepatite A, B, and C types are very common among them.

    FIRST QUARTER RAISES HOPES
    Turkish economy which shrank by 8.7 percent in hte first three months of last year has grown 4.2 percent in the same period of this year. Import and trade are the two sectors with the greatest role in this growth. There was a 40 percent increase in import in January-March period. Trade grew by 10 percent in the first three months of 2000. Spending on cars and household goods such as refrigerators, washing machines, etc. which had been postponed last year increased due to the dropping interest rates.

    TURKIYE (RIGHT)

    RELIEF IN GOVERNMENT
    After overcoming the crisis which was caused by Yilmaz's trial at the Constitutional Court, the dark clouds on the coalition dispersed. Now, the government faces the other two critical issues which are amnesty law and abolishment of death penalty. Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said ''he will try his best to make things like they were before, or even better'' among the coalition partners.

    ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

    TOKYO MOSQUE OPENED TO WORSHIP
    ''Tokyo Turkish Mosque,'' constructed in capital city of Japan, opened to worship with ceremony. The ceremony started with the translation of Koran to Turkish and Japan. As well as high level Japanese authorities, diplomatic representatives of some Moslem countries in Japan, officials of embassies, Turkish people living in Japan, and Japanese Moslems attended the ceremony. Japanese media was also interested in the opening of the mosque.

    The mosque, which had been constructed in 1938, was demoslished due to an earthquake. Land of the mosque was donated to Turkish Republic. Construction of the mosque started in 1998 by Chairmanship of Religious Affairs Department.

    TURKEY DID NOT LOSE
    Foreign Minister Ismail Cem, who staged a news conference on the closing day of the meeting of Organization for Islamic Conference (OIC), said they did not insist on the candidate of Turkey in order to contribute to the consensus. Cem said Turkey was the country who was mostly mentioned.

    The final statement, composed of 191 articles, mentioned the problems of Moslem communities, and political, economic, social and cultural problems of the states. Draft resolutions submitted by Turkey are all included in the final statement.

    [02] TWO TURKISH FISHERMEN WHO WERE ARRESTED IN UKRAINE RETURN HOME

    ISTANBUL - Two Turkish fishermen who were arrested after their boats were sunk by Ukranian coast guard boats while fishing three months ago, returned home on Friday.

    Captains of two fishing boats, Mehmet Yalcin and Cevat Celikkiran were released by Ukranian authorities on Thursday after staying under arrest for about two and a half months.

    The two fishermen arrived in Istanbul's Ataturk Airport on a plane owned by Ukranian Airlines and the two men were met by their relatives.

    Yalcin and Celikkiran told reporters that they were tried at a court ten times during the time they remained under arrest and claimed that they did not receive a just trial. They noted that that they were sentenced to pay a fine of 40,000 U.S. dollars for fishing in illegally and also added that they could not contact Turkey during the two and a half months they were under arrest.

    Naval Trade Chamber (DTO) Fishing Committee member Tuncer Seker said opening fire at the Turkish fishermen by Ukranian coast guard boats is caused by the cooperation between some people in Turkey with the Ukranian mafia. ''Some people don't want Turkish fishermen to catch turbot fish in Ukrania to prevent the fish prices from dropping. We might have new problems in the coming season in Ukranian territorial waters which have plenty of turbot fish,'' Seker explained.

    On March 22, 2000, Ukranian coast guard boats had opened fire at Turkish fishermen who were catching turbot fish in Ukranian territorial waters. Durmus Cinar had lost his life in the accident while many fishermen were taken under custody.

    Forty-seven fishermen who were released some time ago but Yalcin and Celikkiran had been kept under arrest.

    [03] LIST OF TRNC MINISTERS WHO ARE GOING TO GENEVA ANNOUNCED

    ANKARA - The list of ministers and other government officers from the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) who will participate in the third round of the proximity talks in Geneva on July 5 has been announced on Friday.

    The delegation headed by President Rauf Denktas will leave the TRNC on July 4 morning and fly to Geneva via Istanbul. Following are the names of those who are in the delegation:

    Minister of Foreign Affairs and Defense, Tahsin Ertugruloglu; Presidency Undersecretary Ergun Olgun; Foreign Affairs and Defense Ministry Undersecretary Osman Ertug; Foreign Affairs Department General Director Resat Caglar; Presidency Political Affairs Special Advisor Necati Munir Ertekun; President's Advisor in legal and constitutional issues Mumtaz Soysal; Presidency Political Affairs Director Mustafa Evran and Presidency officer Seniha Birand.

    Deputy Prime Minister Mustafa Akinci who attended the second round of talks said he will not be present during the third round of talks because ''it would not be right for him to go to Geneva due to the economic crisis, starting of the economic package, and also because the Parliament's activities will last for all summer.''

    Opposition parties are not attending at the third round of talks.

    [04] PARLIAMENT DISCUSSES TRAFFIC TERRORISM

    ANKARA - Parliament General Council accepted on Friday research proposals which were prepared to reveal the causes of traffic accidents in Turkey and also to decide on measures to prevent them.

    Orhan Bicakcioglu from the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) who spoke on the research proposals asked the Parliament to remove the ''Don't Become a Traffic Monster'' signs on the side of the roads and claimed that these signs were not good for the psychology of drivers. He said some regulations should be brought to help drivers drive in a healthy state of mind. ''If you give a ticket to the person who is driving, that person will be very upset. There is no such rule in any country in the world. The traffic ticket should be mailed to his address,'' Bicakcioglu said.

    Speaking about road quality, Bicakcioglu said constructing roads according to certain standards was a big factor to cut down the loss of lives in traffic accidents. He said the blackout time ordered by the Supreme Radio and Television Board (RTUK) on tv channels should be used to educate people on traffic rules.

    Numan Gultekin from the Democratic Left Party (DSP) reminded other deputies that Boray Uras who lost his daughter, Selin, in a traffic accident in Istanbul's Bagdat Avenue, has been walking to Ankara to protest traffic terrorism and he received support from all sections of the society. ''Turkey is facing a much more destructive type of terrorism than the bloody terrorist organization. This is traffic terrorism,'' Gultekin said.

    There are measures that can be taken to reduce traffic accidents that result in deaths or big financial damage, Gultekin said and asked the Parliament to reduce the number of passengers and amount of load on trucks and busses on highways.

    Ediz Hun from the Motherland Party (ANAP) said despite the regulations that have been made for years, the efforts remained insufficient.

    Noting that Turkey tops the list of countries with the highest number of traffic accidents, Hun said all buildings should have parking lots and heavier punishments should be given to those who drive under the influence of alcohol.

    Sevgi Esen from the DSP said traffic is to respect other people's right to live. Since 1997, an average of 4,600 people die every year in traffic accidents, thousands are injured and the accidents also cause trillions of liras of financial loss, she explained.

    Zeki Unal from the Virtue Party (FP) said the financial cost of traffic accidents in Turkey is 4 quadrillion 700 billion TL every year which is more than twice of the amount set aside from the budget for investments. Unal asked the Parliament to raise the amount of fines given to those who drive under the influence of alcohol.

    Aydin Ayaydin from the ANAP said traffic accidents cannot be prevented only by passing laws and stressed the importance of education.

    Ahmet Tan from the DSP who lost his nephew at a young age at a traffic accident called on political party groups to pass the necessary laws to prevent more traffic related deaths.

    Later, the deputies decided to form a Parliament Research Commission to reveal the causes of traffic accidents and decide on the measures that need to be taken.

    [05] TRNC PRESIDENT DENKTAS HAS MEETING WITH UN SECRETARY GENERAL'S SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE TO CYPRUS WLOSEWIC

    LEFKOSA - President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) on Friday accepted Zbigniew Wlosewic, UN Secretary General's Special Representative to Cyprus who has recently started his post.

    Wlosewic, while entering the Ledra Palace border gate, was faced by the sanctions which the TRNC imposed on the UN Peace Force. Wlosewic's car was not allowed to enter the TRNC since it was not insured by an insurance company operating in the TRNC.

    Wlosewic walked pass the border gate and he was taken to the Presidency by Presidency Undersecretary Ergun Olgun.

    After his meeting with Denktas, Wlosewic told reporters that he presented a letter to Denktas expressing his concerns and protest over the decisions taken by the Turkish Cypriot side limiting the entrance of the UN Peace Force to the country.

    Wlosewic said the TRNC's decisions are preventing the UN Peace Force from functioning and therefore he, who is in charge of the UN Peace Force, could not perform his responsibilities.

    He stated that he hoped the TRNC government and Denktas would reconsider their decisions, as well as the position and the mission of the UN Peace Force, therefore they could continue their job.

    Wlosewic later left the Ledra Palace border gate walking.

    Denktas said Wlosewic presented him a letter telling him that they were facing some difficulties due to the TRNC's decisions and asked to make a few changes.

    During their meeting, Denktas said, he explained to Wlosewic that the difficulties were not caused by the TRNC and stressed that no insitution could pass to the northern part of the island with the Greek Cypriot's permission under any conditions.

    Turkish Cypriots do not want disagreements with any sides and they have cooperated with the UN in their activities so far because the UN had also consulted the Turkish side for this cooperation, Denktas stated.

    When asked how their relations would continue from now on, Denktas said, ''the relations would continue as they are continuing today but they would not let them damage their status.''

    Denktas thanked to OIC for its support to TRNC's confederation proposal and added that the Greek Cypriots tried very hard to prevent this from happening.

    [06] SEZER SPEAKS AT GRADUATION CEREMONY OF POLICE ACADEMY -''STATE OF LAW GUARANTEES INDIVIDUALS' RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS'' -''ALL ACTIONS OF RULERS IN A STATE OF LAW ARE INSPECTED BY JURISDICTION''

    ANKARA - President Ahmet Necdet Sezer said ''the state of law guarantees individuals' rights and freedoms, and all the actions of the rulers in a state of law are inspected by jurisdiction and therefore the state of law provides legal security to people,'' when he spoke at the 55th term graduation ceremony of the Police Academy on Friday.

    Celebrating all the graduates for their success, Sezer said now they will have to fulfil the very difficult and important task of representing the state's legal power and maintaining peace and security in the society.

    ''Our world has gone through changes in many areas in the last century,'' Sezer said. ''The system of thought has changed; democracy, supremacy of law and human rights have become determining factors in the future of nations. The Turkish Republic has openly displayed its target to become a modern nation under the leadership of Ataturk. The state of law which is the basis for democracy in modern societies requires the protection of basic rights and freedoms, and inspection of legislative and executive organs by independent jurisdiction.''

    The value given to human rights by the societies show the level of civilization those nations have reached, he said.

    ''Constitutional changes have been made to expand basic individual rights and freedoms,'' Sezer continued. ''Today, the most important principle of the democracies is that the state exists for people. The state of law came into existence because of the need to protect individuals against the state's power. Therefore, the state of law guarantees basic rights and freedoms and rulers in this system are inspected by the justice.''

    State of law and supremacy of law have today become universal standards and they complement each other, Sezer noted.

    ''The state's reason for existence is to protect people's political, social and economic rights and freedoms and prevent the violation of these rights. One of the basic qualities of the Turkish Republic is that it respects human rights. Basic rights and freedoms have been listed in the Constitution. The Constitution secures people's right for privacy, freedom to communicate, travel and accomodate, freedom of belief, freedom of thought and expression. People cannot be arrested or their travel cannot be limited unless there is a situation defined by the law. Only the judge can decide to arrest an individual and people should be informed about the reasons that led to their arrest. All these regulations are required by humanitarian values.''

    There would be an abuse of these rights if there are no limits, Sezer said and added that only the law can limit these freedoms in a way which will not contradict with a democratic society.

    [07] STATE MINISTER GUREL SAYS THEY ARE FORMING NEW POLICY TO DEAL WITH PROBLEMS OF TURKISH CITIZENS LIVING ABROAD

    AMSTERDAM - State Minister Sukru Sina Gurel is continuing his contacts in the Netherlands as a part of his tour to European countries which aims to collect information about the problems of Turkish citizens living abroad.

    Gurel was first briefed by the Turkish authorities in the Hague about the problems and later he had a meeting with representatives of Turkish associations and organizations in the Netherlands.

    During the meeting which was also attended by the Turkish Ambassador in the Hague Aydan Karahan, Gurel said they have decided to form a new policy which is based on the ''active participation of Turkish citizens in the societies they live in''. He stated that they will take more concrete decisions at such meetings to achieve this goal.

    If Turkish citizens living in European countries become more active individuals, both Turkey and these countries will benefit from this, he added.

    Gurel said it is very important to integrate Turkish citizens with the societies they live in without assimilating them. ''I am explaining to my foreign colleagues that we have to protect our identity while integrating with European societies,'' he noted.

    Education is the basic element to maintain integration with the society and parents of children living abroad have great responsibilities in this area, he went on to say. He also called on Turkish associations and organizations to work for the education of Turkish children abroad.

    Representatives of various associations and organizations expressed their problems such as unemployment and education and asked the Turkish govenment to bring a solution to their problems.

    Following the Netherlands, Gurel will go to Sweden on Sunday.

    [08] ISRAELI DELEGATION TO COME TO TURKEY NEXT WEEK TO FURTHER DISCUSS PURCHASING MANAVGAT'S WATERS

    TEL AVIV - An Israeli delegation will come to Turkey next week to discuss the purchase of Manavgat's waters.

    The delegation which is formed by ministry officials and water experts, is aiming to finalize the talks which came to a standstill due to a disagreement on price.

    A high level Israeli authority who attended meetings last week in Turkey, told A.A correspondent that Turkey is ready to sell water and they are expecting to agree on a price this time.

    The same person said the only existing problem right now is that there are circles in Israel who want to solve Israel's water problem by setting up facilities to purify sea water and they insist on signing a contract which would last only for a year with Turkey.

    According to the previous plan, Israel was going to purchase 50 million cubic meters of water every year from Turkey and this was going to last for five years. If this term is dropped to one year, it is stated that Turkey cannot make much reduction in the price.

    Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak who wants to buy water from Turkey, asked for a report within two weeks from Turkey which includes all details of the water purchase. The final decision over the water purchase will be taken at a cabinet meeting late July.

    In the meantime, lobbies who oppose to the project increase their pressures on the government. They claim that they can obtain fresh water from the sea by setting up purification facilities and this would cost them only 55 cents per cubic meters of water. The biggest concern of these circles is being dependent on another country to obtain water. To remove this concern, Barak administration is offering both to set up purification facitlities and also to buy water from Turkey.

    [09] OIC 27TH FOREIGN MINISTERS MEETING -OIC SUPPORTS TRNC IN JOINT DECLERATION

    KUALA LUMPUR - Organization for Islamic Conference (OIC) which has 56 member countries expressed support to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) prior to the third round of talks which will start in Geneva on July 5 between TRNC President Rauf Denktas and leader of the Greek Cypriot side Glafkos Clerides.

    The joint declaration signed at the end of OIC 27th foreign ministers said OIC members strongly supports the rightful case of the Muslim Turkish Cypriots.

    OIC supports a fair solution which will be reached through negotiations and which will respect the legal rights of Muslim Turkish Cypriots. It calls on the two sides to recognize their equal status in order to reach a final solution on the island, the declaration stated.

    The declaration also touched the issue of Turkish people living in the Western Thrace region. The declaration condemned the arrest of Mehmet Emin Aga and stopping the construction of Koyunkoy Mosque's minaret. Greece was asked to recognize the minority rights of the Muslim Turks in the Western Thrace and also to officially recognize muftis of Xanthi and Komotini.

    Foreign Minister Cem had earlier stated that they have made progress in Cyprus and Western Thrace issues in the joint declaration.

    The joint declaration stresses that equal political status of the two sides on the island is the key principle for a comprehensive solution of the Cyprus problem.

    ''OIC calls both sides to recognize their equal status and it supports the well meaning efforts of the UN Secretary General. EU candidacy of the Greek Cypriot side is causing difficulties in talks in Cyprus. Over arming of the Greek Cypriot side is threatening peace and stability on the island. OIC welcomes the confederation proposal of the Turkish Cypriot side dated August 31, 1998. OIC has decided to consider full membership application of the Turkish Cypriot side to OIC,'' it was stated.

    In the meantime, Foreign Ministry authorities said the proposals of Turkey have been included in the declaration without undergoing any changes.

    In its decision regarding the Western Thrace, OIC stated that according to the Lausanne Treaty, the Turkish minority in the Wetern Thrace has the right to speak their language, to practice their religion and to elect their own representatives in every field.

    ''Threats are continuing against the minority rights of the Muslim Turks in the Western Thrace. It should not be forgotten that bilateral and multilateral agreements secures the minority rights and freedoms of Western Thrace Turks,'' it was stated.

    It was also decided that OIC General Secretariat will closely monitor the situation in the Western Thrace and prepare a report on this issue for the 28th Foreign Ministers Meeting.

    [10] SEVEN OF 11 HEZBOLLAH TERRORISTS SENT TO PRISON

    DIYARBAKIR - A total of seven people, out of 11 members of the illegal terrorist Hezbollah organization, who were earlier arrested, were sent to prison on Saturday.

    Those 11 people, who were arrested within the framework of operations against terrorist Hezbollah organization, were transferred to Diyarbakir State Security Court (DGM) after their interrogation.

    Four of the 11 were released and seven of them were sent to Diyarbakir prison.

    [11] MARITIME AND CABOTAGE DAY -PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT: ''AFTER THE IMPLEMENTATION OF CABOTAGE LAW, MARITIME SECTOR GREW MORE RAPIDLY AND STRENGTHENED''

    ANKARA - Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said on Saturday that after Cabotage Law took effect, maritime sector grew more rapidly and strengthened.

    Prime Minister Ecevit issued a message due to the July 1 Maritime and Cabotage Day.

    In his message Ecevit said Cabotage Law was one of the decisions strengthening Turkey's sovereignity in the field of economy.

    The message said, ''our maritime continues its contribution to national economy with its maritime trade fleet, maritime infrastructure and its shipyards.''

    [12] GAP BECOMES TURKEY'S NEW ''LAKES REGION''

    GAZIANTEP - South Eastern Anatolia (GAP) project is forming a new lakes region for Turkey. The south east Turkey will become Turkey's ''lakes region'' after the construction of dams and ponds.

    A.A correspondent found out from the State Water Works (DSI) that 22 dams and many ponds will be built in south east Turkey.

    So far, the construction of Karakaya, Ataturk, Hancagiz, Kralkizi, Dicle, Batman and Karkamis dams have been completed. The Birecik Dam is still collecting water. Although not in GAP's limits, the Keban Dam is considered the first dam which started the process.

    The Keban Dam covers an area of 687 square kilometers and it is larger than Beysehir lake which is Turkey's third largest lake.

    The Ataturk Dam which has become GAP's ''heart'' is symbolizing Turkey's economic strength. It covers an area of 817 square kilometers which is 22 percent of Turkey's largets lake, Van Lake.

    Once the construction of all these dams is complete, GAP will have an area of 2,710 square kilometers covered by ponds and dams.

    This will have several positive effects on people's lives in south east Turkey. People are expected to participate in sports and social activities more which will also revitalize economy. People will increase their income from fishing in these ponds which will be a new occupation for them. Families who make their living out of fishing will have employment opportunity. Consumption of fish will also provide better and more healthy nourishment to these people with higher protein.

    The Ataturk Dam has turned the region to a center of attention for sports lovers at the International Water Sports Festival which has been organized in the recent years by the GAP Development Administration.

    Thousands of people both from Turkey's other regions and also from abroad are coming to the south east Turkey to see the Ataturk Dam.

    The ponds are providing irrigation, therefore increasing the income level of the people in this area. Hydroelectric power plants are aiming to meet Turkey's energy need.

    On the other hand, the dams and ponds increased the relative humidity in the south east. However, State Meteorology Affairs said they are not expecting a noticeable change in the region's climate anytime soon.

    [13] NESTS OF CARETTAS IN BELEK INCREASE FROM 385 TO 600

    ANTALYA - Environmentalists started efforts to protect caretta sea turtles in Antalya's Belek area which is the second biggest nest of these animals after Greece.

    Dr. Ali Fuat Canpolat from Biology Department of Hacettepe University told A.A correspondent that they have been working to save the sea turtles in Belek for three years. Canpolat said Belek is one of the few places in the world offering good living conditions for carettas.

    Canpolat said there were 385 nests last year and they managed to increase this number to 600 this year. He noted that light and people on the beach are two biggest threats to these creatures. In order to protect carettas from these two threats, Canpolat said, they are running studies with a team of 30 people and they receive support from the U.S. Eartwatch Institute. Their efforts to save carettas are also supported by tourism facilities and municipalities.

    Canpolat said dwellings on the coast are also posing big threat to carettas and stressed that people living in the area should definitely be educated to protect sea turtles.

    [14] TOURISM MINISTER MUMCU SAYS THEY ARE PREPARING ''NICE SURPRISES'' FOR VAN

    VAN - Tourism Minister Erkan Mumcu said on Saturday that they are preparing ''very nice surprises'' for the eastern Turkish province, Van.

    Mumcu who has visited Bitlis, Tatvan, Adilcevaz and Ahlat provinces with State Minister Edip Safter Gaydali went to Istanbul on Saturday. Speaking to journalists at the airport, Gaydali said they would work hard to draw more tourists to Eastern Turkey.''We are preparing very nice surprises for Van,'' Mumcu said.

    [15] GENC, DIRECTOR GENERAL OF SECURITY: ''NEW PRISON BUILDINGS AND ARRANGEMENTS TO SOLVE PROBLEMS''

    DENIZLI - Turan Genc, Director General of Security, said on Saturday that problems in prisons will be solved after prison buildings are completed and with the new arrangements.

    Genc visited Denizli Governor Yusuf Ziya Goksu and said police organization recorded great successes in operations.

    Genc said tourism was in a positive period, adding that tourism will be good this year unless negativity is reflected from the neighbouring countries. He said they would discuss providing of security in tourism regions and prevention of ancient riches in a meeting they will hold in Denizli province.

    Responding to a question about prisons, Genc said, ''the duty of police is to provide tranquility and security, and to arrest the criminals. Prisons are under the responsibility of Justice Ministry. Efforts are underway to better the prisons. We are in cooperation with Justice Ministry and the concerned authorities to determine what is going on in prisons. Problems of the prisons will be solved after completion of modern prison buildings and betterment of conditions.''

    Goksu, Denizli Governor, said police worked day and night to provide tranquility and security.

    Genc later held a meeting with the Directors of Mugla, Antalya, Usak, Isparta, Aydin, Burdur, Afyon and Denizli Security Departments.

    [16] STATE MINISTER ONAL SAYS NO DELAYS WOULD OCCUR IN GOVERNMENT'S ECONOMIC STABILITY PROGRAMME

    ANKARA - State Minister Recep Onal said they will not postpone the structural reforms that are included in the government's economic stability programme.

    Minister Onal told A.A correspondent that the Stand-By agreement which was signed with the IMF and the World Bank credits will not be negatively affected after the Parliament recesses.

    There will be no delays in the economic programme, Onal said and noted that the programme will even continue at a faster pace.


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