Anadolu Agency: News in English, 00-07-15

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NEWS

15 JULY 2000 Saturday

CONTENTS

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

[02] TOTAL DEPOSITS IN BANKS INCREASE 8.4 PERCENT IN JUNE

[03] NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC MAGAZINE INCLUDES TURKEY IN ITS JULY ISSUE

[04] GUNEY EGE GUCBIRLIGI HOLDING AND BRITISH NATIONAL WIND POWER COMPANY SIGN COOPERATION AGREEMENT

[05] JORDANIAN PUBLIC SECURITY GENERAL DIRECTOR IN ISTANBUL

[06] TOPKAPI TREASURES EXHIBITION OPENED IN SAN DIEGO

[07] BRITISH PARLIAMENTARIANS IN HASANKEYF

[08] ALIAGA LABOUR FESTIVAL TO BE HELD JOINLY BY LESVOS THIS YEAR

[09] 1 BILLION U.S. DOLLAR LOAN PROVIDED FOR CONSTRUCTION OF PERMANENT DWELLINGS IN QUAKE ZONE UNTIL TODAY

[10] OZDEMIR, CHIEF OF ISTANBUL POLICE ORGANIZATION, LEAVES FOR U.S.

[11] AGRICULTURE AND RURAL AFFAIRS MINISTER GOKALP DUE TO ITALY

[12] EXPORTS OF ERDEMIR

[13] ROMANIAN DEFENSE MINISTER FRUNZAVERDE IN EPHESUS

[14] 1,636 HECTARES OF FOREST BURNT IN AEGEAN REGION IN TWO DAYS

[15] 20 HECTARES OF FOREST BURNT IN HEREKE

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

DIFFERENT COMMENT FROM PARTNERS ON CAPITAL PUNISHMENT
Devlet Bahceli, the Deputy Prime Minister, said the previous night that it is early to abolish the capital punishment. Bahceli said, ''even the western countries abolished the capital punishment conditionally.'' State Minister Rustu Kazim Yucelen said on Friday that Constitutional amendment is not obligatory for the abolition of capital punishment. Yucelen said, ''two-hour work of the parliament is enough for the abolition.''

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

FOREST FIRE IN 58 DIFFERENT REGIONS
A total of 58 forest fires broke out in different regions of Turkey the previous day. Most of these fires were taken under control on Friday noon. A total of 2,933 hectares of forest was burnt in the fire. Edip Mert, a bulldozer driver, died of a heart attack in the efforts to put out the fire which broke out in Aegean Manisa province.

SABAH (LIBERAL)

General Directorate said that these were ordinary manoeuvres. Prof. Dr. Ahmet Mete Isikara, the Director of Kandilli Observatory Center and Seismology Institute, told people not to believe in the rumours and said that there was not any extraordinary situation.

SAY TO COMPOSE SONGS OF POEMS THAT ECEVIT TRANSLATES INTO TURKISH
Fazil Say, the world-famous pianist, gave a concert in Turkey. Say was applauded by five thousand listeners in Aegean Cesme township. Say, who likes the poems of Premier Bulent Ecevit, said that he is inspired by especially the poems that Ecevit translated from Indian language to Turkish and that he will compose songs of these poems.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

THREE PEOPLE DIE DUE TO SOARING TEMPERATURES
Soaring temperatures from a heat wave that has swept across Turkey from the Balkans killed three people in Nazilli township of Aegean Aydin province, Gulyali township of northeastern Ordu province, and Inegol township of Bursa province. Mehmet Acun, living in Nazilli, died of brain hemorrage. Emine Ozturk, a 72-year old woman living in Gulyali, died due to soaring temperatures. Hasan Azak, a 15-year old boy living in Bursa, died of sunstroke.

RADIKAL (LEFT)

NEW DETAINEE IN FICTITIOUS EXPORT INVESTIGATION
Erdem Cankaya, the Director of the Bursa Branch of Bank Kapital, was taken into custody. Six personnel of the Bank Kapital had earlier been detained regarded with the investigation into the the Karakoc Tekstil and Karakoc Polyester Iplik, two textile companies, on charges of fictitious export and corruption allegations. Bank Kapital is claimed to launder one million U.S. dollars.

YENI BINYIL (LIBERAL)

TURKIYE (RIGHT)

PREMIER ECEVIT PLEASED ABOUT EU CONTACTS
Premier Bulent Ecevit said that he is pleased about the latest stance of the European Union (EU). Ecevit noted that the EU's wanting to learn Turkey's ideas prior to the preparation of the Accession Partnership Accord was a constructive approach.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

VIRTUE PARTY TO SUPPORT LAWS ON CAPITAL PUNISHMENT AND AMNESTY
Recai Kutan, the leader of the Virtue Party (FP), said that they will bring into the agenda the laws on amnesty and the abolition of capital punishment in return for the change of Article 312. Kutan noted that they will support all the amendment bills and that they will request change in Article 158 and 159 of the Turkish Penal Code (TCK) and the Article 8 of the Anti- Terrorism Law.

[02] TOTAL DEPOSITS IN BANKS INCREASE 8.4 PERCENT IN JUNE

The Central Bank data indicates that when the inter-banks deposits are not considered, the total deposits which was 45 quadrillion 234.9 trillion TL on May 26, increased 4.5 percent to 47 quadrillion 289.1 trillion TL on June 30.

The TL deposits in banks decreased 7.4 percent to 23 quadrillion 564.2 trillion TL on June 30. The TL deposits was 21 quadrillion 949.6 trillion TL on May 26.

The TL deposits in public banks increased 4.9 percent from 14 quadrillion 261.8 trillion TL to 14 quadrillion 958.4 trillion TL on June 30.

The TL deposits in private banks decreased 11.5 percent to 8 quadrillion 293.6 trillion TL on June 30. The TL deposits in these banks were 7 quadrillion 438 trillion TL on May 26.

The TL deposit in foreign banks which was 74.5 trillion TL on May 26, rose 65.3 percent to 123.2 trillion TL on June 30.

The foreign currency deposits in banks climbed 1.9 percent to 23 quadrillion 724.8 trillion TL in the mentioned period.

The total deposits in banks increased 25.1 percent in the first half of 2000.

The total deposits which was 43 quadrillion 115 trillion TL on December 30, 1999, climbed to 53 quadrillion 955.3 trillion TL on June 30.

When the inter-banks deposits are not considered, the TL deposits increased 9.6 percent and the total deposits rose 18.5 percent.

The TL deposits in public banks increased 5.1 while the TL deposits in private banks climbed 18.1 percent. The increase in the TL deposits in foreign banks was 14.9 percent in the mentioned period.

The foreign currency deposits in the banks rose 29 percent in the first six months of 2000.

The foreign currency deposits which was 18 quadrillion 394.1 trillion TL on December 30, 1999, climbed to 23 quadrillion 724.8 trillion TL on June 30.

[03] NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC MAGAZINE INCLUDES TURKEY IN ITS JULY ISSUE

The magazine told about Turkey in 40 pages.

The magazine focused on the massive earthquake in Turkey and used the title ''Wrath of the Gods.'' It emphasized that the earthquake disasters rock the cradle of the civilizations.

Editor Rick Gore wrote the story about Turkey while Reza Deghati, an Iranian photographer, took the photographs published in the magazine.

The story told about the fears and feelings of the people living in the quake zone.

The story said that Anatolia, which is the cradle of civilizations, was torn from Agri Mountain to the Aegean by the North Anatolia Fault Line and that a total of 13 massive earthquakes were recorded in this fault line since 1939.

Emphasizing the efforts of the rescue teams following the quake and the lost hopes of the people who waited to be rescued under the rubble, the magazine drew the attention that the population of Golcuk township which was 80 thousand before the earthhquake, decreased to 25 thousand following the quake.

The magazine noted that the contractors' not building earthquake-resistent houses, increased the dimensions of the disaster.

The second story that was published in the magazine was about the Central and Eastern Anatolia regions.

This second story titled ''A History Forged By Disaster'', said that the Eastern Anatolia was shaped by the movement of the Anatolia plateau.

The magazine said that the people of this region are living in harmony with the geological powers.

[04] GUNEY EGE GUCBIRLIGI HOLDING AND BRITISH NATIONAL WIND POWER COMPANY SIGN COOPERATION AGREEMENT

Speaking in the signing ceremony, Belig Azbazdar, the Soke Mayor who is among the founders of the Guney Ege Gucbirligi Holding, said that the holding is making its first investment in energy and that the wind energy potential in the region is high.

Azbazdar said, ''we wish to produce electricity from wind. I wish the continuation of this cooperation.''

David Butter Wort, the President of the International Projects Department of the British National Wind Power company, said that they are pleased to serve Turkey.

Wort noted that Turkey has a significant wind energy potential and that they believe that electricity production from wind will be widened in Turkey in the following years.

[05] JORDANIAN PUBLIC SECURITY GENERAL DIRECTOR IN ISTANBUL

Ercument Ozbeyli, the Acting Chief of Istanbul Police Organization, welcomed Fawwaz and the accompanying delegation.

The Jordanian delegation headed by Fawwaz exchanged ideas with the officials of the Istanbul Police Organization about the cooperation in security between Turkey and Jordan.

[06] TOPKAPI TREASURES EXHIBITION OPENED IN SAN DIEGO

A total of 200 people joined the inauguration of the exhibition.

The exhibition can be visited until September 24.

Famous Topkapi Dagger, samples of Ottoman textile, the throne of Suleyman I, silk cloths, wool and silk carpets, porcelains, musical instruments, and religious and literary manuscripts are displayed in the exhibition.

This exhibition had earlier been opened in Corcoran Museum in Washington D.C.

It will be opened in Fort Lauderdale Arts Museum in Florida on October 15.

[07] BRITISH PARLIAMENTARIANS IN HASANKEYF

Clwyd, Peter Lloyd, a member of the commission, who were accompanied by Sule Bucak, the Deputy Secretary General of Republican People's Party (CHP), wrapped up their contacts in southeastern Diyarbakir province and proceeded to Hasankeyf township of southeastern Batman province.

The British parliamentarians and Bucak visited Abdulvahap Kusen, the Hasankeyf Mayor.

Clwyd said that making people leave their own lands is not an ordinary thing.

Clwyd noted that the World Bank will not support this project and that firstly, the accomodation problems of the people who will be negatively affected by the construction of the dam, should be solved.

The cultural heritage should be protected, Clwyd stated.

Kusen said that they are in favour of the preservation of historical and cultural heritage.

Clwyd and Lloyd visited the historical sites in Hasankeyf and took photographs.

Clwyd said that they will exhibit these photographs in Britain.

The delegation later proceeded to Batman.

[08] ALIAGA LABOUR FESTIVAL TO BE HELD JOINLY BY LESVOS THIS YEAR

Hakki Ulku, the Mayor of Aliaga township of Aegean Izmir province, told A.A correspondent on Saturday that the labour festival will be held with the cooperation of Aliaga Municipality and the Civilian Society Movement For Communicating and Existing Together in the Aegean.

Ulku said that they went to Lesvos one and a half months ago to get prepared the festival and that Apostolos Komninakos, the Chairman of the Civilian Society Movement For Communicating and Existing Together in the Aegean, came to Aliaga to deal with the last initiatives prior to the festival.

''There are seven municipalities in Lesvos. All these municipalities will join the festival. The festival will start in Lesvos on August 28 and continue until August 30. Then, the next leg of the festival will be held in Aliaga between September 1 and 3. Panel discussions will be held within the framework of the festival. The life styles of two nations and the traces of the exchange following the War of Independence on two nations will be discussed in these panel discussions,'' Ulku said.

Ulku added, ''Andreas Politakis, the Chairman of the Abdi Ipekci Peace Award Board, will also join the festival. Greek singer Maria Faradui will give a concert in the festival.''

Ulku noted that the target of the festival is making the Turkish-Greek friendship a lasting one.

They invited the Culture Ministers of Turkey and Greece to the festival to improve peace between two countries, Ulku stated.

Komninakos said that whenever he comes to Aliaga, his heart is filled with friendship and affection.

''We have courage and we will exert efforts to hold this festival every year. We will do our best to walk together with Aliaga in the path we have constructed together,'' Komninakos added.

[09] 1 BILLION U.S. DOLLAR LOAN PROVIDED FOR CONSTRUCTION OF PERMANENT DWELLINGS IN QUAKE ZONE UNTIL TODAY

Officials of the Public Works and Housing Ministry said that 1 billion 62 million U.S. dollar loan was provided from the World Bank and the European Investment Bank.

The officials noted that discussions are underway with the Gulf Countries Cooperation Organization to provide 400 million U.S. dollar loan for 10,500 other permanent dwellings in the quake zone.

A total of 4,000 more permanent dwellings in the quake zone will be constructed with the contributions of Religious Affairs Foundation, Provincial Private Administrations, Turkish Labour Unions Confederation (Turk-Is) and the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB), the officials added.

A total of 40,500 permanent dwellings are foreseen to be finished in June and July 2001.

[10] OZDEMIR, CHIEF OF ISTANBUL POLICE ORGANIZATION, LEAVES FOR U.S.

Ozdemir, Niyazi Palabiyik, the Deputy Chief of Istanbul Police Organization, and Tayfur Erdal Ceren, the Director of Narcotic Department of Istanbul Police Organization, left Istanbul for New York at 1.00 p.m.

Ozdemir and the accompanying delegation will join the meeting that will be held to take up cooperation with the U.S. Drugs Enforcement Agency (DEA) and to determine the joint attitude in struggling against drugs.

The meeting will last for one week.

[11] AGRICULTURE AND RURAL AFFAIRS MINISTER GOKALP DUE TO ITALY

The Agriculture and Rural Affairs Ministry said on Saturday that Gokalp will meet with Jacques Diouf, the Director General of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and John Wefley, the Deputy Chairman of International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).

Gokalp will hold contacts with Diouf about the South-South Cooperation Project which will be implemented in Central Asian Turkish Republics joinly by the FAO, and the other agricultural projects implemented in Turkey.

Husnu Yusuf Gokalp will visit the ''Turkish Republics Registration Center'' which will be opened in FAO headquarters.

During his meeting with Wefley, Gokalp will take up the Sivas-Erzincan Rural Development Project implemented by his ministry, and the new rural development projects which are foreseen to be implemented in other regions.

Gokalp will return to Turkey on July 19.

[12] EXPORTS OF ERDEMIR

Officials of the ERDEMIR General Directorate told A.A correspondent on Saturday that Italy ranked at the first place in ERDEMIR's exports with 435 million 805 thousand U.S. dollars.

Below listed the countries that are ranked at the first ten places in ERDEMIR's exports: ---- Country Million U.S. dollars Tons ------- -------------------- -----
Japan 303.8 972.332 U.S 236.5 717.364
Iran 196.8 713.267 China 100.3 300.950 Britain 64.6 196.412 Spain 47.7 171.752 Iraq 37.4 99.111 India 37.1 131.500 Malaysia 28.2 95.699 ---- The United Arab Emirates, Philippines, South Korea, Hong Kong, Israel, Kuwait, Cuba, Madagascar, Macedonia, Sudan, Jamaica, Mexico, and Portugal are the other countries that the ERDEMIR exported its products in the last 18 years.

[13] ROMANIAN DEFENSE MINISTER FRUNZAVERDE IN EPHESUS

Frunzaverde, who is paying an official visit to Turkey as the guest of National Defense Minister Sabahattin Cakmakoglu, later visited Sirince village of Aegean Selcuk township.

After having lunch in Sirince, Frunzaverde and the accompanying delegation departed from the village.

[14] 1,636 HECTARES OF FOREST BURNT IN AEGEAN REGION IN TWO DAYS

Sources told A.A correspondent on Saturday that fires burnt 1,636 hectares of forest in Aydin, Denizli, Mugla, Manisa and Izmir provinces.

The sources said that 900 hectares of pineland was burnt in Buldan, Camkoy and Guney townships of Denizli.

Two hectares of cultivated field in Akburgazi hamlet in Aydin's Soke township and one hectare of cultivated field in Ikizdere hamlet of Incirliova was also burnt in the forest fires, the sources noted.

The sources stated that 10 hectares of forest was burnt in Mugla and its Datca, Ortaca, Milas, Fethiye, Dalaman and Koycegiz townships.

A total of 640 hectares of forest was burnt in Mugla and its townships since the beginning of 2000, the sources stressed.

The sources emphasized that 100 hectares of forest was burnt in Kemalpasa and Armutlu townships of Izmir and that 15 hectares of forest was burnt in Torbali township of Izmir.

A total of 458.3 hectares of forest was burnt down to ashes in Manisa and its townships in the last two days, the sources added.

[15] 20 HECTARES OF FOREST BURNT IN HEREKE

Sources told A.A correspondent that the fire was taken under control by the fire-fighting teams and helicopters of the Istanbul Forestry Regional Directorate.

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