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Anadolu Agency: News in English, 00-07-24Anadolu Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Anadolu Agency Home Page at <http://www.anadoluajansi.com.tr/>Anadolu AgencyANADOLU AGENCY NEWS 24 JULY 2000 Monday CONTENTS
[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCANThese are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in Turkey's press on July 23, 2000. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.HURRIYET (LIBERAL)SECOND SURPRISE IN CYPRUSTRNC President Rauf Denktas proposes presidential regime for TRNC, stating that he would not be a candidate in case such a regime is adopted. A NEW WORLD RECORD FROM YASEMIN MILLIYET (LIBERAL)MYSTERIOUS DEATHS OF 17 CARETTA-CARETTASSeventeen dead caretta-caretta sea turtles found dead on the beach at Icel's Bozyazi township. Mustafa Kayhan, chairman of the Association of Protection of Natural Life and Sea Turtles said that the turtles must have died of extreme heat, adding that would send one dead turtle over to the Middle East Technical University's Maritima Sciences Institute to Ankara for examination. He also said that the fishermen saw many dead turtles in the sea. Kayhan expressed concern over the coinciding of the turtles' mating season with extremely hot temperatures and added that he hoped the temperatures, of both air and water, would drop in the forthcoming days in order not to pose a threat against the newly borns. PROSECUTOR SUPPORTS TURK SABAH (LIBERAL)PRESIDENTIAL PALACE SPENDING ECONOMICALLYPresident Ahmet Necdet Sezer has significantly decreased the expenses of the Presidential Palace by cutting down the number of employed personnel. He has dropped the number of security guards from 390 to 260 and advisors from 22 to 4. Number of secretaries and drivers employed at the Presidential Palace has also decreased noticeably. The total number of personnel working at the Palace dropped from 1,000 to 750. CAKMAKOGLU WARNS AGAINST FUNDAMENTALISM CUMHURIYET (LEFT)CENK KORAY DIESTv personality and program host, Cenk Koray died on Sunday of a heart attack. At 06.00 hours, he was found dead at his residence in Suadiye Istanbul. Cenk Koray's funeral ceremony will take place tomorrow at Karacaahmet Cemetery, and Koray will be buried by the side of his son Nihat, whom he had lost 4 years ago. ADDITIONAL MEASURES FOR ENERGY RADIKAL (LEFT)MGK TO CONVENE IN ISTANBULThe National Security Council (MGK) will convene in Istanbul on July 26 under the chairmanship of President Ahmet Necdet Sezer. The participants will discuss the topics on their agenda at their regular meeting, which is to take start at 14.00 hours at the War Academies Complex. President Ahmet Necdet Sezer will attend the graduation ceremony at the Academy after the National Security Council Meeting. DALKILIC BREAKS WORLD RECORD ARSONISTS CAPTURED YENI BINYIL (LIBERAL)FUNNY EXCUSE NOT TO PREVENT TORTUREJustice Minister Hikmet Sami Turk said the ''health check-up report'' form which was prepared by the Health Ministry and which is used in 41 Council of Europe countries, could not be printed and distributed due to lack of funds. ''Therefore, it is not used in Turkey,'' Turk said. The form has been used in all European countries for two year to prevent torture. European Prevention of Torture and Ill Treatment Committee members were surprised when they found out that Turkey is not using the form although it was prepared. POPULATION INCREASES, NUMBER OF TAX PAYERS REMAINS SAME TURKIYE (RIGHT)DECISION DAY FOR NUCLEAR ENERGYEvaluation period for firms which participated in the Akkuyu nuclear power plant project is expiring today. The U.S. Westinghouse firm, which is one of the three firms, is expected to win the tender. TEAS General Directorate which is appointed by the Ministers Council will reach a decision by Monday evening. TURKISH-GREEK COOPERATION IN AGRICULTURE ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)HYK TO DISCUSS DIGITAL BROADCASTINGThe Supreme Communication Council (HYK) convenes today to assess issues related to digital broadcasting and take up a commission report on digital broadcasting. The commission had been set up by the Council, and had been given one month to complete its report on issues. The report includes a proposal to shift from satellite and cable broadcasts to digital all across the country. POPULATION INCREASES WITHOUT NEW TAXPAYERS [02] SUGAR AND SWEET EXPORTS FROM GAP IN FIRST SIX MONTHS OF 2000GAZIANTEP - Sugar worth 13 million 996 thousand dollars and biscuits, cakes, and sweets worth 11 million 528 thousand dollars were exported from the South East Anatolia Project (GAP) Region in the first six months of the year 2000, a South East Anatolian Grains Cereals, Oily Seeds and Products Exporters Union statement said on Monday.Last year's exports of sugar had totalled to 12 million 817 thousand dollars in worth, and exports of sweets, cakes, and biscuits had totalled to 11 million 607 thousand dollars. The region's sugar exports increased by 9.1 percent in the first six months of the year 2000 as compared to the same period of 1999, whereas exports of biscuits, cakes, and sweets decreased by 0.7 percent. Among the major importers of GAP sugar and sweets are Iraq, Germany, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Jordan, Israel, and Azerbaijan. [03] STATE MINISTER MIRZAOGLU SAYS RADAR SYSTEM WILL BE EFFECTIVE IN TWO STRAITS IN 2001ANKARA - State Minister in charge of maritime, Ramazan Mirzaoglu said on Monday that the infrastucture and constuction of the radar system which will be set up at the Istanbul and Canakkale straits will be put out to tender in a very short time. Mirzaoglu told A.A correspondent that Public Works and Housing Ministry has put aside the necessary financing for the tender.Noting that The Council to Protect Nature and Cultural Assets had some hesitations about the radar towers because it would spoil the view, Mirzaoglu said they have solved that problem at the Ministers Council. The municipalities had some preconditions to give the construction licences for the radars, Mirzaoglu said and added that they passed a decree having the power of law to solve this problem. ''Radar system will be effective in Turkish straits in 2001,'' he stressed. Mirzaoglu went on to say that there is a very heavy traffic at the straits. He said every year an average of 50,000 ships pass through the straits and ten percent of these ships carry hazardous material reaching up to 82 million tons. ''This is a very high figure, we have to have total control over the ship traffic,'' he added. ''The Istanbul Strait is a very difficult strait for ships to pass,'' he said. ''Sometimes the ships have to make 90 degree turns. The currents in the sea also make it difficult. There are very narrow and shallow areas. Two ships should not pass side by side. Therefore, it is pivotal to give service using modern equipment and radars. Guidance services should also be very good.'' As a part of the project eight radars will be installed at the Istanbul Strait and five at the Canakkale Strait. The height of the radar towers will vary between 15 to 30 meters. Besides the radar towers, there will be receivers and satellite systems as well. [04] IRAQI PARLIAMENT SPEAKER SENDS LETTER TO HIS TURKISH COUNTERPART AKBULUTBAGHDAD - Iraqi Parliament Speaker Saadoun Hammadi alleged that the extension of the mandate of the Northern Watch harmed both Turkey and Iraq, in a letter he sent to his Turkish counterpart Yildirim Akbulut. Hammadi said on Sunday that he had sent a letter to Turkish Parliament Speaker Yildirim Akbulut, in which he said, he had called on the Ankara government to revise its Northern Iraq policies, and warned that the existence of the Northern Watch would do nothing but strengthen the Kurdish groups in Northern Iraq and disturb relations between Turkey and Iraq.Hammadi said in his letter that there were historical ties of friendship between the two countries, and said Iraq expected Turkey to contribute to the lifting of sanctions on Iraq. He also alleged that the continuous bombing of northern Iraq by U.S warplanes brought with it an increase in unemployment rate in the region, causing development come to a halt. The Iraqi Parliament Speaker said that Turkey was hurting itself by extending the mandate of the Northern Watch, adding that the resolutions of the Turkish Parliament had to encourage the region's social and economic development, and better relations between the two countries. [05] ZEUGMA ANCIENT CITY TO BE PROMOTED ON INTERNETGAZIANTEP - Efforts are continuing to promote Zeugma ancient city on the internet.Zeugma excavation director Kemal Sertok said they are conscientiously recording their findings in line with modern archeology rules. Sertok said they are working to prepare an internet site where people can find information about all the excavations done in the ancient city so far. The recordings are done by drawing, digital camera and traditional photograph taking, he explained. Louise Schofield from Packard Humanities Institute which provided 5 million U.S. dollars to the excavations in Zeugma, said they are recording all images and findings in computers. ''So far, we have taken pictures of 400 objects. We will promote Zeugma to the whole world through the internet. Zeugma is really mesmerizing and magnificent. We are finding out new information every day,'' Schofield said. [06] GAP TO BE GIVEN MILLENNIUM AWARDANKARA - International Water Resources Association (IWRA) decided to give its Millennium Award to the South Anatolia Project (GAP) this year.A written statement from GAP Administration said that IWRA chairman Benedito Braga wrote a letter to GAP Administration chairman Olcay Unver informing him that GAP was found worthy of the award. The Millennium Award will be given only this year. The statement said IWRA focuses on a wide range of areas including water which is a scarce source in the world, effects on development on environment, and providing a secure future for next generations. IWRA has decided to award GAP since it is a project based on water and it also shares the same concerns with IWRA. The award will be given to Olcay Unver at a ''Water Symposium'' which will be held in Stockholm on August 17. [07] PRESIDENT SEZER RECEIVES NIGERIAN PRESIDENT OBASANJOANKARA - A ceremony was held for Nigerian President and Head of Armed Forces Olusegun Obasanjo on Monday morning.Speaking at the ceremony, Sezer said Obasanjo's visit marks the beginning of a close cooperation period between Turkey and Nigeria. ''We have friendly links with Nigeria rooted in the history,'' Sezer said and noted that relations with this country began end of the 16th century when the Ottoman Empire signed a defense agreeement with Kanem-Bornu state which included today's northern Nigeria. Stating that Obasanjo's visit is a representation of political will to advance relations with Turkey, Sezer said there are important developments taking place both in Africa and the region surrounding Turkey. Noting that Nigeria is an effective player in both bilateral relations and international organizations, Sezer praised Obasanjo's leadership which lead to peace and stability in Nigeria. ''We are pleased to observe that democracy has been maintained in Nigeria after a long interruption,'' he noted. Sezer said he will confer with Obasanjo about regional and international matters as well as bilateral relations. Obasanjo who spoke after Sezer said they are aming to strengthen and deepen relations in every field and increase the cooperation fields with Turkey. He also noted that the two countries share similar histories, life styles and religion. Noting that he is the first foreign visitor Sezer is hosting in Turkey, Obasanjo wished sucess to Sezer in his new post. Parliament Speaker Yildirim Akbulut, State Minister Edip Safter Gaydali, Foreign Minister Ismail Cem, and Nigerian ministers who are accompanying Obasanjo attended the ceremony. [08] NEW POWER COMMUNICATION LINE TO BE INSTALLED BETWEEN TURKEY AND BULGARIASOFIA - A new power communication line between Turkey and Bulgaria will be installed, officials said on Monday. Ivan Shilyashki, State Energy and Energy Sources Agency Chairman said in a statement he made to a Bulgarian daily, that a 260 kilometer-long power communication line between Turkey and Bulgaria would be installed at a cost of about 31 million dollars.Shilyashki said that the 200 kilometer portion of the line would be within Turkish territory, and each country would be responsible of financing its own portion. Noting that the project studies of the Bulgarian side would have been completed before the end of this month, Shilyashki said that the tender for the construction of the line would be opened shortly, and the line would have been completed before mid-2001. [09] BANKING SECTOR LOOKS FORWARD TO SEPTEMBERISTANBUL - Dr. Akin Akbaygil, Director General of Turkish Economy Bank (TEB) said on Monday that the banking sector would have had a 'big brother' to take care of it, with the starting of office of the Banking Regulation and Auditing Board on September 1.Noting that the Turkish banking sector had been going through a restructuring process in the recent years, Akbaygil said that the first duty of the Banking Regulation and Auditing Board would be solving the problem of banks transferred to the Savings Account Insurance Fund. ''The financial markets have no contributions to the banking sector's restructuring process right now. But in the forthcoming term, they will start contributing in this process in two ways. The first will be the changes that the entrance of foreign investors into Turkish banking sector would be creating. The second will be by means of the stock exchange. But I guess, the first one is more likely to take place sooner,'' Akbaygil said. Qualifying the starting of office of the Banking Regulation and Auditing Board on September 1, 2000 as a ''very positive development'', Akbaygil said: ''The banks transferred to the Savings Account Insurance Fund should be categorised in different groups. The first group could be the ones that are hopeless. The Board, in their case, should help the account owners in these banks contact with public banks, and register the loss. Or, the Board might as well determine a debt schedule for these banks. A second group could involve those banks that could be combined, and a third group could consist of those that could be sold to either domestic, or foreign capital owners. Still, I believe that the sector should not waste time by trying to combine these banks that I have mentioned as the 'second group' because a bank is like a living organism, it should continue its normal functions so long as it lives, as long as it remains open. But of course, this requires an executive staff to govern the bank. This is why, I believe that trying to combine these banks would be a waste of our precious time under these circumstances.'' Making an evaluation of the structure of the Board, Akbaygil said: ''Banking is, above all, a social, public service, so it is natunal that the board members consist of state officials. The board members are able to assess the sector well. Turkey is often compared to South American nations. I believe that one of the points in which we display superiority against them is that we have a good, strong bureaucratic personnel, who have the capacity and ability to take effective decisions and implement rational measures.'' [10] EASTERN BLACK SEA REGION ENJOYS TOURISM BOOST -ACCOMMODATION FACILITIES HOST TOURISTS WITH ONLY 10 PERCENT VACANCYTRABZON - The Eastern Black Sea Region, famous with its mountain and plateau tourism, is enjoying a boost with the unbearably hot temperatures prevailing across the coastal areas, Provincial Tourism Directorate officials said on Monday.The regions hotels are almost full, at 90 percent, hosting tourists both domestic and foreign. Officials say that this rate reaches 100 percent in the mountain accommodation facilities, and that there might be no vacancies in the month of August. As compared to the previous year, there is an increase by 25 percent in the number of tourists visiting the region. Efforts to sustain this boost into the autumn and winter months are continuing, officials said. The Eastern Black Sea accommodation facilities have the capacity to host about 2000 tourists. [11] OPERATIONS AGAINST TERRORISTS IN ISTANBULISTANBUL - Police captured four DHKPC members, understood to have involved in the setting on fire of a public coach, and hanging illegal posters on walls of buildings, Istanbul Security Department's Anti-Terrorism Bureau officials said on Monday.The four persons confessed under interrogation that they had involved in the aforementioned crimes. The statement said that substantial amounts of organisational documents and publications were seized along with the terrorists. [12] 92TH ANNIVERSARY OF LIFTING OF CENSURE IN PRESS -SEZER:''IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO SPEAK OF HUMAN RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS IN A COUNTRY WHERE THERE IS NO FREEDOM OF PRESS''ANKARA - President Ahmet Necdet Sezer said on Monday that it is impossible to speak of human rights and freedoms in a country where there is no freedom of press. ''In order to maintain democracy in the modern sense in our country, we have to do whatever it requires as a nation,'' Sezer said in the message he issued on the 90th anniversary of abolition of censure in press.One of the main conditions of Turkey's becoming a democratic and modern state is to have a powerful and free press, he noted. He added that in modern democracies, press which takes all its strength from people, has become an active force in the social life. ''In democracy which is based on basic rights and freedoms and protection of these rights, the individual is constantly in communication with his environment,'' he went on to say. ''The astonishing progress in the communication technology, globalization, people's increasing need to get information made people closely follow the developments in their environment.'' People's being sensitive to developments in the society and expressing reaction in a free environment is pivotal for democracy, he said. ''Because people are the power which enables democracy to grow. Therefore, no regime which disregards people's opinion can survive.'' ''Press informs people rapidly and impartially about the developments in the world, and therefore brings dynamism to the society. The society has given a very important task to the press which is to represent itself. The press is responsible to meet the society's expectations and be concerned in the country's problems. Throughout the history, imposing censure on the press to prevent communication has been the most powerful weapon of anti- democratic regimes.'' In modern democracies, Sezer said, press should face no censure in reaching the source of news and conveying the information to the public correctly and completely. Freedom of press has been guaranteed in Turkey by the Constitution and international agreements which Turkey signed, Sezer noted. ''Turkey on its way to full EU membership, is resolved to continue the necessary democratic reforms. Freedom of press will also be focused as a part of these reforms,'' Sezer stressed. Sezer said he hopes the Turkish press would continue its impartial and free attitude and he wished a happy Press Day to all members of press. [13] CYPRUS PROXIMITY TALKS TAKE START IN GENEVA -U.N REPRESENTATIVE DE SOTO: ''THE PROCESS IS CONTINUING''GENEVA - The second stage of the third round of Cyprus proximity talks took start on Monday in Geneva.The Turkish delegation had its first meeting of the talks, held under the mediation of U.N Secretary General Kofi Annan's Special Cyprus Representative Alvaro de Soto, with Greek Cypriot leader Glafcos Clerides. Speaking to reporters prior to the meeting, de Soto said that the process was continuing. Reiterating that he had made certain proposals to both parties before their arrival in Geneva, de Soto pointed out that both sides were given enough time to consider those proposals, and that he was now going to learn about their opinions about them, and try to determine what steps could be taken in the light of their opinions. Meanwhile, de Soto was to get together with President Rauf Denktas of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus in the afternoon hours. [14] CYPRUS PROXIMITY TALKS IN GENEVA -TRNC PRESIDENT DENKTAS: ''THERE IS NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT. THE RESULT WILL BE PUT ON A REFERANDUM''GENEVA - President Rauf Denktas of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) said on Monday, that there is nothing to worry about the results of the proximity talks, as they are to be put on a referandum, anyway.Denktas, speaking to reporters before meeting with U.N Special Cyprus Representative Alvaro de Soto in the third round of proximity talks said that the Turkish side had prepared a 30 page text in response to the proposals that de Soto had made to both sides in the first round of talks, and said there was nothing to worry about the results of the talks. Denktas underlined that there existed two communities on the island, and that each community would vote on the results of the talks. The third round of proximity talks are expected to last until August 4. [15] NIGERIAN PRESIDENT OBASANJO IN ANKARA -TURKEY AND NIGERIA SIGN ''COOPERATION PROTOCOL'' AND ''MINUTES OF MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING''ANKARA - Turkey and Nigeria put signature on two document aimed at increasing cooperation relations between the two countries within the framework of Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo's official visit to Ankara. Following the delegational talks held under the respective chairmanships of Turkish President Ahmet Necdet Sezer and Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, a ''cooperation protocol'' foreseeing the holding of political consultations between the foreign ministries of the two countries, and the ''minutes of mutual understanding'', covering an Action Plan were signed.Foreign Minister Ismail Cem put signature on the two documents on behalf of Turkey. At the joint pres conference held at the end of the signing ceremony, President Sezer said that the sides had reached full accord over further developing relations in all fields, and expressed belief that his Nigerian counterpart's visit would gain impetus to the relations between the two countries. Nigerian President Obasanjo said that he and Sezer had reached full accord over gaining continuity to contacts between Turkey and Nigeria. [16] CYPRUS PROXIMITY TALKS -DENKTAS-DE SOTO MEETING CONCLUDEDGENEVA - Talks between President Rauf Denktas of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus and U.N Special Cyprus Representative Alvaro de Soto, held within the framework of the second stage of the third round of proximity talks ended on Monday, in the afternoon hours. Denktas made no statements at the end of his meeting with de Soto.Denktas and de Soto are to get together one more time on Tuesday morning.
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