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Anadolu Agency: News in English, 00-08-04Anadolu Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Anadolu Agency Home Page at <http://www.anadoluajansi.com.tr/>Anadolu AgencyANADOLU AGENCY NEWS 04 AUGUST 2000 Friday CONTENTS
[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCANThese are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in Turkey's press on August 4, 2000. The Anadolu Ajansi does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.HURRIYET (LIBERAL)IMF TO VISIT TURKEY AGAIN ON AUGUST 30Treasury Undersecretary Selcuk Demiralp said that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) delegation will visit Turkey one more time on August 30 for a third review. The delegation will stay in Turkey until September 12. At a meeting which will be held on September 13 in London, Central Bank Chairman Gazi Ercel and IMF Turkey Desk Chief Carlo Cottarelli will speak about their observations of the disinflation programme. A CODED LIFE TO BEGIN MILLIYET (LIBERAL)TCG TURGUTREIS RETURNS HOMETCG Turgutreis Frigate, which participated in ceremonies held to commemorate 110th anniversary of Ertugrul Frigate disaster in Kushimoto, Japan, returned to Golcuk. An official welcome ceremony was held in Fleet Commandership. The frigate later anchored at Poyraz Quay. Turgutreis Frigate departed from Turkey on April 24 with its 216 personnel under command of Naval Staff Major Berk Erdem to participate in commemoration ceremonies of Ertugrul Frigate disaster. It visited Egypt, India, Singapore, China, South Korea, Malaysia and Jordan during its 102 days of cruise. TCG Turgutreis Frigate recorded 21 thousand 598 sea miles during this cruise. SUSPECT CETIN RELEASED SABAH (LIBERAL)THIRD GSM LICENCE CONTRACT SIGNEDConsortium Is Bankasi-Telecom Italia which won the tender for GSM phone network licence with a bidding of 3 billion U.S. dollars, including VAT, signed the sales contract with the Transportation Ministry. BULGARIAN PRESIDENT STOYANOV CONGRATULATES BESIKTAS CUMHURIYET (LEFT)INFLATION CLIMBS UP IN JULYIn the months of July, consumer prices increased by 2.2 percent while wholesale prices increased by 1 percent. In the first seven months, wholesale prices increased by 19.8 percent making it impossible to reach the targeted inflation rate of 20 percent for the end of the year. PISKINSUT WARNS GOVERNMENT:''F TYPE PRISONS SHOULD NOT TURN TO CELLS'' RADIKAL (LEFT)ERENER DUE TO BELGIUMSertab Erener, a leading pop singer, will leave for Belgian capital of Brussels later today to participate in the 26th National Folk Music Festival. Nearly 100 singers and bands will attend the festival. Erener will give a concern on Saturday in Dranouter region. About 60 thousand people are expected to watch the three-day activities. 550 HECTARES OF FORESTED AREA BURNT DOWN TO ASHES SECURITY FORCES DETAIN NEARLY 40 MEMBERS OF TAYAD YENI BINYIL (LIBERAL)TIME FOR A REVISIONInflation rate for July was announced as 2.2 percent in consumer prices and 1 percent in wholesale prices. This already shows a deviation from the targeted end of year inflation rate which was earlier set up as 25 percent. The government was expecting a minus inflation rate in July which would have made up for the high inflation of the first two months of this year. July's inflation rate spoiled Ankara's plans and it became definite that the end of year inflation will be over 30 percent. Therefore, the disinflation programme needs to be revised. JUSTICE MINISTRY TO GIVE TOURS TO PEOPLE IN F TYPE PRISONS TURKIYE (RIGHT)EXPORT FIGURES SHOCK IN JULYAccording to the figures of Turkish Exporters Board (TIM), Turkey's export rate dropped 6.8 percent in July compared to the same month last year. Last month Turkey obtained 2 billion 109 million U.S. dollars from export. This figure was 2 billion 262 million U.S. dollars in July, 1999. CEM: ''TURKEY'S INTERVENTION TO CYPRUS IS NOT AN INVASION'' ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)UMUT TRIAL TO START ON AUGUST 14The first hearing of the ''Umut (Hope) Operation'' which was launched to reveal a number of unsolved homicides including assasination of journalist- writer Ugur Mumcu on January 24, 1993, will start at Ankara State Security Court (DGM) on August 14. FOREIGN MINISTER CEM MEETS WITH DEMIREL, FORMER PRESIDENT [02] TOTAL DEPOSITS AT BANKS REACH 54.4 QUADRILLION TLANKARA - The total deposits at banks increased 1 quadrillion 308.2 trillion Turkish Liras (TL) to 54 quadrillion 459.3 trillion TL between July 14 and 21. The Central Bank data shows that the total deposit which was 53 quadrillion 151.1 trillion TL on July 14 increased to 54 quadrillion 459.3 trillion TL on July 21.When the inter-banks deposits are not considered, the total deposit, which was 47 quadrillion 621.2 trillion TL on July 14, increased 1 quadrillion 603.7 trillion TL to 49 quadrillion 224.9 trillion TL on July 21. The total TL deposit increased 919.4 trillion TL to 24 quadrillion 209.9 trillion TL on July 21. The total TL deposit was 23 quadrillion 290.6 trillion on July 14. As of July 21, the total TL deposit was composed of 15 quadrillion 516.2 trillion TL deposits at public banks, 8 quadrillion 423.5 trillion TL of deposits at private deposit banks and 127.8 trillion TL of deposits at foreign banks. The foreign exchange accounts at banks increased 684.4 trillion TL to 25 quadrillion 15 trillion TL on July 21. [03] REPO TRANSACTIONS BETWEEN BANKS AND THEIR CUSTOMERS DECREASE 758.8 TRILLION TLANKARA - The repo transactions between banks and their customers decreased by 758 trillion 778 billion Turkish Liras (TL) between July 21 and 28. The Central Bank data shows that the repo transactions, which were 7 quadrillion 672.8 trillion TL on July 21, decreased to 6 quadrillion 914 trillion TL on July 28.The reverse repo transactions, which were 7 trillion 122 billion TL on July 21, increased 4 trillion 246 billion TL to 11 trillion 368 billion TL on July 28. The repo transactions among the financial organizations reduced 142.05 trillion TL to 2 quadrillion 200.3 trillion TL on July 28. The total repo transactions amount was 2 quadrillion 342.3 trillion TL on July 21. The reverse repo transactions among the financial organizations, which were 2 quadrillion 339.5 trillion TL on July 21, decreased 145.5 trillion TL to 2 quadrillion 194.1 trillion TL on July 28. [04] SECURITIES ACCOUNT AT BANKS INCREASES 101.8 TRILLION TLANKARA - The securities account at banks increased 101 trillion 823 billion Turkish Liras (TL) to 11 quadrillion 967 trillion TL on July 21.The total securities account at banks was 11 quadrillion 865.2 trillion TL on July 14. The Central Bank data shows that there were a total of 11 quadrillion 745.5 trillion TL of securities including 8 quadrillion 682.2 trillion TL of securities, and 3 quadrillion 63.3 trillion TL of securities over foreign currency at the deposit banks portfolio. The securities over TL at deposit banks are composed of 395.2 trillion TL in treasury bonds, 7 quadrillion 452.2 trillion TL in state debenture bonds and 639.5 trillion TL in stocks. A total of 597.7 trillion TL of foreign currency securities at these banks are abroad while there is a total of 1 quadrillion 624.8 trillion TL of state debenture bonds among the domestic securities. The total securities account at the development and investment banks was 233 trillion TL. [05] GALATASARAY COMES ON SEVENTH PLACES AMONG BEST SOCCER CLUBS OF WORLDISTANBUL - Galatasaray came on the seventh place among the best soccer clubs of the world.According to the International Federation of Football History and Statistics (IFFHS), Galatasaray, winner of this year's UEFA Cup, left behind many worldwide famous soccer clubs such as FC Juventus, Valencia CF, Arsenal, FC Porto, AC Fiorentina, AS Monaco, SV Werder Bremen, Newcastle United, TSV Bayer 04 Leverkusen, FC Internazionale, Aston Villa and AC Parma. Meanwhile, Besiktas which beat PFC Levski Sofia of Bulgaria in second leg of the second qualifying round of European Champions League, came on the 123rd place in the same list. According to the the list prepared by the IFFHS, the top twenty soccer clubs are as follows: Clubs Country Score -------------- ------- ---- 2-Real Madrid CF Spain 305 3-SS Lazio Italy 300 4-FC Barcelona Spain 294 5-FC Chelsea Britain 292 6-Manchester United Britain 280 7-GALATASARAY TURKEY 277.5 9-Valencia CF Spain 246 10-Corinthians Brazil 244 11-Palmerias Brazil 236 12-Arsenal Britain 228 13-America Cali Colombia 225 14-FC Porto Portugal 224.5 15-River Plate Argentina 224 16-San Lorenzo de Almagro Argentina 222 17-Glasgow Rangers Scotland 221 18-FC Juventus Italy 209 19-Cruzeiro Belo Horizonte Brazil 208 20-AC Fiorentina Italy 206 [06] PALESTINIAN PRESIDENT ARAFAT DUE IN TURKEYANKARA - Palestinian President Yasser Arafat will come to Turkey on Saturday to hold contacts following the Camp David Summit in the U.S.Officials at the Foreign Ministry told the A.A correspondent on Friday that President Arafat would meet with President Ahmet Necdet Sezer, Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit and Foreign Minister Ismail Cem. President Arafat is expected to depart from Turkey later on Saturday. After the sides failed to reach an agreement at the Camp David Summit, President Arafat stated that he would declare a Palestinian State on September 13. President Arafat hald held contacts in Egypt, France, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria and South Africa to search for support to declaration of Palestinian State. [07] 2,500 PEOPLE RETURN TO THEIR VILLAGES IN JULY AS A PART OF ''RETURN TO VILLAGE'' PROJECTDIYARBAKIR - Emergency Rule Governor Gokhan Aydiner said on Friday that a total of 2,250 people returned to their villages in 24 villages and 30 hamlets as a part of the ''Return to Village'' project. Aydiner told A.A correspondent that they made important progress in the project and noted that they have provided ovine animals for those who return to their villages.''The project aims to help those who wish to return to their villages,'' Aydiner said. ''Only in July, in the Emergency Rule region, 2,250 people including 439 families returned to their homes. We will use the 3,3 trillion TL which was assigned for the project to help these people and make them lead comfortable lives.'' [08] BANKS' CREDIT VOLUME INCREASES 418.4 TRILLION TLANKARA - The banks' credit volume increased 418.4 trillion Turkish Liras (TL) to 25 quadrillion 187.9 trillion TL between July 14 and 21. The total credit volume at banks was 24 quadrillion 769.4 trillion TL on July 14.The Central Bank data shows that the total credits in the system was composed of 1 quadrillion 395.7 trillion TL of loans given to financial sector and 23 quadrillion 792.2 trillion TL of loans given to non-financial sector as of July 21. The credits given to financial sector were composed of 732.9 trillion TL of loans given by deposit banks, and 662.8 trillion TL of loans given by development and investment banks. [09] GSM 1800 LICENSE AGREEMENT INITIALLEDANKARA - The franchise agreement for GSM 1800 license was initialled on Friday by the Transportation and Communications Ministry and the winning Is Bankasi-Telecom Italia SPA consortium.Sources said that the transfer of the license would be made after the Competition Board and Council of State approved the initialled agreement. In accordance with the initialled agreement, Is Bankasi-Telekom Italia consortium should pay 2 billion 525 million U.S. dollars to the Transportation and Communications Ministry to operate the GSM 1800 system. [10] BALANCE OF PAYMENTS IN JANUARY-MAY 2000 (1)ANKARA - The Central Bank announced on Friday the balance of payments developments in the period of January-May 2000.The statement issued by the Central Bank is as follows: ''The main points related to the balance of payments developments in January-May 2000 are summarized below: A-CURRENT ACCOUNT -the increase of export revenues by 4,8 percent, -the increase of shuttle trade by 46,3 percent, against -the increase of import (CIF) expenditures by 37,6 percent. On the other hand, net revenues from other goods and services, as well as unrequited transfers, fell by 2,6 percent, amounting to 3.210 million U.S. dollars. As a result, the current account deficit materialized as 4.450 million U.S. dollars in the January-May period of 2000, down from a surplus of 431 million U.S. dollars at the same period of the last year. 1-Foreign Trade Export (FOB) revenues, which had realized as 11.619 million U.S. dollars with the inclusion of shuttle trade amounting to 743 million U.S. dollars in the January-May period of 1999, increased to 12.648 million U.S. dollars, with the contribution of shuttle trade of 1.087 million U.S. dollars in the same period of 2000. Import (FOB) expenditures, including gold imports of 372 million U.S. dollars, had realized as 14.485 million U.S. dollars in January-May 1999. As for the same period of 2000, the same item increased to 20.308 million U.S. dollars, of which 783 million U.S. dollars was gold imports. Consequently, the foreign trade balance, resulted in a deficit of 7.660 million U.S. dollars in January-May 2000, increasing by 167,3 percent compared to a deficit of 2.866 million U.S. dollars in the same period of the last year. (Million US dollars) Jan.-May 1999 Jan.-May 2000 Change (percent) -------------------- ------------- ------------- ---------------- Shuttle trade 743 1.087 46,3 Imports FOB -14.485 -20.308 40,2 Gold imports -372 -783 110,5 Foreign trade deficit -2.866 -7.660 167,3 (To be continued) [11] GIANT CARGO SHIP IN MARMARA -'ENTERPRISE' TO PASS THROUGH ISTANBUL STRAIT ON SATURDAYISTANBUL - During the passage of the 312-meter long Bahamian flagged SG Enterprise through the Istanbul Strait, the Strait will be closed to traffic.Ibrahim Koral, the director of the Gulf Agency Navigation Inc., which is the agency of the ship, said that all kinds of measures were taken for the safe passage of SG Enterprise. Koral said that the Bahamian flagged ship which is loaded with 200,000 tons of iron ore, entered Canakkale Strait at 07.00 local time on Friday, adding the passage through Canakkale Strait lasted nearly three hours. Koral said that the ship will come near Istanbul Strait between 18.30 and 19.30 local time today. Officials of the Prime Ministry Maritime Undersecretary said that the ship which will come to Istanbul in the evening, won't be given permission to pass through the Strait on Thursday. The permission will be given to the ship on Saturday morning, they said adding that the traffic in the Straits will be completely closed to traffic during the passage. Meanwhile environmental non-governmental organizations are expected to protest the passage of the ship. [12] BALANCE OF PAYMENTS IN JANUARY-MAY 2000 (2)ANKARA - The Central Bank announced on Friday the balance of payments developments in the period of January-May 2000.The statement issued by the Central Bank is as follows: ''2-Other Goods and Services Income, Expenditures and Unrequited Transfers: In the January-May period of 2000, tourism revenues were 1.819 million U.S. dollars following an increase of 41,8 percent comparing to the same period of 1999. Interest income increased by 4,6 percent compared to the first five months of 1999, realizing as 1.030 million U.S. dollars, while other goods and services income reached 4.305 million U.S. dollars, decreasing by 16,5 percent. As for the expenditure side of the above mentioned items; it is observed that the tourism and interest expenditures increased by 25,7 percent and 5, 5 percent, respectively, while other services expenditures decreased by 13, 5 percent. As a result, the realizations in these items in the January-May period of 2000 were recorded as 778, 2.262 and 3.005 million U.S. dollars, respectively. During the same period, workers` remittances under the heading unrequited transfers materialized as 1.844 million U.S. dollars, decreasing by 5,9 percent. B-CAPITAL MOVEMENTS Regarding direct investments, in comparison with the same period of the last year, non-residents’ net direct investments in Turkey increased by 284 million U.S. dollars in the January-May period of 2000, amounting to 677 million U.S. dollars, while residents’ net direct investments abroad also increased by 638 million U.S. dollars, realizing as 776 million U.S. dollars. As a result, direct investments showed a net outflow of 99 million U.S. dollars. While borrowings through bond issues in international capital markets under portfolio investments recorded a net bond issue of 1.583 million U.S. dollars in the first five months of 1999, the amount of net borrowing during the same period of this year realized as 2.787 million U.S. dollars. On the other hand, residents` security transactions abroad classified under security investments that had shown net purchases of 273 million U.S. dollars in January-May 1999, have also resulted in net purchases of 78 million U.S. dollars in January-May 2000. As for non-residents` security transactions in Turkey, net purchases of 307 million U.S. dollars in January-May 1999 and net sales of 138 million U.S. dollars were recorded for the same period of this year. Consequently, portfolio investments recorded an inflow of 1.617 million U.S. dollars and 2.571 million U.S. dollars in the January-May period of 1999 and 2000, respectively. The net outflow of 957 million U.S. dollars in long-term capital movements in the first five months of 1999, resulted in a net inflow of 1.001 million U.S. dollars in the same period of 2000. As for the sub-categories of this caption; long-term foreign exchange credit disbursements increased to 5.982 million U.S. dollars, from 3.107 million U.S. dollars generally due to the increase of 544 million U.S. dollars in long term borrowings of general government and due to the increase of 2.254 million U.S. dollars in long term borrowings of other sectors. Repayments increased to 5.248 million U.S. dollars, from 4.165 million U.S. dollars, in the first five months of 2000. The last principal item under long term capital movements, deposits with the Central Bank, which had increased in the amount of 101 million U.S. dollars in January-May 1999, increased by 267 million U.S. dollars in the same period of 2000. As for the assets side of short-term capital movements, while loans extended had realized as 312 million U.S. dollars in the January-May period of 1999, this item realized as 85 million U.S. dollars in the same period of 2000. Banks' foreign exchange holdings with foreign correspondents which had dropped by 724 million U.S. dollars in January-May 1999, decreased by 912 million U.S. dollars in the same period of 2000. As for the liability side of short-term capital movements, in January-May 1999, an increase was observed in the amount of 547 million U.S. dollars while 1.277 million U.S. dollars of increase was recorded in January-May 2000. One of the principal items in this category, loans received by banks, which had shown a net increase of 1.036 million U.S. dollars in January-May 1999, recorded a net increase in the amount of 809 million U.S. dollars in the same period of 2000. In addition, in trade credits, which is under the other sectors, a net disbursement of 194 million U.S. dollars was observed in January-May 1999 while 732 million U.S. dollars of net disbursement was realized in January- May 2000. As for the foreign exchange credits, which is also under the other sectors, a net repayment of 15 million U.S. dollars and 258 million U.S. dollars were recorded in January-May 1999 and 2000, respectively. As a result, in the periods indicated, loans received under the short-term capital movements-liabilities recorded net inflows of 1.227 and 1.308 million U.S. dollars, respectively. FX deposit accounts which had shown a decrease of 680 million U.S. dollars in the January-May period of 1999, also recorded a decrease in the amount of 31 million U.S. dollars in the first five months of 2000, mostly owing to the decrease in non-residents' foreign exchange deposit accounts opened with the resident banks. C-RESERVE MOVEMENTS In line with the above stated developments, the official reserves, which had increased by 3.653 million U.S. dollars in the first five months of 1999, increased by 850 million U.S. dollars in the same period of 2000.'' (End) [13] 18 KG HEROIN SEIZED IN GAZIANTEPGAZIANTEP - Security forces confiscasted more than 18 kilograms of heroin in southeastern Gaziantep province.Gaziantep Security Directorate said on Friday that disguising as buyers, police set up connection with five drug smugglers. It said police caught red-handed while those five people were trying to sell 18 kg 613 grams of heroin to policemen. The five durg smugglers were detained, and three other people were wanted in connection with the smuggling, it added. [14] GENEVA TALKS ON CYPRUS ENDGENEVA - The second stage of the third round of the proximity talks on Cyprus ended on Friday.Alvaro De Soto, the U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan's Special Representative to Cyprus had his last contacts with Rauf Denktas, the President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) and the Greek Cypriot leader Glafcos Clerides in the morning. Speaking after the meeting, Denktas said that the U.N. didn't present a new thing to the Turkish side. ''Now it is time to think and evaluate till September 12. I am pleased by our attitude,'' Denktas said. De Soto is expected to hold a press briefing and give information about the talks. [15] GSM 1800 LICENSE AGREEMENT -TRANSPORTATION MINISTER: ''DRAFT AGREEMENT WILL BE PROBABLY SENT TO THE COMPETITION BOARD TODAY''ANKARA - Transportation and Communications Minister Enis Oksuz said on Friday that the GSM 1800 license draft agreement would probably be sent to the Competition Board the same day.Speaking to the A.A correspondent, Oksuz recalled that in accordance with the previous protocol, they had stated that they could sign the license draft agreement till the end of July. Noting that the signing of the draft agreement was postponed due to the speculative news in the press about the base transmitters, Oksuz said, ''the consortium officials said that they would review their investments and set their cost account again, considering that they could make supplementary payment due to base transmitters. We told them that a regulations had been prepared for the base transmitters within the framework of the European Union standards. They were persuaded. The Transportation and Communications Ministry and the consortium initialled the license draft agreement which will probably be sent to the Competition Board today. Later, it will be sent to the Council of State. We will wait for the opinion of the Council of State which should give its response within two months at the latest.'' Stating that the consortium should pay 2 billion 525 million U.S. dollars for the transfer of the license, Oksuz said, ''the consortium should pay 500 million of its bid in advance after the signing of the agreement, and the remaining amount in three months at the latest.'' [16] PRESIDENT ARAFAT OF PALESTINE DUE IN TURKEY (2) -ARAFAT TO SEEK SUPPORT TO DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENT PALESTINIAN STATEANKARA - Palestinian President Yasser Arafat will seek support to the declaration of independent Palestinian state during his contacts in Ankara on Saturday.Diplomatic sources said on Friday that Arafat who started touring several countries to seek support after the Camp David Summit, would arrive in Ankara early on Saturday to meet with President Ahmet Necdet Sezer, Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit and Foreign Minister Ismail Cem. After the working lunch in which he will meet with President Sezer and other officials, Arafat will leave Ankara and continue his tour. Diplomatic sources said that Arafat would request support from Turkey to independent Palestinian state he was planning to declare on September 13, and convey his opinion that ''Turkey should be influential on Israel by playing a more active role in the Middle East.'' After the sides failed to reach an agreement at the Camp David Summit, President Arafat had held contacts in Egypt, France, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria and South Africa to seek support to declaration of independent Palestinian state. Meanwhile, Arab diplomatic sources stress that Turkey is an important country in the region but it doesn't follow a policy in parallel to its importance in the region, emphasizing that Turkey should undertake a more active role in developments concerning the region. Defending that Turkey does not have a ''comprehensive Middle East policy'', same sources claim that the current cooperation between Turkey and Israel harmed the neutrality, making Ankara one of the sides of the problem. Noting that Turkey had ''historical responsibilities'' in the region and Jerusalem had been ruled by the Ottoman Empire for long years, same sources say that Turkey should fulfil this responsibility and should not remain silent. A high-level Arab diplomat who shared the opinion of Arab sources said that Turkey should play a more active role in the region, adding Turkey was one of the most powerful forces in the region so it should play a role in parallel to its force. Noting that Turkey was one of the first countries that recognized the Palestinian state, the high-level Arab diplomat said that the Palestinian and Israeli leaders could meet in Ankara. ''Why does not Turkey bring such a proposal clearly?'', the Arab official said. Same sources say that Turkey had a special position in the Arab public, adding that they were pleased with President Sezer's attending the funeral of late Syrian President Hafez Al-Assad. Meanwhile, the Israeli side considers Ankara's position as ''satisfactory''. In a press conference he staged early in the week, Israeli Ambassador to Turkey Uri Bar-Ner recalled that Ankara had made a statement after the Camp David talks, and that Turkey's statement was satisfactory. [17] CREW OF TURKISH VESSEL SANK OFF-ITALY ARRIVE IN TURKEYGEMLIK - The 22-person crew of the ''MV Hasat'' which sank off-shore Sicily island of Italy on August 1 was brought to Turkey by another vessel on Friday. Suha Izmirligil, the General Director of the Mariner Dis Gemicilik A.S., the owner of the MV Hasat, recalled that an explosion had occurred at about 03:30 a.m. on August 1 in the engine room of the the 8,921 gross ton- vessel Hasat which was 135 meters in length and was carrying containers from Marsailles to Piraeus while it was 150-200 nautical miles east of Sicily.Izmirligil said the crew of Hasat had been rescued by the Dutch-flagged vessel ''Govedil''. The reason for the explosion had not been known yet, and they suffered from a 25 million U.S. dollars financial loss, he added. [18] JUSTICE MINISTER TURK GIVES INFORMATION ABOUT THREE DRAFT LAWS SUBMITTED TO PARLIAMENTANKARA - Hikmet Sami Turk, the Minister of Justice gave information on Friday about the three draft laws submitted to the parliament.The draft laws foresees an autonomous structure for Directorate General of Prisons, Turk said. The Directorate of Evaluation and Support Department and Turkey Justice Academy will be set up, he noted. Speaking in a press briefing he held at the Justice Ministry building, Turk said that they presented three draft laws to the parliament to improve the service of judiciary organs. The Directorate General of European Union (EU) and Information will also be set up in the Ministry, Turk said and noted that ''the national justice computer network will be founded. This will be completed in 2004 at the latest and all the courts in Turkey will exchange information among themselves. Our courts will be faster and they will also get information from the European Court of Human Rights.'' ''Aren't there any reactions to the 'F' type prisons other than relatives of prisoners?'' asked a journalist to Turk who said that he was ready to listen to all the sections of the society. [19] 20 KG HEROIN SEIZED IN GURPINARVAN - Narcotics officials seized 20 kilograms of heroin in an operation in Gurpinar township of eastern Van province on Friday.Sources said that narcotics officials, acting on a tip-off, had stopped an automobile coming from Baskale township of Van. In their search, officials confiscated 20 kilograms of pure heroin hidden in the cache of the automobile. Officials said the market value of the heroin was almost 500 billion Turkish liras. Officials said the driver of the automobile was detained, and another
person was wanted in connection with the smuggling.[00] TURKISH CYPRIOTS TO
VISIT ERENKOY BY SEA The Greek Cypriots don't permit 800 TRNC citizens to visit Erenkoy by land on August 8 to commemorate the 36th anniversary of Erenkoy Resistance. The Greek Cypriot administration doesn't allow them to go to Erenkoy by land as a retaliation to the moving forward of the watchman towers in Akyar (Strovilia) village. Erenkoy Fighters Association issued a written statement and condemned the Greek Cypriot administration which didn't give permission to the TRNC citizens to go to Erenkoy by land. Meanwhile the Greek Cypriots won't come to the Apastopolos Andreas Monastry in Dipkarpaz region of TRNC on August 15 for a prayer. [20] GENEVA TALKS ON CYPRUS END (2) -U.N. REPRESENTATIVE DE SOTO SAYS HE DIDN'T ISSUE NEW PROPOSALS TO THE CONCERNED SIDESGENEVA - Alvaro De Soto, the Special Representative of the U.N. Secretary General to Cyprus said on Friday that he didn't issue new proposals to the concerned sides at the second stage of the third round of the proximity talks on Cyprus, which ended the same day.Staging a press briefing, De Soto said the proximity talks are just like a ''tree in action'' adding this is a process, its continuation is important. De Soto noted that nobody should regard this process in parts, adding that they are always ready to present proposals. ''That is why I am urging that the long view be taken,'' he added. The aim of the proxomity talks is to find a 'comprehensive settlement' to the problem, said De Soto and noted that this term means a solution method whose implementation will be inspected by independent mechanisms and which will have a binding calendar. ''The basis is that nothing is agreed until everything is agreed. It's quite possible that you will not be seeing evidence of progress as we go along in dribs and drabs but rather than you will have to wait until everything is concluded,'' de Soto cautioned. ''The goal is an ambitious one. A comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem: one that comprises everything that must be settled in order to put an end to the problem, leaving nothing to be negotiated afterwards,'' he said. We can't say that we reached a consensus without reaching a consensus on all issues, he said and noted that the embargo on news about the talks will continue. When journalists told them there are claims saying that the EU and the U.S. put pressure in a contradictory way, De Soto pointed out that he didn't witness such a pressure. De Soto stressed that they search for a solution which will satisfy all the Cypriots, adding they want to find a solution which will be to the interest of the all Cypriots. When Greek Cypriots journalists asked Denktas whether or not the confederation proposal of Denktas contradicts with the U.N. Security Council Resolutions, De Soto said that all the issues should be on the table during the talks, as this was also stressed by the U.N. Security Council Resolution. There are many ways for solution, all kinds of issues can be put onto the agenda, he noted. De Soto said that the disputes between the sides through the media have lessened this time and said this is an encouraging development. De Soto noted that the issue of confidence building measures are not a part of this process thus they were not discussed. U.N. mediator Alvaro de Soto said the negotiations would resume in New York September 12 and run into October. De Soto added that there are many things to be thought about till the next round and to be taken up at the fourth round. [21] FOREST FIRE IN KARAISALI PARTLY TAKEN UNDER CONTROLADANA - Adana Governor Oguz Kagan Koksal said on Friday that the forest fire which broke out in Karaisali township of southern Adana province on Thursday was partly taken under control.Speaking to the A.A correspondent, Koksal said that the foest fire was still continuing in two regions. Officials said that the forested area destroyed in the fire had increased over to one thousand hectares so far. Officials added that fire-fighting teams backed by four fire-extinguisher helicopters were still trying to extinguish the fire. Meanwhile, the fire was not now threatening the partly evacuated Nuhlu and Omerli villages any more as a result of the measures they took, officials added. [22] FOREST FIRES -PRESIDENT SEZER: ''AS CITIZENS AND NATION, IT IS OUR ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITY AND DUTY TO PROTECT ALL OF OUR NATURAL BEAUTIES AND HAND OVER THESE NATIONAL HERITAGE FORESTS TO NEXT GENERATIONS''ANKARA - President Ahmet Necdet Sezer said on Friday that as citizens and nation, it was their essential responsibility and primary task to protect all natural beauties and hand over those national heritage forests to next generations.President Sezer made a statement on forest fires broke out in many parts of Turkey. The Presidential Press Center said that President Sezer stated in his statement that forest fires which broke out in many parts of the country, especially in Karaisali township of southern Adana province created great sorrow among the Turkish nation. Noting that thousands of forested areas were destroyed due to fires despite all measures, President Sezer said, ''not only our forests but also natural balances which are very important for the continuation of life are destroyed due to the forest fires which are caused by little mistakes in general.'' ''As citizens and nation, it is our essential responsibility and duty and primary task to protect all of our natural beauties and hand over these national heritage forests to next generations. It should not be forgotten that Turkey's future is in question. Protection of our forests is equal to protection of Turkey's future. With this respect, I call each of the Turkish citizens to protect Turkey's future and forests,'' the President said. ''I want to convey my sorrow to the people living in the regions affected by the forest fires, and I hope that the continuing forest fires will be extinguished as soon as possible. With this respect, I thank all citizens and officials who are expending grat efforts to extinguish those forest fires,'' the President stated. [23] PREMIER ECEVIT: ''PRESIDENT DOES NOT HAVE ANY HESITATION ABOUT THE ESSENCE OF KHK ON CIVIL SERVANTS''ANKARA - Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said on Friday that the President does not have any hesitation about the essence of the decree having the force of law (KHK) on civil servants.''I have the impression that President Sezer is hesitant about bringing this sanction by a KHK,'' Ecevit stressed. Responding to questions of journalists after the leaders summit, Ecevit said that the KHK on civil servants was taken up at the summit. ''I hope Sezer's hesitation about the KHK will be overcome in the coming days,'' Ecevit noted. Ecevit noted that Palestinian President Yasser Arafat and the TRNC President Rauf Denktas will come to Turkey on Saturday. Stressing that the private sector is behind the public sector in the struggle with inflation, Ecevit noted that the stability programme will be carried out in resolution. [24] TURKISH MINORITY REACTS TO GREEK ALLEGATIONS ABOUT WESTERN THRACEKOMOTINI - Turkish minority living in Western Thrace reacted to the Greek Foreign Ministry's statement which said that the Western Thrace Turkish minority was a happy minority which did not have any problems.PASOK deputy Galip Galip told the A.A correspondent that the Greek Foreign Ministry's statement about the Western Thrace did not reflect the truth. Galip stressed that the Turkish minority was still encountering several vital problems in fields like education, economy and religious freedom, especially in expressions of their national identity although there had been some positive developments about thier problems compared to the past. ''Claiming that these problems do not exist is nothing but nonsensical words aiming at hiding the truths,'' Galip said. Galip stressed that Turkey was a guarantor state in accordance with the Lausanne Treaty which defined the status of the Turkish minority. Galip said, ''As the Western Thracian Turks, we are pleased with the sensitivities shown by the motherland and guarantor state Turkey to the Western Thracian Turks' peaceful struggle for gaining their rights which are recognized by the international agreements,'' he added. [25] PREMIER ECEVIT: (2) ''WE WON'T WITHDRAW CIVIL SERVANTS DECREE''ANKARA - Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said on Friday that they don't think of withdrawing the decree having the force of law (KHK) on civil servants, which was submitted to the President.Ecevit noted that the decrease in the cost of production due to the inflation rates didn't reflect to the consumers, adding the decision of the Turkish Electricity Production and Transfer Inc. (TEDAS) about electricity production is just. Speaking to journalists at the Prime Ministry building after the leaders summit, Ecevit said that Palestinian President Yasser Arafat will come to Turkey on Saturday and he will get information from Arafat about his meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak in the U.S. Ecevit said that Rauf Denktas, the President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) will also come to Istanbul on Saturday following the end of Geneva talks, adding he will listen to the evaluations of Denktas about the talks in Geneva. Ecevit noted that he will also get information tomorrow about the measures that will be taken by the Istanbul Governorship in a possible earthquake in Istanbul. Ecevit noted that the prices of wholesale products increased by 1 percent in July, but those of the consumers increased by 2.2 percent and this was ''interesting.'' ''It seems that the decrease in the cost of production didn't reflect to the consumers. 70 percent of the increase in the consumer prices stems from the private sector as State Statistical Institute (DIE) says. While the manufactured goods industry index increased only by 13.9 percent in public sector, it increased by 21.4 percent in private sector. This shows that the private sector is lagging behind the public sector in the struggle with inflation. I hope the private sector institutions will get the necessary results from that. The Council of Ministers and the concerned public institutions will continue their struggle with the inlfation in a determined way,'' said Ecevit. Responding to questions of journalists, Ecevit said that they didn't convene the leaders summit for a long time. ''We evaluated the developments. It has been a very beneficial meeting,'' Ecevit said. Upon a question, Ecevit said that President Ahmet Necdet Sezer didn't want him to withdraw the KHK on civil servants. Ecevit noted that he will meet with TRNC Premier Dervis Eroglu when necessary. He can meet with Eroglu again if necessary, said Ecevit. Responding to a question about the visit of Arafat to Turkey, Ecevit said that Turkey tries to play an active role in the Middle East. Pointing out to the importance which Turkey, an important Middle East country, attributes to the peace process, Ecevit said that ''in that respect I think that our meeting with Arafat will be beneficial. Israeli Premier Barak had explained his impressions and views to us before Camp David talks in his long letters. We are in continious contact with both Mr. Barak and Mr. Arafat.'' When asked about the cancellation of certain weapon projects which were foreseen to be carried out together with Israel, Ecevit said that Turkey considers the projects not from political aspect, but from financial and technological aspects. Upon another question about the debate on taking out the parts of blood, religion and marital status from new identity cards, Ecevit said that the project is very important. Ecevit said that there are various proposals about the information that is foreseen to be included in the identity cards. (END) [26] FAO REPRESENTATIVE TO TURKEY MUTHOO: ''IMPROVING AGRICULTURAL SECTOR IN TAJIKISTAN CAN CREATE OPPORTUNITIES FOR TURKISH EXPERTS AND ENTERPRENEURS''ANKARA - Dr. Maharaj Muthoo, the Representative of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) to Turkey, said on Friday that the need to improve the agricultural sector in Tajikistan creates opportunities for Turkish experts, enterpreneurs and institutions.Muthoo, who called Turkey to help Tajikistan as the drought and lack of food reached serious dimensions in this country, said that the existing reform process in Tajikistan should be speeded up and the uncertainities in the agriculture sector should be overcome. Dr. Muthoo noted that Turkey has the necessary food for itself and he mentioned the success reached in agriculture field in Southeast Anatolian Project (GAP). [27] GENEVA TALKS ON CYPRUS END (3) -TRNC PRESIDENT DENKTAS:''CLERIDES SHOULD TELL THE REALITIES TO HIS PEOPLE''GENEVA - Rauf Denktas, the President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) said on Friday that the Greek Cypriot leader Glafcos Clerides should tell the realities to his people by acting as a brave leader.Speaking to reporters after the end of the second stage of the third round of the proximity talks held in Geneva, Denktas said that the way to the solution of the Cyprus problem is to accept the realities. ''Whatever their names are, there are two separate administrations and two separate states on Cyprus for 37 years. The common state collapsed 37 years ago. These realities should be accepted and this vicious circle should be broken. Clerides can be a strong leader when necessary. I hope he will act as a brave leader and tell the reality to his people that they don't represent the Turkish Cypriots and they are not the government of the whole Cyprus,'' Denktas. He pointed out that they brought the cause of Turkish Cypriot to the negotiation table in a very good way, Denktas added that the coordinators whom they met with accepted that the documents they put forward are well prepared and comprehensive. ''We put forward our proposal of confederation in its all dimensions to the table. De Soto and the coordinators hoped to reach a result or least a frame from this round of talks. As far as I understood the lack of flexibility on the Greek Cypriot side impeded that,'' Denktas said. He added that Alvaro De Soto is a very good diplomat who knows his subject very well, noting that De Soto is a good man who wants to help the concerned sides sincerely. He will come together with Premier Bulent Ecevit in Istanbul and evaluate the issue from all of its aspects, said Denktas and noted that there is no time limitation in proximity talks. ''This does not mean that we will drift for a long time, the contacts can continue as long as our equal rights are protected,'' he added. American and British coordinators functioned by supporting the efforts of the United Nations (U.N), Denktas noted and denied the claims saying that these countries put pressure on the concerned sides. The demand of the U.S. to speed up the process before the coming elections is natural, he added and noted that there are differences between the attitudes of the U.S. and Britain.
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