Anadolu Agency: News in English, 00-09-15

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ANADOLU AGENCY

NEWS

15 SEPTEMBER 2000 Friday

CONTENTS

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

[02] DEBATE IN U.S. CONGRESS SUB-COMMITTEE ON DRAFT BILL ON SO-CALLED GENOCIDE ON ARMENIANS (1)

[03] PROXIMITY TALKS ON CYPRUS -ANNAN MEETS WITH CEM

[04] DEBATE IN U.S. CONGRESS SUB-COMMITTEE ON BILL ON SO-CALLED GENOCIDE ON ARMENIANS (2)

[05] NATO MILITARY COMMITTEE STARTS

[06] FLOOD IN ELMALI -150 HOUSES AND FIELDS IN 4 VILLAGES INUNDATED

[07] GAP TO BE INTRODUCED TO 200 SCIENTISTS FROM VARIOUS COUNTRIES

[08] EXPORT FROM GAP REGION TO THE EU

[09] TURKISH AIRLINES TO START FLIGHTS TO PRAGUE AND WARSAW

[10] JUSTICE MINISTER TURK SAYS BILL ON OMBUDSMAN HAS BEEN OPENED TO SIGNATURE IN CABINET

[11] ECEVIT SAYS RELATING AMENDMENT OF ARTICLE 312 TO ERBAKAN WOULD MAKE CHANGE MORE DIFFICULT

[12] BRITISH DELEGATION VISITS DIYARBAKIR

[13] FRENCH FOREIGN MINISTRY SECRETARY GENERAL HENNEKINNE TO VISIT TURKEY

[14] PARLIAMENT SPEAKER AKBULUT TO GO TO BULGARIA ON SATURDAY

[15] STATE MINISTER SUKRU SINA GUREL MEETS WITH BRITISH DEPUTY STATE MINISTER IN CHARGE OF INTERNAL AFFAIRS

[16] STATE MINISTER TOSKAY LEAVES ENGLAND

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

8000 WOMAN GENDARME
General Commandership of the Gendarme will recruit 8,000 woman gendarme. The proposal about the issue has been submitted to the parliament. If the parliament approves it, the woman gendarme will carry out the office work. Some of them will be charged in police stations.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

CEM:''ARMENIANS SHOULD NOT SPEAK NONSENSE''
Foreign Minister Ismail Cem said that ''we didn't respond to the hostilities of the Armenians with hostility till today. Armenians should give up talking nonsense so that we can set up better relations.'' Cem stressed that Armenians try to found their own unity on the hostility of Armenians.

SABAH (LIBERAL)

EXPERT ''LEADERS'' DUE IN TURKEY
The ''Leadership 2000 Conference'' which is organized by Yurekli Consultancy firm will be organized between 14-15 November at Istanbul Swiss Hotel. Many famous ''leaders'' will issue speeches at the conference. Peter Senge, who is an expert in leadership and who is the author of the book ''The Fifth Discipline'' will come and speak in the conference. The Ninth President Suleyman Demirel, and businessmen Bulent Eczacıbası and Cem Boyner will attend the conference from Turkey.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

MGV BRAINWASHES
The documents seized in the offices of the National Youth Foundation (MGV) in operations showed that the foundation gave systematic education based on religious principles from primary school students to university students. Kayseri and Ankara branches of the foundation was closed yesterday.

RADIKAL (LEFT)

BAHCELI UNDERTAKES MISSION IN SOUTHEAST
The implementation of the action plan composed of 107 articles which was prepared by the government to develop the southeastern regions of Turkey will be particularly carried out by the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP). Devlet Bahceli, the leader of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) and the Deputy Premier will discuss the southeast Turkey in the monthly meetings of his party with investor ministers.

YENI BINYIL (LIBERAL)

BAYAR APPOINTED TO TELECOM
Privatization Administration Board (OIB) Chairman Ugur Bayar will also serve as the Chairman of the Commission for Turkish Telecom's Privatization Tender. The OIB said that the Tender Commission which had been formed to carry out sale and tender procedure of the Turkish Telecom included the representatives of the OIB, Transportation and Communication Ministry, Treasury Undersecretary, Capital Market Board (SPK) and ''Turk Telekomunikasyon Inc.''

TURKIYE (RIGHT)

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

IKV CHAIRMAN ERIS:EU WON'T DIVIDE US
Meral Eris, the President of the Economic Development Foundation (IKV) said that ''we must give up the paranoia of ''EU will divide us.'' This is not true, said Eris and noted that Turkey has to overcome its deficiences in being a legal state on the path to the European Union (EU).

[02] DEBATE IN U.S. CONGRESS SUB-COMMITTEE ON DRAFT BILL ON SO-CALLED GENOCIDE ON ARMENIANS (1)

Marc Grossman, the U.S. State Department's personnel director and former Assistant Secretary of State said that if the bill is adopted, the Turkish- Armenian relations will be hurt badly.

Grossman stressed that the U.S. President Bill Clinton told in his meeting with President Ahmet Necdet Sezer that he was against the bill last week.

Grossman noted that if the draft bill is adopted by the U.S. House of Representatives, negative developments will take place in Cyprus, Northern Iraq and Caucasus and the political and economic relations between Turkey and the U.S. will be damaged.

Christopher Smith, the chairman of the sub-committee said after the same day's session that a voting on the bill will take place in the sub- committee next Wednesday.

Observers said that the members of the committee who support Turkey can get the majority and the draft bill can be taken out from the agenda, but the opposite is also a possiblity.

If the sub-committee adopts the draft bill, it will be brought to the upper committee of International Relations.

Meanwhile, the members of the committee who support Armenians broadcast a videotape of an ABC television channel programme about the so-called genocide which was full of mistakes.

David Bonior, the head of the Armenian lobby accused Turkey in his speech and he formed a parallelism between the genocide on Jews and the so-called genocide on Armenians.

Two of the sub-committee members talked against Turkey and three of them talked in favour.

[03] PROXIMITY TALKS ON CYPRUS -ANNAN MEETS WITH CEM

Speaking to the press after his meeting with U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan, Cem said that he hopes that the proximity talks will continue in a positive way.

Noting that everybody's talking about the statement of Annan will ''dilute the issue,'' Ismail Cem said that this can impede the sides' getting into action that has to start and everybody should refrain from that.

Cem noted that they also took up the Kosovo and the Middle East issues with the U.N. Secretary General.

Annan also met with George Papandreou, the Greek Foreign Minister the same day.

[04] DEBATE IN U.S. CONGRESS SUB-COMMITTEE ON BILL ON SO-CALLED GENOCIDE ON ARMENIANS (2)

The draft bill brought by the Armenian lobby which proposed giving training to the personnel of the U.S. State Department and other departments about the so-called genocide on Armenians and which proposed issuing official statements to commemorate the so-called genocide every year on April 24. The draft bill was discussed in a 5,5 hour-panel discussion at the sub- committee of International Operations and Human Rights of the U.S. House of Representatives.

Gunduz Aktan, who participated in the panel discussion as a speaker, said that Armenia which wants to prove the genocide claims, should apply to the International Court of Human Rights to find out whether or not the incidents which happened 85 years ago were genocide. Aktan stressed that Armenia won't do this as she knows that she does not have a valid case.

Brad Sherman, an MP from Democrat Party who supports the draft bill, said that ''you tell your own personal opinion, you don't speak in the name of the Turkish government. If the Turkish government tells that it supports bringing the issue to the International Court of Justice, there won't be any need to vote this draft bill.''

Aktan noted that the draft bill will damage both Turkey-Armenia and Turkey- U.S. relations, adding that the Cyprus will be the first loss in respect of the Turkey-U.S. relations, because the U.S. will lose its status of honest mediator in the eyes of the Turkish public opinion. ''The U.S. President's Special Representative to Cyprus Al Moses won't find an interlocutor,'' Aktan said.

Turkey and the U.S. make cooperation in the Caucasus, said Aktan and noted that the Caspian energy corridor achieved great importance due to the increasing oil prices and cooperation with the U.S. will be limited in this region if the U.S. describes Turkey as ''a country which committed genocide.''

Aktan added that the cooperation regarding the Iraq issue will also be damaged, pointing out that ''there is little support for the American policy in Iraq and Turkey suffers due to the embargo on Iraq. What is the use of having more difficulty? If this comes true, the American planes won't use the Incirlik base to bomb the Northern Iraq.''

Chris Smith, a MP from the Republican Party, who presides the panel discussion said that ''your statements are threats and threats don't have any use.'' Aktan stressed that his aim was not to threaten, adding that the Turkish people won't accept this draft bill. ''Such an atmosphere in Turkey will inevitably affect the strategic Turkish-American relations,'' said Aktan.

Marc Grossman, the U.S. State Department Personnel Director who was an ambassador in Turkey for years said in his part that ''the U.S. President Bill Clinton told President Ahmet Necdet Sezer that he was against the draft bill.''

Grossman noted that the U.S. administration believes that if the bill is adopted the efforts of peace and stability in the Caucasus will be more difficult and it will damage the American interests in Turkey.

Grossman stressed that Turkey plays an important role in the efforts to solve the Upper Karabakh problem, adding Turkey and Armenia try to normalize the relations and the adoption of the draft bill will damage these efforts.

Referring to the support Turkey extended as a NATO ally during the Cold War and her contributions during Korean War, Kosovo, and Desert Storm operation and in Bosina, Grossman said that Turkey is important to find a solution in Cyprus, adding Turkey has relations with both Israel and also Palestine and it supported the peace efforts in the Middle East.

Turkey will also play an important role in transporting Central Asian energy sources to the western markets, said Grossman and added that the cooperation of Turkey is necessary in finishing the Baku-Ceyhan project.

Grossman said that Turkey is a growing market for American exporters and Turkey purchased goods from the U.S. worth of 6 billion dollars in many fields like energy, defense, and agriculture.

Turkey has to do more things in the human rights field, yet Turkey recorded progress in this field like the U.S. President Bill Clinton told in the Turkish parliament in November during his visit to Turkey.

Acts which will damage the relations with Turkey will also make difficult the progress of Turkey in the human rights field, he said and added that there is not a debate on the fact that Armenians were forced to leave their homes and they were killed during the First world War. Grossman noted that yet many Turks and Kurds were also killed in that period and this issue has to be left to the historians.

Grossman noted that this issue can't be solved by draft bills, and dialogue and compromise is necessary.

When Smith asked him why did they have difficulty in accepting ''genocide'' as the U.S. administration, Grossman said ''this is not our issue, but the issue of Turkish and Armenian peoples. The solution of this is bringing Turks and Armenians together. The U.S. administration does not recognize these incidents as genocide. The U.S. President Clinton also does not use the word genocide in his statements.''

Frank Pallone, a Democrat Party MP claimed that if the bill isn't adopted, the ''genocide'' can be repeated.

Pallone defended the view that Turkey tries to impede Armenia at every possibility, adding that an Armenian delegation was returned back in a meeting held in Kars, Turkey. Pallone claimed that the Turkish government committed ''genocide'' on Armenians deliberately.

Justin McCarthy, a professor of history in Louisville University said that ''three million Turks died in the same period. Armenians forget that. This was not mentioned much not to provocate the hostility. Besides, it is said that 1,5 million Armenians faced genocide, the total population of the Armenians in Turkey at those times were half of that.''

Dan Burton, an MP from the Republican Peoples Party said that ''what will we do with thousands of American Indians killed in the past. Will we also describe that as genocide? This draft bill does not have any use other than damaging the relations with Turkey. 50 million people were killed by starvation in China and Russia, I don't think that a draft bill was prepared about these killings.''

Smith noted that the voting on the draft bill will take place next Wednesday at the sub-committee.

(END)

[05] NATO MILITARY COMMITTEE STARTS

The first part of the meeting was held in Greece.

Italian Admiral Guido Venturoni, the NATO Military Committee Head presides the meeting in which the chiefs of general staffs of the U.S., Britain, Turkey, Spain, Portugal, Poland, Norway, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Italy, Iceland, Hungary, Greece, Germany, France, Denmark, the Czech Republic, Canada and Belgium and high ranking NATO officials participate.

Chief of General Staff Gen. Huseyin Kıvrıkoglu and Admiral Venturoni will hold a press briefing at the end of the meeting.

[06] FLOOD IN ELMALI -150 HOUSES AND FIELDS IN 4 VILLAGES INUNDATED

Elmalı Head Official Aytac Akgun told A.A correspondent that no casualties were reported and three persons who were saved from the flood were hospitalized.

The rain water was discharged from the houses all night on Thursday, said Akgun and noted that ''nearly 150 houses were inundated in the township. There is not a very big material damage. But the cultivated fields in Buyuksoyle, Yalnızdam, Bozuyuk and Kısla villages were inundated. We started to assess the damage with a team of seven persons.''

Elmalı mayor Huseyin Altıntas said in his part that 80 percent of Elmalı was covered with mud, stones and rubble due to the torrential rain, adding the drinking water and sewer system were also damaged.

[07] GAP TO BE INTRODUCED TO 200 SCIENTISTS FROM VARIOUS COUNTRIES

GAP Regional Development Administration Director Erkan Alemdaroglu told A.A correspondent on Friday that the symposium will be held between 17-27 September in Hacettepe University.

Scientists will submit their presentations on hydro-geology and give information about the water sources and geology in their country, said Alemderoglu and noted that ''we, the GAP administration, will have the opportunity in this symposium to explain that the project carried out in the region is based on water and also explain its contributions to the development of the region. We will also invite scientists who participate in the symposium to the region.''

[08] EXPORT FROM GAP REGION TO THE EU

A total of 82 million 425 thousand dollars of goods were exported during the same period last year.

The data of Southeastern Anatolian Exporters Union reveal that, during January-August 2000 period, 1 million 41 thousand dollars of animal products, 1 million 41 thousand dollars of cereals products, dried beans and oily seeds and products, 12 million 563 thousand dollars of dried fruit and 79 million 265 thousand of textiles products were exported to the EU countries.

Italy, Germany and Britain were the countries to which most of the products were exported. Goods worth of 26 million 998 thousand dollars were exported to Italy. Goods worth of 17 million 628 thousand dollars were exported to Germany and of 16 million 530 thousand dollars were exported to Britain during the same period.

Dried apricot, cotton cord, synthetic cord, cotton and knitted textiles, plastic sack, and pistachio nut were the products which were exported most to the EU countries.

[09] TURKISH AIRLINES TO START FLIGHTS TO PRAGUE AND WARSAW

The flights to Prague, the Czech Republic will start on September 18 and will be without any transfers. The flights from Istanbul to Prague will be on Mondays, Thursdays and Sundays at 14.00 and the flights from Prague to Istanbul will be on the same days at 16.40 local time.

The direct flights to Warsaw, Poland will start on October 2. The flights from Istanbul to Warsaw will be on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 14.45, and the flights from Warsaw to Istanbul will be on the same days at 16.55 local time.

THY will increase the number of its foreign destinations to 77, with flights to Prague and Warsaw.

[10] JUSTICE MINISTER TURK SAYS BILL ON OMBUDSMAN HAS BEEN OPENED TO SIGNATURE IN CABINET

Speaking in a press briefing at the Ministry, Turk gave information about the bill.

Turk said that the suggestions and recommendations of ombudsperson were not binding and it won't replace the decisions of judiciary organs.

Turk noted that there is no possibility of a conflict between the administrative judiciary and ombudsman, adding that ''the success of this institution depends on the support of the public opinion.''

Turk said that the bill was opened to signature in the cabinet and it will be sent to the parliament as soon as possible.

[11] ECEVIT SAYS RELATING AMENDMENT OF ARTICLE 312 TO ERBAKAN WOULD MAKE CHANGE MORE DIFFICULT

Ecevit, after he appeared on a news programme on TRT 1, answered reporters questions while leaving the TRT building in Oran.

Dwelling on Article 312 of the TCK, Ecevit said the political parties have not yet discussed the details of this matter. ''However, all parties agree that it should be changed, if not lifted. But it is not clear yet what kind of a change is wanted. This subject was on Turkey's programme independent from Mr.Erbakan. I believe that a regulation will be made in the new legislative year.''

When asked if this could be used as a bargaining issue to pass some of the regulations that the government is planning, Ecevit said they would not accept bargaining. ''Relating changing of Article 312 to Erbakan would not make the change easy, but it would make it more difficult. I had expressed this earlier.''

[12] BRITISH DELEGATION VISITS DIYARBAKIR

British Economy and Trade Undersecretary Jane Macpherson; Industry and Trade Ministry Deputy General Director John Slate; Environment, Transportation and Regions Ministry Advisor Lee Shostak; Development of Export Director Adrian Baxter arrived in Diyarbakir on Friday morning and visited Diyarbakir mayor Feridun Celik.

Celik, during the meeting, told the British delegation that the region needed investments. ''Investments are possible through international effort. We will discuss some projects. We cannot contribute to these projects from our own budget because of their high cost. We will see which areas the British delegation can help us,'' Celik said.

Celik later presented a report to delegation members briefing Diyarbakir's problems. The report includes problems regarding accomodation, potable water, restoration of historical city walls, solid waste and sewer system, protection of archeological sites, employment, transportation, shopping centers, tourism and public services.

Speaking on behalf of the delegation, Macpherson said they are in Diyarbakir to search what they can do to help to solve the city's problems.

[13] FRENCH FOREIGN MINISTRY SECRETARY GENERAL HENNEKINNE TO VISIT TURKEY

The Foreign Ministry said that Hennekinne will have a meeting with Turkish Foreign MInistry Undersecretary Faruk Logoglu as a part of the regular political counseling mechanism between the two countries.

Logoglu and Hennekinne will exchange opinions on Turkish-French relations, Turkey-EU relations, as well as international and regional issues.

[14] PARLIAMENT SPEAKER AKBULUT TO GO TO BULGARIA ON SATURDAY

Prior to his departure, Akbulut will hold a press briefing at Ankara's Esenboga Airport.

Akbulut will have a meeting with Sokolov on Monday. On the same day, the parliament delegation led by Akbulut will have meetings with Bulgarian Parliament Foreign Policy and Integration Committee members. Bulgarian Acting President Todor Kavalciev will later receive the Turkish delegation.

Turkish Parliament delegation will have lunch with Bulgarian-Turkish Friendship Group and in the afternoon they will visit Bulgarian Prime Minister Ivan Kostov and Foreign Minister Nadejda Mihaylova.

Akbulut and his delegation will go to Plovdiv on September 19, Tuesday. After visiting Plovdiv Mayor Ivan Comakov, the delegation members will tour historical and touristic sites.

On his last day in Bulgaria, Akbulut and his deleation will meet with former prime minister Stefan Sofiyanksi and return home on September 20.

[15] STATE MINISTER SUKRU SINA GUREL MEETS WITH BRITISH DEPUTY STATE MINISTER IN CHARGE OF INTERNAL AFFAIRS

Gurel who is responsible from Turkish people living abroad started his last day appointments in London with Lord Bassam.

Speaking to journalists after the meeting, Gurel said that they discussed the issues that are important for Turkey. ''We focused on the difficulties our citizens are facing during visa and residence permission procedures.''

Gurel said his British counterpart assured them on the solution of the problems.

Gurel also noted that he expressed Turkey's concern on the weakening terrorist activities' links in Britain. ''Lord Bassam told us that they understand our concern on the issue and that they will take necessary measures on this matter.''Gurel said.

Gurel, later visited the International Turkish High School in Cambridge.

Gurel will return to Turkey at the evening hours.

[16] STATE MINISTER TOSKAY LEAVES ENGLAND

Toskay, during a conference titled ''Capital Markets and Investment in Turkey'', briefed other participants about the latest point Turkish economy has reached. The conference was jointly organized by Turkish-British Business Council and Foreign Economic Relations Council (DEIK).

On Thursday night, Toskay watched a concert by Turkish Presidency Symphony Orchestra at London's famous concert hall Royal Festival Hall.

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