Anadolu Agency: News in English, 00-09-30

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ANADOLU AGENCY

NEWS

30 SEPTEMBER 2000 Saturday

CONTENTS

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

BANKWATCH AFFIRMS ''C'' RATING TO KENTBANK
International rating organization Thomson Financial Bankwatch affirmed ''C'' rating to Kentbank and ''2'' rating to its short-term domestic borrowing. Kentbank issued a statement saying that the Bankwatch affirmed ''C'' rating as a result of its assets quality, powerful capital structure and successful strategy to vary fields of service. Stressing that Kentbank's short-term domestic borrowing rating was the second highest rating affirmed by Thomson Bankwatch, the statement said that this rating meant the high capacity of Kentbank to fulfil its liabilities just in time. Kentbank which was founded by the Suzer Holding has increased its paid capital to 50 trillion Turkish liras in 2000.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

SABAH (LIBERAL)

ANTONAKOPOULOS CALLS ON TURKISH BUSINESSMEN TO MAKE JOINT INVESTMENTS
Lefteris Antonakopoulos, the Chairman of the Greek Industrialists and Businessmen Association, said that Turkish businessmen have very important roles for the success of the economic program which Turkish government put into implementation. Antonakopoulos, who visits Turkey as the guest of Turkish Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association (TUSIAD), said Greece had experiences in the European Union (EU), and expressed willingness to convey them those experiences. Pointing out that important developments were recorded in Turkish-Greek relations, Antonakopoulos said there was a positive atmosphere for the two countries to make cooperations. Antonakopoulos said they would launch joint works with TUSIAD, adding that those works would cover economic, social, and political life. He said existing positive atmosphere between the two countries on politics should be reflected to economy.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

in the 1011 Main Maintenance and Repair Commandership in Ankara. The General Staff said that two civilian workers choked to death while trying to put out the fire which started during the test of signal pistol in the 1011 Main Maintenance and Repair Commandership. It said an investigation was under way related with the incident.

PRESIDENT SEZER DUE TO CENTRAL ASIA IN OCTOBER
President Ahmet Necdet Sezer will pay visits to four Turkish Republics in Central Asia between 16 and 20 October. Tacan Ildem, the Presidential Cabinet Chief and Foreign Affairs Chief Consultant, and Metin Yalman, the Presidential Spokesman and Press Counsellor, staged the weekly press conference at the Presidential Palace. Ildem said that Sezer attributed vital importance to improvement of relations with the Turkish Republics in the Caucasus and Central Asia. Within this framework, Sezer would visit Uzbekistan on October 16, Turkmenistan on October 17, Kyrgyzstan on October 18, and Kazakhstan on October 19, Ildem noted.

RADIKAL (LEFT)

NEW LEGISLATIVE YEAR TO START ON SUNDAY
Parliament's 21st term third legislative year will start with President Ahmet Necdet Sezer's speech on Sunday. An opening ceremony will be held at Ataturk's mausoleum at 02:00 p.m. Since Parliament Speaker Yildirim Akbulut's term will be over, the oldest Acting Parliament Spaker Vecdi Gonul will lay a wreath to the monument and he will also supervise the opening meeting at the Parliament. After singing of the National Anthem, Sezer will deliver an opening speech. At the meeting, a decleration will be read out about the congressional resolution recognizing the so-called Armenian genocide, prepared by the representatives of the five parties in Parliament. Parliament's first job will be to elect its speaker. Parliament General Council will recess for ten days after Sunday and during this time the candidates will submit their applications.

YENİ BİNYIL (LIBERAL)

YAPI KREDI OBTAINS 300 MILLION U.S. DOLLARS LOAN
''Yapi ve Kredi Bankasi'' of Turkey raised 300 million U.S. dollars through a syndicated loan from international markets. Yapi Kredi said that a total of 23 international banks led the one-year maturity syndicated loan with libor+0.5 percent interest rate. The agreement on the syndicated loan was signed in London the same day by Yapi ve Kredi Bankasi General Director Naci Sigin and representatives of creditor banks. It said that Yapi Kredi which had applied to foreign markets to renew its 170 million U.S. dollars loan obtained a 300 million U.S. dollars loan within five weeks. It added that the loan which was arranged as a ''self arranged club deal'' would be used in financing of exports before transfer.

TURKIYE (RIGHT)

PHOTOGRAPHS OF TWO CITIES
''Merhaba Athens, Here Istanbul'' photography exhibition which was organized by the Pamukbank with the aim of making an artistic contribution to friendly relations between Turkey and Greece, opened in Istanbul. In the exhibition, a total of 42 photographs taken in Istanbul and Athens by five Turkish and Greek photographers, are being displayed. Ara Guler, Izzet Keribar, Arif Asci, Cem Turgay and Sinan Kocaslan from Turkey, and Nicos Ecomopulos, Nici Typaldou, Alcis X. Xanthakis, Nicos Desyilas and Stathis Efstathiadis from Greece are participating in the exhibition with their photographs.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

-OIL PRODUCTION -IN FIRST NINE MONTHS, TPAO PRODUCES 6.4 MILLION BARRELS OF
OIL

GAZIANTEP - The Turkish Petroleum Corporation (TPAO) produced a total of 6 million 431 thousand 61 barrels of oil in Adiyaman Province, the biggest oil reserve of Turkey, in the first nine months of 2000.

Officials at the Regional Directorate of the TPAO told the A.A correspondent on Saturday that 47.5 percent of the oil production in Turkey was provided from 163 oil wells in Adiyaman, Sanliurfa and Kilis.

The TPAO produces 23 thousand 557 barrels of oil per day.

-IN FIRST EIGHT MONTHS, 89.5 MILLION U.S. DOLLARS OF THREAD EXPORTED FROM
GAP REGION
GAZIANTEP - The exports of thread from the Southeastern Anatolia Project (GAP) region in the first eight months of 2000 decreased to 89 million 522 thousand U.S. dollars. In the same period last year, the region exported 104 million 279 thousand U.S. dollars of thread.

Officials at the Southeastern Anatolia Exporters' Union, told the A.A correspondent on Saturday that in the first eight months of the year, they exported 31 million 150 thousand U.S. dollars in cotton thread; and 58 million 372 thousand U.S. dollars in synthetic thread.

The majority of the goods were exported to the U.S., Belgium, Syria, Israel, Italy, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Spain, Germany, Romania, Britain, France and Greece.

-PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT: -''PRESIDENT SEZER IS AN AUTHORITY OF LAW,
BUT POLICY DOES NOT CONSIST OF LAW''
ANKARA - Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said on Saturday, ''we have begun to know each other with President Ahmet Necdet Sezer in the working atmosphere. We will be accustomed to each other in the course of time. We have to do so.''

Addressing a television program on the private CNN-Turk Channel, Prime Minister Ecevit said, ''President Sezer is a significant authority of law, but policy does not consist of law. There are also economic and social problems in the policy. What is important is to provide a harmony between the law and these elements. Such a harmony can only be provided by setting up dialogue. We believe that we could resolve these problems through dialogue. we have begun to know each other with President Ahmet Necdet Sezer in the working atmosphere. We will be accustomed to each other in the course of time. We have to do so.''

Prime Minister Ecevit recalled that the government prepared a decree with the force of law (KHK) which was urgent in regard to foreign aids, with the contribution of jurists.''

Pointing out that disagreements might occur between the President and the government from time to time on the issues of KHKs and draft laws, Prime Minister Ecevit said, ''what is important in such a case is to find an acceptable solution. We think that this solution is the Constitutional Court.''

When asked whether or the government wanted resignation of President Sezer, Prime Minister Ecevit said, ''no. We do not have the authority or the right to demand resignation of the President. President Sezer will serve as the President of Turkey for seven years. It is impossible to discuss it. We do not have such an expectation.''

Stressing that dialogue between the President and government should be developed, Prime Minister Ecevit noted, ''we have to understand each other.''

Referring to the resolution regarded with so-called genocide on Armenians which was approved by the U.S. House of Representatives International Operations and Human Rights Sub-Committee, Prime Minister Ecevit expressed his satisfaction with the U.S. Administration's attitude.

Ecevit said, ''the U.S. Administration said that if this resolution is approved by the U.S. House of Representatives, Turkey can bring onto agenda a series of sanctions from position of Incirlik Base to ceasing the Operation Northern Watch. In that case, we will have to take effective and deterrent measures without forgeting the fact that the U.S. is one of our strategical allies. The U.S. Administration knows that our reaction would be rightful.''

Prime Minister Ecevit emphasized, ''there are some circles trying to establish a religious state in Turkey. But they are not strong enough to change the regime in Turkey. I believe that democratization process in Turkey could not be ceased.''

''The Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) has some problems on the issue of abolishment of capital punishment,'' he said.

Referring to discussions on broadcast in Kurdish language, Prime Minister Ecevit said, ''there are television channels in several Western countries broadcasting ideological programs in Kurdish language. During our recent visit to southeastern provinces, members of the People's Democracy Party (HADEP) chanted slogans against the 'Central Village' and 'Village-Town' projects. These are the terrorist organization PKK's slogans. They do not want such projects because it is easy to put pressure on villagers in disorganized rural areas.''

-EXCAVATION WORKS START IN A HIDE-OUT OF HEZBOLLAH IN BATMAN
DIYARBAKIR/BATMAN - Security forces started on Saturday to dig up garden of a hide-out belonged to terrorist Hezbollah organization in southeastern Batman province.

Acting on information from members of the terrorist organization who were detained during nationwide operations, security forces have started to dip up garden of a single-story house in Camlica neighbourhood of Batman.

A number of operations have launched throughout Turkey since a shootout between security forces and members of the terrorist organization in Beykoz ditrict of Istanbul on January 17, 2000. In the shootout, Huseyin Velioglu, the head of the organization, was killed while two leading names of the organization were captured.

Security forces discovered several hide-outs which were used by Hezbollah members to kill and bury their victims.

-37TH ANTALYA GOLDEN ORANGE FILM FESTIVAL TO START ON SUNDAY
ANTALYA - The 37th Antalya Golden Orange Film Festival will start on Sunday.

The main theme of the festival will be ''peace'' after the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) declared 2000 as the ''Year of Peace''.

Within framework of activities, two Turkish and two Greek parliamentarians together with actors, actresses, poets and scientists headed by the Turkish- Greek Women's Peace Initiative will place a ''peace wreath'' to the Manavgat River.

Safiye Qaddafi, the wife of Libyan Leader Colonel Muammer al-Qaddafi, and their daughter Dr. Ayse Qaddafi will be in attendance at the festival.

Names and directors of eight films which will compete in the National Long- Feature Film Competition are as follows: Abuzer Kadayif of Tunc Basaran, September Storm (Eylul Firtinasi) of Atif Yilmaz, Wicked Byzantine (Kahpe Bizans) of Gani Mujde, Goodbye (Gule Gule) of Zeki Okten, House of Angels

(Meleklerevi) of Omer Kavur, Spoilsport (Oyun Bozan) of Nesli Colgecen, Bitter Soul (Aci Gonul) of Ersin Pertan, and Colorful Turkish (Renkli Turkce) of Ahmet Cadirci.

The 37th Antalya Golden Orange Film Festival will end on October 5 with the award ceremony.

-SECURITY FORCES IMPOUND 18.4 KG OF HEROIN
SOFIA - Security forces impounded 18.4 kg of heroin at the Kapitan Andreevo Border Gate between Turkey and Bulgaria on Saturday.

Officials told the A.A correspondent that the security forces stopped and searched a Macedonia-registered automobile which was on its way from Turkey to Macedonia via Bulgaria.

They impounded 18.4 kg of heroin hidden in the automobile.

Albanian driver of the automobile was taken into custody.

Officials said that the market value of the drug was nearly 1 million 700 thousand German marks.

A full investigation into the incident is under way.

-''TURKEY 2000'' FESTIVAL IN U.S.
MIDDLETOWN-OHIO - ''Turkey 2000'' festival organized by Midfest Committee and Middletown Municipality, started on Saturday.

The festival aims at promoting Turkey and contemporary Turkish arts.

Musicians from the TRT Izmir Radio and students were in attendance at inauguration of the festival.

Yavuz Aktas, the Turkish Consul General in Chicago, said that nearly 30 thousand people attended the first-day activities of the festival.

Meanwhile, the Cinciati Enquirer, the Middletown Journal ve the Dayto Daily covered the story on their first-pages.

-TRNC FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND DEFENSE MINISTRY: -''GREEK CYPRIOTS SHOULD ACCEPT
THE FACT THAT TRNC
WOULD EXIST FOREVER UNDER GUARANTEE OF TURKEY''
LEFKOSA - The Foreign Affairs and Defense Ministry of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) stated on Saturday that the Greek Cypriots should accept the fact that the TRNC would exist forever under the guarantee of Turkey.

Releasing a written statement regarded with the Greek Cypriots' so-called foundation-day of Republic of Cyprus on October 1, the TRNC Foreign Affairs and Defense Ministry said, ''the Partnership Republic was founded on August 16, 1960. The first and second anniversaries of foundation of the Republic of Cyprus were celebrated in 1961 and 1962. After the Turkish Cypriots, one of the equal founder partners of Republic, were expelled in 1963 from the state mechanism by force, the Greek Cypriots started to celebrate October 1 as the so-called foundation day of the partnership republic. In fact, they founded their own administration on October 1.''

''Modern assault weapons which were purchased within framework of Greek Cypriot-Greek joint military doctrine, are being displayed during such celebrations. These weapons were purchased with the aim of eradicating the Turkish Cypriots. They failed to eradicate the Turkish Cypriots during the ethnic cleansing campaing between 1963 and 1974. The Greek Cypriots have preferred armament to providing peace on the island. The Greek Cypriot side put forward its real target by distorting historical facts,'' the statement stressed.

Officials from Greece are expected to attend tomorrow's ceremonies in the Greek Cypriot side to mark the so-called ''independence day''.

-EXCAVATION WORKS CONTINUE IN HIDE-OUTS OF HEZBOLLAH IN BATMAN
DIYARBAKIR-BATMAN - Security forces are continuing to dig up kitchens, bathrooms and toilets of two single-story houses belonged to the terrorist Hezbollah organization in southeastern Batman province on Saturday.

Acting on information from a member of the terrorist organization who was detained during operations in Diyarbakir, security forces have started to dip up several parts of the houses in Camlica neighbourhood of Batman.

In his testimony, the Hezbollah member said that Huseyin Velioglu, the head of the organization, had interrogated eight people in these houses.

Noting that these people were killed later, the Hezbollah member said that their bodies were buried in the houses.

In 1998, security forces exhumed a body in another house in the same neighbourhood of Batman.

-CLASHES IN AL-HARAM AL-SHARIF -PRESIDENT SEZER SENDS A MESSAGE TO
PALESTINIAN PRESIDENT ARAFAT:
-''I HARSLY CONDEMN USE OF WEAPON IN A HOLY SITE OF ISLAM''
ANKARA - President Ahmet Necdet Sezer sent a message to President Yasser Arafat of Palistine on Saturday regarded with yesterday's clashes in Al- Haram Al-Sharif region of Jerusalem which resulted in killings of seven Palestinians.

In his message, President Sezer harsly condemned use of weapon in a holy site of Islam.

President Sezer said, ''such distressing developments reveals that it was vitally important to provide lasting peace in the region. We hope that such developments would not obstruct efforts to provide peace.''

President Sezer expressed his condolences, and implored God's strength upon all who are grieving for their beloved ones.

A total of seven people were killed while more than 200 others were injured in yesterday's violent clashes erupted between Palestinians and Israelis in Al-Haram Al-Sharif.

-RESOLUTION REGARDED WITH SO-CALLED GENOCIDE ON ARMENIANS -AKARCALI, DEPUTY
CHAIRMAN OF ANAP:
-''WE LEARNT THAT A GROUP FROM FRENCH SOCIALIST PARTY HAS
LAUNCHED INITIATIVES TO BRING A SIMILAR RESOLUTION ONTO
AGENDA OF FRENCH SENATE ON TUESDAY''
ISTANBUL - Bulent Akarcali, the Deputy Chairman of the Motherland Party (ANAP), said on Saturday, ''we learnt that a group from French Socialist Party has launched initiatives to bring a resolution regarded with so- called genocide on Armenians, onto agenda of French Senate on Tuesday.'' Staging a press conference, Akarcali recalled that the resolution regarded with so-called genocide on Armenians was approved by the U.S. House of Representatives International Operations and Human Rights Sub-Committee, but the International Relations Committee postponed the vote on resolution on so-called Armenian genocide.

Akarcali told reporters, ''we learnt that a group from French Socialist Party has launched initiatives to bring a similar resolution regarded with so-called genocide on Armenians, onto agenda of French Senate on Tuesday. As you know, similar initiatives were prevented in France last year. Our French friends warned us to take action immediately.''

''Some countries are trying to put an unexisting blame on Turkey to end their remorse. Nearly 20 million people were sold to America from Africa as slaves. About 10 million of them died from starvation during long journeys.

In Latin America, 20 million Aztecs and Mayas were massacred. In the 18th century, Britons cut off hands of 50 thousand textile workers in India because they did not want competition in the textile sector. French war ships opened fire on Algerian people who were celebrating the end of World War II, as they thought it was an uprising,'' he said.

Akarcali stressed that the Foreign Ministry should provide more information about such developments.

He emphasized that the parliament should carry out works to solve this problem during the new legislative year.

-A RALLY TO BE HELD IN IGDIR TO PROTEST RESOLUTION REGARDED WITH SO-CALLED
GENOCIDE ON ARMENIANS
IGDIR - A rally will be held on Wednesday in eastern Igdir province to protest resolution regarded with so-called genocide on Armenians which was approved by the U.S. House of Representatives International Operations and Human Rights Sub-Committee.

Iussing a statement, the Rally Organization Committee said on Saturday that hundreds of thousands of Turkish people were killed in massacres committed by Armenian gangs in Igdir, Erzurum, Erzincan, Kars and Van in 1910s.

A mass grave was unearthed in Hakahmet village in Igdir province last year in which skeletons of 78 Turks massacred by Armenian militants, were found.

-COLLOQUIUM ON ''TURKEY-FRANCE 2000: A NEW PARTNERSHIP FOR EUROPE''
ISTANBUL - Bernard Garchia, the French Ambassador to Turkey, said on Saturday that European Union's (EU) financial aids would help Turkey to carry out its full membership negotiations on strong bases.

Addressing a colloquium on ''Turkey-France 2000: A New Partnership for Europe'' which was organized in Istanbul by the French Embassy and the France-Turkey Committee, Garchia stressed that the colloquium would make a valuable contribution to further improve relations between the two countries.

Describing current relations between Turkey and France as ''excellent'', Garchia said that he hoped these excellent relations would continue in the future.

Recalling that France had undertaken the EU Term Presidency, Garchia said that they were interested in Turkey's integration process with the EU.

He noted that one of the most important issues on the agenda of the EU was the Accession Partnership Document which would be submitted to Turkey on November 8, 2000.

Stressing that the EU's financial aids would help Turkey to make necessary reforms, Garchia pointed out that they wanted to approve global financial arrangement during France's Term Presidency.

Meanwhile, Alexandre Jevakhoff, the Chairman of France-Turkey Committee, said that the colloquium was an expression of friendship between the two countries.

Jevakhoff stressed that France aimed at assisting Turkey in its EU full membership process.

-STATE MINISTER GUREL RETURNS TO TURKEY
ISTANBUL - State Minister Sukru Sina Gurel returned to Turkey on Saturday after wrapping up his contacts in Ukraine.

Addressing journalists at the Ataturk Airport after his arrival, Gurel said that Turkey attributed great importance to relations with Ukraine.

''Turkey aims at further improving relations and cooperation with Ukraine in every field. Ukranian President will pay an official visit to Turkey in November to this end,'' he told reporters.

Gurel noted that he had held beneficial contacts with Vasly Rohovy, the Ukranian Economy Minister, during his visit to Kiev.

He added that his contacts in Ukraine had focused on problems of Turkish citizens and businessmen living in this country.

-STATE MINISTER GAYDALI DEPARTS FROM RUSSIA
MOSCOW - State Minister Edip Safter Gaydali who paid a visit to Russia between September 27 and 29 as the official guest of Yevgeni Adamov, the Russian Nuclear Energy Minister, left Moscow for Turkey on Saturday.

Responding to questions of the A.A correspondent prior to his departure, Gaydali said that his contacts had focused on ''Usage of Nuclear Energy for Peaceful Purposes'' and ''Early Reports for the Nuclear Accidents'' agreements.

Gaydali said that these two agreements were expected to be signed during Russian Prime Minister Mihail Kasyanov's visit to Turkey between October 23 and 25.

He said, ''Russia has proposed to sale electricity to Turkey from the VVR- 1000 nuclear power plant in Rostov which will become operational at the end of this year, via the Black Sea. Both Turkish and Russian technical delegations will carry out works on the proposal. Also, the Russian side reiterated its proposal to construct a nuclear enery power plant in Turkey.''

-PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT: -''CONSTITUTIONAL COURT SOLVES DISAGREEMENTS
BETWEEN PRESIDENT AND GOVERNMENT''
ANKARA - Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said on Saturday, ''the Constitutional Court is the institution that solves disagreements between the President and the government on the issue of decrees with the force of law (KHKs). President Sezer thinks that there was no need to apply to the Constitutional Court because he was an authority of law.'' Addressing a television program on the private TGRT Channel, Prime Minister Ecevit said, ''there is a lack of dialogue between the President and the government. Disagreements may occur between the President and the government from time to time on the issues of KHKs and draft laws. We believe that we could resolve all problems through dialogue. If we fail to solve the problem, we will apply to the Constitutional Court. The Constitutional Court is the institution that will solve disagreements between the President and the government on the issue of KHKs. President Sezer thinks that there was no need to apply to the Constitutional Court because he was an authority of law.''

Prime Minister Ecevit said that they would submit the KHK on the privatization of three public banks to the parliament as a draft law.

He said that the issue of KHK was not brought onto agenda of the National Security Council's (NSC) monthly meeting.

Ecevit said, ''I am hopefull that political parties would reach a reconciliation on the Amnesty Law and amendment to Article 312 of the Turkish Penal Code (TCK). The Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) has some problems on the issue of abolishment of capital punishment. In spite of this, the MHP wants Turkey to become a full member of the European Union (EU). One of the main conditions of EU full membership is abolishment of capital punishment.''

Responding to another question, Prime Minister Ecevit said, ''the inflation rate has begun to decrease and the economy has begun to revive. A decision to hold early elections at this point can disrupt all these positive developments.''

-STATE MINISTER GEMICI RETURNS TO TURKEY
ISTANBUL - State Minister Hasan Gemici returned to Turkey on Saturday after wrapping up his official visits to Gabon, Democratic Republic of the Congo and Republic of the Congo.

Addressing journalists at the Ataturk Airport in Istanbul after his arrival, Gemici said that he had paid official visits to Gabon, Democratic Republic of the Congo and Republic of the Congo within framework of Turkey's opening policy towards African countries.

Gemici said that he had conveyed President Ahmet Necdet Sezer's messages to presidents of these countries.

He added that he had signed several economic, commercial and technical agreements during his visits in order to further improve relations with these countries.

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