Anadolu Agency: News in English, 00-10-15

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ANADOLU AGENCY

NEWS

15 OCTOBER 2000

Sunday

CONTENTS

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

[02] TURKISH PRIVATE SECTOR WINES DOLUCA AND KAVAKLIDERE

[03] MEETING ON MIDDLE EAST IN PRIME MINISTRY

[04] MEETING ON MIDDLE EAST IN PRIME MINISTRY

[05] HUMANITARIAN AID TO IRAQ CONTINUES

[06] GREEK CARGO BOAT SINKS AND ITS CREW

[07] BUSINESSMAN GARIH SAYS DECLINING INFLATION

[08] AGRICULTURE MINISTER GOKALP SAYS SOLUTION TO HUNGER IS

[09] TURKEY-IRAN MEETINGS ON SECURITY START

[10] TURKS IN GERMANY GO ON A MARCH IN BERLIN TO PROTEST RESOLUTION ON

[11] FAO TURKEY REPRESENTATIVE MUTHOO CALLS ON COUNTRIES

[12] TRANSPORTATION MINISTER OKSUZ LEAVES FOR FRANCE

[13] AGRICULTURE MINISTERS AGREE TO IMPLEMENT POLICIES TO

[14] STABILITY PACT SECOND WORKING DESK THIRD MEETING

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

FETHULLAH GULEN TO BE TRIED TOMORROW
Religious leader Fethullah Gulen's trial will start tomorrow at Ankara State Security Court (DGM). Gulen who will be tried for trying to replace the secular state regime with religious rules is currently in the United States so he will be represented by his lawyers at the court. Gulen, if convicted, might be sentenced up to ten years in prison.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

SABAH (LIBERAL)

19 PEOPLE DIE IN TRAFFIC ACCIDENT
A passenger bus in Yozgat's Saraykent township collided head on with another bus coming from the opposite direction when the driver fell asleep on the wheel. 19 people died and 29 others were injured in the accident.

The bus which was owned by YES Tourism company had been closed down by the Transportation Ministry because of a high accident record. A total of 36 people had died in the accidents earlier. Later the company changed its name and started business again.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

ALBRIGHT AND COHEN SEND LETTER TO HOUSE SPEAKER HASTERT
ASKING HIM NOT TO PASS ARMENIAN RESOLUTION
U.S. Secretary of State Madeline Albright and Defense Secretary William Cohen sent a joint letter to the resolution supporter U.S. House Speaker Dennis Hastert where they asked him not to pass the resolution on the so- called Armenian genocide. Cohen and Albright stated that the passage of the resolution would greatly damage U.S. interests. The resolution is expected to be voted next Wednesday on the House floor.

RADIKAL (LEFT)

GULEN CASE TO START WITHOUT GULEN
Fethullah Gulen, a sect leader will start to be tried on October 16, Monday as he is accused of ''forming an illegal organization with the aim of changing the secular state structure of the state and to set up a state based on sharia.'' Fethullah Gulen, who is in the U.S. is not expected to participate in the court hearing that will be heard in Ankara State Security Court (DGM) No. 2. The lawyers of Gulen will be present in the court room.

YENI BINYIL (LIBERAL)

SEZER:CLINTON DIDN'T SAY THAT
The President Ahmet Necdet Sezer said yesterday that the U.S. President Bill Clinton didn't tell him that ''there is the coming elections and the things I can do to prevent the resolution on socalled genocide on Armenians are very limited.'' A newspaper claimed yesterday that the U.S. President told these words to Sezer.

TURKIYE (RIGHT)

RAHMI KOC:GOVERNMENT IS O.K.
Rahmi Koc, a famous businessman said that the government's policies are allright for the moment, adding that his expectation is the realization of the privatization in Turkey as soon as possible.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

INTERRELIGIOUS DIALOGUE ALSO ENDS
The fight between Israel and Palestinians also stroke a heavy blow on the interreligious dialogue. The meeting between the religious affairs leader Mehmet Nuri Yılmaz and the chief rabbi which was foreseen to be held between between 13-19 November has been postponed.

[02] TURKISH PRIVATE SECTOR WINES DOLUCA AND KAVAKLIDERE

Turkish Tobacco and Alcoholic Drinks Directorate's (TEKEL) Buzbag red wine and Trakya white wine won gold medals.

Gulorge wine of Gulor firm owned by Guler Sabanci won silver medal in red dry wine category.

A total of 30 gold and 40 silver medals were given at the wine contest. Below are the winners:

Turkey: 7 gold, 8 silver

United States: 5 gold, 5 silver

Germany: 4 gold, 3 silver

Australia: 1 gold, 1 silver

Brazil:4 gold, 10 silver

France: 1 gold, 1 silver

Georgia: 1 gold, 1 silver

Spain: 5 gold, 6 silver

Italy: 2 silver

Portugal: 1 silver

Slovakia: 1 gold

Slovenia: 1 gold, 1 silver

Chili: 1 silver

[03] MEETING ON MIDDLE EAST IN PRIME MINISTRY

''Both of them trust us, and we try to benefit more from this trust,'' said Premier Ecevit.

A meeting was held in the Prime Ministry under the leadership of Premier Ecevit and the recent developments in the Middle East were evaluated.

At the end of the meeting, Ecevit had a telephone talk with the Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak.

Speaking to journalists while leaving the Prime Ministry, Ecevit said that they had a long and beneficial telephone talk with the Palestinian President Yasser Arafat on Friday.

''We had a long and beneficial telephone talk with the Israeli Premier Mr. Barak today and I told him that Turkey is very worried about the uneasiness in the Middle East. I told him that the Palestinians and Israelis, particularly Mr. Barak and Mr. Arafat should come together in an atmosphere of dialogue. They told us what we can do. Both Mr. Arafat and Mr. Barak praised our constructive contributions. We communicate with both sides nearly every day. We tell our views to them.''

Ecevit said that he conveyed the expectations and views of Mr. Arafat to Barak, adding that Turkey will continue to contribute to a constructive dialogue.

When asked whether or not Barak did make any comment on the summit that is planned to be held in Egypt, Premier Ecevit said that ''Mr. Barak thinks that it will be useful to participate in that meeting. We welcomed that. We think tete-a-tete and bilateral meetings with both sides rather than such kind of summits will be beneficial for us.''

Upon another question, Ecevit said that a representative from Turkey won't participate in the summit in Egypt, adding that they contact the assistants of both leaders everyday. ''There is no need for Turkey to send a delegate or observer to an international meeting,'' he said.

When asked whether or not the crisis of trust between the two leaders has been overcome, Ecevit said that ''I hope it will be overcome, we mentioned this expectation in our talk with Mr. Barak. Mr. Arafat and Mr. Barak don't trust each other now, but they trust us.''

Premier Ecevit said that their contacts with Egypt and the U.S. also continue, adding that ''in our region domestic politics can't be separated from foreign politics. This also happens in Turkey. But the real leadership means overcoming these handicap. I know that both Mr. Arafat and Mr. Barak have the characteristics of a real leader, and I trust that.''

[04] MEETING ON MIDDLE EAST IN PRIME MINISTRY

''Both of them trust us, and we try to benefit more from this trust,'' said Premier Ecevit.

A meeting was held in the Prime Ministry under the leadership of Premier Ecevit and the recent developments in the Middle East were evaluated.

At the end of the meeting, Ecevit had a telephone talk with the Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak.

Speaking to journalists while leaving the Prime Ministry, Ecevit said that they had a long and beneficial telephone talk with the Palestinian President Yasser Arafat on Friday.

''We had a long and beneficial telephone talk with the Israeli Premier Mr. Barak today and I told him that Turkey is very worried about the uneasiness in the Middle East. I told him that the Palestinians and Israelis, particularly Mr. Barak and Mr. Arafat should come together in an atmosphere of dialogue. They told us what we can do. Both Mr. Arafat and Mr. Barak praised our constructive contributions. We communicate with both sides nearly every day. We tell our views to them.''

Ecevit said that he conveyed the expectations and views of Mr. Arafat to Barak, adding that Turkey will continue to contribute to a constructive dialogue.

When asked whether or not Barak did make any comment on the summit that is planned to be held in Egypt, Premier Ecevit said that ''Mr. Barak thinks that it will be useful to participate in that meeting. We welcomed that. We think tete-a-tete and bilateral meetings with both sides rather than such kind of summits will be beneficial for us.''

Upon another question, Ecevit said that a representative from Turkey won't participate in the summit in Egypt, adding that they contact the assistants of both leaders everyday. ''There is no need for Turkey to send a delegate or observer to an international meeting,'' he said.

When asked whether or not the crisis of trust between the two leaders has been overcome, Ecevit said that ''I hope it will be overcome, we mentioned this expectation in our talk with Mr. Barak. Mr. Arafat and Mr. Barak don't trust each other now, but they trust us.''

Premier Ecevit said that their contacts with Egypt and the U.S. also continue, adding that ''in our region domestic politics can't be separated from foreign politics. This also happens in Turkey. But the real leadership means overcoming these handicap. I know that both Mr. Arafat and Mr. Barak have the characteristics of a real leader, and I trust that.''

[05] HUMANITARIAN AID TO IRAQ CONTINUES

Mehmet Besir Altay, the Altaylar Group executive board member said before the departure that children in Iraq need vaccine and baby food.

Doctor Vecihi Yagcı said in his part that they will also visit the hospitals in Baghdad during their visit and determine urgent needs there.

[06] GREEK CARGO BOAT SINKS AND ITS CREW

(Semendirek) island of Greece and its crew were rescued by a Turkish ship on Saturday.

The nine crew members who were rescued from the Greek cargo ship namely ''Yuton 1,'' were brought to Dedeagac (Aleksandrapolis) city but one seaman is believed to be missing.

[07] BUSINESSMAN GARIH SAYS DECLINING INFLATION

Garih who spoke at the Economic Developments in Turkey conference organized by the Turkish-American Businessmen's Association (TABA), stated that the government has been very successful at its fight against inflation.

''We must eradicate inflation and unemployment for the happiness of Turkish people and this is possible only if we maintain stability, consistency, and transparency,'' Garih said.

Drawing attention to Turkey's geographic location, Garih said Turkey has no friends among its neighbours. ''Turkey has no friends around it,'' he went on to say. ''There is a potential danger in Georgia. We are not in good relations with Armenians and it doesn't seem likely that our relations will recover. We have even worse relations with Iran, Iraq and Syria. Our problems are continuing to exist in Cyprus. Although we look like friends with Bulgaria, the Turkish minority in that country has problems. In the light of this picture, Turkey has to be even more careful.''

''A developing country is the one which is ruled by democracy and which has a national income of 10,000 U.S. dollars. It also produces science and technology. Twelve million people in Turkey are living in good conditions. The other 50 million are poor. The 12 million people in Turkey are enjoying a standard of life which is better than that in Belgium.''

Criticizing the bureaucracy, Garih said the slow progress of privatization was caused by heavy bureaucracy.

Noting that tax rates are high in Turkey, Garih said tax rates should be brought down in order to increase the tax income.

[08] AGRICULTURE MINISTER GOKALP SAYS SOLUTION TO HUNGER IS

Gokalp said 9,000 out of the 12,000 existing plant types are grown in Turkey during his opening speech at the summit which was attended by agriculture ministers and deputy ministers of nine countries. He also noted that Turkey is a world leader in fruits like figs, grapes and hazelnuts.

Noting that around 800 million people are facing starvation in the world, Gokalp said the world's target is to drop this number by half by 2015.

''Eradicating hunger is possible not only by increasing food production but also by providing its transportation among countries and making it accessible to everyone,'' Gokalp said.

Stating that it is becoming more difficult to provide food for the rapidly growing world population, Gokalp said when people are equipped with correct information, when they make good use of sources and follow a systematic road, there would be no hungry people left in the new millennium. ''The basic solution to hunger is sufficient production of food and its equal distribution,'' he said and added that agriculture should be supported to achieve this purpose.

[09] TURKEY-IRAN MEETINGS ON SECURITY START

The security and border issues between the two countries will be taken up in the meetings between the Turkish delegation headed by Saim Cotur, the Interior Ministry Undersecretary and Iranian officials.

Officials from the Foreign Ministry, Gendarme and General Staff are in the delegation which came to Iraq for a four-day visit.

The Turkish delegation is also expected to be received by the Iranian Interior Minister Abdulvahid Musevi Lari today.

[10] TURKS IN GERMANY GO ON A MARCH IN BERLIN TO PROTEST RESOLUTION ON

Mehmet Kars, the representative of the Turkish Federation read out a statement prepared by the Turkish non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in Germany before the march.

The statement noted that an Armenian Patriarchate had been founded in Istanbul for Armenians, who had not been permitted by the Byzantium Empire to enter even Istanbul, following the conquer of Istanbul by the Ottomans, adding that Turks and Armenians lived in peace together for 600 years in the Ottoman Empire.

Another statement read out in Turkish and German noted that it was not the duty of the American Congress to judge the history.

[11] FAO TURKEY REPRESENTATIVE MUTHOO CALLS ON COUNTRIES

Noting that many countries cannot produce enough food to feed their own people, Muthoo said there are also countries rich enough to feed others. Producing enough food in the world doesn't matter as long as poor countries which can't import food are neglected, he said. Muthoo called on the participating countries to cooperate to find a solution for malnourishment and poverty and promised them support from the UN and FAO.

Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) Agriculture and Forest Minister Irsen Kucuk spoke about the hardships his country has been facing since 1963 due to the sanctions imposed against them by the Greek Cypriot administration. He also noted that the TRNC is not officially recognized, except by Turkey.

Since 1963, Turkish Cypriots don't have the representation right in the international field, and travel and communication rights of Turkish Cypriots have been limited.

Briefing the audience about the TRNC's economy, Kucuk said the water project which would bring water from Turkey to the island through a pipeline is nearing the end. Once the project is completed, he said, the agriculture areas will increase by 10 times in the TRNC.

[12] TRANSPORTATION MINISTER OKSUZ LEAVES FOR FRANCE

A ceremony will be held in the French city of Cannes on October

15-17 to deliver Turksat 2-A to Turkey.

The Director General of Turk Telecom Ibrahim Hakkı Alpturk, PTT Director General Dursun Dagasan, many invitors and press members left for France together with Oksuz.

The Minister Oksuz and the accompanying delegation will return to Turkey on October 17.

[13] AGRICULTURE MINISTERS AGREE TO IMPLEMENT POLICIES TO

The two page declaration stated that despite all international campaigns and national efforts aiming to fight against hunger, today 800 million people are facing chronical hunger.

It is not enough to provide food for the hungry, the declaration said and added that the causes of hunger should be found and removed. Hunger, the declaration said, is both the cause and the result of many troubles including poverty, war, domestic clashes, environmental detoriation, and discrimination.

Fight against hunger has economic, social and moral dimensions, it was stated. The agriculture ministers also agreed that transportation of food among countries is as important as increasing food production in the world. They also stated that food should be made excessible to everyone.

Below are some of the commitments participating countries made through the declaration:

-we will follow policies in order to remove poverty and inequality and to provide sufficient amount of food for everyone all over the world.

-we will work to create a fair trade system in the world.

-we will try to prevent natural disasters and some emergency situations which are caused by human error and try to be prepared to meet people's food need during such disasters.

-we will implement this Action Plan through cooperation with the international community at bilateral, regional and global level.

[14] STABILITY PACT SECOND WORKING DESK THIRD MEETING

Foreign Minister Ismail Cem will host the meeting of the Second Working Desk which is also known as the ''Economic Development and Cooperation Working Desk.''

The meetings which are held by the coordination of the Foreign Economic Relations Council (DEIK) will bring together the businessmen of regional countries and Turkey with the EU officials and international finance representatives.

State Minister and Deputy Premier Yılmaz will participate in the ''Business Forum'' which will be held on September 18 after the end of the meetings, which will last for two days.

Various projects worth of 2.4 billion EUROs which must be undertaken in the Balkan countries will be taken up in the meeting.

Turkey is the co-chairman of the Second Working Desk since July.

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