Anadolu Agency: News in English, 00-12-01

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ANADOLU AGENCY

NEWS

01 DECEMBER 2000

Friday

CONTENTS

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

[02] MEMBERS OF LABOUR PLATFORM GATHER IN BEYAZIT SQUARE TO HOLD ONE DAY GENERAL STRIKE

[03] TREASURY UNDERSECRETARIAT SAYS THAT IMF PRESIDENT

[04] WARNING FROM FRENCH-TURKISH FRIENDSHIP GROUP TO FRENCH DEPUTIES:

[05] STATE MINISTER ONAL SAYS ECONOMIC PROGRAMME WILL CONTINUE

[06] CIVIL SERVANTS COME TOGETHER IN KIZILAY SQUARE, ANKARA

[07] DE SOTO SAYS THERE IS NO REASON TO CHANGE ANNAN'S STATEMENTS

[08] NEW TURKISH AMBASSADOR TO TRNC PRESENTS LETTER OF

[09] CIVIL SERVANTS' DEMONSTRATION ENDS IN KIZILAY, ANKARA

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

BUMIN, CHAIRMAN OF SUPREME COURT SAYS THERE MAY BE A KURDISH BROADCAST
Mustafa Bumin, the Chairman of the Supreme Court, said a regional Kurdish broadcast wasn't against the Constitution. Noting that the official language was Turkish, Bumin said an arrangement was planned for a limited Kurdish broadcast.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

ITALIAN PARLIAMENTERIAN LET TERRORISTS ENTER IN EP BUILDING
Luisa Morgantini, the Italian member of the Euroepan Parliament(EP) let the two terrorists of the illegal DHKP-C organization to enter in the EP. The terrorists attacked Foreign Minister Ismail Cem on Wednesday, during his speech. It was claimed that the Italian parliamenter was also in contact with PKK. Meanwhile, the EP will send a letter to Turkey to apologize for the incident.

SABAH (LIBERAL)

WOLFENSOHN: YOU SHOULD MAKE THE REFORMS SOON
James Wolfensohn, the World Bank Chief, sent a letter to Premier Bulent Ecevit on Thursday in which he said that Turkey is face to face with a strong threat resulting from the last crisis which caused sharp increase in domestic financial markets and interest rates and caused decrease in foreign reserves.

Wolfensohn said that this situation can be linked with the conditions that negatively affected Turkey like the high oil prices and the Euro's losing value against the dollar in the world economy and the high interest rates resulting from the market debts. They believe that the crisis in Turkey is also connected with the indefiniteness among the investments within the framework of the economic policy of the government for 2001, Wolfensohn noted.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

NEBIL SHAAT IN ANKARA
Nebil Shaat, the Palestinian International Cooperation and Planning Minister, arrived in Ankara on Thursday on a two-day working visit.

Shaat will start his contacts on Friday. Within the framework of his contacts, Shaat is expected to visit Foreign Minister Ismail Cem and the 9th President Suleyman Demirel, who is a member of the commission investigating the incidents in the Middle East.

RADIKAL (LEFT)

Ecevit disclosed the decisions after giving an interval to the Council of Ministers meeting. He also disclosed the letter of John Wolfensohn which gave confidence to Turkey.

50 WORK PLACES BURNT IN ELAZIG
A total of 50 workplaces were completely burnt on Thursday in eastern Elazig province. Sources said that fire broke out in a shopping center in Elazig late on Wednesday and that the reason for the fire was not immediately clear. The sources noted that the fire was taken under control before it spread to the nearby buildings.

Noone died or injured in the fire, the sources stated, adding that 50 workplaces were totally burnt in the fire.

YENİ BİNYIL (LIBERAL)

GOVERNMENT SUPPORTS F TYPE PRISONS
The Council of Ministers which convened yesterday discussed the F Type prisons and the recent incidents in the prisons. Hikmet Sami Turk, the Minister of Justice cliamed that the hunger strikes and death fasts of the prisoners were made with the pressures coming from the illegal organizations. Turk said they might actively intervene in the prisoners who continue their hunger strikes and death fasts. Turk added that they accelerated their works on F-Type prisons to prevent such incidents in the future.

TURKIYE (RIGHT)

EMERGENCY MEASURES
Following the recent developments in the markets, Ankara began to take actions. Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit covened with the economy officials on Wednesday evening, and on Thursday Council of Ministers discussed economy.

Following the cabinet meeting Ecevit said that economy experienced a crisis in the past few days, adding that, ''however, the situation has been taken under control.''

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

MARKETS UNDER CONTROL
Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said Council of Ministers' decision, regarding privatization of Telekom, was opened to signature, adding that, ''this decree foresees the block sale of 33.5 percent of the Turk Telekom's shares and granting the majority in the executive committee to the strategic common representatives. Telekom Privatization Committee will determine the conditions of the tender and announce to the public till December 15, 2000.''
-TREASURY UNDERSECRETARY DEMIRALP:
''A DELEGATION FROM IMF TO VISIT TURKEY''
ANKARA - Selcuk Demiralp, the Treasury Undersecretary, said on Friday that a delegation from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) will visit Ankara upon the recent developments in economy.

Demiralp responded to the questions of reporters during Parliamentary Planning and Budget Commission where budgets of Finance Ministry and Treasury Undersecretary were discussed.

Demiralp did not give a specific date for the visit of the IMF delegation.

Speaking about the emergency aid loan, Demiralp said, ''we are not discussing the amount at the moment. The rumours are not right. We will discuss the loan with the IMF delegation. There are developments, we will act according to the developments.''

The Treasury Undersecretary said everything was clear in the additional intent letter, and noted that there was not a problem.

Pointing out that the government took required measures, Demiralp said talks with the IMF were always intense.

Meanwhile the Treasury officials said the IMF delegation is expected to be in Turkey on Saturday.

-21ST CONGRESS OF TURKISH-AMERICAN ASSOCIATIONS
WASHINGTON D.C. - Turkish-U.S. relations, Armenian issue, Turkey's membership process to the EU, Cyprus, Turkish-Greek problems, and Turkey's domestic and foreign policy were discussed during 21st annual General Congress of the Assembly of the Turkish-American Associatons (ATAA) held in Washington D.C.

Initiatives for the recognition of so-called genocide on Armenians, and Turkey's membership process to the European Union (EU) were mainly discussed during the panel discussions at the congress.

Tony Blinken, the Senior Director of the National Security Council for European Affairs, said resolution on so-called genocide on Armenians was prevented this time, yet added that he was not sure how this would be resulted in case it is brought to the agenda during next congress term.

Blinken said they should find a way to withdraw this issue from the relations, adding that he thought Turkey has the responsibility to take the first step.

Meanwhile Ilter Turkmen, the former Foreign Minister, said the Armenian resolutions would not have important influence on relations with Europe and the U.S.

Turkmen said, ''they say this issue should be left to the historians. However, I don't think the historians would reach a definite decision. An objective historian can not be found. Armenians and Turks should discuss the issue. International Court of Justice in the Hague is not the address where this issue would be solved. How can you expect the lawyers to solve this problem.''

Blinken, the Senior Director of the National Security Council for European Affairs, speaking about the EU process, said Helsinki decisions of the EU were encouraging.

Blinken said finding a solution on Cyprus would be beneficial both for Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots, and noted that the solution would put an end to the isolation of Northern Cyprus, and will contribute to the security and economic richness.

-STATE MINISTER KECECILER:
''SMUGGLED CIGARETTES, WORTH OF 3,5 TRILLION LIRA,
CONFISCATED IN MERSIN AND KAPIKULE CUSTOMS''
IZMIR, Dec 1 (A.A) - Mehmet Kececiler, the State Minister, said on Friday that smuggled cigarettes, worth of 3,5 trillion lira, were confiscated in Mersin and Kapikule borders. Kececiler said the smuggled cigarettes, which were brought from China to be transported via Turkey, were captured as it was distributed in the domestic markets.

Kececiler, during his visit to Izmir Governor Alaadin Yuksel, spoke to reporters about the recent arragements and operations in the customs.

Stressing that the dimensions of the operation, which is called ''Poison Operation,'' will increase, Kececiler said, ''this operation continues. A total of 20 people have been taken under custody. The cigarettes have been brought here to be transported via Turkey. However, the cigarettes were confiscated as they were about to be distributed to domestic markets. They were caught red-handed.''

-TURKISH-SWISS POLITICAL CONSULTATION MEETING
ANKARA - Political consultation meeting between the Foreign Ministries of Turkey and Switzerland will take place on Friday under the co-chairmenship of Kurtulus Taskent, the Deputy Undersecretary, and Christian Blickensorfer, the Swiss Political Director.

Foreign Ministry issued a statement and said the sides will exchange views on political, economic, trade and cultural relations between Turkey and Switzerland as well as regional and international issues.

The statement also said works on ''Protocol Related with Establishment of Political Consultation Mechanism between Foreign Ministries of Turkey and Switzerland,'' were completed.

The protocol will be signed during Foreign Minister Ismail Cem's scheduled visit to Switzerland in January.

[02] MEMBERS OF LABOUR PLATFORM GATHER IN BEYAZIT SQUARE TO HOLD ONE DAY GENERAL STRIKE

The civil servants and the workers started to gather at the Beyazit Square of Istanbul early on Friday, and the security forces tightened the security measures at the Square.

The civil servants and the workers who are chanting slogans are expected to march to Sultanahmet Square.

The health services except emergency cases aren't being given in the hospitals of Istanbul, and the workers of the bridges over the Straits will do work slowdown within the framework of the strike.

-21ST GENERAL CONGRESS OF ATAA CONTINUES IN WASHINGTON D.C.
WASHINGTON D.C. - The 21st Annual General Congress of Association of Turkish and American Associations (ATAA) continues in Washington D.C. Doug Breuter, the Republican Deputy of the Nebraska state, said on Friday that the Turkish-Israeli relations were effecting the view of the U.S. Congress on Turkey.

Addressing the luncheon organized within the framework of the ATAA congress, Bereuter recalled the support of Tom Lantos, the Jewish origin California deputy of the Democrat Party, to Turkey regarding the resolution on so- called genocide on Armenians and said the Turkish-Israeli relations played an important role in this support.

The sources say that the chance of Bereuter to become the Chairman of the International Relations Committee of the House of Representatives, was high.

Noting that Turkey played an important role between Israel and Palestine, Bereuter said that Turkey while expressing its concerns about Israel's use of force, prevented the Moslem countries to take a decision to block their relations with Israel.

This cooperation was beneficial for Israel which was located at an Islamic region, said Bereuter.

Bereuter who conveyed his views on European Security and Defense Identity (ESDI), said countries such as Turkey which are the members of the NATO but not the members of the European Union(EU) should also be included within the decision mechanism of the European defense.

Bereuter said the EU who benefitted from the facilities of NATO couldn't launch any defense initiatives by excluding the members of NATO, adding that Europe couldn't isolate Turkey which was a strategic country.

Mark Parris, the former Ambassador of the U.S. to Turkey, who also attended the luncheon was decorated with ''ATAA Medal of Merit'' for his contributions to the relations of Turkey and the U.S.

[03] TREASURY UNDERSECRETARIAT SAYS THAT IMF PRESIDENT

Kohler said that they welcomed the measures announced by the Turkish government on Thursday and particularly its policy of harmonizing the monetary policy with the frame determined by its economic policy.

Kohler indicated that he believes the economic programme and particularly the monetary policy and the elements of banking sector will be carried out in determination and an agreement will be reached with IMF to further strengethen these policies.

Kohler stressed that he will suggest the IMF Executive Directors Council to provide additional source for Turkey, adding that they will send two delegations to Turkey this weekend to contribute to support Turkish officials particularly in the field of banking sector.

[04] WARNING FROM FRENCH-TURKISH FRIENDSHIP GROUP TO FRENCH DEPUTIES:

The letters which were written by Alexandre Devakhoff noted that, taking the resolution into the agenda of the Parliament would damage the relations between Turkey and France.

Referring to the recent crisis in the Middle East, the letter said the resolution wouldn't contribute to the peace and stability in the Caucasus region.

Noting that France should play a comprimising role for the settlement of peace and stability in the region, letters said the discussion over controversial historical issues should be left to the historians.

The French-Turkish Friendship Group requested France to support a symposium which could be held with the participation of Turkish, Armenian, Russian, German, American and the French historians.

A resolution on recognition on so-called genocide on Armenians which was brought to the agenda of the Parliament with the efforts of the deputies of the Socialist Party was approved by the French Parliament in 1998.

The resolution wasn't brought to the agenda of the Senate for a long time due to the reactions of Turkey.

The resolution was voted and approved at the Senate at the beginning of November.

After the approval, the resolution was sent back to the Parliament due to the requirements of the Constitution, as the Senate Chairmanship and the government refused to take the issue onto the agenda and as the voting of the resolution took place with a personal initiative.

[05] STATE MINISTER ONAL SAYS ECONOMIC PROGRAMME WILL CONTINUE

''The fluctuations observed in the last few weeks increased the demand for foreign currency and created a liquidity problem in monetary markets. The Turkish lira need was met by the measures taken by the Central Bank,'' he explained.

Onal said the growth rate for this year would surpass the estimated figure of 5.5 percent be over 6 percent. The estimated growth rate for 2001 is 4.5 percent, he also added.

The revival in economy, the increase in oil prices, the decline in Euro caused the foreign trade deficit to grow more than it was expected and it also contributed to the increasing of current account deficit.

''In 2001, we are targeting to drop the current account deficit through a controlled finance policy. Like this year, we are not expecting any problem in obtaining foreign resources in 2001.''

The government's final target, Onal said, is to drop the inflation to a single digit number in 2002. The inflation target in 2001 is 12 percent in consumer prices and 10 percent in wholesale prices, he explained.

The necessary legal regulations for the liquidation of 27 funds have been done and the rest of the funds will be liquidated until June 2001.

''No significant changes are being planned in the domestic borrowing strategies in 2001. The foreign borrowing stock which was 102 billion U.S. dollars last year raised to 106 billion U.S. dollars in the second quarter of 2000,'' Onal went on to say.

Speaking on the relations with the IMF, Onal said the stand-by agreeemnt signed with the IMF end of 1999 had positive results in 2000. A total of 850 million U.S. dollars have been obtained from the IMF resources. The third and fourth revision will be done on Dec. 22, 2000 and the following withdrawal will amount to 570 million U.S. dollars, he said.

He stated that the three year financial and technical cooperation programme with the World Bank foresees a financing of 5 billion U.S. dollars. Besides some investment projects, some structural adjustment loan and projects to support certain reforms are included in this programme.

[06] CIVIL SERVANTS COME TOGETHER IN KIZILAY SQUARE, ANKARA

Civil servants and workers who walked off their jobs by the decision of the Labour Platform, convened in front of their offices this morning. Civil servants walked to Kızılay square and shouted slogans saying ''Civil servants are here, where is government?'' ''IMF Go Away, This Country is Ours,'' ''We won't keep quiet'' and voiced their economic demands.

Addressing to thousands of workers and civil servants in the Square, Fatih Ugurlu, the Labour Platform's Term Spokesman said that the government tries to usurp the social and economic rights of civil servants and retired.

''The taxes collected from us and the country's sources are transferred to a group of usurers and to those who empty the coffers of banks. The budget should be prepared in a way that is not in favour of IMF, but in a fair way. Those who say that they don't have any source to increase wages of civil servants and workers, can find money in one night to save the banks whose coffers were emptied.''

Ugurlu said that the money collected from civil servants in a fund is not paid back to 6 million civil servants, stressing that the right to organize in labour unions, the right to strike and collective bargaining have to be given to civil servants.

Administrators of the Labour Platform went to the parliament later to give the petition of civil servants to the Parliament Speaker. Civil servants' representatives said in the petition that the budget of 2001 does not reflect the elements of a social state budget.

Meanwhile the spokesmen of the Platform throughout the country submitted their petitions to governors' offices.

[07] DE SOTO SAYS THERE IS NO REASON TO CHANGE ANNAN'S STATEMENTS

After a one and a half hour meeting with Foreign Minister Ismail Cem, De Soto responded to reporters' questions.

Answering a question, De Soto said Annan invited both sides for proximity talks in Geneva end of next January. Noting that Annan is very hopeful that both sides will attend the talks, De Soto said he would find out about Denktas' and Clerides' thoughts about the continuation of proximity talks during his visit to the island.

De Soto said there was a misunderstanding on the ''nature'' of Annan's series of ideas. ''What Annan did was to express his views about how to overcome the problems to both sides,'' De commented. ''We are hoping that the talks would be shaped around the concrete views that we put forward. The verbal statements which we presented will stay as they are, there is no reason for changing it.''

When asked to comment on TRNC President Rauf Denktas' decision to withdraw from the talks, De Soto said ''he did not see this as withdrawal from the talks.'' ''The Secretary General has an invitation and both sides are evaluating this offer. They have not yet given an answer. We will discuss this further in Cyprus.''

-THOUSANDS OF CIVIL SERVANTS AND WORKERS MARCHING TO
SULTANAHMET IN ISTANBUL
ISTANBUL - Thousands of workers and civil servants who participated in today's strike gathered in the Beyazit Square and started walking towards Sultanahmet Square.

The group which forms the Labour Platform gathered at the Beyazit Square under tight security measures. A helicopter is watching the march from air and 5,000 policemen were sent to the area.

The protestors are carrying various banners protesting the government's low wage increase. Representatives from the Labour party, Freedom and Solidarity Party, and Socialist Ruling Party, university students and families of inmates expressed support to the protestors. University students also protested the Higher Education Council (YOK), the IMF and F type prisons. Another group from People's Democracy Party (HADEP) carried a banner saying ''We want education in Kurdish.'' There were even middle and high school students as well as representatives from the Blind People's Association in the group in Beyazit.

Railroad workers who are also participating in the strike also left from Haydarpasa on a ferry to join the demonstration in Sultanahmet.

A short fight broke out between the police and a group of leftist students who were walking behind the demonstrators. The students started shouting anti-fascist slogans. Another group of students responded back at them and the security forces had to interfere. After a short incident, the tension eased through the efforts of some policemen and students.

[08] NEW TURKISH AMBASSADOR TO TRNC PRESENTS LETTER OF

In the statement which accompanied his letter of credentials, Guven said ''Turkey would continue to work for the peace and security of the Turkish Cypriots.'' Guven added that he personally would also try his best to contribute to this result.

At Lefkosa's Ercan Airport, Guven said ''I have brought greetings of the Turkish government and people to you,'' and declared that his post as an ambassador was starting today.

Guven said he felt very honoured to be elected for this post. ''The security and prosperity of the Turkish Cypriots are very important to Turkey,'' he asserted.

''Turkey has rights and responsibilities over Cyprus and Turkish Cypriots clarified by agreements,'' he went on to say. ''Turkey has always fulfilled its responsibilities and will continue to do so. During the time I fill this post, I will try to perform my job in the best way possible.''

TRNC Deputy Parliament Speaker Salih Cosar welcomed Guven at the Airport and wished him success in his new post.

-PRESIDENT'S PRESS ADVISER YALMAN SAYS IT IS IMPORTANT TO
CREATE THE BASIS IN WHICH PARAMETERS WHICH TRNC GIVES IMPORTANCE
ARE TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION
ANKARA - Tacan Ildem, the Press Adviser of the Presidential Office said on Friday that Turkey's expectations regarding the Cyprus issue is to create a basis in which the parameters that TRNC gives importance are taken into consideration. Speaking in a weekly press briefing held in Presidential Palace, Ildem said that Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC)'s President Rauf Denktas told in the meeting held in Ankara last week that the expectations and the parameters which TRNC gives importance and which are also supported by TRNC were not taken into consideration in the proximity talks process on Cyprus.

''It is the TRNC and the Greek Cypriot side which are the sides of the Cyprus problem. Neither Mr. Denktas nor I issued a statement saying that the Turkish Cypriot side wants to withdraw from the talks. What Mr. Denktas said was the fact that the parameters which are important for TRNC such as the principles of equality and sovereignty have to be taken into consideration. He added that it was the responsibility of U.N. Secretary General and the UN to create such a basis from now on,'' Ildem said.

Ildem said that the U.N. special envoy will hold a series of contacts, adding that ''last week we told that proximity talks is a method, but not the only method in this process.''

When journalists asked whether there is an alternative method, Ildem said that the U.N. has to take into consideration the statements of Mr. Denktas which are also supported by Turkey and to create a basis which takes into consideration the parameters attributed importance by TRNC.

''The things that are important for TRNC are known and there is no progress in these issues. Turkey does not regard any connection with the efforts to find a solution to the Cyprus conflict and the relations of Turkey with the EU. We are against forming such a connection,'' he added.

[09] CIVIL SERVANTS' DEMONSTRATION ENDS IN KIZILAY, ANKARA

Fatih Ugurlu, the Term Spokesman of the Labour Platform said after returning back to Kızılay from the parliament that Parliament Speaker Omer Izgi will send their petition to the Parliament's Planning and Budget Commission.

''We want the government to listen to the voice of the Labour Platform. If this is not the case, the Platform will continue to carry out its activities in resolution,'' he said.

The members of the Platform left the Kızılay square without causing any incident.

A total of 3,000 policemen were charged today for the public meeting.

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