Anadolu Agency: News in English, 01-01-06

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ANADOLU AGENCY

NEWS

06 JANUARY

2001 Saturday

CONTENTS

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

10,000 TURKISH SOLDIERS GO TO NORTHERN IRAQ
Turkish soldiers are starting a new operation against the terrorist organization PKK in Northern Iraq. A total of 10,000 soldiers passed the border and they were deployed near Suleymaniye city. The Turkish Armed Forces had to take an action when Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) under the leader of Jalal Talabani failed to carry out an effective operation against the PKK. The PKK had gathered a majority of its personnel in Turkey in Northern Iraq after the head of the PKK Abdullah Ocalan was arrested.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

U.S. EXTENDS SUPPORT TO BAKU-CEYHAN ONCE AGAIN
Elizabeth Jones, the Special Representative of the U.S. President Bill Clinton said that the new U.S. President also extends support to Caspian energy programmes. She said that the U.S. policy on Baku Ceyhan and Caspian energy programmes are supported by both Democrats and Republicans.

SABAH (LIBERAL)

MINI PRICE INCREASE IN THY TICKETS
The Turkish Airlines which has been asking for a price increase from the Transportation Ministry finally received a confirmation from the ministry and increased the domestic flights one million TL. According to this, Ankara-Istanbul flights became 54.5 million TL and Istanbul-Antalya became 59.5 million TL. The new price list will be affective as of Jan 8.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

IGNORANCE IS KILLING WOMEN IN EASTERN ANATOLIA
Thousands of women living in rural areas of South and South Eastern Turkey are using incredible methods to prevent pregnancy.

Dr. Lutfi Sezen travelled hundreds of villages in the east to collect material for his book ''Erzurum Sehir Folkloru'' (Erzurum Urban Folklore). Sezen observed that some women are carrying very heavy weights or jump from a very high place in order to have a miscarriage.

To conceive, women put a cooked egg, head of a trout, or tail of a sheep to the opening of their womb. ''These methods are risking the lives of many women but they are still widely in practice,'' Sezen said.

RADIKAL (LEFT)

COALITION PARTNERS AGREE TO REPLACE PARTY CLOSURES WITH HEAVIER
PUNISHMENTS
Coalition partners yesterday agreed to make party closures more difficult. According to this, the Treasury will first cut the aid to the political party which violated a rule. That party will also not be allowed to participate in local and general elections.

YENI BINYIL (LIBERAL)

ANAP BECOMES ANGRY AT MHP
The Motherland Party (ANAP) became angry at the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) when MHP deputy leader Sevket Bulent Yahnici wrote a letter about the relations with the European Union (EU) and sent it to foreign mission directors. ANAP Acting group leader Dedelek firstly called the MHP to withdraw from the government, but later he took a step back and he called Yahnici to resign.

ATATURK AIRPORT LIKE A BEE HIVE
Turkey's biggest airport Ataturk Airport hosted more than 14 million of passengers in 2000. A total of 171,718 planes departed and landed at the airport in one year. Every day, an avarage of 471 planes took off and landed at Ataturk Airport. This means a departure or landing took place every three minutes. July, August and September were reported to be the busiest months at the airport.

LABOUR AND SOCIAL SECURITY MINISTER OKUYAN SAYS GOVERNMENT
CAN'T PAY BACK SAVINGS AT OBLIGATORY SAVINGS FUND ALL AT ONCE
Labour and Social Security Minister Yasar Okuyan said it was impossible for the government to pay back all the savings in the Obligatory Savings Fund all at once. ''But this money will be paid back this way or another, noboby should doubt that,'' he said. He also said that State Minister Recep Onal who is in charge of Treasury was running talks with representatives of non- governmental organizations regarding the matter.

TURKIYE (RIGHT)

57 PEOPLE ARRESTED
The Court decided to arrest 57 persons who worked in Oncupınar custom gate in Kilis between the years 1997 and 2000 within the framework of the investigation opened after ''Parachute Operation.'' The investigation is carried out upon the instruction of Ankara State Security Court (DGM) Prosecutor.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

TURKISH COMPULSORY IN KURDISH BROADCAST
An interesting proposal was included in the draft of the National Programme on the Adoption of the Acquis (NPAA) regarding broadcasting in Kurdish. It was stated that private television channels could broadcast in Kurdish, yet these channels have to give courses on Turkish grammar.

-29 OPERATIONS CARRIED OUT AGAINST TERRORIST ORGANIZATIONS
LAST YEAR IN GAZIANTEP
GAZIANTEP - Last year, 145 out of 221 organization members were arrested after 29 operations carried out against terrorist organizations Hezbollah, Selam, Malatyalilar, PKK, DHKP-C, MLKP and TIKB by anti-terrorism teams of the Gaziantep Security Directorate.

19 of these operations were carried out against Hezbollah and the security teams discovered the biggest ammunition storage of the organization in Gaziantep. In these 19 operations, 110 out of the 129 suspects were arrested. The other 19 were released to be tried without detention.

The biggest ammunition storage of Hezbollah was found in Gaziantep's Emek neighbourhood which is mostly resided by the well off people. The ammunition was found in the basement floor of a house.

The operations also revealed methods used by Hezbollah to recruit new members to the organization as well as passwords used among the members. Majority of the organization members did not have official marriage documents for reasons of secrecy. Those who leak information outside the organization were being killed for ''betraying the community.'' Many people who were very rich when they first joined the organization lost all their wealth to Hezbollah and they ended up working for the organization as a gunman for 100-150 million TL a month.

Eight suspects who were members of Selam Group were released by the court. 13 out of 24 members of the Malatyalilar were arrested. 11 of them were relesed to be tried without detention. 10 out of the 17 DHKP-C members were arrested, seven others were released to be tried without detention. Many ammunition and organizational documents were found during the operations.

Security teams also carried out operations against Hezbollah and 6 out of the 8 PKK members were arrested.

-LABOUR AND SOCIAL SECURITY MINISTRY WORKING ON DRAFT LAW
TO PREVENT CHILD LABOUR
ANKARA - The Labour and Social Security Ministry is preparing a draft law to prevent child labour.

The draft law proposes fines up to 5 billion TL for employees who employ children except for certain types of jobs. The draft law uses International Labour Organization (ILO)'s Resolutions no.182 and 138 as a reference as well as laws in Germany, Britain, France and Belgium regarding child labour. Children who are 14 years old and who completed their basic school education will be able to work at jobs which would not hamper their school activities.

These children will not be employed at jobs where they would have to carry weights more than five kilograms or where they might fall and suffer injuries.

These children, if they completed their basic school education, could be employed as sales personnel at grocery stores, restaurants which don't sell alcoholic drinks, hair dressers, fairs, exhibitions, sports facilities, libraries, packaging and labeling departments, and at chicken houses to feed animals.

Children under the age of 18 will not be allowed to work at nights or at exhausting and dangerous jobs. They cannot be employed at factories of cigarette or other addiction causing products. The draft law also prohibits employment of these children at very loud places or underwater jobs.

Currently, there are 3 million 840,000 working children in Turkey. 511,000 of these children are employed at economic jobs while the others are working at domestic jobs.

-U.S. APPROVES SALES OF EIGHT MILITARY TRANSPORTATION
HELICOPTERS TO TURKEY
WASHINGTON D.C - The U.S. Congress has approved the sales of eight CH-53E super Stallion military transportation helicopters to Turkey.

The Greek lobby had earlier tried to block the project, however the Clinton administration convinced the lobby. Since no objections were raised in the 15-day legal period, the project passed from the Congress. Therefore the producer firm Sikorsky Aircraft was given an official export licence to sell the helicopters to Turkey.

Clinton who has a little more than two weeks left as president, had approved the sales of helicopeters in a gesture to Turkey.

In Nov. 2000, Democrat senator Joseph Biden who is known for his closeness to the Greek lobby annouced that he would oppose the project because of the Cyprus problem. However, he later withdrew his opposition after the U.S. Department of State intervened.

The helicopters are expected to cost Turkey 350 million U.S. dollars. The helicopters which will be submitted to Turkey will increase the Turkish Armed Forces' moving capacity significantly.

-PARLIAMENT SPEAKER IZGI AND TRANSPORTATION MINISTER OKSUZ
GO TO SOUTH AMERICA FOR LAUNCHING OF TURKSAT 2A
ISTANBUL - Parliament Speaker Omer Izgi and Transportation Minister Enis Oksuz went to French Guiana in South America on Saturday to attend the ceremony which will be held on Jan.8 before the launching of Turksat 2 A.

Izgi told reporters at Ataturk Airport that the satellite would cover all Eurasia. He thanked Oksuz and previous transportation ministers for their contributions to the project.

-388 PERSONS SURRENDER IN SOUTHEAST TURKEY
TO BENEFIT FROM LAW ON CONDITIONAL RELEASE
DIYARBAKIR - Totally 388 persons who were arrested in absentia and who wanted to benefit from the law on conditional release, surrendered.

These persons who were sentenced under Article 169 of the Turkish Penal Code (TCK) for helping and abetting the terrorist organization PKK, started to surrender.

Officials said that Mardin, Siirt, Sırnak, Sanlıurfa, Batman and Bingol provinces were under the authority of Diyarbakır State Security Court (DGM), adding that 100 persons from these provinces and 288 from Diyarbakır applied to Diyarbakır DGM to benefit from the law.

They added that the proceedings of these persons were completed and they were released, noting that applications continued.

-TREASURY UNDERSECRETARY DEMIRALP SPEAKS TO A.A (1)
-DEMIRALP SAYS INTEREST RATES IN TENDERS ARE NOT VERY DISTURBING
ANKARA, Jan 6 (A.A) - Selcuk Demiralp said on Saturday that the interest rates which have been 64.99 percent in debenture bond tender having a maturity period of 14 months and 67.47 percent in bond tender having a maturity period of six months, are not very disturbing.

Speaking to A.A correspondent, Demiralp said that the markets will return to their normal course in a short period of time. He stressed that the government implements the economic programme with resolution.

Demiralp indicated that the support of the Association of Turkish Industrialists and Businessmen (TUSIAD) to the programme is very important, adding that the statement of TUSIAD regarding the annual inflation figures showed their trust in the economic programme.

Demiralp said that the support of the private sector is an important part of the programme, adding that inflation which started to reduce, will continue to decrease.

Noting that the IMF delegation headed by Carlo Cottarelli, IMF's Turkey Desk Chief will come to Turkey on January 12 and stay in Turkey for nearly one week, Demiralp said that IMF will come to Turkey every month in the first three months of 2001. He pointed out that the IMF delegation will prepare monthly reports about Turkey and submit them to the IMF administration.

-TREASURY UNDERSECRETARY DEMIRAL SPEAKS TO A.A (2)
''TURKEY'S BIGGEST PROBLEM IS DIRECT FOREIGN CAPITAL''
ANKARA - Treasury Undersecretary Selcuk Demiralp has said that Turkey's biggest problem was direct foreign capital.

Speaking to the A.A, Demiralp said World Bank Chairman James Wolfensohn was going to speak at the international conference which will be held in Turkey in May to draw more foreign capital to Turkey.

Noting that a foreign capital of 1.3 billion U.S. dollars entered Turkey in the last ten months, Demiralp said this was a very insignificant amount.

Demiralp indicated that Wolfensohn was supporting Turkey's disinflation programme and therefore he would express his support to Turkey with regards to foreign capital entrance to the country.

The organization of the conference will be run by the International Finance Council (IFC) which is under the control of the World Bank.

Wolfensohn had paid a 3-day visit to Turkey last year which covered Istanbul, Ankara and Malatya. Prior to his departure from Turkey, he said that he was leaving Turkey with very good impressions.

The World Bank last year had approved the Country Aid Strategy (CAS) which is a 3-year programme and announced that it would provide 5 billion U.S. dollars for the realization of structural programmes in Turkey.

-CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTER TANG ARRIVES IN TURKEY
ISTANBUL - Chinese Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan arrived in Turkey on Saturday as the official guest of Foreign Minister Ismail Cem.

The guest minister was welcomed at Istanbul's Ataturk Airport by Istanbul Governor Erol Cakır, Chinese Ambassador to Turkey Xu Kun and other officials.

Tang who will visit the historical and toursitc places during his stay in Istanbul, will participate in the dinner that will be hosted by Cakır this evening.

-INMATES ON DEATH FAST PERFORMED DAILY CHECK-UPS AT
EDIRNE F TYPE PRISON
EDIRNE - Inmates who were transferred from Istanbul, Bursa and Canakkale prisons to Edirne F type prison are undergoing daily medical check-ups.

Prison doctors and medical experts who were appointed by Edirne Health Directorate are performing check-ups to 350 inmates every day. A phychologist is also available for interested inmates.

Prison authorities said 17 people were treated for various disorders. ''A group of inmates are continuing death fast. These people, although they lost weight, are not in any condition that would call for an intervention to their protest,'' it was stated.

A 25-year inmate who broke high leg during the incidents at prisons had earlier refused treatment. His leg was put in a cast after doctors convinced him by telling that his leg might become gangrene if it is left untreated.

-EIGHT MEMBERS OF HUMAN RIGHTS ASSOCIATION (IHD)
TAKEN INTO CUSTODY
ANKARA - Eight members of the Human Rights Association (IHD) including Lutfu Demirkapı, the IHD's Ankara Office Chairman were taken into custody on Saturday in Ankara.

Demirkapı and some IHD members convened in Yuksel street in Ankara to issue a statement about prisons.

Rapid force who had earlier took measures in the street said that their issuing a statement is against the laws and called the IHD members to leave the scene.

When IHD members insisted on issuing a press statement, police took them into custody.

-HEAD TERRORISTS START LOSING POPULARITY AT F TYPE PRISONS
EDIRNE - Head of the terrorist organizations who were transferred to Edirne F type prison from Istanbul, Bursa and Canakkale prisons are losing their authority on organization members, prison authorities reported on Saturday.

Sadi Ozpolat and Aydin Hambayat who were running DHKP-C's activities in prisons, and Ercan Kartal, suspect of Sabanci assasination were each put in single rooms. They are allowed to see their relatives on different days.

Prison authorities said that all three terrorists were trying to keep their popularity by shouting slogans and encouraging other inmates to protest when they were first brought to Edirne F type prison. ''These people were more agressive in their first days in this prison, now they are quieter since they lost all their contact with the outside world.''

Prison officials are acting according to the instructions given by the Justice Ministry. Yesterday, 38 lawyers met with 150 inmates.

-40 PEOPLE SURRENDER TO POLICE IN SIVEREK TO BENEFIT FROM
CONDITIONAL RELEASE
SIVEREK - A total of 40 people who wanted to benefit from the law on conditional release have surrendered to police in Sanliurfa's Siverek township.

Siverek Prosecutor Mehmet Emin Kavas told the A.A that 26 out of the 60 people who were covered by the law have already been released. He added that they expected more people who have arrest warrants issued for them would surrender before the 30-day period is over.

-DR. SIKI SAYS IZMIR BIRD PARADISE IS THREATENED BY CONSTRUCTION
GROWTH, CHEMICAL WASTE AND DROUGHT
IZMIR - Dr. Mehmet Siki from Biology Department of Ege University has said that Izmir's bird paradise was threatened by construction growth, chemical wastes and drought.

Speaking to the A.A, Siki said he briefed Izmir Governor Alaaddin Yuksel about the bird paradise and had suggestions to protect and develop this area.

The bird paradise in Izmir's Gediz delta has international fame and it is a house for 211 bird and 17 reptile species. There are also 308 kinds of plants in this area.

''Turkey is committed to protect the bird paradise because of the Paris, Bern and Ramsar agreements but the nature of the area is being spoiled by construction growth, chemical waste and drought,'' Siki said adding that a monitoring committee should be formed under the chairmanship of the governor or a deputy governor to preserve the biological variety in this area.

Siki also pointed to illegal hunting and said officials should take urgent measures to prevent this from happening.

''Natural spring water from Kozluca farm should be transferred to feed the plants at the bird paradise. Oleaster and tamarisk trees should be planted for birds,'' he explained.

Siki said he was encouraged by the attitude of Governor Yuksel who showed close attention to problems of Manyas bird paradise when he was governor of Balikesir.

-ATLAS RUG COORP. TO PARTICIPATE IN DOMOTEX FAIR IN HANNOVER
KAYSERI - Atlas Rug Coorp. will participate in Domotex 2001 Rug and Textile Floor Upholstery Fair in the German city of Hannover on Jan. 13-16.

Company Director Mehmet Aykut told the A.A that world's leading companies which produce hand made and machine made rugs and carpets will join the fair. Atlas Coorp. will display its products in a stand covering 400 square meters. Aykut said they would join the fair with new colours and designs. He added that they would try to sign principle agreements with new customers during the fair.

Atlas Coorp. has completed all preparations and already sent its products to Germany.

-ONE WORKER DIES IN EXPLOSION IN TEAS' ENERGY UNIT IN CAYIRHAN
BEYPAZARI - One worker died in an explosion that took place in Park Energy unit of the Turkish Electricity Production and Transmission Inc. (TEAS) in Cayırhan hamlet of Beypazarı township of Ankara province on Saturday.

The explosion took place in the fourth coal grinding mill due to an unknown reason.

Nurettin Tasdemir, who has been working in the same coal grinding mill for 20 years, died in the explosion.

-TRNC PARLIAMENTARIANS GROUP SUPPORTS ACTION PLAN
LEFKOSA - Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) Parliamentarians Group expressed support to the TRNC Action Plan which was prepared by the Action Plan.

Association Chairman Macit Hakki Yusuf said in a written statement on Saturday that they did not have any confidence in the European Union (EU) which uses double standards according to its interest and which doesn't have integrity even within itself.'' Yusuf stressed that they fully trust Turkey.

The Action Plan proposes full integration between the TRNC and Turkey in economy and financial affairs and partial integration in foreign policy and security matters. The TRNC, according to the Action Plan, Turkey will give priority to the TRNC's development. Yusuf said they ''supported the plan with all their heart'' since the plan will open new horizons and boost tourism, trade and other fields in the TRNC.

Turkey one more time proved that it supported Turkish Cypriots, Yusuf said adding that it is every Turkish Cypriot's responsibility to implement the Action Plan.

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