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Anadolu Agency: News in English, 01-01-18Anadolu Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Anadolu Agency Home Page at <http://www.anadoluajansi.com.tr/>Anadolu AgencyANADOLU AGENCY NEWS 18 JANUARY 2001 Thursday CONTENTS
[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCANThese are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in Turkey's press on January 18, 2000. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.HURRIYET (LIBERAL)STATE MINISTER TOSKAY SAYS RADICAL CHANGE NEEDED INTURKISH BANKING State Minister Tunca Toskay who met with IMF Turkey Desk Chief Carlo Cottarelli said that the Turkish banking system needed a radical change, adding that the IMF also shared his views on this matter. Drawing attention to the lack of financial sources in real sector, Toskay said urgent measures should be taken to bring relief to the real sector. FOREIGN INVESTORS IN TURKEY ARE NOT OPTIMISTIC MILLIYET (LIBERAL)COLIN POWELL: ''DENKTAS SHOULD RETURN TO THE TALKS''U.S. Secretary of State-designate Colin Powell said that the Cyprus issue was important for the Bush administration adding that he would try to convince Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Rauf Denktas would return to the proximity talks. Defining the Cyprus conflict ''as a wound which has not healed for several years'', Powell said Cyprus also constitutes a problem between Turkey and Greece, adding the his country would try to contribute to the efforts to bring a solution to the island. ECEVIT SAYS RESOLUTION'S PASSAGE WOULD CAUSE CRISIS WITH FRANCE A top official from the Turkish Foreign Ministry said that they presented to the government the list of the political, military, cultural and economic sanctions that Turkey will impose against France if the resolution is passed. SABAH (LIBERAL)IMF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS DIRECTOR TOM DOWSON SAYS WORLD ISACKNOWLEDGING THE SUCCESS OF TURKEY IN ECONOMY Tom Dowson, the external affairs director of the Internaional Monetary Fund (IMF) said Turkey had shown a great performance following the recent economic crisis, adding that Turkey was taking necessary steps in overcoming the problems. Noting that the international monetary markets were aware of the developments in Turkey, Dowson said the markets were in full trust to Turkey. TURKISH BUSINESSMEN WARMLY WELCOMED IN BAGHDAD CUMHURIYET (LEFT)CUBAN FOREIGN MINISTER ROQUE INVITES SEZER TO HIS COUNTRYCuban Foreign Minister Perez Roque said Turkey would play an important role in the world in the future. ''Your geography, history and culture makes you an important country. Your independence is important to you just like us,'' Roque said and added that the political relations between Turkey and his country are at a perfect point. He indicated that Cuba wanted to develop economic and commercial relations with Turkey. PROF.SAMSUNLU: ''TURKEY LOST 30 YEARS TO HAVE A CLEAN MARMARA SEA'' RADIKAL (LEFT)TIMELY RETURN TO HOMESelim Edes who has been living illegally in the United States since September 1995, returned home yesterday. Edes was sentenced to one year and eight months in prison for bribing former Emlak Bank General Director Engin Civan. When asked if he returned home to ''benefit from the amnesty'', Edes responded by saying ''I'm glad I'm back home.'' He refused to answer other questions of reporters at Istanbul's Ataturk Airport. SOLUTION TO CYPRUS IS DIFFICULT TO IMAGINE TURKIYE (RIGHT)FIRST WARNING FROM IMFCarlo Cottarelli, the Turkey desk chief of International Monetary Fund(IMF), warned the concerned ministers to follow the commitments of the economic programme, adding that otherwise it would be impossible to overcome the crisis in the economy. Cottarelli said the economic program should be followed in order to renew confidence in the international markets and to attract the foreign investments to the country. TURKEY TO EXCLUDE FRANCE FROM TENDERS IF FRENCH PARLIAMENT PASSES ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)NO RETURN BACK FROM ACCESSION TO EUPresident Ahmet Necdet Sezer who answered the questions of the journalists during the New Year reception held at the Presidential Palace, said Turkey wouldn't give up its policies about the European Union (EU). As a reply to the question of a journalist whether there had been a change in Turkey's policy for the EU, Sezer said there couldn't be a deviation in the state policy of Turkey in accession to the EU. RISE OF E-ADVERTISEMENT -U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE-DESIGNATE POWELL EXPRESSES SUPPORT During a speech he made at the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Powell indicated that they supported the U.N.'s efforts to bring a solution to the Cyprus problem. He said he hoped the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Rauf Denktas would attend the proximity talks. Dwelling on NATO, Powell said NATO was the basis for the U.S.-Europe relations. He stated that the Bush administration would support European attempts to improve defense capabilities "as long as it strengthens NATO, not weakens it." Through this statement, Powell expressed support to Turkey's thesis on ESDI. Responding to a question of Greek Cypriot lobby member Paul Sarbanes, Powell said bringing a solution to the Cyprus conflict was important for the Bush administration. Since the United States is in good relations with both Turkey and Greece, Powell said, he hoped to contribute to the process although the two countries have significant differences of opinion on this matter. He also said he hoped TRNC President Denktas would attend the sixth round of talks. -POWELL, SECRETARY STATE OF BUSH ADMINISTRATION SAYS Addressing the U.S. Senate, Powell said they would also meet with the concerned parties to use the energy sources of the Caspian Basin for the benefit of everybody. When Senator Chuck Hagel, a senator known for his closeness to Turkey, asked how the new U.S. administration would handle its relations with Turkey, Powell said Turkey had been one of the closest allies of the U.S. for a long time, adding that he was hoping to benefit from the relations he had established with the Turkish leaders and the Turkish Armed Forces. I would extend support to Turkey who still has important contributions to Europe, said Powell and added he hoped that he could play a role in solving the problems between Turkey and some European allies regarding the integration of the EU member and non-EU member countries to the ESDI. Powell who answered the questions of Senator Hagel about the Caspian basin energy sources said this unstable region of the world was drawing attention due to its rich energy sources, adding that Russia had also some worries about the region. Noting that they should be very careful in their policies for the region, Powell said they could explain that they had mutual interests in maintanining stability in the region and that they could find a solution to use these energy sources for the benefit of everyone. -TURKISH RED CRESCENT SENDS FINANCIAL AID TO EL SALVADOR Releasing a statement, the chairmanship of Turkish Red Crescent said on Wednesday that they would send a financial aid to El Salvador as preparing and transporting the materials needed in earthquake stricken regions would take quite a long time because El Salvador was far away from Turkey. The statement recalled that the Salvadoran authorities urged for an international aid via International Red Cross-Red Crescent Federation and that the Turkish Red Crescent will send the aid as soon as possible through this institution. -COUNCIL OF MINISTERS CONVENE In the meeting, State Minister Yuksel Yalova is expected to give information about the privatization process and Tourism Minister Erkan Mumcu will give information about setting up professional associations in tourism sector. Recep Onal, Tunca Toskay, the ministers of state, and Ismail Cem, the minister of foreign affairs, will not attend the meeting because of their busy schedule. -WORLD BANK GRANTS 2 MILLION DOLLARS FOR SULTANSAZLIGI BIRD PARADISE In announcing the funding, Project Coordinator Mesut Kamiloglu said that the GEF-2 was the most important initiative in Turkey to aid biodiversity and pointed out that Turkish government had provided 3.3 million U.S. dollars for it. He stated that the Sultansazligi project was supported by the Environment and Culture ministries and that it would be completed within six years. Kamiloglu said the project's aim was to preserve biodiversity in a number of selected regions but added that it would result in a sustainable resource management plan that could be applied on a wider basis throughout the country. The World Bank has provided a total fund of 8.2 billion dollars for its GEF- 2 initiative. -SANDIR, ACTING CHAIRMAN OF MHP GROUP: Staging a press conference at the parliament together with Ismail Kose and Oktay Vural, the the Acting Chairmen of MHP Group, Sandir stressed, ''we hope that French parliament would reject the draft resolution. No group has been exposed to genocide in history of the Turks. We have never discriminated any group because of their race, religious beliefs and ethnic backgrounds. No one can put the blame of genocide on the Turks. The allegations claim that Armenians were exposed to genocide between 1915 and 1916. But members of a group were not killed upon decision of the state during this period. Powers aiming at removing the Turks from Anatolia, used the Armenians for their own imperialist targets. They forced them (Armenians) to attack on the Turks with support of the Russian forces. The Ottoman Empire forced the Armenians who collaborated with the enemy forces, to migrate to more secure places. Both the Turks and the Armenians had suffered serious loss during the clashes in those days.'' ''Historical facts cannot be veiled. Armenian people living in European countries have been trying to distort historical facts. But their efforts will not be beneficial for anyone. Joint values of the humanity, and the global order of the world should be protected against such fanatic attitudes. The peace in the world will be jeopardized if politicians try to distort historical facts and use them to gain vote,'' he stressed. Sandir told reporters, ''if the French parliament legalizes resolution on so-called genocide on Armenians, our concerns about the EU's intention to create a new group in Turkey will increase. The parliament, the government, the press, the public opinion and all sections of the society should be sensitive against the allegations on so-called genocide onh Armenians. Chiefs of foreign missions in Turkey should be asked to convey Turkey's sensitivity on the issue to their countries.'' Responding to a question, Sandir said, ''it will be not benefical to use economic threats and embargo or to halt political relations. Turkey should explain its case to whole Europe.'' -A GROUP OF MEMBERS OF LABOUR PARTY HOLDS A DEMONSTRATION TO PROTEST Acting on a tip-off, security forces tightened measures around the French Consulate General on Istiklal Avenue in Taksim Square of Istanbul. A group of members of IP including Kamil Dede, the Provincial Chairman of IP, held talks with security officials, and got permission to make a press release. Dede stressed, ''Turkey should consider all initiatives to legalize draft resolutions on so-called genocide on Armenians as a hostile attitude, and impose political and economic sanctions on countries launching such initiatives.'' Later, the group dispersed peacefully. -ATO CHAIRMAN AYGUN CALLS ON TURKISH PEOPLE TO BOYCOTT FRENCH PRODUCTS Releasing a statement, Aygun said on Thursday that business world should impose economic sanctions against political decision taken by the French parliament despite all historical facts. Recalling that economic sanctions were influencial on Italy, Aygun called on Turkish people to boycott French products. Claiming that the government was late to intervene in the matter, Aygun said, ''we are losing blood in foreign policy. Now Turkey is paying the price of its inner withdrawal. French parliament's decision to recognize so- called genocide on Armenians happened during a cold period in relations between Turkey and the European Union (EU). This cannot be a coincidence. Turkey is under an intentional siege. Turkish business world should impose economic sanctions against political decision taken by the French parliament despite all historical facts.'' Stressing that Turkey should react harshly to prevent similar initiatives in other countries, Aygun said, ''the most influencial reaction will be embargo on French products.'' Condemning the French parliament's approval, Aygun added, ''parliament's duty is to adopt laws, not to judge history. The French parliament has taken a decision which is contrary to its Constitution. France used a friendly country like Turkey as an element to gain vote. It is unacceptable.'' -SCHRODER SALOMON SMITH BARNEY: ''IMF IS SSSB said that the Treasury announced 29 build-operate-transfer projects it would guarantee and legal arrangements about other structural reforms especially about energu were accelerated during IMF's stay in Ankara. It said that the IMF focused on especially the protocol signed among the banking sector, Treasury and Banking Regulatory and Supervisory Authority (BRSA) and on how the arrangement which was about state guarantee for liabilites and commitments of banks at the BRSA would be financed. SSSB added that the external and domestic markets were expecting measures which would discipline the banking sector before the decisions about investments. -SURAL SU SELLS 1 MILLION TONS OF WATER TO ISRAEL LAST YEAR Sural Su A.S.'s Executive Board Chairman Suleyman Sural said on Thursday that they would sell one million tons of drinking water to Israel in 2001. Sural recalled that they had obtained 100 thousand U.S. dollars income by selling one million tons of drinking water to Israel in 2000. Noting that there was currently a great international competition in the Middle East, Sural said, ''we are competing with Italy, France and Greece. Also these countries are selling water to Israel.'' -ESBER YAGMURDERELI TO BE RELEASED FROM PRISON The High Criminal Court no: 1 examined the application of Hakan Tekin, the lawyer of Yagmurdereli, and decided unanimously to release Yagmurdereli from prison. Tekin told the A.A correspondent that the verdict was sent to the Cankiri Prison in which Yagmurdereli was imprisoned. Tekin added that he would leave for Cankiri province to carry out legal proceedings. Yagmurdereli was sentenced to life in prison in 1985 an charges of ''being involved in terrorist organization's robbery in a jeweller in Havza township of Samsun.'' He benefited from the law, and released from prison in 1991. Later, Istanbul State Security Court (DGM) no:2 sentenced Yagmurdereli to one year in prison in 1995 on charges of ''spreading separatist propaganda in a speech in Istanbul in 1991''. -GOVERNMENT STATEMENT: ''TODAY, THE FRENCH PARLIAMENT A government statement said that the government of the Republic of Turkey was once again inviting the French government to take action to render this resolution ineffective. ''Today, the French parliament has approved the resolution on so-called genocide on Armenians by making a serious mistake in front of the history and humanity despite all warnings,'' the statement said. ''The government of the Republic of Turkey harshly condemns this decision of the French parliament which ignores the historical facts and dares to accuse Turkey of a genocide which it has never committed, and rejects the resolution together with its all consequences. This resolution which created anger in the Turkish nation can give serious and lasting damage to Turkey-France relations and create a serious crisis in our relations. This development will also negatively affect the initiatives to seek a peaceful and stable atmosphere in our region. The responsibility of all these will belong to France,'' it said. ''The government of the Republic of Turkey is once again inviting the French government to take action to render this resolution ineffective. Sonmez Koksal, the Turkish Ambassador to France, has been recalled to Ankara for consultations,'' the statement added. -DEMISE OF THILDA KEMAL, WIFE OF NOVELIST YASAR KEMAL He expressed his profound sorrow over demise of Kemal's wife Thilda Kemal. Thilda, Kemal, 78, died on Wednesday of pulmonary complications at the hospital in Istanbul. Kemal was born Thilda Serrero to a prominent Jewish family in Istanbul. Her grandfather, Jak Pasha, was Ottoman Sultan Abdulhamid's chief doctor. Thilda Kemal met and married Yasar Kemal, who has been nominated for the Nobel Prize in literature, in Istanbul fifty years ago while working for a literary agency. She translated 17 of her husband's works into English. She will be laid to rest in Zincirlikuyu Cemetery on Friday. -APPROVAL OF ARMENIAN RESOLUTION After attending the meeting on ''Bottlenecks in Foreign Economic Relations and Expectations in Coming Period'' hosted by the Foreign Economic Relations Board (DEIK), Cem responded journalists' questions about the French parliament's decision to approve the resolution in question. He said, ''they will see later on how serious the mistake they have done is. However, I don't want to talk about this. Because, as the government, we conveyed our opinions to the Prime Minister, and he is announcing them now. I don't want to make any further statement. All of our opinions exist in that statement.'' -PEARSON, U.S. AMBASSADOR TO TURKEY: Pearson visited Parliament Speaker Omer Izgi. Responding to a question about approval of draft resolution on so-called genocide on Armenians by the French parliament, Pearson said that the U.S.' attitude on the issue was well-known to the Turkish journalists. He stressed that such draft resolutions did not contribute to peace process, and they did not solve regional problems. Pointing out that Turkey wanted to develop relations with Armenia, Pearson also recalled that Turkey wanted historians to study the issue. Stressing that the U.S. had been supporting Turkey's efforts concerning the issue, Pearson expressed his gratitude over efforts of President Bill Clinton and the House of Representatives to withdraw a similar draft. -PARLIAMENT SPEAKER IZGI RECEIVES PEARSON, U.S. AMBASSADOR TO TURKEY Izgi received Robert W. Pearson, the U.S. Ambassador to Turkey. Addressing the meeting, Izgi described the U.S. as a very important, friendly and allied country. Noting that the U.S. attributed great importance to Turkey's sensitivities in its implementations, Izgi said, ''allegations on so-called genocide on Armenians were brought onto agenda of the U.S. House of Representatives last year. Turkey did not deserve these unfair allegations. But the U.S. took our sensitivity into consideration, and the draft was withdrawn from the agenda of the House of Representatives. It proves that the U.S. had understood Turkey. Turkey is a country which do not abandon any of its friends. Its only exception is treason on national issues. Such a mistake was prevented at the House of Representatives.'' Meanwhile, U.S. Ambassador Pearson said in his part that they respected the Turkish parliament's constitutional responsibilities. Noting that the parliament had an extremely intense agenda, Pearson added our democracies would create opportunity to further develop cooperation. -EIGHT TURKISH CITIZENS KILLED IN FRANCE IN PAST BY ARMENIAN TERRORISTS Ismail Erez, the Turkish Ambassador to France, and his driver Talip Yener were assasinated on Bir Hakeim Bridge on the Seine River in Paris on October 24, 1975. The Justice Commandos for the Armenian Genocide (JCAG) claimed responsibility of the attack. Yilmaz Colpan, the Tourism Attache at the Turkish Embassy in Paris, was killed while walking on the Champs Elysees on December 22, 1979. Several groups including ASALA, JCAG and the Commandos of Armenian Militants Against Genocide claimed responsibility of the attack. Two Armenian terrorist opened fire on Resat Morali, the Labour Attache at the Turkish Embassy in Paris; Tecelli Ari, the Religious Affairs Attache; and Ilkay Karakoc, the Paris Representative of the Anadolu Bank; on March 4, 1981. Morali and Ari were killed in the attack. Turkey sent a note to France in 1981 to take more measures to protect foreign missions. Four members of the ASALA occupied the Turkish Consulate General in Paris on September 24, 1981. They took 56 people hostage. Terrorists who killed security guard Cemal Ozen, injured Consul General Kaya Inal. France condemned the fourth attack on its territories. Turkey reacted against seven-year imprisonment sentence given to the terrorists on January 31, 1984. Armenian terrorists staged one of their most gory attacks on the Turkish Airlines' (THY) bureau at the Orly Airport on July 15, 1983. A bomb went off in front of the THY's counter. A total of eight people including two Turks, four French citizens, a U.S. citizen and a Swiss citizen lost their lives in the attack. 60 others including 28 Turks were injured. The ASALA claimed responsibility of the attack. Armenian terrorist organizations' attacks on non-Turkish targets in Europe and the U.S, forced France and other western security organizations to assume a harsh attitude against the ASALA. France which put forward its clear attitude against Armenian terrorist organizations following the gory attack at the Orly Airport, was criticized with being tolerant towards terrorist organizations' activities. -MEETING OF COUNCIL OF MINISTERS ENDS (2) ''We overcome these obstructions by protecting our unity and solidarity,'' he said. Making a statement after the Council of Ministers meeting, Yucelen said that the Council of Ministers decided to extend payment of monthly 100 million Turkish lira aid to 133 thousand quake survivor families by three months. Yucelen said that the Council of Ministers firstly discussed the resolution in question. Later, Yucelen read out the government statement about the approval of the resolution by the French parliament. Yucelen said that Tourism Minister Erkan Mumcu briefed the cabinet members on the expectations about tourism incomes, and that State Minister Yuksel Yalova gave information on privatizations. When asked what kind of sanctions in addition to recalling of Turkish Ambassador in France Koksal Sonmez to Ankara for consultations could be made, Yucelen said that it would become clear after consultations with Sonmez. ''Recalling of the Ambassador is actually a sanction. This is for consultations on continuation of works to render this resolution ineffective,'' he said. When asked whether or not the Foreign Ministry's proposal to carry out a joint historical research with Armenia instead of struggling with each country separately was discussed, Yucelen recalled that Foreign Minister Ismail Cem couldn't attend the meeting. Yucelen said that the issue would be taken up at a meeting in which also Cem would participate. ''However, as the Turkish nation, we should understand that Turkey is tried to be obstructed when it takes significant steps for the better by protecting its unity and solidarity. As a nation, we should take lessons from this and we should better protect our unity and solidarity. This is the most important lesson we should take. We will continue to walk on our path by protecting our unity and solidarity. Such decisions can't obstruct us. We overcome all of them,'' he said. -APPROVAL OF ARMENIAN RESOLUTION Following his weekly regular meeting President Ahmet Necdet Sezer at the Presidential Palace, Ecevit responded to questions of journalists. Ecevit said that he briefed the President on the works on the National Programme prepared on Turkey's EU membership path, and that the President and he assessed the decision of the French parliament. ''The French parliament has made an unreal and baseless genocide allegation against Turkey. On the contrary, the Turkish nation has welcomed those who were exposed to oppression throughout its history. Thus, it is impossible for us to accept this injustice. The necessary reaction will be shown, of course. We have close political and economic relations with France. These relations will be harmed and overshadowed. Some works will be carried out on this issue. It is a very saddenning incident,'' he said. ''As you know, I summoned the French Ambassador in Turkey yesterday. I asked him to convey our concerns and expectations to both President Jacques Chirac and Prime Minister Michel Jospin. I told him that the relations between Turkey and France can turn into a serious crisis if this attempt can't be prevented. Opportunities have not been exhausted yet. As far as I know that this resolution can be under control of the Constitutional Court as it has the characteristic of law to some extent which is very unjust. I hope that a solution would be found maybe through the Constitutional Council by taking into consideration this crisis and its serious effects on the relations between Turkey and France. If this does not happen, we will take every measure. Meanwhile, as we have announced on behalf of the Council of Ministers that our Ambassador to France Sonmez Koksal was recalled to Ankara for consultations, and this does have a specific meaning, of course,'' he said. When asked what kind of measures would be taken against France, Ecevit said, ''a work will be carried out on these issues. As we are hopeful till the last minute, we did not set anything in detail, and this could not be appropriate. However, the relevant organizations are carrying out their preparatory works among them. A frame will be put forward when these works are compiled.'' When asked whether or not the tenders between the two countries would be affected, Ecevit said, ''everything can be affected.'' When asked whether or not he was worried about approval of similar resolutions in other European countries, Ecevit said, ''I hope such a thing won't happen.'' When asked whether or not there was a timetable for embargo, Ecevit said that they had not taken up such details yet. When asked of his opinion about the approval of the resolution by a EU member against a candidate country, Ecevit said, ''it is a very saddening incident, of course. However, the Turkey's relations with France are comprehensive relations apart from the EU. These relations will be harmed seriously.'' When asked whether or not sanctions would be imposed on Armenia, Ecevit said, ''actually, we don't have any diplomatic, political and economic relations with Armenia. Turkey is deeply hurt emotionally by such unjust genocide allegations, but Armenia also suffers economically. Those who make such unjust accusations against Turkey are also harming the people of Armenia.'' When asked whether of President Sezer would launch an initiative on this issue, Ecevit said he couldn't know it.
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