Anadolu Agency: News in English, 01-03-10

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ANADOLU AGENCY

NEWS

10 MARCH

2001 Saturday

CONTENTS

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

[02] STATE MINISTER DERVIS MEETS WITH IMF MANAGING DIRECTOR KOHLER

[03] CENTRAL BANK DEPUTY GOVERNOR BINAY MEETS WITH WORLD BANK

[04] 39 PERSONS RELEASED IN GEBZE

[05] CULTURE MINISTRY TO ATTEND TEHRAN BOOKS FAIR

[06] 50 WORKERS POISONED BY FOOD

[07] SHIP LOADED WITH COAL HITS TANKER IN CANAKKALE STRAIT

[08] STATE MINISTER GEMICI'S CONTACTS IN GERMANY

[09] AZERBAIJANI PRESIDENT ALIYEV'S VISIT TO TURKEY TO START ON MONDAY

[10] STATE MINISTER MIRZAOGLU TO LEAVE FOR U.S. ON SUNDAY

[11] SANLIURFA GOVERNOR DILEK SAYS 384 BUILDINGS

[12] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT SAYS IMF IS A REALITY OF THE WORLD

[13] SHIP ACCIDENT OFFSHORE GELIBOLU

[14] INVESTIGATION CONTINUES

[15] IMF TURKEY DESK CHIEF COTTARELLI LEAVES TURKEY

[16] 41 ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS CAPTURED IN DIDIM

[17] RETURN OF FAMILIES FROM SYRIA TO TURKEY ENDS

[18] ANIMAL SCULPTURE, VASE AND FAKE COINS SEIZED IN KAYSERI

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

brief stories in Turkey's press on March 10, 2000. The Anadolu Agency does not

verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

Osman Durmus after a Russian firm Kamow won the five ambulance helicopters

tender with 31 million dollars that he could have bought them 11 million

dollars cheaper. Durmus told reporters that he didn't cancel the tender, but

he just suspended it till April 30, 2001. Durmus now expects Ali Sen to keep

his promise.

DERVIS SAYS CRISIS CAN BE AN OPPORTUNITY
State Minister Kemal Dervis who is currently in

Washington D.C. said that ''a crisis in a country can create the opportunity

of solving certain structural problems, we can do the things which we couldn't

do for years. Between 1970-1980, the economy was stopped up, we even couldn't

find coffee to drink. But within few years, Turkey's exports increased more

than any other country. That crisis had brought an important structural change

with it,'' he said. Dervis noted that the coming weeks and months had to be

used well.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

messages to State Minister Kemal Dervis is afraid of the fact that politicians

in Ankara can resist the new economic programme due to their political

interests. The IMF and World Bank officials are worried about certain

politicians' not accepting the new ''monetary policy, banking reform and

privatization.''

HERE IS NEW PROGRAMME
Here is the new economic programme which is

expected: ''A part of the domestic debt stock will be turned into foreign

exchange. The authority of closing the banks will be given to the Banking

Regulation and Inspection Board (BDDK). The inflation target of 2001 will be

increased to 40 percent at least. Early retirement will come true in order to

decrease the number of civil servants and workers. Public banks will be united

under the roof of Ziraat Bank and privatized within one year. The law

necessary to privatize 51 percent of Turkish Telecom will be adopted as soon

as possible.

SABAH (LIBERAL)

bonus from the World Bank for serving this organization for 23 years. The

paper says Turkey also expects money from the international finance

organizations. Dervis met with IMF Managing Director Horst Kohler yesterday

and told him that Turkey prepares a new stand-by, which he will brought to

Washington D.C. after two weeks.

FLOODS KILL FOUR PERSONS
Floods killed four persons and inundated

hundreds of homes and shops in

southeastern Turkey yesterday. A woman and her

daughter drowned, swept away

by gushing waters while crossing a bridge over

a rain-swollen stream near the town of Siverek in Sanliurfa province, Governor

Muzaffer Dilek said. Authorities found their bodies Friday, caught in bushes

about a kilometer

away. A 75-year-old woman drowned while

inspecting her field in the nearby village of Halfeti. In the neighboring

province of Adiyaman, the roof

of a tobacco storehouse collapsed, crushing a

middle-aged man.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

talked to State Minister Kemal Dervis on the phone on Thursday night, adding

that there is no new development. Upon questions of reporters, Ecevit said

that he got information from Dervis, who is currently in Washington D.C.

Meanwhile Central Bank Deputy Governor Sukru Binay also holds contacts in

Washington D.C.

HEZBOLLAH ALARM
Security Directorate General warned its

provincial headquarters about possible attacks of terrorist Hezbollah

organization. The Security Directorate General called for taking tight

measures against the terrorist organization, stressing that the terrorist

organization could stage assassination attacks on high ranking officials. The

decree noted that there are many unknown Hezbollah militants in Adana,

Gaziantep, Mersin and Sanlıurfa provinces, adding that attacks and

assassinations could be staged by these militants in these provinces.

RADIKAL (LEFT)

appointed as the State Minister responsible for treasury by the ''political

decision'' of the three leaders, stressed the need of a political support for

his programme during his press briefing in the U.S on Thursday. Dervis seems

to be stuck between two opposing views. The government wants to see the loan

that will be given from the U.S. and the World Bank first, before preparing

the economic programme, however the latter want to see the economic programme

first before giving a loan to Turkey.

CELIK INVITED TO EP
European parliamentarians who attempted to

stage the Turkey-Europe Joint Parliamentary Commission (JPC) meetings in

southeastern Diyarbakır province for a long time, invited Feridun Celik, the

mayor of Diyarbakır from the Peoples' Democracy Party (HADEP) to Strasbourg

this time. Turkey had reacted to attempts of EP to hold JPC meeting in

Diyarbakır. Celik will go Strasbourg next week and respond to questions of

European parliamentarians about southeastern Turkey.

TURKIYE (RIGHT)

Kemal Dervis who holds contacts in the U.S. Turkish businessmen, tradesmen,

workers, villagers, in fact people from all the sectors wait for Dervis.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

it always pays for its debts and the interest rates of these debts. State's

expenditures in January have been paying debts (2 quadrillion TL) and paying

the wages of civil servants (936 trillion TL). State could only allocate 75

billion liras for investments in January, 2001.

[02] STATE MINISTER DERVIS MEETS WITH IMF MANAGING DIRECTOR KOHLER

who is charged in economy, met with IMF Managing Director Horst Kohler on

Friday evening.

No statement was issued about the content of

the meeting.

Dervis said in his press briefing on Thursday

that the new economic programme of Turkey would be prepared in less than ten

days, adding it was not possible for the international finance circles to

promise giving source to Turkey without the economic programme is prepared.

Dervis is expected to return to Turkey in the

weekend after completing the proceedings related to his resignation from the

World Bank. State Minister Kemal Dervis was World Bank Vice President.

Dervis met with U.S. Treasury Secretary Paul

O'Neill, IMF First Deputy Managing Director Stanley Fischer and World Bank

President James Wolfensohn in Washington D.C.

[03] CENTRAL BANK DEPUTY GOVERNOR BINAY MEETS WITH WORLD BANK

Kemal Dervis's visit to Washington D.C., Central Bank Deputy Governor Sukru

Binay also came to Washington D.C.

Binal held contacts with IMF and World Bank

officials related to the new economic programme which is being prepared.

Binay had technical meetings with

representatives of Turkish Treasury Undersecretary working in IMF and World

Bank.

[04] 39 PERSONS RELEASED IN GEBZE

custody in Gebze township of northwestern Kocaeli province as they attempted

to stage an illegal demonstration on Thursday marking International Women's

Day, were released on Friday evening.

Security forces had prevented members of

teachers labour union (Egitim-Sen), Freedom and Solidarity Party (ODP) and

People's Democracy Party (HADEP) who wanted to walk to the Republic Square.

The 39 persons including 12 women were taken into custody after warnings by

the police that the demonstration had not been officially authorised. ODP

Provincial Chairman Omer Cimen and HADEP Provincial Chairman Mahmut Uysal were

also among those who were taken into custody. The Prosecutor's Office on duty

released the persons.

[05] CULTURE MINISTRY TO ATTEND TEHRAN BOOKS FAIR

participate in the 14th International Tehran Books Fair that will be held

between 8-18 May in Iran.

The Ministry said on Saturday that books which

promote Turkey and Turkish writers will be displayed in the fair.

Culture Minister Istemihan Talay noted that the

fair carries importance as it will help Turkey's and Turkish writers' being

promoted abroad.

[06] 50 WORKERS POISONED BY FOOD

Aliminium factory in Seydisehir township of central Konya province were

poisoned by the food they aet on Friday night.

The workers were hospitalized after they had

their dinner in the factory.

Part of the workers were treated and discharged

from hospital, while two workers were transferred to Konya Hospital as their

condition is critical.

An investigation is underway.

[07] SHIP LOADED WITH COAL HITS TANKER IN CANAKKALE STRAIT

tanker which was sailing in front of it and which was carrying fuel oil in

Marmara Sea entrance of Canakkale strait on Saturday.

The 9,117 gross tons Cambodian flagged ship

which was carrying coal from Ukraine, hit the Maltese-flagged tanker from its

poop, when it entered the Canakkale strait from Marmara Sea. The 17,246 gross

tons tanker namely ''Fair Skies'' was carrying 27,850 tons of fuel oil from

Ukraine to Greece.

The accident took place due to light fog in

Doganaslan region of Gelibolu and it caused material damage in both ships.

Officials said that there are no casualties in

the accident which happened in the morning, adding that an investigation is

underway and the ships are not allowed to leave the strait.

[08] STATE MINISTER GEMICI'S CONTACTS IN GERMANY

is charged in social services, came to Germany on Friday evening as the guest

of the Association of Turkish Businessmen and Industrialists (ATIAD).

Following his arrival, Gemici visited ATIAD'S

office in Dusseldorf.

ATIAD Chairman Esref Unsal said that they can

contribute to the economy of Turkey by orienting the savings of Turkish

citizens living in Germany, to Turkey.

Gemici said in his part that they are proud of

the activities of the association in Germany, adding that they are ready to

support ATIAD which also contributed a lot to earthquake victims in Turkey.

Gemici will attend the award ecermony that will

be organized by ATIAD on Saturday for the successful students the association

gave scholarship in Germany. State Minister Gemici will also watch the night

that will be organized by Turkish Disabled Persons Association on Sunday.

[09] AZERBAIJANI PRESIDENT ALIYEV'S VISIT TO TURKEY TO START ON MONDAY

will come to Turkey on Monday for a five-day official visit.

Aliyev will meet with President Ahmet Necdet

Sezer, and receive Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit, the former president Suleyman

Demirel, Parliament Speaker Omer Izgi, deputy premiers Devlet Bahceli and

Mesut Yılmaz and Foreign Minister Ismail Cem.

Aliyev, who will proceed to Istanbul on

Wednesday following his contacts in Ankara, will have contacts there and

return to Ankara on Friday again and get honourary doctorate degree from

Ankara University. Aliyev will leave Turkey the same day.

Both bilateral relations, Turkey's purchase of

oil from Azerbaijan and Karabakh problem are expected to be taken up in the

interdelegationary meetings that will be held under the leadership of Sezer

and Aliyev.

Armenia which occupied 20 percent of

Azerbaijani territories, had seized power in Hocali, Shusha, Lachyn, Kalbajar,

Agdam, Fizuli, Agdere, Cebrail, Kubatlı and Zengelan in Upper Karabakh in its

occupation which started in Feb. 1992. The sides signed cease-fire agreement

on May 12, 1994 and the problem was left to be solved in time. No concrete

result was taken from the bilateral contacts of the Azerbaijani and Armenian

leaders had to date.

[10] STATE MINISTER MIRZAOGLU TO LEAVE FOR U.S. ON SUNDAY

leave for the U.S. on Sunday to hold contacts about maritime affairs.

State Ministry Press Office said on Saturday

that Mirzaoglu will examine the Ship Traffic Administration and Information

System that will be set up in Turkish straits, in the U.S.

Mirzaoglu will return to the country on March

18.

[11] SANLIURFA GOVERNOR DILEK SAYS 384 BUILDINGS

said on Saturday that 384 houses, offices, mosques, schools and stables were

inundated by the flood which also killed 358 livestock in Yukarı Goklu hamlet

of Halfeti and Siverek townships of Sanlıurfa province.

Speaking to A.A correspondent, Dilek said that

the torrential rains, which started on March 8, have been effective in Siverek

and Halfeti townships and the rains caused flood.

Dilek noted that the planted fields were not

affected by the flood in Siverek, but certain fields in Yukarı Goklu were

inundated.

He added that the defects in telephone,

electricity and water networks are tried to be solved.

Three persons were killed by the flood in

Siverek and Halfeti towns.

[12] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT SAYS IMF IS A REALITY OF THE WORLD

Saturday that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is a reality of the world

irrespective of how much it is criticized by people.

Responding to questions of journalists, Ecevit

said IMF can't be ignored in issues of giving aid and helping the countries

which have economic difficulties.

When asked when the national programme would be

completely ready, Ecevit said they expected the return of State Minister Kemal

Dervis from the U.S. to Ankara. ''He will be in Ankara on Sunday evening or

Monday morning, meanwhile his friends make their preparations in Ankara. After

Mr. Dervis's arrival in Turkey, the programme will be ready.''

''Kemal Dervis told in his press briefing in

the U.S. that there should be full political support to the new economic

programme. Do you think that the minister has any hesitation about this issue?''

asked a journalist. Ecevit responded to that saying ''there is no such a

thing. As you know we had long meetings with coalition leaders. Mr. Dervis

also attended these meetings. There is no problem or difficulty. He stressed

the importance of one's regarding the government as a whole in respect of

getting foreign sources to Turkey. There is no atmosphere of pessimism.''

When asked about the amount of foreign source,

Ecevit didn't make any comment but he only said that ''Turkey has to benefit

from its own sources and possibilities first before searching for foreign

sources.''

Upon another question about the increase in

civil servants' wages in parallel to the inflation increase, Ecevit said that

''our principle has always been to compensate for the sufferings of the civil

servants due to the inflation. We will keep our promise during the term of the

new economic programme period, too.''

Responding to another question about the

statements of ANAP leader Mesut Yılmaz and himself about IMF, Ecevit said ''I

don't think that I used the word ''outdated.'' IMF is a reality of the world

anyway.''

Upon a question, Ecevit said that there are

many domestic sources in Turkey which can't be neglected and which should be

used in a way which won't cause any sufferings for the people.

[13] SHIP ACCIDENT OFFSHORE GELIBOLU

[14] INVESTIGATION CONTINUES

to the ship accident which took place on Saturday morning in Marmara Sea

entrance of Canakkale strait.

Officials told A.A that no fuel oil spilt to

the sea from the tanker when another tanker loaded with coal hit it on its

poop, adding there is no other danger for the moment.

Officials noted that the expert-witnesses

delegation continue their investigation about the accident and the ship namely

''Sorduren-4'' was sent to the accident scene.

The 9,117 gross tons Cambodian flagged ship

which was carrying coal from Ukraine, hit the Maltese-flagged tanker from its

poop, when it entered the Canakkale strait from Marmara Sea. The 17,246 gross

tons tanker namely ''Fair Skies'' was carrying 27,850 tons of fuel oil from

Ukraine to Greece.

The accident took place due to light fog in

Doganaslan region of Gelibolu and it caused material damage in both ships.

Ships were asked to anchor by officials.

[15] IMF TURKEY DESK CHIEF COTTARELLI LEAVES TURKEY

Desk Chief, who completed his contacts in Ankara, left Turkey on Saturday.

Cottarelli who came to Istanbul from Ankara at

14.00 local time, later left for Rome.

Cottarelli, who has been in Ankara between

12-21 Feb. for the sixth review of the economic programme prepared within the

framework of the stand-by with IMF, returned to Ankara again on Feb. 22 with

the adoption of the floating exchange rate system by the government.

[16] 41 ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS CAPTURED IN DIDIM

wanted to sneak to Greek islands were captured in Didim on Saturday. Four

Turkish persons who brought these immigrants from Istanbul to Didim by

minibuses were taken into custody.

Acting on a tip-off, gendarme searched for

passangers in two minibuses, and captured 25 Palestinians, ten Indians and six

Afghans who came from Istanbul to proceed to Greek islands through illegal

ways.

[17] RETURN OF FAMILIES FROM SYRIA TO TURKEY ENDS

Syria from Ceylanpınar township of southeastern Sanlıurfa province to see

their relatives for 48 hours upon the feast of sacrifice, returned to Turkey

on Saturday.

Ceylanpınar border gate officials told A.A

that the visits of families between the two countries for religious holidays,

which continue for two years, ended for this bayram.

Noting that all of the 2,863 persons composed

of 1,018 families returned to Turkey, officials said that ''there has been no

problem on the Turkish side, because all of the proceedings were done by

computers. Certain small problems took place in the Syrian side and this

slowed down the departures and returns.''

[18] ANIMAL SCULPTURE, VASE AND FAKE COINS SEIZED IN KAYSERI

to Roman era and 26 fake golden coins were seized in an operation in central

Kayseri province on Saturday. Three persons were taken into custody.

Acting on a tip-off, police found 26 fake coins

on a man in Talas township.

Police captured two other persons who wanted to

buy the coins. An animal sculpture, a vase and five fez accessories belonging

to the Ottoman era were seized in the house of the suspects.

The value of the historical artifacts except

the fake coins is 20 billion TL, officials said, adding that the investigation

continues.

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