Anadolu Agency: News in English, 01-03-13

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ANADOLU AGENCY

NEWS

13 MARCH

2001 Tuesday

-TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

These are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in Turkey's press on March 13, 2001. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

State Minister Kemal Dervis, during the meetings which lasted all day on Monday at the Treasury, emphasized that political support was essential for the new economic program which was called the ''stabilization program.'' ''If I don't get political support, I'd resign and become a lecturer at a university,'' Dervis asserted.

METAL WORKERS' UNIONS URGE EMPLOYEES NOT TO LAY OUT PERSONNEL

Turkey Metal Industrialists' Union (MESS) has asked employees not to lay out personnel during the crisis. In a written statement, MESS said ''having an army of unemployed people'' during a time of crisis might have undesired consequences. The union is instead suggesting to agree with the workers and make working hours more flexible. MESS also said the companies which shifted their investments from Turkey to other countries should restart investments in Turkey and thus create employment. Many companies cut down on their training budget which MESS finds wrong. The union said crisis times are the best times to complete personnel training. MESS, in its statement, also stressed that increasing product prices would further increase inflation and decrease the demand for that specific product so it recommended companies to keep their prices low.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

The framework of the new economic program is determined following the meetings of State Minister Kemal Dervis with the economy bureaucrats. According to the new program the inflation target of the government is revised as 45 percent. The civil servants' payments will increase in the same rate with the inflation while the workers would only have an increase of 15-20 percent. Sources said Dervis had mentioned in yesterday's meetings that foreign loans from International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Bank and other creditors would arrive as soon as the new program is approved.

U.S. CONGRESSMEN WRITE LETTER TO PRESIDENT BUSH TO EXTEND SUPPORT TO

TURKEY

Some members of the U.S. Congress sent a letter to President George Bush to extend support to Turkey to overcome the recent economic crisis. The letter signed by 25 congressmen shows the support of both the Democrats and the Republicans to Turkey. The letter described the phone call of President Bush to Premier Bulent Ecevit as a very positive development and recalled that the U.S. has always supported the initiatives of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank in Turkey. In the letter, the congressmen said they believed that the U.S. should always support Turkey to overcome the current economic problems.

SABAH (LIBERAL)

Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit has said that the banking problem is a serious one but urged savings owners not to worry. ''There is currently no reason for any person who has savings in a bank to get worried,'' Ecevit said and pointed out that the leaders of the coalition parties were carrying out very effective economic activities with State Minister Kemal Dervis. Meanwhile, the Cabinet decided that the new economic program will have a national quality and get support from the World Bank and the IMF during the preparation and implementation stages.

PROGRAM'S OUTLINE STARTS BECOMING CLEAR

The draft program prepared by State Minister in charge of economy Kemal Dervis and his team, requires big sacrifices from people regarding agriculture, banking, monetary and income policies. Dervis is reassessing macroeconomic indications after the recent economic crisis and changing inflation targets. According to this, the end-of-year inflation target is 50 percent, economic growth rate is minus two percent. The banks under the Savings Deposit Insurance Fund will be united under Turbank if they aren't sold. The draft program proposes to give civil servants a wage increase equal to the inflation which is 45 percent. Unit prices of energy and fuel oil are expected soon.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

Former chairmen of the Republican People's Party (CHP) will convene within this week upon a call from Deniz Baykal. It was reported that Erdal Inonu would not attend the meeting. Eyes turned to Inonu after he told to close friends that he would leave the party.

REACTION TO IMF-COORDINATED PROGRAM

The unions said they would not respond positively to the request of the government seeking support to the new economic program. The Labour Platform is expected to announce its action calender today. Meanwhile, the Confederation of Revolutionary Workers' Union (DISK) Chairman Celebi said, ''those who search for the support of the society in the U.S. should bear the consequences of it.''

FP PUTS FORWARD ''TECHNICAL EXCUSES''

The Virtue Party (FP) gave its preliminary defense in the case which was opened to close the FP on grounds that it is successor of the banned Welfare Party (RP). The FP administration, speaking against the slogans like, ''Mujahideen Erbakan. Here is the army and the commander,'' recalled that the True Path Party (DYP), which is a successor of the Justice Party (AP), was not closed after slogans like, ''Menderes will not die. Suleyman the Magnificent.''

The preliminary defense claimed that the sub-title writing ''Mujahideen Erbakan,'' indicating Necmettin Erbakan, was written by ''officious people'' who were engaged in technical works and who did not have connection with the party. The preliminary defense said FP administration ordered for an investigation to be opened in this respect.

RADIKAL (LEFT)

Coalition partners are confused about the program. Prime minister Bulent Ecevit said the program would be completed within two days. Meanwhile, Devlet Bahceli, the deputy prime minister said, ''we should bring Turkey the foreign exchange of the workers in Germany. Mesut Yilmaz, the deputy prime minister, said the program would be completed on Monday.

''BANKS OPERATION'' LOCKS THE PROGRAM

Partners of the coalition government could not agree on Monday about the arrangements of the new stability package. A wide scale statement is expected to be made this morning.

Framework of the program, which set up the balances of the economy all again, was drawn. However, the strict measures on banking issue caused difference of opinion in the government. To this end, political support, which will provide foreign source, is delayed. Ecevit said the program would be delayed, noting that ''nobody should feel concern over the banks issue.''

TURKIYE (RIGHT)

Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said the national program, on which recent arrangements were made, would be ready within a few days. Ecevit said, ''there is no need for people to feel concern on banks issue. The indicators are positive. I wish it would be beneficial to our nation.''

Ecevit said, ''we are having very fruitful works regarded with the program. Outlines of the program are being determined.''

HISTORIC SIGNING WITH ALIYEV

President Ahmet Necdet Sezer and Azerbaijani President Haydar Aliyev on Monday signed Azeri Natural Gas Project which will cost 2.5 billion U.S. dollars. Turkey will get the first natural gas from the brotherly country in the year 2004.

DERVIS TO TAKE OATH TODAY

State Minister Kemal Dervis, who started to work intensely immediately after his return from the U.S., had a 4-hour summit with the economy bureaucrats at 06:30 local time on Monday. Later, he briefed Ecevit about the meeting. He convened with the key names of economy as the Council of Ministers meeting was held. Dervis later convened with the leaders of the coalition parties when the good news for the National Program was given.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

The Turkish businessmen, who didn't have any trade relations with Iraq for ten years due to the sanctions imposed on Iraq by the United Nations (U.N.), went to Iraq late on Monday. The businessmen who attended the visit coordinated by the Foreign Trade Undersecretariat, said the Iraqi market had a very big potential, adding that it was time to compensate the losses of Turkey stemming from the sanctions. The Iraqi market would be an opportunity for Turkey especially during the economic crisis, the businessmen added.

NUMBER OF TURKISH PEOPLE LIVING IN CANADA INCREASES FIVE TIMES IN THREE

YEARS TIME

Canada, which offered good opportunities for many people in education and business, has become very popular among Turkish people. Turkish people who settled down especially in Vancouver and Toronto has adapted themselves to life style in Canada. According to the unofficial sources the number of the Turkish people living in Canada has increased five times and reached to 40 thousand in three years time.

-SECURITY FORCES CAPTURE 43 ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS IN ISTANBUL

ISTANBUL - Security forces captured 43 illegal immigrants in Bagcilar district of Istanbul early on Tuesday.

Officials told A.A. correspondent that 43 illegal immigrants including three women were captured in a truck on TEM motorway.

Illegal immigrants who were of Iraqi, Afghani, Palestinian, and Moroccan origin didn't have any passports and were taken to a police station for their interrogations.

Security forces also detained the truck driver.

Officials said the illegal immigrants were planning to sneak into Greece.

The illegal immigrants will be deported.

-MESSAGE FROM THE U.S. TO TURKEY:

''TURKEY MAY SET UP ECONOMIC TIES WITH IRAQ

WITHOUT VIOLATING EMBARGO''

WASHINGTON D.C. - The U.S. said on Tuesday that Turkey could set up economic relations with Iraq on condition that it does not violate the embargo imposed on Baghdad regime.

Richard Boucher, the U.S. State Department spokesman, responded to the questions of reporters in a news conference.

When asked what Washington thought about the desire of Turkey to improve trade relations with Iraq, Boucher said they discussed together with Turkish government and other concerned regional countries an Iraqi policy which will tighten measures against smuggling, and weapon and money transfers to Iraq, however at the same time would facilitate transportation of equipment necessary for civilian people.

Boucher said Turkey could set up economic ties with Baghdad acting with this framework and without violating the sanctions.

-STATE MINISTER DERVIS: ''THERE IS NO DISSOLUTION OR CONSOLIDATION''

ANKARA - State minister Kemal Dervis said on Tuesday that consolidation was out of question, noting that deposits in banks were totally under the state guarantee.

Speaking at Treasury Undersecretariat, Dervis briefed about the economic program and rehabilitation works in banking sector.

Pointing out that there were problems either in public banks and private banks, Dervis said, ''existing guarantees, the deposit guarantees will continue. There is not change in this respect. The regulations are totally under state guarantee. There should not be any hesitations. Also, there is not any liquidation or consolidation.''

Dervis said rehabilitation of banking sector was in question to give better service to Turkey, noting that, ''we need banking sector. Banks should be improved and should come on the scene in a stronger way so that they would contribute to production. We are seeking for the best way for rehabilitation. There is no reason for any concern.''

(to be continued)

-U.S. CONGRESS MEMBERS URGE BUSH TO HELP TURKEY OVERCOME CRISIS

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Twenty-five members of the House of Representatives of the U.S. Congress have written a letter to President George Bush and urged him to support Turkey to overcome its economic troubles.

The letter said Turkey which has been a friend and a key ally to the United States for many years is trying to implement its reform program with the help of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank and its economic importance keeps growing for the United States. The congressmen stated that they believed the United States should back Turkey's efforts to pull itself out of the economic chaos and express its support.

Democratic party member Tom Lantos and Republican Dan Burton, who had took sides with Ankara when the U.S. Congress debated the so-called Armenian genocide last year, are the the first ones who signed the letter. After considering Turkey's key role in the Middle East and assessing the possible negative consequences of resolution on Turkish-U.S. relations, the U.S. Congress had later withdrawn the resolution which proposed the official recognition of the so-called genocide allegedly committed by Turks against Armenians in 1915.

The parliamentarians also pointed out that Bush's phone call to Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit and the message released by Secretary of Treasury Paul O'Neill were positive indications.

-STATE MINISTER DERVIS: (2)

-''THERE IS NO PROGRAM BEHIND THE CLOSED DOORS. WE WILL ANNOUCE

A PROGRAM WHICH WE WILL SHARE WITH EVERYBODY''

ANKARA - State minister Kemal Dervis said on Tuesday that there was not an ongoing economic program behind the closed doors, noting that they would announce a program which they would share with everybody.

Speaking at the Treasury Undersecretariat, Dervis recalled that they worked on the program the whole day on Monday, and pointed out the drawbacks that may be caused by half complete statements concerning the program. Dervis stressed that they wanted to announce the whole program to this end.

''We are walking on the same path together with the prime minister and deputy prime ministers. There are some drafts and ideas, we are discussing them. We have a very rapid media. Thus, we are reading some half correct, and half completed aspects of the program in the newspapers. I request you to be patient. We will announce the whole program transparently soon. You will all see it. Your readers and those who watch television will also see it.''

''As I said, there is not a program behind the closed doors. We will announce a program in a way that everybody will understand and that we will share with everybody. Of course, there are discussions on some issues. We should continue to work on it till we find the best way and till the final shape is given,'' Dervis pointed out.

Dervis said works on the issue should also continue in implementation stage, noting that, ''announcing a program is not enough. We will put it into implementation as a whole rapidly and seriously.''

State minister Dervis refrained from setting a date for the announcement of the new economic program, yet stressed that he has confidence that it would be issued nowadays.

Pointing out that the program should be disclosed clearly, Dervis called on support from media in this respect.

Dervis said, ''tell the truths and what has been revealed. Be careful of the rumors you heard from somewhere. Don't necessarily believe in them. I will disclose you the things as it always happens. All the friends in the government are of the same opinion and on the same path. We are working altogether. I hope I will be in a position to brief you in detail soon. I am also longing for that day. I will also be pleased then because I will have a living in normal hours, not the midnight,'' Dervis said.

(to be continued)

-SAMSUN-ANKARA PART OF BLUE STREAM PIPELINE COMPLETED

ANKARA - Construction works of the Blue Stream Project's 501-kilometer long part between Samsun and Ankara have been completed and its hydrostatic tests are continuing, it was reported on Tuesday.

The tests on Samsun-Ankara pipeline are slated to finish before April 13. The hydrostatic tests have been completed in the 286-kilometer part of the 501-kilometer long pipeline.

The pipeline which is expected to be 1,200 kilometers long has an estimated cost of 3,4 billion U.S. dollars. A 376-kilometer part of the pipeline will pass under the Black Sea. One of the world's most experienced companies, Italian SAIPEM company will undertake the pipeline's underwater construction. The company already set up a construction site in Samsun and is currently manufacturing the pipes which will be installed on the sea ground. SAIPEM-7000, the company's ship which is the only one in the world, is able to install pipes on the sea ground at 2,500 meters of depth. The ship is expected to come to the Black Sea in summer months this year.

The daily construction speed of the pipeline is seven kilometers and its daily cost is one million U.S. dollars. The part of the pipeline which will pass under the sea is expected to be completed in 60 days.

Turkey and Russia had signed an agreement on Dec. 15, 1997 on the Blue Stream Project which proposes to transport Russian natural gas to Turkey via the Black Sea. Turkey will receive the natural gas at Samsun port and it will sent it to Ankara through the 501-kilometer long pipeline. According to a natural gas purchase agreement which the two countries signed for the next 25 years, Russia will first provide Turkey with 500 million cubic meters of natural gas annually in the beginning. This amount will increase to 16 billion cubic meters a year in 2007. The project is expected to be completed on Sept. 30, 2001.

-STATE MINISTER DERVIS: (3)

-''ECONOMIC DIMENSIONS HAVE NOT BECOME DEFINITE''

ANKARA - State minister Kemal Dervis said on Tuesday that the economic dimensions have not become definite.

Dervis responded to the questions of reporters after making a statement in Treasury Undersecretariat.

When asked if economic dimensions become definite, Dervis said they were in an effort to form a whole, and noted that the figures have taken taken final shape.

Underlining that a serious foreign support should be provided to the program, Dervis said, ''we should determine every kind of finance sources while revealing the figures. We continue our contacts abroad even with telephone. I think they will be clarified soon. However, the current figures are not final figures. These figures are not away from facts. Yet, they have not taken final shape.''

When asked if he has any hesitations within the government regarded with the political support, Dervis said there should be political and national support to the program. Dervis said, ''we are working altogether. There is no hesitation.''

Dervis said the everybody should extend support to the program after the government convenes and gives final shape to the program, adding that the program was understood in basic dimensions.

''However,'' Dervis added, ''when the details are revealed, I would like everyone to contribute in their best way to the economic measures which we will form together.''

Responding to a question if he would take oath today, Dervis said, ''I hope I will take oath today.''

Meanwhile, state minister Faruk Bal, who arrived in Treasury Undersecretariat, had a meeting with Dervis.

-MHP LEADER BAHCELI:

''MHP WILL NOT BE A REPRESENTATIVE OF A DISTORTED POLICY

UNDERSTANDING REFRAINING FROM RESPONSIBILITY''

ANKARA - Devlet Bahceli, the deputy prime minister and state minister, who also acts as the leader of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), said on Tuesday that his party would not be the representative of a distorted political understanding refraining from responsibility and assignment.

Addressing his party group meeting, Bahceli celebrated the Feast of Sacrifice of his parliamentarians, and pointed out that the nation welcomed the Feast of Sacrifice in pessimism.

Pointing out that a panic and non-confidence atmosphere was developed following the economic crisis experienced last month, Bahceli said he wished this not to be repeated.

''I hope every institution and people drew required lessons from those that were experienced,'' Bahceli said, noting that, ''whatever the actual reasons of the economic crisis we have been experiencing, it is regardless of question for us to give up political understanding having responsibility. Thus, I would like to point out that we are aware that political responsibility belongs to the government,'' Bahceli said.

Stressing that he wanted to make an evaluation of the economic problems being aware of such a politicial sensitivity, the MHP leader recalled that Turkey did not experience an economic crisis for the first time. Bahceli said crisis processes are often seen in Turkey like every developing country.

Bahceli said only four of the 12 stability programs basing on foreign exchange rates, implemented throughout the world in the past 15 years, managed to reduce inflation into an acceptable level. He noted eight of the programs met with financial crisis in implementation process.

Bahceli said every program and every country should be evaluated within its own conditions, however noted that economic crises, having great similitaries due to their basic reasons and specialities, put Turkey into difficulty many times.

Pointing out that he observed that Turkish economy, which as if remembered with crises, could not reach a stable development dynamism, Bahceli said many times political and economic instability supported each other and that structural transformation could not be finalized. Bahceli said an economic structure, lacking an efficient infrastructure, besides a sincere an continuous political determination, could not save from experiencing serious tremors even against small fluctuations. Bahceli said the program which the 57th goverment put into implementation in the year 2000, included many targets.

Bahceli said they wanted to implement this program with good will and determination despite very heavy economic conditions of the year 1999, adding that successful results could be obtained to an extend.

Bahceli said it was not possible to explain easily the crises which erupted in November and February, defending that making a serious change in the economic stability program became an inevitable need together with the second crisis that erupted in February.

Bahceli said, ''while explaining all these, we don't have an intention to produce an excuse or to blame others. Any approach like refraining from responsibility will mean shaking confidence and good will of our people according to our policy understanding.''

Bahceli said, ''we should propose new solutions and choices while accounting for the things that have been going on.''

MHP leader stressed that basic deficiency of the economy stemmed from the inefficiency of incomplete basis, adding that Turkish economy has a body that is not resistant to crises. Bahceli said, ''successes obtained within 1-1,5 years are not adequate for the body to regain its health.''

Bahceli said it was obvious that the most important problem stemmed from the finance system, adding that unhealty structure of banking sector and usage of banking as a tool to empty the banks, brought invitation to the crises.

Bahceli said activation of Banking Regulatory and Supervisory Board was an important step in this respect but could not be adequate.

Bahceli said succesful functioning of crawling peg, and prevention of its abuse, and perfect control on banking system have vital importance.

He said Turkey unfortunately had to go over a bad experience in the past three-four months, adding that Turkey, which has been rehabilitating its financial system, was not ready to the crisis. He said secret competition in banking sector deepened the crisis process.

Bahceli said, ''in addition to these, as the public banks continued to be the humps of the economy, and inflation lobby's being on continuous alert, are very important. Unless Turkey gets rid of those difficulties and problems, it would not be easy for Turkey to transform its fragile economic structure which is sensitive toward fluctuations, and speculative games.''

''However, whatever its cost would be, we have no alternative but to provide best usage of the country's sources and to win this fight. Our beliefs and efforts are all for these. As long as the power given by sublime God and as long as the confidence of our nation continue, we will continue to do our best for our country,'' Bahceli said.

(to be continued)

-ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES MINISTER ERSUMER DUE TO SYRIA

ANKARA - Energy and Natural Resources Minister Cumhur Ersumer will leave for Syria later on Tuesday to attend inauguration of Jordan-Syria part of five-country interconnection project as the guest of Syrian Electricity Minister Munib Saim Eldaher.

Releasing a statement, the Energy and Natural Resources Ministry said that the inauguration would take place in Der Ali Power Plant, 30 km south of Damascus, on March 14, 2001.

President Bashar Al-Assad of Syria, President Hosni Mubarak of Egypt, King Abdullah of Jordan, Iraqi and Lebanese ministers for electricity are expected to be in attendance at the inauguration.

The agreement regarded with the project was signed on January 17, 1989 among Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Syria and Turkey.

The interconnection project envisages connection of these five countries' 400 kw electricity systems.

Within scope of the project, Jordan-Egypt line and Ataturk-Birecik-Border line for interconnection of Turkey-Syria have been finalized.

Haleppo-Border line in Syrian part is expected to be concluded soon.

Lebanon joined the project in 2000 while Libya's participation was accepted in principle.

Ersumer and accompanying delegation are expected to return to Turkey on March 15.

-TURKISH BUSINESSMEN ARRIVE IN BAGHDAD

-FOREIGN TRADE UNDERSECRETARY TUZMEN: ''WE CAN INCREASE OUR

TRADE WITH IRAQ TO 1 BILLION U.S. DOLLARS THIS YEAR''

BAGHDAD - Foreign Trade Undersecretary Kursat Tuzmen said on Tuesday that exports from Turkey to Iraq could be increased to 1 billion U.S. dollars in 2001.

The 164-member ''Iraq-Jordan Trade Delegation'' comprising exporters headed by Tuzmen arrived in Baghdad.

The delegation members who will start holding official contacts in the afternoon were informed about Iraq early the same day.

Speaking at the meeting which aimed to inform the Turkish exporters, Tuzmen said that total annual exports from Turkey could be increased from 375 million U.S. dollars to 1 billion U.S. dollars.

Stressing that the Turkish authorities were expending great efforts for development of commercial relations with Iraq, Tuzmen said that those efforts should be consolidated mutually.

Noting that trade between Turkey and Iraq could be revived, Tuzmen said that Turkish companies could operate in every field.

Meanwhile, Sevget Ilgat, the Trade Attache of the Turkish Embassy in Baghdad, said that Iraq would open tenders in several sectors in the second half of 2001.

Ilgat said that Iraq was planning to open great tenders in fields like construction of a new railway, its rehabilitation, irrigation projects and irrigation tunnels.

Noting that Iraq was also planning to make great investments in telecommunications, Ilgat said that border trade between Turkey and Iraq should not be ignored.

-AMERICAN TRADE DELEGATION TO VISIT TURKEY

ISTANBUL - A 13-member American trade delegation will arrive in Istanbul to meet with Turkish businessmen.

U.S. Consulate General in Istanbul said on Tuesday that delegation members who would be in Istanbul between March 22-23 would offer business opportunities from several sectors, and they would hold meetings on issues of representation, sales, licence and joint investment.

There would be representatives from agricultural machines, airport services equipment, construction equipment, environment technologies, food processing equipment, medical equipment, security devices and services sectors from Illinois, Iowa, Mississipi, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas and West Virginia states of the U.S.

-MHP LEADER BAHCELI: (2)

''ATTITUDE OF IMF AND WORLD BANK WHICH IGNORES DIFFERENCES

AMONG REGIONS AND COUNTRIES AND SOCIAL NEEDS, INCREASE

DIFFICULTIES OF DEVELOPING ECONOMIES''

ANKARA - Devlet Bahceli, the leader of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) and Deputy Premier said on Tuesday that the attitude of IMF and the World Bank which ignores differences among regions and countries and social needs, don't decrease, but further increase the difficulties of the developing economies in overcoming their chronic problems.

Addressing his party's group meeting, Bahceli said that external dynamics started to have a more determining role on the economies of the countries due to globalization in the world.

''Giving importance to the interests of global capital and market rather than trying to set up an harmonious and stable global economic order, brings new problems to the existing ones,'' said Bahceli.

Stressing that the share of foreign debts in gross national products of developing countries is nearly 50 percent, Bahceli said that the debt stocks of these countries which was 1,9 trillion U.S. dollars in 1994 increased to 2,57 trillion U.S. dollars at the end of 1999.

Bahceli said that many impartial observers think that the implementation of the prescriptions and criteria which are valid for industralized countries can't be implemented in the same way in poor and developing countries.

''The problems which Turkey had following the crises in Far East Asia and Latin America can be a new turning point. Such a transformation is necessary to prevent the policies which lack global solidarity and social dimension, from causing serious problems in the future,'' Bahceli.

Bahceli noted that the economic stability programme of the government couldn't work due to the difficulties in external and internal dynamics, adding that the governemnt does not have any alternative other than providing the people's trust in the new economic programme.

Bahceli later listed the important issues which MHP gives importance in economy as:

''It is not possible to give up the structural reforms,

-The new programme should focus on decreasing the inflation rate, it should be realistic, but it should not ignore social problems. Thus, the wages of civil servants should be increased.

-Banking sector should be improved,

-Struggle with corruption should continue,

-Privatization process should be speeded up without wasting the public sources,

-Mechanisms of promoting investment, production and exports should be further improved,

-New platforms should be developed to make people support the new economic programme.''

Bahceli stressed that the stability should be re-installed and Turkey should have an economy which is based on production and share, rather than on speculations and rentier economy.

(end)

-STATE MINISTER USENMEZ:

-''WE WILL GIVE THE NECESSARY RESPONSE

TO THOSE WHO COVET OUR TERRITORIES''

ANKARA - State Minister Suayip Usenmez said on Tuesday, ''we do not have a wrongful desire on someone else's territory, and we will give the necessary response to those who covet our territories.''

Usenmez responded to questions of journalists about the Armenians' claim for territory from Turkey.

''They are living in a dream world. We cannot give them even a single pebble. We cannot accept such a claim,'' he stressed.

Usenmez added, ''our ancestors sacrificed their lives for the sake of these territories. No one can dare to covet our territories. We do not have a wrongful desire on someone else's territory, and we will give the necessary response to those who covet our territories.''

-PRESIDENT SEZER AND HIS GERMAN COUNTERPART RAU TO INAUGURATE

EXHIBITION OF ''TROY: DREAMS AND FACTS''

ANKARA - A total of 551 pieces of Troy treasures will be displayed in Stuttgart, Braunschweig and Bonn cities of Germany between March 17, 2001 and February 17, 2002 under the title of ''Troy: Dreams and Facts''.

Releasing a statement, the Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday that the exhibition would be inaugurated by President Ahmet Necdet Sezer and President Johannes Rau of Germany.

The statement noted that Germany would meet all expenses of organization of the exhibition.

''The exhibition aims at bringing onto agenda the fact that Turkey was the real source of Troy treasures which were unearthed in ancient city of Troy by German archaeologist Heinrich Schliemann between 1871 and 1890, and smuggled to foreign countries,'' the statement noted.

Noting that the exhibition would be a great opportunity to create public opinion in favor of Turkey, and to support initiatives for return of historical works stolen from Turkey, the statement added, ''this exhibition is also important in regard to further improvement of cultural relations with Germany, and to promote our country to the Germans.''

-ANAP GROUP MEETING

-ANAP LEADER YILMAZ SAYS NEW PROGRAMME'S FRAMEWORK WILL BE

ANNOUNCED ON THURSDAY, AND ITS DETAILS NEXT MONDAY

ANKARA - Mesut Yılmaz, the leader of the Motherland Party (ANAP) and the deputy premier said on Tuesday that the general framework of the new economic programme which covers structural reforms in banks will be announced on Thursday and its details will be announced on Monday.

The ANAP group meeting was held close to the press the same day.

Ibrahim Yasar Dedelek, the Acting Group leader of ANAP informed the press about Yılmaz's speech after the meeting.

Yılmaz said that the new economic programme prepared brought very serious proposals, adding that the programme is a national programme, yet it needs the support of international finance.

Noting that a new programme has been prepared by overcoming the deficiences of the previous programme, Yılmaz said that the government ignored the social and physchological dimensions in the previous programme.

Yılmaz said that the previous programme was based on financial, structural measures and monetary-exchange rate policies, adding that the financial and structural legs of the previous programme have been successful, but the monetary and exchange rate policies collapsed and this caused the collapse of the economic programme.

Yılmaz said that bureaucrats and the State Minister Kemal Dervis carried out a meticulous work in the preparation of the new programme, adding that ''this programme focused on ending the deficits of the public banks, a new structural arrangement will be adopted related to banks.''

Yılmaz indicated that Halk Bank and Emlak Bank will be re-organized, adding that the law that will be adopted about these banks will be implemented fastly.

Defending the view that public banks have been open to political effects to date, Yılmaz said that the political effects on public banks will end by the new programme.

Recounting that the deficits of the public banks have also affected other banks, Yılmaz said that meeting the deficits of the public banks is very important and it constitutes the most important leg of the new programme.

Yılmaz said that the new programme includes measures which will end the payment inbalances among public employees, adding that the support of the people to the new programme is important. Yılmaz said that the increase in employees wages won't be less than the increase in inflation rate.

-KUTAN, LEADER OF FP:

-''ALL THREE POLITICAL PARTIES FORMING COALITION

GOVERNMENT ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR CURRENT CRISIS''

ANKARA - Recai Kutan, the leader of the Virtue Party (FP), said on Tuesday, ''all three political parties forming the coalition government are responsible for the current economic crisis.''

Speaking at the FP's parliamentary group meeting, Kutan, ''March 12 attested two important incidents in our past. On March 12, 1921, the National Anthem was adopted by the parliament. Yesterday, we marked the 80th anniversary of adoption of the National Anthem. But officials from coalition partners did not attend the ceremonies. We condemn the Parliament Speaker's negligence.''

''On March 12, 1971, there was an intervention in democracy. Since then, officials from the World Bank were imported to Turkey. Now, they imported Kemal Dervis from the World Bank. Turkey has not developed for the last 30 years. Human rights have been violated. The current government have broken records in bad actions,'' he said.

Noting that the foreign trade deficit exceeded to 27 billion U.S. dollars for the first time, Kutan said, ''meeting of the National Security Council (NSC) was concluded in half an hour and a prime minister called the president as 'rude and insolent' for the first time in our history. We all saw in February that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank could not solve problems in Turkey. Politicians put the blame of crisis on three bureaucrats instead of accepting their responsibility. Before the crisis, Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit was eulogizing the IMF. When the program failed, he said that the IMF was outdated. Two days later, he denied his own statement. Prime Minister Ecevit is not aware of the fact that the government was in a regrettable situation. All three political parties forming the coalition government are responsible for current economic crisis. Especially the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) cannot exclude itself from this responsibility.''

Kutan called on coalition partners to hold early elections soon.

-CASE ON DEATH OF DYP DEPUTY SIHANLIOGLU CONTINUES TO BE HEARD

-COURT DECIDES TO LISTEN TO 35 DEPUTIES AS WITNESSES

ANKARA - The trial of Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) deputies Mehmet Kundakcı and Cahit Tekelioglu continued on Tuesday for causing the death of True Path Party (DYP) deputy Fevzi Sıhanlıoglu.

Tekelioglu and Kundakcı didn't attend the hearing at Ankara Criminal Court No. 9. Three Nationalist party deputies, who are former lawyers, defended them.

Yılmaz Camlıbel, the judge of the court said that the plaintiff's lawyers requested the court to widen the investigation.

Camlıbel said that they received the autopsy report from Ankara Forensic Medicine and the lawyers of the plaintiff presented the photos published in newspapers to the court, adding that the lawyers of the suspects presented 80 photos related to the case to the court.

Camlıbel said that the court decided to accept the wife of Sıhanlıoglu and his four children to be interveners in the case.

Interveners' lawyers said that they oppose the report of the forensic medicine, requesting time to examine the documents and evidences in the file.

Camlıbel, chief judge said that they decided to listen to 35 deputies including Health Minister Osman Durmus and Parliamentary Administration Director Ahmet Cakar as witnesses, to examine footage from state-run TV TRT which has broadcasting rights to parliamentary debates. He added that they also decided to call a doctor from Guven Hospital where Sıhanlıoglu was hospitalized as a witness and to request the report on Sıhanlıoglu from the hospital where he died.

Trial was adjourned until 9.0 a.m April 20.

The indictment requests heavy imprisonment for Tekelioglu and Kundakcı from five years to six years and eight months under Articles 452/2 and 463 of the Turkish Penal Code for causing the death of Sıhanlıoglu.

Fevzi Sihanlioglu, 55, died of a heart attack last month after a debate in parliament turned violent.

-NEW ECONOMIC PROGRAMME AND INVESTMENTS

ANKARA - The floating currency system and the new economic programme brought supplementary budget on the agenda while it is foreseen that amount of investments can be increased by 500 trillion Turkish lira (TL).

Sources said on Tuesday that meetings between State Minister Kemal Dervis and bureaucrats focused mainly on arrangement of banking sector.

Sources said that following rehabilitation of the banking sector, problem of Treasury's borrowing stock could come on the agenda and that markets could be revived if this problem was solved.

Recalling that amount of external source would become clear after completion of the programme, officials said that the new stability programme had not become clear yet.

Noting that it was impossible to increase amount of incomes and collect new taxes, officials said that savings would be tried to be made especially in expenditures.

Meanwhile, amount of personnel, transfer and investment expenditures which were allocated from the budget would be increased in parallel to increase in inflation target.

Sources said that only 500 trillion TL of source could be transferred to the general-added budget investments which were foreseen to be 3.5 quadrillion TL in the 2001 Year Programme.

-ANAP GROUP MEETING (2)

-ANAP LEADER YILMAZ SAYS THEY NEED 30 BILLION

DOLLARS FOR PUBLIC BANKS AND BANKS IN FUND

ANKARA - Mesut Yılmaz, the leader of the Motherland Party (ANAP) said on Tuesday that Turkey needs 30 billion dollars of source to meet the servicing loss of the public banks and the banks which were transferred to the Savings Deposit Insurance Fund.

Addressing the parliamentary group meeting of his party, Yılmaz said that they need a source of 20 billion dollars to meet the servicing loss of Ziraat Bank, Halk Bank and Emlak Bank.

Yılmaz also noted that they need a source of 10 billion dollars for the banks which were transferred to the Savings Deposit Insurance Fund, adding that a source of around 5-6 billion dollars is expected to come to Turkey by the stand-by agreement.

Calling deputies to extend support to the new economic programme, Yılmaz said that the possibility of uniting Ziraat Bank, Halk Bank and Emlak Bank under one roof is also being discussed.

ANAP leader Yılmaz said that they won't bring additional taxes with the new economic programme, adding that as the public workers's wages increased last year, they will ask them not to demand additional increase from the government this year.

Yılmaz added that they will discuss the economic programme next week in the party group meeting upon the demand of ANAP deputies.

-STATE MINISTER DERVIS TAKES OATH IN PARLIAMENT

ANKARA - State Minister Kemal Dervis took oath on Tuesday afternoon in the parliament.

Dervis came to the parliament together with Premier Bulent Ecevit at 15.00 local time.

Ecevit talked to State Minister Dervis for nearly 20 minutes in his office where State Minister Husamettin Ozkan was also present.

The presidential note related to the appointment of Dervis as the State Minister was firstly read out in the parliament. Dervis later came to the parliament desk and took oath. Priem Minister Ecevit, Deputy Premiers Ozkan and Devlet Bahceli congratulated Dervis after the oath-taking ceremony.

While leaving the parliament, Dervis told reporters that he was very happy.

Article 109 of the Constitution says that those who are appointed to the cabinet outside the parliament becomes minister after taking oath in the parliament. Ministers who are not deputies are obliged to abide by the duties of the deputies as long as they are ministers. They also have parliamentary immunity.

Article 81 of the Constitution says Members of the Turkish Grand National Assembly, on assuming office, shall take the following oath: ''I swear upon my honour and integrity, before the great Turkish Nation, to safeguard the existence and independence of the State, the indivisible integrity of the Country and the Nation, and the absolute sovereignty of the Nation; to remain loyal to the supremacy of law, to the democratic and secular Republic, and to Atatürk's principles and reforms; not to deviate from the ideal according to which everyone is entitled to enjoy human rights and fundamental freedoms under peace and prosperity in society, national solidarity and justice, and loyalty to the Constitution.''

-AZERBAIJANI PRESIDENT ALIYEV ADDRESSES PARLIAMENT

ANKARA - Azerbaijani President Haydar Aliyev said on Tuesday that Turkey, which was created by Ataturk, the founder of modern Turkey, is important not only for himself, but for Azerbaijan and the whole Turkish world.

Addressing the parliament, Aliyev said that he is very happy when he comes to Turkey.

''When I am in Turkey I feel myself in my own homeland and with my brothers, '' said Aliyev who was applauded by deputies.

Aliyev said that he came to Turkey upon the invitation of President Ahmet Necdet Sezer and he aims at further improving the bilateral relations in his visit to Turkey.

Aliyev said that Turkey and Azerbaijan are in the position of becoming ''strategic partners,'' adding that this will be useful for Turkish and Azerbaijani nations and states.

Aliyev indicated that the two countries have the same origin, same values, same language and religion, adding that ''we attribute great importance to our origins.''

Noting that an independent Turkey means a lot for Azerbaijan, Azerbaijani President Aliyev said that even when they were under the sovereignty of the Soviet Union, they closely monitored the development of Turkey as an independent country.

''We were separate from each other for 70 years, but we came together again ten years ago,'' said Aliyev, remanking that Turkey has always been very important for them.

Turkey has developed and followed a sound path in the 20th century, said Aliyev and added that Turkish Republic lives for 80 years with its independent structure, powerful army and its parliament which solves all the problems.

''Turkey chose an important path after the foundation of the republic. This choice made her develop. It adapted to the world economy and has become a powerful state. It has become a democratic, secular and modern state and gained an important role in the world. This is a mater of proud for Azerbaijan,'' Aliyev said.

Describing Ataturk as the greatest man of the Turkish world, Aliyev said that ''we know the value of Turkish Republic more than you.'' Aliyev said that the most important gift Ataturk gave to the Turkish nation is Turkish army and soldiers who can't be defeated.

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