Anadolu Agency: News in English, 01-03-21

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ANADOLU AGENCY

NEWS

21 MARCH

2001 Wednesday

CONTENTS

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

On EU issue, Yilmaz said, ''those whose sultanates were thrown, feel uneasy. They will be in an effort to distort the agenda, and to start crisis.'' On economy issue, Yilmaz said, ''get rid of demoralization. There will be many complaints, you will be get bored. We can not be successful before providing political support.''

G-7: WE ARE READY FOR SUPPORT TO TURKEY
The finance ministers and the Central Bank governors of industrialized G7 countries issued a joint statement and said they were pleased with the framework of Turkey's new economic program.

The joint statement was released by the Department of the Treasury of the U.S. on behalf of G7 countries which is comprised of the U.S., Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and Canada.

The statement said the program should be carried out with a long term political determination to achieve success.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

ECEVIT PLEASED OVER THE SUPPORT OF BUSINESS WORLD
Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit was pleased over the support expended by the leading businessmen and the Union of Chambers to fight against the crisis. Ecevit said, ''we should solve the problem with national solidarity. This is not a problem that can not be solved.''

SABAH (LIBERAL)

NEW DERVIS MOVEMENT
The New Democracy Movement (YDH) which was founded in 1994 by Cem Boyner and which dissolved after getting less than 1 percent in the elections, has revived again. YDH members say that State Minister Kemal Dervis is one of them. YDH members had a dinner with Dervis last night. Now people started to call YDH as ''New Dervis Movement.''

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

INFLOW OF IMMIGRANTS TO TURKEY STARTS
Many persons started to come to Turkey from Macedonia due to the clashes with Albanian rebels. According to the information given by the officials at Kapıkule border gate, 2,500 Macedonians arrived in Turkey in the last three days.

IMF REFRAINS FROM TAKING RESPONSIBILITY
News published in international newspapers like the Financial Times, The Washington Post and Le Monde show that IMF refrains from taking responsibility in relation to the economic crisis in Turkey.

RADIKAL (LEFT)

DAY-LIGHT STANDART TIME TO START ON SUNDAY
Day-light saving time to start this weekend. The time will be advanced by one hour at 01.00 on October 28, to abide by the European countries' time and to decrease demand for energy. The day-light saving time will end on October 28 at 02.00 by setting the time back by one hour. Turkey expects to save 600-625 million khw of electricity energy by the adoption of the day- light saving time this year.

TURKIYE (RIGHT)

DEMIREL IN ISRAEL
Former President Suleyman Demirel left for Israel to attend the works of the Fact Finding Committee.

Speaking to journalists prior to his departure, Demirel said the committee was carrying out research on reasons for ongoing violence between Israel and Palestine and on the things that should be done to stop this violence. ''We will visit all problematic regions in Israel and Palestine. We will observe the situation and get information. We will meet with Arafat, Sharon and all other officials,'' he said.

CAPITAL PUNISMENT TO BE LIFTED
Justice Minister Hikmet Sami Turk said the new draft Turkish Penal Code did not include capital punishment, noting that this new draft could be submitted to the Council of Ministers within six months.

Turk said, ''as it is mentioned in the National Program, the capital punishment will be lifted in the medium term.''

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

The National Program will be officially submitted to the EU Commissioner Guenter Verheugen on Sunday.

BLOW ON LOCAL WEAPONS
The local companies were not called for the tender that will be opened meet the weapon need of the Security Department. German, Belgian, Italian and Czech companies attend the tender which was the only hope of the local companies in order not to be closed. This tender was the last hope for the local companies inorder not to be closed.

-CELEBRATIONS HELD UPON NEVRUZ FESTIVITIES IN ISTANBUL
-ONE PERSON TAKEN INTO CUSTODY
ISTANBUL - Celebrations were held in various places of Istanbul upon Nevruz festivities. One person was taken into custody.

Groups of people who gathered in Umraniye, Gaziosmanpasa, Beyoglu, Bagcılar and Bahcelievler districts of Istanbul celebrated Nevruz, the sign of early spring in Anatolian culture. No incident took place during the celebrations in which police took tight measures.

Meanwhile, police warned a group who convened and lit a fire in Cinderesi Street in Beyoglu district. One person who didn't want to leave the spot in spite of police warning, was taken into custody and the group dispersed.

Police officials said that they permitted people to celebrate Nevruz only if they don't give harm to the environment, adding that they took measures to prevent such illegal demonstrations.

-ARIA STARTS GIVING SERVICE
ISTANBUL - GSM operator Aria which is owned by Italian cell phone telephone company TIM and Turkish Is Bank, started giving service to its subscribers today.

Aria completed its network in Istanbul, Ankara and Izmir. The company's service field will expand to cover all regions after certain agreements are finalized.

Aria is targeting to offer service to 50 percent of the total population in the first two years and increase this to 90 percent in the first five years. The company will run its GSM 1800 digital network for the next 25 years.

Substantial financial, technological, and organizational activities formed the network infrastructure and the investments are expected to total up to one million U.S. dollars by the end of 2002.

Presently, Aria employs 630 people and company officials said this number would exceed 2,000 end of 2002.

The WAP technology which is present in Aria network will provide internet service to its subscribers. Starting in the second half of the year, the network will also give services related to GPRS technology.

Aria subscribers will be able to make a subscription agreement without paying a fixed monthly fee.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit and Transportation Minister Enis Oksuz made the first telephone conversation using Aria network.

''I'm happy to make the first conversation using Turkey's third GSM operator. I congratulate you for your contributions to this important initiative and the executives of Turkish-Italian partnership Is-Tim,'' Ecevit said on the phone.

-ALPOGAN, DEPUTY UNDERSECRETARY OF FOREIGN MINISTRY:
-''PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA HAS ALSO SOMETHING TO
DO FOR SOLUTION OF CYPRUS ISSUE''
BEIJING - Yigit Alpogan, the Deputy Undersecretary of the Foreign Ministry, said on Wednesday, ''the People's Republic of China has also something to do for solution of Cyprus issue.''

Speaking at a conference at the Western Asia and Middle East Researches Institute of the Chinese Social Sciences Academy in the People's Republic of China's capital Beijing on historical development of Cyprus issue, current sitution on Cyprus and solution proposals, Alpogan said, ''the process began in 1955 as a struggle for independence. But the process was turned into a ethnic cleansing by the Greek Cypriot side.''

Underlining importance of the People's Republic of China's listening to the Turkish Cypriot side's opinions, Alpogan noted, ''an international pressure should be put on the Greek Cypriot side for a solution on the island. The People's Republic of China has also something to do for solution of Cyprus issue.''

Later, Alpogan responded to questions of Chinese academicians about the confederation proposal, the European Union's and the U.S.' approach to the Cyprus issue, the Cyprus issue's impact on Turkey's EU membership process and Greece's point of view about the Cyprus issue.

Academicians who are members of the Chinese Foreign Ministry, the Chinese Communist Party, the Chinese News Agency Xinhua and several think-tank organizations attended the conference.

Alpogan is expected to depart from the People's Republic of China later today.

-A TOTAL OF 5,684 MACEDONIANS ENTER TURKEY IN LAST 11 DAYS
EDIRNE - The number of Macedonians who have entered Turkey from the Edirne Border Gate in last eleven days due to the clashes between the Macedonian security forces and Albanian militants in Kosovo-Macedonia border region reached 5,684.

Officials at the border gate told the A.A correspondent on Wednesday that Turkey do not implement entry visa to Macedonians and they can stay in Turkey for two months following the passport procedures.

Customs officials said that Macedonians told them that Albanians had thrown stones at their buses while they were crossing Kosovo.

Officials added that those Macedonians would be settled at the Gaziosmanpasa Refugee Guesthouse in northwestern province of Kirklareli.

-ACTING PARLIAMENT SPEAKER GONUL SAYS PROBLEMS IN MACEDONIA
SHOULD BE SOLVED THROUGH DIALOGUE, NOT WEAPONS
SKOPJE - Acting Parliament Speaker Vecdi Gonul has said that the problems in Macedonia should be solved through a dialogue, not through terrorism.

Gonul who attended the South East Europe Cooperation Process parliament speakers' meeting told the Macedonian radio that the problems could not be solved by firing weapons in the streets, but through a democratic approarch.

''The Turkish Republic understands Macedonia's troubles very well,'' he said and expressed Turkey's concerns about the negative developments in this country.

-SEZER SAYS TURKEY CONCERNED ABOUT POSSIBLE SPREAD OF VIOLENCE TO TETOVO
ANKARA - President Ahmet Necdet Sezer Wednesday called Macedonian President Boris Trajkovski on the phone and discussed with him the latest developments in Macedonia.

A statement released from the Presidency Press Center said that Sezer told Trajkovski that Turkey was closely following the incidents in Macedonia and it was concerned about a possible spread of violence to Tetovo.

''Turkey welcomes the NATO decision to move 1,000 KFOR soldiers deployed in Kosovo to Kosovo-Macedonian border for border inspections and we hope that the international community would more actively contribute to the solution of the problems in Macedonia,'' Sezer told the Macedonian president.

Sezer also pointed out that Turkey supported the Macedonian government's efforts to strengthen relations between ethnic groups, adding that the contribution of all political parties, including Turkish parties, would help to bring a solution to the country's problem.

Sezer once again stressed Turkey's political support for Macedonia and said he hoped the violent incidents would come to a halt very soon through a peaceful approach.

Trajkovski said he was grateful for Turkey's support to his country and briefed Sezer about the most recent developments. The Macedonian president stressed that NATO should urgently take meausures to bring a more effective inspection on Kosovo-Macedonian border. He also agreed with Sezer regarding the participation of all political parties in the efforts to bring peace. Trajkovski said he would have a meeting with leaders of the Turkish political parties today.

-AZERBAIJANI DEFENSE MINISTER ABIYEV: ''THERE IS A NEED FOR NEW
AGREEMENTS WHICH FORESEE COOPERATION WITH TURKEY IN MILITARY FIELD''
BAKU - Azerbaijani Defense Minister Sefer Abiyev said on Wednesday that there is a need for new agreements which foresee cooperation with Turkey in military field.

Speaking to the A.A correspondent, Abiyev said that there are agreements between Turkey and Azerbaijan which foresee cooperation in military field and that works are under way on similar new agreements.

Sefer Abiyev added that Turkey extends every support to Azerbaijan.

-FINANCIAL CRISIS IN TURKEY DISCUSSED IN PARIS
-TUSIAD CHAIRMAN OZILHAN: ''WE SUPPORT DERVIS' PROGRAMME''
PARIS - Turkish and French businessmen discussed the situation occurred after the financial crisis in Turkey at a meeting held in Paris on Monday by Le Monde newspaper and Nord Sud Export company.

The Turkish and French businessmen also discussed how the crisis erupted between Turkey and France after approval of resolution on so-called genocide on Armenians by the French parliament can be overcome.

Association of Turkish Industrialists and Businessmen (TUSIAD) Chairman Tuncay Ozilhan, TUSIAD's former chairman Erkut Yucaoglu, Turkish-French Business Council Chairman Aldo Kawlowski, TUSIAD Secretary General Haluk Tukel and TUSIAD Representative in Brussels Bahadir Kaleagasi attended the meeting which was closed to press.

Speaking at the meeting, TUSIAD Chairman Ozilhan said that as the Turkish businessmen, they support the programme which was put forward by Kemal Dervis who was appointed as the Minister of State for Economy following the financial crisis.

Giving information about the latest developments in the Turkish economy, Ozilhan said that as the TUSIAD, they have full confidence in Dervis.

Meanwhile, TUSIAD's former chairman Yucaoglu criticized France which approved resolution on so-called genocide on Armenians.

Stressing that the French parliament made a serious mistake, Yucaoglu said that this law seriously damaged bilateral relations.

Meanwhile, Turkish and French businessmen also discussed the process of Turkey's European Union full membership.

TUSIAD delegation will meet on March 22 in Paris with officials of the MEDEF which is known as the biggest businessmen's union in France and will later stage a press conference.

-NEVRUZ FESTIVAL CELEBRATED THROUGHOUT TURKEY
ANKARA/ISTANBUL/DIYARBAKIR - The Nevruz festival is being celebrated on Wednesday throughout Turkey.

Culture Minister Istemihan Talay received students from Turkish Republics in Central Asia.

Culture Minister Polad Bulbuloglu of Azerbaijan was also in attendance at the meeting.

Later, Culture Minister Talay, his Azerbaijani counterpart Bulbuloglu and students laid a wreath to Ataturk Monument together with National Education Minister Metin Bostancioglu.

In southeastern Diyarbakir province, the People's Democracy Party (HADEP) organized a series of activities to mark Nevruz festival.

Tight security measures have been taken in the province.

Murat Bozlak, the leader of the HADEP; Ufuk Uras, the leader of the Freedom and Solidarity Party (ODP); Aydemir Guler, the leader of the Socialist Workers' Party (SIP); German parliamentarians Feleknaz Uca and Helin Baba; and nearly 80 people from Italy, France, Switzerland, Belgium, Russia and Britain attended the celebrations.

Speaking at the celebrations Bozlak said that those who assasinated Gaffar Okkan, the former police chief of Diyarbakir, and five security officials should be brought to justice as soon as possible.

Meanwhile, a number of people fainted due to crowd.

They were rushed to health center for medical treatment.

In southeastern Batman province, a number of people attended celebrations to mark Nevruz festival.

Celebrations in Diyarbakir and Batman will end at 03:00 p.m.

In southern Mersin province, a number of people attended celebrations to mark Nevruz festival.

Speaking at the celebrations, Ahmet Turan Demir, the deputy chairman of HADEP, said that Nevruz was a symbol of peace, freedom and fertility.

Tight security measures have been taken in Mersin.

Meanwhile, a person attempted to open a banner carrying photograph of Abdullah Ocalan, the head of terrorist organization PKK. Security forces intervened in the person. One security official was injured during the incident.

In central province of Kayseri, Sukru Efe, the provincial director of culture, said, ''Nevruz is a festival which has been celebrated by Turkish and Muslim people for centuries. It means new day.''

A panel discussion was organized at the Kocaeli University to mark Nevruz festival.

Speaking at the panel discussion, Prof. Dr. Sermin Tekinalp, the Dean of Faculty of Journalism, said, ''Nevruz has been described as harbinger of the spring. Nevruz does not belong to any religious belief, culture or race. All cultures in a vast area from Central Asia to the Balkans, celebrate Nevruz.''

In northwestern province of Edirne, celebrations were organized to mark Nevruz festival.

-DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ: ''WE SHOULD LIFT THE DEATH
SENTENCE IN THE SHORTEST TIME FRAME BETWEEN ONE AND FIVE YEARS''
ISTANBUL - State Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz said on Wednesday that they should lift the capital punishment in the shortest time frame between one and five years.

Following a briefing given to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Evaluation Commission members at the Atakoy Olympic House in Istanbul, Yilmaz responded to questions of journalists.

When asked whether or not IOC commission members requested a guarantee regarding the economy, Yilmaz said, ''no, they are trying to understand the capacity of the Republic of Turkey to host Olympic Games. They are trying to understand whether or not the currently existing economic situation will still be effective in 2008. They have asked questions about these issues and I have explained the ongoing economic programme to them. I have explained especially our relations with the European Union (EU) and the future of these relations. I have told them that all of these problems will be solved until 2008.''

Responding to a question which said, ''You have talked about Turkey's disputes. What are Turkey's international disputes?'' Yilmaz said, ''we have disputes with Greece and Syria and other countries. However, I said that all of these have entered a dialogue process.''

Responding to a question which said, ''you have said that the capital punishment will be lifted in medium term. What is medium term?'' Yilmaz said, ''medium term is more than one year but it is maximum five years. Otherwise, it contradicts with the EU enlargement schedule. We should lift death sentence in the shortest time frame between one and five years.''

When asked whether or not the National Programme foresaw a change in the structure of the National Security Council (NSC), Yilmaz said, ''there is a need for a new understanding in the domestic and external public opinion about perception of the NSC's structure. Misunderstandings should be removed. Actually, a new arrangement will come onto the agenda automatically. Constitutional position of the NSC is not regarded as strange in relations with the EU. However, there are misunderstandings and these should be corrected.''

When asked whether or not there would be a concrete change in the NSC, Yilmaz said, ''no. There were expectations of the EU in the Accession Partnership Document. And we gave place to these in the National Programme.''

Responding to a question which said, ''what kind of things does the National Programme include about the social rights? For example, will men be granted six-month paternity leave?'' Yilmaz said, ''there are many similar detailed parts. However, these don't have to be adopted before full- membership. They can be adopted following the membership. Today, fulfilment of political criteria is the prior duty of the Republic of Turkey.''

-FOREIGN MINISTER CEM:
-''CONTINUATION OF INTERCOMMUNAL NEGOTIATIONS ON CYPRUS
WITH PREVIOUS CHARACTERISTICS WILL NOT BE BENEFICIAL''
ANKARA, March 21 (A.A) - Foreign Minister Ismail Cem said on Wednesday that continuation of intercommunal negotiations on Cyprus with previous characteristics would not be beneficial.

Speaking at a program on the private NTV television channel, Cem said that new parameters should be put forward for continuation of intercommunal negotiations.

''I hope that the United Nations would take into consideration warnings of President Rauf Denktas of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC),'' he stressed.

Stressing that full membership of Greek Cypriot side to the European Union (EU) would disrupt all balances in Cyprus and Eastern Mediterranean, Cem said that Turkey would do whatever is necessary together with the TRNC against such a development.

Noting that there was not any limit on Turkey's reactions, Cem said, ''the Greek Cypriot administration with the support of the EU does not accept any solution on the island.''

Referring to the National Program which will be submitted to the EU Commission at the weekend, Cem said that EU countries should take up the National Program in a broad pespective.

-REACTIONS AGAINST MANHANDLING OF TURKISH CYPRIOT REPORTERS
LEFKOSA - Many people reacted strongly against the manhandling of Turkish Cypriot reporters by the Greek Cypriot police during the trial of the alleged drug smuggler Turkish Cypriot Omer Gazi Tekogul at Larnaka Penalty Court, it was reported on Wednesday.

Cyprus Turkish Mujahedin Association said the recent incident was a demonstration of the animosity against Turkish Cypriots. A written statement from the association's headquarters said the behaviour of the Greek Cypriot police was an evidence of enmity and racist discrimination against the Turkish Cypriots.

The statement also criticized British Higher Commissary Edward Clay for resembling the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) to the racist regime of South Africa. ''We highly recommend Clay not to go further since he meddled with the TRNC's domestic affairs and made unfair statements,'' it was stated. The association said the TRNC was not a colony and asked Clay to ''make his statements within borders of diplomacy.''

Cyprus Turkish Press Council Chairman Ismet Kotak protested the Greek Cypriot authorities, police, and the U.N. who remained silent after the incident. He complained to the World Press Councils Association about the mandhandling of Turkish Cypriot reporters.

''This incident shows that the Greek Cypriot Administration who frequently attempts to give us a lesson and the Greek Cypriot police are still living in the Middle Ages,'' he asserted.

Freedom and Justice Party said the Greek Cypriots one more time proved that they had absolutely no tolerance for any Turks. Cyprus Turkish Journalists Association and Cyprus Turkish Journalists Association also condemned the incident.

-OFFICIALS AGREE THAT ISTANBUL HAVE GOOD CHANCES TO HOST
OLYMPICS IN 2008
ISTANBUL - International Olympic Committee (IOC) Evaluation Commission delegation is continuing its contacts in Istanbul which is one of the five candidate countries to host the Olympic games in 2008.

International Weight Lifting Federation Vice President Naim Suleymanoglu said Istanbul had certain advantages over other candidates to host 2008 Olympic Games. ''First of all, this city is located on the junction point of Asia and Euope. Also Olympics has never been held in a Muslim country before. Everybody believes that Istanbul could do this organization,'' he said.

State Minister Fikret Unlu who spoke at the Internatonal Olympic Committee said Istanbul had good chances of being elected to host the Olympic Games in 2008. ''So far, 50 percent of the sports facilities necessary for the organization have been completed. We also have public support for this project. Eighty percent of people who have been interviewed want the Olympics to be held in Istanbul,'' he stated.

Istanbul Governor Erol Cakir said the city had no security problem.

Istanbul Mayor Ali Mufit Gurtuna said that Istanbul had better chances than other candidates. He added that Istanbul's traffic problem would be completely solved by that time adding that the evaluation committee had no reservations about the city planning.

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