Anadolu Agency: News in English, 01-03-30

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ANADOLU AGENCY

NEWS

30 MARCH

2001 Friday

CONTENTS

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

[02] STATE MINISTER DERVIS (1):

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

VIRTUE PARTY: ''WE ALSO PROMISE''
The Virtue Party (FP), which is the main opposition party, announced that they would also exert efforts to pass 15 laws necessary for the economic program. Bulent Arinc, the deputy leader of the FP, said they would extend support to pass 15 laws in fifteen days time, adding that they took this decision to prevent an interim regime. We will extend support to the efforts of State Minister Kemal Dervis which will be beneficial to Turkish people, added Arinc.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

JUDICIAL ORGANS STOP TELEKOM TENDER
The Ankara Administrative Tribunal no: 6 suspended procedure for an auction to sell 33.5 percent of Turkish Telekom's shares under the Privatization Authority Board's decision to determine the selling conditions. The Ankara Administrative Tribunal no: 6 announced its verdict in the suit filed by Public Entrepreneurship Development Foundation (KIGEM).

SABAH (LIBERAL)

DERVIS'S SURPRISE MEETING IN PARIS
State Minister Kemal Dervis, who is expected to hold contacts in Frankfurt following his visit to the U.S., had to cancel his appointments in Frankfurt due to a delay in his flight. Dervis, who went to Paris, France instead of Frankfurt, met with Laurent Fabius, the finance and economy minister of France. Dervis gave information about the new economic program to Fabius and requested support from France. Fabius, who is one of the most influential names of the Socialist Party, said they would exert utmost effort to extend support to Turkey.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

OPERATION AGAINST DRUG SMUGGLING
Security forces seized drugs having a market price of 454 billion Turkish liras (TL) in a truck which entered into Turkey through Gurbulak Border Gate. A statement of the State Ministry said that 20 kilograms of opium hidden in the truck were confiscated.

RADIKAL (LEFT)

PSYCHIATRIST SAMANCI SAYS NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO COMMIT
SUICIDE DURING CRISIS DAYS INCREASES
Unemployment and economic crisis, which are the main causes of pyschological disorders, cause many people to commit suicide beacuse of depression, anxiety, and harmonization problems. Delivering a speech at a panel discussion titled ''The Effects of Economic Crisis on Pyschology'', psychiatrist Armagan Samanci said the depression cases increased following the crisis periods. Men start to drink and women start to take pills during such days, added Samanci.

TURKIYE (RIGHT)

U.S. DOLLAR CANNOT BE DECREASED
Despite all the efforts, one U.S. dollar increased to 1 million 200 thousand Turkish liras (TL). Due to indefiniteness in economy, the TL continues to lose value against foreign currencies. The Central Bank decided to hold currency sale tender every day as of Thursday. But, this intervention did not stop the U.S. dollar from increasing.

PAINTING SMUGGLERS IN PRISON
Four people were sent to prison in connection with the smuggling of two paintings which were believed to be painted by world-famous painter Pablo Picasso. Four people, including Ihsan Demir, the nephew of Mustafa Bayram, an independent deputy from eastern Van province; his bodyguard Haydar Durak; his driver Ismail Zorlu; and Cumhur Ertekin were impisoned by Istanbul Criminal Court on charges of acting contrary to the Law on Preservation of Cultural and Historical Heritage.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

ARINC: ''WE HAVE TO SUPPORT DERVIS''
Virtue Party (FP) Parliamentary Group Deputy Chairman Bulent Arinc said that they would support adoption of laws which State Minister Kemal Dervis saw necessary in order to relieve the nation and overcome the financial crisis. Staging a press conference at the parliament, Arinc said, ''if fifteen different laws which Mr. Dervis wants the parliament to adopt in fifteen days are prepared rapidly and brought to parliament and commissions function well, we are ready to support them on behalf of 65 million people.''

[02] STATE MINISTER DERVIS (1):

Prior to his departure for Ankara, Dervis told reporters that the mentioned legal changes are on the agenda for a long time.

Dervis said that many of the legal changes reached the final stage and that many of them can be presented to the Council of Ministers today or Monday.

Defining ''15 laws in 15 days'' as a good slogan, Dervis said that this period can be 13, 18 or 14 days.

Dervis stated that the legal changes have to be finalized rapidly.

All the laws can be passed until the middle of April, Dervis said, ''I am fairly optimistic.''

Dervis emphasized that his contacts in the U.S., Germany and France were very beneficial, adding that he is very optimistic that they can get foreign support within the framework of the program.

(To be continued)

-STATE MINISTER DERVIS (2):
-''WE HAVE TO PUT FORWARD ALL THE DETAILS OF THE PROGRAM
WITHIN TWO OR THREE WEEKS''
ISTANBUL - State Minister Kemal Dervis said on Friday that they have to put forward all the details of the program within two or three weeks.

Prior to his departure for Ankara, Dervis told reporters that they have to act very rapidly and carefully.

Dervis said that after discussing the outlines of the program with Premier Bulent Ecevit and the other coalition leaders and reaching frame agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), they have two or three weeks to work.

''We have to put forward all the details of the program during this time. We need time for two reasons. We have to put forward the concrete details by taking the support of the parliament together with my colleagues. On the other hand, we have to reach the final stage after listening to the proposals of all the sectors of the society. We will see how long this will take. But, it will be beneficial to finalize these initiatives as soon as possible,'' Dervis said.

Dervis noted that the state which takes loans with high interests undertakes more burden every day.

''This is our burden. Especially, this is the burden of the workers. To this end, we have to exert efforts rapidly and carefully,'' Dervis said.

Touching on his contacts in the U.S., Germany and France, Dervis said, ''the solution of problems is in Turkey. We have always said this. It will be wrong to undertake a big foreign loan burden. But, we have to take some foreign support. I am optimistic that we can provide this foreign loan within the framework of the program.''

(To be continued)

-STATE MINISTER DERVIS (3):
-''I HAVE BEEN SUPPORTED BY ECEVIT SINCE THE VERY FIRST DAY''
ISTANBUL - State Minister Kemal Dervis said on Friday that he has been supported by Premier Bulent Ecevit since the very first day.

Prior to his departure for Ankara, Dervis told reporters that they are working altogether and that nobody should doubt about this.

Dervis said that he is also supported by deputy prime ministers Devlet Bahceli and Mesut Yilmaz, adding, ''everybody wants to support this program and will do so.''

Noting that he expects the opposition parties to extend some support to the program, Dervis said, ''I want to inform the opposition parties. I will apply to get appointment from these parties.''

Dervis said that they are more strong today when compared to the last week.

Everybody should be patient, Dervis noted.

Dervis stated that the foreign circles examined the new parts and figures of the economic program.

''They stated that they would extend support to us following their examinations. The amount and shape of the support will become definite after all the details of the program are announced. My contacts in Germany, the U.S., and France were positive,'' Dervis added.

Dervis later left for Ankara.

(To be continued)

-ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COUNCIL TO CONVENE ON SATURDAY
ANKARA - The Economic and Social Council will convene on Saturday under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit.

Economic situation will be assessed in general, and issues like problems of reel sector, salary, distribution of income, unemployment and production will be taken up at the meeting.

State Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Devlet Bahceli, State Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Husamettin Ozkan, State Minister Kemal Dervis, State Minister Tunca Toskay, State Minister Rustu Kazim Yucelen, Finance Minister Sumer Oral, Agriculture and Rural Affairs Minister Husnu Yusuf Gokalp, Labour and Social Security Minister Yasar Okuyan and Industry and Trade Minister Ahmet Kenan Tanrikulu are expected to be in attendance at the meeting.

High-level officials from State Planning Organization, Finance Ministry, Treasury Undersecretariat, Central Bank, Privatization Administration Board, Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB), Union of Chambers of Agriculture (TZOB), Confederation of Turkish Employers' Unions (TESK), Turkish Confederation of Employers' Union (TISK), Confederation of Turkish Labour Unions (Turk-Is) and Hak-Is will also attend the meeting.

Earlier, Confederation of Revolutionary Workers' Unions (DISK) stated that it would not attend the meeting.

-STATE MINISTER DERVIS (4):
-''SOME ADDITIONAL TAXES MAY BE IMPOSED''
ISTANBUL - State Minister Kemal Dervis said on Friday that some additional taxes may be imposed because they need domestic sources.

When a reporter reminded about rumours related with additional taxes, Dervis said that they are making serious works on the budget.

Dervis noted that they have to make some budgetary changes following the crisis in February.

''We need to provide some additional domestic source. We will work altogether on how this additional source may be provided. Some additional taxes may be imposed. We have to keep this in reasonable amounts,'' Dervis said.

Dervis stated that the real problem in Turkey is not the low tax rates. On the contrary, the tax rates are high, Dervis said.

Dervis continued, ''but, everbody has to pay tax. Also, the burden of this crisis has to be fairly imposed. If this burden is undertaken in a way that it is appropriate for social justice, I think the people can accept it and everybody will fulfil their responsibilities.''

(To be continued)

-TURKISH BUSINESSMEN DUE TO UNITED ARAB EMIRATES AND KUWAIT
ANKARA - Turkish businessmen will go to the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait between April 6 and 12 within framework of a visit which was organized by the Istanbul Exporters' Union under the coordinatorship of the Foreign Trade Undersecretariat.

Releasing a statement, the Foreign Trade Undersecretariat said on Friday that the delegation headed by Foreign Trade Undersecretary Kursad Tuzmen, would hold bilateral talks with state officials and representatives of private sector in the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait.

Seminars on ''Turkey-United Arab Emirates Business Opportunities'' and ''Turkey-Kuwait Commercial Relations and Cooperation Opportunities'' will be held within framework of the visits.

Turkish businessmen will visit Jebel Ali Free Zone and Kuwait Free Zone.

Businessmen from textile, marble, construction, foodstuff, medicine, aluminium, plastic and miningsectors, are expected to return to Turkey on April 12.

-STATE MINISTER DERVIS (5):
-''WE SHOULD CHANGE NEGATIVE GROWTH PROCESS INTO
POSITIVE GROWTH PROCESS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE''
ISTANBUL - State Minister Kemal Dervis said on Friday, ''we should change negative growth process into positive growth process as soon as possible.''

State Minister Dervis staged a press conference at Istanbul's Ataturk Airport prior to his departure for Ankara, and responded to questions of journalists.

Referring to his contacts in Germany, the U.S. and France, State Minister Dervis said that he had held very positive meetings.

''They told me that they would examine the new figures in our economic program, and support us,'' he said.

State Minister Dervis told reporters, ''I want to reiterate that amount and type of their support will become clear after we reveal the economic program. I am pleased with my contacts in Germany, the U.S. and France. They displayed an understanding attitude, and appreciated Turkey's taking courageous measures. They are waiting for these measures to be disclosed concretely.''

Underlining importance of these measures in security confidence of people in Turkey, Dervis said, ''some of these measures can be pre-conditions of the International Monetary Fund (IMF). We should adopt other measures in order to secure confidence of our people. These measures are necessary to save economy from the heavy burder of interest, to decrease interest rates, to relieve markets and to provide positive growth rate in the second half of the year.''

Dervis said, ''we should change negative growth process into positive growth process as soon as possible. This should be the target of government and everybody in Turkey.''

Dervis later answered the questions of the reporters.

When recalled his proposal on adoption of fifteen laws in fifteen days time, Dervis said they have been working on approxiametly fifteen laws at the moment adding that many of them have been prepared for along time.

''What I mean is, these laws or amendments didn't come to the agenda in two weeks' time. Many of them were at preparation stage. Many of them would be summitted to the Council of Ministers either today or on Monday. Therefore, with hard work these laws could be adopted. This process could take 13, 14 even 18 days. However, we should speed up the process and this is possible, '' Dervis said.

Some amendments could be made very easily and rapidly said Dervis and gave the example of the change that would be made regarding the Civil Aviation.

Noting that there were also very complex, long and difficult works that should be carried out, Dervis said ''for example, the tender law is very important for Turkey. It carries out importance for transparency, and for better operation of state. More works should be done on the law. It will be submitted to the parliament in couple of weeks' time. Many of these laws will be adopted by the parliament by mid-April. I am very optimistic about it and both the Prime Minister and the Deputy Prime Ministers had announced their support. The Higher Planning Board will convene today. We will work together to do our best rapidly and in a cautious way.''

When recalled that Turkey was expecting a foreign support amounting up to 10-12 billion U.S. dollars and the words of Fuat Miras, the chairman of the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB), who said that they could give 27.2 trillion Turkish lira (TL) during the crisis if they agreed with the government, Dervis said he didn't read what Miras said, adding that he would meet with Miras at 2.00 p.m. today.

Dervis said, ''we really have to find a solution to these difficulties by the contribution of everybody.''

Upon another question, Dervis said that all his contacts were very positive.

Dervis continued, ''but, I tried to explain our friends, the IMF officials and the Treasury officials that they should also hurry. I told our foreign friends and international organizations that this would not take so long. They also know this. To this end, they said that they would support the program in a quick working tempo.''

Responding to another question, Dervis said that sometimes, the incidents are more complicated when compared with the headlines in the newspapers.

Dervis said, ''if we can make 12 of 15-16 legal changes quickly by taking support, confidence will be restored in Turkey and abroad. But, if we implement 15 legal changes by problems and unnecessary discussions, I think the same confidence cannot be built. I think the process is as much important as the amount. I am reiterating that Turkey has to become a country which gives rapid decisions and takes brave measures. As you know, some laws have been kept waiting for two years.''

''Firstly, confidence in Turkey has to be restored. We have to keep to this quick working tempo to enable the Turkish nation have confidence in the government and economy officials,'' Dervis added.

(To be continued)

-STATE MINISTER DERVIS (6):
-''I WILL NEVER PERMIT AN INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTION
TO INTERFERE IN TURKEY'S INTERNAL AFFAIRS''
ISTANBUL - State Minister Kemal Dervis said on Friday that he will never permit an international institution to interfere in Turkey's internal affairs.

Dervis told reporters that it is natural that the foreign organizations which will support the program examine the figures and budget.

When a reporter said, ''Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit mentioned that he did not talk with you during your contacts in Washington D.C,'' Dervis said, ''as we started to implement the daylight saving time, the difference in time between Turkey and the U.S. increased to eight hours. I could not call Ecevit on the phone for two and a half and even for three days due to my intensive meetings in the mornings. When I wanted to call him on the phone, it was three or four o'clock. It was too late in Turkey. To this end, we could not talk. I generally call the prime minister at least for once a day. But, I always inform him about developments and he supports me. I am very grateful to this end.''

Dervis said that he debated the program and macro-economic balances during his contacts in France.

France is one of the most important cities in Europe, Dervis emphasized.

Dervis noted that it was beneficial to hold contacts in France following his contacts in Berlin.

The French minister gave hope that Europe would support Turkey in the future, Dervis stated.

Dervis said, ''but, everybody is waiting for the program. It is hard to reach comfort before the program is put forward and before a letter of intent with the IMF is signed. But, we are progressing in this path.''

The markets are gradually recovering, Dervis emphasized.

Dervis said, ''we are stronger this week when compared with the last week. Both in respect of legal preparations and the foreign support. To this end, everybody has to be patient and keep the time.''

Upon a question on political support, Dervis said that as was seen by the statements of the leaders on Thursday, everybody wants to support the program.

Dervis said, ''to this end, let's not pretend as if there is a big problem when there is not any. This will not be good for Turkey.''

Dervis had expressed his views on whether the domestic sources or the foreign sources would be the major part to overcome the recent economic crisis.

''Domestic sources will constitute the majority in sources. The most important thing for us is the domestic sources and internal guarantee. However, this doesn't mean that foreign support is unimportant. I wish there wouldn't be a need for foreign support. It is very natural that the sources, who will extend foreign support to us, would like to look at the economy, figures and the budget. They also have very rightful questions on the issue. As the staff responsible for economy, we are trying to answer these questions, '' Dervis added.

Dervis said ''however, I must stress that I never let anybody to interfere in the internal affairs of Turkey. We have our own political problems, foreign policy, internal policy and those are matters which concerns Turkey. I don't have any debates regarding these issues. The discussions are being held within technical, economic and monetary framework. I will never let any foreign institution to bilaterally or multilaterally interfere in the internal affairs of Turkey.''

When asked whether they would have works to restore the internal confidence, Dervis said they already started to exert efforts on the issue and recalled that they had previously met with the employer's, worker's unions and the representatives of chambers.

''In coming days, we have to carry out these works together with other ministers responsible for economy in the government. This is very important. The public should extend support to the program,'' Dervis added.

Responding to another question, State Minister Dervis said, ''we should overcome current economic crisis in Turkey as soon as possible. We should provide foreign source with reasonable interest rates. We should rollover domestic borrowing stock with a reasonable cost. Therefore, we have limited period. We should overcome economic crisis as soon as possible and normalize the situation. I hope that we would succeed in overcoming most of the problems in mid-April. Everyone has to help each other. Overcoming economic crisis is just the beginning. We should provide a lasting and rapid growth rate of 7 percent. We should overcome unemployment and increase welfare. All these works will take long time, but Turkey has the power to achieve success.''

When asked whether or not March 31 syndrome of real sector could be solved, Dervis told reporters, ''a comprimise should be reached. This can be made not with pressure, but with good will of everyone in Turkey. Some meetings were held in Ankara. We will discuss the issue at today's meeting of Higher Planning Board meeting. Real sector creates business, growth and investments. Therefore, it should be supported.''

He added, ''for development of reel sector, economic crisis should be overcome and interest rates should be decreased. The most important assistance to real sector will be securing confidence and settling stability.''

(End)

-11TH INTERNATIONAL SECURITY AND COOPERATION CONFERENCE
-RETIRED GENERAL CAKAR, CHIEF ADVISER OF PRESIDENCY:
-''TRANS-ATLANTIC TIE AND INSEPARABLE SECURITY WERE TWO
IMPORTANT FACTORS IN CONCLUDING COLD WAR SUCCESSFULLY''
BELEK - Retired General Nezih Cakar, the Chief Adviser of the Presidency, said on Friday, ''the world is face to face with a number of threats from micro-ethnic clashes to weapons of mass destruction used by the terrorists at the beginning of the 21st century. In this multilateral atmosphere of risk, we should not overlook two main principles helping us to conclude the Cold War successfully. These are trans-atlantic tie and inseparable security.''

Speaking at the 11th International Security and Cooperation Conference started in Belek hamlet of southern province of Antalya, General Cakar said, ''ten years have passed since the end of the Cold War. Europeans and Northern Americans have started a process to scrutinize their roles and commitments in security of Europe.''

''The world is face to face with a number of threats from micro-ethnic clashes to weapons of mass destruction used by the terrorists at the beginning of the 21st century. In this multilateral atmosphere of risk, we should not overlook two main principles helping us to conclude the Cold War successfully. These are trans-atlantic tie and inseparable security. We should support these two principles in order to overcome the risks jeopardizing our security,'' he stressed.

Cakar noted, ''the first and the most important thing to be taken into consideration is to save trans-atlantic tie from being damaged as efforts have been under way to provide military capability to the European Union (EU) with the European Security and Defense Policy (ESDP). Another part of the European Security and Defense Identity (ESDI)-ESDP which is regarded with the principle of inseparable security, is the requirement of setting up an atmosphere between NATO and EU including 23 countries to strengthen each other.''

Cakar said that to this end, Turkey defends that discrimination between the alliances and partners will create an obstacle in the success of European Security and Defense Policy. He drew the attention of the developments which will deprive NATO from successful efforts in the post cold war era that is from crisis administration.

Touching on enlargement which is another important element of European security, Cakar said that the ongoing NATO enlargement process will contribute to the security and stability of the Euro-Atlantic region.

Cakar emphasized that NATO and the EU cannot stay as separate organizations and that the two organizations should be complementary.

Turkey wants to be included in and contribute to the arrangements planned for the new security construction of Europe within the framework of principles like transatlantic tie and inseparable security, Cakar said.

Touching on targets of Turkey in the 21st century, Cakar said, ''Turkey continues to get developed in the direction of modern civilizations as shown by Great Leader Ataturk. Within this context, Turkey's targets have been listed as becoming an EU member until 2023, ranking among first ten economies of the world, developing its regional efficiency to become a global power, becoming a society of information era, and having a strong armed forces equipped with deterring possibilities.''

Cakar added, ''in the 21st century, Turkey will continue to be a country towards the west and to share common values with the western world like democracy, secularism, market economy, human rights and the rule of law. And, Turkey will have a leading role in the Alliance and the construction of new European security.''

-STATE MINISTER DERVIS TO REPRESENT TURKEY AT JEC MEETINGS
WITH IRAN, SYRIA, U.S., JAPAN AND FRANCE
ANKARA - Joint Economic Commission (JEC) meetings will be held with Uruguay in accordance with the Commercial, Economic and Technical Cooperation Agreement envisaged to be signed with this country.

Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit released a prime ministry decree on Friday, and determined government members to act as co-president at JEC meetings.

According to the decree, State Minister Kemal Dervis will represent Turkey at JEC meetings with Iran, Syria, the U.S., Japan and France while State Minister Recep Onal will represent Turkey at JEC meetings with Finland, Italy, Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco and Uruguay.

-TOBB CHAIRMAN MIRAS SAYS HE WILL BE WRONG IF HE SAYS STATEMENT
OF BANKS UNION IS SUFFICIENT FOR THEM
ANKARA - Fuat Miras, the chairman of the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB), said on Friday that he will be wrong if he says statement of the Banks' Union is sufficient for them.

Miras held a meeting with the members of the executive board, the council chairmen, and the chairmen of chambers.

Prior to the meeting, Miras said that they had proposed that they were ready to give back the interests they obtained during the crisis to the state without demanding anything.

Miras noted that they wanted the banks to decrease the interest rates to the rates prior to the crisis and they demanded this not to stop the production of the real sector.

They have not received any concrete response to their demand, Miras said.

The Banks' Union had made a statement regarding the meeting between the real sector and the representatives of the banks held on Thursday that the determination of interest rates and the repayment of the debts would be evaluated within the framework of the mutual understanding in the tete-a- tete meetings between the banks and their customers.

For a compromise, the views of the government, Banking Regulatory and Supervisory Board and the Central Bank has to be taken, Miras noted.

Miras stated that the government will give a decision following their meeting with State Minister Kemal Dervis and following the Economic and Social Council meeting.

They had earlier told the government that it would be wrong to ignore the real sector regarding the March 31 syndrome, Miras said.

Miras said that if the situation is not bettered, factories will be closed, workers will be dismissed and taxes cannot be paid and that the real sector is facing these problems.

Miras said, ''we will request the government say how much this damage has costed Turkish people? The government should also accept that the real sector did not have any role in this crisis. This situation occured due to their wrong implementations.''

TOBB backs the proposal for making 15 legal changes, Miras pointed out.

Miras stated that they wish these changes to be passed from the parliament as soon as possible, adding that all the sectors should contribute to this proposal.

-DECISIONS OF JOINT COMMITTEE:
-''BANKS ASSOCIATION HAS ANNOUNCED THAT THE DETERMINATION
OF INTEREST RATES AND REPAYMENT OF DEBTS WOULD BE EVALUATED
WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING
IN TETE-A-TETE MEETINGS BETWEEN BANKS AND CUSTOMERS''
ISTANBUL - The Banks Association of Turkey (TBB) said on Friday that the determination of interest rates and the repayment of the debts would be evaluated within the framework of the mutual understanding in the tete-a- tete meetings between the banks and their customers.

The TBB announced the decisions that the joint commission set up by the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB) and TBB has taken in their meeting.

The statement said that the committee reached consensus that interest rates in the markets due to the November and February crises were not very high and not sustainable.

The joint committee reached consensus that to decrease the loan costs, not only the interest rates but also the monetary and financial burdens which limit the use of resources and increase costs have to be decreased, the statement noted.

The statement pointed out that reducing these burdens as much as the program permits and in accordance with the European Union (EU) norms will contribute to the reduction in national production costs and increase in competition power in exportation.

''When the current economic situation is taken into consideration, they discussed the necessity of making changes in the regulations to extend the maturity of loans and make facilitations in instalments for those who have difficulties in repaying their debts due to source shortage. Within this framework, by taking into consideration the necessity to provide elasticity in the implementation of reserve requirements temporarily and giving some time, they decided to apply to the Banking Regulatory and Supervisory Board, '' the statement added.

-NSC'S STATEMENT:
-''NSC EXPRESSED ITS REGRET OVER DISCUSSIONS ON INTERIM REGIME''
ANKARA - The National Security Council (NSC) stated on Friday, ''the Council expressed its regret over discussions put forward by some circles in recent days on 'interim regime'. Such discussions will damage image of Turkey which has been experiencing democracy for more than 50 years and which is on the level of entering the European Union (EU).''

The NSC's monthly meeting under the chairmanship of President Ahmet Necdet Sezer ended. A statement was released following the meeting.

The statement said, ''the NSC held its monthly regular meeting on March 30, 2001 at the Cankaya Presidential Palace with the participation of President Sezer; Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit; General Huseyin Kivrikoglu, the Chief of General Staff; ministers who are members of the NSC; commanders of land, air and naval forces; commander of gendarmerie units; and the Secretary General of NSC. State Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Devlet Bahceli, State Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz, and State Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Husamettin Ozkan were also in attendance at the meeting.''

Noting that separatist, fundamentalist and destructive activities which occured in last month and results of security forces' struggle against organized crime gangs were assessed during the meeting, the statement noted, ''it was decided to maintain measures taken against activities targeting inseperable integrity of the state with its country and nation, democratic, secular and social state of law, and security of our people; without any interruption and concession.''

Pointing out that the current economic dificulties in Turkey were also taken up at the meeting, the statement stressed, ''a full consensus of opinion has been reached at the meeting that the works carried out by the parliament and the government to overcome economic difficulties and to re- settle an atmosphere of stability would achieve success.''

Noting that discussions put forward by some circles in recent days on 'interim regime' were discussed at the meeting, the statement said, ''such baseless discussions will damage image of Turkey which has been experiencing democracy for more than 50 years and which is on the level of entering the EU. Such discussions will not be approved by our people who absorbed democracy. The Turkish nation has the necessary power to overcome all difficulties in the democratic system.''

The statement added that foreign political developments were also taken up at the meeting.

-PRESIDENTIAL OFFICE'S CHIEF CONSULTANT FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS
ILDEM STAGES WEEKLY PRESS CONFERENCE
ANKARA - Tacan Ildem, the Presidential Office's Chief Consultant for Foreign Affairs, said on Friday, ''President Ahmet Necdet Sezer wants unstable atmosphere in Macedonia to come to an end as soon as possible.''

Ildem staged a weekly press conference at the Cankaya Presidential Palace, and gave information about President Sezer's visit to the Netherlands between April 3 and 5, 2001.

Noting that President Sezer would pay his first official visit to a member country to the European Union (EU) since he was sworn in as president in 2000, Ildem said that there were not any political problem between Turkey and the Netherlands.

Pointing out that President Sezer would be welcomed by Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands, Ildem told reporters, ''President Sezer will hold talks with Dutch Prime Minister. He is scheduled to address the Dutch parliament. President Sezer will visit the Social and Economic Council and receive representatives of Turkish community in the Netherlands.''

Later, Ildem responded to questions of the journalists.

When recalled by a journalist that tension escalated between Turkey and the Netherlands about the terrorist organization PKK, Ildem said, ''Turkey believes that international cooperation was very important in struggle against terrorism. It has been pioneering initiatives to set up cooperation in struggle against terrorism in international platforms. The issue is taken up during contacts and negotiations in foreign countries. During his visit to the Netherlands, President Sezer will explain our opinions to Dutch officials on many issues.''

When asked whether or not President Sezer has launched any initiative on foreign support to Turkey's new economic program, Ildem said, ''President Sezer is determined to support steps to be taken by the government and the parliament in adopting drafts laws.''

Ildem told reporters, ''during his visit to Stuttgart, Germany, to attend inaugunation of exhibition 'Troy, Dream and Reality', President Sezer met with his German counterpart. At the meeting, President Sezer said that efforts to form economic reform program and to take necessary measures to relieve the economy were underway in Turkey. He stressed that he would be pleased with Germany's support to these efforts.''

When asked whether or not State Minister Kemal Dervis would inform President Sezer on his contacts in Germany, the U.S. and France, Ildem said, ''Dervis paid a visit of courtesy to President Sezer after being sworn in as the State Minister. State Minister Dervis has not requested an appoinment with President Sezer yet.''

Responding to a question about recent developments in Macedonia, Ildem told reporters, ''the Foreign Ministry and the Cankaya Presidential Palace made statements about the recent developments in Macedonia previously. President Sezer closely monitors developments in the region. As you know, a Turkish journalist lost his life in the clashes. President Sezer wants unstable atmosphere in Macedonia to come to an end as soon as possible. We wish that stability would re-settled in Macedonia as soon as possible.''

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