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Anadolu Agency: News in English, 01-04-06Anadolu Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Anadolu Agency Home Page at <http://www.anadoluajansi.com.tr/>Anadolu AgencyANADOLU AGENCY NEWS 06 APRİL 2001 Friday CONTENTS
[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCANThese are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in Turkey's press on April 6, 2001. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.HURRIYET (LIBERAL)STREET SAYS IMMEDIATELY, ANKARA SAYS NEXT WEEKThe tradesmen who rushed into streets want the urgent measures to be announced immediately while the government calls on people to be patient until next week. State Minister Kemal Dervis said, ''the U.S., International Monetary Fund (IMF), the World Bank and the G-7 countries promised to extend monetary support. Our works continue. Be patient. The program will become definite next week.'' The tradesmen and workers who want the measures to be taken immediately were in the streets yesterday. Protests were staged in almost all of the big cities particularly Ankara, Istanbul and Izmir. PARLIAMENT WORKED AND DOLLAR DECREASED MILLIYET (LIBERAL)INCREASE IN SALARIES OF CIVIL SERVANTS EVERY MONTHEfforts have been started to pay the difference which occured between the salaries of the civil servants and the rises in prices of many goods due to 10.1 percent increase in the inflation rate of March. The salaries of 1 million 200 thousand civil servants, more than 200 thousand personnel working with contracts, and half a million retired will be increased 3 percent on April 15. This increase in salaries will cost 144 trillion Turkish liras (TL) to the state. CLEARING OF MINES IN GREEK BORDER 17 PERCENT RISE IN TEKEL PRODUCTS SABAH (LIBERAL)BUSH PLEASED FROM HIS CONTACTS IN TURKEYFormer U.S. President George Bush, who visited Turkey as the guest of Koc Holding, departed from Turkey on Thursday. Bush said that he was pleased about the hospitality of Turkey. AEGEAN SHOULD BE TURNED INTO A LAKE OF PEACE CUMHURIYET (LEFT)DRAFT NATURAL GAS LAWThe Draft Natural Gas Market Law, which will lift the monopoly of the Pipeline Transportation Inc. (BOTAS) in the natural gas market and which will enable the participation of local and foreign companies in this market, is among prior laws that will be discussed by the parliament. The draft law foresees the transfer of natural gas market to private sector by forming eight different companies including production, transmission, distribution, wholesale selling, importation, exportation, trade and storage. PALME INTERROGATION TO OCALAN RADIKAL (LEFT)SUGAR REFORMThis year, the state will announce the prices for the sugarbeet for the last time. The minimum price of the sugarbeet will be determined by the bargain of the producer and the industrialist from now on. The selling price will be determined by the market. The Sugar Law which was adopted by the parliament the previous day will have a direct effect on almost 500 thousand producers and industrialists. OKSUZ DOES NOT GIVE UP TURKIYE (RIGHT)STROKE ON HISTORICAL ARTIFACT SMUGGLERSAnkara gendarmerie forces captured historical artifact smuggling gans in the end of their operations in Ankara, Afyon, Mugla and Karaman. Gendarmerie forces captured 15 people and confiscated 161 historical artifacts in their operations. The detainees will be transferred to prosecutors' offices. TURK-IS DECIDES TO STAGE DEMONSTRATION ON APRIL 14 ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)''WE CANNOT PAY BACK THE INTERESTS''The industrialists who could not reach an agreement with the bank representatives resist on not paying back the credits which have high interest rates. Zafer Caglayan, the chairman of the Ankara Chamber of Industry, called on the industrialists and traders to apply to courts to object to the high credit interests. Caglayan said that the decision given by the Ankara Basic Trade Court in a lawsuit filed by a company against the precautionary measure demand of Halk Bankasi can be an example. CAKMAKOGLU MEETS WITH TZOHATSOPOULOS -EU PERMAMENT REPRESENTATIVE AKYOL WARNS EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT: Reminding the ratification of the frame regulation which is a legal base of the Accession Partnership Accord and the presentation of the National Program, Akyol said that he is pleased about the positive reflections of these developments in the EP. Akyol noted that he witnessed two saddening incidents during the EP meetings. Greek parliamentarian George Katiforis presented a resolution to the urgent agenda of the EP and distorted the realities related with a Greek Cypriot who was arrested by the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) authorities on charges of drug smuggling by some baseless accusations, Akyol stated. Akyol stressed that the Greek Cypriot administration, backed by Greek parliamentarian Ioannis Marinos, could manage to open an exhibition based on unreal charges which accuse Turkey and TRNC of destroying the European cultural values in Cyprus. Akyol brought into agenda the question on what the aim of such provoking initiatives were when the searches for a solution longed by the EU are underway and drew the attention that this behaviour is in line with the efforts to enable the acception of the accession of the Greek Cypriot administration to the EU without searching for a solution to the question. He hopes that the EP can understand and evaluate the real intention behind these initiatives, Akyol added. -STATE MINISTER DERVIS MEETS WITH PAPANDREOU AND LINN When asked whether or not he met with Papandreou and Linn, Dervis said, ''yes. We met at breakfast.'' Dervis later went to the Treasury Undersecretariat. -A.A CELEBRATES ITS 81TH ANNIVERSARY A.A personnel headed by Mehmet Guler, A.A General Director and President of Executive Board, visited Anitkabir, the Mausoleum of Ataturk, on Friday upon the 81th anniversary of the A.A. Guler laid a wreath composed of red and white carnations writing Anadolu Agency on the Mausoleum of Ataturk. Later, the A.A personnel observed a minute of silence. Guler signed the Anitkabir Special Book and wrote the following: ''There are only two things in the world: To win and not to lose! We always remember these words of yours and fulfil your instruction; 'Anadolu Agency will make Turkey's voice be heard in the world' in every opportunity without making any concessions.'' ''For what reason the correct reporting was important when you established Anadolu Agency 81 years ago, it is important for us now for the similar reason. Maybe today, it is more important than ever due to the current conditions. Anadolu Agency will never forget the indispensibility of the importance that correct, unbiased and unprejudiced reporting has in the shrinking world and will not let it be forgotten. From now on, we will continue to do our best to show our gratitude and to unconditionally implement your principles as we have done so far. Anadolu Agency would like to once more express its gratitude with excitement and enthusiasm on the first day it started to function and bend in front of you with respect,'' Guler added. -FOREIGN EXCHANGE RATES (Turkish lira) ISTANBUL FREE MARKET Buying Selling -------------------- ------- ------ German mark 540,000 560,000 British pound 1,655,000 1,778,000 Swiss franc 690,000 730,000 French franc 160,000 170,000 ANKARA FREE MARKETU.S. dollar 1,175,000 1,210,000German mark 540,000 560,000 British pound 1,658,000 1,725,000 -MONEY MARKETS The Central Bank announced that overnight interest rate at the Turkish lira (TL)-Interbank is 110 percent. The market has a surplus reserve of 3 quadrillion 56 trillion TL. -OKUYAN SAYS THERE IS NOTHING STRANGE IN TRADESMEN'S PUTTING Okuyan met with State Minister Kemal Dervis. Following the meeting, Okuyan told reporters that they discussed some issues concerning his ministry. Okuyan said, ''I had the opportunity to express my views on some isuses concerning my ministry to Dervis. It was a beneficial meeting.'' They discussed the working life, social security, savings and the reconstruction of Turkey, Okuyan noted. Okuyan said that they will continue to hold such meetings. When asked how he evaluates the protests of the tradesmen, Okuyan said that the negative economic developments caused a problem in every part of the society. Okuyan continued, ''naturally, our citizens want to make their reactions be heard in Ankara and throughout Turkey. There is nothing strange in tradesmen's putting forward their democratic reactions within the framework of laws. As you know, there can be provocations in such incidents. Some negative results can occur. But, especially tradesmen are very sensitive about this issue. The responsibility of the government is to solve the problems in the possible shortest time. Our government is marking significant developments.'' Okuyan said that they will overcome problems. When asked if he will meet with World Bank Vice President Johannes Linn, Okuyan said that he is not scheduled to meet with Linn for the time being and that he can meet later. Asked if the annulment of draft labour security law is in question, Okuyan said, ''no.'' Okuyan noted that this draft is more than a draft law and that this draft was included in the National Program. This draft is one of the issues which will be put to implementation in the short term, Okuyan added. [02] A.A CELEBRATES ITS 81TH ANNIVERSARY-LABOUR MINISTER OKUYAN SENDS MESSAGE TO GULERANKARA - Labour and Social Security Minister Yasar Okuyan said on Friday that Anadolu Agency (A.A) has a special place in Turkey's media and changing world with its 81-years of experience. Okuyan sent a congratulatory message to A.A General Director Mehmet Guler upon the 81th anniversary of the establishment of A.A. Okuyan celebrated the 81th anniversary of A.A which was established by Great Leader Ataturk 81 years ago with the principle, 'press is the joint voice of a nation.' ''I congratulate the 81th anniversary of A.A, which I think will not make any concessions of objective reporting from now on as it has done so far, and wish continuation of its successes,'' Okuyan said. -FOREIGN MINISTER CEM MEETS WITH HIS GREEK COUNTERPART (1) The two ministers had a tete-a-tete meeting at the Foreign Ministry. Following the tete-a-tete meeting, Cem and Papandreou attended the opening session of the Turkish-Greek European Union (EU) Committee meeting. (To be continued) -PARLIAMENT SPEAKER IZGI CANNOT RETURN A new plane was requested from Turkey as a spare part was needed for the repairment. Izgi and the accompanying delegation are expected to return to Turkey on Saturday morning. -GREEK FOREIGN MINISTER PAPANDREOU RESPONDS POSITIVELY TO Sources told A.A correspondent that Dervis requested Papandreou, with whom he met with at breakfast, that the European Union (EU) should support Turkey in its searches for source. The sources said that Dervis also requested Greece, which is an EU member state, help Turkey in this issue. Papandreou said that they will extend support for this issue, the sources added. -A.A CELEBRATES ITS 81ST ANNIVERSARY President Sezer sent a congratulary message to Mehmet Guler, the A.A General Director and President of Executive Board, to mark the 81st anniversary of foundation of the A.A. In his message, President Sezer said, ''the A.A was founded as the voice of our nation by directives of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founder of modern and secular Republic of Turkey during the War of Independence. It has reached its 81st service year. A.A has been maintaining its accurate and unbiased understanding of journalism since the day it was founded. Its reliability has been increasing day by day both in Turkey and abroad.'' ''A.A, while making important contributions to development of Turkish press, has been following the latest technological developments, and it has undertaken the mission of a training institution. Turkish press has gained its leading journalists thanks to the mission A.A has undertaken,'' he stressed. -FOREIGN MINISTER CEM MEETS WITH HIS GREEK COUNTERPART (2) Following their tete-a-tete meeting, Cem and his Greek counterpart George Papandreou who came to Turkey yesterday on a two-day working visit, attended inauguration of Turkish-Greek EU Committee meeting. Speaking at the meeting, Cem said, ''I hope that cooperation between Turkey and Greece would constitute a model for the other candidate countries to the EU. Turkey and Greece have been cooperating not only at the level of foreign ministries, but at the level of all ministries.'' ''When Papandreou and I first decided to put forward this project, we could not imagine how it would develope in the course of the time. What we have done is the right thing for Turkey, Greece and the EU,'' he stressed. Meanwhile, Greek Foreign Minister Papandreou said in his part that the current cooperation between the two countries was a natural consequence of improving relations. Noting that personel relations had also improved during the cooperation process, Papandreou said that Turkey and Greece could cooperate in many fields. Meanwhile, speaking at the meeting, Akin Alptuna, the Deputy Undersecretary of Foreign Ministry, said, ''the committee convenes five times a year. It organizes seminars in many fields such as customs, finance, jurisdiction and agriculture. Nearly 400 officials from the two countries, come together at these meetings.'' ''For the first time, high-level Turkish and Greek officials came together. These officials knew each other very well. Many issues were taken up at the meeting. Now, we will seek for cooperation opportunities between Turkish and Greek academicians. During the new process, EU's enlargement and the EUROMED (EU Mediterranean Fund) will be assessed. The EU has become a tool of cooperation between Turkey and Greece,'' he added. Ilias Plaskovitis, the Secretary General for Political Affairs of Greece's EU Department, said that committee's works focused on sincere and specific issues. Stressing that there were many cooperation fields between Turkey and Greece, Plaskovitis expressed his hope over Turkish-Greek cooperation's becoming a model to other candidate countries. Later, Cem and Papandreou attended the interdelegationary meetings. -WORLD BANK VICE PRESIDENT LINN CONTINUES CONTACTS Johannes Linn, who visited agriculture minister Gokalp, said there was a perfect cooperation with Turkey, noting that they were pleased to help Turkey for the improvement of appropriate policies for the Turkish farmers in a period when international competition is so intense. Linn said he will make a statement following his meeting with prime minister Bulent Ecevit. Gokalp in his part said he believed that problems of the farmers will be solved soon. Pointing out that he had a very beneficial meeting with the world bank vice president, Gokalp said, ''product planning project is ready. Financial support will be expended soon. The world bank will soon expend financial support to the projects implemented in agriculture.'' -PRIME MINISTER BULENT ECEVIT SAYS ANADOLU AGENCY Ecevit said that in his message that he congratulated the agency upon its 81st foundation anniversary, adding that A.A is one of the rooted institutions of the Turkish Republic. -FM CEM AND GREEK FM PAPANDREOU ISSUE JOINT STATEMENT ON LAND MINES A joint statement was issued after the interdelegationary meetings headed by Cem and Papandreou noting that the two countries were aware of the loss and human pain caused by the usage of these anti-personnel land mines in an irresponsible way. The statement added that the complete prohibition of these mines is an important confidence building measure which will contribute to the security and stability of the region. ''The two ministers in this respect decided to start the proceedings related to their being parties to Ottawa Convention at the same time. While Greece starts the ratification process, Turkey will start proceedings related to its joining the convention. Besides the two ministers decided to submit the documents concerning the approval and participation to the U.N. Secretary General at the most proper time,'' the statement added. -A.A CELEBRATES ITS 81TH ANNIVERSARY Yilmaz issued a message on the 81th anniversary of the foundation of Anadolu Agency and congratulated 81th anniversary of the Anadolu Agency which Ataturk founded during the War of Independence under very difficult conditions to make Turkey's voice be heard in the world. In his message, Yilmaz said, ''Anadolu Agency is an institution which realized the first developments regarding advanced technology and journalism in Turkish press. When I was working as the state minister responsible for press, we have experienced the happiness of transition to the computer system. In the year 1997, when I was acting as the prime minister, we have witnessed transmission of the news reports of the agency through satellite. We also shared the happiness of moving to a modern building.'' Yilmaz's message said, ''24 hours a day, and 365 days a year, we continue to learn the developments from the Anadolu Agency. I congratulate you and the agency workers who run this intense news reports marathon.''
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