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Anadolu Agency: News in English, 01-04-11Anadolu Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Anadolu Agency Home Page at <http://www.anadoluajansi.com.tr/>Anadolu AgencyANADOLU AGENCY NEWS 11 APRİL 2001 Wednesday CONTENTS
[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCANThese are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in Turkey's press on April 11, 2000. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.HURRIYET (LIBERAL)WHAT DID KIVRIKOGLU TELL MIRAS?Fuat Miras, the Chairman of the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB) told the paper what he talked with Huseyin Kıvrıkoglu, the Chief of General Staff. Miras said that ''Mr. Kıvrıkoglu is very uneasy about the demonstrations of the workers and tradesmen in the streets. He wants the government to find solution to the problems of these people. He also thinks that everything has to be solved within the rules of democracy.'' WORLD BUSINESS:EITHER REVISION OR RESIGNMENT MILLIYET (LIBERAL)SOMEBODY GONNA LEAVEThe government talks about revision within the coalition government. Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit told TUSIAD Chairman that ''there can be revision in the government, this depends on the coalition parties.'' It is said behind the closed doors that ministers Recep Onal, Cumhur Ersumer, Yusuf Gokalp and Enis Oksuz can be taken from the coalition government. FINAL IN ''WHITE ENERGY'' SABAH (LIBERAL)ECEVIT TO SPEAK TODAYPrime Minister Bulent Ecevit will respond to the declaration issued by the Union of Chambers of Commodity Exchanges in Turkey (TOBB) which called on the government to resign. Upon questions of journalists Ecevit said yesterday that ''I won't say anything now, I will speak about it at the DSP group meeting tomorrow.'' PERES: FUTURE IS YOURS CUMHURIYET (LEFT)ANAP LEADER YILMAZ SAYS THERE IS NO RESIGNATIONMesut Yılmaz, the leader of the Motherland Party (ANAP), responded to the declaration of TOBB, who called the government to resign. Yılmaz said that he didn't see any solution proposal in the declaration of TOBB, adding that if the government gives up now, this will also give damage to TOBB. Yılmaz added that he found the declaration strange. IT IS TURKEY'S TURN TO SUCCEED RADIKAL (LEFT)BAHCELI SAYS SOLUTION IS AGAIN POLITICSDevlet Bahceli, the leader of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), deputy premier and state minister criticized the proposals which call for governments of ''national coalition and technocrats,'' said that the alternative of politics is again politics. U.S. DOLLARS' VALUE INCREASES WAIT FOR FRIDAY TURKIYE (RIGHT)CIVILIAN NOTETurkey's Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges (TOBB) called on the government to resign. A statement from TOBB said that the politics hit the bottom in Turkey, and it is the government who is responsible from today's situation. It urged the number of ministries to be decreased to 22. Stating that the government is late to prevent the crisis, TOBB said in the statement that nothing could be done since 50 days. TOBB added that the confidence in the government has decreased and asked the government to resign. CENTRAL BANK ACCELARATES THE SPEED OF U.S. DOLLAR SUCCESSFUL AUCTION FROM THE TREASURY INFLATION LESSON FROM PERES ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)WARNINGS BECOME TENSEThe Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB) called on Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit to resign while the Confederation of Turkish Tradesmen and Artisans (TESK) stressed that reshuffle in the government became a necessity. Meanwhile, the Turkish Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association (TUSIAD) stressed that a revision would be more appropriate instead of resignation of the government for the time-being. CENSURE MOTION AGAINST PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT REJECTED YILMAZ: ''WE MADE TWO SERIOUS MISTAKES'' -EXCHANGE RATES IN COVERED BAZAAR IN ISTANBUL One German mark was sold at 610 thousand TL. The buying price of one U.S. dollar was 1 million 275 thousand TL while the buying price of one German mark was 575 thousand TL. -NAVAL FORCES COMMANDER ADMIRAL ERDIL IN BEIJING Speaking at the meeting, Admiral Erdil stressed that high-level contacts between Turkey and the People's Republic of China had consolidated friendly relations and cooperation. Admiral Erdil noted that Turkey attributed importance of China's role both ints region and in the world. Meanwhile, General Fu Quanyou expressed his satisfaction over improvement of relations between the two countries and between Turkish and Chinese armies. He thanked Turkish government for taking measures against separatist activities in Turkey targeting the People's Republic of China. General Fu Quanyou emphasized that separatism had been jeopardizing peace and stability in every part of the world. Recalling that General Huseyin Kivrikoglu, the Chief of General Staff, would come to Beijing in June of 2001, General Fu Quanyou said that he would be pleased with hosting his Turkish counterpart. Referring to spy plane crisis between the People's Republic of China and the U.S., General Fu Quanyou said that the U.S. should undertake responsibility of the incident and apoligize from them. -STATE MINISTER DERVIS AND ISRAELI FM PERES COME TOGETHER Dervis met with Peres in Sheraton Hotel and he spoke to the press after the meeting which lasted for nearly 45 minutes. Recounting that Israel implemented a very serious reconstruction and stability programme in 1980s when Peres was the prime minister, Dervis said that the first months were very difficult, but it later became a very successful programme and the Israeli economy entered into a very fast growth process. ''I have already had information about this programme, but Mr. Peres gave me more detailed information. I asked how long it took for the Israeli government to prepare the programme, Peres told me that it lasted for three months. I told him that we don't have three months. It has been one month, we must be faster. I got very useful information from him,'' Dervis said. -PERES LEAVES TURKEY Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Ugur Ziyal and Israeli Ambassador to Turkey Uri Bar Ner saw him off at Esenboga Airport. -FOREIGN EXCHANGE RATES (Turkish lira) ISTANBUL FREE MARKET Buying Selling -------------------- ------- ------ German mark 575,000 600,000 British pound 1,800,000 1,850,000 Swiss franc 726,000 769,000 French franc 169,000 178,000 ANKARA FREE MARKETU.S. dollar 1,270,000 1,300,000German mark 575,000 600,000 British pound 1,755,000 1,820,000 -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 204.7 trillion TL. -25.9 MILLION U.S. DOLLARS OF GRAIN-CEREALS In the same period last year, the region exported 22 million 393 thousand U.S. dollars of grain cereals. Officials at the Southeastern Anatolia Exporters' Union told the A.A correspondent on Wednesday that in January-March period of 2001 they exported 7 million 773 thousand U.S. dollars in chocolate, candy, biscuit and cake; 4 million 549 thousand U.S. dollars in sugar; 9 million 56 thousand U.S. dollars in animal food; and 4 million 605 thousand U.S. dollars in lentil, chick-pea, bean, flour, semolina, macaroni, olive oil and various other products. The majority of the goods were exported to Iraq, Germany, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Jordan, Azerbaijan and Iran. [02] DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER AND FOREIGN MINISTERKAVAN OF CZECH REPUBLIC IN TURKEYANKARA - Deputy prime minister and foreign minister Jan Kavan of Czech Republic who is currently in Ankara on an official visit, visited on Wednesday the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founder of modern and secular Republic of Turkey. Kavan laid a wreath to the mausoleum, and observed a minute of silence out of respect to Ataturk. He also signed special of the the mausoleum. Kavan will be received by parliament speaker Omer Izgi, prime minister Bulent Ecevit, and state minister and deputy prime minister Devlet Bahceli after holding talks with foreign minister Ismail Cem. -TRADESMEN HOLD DEMONSTRATION IN GAZIANTEP KSS Executive Board President Omer Kusbeoglu told the tradesmen who convened in the site that nearly one thousand business places were closed due to the economic crisis and the open ones can't do any business. Many tradesmen, who were prevented to march by police, shout slogans protesting the government and the economic crisis. -PROF. BRADEMAS SAYS THERE ARE THREE IMPORTANT DEVELOPMENTS Brademas said that one of these developments is the economic and financial crisis in the country. The second one is Turkey's membership to the EU and the last one is the increasing importance of non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Speaking in a conference on ''Democracy in Turkey and in Southeast Europe, '' held in Bogazici University, Brademas stressed the importance of non- governmental organizations (NGOs) as being a former member of the U.S. House of Representatives and New York University. He said that these NGOs are the key factors of democracy and modern economy. Bradenas also mentioned the importance of the recent approachment between Turkey and Greece, adding that his father is of Greek origin and his mother is Anglo-Saxon. Referring to the relations between Turkey and the U.S., Brademas said that Turkey's relations with Greece have become one of the important factors that affect the policy of the U.S. towards Turkey. Brademas asserted that Turkey has to solve the Cyprus question, adding that Turkey should also put into force the Copenhagen criteria to be a member of EU. ''As long as you don't change your political system which is based on corruption, nobody will send you any money,'' he claimed. -TRADESMEN'S MARCH IN ANKARA Meanwhile, Ankara Chamber of Drivers called on all taxi drivers in Ankara to attend the rally. Most of the shops and business places in Ulus district are closed. Tradesmen and artisans started to march to the Hippodrome from different parts of Ankara by chanting slogans and carrying placards at about 08:00 a.m. Citizens support demonstrations with applause. A number of tradesmen and artisans came to Ankara from neighboring provinces and townships to attend the rally. Tight security measures have been taken, and a number of security officials have been deployed on the road between the Hippodrome and Tandogan Square. Meanwhile, an unidentified person called the Directorate General of Security on the phone, and claimed that he would stage a bomb attack in Tandogan Square with a stolen automobile. Security forces have been put on alert against such a possible attack. -TRADESMEN HOLD DEMONSTRATION IN GAZIANTEP A number of tradesmen prevented transportation on the highway by chanting slogans. Security forces have not intervene in the tradesmen for a while. Later they warned the demonstrators to disperse. Metin Orakoglu, the Deputy Police Chief of Gaziantep, said that the demonstration was not legal, and called on the tradesmen to disperse immediately. Chairmen of chambers of tradesmen also called on the demonstrators to disperse. After the tradesmen insisted on not to disperse, security forces warned them that they would have to use force. After this announcement, the tradesmen dispersed. The highway was re-opened to the traffic. -BELGIAN AMBASSADOR TO TURKEY SAYS BELGIUM INCREASES Staging a press briefing together with Nezih Ozture, a businessman who was appointed to Belgian Honorary Consulate in Izmir and embassy personnel, Matthysen said that Belgium is represented by the Embassy, Istanbul Consulate General and Antalya Honorary Consluate in Turkey. He noted that Izmir Honorary Consulate has been added to this list. Matthysen said that Belgium had earlier an honorary consulate in Izmir, adding that Nezih Ozture is a very respected and popular businessman in Izmir and he will represent Belgium in the best way. Noting that his country has nearly 500 representations in the world, Matthysen said that the commercial and touristic activities in the cities where they open consulates, increase. When asked about his views about the recent economic developments, Matthysen said that ''for the moment, we monitor closely the economic developments in Turkey and inform the Belgian Foreign Ministry. The reactions of a Belgian, Belgian official institutions or the IMF can be different from each other. The approach of the international institutions towards Turkey depends on the fact of overcoming the crisis. They expect the crisis to end as soon as possible. We can regard the issue from a positive aspect though, Turkey wanted to undertake reforms, this crisis will urge for the reforms.'' Matthysen said that the consulate in Izmir will not be authorized to give visas under Schengen agreement, yet the consulate can help the people in Izmir to get visas from the embassy. -TRADESMEN'S MARCH IN ANKARA A group of persons who wanted to pass from Maltepe district to Anıtkabir side, was prevented by the police. The group threw various objects to the police, who later used tear gas. Meanwhile, the committee of Ankara Tradesmen and Artisans Chambers Union which organizes the demonstration warns the tradesmen against provocations. A fight took place when a tradesman started to deliver his speech. The tradesman said that tradesmen should not be provoked. Suddenly, two group of people who were in the platform and who were downstairs started to fight with each other. Various objects were thrown to the desk and tension arose. Police and rapid deployment force took tight security measures in Tandogan Square. -FOREIGN TRADE DELEGATION IN KUWAIT Meanwhile, Turkey-Kuwait Joint Economic Commission meeting is expected to be held in Ankara in September of 2001. At the meeting, maritime agreement and animal health agreement will be discussed, and several seminars will be organized. Meanwhile, Tuzmen attended a program on the state-run television channel of Kuwait. Giving information about export opportunities between Turkey and Kuwait, Tuzmen said that Kuwait could cooperate with Turkey in sectors such as ceramics, glass, foodstuff and automotive. Members of the delegation will continue to hold contacts with Kuawiti businessmen later in the day. -FOREIGN MINISTER CEM DUE IN MACEDONIA The meeting will be held as a result of initiatives launched by U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell. Foreign ministers of Turkey, the U.S., Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Hungary, Romania, Yugoslavia, Slovenia and Greece will be in attendance at the meeting. Foreign Minister Cem is expected to depart from Skopje later in the day after attending the joint press conference. -DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER AND FOREIGN MINISTER KAVAN Following tete-a-tete meeting between Cem and Kavan, interdelegationary meetings started. Responding to questions of journalists prior to the meetings, Cem said that there had been traditional and good relations between Turkey and Czech Republic. Recalling that both countries were members to the NATO, Cem said that Turkey considered Czech Republic one of the most important countries in Central Europe. Meanwhile, Kavan said in his part that bilateral relations had been accelerated after Czech President Vaclav Havel's visit to Turkey. He stressed that they aimed at keeping this acceleration. -STATE MINISTER DERVIS AND ISRAELI FM PERES COME TOGETHER (3) Diplomatic sources said on Tuesday that Dervis was positive about the idea of Peres who proposed to send an economy expert delegation from Israel to Ankara, but the details of the proposal like its members and coming date were not taken up in the meeting. Peres told Dervis that trade unions, employees and government came together in 1984 in Israel and the budget was taken under control. Peres said that his rating increased when that programme was implemented. When asked whether or not Peres made suggestions about the Turkish economy, diplomatic sources said that Peres is a well experienced statesman who won't be involved in the internal issues of Turkey. Sources said that the two-day visit of Peres to Turkey has ''re-assured guarantee'' adding that a delegation from Israel will come to Turkey at the end of April to discuss the details of project of Manavgat brook's water. (end) -REQUEST FOR RESHUFFLE IN CABINET When asked prior to the Democratic Left Party's (DSP) parliamentary group meeting whether or not reshuffle in the Council of Ministers was in question, Prime Minister Ecevit told reporters, ''this is an issue which should be discussed by the coalition partners. Therefore, I cannot make an statement for the time being.'' -FOREIGN EXCHANGE RATES (Turkish lira) ISTANBUL FREE MARKET Buying Selling -------------------- ------- ------ German mark 585,000 605,000 British pound 1,800,000 1,900,000 Swiss franc 740,000 770,000 French franc 170,000 177,000 ANKARA FREE MARKETU.S. dollar 1,280,000 1,310,000German mark 580,000 605,000 British pound 1,767,000 1,863,000 [03] CIVIL INITIATIVE'S MEETING POSTPONEDANKARA - Meeting of Civil Initiative which was scheduled to be held on Wednesday, was postponed.Releasing a statement, the Confederation of Turkish Tradesmen and Artisans (TESK) said that the meeting would be held next week after announcement of new economic program. Dervis Gunday, the Chairman of TESK, called on chairmen of the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB), the Turkish Confederation of Employers' Unions (TISK), the Confederation of Turkish Labour Unions (Turk-Is), the HAK-IS and the Turkish Union of Agricultural Chambers (TZOB) to a meeting assume a joint attitude against the new economic program. -PRESIDENT DENKTAS OF TRNC DUE TO ANKARA At the first day of his visit, President Denktas will inform members of the Parliamentary Foreign Affairs Commission oh the latest developments on Cyprus issue. President Denktas will meet with President Ahmet Necdet Sezer, Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit, and State Minister Sukru Sina Gurel for relations with TRNC. On Friday, President Denktas will receive Foreign Minister Ismail Cem and Helath Minister Osman Durmus. President Denktas is expected to depart Turkey later on Friday after delivering a speech at the Hacettepe University. Foreign Affairs and Defense Minister Tahsin Ertugruloglu of the TRNC will accompany President Denktas during his visit to Turkey. -TRADESMEN'S MARCH IN ANKARA Police set up barricades on the way that goes to Anıtkabir, the Mausoleum of Ataturk, meanwhile the demonstrators threw stones, sticks and bricks on the police. Some policemen and demonstrators were injured. The police who used tear gas didn't permit the demonstrators to pass to Genclik Street. Meanwhile, Mert Ozkan, the cameraman of Reuters news agency was injured by the stones thrown and was hospitalized. Meanwhile, tradesmen were not allowed to speak at Tandogan Square. Tension arose when officials in the committee which organized the meeting called people to be calm. Those persons who would deliever their speech, couldn't reach the desk and some people break off the sticks of their banners and threw them to the desk, injuring some persons who were in the desk. Press members have also difficulty in doing their jobs as the tradesmen also react to the media from time to time. -REAL PROPERTY SUMMIT II TO TAKE PLACE IN ISTANBUL Real property sector and its future will be opened to discussion in the summit. The summit is comprised of seven sessions; ''Turkey With the Eyes of Foreign Investors,'' ''Structural Evolution and Actors,'' ''New Economy and e-Real Property,'' ''Financial Instruments Based on Real Property,'' ''Construction Sector and New Techonologies in the 21st Century,'' ''Can Real Property Sector be Locomotive in Economy?'' ''New Trends in Real Property and Turkey.'' Hakan Kodal, the executive board chairman of GYODER, who addressed a meeting staged for the summit, pointed out that they wanted to make the summit international. Kodal said they expected more than 20 foreign people, including investors who are interested in Turkey, to attend the summit, noting that not much real property market there were in countries like Poland and Czech Republic. Kodal said, ''unfortunately, there was not much atmosphere for investment at the moment.'' Defending that only economic stability would not be adequate for the development of real property sector, Kodal said bureaucracy, infrastructure, land, and planning works should be made consciously. Kodal said, ''the summit brings together the international institutions, public institutions and private institutions to bring Turkish real property sector to the European standards.'' He said the real property system should be adjusted to international integration. Responding to the questions of reporters, Kodal said, ''public lands should be evaluated. It should be organized in a planned way in medium and long term.'' -STAR NEWSPAPER'S BUREAU IN BERLIN OCCUPIED A group of 10-15 people entered the building by claiming that they would give an advertisement. They hanged placards protesting F type prisons in Turkey from windows of the bureau. They called some institutions on the phone from the bureau to inform them on their action. Police in Berlin told the A.A correspondent that the demonstrators asked improvement of conditions in prisons, and that staff in the bureau did not want security forces to intervene in the incident. -PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT ADDRESSES DSP GROUP MEETING (1) Addressing his party group meeting, Ecevit said ''he was not glued to his chair'', noting that in the past he left the several posts which he gained with elections. Ecevit said he left the post of CHP secretary general in March 12, 1971 military intervention not as he was under pressure, but as he contradicted with his leader whom he liked and appreciated very much. Ecevit said he left the post of prime ministry in 1974 as he conflicted with his coalition partner about Cyprus issue, noting that he left his post in 1979 as he was defeated in interim elections. Ecevit said he left his office after September 12 without being under pressure of anybody, and before he was demanded to leave the office. Ecevit said, ''I can resign now if I find necessary. Every one can imagine that the post of prime ministry was not so much pleasing at those days. However, at the moment, I believe that it would not be beneficial for the country if the search for a new government turns into a government crisis. To this end, I will stay in my office. For several times, I resigned from general secretariat, leadership, and prime ministry, but I never gave up struggle.'' -PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT ADDRESSES DSP GROUP MEETING ''They also have to provide an alternative, I am not glued to my chair as it is known,'' said Ecevit in the parliamentary group meeting of his party. He said the economic conditions of Turkey which were already severe, became severer since the beginning of November, last year, adding that it is the right, and even mission of certain sections particularly poor and middle class to voice their reaction within the rules of democracy. ''The government tries to heal the problems of poor and middle class people, '' said Ecevit and noted that the interest rates of Halk Bank were decreased from 200 percent to 55 percent. He added that the installment period of debts of income has been extended till April 30 and they decided to bring certain facilities to the payment of Social Security Agency (SSK) premiums. ''In spite of that the protest meetings continue, such kind of meetings is the consitutional right of our citizens. But if the limits are not respected in the street demonstrations, this will have negative consequences. We know those people who are both within politics and outside politics and who try to direct these meeetings. Our citizens also observe and see that. A certain part of the media, not all of them, also provoke people. For instance the famous cash register is seen on certain TV channels all the time,'' Ecevit said. Ecevit noted that tourism season came and foreign tourists are highly interested in Turkey, adding that Turkey can get 10-12 billion dollars of income from tourism. ''We can meet our needs in a considerable extent by our own resources. But if the demonstrations go too far, this will negatively affect the tourism. I believe that our people who love their country and nation, won't put Turkey in a difficult position when tourists start to come, even if they are against our government,'' Ecevit said. Ecevit said that there are people who oppose to the idea of government's resignation, adding that while TOBB asked government's resignation, TUSIAD opposed to that. -TRADESMEN'S DEMONSTRATIONS Responding to questions of journalists after his party's group meeting, Ecevit expressed sorrow over the incidents that took place during tradesmen's demonstrations. Ecevit said that there can be certain people who want to degenerate such kind of meetings for their own interests even if those meetings were started with good will, adding that such kind of meetings should be stopped. ''We are in a very sensitive period for the moment,'' Ecevit said. -PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT: ''EARLIER, I WARNED THAT SUCH INCIDENTS WOULD Responding to questions of journalists as he was departing from the parliament, Prime Minister Ecevit said, ''earlier, I warned that such incidents would happen. You know more than I know. I learnt the details just minutes ago.'' -TRADESMEN'S MARCH IN ANKARA The demonstrators are reported to be kept under custody in security departments in Cankaya, Altindag, and Yenimahalle. It was also reported that number of detainees may increase, and that those would be interrogated. A high level official pointed out that, ''there are those who plan the incidents. We are trying to determine those. Nobody has the right to disrupt public order and attack public officials and institutions.'' Meanwhile, it was reported that 78 policemen were injured in attacks with sticks and stones. A total of 36 policemen, who were injured during the incidents, applied to security department and complained about the demonstrators. -TRADESMEN'S MARCH IN ANKARA (11) A group of 150 demonstrators shattered windows of tax office in Ulus district of Ankara by throwing stones. They also damaged an official vehicle in front of the office. Security forces intervened in the group, and dispersed them. A number of policemen, demonstrators and citizens were injured during the clashes. Some demonstrators dropped their identity cards as they were fleeing from the area. Security forces collected the cards. The incidents were taken under control at about 04:00 p.m. Workers started to clear the streets. Meanwhile, tight security measures taken in and around the Prime Ministry Office, have been continuing. The Progressive Journalists' Association released a statement, and condemned attacks on journalists during the incidents. Metin Kayihan from the private Channel-D, Emrah Ozan and Adem Gumus are among the injured journalists.
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