Anadolu Agency: News in English, 01-04-20

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ANADOLU AGENCY

NEWS

20 APRİL 2001 Friday

CONTENTS

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

CAGLAR'S OFFER TO PAY 5 MILLION U.S. DOLLAR BAIL
MAKES PROSECUTOR SUSPICIOUS
Former State Minister Cavit Caglar who offered to pay 5 million U.S. dollars of bail at the U.S. court which he was tried, made the prosecutor suspicious. The court refused to release Caglar thinking that he might escape. Jurists said that a person who claims to be innocent shouldn't volunteer such a high amount to be released.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

WOLFENSOHN SAYS WORLD BANK WOULD EXPEDITE FINANCIAL AID TO TURKEY
World Bank President James Wolfensohn said in a letter he wrote to Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit that the World Bank was ready to expedite financial aid to Turkey and warned the state banks to quickly implement the necessary reforms. Wolfensohn remarked that Turkey should stop spending extravagantly and delay expensive capital investments but instead carry out the necessary structural reforms. He said the World Bank was hoping to cooperate with the Turkish government in education, health and communication fields.

SABAH (LIBERAL)

The Turkish Education Foundation started an education campaign for children between the ages of 7 and 16. The foundation is targeting to send one million children to school in 2005. The foundation is currently financing the education expenses of 210,000 children.

Sakip Sabanci forbade the companies in his group from making sales with U.S. dollar. From now on, Sabanci group will make all its sales and purchases on Turkish liras.

BUSH ASSURES AID TO TURKEY
A high level official from Bush administration told Wall Street Journal that the current administration wanted to help Turkey to pull itself out of the economic crisis. ''The IMF will certainly help Turkey. The United States is the biggest shareholder in the IMF so the IMF's money is the money of the United States. The U.S. administration can't remain a witness to the fire in Turkey,'' he told the newspaper.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

NGOs INTRODUCE DECLARATION AGAINST TANKERS WHICH TRANSPORT

HAZARDOUS MATERIAL THROUGH TURKISH STRAITS
A total of 418 non-governmental organizations signed a joint declaration against tankers which transport hazardous material through Turkish straits. Peace with Nature Association Chairman Yuksel Ustun said over 500 ship accidents took place in the last 50 years in the straits and called on Black Sea countries to take action to eliminate the risk of environmental disasters.

RADIKAL (LEFT)

FIRST STEPS FOR TRANSFORMATION
Deputy Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz has said that Turkey should transform its state structure during its pre-accession process. ''The pre-accession process is offering two very important opportunities to Turkey, these are the Accession Partnership Document and the National Program. Now, we have the recipe which shows us our shortcomings and what we have to change,'' Yilmaz said before a coordination meeting. The participants at the meeting focused on constitutional changes regarding individual basic rights and freedoms and freedom of thought.

TURKIYE (RIGHT)

ECEVIT URGES OPTIMISM
Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit has said that Kemal Dervis's economic program raised hopes both in Turkey and in international circles and told people not to be pessimistic. He also stated that he received a letter from World Bank President James Wolfensohn who assured him that the bank supported the new economic program and it was also ready to speed up financial aid to Turkey.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

-PROF. KONI: ''THROUGH ARMENIAN ALLEGATIONS, THEY'RE TRYING TO
DISCOURAGE TURKEY WHICH IS TRYING TO BE A PART OF EUROPE''
IZMIR - Prof. Hasan Koni from Ankara University Faculty of Political Sciences, has remarked that about 120 million people died since the World War II and added that it was strange that the international community was ignoring all these deaths and remembering only one incident that took place 85 years ago.

Koni spoke at a panel discussion titled the Armenian problems and possible threats for Turkey in Izmir on Thursday evening.

Koni indicated that many Armenians who claim that their ancestors faced a genocide had turned this to an identity problem. He also stated that there were 50-60 thousand people who were making money through these allegations and various conferences. ''If Turkey accepted the genocide allegations, all these people would be left unemployed,'' he added.

''Around 120 million people died in a number of wars and conflicts since the World War II. It is strange that the international community is not remembering all these deaths but only a single incident which took place 85 years ago. Through these allegations, they are also aiming to discourage Turkey which is trying to be a part of Europe,'' he contended.

Prof. Zeki Arikan who also spoke at the meeting complained that the Armenian problem is not taught at history classes at middle and high schools.

Retired Ambassador Gunduz Aktan said the genocide allegations posed no danger for Turkey's future. He explained that high level Armenian government officials were aware that they lost the case, but they didn't know how to explain this to other Armenians.

Ege TV Ankara Representative and journalist Hasan Oktay Balamir drew attention to the good lobbying activities of the Armenians and said Turkey should also focus on this matter. He proposed that lobbying on Cyprus and Armenian conflicts should be taught at universities which give education in foreign languages.

-DERVIS ATTENDS WORKING BREAKFAST WITH AMBASSADORS OF
EU CANDIDATE COUNTRIES
ANKARA - State Minister Kemal Dervis had a working breakfast with the ambassadors of EU candidate countries at the residence of the Dutch Embassy on Friday morning.

European Commission Turkey Representative Karen Fogg also attended the meeting. It was reported that the participants discussed Turkey-EU relations, Turkey's national program and foreign financial aid at the meeting.

-TURKS IN THE U.S. ASK BUSH NOT YIELD TO ARMENIAN PRESSURE
WASHINGTON, D.C. - As a retailiation to the Armenian lobby's efforts to make U.S. President George W. Bush recognize the so-called Armenian genocide, the Turks living in this country also started a counter initiative, it was reported on Friday.

As a part of the campaign, the Turkish-American Associations Assembly (ATAA) called on Bush not to yield to the Armenian lobby's pressure and refuse to recognize the so-called genocide.

Both sides are anxiously waiting to hear the speech of the U.S. president which will be delivered on April 24. In the previous years, the presidents made a special effort not to use the word ''genocide'' when they referred to the hardships faced by the Armenians in 1915.

The Armenian lobby, during the election campaing in the United States, has been pressuring Bush for a long time who promised to ''recognize the Armenian sufferings.''

The Turks, in their letter to the U.S. President, stated that both sides had suffered considerable hardships during the incidents that occured at the end of the World War I and stressed that it would be absolutely incorrect to call these incident as a genocide.

The letter underlined the political causes behind the Armenian allegations and asked Bush to display a just attitude. The Turks also remarked that the recognition of Armenian allegations which are disproved by historians would hurt the U.S. interests.

-35.5 MILLION U.S. DOLLARS OF THREAD EXPORTED
FROM GAP REGION IN FIRST THREE MONTHS
GAZIANTEP - Exports of thread from Southeastern Anatolia Project (GAP) region in the first three months of 2001 increased by 9.1 percent to 35 million 595 thousand U.S. dollars.

In the same period last year, the region exported 32 million 623 thousand U.S. dollars of dried fruits.

Officials at the Southeastern Anatolia Exporters' Union told the A.A correspondent on Friday that in January-March period of 2001 they exported 13 million 867 thousand U.S. dollars in cotton thread, and 21 million 728 thousand U.S. dollars in synthetic thread.

The majority of the goods were exported to Syria, Saudi Arabia, Belgium, Italy, Germany, the U.S., France, Jordan, Spain, Israel, Portugal, Greece, Lebanon, Bulgaria, Britain and Romania.

-CHILDREN COMING FROM 40 COUNTRIES VISIT ECEVIT
ANKARA - Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit Friday received a group of children coming from 40 countries who came to join the Children's Festival on April 23 which is organized by TRT.

''You will lay the foundation of international friendships,'' Ecevit told the visiting children.

The prime minister said he was very pleased to have the foreign children in Turkey and wished them happiness.

Ecevit said great leader Ataturk placed great importance to children and therefore declared April 23 as Children's Day.

Later, children of 40 countries presented him the gifts they brought from their countries. In return, Ecevit gave the children a set which included a camera, films and batteries.

Representatives of the TRT Children's Choir presented the prime minister the final declaration of the First International Children's Congress. After receiving the presents, Ecevit thanked the TRT for undertaking the organization of the festival.

State Minister Rustu Kazim Yucelen, TRT General Director Yucel Yener and members of the Festival Organization Committee also attended the visit.

-U.S. ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE WALKER ARRIVES IN ANKARA
ANKARA - Edward Walker, the U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for the Near East, arrived in Ankara after wrapping up his contacts in Syria on Friday.

The U.S. has begun to prepare a new policy towards Iraq after George W. Bush was sworn in as the new president.

The U.S. has been trying to tighten its sanctions against Iraqi President Saddam Hussein's administration.

Also, the U.S. has been seeking ways to meet losses of neighboring countries like Turkey which have suffered from embargo imposed on Iraq.

Walker is scheduled to meet Faruk Logoglu, the Undersecretary of Foreign Ministry.

Earlier in March of 2001, Walker had paid a visit to Ankara and held some contacts.

-FORD OTOSAN KOCAELI FACTORY OPENS
GOLCUK - Jacques Nasser, the chairman of Ford Motor Company, said on Friday that they set up Kocaeli Automotive Factory by basing on their 70-year old friendship with Koc Holding, and noted that they had confidence in Turkish market.

Nasser, who staged a news conference before the opening of Ford Otosan Kocaeli Factory, said their 70-year old friendship with Koc family directed this investment.

Pointing out that Turkey went through a serious transformation process, and that it has an important potential which will overcome the problems, Nasser said they had confidence in Turkish market, and noted that their investment was important for Turkish industry.

Nasser said Ford Motor Company produced 7.5 million vehicles per year in various countries of the world and made an endorsement of 170 billion U.S. dollars, adding that, ''Ford Motor Company has around 40,000 workers, we act according to the demands of the customers and company criteria. We find appropriate to transfer technology to evaluate the power of Turkish workers and engineers in European and world economy, and to increase our global production capacity.''

When a journalist asked about the company marriages which Ford Motor Company did in various countries of the world, Nasser said only 4-5 companies will remain in automotive sector in the world. He said Ford is among them.

Responding to a question about devaluation, Nasser said devaluation was a daily and important issue, yet noted that it would not change more in the long term.

Mesut Yilmaz, the state minister and deputy prime minister, said the investment made to the Ford Otosan Kocaeli Factory was important.

Mentioning the importance of the factory, Yilmaz said Turkey approached to the target of taking place among the technology countries in European standarts.

-SIX NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS SEND LETTER TO
PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT, AND REQUEST HIM TO IMPROVE
CONDITIONS IN PRISONS
ISTANBUL - Six non-governmental organizations sent a letter to Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit, and requested him to launch initiavies to improve conditions in prisons and to prevent deaths of prisoners.

Releasing a statement, the Confederation of Revolutionary Workers' Unions (DISK) said on Friday that DISK, the Moral Rights Workers Union (Hak-is), the Confederation of Public Workers' Trade Unions (KESK), the Union of Chambers of Engineers and Architects, the Union of Bars and the Union of Doctors sent a letter to Prime Minister Ecevit.

The letter said, ''although six months have passed since intervention into prisons, problems in prisons could not be solved. Deaths of prisoners one after the other, cause deep pains in conscience of people. A nation which fail to take care its people in prisons, cannot be hopeful about its future. Therefore, we believe that necessary steps should be taken as soon as possible to improve conditions in prisons. These steps are also necessary in regard to Turkey's international image. Taking these steps to improve conditions in all prisons including F type prisons, and to adapt these prisons with human rights and international standards, will not be a concession, but will be a sign of respect to democracy and human rights. Our government will put forward its determination in being a state of law by taking these steps.''

-WEEKLY PRESS CONFERENCE HELD AT CANKAYA PRESIDENTIAL PALACE (1)
ANKARA - Presidential Office Spokesman and Chief Press Consultant Metin Yalman said on Friday, ''President Ahmet Necdet Sezer is extremely concerned about prisoners' death fasts and hunger strikes. President Sezer wants prisoners to put an end to their actions.''

Yalman responded to questions of journalists at the weekly press conference at the Cankaya Presidential Palace.

Referring to death fasts and hunger strikes in prisons, Yalman stressed, ''President Sezer stressed that the state was responsible for protection of security and health of prisoners. President Sezer noted that the state had to fulfil this responsibility in any occassion. Yesterday, President Sezer received Justice Minister Hikmet Sami Turk and Huseyin Akgul, the Chairman of Parliamentary Human Rights Inquiry Commission. At the meetings, President Sezer expressed his concerns about prisoners' insistence on continuing their hunger strikes and death fasts. At his meeting with Justice Minister Turk, President Sezer stressed that all legal changes should be made as soon as possible to put an end to death fasts and hunger strikes.''

Yalman told reporters, ''President Sezer emphasized that right to life was sacred. President Sezer noted that relatives of prisoners, non-governmental organizations and all citizens should expend efforts to put an end to death fasts and hunger strikes. President Sezer expressed his satisfaction over compromise reached among members of the Council of Ministers on the draft envisaging amendment to Article 16 of the Anti-Terrorism Law. President Sezer wants prisoners to put an end to their actions.''

Responding to a question about new economic program disclosed last weekend by State Minister Kemal Dervis, Yalman said, ''President Sezer said that all sections of the society expected this program including a series of legal arrangements which was prepared to make Turkish economy more healthier, to achieve success by reaching its targets. President Sezer stressed that creating of an atmosphere of confidence in economic live and provision of a healthier economic structure were main conditions of democracy. He underlined importance of people's support in success of the program. President Sezer expressed his belief over that Turkish nation would overcome all difficulties in solidarity and unity.''

-ANKARA DGM NO: 2 POSTPONES ITS VERDICT ABOUT TEKDAL,
YILMAZ, CEYLAN AND CELIK OF OUTLAWED RP
ANKARA - Ankara State Security Court (DGM) no: 2 decided on Friday to postpone its verdict about 25 suspects including Ahmet Tekdal, the former Deputy Chairman of outlawed Welfare Party (RP); and Sevki Yilmaz, Hasan Huseyin Ceylan and Ibrahim Halil Celik, the former deputies of the RP; in accordance with Law on Conditional Release from Prison and Suspension of Punishments no: 4616.

Meanwhile, case against suspect Adnan Demirturk who died on May 15, 1999 was annulled.

The indictment had sought capital punishment to suspects Tekdal, Yilmaz, Ceylan and Celik on charges of ''attempting to destroy constitutional order in order to change political, legal and economic laws in accordance with religious rules'', and imprisonment terms from 7 years and 6 months to 22 years and 6 months to other 24 suspects on charges of ''complicity in the same crime''.

-FINANCE MINISTER ORAL LEAVES FOR DENMARK
ISTANBUL - Finance minister Sumer Oral said on Friday that there was not any obstacle pertaining to economic program, adding that, ''all the cabinet has adopted the program and backs it.''

Finance minister Oral left for Denmark to attend meetings of G-13 Group, comprised of the finance ministers of countries who are candidates to the European Union (EU).

Speaking before his departure from Istanbul's Ataturk Airport, Oral said finance ministers of 13 EU candidates would come together at the meeting.

Oral pointed out that problems regarded with accession to the EU would be discussed during the meetings, and noted that he would later proceed to Malmoe city and attend European Union (EU) finance and economy ministers council (ECOFIN) Council meetings composed of the EU finance and economy ministers.

Oral said finance ministers of 13 candidate countries would be in attendance during this meeting.

Oral said a finance and economy ministers and central bank governors of a total of 28 countries, 15 of them EU members and 13 of them candidate countries, to the meeting in Malmoe, and noted that accession criteria would be discussed at the meeting.

Oral said they would attend the meetings with a delegation composed of the officials of foreign ministry, central bank, treasury undersecretariat, and finance minister.

Responding to a question about recent economic developments, Oral said Turkey had a strong economy, noting that the situation which the country is in, was temporary.

Oral stressed that Turkey was a country having production capacity, adding that, ''Turkey has exportation capacity. There are some difficulties, but all these will be overcome. Turkey is an extremely strong country. There are important difficulties today, but Turkey has the power to overcome these. Extremely successful results have been obtained in budget policies with the previous program. However, the crisis we have experienced, created the serious conditions we are in. We will overcome all these.''

Oral said Turkey was a member of the G-20's and a candidate country to the EU, adding that the new economic program would not only adjust the conditions we are in, but lead Turkey to European criteria, and to the conditions of the 21st century.

Stressing that there was no obstacle pertaining to the economic program, Oral said, ''all the cabinet has adopted the whole program and backs it. There is nothing creating concern.''

-JUSTICE MINISTER TURK:
-''WORKS REGARDED WITH F TYPE PRISONS DID NOT START DUE TO DEATH FASTS''
KAYSERI - Justice Minister Hikmet Sami Turk said on Friday, ''works regarded with F type prisons did not start due to death fasts in prisons. I hope that those who have been fasting to death or on hunger strikes would well assess these works.''

Turk responded to questions of journalists in central province of Kayseri where he will attend some inaugurations.

''We have prepared some draft laws in order to adapt prisons, especially F type prisons, with modern standards. The Council of Ministers have debated these drafts. A commission formed by three ministers, has finalized its works. Some of these drafts have been opened to signature of members of the Council of Ministers. A considerable part of them were signed by all ministers. I think that these drafts would be submitted to the parliament in one or two days.''

Stressing that they would not return to the ward system, Turk told reporters, ''there are some allegations saying that F type prisons were established to isolate prisons. Also there are claims saying that prisoners were exposed to torture in prisons. After legalization of draft laws about prisons, all these claims will be proven false. The draft will allow prisoners to meet for educational, social, cultural, professional and sports activities. The draft will also permit civilian inspection of prison conditions and allow courts to file charges against prison officers without the consent of the Justice Ministry. Then, no one can claim that prisoners were exposed to torture in prisons. I hope that everyone would well understand messages of these drafts. Terrorist organizations have chosen some of their members as victims. Those who attempted to end their action, were threatened by illegal organizations. I hope that all these would come to an end with legalization of drafts.''

When a journalist said there were claims that, ''such an arrangement would not take place if there were not the death fasts,'' Turk said, ''No. You know death fasts started on October 20, 2000. This means it is on the sixth month today. In fact, I have been continuously bringing those arragements to the agenda since last June. The provision, forbidding the inmates in F type prisons to talk with each other, their communication, and their face to face talks with their relatives, which takes place in Artice 16 of the Anti-Terrorism Law had to be changed as the F type prisons were opening. In fact, there are areas in the structure of the F type prisons for the inmates to hold works, to gain professions and to have education. For example, there are eight business work shops, sports halls, a library, and a reading room. Those were contructed to bring the inmates together.''

Turk said they wanted to complete these before the opening of the F type prisons, noting that F type prisons had to be opened inevitablely following the operations on prisons on December 19, 2000. The preparations are underway now. Our works had been started before the beginning of hunger strikes, so it is not a work that started because of death fasts. I think this will be evaluated well by those who continue death fasts, because some people are elected as victim by illegal organizations to realize their political desires. They aimed at distoring public order. This will not be allowed.''

When asked if there were threats to him, Turk said, ''threats come to some authors, who want death fasts to be ended, through e-mails. You may guess the position of justice minister, who directly deals with prisons and the concerned ministry in this case.''

Turk said according to an article which the U.S. Justice Department sent to them on Friday, they learned that Cavit Caglar would be tried again in New York at 14:00 local time. Turk said the article also said Caglar was detained temporarily, and that there were 60 days for the extradition according to the extradition of criminals agreement signed between the two countries.

Turk said the justice ministry, according to the decision of the Istanbul State Security Court (DGM), started required works for the extradition procedures, adding that, ''the statements which appeared in some newspapers saying that extradition process would be completed within a week are misleading. This period is for the justice ministry to complete the documents, translate court decisions, and to make necessary application. This will be made through diplomatic canals. Thus, the process is long. The one week process is regarded with our works. The authorized administration will decide for the extradition according to the decision that will be given by the court. The person, whose extradition was requested, has the probability to oppose the decision. He may appeal to a higher court. Within the whole process, extradition of Caglar don't seem possible before six months and it can take up to one year.''

-DGM PROSECUTOR SALK FINALIZES INDICTMENT REGARDED WITH INVESTIGATION
INTO ALLEGATIONS ABOUT CORRUPTION IN ENERGY TENDERS
ANKARA - Talat Salk, the Prosecutor of State Security Court (DGM), finalized indictment regarded with investigation which was launched into allegations about corruption in energy tenders, and submitted it to Cevdet Volkan, the Chief Prosecutor of DGM, on Friday.

Salk told reporters that the indictment would be disclosed on Tuesday.

When asked whether or not he filed a lawsuit in accordance with Law no: 4422, Salk told reporters, ''I have filed the lawsuit in accordance with Article 313 of the Turkish Penal Code (TCK) which includes the charge of 'setting up an illegal organization to commit crimes'.''

-WALKER, U.S. ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE, IN FOREIGN MINISTRY
ANKARA - Edward Walker, the U.S. assistant secretary of state responsible for the Near East, currently in Ankara to hold various contacts regarded with Iraq and developments in the region, arrived in foreign ministry on Friday.

Walker and an accompanying delegation firstly met Faruk Logoglu, the foreign ministry undersecretary.

Interdelegational talks will start following the meeting of the U.S. delegation with Logoglu.

Ugur Ziyal, the deputy undersecretary, will head the Turkish delegation during the talks.

Robert Pearson, the U.S. Ambassador in Ankara also attends the meeting.

-JUSTICE MINISTER TURK SAYS 23,397 INMATES BENEFIT
FROM AMNESTY LAW SINCE MARCH 13
ANKARA - Justice Minister Hikmet Sami Turk said on Friday that 23, 397 inmates benefitted from ''Conditional Release Law,'' which is publicly known as ''Amnesty Law,'' since March 13.

Turk, while responding to the question with notice of Ahmet Sunnetcioglu, the Virtue Party (FP) Bursa deputy, said a definite evaluation could not be made so far as records continued to come from all judicial organizations, yet noted that 23,397 people were released from prisons since March 13, 2001.

Turk said 3761 people applied to public prosecutorships and benefitted from the law without serving imprisonment terms.

He said some other 1945 prisoners were not released from prisons because of the other crimes they committed although they benefitted from the amnesty law.

-WEEKLY PRESS CONFERENCE HELD AT CANKAYA PRESIDENTIAL PALACE (2)
ANKARA - Tacan Ildem, the Presidential Office's Chief Consultant for Foreign Affairs, said on Friday that President Ahmet Necdet Sezer would host the Heads of State of Turkish Speaking Countries Summit Meeting in Istanbul between April 26 and 27, 2001.

Speaking at the weekly press conference at the Cankaya Presidencial Palace, Ildem said, ''President Haydar Aliyev of Azerbaijan, President Nursultan Nazarbayev of Kazakhstan, President Askar Akayev of Kyrgyzstan, President Islam Kerimov of Uzbekistan, and President Sapharmurad Turkmenbasi of Turkmenistan will attend the summit meeting.''

Ildem told reporters, ''the first summit meeting of Turkish Speaking Countries was held in Ankara in 1992, and the others were held in Istanbul in 1994, in Bishkek in 1995, in Astana in 1998 and in Baku in 2000. There are deep and sound friedly relations between Turkey and other participating countries based on joint history, culture and language. These meetings create an important and beneficial frame to develop multilateral cooperation among the Turkish speaking countries, to exchange opinions on regional and international issues, to take steps to cooperate in some fields, and to consolidate peace and stability in the region. The summit meetings aim at further improving friendly relations among these countries, increasing positive contributions of these countries to international peace and stability, and turning their geography into a region of cooperation, prosperity, stability and peace.''

''Turkish Speaking Countries Summit Meeting is the highest-level forum in which heads of state of these countries come together with each other. Therefore, these meetings have an important place in our policy towards the region. The 7th Summit Meeting of Heads of State of Turkish Speaking Countries will be held in Istanbul between April 26 and 27. This meeting coincide with the 10th anniversary of these countries' acquiring their independence,'' he told reporters.

Ildem said, ''President Aliyev of Azerbaijan who will be in attendance at the summit meeting, held a telephone conversation with President Sezer yesterday. President Sezer and President Aliyev exchanged views about bilateral and regional issues. President Aliyev informed President Sezer on negotiations between Azerbaijan and Armenia held in the U.S. on April 3 under the supervision of co-presidents of Nice Group. At a bilateral meeting between President Sezer and President Aliyev during the summit meeting in Istanbul, bilateral, international and regional issues and efforts to find a solution to dispute between Azerbaijan and Armenia will be taken up. President Sezer will also hold bilateral talks with other heads of state.''

Meanwhile, Presidential Office Spokesman and Chief Press Consultant Metin Yalman responded to questions of journalists about death fasts and hunger strikes in prisons.

When asked whether or not President Sezer would use his authority to forgive some prisoners who have been fasting to death or on hunger strikes, Yalman said, ''President Sezer has the authority to forgive some prisons having certain conditions in accordance with Article 104 of the Constitution. President Sezer used his authority a short while ago. Article 104 of the Constitutition envisages amnesty to prisoners suffering from chronic illnesses.''

(End)

-FOUR INMATES IN GEBZE PRISON END THEIR DEATH FAST
GEBZE - A total of four inmates in Gebze prison gave up their death fasts on Friday.

Provincial Gendarme Commandership issued a statement and said Yadigar Bayar, Nebahat Polat and Saduman Mutlu, members of an illegal organization, who started death fast on November 24, 2000, and Bedia Ergun, who started death fasting on January 9, 2001, ended their protest.

The statement said 20 other inmates in the same prison, who are members of terrorist organization, started hunger strike on Thursday for an indefinite period to support those who are on death fast.

-DOMESTIC BORROWING STOCK REACHES 50.9 QUADRILLION
TL AT END OF MARCH 2001
ANKARA - The Treasury Undersecretariat announced on Friday that the domestic borrowing stock was 50 quadrillion 851 trillion 184 billion Turkish liras (TL) as of the end of March 2001.

The domestic borrowing stock which was 36 quadrillion 420 trillion 621 billion TL at the end of 2000, increased to 44 quadrillion 428 trillion 106 billion TL as of the end of January 2001.

The domestic borrowing stock increased to 45 quadrillion 427 trillion 488 billion TL as of the end of February 2001.

-BASEGEMEZ RETURNS TO FP
ANKARA - Mukadder Basegmez, a deputy from Istanbul who resigned from the Virtue Party (FP) yesterday, withdrew his resignation on Friday.

After Basegmez's rejoining to the FP, number of FP deputies increased to 102 and number of independent deputies decreased to 7.

The recent distribution of seats at the parliament are as follows:

Democratic Left Party (DSP):.........134

Nationalist Movement Party (MHP):....126

Virtue Party (FP):...................102

Motherland Party (ANAP):..............89

True Path Party (DYP):................84

Independent:...........................7

Vacant:................................8

-DOWNER, FOREIGN MINISTER OF AUSTRALIA, DUE IN TURKEY
ANKARA - Alexander Downer, the foreign minister of Australia, will pay an official visit to Turkey in April 23-25.

Foreign ministry issued a statement and said facilities to improve bilateral relations will be discussed between the delegations of the two countries within the framework of the visit.

The statement said the sides will exchange views on regional and international issues which concern the two countries.

The guest minister will also attend ceremonies that will be staged for the 86th anniversary of the commemoration of Battle of Canakkale.

-GOVERNMENT SUBMITS DRAFT LAW ABOUT LOCAL ADMINISTRATIONS TO PARLIAMENT
ANKARA - The government submitted the draft law about local administrations to the parliament on Friday.

The draft law which is composed of 70 articles, re-arranges share of duties and service relations between central administration and local administration.

The draft envisages to equip local administrations with sufficient financial, administrative and legal tools, and to take efficiency, productivity and inspection under guarantee.

It also aims at solving problems of local administrations by easing proceedings, providing transparency and increasing local administrations' contribution to democratic culture.

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