Anadolu Agency: News in English, 01-06-19

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ANADOLU AGENCY

NEWS

19 JUNE 2001 Tuesday

CONTENTS

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

HE VETOES RTUK
President Ahmet Necdet Sezer vetoed the bill on the Supreme Board of Radio and Television (RTUK) and sent it to the Parliamentary Chairmanship to be discussed once again. Sezer gave a 16-page reason for his action in returning the bill, stating the fines that will be implemented, election of members, linking of the Supreme Board to Prime Ministry High Inspection Committee, the disproportion between the fines and the actions which require the implementation of those punishments, the imbalanced difference between the minimum and maximum limits of the punishments, the monopoly, and internet broadcasting. Sezer said he did not find appropriate to issue the bill noting that, ''it included principles which contradict with public benefit, democratic traditions, basic rights and freedoms, and principles which contradict with law and constitutional principles.''

3.6 PANIC IN YALOVA AND GOYNUK
Yalova and Bolu's Goynuk township were rocked by earthquakes yesterday. An earthquake measuring 3.6 on Richter scale happened in Yalova at 13:40. Bogazici University Kandilli Observatory and Seismology Institute said that the quake was also felt in surrounding provinces and townships and its epicenter was Cinarcik Cukuru in Marmara Sea. Meanwhile, Goynuk was rocked by an earthquake measuring 3.6 on Richter scale at 14:08. There were no immediate reports of casualties and damage.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

Yilmaz, currently in Vienna, responded to the question of a Dutch journalist during a meeting titled, ''Turkey-Austria-Europe.''

When the Dutch journalist said Armed Forces often intervened in politics in Turkey, and asked if there would be a problem in EU membership under those conditions, Yilmaz said, ''during the recent incidents, even when they got the impression that secularism was under threat in Turkey, they tried to mobilize masses of people in public who support secularism instead of direct intervention, and they were successful in it.''

Yilmaz also made a revision in his statement regarding Turkey's full membership process to the EU, which he earlier disclosed as 2004-2005. Yilmaz for the first time mentioned the year 2010 which the military sources used. He said, ''our target is to materialize Turkey's full membership to the EU till the year 2010.''

THE ASSASIN WHO SHOT OKKAN CONFESSES
Bedran Salamboga, the member of the illegal terrorist Hezbollah organization, disclosed how he got involved in assasination of Ali Gaffar Okkan, the former Security Chief of southeastern Diyarbakir province, and five policemen.

''We had come to the spot at 17:00 local time. I started to wait at the nearby park. Then I heard gun shots. I opened fire on the automobile. It was a black automobile. It stopped when we opened fire on it. Then I fled from the scene of the attack. I put the cartridge clip into my pocket. I hid my weapon,'' he said.

SABAH (LIBERAL)

Gorur, who held a news conference, disclosed the conclusion of the works of Italian Urania Reseach Ship had in May 29 and June 16.

Prof. Gorur said, ''it has been observed that the fault line, which caused the 1912 quake, continued toward Tekirdag cavity under the sea. In the work that was carried out in western side of Armutlu township, it was found out that Imrali Fault Line, which limits Cinarcik cavity from the south, can be a sovereign active fault line.''

Gorur said the data showed that a quake measuring more than 7 on the Richter scale is inevitable within 30 years.

ECEVIT: IT IS THE TURN OF DEMOCRACY
Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said the economic laws will be ready till to the meeting of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which will take place on June 25, and noted that the democracy reform will follow it.

Pointing out that constitutional amendment package was an opportunity, Ecevit said, ''this package can be issued after postponing the recess of the parliament.''

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

Saglanmak, the Chairman of Banks and Insurance Workers Union, said the decision to close the bank, which has 4,000 workers, was of political quality, noting that they would appeal of European Court of Human Rights.

CAKAN-LEBEDEV MEETING
Zeki Cakan, the Energy and Natural Resources Minister, and Aleksandr Lebedev, the Russian Ambassador in Ankara, convened on Monday and evaluated the recent developments regarded with the Blue Stream Project.

Russia also expressed the uneasiness it felt over the pipes that were kept in the customs.

RADIKAL (LEFT)

The idea for partial passage of the 37-article Constitutional package before the parliament recesses was pointed out by Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit during Council of Ministers meeting. Article 69, which makes closure of political parties difficult, may be taken up first.

Ecevit said the possibility of closing the FP before the amendment may put the country into difficulty, noting that he conveyed the issue to the leaders of the EU member countries in Gothenburg. He said the change may be responded affirmatively.

EYES ON LEADERS
The destiny of the 37-article constitutional amendment package will be determined at summit meeting of leaders of parties forming the coalition government. Priority will be given to articles which make closure of political parties difficult. It will also become clear at the meeting whether or not the package will be approved before the Parliament recesses. The compromise commission will also discuss authorities of the President.

TURKIYE (RIGHT)

IRAQ'S NEW OIL WARNING
Iraq's Permanent Representative at the U.N. Mohammad Al-Duri warned that they would stop every relation with their neighboring countries including Turkey if insistence on ''smart sanctions'' continued. Speaking to NBC television channel, Duri said that adoption of the U.S. and Britain-backed U.N. resolution which lifted embargo on other goods by limiting transfer of military equipment to Iraq would have important impacts. Duri said, ''we will cut oil trade with Turkey and Jordan if they join others in implementation of the bill. We will stop every relation with our neighbors if this bill is implemented. We are ready to withdraw Iraqi oil from international market.''

FATIH PERIOD IN AC MILAN
Fatih Terim period started in AC Milan soccer club of Italy. Coach Terim signed a two-year contract with AC Milan yesterday. Holding a press conference together with Vice President Adriano Galliani, General Manager Cesare Maldini and assistant trainers Di Gennaro and Pazzagli, Terim said, ''I will settle my soccer understanding in AC Milan. My players will play enterprising football.''

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

''REFERENDUM'' SURPRISE OF FP
The Virtue Party (FP) against which the closure case reached the point of court verdict took ''referendum'' onto the agenda. In case of a sham verdict, majority of FP deputies will seek ''referendum''.

KAYALAR RUNS FOR ANAP LEADERSHIP
Lutfullah Kayalar, a deputy of the Motherland Party (ANAP) from Yozgat province, said that he would run for ANAP leadership at the Congress on May 4-5. Kayalar said that he was sure that he would win the vote.

-DATE OF IMF BOARD'S MEETING ON TURKEY STILL UNCLEAR
WASHINGTON D.C. - The date of International Monetary Fund (IMF) Executive Directors Board's meeting on approval of second tranche of loan to Turkey has not become clear yet.

IMF Spokesman David Hawley told the A.A correspondent on Tuesday that date of the meetings had not been set yet and that works were under way.

The statement which was released after IMF Executive Directors Board approved Turkey's new economic program on May 15, said that the Board meeting on second tranche of loan was planned to be held after June 25.

Experts in Washington D.C. said that before setting a date, IMF was expecting Turkey to take some steps in implementation of the new program.

Turkey is expected to receive almost 1.5 billion U.S. dollars of loan tranche after the IMF Board's approval.

After wrapping op his contacts in Ankara within framework of the eighth review, IMF's Turkey Desk Chief Juha Kahkonen said that supplementary budget should be approved, Emlak Bankasi should be closed, tobacco market law should be passed and new appointments at the Turkish Telekom supreme board should be made.

-U.N. SECRETARY GENERAL GETTING READY TO CALL FOR THE SIDES
ON CYPRUS FOR SEPARATE TALKS BY THE END OF JULY
WASHINGTON D.C. - With the support of the U.S., which entered in a wide- scoped working period regarding Cyprus issue, the U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan is getting ready to make a call to the leaders of the two sides on Cyprus to New York or Geneva by the end of July.

Visit of Tom Weston, the U.S. State Department Cyprus Special Coordinator, to Ankara and Athens at the end of July is considered as a high possibility to form a basis prior to his talks planned to take place with Rauf Denktas, the President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), and Greek Cypriot leader Glafcos Clerides.

Diplomatic sources in Washington D.C. pointed out that Denktas and Clerides could give a positive response to such a call as it will come from Annan.

The U.S. which refrained from any activity regarding Cyprus issue till the elections are completed in Greek Cypriot side, entered into a comprehensive work in order not to leave the initiative to the European Union (EU). The U.S., within the framework of the message of the Turkish side saying, ''things can not be started from where they were left,'' looks for a method to start a new negotiation process instead of continuation of former process.

Meanwhile, Greece and the Greek Cypriot side believe that unilateral application of the Greek Cypriot side to the European Union (EU), would reach a result whether or not there is a solution on the Island according to the Helsinki decisions. However, the Turkish side opposes to the unilateral EU membership before a solution as rights of Turkish Cypriot people can not be protected.

The U.S., which refrains from offending the two sides on the issue, and further tensing its relations with the EU, does not adopt a definite attitude, but has the view that, ''EU membership would be a positive contribution to the solution, however materialization of the membership after solution.''

The U.S. diplomatic sources told A.A correspondent that the EU's Helsinki decisions were open, noting that solution was not put forward as pre- condition for the entrance of the Greek Cypriot side to the EU.

Pointing out that the U.S. expended very much time for the Cyprus issue, the sources said support was given to the efforts of the U.N. Secretary General to resume indirect talks.

The sources said the U.S. was hopeful for a solution to the Cyprus problem, noting that the most ideal situation was to reach a solution before an activity in EU membership.

-CLOSURE CASE AGAINST FP
-CONSTITUTIONAL COURT CHIEF JUDGE BUMIN: ''THE COURT MAY
GIVE A VERDICT ON THURSDAY OR FRIDAY. BUT THIS IS MY
OPINION''
ANKARA - Constitutional Court Chief Judge Mustafa Bumin said on Tuesday that the court might give a verdict in the closure case against the Virtue Party (FP) on Thursday or Friday.

Responding to questions of reporters in front of the Constitutional Court building, Bumin said that the court would not give a verdict in the closure case against FP today or tomorrow, and that he supposed that the court might give a verdict on Thursday or Friday.

When recalled of works on constitutional amendment and when asked how those works would affect the case, Bumin said, ''there are different opinions about this matter. However, these are not linked with the laws. We finalize the case we debate in accordance with the currently existing laws. Our decisions are definite. Even we don't review our verdict. However, amendments to the Constitution and laws will affect the cases after those amendments come into force.''

The Constitutional Court will convene at 10:00 hours and take up firstly other issues on its agenda.

The court will take up several courts' applications which demand annulment of some articles and rules of the law on conditional release from prisons and postponement of punishments.

After observing those applications, the court will resume debate on closure case against the FP.

-BSECPA 17TH MEETING STARTS IN BAKU
BAKU - The Black Sea Economic Cooperation Parliamentary Assembly (BSECPA) 17th meeting started on Tuesday under the leadership of Azerbaijani National Parliament Speaker Murtuz Aleskerov.

In today's section of the meeting which takes place in Gulistan Palace, the Assembly Office and Permanent Commission separately convene. They held pre- talks of the issues which will be discussed in BSECPA Supreme Assembly that will take place on Wednesday.

Income tax, retirement salary, domestic procedure implementations, and examination of authority documents are among the agenda articles.

Aleskerov read out the agenda articles at the opening of the Permanent Commission meeting, and presented it to the confirmation of the members. Stressing that they would be in an effective working, Aleskerov said they bear a very important responsibility today.

The meeting later continued closed to the press.

Strengthening of legal structure among the member countries, legal basis of culture and social security and protection of rights of employed refugees, relations among migration organizations and relevant reports will be discussed during the BSECPA meetings that will continue until June 21.

At the end of the meetings, Azerbaijan will hand over Term Presidency to Bulgaria.

The participating delegations are expected to be received by Azerbaijani President Haydar Aliyev.

A delegation comprising seven MPs headed by Mehmet Gul will represent Turkey at the meetings.

Gaghik Tadevosyan, Vardan Ivazyan and Manuel Badeyan from the Armenian parliament are expected to attend the BSECPA Supreme Assembly meeting which will be held at the Gulistan Palace on Wednesday.

Azerbaijan, Albania, Bulgaria, Armenia, Georgia, Moldovo, Romania, Ukraine and Greece are taking part in the BSECPA which was initiated by Turkey and Russia in 1993.

-DEPUTY PREMIER YILMAZ PROCEEDS FROM VIENNA TO BRUSSELS
VIENNA - State Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz who wrapped up his contacts in Austrian capital Vienna proceeded to Brussels on Tuesday.

Yilmaz made the opening remarks of a conference on ''Turkey-Austria- Europe'' which was organized by Alpbach Forum in Austria, Sabanci University and Foreign Economic Relations Council (DEIK), held contacts with the Austrian officials and opened Motherland Party (ANAP) branch in Vienna.

Yilmaz who will meet with European Union (EU) officials in Belgian capital Brussels will return to Ankara on Wednesday.

-TWO TURKISH PROFESSORS PRODUCE ENERGY FROM HAZELNUT SHELL
TRABZON - Prof. Dr. Teoman Ayhan and Prof. Mithat Akgun from the Karadeniz Technical University (KTU) Mechanical Engineering Department produced energy from hazelnut shell with the ''feedback gasification method''.

Speaking to the A.A correspondent on Tuesday, Prof. Dr. Teoman Ayhan said that they had been working on their project for two years to obtain environment friendly inflammable gas from solid waste.

They had tried hazelnut shells and succeeded in obtaining such energy, he said.

''As a result of this project, first step in production of electricity and alternative fuel to motor vehicles from hazelnut shells has been taken,'' he said.

Ayhan said that with their method which was based on gasification of hazelnut shells, almost 1 kwh electricity energy and 2 kwh heat could be produced from 1 kg of hazelnut shalls.

''It is also possible to produce energy equal to 1 litre of gasoline from 2.7 kilograms of hazelnut shells,'' he added.

-PARLIAMENTARY INTERPARTIES COMPROMISE COMMISSION CONVENES TO DISCUSS
ASSIGNMENTS AND AUTHORITIES OF THE PRESIDENT AND YOK
ANKARA- Parliamentary Interparties Compromise Commission convened on Tuesday to discuss the articles of the Constitution pertaining to assignments and authorities of the president, Higher Education Board (YOK), and articles regarded with judicial independence.

Nejat Arseven, the Commission Chairman, speaking before the meeting, pointed out that they would continue to work on the Constitutional amendments.

When asked if there was a connection between debate of the articles regarded with the president and the act of President Ahmet Necdet Sezer in returning the Supreme Radio and Television Board (RTUK) law, Arseven said, ''our works have nothing to do with the veto of RTUK law.''

Responding to a question when constitutional amendments would be discussed in the Parliament, Arseven said the public showed great sensitivity to the Constitutional changes, noting that he wanted those changes to take place after extending the parliamentary works for 15 days.

Arseven stressed that all the parliamentarians in the parliament, without any political party discrimination, support constitutional changes.

-ELECTRICITY PRODUCTION IN Q1 RISES 2.8 PERCENT
ANKARA - Electricity production rose 2.8 percent in first quarter of 2001 compared to same period of 2000.

According to a survey carried out by the State Institute of Statistics (DIE), electricity production in first quarter of 2001 reduced 2 percent when compared to last quarter of 2000.

According to the survey, 47.5 percent of total production was consumed at industrial facilities and 25.4 percent was consumed at real estates.

Meanwhile, share of Turkish Electricity Production and Transmission Corp (TEAS) in total electricity production reduced from 63.8 percent to 55.7 percent in the January-March period of 2001.

Total electricity production in first quarter of 2001 was 31 billion 353.8 million kwh.

-TURKEY TO RECEIVE ALMOST 3 BILLION U.S. DOLLARS
LOAN FROM IMF AND WORLD BANK IN END OF JUNE
ANKARA - Turkey will receive almost 3 billion U.S. dollars loan from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank in the end of June if it fulfils the conditions determined in the IMF's eighth review.

Sources said on Tuesday that any change in IMF's plan to hold Executive Directors Board meeting on second tranche of loan to Turkey after June 25 was out of question.

Noting that there was not a situation necessitating postponement of Board meeting, sources said that approval of legal arrangements which formed the conditions of the eighth review, by the parliament by June 25 would be sufficient.

Meanwhile, the conditions that Turkey should fulfil for finalization of the eighth review are as follows:

''Overnight commitments and responsibilities of state banks and banks which were transferred to the Savings Deposit Insurance Fund (SDIF) should be removed, the repo stocks of SDIF and public banks with the Central Bank should not exceed 7 quadrillion Turkish lira, Emlak Bankasi should be closed down and its commitments and some of its assets should be transferred to Ziraat Bankasi, a second transition bank should be founded for the four banks to which any bid has not been given yet or these banks should be closed down, a new professional executive board and management should be appointed for Turkish Telekom, Tobacco Bill should be approved by parliament, a supplementary budget which is in line with expenditures should be approved, and tax regulations on spread of use of tax payers identity cards should enter into force.''

Turkey should fulfil all of these conditions by June 25 to get the 1.5 billion U.S. dollars of second tranche of loan.

Meanwhile, appointment of a professional executive board at the Turkish Telekom, legalization of supplementary budget and closure of state banks' duty losses and merger of Emlak Bankasi with Ziraat Bankasi would be enough for approval of the second tranche of loan by the IMF, sources said.

Besides, a letter of intent signed by State Minister Kemal Dervis and Central bank Governor Sureyya Serdengecti, which assesses program's economic performance and progress recorded in factors mentioned in May 3, 2001-economic policies statement will be submitted to the IMF for completion of the eighth review.

Meanwhile, World Bank will extend almost 1.5 billion U.S. dollars of loan to Turkey in the end of June if Turkey fulfils necessary conditions.

Sources said that World Bank Executive Directors Board would convene shortly after IMF Board meeting.

World Bank Board could convene on June 27 or 28, sources said.

World Bank would wait for approval of the eighth review by the IMF before approving loan tranche to Turkey.

World Bank wants Turkey to restructure banking sector, liberalize energy and agriculture sectors, accelerate privatization practices and form a more effective public borrowing management and more transparent public management.

World Bank will give 6.2 billion U.S. dollars loan to Turkey in three years, and 3.2 billion U.S. dollars part will be given this year.

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