Anadolu Agency: News in English, 01-08-11

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ANADOLU AGENCY

NEWS

11 AUGUST 2001 Saturday

-TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

These are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in Turkey's press on August 11, 2001. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

Independent deputy Meral Aksener said that she was disappointed by the reformist wing of the Virtue Party (FP) which was closed down by the Constitutional Court. Aksener said that the reformists had invited her and he had met with Tayyip Erdogan and Abdullah Gul. Aksener noted that as the commitments were not fulfilled, she left the reformists.

F-16 PLANES CHASED UFO OUTSIDE ATMOSPHERE

It was revealed that another UFO case was experienced in the Air Forces 14 years ago. In 1987, a UFO disappeared outside the atmosphere although two F- 16 war planes follewed it for minutes. This incident took place in radar recordings.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

The report, which was prepared after the visit of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to Turkey, pointed out that support of international finance circles and the society have critical importance in success of the program.

The report recalled that release of the second loan tranche was postponed from July 3 to July 12 because of some delays in banking measures and disagreement in Telekom administration,, the report said Telekom administration which was recently set up was appropriate to the program.

AKCAKOCA: SALE OF DEMIRBANK WILL BE REALIZED BEFORE THE PLANNED TIME

Banking Regulation and Supervision Agency (BRSA) Chairman Engin Akcakoca said sale of Demirbank to HSBC was decided in principle, recalling that a pre-agreement was made. He said the sale could take place before the planned time.

Akcakoca said he believed that they would be successful in sale of other banks in Savings Deposit Insurance Fund (SDIF), noting that, ''we will act rapidly in sale of the banks within the framework of program and calender.''

SABAH (LIBERAL)

Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit uttered the final word for the tension between the General Staff and Deputy Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz: ''Turkey cannot tolerate a new crisis for the time being.'' Ecevit also said, ''this issue would not be on the agenda for the time being if my response was considered as sufficient. But, this issue is continuously opened up. I did not expect such a reaction from the soldier.'' Ecevit assured that there is no need for panic and concerns if no new political crisis occur. Ecevit said, ''we can not only overcome economic crisis but also catchthe European Union (EU) train.''

INVESTIGATION REGARDING PROSECUTOR YUKSEL

Justice Minister Hikmet Sami Turk has launched investigation regarding Nuh Mete Yuksel, the State Security Court (DGM) prosecutor. Yuksel is accused of preparing a note of information about Stte Ministers Husamettin Ozkan and Recep Onal and leaking out the note to the press.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

His government partners did not expend support to Mesut Yilmaz, the State Minister and Deputy Prime Minister.

Contrary to Yilmaz, Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said the European Union (EU) train was not missed.

The Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) said, ''he is not convincing and sincere. There is not any hope he would give about democratization. In February 28 process, he caused an application which was not democratic, but now he started a war against the military. The EU membership will be endangered with such kind of inconsistent attitudes.''

FOLLOW UP COMMITTEES SHOULD BE SET UP

Justice Minister Hikmet Sami Turk called on necessary works to be initiated soon for the establishment of follow-up committees which were foreseen to be established in prisons.

Turk sent a circular to the office of chief prosecutors and pointed out that the members of the committee should be elected from respectable persons.

RADIKAL (LEFT)

Giant communication company Motorola, which had asked the U.S. government to help it collect its money from GSM operator Telsim, has now contacted with efficient former U.S. diplomats like Mark Parris and Brent Scowcroft. The crisis which has occured due to the 2 billion U.S. dollar debt of Telsim has escalated. The Motorola has contacted with former U.S. Ambassador to Turkey Mark Parris and former U.S. National Security Adviser Brent Scowcroft to collect Telsim's debt. Parris will come to Ankara on Monday.

ONE MORE BANK TO BE TRANSFERRED TO SDIF

The last review report of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) said that the Banking Regulation and Supervision Agency (BRSA) asked many banks to increase their capital in June. The report noted that three banks which did not increase their capital and two banks which were not considered as convincing were transferred to the Savings Deposit Insurance Fund (SDIF). The report also said that another bank was given extra time till the end of August.

TURKIYE (RIGHT)

Diyar Chemical Items Furniture and Construction Company will export furniture to northern part of Iraq. Ali Zeynel, the owner of the company, said, ''we have contacted with companies in northern part of Iraq. The companies have pointed out that they would purchase furniture from us. We are planning to start exportation by the end of this month.''

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

Engin Akcakoca, the Chairman of the Banking Regulation and Supervision Agency (BRSA), said that he believes that failed banks transferred to the Savings Deposit Insurance Fund (SDIF) will be sold till the end of this year. Akcakoca said, ''now, it is Demirbank's turn. We have put to sale Iktisat Bankasi, Sitebank and Etibank.'' Akcakoca emphasized that the banks which cannot be sold will be closed.

MARMARA TO BE EXAMINED VERY CAREFULLY

French La Nadir ship which will carry out seismic researches in Marmara Sea will draw the fault line map of the sea. Naci Gorur, the Chairman of the Scientific and Technical Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK) Marmara Research Center, said that the map of fault lines almost 10 kilometres deep in the sea will be drawn after the researches of this ship. Gorur noted that they are examining Marmara Sea very carefully by 80 seismographs installed beneath and around the sea.

CONTENTS

[01] THY WILL NOT FLY TO MIAMI IN 2002 SUMMER

[02] STATE MINISTER KECECILER DUE TO PAKISTAN

[03] CEREAL EXPORTS FROM SOUTHEAST INCREASE 15.6 PERCENT

[04] A TOTAL OF 279 PARTIES HAVE BEEN SET UP SINCE 1859

[05] UIB CHAIRMANSHIP COUNCIL CHIEF YILDIRIMCAKAR SAYS TURKEY'S EXPORTS WILL EXCEED 30 BILLION U.S. DOLLARS

[06] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT: (1) ''WORKS TO UPDATE NATIONAL SECURITY POLICY DOCUMENT IS AN ISSUE WHICH NSC RESULTED IN THE RECENT WEEKS''

[07] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT: (2) -''INFLATION ENTERED INTO A FALLING PROCESS. THIS IS A PLEASING DEVELOPMENT''

[08] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT SAYS THEY HAVE BEEN TRYING TO REACH A COMPROMISE BETWEEN PALESTINIANS AND ISRAELIS FOR A LONG TIME

[09] POLICE CONFISCATE 142 WEAPONS IN DIYARBAKIR

[01] THY WILL NOT FLY TO MIAMI IN 2002 SUMMER

A statement sent by THY to Istanbul Stock Exchange (IMKB) said that THY Executive Board decided not to fly to Miami in the new summer schedule which will start on March 28, 2002.

THY is currently flying to Miami two times a week.

[02] STATE MINISTER KECECILER DUE TO PAKISTAN

A statement of the State Ministry said on Saturday that Kececiler will also join the inauguration ceremony of the Chasma Irrigation Channel built by Turkish company TEKSER.

Kececiler will be received by Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf and convey the message of Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit.

State Minister Kececiler will also hold bilateral contacts with Pakistani Minister of Privatization and Minister for Housing.

[03] CEREAL EXPORTS FROM SOUTHEAST INCREASE 15.6 PERCENT

The region obtained 50 million 368 thousand U.S. dollars from its cereal and oily seed and product exports in the same period last year.

The Southeastern Anatolia Region exported sugar worth of 17 million 751 thousand U.S. dollars; chocolate, candies, biscuits and cakes worth of 15 million 36 thousand U.S. dollars; fodders worth of 9 million 631 thousand U.S. dollars; lentil, chickpea, haricot beans, flour, macaroni, semolina, oil and spices worth of 15 million 801 thousand U.S. dollars between January and July.

Iraq, Germany, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Jordan, Iran and Azerbaijan were the main countries where the region exported its products.

[04] A TOTAL OF 279 PARTIES HAVE BEEN SET UP SINCE 1859

A total of 279 parties had acted in political life of the Ottoman Empire and the Turkish Republic since 1859.

A women's party had been set up in 1972. Mubeccel Goktuna had been the Chairperson of the ''Turkish National Women Party.''

Number of active parties in Turkish political life increased to 37 with the foundation of Felicity Party on July 20, 2001.

[05] UIB CHAIRMANSHIP COUNCIL CHIEF YILDIRIMCAKAR SAYS TURKEY'S EXPORTS WILL EXCEED 30 BILLION U.S. DOLLARS

Yildirimcakar told A.A corespondent that measures on the agenda should be put to implementation without losing any time.

Exporters face problems due to high Value Added Tax (VAT) rates and bureaucratic proceedings, Yildirimcakar said.

Yildirimcakar noted that necessary infrastructural works should be completed to enable the coordination of three undersecretaries for Foreign Trade, Finance and Customs.

Export proceedings should be fulfilled by units bound to a single ministry, Yildirimcakar stated.

Yildirimcakar said, ''Turkey's exports will exceed 30 billion U.S. dollars if the real sector is supported even in the last three months. As the exchange rate started to float, vehicle, ready-made cloth, electrical and electronical devices, olive oil and forest product exports have increased.''

''The exportation amounted to 17.7 billion U.S. dollars by this July. The exportation increased 13.3 percent when compared to the previous year,'' Yildirimcakar added.

[06] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT: (1) ''WORKS TO UPDATE NATIONAL SECURITY POLICY DOCUMENT IS AN ISSUE WHICH NSC RESULTED IN THE RECENT WEEKS''

Prime Minister Ecevit responded to the questions in a private TV channel.

Responding to a question about national security discussion, Ecevit said, ''It was suprising for me that State Minister Mesut Yilmaz proposed discussion of national security concept once again. Because works to update the National Security Policy Document has been discussed in the NSC in the recent weeks and has been resulted. Nowadays, all the details regarded with the implementation will be determined with the participation of all concerned state institutions. Thus, a decision has been made about the problem in the highest state level. So, I could not understand what has been discussed.''

When asked about his views regarding the news reports that fundamentalism and separatist terrorism escalated because of political and economic instability, Ecevit said, ''such things are out of question according to the intelligence reports I have. On the contrary, field of influence of fundamentalism has been narrowed to a great extend.''

When it was stated that there had been economic criticisms in statement of General Staff, Ecevit said, ''in the statements of General Staff, there are some claims that upset particularly the government and the politics. To this end, it is natural to feel concern.''

''It was confusing for me that the General Staff showed the economy as if it bankrupted. None of the states has used this expression to mention economic problems. To this end, I think that this was an unfortunate expression,'' Ecevit said.

Responding to a question, he had a short meeting with Yasar Buyukanit, the Deputy Chief of General Staff, following the European Security and Defense Identity (ESDI) meeting held at the Prime Ministry.

Ecevit said, ''I had a short meeting with General Buyukanit. I expressed the concern I felt over the latest polemics.''

When asked if the military wing is ''resisting'' against the EU, Ecevit said, ''no. The military wing and the General Staff did not show such a reaction even by an implication against the EU.''

Ecevit noted that as other parts of the society, the military wing thinks that EU full membership will be beneficial to the country, adding, ''as all the other parts of the society, the General Staff sincerely approves Turkey's EU membership. It thinks that this membership will have many advantages for Turkey.''

He does not have concerns that Turkey can face some obstruction in its EU full membership path, Ecevit stated.

Ecevit pointed out that necessary laws will be debated after the parliament is re-opened.

''The national program includes all the steps that we have to take in the full membership process. Neither the coalition partners nor the public reacted or opposed to these.''

Asked if there may be a delay in the legal arrangements, Ecevit said, ''the constitutional amendments will be debated at the special session of the parliament which will begin on September 17. The other issues have been approved by the coalition partners. I do not guess that there may be a conflict among us. Of course, there may be some criticisms and discussions regarding some expressions. This is natural because these are very sensitive issues.''

''However, all coalition partners sincerely agreed with the national program. They have expressed their will to join the legislative works. Of course, I do not want to predict about the future. But, all the current signs indicate that we may not face any problems regarding this issue,'' Ecevit said.

Responding to a question, Ecevit said that Palestinian President Yasser Arafat or the Palestinian administration have not given ''any sign for a visit'' to Turkey.

Ecevit noted that the Palestinian administration announced that they have welcomed the views that Turkey expressed during Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's visit to Turkey, adding that there are not any other developments.

(To be continued)

[07] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT: (2) -''INFLATION ENTERED INTO A FALLING PROCESS. THIS IS A PLEASING DEVELOPMENT''

Ecevit evaluated recent developments speaking at a program in private NTV channel.

When asked about the effects of national security discussions to the economy, Ecevit said the problems continued, yet noted that there were some positive indications in economic developments.

Pointing out that inflation entered into a falling process beyond the expected, Ecevit said, ''this is a very pleasing development. Also, implementations regarded with the budget also continue giving hope. Our biggest problem is that the producing sector, which is called the real sector, entered into a difficult situation. We are obliged to enliven this producing sector.''

Ecevit stated that Turkey became an industry society, adding that, ''closure of many industry institutions make us concerned. To this end, we are determined to do our best to enliven the producing sector. Of course, financial support of the state is very important. However, the state at the time being is not in a position to expend financial support beyond a limited criteria. Together with State Minister Kemal Dervis, we are searching for ways for the banking sector and the producers to enter into a functional solidarity. There are positive developments in this respect. Because, the banking sector will receive great harm from this if the producing sector is not enlivened. Meanwhile, we have taken some serious steps to increase domestic resources. In fact Turkey has very broad domestic resources.''

Responding to a question about structural reforms, Ecevit said taking steps which broaden freedoms in respect of some constitutional changes was in question.

Recalling that they have some initiatives like renewal of Civil Code and Turkish Penal Code, Ecevit said, ''the parliament carried out an extraordinary working in the recent months. If the parliament manages to continue with this speed, the government will make possible contributions.''

When asked about relations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and if there would be an intervention to foreign exchange, Ecevit said any intervention was regardless of question. Ecevit said, ''recent evaluations of the IMF about us are very pleasing. They appreciate our success. They convey their wish that they want us to work more.''

When recalled the political formations and asked if there would be early elections, Ecevit said an early election atmosphere did not exist at the time being. Ecevit said, ''an early election should not be in question, because Turkey began to result structural reforms, which it neglected for a long time, in the period of this strong coalition. It showed the courage to take very radical and rooted measures. If we enter an election atmosphere in those days, all those steps would be in vain. Even mentioning this has drawbacks.''

When asked what the demands from Anatolia are, Ecevit said, ''we have organized two different types of tours. Firstly, our deputies carried out intensive works in their provinces. I think that our nation was deeply moved due to the tour of the deputies to the villages. Our general impression is that our villagers and farmers have confidence in the future.''

Ecevit continued, ''they feel hopeful about the steps that the government has taken. That is, particularly the rural area does not have any problem. Generally, our nation is patient to see the recovery of the economy. It believes that we can be successful. Reactions have been decreased in recent months. This indicates the confidence of the nation. To this end, the tours of the deputies were very beneficial.'

Asked there will be a revision in the government and if the number of ministers will be decreased, Ecevit said that the coalition partners did not make a meeting on this issue.

Ecevit noted that decreasing the number of deputies is a good idea but that there is an order which has been set up.

''There is a government that works efficiently. It may be wrong to shake this government with some artificial arrangements. We think that it is wrong to cause situations that may hamper the initiatives of the government for the time being,'' Ecevit said.

Asked if he will go on a holiday, Ecevit said that his wife and he do not have time to go on a holiday.

Ecevit added, ''going on a holiday for me and my wife Rahsan Ecevit means being away from politics. Whereever we go, we don't have any opportunity to be away from politics. To this end, we prefer having something like a holiday at home.''

(End)

[08] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT SAYS THEY HAVE BEEN TRYING TO REACH A COMPROMISE BETWEEN PALESTINIANS AND ISRAELIS FOR A LONG TIME

Responding to questions of reporters, Ecevit said that they will continue to do so.

Asked if the statements of the Office of Chief of General Staff target at the government, Ecevit said, ''I do not want to comment on those issues.''

When a reporter reminded him that the U.S. and British planes bombed Iraq and asked if Turkey had been informed beforehand, Ecevit said, ''we had information about that matter. As you know, this is not related with us. It is a military operation on a certain part of Iraq.''

Responding to a question about what kind of decisions were taken in the meeting at which the European Security and Defense Identity (ESDI) was discussed, Ecevit said, ''the decisions were definite. Our views regarding ESDI is clear. Contacts between the General Staff and the Foreign Ministry were under way regarding the details. There are not any differences. But, we do not expect that any problems may occur between the European Union (EU) and NATO. We do not consider such thing as correct. We are determined to assume a realistic attitude.''

Asked if Turkey has launched an initiative regarding the latest tension between Israel and Palestine, Ecevit said, ''we have been trying to reach a compromise between the Palestinians and Israelis for a long time. We will continue to do so. A big opportunity has been missed. There was hope for a compromise between Palestine and Israel during the Barak administration. But, no result was gained because they did not have sufficient confidence in each other. I hope dialogue process will start from now on.''

[09] POLICE CONFISCATE 142 WEAPONS IN DIYARBAKIR

Sources said that 609 people were captured in the operations that were carried out against the terrorist organization Hezbollah after Diyarbakir Police Chief Gaffar Okkan and five other policemen were assassinated on January 24, 2001.

Hasan Sariagac and Abdulhakim Tan, top members of the terrorist organization Hezbollah, were killed during the operations while seven other top members, including Sahin Ceribasi, Ahmet Bozkir, Abdulvahap Ekinci, Mehmet Fidanci, Nizamettin Gokce, Edip Balik, Bedran Selamboga, were captured.

Twenty-eight undefined cases were illuminated during the operations.

Police confiscated 32 hand grenades, one silencer, 16 fuses, five rifles, five wires, 319 cartridges, 472 kalashnikov cartridges, 26 fake identity cards and one handcuff in seven months.

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