Anadolu Agency: News in English, 01-08-30

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ANADOLU AGENCY

NEWS

30 AUGUST 2001Thursday

DOLLAR IS DECREASING IN HIGH GEAR

The U.S. dollar which started to decrease after it had reached 1 million 472 thousand Turkish liras (TL) last Thursday decreased to 1 million 375 thousand U.S. dollars yesterday. The Central Bank dollar selling price decreased by 6.6 percent in the last four workdays. Despite this fall, one U.S. dollar which was equal to 1 million 326 thousand TL by the end of July increased by 3.7 percent in August.

IS BLOOD FOUND IN CEMETERY PINAR'S BLOOD?

Police is solving the assassination of businessman Uzeyir Garih by following the thraces belonging to women. There were eye-witnesses who saw Pinar Konuskan, one of the three women taken into custody following the assassination, in the cemetery. The other two women were named Semra and Nurdan. A man working in the parking lot of the cemetery identified Pinar Konuskan. Now, police suspect that the blood sample found beside the body of Uzeyir Garih was that of Pinar. Also, the blood samples of the other two women were sent to laboratory.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

Today, we are celebrating August 30 Victory Day. We feel the same excitement on the 79th anniversary of the day which started by Great Leader Ataturk's order and ended in victory. The civil servants will be on leave on Friday upon the anniversary of the Victory Day.

ECEVIT'S COMMENT ON OPERATIONS: ''I HOPE IT WILL

NOT TURN INTO ANAP-MHP CONFLICT''

The Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) thinks that the operation into the tenders of the Public Works and Housing Ministry is being carried out by the efforts of the Motherland Party (ANAP) and that these operations serve political aim. Can this approach turn into a ANAP-MHP conflict in the coalition? Prime Minister responds to this question: ''we are recording positive results in economy. There is not any governmental crisis for the time being. It will be wrong to turn such investigations into a conflict in the coalition and a political conflict.''

SABAH (LIBERAL)

The first hearing of the Etibank case started on Wednesday morning and lasted until 11.15 p.m. The court delegation rejected the demands of the suspects who asked for their release and adjourned the court to December 10.

THE MOMENT OF MURDERER'S RELIEF

When Yener Yermez heard that 13-year-old Fuat was captured as a suspect of the assassination of businessman Uzeyir Garih, he told his friends that he was in good spirits. When his friends asked about the blood stains on his trousers, Yermez said that they were old stains.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

Almost 700 square metres of ancient Zeugma site will be ready for demonstration next June. The restoration of frescoes found in the Zone A of the ancient city were finalized four months ago. The restoration of the 700 square metres part of the ancient city will start in coming days.

FIRST OFFICIAL CELEBRATION TO ERDOGAN COMES FROM ATHENS

The first diplomat who celebrated Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the leader of the Justice and Development Party (AK Party), by an official visit was Ioannis Corantis, the Greek Ambassador to Turkey. Corantis had a one-hour meeting with Erdogan. When asked if he observed that Erdogan has changed, Corantis said that he came to Turkey in April 1999 and he did not know the days before April 1999.

RADIKAL (LEFT)

Public Works and Housing Minister Koray Aydin changed the name of a branch of the company which he founded in 1986 as ''Halil Ibrahim Aydin'' when he became the minister. When asked if it was correct for a Public Works Minister to sell construction materials, Aydin said, ''I do not sell them to the state but I sell them to other tradesmen and people.' Asked if it was correct to continue trade when he becomes a minister, Aydin said, ''there is not any legal obstacles. I am 45 years old and what will I do when I quit politics?''

110 HECTARES IN TEN FOREST FIRES

A total of 110 hectares of forest were burnt in fires which broke out in ten separate places throughout Turkey. A statement of the Forestry Ministry said that the fire which broke out in a forested area in Karacaoren village near southern province of Antalya was taken under control completely after it had destroyed 80 hectares of land. The statement noted that fire burnt 20 hectares of land near Hisarardi village of western Yatagan township.

TURKIYE (RIGHT)

President Ahmet Necdet Sezer released a message upon the Victory Day in which he said that August 30 changed the course of Turkey's history. Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said that this victory guaranteed the independence of Turkish nation while Deputy Prime Minister Devlet Bahceli said that August 30 was the name of the belief of Turkish nation in its independence.

CLOSE RELATIONS WITH SYRIA

State Minister Tunca Toskay said that he saw that Syria wanted to get closer to Turkey. Syrian Prime Minister Muhammad Mustafa Miru received Toskay on the last day of Toskay's visit to Syria. Toskay later visited Syrian Minister of Oil and Mineral Resources Muhammad Maher bin-Husni Jamal.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit instructed the concerned authorities to solve the problems of the energy sector at the Council of Ministers meeting. Ecevit also asked for the preparation of draft laws necessary for privatization in energy sector and build-operate-transfer rights in energy sector.

PROTEST WITH FIRE IN KIZILAY

Turan Pektas, 35, set his car ablaze in Kizilay district of Ankara to protest the government. Pektas said, ''I bankrupted and lost everything.'' He was taken into custody.

NEW AGENDA IN TOURISM

The ''all-inclusive'' system in tourism which is getting more wide-spread in the sector led to discussions. Those who implement the system which enables tourists to benefit from all the activities in return for the package tour price, ask for a standard in the system.

CONTENTS

[01] AUGUST 30 VICTORY DAY IS BEING CELEBRATED

[02] NINE PEOPLE DETAINED WITHIN SCOPE OF GARIH ASSASSINATION

[03] MOUNTAINEERS REACH AGRI SUMMIT

[04] STATE MINISTER TOSKAY SAYS EXPORTATION INCREASED BY 13 PERCENT

[05] ENVIRONMENT MINISTER AYTEKIN DUE TO ROMANIA

[06] FOREIGN TRADE UNDERSECRETARY SAYS TURKEY WANTS TO PUSH

[07] GAP REGION EXPORTS ITS PRODUCTS TO 110 COUNTRIES IN SEVEN MONTHS

[08] 32ND EUROPEAN BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP TO START

[09] ENERGY MINISTER CAKAN SAYS DEBT RECEIVABLES

[10] SEEBRIG COMMANDER ZORLU PRESENTED WITH MADARSKI KONNIK MEDAL

[01] AUGUST 30 VICTORY DAY IS BEING CELEBRATED

The first ceremony was held in Anitkabir, the Mausoleum of Ataturk, the Founder of Modern Turkish Republic.

Chief of General Staff Huseyin Kivrikoglu, Land Forces Commander Hilmi Ozkok, Naval Forces Commander Bulent Alpkaya, Air Forces Commander Cumhur Asparuk, Gendarmerie General Commander Aytac Yalman, National Security Council (NSC) General Secretary Tuncer Kilinc, Deputy Chief of General Staff Yasar Buyukanit and other military personnel attended the ceremony.

Kivrikoglu laid a wreath of red and white carnations on Ataturk's Mausoleum.

Later, everybody observed a minute of silence.

Kivrikoglu then signed the Anitkabir Special Book.

Meanwhile, a ceremony was held in front of Ataturk's Monument in Lefkosa, TRNC.

TRNC President Rauf Denktas, Parliament Speaker Ertugrul Hasipoglu, Prime Minister Dervis Eroglu, Turkey's Ambassador Hayati Guven, other officials and commanders attended the ceremony.

[02] NINE PEOPLE DETAINED WITHIN SCOPE OF GARIH ASSASSINATION

Police took into custody nine people, including five women, upon the testimony of Ayhan Yildiz, who worked in a parking lot of Eyup Cemetery.

Sources said that Pinar Konuskan, the girl friend of suspect Yener Yermez, was among the detainees.

The detainees are being interrogated.

[03] MOUNTAINEERS REACH AGRI SUMMIT

Alaattin Karaca, the Chairman of the Mountaineering Federation who also climbed to the summit of 5,137 metres, told A.A correspondent on the phone that 80 Turkish and foreign mountaineers reached the summit at 9.45 a.m.

Karaca said that they observed a minute of silence in the memory of Great leader Ataturk and sang the National Anthem.

Then, they started descending, Karaca added.

Meanwhile, another group of mountaineers climbed Erciyes Mountain to mark August 30 Victory Day.

Seven mountaineers reached the summit of 3,916 metres, hoisted Turkish flag and observed a minute of silence.

[04] STATE MINISTER TOSKAY SAYS EXPORTATION INCREASED BY 13 PERCENT

Toskay told A.A correspondent that current surplus can reach 5 billion U.S. dollars this year.

State Minister Toskay noted that they expect the exportation figure to exceed 30 billion U.S. dollar this year.

Toskay stated that this year's foreign trade deficit is expected to be around 11-14 billion U.S. dollars.

Touching on the Eximbank loan to exporters, Toskay said that exporters asked for almost 90 million U.S. dollar loan from the bank and that this amount of loan can be provided.

Upon relations between Turkey and Syria, Toskay said that resources in the region should be means which connect the countries rather than issues which cause conflicts.

Toskay noted that they are exerting efforts to promote the relations with Syria.

Turkey should be a country which makes more trade with its neighbours, Toskay stated.

Turkey has marked significant distance in its relations with Iraq, Toskay said and stressed that it is trying to achieve the same progress with Syria.

Toskay said that it is not possible to remove all the problems in one day and that Syria is sincere about the promotion of relations.

Toskay noted that Turkey can import energy from Syria.

Stating that it is not correct to remain fixed on problems, Toskay stressed that good relations will be reflected on trade.

Toskay added that trade between two countries will be further improved in 2002 and 2003.

[05] ENVIRONMENT MINISTER AYTEKIN DUE TO ROMANIA

Two ministers will sign a cooperation protocol on environment protection.

Aytekin will touch on current cooperation in water and environment protection during his contacts in Romania which will start on September 10.

Environment Minister Aytekin will exchange information about flood and desertation and will hold contacts in line with the initiatives to comply with European Union (EU) regulations.

Aytekin will visit National Meteorology, Hydrology and Water Management Firm and Paltinu Dam and receive information from officials.

On August 11, Aytekin will visit Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve and Research Institute and have a boat tour on the Danube.

Aytekin will return to Turkey on September 12.

[06] FOREIGN TRADE UNDERSECRETARY SAYS TURKEY WANTS TO PUSH

Tuzmen, who proceeded to Baghdad after wrapping up contacts in Syria, met Iraqi Minister of Oil, Amir Rashid Muhammad al-Ubaydi.

Following the meeting, Tuzmen told A.A correspondent that they debated Turkish-Iraqi relations and reviewed the cooperation possibilities.

Tuzmen said that Turkey wants to have an important place in tenders of Iraqi and that Iraqi market has importance for Turkey.

Turkish delegation which is paying a visit to Iraq will mainly touch on commercial relations in its contacts in coming days, Tuzmen noted.

Tuzmen stated that they will try to increase Turkey's share in Iraqi market within the framework of the oil in return for food program.

He is optimistic about the contacts he will hold with Iraqi officials, Tuzmen pointed out.

Tuzmen noted that Turkish-Iraqi relations will be promoted in coming days.

He believes that their intiatives will be beneficial to both countries, Tuzmen added.

[07] GAP REGION EXPORTS ITS PRODUCTS TO 110 COUNTRIES IN SEVEN MONTHS

The agricultural, animal and industrial exports of the region increased 12.2 percent in the first seven months of this year when compared with the same period last year.

The region obtained 348 million 237 thousand U.S. dollars from its exports.

The GAP region exported to 94 countries and obtained 310 million 298 thousand U.S. dollars in the same period last year.

Abdulkadir Cikmaz, the Chairman of the Southeastern Anatolia Exporters' Union, told A.A correspondent on Thursday that the region exported textile products worth of 214 million 315 thousand U.S. dollars, cereals, oily seeds and products worth of 58 million 219 thousand U.S. dollars, fresh fruit and vegetables and industrial products worth of 43 million 317 thousand U.S. dollars, dried fruit worth of 25 million 581 thousand U.S. dollars, and animal and animal products worth of 6 million 805 thousand U.S. dollars between January and July 2001.

Cikmaz said that exports of textile products increased 20 percent, exports of cereals and oily seeds and products climbed 15.5 percent, exports of dried fruit increased 14.7 percent and exports of animal and animal products rose 434.9 percent.

Exports of fresh fruit and vegetables and industrial products decreased 25.2 percent, Cikmaz noted.

Cikmaz stated that Iraq was ranked the first among countries where the region exported its products while synthetic thread was the main export product.

The region obtained 128 million 91 thousand U.S. dollars from its exports to Europe, 107 million 434 thousand U.S. dollars from Middle East, 17 million 769 from its exports to America, 5 million 421 thousand U.S. dollars from its exports to Asia, 7 million 138 million U.S. dollars from its exports to Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), 15 million 276 U.S. dollars from Turkish republics, 10 million 604 U.S. dollars from Africa, and 56 million 504 thousand U.S. dolars from other countries, Cikmaz pointed out.

Cikmaz added, ''the region entered into markets of Ireland, Oman, Ethiopia, Belarus, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Nigeria, Niger, Tanzania, Sudan, Mongolia, Zambia, Dominican Republic, Philippines, Trinidad and Tobago, Cote d'Ivoire, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Taiwan in the first seven months of 2001.''

-NUMBER OF TOURISTS VISITING MIDYAT INCREASES BY 150 PERCENT
MIDYAT - The number of tourists visiting Midyat township of southeastern Mardin province increased by 150 percent when compared with last year.

Officials at the Midyat Tourism Directorate said on Thursday that not only Turkish people but also foreign tourists visit Midyat.

Historical houses in the township have been restored, the officials noted.

The officials stated that these houses attrack Turkish and foreign tourists, adding that almost 10 thousand tourists visited Midyat since April.

[08] 32ND EUROPEAN BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP TO START

Turkey, which will host the championship this year, has attended the championship for 15 times so far.

Below is a list of the championship winners since its

inaugural edition in 1935:

1935 Latvia

1937 Lithuania

1939 Lithuania

1946 Czechlovakia

1947 Former Soviet Union

1949 Eygpt

1951 Former Soviet Union

1953 Former Soviet Union

1955 Hungary

1957 Former Soviet Union

1959 Former Soviet Union

1961 Former Soviet Union

1963 Former Soviet Union

1965 Former Soviet Union

1967 Former Soviet Union

1969 Former Soviet Union

1971 Former Soviet Union

1973 Yugoslavia

1975 Yugoslavia

1977 Yugoslavia

1979 Former Soviet Union

1981 Former Soviet Union

1983 Italy

1985 Former Soviet Union

1987 Greece

1989 Yugoslavia

1991 Yugoslavia

1993 Federal Republic of Germany

1995 Yugoslavia

1997 Yugoslavia

1999 Italy

[09] ENERGY MINISTER CAKAN SAYS DEBT RECEIVABLES

Cakan told a press conference that 368 trillion 756 billion TL of this amount is the debt of the public sector and the rest 858 trillion 27 billion is that of the private sector.

The TEDAS has to pay 1 quadrillion 15 trillion TL to the Turkish Electricity Generation and Transmission Corporation (TEAS) while the TEAS has to pay 809 trillion TL to the Pipeline Transportation Inc. (BOTAS), Cakan noted.

Cakan stated that the bureaucrats and he explained the situation of the energy sector at the Council of Ministers meeting on Wednesday.

There is bottleneck in energy sector resulting from the failure in repayment of debts of these three institutions, Cakan said.

Cakan noted that what is important is to take the necessary measures to accelerate the collection of TEDAS's debt receivables to overcome the bottleneck.

He had a meeting with the energy bureaucracts and the bureaucrats voiced some proposals during this meeting, Cakan pointed out.

Cakan noted that they discussed the measures to be taken and the initiatives to be launched in the sector and put forward the year-end targets.

He believes that they will fulfil their commitments by December 31, 2001, Cakan added.

[10] SEEBRIG COMMANDER ZORLU PRESENTED WITH MADARSKI KONNIK MEDAL

Bulgarian President Petar Stoyanov, speaking in the ceremony, said that Zorlu was presented with this medal for his contributions to regional military cooperation and for his mandate in SEEBRIG ends.

Stoyanov noted that SEEBRIG not only showed that Balkan countries can have a military cooperation but also proved that they can speak in a common language regarding their common values.

Zorlu is expected to hand over the mandate to Greek General Andreas Kozelis on Friday.

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