Anadolu Agency: News in English, 01-11-30

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ANADOLU AGENCY

NEWS

30 NOVEMBER 2001 Friday

These are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in Turkey's press on November 30, 2001. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

Parliamentarians, who casted secret votes as a result of the civilian changes in the Constitution, got rid of the pressure of leaders and opened ways for the Supreme Court to Koray Aydin, former minister of Settlement and Public Works.

The motion, submitted by the Justice and Development Party (AK Party), to set up an investigation commission to probe corruption allegations against Aydin, was accepted in the Parliamentary General Assembly in a secret voting.

The parliamentarians, who could not act freely because of the pressure of the leaders, used their votes freely during yesterday's voting by benefiting from the secret voting brought by Constitutional changes.

IMF: DECREASE SALARIES, REDUCE NUMBER OF CIVIL SERVANTS

Anne Krueger, International Monetary Fund (IMF) First Deputy Managing Director and Acting Chairwoman, warned, ''in order to make economic reforms lasting you should reduce the number of those working in public sector. Decrease the salaries of those people.''

Congratulating the Turkish government over implementation of the program, Krueger said Turkey deserved the additional support.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

When Karen Fogg, the European Union (EU) Commission's Representative to Turkey, said ''you should forget about the EU if the capital punishment is not lifted,'' the banker Koray Arikan from the Chase Manhattan Bank asked, ''would you extradite Osama bin Laden to the U.S. if he was captured in Brussels?'' Fogg hesitated for sometime and said Laden would not be extradited to the U.S. if he is captured in any EU member country.

IKTISAT BANKASI CLOSED

Banking Supreme Board closed Iktisat Bankasi whose loss reached 1.8 quadrillion lira, and who could not find a purchaser.

With the closure of the bank, 1235 people were left unemployed. The bank will be a history on Friday.

SABAH (LIBERAL)

Justice Minister Hikmet Sami Turk said there was not any need for a change in the State Security Court (DGM) law which was vetoed by President Ahmet Necdet Sezer.

Turk said, ''Sezer acts with a decision that was given 10 years ago,'' adding that ''this law will be issued again and send to the Presidential Palace.''

Turk said there was nothing to change in the law which was returned by the President.

ECEVIT TELLS EUROPE NOT TO INTERVENE IN CYPRUS

Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit wanted Europe not to intervene in Cyprus to reach a solution on Cyprus question.

Speaking at this party group meeting, Ecevit said Cyprus was not only the matter of TRNC President Rauf Denktas, but also the matter of Turkey.

Ecevit said a genocide will again be experienced in Cyprus in case the demands of the Greek Cypriots are accepted.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

Iraq withdraws Faruk Abdullah Yahya Al-Hicazi, its Ambassador in Ankara. Hicazi, who has a high level mission in Iraqi Intelligence Organization, is alleged to have a ''dark past''.

Hicazi, following September 11 terrorist attacks, came face to face with the allegations that he talked with those who were responsible for those attacks.

The U.S. Newsweek magazine claimed that Mohammad Atta, one of the terrorists who planned September 11 attacks, met Hicazi in Prague, the capital city of Czech Republic in April.

The Wall Street newspaper and the U.S. Associated Press news agency claimed that Hicazi had met Saudi terrorist Osama bin Laden in Kandahar in December 1998.

TURKEY IS EXAMPLE TO THE WORLD

The U.S. Secretary of Defense Colin Powell said war was not declared against Iraq; however, he stressed that Saddam Hussein formed a big danger for the region.

Powell, who will visit Turkey at a time when scenerios about Iraq increased, pointed out that he did not want to say that they would want permission for an intervention in Iraq, but noted that they consulted with their close friends.

Powell said the U.S. carried out all its activities in the region in coordination with Turkey. Powell said Turkey was an example to the whole world, not only to the Moslem countries.

RADIKAL (LEFT)

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) delegation, led by Chief of Turkey Desk Juha Kahkonen, will visit Ankara on December 3 and start contacts the same day.

Routine talks of the delegation will start following a meeting with economy delegation led by State Minister Kemal Dervis in Treasury Undersecretariat.

Sources said on Tuesday that those talks would focus on structural measures within framework of the new economic program which would be supported by nearly 10 billion U.S. dollars.

The IMF delegation could include several experts, sources said that Executive Director Will Kiekens and European One Director Michael Deppler could come to Turkey through the end of the talks to contribute to preparation of the new letter of intent.

AKBANK IS AFTER FOREIGN CREDIT

Akbank authorized foreign banks to lead a 1-year maturity syndicated loan worth of 150 million U.S. dollars from international finance organizations.

Sending a statement to the Istanbul Stock Exchange (IMKB), Akbank said on Thursday that it had authorized the same day Bankgeselischaft Berlin AG, The Bank of Tokyo Mitsubishi Ltd., HVB Group, Citibank, Mizuho Group, Dresdner Kleinworth Wasserstein, First Union National Bank and Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation to lead the syndicated loan as co-organizers.

TURKIYE (RIGHT)

The parliamentary investigation motion against former Public Works and Settlement Minister Koray Aydin from Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) was approved by the Parliamentary General Assembly on Thursday.

The motion was accepted by 231 votes in favor of the motion.

Atmosphere became tense in the coalition government following the allegations that there were votes against Koray Aydin from the coalition partners Democratic Left Party (DSP) and the Motherland Party (ANAP).

SUPREME MILITARY COUNCIL TO CONVENE TODAY

The Supreme Military Council will hold its second regular meeting of 2001 on Friday. The council will convene at the General Staff Headquarters at 9.45 a.m. under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit.

Land Forces commander Hilmi Ozkok, Air Forces Commander Cumhur Asparuk, Naval Forces Commander Bulent Alpkaya, Gendarmerie General Commander Aytac Yalman, First Army Commander Cetin Dogan, and many other high-level military officials will attend the meeting.

The members of the council will visit Anitkabir, the Mausoleum of Great Leader Ataturk, at noon.

The second regular meeting of Supreme Military Council for 2001 will end the same day.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

The U.S. Ambassador to Turkey Robert Pearson, who spoke at a dinner hosted by Business Life Solidarity Association (ISHAD), pointed out that quotas in textile, which has an important place in Turkey's trade with the U.S., would be lifted in the year 2005.

Pearson said 4,000 people from 80 countries lost their lives following the terrorist attacks in the U.S. on September 11, stressed that terrorism could not be tolerated in this or that way.

MERCEDES BENZ TURK A.S. DEFENDS ITSELF

Mercedes Benz Turk A.S. Directors' Board Chairman Till Becker said on Thursday that there was not any mistake or defect in production of Mercedes 0 403 passenger buses and all Mercedes buses contained all security elements which existed in the market.

Holding a press conference in their bus factory in Hosdere, Istanbul after the Karapinar Basic Criminal Court's decision on recall of all Mercedes 0 403 passenger buses, Becker said that they would continue to produce and sell buses in Turkey and export them to foreign countries.

Noting that they always upgraded their motor vehicles, Becker said, ''we did not have any mistake in the points through which we face criticisms and there was not any need to change these points.''

-TRNC PRESIDENT DENKTAS: ''WE ARE FACE TO FACE WITH AN INTERNATIONAL ATTACK

TODAY. WE SHOULD KNOW WHAT AND HOW WE WILL DEFEND''

ISTANBUL - Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Rauf Denktas said on Thursday that Cyprus issue was also the problem of Turkish nation, stressing that, ''we are face to face with an international attack today. We should know what and how we will make defense against this attack.''

Addressing a news conference at Istanbul's Ataturk Airport, Denktas said news stories appeared in some newspapers that Cyprus did not have a strategic importance, adding that, ''if it does not have any importance, why then Greece wants to get the island for 120 years. Why is the European Union (EU) is involved in such hasty activities to reach Cyprus by isolating Turkey. We should think on these.''

Stressing that the world will understand this case earlier if the Turkish media protects legal rights of Turkey on Cyprus, Denktas said, ''if the issue is conveyed within a moral and legal framework, everybody finds us rightful. They, then, have the same idea with us that Cyprus would not be able to enter the EU without the consent of Turkish Cypriots and Turkey. We will win if we struggle against it as a whole. However, if we are looking for a reason to attack each other, then others will benefit from this.''

Denktas said the Greek media montaged his photograph and the photograph of Osama bin Ladin, saying that Turkish media should show necessary reaction to this.

When asked if Cyprus issue is discussed wrongly in Turkish media, Denktas said, ''the Turkish media discusses the issue thinking that Cyprus issue is an obstacle in front of Turkey on the way to the EU. I say, the Turkish media, instead of discussing this, should discuss that Cyprus can not be put in front of Turkey as an obstacle. Then, the EU will think on it again. However, we help the Greek Cypriot side if we see Cyprus as an obstacle in front of Turkey. We then support the targets of the EU to see Turkish Cypriots as minority in a Greek Cypriot republic.''

''If I am reproaching, I am rightful. Because Cyprus case is not only my case, but it is the case of Turkish nation. My people made every kind of sacrifices for 38 years not to give up our legal rights and Turkey's rights. Turkey helped us and will continue to help. However, the interpretations made today are not benefical and will not be.''

When recalled the statements of Tuncay Ozilhan, the Chairman of the Turkish Industrialists and Businessmen Association (TUSIAD), Denktas said , ''I have respect to those statements. If they have examined the issue deeply, they will see the importance of Turkey's legal rights. If they see how Turkish-Greek balance is vital, I think they would not speak in the same way.''

Denktas said, ''I wanted to talk to Clerides to see if there is a new way out within the framework of the balanced equality of the two sides and the two motherlands. As long as the EU continues to say that 'you will be a member as the Cyprus even if you agree or not', the ways of compromise are being closed. I want to see if Clerides will believe in those people and go on that path, and consequently drag us to a crisis when he finds Turkish barricade on the path. Or else, does he really sincere to solve the issue in a balanced way and make Cyprus a bridge of peace between Turkey and Greece. I want to see if the doors are open.'' He said I will meet with him to learn these. If he will be there, it is fine. If he is not, we will discuss this ourselves till the end.''

When recalled his statements which said, ''I am left alone'' Denktas said he made the complaints with good will. ''Because they say the time is getting limited to frighten us. Which time is getting limited? Cyprus will enter the EU, and there is an excitement here. Who wants to make Cyprus enter the EU. The Greek Cypriot side and Greece. Why? They want to make this to possess whole Cyprus, and to remove Turkey's rights. Why are we resisting? In order not to be deceived by this trick, because we have legal rights. The time is not getting limited for us. Whoever we talked to in Rome having sense, they said 'a divided Cyprus would never be accepted to the EU'.''

Noting that there were few people in Europe understanding Turkey's case, Denktas said, ''we are face to face with a big international attack. We should know what and how we will defend. It is not the fault of the Turkish Cypriots if they cannot move form one place to another. If Turkish Cypriots need Turkey, this is not their fault.''

Denktas said there were news reports that Turkey sent 150 million U.S. dollars to the TRNC every year and that this should end from now on, adding that, ''then, I am asking if there is a question asking how many U.S. dollars Turkey is spending to Adana or Kayseri provinces. Is Cyprus different from them?''

Thanking for the aid which comes, Denktas said, ''we can not stand still if this aid does not come. But it should not be forgotten that Turkish Cypriots return more than that through trade from Turkey. It is a shame to speak about them. Turkey is doing what is necessary with its government and soldiers in this national case.''

Denktas said those, who say 150 million U.S. dollars is spent to the island, are insistent on not making any investment on Cyprus, and concluded his words saying, ''you either exist or not in Cyprus case. I know you exist. I know this is a national case. We have sacrificed our lives to this case and our people are martyred in this case. Either we will defend this case, or we will give it to Greece. Greece plays a game to possess whole Cyprus through the EU. If the EU really had good will towards Turkey, it would leave Cyprus question to the end. You will give 10-15 years to Turkey to be a member, and accept Cyprus in one year. Turkey will either bow to this injustice or not. The Turkish government and the parliament did not bow to this. A policy has been drawn. We are covering this policy and we are making the defense. Nevertheless, it is our right to expect support from the Turkish media.''

-TURKEY-EU RELATIONS ON THE WAY OF FULL MEMBERSHIP

ISTANBUL - Turkey's Secretary General for EU Volkan Vural said on Thursday that, ''if Turkey manages to overcome the bottleneck in 4 or 5 points, it may come to a point soon that it will start full membership negotiations despite the economic crisis it experiences.''

Speaking at a discussion about ''Turkey-EU relations on the way to full membership'' held by Turkey-Europe Foundation, Vural said Turkey had necessary reasons to be optimistic about EU.

Vural said EU Commission's evaluation about Turkey issued on November 13 stressed that important steps have been taken particularly after implementation of the National Program.

Vural said, ''however, by revealing the National Program, we can not say we recorded progress. We make progress, but there is a sports car next to us. Thus, the distance between us becomes longer. Either we will change the car, or we will bring a bold driver on the car.''

Pointing out that Turkey had problems stemming from itself and the EU countries, Vural said, Turkey was hesitant to want to enter the EU.

''If we want to enter the EU and believe in this, and if this is a development in line with Ataturk's fundamental principle, and if this is an important element included in Turkey's project to become contemporary, then Turkey should exert all its energy on this issue. We should get rid of the dilemma whether we want it or not. It is not a shame to be against the EU, but it is a shame to be undecided in this respect,'' Vural stressed.

Vural said, ''current point in relations with the EU is not so bad at the moment because we have a settled democracy culture. If Turkey manages to overcome the bottleneck in 4 or 5 points, it may come to a position to start negotiations soon despite the economic crisis. Turkey's acceptance process to the EU will be shorter than the other candidate countries when this stage is reached.

-UBP SECRETARY GENERAL TURKOZ SAYS CYPRUS ISSUE CAN NOT REACH A CONCLUSION BY IGNORING TURKISH PEOPLE IN CYPRUS

LEFKOSA - Suha Turkoz, National Unity Party (UBP) Secretary General, said on Thursday that Cyprus issue could not reach a conclusion by ignoring Turkish people in Cyprus and by exerting efforts on removing Cyprus facts.

Turkoz pointed out in a written statement that ''it would be in vain to search for a solution on Cyprus by disregarding Turkey's rights over Cyprus, the balances in the region, and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) fact.''

He said European Union (EU) was assuming a wrong attitude on Cyprus issue, saying that the wrong way which was being followed by the EU incited the intransigent attitude of Greek Cypriots and Greece. He said that this attitude of the EU could create dangers for Cyprus, and peace of the region and the World.

Turkoz stated that the statements, reports and decisions of the EU officials during their visits to Greek Cypriot side had served to Greek and Greek Cypriot ambitions of ''enosis''(union with Greece) or render Turkish Cypriots as a minority.

He said that some opinions which were stated in the press of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) and Turkish media were wrong.

Turkoz noted that Cyprus issue was the national cause of Turkish people and added that the statements blaming people on Cyprus issue were not accurate.

Turkoz said that such attitudes and statements would not render Turkish Cypriot side powerful in the meeting which would be held between TRNC President Rauf Denktas and Greek Cypriot leader Glafcos Clerides on December 4, 2001.

Turkoz underlined that Turkish Cypriots did not escape from the talks and the Turkey's coalition government gave full support to December 4 meetings. Turkoz said that Greek Cypriots had not produce a proposal of solution since 1989 and added that the Greek Cypriots' proposal which had been made in 1989 for a solution, had in fact aimed to make Turkish Cyproits a minority, and cut Turkey's ties with Cyprus forever.

Turkoz called Turkish people for unity and cooperation on Cyprus issue.

-GROWTH RATE AND GNP

-ECONOMY SHRINKS BY 8.5 PERCENT IN THE THIRD QUARTER OF 2001

AND SHRINKS 8.3 PERCENT IN THE FIRST NINE MONTHS

ANKARA - Turkey's economy shrank by 8.5 percent in the third quarter of this year when compared with the same period of last year, and also shrank 8.3 percent in the first nine months.

Meanwhile, the Gross National Product (GNP), which is obtained as the total of the four periods was announced as 125 quadrillion 596 trillion lira with current prices, and value of per capita was announced as 2.948 U.S. dollars.

State Statistics Institute (DIE) announced the results of GNP regarded with the third quarter of this year covering July, August, and September in 2001.

According to this, in the third quarter, the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), decreased by 7.1 percent when compared with the same period of last year.

According to a temporary calculation pertaining to third quarter, the GNP in current prices is determined as 61 quadrillion 787 trillion lira and 35 trillion 11 billion lira with the fixed prices of 1987.

The growth rate in the third period of the year 2001 was calculated as 52.5 percent in current prices, and as -8.5 percent with fixed prices.

(to be continued)

-BDDK DECISION ON CANCELLATION OF IKTISAT BANKASI'S LICENCE TO CARRY OUT BANKING TRANSACTIONS ISSUED IN THE OFFICIAL GAZETTE

ANKARA, Nov 30 (A.A) - The decision of Banking Regulation and Supervision Agency (BRSA) on cancellation of licence of Iktisat Bankasi, which was under the umbrella of Saving Deposits Insurance Fund (SDIF), to carry out banking transactions, was issued in the Official Gazette on Friday.

The BDDK decision said that the licence of SDIF-controlled Iktisat Bankasi to carry out banking transactions and accept deposits was cancelled as of December 7, 2001.

Iktisat Bankasi was transferred to SDIF on March 15, 2001 under the Banks Law. Its total loss was 1 quadrillion 757 trillion 183 billion Turkish liras (TL) as of October 31, 2001.

-DENKTAS RETURNS TO TRNC

LEFKOSA - Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Rauf Denktas returned to the TRNC on Friday after a four-day visit to Italy.

Speaking to reporters at Lefkosa's Ercan Airport, Denktas said all the efforts of the Greek Cypriots to cancel his program failed and that these efforts made him to get even more attention. Stating that he had a successful visit, Denktas said the EU should respect to the supremacy of law and tell the Greek Cypriots that they are not the official government of the island. He also said that, during his visit, he once again understood that the ambassadors of countries which serve in the Greek Cypriot side express the thesis of only the Greek Cypriot side when they report to their countries and ignore the views of the Turkish Cypriot side.

Denktas maintained that Turkish Cypriots were not against the EU, but they were against being turned into a minority and giving Cyprus to the Greek Cypriots through the EU.

The TRNC president stated that they were facing a new attack and that this attack was continuing at the EU front. He said that the EU was taking a legal test on the Cyprus matter and that it should speed up Turkey's membership process and suspend the membership of the Greek Cypriots.

''We'll continue to defend our cause,'' he asserted and thanked to the Turkish government and everyone else who support their cause.

Motherland Party (ANAP) Deputy leader Bulent Akarcali also came to the TRNC on the same plane with Denktas to speak at a conference on the EU.

-INTERIOR MINISTER SAYS CYPRUS QUESTION IS NOT A MATTER OF BARGAINING

ISTANBUL - Interior Minister Rustu Kazim Yucelen said on Friday that Cyprus question was not an issue which could be brought to the agenda together with the issue of the European Union (EU) or any other issue.

Responding to questions of reporters, Yucelen noted that Cyprus question was not a matter of bargaining.

When he was reminded about the statement of EU Commission's Turkey Representative Karen Fogg who said that ''some constitutional amendments had been made in Turkey, but some meetings and protest marches were not still permitted,'' Yucelen said that neither EU Progress Report nor relations with EU were under the control of a single representative.

Yucelen noted that there was a misunderstanding related with the issue and added, ''we are behind the constitutional changes we have made. These are like reforms. In the constitutional amendment, it is said that this issue 'is being arranged by laws.' Under the current law, permission is not given. After the law is changed, permission can be given.''

When a reporter reminded the words of Turkey-EU Joint Parliamentary Commission (JPC) Co-President Daniel Cohn Bendit who said that ''there was still torture in police stations in Turkey'', and asked why those claims were continuously brought to the agenda, Yucelen said, ''you do not defend yourself sufficiently. When such an issue comes to the agenda again, please answer on behalf of me that 'there is not torture in police stations.' If you believe in those words, come and let's visit the police stations.''

When the words of Tuncay Ozilhan, the Chairman of the Executive Board of Turkish Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association (TUSIAD), related with Cyprus question was reminded, Yucelen said that this question should be asked to Ozilhan.

Yucelen noted, ''bringing some issues to the agenda frequently is not for the benefit of our national interests. Cyprus question is neither an issue which can be brought to the agenda with issues like the EU nor a matter of bargaining. Cyprus is a national case. There is a state and government policy regarding this issue. Our government has expressed its views about this issue.''

-ADEL:''ALTHOUGH ARAB COUNTRIES HAVEN'T COME TO THE POINT OF RECOGNIZING THE

TRNC, THEY WILL MAKE THEIR VOICES HEARD MORE ON THE CYPRUS ISSUE''

ANKARA - Arab-Cyprus Turkish Solidarity Council Coordinator Muhammed Adel has said that Turkey has been following a more balanced policy between the West and the Arab world in the recent years and that the Arab world started understanding the Turkish Cypriots better.

Adel told the A.A that the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) is not well known in Arab countries and that the Greek Cypriot side had representatives in several Arab countries. He said that the Greek Cypriot Administration was introducing itself as the only state on the island.

Adel said that Omani Foreign Minister Yussuf bin Alawi expressed full support to Turkey's efforts to bring a solution to the Cyprus conflict when he visited Turkey in July and he stressed that this view was becoming more widespread among Arab countries.

''Greek Cypriot Administration is benefiting from a not so strong relation between Turks and Arabs,'' he commented. ''Recognition comes with understanding. Unfortunately, we haven't taken the steps that would help them to understand us but this is changing gradually. Turkish-Arab relations are now being based on more trust and understanding,'' he explained.

Adel said that although certain Arab countries support the TRNC in Cyprus, they don't voice this support as much as they should. ''But Turkey's foreign policy in the recent years is encouraging Arab countries to express their support more,'' he pointed out.

Turkey should adopt a more active program to explain the realities of Cyprus to the Arabs, he said, adding that the TRNC is an observer member in the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) therefore they are able to explain their cause to the Arab world on this platform.

''The Cyprus issue is becoming more important in the OIC. Even though Arab countries haven't come to the point of recognizing the TRNC, they will increase their pressure on Cyprus and they will make their voices heard more,'' he said.

Pointing to the increasing trust in Turkish-Arab relations in the recent years, Adel said he believed the next OIC secretary general would be a Turk.

Responding to a question, he said Turkish-Israeli relations was causing uneasiness in the Arab world as it was in the past because of increasing trust in relations.

The Arab-Cyprus Turkish Solidarity Council aims to develop Turkish-Arab relations and to promote the TRNC's cause in the Arab world.

-COE SUPPORTS DENKTAS-CLERIDES MEETING

STRASBOURG, Nov 30 (A.A) - The Council of Europe (COE) Secretary General Walter Scwimmer welcomed on Friday the face-to-face meeting of President Rauf Denktas of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) and Greek Cypriot leader Glafcos Clerides scheduled for December 4.

Scwimmer celebrated the two leaders who decided to have face-to-face meeting in which the special envoy of the United Nations (U.N) Secretary General would also take place and called on Denktas and Clerides not to lose that opportunity of finding a permanent and fair solution to Cyprus question.

The COE had supported the good will efforts of the U.N. Secretary General to start intercommunal talks for a bi-zonal and bi-communal solution, Scwimmer noted.

Scwimmer added that any solution to be found to the question should aim to further improve human rights and security of Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots.

-MEER PROJECT GRANTED EXELLENCY AWARD BY WORLD BANK

ANKARA - Marmara Earthquake Emergency Restructuring Project (MEER) was granted the Exellency Award by the World Bank, it was reported on Friday.

The award will be presented to the MEER project team by World Bank Governor James D. Waslfensohn at a ceremony on Dec. 3, Monday.

The bank stated that MEER and two other projects were chosen among 50 projects in 2001 because ''it introduced new standards to the implementation of a wide and complicated natural disaster project. MEER also brought a balance between minimizing risk during natural disasters and preparing people against a possible disaster.''

The World Bank had allocated 505 million U.S. dollars for MEER project. Some 236 million U.S. dollar part of the credit was put aside to construct 12,000 buildings in urban areas and 800 buildings in rural areas.

About 240 million U.S. dollar part of the credit has been allocated for disaster management and risk minimizing activities in Turkey.

-RUSSIAN MINISTER OF PROPETY RELATIONS SAYS HIS MEETING WITH KARAKOYUNLU IS A PREPARATION FOR JEC MEETING

ISTANBUL - Farit Rafikovich Gazizullin, the Russian Minister of Property Relations and Turkish-Russian Joint Economic Commission (JEC) Co-President, said on Friday that his meeting with State Minister Yilmaz Karakoyunlu was a preparation for the JEC meeting to be held in Moscow in February 2002.

Following his meeting with Karakoyunlu, Gazizullin told reporters that they carefully listened to Karakoyunlu's views on Turkish-Russian economic relations and that these issues would be debated during the JEC meeting.

Gazizullin said that trade volume between Turkey and Russia increased by 8- 10 percent in 2001 when compared with 2000.

They hoped that the trade volume would reach 9 billion U.S. dollars by the end of that year, Gazizullin noted but, he said, neither Karakoyunlu nor he thought that that figure was sufficient.

Gazizullin stated that they wanted the trade volume to exceed 10 billion U.S. dollars in the following year.

Russian government would attribute importance to promotion of economic relations with Turkey, Gazizullin said.

Gazizullin pointed out that there were historical ties between two countries and that two countries were neighbours, adding that they had to have tighter neighbourly relations.

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