Anadolu Agency: News in English, 02-01-03

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From: The Anadolu Agency Home Page at <http://www.anadoluajansi.com.tr/>

ANADOLU AJANSI

HABERLER

03 January

2002 Thursday

Türkiye

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CONTENTS

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

FUNDAMENTALISM STILL ALIVE IN TURKEY
Despite the effective fight carried out against Islamist fundamentalism in Turkey, it was reported that fundamentalism developed new methods and found itself new areas. Intelligence sources said the money resources of such groups should be eradicated. The same sources stated that all economy should be registered in order to detect such money resources and certain bills which are waiting should be passed quickly. ''The fundamentalist process which started in 1970s started giving its fruits today since those who started job in that time today are holding top positions,'' intelligence sources warned.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

In order to assure people on the matter, Dervis said ''We would never allow the money go to the syphoners. We'll give this money to the banks with certain conditions. This money will not be given to save any individual, company or institution. Not the banks which are mismanaged, but the banks which suffer difficulties because of the crisis will be helped through this bill.''

CAKAN ACCUSES MUNICIPALITIES FOR HIGH NATURAL GAS PRICES
Natural gas prices increased almost 150 percent in one year. Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit announced that his office was working to bring down natural gas prices and he instructed Energy Minister Zeki Cakan to take the necessary measures. Cakan who was interviewed by Milliyet blamed the municipalities. ''They're putting 45 percent profit on the gas which they buy from us. This is a very high amount, they should decrease it,'' Cakan said.

On the other hand Ankara Mayor Melih Gokcek claimed that the sharp increase in natural gas prices was a result of the U.S. dollar and oil prices in 2001. He said it was also caused by the 206 percent price increase of BOTAS. Gokcek admitted that his municipality was profitting 45 percent from the sales of natural gas.

SABAH (LIBERAL)

HEAVY SNOW FALL CAUSES 210 TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS IN ANKARA
Elementary and high schools in Ankara are closed today because of yesterday's heavy snow fall. A total of 210 traffic accidents occured in the city which caused only material damage. Officials asked drivers not to drive without chains or snow tires. ''Drive slowly. Do not drive when you're tired or sleep deprived. Don't tailgate or do not make sudden brakes. When it's dangerous to drive, park your car in a safe place and wait until the traffic turns to normal,'' officials warned.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

PARLIAMENT TO WORK OVERTIME BEFORE ECEVIT'S U.S. VISIT
The government is planning to make Parliament work overtime before Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit's visit to the United States. Coalition parties are planning to pass the tobacco bill, tender bill, financial sector bill and industrial regions bill before Jan.11, 2002. Parliament General Council will work 2p.m. to 7 p.m. and 8p.m. to 11 p.m. to pass these bills.

RADIKAL (LEFT)

ONE MORE INMATE DIES ON DEATH FAST
A 32-year old inmate Ali Camyar, who has been on a death fast, yesterday died in Istanbul. Medical Forensic department had presented a report to release him upon his worsening health, but Camyar died because of long bureaucratic procedures. Three other inmates who were with Camyar were released before the new year's eve when their condition became serious and they were taken under treatment. However, Camyar was never treated because of the red tape.

TURKIYE (RIGHT)

2001 INFLATION FIGURES TO BE ANNOUNCED TODAY
The inflation figures of 2001 will be announced today. For the first 11 months of last year, the inflation is 81.1 eprcent in whosale prices and 63.3 percent in consumer prices. The State Statistics Institute will today announce both the inflation figures of December and for the entire year.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

-TURKEY TO PARTICIPATE IN PEACE KEEPING FORCE IN AFGHANISTAN WITH A
BATTALION
WASHINGTON - Turkish Armed Forces will participate with a battalion in the international peace keeping force which recently started to be deployed in Afghanistan. Turkey is expected to take over the command of the peace keeping force after three months from Britain.

The Turkish battalion is expected to be formed by 800 personnel.

French Defense Minister Alain Richard made a statement on Wednesday and announced that Turkey was expected to take over the command of the peace keeping force from Britian after three months.

An official statement about the command situation and Turkey's contribution to the peace keeping force is expected to be made soon.

Meanwhile, diplomatic circles in Washington stated that the United States played a role in the decision to give the command to Turkey after Britain. It was reported that U.S. President George W. Bush also interfered to give Turkey the command of the international peace keeping force. Bush also talked to British Prime Minister Tony Blair about the matter and had an influence on him.

The peace keeping force had began to be employed in Kabul end of last month.

-TURKEY'S CAR EXPORT BREAKS RECORD IN 2001
BURSA - Due to the economic crisis in Turkey, automotive sector targetted foreign markets last year and car export increased 46.6 percent reaching 3 billion 865 million U.S. dollars.

The automotive sector's export revenues in 2000 was 2 billion 636 million U.S. dollars only.

Automotive and bi-industry had export revenues of 1,500 billion U.S. dollars in 1996; 1,562 billion U.S. dollars in 1997; 1,771 billion U.S. dollars in 1998; and 2,481 billion U.S. dollars in 1999.

Germany topped the list of countries which imported cars from Turkey with 859,9 million U.S. dollars. France, Italy and the United States followed Germany.

Besides, developed Western countries, the sector for the first time exported cars to Abudabi, Niger, Angola, Tanzania, Haiti, Guyana, San Marino, Cambodia, New Caledonia, Dagestan, Tatarstan, Serbia, Folkland and Maldiv Islands.

Below is the list of top ten countries which imported cars from Turkey last year:

. ..... Increase/Decrease

Country (1000 dollars) (percent)

----------------------- ----------- -------
Germany 859.982 49.1

France 537.376 42.2

Italy 530.471 92.1

U.S.A 176.901 7
Britain 140.751 41.8

Iran 121.589 419.2

Spain 16.515 152.5

Belgium 85.868 46.4

Egypt 75.897 1.8

Istanbul Leather Free Region 75.634 -43.6

-LEATHER SECTOR REACHES ITS EXPORT TARGETS IN 2001
ISTANBUL - One of Turkey's ten largest sectors, the leather sector reached its export targets last year.

Due to the economic crisis in Far East and Russia, the leather sector had difficult times but then it started recovering in 2000. As of November 2001, it increased its export to 504.6 million U.S. dollars with a 20 percent compared to the prevous year.

Turkey Leather Industrialists Association Chairman Turgut Kosar told the A.A that he expected the total export revenues of last year to be around 670 million U.S. dollars.

Kosar stated that Turkey was exporting 24 percent of its total leather production.

-HOUSING MINISTER AKCAN:''HIGHWAYS GENERAL DIRECTORATE HAS 1,500 PROJECTS
FOR TURKEY''
IZMIR - Housing and Public Works Minister Abdulkadir Akcan announced that Highways General Directorate currently had 1,500 projects for Turkey.

Akcan, in an exclusive interview with the A.A, said that his ministry's 2002 budget was two quadrillion 850 trillion 503 billion TL.

''We assigned 462 trillion 230 billion TL to the ministry, one quadrillion 933 trillion 273 billion TL to the Highways General Directorate, 455 trillion Tl to the Iller Bank.

''The Highways General Directorate currently has 1,500 projects for Turkey, '' Akcan said. ''In Turkey, it takes 20-22 years to complete a highway project. In European countries, it takes only 5-6 years. Our goal is to also complete these projects as quickly as possible. If our investment fund is increased by 20 percent we'll complete 28 projects. If it's increased by 30 percent, we'll complete 150 projects. Without any funds, we need 150 years to finish these projects.''

The housing minister said that if his ministry's investment fund is increased by ten percent, they would complete 15 highway projects and this would create a relief in the highway transportation.

Below are the highway projects that might be completed if enough fund is acquired:

-Denizli-Acipayam - 82 kilometer

-Manisa-Menemen - 34 kilometer

-Ormanköy-Akyazi-Dokurcan - 40 kilometer

-Midyat-Cizre - 91 kilometer

-Kastamonu-İnegöl-Cide - 103 kilometer

-Tunceli-Pulumur - 89 kilometer

-Ercis- Muradiye-Caldiran - 72 kilometer

-Seydisehir- 48 kilometer

-Konya-Karaman ayrim-Belören-Hadim - 71 kilometer

-Elmadag-Kirikkale -Kalecik - 32 kilometer

-Nallihan-Mudurnu -Göynük-Tarakli - 90 kilometer

-Nallihan-Goynuk - 69 kilometer

-Nevsehir-Aksaray - 50 kilometer

-Gumushane-Bayburt-Kelkit-Siran - 76 kilometer

-Isparta-Egridir - 40 kilometer

-JAPANESE FOREIGN MINISTER TANAKA TO VISIT TURKEY AND FOUR OTHER COUNTRIES
TOKYO - Japanese Foreign Minister Makiko Tanaka left Japan on Thursday for a tour that covers five countries including Turkey.

During his ten-day tour, Tanaka will have contacts in Turkey, Portugal, France, Britain and Spain.

Tanaka, who is the son of an ex prime minister, is famous for entirely changing the traditional structure of the Japanese Foreign Ministry and exchanging a few undersecretaries and top executives.

Turkish Ambassador to Japan Yaman Baskut told the A.A that Japanese and Turkish foreign ministers met three times in the last three years which was a pleasing development.

Tanaka, during his meetings with Turkish government officials, is expected to focus on the restructuring of Afghanistan, regional developments and bilateral relations. Japan has become an important trade partner of Turkey and financial cooperation is also expected to be raised as a topic during Tanaka's visits.

The Japanese foreign minister is expected to arrive in Istanbul on Thursday night. After spending the night in this city, he will go to Ankara on Friday and meet with his Turkish counterpart Ismail Cem and Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit. He will later return to Istanbul and visit Topkapi Museum, Sultan Ahmet Mosque and the Covered Bazaar. Tanaka will leave Turkey on Jan.6, 2002.

Tanaka will be accompanied by 12 people during his ten-day tour.

-TOBB CHAIRMAN HISARCIKLIOGLU:''RESTRUCTURING TURKEY'S ECONOMIC, POLITICAL,
SOCIAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE AREAS SHOULD BE PRIORITY OF THIS YEAR''
ANKARA - Turkey Chambers and Commodity Exchanges (TOBB) Chairman Rifat Hisarciklioglu has said that 2001 economic crisis was the most serious crisis that Turkey had to face except for a war situation.

''Restructuring Turkey's economic, political, social and administrative areas should be the priority of 2002,'' he commented when he announced his expectations from the new year at a press conference on Thursday.

Hisarciklioglu said that Turkey's debt load should be decreased through a budget and borrowing discipline, real sector credits should be increased and Central Bank should follow a foreseeable and transparent money policy.

He also stressed that the government must take the necessary measures to increase the production of the real sector and increase employment. He said that economic growth could be maintained by switching foreign currency savings of people to Turkish Lira.

-MHP LEADER BAHCELI ADDRESSES HIS PARTY GROUP MEETING (1)
ANKARA - Devlet Bahceli, the State Minister and Deputy Prime Minister who also acts as the leader of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) said on Thursday that, ''European Union administration, as it stressed particularly in Laeken Sumit, should soon reveal its determination to fight against terrorist organizations which threaten Turkey's order and democracy.''

Addressing his party group meeting, Bahceli said the most important development which put its seal to the year 2001 was the terrorist attacks in the U.S. on September 11, and after this the intervention on Afghanistan.

Pointing out that the discussions and developments which started following the terrorist attack in the U.S. brought together the interrogation of existing global order and process, Bahceli said fight against terrorism and terrorist organizations became more important.

Bahceli said it was sorrowful that importance of Turkey's policies, which have been revealed against the terrorist attacks that became fierce throughout 1990's, could be understood following such a dramatic incident, adding that, ''however, it is the duty of the politicians and statesmen to draw a lesson after every saddening event.''

MHP leader Bahceli said the Turkish government proved its sincerity and determination in fight against terrorism with all the decisions taken with the decision of the parliament, and added that, ''Turkey once again showed that it is a very important political and military ally and actor.''

Bahceli said Turkey's determination to break the effectiveness of prejudiced international circles, which are in an effort to put Islam religion and Moslems in the same scale with terrorism, could not be denied, adding that, ''unfortunately there are people who evaluate all those developments only as the favor of international conjuncture.''

Bahceli said the EU administrations followed policies which confuse human rights and prepare a basis that is convenient to terrorist activities.

He said, ''it is impossible to find adequate and realistic point of views towards terrorism recently. They have not yet taken the murderer organizations, which became a trouble for our country, to the list of terrorist organizations. It is also very difficult to say that an effective fight was carried out against terrorism. The EU administration still continue to have difficulty in overcoming its own internal conflicts and double standard approaches.''

''It should not be forgotten that it is only possible to record a success only when a sincere, open and determined fight is carried out against terrorism,'' Bahceli said.

Bahceli said he hoped Spain's EU term presidency would be an important opportunity as Spain suffered the sorrowful experiences of terrorism for long years. He said he hoped the EU administration soon review its policies about Turkey and fight against terrorism.

''Thus, this element, which often casts shadow over political and trade relations between Turkey and Europe would be lifted,'' he said.

Bahceli said most of the Turkish nation hoped to be the full member of the EU, and also stressed that insensitivities on national interests like Cyprus could not be accepted by the nation.

-MHP LEADER BAHCELI ADRESSES HIS PARTY GROUP MEETING (2)
ANKARA - Devlet Bahceli, the leader of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), State Minister and Deputy Prime Minister said on Thursday that the economic growth will speed up in the second half of 2002, adding that ''those who want to blockade this process due to various interests won't achieve their goals this time.''

Addressing his party group meeting, Bahceli said that the 57th government coped with serious problems since it was established following the elections on April 18, 1999.

Bahceli said that Turkey's main goal in 2002 will be hope, understanding and solidarity rather than hopelessness, chaos and fight, and it won't be recession and dismissal of workers, but production and exportation.

Bahceli noted that the mission of all officials should be to refrain from acts that will disturb the productive working basis.

Bahceli stressed that the most important laws that will be adopted in 2002 are Public Procurement Law, Tobacco Law and laws of adjustment, adding that ''we must support the state system based on rational and productive economic and social targets rather than the system which is based on earning money with money without producing.''

-TOBB CHAIRMAN HISARCIKLIOGLU SAYS GOVERNMENT HAS TO TAKE MEASURES
TO TRANSFER SOURCES TO REAL SECTOR
ANKARA - Rifat Hisarcıklıoglu, the Chairman of The Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB) said on Thursday that TOBB favours strengthening of the banking sector, adding ''but while rehabilitating the banking sector, government has to take measures to transfer sufficient amount of source to the real sector as soon as possible.''

Speaking in a news conference, Hisarcıklıoglu said that the state banks have to give credits to the real sector and small and medium scale enterprises (SMSEs) in 2002.

Hisarcıklıoglu said that necessary regulations have to be made to increase the flow of direct foreign investments into Turkey, adding that the weakest part of the economic programme is the part on the real sector. He stressed that this part of the programme has to be strengthened.

-IS BANKASI BREAKS A NEW RECORD WITH ITS 4 MILLION VISA ELECTRON CARDS
ISTANBUL - Is Bankasi broke a new record with its 4 million Visa Electron cards in Europe.

Is Bankasi Retail Banking Directorate General Aykut Demiray said on Thursday that Is Bankasi had the biggest market share among European banks providing Visa Electron cards to their customers, according to the three monthly report prepared by Visa.

Noting that 4 million Visa Electron users of Is Bankasi, was a pleasing development for Turkey, Demiray said, ''this achievement is very important in respect to Turkey's developing economical capacity and its contemporary position. We are proud of contributing the economic profile of Turkey.''

Meanwhile, the number of Visa Electron users in Turkey was 9.2 million in June 2001.

-APPLICATION OF KANADOGLU TO CONSTITUTIONAL COURT
-AK PARTY LEADER ERDOGAN: ''IT IS SOMETHING BETWEEN HIM AND CONSTITUTIONAL
COURT''
ANKARA - Justice and Development Party (AK Party) leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Thursday that application of Sabih Kanadoglu, the Chief Prosecutor of the Supreme Court of Appeals, was something which took place apart from them.

Erdogan responded to the questions of reporters at the parliament.

When asked about his views regarded with acceleration of talks pertaining to the application of Kanadoglu to give a warning to Ak Party, and how he evaluated Kanadoglu's demand from the Constitutional Court, Erdogan said the issue was something between Kanadoglu and the Constitutional Court.

Pointing out the existence of a judgement process, Erdogan said, ''we are not the interlocutor of this question. It is the Constitutional Court which will respond this. It is not right for us to engage with this incident which occurred apart from us.''

When asked if extension of the period would prevent them of not, Erdogan said the works continued and that they did not have any hesitations.

-CENTRAL BANK SAYS TURKEY MEETS END-YEAR IMF MONETARY GOALS
ANKARA - Central Bank said on Thursday that Turkey met end-year IMF monetary goals.

Central Bank said that it had met a range of end-year monetary criteria set out under a 19 billion dollars emergency support package with the IMF.

The announcement came ahead of a January International Monetary Fund board meeting that may approve an additional 10 billion dollars in loans for Turkey under a fresh three-year standby accord.

The bank said in a statement that it had kept net domestic assets to 19,493 trillion lira (around 13.6 billion dollars) based on the last five work days' average in December, under a 22,400 trillion limit set out in the IMF pact.

It said a fall in net international reserves of 1.73 billion dollars during November and December was also well within a limit of 3.546 billion dollars for the period. The bank also said it had met target ranges for end- December base money, which stood at 7,642 trillion lira calculated on the last five work days' average, against a ceiling of 7,750 trillion lira.

According to the IMF accord, both net international reserves and base money are monitored as performance criteria but net domestic assets are taken as indicative.

-REPO TRANSACTIONS BETWEEN BANKS AND THEIR CUSTOMERS DECREASE
ANKARA - Repo transactions between banks and their customers decreased by 280.2 trillion Turkish liras (TL) between December 21 and 28, 2001.

The Central Bank data show that the repo transactions, which were 3,77 quadrillion TL on December 21, decreased to 2,79 quadrillion TL on December 28.

The reverse repo transactions, which were 4,56 trillion TL on December 21, increased 231 billion TL to 4,79 trillion TL on December 28.

The repo transactions among the financial organizations decreased 224.5 trillion TL from to 3,68 quadrillion TL on December 21 to 3,46 quadrillion TL on December 28.

The reverse repo transactions among the financial organizations decreased 224,5 trillion TL from 3,68 quadrillion TL to 3,46 quadrillion TL on December 28.

-TURKEY REPAYS USD 30,51 MILLION OF FOREIGN DEBT ON JAN.2
ANKARA - Turkey repaid a total of 30,51 million U.S. dollars of external debt on January 2, 2002.

The Central Bank data show that the Treasury repaid 25,40 million U.S. dollars; the Central Bank repaid 3,78 million U.S. dollars; and the administrations with general and consolidated budget paid the remaining 1, 33 million U.S. dollars.

Turkey has repaid 13,53 billion U.S. dollars in external debt in 2001.

-WHOLE SALE PRICES INCREASE BY 4,1 PERCENT AND CONSUMER PRICES
INCREASE BY 3,2 PERCENT IN DEC. 2001
ANKARA - State Statistics Institute (DIE) said on Thursday that the whole sale prices increased by 4,1 percent and consumer prices increased by 3,2 percent in December 2001, when compared to the previous month.

The annual inflation rate has been 88,6 percent in whole sale prices and 68,5 percent in consumer prices.

The inflation in whole sale prices has been 81,1 percent and 63,3 percent in consumer prices between January-December 2001.

The annual inflation as of Dec. 2001 when compared to 12-month averages has been 61,6 percent in whole sale prices and 54,4 percent in consumer prices.

-ANNUAL INFLATION IS 88.6 PERCENT IN WHOLE SALE PRICES AND 68.5 PERCENT IN
CONSUMER PRICES IN DECEMBER 2001
ANKARA - The annual inflation in wholesale prices index (WPI) increased by 88.6 percent and in consumer prices index (CPI) by 68.5 percent in December 2001.

Below listed the monthly and annual inflation rates on a comparative basis in the last four years:

Monthly inflation

------ ---- ---- ---- ----- ---- ---- ---- ---
Jan 6.5 3.6 5.8 2.3 7.2 4.8 4.9 2.5

Feb 4.6 3.4 4.1 2.6 4.4 3.2 3.7 1.8

March 4.0 4.0 3.1 10.1 4.3 4.1 2.9 6.1

April 4.0 5.3 2.4 14.4 4.7 4.9 2.3 10.3

May 3.3 3.2 1.7 6.3 3.5 2.9 2.2 5.1

June 1.6 1.8 0.3 2.9 2.4 3.3 0.7 3.1

July 2.5 4.0 1.0 3.3 3.4 3.8 2.2 2.4

Aug 2.4 3.3 0.9 3.5 4.0 4.2 2.2 2.9

Sept 5.3 5.9 2.3 5.4 6.7 6.0 3.1 5.9

Oct 4.1 4.7 2.8 6.7 6.1 6.3 3.1 6.1

Nov 3.4 4.1 2.4 4.2 4.3 4.2 3.7 4.2

Dec 2.5 6.8 1.9 4.1 3.3 5.9 2.5 3.2

Annual inflation

------ ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---
Jan 92.5 50.0 66.4 28.3 101.6 65.9 68.9 35.9

Feb 89.6 48.3 67.5 26.5 99.3 63.9 69.7 33.4

March 86.0 48.2 66.1 35.1 97.2 63.5 67.9 37.5

April 83.3 50.0 61.5 50.9 93.6 63.9 63.8 48.3

May 79.9 50.0 59.2 57.7 91.4 63.0 62.7 52.4

June 76.7 50.3 56.8 61.8 90.6 64.3 58.6 56.1

July 72.1 52.4 52.3 65.4 85.3 65.0 56.2 56.3

Aug 67.4 53.7 48.9 69.6 81.4 65.4 53.2 57.5

Sept 65.9 54.4 43.9 74.7 80.4 64.3 49.0 61.8

Oct 62.0 55.2 41.4 81.4 76.6 64.7 44.4 66.5

Nov 58.6 56.3 39.1 84.5 72.8 64.6 43.8 67.3

Dec 54.3 62.9 32.7 88.6 69.7 68.8 39.0 68.5

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