Anadolu Agency: News in English, 02-01-28

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

ANADOLU AJANSI

HABERLER

28 January

2002 Monday

Türkiye

Dünya

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Ekonomi

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Sanat-Magazin

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Türkiye

CONTENTS

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

GOVERNMENT'S TOUGH DAY
Coalition government partners will today try to overcome three important problems. Adjustment Laws which could not be brought to the Parliamentary General Assembly due to dispute between the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) and the Motherland Party (ANAP), the Banking Law's three articles which President Ahmet Necdet Sezer sent back to the parliament by using his ''partial veto'' right and real estate taxes which received reaction from citizens will be taken up at a series of meetings today. The first statement on behalf of the government will be made by State Minister Kemal Dervis for Economy. Dervis will publicly explain the effects of veto of some articles of the law which is publicly known as ''law to rescue bank''. Later, the Council of Ministers will convene and it will focus on real estate taxes. After this meeting, leaders of political parties forming the coalition government will convene. Leaders will discuss adjustment laws which include amendments to articles 312 and 159 of the Turkish Penal Code and articles 7 and 8 of the Anti-Terrorism Law which created problem between MHP and ANAP.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

SECRET ALLIANCE IN THE AEGEAN
Greek National Intelligence Organization (EYP) Chairman Apostolidis, who announced that they would cooperate with the National Intelligence Organization (MIT) against organized crimes and terrorism, spoke cautiously, ''this will not be so easy.'' Speaking to Greek ''Vimagazine'', Apostolidis said, ''this will not be easy because there are problems in Turkish-Greek relations. Thus EYP and MIT carry out works to collect information to learn each others' intention. Cooperation will not be easy, but it is not impossible.''

SABAH (LIBERAL)

TIME WASTING IN STATE ENDS
''Effective administration in public plan'' which is opened to signature in Council of Ministers brings a new order to the civil servants. According to the plan, every service will have a standard period. The civil servant, who completes this service in the planned period, will get a plus, and those who could not complete the service in time will get a minus. Those grades will enter to the registration of the civil servant.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

REPORT ON ECONOMIC COLLAPSE
Here are some main points of the report on ''Restructuring of Turkish Financial Management System'' which was prepared by the Finance Ministry Board of Inspectors: ''the political instabilities which resulted in frequent general, interim and local elections constitutes one of the main causes which remove budget discipline. The years in which domestic borrowing was was made mostly became the years in which elections were held or serious economic crisis or crises were erupted. Although the criteria for appointment of people at the executive boards of the State Economic Enterprises are clear, political appointments are made in contradiction with these criteria. Employment at public institutions and organizations is not mostly based on requirements and personnel is wanted not for services but for persons.

RADIKAL (LEFT)

GREEK VACCINATIONS WASTED
Greece donated vaccinations but the Health Ministry said that those vaccinations should be tested at first. As such tests are expensive, they couldn't be made and vaccinations were spoiled.

CHAOS IN EDUCATION
People were confused by the claims about the education system which said, ''high schools will be four years and compulsory education will be twelve years'' while the National Education Ministry is still not making a statement.

TURKIYE (RIGHT)

REAL ESTATE TAX AT CABINET
Eyes turned to the Council of Ministers regarding the real estate tax as the cabinet will give the final shape to the tax. Council of Ministers, which will convene today, is expected to take up the arrangement pertaining to real estate tax.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

1– IBDA–C, 2– Turkish Hezbollah, 3– Anatolia Federal Islamic State (IFAD),

4– Islamic Movement Organization (IHO), 5– Salutation (Unification) Group. III. Extreme leftist organizations: 1– DHKP–C, 2– TKP/ML, 3– TIKKO.''

RUSSIA HESITANT TOWARDS BAKU-CEYHAN
Russia has not yet taken a decision on its participation in the Baku–Tbilisi–Ceyhan oil pipeline project. Russian Ambassador to Azerbaijan Nikolai Ryabov told RIA–Novosti news agency that Russia was not persuaded on economical continuation of the project, adding that they did not reject any project but first of all, they wanted the project to be profitable.

-WORLD CUP BROUGHT TO TURKEY
ISTANBUL - The World Cup was brought to Turkey on Sunday nearly four months before the 2002 World Cup finals in June in Japan and South Korea.

Football fans in Istanbul will see the World Cup prior to Turkish National Team's matches in the finals.

Under an organization of Coca-Cola, the official sponsor of the World Cup, the cup will tour Istanbul on Monday.

The cup will start touring Istanbul on a specially designed long truck from Tunel district in the Istanbul Strait's part in Europe at 11:00 a.m. The World Cup tour will end at Bagdat Boulevard after crossing the Bogazici Bridge.

The cup will be protected by a 30-member team of a special body-guard agency for 24 hours a day.

The World Cup was designed by Italian sculptor Silvio Gazzangia in 1974. The cup which was made of 18 karats of pure gold is 36 centimeters in height and weighs 4,970 grams.

-STATE MINISTER DERVIS: ''CONVENTION OF IMF BOARD ON FEBRUARY 4 CAN'T BE
CONSIDERED A MEETING WHICH IS DELAYED MORE''
ANKARA - State Minister Kemal Dervis gor Economy said on Monday that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Executive Board would convene on February 4 to discuss Turkey, noting that this could not be considered a meeting which was delayed more.

State Minister Dervis and Deputy Prime Minister Husamettin Ozkan discussed the banking law of which three articles had been sent back to the parliament by President Ahmet Necdet Sezer to be discussed once again.

Speaking after the meeting, Dervis said, ''now, convention of IMF Board on February 4 can't be considered a meeting whıch is delayed more. It is very important for Turkey's economy. Delays really give damage.''

Dervis said Turkey has one more week, adding that, ''I am optimistic regarding the completion of the necessary preparations.''

-DERVIS SAYS LEADERS WILL DECIDE ON A WAY OF SOLUTION TO VETOED BANKING
LAW'S ARTICLES
ANKARA - State Minister Kemal Dervis for Economy said on Monday that the issue of law on banking of which three articles had been sent by President Ahmet Necdet Sezer back to the parliament to be discussed again would be taken up at today's meeting of leaders of political parties forming the coalition government, adding, ''they will decide on a way of solution.''

Dervis and State Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Husamettin Ozkan came together at the Prime Ministry early the same day.

Following the meeting which lasted nearly 45 minutes, Dervis stressed that a solution regarding the banking law of which three articles would absolutely be found.

''I don't doubt that a solution which is in line with the Constitution and will also provide foreign source will be found in coming days without a negativity,'' Dervis said.

Noting that Turkey had entered the year 2002 in much more better condition and the parliament had been exerting extraordinary efforts regarding formation of legal infrastructure of the programme, Dervis said, '' in recent months, the parliament has been of vital importance especially with its rapid works in January for the success of the programme and to enable Turkey to enter a much better economic environment. These efforts will also continue in coming weeks.''

''As you know that the Borrowing Law was foreseen in February. Preparation of this infrastructure should continue for the growth in the year 2002 and for reflection of the economic programme's results into our people. This is very important external source. This is important for the programme. It will revive us a little inside and accelerate investments. It is important for an increase in employment,'' he said.

Recalling that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Board would convene on February 4, Dervis said that actually, they had expected the Board to convene through the end of January.

''However, convention of the IMF Board on February 4 cannot be considered a meeting which is delayed more. This meeting on February 4 is important for Turkey's economy and growth. Delays give damage. Besides, I am very optimistic about the next week. The parliament will continue exerting same efforts,'' he said.

Noting that Turkey had received important investment demands, Dervis said, ''we have created a very good atmosphere. The World Economic Forum will convene through the end of the week. There are very powerful companies in the world, which want to invest in Turkey. All of them should be put into practive as soon as possible. I don't hesitate about these matters. We have some few days more. I believe that we will enter this programme powerfully.''

-A NEW POLITICAL PARTY FOUNDED
ANKARA - A new political party called Socialist Democratic Party (TDP) was founded on Monday.

Sema Piskinsut, an independent deputy from Aydin province in Aegean region, came to the Interior Ministry early the same day together with TDP's some founding members including Nazire Karakus, a deputy from Istanbul, and Mehmet Ozcan, a deputy from Izmir, and submitted their founding petition to Interior Ministry Secretary General Mete Gurbuz.

Gurbuz said they accepted the petition.

Piskinsut said that their party's emblem was an orange-color sun on white ground and that TDP had 75 founding members.

TDP became the 44th political party in Turkey.

-BULGARIAN PARLIAMENTARY DELEGATION'S VISIT TO ANKARA POSTPONED
ANKARA - The visit of Bulgarian parliamentary delegation which was scheduled to meet with Agriculture and Rural Affairs Minister Husnu Yusuf Gokalp was postponed as their plane could not arrive in Ankara due to heavy fog on Monday.

The ministry is expected to make a statement on the meeting between Gokalp and Bulgarian parliamentary delegation headed by Deputy Agriculture and Forest Minister Boyko Boev.

-TRNC PRESIDENT DENKTAS: ''MAIN TARGET IS TO REACH A LASTING PEACE IN
CYPRUS''
LEFKOSA - President Rauf Denktas of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) said on Monday that their target was to find a lasting peace on Cyprus, adding that respect to reciprocal rights, personality, identity and history was indispensable in this respect. Denktas said they were trying to set up a new order within this framework.

Denktas gave information to Parliament Speaker Vehbi Zeki Serter and leaders and officials of political parties who have groups in the Parliament about ongoing Cyprus talks.

Speaking before the meeting, Denktas said he would outline the weekly meetings without dealing with details.

Denktas called on the party leaders not to disclose to the press what has been told to them, noting that all the party leaders would be informed periodically once in 10 days.

''All the target is to find a lasting peace on Cyprus,'' said Denktas, adding that, ''reciprocal respect is necessary and indispensable for this. Respect to rights, personality, identity, and history.. The question is if we can establish a new order within this framework. This should be an order which will consolidate peace on Cyprus, and at the same time make Cyprus a bridge of peace, not a reason of dispute between Turkey and Greece. We are exerting efforts in this respect and will continue to do so,'' he noted.

Thanking to the interest of press, Denktas said there were those who feel uneasy of the news blackout on media, noting that they may be right.

Denktas said news blackout to the press in the previous talks had worked against the Turkish Cypriot side, adding that the Greek Cypriots had wanted to get the results they wanted giving the impression that, ''everything goes well'' or ''Turkish Cypriots do this or that''.

Denktas said, ''I hope this will not be done this time, and the sides will continue their duties with good will till a result is obtained.''

TRNC President Denktas will meet for the 5th time with Greek Cypriot leader Glafcos Clerides in the buffer zone at 17:00 local time.

-WORLD BANK FINANCE SECTOR DELEGATION CONTINUES ITS CONTACTS IN TURKEY
ANKARA - The World Bank delegation continues its contacts in Turkey about the Programmed Public and Finance Sector Special Adjustment Loan (PSFSAL2).

Sources said on Monday that the delegation had met with Treasury and Banking Regulation and Supervision Agency (BRSA) officials in Ankara.

The delegation would leave Turkey after wrapping up its contacts probably this week, sources said and added that the World Bank might approve the nearly 1.3 billion U.S. dollars of PSFSAL2 which had been postponed from last year, during its meeting on February 5 if arrangements demanded by the World Bank were made by February 5.

The World Bank puts settlement of determination in restructuring of state banks and the action plan on ''Increase of Transparency and Development of Influent Public Management in Turkey'' on a legal basis forward as a condition of approval of PSFSAL2.

-PLANNING AND BUDGET COMMISSION TO TAKE UP BANKING LAW'S 3 ARTICLES VETOED
BY PRESIDENT
ANKARA - The Parliamentary Planning and Budget Commission will take up on Tuesday the three articles of the ''Law on Restructuring of Debts to Finance Sector and Amendments to some Laws'', which were vetoed by President Ahmet Necdet Sezer.

Parliament Speaker Omer Izgi transferred the articles which had been sent back to the parlimant by the President on January 25 to be discussed again, to the Parliamentary Constitution Commission and Planning and Budget Commission.

The Planning and Budget Commission which is the main commission will convene at 17:00 on Tuesday and start to take up the articles.

President Sezer had returned articles 6 and 7 and temporary article 1 of the law to the parliament.

Article 6 of the law includes the rule that personnel, who are not subjected to provisions of special law can not work at state banks after December 31, 2002.

Article 7 regulates supervision of autonomous committee, supreme committee and institutions which are connected to those.

Temporary article 1 of the law links responsibility of administration, inspection and discharge committees of the state banks to the provisions of special law that is implemented for private banks. It also says those members can not be considered civil servants according to the criminal and administration law.

-PRESIDENT SEZER RECEIVES GUINEAN AMBASSADOR TO EGYPT CAMARA
ANKARA - President Ahmet Necdet Sezer received on Monday Guinean Ambassador to Egypt Ousmane Camara who is also accredited to Turkey.

Camara presented his letter of credence to President Sezer at the Presidential Palace.

Foreign Ministry Deputy Undersecretary Sencer Ozsoy was also in attendance at the meeting.

-TKP TO BE REPRESENTED IN PARLIAMENT WITH THREE DEPUTIES
ANKARA - The Socialist Democratic Party (TDP) which will be the 44th party of Turkey, will be represented in the parliament with three deputies.

The founding members of the party are Sema Piskinsut, Nezire Karakus and Mehmet Ozcan who had earlier resigned from the Democratic Left Party (DSP) due to various reasons. TDP has been the seventh political party in the parliament.

The Parliament Speaker's Office will allocate a place for the new party to undertake its activities.

DSP, Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), Virtue Party (FP), the Motherland Party (ANAP), and True Path Party (DYP) entered the parliament after the elections that were held in the parliament on April 18, 1999. Following the closure of the FP, the number of party members increased to six. TDP has become the seventh political party of the parliament.

The number of seats in the parliament has changed by the foundation of TDP. The number of independent deputies decreased from 17 to 14.

Here is the new distribution of seats in the parliament:

DSP 129
MHP 127
DYP 85
ANAP 79
AK Party 53

SP 48
TDP 3
Independent 14

Vacant 12

Total 550

-KAYSERI BAR LAWYER SENDS ''KAYSERI MARTYRS ALBUM'' TO U.S. PRESIDENT BUSH
KAYSERI - Orhan Pekmezci, one of the lawyers of Kayseri Bar, sent ''Kayseri Martyrs Album'' to the U.S. President Ahmet Necdet Sezer.

Pekmezci sent a letter together with the Album, consisting photographs of 147 martyrs. In the letter, Pekmezci conveyed his feelings and ideas.

Speaking at the post-office, Pekmezci said they said the sorrows of the U.S. people who were shaken by the September 11 terrorist attacks, noting that 30,000 people were martyred in Turkey's fight against terrorist PKK organization for 18 years.

Pekmezci said he supported the fight carried out by the U.S. against the terrorist activities, and complained about the European Union (EU), saying that some EU member countries continued their relations with terrorism.

-AYDINER:''VIOLENCE DECREASED SIGNIFICANTLY IN OHAL REGION
THROUGH PEOPLE'S SUPPORT AND EFFORTS OF SECURITY FORCES''
DIYARBAKIR - Emergency Rule (OHAL) Governor Gokhan Aydiner has said that a total of 199 terrorist incidents in 11 provinces took place in 2001 and they caught 410 terrorists during these incidents.

Giving information about security, social and economic developments in the 11 provinces on Monday, Aydiner said violence decreased significantly through the efforts of security forces and people in the area and they greatly limited the activities of terrorist groups both in Turkey and abroad.

''In 2001, a total of 199 terrorist incidents took place in OHAL region and we captured 410 terrorists (111 of them dead and 248 of them alive),'' he explained. ''Some 709 out of 2,193 people were detained after they were investigated for alleged links with terrorist organizations. Among these detainees, 570 of them were arrested. We lost 22 security officials and nine civilians in these incidents. Compared to 2000, there is a 18 percent decrease in violent incidents.''

Aydiner indicated that terrorists have been planting mines for the last six months and 33 people were wounded after they stepped on a mine in Sirnak and Hakkari. He also declared that one third of the mines were German made and two thirds of them were produced in Italy.

Aydiner also said that the population of these 11 provinces was 5,439,541 according to 2000 census results. The population of the same area was 4, 403,512 in 1990.

Noting that the projects of return to villages and rehabilitation continued in 2001 in the region, Aydıner said that totally 849 buldings were constructed and the construction of 435 buildings continued.

''A total of 6,134 families returned to 406 villages and 164 hamlets since June, 2000 by when the studies started. This means 35,513 people returned to hamlets and villages. Aid was also sent to villages to improve the productivity of those who returned to villages. A total of 5,6 trillion liras of money would be allocated from the budget of Interior Ministry for the Project of Return to Villages and Rehabilitation,'' said Aydıner.

Aydıner said that eight 15 health centres were constructed in 11 provinces in emergency region in 2001 and the construction of 27 hospitals, 33 health centres continued. He added that the number of doctors increased by 18,5 percent and that of nurses increased by 18,1 percent when compared to last year.

He noted that the number of class rooms increased by 13 percent, that of teachers increased by 13 percent and that of students increased by 6 percent in the region.

-MINISTERS' COUNCIL ENDS
-PROPERTY TAX TO BE REVISED
ANKARA - The Ministers' Council decided on Monday to form a council headed by Deputy Prime Minister Husamettin Ozkan in order to make revise the property tax.

At the three hour meeting, Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit briefed Council members about his visit to the United States which took place on Jan. 14- 19.

At the meeting, the participants discussed people's reactions about the increased property tax and they decided to bring a solution to this problem by revising the decision. Finance Minister Sumer Oral and Interior Minister Rustu Kazim Yucelen will also be in the Council.

State Minister Yilmaz Karakoyunlu said he would announce the tobacco prices within a couple of days.

Transportation Minister Oktay Vural briefed the Ministers' Council about Marmaray project.

After the meeting, Karakoyunlu told reporters that the Turkish delegation was shown very close attention during their visit to the United States. He stated that the two sides announced that they agreed to develop economic partnership parallel to their strategic partnership. Karakoyunlu announced that a meeting would be held in Ankara on Feb. 26-27 to produce more concrete decisions about economic partnership between the two countries. Ecevit will also attend the meeting.

About Afghanistan, Karakoyunlu said that Turkey is likely to take over the security units in Afghanistan from Britain after three months and the United States welcomed this idea.

Ecevit, at the meeting, indicated that the United States recognized the importance of the Turkish contractors' experience in the rebuilding of Afghanistan.

Ecevit also indicated that the United States would consult with Turkey before a possible operation against Iraq.

Karakoyunlu also said that they would sent the Privatization Bill to all ministries as of today and open the bill to signature.

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