Anadolu Agency: News in English, 00-04-24

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[01] AA News

24 April 2000 Monday

[02] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

TREASURY UNDERSECRETARY DEMIRALP: ''THE INTEREST
RATES DROPPED TO THE RATES OF 1985''
Selcuk Demiralp, the Treasury Undersecretary, said that the interest rates dropped to the rates of 1985 and that they will continue to decrease. Demiralp noted Turkey's domestic borrowing policy was continuing successfully reflecting the confidence people feel for the economic programme. Demiralp also said that the interest rates are the lowest in the last 15 years and that the decrease will continue. Demiralp added that if the drop continues in the same way, the domestic borrowing stock will decrease and that Turkey will save over 20 billion U.S. dollars in 2000.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

AYGUN APPLIES FOR CANDIDACY
Oguz Aygun, Ankara Deputy of the Democratic Left Party (DSP), applied for the presidential candidacy. Criticizing attitudes of leaders of political parties in presidential elections process, Aygun said, ''I have applied for presidential candidacy as a reaction. Unbelievable tricks are being played at the parliament for presidential elections.''

MASSACRE
A passenger bus collided with a minibus in Esenler district of Istanbul, killing six people and injuring 17 others. The injured people were rushed to hospitals for medical treatment.

SABAH (LIBERAL)

ONAL WARNS IMF AND WORLD BANK
Recep Onal, the State Minister, said that the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) was considering to stop their financial aid to countries which have a national income per capita of 4,000 U.S. dollars and noted that Turkey's national income per capita is getting closer to this amount. During the United Nations Economic and Social Council's annual meetings, Onal said, they proposed to the IMF and the World Bank not to stop aid for structural reforms in developing countries like Turkey. Onal added that their proposal was supported by other developing countries.

YILMAZ MEETS WITH BAHCELI
Mesut Yilmaz, the leader of Motherland Party (ANAP), met with Devlet Bahceli, the Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of State, and leader of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP). Addressing journalists following the 55- minute meeting, Yilmaz said, ''I offered Bahceli to hold a meeting. We evaluated the latest developments in the presidential elections process. At the meeting, no name for presidential candidacy was pronounced.'' Yilmaz added, ''no consensus was reached on four names pronounced at Saturday's leaders summit. We may agree on a new name.''

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

RADIKAL (LEFT)

HEROIN WORTH OF 1.5 TRILLION TL
The police seized 80 kilograms of heroin, having a market price of 1.5 trillion Turkish liras (TL), in three separate operations in Istanbul. The police captured 16 persons.

SIEMENS WEDS WITH A BRITISH COMPANY
The Siemens Leasing wedded with Schroder Leasing, one of the giant British leasing companies. Officials of Siemens said that Siemens Leasing-Britain became one of the three giant companies of the sector with an active total of one billion Euros.

YENI BINYIL (LIBERAL)

MINOR TREMOR CAUSES PANIC IN AYDIN
The Aegean province of Aydin was rocked on Sunday by a 4,1 strong earthquake at 16.53 hours local time. The tremor caused no casualties or material damage, but it caused panic among the locals of Aydin, environs, and Izmir. The epicenter of the afternoon tremor was offshore Kusadasi. 5 more minor tremors were recorded in the area in the evening hours.

THREE CANDIDATES FROM FP EXPECTED TODAY
The Parliamentary group of the Virtue Paty (FP) convenes at 20.30 this evening, to discuss parliamentary elections. Virtue party MP from �stanbul, Nevzat alcintas, who visited FP leader Recai Kutan Sunday evening at his office, told him that he was planning to announce candidacy for presidency for the forthcoming elections. He told reporers afterwards, that there were two more candidates from FP: Dengir Mir Mehmet Firat, and Vecdi Gonul, acting Speaker of the Parliament.

TURKIYE (RIGHT)

MILD EARTHQUAKE JOLTS AYDIN
A mild earthquake measuring 4.1 on the Richter scale, jolted Aydin province in the Aegean Region at 04:53 p.m. on Sunday. Officials at the Istanbul- based Kandilli Observatory Seismology Institute said that the earthquake was centered on Kusadasi township of Aydin province. No casualties were reported in the earthquake. The earthquake which was also felt in neighbouring townships and Izmir province, sent people out to the streets in panic. Several buildings in Incirliova township were slightly damaged.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

FOOD POISONING FROM SIMIT ONCE MORE
Thirty students who were poisoned from ring doughs (simit - a sesame-coated pretzel which is a favorite snack in Turkey), were hospitalized in Erdemli township of southern Icel province. Sources said that students felt sick after they ate the 'simit's they bought from a pedlar near their school. The students were hospitalized for suffering from stomachache.

[03] MILD EARTHQUAKE JOLTS AYDIN

Officials at the Istanbul-based Kandilli Observatory Seismology Institute told the A.A correspondent that the earthquake was centered on Kusadasi township of Aydin province.

No casualties were reported in the earthquake.

The earthquake which was also felt in neighbouring townships and Izmir province, sent people out to the streets in panic.

Officials told the A.A correspondent that several buildings in Incirliova township were slightly damaged.

[04] AUSTRALIAN PRIME MINISTER HOWARD HOLDS PRESS CONFERENCE IN ANKARA

''Battles and wars produce hatred and grudge. However, there were feelings of sympathy and mutual respect among the warring sides of the Battle of Canakkale.''

Prime Minister Ecevit said, at the joint press conference he held on Sunday with his Australian counterpart, that their talks proceeded under a very friendly atmosphere.

Noting that the two countries were not as yet making full use of the cooperation opportunities between them, Ecevit said:

''I believe that we have to deepen cooperation, particularly in fields related with economy and immigration. We made a general assessment of the political issues that occupy the political agenda of the world. It would be better if we established a political dialogue mechanism between Turkey and Australia, for there live more than 100 thousand Turkish origin people in Australia, constituting yet another aspect of the friendly ties between the two countries.''

John Howard, for his part, attributed a special character to the relations between Australia and Turkey, and said:

''I was deeply touched by Ecevit's poem about Gallipoli. And he has been so kind as to present me with a video film, depicting this very poem, which helped me understand that Turkish people recalled that battle with feelings of not hostility, but with a wish that so great a number of people will never lose their lives again.

Noting that the two countries had to further develop and strengthen their economic ties, Howard said, ''The humanitarian aspect of our relations are especially strong. There are about 150 thousand Turkish origin people living in perfect harmony with the other communities in Australia.''

He expressed grief over last year's earthquake disasters on behalf of his country, an said, ''Turkey occupies a special and a highly important position not only with her Asian and European territories, but also with her closeness with the former Soviet Republics.''

Howard said he and Ecevit had had the opportunity to make an assessment of the latest developments in the Middle East, and added that he would be meeting with Palestinian Head of State Yaser Arafat before proceeding to Israel.

In reply to a question as to how the relations between Turkey and Australia could be further developed, Howard said, ''First of all, we have to accelerate efforts to prevent double taxation, we can set the date for the forthcoming Turkey-Australia Mixed Economic Commission Meetings, and we can bring momentum to investments until then.''

[05] MILD EARTHQUAKES OCCUR IN IZMIR AND AYDIN PROVINCES

The magnitudes and epicenters of the tremors are as follows:

HOUR MAGNITUDE EPICENTER
---------- --------- -----------
06:56 p.m. 3.6 Izmir

09:07 p.m. 2.8 Izmir-Tire

09:17 p.m. 2.9 Aydin-Germencik

10:09 p.m. 3.3 Aydin-Soke

10:21 p.m. 2.9 Izmir-Seferihisar

Meanwhile, a slight earthquake measuring 3.9 on the Richter scale, jolted southwestern Cyprus at 07:56 a.m. while another quake measuring 2.7 on the Richter scale, occurred in Gonen township of Balikesir province at 11:28 a.m. on Sunday.

[06] TURKEY BECOMES FIRST IN TEAM STANDINGS IN WRESTLING

Turkey won seven gold, eight silver and five bronze medals in freestyle while it won three gold, three silver and five bronze medals in Graeco- roman style in the the tournament which ended on Sunday.

Thus, Turkey became the first in team standings. Iran and South Africa followed Turkey in freestyle team standings.

Georgia became the second and Azerbaijan became the third in Graeco-roman team standings.

Below listed the category, the kilogram and name of the wrestlers and the medals they won in the end of the tournament:

Category Kilogram Wrestler Result

-------- -------- -------- ------
Freestyle 50 kilo Mustafa Yilmaz (Turkey) Gold

Freestyle 54 kilo Azimov Zoir (Uzbekistan) Gold

Freestyle 58 kilo Tevfik Odabasi (Turkey) Gold

Freestyle 63 kilo Abdurakhmanov Jakhogir (Uzbekistan) Gold

Freestyle 69 kilo Abdullah Cakmak (Turkey) Gold

Freestyle 76 kilo Fatih Koyuncu (Turkey) Gold

Freestyle 85 kilo Serhat Balci (Turkey) Gold

Freestyle 97 kilo Hakan Koc (Turkey) Gold

Freestyle 130 kilo Fatih Cakiroglu (Turkey) Gold

Graecoroman 50 kilo Zahidov Ceyhun (Azerbaijan) Gold

Graecoroman 54 kilo Park Eum Chul (Korea) Gold

Graecoroman 58 kilo Turcu Costal (Romania) Gold

Graecoroman 63 kilo Mansorov Farid (Azerbaijan) Gold

Graecoroman 69 kilo Constantin Ilie (Romania) Gold

Graecoroman 76 kilo Zafer Basar (Turkey) Gold

Graecoroman 85 kilo Kenan Yildirim (Turkey) Gold

Graecoroman 97 kilo Osman Kusan (Turkey) Gold

Graecoroman 130 kilo Tusurtsumia Georgia (Georgia) Gold

Freestyle 54 kilo Muhyettin Uzun (Turkey) Silver

Freestyle 54 kilo Erdinc Kirbiyik (Turkey) Bronze

Freestyle 58 kilo Ali Kilic (Turkey) Silver

Freestyle 63 kilo Fatih Bakirci (Turkey) Silver

Freestyle 63 kilo Ilhami Orhan (Turkey) Bronze

Freestyle 69 kilo Hakki Ceylan (Turkey) Silver

Freestyle 69 kilo Ramazan Basaran (Turkey) Bronze

Freestyle 85 kilo Mustafa Kul (Turkey) Silver

Freestyle 85 kilo Osman Ozgun (Turkey) Bronze

Freestyle 97 kilo Sait Bingol (Turkey) Silver

Freestyle 97 kilo Recep Kara (Turkey) Bronze

Freestyle 130 kilo Nurcan Kahraman (Turkey) Silver

Graecoroman 50 kilo Irfan Dursun (Turkey) Silver

Graecoroman 50 kilo Erdogan Gullu (Turkey) Bronze

Graecoroman 58 kilo Cengiz Papagan (Turkey) Bronze

Graecoroman 63 kilo Erkan Ulvan (Turkey) Bronze

Graecoroman 69 kilo Selcuk Cebi (Turkey) Silver

Graecoroman 85 kilo Adem Tasci (Turkey) Silver

Graecoroman 85 kilo Mahmut Ergin (Turkey) Bronze

Graecoroman 130 kilo Seyfullah Gunaydin (Turkey) Bronze

[07] PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS - PARLIAMENT SPEAKER AKBULUT MEETS WITH DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER BAHCELI

Addressing journalists following the meeting, Akbulut said, ''the meeting was very positive.''

When asked whether or not he would withdraw if Mesut Yilmaz, the leader of the Motherland Party (ANAP) becomes a candidate, Akbulut said he would not withdraw in any case.

Earlier, Akbulut had announced that he would apply for presidential candidacy after holding talks with leaders of political parties.

[08] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT RECEIVES A GROUP OF STUDENTS - ECEVIT: ''TURKEY IS THE ONLY MUSLIM COUNTRY TO FULLY ADOPT SECULARISM''

Prime Minister Ecevit received on Sunday, a group of primary school students at the Prime Minister's Office Headquarters within the framework of the April 23 National Sovereignty Day and Children's Festival. He thanked his young guests for visiting him at his office, and celebrated their festival.

''This festival is the first and the only Children's Festival in the world. We are proud of it and ourselves,'' he said.

Noting that the Turkish parliament had dedicated its date of establishment to Turkish children, Ecevit said, ''Ataturk has entrusted the Turkish state and the Turkish revolution to Turkish children and Turkish youth.''

''Starting from the earliest days of the young Republic of Turkey, Ataturk attached great importance to children, the future of our country. He attached great importance to education, and still in the 1920's, he determined knowledge as the only guide to a brighter future. While doing so, he determined an ideal for the nation: To reach and surpass the contemporary level of civilisation. Ataturk was a powerful leader, who had the ability to determine high targets and the power to guide the people to reach them,'' he added.

Ecevit said that an educational reform had been started in 1997, and said it was a comprehensive program not only extending the term of compulsory uninterrupted eduation to eight years, but also one aimed at giving better vocational, and technical education.

He pointed out that the democratic Republic of Turkey had been based upon the principle of Secularism, and underlined, ''State and religious affairs cannot mingle together. If they do, if religion and state affairs proceed in parallels, both the state, and the beliefs of the people will degenerate. Turkey has been the only Muslim country to be able to adopt and abide by secularism. This is why she is the one that has the highest rate of growth, and the most rooted social order and peace.''

''Ataturk neither tried to mingle political affairs with military. The day he swore in as the president, he took off his uniform, and never appeared in it again. Ataturk and his ideology still survives, it is still attributed the highest value because he has not imposed anything on Turkish people. All he did was to make use of the abilities of the Turkish people, '' he said.

Ecevit pointed out that the children and youth of our times had better opportunities of education, and a greater pace of becoming learned, and said that the age of eligibility for membership in the parliament had thus to be pulled down to 25.

Following his speech, Ecevit handed his seat over to Gokce Basar, a fifth grade student at Cizmeci Primary School.

Gokce Basar told the National Education Minister Metin Bostancioglu about the problems that students were faced with, and asked him to extend the term of uninterrupted compulsory education.

Bostancioglu said their aim was not only to extend the term of compulsory education, but also to equip as many schools with computers, as possible.

Gokce Basar then turned to the Prime Minister, and complained to him about the high rate of inflation.

''You have touched on an important issue, Prime Minister. The rate of inflation has been pulled down to 60 percent level from 90 percent, and it will, hopefully, be brought further down in the second half of the year. We, as the people, will have to bear this menace for a little longer. But I believe we will be able to defeat inflation in a short period of time if we continue to fight against it hand in hand,'' Ecevit told yong Basar.

Prime Minister Ecevit then gave presents to his young guests.

Minister fo National Education Metin Bostancioglu, and Governor of Ankara Yahya Gur were present at the reception.

[09] 22ND INTERNATIONAL TRT APRIL 23 CHILDREN'S FESTIVAL STAGED IN ANCIENT EPHESUS THEATRE

Nearly 15,000 people watched the performances of 35 countries.

Yuksel Yalova, the State Minister, Kemal Nehrozoglu, Izmir Governor, Muharrem Goktayoglu, Aydin Governor, and Philippe Heffnick, the Turkey Representative of the United Nations International Children's Education Fund (UNICEF), were among those who watched the festival.

Firstly, Heffnick read the message of Kofi Annan, the U.N. Secretary General.

Annan said in his message that he was pleased to hail everyone who convened there for the significant international festival which honoured the children.

In the beginning of a millenium, the natural disasters, illnesses and wars continued to affect the lives of the children, Annan noted.

Annan stated that especially, the Turkish children experienced very sorrowful incidents last year and that the devastating quake which hit Turkey in August 1999, killed many people and left behind agonies.

However, Turkey was determined to re-construct the houses and to feel better, Annan stressed.

Annan emphasized that they should search opportunities to allocate new sources for all the children and that the children were the source of creativity, energy and new initiatives.

The children should be protected from exploitation, violence, fear and poverty to contribute to all the phases of life, Annan said.

Annan hoped a bright and happy future for all the children who joined the festival.

Then, the festival started as the TRT Children's Chorus sang songs.

Later, the Belarus Folklore Team took the stage.

The watchers appreciated the parachute show which was performed during the festival.

The Rhodes Municipality Team which joined the festival afer a 12-year interval, took the stage as the last foreing team.

The 22nd International TRT April 23 Children's Festival ended after the TRT Folklore Dances Team performed the regional dances.

[10] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT HOSTS AN OFFICIAL DINNER IN HONOR OF HIS AUSTRALIAN COUNTERPArT HOWARD

Prime Minister Ecevit hosted an official dinner in honor of his Australian counterpart John Howard who is currently paying an official visit to Turkey.

Addressing the dinner, Prime Minister Ecevit expressed his pleasure with welcoming Howard and members of Australian delegation in Turkey.

Ecevit said, ''in a message to the families of the soldiers from other countries who had fallen in the Dardanelles War, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the Founder of modern Republic of Turkey, said, 'you brave soldiers who shed their blood on the soil of this country: You are here in a friendly country. Sleep here in comfort and peace! Mothers who sent their sons to the war from distant lands: Please stop your tears because your sons are in our hearts. Your sons became our sons after giving their lives in this country.' These words are dear to every Turkish person, as I know they are for the Australians, and they will forever remains as such. For us, Gallipoli was a matter of survival. For the Australians, the display of their valor proved that a new nation was born. Turkey is not a strange and far away place for Australians.''

Prime Minister Ecevit quoted Neil Andrew, the Speaker of Australian Parliament, as saying, ''it is ironic that a now distant military campaign involving the two nations as bitter enemies, should with the passage of time, come to serve as a symbol of the enduring ties between Turkey and Australia,'' he emphasized.

Stressing that the Dardanelles War was the only war in history that had bred mutual sympathy and respect, instead of enmity and hate between the adversaries, Ecevit said, ''the new Anzac Ceremonial Grounds which Mr. Prime Minister Howard, you will be inaugurating in the Peace Park at Gallipoli, will honor those souls lying side by side in peace.''

Prime Minister Ecevit noted, ''at the threshold of a new century, we have every reason to heed their calling and further develop our relations in every field to the mutual benefit of our two nations. The Central Asia and the European Union (EU) countries are promising areas in this respect. Likewise, we regard Australia as a platform through which we can interact with the countries situated at the Indian Ocean, the Far East and the Pacific. Furthermore, the 150 thousand strong Australian-Turkish community provides us with a most valuable asset in the achievement of our goals for increased economic, commercial and cultural exchanges.''

''Both Turkey and Australia are largely integrated with the global economy, and they are leading nations in their respective regions. We have a common quest and a common ground: To attain collective peace and stability in the new millennium, and achieve sustainable development and welfare for humanity respecting the environment. We also adhere to the humanitarian tradition of mankind and the enlightened values of democracy and freedom,'' Ecevit said.

He noted, ''both our countries are situated in strategically important and sensitive regions. Our respective geographies, though presenting threats and dangers to our stability, also offer many opportunities that neither of us should neglect. This is why, we must not spare our efforts to encourage our respective business communities and entrepreneurs to engage into more trade, partnerships and joint ventures.''

Ecevit added. ''I am pleased to note that each year, an increasing number of Australians visit Turkey. The signing of an agreement in the field of tourism will help this trend. In the same vein, we should encourage cultural exchanges, and closer academic and scientific cooperation between our universities. The new millennium holds many promises for the Turks and the Australians, and we will fulfil them in good faith to the mutual benefit of our two nations.''

Meanwhile, Australian Prime Minister Howard stressed that Prime Minister Ecevit had made a valuable contribution to further improvement of bilateral relations between the two countries.

Underlining the importance of Turkey's strategical geography, Howard said that Turkey had a political understanding of a huge area from the Middle East to the Central Asia, from the Balkans to Europe.

Howard invited Prime Minister Evecit to Australia in 2001 to attend the celebrations to mark 100th anniversary of Australia's independence.

[11] NEW ROUND OF HIGH-LEVEL DEFENSE GROUP MEETINGS BETWEEN TURKEY AND U.S. TO BE HELD BETWEEN APRIL 27-28

General Edip Baser, the Deputy Chief of General Staff, will head the Turkish delegation while Frank Kramer, the U.S. Assistant Secretary of Defense for international security, will head the U.S. delegation during the meetings.

Baser is expected to meet with Richard Myers, his U.S. counterpart, during his contacts in the U.S.

The political and military developments which concern two countries, and the joint defense program of two countries will be reviewed during the meetings.

[12] GEN. KIVRIKOGLU, CHIEF OF GENERAL STAFF: - ''WE SHOULD REACH AN AGREEMENT WITH GREECE''

Kivrikoglu participated in the reception hosted by Yildirim Akbulut, the Parliament Speaker, on the occassion of the 80th anniversary of the establishment of the parliament.

Responding a question on the military relations with Greece, Kivrikoglu said, ''they only talk about continential shelf. We talk about four or five problems. We should reach an agreement. If two sides talk about different things, nothing positive can happen. They do not even consider some things as problem. How can we solve them?''

''We had earlier proposed to exercise joint maneouvres, and decrease maneouvres or exercise small-scale maneouvres. They told us that they would later respond to our proposals but they have not responded yet. We propose to launch joint initiatives in military and to decrease the tension,'' Kivrikoglu added.

Responding a question of the journalists on the presidential elections, Kivrikoglu said that this issue was out of the occassion of the meeting and that the journalists should better ask this question to the concerned people.

Turkey is a big state and that it can solve its problems, Kivrikoglu added.

[13] KOMNINAKAS, CHAIRMAN OF LESVOS GREEK-TURKISH FRIENDSHIP ASSOCIATION, SAYS THEY WILL CONTINUE TO EXERT EFFORTS FOR TURKISH AND GREEK NATIONS TO LIVE IN PEACE

Komninakas, who joined the First International Altinoluk Olive Business Symposium, told A.A correspondent that they are pleased that the efforts they launched ten years ago to ensure close relations between Turkish and Greek nations, are bearing fruits.

Their association which was established by only a few people, planted the seeds of friendship ten years ago, Komninakas said.

Komninakas noted that they have faced difficulties after they launched initiatives to promote the relations between two nations.

They have overcome these difficulties and reached the present situation, Komninakas stated.

Komninakas added that they will exert all efforts to have closer relations.

[14] MILD EARTHQUAKES JOLT CANAKKALE AND AYDIN PROVINCES

Officials at the Istanbul-based Kandilli Observatory Seismology Institute told the A.A correspondent that a 3.3-magnitude earthquake occurred in Ayvacik township of Canakkale at 01:25 a.m.

They added that a mild earthquake measuring 2.9 on the Richter Scale jolted Germencik township of Aydin province at 06:39 a.m.

[15] GSM PHONE NETWORK TENDER - FOUR CONSORTIA TO BE INVITED BY MAY 2

Sources said the 15-day period foreseen by the State Tender Law would end on May 2.

The Ministry had opened a tender for two more GSM licences, and the Is Bankasi-Telecom Italia won the first licence in return for 2 billion 525 million U.S. dollars.

However, the second licence couldn't be given as the remaining four consortia withdrew from the auction.

The four consortia to be invited for the second GSM licence are as follows:

''- Dogan Holding-Dogus Holding- Sabanci Holding-Spanish Telefonica.

- Genpa-Atlas Yapi-Atlas Finans-Norwegian Telenor Mobile Communications- Demirbank.

- Fiba Holding-Suzer Holding-Finansbank-Nurol Holding-French Telecom- Kentbank.

- Koctel Telekomunikasyon Hizmetleri A.S-SBC Communications Inc.''

[16] A.A

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