Anadolu Agency: News in English, 00-06-30

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NEWS

Friday 30 JUNE 2000

CONTENTS

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN [02] MINIMUM WAGE TO INCREASE TO 86 MILLION 922 THOUSAND [03] BLACK SEA WILL BE INTRODUCED TO GREEK TOURISTS [04] EAST AND SOUTHEAST START TO DRAW ATTENTION OF TOURISTS (1) [05] EAST AND SOUTHEAST TURKEY START TO DRAW ATTENTION OF TOURISTS (2) [06] 27TH OIC FOREIGN MINISTERS MEETING -FM CEM:''IF THE ISSUE OF ELECTION OF OIC SECRETARY GENERAL WAS LEFT TO THE SUMMIT IN DOHA, IT COULD BE TO OUR ADVANTAGE'' [07] FOREIGN MINISTRY UNDERSECRETARY LOGOGLU DUE TO ISRAEL [08] SPORTS-639TH HISTORICAL KIRKPINAR OIL WRESTLING [09] SECURITY FORCES IMPOUND ONE HAND GUN, EIGHT CELL PHONES, FIVE PACKAGES OF HASHISH AND 29 RAZORS AT BAYRAMPASA PRISON [10] OPERATIONS AGAINST HEZBOLLAH IN GAZIANTEP [11] FRUIT BUSINESS DEVELOPS IN GAP [12] SCHMIDT, GERMAN AMBASSADOR TO TURKEY, IN BATMAN [13] PARLIAMENT SPEAKER AKBULUT DUE TO LITHUANIA AND LATVIA [14] PARLIAMENT DEBATES MOTIONS ON DETERMINATION OF MEASURES TO PREVENT TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS [15] STATE MINISTER YUCELEN VISITS PISKINSUT, HEAD OF PARLIAMENT'S HUMAN RIGHTS MONITORING COMMISSION [16] GALATASARAY SIGNS BOKSIC AND JARDEL [17] NATO MEDITERRANEAN PERMANENT NAVAL FORCE VESSELS TO VISIT ISTANBUL PORT BETWEEN JULY 4-11 [18] MEETING ON ''STATE REFORM'' BY TESEV [19] INTERIOR MINISTER TANTAN DUE TO GEORGIA [20] ENDURANCE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP TO START IN ISTANBUL ON SATURDAY --------------------------------------------------------------------------- [01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

CILLER ALSO ACQUITTED
Tansu Ciller, the leader of the True Path Party (DYP), was acquited in the voting held due to the secret fund dossier. A total of 123 deputies voted in favour of referring Ciller to the Supreme Court while 145 deputies voted against it. Mesut Yilmaz, the leader of the Motherland Party (ANAP), was acquitted in the voting held due to Kurtkoy tender dossier.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

WESTERN REGION OF TURKEY ON ALERT
Scientists said that the tremors that took place in western province of Denizli can be a serious threat and everybody should act cautiously. ''A quake can take place in Gokova, Gediz, and even in Greece,'' scientists said.

SABAH (LIBERAL)

FIRST CROP DUSTER OF TURKEY TO BE USED IN GAP
The first crop duster of Turkey which was produced by the Turkish Defense and Aeronautics Industry (TAI) will be used in the Southeastern Anatolian Project (GAP) region to increase the fertility of the lands. All the equipments and computer system of the crop duster were produced in Turkey.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

PARLIAMENT DISCUSSES 8 INVESTIGATION REPORTS
The parliament discussed the eight investigation reports prepared about former premiers and former ministers yesterday. Thus, the ''investigation period'' ended in the parliament. The parliament decided not to refer the Motherland Party (ANAP) leader Mesut Y�lmaz and True Path Party (DYP) leader Tansu Ciller to the Constitutional Court for prosecution in the voting.

RADIKAL (LEFT)

POLICE IS IN CHARGE AGAIN
The police took into custody members of the People's Democracy Party (HADEP) who wanted to release a press statement regarding the capital punishment in Eminonu district of Istanbul. The police also took into custody a group of people in Sirkeci district.

YEN� B�NYIL (LIBERAL)

TURKISH-GREEK TOURISM SECTORS TO MEET
Administrators of Turkish Tourism Investors' Association (TYD) and Greek Tourism Enterpreneurs' Association will meet each other in Aegean Bodrum township to discuss the cooperation opportunities. Offering the Aegean Sea as a new joint destination for international tourism market, and the cooperation of two countries within this framework will be discussed in the meeting.

TURKIYE (RIGHT)

NO CONCESSIONS TO ARMENIA
The Foreign Ministry thought that Armenian delegation's not being permitted to participate in Kars City Congress was normal. An official said that the Armenians should withdraw from the Azerbaijani territory, should stop genocide allegations, and forget their territorial demand.

FULL SUPPORT TO URAS
Boray Uras, who walked from Istanbul to Ankara to draw the attention of the public opinion to the traffic terrorism, met with President Ahmet Necdet Sezer and Mesut Yilmaz, the leader of the Motherland Party (ANAP), yesterday. Uras said that he thinks it will be better if the traffic law is prepared and passed in October and that this is his preference.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

TOKYA MOSQUE TO BE OPENED TODAY
The mosque in Tokyo, Japan which was rebuilt by the Religious Affairs Directorate will be opened today. State Minister Fikret Unlu and the Head of Religious Affairs Mehmet Nuri Y�lmaz will participate in the opening ceremony.

[02] MINIMUM WAGE TO INCREASE TO 86 MILLION 922 THOUSAND

The gross minimum wage was increased by 8.2 percent and the net minimum wage was increased by 7.91 percent.

[03] BLACK SEA WILL BE INTRODUCED TO GREEK TOURISTS

''Greek tourists haven't visited Black Sea region for nearly ten years. When we asked the tourism agencies in Greece the reason of that, they told us that Greeks have a prejudice that they will not be feel safe there. Greek tourists come to Turkey for few days and they prefer places which are close to their country. As Black Sea region is far way, they are not sure about their security there,'' Gurkok said.

Gurkok added that they gave the brochures of various hotels and travel agencies from Turkey to the Greek officials during their visit to Greece, noting that ''we invited the officials of Greek tourism agencies to Trabzon to overcome their concerns. We will introduce Trabzon in the best way when they come.''

[04] EAST AND SOUTHEAST START TO DRAW ATTENTION OF TOURISTS (1)

In accordance with the information gained by Anadolu Agency's Internal News Department, the ancient Zeugma site which will remain under the waters of Birecik Dam drew the attention of many Turkish and foreign scientists and became the ''symbol'' of the Southeastern Anatolia Region.

A total of 90 percent of the touristic facilities in southeastern Gaziantep province was full of tourists between June 1999 and June 2000.

There are 11 hotels, having 570 rooms and 1,327 beds, in Gaziantep. Investments are made on seven hotels which are planned to be constructed in this province.

Those working in tourism sector said that these hotels will not be sufficient for the region and that the international hotel chains should invest in Gaziantep.

Several countries, including Israel, want to visit Gaziantep. A total of 2, 500 Israeli people will visit the region as of September.

Efforts are underway to restore the castle, the former name of which was Hromgla.

A total of 50 percent of the touristic facilities in Kahramanmaras is full. There are a total of 3 hotels, having 151 rooms and 300 beds, in Kahramanmaras. The construction of 3 more hotels, including 287 rooms and 582 beds, continue.

Excavations which were started in Oylum Tumulus in Kilis 20 years ago, continue. At the moment, no touristic tours are being organized to the tumulus where artifacts belonging to 4,000s Before Christ (B.C) are found.

A total of 70-80 percent of the touristic facilities are full in Adiyaman at the moment.

There are 9 hotels, including 317 rooms and 623 beds, in Adiyaman. The construction of four more hotels, having 900 beds, continue.

The Nemrut Mountain, where 200-year-old giant god statues can be seen and which is included in the World Cultural Heritag List by United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), is a place which attracts tourists.

A total of 150 thousand tourists are expected to visit this region.

Ataturk Dam is also among places that tourists want to visit in Adiyaman.

The hotels in Sanliurfa are all reserved for the following months.

Balikligol, Dergah, the cave where Prophet Eyyup suffered his ordeal, Viransehir, and Harran township where the first university in history was opened, are the places that can be visited in Sanliurfa.

Halfeti township which started to inundated by the waters of Birecik and Ataturk dams, are among the places that tourists visit.

Kadri Cetiner, the Tourism Provincial Director, said that there is an inflow of tourists to the region following the ''Inter-Religious Symposium'' which was held in Harran between April 13 and 15.

(To be continued)

[05] EAST AND SOUTHEAST TURKEY START TO DRAW ATTENTION OF TOURISTS (2)

Muhammet Yoksuc, the Director of Tourism in Erzurum said that particularly Japanese tourists are interested in the region.

Touristic installations in Erzurum are in Palandoken mountain, which is the winter tourism centre. In winter, these touristic installations are full.

The tourism installations in Agr� are particularly in Diyadin and Dogubeyaz�t. The hotel reservations are fine in the region for the moment.

Agr� Mountain is one of the most important tourism centres of the region and it draws attention of foreign and native tourists.

The legends about ''Noah's Ark'' also attracts tourists to Agr� Mountain.

Ishak Pasha's Palace is an important touristic place in Dogubeyaz�t township of Agr�.

Sports such as rafting, parachute, and rock climbing are very popular in Erzincan province.

There was no hotel in Igd�r province before due to security reasons, but this season three hotels serve tourists.

Sar�kam�s township of eastern Kars province has a great potential for winter sports. Besides Ani Ruins of Kars province carry great importance for cultural tourism.

There is a great potential for mountain, cave and winter tourism in Van where hotels host many tourists.

Mountain and plateau tourism can't take place in Hakkari province for 16 years due to terrorist activites. There are two hotels in the region.

Projects are underway in Bitlis province to develop tourism.

Nemrut Crater Lake in Tatvan is also an attractive place. It is planned to build touristic installations on Nemrut mountain.

Ahlat Seljuk Graveyard which is like on open air museum also attract many tourists.

(TO BE CONTINUED)

[06] 27TH OIC FOREIGN MINISTERS MEETING -FM CEM:''IF THE ISSUE OF ELECTION OF OIC SECRETARY GENERAL WAS LEFT TO THE SUMMIT IN DOHA, IT COULD BE TO OUR ADVANTAGE''

Cem noted that OIC Foreign Ministers meeting was important both for Turkey and also for conveying the views within the framework of bilateral relations.

''State Minister Kececiler and I met with many officials here to understand better the organization which has 56 members. I think that we represented Turkey in the rightest way,'' said Cem.

''Besides bilateral relations we also took up international issues in our meetings with the foreign ministers. I told them that OIC couldn't contribute much to solving conflicts in the world although it has the power. OIC has to be effective not only in the region where it is centered but also in the world,'' Cem said.

Responding to criticisms, Cem said that the Foreign Ministry lobbied for Yasar Yak�s, who is Turkey's candidate for OIC Secretary General, during the last one year.

''I explained the issue to foreign ministers of 30-35 countries in the last one year. Mr. Kececiler continued his contacts in many countries. These efforts were not in vain. We exchanged views with many countries. Turkey has been effective in a platform of 56 countries as a country which has a word to say. Turkey's remarks in OIC platform were applauded very much,'' said Cem.

Cem stressed that the determination of OIC Secretary General by consensus has turned into a tradition, adding ''you can lose many things if you act against this tradition. Malaysia, which is the host country launched great efforts to reach a consensus in the Foreign Ministers meeting. Experts Group said that the Arab Group can undertake the mission of OIC Secretary General for another term. In such an atmosphere, the atmosphere of competition disappears de facto. We could continue to compete, but we couldn't spoil a tradition which continues for 30 years.''

''Progress was recorded in OIC plaftorm regarding the views of Turkey about the Cyprus question and Western Thrace,'' added Cem.

State Minister Mehmet Kececiler said in his part that some countries in OIC accuse Turkey of attending the meetings ''in formality'' adding ''now nobody can accuse us of that. Turkey both proposed to hold the meeting in Istanbul and also gave the message that OIC should reach the international standarts.''

State Minister Kececiler said that the Turkish world supported Turkey, adding ''we are not of the same opinion with the jurists of OIC and their resolutions. But there is a consensus on this issue and we couldn't act against it. There are deficiencies in OIC since the foundation of it. They have divided the organization into three groups such as 'Asian, African and Arab Group.' For instance Morocco is both in the Arab and African Group.''

[07] FOREIGN MINISTRY UNDERSECRETARY LOGOGLU DUE TO ISRAEL

The Foreign Ministry said on Friday that Logoglu would pay a visit to Israel between July 2-4 as the guest of his Israeli counterpart Eitan Ben- Tsur.

Bilateral relations and regional and international issues will be discussed in Logoglu's contacts.

[08] SPORTS-639TH HISTORICAL KIRKPINAR OIL WRESTLING

The three-day Kirkpinar Oil Wrestling Tournament will start 03:00 p.m. the same day.

The bare-chested grapplers will compete in the Sarayici Grassy Amphitheater.

Sources said Parliament Speaker Yildirim Akbulut, former President Suleyman Demirel, Energy and Natural Resources Minister Cumhur Ersumer, State Minister Fikret Unlu, Labor and Social Security Minister Yasar Okuyan, Tourism Minister Erkan Mumcu and Environment Minister Fevzi Aytekin would come to Edirne to watch the final game on Sunday.

[09] SECURITY FORCES IMPOUND ONE HAND GUN, EIGHT CELL PHONES, FIVE PACKAGES OF HASHISH AND 29 RAZORS AT BAYRAMPASA PRISON

Officials told the A.A correspondent on Friday that gendarmerie teams carried out a partial search in D-1, D-2, D-4, D-10, K-2 and K-3 wards at the prison overnight.

During the search, teams impounded a 9-mm hand gun, eight cell phones, 25 bullets, five packages of hashish, 29 razors and 1 gr of heroin.

Two inmates were killed while two prison guards and six inmates were injured in an incident which broke out between two opposing groups in D-2 and D-10 wards at the Bayrampasa prison on June 16.

[10] OPERATIONS AGAINST HEZBOLLAH IN GAZIANTEP

The six persons were said to have involved in 22 murders in Gaziantep, Batman, Diyarbakir, and Mardin, 4 assaults resulting in the injuries of the victims, and in various bombings. They are also believed to have abducted and killed 12 persons.

A pick-up, which the terrorists used to carry their abductees, and a tanker belonging to the high ranking members of the outlawed organization were also captured in the operations.

Gaziantep Police Chief Ali Kalkan told reporters that the interrogations of the six terrorists, namely Ibrahim Akyuz, Hayrettin Sahik, Habip Kaya, Muhammed Varol, Ihsan Kaya, and Abdurrahman Akyuz, had brought many important clues into light. He added that the owner of the tanker, Ibrahim Akyuz, was one of the terrorists they had captured.

''In operations we carried out in the places that the terrorists revealed, we found the dead bodies of Abdullah Tunc and Recep Orak, and we returned their bodies to their families,'' Kalkan said.

Noting that systematic and planned operations against the outlawed organization were being carried out since December 1999, Kalkan said, ''Of the total 141 persons detained in 17 operations against the Hezbollah over the past 6 months, 103 of them have been arrested and put in prison, and 38 of them have been released to be tried without detention. We shall continue to fight against terrorism for the sake of our nation.''

[11] FRUIT BUSINESS DEVELOPS IN GAP

''We inspected the area, and decided to set up a grove to grow fruits. The first yield will come in two years' time. We are also planning to establish a packaging plant soon. We have spent 400 billion Turkish Liras on this grove, set up on an area of 238 thousand hectares. We have planted 50 thousand saps, which will grow into plum, peach, apricot, sour cherry, and apple trees. The first yield, we estimate, will be around one thousand tonnes, and the following years, it will multiply itself as trees grow and give greater amounts of yield. Our aim is to export our yield to europe and Middle East, and create an employment opportunity for the local people,'' Celebi said.

[12] SCHMIDT, GERMAN AMBASSADOR TO TURKEY, IN BATMAN

Later, Schmidt met with Abdullah Akin, the Mayor of Batman.

Addressing journalists following the meeting, Schmidt recalled that he had on opportunity of visiting Diyarbakir, Siirt and Batman provinces in his tour to Southeastern Anatolia.

Schmidt added that he hed held very positive and productive contacts in the region.

[13] PARLIAMENT SPEAKER AKBULUT DUE TO LITHUANIA AND LATVIA

Akbulut and his entourage will leave for Lithuanian capital of Vilnius on July 3.

He will start his contacts in this country on July 4.

Akbulut is scheduled to meet with his Lithuanian counterpart Vytautas Landsbergis and Lithuanian Foreign Minister Algirdas Saudargas the same day.

He will be received by President Valdas Adamkus of Lithuania.

Akbulut will proceed to Latvia on July 6 after wrapping up his contacts in Vilnius.

He will meet with his Latvian counterpart Janis Straume and with officials of the Latvian Parliamentary Foreign Relations and European Affairs Commissions.

Akbulut is also scheduled to come together with Maris Riekstins, the Latvian Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Valdis Kristovskis, the Latvian Defense Minister.

He will be received by President Vaira Vike-Freiberga of Latvia.

Yilmaz and his entourage are expected to return to Turkey on July 8.

[14] PARLIAMENT DEBATES MOTIONS ON DETERMINATION OF MEASURES TO PREVENT TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS

Addressing the session, Oksuz said that an investigation commission should be set up.

Recalling that traffic accidents claimed a number of lives every year,

Oksuz stressed, ''we suffer serious damage in national wealth and human source as a result of traffic accidents.''

Oksuz noted that officials were trying to direct traffic in accordance

with more than 1,500 regulations and decrees due to lack of a Highway Transportation Law.

[15] STATE MINISTER YUCELEN VISITS PISKINSUT, HEAD OF PARLIAMENT'S HUMAN RIGHTS MONITORING COMMISSION

''I believe that the Head of the Parliament's Human Rights Monitoring Commission should also be a member of the Supreme Coordinating Council. I am going to inform the Prime Minister about my suggestion. Because I think both bodies will be more effective in their studies. This will also be the proof of Turkey's determined stance against human rights violations. I am here to offer you to cooperate,'' said Yucelen.

''As we have seen at the end of our assessments of the Human Rights Monitoring Commission reports pertaining to prisons and the interrogation process, we have a long way to go in bettering our human rights record. From now on, we should pay a greater attention to our studies in order to prevent the repetition of past mistakes,'' he added.

Piskinsut said she was honored by Yucelen's visit and added, ''In contemporary countries, it has to be the State to protect and guard human rights. We believe that our ministers will come up with much more fruitful results with the continuing support of the Parliament.''

[16] GALATASARAY SIGNS BOKSIC AND JARDEL

Galatasaray Vice President Mehmet Cansun said that they reached an agreement with Boksic and Jardel and with their clubs.

Cansun said they signed a three-year contract with Boksic for 17 million U.S. dollars, and a four-year contract with Jardel for 28.5 million U.S. dollars including transfer fees to their clubs.

[17] NATO MEDITERRANEAN PERMANENT NAVAL FORCE VESSELS TO VISIT ISTANBUL PORT BETWEEN JULY 4-11

The statement said that the Force which was one of the NATO's rapid reaction forces had been activated in 1992.

Noting that the Force was composed of vessels of the allied countries, it said the Force had recently joined the NATO operation in Adriatic, and many NATO maneuvers and ''Invitex'' military exercises of the Partnership for Peace and NATO countries.

The statement said that the Turkish Naval Forces had been commanding the Force since September 5, 1999.

It stated that the Mediterranean Permanent Naval Force was composed of eight NATO frigates and destroyers.

The statement said that ''FGS Augsburg (frigate, Germany)'', ''ITS Libeccio (frigate, Italy)'', ''HNLMS Tjerk Hiddes (frigate, Netherlands)'', ''SPS Canarias (frigate, Spain)'', ''HMS Montrose (frigate, Britain)'', ''USS Kauffman (frigate, U.S.)'' and ''TCG Orucreis (frigate/command support ship, Turkey)'' would visit the Istanbul Port.

The statement said that ''HS Themistoklis (destroyer, Greece)'' would be at the Selanico Port in the same period in accordance with the Operation Program of the NATO.

Meanwhile, sources said that a press conference would be staged in the command support ship TCG Orucreis Frigate on July 4 on the activities of the Force.

[18] MEETING ON ''STATE REFORM'' BY TESEV

Fogg said that the report study was not something new, that the commission had been preparing regular reports on Turkey since 1998, and added, ''The EU Commission monitors and assesses with this report the religious freedom in the candidate countries. this is not something new.''

Fogg delivered a speech at a meeting organised by the Economic and Social Studies Foundation of Turkey (TESEV) to read out the results of the ''State Reform'' project.

She expressed contentment over contributing to the studies of the TESEV, and went on to say, that the opening of TESEV's studies for discussion was highly significant in Turkey's membership process.

[19] INTERIOR MINISTER TANTAN DUE TO GEORGIA

Issuing a written statement, the Interior Ministry said on Friday that Tantan's contacts would focus on bilateral relations.

Problems which Turkish people encounter at Georgian customs checkpoints and Georgian officials' negative attitude towards Turkish businessmen and drivers are among issues to be discussed.

The latest developments regarding the Memorandum of Understanding signed between the two countries in Ankara on February 22, 2000 will be taken up.

Tantan will also exchange opinions with Georgian officials on the preparation works of the ''Cooperation Agreement in Struggle against Terrorism, Organized Crimes, Illicit Drug Trafficking, Weapon and Human Smuggling, Money Laundring'' among Turkey, Azerbajian and Georgia.

[20] ENDURANCE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP TO START IN ISTANBUL ON SATURDAY

The Istanbul Offshore Club said on Friday that nine speed-boats would attend the championship on July 2.

It said the course of the championship would be Istinye-Adalar-Istinye.

It added that the championship would be broadcast live on many television channels.

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