Anadolu Agency: News in English, 01-04-02

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ANADOLU AGENCY

NEWS

02 APR�L 2001 Monday

CONTENTS

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

[02] MINOR EARTHQUAKE SHAKES AMASYA

[03] ITALIAN WOMAN CAPTURED WITH ALMOST FOUR KG OF HEROIN AT ATATURK AIRPORT

[04] PAPANDREOU:''MISUNDERSTANDINGS ARE LEFT BEHIND AS BILATERAL CONTACTS INCREASE'' (1)

[05] BLACKSEAFOR AGREEMENT SIGNED AT CIRAGAN PALACE

[06] COUNCIL OF MINISTERS CONVENES

[07] PRESIDENT SEZER DUE TO NETHERLANDS

[08] PAPANDREOU SAYS DIALOGUE ON CONFIDENCE BUILDING MEASURES IN AEGEAN CONTINUES (2)

[09] PAPANDREOU: ''EU MEMBERSHIP OF CYPRUS (GREEK CYPRIOT ADMINISTRATION) IS AN OPPORTUNITY''

[10] TREASURY TO HOLD FOUR-MONTH BOND AUCTION

[11] BLACKSEAFOR AGREEMENT SIGNED AT CIRAGAN PALACE (2)

[12] BLACKSEAFOR AGREEMENT SIGNED AT CIRAGAN PALACE (3)

[13] ISTANBUL DGM NO: 6 SENTENCES ERDIS, HEAD OF ILLEGAL IBDA-C, TO CAPITAL PUNISHMENT

[14] STATE MINISTER YALOVA SAYS TURKEY IS RE-SHAPED WHEN CARRYING OUT PRIVATIZATION INITIATIVES

[15] FIRE BREAKS OUT IN IZMIT, KILLING SIX PEOPLE AND INJURING THREE OTHERS

[16] BLACKSEAFOR AGREEMENT SIGNED AT CIRAGAN PALACE (4)

[17] MEETING OF COUNCIL OF MINISTERS ENDS (1)

[18] MEETING OF COUNCIL OF MINISTERS ENDS (2)

[19] LINN, VICE PRESIDENT OF WORLD BANK, DUE IN TURKEY

[20] MEETING OF COUNCIL OF MINISTERS ENDS (3)

[21] A FUNERAL TAKES PLACE IN FRONT OF PROVINCIAL DIRECTORATE SECURITY IN ISTANBUL FOR POLICEMEN WHO WERE KILLED IN AN ARMED ATTACK

[22] EXPORTATION IN FEBRUARY AROUND 2 BILLION 600 MILLION U.S. DOLLARS

[23] FITCH IBCA DOWNGRADES TURKEY'S LONG-TERM LOCAL CURRENCY RATING

[24] ISTANBUL TO HOST AN INTERNATIONAL SEMINAR ON ''SECURITY PROBLEMS IN THE BALKANS AND SOLUTION PROPOSALS''

[25] PARLIAMENTARY DELEGATION IN WASHINGTON D.C.

[26] BUEHLER, PRESIDENT OF INTERIM EUROPEAN SECURITY AND DEFENSE ASSEMBLY OF WEU, IN TURKEY

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

NEW DRAFT OF BANKING LAW
The Banking Regulatory and Supervisory Authority (BRSA), which prepared the draft on new Banking Law, included many articles which would rescue the banks before their transfer to the Savings Deposit Insurnace Fund. If the draft is adopted by the parliament without any changes, then the Central Bank will grant loans to the banks which have liquidation problems.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

STATE MINISTER DERVIS:''NO WEALTH TAX WILL BE ISSUED''
State Minister Kemal Dervis and Finance Minister Sumer Oral yesterday came together to discuss the revisions that would be made in the 2001 budget. The ministers, who made statements following the meeting, said that the internal sources will be created through savings in the public sector, not through wealth tax. Dervis, who later visited Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit, gave him information about the meeting.

SABAH (LIBERAL)

MULCAHY, CHAIRMAN OF XEROX: ''TURKEY WILL OVERCOME CRISIS''
Anne Mulcahy, the chairman of the Xerox company, who restructured the company which had problems in the U.S. and the Far Eastern markets, said Turkey had undergone such a crisis previously in 1994, adding that it managed to recover from it soon. Turkey can do the same thing again, said Mulcahy and added that Xerox has been in Turkish market for ten years. We didn't enter this market to run away whenever a crisis occured, said Mulcahy, adding that they would cointinue to implement their plans for Turkey despite the crisis.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

NO SUPPORT FROM WORKERS TO ECONOMIC PROGRAM
Turkish Confederation of Labor Unions (Turk-Is) Chairman Bayram Meral said the workers would see in the coming days if the government would fulfil their demands or not. ''We already lost 40 percent of our wages. Do we always have to be the one who makes sacrifice?'' Meral stated. He said now it was time for the industrialists and the employees to make sacrifices.

RADIKAL (LEFT)

DETENTIONS INCREASE TO FOUR AT ETIBANK INVESTIGATION
While the interrogations of former Etibank owner Dinc Bilgin and his son Onay Bilgin continue, Istanbul Financial Department's police teams yesterday detained Eitbank former executive board member Mustafa Caglar and former general director Ismail Hakki Karakaya. The interrogations are conducted under great secrecy. Istanbul Security Director Kazim Abanoz said his office might ask for extra detention period from the prosecutor.

TURKIYE (RIGHT)

ITALIAN WOMAN CAUGHT AT ISTANBUL AIRPORT WITH HEROIN
Istanbul Narcotic Department's teams caught a 26-year old Italian woman who was trying to smuggle four kilos of heroin out of the country at Istanbul's Ataturk Airport on Sunday. Mirri Mirriam, during her interrogation, told the police that she purchased the drug from a Nigerian man and she agreed to take the heroin to Italy for 800 U.S. dollars. It was reported that Mirriam was also a drug addict. Police are now trying to track down the Nigerian network selling drugs in Istanbul.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

The Turkish people, who had lower incomes paid the cost of the crisis in November through new taxes issued and increase in the price of several goods. The added value tax on home telephone services had increased in November and the amount of tax on telephone services was almost at the same level with the taxes on luxurous goods such as caviar. The amount of the tax collected was beyond a quadrillion. The civil servants and the workers finance the budget with the cuts in their salaries. Turkish nation wants the government to limit its expenditures.

PATIENTS CAN HIRE MILITARY PLANES AND HELICOPTERS IN EMERGENCY CASES
According to the new implementation of the Turkish Armed Forces, some military planes and helicopters will be used for the transfer of the emergency cases. Patients and institutions can hire the planes and helicopters of the military upon the demand of patients's doctor, and the commandership in the region. The amount of the fees that would be paid for the transfer is at the internet site of the Turkish Armed Forces.

-TWO POLICEMEN DIE IN ARMED ATTACK IN ISTANBUL
ISTANBUL - Two policemen were killed in an armed attack in Istanbul's Bahcelievler district on Sunday night.

Two unidentified people attacked the two policemen who were in a car on the road leading to Mahmutbey village around 8.40 p.m.. The policemen were employed at Bahcelievler Security Directorate Research Department. The front and right windows of the war were completely destroyed by the bullets.

The two policemen who were hospitalized at Ozel Gelisim Hospital could not be saved.

Istanbul Governor Erol Cakir visited the scene where the policemen were killed.

A wide operation started in the area to catch the murderers who ran away in a car. It was reported that the assailants were three people and they were driving a white Renault Optima.

[02] MINOR EARTHQUAKE SHAKES AMASYA

Bogazici University's Kandilli Observatory measured the quake as 3.8 on Richter scale. The earthquake's epicenter was Gumushacikoy township.

[03] ITALIAN WOMAN CAPTURED WITH ALMOST FOUR KG OF HEROIN AT ATATURK AIRPORT

Officials told A.A. correspondent that Italian Mirri Mirriam, who hid the heroin in her bag, came to the airport early in the morning, and underwent passport controls.

Officials said Mirriam had entered Turkey three days ago, adding that they found 3,9 kg of heroin concealed in secret compartments of the bag during the searches.

The market value of the heroin is around 120 billion Turkish liras (TL), said the officials.

Mirriam was detained and taken to the Narcotics Department for her interrogation.

During her interrogation, Mirriam said she has been using heroin for some time, adding that she was sent to Turkey by some Italian people who were into drug trafficking business in Italy.

Mirriam said she obtained the heroin from people whom she contacted in Turkey.

Mirriam said she was paid 800 U.S. dollars for smuggling the heroin.

Officials said Mirriam had a criminal record in Italy for drug abuse.

[04] PAPANDREOU:''MISUNDERSTANDINGS ARE LEFT BEHIND AS BILATERAL CONTACTS INCREASE'' (1)

The A.A interviewed Papandreou on the latest situation in Greek-Turkish relations prior to his visit to Ankara scheduled for April 5-6. Papandreou said, ''the contacts which were a big event before now have become a routine.''

The Greek foreign minister said it became easier for the two sides to overcome certain problems through their dialogue and added that bilateral contacts yielded several good results.

Papandreou pointed out that the Greek Parliament approved seven out of the nine agrements signed with Turkey last year. ''These agreements were signed unanimously and this is a good sign. During my visit to Ankara, we'll assess the implementation of these agreements. Bilateral and multilateral relations will also be discussed during our contacts with the Turkish authorities. Confidence building measures, cooperation in Cyprus, EU and the Balkans will be other topics of discussion,'' Papandreou said.

(to be continued)

[05] BLACKSEAFOR AGREEMENT SIGNED AT CIRAGAN PALACE

Georgian Foreign Minister Irakli Menagarishvili, Ukranian First Deputy Foreign Minister Yuriy Sergeyev, Russian Federation First Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Avdayev, Romanian Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Mihnea Motoc, Bulgarian Naval Forces Commander Petar Petrol, Istanbul Governor Erol Cakir, Istanbul Mayor Ali Mufit Gurtuna, and Naval Forces Commander Ilhami Erdil signed the agreement on behalf of their countries.

BLACKSEAFOR which was first brought up in 1998 by the then Naval Forces Commander Salim Dervis is significant in the sense that it brings together the nations which were on the opposite sides during the Cold War era.

The agreement aims to strengthen friendship and good relations at Black Sea region.

[06] COUNCIL OF MINISTERS CONVENES

State Minister Sukru Sina Gurel, State Minister Yuksel Yalova, National Education Minister Metin Bostancioglu, and Culture Minister Istemihan Talay, who are currently abroad for a series of contacts did not attend the meeting which started at 11.00 a.m.

Foreign Minister Ismail Cem, who will go to the Netherlands, did not attend the meeting either.

The meeting doesn't have an official agenda.

Recent developments in economy, new economic program, laws which should be rapidly adopted, and the issues which were taken up at the meetings of Higher Planning Board and Economic and Social Council, will be discussed in the Council of Ministers meeting.

[07] PRESIDENT SEZER DUE TO NETHERLANDS

President Sezer who will be welcomed by Queen Beatrix and her husband Prince Claus at the military airport in Valkenburg, will proceed to Amsterdam.

Official welcoming ceremony for President Sezer will take place at the Palace in Dam Square in Amsterdam.

At the first day of his visit, President Sezer will lay a wreath to the National Monument in Dam Square, and visit a primary school in which Turkish students are studying.

He will partake in a dinner later in the day which will be hosted by Queen Beatrix and her husband Prince Claus in his honor.

At the second day of his visit, President Sezer will proceed to the Hague, and meet with Prime Minister Wim Kok of the Netherlands.

President Sezer is scheduled to meet with speakers of parliament and senate, and with members of the Parliamentary Foreign Relations Commission.

Foreign Minister Ismail Cem who will accompany President Sezer during his visit to the Netherlands, will come together with his Dutch counterpart Jozias van Aartsen in the Hague.

On April 4, President Sezer will receive representatives of Turkish community in the Netherlands at the Turkish Embassy.

He will proceed to Amsterdam from the Hague, and host a reception in honor of Queen Beatrix and her husband Prince Claus at the Tropen Royal Institute.

On the last day of his visit, President Sezer will proceed to Leiden.

He will pay a visit to the Leiden University.

President Sezer will be informed on Turkey's relations with the Netherlands and the European Union (EU) at the university.

He will also visit an exhibition at the university in which Ottoman manuscripts will be displayed.

President Sezer and his entourage are expected to return to Turkey late on Thursday.

[08] PAPANDREOU SAYS DIALOGUE ON CONFIDENCE BUILDING MEASURES IN AEGEAN CONTINUES (2)

Papandreou told A.A correspondent that positive results have been gained in the contacts between permanent representatives of Turkey and Greece in NATO.

They have decided to inform each other about the schedule of military exercises to be held so that the two countries will not stage exercises in the same region at the same time, Papandreou said.

Papandreou noted that they have started to implement this decision and that the exchange of information has started.

This is a good development, Papandreou stated, noting that he thinks that following contacts will give positive results.

Papandreou stressed that political directors of foreign ministries of the two countries continue their contacts and that this process will help them reach a point.

Emphasizing that he thinks that they should not hurry to get a result, Papandreou said that they should assume a constructive attitude aiming at solution.

Papandreou noted that the results that are gained should be lasting and that the decisions taken in a hurry cannot be lasting.

An approach targeting to lay strong basis is righter than an approach aiming at satisfying the public, Papandreou said.

Papandreou stated that this road will take some time and they can face some difficulties in this road.

But, they should continue and be patient to get lasting results, Papandreou said.

Underlining that many positive developments have been marked between Turkey and Greece, Papendreou said that the cooperation of security forces of the two countries gave positive results and significant increases have been marked in trade and tourism of the two countries.

Papandreou emphasized that he is very pleased about the developments marked by the hotels and travelling agencies in West Anatolia and Greek islands in the Aegean Sea.

The one-day trips to the islands without any visa gave good results, Papandreou said.

Papandreou noted that he will discuss the ways to improve this implementation during his contacts in Ankara.

Drawing the attention that Greece has some liabilities that must be obeyed since it is a side to the Schengen agreement, Papandreou said that there was a big demand from Turkey but they could not meet these demands because they were not prepared bureaucratically.

Papandreou said that these are very pleasing developments and added that the non-governmental organizations also have intensive contacts.

The musicians, artists, doctors and local administrators are meeting each other very often, Papandreou noted.

Papandreou stated that in recent days, he attended a meeting together with State Minister Yuksel Yalova, adding that the meeting was about the functioning of the West and East Thracian Local Administration Network.

(To be continued)

[09] PAPANDREOU: ''EU MEMBERSHIP OF CYPRUS (GREEK CYPRIOT ADMINISTRATION) IS AN OPPORTUNITY''

Papandreou told A.A correspondent that Cyprus question is ''an international issue'' and that there are United Nations (U.N.) and EU resolutions about this issue.

Claiming that these resolutions suggest a frame for a possible solution, Papandreou said that the Cyprus question is a priority for the EU and that although this is not a Turkish-Greek problem, it affects the bilateral relations.

Papandreou said that Cyprus question is an issue which is continuously put in front of Turkey in its relations with international community and that it is always on the agenda of Athens.

They can offer Cyprus as an example and they can show the good relations of Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots to the world, Papandreou also said. Papandreou said that they can free themselves by freeing Cyprus.

Turkish can become an official language of the EU by the EU membership of Cyprus and Turkish Cypriots will take their place in the decision-making mechanisms of the EU, Papandreou said.

Papandreou noted that this is a positive development for Turkey and that they should be constructive.

Papandreou called on to look at the problem by the glasses of the future rather than by the glasses of the past.

Touching on Turkey's National Program, Papandreou noted that this is a beginning point for Turkey as for the other EU candidate states.

Papandreou stated that the program will be taken into consideration in line with the Accession Partnership Document and be evaluated by the EU mechanisms.

This is a mutual partnership relation, Papandreou pointed out.

There are mutual liabilities and neither of the side dictates anything to the other, Papandreou said.

Papandreou said that this is a process which gradually develops.

Every country has its own characteristics but it is possible that the countries reach the characteristics required for the EU in the end, Papandreou said.

Papandreou stressed that Turkey's path in Europe has vital importance for all the regional countries and Greece.

He thinks the EU is an opportunity to overcome historical problems like Cyprus, Papandreou said.

Papandreou stated that Turkey has the possibilities and power to overcome the current economic crisis and that the crisis creates both difficulties and opportunities.

The domestic reforms can be implemented and the path to EU can be accelerated during this crisis, Papandreou said.

Papandreou noted that Greece wants Turkey to have a strong economy and that a Turkey, with a strong economy, is of utmost importance for regional stability.

The Greek entrepreneurs want to further improve current relations with Turkey and that they want to have intensive cooperation with their Turkish colleagues.

Papandreou said that the rapprochement between Turkey and Greece is the result of the efforts of the two nations and that the friendship and cooperation demands of the two nations started this process.

They deserve the point reached in the relations to the two nations, Papandreou noted.

Papandreou stated that they are only dealing with the details and that he gets warm messages from Turkish nation.

Turks whom he comes accross with during his visits, airports, and hotels show interest to him and request him to continue the path started by himself and Foreign Minister Ismail Cem, Papandreou said.

Papandreou added that he is looking forward to visit Ankara.

(End)

[10] TREASURY TO HOLD FOUR-MONTH BOND AUCTION

The Treasury foresees a minimum net borrowing of 500 trillion Turkish liras (TL) in the four-month bond auction.

The value date of the bonds will be April 2 and the bonds will be repayed on August 8.

The Treasury will repay 347 trillion 927.4 billion TL on April 4 while it will repay a total of 1 quadrillion 398.9 trillion TL in April.

[11] BLACKSEAFOR AGREEMENT SIGNED AT CIRAGAN PALACE (2)

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Cem said, ''the process which was initiated by Turkey and supported by other littoral states has come to a successful conclusion after a period of two year' negotiations. In this regard, the efforts of our naval forces have been always praise worthy.''

''What brought us here today is in fact our common heritage, the Black Sea. This sea has, throughout history, linked our countries together. And, now it serves as the basis on which all the littoral countries lay the foundation of a unique formation, the BLACKSEAFOR, for the common benefit of us all,'' he emphasized.

Cem said, ''this initiative is aimed at promoting regional cooperation in the Black Sea among the littoral countries while also contributing to peace and stability in and around this region. The launching of the BLACKSEAFOR will further enhance friendship, good relations and mutual understanding among our countries.''

''With this agreement we will be creating a framework for the development of naval cooperation in the Black Sea through an on-call force. This force will be deployed for various tasks at sea ranging from search and rescue operations to other humanitarian and environmental ones,'' he said.

Cem said, ''in Turkey, what is well known about the Black Sea, is the bravery and courage of its people. So, we may feel confident that with these two characteristics our navel men will fulfil their demanding tasks to the fullest possible extent. Today, we are living in a heavily globalized world where things are increasingly trans-boundary and interdependent. In the face of such reality, joint action and cooperation emerge as the key elements in responding to today's challenges. In this context, the BLACKSEAFOR stands as a very timely initiative as with this, the littoral countries, acting together, will be able to better carry out humanitarian and environmental operations in and around the Black Sea.''

''Joint action and cooperation will also help us to foster inter- operability among our countries both in practice and in minds. This is particularly praise-worthy as the countries of the Black Sea were in the rival blocks until a decade ago,'' he said.

Foreign Minister Cem noted, ''all these factors that I have just mentioned are testimony to the fact that by linking the BLACKSEAFOR Agreement our countries will jointly engender the first formation of such political significance in and around the Black Sea. This is only the thin end of a wedge for further cooperation in the Black Sea region. With the stern wind of the BLACKSEAFOR, our naval men will be sailing to the new horizons of friendship and coperation among our countries. Thus, let me once again commend and thank for the constructive efforts of all those who navigated this process to its happy and final destination, to the harbour of friendship and cooperation.''

[12] BLACKSEAFOR AGREEMENT SIGNED AT CIRAGAN PALACE (3)

Turkey will carry out first commandership of the on-call force.

The agreement aims at strenthening peace and stability in the Black Sea and encouraging cooperation among regional countries.

The force which was set up from naval units of these countries, will carry out search and rescue and humanitarian operations, mine-clearing, fishery and environmental protection, and goodwill visits in the Black Sea.

The force will operate on an on-call basis as a rapid reaction group and could be available for possible deployment in operations mandated by the U.N. or the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). The position of force commander will rotate among participating countries in alphabetical order for a period of one year beginning with Turkey.

The force will perform a maneouvre once in a year.

The first maneouvre will be performed in July of 2001.

BLACKSEAFOR is an initiative proposed by Admiral Salim Dervis, the then Naval Forces Commander in 1998, to enhance regional security and cooperation.

[13] ISTANBUL DGM NO: 6 SENTENCES ERDIS, HEAD OF ILLEGAL IBDA-C, TO CAPITAL PUNISHMENT

Erdis who is also known as ''Salih Mirzabeyoglu'', was sentenced to capital punishment on charges of ''attempting to change the constitutional order by the force of arms'' in accordance with the Article 146/1 of Turkish Penal Code (TCK).

Meanwhile, the court delegation decided to sentence suspects Sadettin Ustaosmanoglu and Mehmet Fazil Aslanturk to 18 years in prison on charges of ''being a member of an illegal organization''.

[14] STATE MINISTER YALOVA SAYS TURKEY IS RE-SHAPED WHEN CARRYING OUT PRIVATIZATION INITIATIVES

Speaking in a conference on ''Turkey'' held by Ca-IB Investmentbank AG in London, Yalova noted that changes occur in Turkey and called on the foreign investors to actively participate in this process.

Yalova said that privatization is important for meeting the needs of the societies and for restructuring the states in today's world.

The economic and social borders are gradually eliminated, Yalova stated.

Yalova said, ''this situation increased the solidarity of the countries which depends on mutual interest. It is not possible for any of the countries to get developed by deserting itself from foreign world and international markets.''

Turkey has to adjust to the conditions of this world because it cannot abandon its ideals to become a developed big country, Yalova stressed.

Yalova said that within this framework, Turkey started to implement the Customs Union.

Turkey has free trade agreements with 12 countries, Yalova noted.

Yalova said, ''these agreements means not only finding new markets and resources but also providing Turkish economy to compete in world markets through privatization.''

Reminding that Turkey started privatization initiatives in 1985, Yalova said that the privatization gained momentum since 1990.

Yalova noted that the privatization of the enterprises which were included in the scope of privatization in the last decade has been finalized.

The state has totally ended its initiatives in cement, milk and forest products, and foddle industries, Yalova said.

Yalova pointed out that almost 90 percent of the textile and animal product enterprises have been privatized and that the state has abandoned naval transportation.

The state has privatized public shares of Is Bankasi in 1998 and sold a great deal of shares of Turkish Oil Refineries Inc. (TUPRAS), Yalova said.

Yalova emphasized that now, they attribute utmost importance to privatization by public offering.

They obtained 2.7 billion U.S. dollars from privatization initiatives in 2000, Yalova said.

Yalova pointed out that the legal works on the re-arrangement of the telecommunication sector have been finalized and that the sector will be adjusted to the European Union (EU) standards.

They increased the amount of shares of Turk Telekom that will be sold to 51 percent, Yalova said.

Yalova stressed that enterprises which are included in the privatization portfolio, particullarly Turkish Airlines (THY), the state-run Turkish Liqour and Tobacco Administration (TEKEL), Tupras and sugar factories, will be rapidly privatized.

Some important structural changes have been made in the banking sector, Yalova said.

Yalova wished the foreign investors to have an active role in this process and to make joint investments with Turkey.

[15] FIRE BREAKS OUT IN IZMIT, KILLING SIX PEOPLE AND INJURING THREE OTHERS

The fire started when workers put oil to a stove they lit to warm up.

While Durdu Ispir, Ramazan Cigdem, Tevfik Bozkurt, Halil Tekeli, Hasan Altin and Cuma Tugrul died, Kadir Ispir, Haci Tugrul and Yakup Tugrul were injured in the fire.

The injured workers were rushed to the hospital for medical treatment.

[16] BLACKSEAFOR AGREEMENT SIGNED AT CIRAGAN PALACE (4)

Speaking in the signing ceremony, Menagharishvili said that this initiative is very important to create a stable atmosphere in the Black Sea region.

Menagharishvili noted that the continuation of global and regional peace and stability is important.

The on-call force is important for the construction of new European security, Menagharishvili stated.

Bulgarian Naval Forces Commander Petar Petrov said that the agreement will bring together the Black Sea countries and it will have an important contribution to inclusion of Bulgaria in NATO.

Romanian Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Mihnea Motoc said that this agreement is of vital importance for his country, adding that Romania considers this agreement as a step for accession into NATO.

Yuriy Sergeyev, the Ukranian Deputy Foreign Minister, said that this agreement will be included in history books soon.

Sergeyev noted that this agreement is of vital importance for the regional peace and stability, adding that it will strengthen cooperation among the countries.

Following the ceremony, Foreign Minister Ismail Cem hosted a luncheon in honour of the guests.

[17] MEETING OF COUNCIL OF MINISTERS ENDS (1)

Following the Council of Ministers meeting, State Minister Rustu Kazim Yucelen told reporters that they debated whether the parliament should also work at nights, on Saturdays and Sundays to pass the laws on economy.

Yucelen said that they also discussed the issues which were taken up at the Higher Planning Board and Economic and Social Council meetings last week.

They expressed their pleasure over the meetings held by the non- governmental organizations last week, Yucelen noted, stating that they debated the new internal and external sources in the meeting.

Yucelen stated that they decided to give the final shape to the economic program and the letter of intent by taking into consideration the priorities and sensitivities of the society in the following days.

The laws on economy were reviewed in the meeting, Yucelen said.

Yucelen added, ''we decided to launch necessary initiatives to discuss the law on amendment to the Budget Law, Authority Law, Natural Gas Law and Sugar Law in the parliamentary commission and general assembly. We also agreed this issue to be discussed in the Consultative Board by the group acting leaders of the coalition parties. In line with the decision of the Consultative Board, we think of adopting the draft laws as soon as possible by working overtime at the parliament.''

(To be continued)

[18] MEETING OF COUNCIL OF MINISTERS ENDS (2)

Addressing journalists following the meeting of the Council of Ministers, Yucelen said, ''preparation of draft law envisaging amendment to the Banks Law under the coordinatorship of State Minister Kemal Dervis till this weekend, was taken up at the meeting.''

''Preperation of other draft laws regarded with economic stability program was also discussed. The Council of Ministers stressed that implementation of law regarded with public banks should be maintained with sensitivity; general assembly meeting of Ziraat Bankasi will be held tomorrow to this end; and that appropriations will be added transparently to the budget to enable public banks to fulfil their legal duties,'' he told reporters.

Yucelen said that Labour and Social Security Minister Yasar Okuyan brought the draft law regarded with public workers onto agenda of the meeting.

Noting that State Minister Dervis had informed members of the Council of Ministers on his contacts in Germany, the U.S. and France, Yucelen added, ''State Minister Dervis said that foreign market and international institutions continued to rely on Turkey. He noted that this confidence would increase with the new laws.''

(To be continued)

[19] LINN, VICE PRESIDENT OF WORLD BANK, DUE IN TURKEY

Economic program and World Bank's possible contributions to the program together with reconstruction of banking sector in Turkey will be discussed during Linn's contacts in Turkey.

Linn is expected to depart from Turkey on Friday.

Meanwhile, International Monetary Fund (IMF) delegation headed by Carlo Cottarelli, the Chief of IMF's Turkey Desk, is expected to start its contacts in Ankara on April 9, 2001.

[20] MEETING OF COUNCIL OF MINISTERS ENDS (3)

Responding to questions of reporters about the figure related with the savings measures, Yucelen said that State Minister Kemal Dervis has to respond to this question.

Yucelen said, ''I can only say we think of a domestic source around 2.5-3 quadrillion TL.''

When asked whether or not tax is meant by savings measures, Yucelen said, ''we will prefer to make saving instead of procedures bringing forth new incomes.''

Yucelen noted that the ministries will decrease their current expenditures as much as they can and that saving will be made in the budget of all the ministries by a coordinator minister charged by Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit or the undersecretaries of the Prime Ministry.

All the ministers will present the amount of saving which can be made in their budgets to the Council of Ministers next week, Yucelen stated.

Asked if the prior laws will be united, Yucelen said, ''I do not understand what you mean by uniting. I listed the laws which will be discussed at the parliament this week. We will launch initiatives to enable the parliament work overtime in the following days.''

Yucelen said that the law on amendment to budget law, Authority Law, Natural Gas Law and Sugar Law are among laws which will be debated this week.

The expropriation law, public borrowing law, and draft law on amendment to banking law will be submitted by the end of this week, Yucelen noted.

When asked whether or not some prior laws can be passed by law with the force of law, Yucelen said, ''no. We did not discuss this. Everything related with the budget will be transparently discussed from now on.''

Upon a question about the salaries of the public personnel, Yucelen said that the Authority Law has not been passed yet.

Asked when the letter of intent will be presented to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Yucelen said that the priorities and the sensitiveness of the society will be taken into consideration.

Yucelen emphasized that maybe, the economic and social council will convene again and the non-governmental organizations can be re-informed about this issue.

They will continue their path by restoring the confidence of all the parts of the society, Yucelen stressed.

Yucelen said that this will take 10-15 days but that Dervis is the person who can mention a definite time.

Asked whether or not the law on privatization of Telekom was opened to signature, Yucelen said that the law has been prepared and it will be opened to signature in two or three days.

Upon a question about the increase in Value Added Tax (VAT) rates, Yucelen said, ''we just discussed that we should find domestic sources. But, other ministers will bring forward their saving measures in the following days.''

Responding to a question on the appropriations for public banks, Yucelen said that he thinks it is better to bring forward this issue at the parliament tomorrow.

He only said 54 trillion TL has been allocated for the Halk Bankasi.

[21] A FUNERAL TAKES PLACE IN FRONT OF PROVINCIAL DIRECTORATE SECURITY IN ISTANBUL FOR POLICEMEN WHO WERE KILLED IN AN ARMED ATTACK

A funeral took place in front of Provincial Directorate of Security in Istanbul for Cagiran and Sekman.

Speaking at the funeral, Genc expressed his profound sorrow over killing of Cagiran and Sekman during overnight's armed attack, and implored God's strength upon all who are grieving for their beloved ones.

He stressed that the assailants would be captured and brought to justice soon.

Cagiran was married with three children aged between 3 and 3 months, and Sekman was married with two children aged between 12 and 6.

Meanwhile, Cagiran's parents reacted against the Law on Conditional Release from Prison.

Cagiran will be laid to rest in central province of Kayseri while Sekman will be laid to rest in northern province of Trabzon.

[22] EXPORTATION IN FEBRUARY AROUND 2 BILLION 600 MILLION U.S. DOLLARS

Following the Council of Ministers meeting, State Minister Mehmet Kececiler told reporters that in accordance with the customs figures, the exportation which was 2 billion 81 million U.S. dollars in February 2000 increased to 2 million 600 million U.S. dollars in February 2001.

Kececiler noted that the importation which was 3 billion 877 million U.S. dollars in February 2000 decreased to 3 billion 300 million U.S. dollars in February 2001.

The rate of exports meeting imports which was 53.7 percent in February 2000 increased to 78.8 percent in February 2001.

[23] FITCH IBCA DOWNGRADES TURKEY'S LONG-TERM LOCAL CURRENCY RATING

The Fitch IBCA downgraded Turkey's long-term foreign currency rating to B+ from BB (-).

A statement of the Fitch IBCA said that the negative general appearance in long-term currency and foreign currency continued.

The statement noted that this action reflects the slow progress the authorities have made in formulating a credible revised stability program since Turkey abandoned its exchange rate peg in late February.

Turkey rapidly needs to instigate a detailed plan for putting its stabilization program back on track, the statement said.

The statement added that the new economic program has to include not only the banking sector, but also concrete macro-economic measures.

[24] ISTANBUL TO HOST AN INTERNATIONAL SEMINAR ON ''SECURITY PROBLEMS IN THE BALKANS AND SOLUTION PROPOSALS''

Releasing a written statement, the Bogazici University said on Monday that state officials, academicians and journalists from 15 countries would be in attendance at the seminar.

At the two-day seminar, factors jeopardizing security of the Balkans, role of press, regional cooperation and international organizations' efforts will be taken up.

Kurtulus Taskent, the Deputy Undersecretary of Foreign Ministry; Cristian Diaconescu, the Romanian Deputy Foreign Minister; Kim Traavik, the Chairman of Stability Pact's Security Desk; and Dan Speckhardt, the Acting Deputy Secretary General of NATO, will deliver speeches at the first day of the seminar.

[25] PARLIAMENTARY DELEGATION IN WASHINGTON D.C.

The delegation is comprised of Mehmet Ali Irtemcelik, a deputy of the Motherland Party (ANAP); Oktay Vural, a deputy of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP); Tahir Kose, a deputy of the Democratic Left Party (DSP); Ayfer Yilmaz, a deputy of the True Path Party (DYP); and Abdullah Gul, a deputy of the Virtue Party (FP).

The delegation will also meet with representatives of the Assembly of Turkish-American Associations (ATAA) and attend a conference held by the think-tank institute the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS).
During its contacts, the parliamentary delegation will debate the issues concerning Turkey, particularly the efforts launched by the Armenian lobby in the U.S. for the recognition of the so-called Armenian genocide.

[26] BUEHLER, PRESIDENT OF INTERIM EUROPEAN SECURITY AND DEFENSE ASSEMBLY OF WEU, IN TURKEY

Buehler who came to Turkey to attend the 11th International Security and Cooperation Conference in Antalya, visited the Foreign Ministry.

During the meeting, the Turkish side explained its views about European Security and Defense Policy (ESDP).

At the meeting, Taskent emphasized that the WEU Assembly should maintain its mission as parliamentarl assembly.

After formation of ESDP, WEU's duties have been transferred to the European Union (EU).

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