Anadolu Agency: News in English, 01-05-05

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ANADOLU AGENCY

NEWS

05 MAY 2001 Saturday

CONTENTS

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

[02] PILOT CARRIES OUT EMERGENCY LANDING ON SEYHAN DAM LAKE AFTER ENGINE FAILURE

[03] STATE MINISTER YALOVA RETURNS FROM U.S. (2)

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

DEBATE ON GENDARME'S STATEMENT
A statement was issued from the Motherland Party (ANAP) yesterday noting that the Interior Minister was not informed about the statement of gendarme. Gendarme officials on the other hand said that the statement was issued after it was presented to the Interior Minister.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

FUTURE IS IN TURKEY
Deutsche Bank Executive Board President Breuer boosted the morale of Turkey. Breuer, who came to Turkey as the guest of Sak�p Sabanc�, the famous Turkish businessman, said that Turkey is the oppurtunity of the future.

SABAH (LIBERAL)

GREAT SUPPORT FOR DERVIS
According to the public survey carried out by Ankara Economic and Social Research Centre (ANAR) in seven big provinces of Turkey, 59,1 percent of the people trust Dervis and 54,1 percent of them support the economic programme announced by Dervis. The ratio of the people who believe that if the programme is fully implemented, the country will come out of the crisis, is 53.4.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

YAHYA DEMIREL IN KARTAL PRISON
Twelve suspects including former owner of Egebank Yahya Demirel were brought to Istanbul from Ankara Maximum Security Prison. In the indictment prepared by Istanbul State Security Court (DGM) Prosecutor's office about the Egebank case, Demirel is accused for seven separate crimes.

RADIKAL (LEFT)

IMF: ''TURKISH GOVERNMENT IS IN CHARGE OF TELEKOM BILL'S DETAILS''
The IMF has said that it was only concerned with the general targets and principles of the program and that the Turkish government was in charge of the bill's details. The IMF is concerned with basic aspects of the bill such as how much percentage of Telekom will be privatized, its privatization program and how this process will benefit the economic program.

TURKIYE (RIGHT)

KUTAN SAYS FP DOES NOT SUPPORT DERVIS'S PROGRAMME
Recai Kutan, the leader of the Virtue Party (FP) said his party won't support the economic programme annonced by State Minister Kemal Dervis. Dervis met with Kutan yesterday. Dervis said after the meeting that it was a productive meeting, however Kutan said that Dervis has good will, yet the economic programme can't be successful by the existing government.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

-CENTRAL BANK LAW GOES INTO FORCE
ANKARA, May 5 (A.A) - The law which foresees amendment in the Central Bank Law went into force after it was published in the Official Gazette on Saturday.

No authority will be able to give orders to the Central Bank, and a Money Market Committee will be set up within the body of the Central Bank.

The general preamble of the law, which is comprised of a total of 17 articles, said the need to make amendments to the law occurred within the framework of the developments recorded with the world, mainly the European Union norms, regarding economic conditions and central banking since 1970, when Central Bank Law had taken effect.

The preamble said the law, which was prepared within this framework, pointed out that the principle target of the Turkish Republic Central Bank was to provide price stability, and that the bank was the only authorized and responsible in determining and implementing the monetary policy of the bank. The functions, which the bank undertakes with the new arrangement, are listed as below:

''-The bank, aiming to continue to fight against inflation which is its primary target, is equipped with the assignment and authority to determine the inflation target together with the government.

The bank is authorized to provide price stability, to directly determine monetary policy means used in central banking to provide price stability, and to fight against inflation.

-In order to realize its principle target, the bank is envisaged to benefit from open market operations, foreign exchange and effective operations, discount rate, advanced money operations, cash reserve requirements and other monetary policy means which it would find as appropriate.

-In order to provide effectiveness in realization of price stability, Money Market Committee is set up within the body of the bank considering the implementations in the world.

-To increase the analytical and statistical sufficiency, required by the inflation targets, the bank is authorized to collect every kind of statistical informations that will be regarded as necessary to cover the developments in economy and balance of payments, and all statistical informations pertaining to financial system.

-Within the scope of the authority and assignment to provide stability in financial system, the bank is authorized to take required measures to cover the sysem and make evaluations to strengthen the basis of the financial system, and to prevent the risks in financial system to spread to the sector in general.

-TRANSPARENCY
The preamble said that the bank was charged to establish and maintain an efficient and reliable payment system by benefiting from techological developments to provide macro-economic balances as a whole.

The preamble noted that the bank is foreseen to support the growth and stability policies of the government not to contradict with the aim to provide price stability.

The Central Bank enabled the control of the profit and loss calculations in the balance sheet by independent control organizations to provide the transparency when determining the monetary policy, the preamble stated.

The preamble pointed out that the law foresees the presentation of reports on the bank transactions to the Council of Ministers two times a year, the preparation of term reports related with the implementation and the announcement of these reports to the public.

The provision that none of the authorities will be able to give orders to the bank to ensure the bank reach its main targets and economic principles and to use its authorities efficiently and independently.

The new law on Central Bank authorizes the Central Bank in determination and implementation of the monetary policy of the country and authorizes the Bank to determine the inflation target together with the government.

The law which is one of the legal arrangements that aim at overcoming the economic crisis, is composed of 17 articles.

The law which determines the main target of the Central Bank to provide the price stability, also provides harmony with the EU norms.

The law which regulates the basic mission and authorities of the bank in a new systematic, notes that the bank should not take any orders from any authorities in order to reach its basic aim.

The basic authorities of the bank are stated as follows:

''The authority of issuing paper money belongs to Central Bank.

-The Bank is authorized to use the tools of monetary policy stated in this bill and to determine and implement other tools of monetray policy.

-Central Bank is authorized to give money in advance into Savings Deposit Insurance Fund in cases of emergency and when the the sources of the Fund do not meet the needs.

-The Bank carries out the proceeding of giving credits to banks as being the final creditor.

-The Bank is authorized to ask the banks and other financial institutions and institutions which are charged in supervising these banks for necessary information and to get statistical information from them in order to monitor the financial markets.

The law which said that the Central Bank is the financial and economic consultant, financial agency of the government, foresees the relation of the Bank with the government to be carried out by the Prime Minister.

Central bank which will present views to the government about the financial system upon demand, will also inform the concerned institutions about its views.

The organs of the Central Bank have been determined as ''general council, bank assembly, monetary policy council, supervision board, governorship and adimistration committee.

The missions of the Monetary Policy council are as follows:

''-to determine principles and strategies of the monetary policy in order to stable the prices,

-to determine the inflation target together with the government within the framework of the monetary policy strategy,

-to prepare reports from time to time about the targets of the monetary policy and inform the public opinion on the basis of the principles to be determined by the government.''

The Central Bank will take measures to prevent the risks in the financial system to spread to the banking sector.

The Bank can authorize independent supervisor institutions to examine its balance sheet, profits and losses.

Central Bank will determine in advance the conditions of sales and purchases of foreign exchange rates in order to determine the value of the Turkish lira against foreign currencies.

The bill aims at using free market transactions which are used as the most effective tool in arranging the liquidity of the money supply and economy in many countries, also in Turkey. These transactions will not be carried out in order to provide credits to any public institutions or other institutions including the Treasury.

Central Bank won't give money in advance or open credits to the Treasury and public institutions.

Heavy imprisonment will be given for Central Bank's members who talk about the secrets of the Bank in order to get benefit for himself or for others.

-PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT RETURNS TO TURKEY FROM SPAIN
ANKARA, May 5 (A.A) - Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said on Friday night regarding the statement of the Gendarme General Command that ''I don't find appropriate to tell something about such a sensitive issue tonight without meeting with my friends first.''

Speaking to reporters at Esenboga Airport upon his arrival in Turkey from Spain, Ecevit said that his visit was very positive, adding that the close interest shown in them during his and Foreign Minister Ismail Cem's stay in Spain was the sign of the importance which Spain attributed to the friendship of Turkey.

Ecevit said that he was also received by Spanish King Juan Carlos in addition to his bilateral meeting with Spanish Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar during his short visit.

Noting that they evaluated the bilateral relations with their political, social and cultural dimensions during their contacts in Spain, Ecevit said that they decided to activate the joint action plan signed earlier.

Ecevit said that they focused on various cooperation methods to benefit from the investment opportunities in the two countries and to further improve the economic and commercial relations. He added that they took up current international developments, regional issues which concern the two countries, Turkey-EU relations and common security issues.

He indicated that he presented information to Spanish officials about the attitude of Turkey regarding the political and economic reform studies and important regional problems about the EU, adding that he had the opportunity to evaluate the Turkish-EU relations and the recent developments in the Turkish economy during the Turkish-Spanish Business Council meeting he attended in the morning.

Ecevit said that his visit to Spain has been positive in respect of evaluating in details both the bilateral relations and the relations between Turkey and Europe.

Responding to questions of journalists about the tension between the Motherland Party (ANAP) and Gendarme Command, Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said that ''As you know I was not here for two days. I should first of all contact with ministers. Thus I don't want to talk about such a sensitive issue tonight.''

When another journalist asked Ecevit if the IMF had asked for a written commitment from the coalition leaders in addition to the letter of intent, Ecevit said ''this is not commitment, it is a promise given by Turkey. The letter of intent reflects the resolution of the government. This has always been so, there is nothing new in that.''

-KUTAN:''PRESIDENT SEZER REACTED STRONGLY AGAINST
TORTURE ALLEGATIONS AND HE PROMISED TO FOLLOW UP ON
THE CLAIMS''
ANKARA - V�rtue Party (FP) Cha�rman Reca� Kutan has sa�d that Pres�dent Ahmet Necdet Sezer strongly reacted to torture allegat�ons �n pol�ce stat�ons and Sezer also sa�d that telephone tapp�ng could only take place w�th�n the l�m�ts of a state of law.

Sezer and Kutan had a meet�ng at the Pres�dent�al Palace on Fr�day. After the meet�ng, Kutan told reporters that he told the pres�dent about people's compla�nts he observed dur�ng v�s�ts to several Turk�sh c�t�es.

Kutan told Sezer that although he d�dn't have any sol�d ev�dence, there were allegat�ons of torture �n pol�ce stat�ons and that the Parl�amentary Human R�ghts Comm�ss�on would �nvest�gate these cla�ms. Kutan sa�d Sezer reacted strongly and prom�sed to follow up on the torture allegat�ons.

Kutan and Sezer also d�scussed the alleged telephone tapp�ng �nc�dent and Sezer sa�d th�s could only be done through a court dec�s�on. ''However, �t �s understood that the telephones were tapped w�thout any court dec�s�on,'' Kutan sa�d.

-TURKEY TO PAY BACK IMF LOAN IN FOUR OR FIVE YEARS
ANKARA - The eight billion U.S. dollar credit which the IMF will provide to Turkey will have the stand-by credit conditions, it was reported on Saturday.

Officials said Turkey will pay much less interest rate than other credits and the repayment conditions would be favorable for Turkey. Turkey will be able to pay back the loan within four or five years.

Turkey's new Letter of Intent is composed of 30 pages. Fifteen pages of the letter is about banks and financial losses of public banks.

-STATE MINISTER DERVIS MEETS WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF
BANKING SECTOR IN ISTANBUL
ISTANBUL - State Minister Kemal Dervis met with representatives of banking sector in Istanbul on Saturday.

State Banks Joint Executive Board President Vural Ak�s�k, Banking Regulation and Inspection Board Chairman Engin Akcakoca, Turkey Banks Union Deputy Chairman Ak�n Akbaygil and Turkey Banks Union Secretary General Ekrem Keskin participated in the meeting.

-SEA LION 1/2000 SEARCH AND RESCUE EXERCISE TO TAKE
PLACE IN AEGEAN ON MAY 10-11
ANKARA - General Staff Sea Lion 1/2000 Search and Rescue exercise will be held in the Aegean Sea on May 10 and 11.

According to a written statement released by the General Staff, the exercise will take place in international waters in middle Aegean Sea. Both civilian and military units will participate in the exercise. The Turkish Armed Forces will participate in the exercise with various types of ships, helicopters and airplanes. The exercise aims to develop coordination skills among the rescue units. The exercise will be open to press and foreign observers coming from the United States, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Georgia, Israel, Tunisia and Ukraine.

-500 REFUGEES CAPTURED OFFSHORE PENDIK, ISTANBUL
ISTANBUL - Nearly 500 refugees were captured in a ship stopped by the coast guard boats offshore Pendik, Istanbul on Saturday.

Acting on a tip-off, the coast guard command started to follow the ship ''Lale-1'' which was carrying refugees who wanted to go abroad through illegal ways.

The ship, which wanted to escape first, was later stopped by the coast guard boats offshore Pendik. The refugees in the ship were captured.

-STATE MINISTER DERVIS MEETS WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF
BANKING SECTOR IN ISTANBUL (2)
ISTANBUL - State Minister Kemal Dervis said on Saturday that they exchanged views about the last form of the Banking Law in the meeting he had with the representatives of the banking sector the same day.

The meeting of Dervis with State Banks Joint Executive Board President Vural Ak�s�k, Banking Regulation and Inspection Board Chairman Engin Akcakoca, Turkey Banks Union Deputy Chairman Ak�n Akbaygil and Turkey Banks Union Secretary General Ekrem Keskin lasted for nearly 1,5 hours.

Upon questions of journalists after the meeting, whichwas colsed to the press, Dervis said that ''we gave information to the banking sector representatives and got information from them. It has been very beneficial.''

When asked if the Banking Law would be submitted to the parliament on Monday, Dervis recounted that the meeting which would be held today at 18.00 local time in Ankara was taken to 15.00 local time on Sunday. ''I will make a detailed statement tomorrow,'' he said.

Ak�s�k said in his part that an agreement was reached on all issues in the meeting with Dervis.

-BRANDENBURG STATE GOVERNOR STOLPE SAYS
TURKEY IS IMPORTANT FOR EUROPE
BERLIN - Manfred Stope, the Governor of Brandenburg state of Germany said on Friday that ''Turkey is important for Europe.''

Stolpe who received Turkish Ambassador to Germany Osman Koruturk, said that Germany appreciated the value of Turkey for Europe.

Noting that the Brandenburg state supports the German government's support to Turkey on the way to EU membership, Stolpe said the Turkish society is very valuable for Germany.

Stolpe said that the Turkish society is in a great progress to integrate with the EU. ''Turkish businessmen make investments in our state, I am also pleased with it,'' he said.

Stolpe indicated that the Turkish culture is rich, adding that they are open to hold common cultural activities.

Osman Koruturk, the Ambassador said in his part that the Turkish Embassy is ready to launch efforts to make the Turkish society living in Germany to integrate more with the German society while maintaining their own culture.

-TRAIN TOURS START BETWEEN NUSAYBIN AND BAGHDAD
NUSAYBIN - Turkish Republic State Railways (TCDD) Deputy General Director Cahit Soyler has said that the train tours between Nusaybin and Baghdad which is restarting after 19 years would bring economic and social development to Turkey, Syria and Iraq.

Soyler, speaking at a ceremony at Nusaybin Train Station on Saturday, said all three countries worked hard to realize this project.

The train tours which stopped in 1982 was providing a commercial road for Syria and Iraq to Europe. With the restarting of the train tours, the goods allowed by the United Nations will be taken to Baghdad. ''The tree countries will cooperate in technical services once the line opens. The train tours will bring economic and social development to Turkey, Syria and Iraq,'' Soyler said.

-AYCELL JOINS GSM OPERATORS AFTER ARIA
ANKARA - GSM operator Aycell will start giving cell phone service on GSM 1800 band all over the world before the end of April.

Aycell will be dialed by 505 and it will have base stations in Ankara, Istanbul, Izmir, Adana, Antalya, Mugla and Bursa. In other cities, Aycell will use Turkcell's and Telsim's infrastructure and it will sign roaming agreement with these companies.

Aycell is currently working to form representative offices and it will start subscriptions within this month.

All the sales and marketing procedures of Aycell will take place at Turk Telekom's virtual store.

With the introduction of Aycell to the Turkish market, the number of SM operators will rise to four in Turkey with Turkcell, Telsim and Aria.

Other companies are expected to drop their fees or offer new services to their customers after Aycell's introduction to the market.

-STATE MINISTER YALOVA RETURNS FROM U.S. (1)
ISTANBUL - State Minister Yuksel Yalova returned to Turkey from the U.S. on Saturday.

Speaking to reporters at Istanbul's Ataturk Airport, Yalova said that he went to the U.S. to give information about the new economic programme of Turkey and to exchange views about privatization in Turkey with international investor and finance circles in the U.S.

Yalova said that he had the chance to meet with more than 30 international investors and fund administrators during his stay in the U.S., adding that ''I saw once again in these meetings that Turkey has a great potential in respect of international investments, but it couldn't reflect its economy to international relations due to its political culture.''

Yalova said that the Turkish Telecom constituted the agenda of his meetings in the U.S., adding that ''I am the one who prepared the bill on Turkish Telecom as being the State Minister who is in charge of privatization.''

''Unfortunately I was in a position to respond to questions about the Turkish Satellite Turksat which was not included in the bill which I prepared while discussing the Turkish economy with international investors for the last two days in the U.S.,'' he said.

Yalova said that ''it was stressed in my contacts in the U.S. that the Turksat satellite had to be taken out from the bill. It is not in the bill in fact. The Transportation Ministry is responsible for the satellite, not us.''

[02] PILOT CARRIES OUT EMERGENCY LANDING ON SEYHAN DAM LAKE AFTER ENGINE FAILURE

Uner took off from Adana Airport around 11 a.m. He had to do an emergency landing near Amerikan island in the lake after the plane's engine stopped due to a failure in the fuel tank. ''I was on the lake and the plane wouldn't have reached to the airport. I thought this would be a safe place to land,'' he said. Uner has been a pilot for 32 years.

After the accidents, the divers pulled the plane to the shore using ropes.

[03] STATE MINISTER YALOVA RETURNS FROM U.S. (2)

Speaking at Ataturk Airport, Yalova said that the sitation is also same in the U.S. ''If the U.S. President thinks that the national security is under threat, he can seize the Telecom by issuing just one decision,'' Yalova said.

''The thing that matters now is to privatize the Turkish Telecom in international markets without showing any hesitation,'' he said.

''We had two economic crises, we must draw lessons from the last one,'' he said adding that nobody has the right to cause new economic crises in Turkey.

-MUMCU:''WE'RE EXPECTING 12 MILLION TOURISTS THIS YEAR''
EGIRDIR - Tourism Minister Erkan Mumcu said on Saturday that he was expecting 12 million tourists in Turkey this year and added that tourism was providing significant added value to a number of sectors including agriculture and stock breeding.

Mumcu indicated that the tourists were expected to bring a cash flow of 10 billion U.S. dollars to Turkey. Each tourist is estimated to spend ten days in Turkey which makes 120 million TL only for accomodation.

This year's tourism activities will be a good test for Turkey, he said. ''But I've done my homework well so I have no worries. We'll have a good tourism season,'' he added.

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