Anadolu Agency: News in English, 01-05-11

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ANADOLU AGENCY

NEWS

11 MAY 2001 Friday

CONTENTS

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

[02] ANKARA DGM CONTINUES TO HEAR CASE OF ''UMUT (HOPE) OPERATION''

[03] GROSSMAN MEETS WITH FOREIGN MINISTRY UNDERSECRETARY LOGOGLU

[04] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT RECEIVES GROSSMAN

[05] PREMIER ECEVIT RECEIVES U.S. UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE GROSSMAN

[06] PRIVATIZATION OF TURKISH TELEKOM (1) -PARLIAMENTARY PLANNING AND BUDGET COMMISSION STARTS DISCUSSING BILL ENVISAGING PRIVATIZATION OF TURKISH TELEKOM

[07] CHIEF PROSECUTOR KANADOGLU VISITS JUSTICE MINISTER TURK

[08] PREMIER ECEVIT RECEIVES U.S. UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE GROSSMAN (2)

[09] GROSSMAN, U.S. UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR POLITICAL AFFAIRS: ''WE EXPECT THE MOST POSSIBLE PARTICIPATION TO MISSILE DEFENSE SYSTEM PROJECT''

[10] PREMIER ECEVIT SAYS WHEN ASKING FOR HELP FROM CERTAIN INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTIONS, ONE HAS TO TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION THAT THEY WILL ALSO HAVE EXPECTATIONS FROM YOU

[11] FORIGN MINISTRY SAYS ECHR'S DECISION IS AGAINST THE REALITIES ON CYPRUS

[12] FORIGN MINISTRY SAYS ECHR'S DECISION MAKES DIFFICULT U.S. SECRETARY GENERAL'S SEARCH FOR SOLUTION IN CYPRUS

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

MINISTER CONVINCES COMMANDER OF GENDARMERIE FORCES
General Aytac Yalman, the Commander of Gendarmerie Forces, called Tourism Minister Erkan Mumcu who has also been acting as the interior minister, on the phone, and said that he wanted to release a statement about new stories saying that telephone of Cavit Kavak, a deputy of the Motherland Party (ANAP) was tapped during the investigation into allegations of corruption in energy tenders. General Yalman said, ''although the judge authorized us, we did not tap telephone of Kavak. The gendarme cannot tap telephones technically. I want to release a statement.'' Mumcu told him, ''according to my point of view, such a statement is not necessary. I do not want to this argument to continue. Our people are uneasy about this disagreement during a period of economic crisis.''

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

HAS SYRIA CAUSED FLOOD IN HATAY?
Following the flood disaster in southern province of Hatay, the Foreign Ministry asked Syria whether or not it opened the sluices of Raslan Dam on the Asi River. Syrian Transportation Minister Makram Ubayd who is currently in Turkey on an official visit, assured Turkey that sluices of the dam were closed.

IMF TO SEND 3.9 BILLION U.S. DOLLARS NEXT WEEK
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) welcomed submission of draft laws envisaging privatization of Turkish Telekom and amendment to the Banks Law, to the parliament. Meanwhile, IMF Foreign Affairs Director Tom Dawson said that everything was on the right track. He noted that if IMF Executive Board approves Turkey's new economic program and finance package, the first part of financial assistance will be sent to Turkey in two days.

SABAH (LIBERAL)

ECHR FINDS TURKEY GUILTY
The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) announced its verdict about the fourth ''state application'' made by the Greek Cypriot side. The ECHR which found Turkey guilty on charges of ''violating human rights during the Peace Operation'', condemned Turkey.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

SUPPORT FROM TURKEY TO MACEDONIA
Foreign Minister Ismail Cem was welcomed in Kosovo by Turkish students waving Turkish flags and singing Turkish songs. Cem met with Ibrahim Rugova, the Chairman of Democratic Union of Kosovo; Daan Everts, the Chief of Kosovo Mission of Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE); and Hans Haekkerup, the Chairman of the United Nations Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK).

99 BEACHES AWARDED WITH BLUE FLAGS
A total of 99 beaches and 11 marinas in Turkey have been awarded with the blue flags by the European jury.

KOKSAL TO RETURN TO PARIS
Sonmez Koksal, the Turkish Ambassador to France who was recalled to Turkey after the French parliament approved the resolution on so-called genocide on Armenians, will return to Paris again. The Foreign Ministry said, ''it was found appropriate that Ambassador Sonmez Koksal, who was recalled to Ankara to hold consultations upon the decision of the French Parliament, will return to his mission. Relations with France continue within the framework that was determined by our government and that was disclosed to the public.''

RADIKAL (LEFT)

CASE AGAINST MERCEDES-BENZ TURK INC.
The Ankara Court of Consumers gave a decision of lack of jurisdiction in the case which was filed against the Mercedes-Benz Turk Inc. by the Association of Consumer Rights. The Association of Consumer Rights had earlier filed a lawsuit against the company demanding the mass production and sale of 0 403 SHD model passenger buses be stopped and the faults of these buses be removed.

YILDIZ QUALIFIES TO SEMI-FINAL
The 48th European Men's Graeco-Roman Wrestling Championships started at Abdi Ipekci Sports Hall in Istanbul. A total of 319 wrestlers from 33 countries are participating in the four-day championships. Meanwhile, Ercan Yildiz of Turkey competing in the 54 kg category, qualified to semi-final while Seref Eroglu of Turkey competing in the 63 kg category qualified to the quarter-final.

TURKIYE (RIGHT)

GERMAN DRUG TRAFFICKER SENTENCED TO SIX YEARS
Andrea Rohloff, 18, a German citizen who was captured in western province of Izmir with 3 kg of heroin in her luggage, was sentenced to six years and three months in prison. Rohloff thanked the court delegation for saving her from the illicit drug trafficking gangs.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

[02] ANKARA DGM CONTINUES TO HEAR CASE OF ''UMUT (HOPE) OPERATION''

A total of 16 suspects, their lawyers, Beyhan Gurson, the sister of Mumcu, and intervenor lawyers are in attendance at today's hearing of the case.

Tight security measures have been taken in and around the DGM building.

The indictment sought capital punishment to suspects Ferhan Ozmen, Necdet Yuksel, Rustu Aytufan, Hakki Selcuk Sanli, Yusuf Karakus, Muzaffer Dagdeviren, Abdulhamit Celik, Fatih Aydin, Hasan Kilic and Mehmet Sahin on charges of ''attempting to damage constitutional order by using force'' in accordance with Article 146/1 of the Turkish Penal Code (TCK).

The indictment sought imprisonment terms of 22 years and 6 months to suspects Mehmet Ali Tekin and Talip Ozcelik on charges of ''forming an armed gang against state's security'' in accordance with Anti-Terrorism Law no: 3713 while it sought imprisonment terms from 15 years to 22 years and 6 months to suspects Mehmet Kasap, Mehmet Gurova, Adil Aydin and Murat Nazli on charges of ''being a member of an illegal organization'' in accordance with Article 5 of Anti-terrorism Law.

Meanwhile, the indictment sought imprisonment terms from 4 years and 6 months to 7 years and 6 months to suspects Arif Tari, Musa Koca, Dervis Polat, Yuksel Pekdemir and Ismail Kochan on charges of ''aiding and abetting to illegal organization'' in accordance with Article 5 of Anti- Terrorism Law.

[03] GROSSMAN MEETS WITH FOREIGN MINISTRY UNDERSECRETARY LOGOGLU

Turkish military officials were also in attendance at interdelegationary meeting presided by Grossman and Logoglu.

No statement was made about agenda of the meeting which lasted for about an hour.

Grossman will be received by Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit later in the day.

[04] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT RECEIVES GROSSMAN

No statement was made about agenda of the meeting.

Faruk Logoglu, the Undersecretary of the Foreign Ministry, and Robert Pearson, the U.S. Ambassador to Turkey, were also in attendance at the meeting.

Grossman is expected to leave Turkey for Georgia later in the day.

[05] PREMIER ECEVIT RECEIVES U.S. UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE GROSSMAN

Grossman said that he submitted the original letter earlier sent by U.S. President George W. Bush to Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit in the meeting.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Grossman said that he is very pleased to come to Turkey again, adding that he is also honoured to have the opportunity to meet with Ecevit.

''I explained once again the support extended by U.S. President Bush to Turkey to overcome its economic crisis,'' said Grossman and noted that the support of the U.S. to Turkey both by IMF and other means continues.

Grossman said that U.S. encourages Turkey to continue its economic reforms.

Under Secretary Grossman said that they also reviewed the relations between Turkey and the U.S. in the meeting.

[06] PRIVATIZATION OF TURKISH TELEKOM (1) -PARLIAMENTARY PLANNING AND BUDGET COMMISSION STARTS DISCUSSING BILL ENVISAGING PRIVATIZATION OF TURKISH TELEKOM

Transportation and Communications Minister Enis Oksuz, who spoke while submitting the bill to the commission, said that 22 billion U.S. dollars profit had been made since the end of 1996 till to the end of 2000 when Turkis Telekom which had more than 70,000 personnel, was separted from the Postal Affairs Directorate General.

He said that 11 billion U.S. dollars was transferred to the Treasury and 11 billion U.S. dollars was allocated to personnel and investment expenditures.

Oksuz said Turkish Telekom made a profit of one quadrillion Turkish liras (TL) as of the end of 2000, noting that its net profit, after paying all the taxes, reached 491 trillion TL.

Oksuz said, ''this institution, which brought services to every region of our country, has 18,600 telephone subscribers and a 1,800 Mhz GSM mobile phone network which has a 3 billion U.S. dollars value and will be in service soon. Thus, besides the private sector institutions Telsim, Tukcell and Is-Tim, another 1,800 Mhz GSM phone operator Ay-Cell will enter this competitive sector.''

Oksuz said efforts to privatize Turkish Telekom started in 1993, yet noted that it was rejected by the Constitutional Court four times. He said the bill no:4502, which was prepared by considering the decisions of the Constitutional Court, took effect on January 27, 2000, noting that efforts were under way to realize privatization soon.

Oksuz said with the bill which is under discussion, every kind of duty contracts, concession agreements, general permission, and authority to give licence were given to Telecommunications Authority.

Oksuz pointed out that sales strategy regarding privatization of Turkish Telekom shares should be revised in line with the conjunctural changes experienced in global telecommunication markets, pointing out that, 'however, in accordance with this new arrangement, foreign real or legal bodies would not have the majority share in the company directly or indirectly, and reciprocity principle would be considered in all sales procedures. With the bill, foreigners' share in the Turkish Telekom won't exceed 45 percent.''

Oksuz said that in sale of Turkish Telekom shares, a 5 percent share will be allocated to workers of Turkish Telekom, Postal and Telegram Directorate General and small investors, noting that, ''this five percent share will be sold through public offering and in accordance with the Capital Market Board regulations.''

[07] CHIEF PROSECUTOR KANADOGLU VISITS JUSTICE MINISTER TURK

Speaking to reporters following the meeting, Turk said Chief Prosecutor Kanadoglu spoke about some vocational problems, noting that he also conveyed his views regarded with the solution of problems stemming from implementation of the Fight Against Crime Organizations Law.

Turk said Chief Prosecutor Kanadoglu conveyed him the draft law to carry out a more influential and rapid fight against crime organizations that is in line with laws.

Pointing out that fight against crime organizations became important in the recent days, Turk said, ''proposal of chief prosecutorship foresees that giving the authority to Supreme Court Public Chief Prosecutorship in providing coordination in preparatory investigations could be beneficial, and also envisages that the fight could be made more effectively and rapidly. I find it beneficial to discuss this proposal. The Justice Ministry will make a study after getting the views of supreme jurisdiction organs and scientists.''

[08] PREMIER ECEVIT RECEIVES U.S. UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE GROSSMAN (2)

Diplomatic sources told A.A correspondent on Friday that Bush could convey the original letter whose copy was submitted to Premier Ecevit by U.S. Ambassador to Turkey Robert Pearson two days ago, by diplomatic courier in normal conditions.

Same souces said that Grossman wanted to meet with Premier Ecevit in order to submit the original letter, adding that this shows that the U.S. focused on the issue seriously.

Grossman reiterated the support Bush stated in his letter in his meeting with Ecevit, adding that U.S. supports Turkey ''strongly'' to help it come out of the economic crisis.

Premier Ecevit thanked Grossman for the support of the U.S. to Turkey and noted that he would be pleased to come together with Bush in the NATO meeting to be held on July 13 in Brussels.

Grossman also talked briefly about the U.S. national missile defense system which is the reason of Grossman to be in Turkey, and he referred to the strategic importance of Turkey in the meeting.

[09] GROSSMAN, U.S. UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR POLITICAL AFFAIRS: ''WE EXPECT THE MOST POSSIBLE PARTICIPATION TO MISSILE DEFENSE SYSTEM PROJECT''

Speaking to reporters following his meeting with Foreign Minister Ismail Cem, Grossman said he conveyed their position to the Turkish side, noting that there were two issues which they should focus on. He said one of those was to hold consultations, and that the other one was that today's conditions are not like those in 1972's. Grossman said Russia was not their enemy anymore.

Defending that new things should be made to increase deterrence regarding missile system, Grossman said, ''we have carefully listened to our allies. Our allies are rightfully wants more consultations to be made.''

When asked if missile system would cover countries apart from NATO, Grossman said this decision should be given by the alliance countries, noting that they preferred the most possible participation.

Responding to a question if Incirlik would take place as base in this project, Grossman said there was a significant distance to that point at the moment, noting that their opinion was at the early stage.

Meanwhile, a high level official, who evaluated Cem-Grossman meeting, pointed out that they shared the concerns of the U.S. delegation regarding mass destruction weapons, noting that Turkish side underlined the importance it attributed to listen the concerns of Russia and China about missile system.

The same official said European Security and Defense Identity issue, which Turkey has some concerns, would also be discussed during the luncheon that will be hosted for Grossman.

[10] PREMIER ECEVIT SAYS WHEN ASKING FOR HELP FROM CERTAIN INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTIONS, ONE HAS TO TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION THAT THEY WILL ALSO HAVE EXPECTATIONS FROM YOU

Responding to questions of journalists about his meeting with Supreme Court of Appeals Chief Prosecutor Sabih Kanadoglu, Ecevit said that Kanadoglu proposed him certain suggestions for making more effective the cooperation among the prosecutors, adding they didn't discuss any other issue. Ecevit pointed out that Kanadoglu had also made certain suggestions to make the judiciary power to function better.

When a journalist asked his views about the tension between judiciary and politics and military officials and politicians, Ecevit said that ''I don't want to talk about these issues. Debates take place on most sensitive issues related to democracy from time to time.''

Upon news saying that Tourism Minister Erkan Mumcu resigned, Ecevit said that he does not want to talk about the internal affairs of another party.

Ecevit said that there is no problem about the bills on Turkish Telecom and Banking.

Upon a question about the harsh criticisms about the government due to the loans it would take from the World Bank and IMF, Ecevit said that ''when asking for help from certain international institutions, you have to take into consideration that they will also have expectations from you. There is nothing strange in that. Every country which needs the aid of the IMF, faces with certain conditions. We are trying to meet the expectations within reasonable limits.''

''Both the World Bank and IMF extended great efforts to meet the assistance need of Turkey. We must thank for that. What is more important is the fact that this aid is not an aid provided by the initiatives of only the IMF and World Bank. If this was the case, we couldn't get that amount of support. G- 7 countries, which are economically developed countries, wanted the support to Turkey to be extended by the IMF and World Bank. U.S. President Bush has extended great support to Turkey as it is explained in his letter and this encouraged international institutions. Accepting this loan does not hurt our pride, if there are certain conditions which we can't digest, we will re-evaulate the issue.''

Upon a question about the decision of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) about the Cyprus issue, Ecevit said that ''it is clear that the ECHR didn't make a correct evaluation. The problems about the Cyprus issue are not related with laws, but with politics. There are two independent states in Cyprus. Even if certain states pretend not to recognize this fact, this is a reality. The problem can only be solved by a dialogue set up between the two communities. The decisions of ECHR are not in full harmony with the realities of Cyprus. I hope ECHR evaluates this well.''

When asked his views about the news upon the secret surveillance of ANAP deputy Cahit Kavak's telephone talks, Ecevit said that ''this is prohibited, yet such bans are violated from time to time. It was earlier said that my talks were also tapped. In cases of emergency and when the state security is in danger, and when it is necessary under the laws, secret surveillance of talks is possible. But without taking legal permission, secret surveillance of talks can't be excused.''

[11] FORIGN MINISTRY SAYS ECHR'S DECISION IS AGAINST THE REALITIES ON CYPRUS

A Foreign Ministry statement said that the decision of the ECHR is against the realities on the island, lacks legal basis, it is unjust and it does not have the capability to be implemented by Turkey.

[12] FORIGN MINISTRY SAYS ECHR'S DECISION MAKES DIFFICULT U.S. SECRETARY GENERAL'S SEARCH FOR SOLUTION IN CYPRUS

A Foreign Ministry statement said that the decision of ECHR is just the repetition of its earlier decisions taken regarding the three applications of the Greek Cypriot side to the European Commission of Human Rights (ECHR) in the years of 1974, 1975 and 1977.

''The recent decision of the ECHR is not surprising, but it is against the realities on the island, it lacks legal basis, it is unjust and it does not have the capability to be implemented by Turkey,'' said the Ministry.

The Ministry indicated that there is nothing to add to the views explained by the government about the earlier applications of the Greek Cypriot side.

''The Turkish government finds wrong this decision of the ECHR and maintains its view that the interlocutor of the issue is TRNC, not Turkey. This decision impedes efforts to prevent the manipulation of the Cyprus problem by the Greek Cypriot side and approaches which will contribute to the solution of the problem and make difficult the U.N. Secretary General's search for a compromise,'' the Ministry said.

The ECHR said yesterday in its decision that Turkey violated the rights of Greek-Cypriot missing persons and their relatives; the rights of displaced persons to get their property and the right to reside; rights of Greek Cypriots related to their family; rights of Greek Cypriots regarding their life standards in the TRNC, as these rights are protected under the European Convention of Human Rights.

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