Anadolu Agency: News in English, 01-06-02

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ANADOLU AGENCY

NEWS

02 JUNE 2001 Saturday

-TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

These are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in Turkey's press on June 2, 2001. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit issued a circular on Friday and prevented another crisis. Banking section of Emlakbank was taken from Faruk Bal, a parliamentarian from the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), and given to State Minister Kemal Dervis. Bal was opposing closure of Emlakbank.

Emlakbank was foreseen to be closed on May 31 in the letter of intent that was given to the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

IMF ASKS FOR MOTORWAY FEES

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) delegation, led by Juha Kahkonen, the IMF Turkey Desk Chief, held many meetings in their first day contacts which started on Friday.

The delegation also wanted to learn how much increase would be made to the motorway and bridge passage fees in 2002 and 2003. The delegation, which reviews the commitments given in the letter of intent, held contacts with the officials of Treasury, Finance Ministry, Central Bank and Banking Regulatory and Supervisory Board (BRSB).

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

Kemal Dervis, the State Minister responsible for economy, gave hope during his contacts in Italy. Dervis said, ''Turkey will reduce inflation below two percent in five years. We may be able to pass to Euro before becoming a member of the European Union (EU).

Dervis said Turkey was a multi-cultural country, noting that it was similar to the U.S.

HONORARY DOCTORATE TO MESUT YILMAZ

Mesut Yilmaz, who attended the diploma ceremony held at Girne American University, was given an honorary doctorate.

Yilmaz, who addressed the ceremony, sent a message to Europe. Yilmaz said, ''Northern Cyprus can not be the cost of the European Union (EU). Unilateral membership of Southern Cyprus can not be accepted.''

''It is not possible for Turkey to make concessions from its national interests on the way to EU full membership, said Yilmaz and noted that Turkish Cypriots' security of life and property, their rights and honour come first among Turkey's national interests.

SABAH (LIBERAL)

Gazprom company, which undertook the construction of the Blue Stream popeline, said political problems experienced in Turkey can not stop imlpementation of the project. Yuri Goryayinov, one of the Executive Board members of Gazprom, said implementation of the project will reach to the climax point after the starting of the undersea section of the construction.

TURKEY IS AN EXAMPLE MODEL FOR IMF SUPPORT

John Taylor, the U.S. Assistant Secretary of Treasury Department, said the policy, ''first the reform and the support,'' will be implemented from now on to the countries which are in economic crisis, like it happened in Turkey example.

Taylor said the World Bank and the IMF support was given to Turkey only after Turkey started to implement its promises regarding reforms.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

Kemal Dervis, the State Minister, who addressed ''Turkey-Europe Relations Program,'' jointly set up by European University and Sabanci University in Italy, said Turkey would harmonize with the globalization concept more rapidly when compared with the countries which have one-culture. Dervis said having a multi-cultural structure was in favor of Turkey.

Dervis, who also met Italian businessmen, called on them to invest in Turkey.

WARNING TO COMMUNIST PARTY

Constitutional Court gave an official warning to the Communist Party on charges that the word ''communist,'' contradicted with the Political Parties Law. The court wanted the word ''communist,'' to be removed from the name of the party.

According to the decision, Supreme Court of Appeals Chief Prosecutor's Office applied to the Constitutional Court to give an official warning to the Communist Party on grounds that the word ''Communist,'' contradicted with the Political Parties Law.

RADIKAL (LEFT)

The financial markets, which were influenced by the politics recently, boosted morale following the resignation of State Minister Yuksel Yalova and statements that came from Ankara.

The stock exchange finished the day in 11,270 level. One U.S. dollar decreased to 1.156 million Turkish lira.

Experts of the markets said, ''we hope the ministers would be more careful from now on before talking. Joint attitute of the government regarded with the program will ease concerns and increase confidence.''

120 HECTARES OF FORESTED AREA BURNT

A total of 120 hectares of forested area were burnt during ongoing forest fires in Aegaen Izmir and Manisa provinces.

The forest fire, which broke out in forested area of Bagarasi hamlet of Foca township, had been extinguished, but later broke out again with the effect of strong wind.

The fire, which broke out again, was influential in 70 hectares of forested area.

TURKIYE (RIGHT)

Population of Turkey will rise to 72 million in 2005 and 95 million in 2050.In the year 2030, 80 percent of the population will live in cities.

It was reported that the mothers and children formed 60 percent of the population.

BAHCELI:CRISIS IN TURKEY WOULD NOT PUSH THE COUNTRY IN TO CHAOS

Devlet Bahceli, the State Minister and Deputy Prime Minister, said crisis in Turkey was not a kind of crisis that will push the country into chaos.

Bahceli, currently on a visit to Germany, said such kind of crises warn people to reach a more healthy economic structure and strong society.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

Air pollution increased in Yenikoy district of Yatagan township in Aegean Mugla province Friday morning.

The rate of sulphur dioxide in Yenikoy reached 9,850 microgram/cubic meters according to calculations made at 9:30 local time.

Mehmet Okur, the head official, and Hasan Hasmetisik, the mayor, left for Yenikoy.

(AY)

-CONFERENCE ON BETTER GOVERNMENT AND FIGHT AGAINST CORRUPTION

TO TAKE PLACE IN ANKARA ON JUNE 19

ANKARA, June 2 (A.A) - An international conference on better government and fight against corruption will take place in Ankara on June 19.

Johannes Linn, the World Bank Deputy Chairman responsible for Europe section, will address the opening of the conference. The conference will jointly be staged by Better Government and Fight Against Corrupton Steering Committee and World Bank.

Experts from the World Bank, European Union (EU), the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), Asian Development Bank, and non-govermental organization in Turkey will attend the meeting.

The World Bank extends support to fight against corruption and strengthening of better government in member countries.

-AKSIT, HARRANK HEAD OFFICIAL:

''THERE IS 100 PERCENT INCREASE IN NUMBER OF TOURISTS VISITING HARRAN''

HARRAN - Ibrahim Aksit, the Head Official of Harran township in southeastern Sanliurfa province, said on Saturday that number of tourists visiting the township increased 100 percent when compared with previus year.

Speaking to A.A correspondent, Aksit said Harran, which is famous for its 11,000 year historical past and as the place where the first university had been set up, was one of the unique places of the world.

Aksit said historical and cultural values in Harran could not be protected by the people of the region, noting that as a result of this, the scenery continuously spoilt because of illegal structuring.

Aksit said Harran, which forms a bridge between the past and the future, would not be promoted well so far, and could not obtain the required income from tourism. He said following the Southeastern Anatolia Region (GAP) Region project, the region began to be promoted well and received interest.

Aksit said 2,537 local and 652 foreign tourists had visited Harran in the first five months of the year 2000, noting that 3,683 local and 1113 foreign tourists visited the region in the first five months of the year 2001. ''I believe that this figure will increase by the end of year,'' he noted.

-EXPORTATION WORTH OF 240,2 MILLION U.S. DOLLARS

MADE FROM THE REGION IN THE FIRST FIVE MONTHS

GAZIANTEP- Agricultural and industrial products, woth of 240.222 million U.S. dollars were exported from the Southeastern Anatolia Project (GAP) region in the first five months of this year.

An exportation, worth of 22.438 million U.S. dollars, had been realized in the same period of last year.

According to the Southeastern Anatolia Exporters Union data, animal and animal products, worth of 5.054 million U.S. dollars, grains and cereals, worth of 40.048 million U.S. dollars, dried fruit worth of 18.114 million U.S. dollars, textile, worth of 150.886 million U.S. dollars, and fresh fruit, vegetables and industry products, worth of 26.120 million U.S. dollars were exported in Jan-May, 2001 period.

The exportation, which was 44.778 million U.S. dollars in May 2000, increased in the same period of this year, and reached 53.655 million U.S. dollars.

-FIRE BREAKS OUT IN TANKER MAKING FUEL SUPPLY

TO BOATS IN GOCEK

-TWO PEOPLE INJURED

GOCEK - Fire broke out in a tanker making fuel supply to boats in Gocek hamlet in Fethiye township in Aegean Mugla province on Saturday.

Gocek Gendarme Military Post officials said the reason of the fire could not be determined yet.

Two people, one of them seriously, injured in the accident, and immediately sent to hospital.

Officials said cooling efforts started, noting that they were trying to tow the tanker to shore.

-NEARLY 129 HECTARES OF FORESTED AREA DESTROYED IN 14

FIRES THAT BROKE OUT THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY

ANKARA- Forest Ministry said on Saturday that nearly 129 hectares of forested area were destroyed in 14 fires which broke out in various regions of the country.

Forest Ministry officials said 12 of the 14 fires, which broke out throughout the country on Friday, were taken under control without spreading.

They said the fires in Foca township in Aegean Izmir province and the fire in Akhisar township in Manisa province spread with the effect of the wind, noting that the fire which broke out in Akhisar township was taken under control, and that the fire in Foca at 13:00 local time still continued.

Officials said teams continue efforts to put out the fire, adding that two planes, one helicopter, 10 dozers, 400 soldiers, 26 technicians and 125 workers participated in the efforts.

They said two fires broke out in Bursa, one fire in Mugla, one fire in Adana, two fires in Denizli, one fire in Adapazari, one fire in Istanbul, two fires in Izmir and one fire in Ankara, and added that those were all extinguished.

A total of 129 hectares of forested are were destroyed in fires which broke out on Friday, and a total of 1221 hectares of forested are was burnt down throughout the country in the year 2001.

-SECOND PART OF QUOTAS THAT WILL BE IMPLEMENTED

ON TEXTILE PRODUCTS IN 2001 DETERMINED

ANKARA - Second part of the quotas, which will be implemented on the textile products of 10 countries in 2001 are determined.

India, Brazil, Argentina, the Philippines, Hong Kong, Uzbekistan, Peru, Singapore, Thailand and Ukraine are among those countries.

The exporters, who want to make use of distribution of quotas, and get exportation licence, should apply to Foreign Trade Undersecretariat till June 22, 2001.

-FIRE IN SEA TANKER PUT OUT

GOCEK - Fire, which broke out in a tanker that was making fuel supply to the boats in Gocek hamlet in Fethiye township, was extinguished on Saturday.

The tanker, belonging to Besim Bayindir, was carrying 2,000 litres of fuel.

The fire brigades and coast guard teams extinguished the fire in a short time.

It was reported that the fire could be caused by a short-circuit.

Two people, who were injured in the fire, are taken under medical treatment in Fethiye and Dalaman hospitals.

-NUMBER OF TOURISTS VISITING CAPPADOCIA

RISES 46.7 PERCENT WHEN COMPARED WITH THE SAME

PERIOD OF LAST YEAR

NEVSEHIR- Number of tourists visiting Cappadocia region, which is one of the most important culture tourism centers of Turkey, rose 46.7 percent in the first five months of this year when compared with the same period of last year.

Nevsehir Museum Directorate officials told A.A correspondent that 312.559 foreign and 504.668 local tourists visited the region in Jan-May period.

Officials said 153,798 foreign and 344,005 tourists had visited the region in the same period last year.

-MIRZAOGLU SAYS TURKISH MARITIME WAITING FOR URGENT MEASURES

ANKARA - State Minister in charge of maritime Ramazan Mirzaoglu has drawn attention to the problems of the Turkish maritime and said Turkey would pay a high price if a solution is not brought to these problems.

Upon leaving a meeting on Saturday, Mirzaoglu declined to make a comment about former State Minister Yuksel Yalova's resignation. When asked what he thought about the amendments, Mirzaoglu said the government is continuing its program and that everything on the program would be implemented.

Speaking about the maritime, Mirzaoglu said Turkey does 90 percent of its export and import by ships. ''Because of our insufficient commercial fleet, we use Turkish ships only to transport 35 percent of our export and import activities. We pay a freight cost of 2 and 2,5 billion U.S. dollars to foreign ships every year and this will increase soon,'' he explained. He said the owners of these ships constitute a significant part of the Turkish real sector adding that this sector was also affected by the economic crisis and cannot pay their credit debts.

-STATE MINISTER BAL GOES TO PARIS

ISTANBUL- State Minister Faruk Bal went to Paris on Saturday to join Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahceli who visited Germany and who is now in France.

Prior to his departure from Istanbul's Ataturk Airpot, Bal told reporters that he would attend the activities of the Turkish Federation in Paris and also have a series of contacts with French officials in order to convince them to make improvements in the Accomodation Law in order to make the law also cover Turkish workers and businessmen who live in this country.

During his stay, Bal will also meet with Turkish citizens and look for ways to bring a solution to their problems.

-MUMCU:''THE BLACK SEA COAST IS TURKEY'S MOST IMPORTANT

TOURISM POTENTIAL''

ISTANBUL - Tourism Minister Erkan Mumcu has drawn attention to the natural beaties of the Black Sea coast and said this was was a great potential for tourism.

Spaking at the 1st Blacksea Tourism Summit held in Nippon Hotel in Taksim on Saturday, Mumcu said that tourism was one of the most important tools of development and that it was possible to overcome poverty and unemployment through tourism. He said the tourism's share in the world pie was increasing 4,5 percent every year.

''Turkey should increase its tourism variety and quality,'' he said. ''The Black Sea is a virgin coast and it is Turkey's greatest tourism potential. I believe that nature and ecology could be marketed at a very high price. An authantic valley house on the Black Sea coast could bring more money than a five star hotel. I'm asking Black Sea people to protect the environment and nature here. Please quit the habit of building concrete buildings.'' Mumcu also said that there would be a tourism boost in the regiononce the Black Sea highway is completed.

Mumcu said culture was a determining factor in tourism and that Turkey should not lose its originality.

Mumcu explained that the efforts to make improvements in tourism in the Black Sea were hindered by the earthquakes. ''We're inviting all Turkish citizens to the Black Sea. Please discover this region,'' he said.

-21 KILOS OF HEROIN AND 13 KILOS OF HASHISH CAUGHT IN

INTERNATIONAL DRUG OPERATION

ISTANBUL - Istanbul Security Director Kazim Abanoz announced on Saturday that security forces caught 18 people with 21 kilograms of heroin and 13 kilograms of hashish during a joint operation carried out with Austrian and Dutch police.

Three people in Istanbul, 14 in Austria and 1 person in the Netherlands were caught with drugs in the joint operation. Abanoz said international drug trafficking was a crime of humanity and that the drugs which were caught would have poisoned more than 15,000 young people.

Security forces found 17,600 extacy pills during another operation in Istanbul's Beyoglu district.

Narcotic teams carried out 39 opertaion in the last nine days and detained 107 people and found significant amounts of drugs.

-IMF DELEGATION HAS MEETINGS AT TREASURY AND CENTRAL BANK

ANKARA- The IMF delegation headed by Turkey Desk Chief Juha Kahkonen had a series of contacts at the Treasury Undersecretariat and Central Bank on Saturday.

IMF experts who came to the Treasury Undersecretariat in the morning stayed there until 2 p.m. Later they went to the Central Bank.

Kahkonen is expected to meet with State Minister Kemal Dervis tomorrow.

-A.A PRESENTED THREE AWARDS BY

FIRAT BASIN JOURNALISTS ASSOCIATION

ELAZIG- Firat Basin Journalists Associaton presented three awards to A.A at the 2000 Most Succesful Journalists competition on Saturday. Domestic News Director Tuncay Yildirim took the award on behalf of A.A General Director Mehmet Guler.

Guler was given the award for opening a branch of the A.A in Elazig. Yildirim was given another award for his contributions to the Turkish press.

The association also awarded A.A correspondent Fikriye Susam as well as 15 journalists who work at local TV channels and newspapers.

Elazig Govenor Osman Aydin was among the guests at the ceremony.

-GAP'S NEW FACE

SANLIURFA - The gross production value per 30,000 hectars increased from 32 million U.S. dollars to 65.4 million U.S. dollars in the valleys where irrigation started in the South East Anatolia Project (GAP), it was reported on Saturday.

The region which suffered from draught for many years left those years behind after Turkey's biggest regional development project GAP gave life to the South East.

The world's longest tunnels are carrying the waters of Firat river to Sanliurfa, Harran and Akcakale valleys through Ataturk Dam.

Officials said the project changed the social and economic situation of the people lliving in the South East Anatolia since they could grow more products on an irrigated land. The same sources said there were also significant improvements in industry, trade, construction, transportation, education, health and tourism fields and that this was a great step to solve the unemployment problem.

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