Anadolu Agency: News in English, 01-09-08

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ANADOLU AGENCY

NEWS

08 SEPTEMBER 2001 Saturday

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) will announce its decision about applications of nearly 500 officers who were expelled from the Turkish Armed Forces due to their fundamentalist activities. The ECHR is expected to decide not to debate the applications with the pretext that there was not any noteworthy claim. The decision of the ECHR which approved closure of the Welfare Party by the Constitutional Court, will be another blow to the fundamentalism.

IS BANKASI DENOUNCES UZAN HOLDING TO DGM

Executive Board of Is Bankasi denounced Uzan Holding to the State Security Court (DGM). Is Bankasi accused Uzan Holding's Star Newspaper of forming an organization to commit crimes.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

International Monetary Fund (IMF) Foreign Relations Director Tom Dowson said that things were going well in Turkey and the economic program was being implemented with success. Speaking at a press conference at the IMF's headquarters in Washington, D.C., Dowson drew attention to a number of encouraging developments in the Turkish economy and said that he had all the reasons to believe that Turkey would overcome its financial troubles.

BANKS UNION PREPARES REPORT ON BANKING SYSTEM

The ''Turkish Banking System June 2001'' report which was prepared by the Turkish Banks Union (TBB) was announced. According to the report, the total assets in the Turkish banking system increased by 75 percent as of the end of June 2001 compared to the same period last year and by 46 percent compared to the beginning of the year and reached 151,9 quadrillion liras. The total assets in U.S. dollar-basis increased by 14 percent as of the end of June 2001 compared to the same period last year and decreased by 22 percent when compared to the beginning of the year and have been 121,3 billion U.S. dollars.

SABAH (LIBERAL)

The General Staff submitted a report to Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit . In the report, the General Staff stressed that it did not object to expansion of freedoms and democratization, and added, ''but democratic and secular Republic of Turkey should be protected.''

LIST ON SALE OF STATE LANDS SUBMITTED TO PRESIDENT

The list prepared by Treasury Immovable Properties' Sales Coordination Council which was earlier submitted to the cabinet, was approved and submitted to the Presidential Office. The list is about the sale of 125 state lands in four provinces of Ankara, Istanbul, Izmir and Antalya.

IFC GIVES A LOAN OF 35 MILLION U.S. DOLLAR TO SISECAM

World Bank's branch International Finance Council (IFC) and Sisecam Group, a partnership of Turkiye Is Bankasi, signed a loan agreement of 35 million U.S. dollars. Turkiye Is Bankasi Director General and Sisecam Executive Board Chairman Ersin Ozince said that Sisecam, one of Turkey's first industrial investments, had been cooperating with IFC for 25 years. He said that during this time, Sisecam received loans from the IFC totalling up to hundreds of millions of dollars and realized several investments by the IFC's help.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

Ankara State Security Court (DGM) Prosecutor Hamza Keles requested the court to sentence nine suspects of the case on ''Umut'' (Hope) operation which was launched to find murderers of journalist-writer Ugur Mumcu, and later covered 22 incidents, including assasinations of Prof. Dr. Ahmet Taner Kislali, Prof. Muammer Aksoy and Dr. Bahriye Ucok, to be sentenced to capital punishment. Keles said that the actions were staged by members of the Jerusalem Warriors organization with the aim of founding an Islamic state by destroying the secular order.

DEATH-FASTING KAVAK DIES

As 324 days have passed since the beginning of death fasts aiming at protesting F-type prisons, Gulay Kavak died. Number of people who died in death fasts, increased to 33.

CHINA AGREES TO GIVE TURKEY LETTER OF ASSURANCE

The People's Republic of China accepted Turkey's request for a letter of assurance of one billion U.S. dollars that would cover two years after the signing of the agreement. The negotiations between the Turkish technical delegation and Chinese Transportation Ministry delegation continued about passage of Varyag platform through the Straits. At the end of the negotiations, the Chinese side agreed to give Turkey a letter of assurance for the passage of the Varyag from the Turkish Straits for one billion U.S. dollars.

RADIKAL (LEFT)

Turkish national basketball team will take on Germany at 07:00 p.m. in the 32nd European Men's Basketball Championship semi-final. Turkey qualified to semi-final by beating Croatia, one of the most powerful basketball teams of Europe.

AMBASSADORS OF EU COUNTRIES MEET WITH DERVIS AND ARSEVEN

Ambassadors of member countries to the European Union (EU) met with State Minister Kemal Dervis for Economy, and State Minister Nejat Arseven. Dervis informed the ambassadors on implementation of the economic program. Meanwhile, Arseven gave information to the ambassadors about constitutional amendment package.

TURKIYE (RIGHT)

Parliament Speaker Omer Izgi called on the parliament to an extraordinary meeting on September 17 to discuss a bill regarded with amending some articles of the Constitution.

SP PRESENTS CENSURE MOTION AGAINST GOVERNMENT

Felicity Party (SP) Deputy Chairman Veysel Candan announced that his party presented a censure motion against the government which they hold responsible for the poor economic situation of Turkey. Speaking at a press conference at the parliament, Candan claimed that the Turkish economy was going through the worst period of its history. ''A series of wrong decisions taken by the government created uncertainity and inconfidence in markets,'' he said. ''Especially in financial markets, foreign currency and interest speculators benefited from the crisis while people became poorer. This government's poor administration brought the country to the brink of a social explosion. The 57th government ruled by Bulent Ecevit is responsible for the economic crisis,'' he added.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

Mahmut Ceylan, the forwer owner of Bank Kapital which was transferred to the Savings Deposit Insurance Fund (SDIF), was put into Istanbul's Kartal Prison. Ali Tayfun Kabalak, the former Director General of the Bank Kapital, and Mehmet Esref Tastok, the former member of Bank Kapital Executive Board, were also arrested.

CONTENTS

[01] FOREIGN MINISTER CEM LEAVES FOR BRUSSELS

[02] FORMER PRESIDENT DEMIREL LEAVES FOR GEORGIA

[03] TISK SAYS HIGHEST INDUSTRIAL ELECTRICITY PRICE IS IN TURKEY

[04] PRESIDENT SEZER CALLS ON CITIZENS TO SUPPORT EDUCATION CAMPAIGN

[05] GAP REGION EXPORTS 247.8 MILLION U.S. DOLLARS OF TEXTILES

[06] TURKEY WELCOMES MACEDONIAN PARLIAMENT'S

[07] FUTHER STEP TAKEN IN A-400 M PROJECT

[08] SEVEN-MONTH INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION DECREASES 6.9 PERCENT

[09] FOREIGN MINISTER CEM ARRIVES IN BRUSSELS

[10] SPORTS - 14TH MEDITERRANEAN GAMES

[11] FRENCH TV CHANNELS TO PROMOTE TURKEY'S TOURISTIC AND CULTURAL ASSETS

[12] EU TO DISCUSS TURKEY ON SUNDAY

[13] 27TH BALKAN ROWING CHAMPIONHIPS START IN GOLDEN HORN

[14] ISTANBUL DGM GIVES ADDITIONAL DETENTION PERIOD FOR YERMEZ

[01] FOREIGN MINISTER CEM LEAVES FOR BRUSSELS

The meeting will be held with initiative of Belgium, the Term President of the EU.

Meanwhile, Foreign Affairs Ministry Spokesman Huseyin Dirioz told the A.A correspondent at Istanbul's Ataturk Airport that the meeting would focus on the issue of the EU's future.

Dirioz said that Cem would deliver a speech at the meeting in which he would explain Turkey's opinions and contributions to the EU's future.

He added that Cem would also hold a series of bilateral contacts with foreign ministers of member and candidate countries to the EU.

[02] FORMER PRESIDENT DEMIREL LEAVES FOR GEORGIA

Responding to questions of journalists at Ankara's Esenboga Airport prior to his departure, Demirel said that he would attend foundation-laying ceremony of Great Silk Road International Transportation Corridor.

He added that he would return to Turkey later in the day after holding talks with Shevardnadze and Abashidze.

[03] TISK SAYS HIGHEST INDUSTRIAL ELECTRICITY PRICE IS IN TURKEY

Releasing a statement, Pirler said that according to latest OECD energy statistics, industrialists in Turkey were paying 0.187 U.S. dollar for 1 kwh of electricity while industrialists in Switzerland were paying 0.027 U.S. dollar for 1 kwh electricity.

Stressing that the average price for industrial electricity in 24 OECD countries was about one-third of the price in Turkey, Pirler said, ''in another word, Turkish industrialists were made two times disadvantageous in exports and competition by our state.''

[04] PRESIDENT SEZER CALLS ON CITIZENS TO SUPPORT EDUCATION CAMPAIGN

President Sezer released a message to mark beginning of educational activities on the World Reading and Writing Day within framework of the National Education Campaign.

In his message, President Sezer said, ''great changes have been taking place in every field, and industrial society has turned into a society of information in the 21st century. Therefore, information is of vital importance. Information became the main element of development. As a natural result of this process, all countries should review their education system.''

Pointing out that a peaceful world could be created only with modern education, Sezer said that lack of education was the real reason for many negativities in the world.

''We should not refrain from undertaking responsibilities for the future of both our country and nation, and do our utmost to carry our country to a better future. Our country will overcome the problems in education with its rich potential and qualified manpower,'' he stressed.

President Sezer called on public institutions, local administrations, non- governmental organizations, private institutions and citizens to support the National Education Campaign which was started throughout Turkey on May 19, 2001 to spread opportunities of education.

[05] GAP REGION EXPORTS 247.8 MILLION U.S. DOLLARS OF TEXTILES

In the same period last year, the region had exported 204 million 342 thousand U.S. dollars of textiles.

Officials at the Southeast Anatolian Exporters' Associations told the A.A correspondent on Saturday that they exported 115 million 634 thousand U.S. dollars in thread; 119 million 164 thousand U.S. dollars in woven products; and 13 million 29 thousand U.S. dollars in various textiles.

Most of the products were exported to Syria, Saudi Arabia, France, the U.S., Italy, Lebanon, Spain, Britain, Germany, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Iraq, Uzbekistan, Romania, Belgium, Portugal, Bulgaria, Greece, Algeria and Russia.

[06] TURKEY WELCOMES MACEDONIAN PARLIAMENT'S

Releasing a statement, the Foreign Ministry said on Saturday, ''the frame agreement signed on August 13, 2001 at the end of the dialogue process in Macedonia, includes some constitutional amendments. Macedonian parliament held a vote on September 6, 2001, to approve these amendments. Turkey welcomed positive results of the vote at the Macedonian parliament about constitutional amendments envisaged in the frame agreement.''

The statement noted that the vote would be helpful to NATO's weapons collection mission, and creation of a multi-ethnic democratic society and an atmosphere of confidence in Macedonia.

''Turkey believes that finalization of disarmament and approval of constitutional amendments envisaged in the frame agreement would play an important role in settlement of lasting peace and stability both in Macedonia and in the region. Turkey will continue to extend support to the dialogue process and reform works in Macedonia,'' the statement added.

[07] FUTHER STEP TAKEN IN A-400 M PROJECT

The project will lead the way to the Turkish industry to take part in other international projects.

The project, which is expected to support Turkey in terms of technological know-how, added value, employment and export potential, is predicted to be a milestone in the duration of Turkey's acceptance in the European Union (EU) as well as integration of the Turkish industry to the European aerospace industry.

In the A-400 M Project, which is led with partnership of seven European nations; with the joint declaration of the related defense ministers at the Farnborough 2000 Aviation Exhibition, not only another important milestone has been noted but a further step has also been taken on the way to the final contract with this support.

Another important step will be taken by granting the Organization for Joint Cooperation in Armaments (OCCAR) the contract signing and project implementation authority through a Program Board Decision (PBD) that will be signed among the participating nations in October within framework of the scheduled program.

The agreement will enter into force after the signatures of Italy and Portugal. Following the PBD's signature, international contract is foreseen to be signed by OCCAR and the Airbus Military Company (AMC) on behalf of the participating nations and the first delivery is scheduled to be realized in 2007.

Pariticipating nations and their number aircraft requirements as of July 25, 2001 are as follows:

''Germany: 73, France 50, Spain: 27, Britain: 25, Italy: 16, Turkey: 10, Belgium: 8 and Portugal: 3.''

According to the current number of planes, Turkey's participation share is 4.7 percent and TAI has a workshare of 5.7 percent.

Meanwhile, talks between TEI and A-400 M engine consortium on partnership condition are under way.

[08] SEVEN-MONTH INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION DECREASES 6.9 PERCENT

The State Institute of Statistics (DIE) announced on Saturday that industrial production decreased 11.2 percent in July of 2001, over to the same month of the previous year.

DIE declared that manufacturing industry production decreased by 12.8 percent, mining industry production decreased by 0.1 percent, electricity, gas and water production decreased by 2.4 percent, in July of 2001, over to the same period of the previous year.

DIE said that total industrial production decreased by 6.9 percent and mining industry decreased by 1.8 percent and manufacturing industry decreased by 7.7 percent, and electricity, gas and water industry decreased by 2.3 percent in seven months of 2001, over to the same period of the previous year.

[09] FOREIGN MINISTER CEM ARRIVES IN BRUSSELS

After holding a working meeting the same day with Turkey's Permanent Representative to the European Union (EU) Nihat Akyol, Cem will attend unofficial meeting of foreign ministers of EU member and candidate countries.

Cem will meet with EU's Foreign and Security Policy Chief Javier Solana and EU Commissioner for enlargement Guenter Verheugen on Monday.

Cem is expected to return to Turkey on Tuesday.

[10] SPORTS - 14TH MEDITERRANEAN GAMES

Alpak lifted 185 kg in snatch, and came on the first place while Hany of Egypt came on the second place, and Tokotou of France came on the third place.

In clean and jerk, Alpak lifted 225 kg and won his second gold medal. Hany of Egypt was ranked second, and Tokotou of France was ranked third in the same category.

A total of 8 sportsmen and 7 sportswomen represented Turkey in the weight- lifting.

Turkey won 13 gold, 4 silver and 2 bronze medal in the weight-lifting.

[11] FRENCH TV CHANNELS TO PROMOTE TURKEY'S TOURISTIC AND CULTURAL ASSETS

French television channel France-3 will start new broadcast period in September with a documentary promoting Turkey.

The documentary titled ''Des Racines et des Ailes'' promotes Bogazici, historical mansions in Istanbul, Cappadocia region, Dolmabahce Palace, and Mevlana Jalal ud-din Rumi and Mevlevi order of whirling dervishes.

The documentary shot by the France-3 Channel, will be broadcast by TV-5 on September 12, and by France-3 on September 15.

The two-and-half-hour documentary is comprised of four episodes.

[12] EU TO DISCUSS TURKEY ON SUNDAY

At the first session of the meeting, issues such as Middle East peace process, Libya and demonstrations against globalization will be taken up.

EU foreign ministers will discuss future of Europe, relations with Ukraine and Russia, and latest developments in Indonesia.

Cyprus question, the European Security and Defense Identity (ESDI) and Turkey's membership to the EU will be taken up on Sunday.

EU foreign ministers will come together with foreign ministers of the candidate countries including Ismail Cem the same day.

Cem is expected to inform EU foreign ministers on the constitutional amendment package and to respond questions of Cyprus during tomorrow's session.

Cem will reiterate Turkey's objections toward the issue of ESDI.

He will hold a series of bilateral contacts with EU representatives on Monday.

[13] 27TH BALKAN ROWING CHAMPIONHIPS START IN GOLDEN HORN

State Minister Fikret Unlu for Sports and Yugoslavian Sports Minister Vojislav Andric watched the first-day events.

Rowers from Turkey, Greece, Bulgaria, Macedonia, Romania and Yugoslavia are attending the championships that will end on Sunday.

[14] ISTANBUL DGM GIVES ADDITIONAL DETENTION PERIOD FOR YERMEZ

Interrogation of Yermez who was captured in central province of Kayseri on September 4 and brought back to Istanbul for further questioning, is under way at the Provincial Directorate of Security.

Security forces applied to the Istanbul DGM, and requested additional detention period for Yermez.

Istanbul DGM accepted the application, and extended detention period of Yermez for three days.

Yermez is expected to be transferred to Istanbul DGM Chief Prosecutor's Office till September 11.

Garih was stabbed to death in a cemetery in Eyup district of Istanbul on August 25.

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