Anadolu Agency: News in English, 00-03-17

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[01] AA News

17 March 2000 Friday

[02] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

ARMED ATTACK ON A POLICE VEHICLE
Unidentified assailants staged an armed attack on a police vehicle in Kartal district of Istanbul. Mustafa Yazici, policeman, was injured when the assailants opened fire on the vehicle which was patrolling around the district. He was taken to a nearby hospital for medical treatment. Security forces launched an operation, and detained two people. A full investigation into the attack is underway.

MARGARITA PAPANDREOU DUE IN TURKEY
Margarita Papandreou, the mother of George Papandreou, the Greek Foreign Minister, will come to Turkey to attend the Third Flying Broom

Women Films Festival between May 4-11. Nane Annan, the wife of Kofi Annan, the Secretary General of the United Nations, sent a message of congratulation.

STATE MINISTER GAYDALI IN MECCA
Edip Safter Gaydali, the State Minister, went to Mecca, the Saudi Arabia, to attend the funeral of Nizamettin Sevgili, a deputy of the Motherland Party (ANAP) from southeastern Siirt province, who passed away on Wednesday of a heart attack. Sevgili will be laid to rest in Cennet-ul Mualla later on Friday.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

Gurtuna thanked all countries that launched initiatives to assist Turkey following the earthquake disaster. Meanwhile, Avramopulos thanked Turkey for its assistance in the quake disaster which hit Greece last year.

QUAKES SHAKE MARMARA REGION
Three earthquakes measuring 3.3, 2.7 and 2.6, were recorded in the Marmara Sea between 01:50 a.m. and 03:53 a.m. Prof. Dr. Naci Gorur, the Dean of the University of Istanbul Faculty of Mining, said that there was an activity in the Marmara Sea. Noting that they expected a massive quake to occur in the region, Prof. Dr. Gorur said that they warned residents living in the region.

SABAH (LIBERAL)

NEW YORK TO HOST LIVANELI AND FARANDOURI
New York will host a friendship concert of Turkish and Greek singers. Zulfu Livaneli and Maria Farandouri will sing ''Peace Songs'' at the concert. Earlier, Livaneli and Farandouri gave a concert in Greek capital of Athens.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

NATIONAL EDUCATION MINISTER BOSTANCIOGLU LEAVES FOR PORTUGAL
Metin Bostancioglu, the National Education Minister, left on Thursday for Portugal. Bostancioglu will attend the European Union (EU) Education Ministers Conference in Lisbon between March 17-18. He is expected to return to Turkey on Sunday.

NUMBER OF TURKISH HADJIS WHO DIED IN MECCA, INCREASES TO 23
Number of Turkish hadjis who lost their lives in Mecca, the Saudi Arabia, increased to 23. Four people including Nizamettin Sevgili, the Siirt Deputy of Motherland Party (ANAP), died due to hearth failure.

RADIKAL (LEFT)

PERMISSION TO NEWROZ IN DIYARBAKIR
While the applications of political parties for a permission to celebrate the coming Newroz in some provinces were rejected, Ali Urkut, the Chairman of the People's Democracy Party (HADEP) Provincial Headquarters in southeastern Diyarbakir province, said that they received positive response to their application from the governor's office to celebrate the Newroz on March 21.

YENIBINYIL (LIBERAL)

TWO BILLION U.S. DOLLARS AGRICULTURAL STAKE FROM EU
As the concessions extended to the EU for agricultural products were not fulfilled, Turkey will be obliged to stake two billion U.S. dollars on its exports. As the tariff quotas within the framework of agriculture agreement were not extended, the EU is preparing itself to lift all concessions for the Turkish agricultural goods. Stressing that the tarfii quotas especially for meat and sugar had not been extended since the beginning of the agreement, the EU side recalled that the tariff quotas for Turkish-made tomato-paste and water melon were suspended. If the EU suspends all concessions for the Turkish agricultural products, the annual two billion U.S. dollars exportation to the EU will be risked, and the Turkish agricultural products will be exposed to 15-20 percent taxation.

TURKIYE (RIGHT)

GUL: ''FP ACQUIRES FRESHNESS''
Abdullah Gul, who is running for leadership in the Virtue Party (FP), said reform and freshness were inevitable, and this was necessary also for the FP. Abdullah Gul said the definition of concepts would be changed in the FP that was led by him.

DOUBLE FEASTS
Galatasaray thrashed Spain's Real Mallorca 4-1 in front of a stunned home crowd on the Spanish island yesterday, virtually guaranteeing a place in the UEFA Cup semifinals and giving it as a gift to the Turkish people who are celebrating the religious holiday Eid Al-Adha. This result became the cause of public demonstrations throughout the country. After a neat exchange of passes, Arif Erdem lobbed Mallorca keeper Leo Franco from the edge of the box after 44 minutes. Galatasary made it 2-0 shortly after the re-start when Emre Belozoglu skilfully controlled a high ball and, with the Mallorca defence watching, turned and sent a perfect chip over Franco who was only slightly off his line. Driven on by their vociferous supporters, Galatasaray extended their lead after 58 minutes when Mallorca's defence failed to cut out a long ball and Hakan Sukur ran on to score. Mallorca looked shattered as Okan Buruk rounded Franco to make it four after a neat pass from Erdem seven minutes later.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

EXPORTS TO THE U.S. INCREASES
The exports to the United States from Turkey increased 90 million U.S. dollars to 456 million U.S. dollars while exports to India decreased 30 million U.S. dollars to 10 million U.S. dollars in first two months of 2000. According to statistics of the Exporters' Unions, the total exports to the U.S. in the first two months of 1999 was 366 million U.S. dollars.

ATATURK DAM PRODUCES 2.3 BILLION KWH ENERGY
The Ataturk Dam and Hydroelectric Power Plant (HPP) have produced more than 2.3 billion kwh energy in the first 70 days of 2000. The Ataturk Dam and HPP, the key facilities of the giant development project Southeastern Anatolia Project (GAP), supply 12 percent of energy production in Turkey. Nevzat Erdem, the Director of Turkish Electricity Production Corp's (TEAS) Ataturk Dam and HPP, told that two billion kwh energy was produced in January and February, and 300 million kwh energy was produced in first ten days of March at the Dam and HPP.

[03] AFTERSHOCKS CONTINUE TO SHAKE MARMARA REGION

Officials at the Bogazici University Kandilli Observatory Seismology Institute told the A.A correspondent that three aftershocks measuring 2.7 and 2.6 on the Richter scale were recorded in Golyaka township of Duzce province and Cinarcik township of Yalova province between 00:01 a.m. and 06:45 a.m. on Friday.

[04] ARMED ATTACK ON A POLICE VEHICLE

Mustafa Yazici, policeman, was injured when the assailants opened fire on the vehicle which was patrolling around the district.

He was taken to a nearby hospital for medical treatment.

Security forces launched an operation, and detained two people.

A full investigation into the attack is underway.

[05] SOCCER-UEFA CUP QUARTER FINAL FIRST LEG - GALATASARAY BEATS AWAY REAL MALLORCA 4-1

Teams:

Real Mallorca: 25-Leo Franco; 14-Javier Olaizola (2-Armando Alvarez 50), 6- Gustavo Siviero, 20-Miguel Angel Nadal, 3-Miquel Soler (10-Ariel Ibagaza 50); 12-Lauren Bisan, 23-Vicente Engonga, 15-Francisco Soler, 11-Jovan Stankovic; 8-Carlos Dominguez, 19-Diego Tristan

Galatasaray: 1-Claudio Taffarel; 22-Umit Davala, 35-Capone, 3-Bulent Korkmaz, 67-Ergun Pembe; 7-Okan Buruk (16-Ahmet Yildirim 88), 10-Gheorghe Hagi (23-Hasan Sas 80), 8-Suat Kaya, 5-Emre Belozoglu; 6-Arif Erdem, 9- Hakan Sukur (36-Marcio Santos 85)

Referee: Dick Jol (Netherlands)

Linesmen: Jaap Paul (Netherlands) Eugine Thelem (Netherlands)

Scorers:

Real Mallorca - Lauren Bisan 78

Galatasaray - Arif Erdem 44, Emre Belozoglu 48, Hakan Sukur 58, Okan Buruk 65

Halftime: 0-1; Attendance: 20,000

Stadium: San Moix

Yellow Card: Arif Erdem, Suat Kaya (Galatasaray)

Speaking to reporters after the match, Galatasaray Coach Fatih Terim said, ''it's an excellent result, of course. But I would never say a tie is settled until after 180 minutes. We played intelligent football tonight. We knew just how to stop Mallorca, above all at the start of the game.''

''I'm proud of my players because from the first minute to the last they played a great game. We want to play the final in the UEFA Cup. With this objective, we will continue to take the next matches seriously,'' he said.

''We knew that Real Mallorca plays aggressive football so we took the measures. Actually, I didn't expect such a result. We could play defensively after we scored two goals but we risked the game and we scored two more goals. After four to nil, I thought we could score more goals. I expect my players to score goal at any time,'' he said.

Stressing that he felt the honor of beating a Spanish soccer team for the first time in Spain, Terim said, ''there has not been any other team that beat Real Mallorca with such a result in San Moix.''

Results of other quarter-final first legs:

Arsenal (Britain)-SV Werder Bremen (Germany) (2-0)

Leeds United (Britain)-SK Slavia Prague (Czech Republic) (3-0)

Celta De Vigo (Spain)-Racing Club Lens (France) (0-0)

The second legs will be played on March 23.

[06] MAYORS OF WORLD METROPOLISES CONVENE IN PARIS

Ali Mufit Gurtuna, the Mayor of Istanbul, said on Thursday, ''Istanbul will be one of the culture, tourism and finance centers of Europe after Turkey is granted full membership to the European Union (EU).''

Addressing a session on ''Problems of Metropolises'', Gurtuna stressed, ''we are ready to contribute to protect benefits of Istanbul and Istambulis concerning the investments of multi-national companies and foreign capital.''

''Two thirds of the world population will live in cities in the 21st century. Therefore, urban management will gain great importance in coming years,'' Gurtuna noted.

He added, ''Istanbul is a world city with its population more than 10 million, its historical and cultural assets and its tourism and trade potential. Istanbul which connects the East to the West, is a strategical center among the Balkans, Caucasus and the Middle East. It is also a unique model where different cultures, and religious beliefs are intermingled.''

Two-day meeting is expected to focus on measures to increase living standards in metropolises.

[07] VERHAUGEN'S VISIT TO CYPRUS POSTPONED

Ugur Karagozlu, the Executive Secretary of the Turkish Republic of Norther Cyprus (TRNC) Presidency, told the A.A correspondent on Friday that Verhaugen was expected to arrive in the island on March 23.

Verhaugean will hold talks with the Turkish Cypriot and the Greek Cypriot officials.

[08] IZNIK TO HOST A CHRISTMAS CEREMONY WITH PARTICIPATION OF 15 ORTHODOX LEADERS

Restoration and promotion works have been accelerated in Iznik which is rich of historical works belonged to the Roman, Byzantine, Seljukian and Ottoman periods.

Iznik Municipality is planning to put into practice six projects which will cost nearly 100 billion Turkish Liras.

Zeynel Abidin Turan, the Mayor of Iznik, told A.A correspondent on

Friday that they had launched initiatives to introduce historical and touristic assets of Iznik to the world.

Turan said, ''we have decided to make Iznik a member of the Religious Belief Tourism Municipalities' Union. Bartholomew I, the Fener-Greek Orthodox Patriarch, visited Iznik stand in the EMITT 2000 Tourism Fair which was organized in Istanbul between February 17-20. He pledged us to fully support our initiatives.''

Pointing out that Iznik would host a historical summit at the end of this year, Turan said that 15 Orthodox leaders would come together in Iznik for a Christmas Ceremony on December 26, 2000.

Iznik where the first and seventh councils convened, was announced as ''Holy City'' by the Christian world in 1970s.

[09] SIX MILLION U.S. DOLLARS OF AGRICULTURAL AND ANIMAL PRODUCTS EXPORTED TO TURKISH REPUBLICS FROM GAP REGION

In the same period last year, the region exported 6 million 660 thousand U.S. dollars of agricultural and animal products to the Turkish Republics.

Officials at the Southeastern Anatolia Exporters' Union, told the A.A correspondent on Friday that in the first two months of the year, they exported 3 million 875 thousand U.S. dollars in textiles; 2 million 168 thousand U.S. dollars in grain-cereals; and 10 thousand U.S. dollars in dried fruits.

The Turkish goods in greatest demand are carpet, plastic sack, flour, margarine, candy and biscuit.

The region realized 1 million 534 thousand U.S. dollars in exports to Azerbaijan; 1 million 467 thousand U.S. dollars in exports to Kazakhstan; and 1 million 241 thousand U.S. dollars in exports to Uzbekistan.

[10] TRNC PRESIDENT DENKTAS ADDRESSES TO A.A: - ''IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO ACCEPT TRANSLATION INTO TURKISH BY GREEK CYPRIOTS''

Speaking to the A.A correspondent, Denktas said they launched initiatives in the EU and raised an objection against the subsidy, stressing, ''as the regulations document is going to be translated into Turkish language, the place of this must be either the TRNC or Turkey.''

Emphasizing that it was impossible for them to accept a translation made in the Greek Cypriot side, Denktas said this would mean that they would be obliged to review the whole translation line by line.

Denktas stated that they raised an objection when the decision in question was taken by the EU.

Noting that it was understood that the decision was taken with the aim of ''informing the Turkish Cypriots'', Denktas said, ''this is still an initiative which foresees us to support Greek Cypriots' application for EU membership. However, we are launching efforts to set up direct contact with the EU.''

Stressing that they did not need such an information, Denktas said they announced their objection in the EU headquarters.

Recalling that the EU decision about Greek Cypriots' application stated that the only responsible side concerning the membership negotiations was the ''legal Cyprus government'', Denktas said, ''it was stated that this 'government' would launch an initiative to inform the Turkish Cypriots, which it introduced as the minority, on the benefits of the EU membership. We harshly reacted to this. We asked EU to correct this decision.''

Denktas said that the decision in question was not corrected but on the contrary, unacceptable initiatives to ''inform'' the Turkish Cypriots continued by making the Greek Cypriots translate the documents into Turkish language within the framework of the decision in question.

TRNC President Denktas said they set up contact with the EU officials after acceptance of Turkey's EU candidacy.

''We insisted on the fact that the EU must set up direct contact with the TRNC authorities to settle political and economic equality on Cyprus. We explained and continue to explain that the application of Greek Cypriots side does not concern us, and this application is used as an element for illegal and political purposes to usurp our rights,'' he said.

Recalling that he met with Guenter Verhaugen, EU Commissioner for enlargement, and Undersecretary Ergun Olgun in Brussels, Denktas said he would meet again Verhaugen who would pay a visit to the island in near future.

Noting that they would once again explain the realities to Verhaugen, Denktas said acceptance of Greek Cypriots' application on behalf of whole Cyprus stemmed from pressure and blackmails of Greece.

Pointing out that EU membership issue was tried to be taken up while the priority should be given to the solution of Cyprus issue, Denktas said that this confused the Cyprus issue, and constituted a pretext which encouraged the Greek Cypriots who did not want a solution.

''We hope that our good will, determination in solution of Cyprus issue and reasons for the priority we give to solution of the Cyprus issue will be perceived and understood well,'' he added.

[11] ORUC REIS FRIGATE IN MALLORCA

Together with Oruc Reis frigate, the units of the U.S., Greece, Italy, Spain, Germany, the Netherlands and Britain assigned in the Stanavformed also casted anchor in the Palma port.

The Stanavformed units headed by Vice Admiral Feyyaz Ogutcu of Turkey will stay in Palma until March 20.

Staging a press conference in the Oruc Reis firgate, Vice Admiral Ogutcu said the multi-national Stanavformed was established in 1992 to meet the requirements of the geopolitical situation following the Cold War.

Ogutcu said that the Stanavformed carried out mission in Adriatic Sea in 1996 within the framework of activities to supervise the international embargo on Yugoslavia.

Vice Admiral Ogutcu said the ships would be open to public visits in Palma, adding that they would later visit Tunisia and Egypt.

[12] PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION IN TRNC - DENKTAS: ''IT IS MY RIGHT TO WIN THE ELECTION IN FIRST ROUND''

Speaking to the A.A correspondent, Denktas said 65 percent of the Turkish Cypriots voted for him five years ago.

Denktas said the TRNC people wanted the solution of the issue through negotiations without any concession from basic freedoms and rights, principles of state, sovereignty and Turkey's guarantorship.

Stressing that he had fulfilled his mission successfully, Denktas said he always protected rights of the TRNC nation and Turkey's rights and authority over Cyprus.

The TRNC President stressed that they settled the Cyprus issue on a more concrete basis during a new period when Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit took part in last three governments of Turkey.

Denktas said that they were sincerely seeking ways for compromise in negotiations which the Greek Cypriots continued for tactical purposes, and that they put forward the confederation proposal with the support of Turkey.

''This approach has been accepted as an indicator of our peaceful intention and it receives international support. Thus I have fulfilled my mission in last five years. However, the mission has not been completed yet. The talks will continue on May 23,'' he said.

''I think it is my right to win the presidential election in first round. I rely on my people's common sense and faithfulness,'' he added.

[13] TAMER, DEPUTY GOVERNOR OF IZMIR: - ''WE EXPECT FIVE MILLION TOURISTS TO VISIT IZMIR THIS YEAR''

Tamer told the A.A correspondent, ''a total of 4,511 tourists visited Izmir in January, 1999. In the first month of this year, 9,500 foreign tourists came to Izmir. Many travel agencies arranged tours in Izmir in February. But figures of February have not became certain yet. About 4.5 million foreign tourists spent their holidays in Izmir in 1998. Number of tourists decreased to 3.5 million in 1999. Having regard to data of the first two months of 2000, we expect nearly 5 million foreign tourists to visit Izmir in their holiday.''

Noting that number of tourists coming to Turkey within framework of the religious belief tourism increased, Tamer said, ''we have taken any measures to make our guests satisfy with their holiday in Izmir. Especially Protestant tourists prefer Izmir to visit seven churches which are considered as the most important religious centers in the Christian world.''

''We have launched initiatives to promote Izmir's natural, historical and religious assets to the world. A number of foreign tourists visited Izmir in the first two months of this year within framework of celebrations to mark the 2000th anniversary of Jesus Christ's birth. Crowded groups from Greece, Germany, Sweden and Israel came to Selcuk and Bergama townships of Izmir,'' he added.

[14] JUSTICE MINISTER TURK: - ''OCALAN, HEAD OF TERRORIST ORGANIZATION PKK HAS A RADIO. HE READS NEWSPAPERS EVERY DAY''

Exchanging greetings with residents in Salpazari township of Trabzon province in the Black Sea Region, Turk noted, ''today, punishment aims at not exterminating criminals, but training them to be useful for the society in future. Capital punishment was annuled in Europe. There is death sentence only in Turkey. He have set up a commission to scrutinize the Turkish Penal Code (TCK). Turkey has not been carrying out any capital punishment since 1984. A total of 57 people have been sentenced to capital punishment since 1991. Abdullah Ocalan who headed the most cruel separatist movement, is among them.''

Stressing that transfer of Ocalan from Imrali Island to another prison was not an easy issue, Turk noted, ''you are aware of the difficulties we encounter in prisons. We have to secure Ocalan's life till his punishment is executed. He does not live in luxury as it is assumed. Those who have been imprisoned in other prisons can watch television and they have several opportunities. But Ocalan has a radio and he reads newspapers every day. We is awaiting the day when the final decision about him will be taken.''

Recalling that Turkey was waiting for the European Court of Human Rights' (ECHR) decision about Ocalan, Turk said, ''the important thing is Turkey's interests. You can exterminate a person. This can be made in one second. The important thing is Turkey's earnings. Turkey's interests are important than everything. Turkey lost its thirty thousand people including five thousand soldiers due to PKK's separatist terrorist movement. Thus we must not allow any more deaths. This is the important thing.''

Noting that the Parliament would take the decision about the Ocalan issue, Turk said, ''while taking the decision, Turkey's high interests will be taken into consideration by the Parliament. It is very easy to exterminate a person but life imprisonment is a very heavy sentence and punishment. So you have to be sure that the decision will be appropriate to values of justice and it will not hurt people's feelings.''

''There are 561 prisons in Turkey. Our projects for modernization of these prisons are underway. Keeping convicts, detainees, women and children in separate places in prison is a principle. Actually, they have to be kept in separate prisons. However, we failed to put into practice this principle. We are planning to construct separate prisons for female and male prisoners. Also children convicts should be kept in separate prisons,'' he said.

Turk added that amnesty issue would absolutely be brought onto parliamentary agenda shırtly after religious holiday or presidential election.

[15] SALIHREIS FRIGATE ARRIVES IN BRITAIN

Salihreis Frigate will actively participate in naval trainings between March 20 and April 28.

Salihreis will exercise night and sea electronic, navigation, cruising, fire and land defense and air defense war, submarine defense war and war preparation trainings.

Salihreis is capable of acting independently against air, underwater and coast targets with its weapons, cencors and helicopters.

Salihreis's crew is composed of 22 officers, 104 non-commissioned officers and 68 soldiers.

[16] IRRIGATION OF HARRAN AND AKCAKALE PLAINS THROUGH T-1 STARTS

Sources said 40 cubic meters water per second flowed to the main canals through the 28-kilometer T-1 tunnel since 09:00 a.m. on Friday.

Erdogan Bagci, the General Director of the State Water Works (DSI) 15th Region, warned people saying, ''people living in villages near the irrigation fields and irrigation facilities should be careful and should not interfere with the canals.''

Sources said a total of 125 thousand hectares of arable land in those three plains would be irrigated this year.

[17] SEVGILI, SIIRT DEPUTY OF ANAP, LAID TO REST

Nearly 2 million people including Edip Safder Gaydali, the State Minister; Suayip Usenmez, the State Minister; Mehmet Nuri Yilmaz, the Head of Religious Affairs; and Dr. Tarik Habip Melik, the Undersecretary of Health Ministry of Saudi Arabia, were in attendance in the funeral.

Gaydali is expected to return to Turkey later today together with relatives of Sevgili.

[18] SIX MILD EARTHQUAKES SHAKE ERZURUM

Officials at the Ataturk University Seismology Institute told the A.A correspondent that six earthquakes which were centered on Tekman and Senkaya township of Erzurum province, were recorded between 02:54 a.m. and 02:15 p.m.

Quakes were also felt in neighbouring townships and villages.

No casualties and financial damages were reported in the quakes.

[19] STATE MINISTER YALOVA: ''WE ARE WORKING ON ORGANIZING 15 PERCENT PUBLIC OFFERING OF TUPRAS ON APRIL 9 OR 10 AT THE LATEST''

State Minister Yalova visited Motherland Party (ANAP) Izmir Headquarters.

Yalova said, ''privatization should be increased. Our target for next three years is to obtain 7.6 billion U.S. dollars income from privatization. We want to reach 3.1 billion U.S. dollars cash target by the end of the year.''

Noting that Petrol Ofisi tender which was broadcast by television channels was successfully carried out, Yalova said, ''our works on organization of 15 percent public offering of TUPRAS on April 9 or 10 at the latest are underway. We will obtain five billion U.S. dollars income from this privatization.''

''I examined the Kusadasi and Cesme ports. There is more than five trillion Turkish Liras capacity. We want to include the Adnan Menderes Airport, Dikili, Gulluk and Turkish State Railways ports into privatization portfolio,'' he said.

Yalova added that tenders for privatization of 59 of the 76 institutions were completed.

[20] SALONICA-EDIRNE TRAIN JOURNEYS TO START IN MAY

Cahit Soyler, the Deputy Director General of State Railways Enterprise (TCDD), and Suleyman Caner, the Executive Board member, met on Friday with Ludovikos Curtidis, the Director General of Greek State Railways (OSE).

Later, they were received by Gioannis Magriotis, the Greek Minister for Macedonia and Thrace.

At the meeting, Soyler and Caner stressed that Turkey aimed at starting train journeys between Salonica and Edirne, and ship journeys between Volos and Bandirma.

Meanwhile, Magriotis said in his part that developments in relations between Greece and Turkey following the European Union's Helsinki Summit in December, 1999, had contributed to further improvement of economic relations between the two countries.

A.A

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