Anadolu Agency: News in English, 01-03-26

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ANADOLU AGENCY

NEWS

26 MARCH

2001 Monday

-TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

These are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in Turkey's press on March 26, 2001. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

Mustafa Bayram, an independent deputy from eastern province of Van was captured red-handed while trying to sell two Picasso paintings who were brought to the country illegally. Bayram attacked the policemen and told him that ''you are policemen, and I am a deputy of this country.''

ATTACK ON IRANIAN EMBASSY

Ali Nikpayan, an Iranian young man poured oil at the main entrance gate of Iranian Embassy in Ankara yesterday before being detained by police. The attack sparked a small fire at the embassy gate that was quickly extinguished. The assailant who was taken into custody, said he wanted to protest the regime in Iran.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

Deputy Parliament Speaker Murat Sokmenoglu told Premier Bulent Ecevit and Deputy Premier Mesut Yılmaz who complained about the parliament's working slowly that ''you should come and attend the parliament sessions first. If you come, deputies will also come to the parliament and the parliament can work fast.'' Ecevit and Yılmaz decided to spend this week in the parliament. The target of the coalition leaders is to adopt the 15 laws wanted by State Minister Kemal Dervis to put into practice the new economic programme.

SCHRODER TO TAKE ACTION FOR TURKEY

Der Spiegel magazine said that German Chancellor Gerhard Schroder will ask the U.S. President George W. Bush for U.S. and Europe's support to Turkish public banks. The magazine said that ''the collapse of the Turkish economy can bring political chaos. This is also chaos for Europe. Schroder will launch efforts to get a credit of 30 billion U.S. dollars for Turkey.''

SABAH (LIBERAL)

Bill Gates, the owner of the Microsoft, who came together with the executives of Microsoft Turkey in Microsoft Executives' Summit held in Paris, said Turkey has a big potential. Turkey would become a very influental country soon if its' potential was combined with qualified employers, dynamism and creativity, added Gates.

TOBB TO DISCUSS HIGH INTEREST RATES WITH BANKS

The Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB), will meet with the members of the Banking Union on Monday. High interest rates of the banks will be taken up the meeting which will be held in Istanbul. TOBB and the bankers will try to find a solution to the high interest rates of the loans given to businessmen.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

Twelve people were taken into custody in Istanbul who tried to smuggle 140 kilograms of heroin to Britain and the Netherlands. The heroin was smuggled from Iran to Turkey and had a market value of 3.5 trillion Turkish liras (TL). The security forces detained 12 people and confiscated the heroin in the end of two-month operation in Avcilar, Bakirkoy, Buyukcekmece and Bahcelievler districts of Istanbul.

CAMAKOGLU: ''NO MORE SHORTENED SERVICE''

National Defense Minister Sabahattin Cakmakoglu said that shortened military service, reduced from 18 months to one month for a fee, was not in their agenda. Speaking in a programme broadcast in state-run TRT channel, Cakmakoglu said that the shortened service which had earlier been implemented was an exceptional practice to meet the losses of the quake disaster.

ALSO NATURAL GAS IN FREE MARKET

The Prime Ministry asked the views of the concerned ministries about the draft Natural Gas Market Law. If the law takes effect, a Natural Gas Market Board will be set up. When the magnitude of the investments which will provide the consumption of the additional natural gas which will come from Iran and Russia in the following year is taken into consideration, the draft which will permit the private investments gains importance.

RADIKAL (LEFT)

The World United Nations (U.N.) Simulation conference will be held in Turkey this year. A total of 600 students from 54 universities all around the world will participate in the conference where students will act as the U.N. and try to find solutions to the problems on the agenda. Students from Koc, Istanbul, Bilkent, Bogazici and Galatasaray universities will participate in the conference where students will represent a country other than theirs. Turkish students will represent Poland while German students will represent Turkey during the conference.

UKRANIAN CHILDREN AFFECTED BY CHERNOBYL DISASTER ARRIVES IN MUGLA TO

SPEND THEIR HOLIDAYS

The Ukranian children who were affected by the Chernobyl disaster came to western Mugla province to spend their holidays. A total of 80 children, who came to Mugla with the friendship agreement between Mugla governership and Ukranian Sumi governorship, will spend their holidays in Bodrum, Marmaris and Fethiye townships.

TURKIYE (RIGHT)

State Minister Kemal Dervis will start his contacts in the U.S. today in order to get source for Turkey. Dervis will tell officials in U.S. that they request finacial support, not verbal support. Dervis, who is expected to return to Turkey on March 28, will give the last form to the economic programme which is expected to be announced in mid-April after meeting with economy officials once again in Ankara.

PARLIAMENT HAS BUSY WEEK

The parliament will be very busy this week as it will work on the legal regulations wanted for the economic programme and the national programe for adoption of acquis (NPAA) to reach success. The parliament plans to adopt 120 bills to this end before the summer holiday.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

Turkey, which is trying to overcome the economic crisis, is searching for money in the U.S. by its government, Office of Chief of General Staff, and Turkish Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association (TUSIAD). State Minister Kemal Dervis and Foreign Minister Ismail Cem will attend the annual conference of the American-Turkish Council (ATC) in Washington D.C. Also, representatives from the Office of Chief of General Staff and TUSIAD will attend the meeting. Dervis will meet with the U.S. Secretary of the Treasury and administrators of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank and request their support to the economic program.

SPRING TO COME

The State Meteorology Works General Directorate said that there will be no precipitation this week. The temperatures will increase 8-10 degrees Celcius.

RISE IN INTERNATIONAL FLIGHT TICKETS OF THY

The Turkish Airlines (THY), which plans to increase the internal flight ticket prices by 35 percent, increased the international flight ticket prices due to the rise in the U.S. dollar. The THY also decreased the reduction in ticket prices of children from 50 percent to 33 percent.

ALSO, ISPARTA ROCKED

Two earthquakes rocked Isparta province in the Mediterranean Region on Sunday. The Bogazici University Kandilli Observatory Center and Seismology Institute said that two separate earthquakes measuring 3.6 and 3.2 on the Richter scale were recorded in Uluborlu township of Isparta at 7.52 a.m. and 8.02 a.m. There was no report of deaths or injuries in the tremors.

-FORMER PRESIDENT DEMIREL RETURNS FROM ISRAEL

ANKARA - Former President Suleyman Demirel, who is one of the members of the fact finding committee which is set up to find the reasons of recent clashes in Israel, West Bank and Gaza Strip, returned to Turkey on Sunday following the contacts of the committee in Israel.

Responding to the questions of journalists at Esenboga Airport of Ankara Demirel described the current situation in the region as unpleasant.

When recalled that the new government in Israel didn't welcome the works of the committee, Demirel said, ''we didn't set up the committe. Ehud Barak was the prime minister of Israel when the committee was set up. However, continuity is one of the basic principles of states. Prime Minister Sharon was very kind throughout our contacts.''

Stressing that the committee didn't have a role as a mediator, Demirel said their aim was to end the clashes and to prevent them to erupt again.

Demirel recalled that concerned sides decided to set up such a committee in Sharm al Sheikh, Egypt, adding that the committee held various contacts in Israel and Palestine throughout their visit which started on March 20.

Demirel, who was received by Moshe Katzov, the president of Israel and Prime Minister Ariel Sharon within the framework of their contacts, said the committee had to give a break to its contacts due to recent developments in Israel and the U.S.

Noting that they explained the value of peace during their contacts, Demirel said they would prepare a report in April regarding their contacts.

The peace process carries out importance not only for Palestine and Israel but also for Turkey, said Demirel and added that Turkey could take certain steps on the issue by cooperating with other countries.

Demirel said both Israel and Palestine trusted Turkey and added ''there are heavy conditions at the moment, however all political incidents come to a conclusion at the end.''

George Mitchell, a former senator of the U.S., who had started the peace process in Northern Ireland and acted as a mediator, is the chairman of the fact finding committee.

Thorbjorn Jagland, the foreign minister of Norway; Warren Rudman, a former American senator, higher representative of the foreign policy and security of the European Union (EU), former secretary general of NATO and Javier Solana, former foreign affairs minister of Spain are other members of the Committee.

-NATURE FIGHTERS PROTEST POLLUTION CAUSED BY SUNKEN SHIP IN SILE PORT

ISTANBUL - Members of the nature fighters left a banner on the sunken ship ''K. Sahinkaya'' which sank nearly four months ago to draw attention to the pollution caused by the ship.

The members of the organization who convened in Sile port left for the region where the ship sank with a boat. The members of the organization put a banner on the ship written ''seas should remain blue, the shores should remain green'' on it. ''This carcass doesn't suit Sile,'' the members wrote by paint.

The leader of the Nature Fighters Zafer Murat Cetintas said that the oil that leaks from the sunken ship decreases oxygen in the water and this kills the fish in the sea.

Sile mayor Ihsan Cayıroglu and certain non-governmental organizations in the county also extended support to the protest.

-AMERICAN TURKISH COUNCIL'S ANNUAL CONFERENCE STARTS WITH A RECEPTION

WSHINGTON D.C. - The annual conference of the American-Turkish Council (ATC), where relations between Turkey and the U.S. are discussed, started with a reception held in Washington D.C.

Baki Ilkin, the ambassador of Turkey to the U.S.; Kursad Tuzmen, the undersecretary of foreign trade; General Resad Turgut, the director of the Planning Department of the General Staff; Mark Parris, the former ambassador of U.S. to Turkey; Brent Scowcroft, the chairman of ATC attended the reception.

State Minister Kemal Dervis, who is currently in Washington D.C. to hold contacts with international business circles, didn't attend the reception.

The meetings of the ATC will start on Monday with a speech delivered by Dervis on Turkish economy.

Foreign Affairs Minister Ismail Cem; Don Evans, the secretary of commerce; Andrew Card, the assistant to the President; and Paul Wolfowitz, the deputy secretary of defense, will deliver speeches in the panel discussions which will be held within the framework of the ATC meetings.

The ATC meetings will continue for three days.

-DSI DIRECTOR GENERAL ALTINBILEK SAYS ISRAEL WILL PROBABLY

SIGN WATER AGREEMENT WITH TURKEY

ANKARA - Dogan Altınbilek, the Director General of State Water Works (DSI) said on Monday that ''I suppose Israel will sign a water agreement with us.''

Speaking to A.A correspondent, Altınbilek said that Israel would invite biddings to get tankers in May for the transportation of water, adding that Israel would give its final decision in acordance with the figures given by bidders.

Altınbilek said that Israel would definitely sign a water agreement with Turkey, noting that an Israeli delegation would come to Turkey in April and give the last form to the specifications related to the bidding.

Altınbilek said that the construction of Sanlıurfa drinking water cleaning installations continues and water will be given to 100,000-150,000 persons in Sanlıurfa in the mid-2001. ''Ataturk dam will not only irrigate Harran and Sanlıurfa plains, but it will also transport drinking water to the houses of citizens living in Sanlıurfa,'' he said.

Noting that there are more than 200 dams and more than 700 man-made lakes in Turkey, Altınbilek said that ''Harran plain is totally irrigated. The construction of 15-km part of the main canal that will transport the water of Ataturk dam to Mardin province has been completed. Within few years, this canal will be 200 kilometers. Thus, Fırat river will flow to Mardin after Harran.''

-JEWISH CEMETERY IN BERGAMA TAKEN UNDER PROTECTION

BERGAMA- The Jewish Cemetery in Bergama township of western Izmir province was taken under protection.

Bergama Mayor Akif Ersezgin said on Monday that the scraps in the cemetery were removed and the cemetery will be opened soon.

Ersezgin noted that the Jewish Cemetery was surrounded by wires, stating, ''we attribute importance to the historical background of Bergama and we want to carry the traces of the past to today.''

''Bergama was the capital city of many civilizations during history. The cultural and historical heritage of Bergama will have important contributions to the belief tourism. We want to attract Jewish tourists to our township by protecting the synagogues and cemeteries of the Jewish people,'' Ersezgin added.

-TPAO STARTS DRILLING FOR OIL IN IDIL

BATMAN - Turkish Petroleums Inc. (TPAO), started drilling for oil in Idil township of southeastern Sirnak province, officials said on Monday.

Officials from the General Directorate of TPAO, told A.A. correspondent that they completed preliminary works in the well and that they started drilling in the Guclu-1 well in Idil.

-JUSTICE MINISTER TURK SAYS THERE IS NO RETURN

FROM IMPLEMENTATION OF F TYPE PRISONS

ANKARA- Justice Minister Hikmet Sami Turk said on Monday that there is no return from the implementation of the F type prisons.

Responding to questions of reporters, Turk noted that dormitory system will be replaced with room system in 78 prisons by the end of the year.

Upon a question on latest developments regarded with the draft Civil Code, Turk said that this code concerns everybody and that compromise has to be reached in the parliament.

Turk noted that the regime of participation in acquired properties is an important element of the family law.

After other articles of the draft are discussed, this chapter will be re- debated, Turk said.

Turk stated that they have to change the Civil Code in accordance with the requirements of the new era.

Similar property regimes exist in Germany, France and Switzerland, Turk pointed out.

Upon another question, Turk said that the hunger strikes and death fasts continue in some prisons and that a teenager died due to these protests. He expressed deep sorrow over the death of the inmate.

Turk said that the inmates who continue hunger strikes and death fasts are kept under medical treatment 24 hours a day.

Thirty-six inmates, whose health conditions are serious, have been taken under medical treatment in hospitals in Ankara, Turk stressed.

Turk continued, ''we are saying since the very beginning: nobody can reach his target by hunger strike or death fast. There is no return from the F type prison implementation. Dormitory system will be replaced by room system in 78 prisons by the end of the year. The F type prisons comply with the United Nations (U.N.) and Council of Europea (COE) standards.''

The article 16 of the Anti-Terror Law will be amended, Turk said, noting that the draft laws which foresee the prison supervisory boards and execution judgeship will be opened to the signature of the Council of Ministers in the possible shortest time.

Turk said that the Council of Ministers will debate the regulation which enables communication through telephone in the prisons soon.

Firstly, the communication through telephone will be started in Ankara and Istanbul, the two pilot regions, Turk noted.

Turk stated that the communication will be held once a week at first and in the future, this number can be increased or the restriction can be totally lifted.

Turk called on the inmates on hunger strike and death fast to end their protest.

Defining the hunger strikes and death fasts as ''committing suicide'', Turk said that the Article 454 of the Turkish Penal Code foresees imprisonment terms between three to ten years to those who incite people to commit suicide.

Turk said, ''that is, inciting people to commit suicide is a crime. The prosecutors will take action to reveal those who incited inmates to such protests.''

When asked whether or not the doctors who opposed to make medical intervention to the inmates on death fasts and hunger strikes without the consent of the inmates are within this scope, Turk said that there are differences in points of views of doctors.

Turk noted that some doctors defend that medical intervention is necessary because human life is worth everything while some doctors claimed that it is impossible to treat an inmate without his or her consent.

Emphasizing that the ethical discussions of doctors only concern themselves, Turk said, ''we will include articles about this issue in the new punishment execution law,''

-FOREIGN MINISTER CEM DUE TO U.S.

ANKARA- Foreign Minister Ismail Cem will proceed from Brussels to Washington D.C., the U.S., as the guest of U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell.

Releasing a statement, the Foreign Ministry said on Monday that Cem's contacts in the U.S. would focus on further improvement and consolidation of bilateral and multilateral relations between Turkey and the U.S. based on strategical partnership.

The statement noted that Cem would also meet with representative of some press organs and think-tank organizations.

''Foreign Minister Cem will deliver a speech at the annual conference of the Turkish-American Council to be held with the participation of representatives of the U.S. administration, business circles, public opinion, Turkish community in the U.S. and Turkish businessmen,'' it added.

-AN EXPLOSION OCCURED IN IZMIR

-HAND-MADE TIME-BOMB CAUSES EXPLOSION

IZMIR- A hand-made time and pipe bomb caused explosion in front of the Trade Registration Office in Cankaya district of western Izmir province at 07:05 a.m. on Monday.

Sources told the A.A correspondent that Anti-Terrorism teams and bomb disposal experts found pieces of the bomb in the scene of the explosion.

A full investigation into the bomb attack is under way.

The explosion caused damage by shattering windows of the building.

-PARLIAMENT SPEAKER IZGI MEETS WITH UZBEK PARLIAMENT SPEAKER HALILOV

TASHKENT - Parliament Speaker Omer Izgi said on Monday that Turkey always supported Uzbekistan, noting that, ''we extend support to you against terrorist incidents.''

Izgi started his official contacts in Uzbekistan, which is the first stop of his 13-day tour to Central Asia.

Interdelegational talks started following the meeting of Izgi and Uzbek Parliament Speaker Erkin Halilov.

Parliament Speaker Izgi thanked for the warm welcome they received in this country, expressing belief that bilateral relations will be further improved.

Pointing out that relations between Turkey and Turkish Republics based on history, Izgi said, ''we want these republics to live forever. Turkey backs Uzbekistan against any inside or outside danger and terrorist attacks that will be posed against this country.''

Izgi said, ''Greece, Syria, Bulgaria, Iran, Iraq and Russia are our neighbours, Uzbekistan is not our neighbour, but a brotherly state. There are not interests between the brothers, there is only support.''

Uzbek Parliament Speaker Erkin Halilov in his part pointed out that relations between the two parliaments are improving, adding that this visit further improved ''Friendship Agreement,'' signed between the Presidents of the two countries five years ago.

-TRADEMARK SYSTEM SEMINAR HELD IN ISTANBUL

ANKARA - The seminar on trademark system, which is organized by Turkish Patent Institute (TPE) and Trademark and Design Office (OHIM) held in Istanbul on Monday.

Speaking at the seminar, Selim Mustafa Sengun, the director of TPE, said Turkey has taken important steps in implementing the regulations at international standards and in participating the international agreements on industrial ownership following the set up of TPE.

Turkey has become a party to Madrid Protocol on registration of international trademarks as of January 1, 1999, which is one of the obligations that Turkey should fulfil following the agreement on Customs Union, said Sengun.

Noting that Turkey is a party to eleven international agreements including industrial ownership and European Patent Agreement, Sengun said Turkey would also become a party to Geneva document of the Hague agreement on international registration of industrial designs as soon as the TPE finalized their works on the issue.

The regulations of Turkey was examined in the Tirps Council Meeting which was held under the auspices of the World Trade Organization between November 27 and December 1, 2000, said Sengun and added that this examination was finalized successfully.

''This shows that the Turkish Industrial Ownership System is at the level of world standards,'' added Sengun.

-FOREIGN MINISTER CEM PRESENTS NATIONAL PROGRAM TO EU

-FM CEM: ''PROGRAM IS THE MOST COMPREHENSIVE COMPROMISE DOCUMENT OF

THE TURKISH HISTORY''

BRUSSELS- Foreign Minister Ismail Cem on Monday presented Turkey's National Program to Guenter Verheugen, the European Union (EU) Commissioner for enlargement.

Cem and Verheugen addressed a joint news conference following their meeting, and pointed out that Turkish-EU relations were carried out within the framework of a healthy dialogue.

Foreign Minister Cem thanked for the contributions of the EU Commission, and pointed out that the National Program was the most comprehensive compromise document and democratization program of the Turkish history.

Cem stressed that Turkey will work in cooperation with the EU for the implementation of the National Program, ''I define this program as the most assertive and comprehensive democratization program in our republican history,'' Cem noted.

Verheugen in his part expressed pleasure over the approval of the National Program by the Turkish government, stressing that it is an important landmark in Turkey's preparation for EU membership. He also said the program is a move toward the fundamental transformation of Turkey into a modern democracy.

Stating that the document was a comprehensive reform program, Verheugen stressed the importance of the efforts that would be exerted for the implementation of political and economic reforms. Verheugen said the reforms, which were envisaged in the program, should be put into implementation soon, adding that this depended on Turkey.

Verheugen said the National Program will be evaluated after being examined in detail by the sub-commissions of the EU, adding that they would convey their view to Turkey. He said the Commission would use every kind of opportunities to deepen dialogue with Turkey.

Foreign Minister Ismail Cem departed from Belgium following the news conference, and left for the U.S.

-ISTANBUL POLICE CHIEF ABANOZ: ''MULTI-DIMENSIONAL INVESTIGATION

IS UNDER WAY INTO ASSASINATION OF GAFFAR OKKAN''

ISTANBUL- Istanbul Police Chief Kazim Abanoz said on Monday that a multi- dimensional investigation was under way into assasination of Diyarbakir Police Chief Gaffar Okkan together with five policemen.

When asked whether or not any person had been captured on charges of involvement in assasination of Okkan, Abanoz said, ''a multi-dimensional investigation is under way. Some people were taken into custody. It is impossible for us to give information about these as it is confidential.''

When asked whether or not security forces had captured Sahin Ceribasi who was claimed to have been a trigger of the terrorist Hezbollah organization, Abanoz said, ''who is he?''

When asked whether or not the paintings which had been confiscated from four people including Mustafa Bayram, an independent deputy from Van, his nephew, driver and body-guard, were Picasso paintings, Abanoz said, ''we have received the preliminary report on these paintings. However, it will become clear whther or not they are original Picasso paintings after today's report.''

Meanwhile, Uskudar Prosecutor Ahmet Ozoglu said that those four suspects were being kept under detention.

Ozoglu added that they could send a letter to the Justice Ministry, requesting it to lift political immunity of Mustafa Bayram if an investigation against him became necessary according to the evidences.

-ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENTS IN TURKEY TAKEN UP

AT A MEETING BETWEEN CEM AND VERHEUGEN

BRUSSELS - Economic developments in Turkey were taken up in detail at a meeting between Foreign Minister Ismail Cem and Guenter Verheugen, the European Union Commissioner for enlargement, in Brussels on Monday.

Diplomatic sources told the A.A correspondent that Verheugen had briefed Cem on the EU's summit meeting in Stockholm, Sweden.

Stressing that EU finance and economy ministers discussed the economic developments in Turkey and expressed strong support for the Turkish efforts to reform the economy, Verheugen said that the support was confirmed with a statement released by Sweden, the Term President of the EU.

In the statement, it was stressed that the EU Commission would expend efforts to provide financial contributions to Turkey.

These efforts are expected to concentrate in the European Investment Bank's projects in Turkey.

Underlining importance of Turkey's fulfilling reforms envisaged in the National Program, Verheugen reiterated that the EU had given priority of annulment of capital punishment.

The EU decribed the National Program as an important step in the beginning of full membership negotiations.

Turkish diplomats consider the EU's attitude productive.

-TURKISH FILM ''MAYIS SIKINTISI'' PRESENTED WITH

''SILVER ROSA CAMUNA AWARD''

ANKARA- Turkish film ''Mayis Sikintisi (May Boredom)'' directed by Nuri Bilge Ceylan was presented with ''Silver Rosa Camuna'' Award.

Releasing a statement, the NBC Company said on Monday that the film won 12 international awards.

Bergamo International Film Festival organized by European Cinema Clubs' Association, presents three fims every year.

In this year's ceremony, ''Mayis Sikintisi'' was presented with the Silver Rosa Camuna Award.

-MEETING OF COUNCIL OF MINISTERS ENDS

-MINISTERS DISCUSS ECONOMIC PROGRAM

ANKARA- The Council of Ministers decided on Monday to postpone the Social Security Authority (SSK) and Social Security Agency for Artisans and Self- Employed (Bag-Kur) premium debts in quake region to June 30, 2001.

Making a statement following the meeting, State Minister Tunca Toskay, said that the economic program had been discussed at the meeting.

Toskay said that Council of Ministers members had made evaluations about the economic problems most of which were related with the economic program.

''Besides, the cabinet members have foreseen the Higher Planning Board to convene on March 30, 2001. In this meeting, the board will review the issues which have been evaluated today and discuss other factors of the economic program,'' he said.

''The Economic and Social Council will convene on March 31, 2001 and members of this council will assess the non-governmental organizations' opinions about the economic program together with the government members,'' he said.

''Meanwhile, we have taken a decision about the quake regions. The Council of Ministers has decided to postpone the SSK and Bag-Kur premium debts of the people living in quake regions to June 30, 2001 and not to impose interest rate on these premium debts. These premium debts should be paid in six installments between July 1 and December 31, 2001,'' he added.

-NSC TO CONVENE ON FRIDAY

ANKARA - The National Security Council (NSC) will convene on Friday under the chairmanship of President Ahmet Necdet Sezer.

The monthly meeting will start at 09:30 a.m. at the Cankaya Presidential Palace.

Latest developments in Turkey and abroad will be taken up at the meeting.

-MEETING OF COUNCIL OF MINISTERS ENDS

-TOSKAY: ''ALL OF THE ECONOMIC ISSUES ON

OUR AGENDA HAVE BEEN TAKEN UP SEPARATELY''

ANKARA - State Minister and Government Spokesman Tunca Toskay said on Monday that the Council of Ministers had taken up all economic issues on the agenda, issues related with the economic program and targets and figures at its meeting the same day.

Following his statement after the Council of Ministers meeting, Toskay answered questions of journalists.

When recalled of the Union of Chambers proposal to reduce loan interest rates, Toskay said that those issues would be taken up again at the meetings of the Higher Planning Board and Economic Social Council.

When asked whether or not there had been a proposal for seeking domestic source, Toskay said, ''a new proposal has not been put forward. Our relevant friends continue their works.''

When asked which laws would be given priority, Toskay said, ''I suppose that State Minister Kemal Dervis gave you a schedule while he was explaining the outlines of the program.''

When recalled of problems about privatization of the Turkish Telekom, Toskay said, ''those issues have not been discussed.''

When asked whether or not the cabinet members had discussed draft laws about economy, Toskay said, ''preparations of these are under way. There won't be any trouble.''

When asked whether or not a specific schedule had been set for the laws, Toskay said, ''these issues will be discussed at the meetings of the Higher Planning Board and Economic Social Council.''

Responding to another question, Toskay said that the program had been assessed and that there were daily problems about the economy and they had been discussed at the meeting.

Responding to another question, Toskay said that the rate of increase in civil servants' salaries on April 15, 2001 had not been discussed at the meeting.

-EUROGOLD WANTS TO EMPLOY 240 WORKERS AT ITS GOLD MINE IN OVACIK

BERGAMA - Eurogold company which is getting prepared to operate a gold mine near Ovacik village in Bergama township of western province of Izmir started on Monday to distribute application forms to employ 240 workers.

Sources said that two thousand application forms had been taken from the Eurogold Public Relations Office in Bergama just in three hours.

The company would prepare and distribute more application forms, sources added.

Eurogold Public relations Director Hayri Ogut said that applications could be made until April 6, 2001.

He added that they would employ 240 workers at thier gold mine.

-TURKEY-AZERBAIJAN JEC MEETINGS

BAKU - Turkey-Azerbaijan Joint Economic Commission (JEC) meetings will be held in Azerbaijani capital Baku between March 29 and 30.

A delegation headed by State Minister Abdulhaluk Cay, the Co-President of Turkey Azerbaijan JEC, will come to Baku on March 29 to attend the meetings.

Cay and Abid Sherifov, the Azerbaijani Deputy Prime Minister and Co- President of Turkey Azerbaijan JEC, will preside the meetings.

Osman Demirag, the Chairman of Turkish Petroleum Corporation (TPAO); Oner Kabasakal, the Chairman of Turkish Cooperation Development Agency (TIKA); Ali Turkoglu, the Deputy Undersecretary of Energy and Natural Resources Ministry; and high-level bureaucrats will be in attendance at the meetings.

Meanwhile, preparatory negotiations for the JEC meetings will be held in Baku between March 27 and 28.

A delegation headed by Samil Acarturk, the Deputy Director General of Agreements Department of Foreign Trade Undersecretariat, will attend the preparatory negotiations.

The last JEC meeting between the two countries was held in February of 1999.

-FOREIGN MINISTER CEM HOLDS A TELEPHONE CONVERSATION

WITH PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT

ANKARA - Foreign Minister Ismail Cem who is currently in Brussels on an official visit, held a telephone conversation with Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit on Monday, and told him that member countries to the European Union (EU) welcomed Turkey's National Program.

Sources told A.A correspondent that Cem informed Prime Minister Ecevit on his contacts in Brussels.

Cem noted that EU countries welcomed Turkey's National Program.

-DUTCH AMBASSADOR IN ANKARA GOSSES SAYS THEY

LOOK FOR ECONOMIC STABILIZATION FOR INVESTMENT IN TURKEY

IZMIR- Bjoerd H. Gosses, the Dutch Ambassador in Ankara, said on Monday that they looked for economic stabilization for investment in Turkey.

Gosses, who visited Atil Akkan, the Aegean Region Chamber of Industry (EBSO) Chairman, evaluated Turkish economy. Briefing about the economic and social council which acts in the Netherlands, Gosses said the Dutch investors waited for stabilization in economy and low inflation to decide for investment in Turkey.

Gosses said the economic and social council in the Netherlands did not convene regularly, noting that it covered the developments throughout the country continuously and producted solutions to the probable problems. Gosses said the economic and social council holds continuous exchange of opinion with the government and thus the remedies were produced at the moment.

Akkan pointed out that investors throughout the world sought for economic stability for their activities, noting that he thought they were right. Akkan said he would call on the the Dutch entrepreneurs to invest in the organized industry regions which are active in the Aegean region, adding that every kind of consultation services will be given to them.

Akkan said EBSO, in order to attract the foreign investors to the region, will pay visits to the Netherlands, Germany, France and Denmark, and will brief about the region.

Akkan said British tobacco company BAT purchased a place in Tire Organized Industry Region and will lay the foundation in May. He said the tobacco company will start activies in November.

-TURKEY-U.S. RELATIONS

-EXPORTS OF TEXTILES MACHINES AND COAL FROM U.S. TO TURKEY TO

INCREASE WITHIN SCOPE OF APPALACHIAN-TURKISH TRADE PROJECT

ANKARA - The main progress within scope of the Appalachian-Turkish trade project, an initiative pushed by West Virginia Senator Robert Byrd, would be recorded in exports of coal and textiles machines from the U.S. to Turkey, sources said on Monday.

Officials at the Foreign Trade Undersecretariat (DTM) told the A.A correspondent that coal production, mining and textiles sectors were highly developed in the Appalachia region comprising 13 U.S. states.

Officials said that they did not expect any investment in Turkey by the companies in the region at the first stage of the Appalachian-Turkish Trade Project.

Noting that a trade committee had been formed within scope of the project, officials said that this committee had invited 30 Turkish businessmen especially from the coal and textiles sectors who had arrived in the U.S. to attend the Turkish-American Council (ATC) meetings, to the region.

Recalling that Turkey imported coal from Russia and South Africa and was an important textiles producer, officials said that businessmen in Appalachia region targeted to increase exports of coal and textiles machines especially to Turkey.

Noting that there were not any special or legal agreements between Turkey and this region on development of trade, officials stressed that development of trade between Turkey and Appalachia totally depended on performance of businessmen.

Foreign Trade Undersecretary Kursad Tuzmen attended the first meeting which was organized to help Turkish and Appalachian businessmen exchange opinions.

Officials said that U.S. Eximbank was expected to assist Appalachian businessmen.

Meanwhile, Tuzmen will attend the ''California-Turkey Business Conference'' which will be held in San Fransisco between March 29-31 by the California Turkish-American Assaociation, and invite the Silicon Valley companies to invest in Turkey.

Sources said that Tuzmen would stress that informatics and electronics sectors in Turkey became attracting areas of investment as legal arrengements especially about international arbitration and protection of literary and industrial rights of property had been finalized.

Officials said that 20 Turkish businessmen would attend this meeting to discuss joint investment opportunities.

Sources said that Tuzmen would also meet with the U.S. Trade Department officials within scope of the ATC meetings and ask them to lift textiles quotas.

Turkey wants the U.S. to lift textiles and ready-to-wear quotas as a result of its European Union (EU) candidate country status.

Officials said that during his meeting with the U.S. officials, Tuzmen would bring the issue of trade with Iraq onto the agenda.

Tuzmen who would stress that Turkey suffered great losses due to Gulf War and embargo on Iraq would request the U.S. administration to remove the problems occurred in extension of U.N. approval to Turkish companies' sales to Iraq and request its support to acceptance of suspended agreements.

The U.S. administration warned the countries in the region in order to prevent sales of oil by Iraq excluding the embargo.

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