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Anadolu Agency: News in English, 01-05-23

Anadolu Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

From: The Anadolu Agency Home Page at <http://www.anadoluajansi.com.tr/>

Anadolu Agency

ANADOLU AGENCY

NEWS

23 MAY 2001 Wednesday

-TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

These are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in Turkey's press on May 23, 2001. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

KEMAL DERVIS TOURING ANATOLIA

State Minister Kemal Dervis and his wife Catherine arrived in Gaziantep, the first stop of their Anatolia tour yesterday. No official ceremony was held for Dervis at Gaziantep Airport upon his request. Dervis had a meeting at the airport with businessmen of Gaziantep who are known as the pulling force of the region's economy. A group of Workers' Party (IP) members shouted slogans against Dervis in front of the hotel he spent the night. ''We don't want an American governor,'' shouted the protestors. Police detained seven protestors during the incident.

ERCEL OBJECTS TO DEVELUATION INVESTIGATION

Former Central Bank Governor Gazi Ercel objected to Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit's permission to open an investigation about him regarding his acts right before the devaluation. Ercel could be tried at the Supreme Court for disclosing confidential state information to his close circle and therefore misusing his position. Ercel allegedly turned his personal savings of 52 billion TL to U.S. dollars one day before the devaluation.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

DERVIS'S HAPPY DAY

Dervis was happy yesterday after the collective bargaining agreement, which was one of the biggest obstacles in front of the economic program, was resolved between Turk-Is and the government. The agreement which covers 450, 000 workers was resolved through a formula which would not upset the IMF. Dropping of the interest rates to 72 percent in the Treasury auction was another pleasing news for Dervis yesterday. The positive atmosphere in money markets brought down the dollar to one million 100,000 TL as Dervis earlier targetted.

TREASURY TO DISCUSS REPAYMENT PACKAGE IN GERMANY, THE U.S. AND JAPAN

A group of bureaucrats from the Central Bank and Treasury will visit Germany, Japan and the United States next month to discuss a number of issues including repayment of Turkey's debts and new borrowings. The group will have its first meeting with Deutsche Bank where it will discuss the schedule of repayment of the Treasury's debts. The debates with German, American, Japanese and British banks will cover a repayment package worth of 30-40 billion U.S. dollars.

SABAH (LIBERAL)

AKUT TRIED FOR SENDING MEMBERS TO ISRAEL FOR TRAINING

WITHOUT GOVERNOR'S PERMISSION

Search and rescue team AKUT's members were tried for sending members to Israel for training without the official permission of the governor. AKUT had gained the admiration of both Turkish people and survivors of natural disasters in Greece, India and Taiwan for saving lives. AKUT chief Nasuf Mahruki and his friends who were confused said they didn't know that they had to have an official permission from the governor's office to send members to Israel for training.

COTTARELLI TO WRITE BOOK ABOUT TURKEY

Former Turkey Chief of IMF Carlo Cottarelli announced that he was going to write a book about Turkey. Cottarelli who spoke to the Italian news agency ANSA said he wanted to have more time for himself and his family and write a book about Turkey. He said he worked continuously for 38 days in Turkey during the worst days before the crisis and he didn't see anything happening.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

ANTALYA HOTELS BOOKED BY 95 PERCENT

Antalya Governor Ertugrul Dokuzoglu will today welcome the one millionth tourist who is arriving in Antalya at the airport and give her/him gifts. The number of tourists coming to Antalya since the beginning of this year is higher than the previous years. A total of 146 planes landed in Antalya airport on Sunday bringing 27,054 tourists. Germans constitute the 54 percent of the tourists visiting Antalya followed by Russians who are 13 percent and Austrians who are nine percent. A significant rise was also observed in the number of French, Dutch and Belgian tourists.

ZEUGMA'S WALL MOSAICS RESTORED

The restoration and preservation of Zeugma's wall mosaics have been completed. The mosaics were taken from the Zeugma ancient city during last year's rescue works. The restoration of the mosaics which was sponsored by Packart Humanities Institute lasted for seven months and cost 100 billion TL.

RADIKAL (LEFT)

LITHUANIAN TOURIST DROWNS DURING RAFTING

Lithuanian woman Edita Lazdauskas became lost after her boat capsized in Antalya's Koprucay area. The 32-year old woman who was working as a secretary in her country was found dead 1.5 kilometers away from where she fell out from the boat. Three employees of the Klasika Rafting company who were the organizers were interrogated after the accident.

HADEP MEMBERS ARRESTED

Ankara State Security Court (DGM) arrested 27 People’s Democracy Party (HADEP) members on charges of helping and supporting PKK terrorists. A total of 39 people detained within the framework of the investigation carried out by the Ankara DGM, were tried on Tuesday. 12 of them, including the HADEP provincial and district chairmen were released, but the 27 others were sentenced to imprisonment. The arrested HADEP members protested the court writ.

TURKIYE (RIGHT)

WALL STREET JOURNAL:''DERVIS CAN RECOVER TURKISH ECONOMY IN 18 MONTHS''

The Wall Street Journal gave a coverage to Turkey's economic reforms in its international pages. World Bank Turkey Representative Ajay Chhibber who spoke to the newspaper said State Minister Kemal Dervis who is in charge of economy could recover the Turkish economy within 18 months. The newspaper also remarked that there were still certain political, economic and social forces which threaten Turkey's reform efforts.

3.2 BILLION U.S. DOLLARS TO COME FROM WORLD BANK

The World Bank will provide a total of 6.2 billion U.S. dollars for Turkey in the next three years. 3.2 billion U.S. dollar part of this amount will come this year. The maturity term of the credit will be between ten or 17 years with an interest rate of two percent.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

GREENPEACE ENDS ITS PROTEST ON 65 METER HIGH CHIMNEY

Greenpeace members ended their protest at the 65 meter high chimney of IZAYDAS waster incinerator plant in Izmit's Alikahya hamlet on Tuesday afternoon. Erol Scott who read out a statement on behalf of Greenpece said it became obvious that IZAYDAS is polluting the environment by releasing poisonous chemicals. He also said that their protests reached its goal. Several Greenpeace members were taken into custody after the protest.

-U.S. TREASURY SECRETARY O'NEILL SUPPORTS IMF CREDITS TO TURKEY

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Treasury Secretary Paul O'Neill said that the IMF should help countries which are facing economic difficulties and he supported the IMF credits given to Turkey.

During a speech he delivered at the House of Representatives to the finacial committee, O'Neill asked the IMF and World Bank to make certain reforms within themselves and focus more on the prevention of financial crisis in the countries.

Giving examples to countries going through economic crisis, O'Neill said Turkey was carrying out a number of economic reforms and added that U.S. President George W. Bush supported the IMF credits for Turkey.

O'Neill also asked the World Bank and IMF to increase their transparency in their own activities.

-TURKISH AND ISRAELI DELEGATIONS TO DISCUSS SALES OF

MANAVGAT WATER IN ANKARA TOMORROW

ANKARA - The debates between Turkey and Israel on the sales of Manavgat water to Israel will start in Ankara tomorrow.

The issue of price is expected to be the main topic of the talks. Turkey is being quite flexible on the price issue. However, Israel is insisting on keeping the price below one U.S. dollar, including the transportation fee for one cubic meter of water, making the negotiation difficult. Turkey wants 20 cents for one cubic meter of water.

Another topic the Israeli side is expected to discuss is the controlling of pollution in Manavgat water basin since Israel will use the Manavgat water as drinking water. During the talks between the Energy Ministry officials and Israeli authorities, the Turkish side told the Israeli officials that Turkey guarantees good quality water and said it was Turkey's job to prevent the pollution in Manavgat.

If agreed, Israel wants to start buying water from Turkey in 2002. The construction of the necessary facilities for the water's discharge already started in Ashkelon. Israel is also making plans to set up a sea water purification facility besides buying water from Turkey.

Turkish and Israeli sides had agreed on several points during the debates on January 22-23. The Water Project which envisages the sales of Manavgat's water cost 143 million U.S. dollars to Turkey. Israel wants to buy 50 million cubic meters of water from Turkey for five or ten years while Turkey wants this term to be longer.

-AYTEKIN SIGNES STOCKHOLM AGREEMENT AGAINST PERSISTANT ORGANIC POLLUTENTS

STOCKHOLM/ANKARA - Environment Miniser Fevzi Aytekin signed Wednesday the Stockholm Agreement against Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) on behalf of Turkey.

During a speech he delivered at the conference, Aytekin said that he believed the Stockholm Agreement would significantly help the elimination of toxic chemicals and its negative effects on environment and human health. He said, if the agreement is implemented faithfully, it would hold an important place in the efforts to leave a cleaner and a safer environment to future generations.

In line with Rio Measures, Turkey prepared an action plan with the representatives of the industry sector and non-governmental organizations, Aytekin said and added that it was pleasing for Turkey to see that these measures were being implemented one by one.

Aytekin indicated that Turkey earlier signed the Rotterdam and Basel agreements which proposes to form strategies to minimize the chemical wastes. He said Turkey also signed the Montreal Protocol which is against the chemical substances making the ozon layer thinner and it fulfilled its commitments to the agreement in a short period of time with the help of the World Bank's help. He emphasized that he believed Turkey would receive the necessary support also for the Stockholm Agreement.

The agreement which has been signed by 50 countries will take effect in 90 days. Its goal is to ban the usage of POPs as raw material and to safely eliminate the chemical wastes. According to the agreement, the countries which signed the agreement will form an inventory of the raw and waste products they presently have and prepare and action plan.

-PRIVATIZATION OF TURK TELEKOM

-LAW WHICH FORESEES PRIVATIZATION OF TELEKOM

PUBLISHED IN THE OFFICIAL GAZETTE AND TOOK EFFECT

ANKARA - The law which foresaw privatization of Turk Telekom, that was approved by President Ahmet Necdet Sezer, was published in today's official gazette and came into force.

Under the law, the views of the Transportation and Communications Ministry will be asked regarding the changes in the company's principal agreement until the public share in the company reduces below 50 percent.

When the public share reduces below 50 percent, all monopoly rights of the Turkish Telekom will be annuled although they are valid until December 31, 2003.

Turkish Telekom won't be subjected to regulations which is valid for public institutions, organizations and their partners half of whose capital belongs to public.

-GOLDEN SHARE

All of its shares except the privileged share which gives the state the right to approve and express its opinion about the decisions taken by the Turkish Telekom's authorized boards can be sold in order to protect national interests about the economy and security.

The privileged share will have the authority to approve and express its opinion about the issues like changes in principal agreement, foundation of new companies or participation in established companies, participation in international telecommunications associations or international agreements, transfer of registered shares or record of transfer of registered shares in stock register in order to protect national interests.

The Treasury Undersecretariat will appoint a member at the Turkish Telekom Board as the representative of the privileged share. The owner of the privileged share will have the right to participate in and speak at General Assembly. The owner of the privileged share won't join increase in capital and won't get share from profit.

-SHARE OF FOREIGNERS WILL NOT EXCEED 45 PERCENT

The share of foreigners in Turkish Telekom won't exceed 45 percent and foreigners won't possess majority share directly or indirectly. Foreign real and legal persons won't get majority of vote in management and control of Turkish Telekom. This condition and reciprocity principle will be taken into consideration in all sales transactions and procedures.

A five percent share will be allocated to personnel of Turkish Telekom and Post and Telegram Directorate General and small investors in this privatization. The sale this five percent share will be carried out by public offering and in accordance with the capital market regulations. The Council of Ministers will take the decision on the amount and sale method of shares upon opinion of the Privatization Administration Board and proposal of the Transportation and Communications Ministry. The final procedures for the block sale will be approved by the Council of Ministers.

All of the incomes which will be obtained by sale of Turkish Telekom's public shares, GSM duty and privilege agreements regarding telecommunications agreements and licence and general permissions and certificates will be transferred to the Treasury.

-CHANGES IN CONTRACTS

The changes in the contracts can be made by providing mutual compromise no later than a month. But, the principles in the duty contract regarding the national security and public order will be protected.

If no agreement is reached, the enterpreneurs will have to renew their contracts by preserving the rights and liabilities listed in the current contracts.

-TURKISH TELECOMMUNICATION AGENCY

Turkish Telekom's all shares will be sold, except the privileged share which will give the state the right to approve and express its opinion in order to protect national interests about the economy and security.

The agency will be authorized to take the necessary measures to provide the harmonization to the conditions of the permits and licences and to control the implementation of the procedures.

If a conflict occurs among the officials of the agency, the agency will be authorized to fine the concerned enterpreneur to pay money until 3 percent of the annual turnover of the previous year and to take the necessary measures for national security and public order and services, to take over the installations in return for compensation, and to cancel the contracts, licences and general permits in case of a mistake.

-TENDER COMMISSION

An assessment commission which will set the value of Turkish Telekom share and an auction commission which will carry out the sale procedures will be formed. Privatization Administration Board will have two members, Transportation and Communications Ministry will have two members and Treasury Undersecretariat will have one members in each of these commissions.

One of the representatives of the Privatization Administration Board will head the commission. The members of the commission will be in office for one year.

The members of the executive board of the Turkish Telekom have to graduate from at least four years of higher education.

The plans regarding the authorities like the telecommunication services and the infrastructure will be prepared by the Turk Telekom. These plans will be ratified by the Council of Ministers and executed by the agency.

The minimum values of the duty and concession agreements, telecommunication licences and the general permits will be determined by the Council of Ministers upon the proposal of the Turk Telekom.

-CONVENTIONS REGARDING SECURITY OF COUNTRY

All contracts, agreements and protocols which were signed between the Turkish Telekom and Turkish Armed Forces, National Defense Ministry, Security Department, Gendarme and other public institutions and organizations on operation of telecommunications services will be valid also after privatization of Turkish Telekom.

As the public share in the Turkish Telekom reduces below 50 percent, the list of the permanent personnel of the agency will be notified to the State Personnel Directorate within 30 days pursuant to the signing of the share transfer contract. This personnel will be sent to other public institutions in 30 days.

If the contracts of the workers in the agency are cancelled in a year after the public share decreases below 50 percent except those who are to be retired, these workers will be paid compensation.

-ENCOURAGEMENT OF PERSONNEL TO RETIREMENT

As the Post, Telephone and Telegram Directorate General (PTT) is separated in two institutions including the Postal General Directorate and the Turkish Telecommunication Inc, the PTT Assistance Fund will be separated into two. Such a separation is also foreseen for the Health Assistance Fund and Surety Fund of the PTT. All the rights and liabilities of the personnel who are the members of the fund will be preserved although the fund is separated into two.

The privileged share and its concept will be included in the primary contract of the company in three months after the law takes effect.

The severance and retirement payments of the personnel, who has gained the right to retire, will be paid 30 percent more than the real amount if they apply to get retired in six months.

A state economic enterprise will be set up to carry out the satellite services which were being carried out by the Turkish Telekom.

-A TURKISH ORCHESTRA DUE TO SYRIA FOR THE FIRST TIME AFTER LONG YEARS

ANKARA- A new page has been opened in Turkish-Syrian relations after Abdullah Ocalan, the head of the terrorist organization, was captured. A Turkish orchestra will go to Syria for the first time after long years.

Cukurova State Symphony of the Culture Ministry will give a concert in Damascus on June 16 in Azem Palace which was remained from the Ottoman period and which is currently used as a museum.

Emin Guven Yaslicam, the conductor, will lead the 65-people orchestra.

Culture Minister Istemihan Talay told A.A correspondent that there were very positive developments in Turkish-Syrian relations recently, noting that those relations were further intensified after Basar Assad was elected president.

Talay said they invited Syrian National Orchestra to Adana following the meeting of President Ahmet Necdet Sezer and Basar Assad during the funeral of Hafez Assad. Talay said the Syrian National Orchestra received great interest in Adana, noting that after this they decided for Cukurova State Sympony Orchestra to go to Damascus.

Talay said there was always close trade relations between Turkey and Syria, noting that those relations would improve in the future.

Pointing out that Syria had influences in the Middle East in commercial means, Talay said, ''thus, development of trade and increasing the level of cultural and art activities will contribute to the friendship and peace atmosphere between the two countries.''

-GENERAL STAFF:

-''DETAILED INVESTIGATION LAUNCHED BY GENERAL STAFF FOR CRASHES

OF CASA-TYPE PLANES, IS STILL UNDER WAY''

ANKARA - The General Staff stated on Wednesday, ''detailed investigation launched by the General Staff within the framefork of its responsibilities for crashes of CASA-type planes, is still under way.''

Releasing a written statement, the General Staff said, ''several press organs have been publishing news stories that could create concerns in the public opinion about recent distressing crashes of CN-235 type planes. Such accidents entail detailed technical investigations about place of the crash, type of the plane's duty and meteorological conditions.''

''The detailed investigation launched by the General Staff within the framework of its responsibilities for crashes of CASA-type planes, is still under way. All details of the crashes will be disclosed to the public opinion later,'' the statement added.

-WHO EXAMINES TURKEY'S HEALTH PERFORMANCE

ANKARA- World Health Organization (WHO) is carrying out a survey to assess Turkey's health systems performance.

Within scope of the survey, five thousand people in eight provinces will be asked questions about the health services offered to them.

Speaking to the A.A correspondent, WHO Turkey Information Office Chairman Bekir Metin said on Wednesday that WHO had selected 15 countries including Turkey as pilot countries to assess health systems performance in 191 members countries, and such a survey was a very important initiative to evaluate health systems performance in the world.

Metin said that the survey had started in October of 2000 in 15 pilot countries and would end on June 30, 2001.

-TURKEY EXPORTS 169 THOUSAND TONNES OF HAZELNUT AND

OBTAINS AN INCOME OF 559 MILLION U.S. DOLLARS

TRABZON- Turkey exported 169 thousand 668 tonnes of hazelnut in nine months, and obtained an income of 559 million U.S. dollars.

Officials at the Black Sea Union of Exporters of Hazelnut told the A.A correspondent on Wednesday, ''we have exported 169 thousand 668 tonnes of hazelnut since September 1, 2000, the beginning of the 2000-2001 hazelnut export season, and obtained an income of 559 million 299 thousand U.S. dollars.''

In the same period last year, Turkey exported 174 thousand 839 tonnes of hazelnut and obtained an income of 607 million 401 thousand U.S. dollars.

The 2000-2001 hazelnut export season will end on August 31, 2001.

-12.4 MILLION U.S. DOLLARS OF AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS

EXPORTED FROM GAP REGION TO EAST EUROPEAN COUNTRIES

GAZIANTEP- Exports of agricultural products from Southeastern Anatolia Project (GAP) region to East European countries in the first four months of 2001 decreased 14.2 percent to 12 million 420 thousand U.S. dollars.

In the same period last year, the region exported 14 million 461 thousand U.S. dollars of agricultural products to East European countries.

Officials at the Southeastern Anatolia Exporters' Union told the A.A correspondent on Wednesday that in January-April period of 2001, they exported 398 thousand U.S. dollars in grain-cereals; 744 thousand U.S. dollars in dried fruits; and 11 million 278 thousand U.S. dollars in textiles.

-IMF DELEGATION EXPECTED TO COME TO TURKEY ON JUNE 8

ANKARA - An International Monetary Fund (IMF) delegation headed by Juha Kahkonen who will be appointed as Turkey Desk Chief is expected to come to Turkey on June 8 for the eighth review.

Sources said on Wednesday that the IMF delegation would observe whether or not performance criteria had been fulfilled, and it would propose IMF Board to approve the 1.5 billion U.S. dollars of second tranche of loan after June 25 if those criteria had been fulfilled.

The necessary conditions that Turkey should fulfil for finalization of the eighth review are as follows:

''Overnight commitments and responsibilities of states banks and banks which were transferred to the Savings Deposit Insurance Fund (SDIF) should be removed, the repo stocks of SDIF and public banks with the Central Bank should not exceed 7 quadrillion Turkish lira, Emlak Bankası should be closed down and its commitments and some of its assets should be transferred to Ziraat Bankasi, a second transition bank should be founded for the four banks to which any bid has not been given yet or these banks should be closed down, a new professional executive board and management should be appointed for Turksh Telekom, Tobacco Bill should be approved by parliament, a supplementary budget which is in line with expenditures should be approved, and tax regulations on spread of use of tax payers identity cards should enter into force.''

Turkey should fulfil all of these conditions by June 25 to get the 1.5 billion U.S. dollars of second tranche.

Meanwhile, IMF delegation will pay a visit to Turkey in June and another visit in July while IMF delegation's visit per month will increase to two as of August.

-TURKEY-CZECH REPUBLIC SECOND TERM JOINT ECONOMIC

COMMISSION MEETINGS PROTOCOL SIGNED

ANKARA- Turkey-Czech Republic Second Term Joint Economic Commission Meetings protocol was signed on Wednesday by State Minister Tunca Toskay and Industry and Trade Minister Miroslav Gregr of Czech Republic.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Toskay described the protocol as an important step that would have a positive impact on commercial and economic relations between the two countries.

Toskay said that cooperation fields should be widened between Turkey and Czech Republic.

Meanwhile, Miroslav Gregr said in his part that Turkey was one of the long- term and reliable partners of Czech Republic.

Recalling that he had held talks with State Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Husamettin Ozkan, Transportation Minister Enis Oksuz, and Energy and Natural Resources Minister Zeki Cakan, Gregr said that concrete steps had been taken during his contacts to further improve bilateral relations.

Gregr invited State Minister Toskay to Czech Republic.

Meanwhile, measures to be taken to further improve bilateral relations were taken up during the two-day meeting of Turkey-Czech Joint Economic Commission.

-COEPA SPRING TERM MEETINGS

-JUSTICE MINISTER TURK: ''WE ARE DETERMINED TO CONTINUE REFORMS AND

STRENGTHEN OUR SANCTIONS AGAINST TORTURE AND INHUMANE ACTIONS''

ISTANBUL - Justice Minister Hikmet Sami Turk said on Wednesday that the Turkish Republic was a democratic and social state, noting that it was set up on supremacy of law and respect to human rights. Turk said, ''we are determined to continue reforms and strengthen our sanctions against torture and inhumane actions.''

Turk, who addressed the ongoing meeting of the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly (COEPA) Permanent Committee, pointed out that important successes were recorded in the recent years regarded with human rights and democratization.

Pointing out that Human Rights Supreme Board had been set up in 1997, and a new law was issued in April 2001 to improve human rights, Turk said new arragements were made in laws and arragements to improve human rights and democratization in Turkey.

Turk said amendments were made pertaining to establishment of the State Security Courts (DGMs) and assignment of civilian judges and prosecutors, noting that an amendment was made to Penal Code, and that changes were made in 1999 in the regulations to prevent torture within the framework of the principles of the U.N. and other European institutions. Turk said efforts were underway to prevent torture and inhumane actions.

''Turkish Republic is a democratic and social state. It was set up on supremacy of law and respect to human rights. It is one of the most important partners of the U.N. and Council of Europe in this respect. We are determined to strengthen our sanctions against torture and inhumane actions and continue reforms,'' Turk noted.

Pointing out that new arragements were made to defend individual rights pertaining to expropriations, Turk said steps were taken within the framework of the National Program to adjust with the EU acquisions.

Turk said works regarded with Civil Code and women-men equality continued, and that laws regarded with harmonization to the U.N. Convention on the Rights of the Child, adding that in Penal Code draft, new provisions were under discussion regarded with capital punishment. He said views of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) were taken in this respect.

Turk said new arragement works continued on Ombudsmanship and Forensic Medicine Institution, noting that, ''Turkey's membership to the European Union added a new momentum to this positive development on human rights.''

Noting that there were 554 prisons in Turkey and that there were 58,490 prisoners in them, Turk said the most important problem in prisons was the ward system. He said there were 30-40 and even 100 people in the wards, stressing that the system was exploited by the illegal organizations and people.

Pointing out that the ward system was removed as it happened in many Western European countries, and that 1-3 people system started, Turk said Article 16 of the Anti-Terrorism law was amended, and that new arrangements were made regarded with usage of joint living areas.

Turk said the draft law about the execution of laws and prison administration was on the agenda of the parliament, and noted that the prisons would be monitored and controlled with the draft law.

Recalling that 10 uprisings had been experienced in the recent five years because of the problems stemming from the ward system, Turk said there was loss of lives during the revolts, and that 386 prisoners were injured and number of prisoners, who died at interrogations made by the members of the illegal organization, was 16.

Turk said 1242 prisoners tried to escape by digging tunnel in the recent five years, and noted that 205 prison personnel were inmured and nine of them died.

''F type prisons project was developed to provide order and security in prisons. They were foreseen to reduce the problems caused by crowded wards. The crowded wards cause social and pyschological problems. Social, cultural and sportive activities could be staged in F type prisons more easily,'' he said.

Turk pointed out 453 people were on hunger strike and 210 people on death fasts in prisons, noting that the prisoners who gave up the hunger strike or death fasts were immediately sent to hospitals.

-EXPLOSION IN QUARRY KILLS THREE PEOPLE

ADANA- An explosion occurred in a quarry in Feke township of southern province of Adana on Wednesday, killing three people.

Asaf Kozluduru, Mahmut Ayvaz and Ibrahim Ayvaz lost their lives in the explosion.

Reason of the explosion could not be determined yet.

A full investigation into the explosion is under way.

-FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESMAN DIRIOZ:

''WE WILL ABIDE BY THE DECISIONS THAT ARE ISSUED

AND WILL BE ISSUED BY THE U.N. SECURITY COUNCIL CONCERNING IRAQ''

ANKARA - Foreign Ministry Spokesman Huseyin Dirioz said on Wednesday that Turkey would abide by the decisions that were taken and would be taken by the U.N. Security Council concerning Iraq.

Responding to the questions of reporters at a weekly news conference, Dirioz said works continued in the council pertaining to smart sanctions toward Iraq.

Dirioz said, ''we will implement the decisions that were issued and would be issued by the U.N. Security Council. If those decisions would help the normalization of the situation, and overcome the difficulties of the Iraqi people, we will be pleased of this. We continue our contacts with all the concerned countries on those developments. We exchange views with them. The U.S., Britain and regional countries are among these.''

Responding to the question of a reporter about the compensation of Turkey's losses, Dirioz said, ''at this stage, we can not know if a decision would be issued from the U.N. Security Council. Various countries have some views on this issue, but they are not clear yet.''

Dirioz, who responded to a question about the criticisms saying that Turkey used European Security and Defense Identity (ESDI) for EU membership, pointed out that, ''in fact, it is a wrong evaluation to think that Turkey is in such an approach.''

Pointing out that Turkey was in contact with all the concerned countries on ESDI issue, Dirioz said the news reports, which appeared in Financial Times saying that some contries mediated on the issue, were not right. He noted that Turkey was trying to find a solution on the issue that will meet its basic policies and which satisty all the sides.

Dirioz, who also responded a question about clearing off the land mines between Turkey and Greece, pointed out that, ''when George Papandreou, the Greek Foreign Minister, was in Turkey, he and Foreign Minister Ismail Cem disclosed their agreement and intentions to carry out their works coordinated for the two countries to be a side to the Ottowa Landmine Ban Treaty. There is no change on this issue. The process continues. Clearing off the mines is a very difficult issue; however, there is political will.''

-CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT (1)

-INTERPARTIES COMPROMISE COMMISSION AGREES

TO AMEND 51 ARTICLES OF CONSTITUTION

ANKARA- Interparties Compromise Commission agreed to amend 51 articles of the Constitution on Wednesday.

Deputy Parliament Speaker Nejat Arseven said, ''we plan to finalize works on constitutional amendments till mid-June.''

The Interparties Compromise Commission convened under the chairmanship of Arseven, and debated a document prepared by the sub-commission.

Arseven told reporters that representatives of political parties raised reservations on some articles of the document.

He said that the proposal would be submitted to the leaders of three political parties forming the coalition government.

Arseven said, ''our targets are clarity and transparency. Therefore, we will inform the public opinion on the proposal envisaging constitutional amendment. An amendment package will be put forward even if we cannot reach a full compromise. The proposal was prepared by taking into consideration the public opinion's expectations and requirements of the society. The proposal aimed at bringing democratic standards to basic rights and freedoms.''

''If the structural reforms submitted to the parliament by the government are not supported, our efforts will be fruitless,'' he added.

-RUSSIA'S PROPOSAL

-''WE ARE READY TO JOIN CONSTRUCTION OF BAKU-TBILISI-CEYHAN''

-FOREIGN MINISTRY DEPUTY UNDERSECRETARY BALKAN: ''WE CAN'T ASSURE

CONTINUATION OF OIL TANKERS' CROSSING THE STRAITS IF THERE IS

AN ACCIDENT''

MOSCOW– Russia said that it was ready to participate in construction of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline and it won't put forward any political pre- condition for this.

At a seminar which was held in Moscow on daily problems in Turkey's and Russia's economy policies, Turkey gave the message to Russia which is getting prepared to increase oil tanker traffic at the Straits after start of oil transfer with the Tengiz-Novorossisyk pipeline, that it can't give assurance to any country about continuation of passage of oil tankers through the Straits after a possible accident in Straits in the future.

Foreign Ministry Deputy Undersecretary Mithat Balkan and Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Ivan Ivanov delivered speeches at the seminar's closing session on ''Future of Turkish-Russian Economic Relations'' on Monday night.

Ivanov said that allegations which said that Russia was against the Baku- Tbilisis-Ceyhan oil pipeline were ''baseless'', adding that they did not believe that this pipeline would be economical.

''If you want, you can continue its construction. If you want our contracting companies to join the construction, they will also participate in this. However, amount and kind of the thing you will transfer with the pipeline depends on your decision. Unfortunately, the period of giving bids to construction was announced as one month and our companies can't get prepared to this. It is a very short period. Our biggest pipeline- construction company is ready to join this construction. Besides, we won't put forward any political pre-condition,'' Ivanov said.

While Russia made such a proposal, diplomatic sources said that Turkey had invited Russia to bid for the tender.

Meanwhile, Mithan Balkan said, ''the basic engineering work proved that the cost of the pipeline will be less than the estimated amount. Now, the detailed engineering work will be carried out. And this work will cost 150 million U.S. dollars. Oil companies will meet this cost. Do you think that these companies would have wasted such an amount of money if they had believed that this pipeline won't be economical? This is the most concrete evidence that this pipeline project is going to be implemented. Companies which became aware of this fact now wanted to participate in detailed engineering work. They started talks with Azerbaijan's Socar company. Total- Finale, Chevron, Conoco, Alberta and Shell are among these companies.''

Noting that this situation showed that everybody believed this project would be put into practice, Balkan called on Russian biggest oil company Lukoil to participate in transfer of oil through this pipeline. ''Let's participate althogether in this project which will consolidate cooperation in the region.''

Balkan said that they were respectful to Russia's opinions about the pipeline but Ankara still believed that the two countries would reach an agreement on oil transfer.

Ivanov said that they were aware that tanker traffic at the Straits would increase when transfer through Russia's Tengiz-Novorossisyk pipeline would start, adding that some specific technical problems would occur but Turkey should abide by international agreement and norms regarding free passage through the Turkish Straits.

Ivanov said that measures to provide safe passage could be taken at the Straits and that Russia was planning to set up an oil transfer route via Greece and another route via Hungary and Croatia in order to reduce burden on the Straits.

Balkan said, ''Istanbul can't take any risk. There should be zero percent risk.''

Stressing that Turkey couldn't give assurance to anybody about continuation of passage of oil tankers through the Straits in the future, Balkan said, ''the acceptable rate of risk is zero for Istanbul which has a 12 million population and thousands years of history. There can't be a thing like decrease of rate of risk from 20 to 10 percent. It should be zero. Otherwise, we can't explain it to public. We can't give assurance to anybody about continuation of oil tanker traffic in case of an accident in the future.''

Stressing that Turkey was loyal to the Montreux Straits Treaty, Balkan said that Turkey was worried about failure in providing necessary safety at the Straits by oil tankers despite all measures.

''We are holding meetings with all of our Russian friends and we will continue to do so. However, it is not true to say 'let's allow tankers to cross the Straits as Turkey is taking necessary security measures'. I hope that we will discuss these with our Russian friends in the course of time and overcome them,'' he added.

-CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT (2)

-POLITICAL PARTIES RAISE RESERVATIONS ON A

NUMBER OF ARTICLES OF AMENDMENT PROPOSAL

ANKARA - Representatives of the political parties raised reservations on a number of articles of 51-article constitutional amendment proposal on Wednesday.

The Interparties Compromise Commission convened under the chairmanship of Deputy Parliament Speaker Nejat Arseven, and debated a document prepared by the sub-commission.

In the report, all articles of the Constitution were reviewed, and the European Convention on Human Rights, the National Program, views of scientists and non-governmental organizations, and requests of some sections of the society were assessed.

The report proposed to assess the paragraph to be added to the Article 6 of the Constitution saying, ''sovereignty is vested in the nation without reservation or condition'' with the model of referandum.

The report also proposed that the view saying, ''participation into international organizations or institutions that could lead sovereignty right to be restricted to to be shared with other states should defend on acceptance of the nation'' should be debated by the Compromise Commission.

The National Movement Party (MHP) raised reservations on articles about characteristics of the Republic; restriction of fundamental rights and freedoms; prohibition of abuse of fundamental rights and freedoms; personal inviolability, material and spiritual entity; personal liberty and security; and freedom of the press.

The MHP also defended that amendment to article about parliament's duties and authorities should be made in parallel with the amendment to article about prohibition of abuse of fundamental rights and freedoms.

The Democratic Left Party (DSP) and the MHP said that the article about protection of press organs should be kept without any change.

Meanwhile, the Virtue Party (FP) raised reservation on the article about legislative immunity.

The sub-commission debated the article about foundation of parliament, but could not reach a compromise on the issues of appointment of 100 out of 550 deputies as Deputy of Turkey; determination of their main characteristics in accordance with the Constitution; and foundation of a Senate having 150 members.

The sub-commission could not reach a compromise on decreasing the age of being elected as a deputy from 30 to 25.

The proposal bringing the opportunity of objection to the commission report in parliamentary investigations and finalization of these objections by the Board of Chairman of Criminal Departments of Supreme Court of Appeals, was rejected.

The sub-commission's proposal will be submitted to the Compromise Commission together with another proposal prepared by the Motherland Party (ANAP).

Meanwhile, the True Path party (DYP) objected to a proposal envisaging election of the president for a second term in office.

The DYP claimed that the proposal would damage impartiality of the president.

During the debate on Article 138 of the Constitution about independence of the courts, the FP proposed to re-arrange the article saying that the jurisdiction should be kept apart of any impacts.

The sub-commission agreed on the principles of increasing number of members of the Constitutional Court and lifting the President's duty to appoint the members of the Constitutional Court.

-BANKS REDUCE LOAN AND TURKISH LIRA DEPOSIT INTEREST RATES

ISTANBUL- Osmanli Bankasi, Pamukbank and Finansbank reduced loan interest rates while Toprakbank decreased Turkish lira deposit interest rates.

Osmanli Bankasi reduced motor vehicles purchase, real estate and special support loan interest rates on Turkish lira basis with maturity between 3 and 24 months from 7.90 to 6.50 percent.

Pamukbank reduced automobile loan, second-hand automobile loan and real estate-cooperative-construction loan interest rate on TL basis from 8.95 to 7.75 percent and decreased open account and salary advance interest rate from 9.95 to 8.50 percent and reduced credit card interest rate to 9.50 percent.

Finansbank reduced interest rate for consumer loan with 6 and 12 months maturity from 6.50 to 6.25 percent, and decreased interest rate for motor vehicles and real estate loan with 6 and 24 months maturity to 5.95 percent.

Meanwhile, Toprakbank reduced interest rate for 1-month maturity Turkish lira (TL) deposit from 72 to 69 percent, decreased interest rate for 3- month maturity TL deposit from 70 to 68 percent.


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