TRKNWS-L x0x Anadolu Ajansi News -- 07 Mar 01
Turkish Radio San Francisco
ANADOLU AGENCY NEWS
07 MARCH 2001 Wednesday
Turkey
Turkey
-TURKEY-PRESS SCAN
These are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in
Turkey's press on March 7, 2001. The Anadolu Agency does not verify
these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.
HURRIYET (LIBERAL)
------------------
NATIONAL PROGRAM MESSAGE BY DERVIS
State Minister Kemal Dervis said that they would continue their
determined fight against inflation, and added that the new economic
program would be a national one, not an IMF program. Dervis, who said
there were disagreements between the Turkish and IMF officials over
certain issues, refrained from giving information on the topics of
disagreement, saying it would not be appropriate to reveal them yet,
adding that officials had to be perfectly honest in telling Turkish
people about the realities.
GOVERNMENT HERALDS ADDITIONAL PAY RISE
Coalition leaders heralded additional pay rise after the Feast for
government clerks and pensioners. Coalition leaders, in separate
statements they made, assured that they would not let the civil
servants get knocked down by the increasing inflation rate, and that
the increase in the inflation rate would be reflected directly to the
government clerks' and pensioners' wages.
MILLIYET
------------------
SODEXHO TO COOK FOR THE ARMY
French Sodexho food service company became the winner of a bid to cook
for the army. The Turkish Armed Forces had started employing various
food service companies in various pilot regions, and the winner,
Sodexho is still cooking for Turkish soldiers in Gulhane Military
Academy of Medicine (Ankara), North Sea Field Command (Istanbul), and
the Naval Supply Center Command (Golcuk) in a pilot application.
Sodexho Director General Esref Hamamcioglu said that the privatization
of the food service in the military would increase the quality of the
food served for military staff, and bring the old-fashioned 'cauldron'
style.
MYSTERIOUS WEALTH UNDER CLOSE SCRUTINY
The Finance Ministry is following the case filed against Umay Gunay
and Ayzit Turkes, the two daughters of the late-Nationalist Movement
Party (MHP) Alparslan Turkes from his first wife, by his second wife.
If the two sisters are proven to have drawn their father's TL 1,2
trillion from his account at a British bank, they will have to pay a
TL 121 billion inheritance tax with an added fine.
SABAH (LIBERAL)
---------------
BROKEN BODIES, SHATTERED MINDS
A report by Amnesty International on violence against women indicated
that women were still, in the 21st century, subject to violence by
men. The report "Broken Bodies, Shattered Minds-The Torture of Women
Worldwide", which gave striking figures on the extent of violence and
torture against women also covered the Turkish women.
DISPUTED BIENNIAL STARTS
The Women's Biennial, held annually between March 8-31, aimed at a
more wide-spread understanding of the importance of March 8, will take
start on Thursday at Istanbul's Academy Istanbul, with the screening
of Mississippi Masala. Various events, including concerts,
conferences, exhibitions, and recitals will take place within the
framework of the biennial.
CUMHURIYET (LEFT)
-----------------
WOMEN COME TOGETHER TO ASK FOR EQUALITY
World Women's Day will be celebrated through several activities in the
country on Thursday. A group of women who wanted to announce
Thursday's meeting in Istanbul was prevented by police on Tuesday. The
group carried banners protesting poverty, violence and discrimination
against women. The group was not allowed to read a press statement and
asked to leave.
Association to Support Modern Life Chairwoman Prof. Turkan Saylan has
said that women all around the world still faced discrimination and
unfair treatment both at home and at work as well as killings,
beatings and being sold like a property.
TURKISH TEXTILE SECTOR: ''STABILITY IS SOLUTION FOR
FOREIGN COMPETITION''
Textile sector which is Turkey's drawing force in export was directly
affected by the economic crisis. Due to the increasing competition in
domestic and foreign markets, the Turkish textile sector suffered
serious problems in the recent years. Floating the foreign currency
rates raised hopes in the textile sector since this could increase
export. However the sales have almost stopped in doemstic markets
disappointing many textile companies. Istanbul Ready-to-Wear and
Textile Exporters Association Chariman Nuri Artok said that production
and stability was preconditions for export. He also added that they
should rebuild people's confidence in markets.
RADIKAL (LEFT)
--------------
LAST MINUTE RESCUE FOR 20,000 TREES
The construction of a 31 kilometer transit highway along the coastline
between Canakkale and Balikesir was stopped on grounds that it would
harm the historical texture and natural riches along the track. The
project, started in 1990, was opened for bidding in 1998, and the
infrastructure work had been started last year in the
Ayvacik-Kucukkuyu section. But the construction work had aroused
reaction among the locals, and the Edirne Foundation for the
Protection of Cultural and Natural Assets decided that the
construction work be canceled, and spared over 20,000 olive trees and
the natural beauty of the region.
BILL INTRODUCES HEAVY FINES AGAINST CHILD LABOR
A bill prepared by the Labor and Social Security Ministry proposed to
fine employers two and a half billion TL for every child under the age
of 18 they employ at dangerous and exhausting jobs, and a fine of five
billion TL for the repetition of the offense. The bill foresees that
children under the age of 18 cannot work at jobs that involve alcohol
and cigarette production, in professions requiring them to work under
the water, underground, in noisy environments, or in duties
necessitating long hours of standing up. Children over the age of 14
will be able to be employed at fields to pick up flowers and
vegetables, feeding animals, at fish farms, libraries, fairs and
exhibitions, as sales people at bakeries and grocers', and at
restaurants which do not serve alcoholic beverages, provided that they
have completed their compulsory education.
TURKIYE (RIGHT)
---------------
CONSOLATION TO CIVIL SERVANTS FROM ECEVIT
Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit has said that the government was resolved
to reflect the increase in inflation to the wages of civil servants.
Deputy Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz said ''the government would not let
the civil servants be crushed under the inflation no matter what the
inflation rate becomes and he assured people that the government would
preserve the prosperity share for people of fixed and limited
incomes.''
DERVIS SAYS POWERFUL POLITICAL AND SOCIAL SUPPORT
ESSENTIAL FOR ECONOMIC PROGRAM
State Minister Kemal Dervis who is going to the United States today to
submit his resignation to the World Bank has said that the government
was resolved to continue the economic program. He pointed out that the
program needed support from politicians and people to reach its goals.
Dervis also said that foreign financing was essential for the
program's success.
ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)
--------------------
RECORD SENTENCES TO BANKING CONVICTS
The Istanbul State Security Court demanded a total of 123,135 years in
prison for the 104 banking convicts, against whom cases had been filed
within the framework of investigations into Egebank, Sumerbank, and
Yurtbank, transferred to the Deposit and Savings Insurance Fund.
According to a compilation made by an Anatolia reporter from the
91-page Egebank, 57-page Yurtbank, and 48-page Sumerbank indictments,
the Istanbul State Security Court demands a total prison sentence from
49,276 years to 123,135 years for the 104 convicts of the three
cases.
-STATE MINISTER DERVIS SAYS BALANCE OF PAYMENTS WILL BE IMPORTANT
LEG OF ECONOMIC PROGRAM
ANKARA - State Minister Kemal Dervis has said that there was no
economic program entirely shaped and added that he was not going to
the United States to discuss this program.
Speaking to reporters at Ankara's Esenboga Airport prior to his
departure to the United States on Tuesday evening, Dervis said he
would get the views of certain circles in the United States which are
interested in the Turkish economy. ''There will be no political
discussions during my contacts. It will be only technical and
economical,'' he stressed.
Responding to a question on IMF support to the program, he said the
IMF and other international institutions should give stronger support
to the program.
Stressing the national quality of the economic program will be good
for Turkey, he contended.
The program definitely needs foreign financing, he continued. ''We'll
receive a certain amount of support from these institutions. However,
they want to see the entire program and they have the right to ask for
this,'' he commented.
''More than the foreign support, the Turkish people should trust the
program. Therefore, we should show everything as they are, we should
explain all the truth openly in a way everybody could understand. If
we do this, we'll have their support,'' he responded to another
question.
Balance of payment will constitute an important leg of the economic
program, he stated.
There is a series of regulations that they want Parliament to pass,
Dervis said, adding that the program could not be formed without
Parliament support.
Dwelling on inflation, he said they would work to bring down the
inflation rate to a reasonable figure by the end of this year. The
inflation will be high in the next one or two months, he said adding
that there is no reason for the inflation fall down quickly if they
form a program and regain people's confidence.
''There're also some good news. Turkey's export is already increasing
and we're expecting a good tourism season,'' he said.
He also pointed out that bureaucrats will be appointed to fill the
vacant positions in the shortest time possible.
-NINE TURKISH HAJ PILGRIMS DIE IN MECCA
MECCA - Nine more Turkish haj pilgrims died on Tuesday in Mecca.
The deaths brought the number of Turkish worshippers who lost their
lives to 44 during this years pilgrimage.
Five of the pilgrims were killed in the stampede during a ritual
symbolizing the stoning of satan on Monday. The other pilgrims died of
natural causes.
-MACEDONIAN PRESIDENT CALLS SEZER ON THE PHONE TO GIVE INFORMATION
ABOUT BORDER VIOLENCE
ANKARA - Macedonian President Boris Trajkovsky called his Turkish
counterpart Ahmet Necdet Sezer on the telephone on Tuesday evening,
and provided him with information on the terrorist attacks against
Macedonian soldiers along Macedonia's northern border, a Presidential
Press Bureau statement said.
The Macedonian president expressed concern over the rising tension in
the region. President Trajkovsky drew attention to the importance of
his country as an element of balance and peace, in the troubled Balkan
region. He expressed belief that Turkey, which he said had always
exerted efforts to contribute to regional peace and stability, would
continue its efforts.
''President Sezer, for his part, said that Turkey had always attached
importance to peace and stability in the Balkans, and would do her
best to tackle elements which pose a threat against Macedonia's
security and stability. President Sezer condemned the latest terrorist
attacks, and said it was essential to make sure that full respect was
shown to the national unity and territorial integrity of the regional
countries,'' the statement said.
-SALES OF LARGE HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCES STOPS AFTER CRISIS
BURSA - Sales of large household appliances such as refrigerators and
washing machines and wooden furniture ''stopped'' and people started
failing to make their payments in time for goods that they bought on
installment, it was reported on Wednesday.
Bursa Durable Consumption Products Association Chairman Lutfu
Ulukardesler told the A.A that the floatation of the foreign currency
stopped their sales. ''All sales campaigns were cancelled and we had
to increase prices 11 percent,'' he pointed out.
''There is still uncertainties in foreign currency rates. The
government has to overcome this crisis in the shortest time possible.
Otherwise, nobody will use credits with an interest rate of 150
percent. Nobody will buy anything from us with these interest
rates.''
-TURKEY CONDEMNS TERRORIST ATTACKS ON MACEDONIA-KOSOVO BORDER
ANKARA - Turkey has condemned Sunday's terrorist attacks which
resulted in the deaths of three Macedonian soldiers on Macedonian
border.
The Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday that Turkey expressed its concern
regarding the increasing tension in the region at the NATO Ministers
Council meeting on Feb. 27, 2001. ''Turkey strongly condemns the
incident which killed three Macedonian soldiers,'' the Foreign
Ministry said.
The ministry pointed out that the extremists on the northern border of
Macedonia escalated violeence and started threatening the stability in
the Balkans. Turkey will support Macedonia's efforts to solve the
problem through diplomatic ways, it was added.
''Turkey respects Macedonia's territorial integrity and its borders
which were drawn by international agreements,'' the ministry said.
''It strongly supports the Macedonian Republic's authorities efforts
to bring a solution to the problem with the international community.
Turkey expects all countries to respect the officially recognized
borders of Macedonia and other countries in the region and believes
that this is a precondition to maintain stability and safety of the
Balkans.''
-WOMEN STILL FAR BEHIND MEN IN TURKISH WORK LIFE
ANKARA - Women are left far behind men in the Turkish work life. Only
one out of three Turkish women could work while only one percent of
women hold executive positions, it was reported on Wednesday.
A research conducted by Sule Ozkuzukiran, an expert at Turk-Is Women
Workers Bureau revealed that the number of men and women are close to
equal among teachers, textile business and medicine.
Most working women are employed at positions which don't require any
specialization while other work at temporary jobs or they work at
home, therefore they are not registered. A majority of these women
work at weaving and textile related works which are quite labourious.
Women's employment are low in big cities while their participation in
work force is quite high in rural areas. However, more than 62 percent
of women who work in rural areas don't receive any wages and work free
to bring income to their families.
Women are employed 24 percent in scientific and technical fields, one
percent as executives, 23 percent in administrative fields, four
percent in sales, and 13 percent as maids and cleaning personnel.
Women, both in Turkey and all over the world, are paid 25 percent
lower compared to men for doing the same job. They spend five times
more time as men for housework and child care. Women constitute 44
percent of the literate population while only 3 percent of women have
university degrees.
Law that protect working women in Turkey is limited by birth leave and
nursing leave. When women have to continue working despite the
increasing number of children she has, their performance at work
declines and they causes more job accidents. They become worn out both
physically and pyschologically. 70 percent of women have to quit
working because of marriage and having children while 20 percent are
fired from their jobs because of the same reasons.
Women's participation in work life is the highest between the ages of
20-24. Their participation drops to 35 percent between 25-39 during
which many women get married and have children. Meanwhile, men's
participation in work life increases from 84 to 98 percent in the same
age periods.
-CULTURE MINISTRY TO CELEBRATE NEVRUZ ALL OVER TURKEY
ANKARA - The Culture Ministry will celebrate the Nevruz with a series
of conferences, concerts and exhibitions througout Turkey, the
ministry announced on Wednesday.
The ministry will organize poetry, painting and writing competitions
and the winners will be awarded.
A cartoon film prepared by the TRT will be shown at TRT and other TV
channels. Singers of the Ankara State Chorus Belkis Akkale and Bedri
Ayseli will perform at concerts in Belgium.
The Ankara State Theaters will stage plays on March 20 while the State
Opera and Ballet will perform a musical play for children on March
19.
A photography exhibition will open at Parliament on the Nevruz theme
on March 21.
The National Lottery Administration will have a Nevruz drawing in
Bitlis' Ahlat township.
-EFFORTS UNDERWAY TO ADOPT EU STANDARDS AT TURKISH HOSPITALS
ANKARA - Health Ministry European Union (EU) Coordination Bureau
Director Umit Giray said on Wednesday, that there would no longer be
long queues in front of hospital gates, and would be less physician
malpractice once Turkish hospitals completed their process of
adaptation with EU.
Giray, who spoke to reporters about studies to bring hospitals
attached to the Health Ministry to EU standards, said that a draft
program was being prepared for this purpose, and it would soon be
submitted to the Parliament for ratification. Their first goal was to
provide a standard training for all hospital personnel. Noting that
the Health Ministry personnel had first been provided with a 9-month
language course, Giray said his directorate was working in
coordination and cooperation with the Ankara University's European
Organizations Research and Practice Center.
"We are carrying out studies and activities in order to catch up with
EU standards also in hospital management and inspection. Within this
context, the hospitals will have their own managers, but inspections
will be carried out by inspectors from other institutions. This will
help us maintain a standard quality in hospital services.''
"These councils will accept complaints and suggestions, and will be
the mechanisms that will bring solutions. The three major problems we
are faced with in Turkish hospitals are long queues of patients,
physician malpractice, and wrong diagnosis. With the implementation of
our adaptation program, these problems will hopefully be solved to a
certain extent,'' Giray said.
"As a solution to the problem of long lines, we are planning to adopt
an appointment system or a regional system. We should also make sure
that all state hospitals adopted a computerized patient registration
system, which will surely save a lot of time and energy for both the
doctors, and the patients, and of course, the hospital management.''
"The duty of a chief of medical staff is to perform medical
directorate, he or she is not supposed to be responsible of managing
the doctors, the clerks, and the canteen staff. Our major problem is
that we are not so good at setting up goals for ourselves. The Turkish
state and government offices are like feudal lordships. I believe that
rendering every single hospital staff clear about their job
specifications, will be a major step towards solving this problem," he
concluded.
-FARMERS IN SOUTH EAST RELIEVED AFTER LAST MONTHS'S RAIN
SANLIURFA - The rain fall in February gave some relief to the farmers
in South East Anatolia. Last month 270 kilograms of rain fell in one
square meter, it was reported on Wednesday.
Farmers in Sanliurfa which is the second biggest wheat producer after
Konya had been suffering from draught for three years. The farmers
were a little relieved when it rained in the second half of last
month. Sanliurfa Meteorology Director Hasan Altunpak said they had not
received the rain they expected to in March, adding that they were
expecting more rain after the Feast of Sacrifice.
Agriculture Director Rustem Coskun said an area of 783,600 hectars
were planted with beans and grains in Sanliurfa region which meets a
majority of Turkey's need. He said they would face no risk of draught
if it also rains in March and April.
-MIRZAOGLU:''ECONOMY WILL RECOVER WITHIN SIX MONTHS''
ERDEMLI - State Minister Ramazan Mirzaoglu said on Wednesday that the
Turkish economy will recover in six months and added that the
government has the necessary political stability to overcome the
recent crisis.
''We were going to float the foreing currency in June but we had to do
it five months in advance due to the row between the president and the
prime minister. We'll bring the U.S. dollar to 800,000 TL in the
shortest time possible,'' he told residents of in Icel's Erdemli
township.
The government is taking a series of measures to pull the tradesmen
out of its economic troubles such as delaying the farmers' debts and
freezing interests, he explained.
Responding to a question, Mirzaoglu said ''We don't have to do
everything the IMF wants us to do.'' ''However just like other
countries, we get their views. It's the government's business to put
them into practice or not. The IMF could only have recommendations,''
he added.
-TRNC HOTELS ARE ONLY HALF FULL DURING HOLIDAY
LEFKOSA - The hotel bookings in the Turkish Republic of Northern
Cyprus (TRNC) are lower compared to previous holidays, it was reported
on Wednesday.
Due to the economic crisis in Turkey, 15 percent of reservations were
cancelled leaving the hotels only half full. During last year's
Ramadan holiday the hotels were almost hundred percent booked up.
Hotel owners pointed out that they didn't increase the prices after
the foreign currency was floated.
-DSI INITIATES POTABLE WATER PROJECT IN ISTANBUL
ISTANBUL - The implementation of the 'Great Potable Water Project for
Istanbul', the biggest project of the State Water Works (DSI) after
South East Anatolia Projec (GAP), is being continued, officials said
on Wednesday.
The project's goal is to meet middle and long-run water demands of the
crowded metropolitan. It is DSI's largest investment after GAP, which
will have been completed at a cost of $ 1,5 billion.
The Great Potable Water Project involves two sub projects, namely
Yesilcay and Buyuk Melen, and it aims to meet the potable water demand
of Istanbul until 2040. Once completed, the two projects will provide
Istanbul with an annual amount of 413 billion cubic meters of water,
which makes it an annual investment per person of TL 75 million.
The Yesilcay project, which had been commenced in 1997, will have been
completed by next year, and will provide Istanbul with an annual
amount of 145 million cubic meters of water. It will have been
completed at a cost of $271 million. The groundwork of the first stage
of Melen Project will be laid this year in the month of April. The
project will be fully operational in 2004, and it will provide the
metropolitan with an annual amount of 268 million cubic meters.