These are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in Turkey's press on Feb 5, 2002. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.
HURRIYET (LIBERAL)
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USD NINE BILLION TO BE GIVEN TURKEY IMMEDIATELY
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has full confidence in Turkey. New stand-by agreement was approved rapidly. Under the new stand-by, Turkey is envisaged to be given 16.2 billion U.S. dollars till 2004. Nine billion U.S. dollars of this source will be released immediately. IMF Board convened yesterday and approved Turkey’s programme for the 2002-2004 period.
PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT WARNS SADDAM WITH A LETTER
Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit sent a letter to President Saddam Hussein of Iraq, and warned him to remove all obstacles in front of the United Nations weapon inspection. In his letter, Prime Minister Ecevit said, ''you are face to face with a new threat. We have been launching initiatives to prevent this threat. If you do not open your gates to the United Nations weapon inspectors, serious developments can happen. Such developments can cause Turkey to suffer serious loss. Therefore, we are extremely sensitive.''
A TENDER TO BE HELD FOR MARMARAY PROJECT IN AUGUST A tender will be held in August of 2002 for the ''Marmaray Project'' aiming at passing the Istanbul Strait through a tunnel and railway system. Construction of the Marmaray Project to start in March of 2003, is expected to be finalize in April of 2007.
CEM: ''IF THE EU SETS A DATE, COALITION GOVERNMENT WINS ELECTIONS ONCE AGAIN''
Speaking at the World Economic Forum in New York, Foreign Minister Ismail Cem said, ''there is not the atmosphere of general elections in Turkey. If the European Union (EU) sets a date for beginning of full membership negotiations with Turkey and important developments are recorded in Baku-Ceyhan oil pipeline project, foreign investors will show more interest in Turkey, and chance of the current coalition government to win new general elections will increase.''
MILLIYET (LIBERAL)
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THIS TIME WE INSPECT
The Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly (COEPA) has charged Atilla Mutman, a deputy of the Democratic Left Party (DSP) and a member of Turkish Group at the COEPA to inspect clashes between the Catholics and the Protestans in Northern Ireland. The COEPA said that Mutman could act impartially because he was a Muslim. As a result, Mutman became the peace atbitrator in Northern Ireland. Mutman is waiting for the Council of Europe Secretariat to finalize its preparatory works. Later, he will leave for Ireland. He will listen to the sides in Northern Ireland, and prepare a report for the COEPA.
ISIKARA: ''MARMARA QUAKE APPROACHES DAY BY DAY''
Bogazici University Kandilli Observatory and Seismology Institute Director Prof. Dr. Ahmet Mete Isikara held a press conference following the earthquake in western province of Afyon, and said, ''Marmara quake approaches day by day. However, there are methods to save ourselves from a destructive earthquake. Bogazici and Fatih Mehmet bridges in the Istanbul Strait can endure such an earthquake, but we should strengthen all viaducts on TEM and E-5 highways.'' Isikara added, ''fires can break out after such an earthquake. These fires can cause more damage. Therefore, all necessary measures should be taken in order to prevent such fires.''
SABAH (LIBERAL)
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DENKTAS: ''GREEN LINE IS NOT ANOTHER BERLIN WALL''
President Rauf Denktas of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) said, ''I believe that a compromise will be reached on the island soon. Unification can be provided on the island by setting up bridges in the current situation on the island. The world should understand the fact that the Green Line brought forth peace to the island having two separate nations. It is necessary to find a solution to the Cyprus question.''
DERVIS: ''ECONOMIC SHOCK IN TURKEY CAME TO AN END''
State Minister Kemal Dervis for Economy made a statement after International Monetary Fund (IMF) Board approved 16.2 billion U.S. dollars of loan, and said, ''economic shock in Turkey came to an end. Turkey deserves these loans. Now, we are entering a new period.'' He added, ''we overcame the most serious part of the economic crisis. However, our problems do not end. We should create employment. Turkey’s most important problem is to create employment for a young population. A 3-4 percent growth is possible for Turkey in 2003. But this figure is not adequate. It is just a beginning.''
OIB GIVEN THREE YEARS
A new period is beginning in the privatization. State Minister Yilmaz Karakoyunlu for privatization said, ''a new draft law has been preared. We will privatize the Directorate of Privatization Authority (OIB). If the OIB could not succeed in privatizing itself in three years, it will be abolished.''
CUMHURIYET (LEFT)
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USD 9 BILLION TO COME IMMEDIATELY
The IMF approved the 18th stand-by deal after Turkey had fulfilled legal arrangements and pre-conditions. Turkey can immediately draw 9 billion U.S. dollars part of the approved loan of 19 billion U.S. dollars. The money is expected to come on Wednesday or Thursday. This year, 14.3 billion U.S. dollars together with the former sources will be used. Besides, 1 billion U.S. dollars will come each in 2003 and 2004.
3-YEAR DEPENDENCE
With the 48-article letter of intent submitted to the IMF, three-year commitments were undertaken from basic economic figures to the arrangements for change of the state's structure which are called structural reforms. The gruowt rate target was reduced to 3 percent in 2002. The wholesale prices index inflation rate target was set as 31 percent and consumer prices index inflation target was set as 35 percent in 2002.
DERVIS: ''TURKEY DESERVES''
State Minister Kemal Dervis said that Turkey deserved the loans it obtained. ''We can say that the Turkish economy left behind the most worse period after October and we overcame the economic crisis,'' he said.
RADIKAL (LEFT)
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THOSE WHO DON'T HAVE INSURANCE FEEL BITTER REGRET
The earthquake in Sultandagi clearly proved importance of the compulsory insurance of real estates against earthquake, which started to be implemented in March of 2001. The government which is discussing ''rapid payment'' in order to encourage insurance will not give money for the buildings which have not been insured in accordance with its commitment to the World Bank. The ceiling limit of the money to be paid to buildings which suffered damage in the quake in Afyon was set as 28 billion Turkish liras. However, only 9,671 of the 132,924 buildings in Afyon were insured. According to official figures, 622 buildings suffered damage, but it is still unclear how many of these buildings have insurance.
LETTER TO BAGHDAD
Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit sent the ''expected letter'' to the Baghdad administration. Stressing the seriousness of the situation, Ecevit requested Baghdad to immediately accept U.N. supervision.
ECEVIT: ''ADJUSTMENT WILL BE TAKEN UP AGAIN''
Searches for a compromise on the adjustment bill continue. While the Motherland Party (ANAP) ''suspended'' its internal works in order not to escalate the tension with its coaliton partner Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), Prime Minister made a promising statement. Ecevit said, ''by taking the public opinion's expectations into consideration, we will make a new review this week.''
TURKIYE (RIGHT)
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WE DID NOT TAKE NECESSARY LESSONS
Sunday's 6.0-magnitude earthquake in western province of Afyon revealed that we did not take necessary lessons from 1999's destructive earthquake disasters which claimed 50 thousand lives. In 1999, we accepted the fact that the real murderer of quake victims were constractors. However, they were released one by one by courts. We did not take into consideration Bogazici University Kandilli Observatory and Seismology Institute Director Prof. Dr. Ahmet Mete Isikara's warnings. Buildings which were razed to ground in Afyon were made of sun-dried bricks without any urban plans. We will forget pains of Afyon quake as we did in 1999 earthquake disasters till new earthquakes claim more lives. Holding a press conference, Prof. Dr. Isikara said, ''Turkey should be reconstructed. If such an earthquake had jolted Istanbul, all viaducts in the province would have destroyed.'' Meanwhile, the Council of Ministers took up Afyon quake at yesterday's meeting. Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said that the state had mobilized for Afyon. State Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Devlet Bahceli paid a visit to Afyon. Quake survivors told Bahceli that constractors should be brought to justice this time. Bahceli said that an investigation would be launched.
SIX TERRORISTS SURRENDER TO SECURITY FORCES
Six terrorists fleeing from the terrorist organization, have surrendered to security forces in southeastern province of Sirnak and in eastern province of Hakkari. Meanwhile, security forces captured 12 terrorists in southeastern province of Diyarbakir and in eastern province of Van. They also confiscated six Kalashnikov rifles, a G-3 rifle and four handguns. Operations have been continuing in the region.
CHHIBBER VISITS GURTUNA
World Bank Representative Ajay Chhibber paid a visit to Istanbul Mayor Ali Mufit Gurtuna. Speaking at the meeting, Chhibber said that they would concentrate their efforts in Istanbul to save the province from a possible earthquake. Chhibber added that taxes should be decreased, interest rates should be reduced and the Iller Bankasi should be reformed.
ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)
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ECEVIT: ''WE SHOULD PROVIDE HARMONY THIS WEEK''
Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said that arguments about the adjustment bill should be finalized this week. Following the meeting of Council of Ministers, Prime Minister Ecevit said, ''we made new assessments about the bill. I believe that it would be beneficial to finalize these arguments about the bill this week.'' The democracy package was criticized harshly with the pretext that it envisaged changes in Articles 159 and 312 of the Turkish Penal Code (TCK) restricting the freedom of expression.
493 AFTERSHOCKS OCCUR IN 24 HOURS
Following the 6.0-magnitude earthquake in Sultandagi township of western province of Afyon, a total of 493 aftershocks occurred in 24 hours. Istanbul-based Kandilli Observatory and Seismology Institute said that 493 aftershocks ranging from 3.0 and 5.3 on the Richter scale were recorded between 09:14 a.m. on Sunday and 07:21 a.m. on Monday. Officials warned the residents in Afyon province not to enter their homes suffering medium or heavy damage.