GENERAL STAFF: 'WE SHARE THE PUBLIC'S ANXIETY`

The General Staff emphasized that the Hizbullah massacre showed that the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) were right in their fight against reactionaries. Pointing out that to fight against reactionaries was the responsibility of all citizens', the TSK harshly rejected claims directly or indirectly of any connection with the TSK and the deadly Islamic terrorist group Hizbullah and it was a slander against reason and logic. In the TSK's declaration, it was emphasized that TSK warned several times about the threats of reactionists and reactionist terrorist organizations. It said, "The results of religion in politics have come to light with the Hizbullah's latest activities." /Cumhuriyet/

400 PEOPLE UNDER CUSTODY

The crack-downs on Hizbullah continues in Mardin, Batman, Diyarbakir, Elazig, Konya and in other 18 cities. The number of people who were taken into custody reached 400. During the crack-downs throughout the country, 33 corpses have been found in total; one in Adana, three in Ankara, ten in Istanbul, 12 in Konya and seven in Tarsus. The General Directorate of Security asked cities to give information about missing people. Up to now, information of 113 missing people has reached the General Directorate. Officials said that the number might increase, however, it doesn't mean that all those missing people had been kidnaped by the Hizbullah. /Cumhuriyet/

HIZBULLAH CHASE IN THE STATE

The Ankara State Security Court's (DGM) Office of Chief Prosecutor is getting ready to chase the Hizbullah in the State with the tip-top Abdulsamet Yildiz, an official of the Prime Ministry. Widening the inquiry, the Office of Chief Prosecuter began to investigate the Hizbullah's extention and supporters in the State. /Hurriyet/

HIZBULLAH'S LEADER: HACI INAN

From information received from the arrested Hizbullah terrorists, it has been revealed that the main leader of the illegal Hizbullah organization, was not Huseyin Velioglu, but Haci Inan. Huseyin Velioglu, killed in Beykoz, was a member of the eight-person executive committee. The committee depended on Haci Inan. The police is now after him and other members. /Star/

LEADERS WILL BE BRIEFED

The Minister of Interior Affairs, Saadettin Tantan, will supply the Democratic Left Party (DSP) leader, the Nationalist Action Party (MHP) leader and the Motherland Party (ANAP) leader with information on the Hizbullah operation. ANAP leader Mesut Yilmaz stated that Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit would not be able to attend the briefing because of his agenda and that, instead, Deputy Prime Minister Husamettin Ozkan would be present. In addition, Minister of Justice Hikmet Sami Turk is also expected to be at Tantan's information session. /Milliyet/

EUROPEAN UNION ON AGENDA AT DAVOS

The 'Davos Summit', during which the Turkish economy will be examined, is also very important in terms of Turkish diplomacy. The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ismail Cem, will leave for Davos in order to attend the 'World Economic Forum' and will deliver a speech at two discussion panels. The first is entitled 'Central Asia and the Caucasus', and the second speech will be about 'The expansion of the European Union'. /Sabah/

UGUR MUMCU COMMEMORATED

On the seventh anniversary of his murder, journalist Ugur Mumcu was commemorated throughout Turkey. He was killed by a car bomb, outside his flat in Ankara, on Jan. 24th, 1993. Mumcu's killers have still not been found and brought to justice and his murder remains amongst one of Turkey's most prominent unsolved cases. /Cumhuriyet/

TURKEY SURRENDERS TO SNOW

In certain parts of Turkey snow and adverse weather continues to block many major and secondary roadways and caused school closures for two or three days. In addition to school closures, Turkish Airlines' flights have been delayed and in some places electricity lines were downed. In the wake of the bad weather conditions, seven people died, and 27 people were wounded. Five thousand village roads were closed. /Hurriyet/

PRIVATE PLANE CRASHES IN ANKARA

A plane belonging to Top Air which departed from the Esenboga Airport on an Ankara-Istanbul flight crashed landed yesterday killing three crew members and one passenger. It is reported that the captain of the airplane was the General Director of Top Air, Irfan Yildiran. /Turkiye/

100 BILLION TL WORTH OF HEROIN SEIZED

An Italian woman named Carmenille Mariella was arrested at Istanbul's Ataturk Airport, with 4.6 kilos of heroin, worth 100 billion TL, yesterday. Officials said that an investigation into the issue was underway. /Turkiye/

GERMAN AMBASSADOR TO ANKARA LEAVES TURKEY

As his term in office has come to an end, Germany's Ambassador to Ankara, Hans Joachim Vergau, took his leave of Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit. After the fifteen-minute visit, Vergau issued statements to the press and summed up his final days in Ankara. He said that he was very pleased with the expansion decision taken by the EU at the Helsinki Summit, and that he was very disturbed by the negative effects of the PKK terrorism on relations between Turkey and Germany. Vergau further added, "I find the polemic about terrorism unbearable. Do not forget that the Kohl Government tried very hard to ensure Turkey's entrance into the Customs Union and my efforts to create a concrete sense of candidacy for Turkey were supported by the Federal Government. The Turkish people's warmth in their relations with us and the beauty of Turkey have ensured my and my wife's happiness here." /Milliyet/

EUROPEAN UNION IMPRESSED BY RAPPROCHEMENT BETWEEN TURKEY AND GREECE

The improving relations between Turkey and Athens have also had their effects in the European Union. The EU Ministers of Foreign Affairs state that the warming of relations between Turkey and Greece has added considerably to relations between Turkey and the EU. The current President of the EU, Portugese Minister of Foreign Affairs Jaime Gama, pointed out that there is a positive atmosphere between Turkey and the EU that has never been experienced in this way before and said, "The rapprochement between Turkey and Greece is also expanding. We are receiving some positive signals concerning the Cyprus issue." Greek Minister of Foreign Affairs George Papandreu said, "There is now such a productive atmosphere for the first time as to enable us to find a solution to the problem of Cyprus." It was further stated that Papandreu had requested the support of the EU's supreme representative, Javier Solana, for the implementation of the 'wise men' committee that was proposed as a solution to the problems between the two countries. /Milliyet/

EGIAD SUPPORTS TURCO-GREEK FRIENDSHIP

The Chairman of the Executive Board of the Aegean Young Businessmen's Association (EGIAD), Bulent Akgerman, stated that as Turkish businessmen they would contribute to the further improvement of relations with Greece. Akgerman visited the Greek Ambassador to Izmir, Christina Aleksopula, with the Association's Foreign Relations Commision members. Akgerman said, "We will continue good relations with the former Ambassador." Akgerman requested the support of Ambassador Aleksopulo so that the seeds that were previously sown would come to fruition. Akgerman further stated that they would make every effort so as to ensure the Turkish Stock Exchange's transaction in the Greek Stock Exchange. /Aksam/

PEACE WATER VENTURE STARTS

The Cyprus Peace Water Venture developed in order to meet the need for water in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), will start this year. Water got from the Anamur Dragon Streamlet, as part of the venture, will be carried through huge pipes. The general administration of the venture has been undertaken by the Alarko Alsim Company. The scheme is expected to be completed in five years' time. /Turkiye/

ISRAELI STAMP ON F-4 AIRCRAFT

The first the F-4 Fantom war aircraft, modernized in Israel as part of the agreement concluded between Israel's Aircraft Industry Firm and the Turkish National Defence Ministry, will be in Eskisehir on January 27. Within the guidelines of the agreement, 54 F-4 aircraft will be modernized. The modernization of the aircraft which will be realized in Eskisehir will begin in May 2000 and will be completed in 2003. /Turkiye/

GERMAN PKK MEMBER TRANSFERRED TO AMASYA

A German member of the PKK terrorist organization, Eva Katriyana Unsa Junhke, who has been sentenced to 15-years imprisonment, has been transferred from the Sivas Closed Prison to Amasya Closed Prison. Unsa Junhke aged 33, who was captured during an operation by the Turkish Armed Forces in 1997 in Northern Iraq and then brought to Turkey, faced a 15-year sentence following a trial at the State Security Court (DGM) in Van. /Turkiye/

TURCO-GREEK RAPPROCHEMENT IN THE BRITISH PRESS

"The Guardian" newspaper published in England gave wide coverage to the visit by a Greek Foreign Minister to Turkey after 38 years. In his article Peter Preston stated that the world was caught unawares with the rapprochement between Turkey and Greece. Noting that one of the architects of the new policy was Greek Foreign Minister Papandreu, Preston quoted the young politician as saying, "We are two countries with common interests and our peoples are aware of the fact." Preston who said that this warming up of relations had to give a message to England, and that the British Govenment had to learn lessons from it. Noting that Papandreu and Cem were able to speak the same language, Preston said that the iceberg of problems had begun to melt and the two countries signed agreements on various issues. "The Daily Telegraph" said that Papandreu had won the hearts of Turkish people during his visit as reported by the Anatolia News Agency.

THE OPPORTUNITY OF STATE LODGINGS FOR THE GHAZIS

It was decided that police injured or disabled during incidents concerning terrorism and, thus, appointed to administrative duties will be ensured of state lodgings for ten years. The injured or disabled police will be given priority for lodgings as part of a change made in the Public Housing Regulations, prepared by the Minister of Interior Affairs, on instruction from Prime Minister, Bulent Ecevit. /Aksam/

INCREASE IN TOURIST RESERVATIONS

The owner of the Oger Tour, one of the largest tourism companies in Europe, Vural Oger said that the decision to delay Abdullah Ocalan's execution, caused a 20% increase in daily tourist reservations. Pointing out that there was a crisis in 1999, Oger said, "The high tension in Turkey's politics, terrorist activities, negative relations between Germany and Europe were the main reasons for the crisis. However, today, Turkey has solved most of her problems." Meanwhile, The recent crisis with Italy 15 months ago has now been overcome. Turkey is again the favorite country in Italy and the Italian press began to issue special supplements on Turkey. /Hurriyet/

TURKEY IS A HELICOPTER GIANT IN REGION

Turkey is amongst the countries having the most powerful helicopter fleets. Including new projects, Turkey will have 649 helicopters. In the region Syria has 206, Iran 300 and Greece 200 helicopters. /Hurriyet/

BONDS FROM TREASURY

The Treasury Undersecretariat will issue bonds worth 600-700 trillion TL. The two-year term bonds will be repaid on January 23, 2002. The Treasury had previously issued bonds for three-month terms on January 18, 2000. /Turkiye/

"WE WILL BE THE LEADER OF EUROPE"

Turkey, which has of the the most modern and secure air radar equipment system in the world, will further strengthen its system in the year 2000. The General Director of the State Airports Company, Bilgettin Toker, said that with the new system established, they would lead Europe. The system is expected to cost $300 million. Toker stated that an international tender would be put out for construction of the system in the year 2001. /Turkiye/

DOYSAN-ADM PARTNERSHIP

Doysan Oil Industry and the US Archer Daniels Midland Company (ADM) which produces oily seeds, grains and other agricultural products have established a new company. The shares will be 50%-50%. The partnership agreement was signed by the Head of the ADM Executive Board Brian F.Peterson and Head of the Doysan Joint Stock Company, Mustafa Bayraktar yesterday. /Turkiye/

LETTER FROM ASLAN TO VAN DER LINDEN

The Head of the Gaziantep Trade Chamber (GTO), Mehmet Aslan, stated that the Southeastern Anatolia Region needs technical and financial support during the integration and candidacy process with the EU. Aslan has sent a letter to the European Commission's Turkey Desk Chief, Eric Van Der Linden, and conveyed his views concerning the issues on the region and relations with the EU. Aslan recalled that the first information office as part of the venture of the Turkish Regional Information Network with the cooperation between European Commission's Representative Office in Turkey and the GTO had been opened in Gaziantep. Aslan pointed out that he was ready for every cooperation in the region. /Turkiye/

PINAR SAUSAGE IN GERMANY

The Head of the Yasar Holding Food anf Drink Group, Ahmet Arsan, stated that meat and milk products were not being exported from Turkey to EU countries and added, "We are producing and selling meat and milk products in Germany in order to overcome this problem". He said that sausages and other products of the Pinar Company had been produced in Germany in November and started to sell in December. /Turkiye/

GREEN LIGHT FROM EUROPE FOR SABANCI-DUPONT

Europe has given the green light to cooperation between American textiles giant DuPont and the Sabanci Group, two of the huge polyester producers, so that these two companies can produce and sell polyester. The European Commission (EC) has approved of this joint initiative. In a statement issued by the 'Sabah' newspaper, which was obtained from the European Commission's representative in Turkey, DuPont and Sabanci had applied to the EC last year and requested permission to become active both in European countries and Turkey. After this, the EC examined the situation thoroughly and decided that cooperation between these companies would not cause market domination and, thus, will not cause a monopoly situation. /Sabah/

SUPPORT FOR EXPORTERS FROM GOVERNMENT

The government has declared its support for exporters, who are expected to experience hard times following the foreign exchange programme announced as part of the economic stability package. The preparation of a funding package by the government, which thinks that the exporters will lose the advantage of the foreign exchange rates in the year 2000 and, therefore, feel the pressure of imports, has reached its final stage. As part of this solution, exporters will be given guidance, unfair competition as a result of foreign imports will be removed and problems both in terms of products and the country will be solved. The five areas that will be reviewed during the year 2000 will be as follows: The renewal of the technological infrastructure will be a priority and international cooperation will be encouraged. Importance will be placed on strategic marketing methods, the formation of new delivery routes, re-exportation and transit trade. Measures to decrease overheads will be taken. Harmonization with the norms of the European Union and the World Trade Organization will not be compensated for. Lastly, exporters undergoing re-organization will be supported mainly with foreign exchange loans. /Sabah/

HUGE TURKISH STORE ON INTERNET

The website entitled 'kangurum.com.tr' has received the title of Turkey's biggest shopping centre. Goods can be ordered worldwide from internet stores, such as Migros Visual Market, Arcelik, HP, Divan, Vakko, Setur, Casio, Fenerbahce and Galatasaray. People from all over the world who enter this web site are able to look and shop from 20 stores now online as from yesterday. In addition, the companies on this site are making their goods more attractive by special promotions and by decreasing prices. /Aksam/

THE TREASURY IS GETTING PREPARED FOR EXPORTATION

Banking sources in London stated that this week Turkey can start the export of Euro debentures for a ten-year-term and this amount can reach 1 billion Euros. The profits of the debentures are expected to be 380 base points above the German Treasury's benchmark. /Aksam/

FROM THE COLUMNS ... FROM THE COLUMNS ... FROM THE COLUMNS

DOES THE MEANS JUSTIFY THE END? BY GUNGOR MENGI (SABAH)

Columnist Gungor Mengi comments on the recent incidents which have been uncovered. A summary of his column is as follows: "'Trying to tie Hizbullah to the Turkish Armed Forces is a slander which cannot be explained by reason or logic.' the Office of the Chief of General Staff used this expression in the statement it recently issued. The declaration also pointed out that those who summed up the determined stance of the Turkish Armed Forces as a "reactionary paranoia" were either completely in the dark or defended this opinion for a reason. The last assessment is entirely true. In fact, the "fields of fear" and the cruelty of Hizbullah have disclosed that the reactionary threat has become an imminent danger. The National Security Council document dated 28 February 1977 has passed into the annals of history as a great service rendered by the Army towards awakening both the state and society. However, there is some doubt in our minds that Hizbullah had been pitched against the PKK and that it has used this role to expand the organization. The recent statement by the Office of the Chief of General Staff makes it clear that if this is the case, the Armed Forces are not aware of the situation and, moreover, they are not a party to it. This is a great relief; however, it does not clear all the State security forces of guilt. The Prime Minister and the President both underline that if the power of the State has been used for such a purpose, a crime has been committed and those responsible should answer for their actions. Terrorism soils the country in which it has set up camp. If the Armed Forces have remained clean, we are lucky. Our second stroke of luck is that a government resolute in the eradication of the roots of terrorism is in power. We have to use this opportunity well. "

GREEK POLICY TOWARDS TURKEY BY ILTER TURKMEN (HURRIYET)

Former Ambassador Ilter Turkmen writes on Turco-Greek relations. A summary of his colunm is as follows: "There are many dimensions of the policy followed by the Simitis Goverment towards Turkey. One of them is to improve bilateral cooperation on issues where there are no controversies, to create an atmosphere of friendship and facilitate the solution of problems. The EU parametre of this policy is to support Turkey's candidacy, and use the influence of the EU in changing the Turkish stance regarding the Aegean and Cyprus issues, during the process of passing through candidacy to membership. To a certain extent the Greek Government may be thought to be concealing its real purpose. However, in the long term it may find a lasting friendship and partnership between the two countries, in the EU, to be in her best interests. Turkish policy is in line with short and long term Greek policies. There is problem in medium term policies as during the process to full-membership the problems in the Aegean and the Cyprus issues will be on the agenda. The visit of Greek Foreign Minister, George Papandreu was successful as far as expectations and aims. Four agreements were signed. The Turkish side proposed confidence building measures. With their positive styles Cem and Papandreu greatly contributed to the opening of a new page in relations between Ankara and Athens. In the next phase, Turkey has to assess carefully the basic elements of Greek strategy. For example, in the field of security, the Simitis Government is trying to erase the advantage Turkey has with her military strength, both in the Aegean and on Cyprus. On the subject of the controversies in the Aegean, Papandreu has clearly stated the Greek stance. They believe that there is no problem other than the continental shelf in the Aegean; other issues can be solved through agreements either Turkey or Greece is a party to, or through international agreements. This view is just the opposite of the Turkish stand. Therefore, negotiations are needed to bring these views closer. An important factor in the general strategy of Greece is Cyprus. Papandreu has also described the Cyprus issue as a wound. It is true that without reaching an agreement on Cyprus, there can be no real agreement between Turkey and Greece."

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