DEMIREL IN VAN

President Suleyman Demirel, who started his heavy schedule in Turkey, met ministers and deputies in Van and addressed the public there. On answering the journalists' questions, President Demirel made a statement concerning the presidential elections saying, "Those who call me will tell the reasons for why they want my re-election." Demirel also made a statement concerning the special retirement law and said that he would make an explanation offering a well-balanced solution on this issue, on Friday morning. Demirel also addressed municipalities governed by the People's Democracy Party (HADEP) and warned them that they should act intelligently. /Milliyet/

CEM MEETS THE MOROCCAN KING

The Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ismail Cem paid an official visit to Morocco and visited King Muhammed Sidi at his palace in Rabat. Cem also delivered President Demirel's letter of good intention to Sidi, on improving economic and political cooperation between Morocco and Turkey. Cem also met Moroccan Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Muhammed Benaissa and the Moroccan Minister of Trade, Alami Tazi and signed a Cooperation Protocol so as to ensure a coordination between the two countries on international issues. Cem stated that his visit to Morocco had been very productive. /Milliyet/

SCHRODER TO VISIT ECEVIT

German Chancellor, Gerhard Schroder, will arrive in Turkey as the guest of Turkish Prime Minister, Bulent Ecevit, on 6th and 7th March. Schroder is expected to give a message that he will not allow racism and that he is determined about the process of the expansion of the EU to the world through Ankara. Schroder, who will come to Turkey, for the first time after seven years, will state that Germany is fully supporting Turkey in its membership to the European Union. During Schroder's visit, the sale of the Leopard-2 tanks to Turkey will also be discussed. After Schroder's visit to Turkey, the German President Johannes Rau is expected in Turkey. In addition, the Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ismail Cem will go to Berlin on 14th and 15th February and discuss the final preparations before these visits. /Hurriyet/

GULIYEV'S STATEMENT ON THE BAKU-CEYHAN PIPELINE PROJECT

Azerbaijani Minister of Foreign Affairs, Vilayet Guliyev, stated that there was no alternative pipeline for the Baku-Ceyhan pipeline, the Anatolia News Agency reports. Guliyev said that there being another pipeline on the agenda would be impossible unless the present pipeline project, which will transport the Azerbaijani oil from the Caspian Basin to the world markets, is implemented. Guliyev stated "We are looking favorably on the issue of exporting Azerbaijain oil to the world markets through more than one pipeline. However, the oil itself should be considered as well as the political support. If the amount of oil from the present sources in the Caspian is more than we envisaged, then another pipeline across Iran could be on the agenda in the following years.

DENKTAS OFFICIALLY INVITED TO GERMANY

The President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, Rauf Denktas, will be visiting Germany, after officially being invited, for the first time. In their meeting scheduled to take place in Hamburg tomorrow, President Denktas will inform the German Foreign Minister Fischer about the Proximity Talks under the auspices of the United Nations. President Denktas stated that even though the formal invitation could not be interpreted as Germany recognising the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, it was still a very important development./Sabah/

DIPLOMATIC NOTES EXCHANGED WITH GREECE

Following the period of softening between Turkey and Greece and Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs Ismail Cem's visit to Athens, a surprising development has led to tension between the two countries after Greece claimed that Turkey violated the Greek airspace on Monday. A diplomatic note was given to the Turkish Foreign Ministry by the Undersecretary of the Greek Embassy yesterday in protest, after the Greeks claimed that Turkey had violated the airspace. As a further development the Head of the Aviation Department of the Turkish Foreign Ministry, Hulusi Kilic, stated that Turkey did not accept Greece`s protest and that Greece had also violated the Turkish airspace./Sabah/

TURKISH POLITICS TO BE DISCUSSED

Turkish politics will be discussed at a symposium entitled 'Political Formation and Basic Political Problems in Turkey' to be held by the Turkish Parliamentarians' Association (TPB), Social Economic Political Research Foundation (TESAV) and the National Democracy Institute (NDI). Scientists, politicians and non-governmental organizations will discuss the basic political problems in Turkey on 11th and 12th February at the former Senato Hall of the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TGNA). The Chairman of the Research Department U.S.A. Congress, Paul Rundquist and the Chairman of the Europe Research Centre of Israel Hebrew University and the former Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs Undersecretary, Dr. Shlomo Avineri, will also speak on the internal problems in operation on the political systems in their countries. During the second day of the symposium, representatives of the political parties speak out their views of the Turkish political system. /Milliyet/

NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL AND GOVERNORS

The Governors of 11 provinces in the Emergency Region Rule (OHAL), the National Security Council delegation and Ministry of Interior Affairs' Deputy Undersecretary met yesterday. The delegation, which met under the auspices of the Governor of the Region, Gokhan Aydiner, discussed the 'Return to the Village' Project and the economic and social problems of the region. /Star/

MISSING WEAPONS PUZZLE IN BATMAN

Stating that an irregularity was carried on the weapons bought by the Office of the Batman Governor and then got lost, Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said that he appointed civil inspectors to investigate the case. The Prime Minister in office then Tansu Ciller didn't reply to questions of journalists regarding rumours that money had been transfered from the Mass Housing and Public Participation Administration. The then Interior Minister, Nahit Mentese, and the Governor of the Emergency Rule Region (OHAL), Unal Erkan, declared that they had no information about the weapons import. Batman Governor Salih Sarman stressed that without the knowledge of the Minister and Governor of the OHAL this type of purchasing was not possible. It is understood that the weapons were brought into Turkey by the Bulgarian Kintex and Chinese Trigon Companies. /Cumhuriyet/

SOUTHEAST IS AN AMMUNITION STORE

The fifth ammunition store of the brutal illegal organization Hizbullah was discovered in Gaziantep. The security forces covered exactly 1,500 km of the city to find the ammunition store. The weapons found in the ammunition stores in Batman, Kiziltepe, Hilvan and Gaziantep were enough to equip an army. One mortar, 149 guns, 156 Kalashnikofs, 702 hand bombs, 169 missile launchers, more than 25,000 bullets, Kanas assasination weapons, MP-5s and a large amount of TNT and other explosives were found. It is thought that the weapons and ammunition were brought to Turkey via Iran and North Iraq. Expecting to find further ammunition stores in Mersin, Ankara and Istanbul, security forces are continuing investigations in these cities. /Cumhuriyet/

PREPARATION FOR A HOLY WAR

The General Director of Security Turan Genc pointed out that the stage reached by the terrorist Hizbullah organization was 'preparation for a holy war` before the crackdown on Jan. 17th. Stating that the organization wants to set up a regime as the 'Iran model`, officials also have drawn the similarity of the activities carried out in Algeria. Genc also stressed that the crackdown was on-going throughout the country and there was an increase in the number of weapons and documents being seized. /Cumhuriyet/

ERBAKAN IS LOOKING FOR A NEW NAME

Necmettin Erbakan is looking for an alternative name for the Chairman of the Virtue Party, instead of Recai Kutan. It was learned that Erbakan considered Istanbul Provincial Chairman of the Virtue Party, Numan Kurtulmus as a candidate, and sounded out party members' views on him. Debates continue in the reformist-wing of the party to present a single nominee for the chairmanship race. /Cumhuriyet/

AFTERSHOCKS CONTINUE

A mild earthquake shook Golcuk, Kocaeli on Wednesday. According to the Bogazici University Kandilli Observatory Seismology Institute, yesterday an earthquake with a magnitude of 4.2 was recorded in Golcuk at 18:40 local time for 5 seconds. The quake was also felt in the surrounding cities. No damage or injuries have been recorded. /Turkiye/

PKK'S SEVENTH SO-CALLED CONGRESS

The illegal PKK terrorist organization completed its 7th congress, which was held in a cave, in Iraq, near the Iran border. The organization formed a party assembly instead of a central committee and prepared legislation. It was decided to intensify the efforts for the release of Ocalan, who was again elected as leader and to lay down their weapons gradually. The name of the armed-wing of the PKK, the Kurdistan People's Liberation Army (ARGK) was changed to the 'People Defense Force` and re-structured. The political-wing of the organization of the Kurdistan National Liberation Front (ERNK) was abolished and instead, democratic nation units were to be established in all areas. /Hurriyet/

PKK TO LAY DOWN WEAPONS 'AGAIN'

The PKK terrorist organization which had previously stated that they laid down their weapons following a peace call made by PKK Chief, Abdullah Ocalan, once again declared that they had laid down their weapons. The British News Agency, Reuters, announced that the PKK had also approved Ocalan's decision to give up their armed struggle. The organization sent a fax to Reuters saying that their so-called Congress approved the abandoning of the armed struggle. It is reported that the decision was taken during PKK meeting held on Mount Kandil in Northern Iraq. /Aksam/

ECEVIT RECEIVES CHAIRMAN OF THE COUNCIL OF STATE

Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit received the Chairman of the Council of State, Erol Cirakman, yesterday. Following the meeting, Cirakman answered journalists' questions and said that he requested the discussion of a bill concerning the Council of State as soon as possible. He also added that Ecevit had responded favourably to this request. Cirakman did not answer questions on the special pension law as the Council of State would be discussing the matter, if a suit is filed on the issue, the Anatolia News Agency reported.

TURKEY, ONE OF THE MOST ATTRACTIVE COUNTRIES WITH REGARD TO EXTERNAL BORROWING

The Undersecretary of the Treasury Selcuk Demiralp, stated yesterday that Turkey was one of the most attractive countries with regard to external borrowing. Demiralp said that in the first quarter of the year the goal for external borrowing was $1.5 billion. He stated that in addition to this, they planned to borrow $400 million from Japan and make the total borrowed $3 billion, the Anatolia News Agency reported.

NEW PROVOCATION FROM GREEK-CYPRIOTS

A conflict occurred yesterday between Turkish soldiers and three people near the 'Green Line' in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). The UN Spokesman Charles Gaulkin said that three people opened fire on Turkish soldiers patrolling the buffer zone in Derinya and that the soldiers retaliated. Gaulkin pointed out that there has been no information whether there were any casualties. Meanwhile, an official from the Defence Ministry of the Greek-Cypriot Administration said that they had no information about the incident. /Aksam/

TURKEY'S MESSAGE TO IRAN

The Turkish Foreign Ministry condemned the terrorist activities in Tehran, Iran on February 5. The Foreign Ministry Deputy Spokesman, Sermet Atacanli, said that Turkey has been struggling against terrorism, especially the PKK terrorist organization, for many years and added that every country had to right to fight against terrorism. Atacanli delivered a speech and condemned the attack carried out by the 'Organization of the Fighters for the People', which opposes the Government. Atacanli added, "Turkey supports the view that an effectice cooperation against international terrorism is essential". /Aksam/

OUR PILOTS RETURN

A team of the Turkish Air Force who attended the 'Red Flag 2000-2` manoeuvres returned to Turkey from the US. It is stated that Turkish pilots were successful during the manoeuvres which were carried out with American, the British and Turkish Air Force teams between Jan. 22nd and Feb. 5th 2000. Turkey sent 39 officers and 53 non-commissioned officers to attend. /Turkiye/

SEX EDUCATION FOR THE STUDENTS

Within the framework of the project on the 'Changes in Puberty' materialised by the Ministry of Education, 45 minute long lessons will be given to students in years 6, 7 and 8. In addition, a booklet containing information on sexuality and the changes the young people go through during adolescence will be handed out to the students. The results of a survey conducted on students between the ages of 13-16, by the Health Department of the Ministry of Education, on how informed students were about sexuality and puberty showed that the majority of the students did not have sufficient knowledge about these issues. /Cumhuriyet/

A NEW SERVICE FROM TURKCELL

It is now possible to make enquiries with Turkcell's new service to find the numbers of subscribers by dialling 132. A statement made by Turkcell said that it will be possible to give out all Turkcell numbers whose GSM owners have consented to their numbers going into the telephone directory. For the time being Turkcell GSM phone owners will be able to benefit from this service by calling 132 from their cell phones and it was stated that it would also be possible to call 132 through normal telephones in the very near future. /Sabah/

KOC: WE MUST NOT GIVE UP

The co-chairman of the Turkish-American Business Council Mustafa Koc visited Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Devlet Bahceli to invite him to the traditional American-Turkish and Turkish-American Business Council meeting which will take place in Washington DC at the end of March. In his statement Koc commented that these meetings have started to have a significant importance since Turkey became a candidate for full membership of the European Union and after United States President Bill Clinton's visit to Turkey. Koc also stated that it was confirmed that the American Ministers of Energy, Defence and Trade, will also attend the meeting which is why it is all the more essential for Turkey to be represented fully. In his reply to a question about the inflation in Turkey, Koc said, that Turkey should not give up and should carry on taking decisive measures to solve this problem. /Sabah/

PETROL OFISI BIDDING ON 13th MARCH

The most promising and the first project of the privatization programme of the year 2000, the Petrol Ofisi AS bidding, will take place by public auction on 13th March. The Administration of Privatization will give 4 groups 10 days for them to reasses their bids. /Sabah/

A SYSTEM OF EARLY WARNING IN BANKING

Treasury Undersecretary, Selcuk Demiralp, stated that Turkey should make its economic, political and legal regulations to suit the European norms, during the membership process for the EU. Demiralp made a statement during the meeting, held by Arthur Andersan on the subject of 'Developments Awaiting for Turkish Banking Through European Union'. Demiralp said, "We should improve the system of control over the banking sector in Turkey. We should bring the system of an early warning, which is being applied by the whole world, to Turkey. Unless this system is established in Turkey, it would be impossible for the Turkish economy to gain financial esteem and to be controlled. Turkey has done its best in terms of financial regulations. Our banking law has become a modern and effective law, thanks to the latest changes." /Milliyet/

THE NOMURA BANK BOUGHT A SHARE OF EGS HOLDING COMPANY

The Chairman of the Executive Board of the EGS Holding Company, Hasan Turhan, stated that the world's biggest investment bank, Nomura became a parter with EGS Holding with a share of 1.5%. Turhan held a press conference on the first day of his duty as Chairman of EGS Holding and gave information about the group's investments. Turhan said, "The EGS Group has a big responsibility towards the economy and the social life of Turkey and has initiatives in this direction. We are trying to implement the requirements of this purpose." /Hurriyet/

ITALIANS FAVOURED THE TASTE OF TURKISH SEA-BRASS AND GILT-HEAD BRIM

Italians loved the sea-basses and gilt-head brims that are imported from Turkey. Italians, who consume 23 kg of sea food per person annually, have a great demand for Turkish sea food because of its delicious taste and low price. In the Italian daily 'Il Messaggero', the Italian columnist Giacomo Dente wrote an article in which he stated that the Turkish sea-brass and gilt-head brim are not only extremely nutritious, but also very cheap, causing them to be in great demand by the Italian people. /Hurriyet/

TURCO-ENGLISH TECHNICAL AND FINANCIAL COOPERATION AGREEMENT.

A technical and financial cooperation agreement will be signed by the Turkish Public Works and Housing Minister and the English Environment, Communications and Regions Minister in order to contribute to the reconstruction of the province of Yalova today. In a statement released by the Ministry, Undersecretary Ali Helvaci and UK Ambassador to Ankara Sir David Logan, will sign the agreement on behalf of their countries. Public Works and Housing Minister Aydin Koray will also attend the signing ceremony, the Anatolia News Agency reports.

EU COMMISSION TO EXTEND AID TO TURKEY

The EU Commission will extend financial aid to Turkey, an EU candidate, worth 177 million Euros a year during 2000-2002. Following the agreement for 600 million Euros in loans to Turkey from the European Investment Bank (EIB), the financial assistance of the European Council will increase further in the year 2000. The donation from the EU to Turkey will be extended as part of harmonization between the legislation and the MEDA European Union Mediterranean Countries Development Assistance and the socio-economic development. During the years 2000-2006, Turkey will also take advantage of the 6.4 billion Euros in financial assistance to finance the projects of 12 Mediterranean countries within the MEDA. /Aksam/

TRANSPARENCY IN PRIVATIZATION

During a meeting on privatization attended by the State Minister Yuksel Yalova and the representatives of various business institutions yesterday, it was decided that tenders will be announced to the public in details and via advertising. The State Minister Yalova held the meeting with the Chairmen of the Turkish Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges (TOBB), the Turkish Industralists' and Businessmen's Association (TUSIAD), the Istanbul Chamber of Industry, the Istanbul Chamber of Trade and the Chamber of Maritime Trade. /Aksam/

NO DECISION ON HELICOPTER TENDER

The National Defence Ministry announced yesterday that no decision had been reached concerning the selection of the firm for the 145 fighter/tactic reconnaissance helicopters needed by the Turkish Armed Forces. The Ministry stated that meetings for the contract would begin following the decision on the helicopter-type, during the Defence Industry Executive Committee. /Aksam/

CILLER PROMISES TO SUPPORT EXPORTERS

The Leader of the True Path Party (DYP), Tansu Ciller, meeting the Head of the Turkish Exporters' Assembly (TIM) Okan Oguz and the members of the Executive Committee, said that her party would support exporters. Ciller remarked that Turkey should return to an open market economy as soon as possible. Okan Oguz pointed out that they discussed the data concerning the exports of the year 1999 and their expectations for the year 2000. /Aksam/

TREASURY IN SAMURAI MARKET

The Treasury will issue bonds worth 25 billion Yen (nearly $250 million) on the Japanese Samurai market in the last week of February this year. The three-year term bonds will be issued via the Japanese intermediary institution Nomura. The Treasury previously received a quota worth 500 billion Yen for three years in order to be able to issue bonds in Japan. /Aksam/

FORD OTOSAN TO STAY IN GOLCUK

The General Director of Ford Automotive Industry Joint Stock Company (Ford Otosan), Mark Schulz, stated that even though their facilities in Golcuk had been seriously damaged because of the earthquake in August 1999, they would continue to work in Golcuk. Schulz said that in 1999 their market share in automobiles increased by 1.3 % and reached 5.6 %. Mark Schulz also gave information about their new production facilities in Golcuk. The total investment cost of the new factory amounts to nearly $600 million. /Aksam/

GENDER EQUALITY COMMISSION TO BE ESTABLISHED

The Minister of State, Hasan Gemici, has presented a proposal to establish a 'Gender Equality Commission' to the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TGNA). Gemici said that if this Commission is set up, issues concerning gender equality will be transferred to this Commission for discussion. /Aksam/

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

WHAT DOES HAIDER SAY FOR TURKS? BY ENIS BERBEROGLU (HURRIYET)

Columnist Enis Berberoglu comments on Haider's views concerning Turks living in Austria. A summary of his column is as follows: "In Austria, the coming to power of the Freedom Party with racist messages was discussed in the Turkish press with all its aspects... However, the main attention was centred on racist leader, Joerg Haider's participation in the Coalition Government. Another point which drew interest was that a declaration was signed by Haider and the other coalition partner on "Austrian values". A parallel was drawn with this declaration and the signing of 28th February 1998 decisions by the Refahyol Coalition. While concentrating on this news, the concerns of the Turkish community in Austria was not forgotten but did not come into the forefront. This issue was analyzed by the Yeni Vatan newspaper. In an interview with to the Yeni Vatan newspaper Haider, stated that he was not racist."However, we believe that the policy concerning illegal aliens is against the interests of Turkey. The main issue is to enable the Turks in Austria to live with human dignity. They have to be able to take their families with them. Our aim is to elevate the social status of Turks and help them adapt to Austrian conditions. What we are against is, the competition with Turks and other foreigners who have entered the country as illegal aliens." Haider added that the main issue concerning foreigners living in the country is the problems these people are faced with and their integration in the Austrian society. Not to be misunderstood, he pointed out that he did not mean their assimilation but integration. On a question posed concerning Turkey's candidacy to the EU, Haider replied that he was one of the first politicians to defend Turkey's entrance to the EU. He reiterated his position and added that Turkey was a valuable ally of NATO. Haider said that the EU had been unfair to Turkey and the decision given at the Helsinki Summit was correct even though it was a little late. The Austrian Govenment gave guarantees to Prime Minister Ecevit through its Ambassador to Turkey saying that there was no need to fear for Turks in Austria and that they were not against the expansion of the EU including Turkey. It seems that it is too early to decide on the policies Haider will follow."

POST-CYPRUS TALKS BY SEMIH IDIZ (STAR)

Columnist Semih Idiz writes on the latest developments concerning the Cyprus issue. A summary of his column is as follows: "President Rauf Denktas stated that he was pleased with the second round of the Cyprus talks which ended the day before yesterday. The suggestions made to Denktas to participate in these talks proved to be correct. At the time the policy was not to seem as the party staying away from the negotiation table as the political atmosphere had changed greatly. New opportunities for Turkes have arisen and they have to be seized. President Denktas has already recognized these opportunities and is accepted to attend the first round of negotiations, held in New York. This time, Denktas departing from Geneva, stated that the Turkish argument on 'confederation' was received with understanding in the UN. He has confirmed that these talks were not exercises to have the Greek argument accepted. It is now clear that, the party who will be squeezed into a corner on the third of the talks, on 23rd May 2000, will be the Greek-Cypriot side. We are not saying this with in a high handed manner, the seriosity of the issue requires us to get over attitudes such as these. However, we also believe that if they are put in corner it will be due to the shallowness of their own manoeuvres. Last week, the Greek-Cypriot leader Glafkos Klerides announced that they had rejected the plans of Turkish-Cypriot side calling for the recognition of Turkish-Cypriots as a community. He stated that they would not accept the Turks as a separate community. The same Klerides, was calling on Denktas during the OSCE Istanbul Summit to come to talks. He was saying that the issue could not be solved by running away from the negotiating table. In short he was portraying the picture of a rational leader seeking a solution. He believed that Rauf Denktas would not come to the table but was mistaken. This time it was the turn of Klerides to leave the table in anger. However, he later softened his stance and returned to the talks. These latest Cyprus talks prove that the Turkish side is clearly stating what it wants. It is not clear what the Greek-Cypriot side is after. Greek-Cypriots who were worked hard for EU membership, were saying that Turkish-Cypriots should participate in negotiations for membership. Two years ago Klerides had even sent a letter to Denktas on the issue but, last week the news in Greece did not come into line with these policies. "The Hellenic Star" commented on Klerides' reluctance for Turkish attendance in the membership talks. The underlying idea behind this reluctance may be that if Denktas proves that he can intervene in the membership negotiations, he will show that he represents a separate political will existing on the island. Let alone participation in the membership talks, there is an opposition front in Cyprus consisting of the Greek Cypriots who had to leave their homes in 1974 which was against the federal solution suggested by Klerides. If the news in the Greek newspaper is true, the insincerity of the delaying tactics of the Greek-Cypriot side has been uncovered. This, of course, strengthens President Rauf Denktas' hand."

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