ECEVIT IN ALBANIA

On the second and last day of his visit to Albania, Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit received Turkish citizens living in Albania and officers of the Turkish Armed Forces in Tirana. Premier Ecevit met with the Albanian Prime Minister Ilir Meta. During the meeting, Turco-Greek and Greek-Albanian relations were discussed. Ecevit also met with the Albanian Party Leaders and asked them to protect Kosovar Turks' rights. Bulent Ecevit left for Turkey later that evening. /Cumhuriyet/

KLEBANOV VISITS ANKARA

Russia has rolled up its sleeves in order to win the $4 billion-tender by Turkey to purchase 145 attack helicopters. A letter of response sent by the Russian Acting Head of State, Vladimir Putin, to Turkish President Suleyman Demirel concerning the 'Caucasia Pact' proposal, said that they were hoping that Turkey would prefer Russian helicopters. In his letter, Putin pointed out that a decision had been taken to further increase trade between Turkey and Russia and stated that military trade should also be included in this cooperation. Russian Deputy Prime Minister Ilya Klebanov, who conveyed Putin's letter to Demirel was accompanied by a delegation consisting of Sergei Mihayev, Head of the KAMOV company, the manufacturers of the Russian helicopters. Klebanov made a proposal to the Turkish National Defence Minister Sabahattin Cakmakoglu that they should jointly produce the attack helicopters. Klebanov remarked that they could also sell these helicopters to other countries and suggested a committee be formed on this issue. Klebanov, who also met Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit, returned to his country yesterday evening. At the meeting, Demirel stressed Turkey's anxieties on the Chenchnya issue and asked for a peaceful solution. Relating to the Blue Stream pipeline venture, Demirel also requested Russian support to realise this project. /Hurriyet-Star/

NEW PERIOD WITH SYRIA

A new period in Turkey's relations with Syria, which expelled chief terrorist Abdullah Ocalan from Syria and which enabled legal process to start against Ocalan, is beginning. The Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ismail Cem, is sending a delegation to Damascus. This delegation chaired by Ambassador Ugur Ziyal will leave for Damascus on Sunday. Relations between the two countries entered a more successful process after the signing of an agreement in Adana after Ocalan's trial. Then Syrian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Faruk El Sara and Cem met in New York, where they were attending the United Nations' General Council and made decisions for improving the relations between the two countries. This visit will be the first 'important' one after these developments. /Sabah/

U.S.: "IT IS A POSITIVE STEP"

The U.S. has described the return of three Mayors from the People's Democracy Party (HADEP) to their posts as a 'positive step'. A Spokesman for the U.S. State Department, James Rubin, issued a statement yesterday and said they would closely follow the trial process of the three Mayors from Diyarbakir, Bingol and Siirt. The U.S. Deputy Secretary of State responsible for the human rights, Harold Koh, has previously remarked that the arrest of the three HADEP Mayors as an 'unpleasing situation'. /Turkiye/

TURKISH POLICE IN EASTERN TIMOR

Turkish police are getting ready for another international posting after Bosnia and Kosovo. A 20-strong police team will be stationed in Eastern Timor, which is struggling for independence. In addition, the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) will send two officers to the region in April. As part of the UN, Turkish police are continuing with their efforts to support peace-keeping operations. /Turkiye/

ONE MORE LESSON

The Armenian lobby which has exerted efforts in France, against Turkey, regarding the so-called 'Armenian genocide' is now on its way in Virginia, the U.S. However, Edward Tasci, who is of Armenian origin, said that the so-called 'Armenian genocide' was a lie and the Virginia State Senate has not accepted the allegations against Turkey. The Head of the Turco-American Associations' Federation and the Turco-American Assembly also launched initiatives against approval of these allegations. /Turkiye/

FEHRIYE ERDAL'S TRIAL IS UNDERWAY

Belgium's Gent Court of Appeals rejected the release on bail of Fehriye Erdal, who is one of the accused in the Sabanci murder trial together with Musa Asaoglu and Hasan Saz, who are the members of the illegal DHKP-C organization. The Court evaluated the decision of Chief Public Prosecutor and decided that these defendants should continue to be detained under arrest. After the Court's decision, Fehriye Erdal and the other two defendants were sent to Bruges Prison under strict security precautions. /Sabah/

COUNCIL OF EUROPE'S INVITATION TO SAVAS

The High Court of Appeals' Republican Chief Public Prosecutor, Vural Savas, was invited to the conference on 'The Situation of the Public Prosecutors in the 21st Century' in May in Strasbourg and organized by the Council of Europe. If Savas accepts this invitation, he will represent Turkey in this organization. /Sabah/

EU LOAN TO TURKEY

The State Minister responsible for economy, Recep Onal, said that the European Union (EU) will give a loan of 750 million euros to Turkey. Onal and EU Commission member responsible for Economic and Financial Affairs, Pedro Solbes Mira made a written statement declaring that Turkey's economic stability package was appreciated. Onal added that he was guaranteed that the EU will give a loan of 750 million dollars within the framework of the Customs Union. He further added that concerns regarding the hindrance of this loan, by the European Parliament, was not mentioned. /Aksam/

AIRPORT CRISIS WITH ROME SOLVED

The airport crisis between Turkey and Italy has been solved. Italy stated that it would permit planes from the Turkish Airlines (THY) to land at first-class terminals. When the government in Rome took a backward step, the Ministry of Transport decided to permit Italian planes to land at first-class terminals. The Deputy Undersecretary of the Ministry of Transport, Hasan Isguzar, stated that Milan Airport has decided to permit planes from the THY to land at Malpenzo 2 Terminal, which is of a low quality, second-class and a terminal which planes of non-members of the EU land. /Aksam/

LOBBY ACTIVITIES OF LIVINGSTON-SOLOMON-SOLARZ

The lobby group, Livingston-Solomon-Solarz, with which Turkey has signed an agreement, in order to protect Turkey's benefits from the U.S., starts its officially duties today. This lobby group, with which an agreement was reached for 1.8 million dollars, at the end of January, by Turkey's Embassy in Washington, will work particularly in Congress in the interest of Ankara. This lobby group consists of the companies of the U.S. Allocations Committee's former Chairman, Bob Livingston, former Chairman of the House of Representatives' Administrative Law Committee, Gerald Solomon and its former member from New York, Stephen Solars. It was stated that is was a positive step for Turkey to start lobby activities in a way to cover both of the two parties in the U.S. /Aksam/

TANTAN'S AUTHORITY IN HELICOPTER PURCHASE

The Minister of the Interior, Saadettin Tantan, ended the crisis over the helicopter bidding between the Ministry of the Interior and the Undersecretariat of Industry. Tantan's authority to carry out the helicopter biddings was transferred to the Directorate General of Security with the 'Defence Industry's Executive Council's Decision', signed by Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit, the Chief of the General Staff, General Huseyin Kivrikoglu and the Minister of Defence, Sabahattin Cakmakoglu. /Milliyet/

TURKEY TO DISCUSS BIDDINGS

The Turkish government is preparing to give decisions on international biddings, amounting to nearly 11 billion dollars. The government, which had been trying for a loan of 4 billion dollars from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) since 1997, and which guaranteed the second part of this loan last week, will conclude two biddings, amounting to 5 billion dollars this year. These bids are in the fields of energy and defence, for nuclear power-stations and attack helicopters. Within this framework, the Foreign Affairs Commission of the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TGNA) met the Minister of Finance, Sumer Oral, the State Minister responsible for foreign trade, Tunca Toskay and the representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Treasury and warned them. The Chairman of the Commission, Kamran Inan, pointed out that 6.5 quadrillion TL should be beneficially used to take advantage of these biddings. /Milliyet/

BOARD OF COMPETITION TO DISCUSS GSM BIDDINGS

The Board of Competition has started to discuss GSM bidding application. It will also make decisions concerning the pre-permission for these biddings. Then the Ministry of Communications will open the bidding for the privatization of the GSM network in accordance with the rulings of the Board of Competition. /Sabah/

AMNESTY DRAFT LAW TO BE DISCUSSED

The amnesty draft law, which was proposed by the Democratic Left Party (DSP) Deputy Chairman, Rahsan Ecevit, and which was vetoed by President Suleyman Demirel, is again on the agenda. The government is preparing to enact the amnesty draft law on the 80th anniversary of the opening of the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TGNA). 25,000 people are expected to benefit from this law if accepted. It is also expected that if the leaders will reach an agreement concerning this law after the Feast of Sacrifice, then this draft law will be discussed by the Commission. /Cumhuriyet/

KOCTAS-B&Q COOPERATION

The Koctas company affiliated to the Koc Conglomerate has entered a partnership (50%-50%) with the British B&Q company, the third biggest building market chain in the world. The partnership will initially open an office either in Istanbul or Ankara. Mustafa Koc, an administrator at the Koc Conglomerate, said that they were holding meetings in many sectors and added they aimed at improving business, especially in the financial sector. B&Q General Director William John Whiting also attended yesterday's meeting. /Star/

'FLEMINGS' INCREASES TURKEY'S RATE

The Flemings international investment group, which has offices in 44 countries, has increased the rate of Turkish shares in the developing European, Middle Eastern and African portfolio from 'neutral' to 'overweight'. Flemings turned this rate to 'neutral' because of concerns about the January economic reforms. Flemings also reported that the Istanbul Stock Exchange (IMKB) has made a 24 % improvement, on the basis of the US dollars. /Star/

TREASURY'S PROGRAMME IN MARCH

The Treasury announced its March bidding programme yesterday. The Treasury will issue two-year term bonds and 14-month term bonds on March 10. A total income of 650-850 trillion TL is expected from the first and 1.350-1.550 quadrillion TL is expected from the second. An amount of 50-150 trillion TL is expected when the 11-month term bonds are issued by the Treasury on March 21. The Treasury will repay internal debts worth a total of 3.455 quadrillion TL including 1.687 quadrillion TL in principal funds and 1.758 quadrillion TL in interests in March. /Star/

10 NEW PROJECTS FROM BOTAS

The Turkish Pipeline Transportation Company (BOTAS) has launched initiatives for the projects on the 'Southwestern Natural Gas Transmission Line and Southern Transmission Line'. BOTAS will put out 10 separate tenders in the near future. BOTAS General Directorate will complete these projects by the end of 2002, or at the beginning of 2003 and this will minimize the troubles concerning the demand for natural gas. /Turkiye/

DEMIRALP: "RATE OF INFLATION WILL REDUCE"

The Treasury Undersecretary Selcuk Demiralp said that the rate of inflation was expected to reduce in February. Demiralp, who went to Brussels, together with Minister of State, Recep Onal, and Head of the Central Bank, Gazi Ercel, issued a statement yesterday and remarked that the inflation figures for February would be announced on Friday. /Turkiye/

CAIRO FAIR OPENS TODAY

The 33rd International Cairo Fair will be held on March 1-10. A total of 40 firms from Turkey will attend. A written statement issued by the Forum Fair Company, said that during the Fair, products such as paper, soap, stationery, textiles, cosmetics and furniture would be exhibited. /Turkiye/

TESK TO VISIT U.S.

The Turkish Tradesmen's and Artisans' Federation (TESK) has been invited to a conference organized in the U.S. by the International Labour Organization (ILO) in May. The TESK report prepared in order to end child labour has been selected as the most successful project among 67 countries. /Turkiye/

ACCIDENT ON AGRI MOUNTAIN

A group, comprising Nasuh Mahruki, two mountainers and Atlas Magazine's Editor, had an accident climbing on Agri Mountain. The accident, happened at 4,200 metres and Editor Iskender Igdir fell down a 400-metre hole and was lost. A special rescue team will go to Dogubeyazit to participate in the rescue work. /Cumhurriyet/

'PALACE OF GOLD AND LIGHT' EXHIBITION

An exhibition entitled 'Palace of Gold and Light: Treasures from Topkapi, Istanbul' opened in Washington. The Turkish Minister of Culture Istemihan Talay attended the openning ceremony. The organizer of the exhibition, the Chairman of the Palace Art Foundation and US former Ambassador to Ankara, Richard Barkley, stated that they have worked for two years for the exhibition and thanked the Turkish Government for her support. The exhibition will be at the Corcoran Museum until June 15, then will go on to San Diego, from July 14 to Sep. 24 and then in Fort Lauderdale, from Oct. 15 2000 to Feb. 28, 2001.

ANTI-NUCLEAR DEMONSTRATION

About 44 people from the Anti-Nuclear Reactor Strength Platform were taken into custody yesterday by police during a demonstration against nuclear power plants in Taksim Square, Istanbul. The demostrators held placards and shouted slogans such as 'Don't open Akkuyu', 'No to nuclear energy'. The protestors stated that nuclear power plants should not be built because of the danger they created and also that Turkey had no need for nuclear power plants and that nuclear energy was being abandoned everywhere else in the world. /Hurriyet/

AKBANK CHAMBER ORCHESTRA TO GIVE A CONCERT IN LOUVRE

The Akbank Chamber Orchestra, conducted by Cem Mansur, will give a concert in the Louvre Museum, Paris, on 14 March, on the opening of Sakip Sabanci's Calligraphy Exhibition. Orchestra will perform a concert affected by the Mehter-band during the Ottoman era. /Milliyet/

TURKISH RAKI TO BE PROTECTED

The traditional and original Turkish beverage, raki, will be registered by the European Union (EU). As part of the draft law adopted by the Planning and Budgetary Commission of the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TGNA). The Alcohol and Alcoholic Beverages Draft Law, adopted by the Commission, envisages the necessary arrangements to registrate Turkish raki by the EU. This draft law will bring new regulations in the fields of production, export and distribution. /Aksam/

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

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL AND MUFTI OF XANTHI BY SEMIH IDIZ (STAR)

Columnist Semih Idiz comments on the report of Amnesty International. A summary of his column is as follows: "As Amnesty International (AI) mentions the violation of human rights in Turkey frequently, we are rather irritated by it. As we believe AI to be working against Turkey, we usually ask why it does not concern itself with the violations elsewhere. However, it is exactly what this respectable organization is doing. It is a mistake to believe that it has evil intentions towards Turkey. Those who know the issue, also know that one of the most important problems at hand is capital punishment in the US. Instead of criticizing this organization we should ask ourselves why we are providing so much material for this organization to work on. Recently a report issued by Amnesty International is concerned with the injustices Xanthi Mufti Mehmet Emin Aga is faced with. The report also mentions the difficulties faced by Turks in Western Thrace. In its report, the organization directs severe warnings against the Greek Government, as it usually does against Turkey. One of these is that if the lawsuits filed against Mehmet Emin Aga are not dismissed, he will be declared to be 'someone charged because of his faith' and a worldwide campaign be opened on the issue. Whatever the cause, this news was not given coverage in the Turkish press which is sensitive on the Western Thrace issue. This report by Amnesty International will be pleasing to Turkey, as it draws the attention of the world to the injustice pepetrated in Western Thrace with the example of Mehmet Emin Aga issue. In the report it is stated that the Mufti of Xanthi, although elected by his fellow Muslims, was not recognized by Greek authorities and was charged in line with Article 175 of the Greek Penal Code by taking over the duties of a religious man. It also adds that numerous lawsuits were filed against him. The reason for these lawsuits is that Mehmet Emin Aga has called himself the Mufti of Xanthi in cards he has sent all over. Amnesty International not only says that this is an open violation of universal religious and conscience freedoms but is also a violation of the Lausanne Treaty, which in turn casts a shadow on Greek compliance with international agreements. Amnesty International, pointed out that Komotini Mufti Ibrahim Sherif who was charged just as Mehmet Emin Aga, won the lawsuit he filed with the European Court of Human Rights. The EU also made these suggestions. First of all, Greek authorities should prevent Mehmet Emin Aga from being imprisoned as he has used freedoms of religion and conscience peacefully. Secondly, these authorities should not only ensure the dismissal of all lawsuits filed against him, but also instill respect for religious and conscience freedoms. Greece should also ratify the "European Environment Convention on the Protection of National Minorities" it signed in September 1997. As stated, Amnesty International says that unless these conditions are met, it will pronounce Mehmet Emin Aga to be 'someone charged because of his faith'. That is to say, it is warning that it will bring this issue to the attention of the world and keep it alive. This in turn means the situation of the Turks in Western Thrace will be heard by the world."

WHY ARE WE GETTING ANGRY? BY EROL MANISALI (CUMHURIYET)

Columnist Erol Manisali comments on relations between Turkey and the EU. A summary of his column is as follows: "When the 15 Euorepan countries met in Helsinki, they had only one thing in mind concerning Turkey and that was to make Turkey a candidate for full-membership and to get back what they had lost since 1997 when they rejected its candidacy. In 1997 when Turkey saw that the EU would not accept it, the number of those criticizing the Customs Union (CU) Agreement, signed in 1995 began increasing. People began to say that if Turkey was not to be accepted in the EU, why did it sign the CU Agreement. On the other hand, Europe is trying to continue this situation as much as possible. It has taken hold of the Turkish market at no cost to itself, and even started to direct Turkey's foreign trade policy from Brussels. Turkey has become the backyard of Europe. If it grants Turkey candidacy status it will not be able to say anything. As a candidate, it had to sit in the hall of waiting. Secondly, the EU is losing trump cards in its hand concerning the Southeast of Turkey and the PKK terrorist organization. It will not be able to say to a Turkey they had excluded, do whatever you want. It has to grant candidacy status to Turkey to be able to push and shove it. Due to a mistake in 1997 no improvement has been seen in the Cyprus problem. Its aim was to take a unitary Cypriot state where Greek-Cypriots were dominant, into the Union. The island held a strategic importance for the EU, and Greece would be able to realize its dream of 'ENOSIS' indirectly. One of the conditions imposed on Turkey was that if a compromise was not reached on the Island, Greek-Cypriot Administration would be granted full-membership. In the meantime, the issues on the Aegean were solved in accordance with the Greek wishes. If no solution is reached until 2004, the problem will be taken to the International Court of Justice at the Hague. This is the solution Athens has waiting for, for years. In the first two months of the year 2000 the EU began negotiations with candidate countries for full-membership and Turkey was not among them. The EU is establishing its own defence organization and Turkey is not included in this as well. The Deputy Chairman of the Commission Responsible for the Expansion of the EU, in Brussels, stated that they had granted candidacy status to Turkey not to offend the country and did not give any guarantees on full-membership. Following the detention of HADEP mayors, EU inspectors visited the region and gave instructions on certain topics which gave offence. Those representatives from Brussels are right. If we turn the country into the backyard of the EU, unilaterally sign the agreement binding Turkey, with great pleasure, they act as if they are inspectors and will begin to give orders. It is not now the time to complain about them, we should have thought of this before."

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