DEMIREL RECEIVES SOKOLOV

Turkish President Suleyman Demirel yesterday received Bulgarian Parliament Speaker Yordan Sokolov and his delegation at the Presidential Palace in Ankara. Speaking on Turkish-Bulgarian relations, Demirel said that the two neighbouring countries' relations have developed favourably over the last eight years and are a good example to Turkey's other neighbours. He added that Turkish-Bulgarian relations should be further improved with the contribution of both countries. Sokolov, who said that he shared the same ideas as Demirel, also met his Turkish counterpart Yildirim Akbulut and Foreign Minister Ismail Cem.

DEMIREL'S MESSAGE FOR LIBRARY WEEK

President Suleyman Demirel issued a message to mark Library Week pointing out the importance of libraries. Demirel said, "The invention of the printing-press caused information to be spread more cheaply to the people. Libraries have made many contributions to the improvement of civilization as they are the treasury of knowledge and culture." Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit stated that the basic requirement of the 21st century would be knowledge. /Cumhuriyet/

ECEVIT TO VISIT INDIA

Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit will pay a four-day official visit to India between March 30 and April 2 on the invitation of Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Ecevit will be accompanied by Foreign Minister Ismail Cem, Culture Minister Istemihan Talay and State Ministers Edip Safter Gaydali and Abdulhaluk Cay. Ecevit will first be received by the Indian President and will later meet some Ministers and Opposition Party Leaders. /Turkish Daily News/

ECEVIT'S PATIENCE EXHAUSTED

Receiving a 10-member delegation from the European Parliament, presided over by Enrique Baron Crespo, Premier Bulent Ecevit reacted strongly to the 'Kurdish minority issue' being raised yet again. Ecevit said that there was no such discrimination on the grounds of ethnicity in Turkey; Kurds are free to hold important positions in every area, including the Army and in Parliament. Stressing that the former DEP Parliamentary Representative, Leyla Zana, if she so desires, may be released for reasons of ill-health, Ecevit stated, "However, she has not got good intentions. She exploits her situation and incites Europe." Pointing out that terrorism in Turkey isn't like that of Spain, Ecevit emphasized, "If foreign aid to terrorists was cut, we could solve this problem." /Hurriyet/

NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL DISCUSSES TERRORIST ORGANIZATIONS

The National Security Council (NSC) meeting was held at Cankaya Presidential Palace and chaired by President Suleyman Demirel. Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit, other Ministers and top-level officials attended the meeting of the NSC during which organized crime and the activities of illegal, separatist, destructive organizations during the last month were discussed. The measures to be taken against these organizations were also debated. Those present were briefed on the development of investments in the Emergency Rule region. In addition, information on the improvement of Turkish aviation was presented to the NSC. Finally, those foreign political developments which concern Turkey were discussed during the NSC meeting. /Turkiye/

EUROPEAN COUNCIL PARLIAMENTARY DELEGATION IN SOUTHEAST

A four-person delegation from the European Commission's Parliamentary Assembly began a three-day tour of Turkey's Southeastern region starting in Sirnak yesterday, the Anatolia News Agency reports. The delegation has come to Turkey to visit governors, mayors, various associations and trade unions in the Southeast and arrived in Diyarbakir on Sunday night. The head of the delegation, Andras Barsony, said that this was not the first time he had visited the region and that he was well aware of the situation there. He remarked that, in cooperation with EU member countries, they were ready to assit the region in any way they could to overcome the hardships experienced in the past. He added, "As well as the Copenhagen Criteria, there are certain other criteria which need to be met too. We are here to determine how these criteria can be applied to the region. Our mission as an observation committee is to prepare a report reflecting the true situation in the region".

ABDULLAH OCALAN'S COMPLAINT

Terrorist leader, Abdullah Ocalan is getting ready to lodge a complaint through his lawyers to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) against four countries: Turkey, Russia, Germany and Greece. One of the lawyers, Dogan Erbas, stated that they would complain to the ECHR before May 25, 2000, about those countries which took part in the capture of Ocalan, which his legal representatives deem illegal. /Hurriyet/

US REMEMBERS ITS COMMITMENT TO BAKU-CEYHAN

The US State Department issued a statement following allegations that the Baku-Ceyhan oil pipeline was unfeasible because of inadequate oil reserves in the Caspian basin in which it remembered its commitment to the pipeline. The US Embassy in Ankara made the statement by the US State Department concerning the Baku-Ceyhan oil pipeline public. It said that the agreement reached between Georgia and Azerbaijan on transfer fees was an important step forward in the development of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan venture. It was added, "We welcome the commitment made by Georgian President Eduard Shevardnadze and Azerbaijani President Haydar Aliyev to submit all documents to their Parliaments for approval in April". /Aksam/

YALOVA VISITS KAZAKHSTAN

State Minister Yuksel Yalova had a meeting with Kazakhstan's Foreign Minister Yerlan Idrisov and Deputy Prime Minister Daniyal Ahmetov during his visit to the capital city Astana, the Anatolia News Agency reports. Yalova stated at his meeting with ydrisov that during his visit to the city of Turkistan, people living there demanded a mosque be built near the Hodja Ahmet Yesevi shrine but added that this would be against UNESCO rules and that an international competition must be held for such a construction project. Turning to trade and the economic relations between the two countries, Yalova stated that the main factor in developing relations was Kazakhstan's confidence in Turkish businessmen. Meanwhile, Idrisov expressed his pleasure at Turkey's support of Kazakhstan's Asia Security and Cooperation Venture. Deputy Prime Minister Daniyal Ahmedov stated during the meeting that the amount of Turkish construction firms' investment in Kazakhstan had increased to $2 billion and added that they wanted Turkey to invest in the fields of petroleum, gas and machine production in the food sector.

NECIRVAN BARZANI MEETS TURKISH OFFICIALS IN THE FOREIGN MINISTRY

Necirvan Barzani, the Prime Minister of the so-called government in the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP)-controlled part of northern Iraq, and his envoy yesterday met Turkish diplomats in a regular meeting to discuss regional issues. The KDP delegation met with Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Faruk Lologlu and Foreign Ministry Middle East General Director Turkekul Kurttekin. The KDP delegation is expected to meet Turkish military officials today at the Turkish General Staff headquarters before leaving Ankara. /Turkish Daily News/

TANK CRISIS BETWEEN TURKEY AND GERMANY

A new crisis has occurred between Germany and Turkey concerning the sale of tanks. Germany cited human rights as the reason for creating an obstacle to the sale of tanks which are needed by Turkey; it has decided not to sell 150 Leopard 1-A5 tanks to Turkey, whereas a while ago 192 modernized Leopard 1-A5 tanks were sold to Greece by Germany. This caused an imbalance in the region in favour of Greece which led to the request for Germany to approve the sale of 150 German tanks to Turkey. However, Germany has rejected Turkey's request and not authorized the sale. /Turkiye/

TURKEY TO PRODUCE HELICOPTERS

The ATAK project, which will ensure the modernization of the Turkish Armed Forces and the rise in Turkey's importance in the region, has been speeded up. The ATAK scheme will produce a helicopter designed in such a way as to meet Turkey's needs completely. Nearly 114 Turkish firms will take part in this venture as contractors. Discussions with those American, Italian and Russian-Italian firms who passed the pre-selection for the venture, costing 4 billion dollars, will be re-started following the decision taken by the Executive Board of the Defence Industry Undersecretariat. Defence Industry Undersecretary Dursun Ali Ercan held a press conference at the Ministry of Defence and said, "Turkey is not trying to become armed but it needs to meet its security requirements as it is located at the crossroads of three of the world's most volatile regions." /Turkiye/

DECISION ON HELICOPTER TENDER IN JUNE

The final decision on 4-billion dollar attack helicopter joint production venture will be made in late June. Yesterday, at a meeting which stressed the huge military armament ventures being undertaken by Turkey's neighbours, Defence Industry Undersecretary Dursun Ali Ercan stated that Turkey's defence plans were being exaggerated. He added, "Defence expenditure per kilometre square in Greece is $43, while in Turkey it is only 10 dollars. We don't see weapons as essential; it is more important to be a deterrent. /Hurriyet/

SYRIA'S MISTAKE

Syria has placed Hatay and Iskenderun within its borders in the brochures that it distributed at the 7th International Tourism and Travel Fair which came to an end last Sunday in Moscow, Russia. Syria previously did the same thing at the Tourism Fair held in Germany and has once again claimed the ownership of Hatay and Iskenderun in its policity brochures bearing the letter-head of the Syrian Ministry of Tourism. /Turkiye/

ABROMOWITZ VISITS SELCUK

Morton Abromowitz, a top-ranking official on the US Foreign Affairs Council, has visited the Chairman of the High Court of Appeals, Sami Selcuk. Abromowitz stated that he had come to Turkey in order to investigate the possibility of helping Turkey's efforts to ensure the spread of human rights and democracy. /Cumhuriyet/

TURKISH FORCES IN BOSNIA RENAMED

The Bosnia-Herzegovina Turkish Mission Forces Command has been renamed as Turkish Battalion Command due to a decrease in the number of troops. The troops will return to Turkey in two packets, the first of which arrive on April 5 and the second on April 10. /Turkish Daily News/

AGRICULTURAL ASSOCIATIONS TO BECOME AUTONOMOUS

Minister of Industry Ahmet Kenan Tanrikulu stated that the agricultural associations should be reconstructed, He summarized the new system as follows: autonomy will be ensured for the administration and State intervention will be removed; these associations' factories and administrations will be turned into companies; the activities of cooperatives and industries will be separated and work independent of each other; personnel expenses will be reduced; the debts caused by loans resulting from the activities of the associations will be met by the Treasury and a Reconstruction Council will be established for these associations. /Sabah/

MIDDLE EAST TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY TO HAVE CAMPUS IN TRNC

The Middle East Technical University (METU), one of the longest-established universities in Turkey, will build a campus in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). The protocol concerning the campus on which nearly 6,000 students will be educated was signed by State Minister responsible for relations with the TRNC, Sukru Sina Gurel, the TRNC's Minister of National Education and Culture, Mehmet Altinay, and the Rector of METU, Prof. Dr. Suha Sevuk. State Minister Sukru Sina Gurel made a statement at the signing ceremony and pointed out that a new period had started with the TRNC thanks to this educational investment. /Turkiye/

GURTUNA: "LET'S IMPROVE RELATIONS"

Istanbul Metropolitan Mayor Ali Mufit Gurtuna said that they were determined to improve relations with Greece. Gurtuna met Athens' Mayor Dimitris Avramapulos during the 'Metropolitan Mayors' Global Summit' last week in Paris. While replying to questions from the 'Voice of America' radio station, Gurtuna said, "Good relations are beneficial for both of the countries. I state an historic thing. After a while, perhaps we can begin meetings to abolish the frontiers which separate us. Everybody should stand on this bridge of friendship." /Hurriyet/

ERKOC IN 'NEW YORK TIMES'

Coverage has been devoted in the 'New York Times' to Ethem Erkoc, who constructs swimming pools for many noted people all over the world. He was interviewed by the newspaper's correspondent in Turkey, Stephen Kinzer, to whom he said that he had been working in this sector for the past 15 years. He added, "We use state-of-the-art technology. So our pools cost a lot. However, those who ask us to construct pools for them want the best and are prepared to pay for it". /Aksam/

AKBANK RECEIVES AWARD

Akbank loaned 400 million dollars to the WestLB Akbank in November 1999, the largest long-term foreign loan in the history of Turkish banking. Because of this, the magazine 'Structured Finance International' (SFI) has deemed Akbank worthy of the title of 'Best Stock Exchange Exporter Active In Developing Markets'. Akbank also received the International Finance Award. There was an article on Akbank in the magazine which declared "New indications show that the international banks are willing to give loans to Akbank, the capital investment of which is the strongest in Turkey." /Turkiye/

FITCH IBCA AWARDS B+ RATING FOR ZIRAAT BANK

European credit rating agency Fitch IBCA yesterday announced that it has assigned a long-term rating of B+ to Turkey's state-owned lender, Ziraat Bank. The agency awarded short-term and support ratings of B and 2T respectively, and a national rating of AA-. Fitch IBCA said, "Ziraat Bank's performance should benefit in the year 2000 from the gradual phasing out of subsidy costs as funding costs continue to fall and a realistic renumeration is received on new agricultural loans. Its reportedly poorly-performing commercial loans appear reasonably well covered by loan loss reserves". /All papers/

GIANTS RECONCILE WITH ITALY

A branch of the Italian Union of Chambers and Stock Markets, the Italian Trade Chamber (ITC) in Istanbul, is awarding administrative positions to Turkish businessmen to strengthen relations between the two countries. During the ITC's General Assembly meeting the Koc Holding Company's Energy Group Chairman, Omer Koc, and Vista Tourism's Executive Board Chairman, Dilek Sabanci are expected to be included on the ITC Executive Board. Zeynep Bodur, from the Kale Group, will continue to hold her post on the Executive Board. The Italian Minister of Foreign Trade, Piera Fassino, is also going to attend the General Assembly. /Milliyet/

TURKEY EXPECTS GOOD NEWS FROM VIENNA

The decrease in oil prices to be decided by OPEC member countries should affect the Turkish economy positively. Production policy for the second quarter of this year will be discussed by the relevant Ministers from OPEC member countries; their meeting started in Vienna yesterday. /Aksam/

JAPAN LENDING $200 MILLION TO TURKEY

Japan's International Cooperation Bank is lending $200 million to Turkey for assisting the re-establishment of production and exportation capacity of small and medium-sized companies in the Marmara Region which was devastated by the August 17 quake and compensation of losses suffered by industrial facilities in the region. The loans will be delivered by the Turkish Industrial Development Bank and Industrial Investment Bank in three years and will be repaid in eight years following this three year period. The agreement for the loans will be signed on March 28. /All papers/

TURCO-ITALIAN TRADE RISES IN FEBRUARY 2000

The Italian Statistics Institute (ISTAT) reported that Italy's exports to Turkey increased by 52.3 % while its imports from Turkey rose by 57.3 % in February 2000. In the same month, Italy raised its exports to Japan and Russia by 77.1 % and 53.6 % respectively. /Turkish Daily News/

SLIPPING EURO HITS TURKISH EXPORTS TO EUROPE, EFTA

A continued slippage in the Eruo's value against the US dollar would hit Turkey's exports to the European Union (EU) and the European Free Trade Area (EFTA), warned the Foreign Trade Undersecretariat (DTM) in a study released yesterday. The DTM indicated that Turkish exports to the above have declined 0.4 % in the first two months of the year. Exports of EU countries and EFTA accounted for 51.3 % of Turkey's total $26.6 billion-worth of exports in 1999. It said a 5.6 % growth in exports in January and February, according to exporter unions' data, confirms a predicted upward trend for 2000. /All papers/

CENTRAL BANK SAYS COMMITTED TO DISINFLATION PLAN

The Turkish Central Bank declared yesterday that monthly lira depreciation against a currency basket of $1 plus Euro 0.77 would be seen at 0.9 % on January 1, 2001 and March 31, 2001 as part of its exchange rate regime designed to support the government's disinflation programme. According to the Central Bank statement released yesterday, 0.9 % depreciation for the first three months in 2001 is in compliance with the Bank's overall anti-inflationary exchange rate policy. /Turkish Daily News/

TURCO-GERMAN TOURISM ALLIANCE

German tourism giant TUI will promote Turkish Magic Life hotels owned by Gulet based in Vienna, Austria, as part of an alliance between the two companies, a top Gulet official was quoted as saying by the Anatolia News Agency yesterday. Gulet also plans a float on the Stock Exchange in order to achieve its growth targets, said Dr.Cem Kinay, one of the founding partners of Gulet who holds a 51 % stake in the company. TUI and Gulet have also agreed to launch a real estate company named TURC Otel worth DM 300 million, putting up three hotels each as capital against the investment. Kinay was speaking at a news conference in Magic Life's "Club Arlberg" situated in Austria's St.Anton region, which region will host the World Ski-ing Championships in 2001.

TURKISH FASHION DESIGNERS IN AMERICA

Turkish fashion designers will accompany Turkish businessmen visiting the US. The First-Term Meeting of the Turco-US Trade and Investment Council will be held in Washington today. Foreign Trade Undersecretary Kursat Tuzmen will head the Turkish delegation and the American Deputy Representative of Trade, Catherine A.Novelli, will lead the US delegation. During the meeting all aspects of Turco-American relations will be debated. The American-Turco Council (ATC) will begin its annual conference tomorrow in Washington, which will last until March 31; State Minister Sukru Sina Gurel and Minister of Public Works and Housing Koray Aydin will represent Turkey at this Conference. It is reported that the Union of the Istanbul Textile and Ready-To-Wear Exporters (ITKIB) will organize a fashion show at the National Museum on March 30 at a banquet following the ATC conference. Elsewhere, the Mayor of Istanbul, Ali Mufit Gurtuna, left for the US yesterday to attend the Turco-US Business Council Meeting. /Aksam/

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

RUSSIA AND THE NEW ERA BY SEMIH IDIZ (STAR)

Columnist Semih Idiz comments on the results of the Presidential Election in Russia. A summary of his column is as follows: "The result of the Russian Presidential Election was expected. Vladimir Putin, who became Acting President on the resignation of Boris Yeltsin, has been elected President with 52.57% of the votes. However, to some observers of Russian politics the result Putin got was a surprise in itself. They expected Putin to obtain an even larger share of the votes. Another surprise was the increase in the number of votes Communist Party leader Gennady Zyuganov received. These observers believe that the poor and the workers did not follow Putin blindly in spite of his victory in Chechnya. This situation is valid for the East of the country which is poorer than the rest. If we take these analyses at face value as being true we have to say that Putin has not received the mandate he wanted from the people and now has to take Zyuganov into account. Another striking aspect of the results is that liberals, in the Western sense did not manage to show their presence at all. This reveals that Russians are not interested in a Western-style democracy. In other words, the people want law and order, stability, a working economy, international credibility and a powerful state to bring these all about. Prior to the election both Putin and Zyuganov promised to achieve this. The only difference among these two leaders is that Putin favours a free-market economy and Zyuganov does not. As the issues they promised to deal with are the same, it will be easier for them to cooperate. Therefore, we can presume that, under Putin's leadership, Russia will expend every effort to stress her nuclear identity and regain her old superpower status. This may lead to a new Cold War between the US and Russia. That may be why the US has called on Putin not to establish an authoritarian regime. Turkish officials state that "Turco-Russian" political and economic relations had been moving along perfectly and they expect this to continue. However, it is also true that both States are watching each other intently and with suspicion concerning the Caucasus. If we believe that a greater part of Putin's popularity stem from his tough stance against Chechnya, and Russia is determined not to lose the Caucasus, in any case we can say that the competition vis-a-vis the region will heat up. We can also say that this competition would be one of "petro-politics". Therefore, Russia's efforts to increase her political and military influence over Georgia and Azerbaijan may lead to tension between us from time to time."

THE RIGHT TO ARM BY FIKRET BILA (MILLIYET)

Columnist Fikret Bila writes on the need to arm. A summary of his column is as follows: "In a world where funding is limited but needs are not, economists do not look warmly upon the weapons expenses. They do not accept the 'arms race' for the simple reason that, in a world with restricted resources, the amount allocated to weaponry is indeed a loss. If the defence budget were to be invested in projects which improved the prosperity of mankind, many things would be achieved such as the buildling of new schools, hospitals and factories. Whatever the reason, this idea is kept alive in developing countries. Theoretically it is correct. However, who wants to allocate money for guns? Or wars to take place and the world to be divided up by borders? This theory cannot be put into practice. The nature of human beings, societies and nations require defence and the expenditure that goes with it. Today it is not possible for someone to protect either independence, or security and the economy without military power. This is especially true for Turkey, completely fenced in weapons. The special conditions in the region require Turkey to be strong militarily. Terrorism within the last 15 years has proven just how vital this military strength is. Therefore, so long as it does not turn into an unwarranted, unbridled race, Turkey's need to have arms should be considered reasonable."

OLD ISSUES