DEMIREL'S MESSAGE DUE TO THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE APPROVAL OF SECULARISM

President Suleyman Demirel issued a message in recognition of the 72nd anniversary of the approval of secularism. Demirel stated that secularism was the most important condition for securing the freedom of religion, conscience and social peace. Demirel said, "Secularism guarantees a happy and peaceful future in Turkey." /Star/

PRESIDENT DEMIREL IN GERMAN PRESS

In addition to the German President Johannes Rau's visit to Turkey, the presidential election matter in Turkey has been widely covered in the German Press. Weekly magazines, the 'Focus' and the 'Der Spiegel' asserted that President Suleyman Demirel, whose term in office has not been extended in the TGNA, might turn to active politics. The articles stated that Demirel might lead the True Path Party (DYP) again which was established by him in 1983, and strive to strengthen the right in the Turkish political life. The articles also emphasized, that this kind of development would cause most harm to the present leader of the DYP, Tansu Ciller. /Hurriyet/

LEADERS' SUMMIT

Before the summit of the coalition parties' leaders, expected to be held today, Premier Bulent Ecevit offered three options. Last night, Ecevit issued a statement, stressing that the country faced big issues and in order to tackle them the compromise in the government should go on. His offer was as follows: 1. Ideal solution: Coalition partners agree on a deputy as candidate by also ensuring the support of the opposition parties. While it may not be easy, it should be tried. 2. TGNA's candidate: If the ideal solution cannot be obtained, coalition partners should agree on a deputy, no matter which party the deputy belongs to. 3. Candidate from outside: If either of the above options cannot be, parties may agree on a candidate from outside the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TGNA), who does not belong to any party but has experience in politics and a cumulative knowledge in foreign affairs. Now, the circles in politics will begin to search for a candidate complying with these criteria. Former Foreign Ministers, Hikmet Cetin, Emre Gonansay, Ilter Turkmen, Vahit Halefoglu and Coskun Kirca, retired Ambassadors, Kamuran Gurun, Sukru Elekdag and Nuzhet Kandemir are among the names rumoured as possible candidates. /Hurriyet/

OFFICIAL PROCESS BEGINS FOR PRESIDENCY CANDIDATES

The official process to determine the 10th President of the Republic of Turkey is beginning today. The Office of the TGNA Speaker will issue a declaration today concerning the application of candidates for the Presidency. Candidates will apply to the Office of the TGNA, beginning from Sunday April 16 to Tuesday April 25. According to the Constitution, the election of the President will be completed by Monday May 15. The TGNA's Advisory Council is expected to meet this week to determine the dates of voting. /Turkiye/

ATATURK INTERNATIONAL PEACE AWARD TO BE GIVEN TO DENKTAS

It was stated that Ataturk International Peace Award will be given to the President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), Rauf Denktas, before the presidential elections in the TRNC. During the Award Committee's meeting chaired by the Deputy Prime Minister Devlet Bahceli, it was decided that the name of Denktas will be presented to the Turkish President Suleyman Demirel for approval. The official announcement, explaining that Denktas was deemed worthy of the 'Ataturk International Peace Award' will be made before the presidential elections in the TRNC by the end of this week. /Milliyet/

NEW STEP IN RELATIONS BETWEEN TURKEY AND THE EU

The Association Council, which was established within the framework of the Ankara Agreement that was signed between Turkey and the European Union (EU) and which aims at the healthy implementation and improvement of the partnership regime, will be held in Luxembourg today after a break of three years. The Association Council, which is the most important organ of the partnership between the EU and Turkey, has the authority to make decisions, while the parties are responsible for taking the necessary steps to implement these decisions. The Administration of the Association Council will be held under the auspices of the Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ismail Cem, today. The 39th Association Council is the first important meeting of the new process that began after the approval of Turkey's candidacy to the EU. /Aksam/

FOGG'S EVALUATIONS CONCERNING TURKEY

The European Commission's Representative to Turkey, Karen Fogg made a statement during the symposium on the 'Past, Present and Future of the Relations between Turkey and the European Union' that was organized by Selcuk University and the Turkish Law Institute, stating, "The ethnic and cultural differences in Turkey will contribute and give richness to the European Union (EU)". Fogg also pointed out that the rights of the minority were important in the process of becoming a member of the EU. In addition, Fogg emphasized that the non-governmental organizations should contribute to the process of becoming a member of the EU just like the government. She stated, "The European Commission will continue its activities during the process of Turkey's joining the EU. Documents, dialogues and the technical aid will be discussed, the Observation Committee will be established and the reports will be prepared regularly. Meanwhile, Turkey will decide with what speed and to what extend it will implement its programmes. We will also prepare many programmes on youth, education, professions, as well as other areas. Students and non-governmental organizations should participate in our programmes within this context." /Cumhuriyet/

CLARK'S VISIT TO TURKEY

European Allied Forces' Commander-in-Chief, General Wesley K. Clark, visited Turkish Chief of the General Staff, General Huseyin Kivrikoglu, yesterday morning. Clark was welcomed by Kivrikoglu with a military celebration, while the two generals's meeting was closed to the press. After this meeting, Kivrikoglu and Clark went to the Prime Ministry's Central Office and visited the Deputy Prime Minister Husamettin Ozkan. In the afternoon, Clark was received by the President Suleyman Demirel. Then Clark visited the Minister of National Defence, Sabahattin Cakmakoglu. /Star/

TURCO-ISRAELI MILITARY HISTORY CONFERENCE OPENS

The three-day Turco-Israeli Military History Conference began in Istanbul yesterday in line with a protocol signed between the two countries on issues related to military history, archives and publications, the Anatolia News Agency reports. Inaugurating the conference in Istanbul, Gen.Aydin Okan, Head of the Military History and Strategic Studies Section of the Turkish General Staff, stressed that history should be considered as a whole, with the rights and the wrongs alike. Gen.Okan said, "I hope that activities of this kind, which bolster relations between Turkey and Israel, will be expanded". Israeli Ambassador to Turkey Uri Bar Mer told the meeting that one had to know about history to be able to ensure peace in one's region. Noting that Turkey and Israel have a common history, the Ambassador dwelt on the two countries' cultural and economic struggles in addition to their struggles for liberation.

NAVY CHIEF ERDIL VISITS SPAIN

Naval forces commander Adm.Ilhami Erdil went to Spain as the official guest of his Spanish counterpart Adm.Antonio Moreno Barbera. It was reported that Erdil would visit Spain's navy and fleet command headquarters. Erdil will be given a medal of honour at a ceremony today. Erdil will return to Turkey on Friday. /All papers/

ERSUMER RETURNS TO TURKEY

Minister of Energy and Natural Reources and Deputy Prime Minister Cumhur Ersumer completed his official visit to China and returned to Turkey yesterday morning. During Ersumer's visit to China, it was decided that a protocol that consists of the energy issues will be signed by the President of the People's Republic of China, Jiang Zemin, during his visit to Turkey between 18 and 22 April. The discussions concerning the above-mentioned protocol were completed and initialled. In a statement issued by the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, this protocol envisages cooperation between the involved establishments of the two countries concerning the investigation and improvement of new and renewable energy resources. /Aksam/

TURKISH MINORITY'S SUPPORT

The vote of the Turkish minority in Western Thrace played an important role in the election triumph of the PASOK Leader Kostas Simitis. Winning the election with 70,000 votes, Simitis obtained 25,000 of these votes from the Turkish minority, who support the reformist winds blowing in Western Thrace and expect new reform from Simitis. Two Turkish deputies were also elected in the Western Thrace; while, PASOK candidate Ihsan Kaya from Iskece was being elected for the first time, another PASOK candidate Galip Galip from Gumulcine was reelected. One of the builders of the Turco-Greek rapprochement, Foreign Minister George Papandreou got the highest vote in Athens. /Hurriyet/

FEHRIYE ERDAL'S EXTRADITION DECIDED

The extradition of Fehriye Erdal, who was captured in Belgium while being investigated due to the murder of Ozdemir Sabanci, was determined. The extradition of Erdal was decided on condition that she will not be investigated by the police. It was revealed that after this decision, a public prosecuter from the State Security Court and the Deputy General Director responsible for terrorism, Atilla Cinar will visit Belgium. Due to the fact that the Belgian offices only give the permission to receive Erdal's statement only in the Belgian prison, Erdal will be put into prison, after which she will be brought to Turkey. It is estimated that the process of Erdal's extradition will take two months. /Aksam/

SEDAT SAHIN EXTRADITED TO TURKEY

Sedat Sahin, who is one of the leading names in the Turkish mafia and who was caught in Germany two years ago while being investigated by Interpol with red bulletin, was extradited to Turkey yesterday. Sahin was brought to Turkey on a plane belonging to the Turkish Airlines on Ataturk Airport from Berlin. Sahin was taken from the plane by teams from the Directorate of Istanbul's Department for Struggle Against Organized Crimes and Arms Smuggling. Sahin is expected to be brought to Istanbul's Directorate of Security and then to Bakirkoy Court in Istanbul this morning. /Aksam/

COOPERATION BETWEEN CAMBRIDGE AND YOK

The Higher Education Board (YOK) and the Cambridge International Foundation signed an agreement on the 'Mehmet Fuat Koprulu Scholarship Programme'. According to the agreement signed by the Head of YOK, Kemal Guruz, and the Director of the Cambridge International Foundation, Dr.Anil Seal, Turkish students who have high academic abilities, will have the opportunity for a doctorate at Cambridge University as of the year 2001. These students will be given 3,000 Euros for five years. /Sabah/

CARGO SHIP RESCUED

The Anatolia News Agency reported yesterday that a 9,068 ton Antigua-registered cargo ship, the Jessilena, had suffered engine failure and subsequently run aground on the Bebek bank of the Bosphorus shortly after 9:00 p.m. on Sunday evening. According to Ahirkapi Traffic Control Station, the Jessilena had earlier taken on cargo at Haydarpasa and had set sail bound for the port of Kostence in Romania under the guidance of a pilot. When it was determined that the container ship had suffered only minor damage, the crew tried to refloat her, but to no avail. The ship was rescued by its own facilities at 4:00 p.m. yesterday.

THIRD TURKISH WORLD BUSINESSMEN'S CONVENTION IN ISTANBUL

The third Turkish World Businessmen's Convention opened yesterday in Istanbul. The main purpose of the two-day summit is for some 2,000 Turkish businessmen from around the world to trade information and promote Turkish industries and business. President Suleyman Demirel said that a Turkey which advances in every field would definitely be accepted into meetings for full membership to the EU within the next five years. "In this period Turkey's democratization process will be developed to meet EU standards and a wide-ranging reform of the state will be carried out" Demirel said. Demirel explained a number of issues, including how educational reform, which is a necessity in the information age, would be completed, how university projects would be developed, how eco-harmonized industrialization would continue and how agriculture would be modernized. In addition to Demirel, Deputy Prime Minister Devlet Bahceli and Foreign Minister Ismail Cem also spoke at the Convention. Bahceli said, "Making Turkey a leading nation in the 21st century is what our great country has been striving for". Foreign Minister Cem said, "A shared sentiment is that of a joint mission which will be accomplished hand-in-hand. It is to renew Turkey and help it accomplish the goals laid out in the Helsinki Summit". The Convention is being chaired by industrialist Sakip Sabanci and sponsored by the Turkish Foreign Trade Foundation and the World Turkish Businessmen's Foundation in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Foreign Trade Undersecretariat. /All papers/

EUROPEAN UNION TO DONATE 15 MILLION EUROS TO TURKEY

European Union (EU) will donate 15 million Euros to Turkey in order to contribute to the financing of the reforms that are necessary for Turkey's membership in the EU. The European Commission's member, responsible for expansion, Gunter Verheugen, stated that it is necessary to provide Turkey with financial support to encourage and support its reforms. /Milliyet/

'ROAD SHOW' BY YAPI KREDI AND GARANTI BANK

The leading administrators of the economy bureaucracy will explain the investment opportunities in Turkey to the top-ranking administrators of the fund administration companies and to the leading investment banks of the US. Turkey's attractiveness will be shown to the investors during the meeting called 'Investing In Turkey' that will be held on 13 April by Yapi Kredi and Garanti Investment with the cooperation of Herald Tribune. During the meeting, Head of the Central Bank, Gazi Ercel, Treasury Undersecretary Selcuk Demiralp, Chairman of Istanbul Stock Exchange, Osman Birsen, Chairman of the Privatization Administration Board, Ugur Bayar and the administrators of the Yapi Kredi Investment and Garanti Investment will explain the economic policies in Turkey and the new investment opportunities that have been derived from them. /Aksam/

ONLY TURKISH COMPANY THAT SELLS DAIRY PRODUCTS

The Ilhan family from Eskisehir sells more than 40 kinds of dairy products to leading European countries under the brand of 'Nefis.' The Ilhan family, who started their commercial life by dealing in the wholesale business in Belgium for 25 years, is continuing their business with their own brand in their own factory. The only Turkish company that produces and sells dairy products in Belgium, Ilhan Industry's Director of Foreign Relations, Asli Ozcaglar, stated that the factory, which is active in Manage, Belgium, has a capacity of 200 tons with an area of 15,000 square meters. /Cumhuriyet/

TURKISH WOMAN IN CHINA

Zuhal Mansfield, who went abroad to work 19 years ago, attracted much attention with both the speech that she made during the opening of the Turkish Businessmen's 3rd Convention and with her adventurous business life. Mansfield said that she went to Sweden as a house wife 20 years ago, then went to Africa and worked in several countries there. She then lived in Melbourne, Australia and began to work as a producer for the Turkish radio station 'Turk 3EA' after being educated in the area of mass-media. Now Mrs. Mansfield is working in Hong Kong and owns the TMG Foreign Trade and Mining Company and manages this company's branch in Hong Kong. /Cumhuriyet/

TURKISH BUSINESSMEN'S SUCCESS IN THE INSULATION OF AIRBUSES

Senol Yegin is the Chairman of the Spekon Rotkopf and Polar Company, which received an award in the competition of 'Successful Turkish Businessmen Abroad' and which produces many goods in many areas including the insulation systems of airbus planes, parachutes, military clothes and tents. The Director of the Syphax Special Confection SA Company, Leyla Ozkan, stated that they were working for the German and French market and that they were producing special tanker tents, military clothes and technical materials. Ozkan added that they were receiving orders from these countries through bidding and that their company advisors including retired generals in France. /Cumhuriyet/

RODRIK: "YOU WILL DEFEAT INFLATION"

Dani Rodrik, one of the international economy professors at the Harvard University who has started his duty as an advisor to the Turkish Central Bank, said that data in the first quarter of the year 2000 has given important signals that the inflation rate will decrease. Prof.Rodrik stated that he was closely following the developments concerning the inflation rate and remarked that the figures for March inspired much hope. He pointed out the importance of political stability for the struggle against inflation and added that if the political determination progresses, Turkey would certainly defeat inflation. /Sabah/

ERCEL: "WE HAVE NO ALTERNATIVE PLAN"

The Head of the Central Bank, Gazi Ercel, said that there would be a remarkable decrease in inflation and interest rates by summer and added that the economic programme being implemented in Turkey was the last chance and that they had no alternative plan. Ercel delivered a speech at the meeting of the Foreign Capital Association (YASED) yesterday. He stated that they had reached their targets as of the end of the year 1999 and their financial and foreign exchange policies were in line with their targets. /Sabah/

NEW FOREIGN CAPIAL INCREASES BY 24% IN FIRST QUARTER

The amount of new foreign capital permitted to enter Turkey rose by 24% to $521 million in the first quarter of this year, up from the previous year's $420 million, the Treasury announced yesterday. Foreign capital allowed to enter Turkey was $20 million in January, $39 million in February and $462 million in March, the Treasury said. The services sector attracted most of new foreign capital in the first quarter with 81.1%, followed by the manufacturing industry with 18.2%. Countries belonging to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) accounted for about 90% of the new foreign capital in Turkey over the mentioned period. Foreign capital companies active in Turkey numbered 5,024 as of the end of March. /All papers/

FITCH IBCA PUTS TURKEY ON RATINGALERT POSITIVE

International rating agency Fitch IBCA put Turkey's long-term foreign exchange rating of "B+" on RatingAlert positive, the agency announced yesterday. The agency will possibly upgrade Turkey's rating by early May. The agency indicated that this positive decision was taken following the Turkish government's serious steps towards structural reform and successful indicators of its macro-economic stabilization programme. The Turkish economy's resilience in the face of world financial crisis and devastating earthquakes in the country's northwest are also reasons for the agency's decision. /Turkish Daily News/

TOPRAKBANK RAISES $90 MILLION IN SYNDICATED LOANS

Privately-owned Turkish lender Toprakbank has raised $90 million in syndicated loans, the bank announced yesterday. The loan agreement was signed in London yesterday with lead arrangers Arab Banking Corporation, The Bank of New York, Baden Wurttembergische Bank, Bayerische Hypo-Und Vereinsbank, Credit Agricole Indosuez and Dai Ichi Kangyo Bank. The loan, which will be used for export financing, was secured at a one-year term and Libor plus 0.80% annual interest. /All papers/

TURKISH COMPANIES MERGE WITH FOREIGN COMPANIES

ITE Group Plc, which has set up a new firm (50%-50%) with Ceyda Erem, the owner of the CNR Fair Company last December, will be more active in Turkey. The ITE Group reached an agreement also with the E International Fair Company and purchased 100% of the shares of this Company. Thus, the ITE Group has also become the owner of the Hardware and Small-Ware and Stationery-Office Fairs. /Sabah/

TURKISH DELEGATION TO GO TO THE US

A delegation headed by State Minister Recep Onal will go to the US for IMF mid-term meetings. The Head of Central Bank Gazi Ercel and Treasury Undersecretary Selcuk Demiralp will arrive in the US to attend the promotion meetings of the Istanbul Stock Exchange (IMKB) in New York and Boston. The meetings in Washington will begin on April 15 and the delegation will return to Turkey on April 19. /Sabah/

CROATIA WANTS TO INCREASE TRADE VOLUME WITH TURKEY

Croatian Economy Minister Goranko Fizulic said yesterday that his country wants to increase trade volume with Turkey. "We have to work to increase economic relations, which are currently at a very low level in comparison to our potential. We can cooperate in the tourism sector especially, and the Croatian government wants to contribute to the Southeastern Anatolia Project (GAP)" Fizulic said. Fizulic yesterday met with Turkish State Minister Fikret Unlu, the Co-Chairman of the Turco-Croatian Joint Economic Commission (JEC). /Turkish Daily News/

ISTANBUL BUSINESSMEN EXPECT RECOVERY SOON

Istanbul Chamber of Commerce (ITO) Chairman Mehmet Yildirim said that the majority of his organization's members expect a recovery in all sectors of economy in 2000. A survey conducted on ITO members was released by Mehmet Yildirim yesterday. He said that a significant decline in interest rates, the stabilization of exchange rates and the provision of foreign financial assistance has spurred positive expectations among Istanbul's businessmen. Yildirim stated that foreign and domestic demand are experiencing an upward trend and there is a rise in customer orders. /Turkish Daily News/

TURKEY TO HOST MAJOR IMPORTERS

Purchasing delegations from approximately 150 companies are set to visit Turkey this year. The Foreign Trade Undersecretariat will be sponsoring the visits which are scheduled to be simultaneous with sectoral fairs in Turkey. Magazine editors from various countries are expected to join the missions. Also programmed to visit Turkey are trade delegations from Saudi Arabia, Syria and Iran in May, South Korea and Taiwan in November.

TUPRAS SHARES

The Government collected 1.1 billion dollars in three days from the sell of TUPRAS shares, the biggest privatization attempt in Turkish economic history. As the demand was more than what had been expected, the amount of shares offered to the public has been increased. The Greeks also bought 5.3 million dollars worth of shares. /Hurriyet/

TRT SEEKS KOREAN WAR VETERANS

Turkish Radio and Television Corporation (TRT) has been looking for Korean war veterans for a documentary titled "Kutup Yildizi" to be made about their lives. The producer of the documentary, Ismail Gecmen, stated that they have been working very hard on to locate the veterans but that there were many veterans that they have not been able to find and added that those they were unable to make contact with should directly apply to the TRT. Gecmen also said that they were using pictures from the Ministries of Education and Culture archives and also from the Office of Chief of General Staff for the documentary which will be broadcast on June 25, the 50th anniversary of the start of the Korean War. /All papers/

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

RESULT: SUPPORT FOR THE GOVERNMENT BY SAMI KOHEN (MILLIYET)

Columnist Sami Kohen comments on the Greek General Elections. A summary of his column is as follows: "If we take the fraction of a difference between the votes cast for both parties we can say that Greek people voted in favour of "both Kostas'". An advantage of 70 thousand votes was sufficient to keep Simitis and his party in power. At present, PASOK has 158 seats in the Parliament and the New Democracy Party led by Kostas Karamanlis has 125. The increase in the votes of the New Democracy Party (NDP)is more than that of PASOK. NDP has increased its votes by 4.5%, and PASOK by 2%. Notwithstanding this small difference, PASOK remained in power. However, Simitis has to take greater heed of NDP, as Karamanlis emerged as a strong opposition leader. In other words, PASOK's retaining power will provide for the continuation of old policies, but Simitis has to construct his social and economic policies in accordance with the wishes and tendencies of the voters supporting Karamanlis. Otherwise, the support he has received and the stability of the country may be lost. The results are pleasing for Turkey. Simitis' policy towards Turkey has been tried and is clearer. PASOK is committed to this policy and what is more, George Papandreu is expected to continue as Foreign Minister. However, this does not mean that in the new term, all the problems between Ankara and Athens will be solved. In the course of the dialogue and rapprochement process between the two countries confidence building steps have been taken and agreements have been signed. However, the main issues, disputes over Cyprus and the Aegean are still not solved. These problems have to be taken up soon, if not immediately. Turkish-European Union Association Council is meeting in Luxembourg today after an interval of three years. The stance of George Papandreu at this meeting will be an indication of the policy PASOK will follow on the solution of the main difficulties between Turkey and Greece."

WHO SHOULD BE PRESIDENT? BY FUAT BOL (TURKIYE)

Columnist Fuat Bol describes the characteristics the new President should have. A summary of his column is as follows: "The Presidency is the highest office representing a country. This office has been enhanced by the 1982 Constitution and today it is no longer a titular office. The region around us is rough and hard to govern. There are rich sources in the region and all the great states are interested in them. Both Russian, Western and our interests lie in the same region. Former Azerbaijani President Ebulfeyz Elcibey stated that the Turkish World should be globalized. The underground sources in the Turkish-Speaking Countries will determine the future of the world. Therefore all the world has its eye on this area. That is why it very hard to protect political stability in the region. In other words, the region needs highly charismatic leaders. Turkey is in the crossroads of this region and is the only Islamic country governed by democracy. She has to play a multifaceted role. She can neither break away from the West, nor turn her back to the East. Turkey has the opportunity to regain the prestige she has lost in the past... In the coming days we shall see the candidates for the Presidency both within the Parliament and from outside. The new President must be someone who is honest, and understands the world of the 21st century and its requirements, is courageous and respected by all. As the Presidency is an office above-parties, politicians should not view the matter from their parties' perspectives. This office must always be respected and not be the subject of disputes."

OLD ISSUES