CANDIDATE FOR PRESIDENCY

Deputy Prime Minister Husamettin Ozkan began to carry out a shuttle diplomacy between the coalition partners to decide on a joint candidate for presidency. The partners will try to compromise on a candidate by April 25, the last day for the application. /Sabah/

ECEVIT IN GOOD HEALTH

Yesterday Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit received journalists who have waited in front of his house for six days, in order to remove the speculations about his health. Ecevit, suffering from flu and resting at home since returning from visit to India, said to journalists that he had lately had a very schedule and he it was his right to be ill from time to time as it was for everybody. Ecevit stated, "I sense an anxiety in the public concerning my health, and there is no need for that. Turkey is a powerful country and in the case of an illness of a minister or the premier, things don't go bad. Our citizens should trust their nation, or, in other words, themselves. /Aksam/

CILLER: "PRESIDENT SHOULD COME FROM PARLIAMENT"

Clarifying her party's position in the presidential elections at the True Path Party (DYP) parliamentary group meeting yesterday, DYP Leader Tansu Ciller said that the President should come from within Parliament. Ciller claimed that Turkey has been pulled into a difficult situation after the failure to get a constitutional amendment proposal that would have allowed President Suleyman Demirel's election to office approved in Parliament. Noting that the presidential election is an issue requiring the utmost care, Ciller said: "Methods which can cast a shadow on our already disputable democracy should be avoided within the election process".

MOSES' MEETINGS

American President Bill Clinton's Special Envoy for Cyprus, Alfred Moses, proposed that the third round of the Cyprus proximity talks on May 23, be held at another building instead of the UN's and in the manner of 'Camp David`. Turkey has not given a positive reply to Moses' offers. Yesterday, Alfred Moses met Minister of State Sukru Sina Gurel, Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs, Faruk Lologlu and Deputy Undersecretary Yigit Alpagon. The US holds the view that Cyprus talks should be held at a place far away from the public, in the manner of the Camp David or Dayton meetings and the sides should meet directly and discussions should last until a concrete solution can be obtained. In the meetings, Turkish officials stated that the conditions are not right for direct-meetings, and without solving the basic problems such as 'embargo and equal status`, these kind of offers were not realistic. Turkish officials also emphasized that if these conditions were not obtained, the third round of the proximity talks would again be 'symbolic`. /Cumhuriyet/

CEM RETURNS HOPEFUL

Foreign Minister Ismail Cem, who attended the Turkey-EU Association Council in Luxembourg, returned to Turkey. On his arrival, Cem stated, "Things were better than I expected". Stressing that he was not happy with the economic subjects, the Minister said that the EU had certain responsibilities and obligations to Turkey to carry out, however, there was some positive developments on the matter. As regards political subjects, Cem noted that he sensed more understanding within the EU on Turkish views. /Cumhuriyet/

AWARD FOR SABANCI

Sabanci Holding Executive Board Chairman Sakip Sabanci was awarded by the Education and Solidarity Foundation of the Turkish Workers for Health for his services in the area of health. Sabanci's award was presented to him by President Suleyman Demirel at a ceremony organized at the Cankaya Palace. Responding to the questions of journalists on the presidential election, Sabanci said that the presidential position was a very sacred one and he expressed his belief that the Parliamentarians would be able to decide on the most suitable name for that position. /Sabah/

OSCE-PA MEETING IN ANTALYA

The Speaker of the Turkish Parliament, Yildirim Akbulut, said, "Xenophobia and ethnic nationalism, racism, terrorism, organized crimes, arms and drug trafficking cause risks and threats". A seminar on 'New Risks and Challenges: Minorities in the 21st Century' organized by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE-PA) and hosted by the Turkish Parliament started yesterday in Kemer, Antalya. More than 130 parliamentarians from 34 countries, members of the OSCE-PA, are attending the seminar which will end today. OSCE-PA Term-Chairman Helle Degn said that the OSCE-PA was trying to help the democratization process in countries experiencing a transition period. The OSCE-PA High Commissioner for National Minorities, Max Von Der Stoel, remarked that the issue of human rights was not a domestic affair and that minority rights should be taken up within the guidelines of the law and without damaging peace. /Cumhuriyet/

TURKISH PILOT DIES

A Cobra helicopter used by Land Pilot Major Erol Ahmet Yildiz crashed near the capital of Jordan, Amman. Major Yildiz, in Jordan in the scope of military training programme, died. His body will be brought to Turkey today. /Sabah/

UEFA'S DECISION TO BE ANNOUNCED ON FRIDAY

The UEFA stated that the final decision concerning the second match to be played between Galatasaray and Leeds United on April 20 would be announced on Friday. It is reported that UEFA, which has examined the applications of the two football clubs following the tension that arose after two English hooligans were killed in Istanbul, is trying to convene the Turkish and English administrators. Galatasaray Coach Fatih Terim said: "Since UEFA asked for a guarantee last year from our state, it is impossible to understand why this year they just want a guarantee from Leeds." /Cumhuriyet/

DENKTAS WANTS FIVE MORE YEARS

President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), Rauf Denktas, said that he should continue the negotiations launched to solve the Cyprus problem. A total of eight candidates, including four independents and four political-party nominees, will compete in the sixth presidential elections to be held in the TRNC on April 15. President Rauf Denktas' greatest rival is Prime Minister Dervis Eroglu. Meanwhile, the third round of the proximity talks launched by the UN to solve the Cyprus problem will begin in New York on May 23. /Cumhuriyet/

ICELAND'S FOREIGN MINISTER COMES TO TURKEY

Foreign Minister of Iceland Halldor Asgrimsson will visit Turkey on April 19 as the guest of Foreign Minister Ismail Cem. Asgrimsson will stay in Ankara for two days to discuss the relationship between Iceland and Turkey. President Suleyman Demirel and Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit will also meet Asgrimsson during his visit. /All papers/

EAST MEDITERRANEAN-2000 EXERCISE COMMENCES

East Mediterranean-2000 joint naval exercise, one of the scheduled exercises of the Turkish Armed Forces, started with on-board training in Izmir harbour, the Anatolia News Agency reports. During a press conference held on board flagship TCG Faith, with the participation of Turkish, French, Spanish and Italian commanders, Southern Region Naval Forces Commander Vice-Admiral Metin Atac explained to those present that the eighth East Mediterranean-2000 joint naval exercise will take place between April 12-22. /Turkish Daily News/

TANTAN IN ALBANIA TO DICUSS COOPERATION ON ORGANIZED CRIME

Interior Minister Saadettin Tantan met his Albanian counterpart Spartak Poci during an official visit to Albania yesterday. The two ministers discussed how their countries can cooperate in the prevention of organized crime, international smuggling, education of security personnel and exchange of information. In addition, Tantan and Poci discussed regional developments within the framework of the Balkan Stability Pact. Following the meeting, Poci described Albania's relations with Turkey as very positive and said that during their talks they had been trying to develop these relations further. Thanking Tantan for Turkey's contribution to the education of Albanian security personnel, Poci said that Turkey has always supported Albania in difficult times. Tantan stated that there have been historical ties between the two countries. Tantan also met Albanian President Recep Meidani, Prime Minister Ilir Meta and Defence Minister Luan Haydaraga yesterday. /Turkish Daily News/

CENTRE OF TEACHING AND RESEARCHING KEMALISM ESTABLISHED

The General Staff is starting a huge initiative by gathering the military and civilian academicians and experts from Turkey in order to put an end to the confusion surrounding the concept of Kemalism (pro-Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founder and the first President of the Republic of Turkey) and to ensure a standard as regards to this issue. For this purpose, the General Staff established the Centre of Teaching and Researching Kemalism (ATAREM) so that the Kemalist ideology will be widespread and effective within the Turkish Armed Forces and to form a standard for these issues. ATAREM consists of many civilian and military academicians and will hold its first meeting on Monday at the Headquarters of the General Staff. /Hurriyet/

TURKISH SOLDIERS RETURN FROM BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA

The Turkish Peace Force, who went to Bosnia-Herzegovina on 21 July in order to ensure peace there, completed its duty successfully and returned to Turkey yesterday. The Turkish Peace Team, comprising 180 persons, reached Derince Harbour and were welcomed by their families. During the ceremony that was organized for them, Commander of the 15th Army-corps, Lieutenant-General Aydin Sen delivered a speech, saying, "Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) returned home successfully after performing all duties." In addition, Commander of the Peace Force, Senior Major Nezih Cokar said, "We worked together with the armed forces of many powerful countries. We are grateful to the TSK for giving us this honor." /Star/

ARMENIANS WORRIED ABOUT THE PKK

There is not any change in the attitude of the European countries towards Turkey and in fact the European countries are more patient in their attitude. Within this framework, the reason that Armenians do not attract much attention in Europe is that the EU countries are now interested in the PKK terrorist organization. In a report, which was presented to the top-ranking officials of the State on the 'Activities of the Armenians Within the Framework of the Claims of So-Called Genocide,' there is interesting information regarding this issue. In this report, it was stated that many officials from the government and the parliament of the European countries told the Armenians that it was unsuitable for them to put pressure on Turkey concerning the issue of Kurds and Armenians and that it would cause a unified anger and reaction in Turkey. Turkiye/

THREE AIRPORTS TO BE OPENED IN UZBEKISTAN BY OKSUZ

The modernization projects of the airports in Semerkand, Buhara and Urgenc in Uzbekistan, the construction of which started on 16 September by the Turkish Alarko Company, British Laing Company and the Japan Maruben Company, was completed. Uzbekistan's Minister of Communication and the Turkish Minister of Communication, Enis Oksuz, will officially open these three airports tomorrow and, thus, Uzbekistan will have a strong potential of 7.5 million passengers. /Hurriyet/

BOTAS ACCELERATES NATURAL GAS PIPELINE CONSTRUCTION

The state-owned Turkish Pipeline Transportation Company (BOTAS) has accelerated the construction on a pipeline meant to carry natural gas to eastern and central Anatolia, the Anatolia News Agency reports. The pipeline will carry natural gas imports from Russia and Iran within the framework of agreements signed with these countries. BOTAS sources said that the first part of the five-part main transport pipeline project has been completed.

IMF: "ECEVIT WILL BE SUCCESSFUL"

In its report entitled 'Economic Situation of the World', the International Monetary Fund (IMF) stated that Turkey will be successful in its struggle against inflation this year. The report of the IMF reserved a special chapter for Turkey, it was stated that Turkey's economic programme had been prepared by taking previous failures into account and that the first data was promising. IMF stated that the economic programme that is being implemented by the government of Bulent Ecevit is very likely to be successful." In addition, the report pointed out that the inflation rates had decreased from 90% to 40%, that foreign and Turkish investors supported this economic programme, that the real values of shares had increased, and that the bond operations in the international markets were successful, all of which were very positive developments as far as this economic programme is concerned. /Milliyet/

COOPERATION BETWEEN FRANCE AND TURKEY

The Institute of French Maritime Research (IFREMER), French Council of National Scientific Research (CNRS), and the MENRT establishment will do research with Turkish scientists in the Marmara Sea between the years 2000 and 2002. In addition, the French ships called 'Lu Suroiment' and 'Nadir' will make seismic research but the date of this research has not been determined yet. Also the Italian ship 'Polonia' will perfom research and Turkish scientists will be present in the ships. French scientific submarine 'Cyana' will collect samples from the Bfloor of the sea and Turkish scientists will be able to investigate the floor of the sea in the depth of 1,200 meters. /Hurriyet/

RECORD $2.5 BILLION BID FOR FIRST GSM

Is Bank and Telecom Italia purchased the first of two new mobile phone GSM network licenses with a record high bid of $2.52 billion at a bidding war broadcast live on national television stations yesterday. The group's unexpectedly high offer beat by far that of its closest rival, the consortium of Dogan Holding, Dogus Holding, Sabanci Holding and Spanish Telefonica, which offered $1.35 billion. After opening of the original bids, a Transport Ministry contract bid commission said it would award the license through an open bidding war between the two best bidders based on the highest original offer. The Is Bank-Telecom Italia consortium will also pay an additional $429 milion to the state to cover a 17 % value-added tax according to the State Bid Law. /Turkish Daily News/

TREASURY REFUSES TO PROVIDE A GUARANTEE FOR NUCLEAR PROJECT

The Treasury refused to provide a guarantee for the financing of Turkey's first nuclear power plant, proposed to be built in Akkuyu on the Mediterranean coast, the Anatolia News Agency reports. In a written statement to the Energy Ministry, the Treasury said it would not guarantee the financing until 2003 in view of the current economic stability and disinflation programme, the agency said. Last Friday, the Turkish Electricity Joint Stock Company (TEAS) cancelled a news conference at which it was scheduled to announce the winner of the contract and extended the announcement until April 21.

TURKISH ECONOMY MANAGEMENT SET FOR IMF-WB SPRING MEETING

Turkish economy bureaucrats headed by State Minister Recep Onal will be attending the World Bank-IMF spring meetings that started on April 11 in Washington. Onal is set to depart on April 14 for Washington, where he is expected to meet US Treasury Secretary Larry Summers, World Bank President James Wolfensohn, Vice-President responsible for Europe Johannes Linn and IMF-Turkey Desk-Chief Carlo Cottarelli, the Anatolia News Agency reports. On April 18, Onal will move on to New York where he will participate in the UN Economic and Social Committee meeting. During private contacts with IMF and World Bank officials, the Turkish officials will concentrate on the first quarter results of Turkey's economic programme and measures that need to be taken in the second quarter. The delegation is scheduled to return home on April 19.

MOODY'S ASSIGNS B1 RATING TO VAKIFBANK

US rating agency Moody's assigned a B1 rating to Vakifbank and placed the lender under positive outlook, the bank announced yesterday. The bank said the rating was assigned due to a planned unguaranteed borrowing with repayment priority. The three-year euro-denominated borrowing is scheduled for this month, the statement said. The B1 rating is limited to Turkey's sovereign ceiling on foreign currency debt. It also reveals the bank's adequate financial strength, the bank added. /All papers/

GAP MASTER PLAN TO BE REVISED

Turkey's major socio-economic development plan, the Southeastern Anatolia Project (GAP), will be revised in a fashion that incorporates three fundamentals, namely public investments, private sector participation and people's contribution, the government agency responsible for the project announced yesterday. Revisions to the GAP master plan entails a series of conferences involving local administrations, private sector representatives, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and individuals as well as public institutions, the GAP Regional Development Administration said in a statement. /Turkish Daily News/

TURKEY TO GIVE $4 MILLION TO GEORGIA

Turkey will give $4 million to the Georgian Defence Ministry to aid the modernization of its navy, the Anatolia News Agency reports. A senior Turkish official will visit Georgia on April 17 to sign an agreement and present the financial aid package, which will be allocated for the re-organization of the Georgian Navy's 11th Fleet to meet NATO standards.

DIRECTORATE GENERAL OF FORESTRY'S TENDER COMPLETED

The Pan Aviation Company won the bid to hire 10 watering helicopters that was opened by the Directorate General of Forestry within the framework of the 'Project of Struggling Against and Preventing Forest Fires' and Doruk Tourism and Trade Company won the bid to hire 10 general aim helicopters. The bid to rent a total of 20 helicopters was made under the auspices of the Directorate General of Forestry, Chairman of Central Commission of Purchase, Hasan Tasci. /Star/

FOREIGN INVESTORS WAITING FOR THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION

CA IB Investmentbank, which is an expert on company mergers and privatization and which is the investment bank of the Bank Austria Group, opened a representative branch in Turkey. Officials from the CA IB stated that they were thinking of giving priority to portfolio investments and taking their shares from privatization efforts amounting to 100 billion dollars in Turkey. Chairman of the Executive Board of CA IB Investmentbank, Wilhelm Hemetsberger, said, "We see that the economic stability programme in Turkey is being implemented successfully and we are excited as a result. There is no threat of devaluation in Turkey and the presidential election in Turkey as well as the stability of the Turkish government are of the utmost importance for foreign investors. If these problems are solved, then the fund will be fluxed to the markets." /Star/

AZERBAIJANI PAINTER TO OPEN EXHIBITION IN TURKEY

Azerbaijani painter Orhan Huseynov's first personal exhibition will be open between 17 and 28 April at the Directorate General of Vakifbank. Huseyinov, who participated in many exhibitions both in Azerbaijan and abroad, generally works on miniature, and mostly on the Azerbaijani miniature. The exhibition will be open between 08:30 and 18:00 everyday except the weekend. /Turkiye/

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

WHAT KIND OF A PRESIDENT? BY YILMAZ OZTUNA (TURKIYE)

Columnist Yilmaz Oztuna expresses his opinions on the election of a President. A summary of his column is as follows: "The President should be elected from among the members of the parliament. If the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TGNA), or more correctly party groups in the TGNA cannot elect a president among them, they will be duly criticised. A candidate outside the TGNA can only be mentioned if there is an impasse in the Parliament. This person should have political rather than diplomatic experience. He should be someone who knows the world of politics, believes in democracy and understands the TGNA... Turkey is ruled by Governments which come out of the TGNA, receiving its vote of confidence. National will cannot be shared by giving authority to people or institutions outside the parliament. The candidate to be elected should not have any implication of wrong doing attached to him, especially in financial matters. He should know that he cannot refer to religion in any positive or negative way. He should be aware of the fact that this is the State of Turkey and also be a fervent supporter of Turkish culture. The candidate should not listen to any excuse which would delay our reaching European Union standards or our rapprochement with Turkish-Speaking Counries. None of these goals should be placed before the other."

SPORTS AND POLITICS BY SAMI KOHEN (MILLIYET)

Columnist Sami Kohen comments on the reactions concerning the recent incidents following the football game between Leeds and Galatasaray teams. A summary of his column is as follows: "Just as the accreditation formalities were completed and Turkey's new Ambassador to England, Korkmaz Haktanir, assumed office, the incident which resulted in the death of two English men took place. Since that day, the Ambassador is busy coping with the chain reactions resulting from that incident. The Turkish population in Britain, amounting to 200,000, and mainly those Turks in Leeds are living in fear and apprehension. The Ambassador is working hard to prevent further escalation of events and especially to insure for the security of Turks living in England by the authorities. Haktanir is pleased with the attitude of the English officials. Necessary measures are being taken. The greater part of British society, and in general the prestigious newspapers, are acting with common sense, criticising the violent attitudes of its citizens and do not want this incident to cast a shadow on bilateral relations. However, the second round is full of dangers. This fight between a handful of people due to a game, can damage the relations and the interests of two countries. In fact, recent tension has resulted in the cancellation of reservations for summer vacations. The Ambassador stated that the time has come to analyze violence in connection with sports. With the contribution of the serious newspapers in England such an analysis has already started. Now it is time in Turkey to start making such an analysis. It should be remembered that violence related to sports do not only occur in the matches played with foreign teams. It is time to put a stop to such violent acts. As Turkish Ambassador to London, English Ambassador to Ankara is also under heavy pressure. Experienced diplomat Ambassador David Logan also had to turn his attention to the chain of events following the death of the two Englishmen. He is also in touch with the Turkish authorities on the issue. Notwithstanding all that has happened, the fact that pleases Ambassador Logan is that a wide section of Turkish society disapproves of what has happened. He stated that he was encouraged by the messages he received from deputies to students, from the world of business to the sport world. However, this unfortunate incident has come at a time when a cooperation programme entitled "Turkey-Britain 2000" was initiated. 22 delegations of businessmen were expected in the coming six months. This is a record number. The greatest participation inthe Istanbul Festival would be from Britain. The ambassador expressed his hopes that the violence related with sports would not hamper these efforts. This is the desire of everyone who thinks of Turkish interests."

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